“Oh, I would indeed, Mr. Reid.” And Scully’s 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 can’t 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 track 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 don’t.” “Scully I” 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. I’ll take you there now.” Scully relaxed and Reid smiled. “Very sensible, Hugh.” “I’ll get my coat.” Bell went into the bedroom, picking up his jacinthS, 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 Folly’s End it was Mary Power who answered it. She came into the kitchen and said to Ryan, “It’s for you.
Mr. Bell.” Ryan went out to the hall and picked up the phone.
“Yes, Hugh?” “We’re in trouble. Reid turned up from the Army Council with that sod Scutly. They know, Michael, they’ve heard a whisper.”
“Did you tell them anything?”
“Did I, hell. I ran for my life, but they knew the
plan. I mean, they would, wouldn’t they? You sub-mitred it to them originally.”
“The original plan was sketchy, Hugh. No mention
of Folly’s End or the precise target, and at that stage the boat was only an idea. Did you tell them about the Irish Rose? Did you tell them we’d he putting in at Kilalla?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. Then we’ll get on with it. Keep your head
down and mind your back, Hugh. Go to ground for
a while.”
After replacing the phone he stood there in the hall, lighting a cigarette and thinking about it. No point in alarming anyone. No point at all
He returned to the kitchen. “Hugh Bell. Nothing important.” He smiled at Keogh. “I’ll..s. tay up here in case there are any more calls from Hugh. You’ll have to spend the night at the cottage down at Marsh End on your own. No room here. Take the Ford Van.”
“I’ll be on my way, then.” Keogh swallowed his tea’and got up. “I’ll see you in the morning.” BELL DIDN’T KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING. HE hesitated and started across Kilburn High Street. At that moment, an old Mercedes limousine turned out of a side street, Scully at the wheel, Reid beside him.
“He’s there,” Reid said, “crossing the road. Get him.”
Scully gunned the motor. Bell, alarmed at the sound, turned. He tried to run and slipped in the rain.
The Mercedes hit him at fifty miles an hour, bounced him into the gutter, and moved on.
A woman screamed as a crowd converged, a uniformed Woman Police Officer pushed her way through, but by the.tim she knelt down beside Hugh Bell he was very dead indeed.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE MORNING WAS BLEAK, HEAVY CLOUDS draped across the mountaing. After breakfast, Ryan sat at the table drinking tea and thinking about things, wondering about Bell and Reid and that bastard Scully. On the other hand, there shouldn’t be ay danger from them as long as Bell kept out of.lleir clutches. The original plan submitted to the Army Council had been simply the idea of the thing. That he knew of a track somewhere in the northwest of England that carried bullion, that he thought it could be lifted and taken to Ulster by boat. So Reid was at a dead end without Bell.
He decided to take a chance, went out into the hall and phoned the William & Mary. The barman answered at once.