Right, well see how it goes.
As far as Yuris concerned, if anyone gets blamed for it all coming out, its me not you, so keep your mouth shut.
Fine, she said. Ill leave it to you.
She switched off, went and got another vodka, and Ashimov stamped in. What a mess!
It was certainly that, Yuri.
He went and poured himself a drink. I had him in my hand, Blake Johnson, the Presidents man, the ultimate coup.
It would have been a greater coup to allow him to pass through empty-handed, she said. I told you. But you just had to give Bell the wink, didnt you? Sometimes, Yuri I just dont know, and she walked out.
In London, at the Ministry of Defence, Ferguson listened to Blake, then called Dillon and Billy into his office. He gave them an account of what Blake had told him.
Bloody marvelous, Billy said. Thats put the bastards in their place. What do you think, Dillon?
So theres a new bunch in power from the Provisional IRA. And some guy told Blake that Belov was in Russia. Where does that get us?
Maybe if we traced that Bell person they mentioned. Does the name mean anything to you?
Ferguson shook his head. Ill give it to Roper. He might find something.
What about the murder inquiry? asked Dillon.
Still proceeding, Sean.
Then maybe I should have a look myself.
Id really rather you didnt.
Dillon shrugged. Ill get on, then.
Outside, he paused at his desk, only for a moment. Billy said, What are you going to do?
What do you think? Ill see you later, and he went out.
Wait for me, Dillon, Billy called, and went after him.
On the phone to Volkov, Levin explained everything that had happened. He waited while Volkov considered the matter. Finally, he said, I agree with you, Igor, Major Ashimov has been foolish in this matter. Dillon is far from being an idiot. Hes probably already made the link between the nurse and the IRA. Now this thing at Drumore. With Ropers assistance, Dillon may hunt down the Bell connection sooner than you think.
What should I do? Levin asked.
Watch them all carefully, Igor. One day soon well need to make hard decisions, and well need to know what and who our liabilities are.
Levin went into the Dorchester, but instead of going up to his suite, he went into the Piano Bar. It was half busy, cheerful and sophisticated as usual. He sat on one of the banquettes, ordered a glass of champagne and glanced at the newspaper. At that moment, Dillon and Billy walked in.
The bar manager, Guiliano, approached. Mr. Dillon, a pleasure. What can I do for you?
Ill have the usual and the boy here orange juice. And if you dont mind it, Ill give you a tune on Liberaces grand piano there, before your usual pianist comes in.
Itd be a pleasure, Guiliano said.
Levin slipped on his earpiece. He could hear them perfectly.
So whats new?
Im leaving it to Roper for the time being. Lets see if this Bell thing hangs together. If anybody can find the answer, its Roper.
Oh, dear, Igor murmured, as Dillon walked down to the piano, opened it and started to play. We cant have that.
As he got up, Dillon seemed to look across at him. Levin smiled and called, in his finest public school voice, As Time Goes By, old man. Never fails.
He walked out and went upstairs. Billy went to the piano. Who was that?
God knows, Dillon said. I think Ive seen him somewhere before, but for the life of me I cant remember where. Good idea on the music, though, and he started to play the tune.
Upstairs in his suite, Levin opened the file hed received in Moscow, found a number and rang it. When there was an answer, he said, George Moon?
Thats right.
The midnight bell is ringing.
Thats right.
The midnight bell is ringing.
Moon said, Thats fine by me. Silly buggers, all this code stuff, he thought.
Ill see you in half an hour at the Harvest Moon pub in Trenchard Street. Ill recognize you. Be alone.
Fine by me. Side entrance. Theres a light like a moon over the door. A moon for a Moon fitting, right?
6
Levin checked his briefcase, the Walther with the silencer. In the room safe in the wardrobe of the suite, he had five thousand pounds in mad money. He took out two thousand in fifties, stowed them in the briefcase, put on his trench coat and left.
He took his Mercedes, drove in the general direction of Soho, and beyond Brewer Street he finally came to the pub in Trenchard Street, an old Victorian sort of place. He parked some distance away and walked through the rain, not bothering with an umbrella.
The light over the door in the side alley had the shape of a half-moon on it, sure enough. Levin glanced up, then pressed the bell. After a moment, the door opened and a rather tarty young woman appeared.
Ive an appointment with Mr. Moon.
So whats your name?
Mr. Nobody to you, sweetheart. Just lead the way.
All right, keep your shirt on. She was quite attractive in her own way, a cotton skirt tightening over her buttocks, high-heeled ankle boots on her feet.
She turned at the top of the stairs and paused to open a door. Had a good look, did you?
Definitely. Not to be missed.
Cheeky bastard.
Most men are.
She smiled in spite of herself. You like having the last word, dont you? In here.
She opened a door and ushered him into a room lined with books like a small library. There was a large desk with a lamp, the light low, and the man seated there was small, balding, wearing steel spectacles. He nodded to Levin, and held out a limp hand without getting up. Behind him a man leaned against the wall, hard, brutal, with the flattened nose of an ex-boxer, and arms folded.
Im George Moon, no need to say who you are. I know your principals and thats sufficient. Cup of tea for me, Ruby, although considering this gentlemans antecedents, I expect hed prefer a large vodka.
Yes, O Great One.
She went out. Levin said, A lot of character there.
A lot of everything. A very naughty girl. Harold?
The man behind him moved close enough to smell, and it was not good. Ruby opened the door and said, Teas brewing, George. She had a bar tray, a bottle of vodka and a glass on it.
Harold said, All right, china, arms wide. His hands went for a body search.
Levin said, Now whos being naughty? I dont like that, Harold. His right hand came out of his pocket clutching the Walther, and he rammed it under Harolds chin. Now go back to propping up the wall like a good boy, or Ill castrate you.
Harold, in shock, eased away. Do as the gentleman says, Harold. That was Moon.
Levin turned to Ruby, who was smiling. She said, My God, a right hard bastard. Whod have thought it? Ready for your vodka, then?
Why not?
She poured a large one and he drank it down.
Fabulous. Ill have another.
He held the glass out and placed the Walther on the desk as if daring Harold, who glowered at him.
So what can we do for you?
Levin opened his briefcase and took out the money it contained in two packets.
Its simple enough. A man lives in Regency Square, in a wheelchair most of the time, a Major Roper. I want him seen to.
Permanently?
That would be the best solution. After all, anything could happen to somebody like that. He could end up dead in his wheelchair, the victim of an opportunistic burglar. Theres two thousand here; if you accept the assignment, another two on completion. Just one thing.
And what would that be?
You do it now tonight.
There was silence for a moment. Harold said, Regency Squares only twenty minutes away.
Thats true. Moon nodded. As I know your principals, he said to Levin, I presume this is a political matter?
None of your affair.
Moon nodded and turned to Ruby. Youll keep an eye on those bastards behind the bar. You never know what theyll get up to. He handed her the two thousand. Look after that, love.
Youre going yourself, George?
Why not? Ill keep an eye on Harold. Find a raincoat for me and an umbrella.
Yes, George.
Levin took a computer printout from his briefcase, with a photo of Roper on it and his address. Moon picked it up and checked it, then handed it to Harold, who looked and shrugged.
Piece of cake.
Moon said to Levin, You coming or are you just watching from afar?
Ill see you after your successful completion, or lets hope I do.
That will be entirely satisfactory.
So you trust me not to vanish into the night?
Oh, absolutely. Ive dealt with your people on many occasions. Why would they let me down? Theres always a next time. Im well aware how powerful they are.
Ill see you later, then. Levin turned to Ruby. And you.
God, but youre a cold-blooded bastard.
Its been said before. He grinned, brushed past her, went down the stairs and back to his Mercedes, got in and drove away. He made it to Regency Square. There was plenty of parking at that time of the evening. He found one very close to Ropers place, pulled in, switched on the radio and sat there listening to it and waiting.
Roper, busy at his computers, had had enough and his stomach told him as much. There was an Italian on the corner of the square by the main road. They always did well by him and his wheelchair. He pulled on his reefer coat and a cap in the hall and went out into the rain.
Levin saw him at once, and so did Moon and Harold, whod just arrived and parked at the side of the square.
How convenient, Moon said.
How do we do it? Harold asked.
Moon nodded down to the main road. I always prefer to keep it simple. It looks nice and busy down there. We push him along the pavement and simply let go. Hes bound to run in front of a truck or something.
They got out of their car, Moon put up his umbrella and they crossed the road as Levin watched. He had an insane desire to laugh. Did those cretins really think it was going to be that easy?
Dear God almighty, he murmured.
Harold had a hand on one side of Ropers wheelchair now, Moon on the other. Be a nice gentleman now, Moon said, and youll come to no harm.
Come to no good, you mean, Roper said. He eyed the two of them. Ive been here before. Last time it was the Mafia. Whats your religion?
I wouldnt dream of telling you, love.
Ah, well, then we cant do business, Im afraid, Roper said. Then he took a silenced Walther from the right-hand pocket of his wheelchair and shot Harold through the side of his knee.
He went down with a curse, and Moon said, Oh, my God.
Roper grabbed him by the coat. Whats your name? Come on, quick, or Ill give it to you, too.