Twenty minutes, darling. You were too good to be true. A blessing from Allah, really. Id lost my mother and my three brothers and then there you were, a Dauncey I never even knew existed and thank God for it.
Rupert Dauncey felt emotion welling inside of him. He reached for her hand. You know Id kill for you, Kate.
I know, darling. You may well have to.
He smiled and put a cigarette in his mouth. I love you to bits.
But Rupert, women dont figure on your agenda.
I know, isnt it a shame? But I still love you. He leaned back. So where are we?
Senator Daniel Quinn over there. Its very interesting how chummy he seems to be with Cazalet. Before when I wanted him dead, it was because his people were finding out too much about my activities. Now, I wonder if he doesnt have some bigger agenda.
Such as?
I dont know. But I think it would be interesting to find outDo you know that he has a daughter, Rupert? Named Helen. Shes a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.
Yes? And?
I want you to cultivate her.
I dont understand.
Well, you know about my little charitable works, dont you? I believe in supporting oppressed and minority political groups. People like Act of Class Warfare, the United Anarchist Front, the Army of National Liberation in Beirut. Theyre a little wild, butwell meaning.
Well meaning, my backside.
Rupert, how unkind. Well, anyway, the Act of Class Warfare education programme operates from my castle, Loch Dhu, in western Scotland, a rather run-down old thing but nice and remote. It provides adventure courses for young people. Teaches them how to handle themselves. And for some of the older onesa little more.
Like in Hazar?
Very good, Rupert! Yes. The Army of Arab Liberation Childrens Trust. Thats rather more serious business. Full paramilitary training, run by mercenaries. Some of them are Irish, you know. There are plenty of them around since this whole peace process thing began.
So what do you want from me?
I want you to oversee Loch Dhu, start keeping an eagle eye out, make sure nobody is snooping around. And I want you to keep close contact with Act of Class Warfare.
Why?
Because Ive got a feeling well be seeing Senator Quinn again, and sooner than we think. Did you know, Rupert, that Act of Class Warfare has branches at most of the major universities now? Filled by the children of the affluent who want to destroy capitalism? She chuckled.
And what does that have to do with Quinn?
Because, my dear RupertHelen Quinn is a member of the Oxford branch.
In London the following morning, Major Roper appeared at Sean Dillons cottage at Stable Mews, a strange young man in a state-of-the-art electric wheelchair. He wore a reefer coat, his hair was down to his shoulders, and his face was a taut mask of the kind of scar tissue that only comes from burns. An important bomb disposal expert with the Royal Engineers, decorated with the George Cross, his extraordinary career had been terminated by what he called a silly little bomb in a small family car in Belfast, courtesy of the Provisional IRA.
Hed survived and discovered a whole new career in computers. Now if you wanted to find out anything in cyberspace, no matter how buried, it was Roper you called.
Ferguson and Dillon were there to greet him.
Sean, you bastard, Roper said cheerfully.
Dillon smiled and helped him over the step. You look well.
Hannah didnt say much. She sent me a file, though. Are we going to war again?
Id say its a distinct possibility.
He followed Roper along the corridor and they found Ferguson on the telephone. He replaced it. Major, how goes it?
Fine, General. Youve got work for me?
Ferguson nodded. Indeed we have.
For the next half hour, they went over the whole background of the case, until finally Dillon said, And what we would like you to do first is check out those groups shes been giving money to. If shes got an Achilles heel, that may be it. I dont know what were looking for, exactly he grinned but well know when we find it.
You realize, Roper said, that if Quinns people checked her out a few months ago, she knows it. Theyre bound to have left footprints, which means that shes had time to try to cover her tracks, if she wanted to.
Does that mean you dont think youll find anything? Ferguson asked.
Ropers scar tissue lifted in what passed for a smile. I said shed try. I didnt say shed succeed.
LONDON5
Ropers apartment in Regency Square was on the ground floor, with its own entrance and a slope to the door to facilitate his wheelchair. The entire place, including the kitchen and bathroom, which had a specialized shower and toilet system, was designed not only for a handicapped person but for one who, as in this case, was determined to fend for himself. In what should have been a sitting room, there was instead a computer laboratory and workbench, and the equipment there was state-of-the-art, some of it classified, obtained not only because he was a major on the Army reserve list but because Ferguson used his muscle whenever he had to.
Three days after Quinns meeting with the President, the front doorbell sounded at ten in the morning. Roper pressed a remote control and a moment later, Ferguson, Dillon, and Hannah Bernstein came in.
So, what have you got? Ferguson asked Roper.
Well, as you said, the Rashid Educational Trust pours money into an incredible variety of causes. The lists as long as your arm. Most of them appear legit, but not all of them. This Childrens Trust in Beirut, for instance, is definitely Hezbollah. And shes got other trusts scattered around Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, the Oman. Im still working on them, but Id bet you anything some of them are terrorist fronts as well.
What on earths she playing at? Ferguson said.
Shes consolidating her power, Dillon said. Establishing links with all the major Arab leaders. Gaining influence through either peace or violence, depending on what suits her particular needs.
Roper nodded. And dont forget the size of her oil interests in the Middle East. Rashid Investments controls a third of all production there. She could bring down the whole house of cards if she wanted to.
Christ, Ferguson groaned. A third of Middle Eastern oil production.
Dillon turned back to Roper. What about here at home? She hasnt made grants to the IRA or the Ulster Freedom Fighters or anything like that?
No, but there are a lot of fringe organizations, like the Peoples Army, the Socialist Marxist League, the Nationalist Liberation Group, the United Anarchists, and so on and all the contributions presented as educational grants.
And next time theres a riot in London, how many of the members will be there? Hannah asked.
Roper shrugged. Shes very clever. Everything is done in the open and above board. Many people would applaud what shes doing.
And next time theres a riot in London, how many of the members will be there? Hannah asked.
Roper shrugged. Shes very clever. Everything is done in the open and above board. Many people would applaud what shes doing.
On the surface, maybe, Ferguson said. But shes clever, all right. What about Act of Class Warfare?
Despite its name, it seems pretty innocuous. Its biggest feature is a kind of outdoor educational programme for kids from twelve to eighteen. School parties, canoeing, trekking, mountain climbing.
I wonder what the older students get? Dillon asked.
Its headquarters is in western Scotland, in a town called Moidart, at Loch Dhu Castle. Yes, it belongs to the Countess.
Ferguson was astonished. But Ive been there. We all have.
Even Roper was surprised. What do you mean?
It was Dillon who answered. A few years ago, we had to deal with a very bad article named Carl Morgan whod rented that castle for a few weeks. The General, Hannah, and I took him on from Ardmurchan Lodge on the other side of the loch.
Hannah turned to Ferguson. But Lady Katherine owned it.
Actually, its a little more complicated than that, said Roper. When Sir Paul Dauncey received the title of Earl of Loch Dhu from James the First, it was an old castle even then. It was rebuilt in mid-Victorian style by one of the later Earls, starting in 1850, but the family hardly ever used it they preferred Dauncey Place. More recently, they leased it to the Campbell family for fifty years. On the death of Lady Katherine Rose five years ago, the lease reverted to the Daunceys.
Or since the marriage of Kates mother to the Rashids, Dillon said.
Carl Jung once said there was a thing called synchronicity, Hannah said. An event going beyond mere coincidence that makes you think theres some deeper meaning involved.
Yes, spooky, isnt it? Dillon said. Kate Rashids been waiting for us to turn up all this time.
Dont talk nonsense. It was Ferguson who interjected. But, you know, I think its time for us to shake the pot a bit.
What do you mean, sir? Hannah asked.
Ferguson turned to Dillon. Sean, I think its time for we know that they know and they know that we know.
And what would that accomplish? Dillon asked.
All right. Now, this is top secret and for your ears only, and Whitehall would probably skin me alive for telling you but for the past couple of years, Kate Rashids donesome work for the government. Shes been a secret emissary for the Foreign Office and the Prime Minister.
What?! Hannah exclaimed. Oh, I cant believe this!
Do we get to know whos at the other end? Dillon asked.
Saddam Hussein.
Good God, Hannah moaned.
She knows him well, you see, and hes a great admirer.
She cant put a foot wrong, can she? Roper commented. So what youre saying is that she has protectors, that wed have difficulty getting certain people to think ill of her at the highest levels of government.
Yes. But I damn well do, Ferguson said.
And youd like Kate Rashid to know youre on her case?
Exactly. He turned to Hannah Bernstein. You and Dillon, I want you to go to Loch Dhu castle, see what you can stir up.
When, sir?
Right now. Phone Farley Field. Tell Lacey and Parry to get the Gulfstream ready. If I remember right, theres an old abandoned RAF strip by the Loch. Its only four hundred and fifty miles, it should take you an hour and a half.
Wed need transport, sir.
Then phone the air-sea rescue base at Oban. Tell them to send an unmarked car. Do it now. Go on, Superintendent, you can use your mobile in the car.
He almost pushed her out of the room, and Dillon smiled at Roper as he followed. Now you know how we won the war.
Which war? Roper asked.
At Farley Field, the small RAF installation used for covert operations, they were greeted by Squadron Leader Lacey and Flight Lieutenant Parry. Both officers were holders of the Air Force Cross, awarded for hazardous operations in various parts of the world on Fergusons behalf. Both men wore nondescript blue flying overalls with no rank tabs.
Lacey said, Nice to see you, Sean. Will it be messy?
Probably not but you never know, do you?
Were using the Lear, since it doesnt have RAF roundels, Superintendent. You did say you wanted this business low-key.
Of course. Lets get moving.
She went up the ladder, Dillon behind her, and the pilots followed. Lacey went to the cockpit and Parry closed the door. A minute later, they sped down the runway and took off, climbing fast to thirty thousand feet.
Why the emphasis on anonymity when Ferguson wants Kate to know its us? Dillon asked.
Were a covert organization, and we want to keep it that way. A plane with RAF roundels and two officers in uniform could form the basis of a formal complaint if the Countess so desired.
Ah, Kate would never do that. There are rules, even in our business.
Youve never obeyed a rule in your life.
He lit a cigarette. The ones that suit me, I do. How are you feeling these days, Hannah?
The previous year, during the feud with the Rashids, shed been shot three times by an Arab gunman.
Dont fuss, Dillon. Im here, arent I?
Ah, the hard woman you are.
Oh, shut up.
Parry had left a couple of newspapers on the seat. She picked up The Times and started to read.
At the same time, other things were happening in the world. In Kosovo, Daniel Quinn entered the village of Leci in a Land Rover owned by the British Household Cavalry Regiment. A trooper stood up behind a mounted machine gun and another drove while Quinn, wearing a combat jacket, sat in the rear beside a corporal of horse the equivalent of a sergeant in other units named Varley.
It started to rain. There was smoke in the air, acrid in the damp, from houses still burning. There was no sign of the population.
Varley said, It looks as if that same Albanian flying columns been here, too.
Could we be in trouble?
Probably not, as long as we fly that. Varley nodded to the Union Jack pennant mounted at the side of the engine.
I noticed you dont fly the UN flag or wear their blue berets.
We go our own way. It works better. They dont think of us as taking sides.
That makes sense.
He heard the throb of a helicopter overhead, unseen in the mist and rain. It reminded him at once of Vietnam, and it brought back the unmistakable smell that only came from burning flesh, once experienced, never forgotten. It was almost too much for Quinn as a hundred memories, dormant for years, came flooding back.
The driver braked and switched off the engine. It was very silent in the rain, the sound of the helicopter fading.
Bodies, Corporal.
Varley stood and so did Quinn. There were half a dozen of them: a man and a woman and three children, another body face-down some yards away.
Looks like a family party, all gunned down together. Varley shook his head. Bastards. Ive seen bad things in my time, but this bloody place beats the lot. He turned to the trooper at the machine gun. Cover us while we move them. We cant very well drive over them.