Whats he up to now?
Head of security for Josef Belov and his outfit.
The oil billionaire? Dillon asked.
Thats the man, Roper said. Man of mystery, thats his front. A billionaire many times over, and friend of Putin.
So what on earth would Ashimov be doing around Mrs. Morgan?
It must have been something to do with the son, Hannah said. Has to be.
And the interesting question is Who sent Henry Morgan to New York with the intention of shooting the President? Dillon turned to Hannah. You said Dr. Ali Selim was clean as a whistle.
It was Roper who broke in. He is, as far as my researches show.
Then why is he involved with a man like Ashimov? Whats the purpose? Dillon shook his head. There has to be a reason. He turned to Roper. What did you find out about the Wrath of Allah?
It was an Arab militant group some years ago during the civil war in Lebanon. With the end of that war, it seemed to disappear from view. Last year, the Israeli Mossad tried to establish if it was an offshoot of Al Qaeda, but got nowhere.
Well, it meant something to Henry Morgan, Ferguson said. It may have disappeared, but that doesnt mean it doesnt exist. One of our greatest security problems is the way a few terrorists can hide themselves in the mass of an ordinary decent Muslim population. How can you tell the difference?
Mao Tse-tung invented that strategy years ago, and it eventually won him China, Dillon pointed out.
Ive got something else for you, recently pulled out of my printer. Roper handed three photos across. Greta Novikova. Supposed to be a secretary at the Russian Embassy, but in reality a major in the GRU. Used to be Ashimovs girlfriend. Neat coincidence, her being assigned to London, isnt it?
Quite a lady, Dillon said admiringly. He slipped a copy into his breast pocket. Maybe Ill run into her.
Hannahs mobile went, she answered and listened. Fine, well be there. She turned to Ferguson. Professor Langley, sir. He can give us a preliminary.
Excellent, Ferguson said. You hang in there, Major. Ill keep you informed.
They filed into Ferguson s Daimler, and as it moved away, Greta Novikova eased out in her Opel and went after them.
They filed into Ferguson s Daimler, and as it moved away, Greta Novikova eased out in her Opel and went after them.
George Langley was a small, gray-haired energetic man whom they had all met in the pursuance of previous cases. Many people considered him the greatest forensic pathologist in London, and not much escaped him.
The Peel Street Morgue was an old building, some of it Victorian, but the interior was modern enough. A receptionist led them into a white-tiled room with fluorescent lighting and modern steel operating tables. Mrs. Morgan lay on one of them. The wounds from her examination had been stitched up.
My God, I never get used to this part, Hannah said softly.
Langley came in from the preparation room in shirtsleeves, drying his hands on a towel.
Ah, there you are, Charles.
Good of you to be so quick off the mark, George. What have you got for me?
Death by drowning. No suggestion of foul play. Strangely enough, no bruising. On the other hand, she was as light as a feather. Very undernourished. Her previous medical history isnt good. The car accident, which reduced her to the wheelchair, was very grave. Ive checked the records. Ive also checked with her GP, and she was being treated for Alzheimers.
So thats it?
Id say so. Its interesting that the man who found her, Patel, speaks of these minor accidents she suffered in the wheelchair. I notice a report by the scene-of-crime sergeant who went to see the imam at Queen Street. Sounded most distressed, said hed implored her many times not to venture out alone, and usually sent someone to escort her.
Which still leaves us wondering what she was doing at the end of the jetty, Dillon said.
Ive had a quick look. Nothing out of the ordinary. The Alzheimers would make her subject to confusion, memory loss, considerable general stress. If she turned right, shed turn the corner for the Queen Street Mosque; if she turned left, shed find herself on the jetty and only a few yards to the steps. He didnt even frown when he said, Are you looking for suspicious circumstances here, Charles? You usually are.
No, no. Its an unrelated matter.
Unrelated, huh? Which brings you hotfoot, plus the Superintendent and Dillon? Highly unlikely, Id have thought. However, I cant help you with this one and Ive other things to do. Ill be on my way.
They left and walked to the Daimler. Ferguson paused, frowning, and said to Dillon, Whats that you usually say? About making it a we-know-that-they-know-and-they-know-that-we-know situation?
Id say you mean you want Dr. Ali Selim pushed a little.
Exactly. Ill leave it to you. Blakes at the American Embassy at the moment. Well all catch up later.
Dont you think I should provide a police presence for Selim, sir? Hannah asked.
No. Some things require the Dillon touch, Superintendent.
They got in and drove away. Dillon said, Youve noticed the Opel sedan trailing us?
Absolutely. Dont forget to find out who it is.
Ferguson dropped him off. Hannah was not pleased, and Dillon leaned down to her through the open window. Keep the faith, love.
Well, you keep your fists in your pockets.
The rain increased, and Dillon glanced at the Opel and decided to leave it alone. He went inside the mosque and followed a sign that said OFFICE.
In the Opel, Greta Novikova called Ashimov on his mobile. They were all at this Major Ropers place in Regency Square Ferguson, Bernstein and Dillon. Theyve now dropped Dillon at Queen Street. Why?
I should imagine because Mrs. Morgan has met an untimely accident and Mr. Dillon is about to speak to Selim about it.
What do you mean, accident?
Her wheelchair appears to have deposited her in the Thames. These things happen. Stay there and follow Dillon when he comes out.
Dillon found the office, knocked and walked in. There was no one at reception, so he tried the next door and found his quarry working at a desk.
Dr. Ali Selim?
Selim recognized him at once from a computer photo Ashimov had left him.
He managed a smile. Can I help?
Dillon decided to let it all hang out. Oh, I think so, me ould son. He lit a cigarette.
Not in here. It is an affront, Selim told him.
I know, a terrible vice, but we all have them. I can see you know who I am, your face twitched, but then a guy like Ashimov would be right on the ball about me and my friends. We have a video of the two of you, by the way. That would go down big at the House of Commons, dont you think? And I notice his girlfriend, Greta Novikova, is outside.
I dont know what youre talking about.
Well, in broad terms you do, and I could fill in the rest for you. Henry Morgan walks up a Manhattan street in the rain and disappears into oblivion, his mother goes off the jetty in Chandler Street and into the Thames. A very unfortunate family.
Selims face turned pale.
Get out of here. Ill call the police.
Oh, I dont think you will, not with Ashimov on your back. Dillon dropped his cigarette in a half-filled cup of coffee by Selims right hand. Say your prayers, son, youre going to need them. Oh, and good luck with the Wrath of Allah.
It was a long shot, but the shock on Selims face was obvious.
Dillon went out and paused on the pavement, looking across. Greta Novikova was taking a photo, and she was badly caught out when he crossed the street quickly, opened the passenger door and got in.
Now, look here, she started to say.
Oh, cut it out, girl dear. I know who you are and you know who I am. He produced a packet of Marlboros and took two out. I bet you smoke, too. Most Russians do.
Bastard, she said. But she almost looked amused.
He lit the cigarettes and passed her one. Lets go.
Go? Where to exactly?
My place in Stable Mews. Dont pretend you dont know where that is.
She drove away, half smiling. I bet Selim was messing himself in there.
Something like that. I told him we know about Ashimov and you, and who knows? Perhaps Ashimovs boss, the mysterious Josef Belov.
Youre playing with fire, Dillon, she said. Id be very careful.
Oh, I always am.
She paused at the end of Stable Mews. Can I go now?
Of course unless youd like to have dinner with me.
The great Sean Dillon with a romantic side? I doubt it. Besides, youve chosen a bad night. I have a function at the Dorchester ballroom this evening on behalf of the Russian Embassy.
Dillon got out and leaned in. Oh, Im sure I could gain admission.
She drove back to the embassy, turning over this strange man in her mind, and phoned Ashimov to tell him what had happened. Ive got a crazy idea he could turn up tonight.
So hes challenging us, is he? Well, well challenge back. Ill go with you. Pick me up at seven.
After she hung up, she went into her computer, into her secret GRU files, accessed Dillon and was breathless at what she discovered. This was the man whod been responsible for the mortar bomb attack on Downing Street in ninety-one? A feared enforcer for the IRA for years, a killer many times over once an actor at the National Theatre? She read, fascinated.
I put the fear of God into Selim, Dillon told Ferguson on the phone.
I thought you would. Whats your verdict?
Well, the obvious thing is that he didnt deny any of it Morgan, Ashimov, the Novikova woman, the lot.
Well, he wouldnt, would he? By the way, Blakes been in touch. Hes taken all that stuff I gave him on the Muslim situation in the UK and gone straight back to Washington.
What a shame. Id hoped to take him to the Dorchester tonight. The Russian Embassys got a function on in the ballroom. Get me a security pass, Charles, Novikovas going to be there. Perhaps Ashimov will be with her. Id like to run with it.
Only if you run with me, you rogue. Well go together.
Cocktails at seven, Charles, not black tie. The embassys trying to make friends and influence people and I understand that there might be a surprise guest or two.
Are you referring to the fact that when President Putin finished at the European Unions Paris conference this morning, he decided to divert his plane to RAF Northolt for a chat with the Prime Minister this afternoon? And that hes not due to depart until late tonight?