Well, he didnt.
He has a lot on his plate.
Im sure, but never mind. We cant leave you alone. It wont do, not the way things are at the moment.
So you and Hannah wont be here tonight? Sadie asked.
Well, that is the general idea.
Leaving the house with no one in it? What nonsense; I havent the slightest intention of doing that. Now you take care of yourself, and well see you when we can, and she cut off.
Sara said to Roper and Hannah, I cant leave it like that. I must go and try to make her see sense, and she made for the door.
Roper called, Just watch your back.
Hannah took the silenced Colt .25 from her pocket. Ill take care of that department.
Yes, but whos going to watch your back, Roper said. Youre getting to be worse than Sara. Tell her to use the Land Rover and take care.
Which sent Hannah running out of the door smiling.
THE LATE AFTERNOON RAIN came with a sudden rush at Highfield Court that sent Sadie Cohen running upstairs to see that no windows were open. She checked all the bedrooms, finishing with Hannahs, where she found one open a little.
Naughty girl, she muttered. Typical.
Not that she meant it, for she had come to realize for some time now that Hannah was the daughter shed never had. Hannah, whod lost her mother and father to the car bomb in Northern Ireland that had killed them and crippled her, returned her affection completely. The fact that she was Catholic and Sadie Jewish was irrelevant.
Sadie slammed the window down, peering out because this was her favorite view, high up on the fourth floor of the house, the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square no more than a couple of hundred yards away.
It never failed to please, and she looked down at the garden, which was at its best, flowers in season, poplar trees swaying, but then she frowned at a flash of yellow down there. A man in an oilskin jacket stepped out of the rhododendron bushes, stood there in the rain, then stepped back into cover.
Sadie went downstairs, entered the kitchen, opened a large wooden drawer, and took out a sawed-off shotgun and a packet of cartridges. She loaded the weapon quickly, then went out in the hall, approached the front door cautiously, and waited, the shadow of a man outside.
Her Codex sounded, and as she pulled it out one-handed to answer, the shadow vanished from view.
Sadie Cohen, she said.
Hi, love, Hannah replied. Sara and I are on our way. Should be with you in fifteen minutes.
Youll be welcome, Sadie told her. Because we appear to have a guest in the garden. Could be others, too.
Remain inside, Hannah told her. Intruder, she said to Sara, and called Roper. Wheres Dillon?
When he turned up and found you gone, he said hed join you, Roper told her. Ill check and tell him to put his foot down.
Dillons on his way, she told Sara, who said, Thats a comfort. I bet its the Brotherhood. Theyve tried before, three or four pretending to be seeing to waterworks or drains or something like that.
Hannah produced her Colt .25 and checked it. Well, the bastards can bring it on as far as Im concerned.
I couldnt agree more, love. Sara was smiling. Isnt it great to be a woman?
Absolutely, Hannah told her.
So as the great Bette Davis said, Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a bumpy night, and Sara put her foot down hard as they roared away.
SADIE TURNED OFF the hall light, but as the darkness had increased considerably and very quickly, she switched on the garden lights. The conservatory was in darkness, and she stood there beside the Schiedmayer concert grand in the study, waiting and watching.
There was some sort of movement out there. She waited, then switched on the conservatory lights, illuminating two men in yellow oilskin uniforms peering in the window.
They backed away hurriedly into the darkness, and Sadie was filled with fury, turned the key, and flung open the door.
Who the hell are you? she called. Get out of this house. She went down the terrace steps, cocking the sawed-off. Ill shoot without hesitation, which she did, firing one barrel into the night sky.
One of the men jumped out of the thicket behind her, grabbing at her wrist, forcing the sawed-off up, and tearing it from Sadies grip. A second came to his aid, trying to control her as she kicked, and two more men in yellow oilskins ran in through the open gates to help them.
The Land Rover arrived just after that, swerving in, Sara braking so hard that she sprayed gravel over everyone. She slid from the drivers side, drawing her Colt, and Hannah joined her on the other side, weapon in hand.
All right, Sara cried. Thats enough.
The one who had picked up the sawed-off said, I dont think so, Captain Gideon. If you and the girl dont put down your weapons, I will blow your housekeepers head off.
On the instant, Hannah shot off the lower half of his left ear.
He cried out, blood spurting, and dropped the shotgun, and Dillon seemed to slide in at the wheel of the Mini at the same time, spraying another wave of gravel.
My goodness, but you girls have been having fun, he said, as he got out.
What kept you, cousin? Hannah demanded.
One of the men reached down to grab the shotgun, and Dillon kicked him in the face. The man fell over, and the others cried out in protest.
Dillon said, Line up and shut up, or someone else could lose half an ear. He turned to Hannah. There you go, stealing my favorite party trick.
It runs in the family, she told him. The way they treated Sadie, they got what they deserved.
On that point, I wouldnt argue with you. Dillon turned to the lineup. Whos going to tell me who sent you, although I dont expect to be surprised.
They stared at him stony faced, and no one said a word except Dillon, who told them exactly what he thought of them in harsh but fluent Arabic. They stared at him in astonishment, and he returned to English.
So lets try again, and I would suggest that one half ear a night is enough.
The man with the ear bleeding into the handkerchief he held against it said, Imam Yousef Shah, although I suspect you know that.
As it happens, I do, so what would your name be?
Hamid Abed.
Well, keep better company is my advice. Take them to their van, Hannah. Send them on their way, and you have my permission to shoot anybody who makes a false move. Keep an eye on her, Sara, while I help Sadie indoors. Shes shaking.
Hannah shepherded them outside to their yellow van and waited for them to scramble in. Hamid still held the handkerchief to his ear as he turned to her.
You use that gun like a soldier. Who taught you to do that, memsahib?
The Provisional IRA, she told him.
Allah preserve me. He was shocked. And the leg? You are crippled?
Car bomb, she said. When it comes down to it, you lot are just beginners. Off you go, Hamid Abed, and try to behave yourself in the future.
The Provisional IRA, she told him.
Allah preserve me. He was shocked. And the leg? You are crippled?
Car bomb, she said. When it comes down to it, you lot are just beginners. Off you go, Hamid Abed, and try to behave yourself in the future.
The van drove away; Hannah turned and walked back to Sara, who said, What was that all about?
He wanted to know where I learned to shoot.
And you told him the IRA?
Which shocked the hell out of him. He called me memsahib; I thought that was Indian?
So it is, and Im surprised, Sara told her, as they entered the house. Their attitude toward women is different from ours, so when they meet someone like you and me, they dont know how to handle us.
Theyll have to learn, Hannah said, and followed Sara in, pausing at the umbrella stand, helping herself to one of the several walking sticks.
Leg bad tonight? Sara asked.
You could say that. Hannah grinned. One cripple to another. You, too?
Yes, its an absolute bastard. The fruits of war.
Ah, for that I can only offer you this. Hannah handed her a walking stick. On the other hand, for the hero of Abusan, a Military Cross goes with it.
Sara gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Bless you, Hannah, for being you. Im beginning to wonder how I ever got by without you. Lets go and see what Seans up to.
The door of the rabbis study stood open; Sadie had lit a fire in the magnificent Georgian grate. Dillon sat at one side, speaking to Roper, and he paused.
Sadie went off to the kitchen to make tea and coffee. I think shes upset, he said.
Hannah had turned and was already on her way. Sara said, Well handle it, and hurried after her.
Sadie was sitting in a high kitchen chair sobbing, Hannahs arm around her. Its okay, Hannah told her. Im here now, and so is Sara.
Im so sorry, Sadie said. I got the shotgun to chase them away, even fired a round into the sky, but it didnt stop them. I was terrified, thinking they might be ISIS and knowing what terrible things theyve done.
Well, Sara and I soon put them in their place, Hannah said. And as we know exactly who was responsible for the attack, well be able to do something about it.
Sadie brightened at that. True enough. She took a deep breath. Go and see Sean in the study, and Ill follow you with a trolley.
Dillon was putting logs on the fire when they joined him. How is she? he asked.
Nerves shot, Sara told him. Thank God we were able to get to her in time.
Too true, but I wont allow it to happen again. Ive just made that clear to Roper.
And what did he say?
Ferguson is still at Downing Street but sends his best. Hell be with us soon, so lets have a drink or sit down and have a cup of tea Irish-style and relax.
At that moment, Sadie wheeled in the trolley, obviously trying to be brave. Tea up. Ive managed salad sandwiches and scones. Oh, I forgot to say God bless all here. Is that right, Sean?
Sadie, youre the wonder of the world.
THE DAIMLER WAS ON THE ROAD, Sergeant Doyle at the wheel and Ferguson, Cazalet, and Blake Johnson in deep discussion, when Fergusons Codex rang. He answered, his smile changing to a frown.
Roper, he said. Let me put it on speaker. He has rather dramatic news for us.
Roper then gave them a detailed account of the events at Highfield Court.
The bastards, Blake said. Those Brotherhood guys.
I agree, Cazalet told him. But no match for a woman who is one of the few to be awarded a Military Cross in the British Army.
Charles Ferguson chuckled. Or an even younger one raised all her life in a household that was a hotbed of the Provisional IRA.
What do you want to do? Roper demanded.
Well call round to see them, Ferguson said. Firstget me Imam Yousef Shah on the line.
There was a pause, and then, Shah here.
Charles Ferguson. I shouldnt think any of the theology departments at Oxford would be too proud of you tonight, you and your Brotherhood.
I have no idea what youre talking about. The Muslim Brotherhood has no connection with this mosque. You must look elsewhere for whatever disturbs you.
A nice turn of phrase, Imam, but I was actually considering what might be the best way of disturbing you.
I appreciate the warning, the imam told him. But take caremy appointment in Samarra could be yours. May Allah go with you.
He went off, and Roper said, Shakespeare would have loved him.
Good point. But well be off to Highfield Court. Oh, and do a favor for me. Tell Sadie were coming and make it clear we arent expecting dinner or anything. She takes her hospitality very seriously, you know.
What a hypocrite you are, Charles, Roper said.
A fault I readily admit, Ferguson told him. But so useful in this game we play, Giles.
IT WAS TWO OCLOCK in the afternoon in Washington when Alice Quarmby, summoned by the President, arrived at the Oval Office.
Do you have the slightest idea what its about? she asked the secretary.
Afraid not. It might be a minute, though. Colonel Hunters been in there for forty minutes.
Then its me for the powder room, Elsie. Be right back.
IN THE OVAL OFFICE, the President was sitting behind his desk, Hunter standing as he talked.
The use of private military companies in the recent ISIS attacks in Mali certainly proves their worth.
As glorified security men, protecting business or preventing the theft of Muslim treasures, yes, Ill grant you that. Meanwhile, the French flew a hit force of marines in a fleet of aircraft all the way from Paris by night and caught ISIS with its pants down. Rather more impressive, Id say.
There was little Hunter could say to that, but as he turned to leave, the President said, Actually, theres something you could do for me, Colonel. Youre heading for London now, right?
Yes, sir.
Now do me a favor and help Blake watch out for Cazalet over there. Dont let them know, just be my extra eyes and ears. Hes putting himself in harms way. Too public, Colonel. I want him back here where we can protect him. The damn fool seems to court death every time he speaks in public.
Yes, I can see what you mean, Mr. President. Ill take care of it.
Excellent. You may need some extra authority, so Ive made you a presidential aide with a pass to prove it. Dont forget to call on the ambassador. Hell be expecting you but wont know why. Elsie has an envelope for you on the way out, and Ill phone you from time to time. Remember: This must stay secret, even from the ambassador. Philip Hardy is a good man but has a mind of his own.
Of course, Mr. President, I understand perfectly now.
Alice, standing in for Elsie for a few moments in the outer office, had heard everything as Hunter stood with the door ajar. She ducked into the filing cupboard a second before Hunter emerged from the Oval Office and Elsie entered.
I believe you have an envelope for me?
Yes, I do, Colonel, Elsie said, and passed it to him.