Greta Novikova said, Trouble? Ashimov called for his bill and told her quickly.
She was worried. Can you handle this?
You shouldnt need to ask. Well take a taxi to my place, where well get my car and suitable weaponry. You can chauffeur me. He smiled a terrible smile. Theyre only gangsters, my love. I handled them in Moscow, Ill handle them now.
Ali Selim, of course, would not have agreed with him. He rang the bell for Abdul, the caretaker, and met him on his way out to the car.
Somethings come up. Im needed in Iraq. Im not sure for how long, but Ill be in touch.
As you say, Doctor. Abdul never questioned the imams comings and goings.
Selim got into the Peugeot and drove away. The Baghdad airport, as happened so frequently, was closed to aviation traffic, which was why he was headed to Kuwait. Hed drive the rest of the way. It was surprising how cheerful he felt, the closer he got to Heathrow and away from Queen Street.
The Lynda Jones was moored at the other end of the wharf from the Dark Man. More than fifty years old, it had been lovingly restored, and it was the joy of Harrys life it took him back to his childhood days as a river rat. He sat there now with Billy, at a table under an awning, and Baxter and Hall held Harker between them.
Dillon stood by the stern railing, light spilling out into the darkness, the occasional boat passing, all lit up. The whole place had a rather melancholy air to it, although, for the life of him, he couldnt think why. He shivered slightly and lit a cigarette.
Harry said, Okay, Charlie, dont waste my time. Who told you to stick those two hoods on Dillon?
Harker tried to struggle, and Baxter and Hall held him firmly. Billy leaned forward and slapped his face.
Harker said wildly, Ive told you, Harry, you dont know what youre getting into. This is big-time stuff, believe me.
And who are we, the little people? Fuck this for a game of soldiers. Salter nodded to Billy. Try the hoist and put him over.
Baxter and Hall put the struggling Harker down and Billy pulled on the stern hoist, took the hemp rope suspended from it and looped it around Harkers ankles. Baxter and Hall heaved until Harker was clear of the side, then swung him over and dropped him headfirst into the river.
He hung there for a while, struggling, weakened, then stopped. Have him up, Harry told them.
Baxter and Hall pulled Harker out, then swung him over the rail. He lay on the deck, retching up river water.
Had enough? Billy demanded.
Youve signed your own death warrants, Harker said weakly.
Were wasting our bleeding time here, Salter said. Over with him again.
No, for Gods sake. Ill tell you.
They untied him and sat him on a chair. Give him a fag, Salter said, which Billy did.
Dillon cut in. So who told you to put those guys onto me?
A Russian called Ashimov. He runs security for that oil billionaire, Belov. Ashimov has links with Dr. Ali Selim at the Queen Street Mosque. They recruit English-born Muslims for some outfit called the Wrath of Allah. To arrange an underground route for them to Iraq or Syria. They use one of my boats to Amsterdam, then go on to Kuwait on false passports.
You bloody bastard, Salter said. What do you do when they come back and set bombs off in London?
Before Harker could reply, there came a single shot. It took Harker over the rail into the water.
Ashimov grabbed Gretas sleeve. Come on, move it, and they hurried away through the shadows.
Leaving the Volvo close to the Dark Man, he and Greta had watched from the shadows and heard something of what was being said. Without hesitating, Ashimov had pulled out a Beretta, taken careful aim and fired. He seldom missed.
On the Lynda Jones, the four of them crouched, waiting, and Billy reached to flick off the light switch. A moment later, they heard a car start up and move away. Well, thats it, whoever it was, Salter said.
A pound to a penny it was Ashimov, Dillon said.
Billy switched on the deck lights again and they peered over. No sign of Harker, Dillon said.
Billy shrugged. There wont be. The tides going out.
Well, at least we know where we stand, Dillon said. So if you gents will excuse me, Ill go and have words with Ali Selim. Ill keep you posted.
No, you wont, Billy said. Ill take you in the Range Rover.
In his quarters at the mosque, Abdul was cooking a late supper when the doorbell sounded. He went to open it and found Dillon standing there, who pushed him back and stepped in.
Get me Selim.
But he isnt here. He left a couple of hours ago.
Left? Wheres he gone?
Abdul was sensible enough to be frightened. Iraq. He said something had come up, that he was needed.
Is that so? And when is he due back?
He wasnt sure. He he said hed be in touch.
Dillon snorted. I wouldnt count on it.
Dillon returned to the Range Rover, and when Billy asked, Everything okay? told him what had happened.
Id say hes done a runner, Billy said. Once you started sniffing around, that would be enough. Whats next?
Ill call Ferguson.
When he did, Ferguson said, The waters really are getting muddied, arent they? Ill speak to Roper. Meet me at his place.
Dillon turned to Billy. Regency Square.
The Majors place? Things are starting to get interesting. Quite like old times. And he drove away.
It was shortly afterward that Abdul again answered the doorbell at the mosque and found Ashimov, who pushed past him, Greta following.
Abdul was by now extremely agitated. Hes not here. Doctor Selim has gone away.
What in the hell do you mean, gone away?
To Iraq.
Ashimov was thunderstruck. When did this happen?
Two hours or so ago.
Tell me exactly what he said.
Abdul did and added, There was someone else looking for him. A small man with very fair hair. He was very frightening.
I bet he was, Ashimov said grimly and turned to Greta. Lets get moving.
They got into his Volvo. Where to now? she said.
Back to my place. Well check it out. He cant be going to Baghdad, there are no commercial flights at the moment, so it has to be Kuwait.
Then what?
Well go after him. I cant go myself, Belov wants me at his place in Northern Ireland, but you can. Use our GRU contacts, theyll get you into the Baghdad airport. Use Belovs name if you need to. Ill arrange some muscle for you.
She took a deep breath. Are you sure?
Smell powder again, Greta. Youll enjoy it.
All right, Ill do it.
Just be careful. If I were Ferguson I wouldnt let it go, this thing. Hell send somebody.
Dillon?
Seems the most likely. He speaks good Arabic and Russian, has lots of Middle East experience. Ill confirm it for you.
Seems the most likely. He speaks good Arabic and Russian, has lots of Middle East experience. Ill confirm it for you.
To hell with him. Ill still do it.
Good girl. He was smiling as they passed Buckingham Palace. But dont stay at the embassy. The Al Bustan is much more fun.
Ferguson, Dillon and Billy stood beside Ropers bank of computers. The Majors fingers danced over the keys for a while and he sat back.
Definite confirmation. There was a slight delay, but the jumbo took off an hour ago. Selim has seat three-A in the first-class cabin. Nice. I can also tell you thats his fourth time to Kuwait in the last ten months.
What else? Ferguson demanded.
I can give you the name of the rental-car firm he uses. Its always the same one. And he stays at the Al Bustan hotel in Baghdad. A good hotel, though somewhat damaged by the war. A favorite with correspondents.
Family? Dillon added.
Yes, there are still relatives, in a village called Ramalla about forty clicks north of Baghdad. His great-uncle lives there on a small farm by the Tigris. Ive pulled a map of the location from the computer. Nicely detailed.
Any more information on Wrath of Allah?
Im still trawling. We can always try Sharif, of course.
And who would he be? Dillon asked.
A major in the Republican Guard during Saddams day. Intelligence. Hes worked for me for a while now. Very expensive, but worth it. Ill give you his photo and details.
Why not the Americans?
Hes not keen on them. Lost his wife and daughter in the bombing during the war. Hell be of considerable value to you when you get there.
So Im going?
Its essential, dear boy, that you find Selim and haul him back, said Ferguson. We know a great deal about him, but theres a lot more we need to know, particularly about his dealings with Ashimov and Belov.
So you dont want me to kill him?
Youre always so basic. No, not if it can be helped. Our Russian friends will have a different point of view, but never mind that. The Superintendent is arranging your papers now. Youll be pleased to know youre a correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph. You do analysis, think pieces, not instant news. Your Northern Irish accent will suit the role admirably. The Superintendent has alerted Lacey and Parry. Well use the Citation XL. As its RAF, it can land at Baghdad even though commercial planes are grounded.
At that moment the door buzzer sounded, and Roper pressed the release. Hannah Bernstein came in.
Everything pushing ahead? Ferguson asked.
I think so, sir. Theyre working on Dillons papers now, the plane will be ready for morning departure and Ive spoken to Sharif. Hes arranging for you to stay at the Al Bustan, which should be perfectly satisfactory.
I dont think so, Billy said.
Ferguson frowned. And why not?
Because you shouldnt be the one going. If Dillon is to pass without suspicion as a newspaper reporter, he needs a photographer with him. I mean, what he really needs is someone to watch his back, but it would be convenient, in this case, if that someone could also pass himself off as a photographer.
And you could?
After Kate Rashid and company shot the hell out of me in Hazar, I had to forget my favorite hobby, diving, and so I took up photography. Did a course at the London College of Printing.
And you think you know your stuff?
First of all, Id need two cameras, if not three. Im sure you saw the photographers during the war, draped in the damn things. As for lenses, a wide-angle zoom and a long zoom. Nikon, I think, though I wouldnt bother with digital because that would mean Id need a laptop. Now, as far-
Spare me, for Gods sake. Ferguson turned to Hannah. Process his papers, Superintendent. He nodded to Dillon. Is that all right with you?