I’d like to hear what you’ve got to say about the Irish Rose. ‘ ‘
WHEN SOLLAZO HAD FINISHED TALKING, BAI,Y sat there, frowning slightly. Finally he spoke. “Tell me something, why have you ўomilo me?” “Business,” Sollazo told him, “strictly business.
That bullion would be worth one hundred million pounds at today’s prics.” “And you’d like to get your hands on it?” “Let me be explicit. My uncle feels that a joint venture would be the way to tackle this affair between ourselves and you of the IRA. A half hare each.
What could be fairer? If peace fails,, fifty million in gold would buy you a great many arms, my friend.” “Indeed it would, and your uncle, with his usual instinct for doing the right thing, has sent you to en tirely the right place and not for the reason you “I think you should explain.”
“You see, I know as much as anyone about the
Irish Rose affair, as much as Ryan himself.”
“But how could you?”
“i know Ryan Was up to something, the usual whispers, even a hint that it was gold, go I infiltrated’ one of my own men into his organization, a man
we’ll call Martin Keogh.”
“Not his real name?”
“That’s right. One of my very best operators. He actually was with Ryan every step of the way and took part in the robbery. He was on the Irish Rose when it went down.”
“Tell me,” Sollazo said. “Tell me everything.” LATER, SITTING INA CORNER BOOTH AT COHAN’S Bar drinkillg Guinness and eating ham sandwiches, Sollazo said, i. “A remarkable story, and this man Keogh? Is he stillaround?”
“In a manner of speaking. He left the IRA some years ago and worked as’a freelance or mercenary, call it what you like. He’s worked for just about everybody in his time, the old KGB, the PLO, even the Israelis.”
“And where is he now?” “With British Intelligence.” “That seems rather surprising.”
“The Brits set up a highly secret outfit to combat terrorism and handle the really dirty jobs back in nintn sventy-two. Since then it’s ben headed by a man called Brigadier Charles Ferguson, and he isn’t responsible to the Director of the Security Services.
He’s responsible only to the Prime Minismr. That’s why it’s known in the trade as the Prime Minister’s Private Army.” “And the man you call Keogh works for this Ferguson?” “Indeed he does. He’s Ferguson’s trouble shooter.
The old Fox blackmailed him into joining him some three years ago. Offered to wil his slate clean. No repercussions as to his IRA past. He needed someone like that on his team. Set a thief to catch a thief, you get the idea.” “I do, indexed. And what is this Keogh’s real name?’ ‘ “Dillon–Sean Dillon, in his day the most feared enforcer I had.”
THEY WALKED BACK THROUGH THE PARK.
lazo said, “Quite a man, this Dillon, but hardly likely to give us any assistance.” “We don’t need him. He told me everything there ‘was to know about the whole affair and now I’ve told you.” “The man Reid, the one who killed the man in London. Is he still around?
“Serving a sentence for murder. He’s in prison in Ulster.” “One thing. This Loyalist Army Council you men t/oned? I’m right in assuming they would dearly like to get their hands on the bullionT”
– “They certainly would. The Loyalist side are heavily dissatisfied with the way the peace process is going.
They think of themselves as being sold out. The militant elements envisage civil war eventually. That gold would be more than useful. It would help them to obtain the kind of weaponry they would need.”
“And you wouldn’t like that, so may l take it that you will join us on this venture?’;
“Not officially, not at the moment. Let me explain.
People are desperate for peace here. You can’t trust anybody and that includes Sinn Fein and the IRA itself. If I approach the present Chief of Staff, he’d have to discuss it with members of the Army Council
and the whole thing would leak in no time.”
“I see. So what, do you suggest?”.
“We keep it between ourselves for the moment.” Barry sm–iled wryly. “And don’t think i’m after it for myself. Money means nothing to me, but my cause does. You get tl position of the Irish Rose out of Ryan, then a quiet sort of expedition is all we need to start with. Small boat, a diver to go down and