A desolate sort of place, Keogh said.
Ryan nodded. A hard way to make a living.
They came to a wooden sign post that bore the legend Follys End. And that just about sums it up, Ryan observed.
A moment later and they came to farm gates wide open, and beyond it the farm, two large barns, the farmhouse itself, all built in weathered gray stone. Benny turned off the engine and got out. As they followed, the front door opened and a black and white sheepdog bounded out. A moment later a woman appeared. She wore a heavy knitted sweater, mens trousers, and green Wellington boots. Her hair was iron gray, the face strangely young looking. Ryan went forward as she held her arms open. They embraced warmly and he turned.
Here you are then, my cousin, Mary Power.
THE BEAMED KITCHEN had a stone-flagged floor, a wood fire burning in an open hearth. She served them herself, ladling lamb and potato stew from a large pot, moving round the table, then sat at the end.
Its good to see you, girl, she said to Kathleen. When you reach my age relatives are hard to come by.
And its good to meet you, Kathleen told her.
And you, Mr. Keogh, what would your speciality be? Mary Power asked.
Well, I like to think I can turn my hand to most things. Keogh spooned some stew to his mouth and smiled. But Ill never be the cook you are.
Ryan pushed his plate away. Mary Power said, More?
He shook his head. Tea would be fine.
She got up and started to clear the plates and Kathleen helped her. Keogh said, Could we all know where we stand here?
You mean where Mary stands? Ryan said. Simple. Shes backing me to the hilt on this. If things go well, she gets a hundred thousand pounds. That means she can kiss this place goodbye and go back to County Down.
She showed no response at all, simply took plates to the sink, then reached for the kettle and made tea. Everythings in order. The truck is in the back barn. Ive aired the cottage at Marsh End and theres a fire in the stove. Somebody will have to stay there.
Ryan nodded and accepted a mug of strong tea. Perhaps Kathleen could stay with you, and Martin and myself could make out at the cottage.
Fine. She opened a tin box and took out a cake. Try this. I made it myself, and she reached for a knife and cut it into slices.
THERE WAS A motorcycle on its stand just inside the barn, a black leather bikers jacket draped across it, and there was a helmet. Keogh recognized it at once. Heh, where did you get this beauty, Benny, a Montesa dirt bike?
You know this model? Ryan asked.
Of course. Spanish. Theyll do half a mile an hour over rough ground if you want them to.
And is that good? Kathleen asked.
It is if youre a shepherd operating in hill country, Keogh told her. These things will go anywhere. He turned to Ryan. You bought this for Benny?
Not really. A bit small for him. I thought it might suit our circumstances. Ill explain later. He said to Mary, Lets have a look at the truck.
She turned to Benny. Show us, Benny.
He nodded eagerly, almost ran to the back of the barn, tossed some bales of hay to one side, then felt for a hidden catch. The wooden wall swung open. Inside in an extension of the barn stood a large truck painted green and white.
THE LEGEND ON the side of the truck read Shelby Meat Importers. Keogh said, Is this what I think it is?
An exact replica of the truck were going to heist.
So whats the point?
A decoy, thats all. Benny will dump this down on the coast road, all doors locked and so on. That should hold the police up nicely while they try to get inside. Itll give us extra time, if we need it, to get away with the real McCoy.
Very ingenious. And Benny can handle this?
Benny can handle anything with an engine like you wouldnt believe. Benny should be a Formula One driver only hes too big. Benny nodded delightedly.
Right, lets go back inside and have a cup of tea and then Benny can take us to the front line, so to speak.
THE COAST ROAD was down below, a secondary road joining it at the side of a wood. The Land Rover pulled in and Ryan got out with Keogh and Kathleen and Benny followed.
So this is it? Keogh asked.
Thats right, Ryan told him. Four oclock, Friday afternoon, give or take fifteen minutes, and the transporter reaches this junction. Take my word for it, all carefully checked.
Theres one thing I dont understand, Keogh said. Its all right saying the Howler takes out the trucks security system, but how do you get the damn thing to stop in the first place?
A good point, but thats where Kathleen comes in. Ryan put an arm around her. Ill explain when we get back.
THE SECOND BARN was filled with farm machinery. There was also an old Ford van.
Ryan said, Now if you were driving along a country road and you saw that van burning and a young girl lying in the road, blood on her face, would you stop?
Id have to say I would, Keogh said.
And so will they. Ryan put an arm around Kathleen. A chance to earn your Oscar, girl.
I wont let you down.
I know you wont. Now lets go in and well take it step-by-step.
AS I TOLD you, the transporter reaches the junction at approximately four oclock on Friday.
They were all there in the kitchen. Mary and Kathleen at the table with Ryan, Benny at the door, and Keogh by the fire.
Ryan said, Kathleen and I will drive to the scene of the action in the Ford van. You follow on the Montesa. Ive got a couple of two-way radios in the case. Youll have one with you. Youll carry on a couple of miles and wait for the transporter. When you see it, you call me. Use Eagle One as a call sign, Ill use Eagle Two.
What do I do then?
Overtake the truck and join us. Well set fire to the Ford and Kathleen lies down in the road and does her thing. Ive some of that false blood actors use. Shell put it on her face.
Then they stop, or we hope they do, and you use the Howler to screw up the transporters whole security system.
Theyll be cut off from the world.
And if they fight?
No problem. Ive got two AK rifles in my case, stun grenades, and gas grenades. Even Semtex and pencil timers, but the doors will be unlocked anyway thanks to the Howler. Fifteen minutes after we leave the farm, Benny will drive the replica transporter down to the coast road where hell dump it and clear off back to the farm on foot.
So, we neutralize the guards. What then?
You and Kathleen get the hell out of it on the Montesa, all the way to the jetty at Marsh End. Ill follow in the truck.
But why cant we all go together in the truck? Keogh asked.
Ryan put an arm around Kathleen again. Because the trucks the vulnerable end of things. If anything goes sour, thats where it will. I want her out of it. If things do go wrong, then as long as you and Kathleen get to the Irish Rose, theres always the chance of getting away.
Kathleen said, What do you think, Martin?
Keogh said, That its going to be one hell of a Friday.
IN KILBURN, JUST before evening, Hugh Bell was sitting at the desk in his office when the door opened and the barman looked in.
Some gentlemen to see you, sir.
He was pulled to one side and a very large man in a navy blue raincoat entered, hands in pockets.
So there you are, you old bastard.
Scully. What do you want? and Bell knew fear.
Ive brought an old friend to see you.
He stood to one side and a small man entered. His face was thin and wasted, he wore wire spectacles beneath an old trilby hat and a fawn raincoat.
Mr. Reid, Bell said, his mouth dry.
Nice to see you, Hugh. The Belfast accent was very pronounced. A word would seem to be in order.
A word? Bell said. I dont understand.
You dont? Reid took off his hat and sat at the table. And me all the way from Belfast on behalf of the Army Council.
But what would they want with me?
Reid took out an old silver case and selected a cigarette. Scully lit it for him with his lighter. Dont fence with me, Hugh. The other year Michael Ryan put up a hare-brained scheme to knock off some bullion truck up in the northwest of England. Dont deny it because you were involved. The Army Council turned it down.
But what would they want with me?
Reid took out an old silver case and selected a cigarette. Scully lit it for him with his lighter. Dont fence with me, Hugh. The other year Michael Ryan put up a hare-brained scheme to knock off some bullion truck up in the northwest of England. Dont deny it because you were involved. The Army Council turned it down.
Thats true, Bell said lamely. I do recall something of that.
Dont bullshit me, Hugh. Things get out as things always do, and the whisper is that Michael is going ahead with this job on his own initiative, right now. He smiled thinly. It would seem obvious that you would be the man to know the truth of the matter. He turned. Wouldnt you agree, Scully?
Oh, I would indeed, Mr. Reid. And Scullys smile was terrible.
He was in deep trouble, Bell knew that, but he also knew that disclosing what he did know would do him no good at all. When Scully was brought in, it always meant a bad end to things. He was not known as the Shankill Butcher for nothing. Bell made his decision and took a deep breath.
Sure, I cant deny I know something of the matter, Mr. Reid. Michael did come to me the other day and discuss certain aspects.
The word I got was that a bullion truck would be heisted, is that true?
Well, it was in the original plan submitted to the Army Council.
And trans-shipped to somewhere in County Down. Do you know where?
God save us, but I dont.
Scully! Reid said.
The big man took a Browning from his pocket and advanced. Bell said hurriedly, No need for that. I know where Ryan is staying here in London. Ill take you there now.
Scully relaxed and Reid smiled. Very sensible, Hugh.
Ill get my coat.
Bell went into the bedroom, picking up his jacket, put it on, then quickly opening the opposite door, darted along the corridor, exited into the alley at the side of the pub, and ran for the main road.
WHEN THE PHONE in the hall rang at Follys End it was Mary Power who answered it. She came into the kitchen and said to Ryan, Its for you. Mr. Bell.
Ryan went out to the hall and picked up the phone. Yes, Hugh?
Were in trouble. Reid turned up from the Army Council with that sod Scully. They know, Michael, theyve heard a whisper.