“So what’s it all about?” Ke6gh demanded.
“What’s on the meat transporter?” It was Kathleen who answered. “Gold, Martin.
Gold bullion. Fifty million pounds.” “God save us.” Keogh managed to look astonished.
“And why would it be transported in such a way?” “Let me explain,” Ryan said. “Bullion used to be landed at Loncron Docks on the Thames, but over the past twenty-five years the waterfront has been in decline.
Shippers prefer Amsterdam. However, bullion deliveries were rerouted to Glasgow.” “How long has this been going on?” “Five years. Ever since they built a new smelter at Barrow-in-Furness. See it there;on the map right at the bottom of the Lake District? Mainly shipbuilding there. The latest atomic submarine came out of their yards.” “So what’s the smelter got to do with things?” “They melt the gold down and reprocess it into smaller ingots. The banks prefer it that way. Gold is heavy stuff.” “I see,” Keogh said.
Ryan continued. “The transporter travels from Glasgow to Carlisle, then cuts across to Maryport on the coast and follows the coast road down to Barrow.” “And we hit it somewhere on that road?” ‘.Exactly. This coming Friday.” “But how do we stop it and, what’s more to the point, how do we get in?” It was Bell who answered..’It’s no ordinary truck.
There’s a driver and two armed security guards in the cabin behind him. The truck looks standard, but it’s reinforced in every possible way, and there’s a battery of electronic security devices, a first-class radio system.” “^nd how do you handle that?” Keogh asked.
Bell opened a drfiwer in the table and took out a black hand-held computer with several rows of buttons and a read-out screen.
“I know this looks as if you use it to turn your television on and off, but it’s a bit of pure genius called a Howler. You see, privileged information again, we know the code for the security;ystem of the truck. The Howler has already selected it. You press the red button three times and the entire Security system in the truck, electronic door locks, radio, the lot, is neutralized. That means the doors are open.” “And where in the hell did you get that?” Keogh asked.
“Oh, a young electronic whiz kid at Queen’s blni’ versity in Belfast who is sympathetic to our cause.” Keogh nodded slowly. “And the driver and the guards? What happens there?” stun grenade should take care of them.” Ryan
looked bleak for a moment. “Mind you, I’ll kill them if I have to. This is serious business.”
Keogh nodded. “All fight, what happens after the heist?”
“We drive it to Marsh End where the Irish Rose will be waiting.” He smiled. “We’ll.be well out to sea and on our way and the police running round in circles.”
There was a long silence while Keogh brooded.
Finally he nodded. “You know, you’re right. It could work.”
Ryan laughed delightedly. “Good man yourself, Martin. Let’s have a drink on it.”
Bell got up, opened a cupboard and took out a bottle of Bushnills and three glasses, and at that moment there was a crash in the yard outside as a trash-can went over. WHEN RYAN SUGGESTED THE DRINK, TULLY DEcided it was time to go. He Opened the back door, closed it softly behind him, and s]a’ted across the yard. It was then that he blundered into the.trashcan, dislodging the metal lid which clanged as it fell to the stone flagging. He carried on, got the gate open, and ran along the alley. As he reached the far end, Keogh emerged into the alley, but by then it was too late as Tully crossed the busy main road and was lost in the evening crowd.
When Keogh returned, Bell had turned on the yard light and was standing at the back door with Ryan and the girl. “Was there someone?” Ryan demanded.
“Oh, yes,” Keogh said. “And you’re not going to like it one little bit. I just caught a glimpse of him as he turneA into the road. It looked remarkably like Tully to me.” “The bastard was checking up on us,” Ryan said and led the way back into the parlour.