Reid.” “Anything–anything at all you can tell me?” “They took a train, that’s all I know. I did hear the Glasgow Express mentioned.” “Glasgow?” Scully said. “Why would they go them?” “Not Glasgow, you fool. That line goes up through the northwest. They’ll get off somewhere.” He turned back to Angus. “Anything else?” “I don’t think so.” Angus brightened. “Oh, yeS.
The other week I overheard Mr. Bell on the phone.
It must have been a shipping office because he said he needed to charter a flat bottom ferry. The kind that could transport vehicles. After a while I heard him say the Irish RosCaptain Tully, and it’s here in London.” Angus nodded. “Yes, that’s what he said.” “Did you hear him mention that nan again?” Angus nodded. “Just before they let I was in the stillroom checking boules. I heard Ryan say to Mr.
Bell the Irish Rose is well on her way by now, so we’ll see her Friday morning.” “But he didn’t say where?” “Definitely not.” “All right,” Reid said. “You’ve got my number.
You phone me in Belfast if you hear anything.” “Yes, sir.” “Another thing. Keep your mouth shut. Give me any trouble and I’ll send Scully to give you a seeing
to. They’ll find you in the Thames with your balls CUt off.” Reit} went through the door and Angus, plainly terrified, stood back. Scully patted his face. “You mind what Mr. Reid says, there’s a good boy,” and he went out.
KEOGH ATE THE HAM SANDWICH SHE HAD brought sitting at the end of the table, and she sat opposite, a mug of tea in her hands. Benny had gone back to the farm. Keogh finished it and lit a cigarette.
“How are you? How do you feel?” “About the job you mean?” She shrugged. “I’ll be fine. I’ve done things for Uncle Michael before, dangerous firings. I can look after myselL” “At your age you shouldn’t have to.” He stood up. “Come on. We’ll get a breath of air.” The mist drifted in creating a strange and somber world. Reeds lifted onther side of the creek, water gurgled in the mud flats, and as they walked along the broad track birds lifted in piotest on either hand.
“A strange place, this,” Keogh observed.
“Yes, I’m not sure that I like it.” She frowned.
“It makes me feel uneasy.” “I know what you mean.” They reached the jetty and paused. The tide was out and iron girders were exposed, corroded by rust.
“I wonder what it was built for?” she said.
“God knows. Been here for years. Victorian from the look of it, but it still looks substantial enough.” They walked along it, waves lapping around the girders below with a hollow booming sound. Then was no rail at the end, only at the sides. Keogh peered over and noticed a jumble of granite blocks in the shallows.
“There’s your answer,” he said. “They must have shipped granite from here in the old days.” She stood to one side, hands gripping the rail, and looked out to sea, a strangely forlorn figure in her raincoat and beret.
Keogh leaned on the rail beside her. “What do you want, Kate? What do you rally want out of life?”
“God knows. All I’ve ever known was the Troubles.
I was born the year they started. All I know is the bombing and the killing. My family, friends, all gone.” Her face wa bleak. “Life is supposed to be for the living, but all I see is death. Does that make any sense to you?”
“Perfect sense.” Keogh nodded. “The terrible thing and you so young.” :
She laughed. “You’re not exactly a graybeard yourself.”
“A very old thirty-two,” he said and he laughed.
Steps boomed along the jetty and they turned and saw Ryan coming toward them. “God, what a lousy day,” he said.
Keogh pointed down into the water. “It’s, to be hoped the tide is in at the right time tomorrow.”
“It will be, I’ve double-checked, and it’s a high one.” He took out a cigarette. “One more thing.
Hugh Bell is dead.” “My God,” Kathleen said. “How did that happen7” So Ryan told them.