“Yes, on a fifty-fifty basis.” “And they get the fruits of my uncle’s labors?
What’s in it for him?” “I could say one million pounds, but let’s be fair.
I’ll make it two million.” “Jesus, son, you’ve got your nerve,” Ryan said.
“You do have an alternative,” Sollazo told him.
“You could sit here for another fifteen years.” Ryan’s face was pale. “But to work with Barry and the bloody IRA.” Kathleen put a hand on his arm. “We’ve got to be practical.” She turned to Sollazo. “I’m included.” “Of course. Once he’s out, you join in. You’ll be taken to a safe retreat to start with.” “And leaving the country will be no problem?” “Absolutely not. We’ll fly to Ireland probably in a Gulfstream. I’ll be with you.” “So that’s it?” “No. I’d like the location of the Irish Rose, the beatings indicated on that Master Navigator. Don’t tell me the figures aren’t burned into your brain.” Kathleen put a hand on her uncle’s arm. “Oh, no, mister. You get that when we’re safe out of here and in Ireland and not before.” Sollazo smiled. “Of course, Miss Ryan, I accept your’ terms. Now let me explain exactly what I expect to happen.”
t99 IT WAS RAINING WHEN THE PRISON AMBULANCE turned into the car park on Tuesday morning and pulled into a special parking spot close to the main entrance. Kathleen Ryan sat in her own car watching and saw her uncle and another man get out of the ambulance, each handcuffed to a guard. Another guard and the driver got out and lit cigarettes as the prisoners were led inside.
She got out of the car, picked up the suitcase, and walked round to the underground car park, doing exactly as she had been told, seeking a green panel track that carried the sign Henley Laundry. She found it easily enough, Giovanni Mori sitting behind the wheel smoking a cigarette.
“I’m. Kathleen Ryan. You’re Mofi.” “That’s fight.” He got out, reached back inside, and produced the white doctor’s coat he’d stolen. As he pulled it on he said, “So they’ve gone up?” “Just now.” — “Sit in the passenger seat. I won’t be long.” He reached inside the truck, took out another white coat, and draped it across his arm “You’ve never met my uncle.”” “I’ve seen’ his picture,” he said calmly, went to the freight elevator, and punched the button for the third floor.
HE PAUSED IN THE CORRIDOR, THEN OPENED THE fire door and entered the hallway of the General Heart Surgery Department. He glanced through the round window of the door marked Clinic Three. Ryan was lying on a table and a young doctor was busy attaching various wires to him. Mori walked down the hall and looked through the window of the swing door leading to the reception area. There was a duty nurse behind the desk, a couple of patients, and the uniformed prison guard sitting on the benches reading magazines. Mori went back to Clinic Three, opened the door, and went in.
The young doctor looked up, continuing to fasten the wires. “Hello, Doctor, what can I do for you?”
The leather sap Mori took from his pocket was filled with leadshot. It swung once and the doctor went down with a groan. Ryan was already swinging his legs to the floor, pulling the wires and connectors from his body..
Mori threw the white coat to him. “Put it on.” He opened the door leading into the toilet and shower room and hauled the doctor inside, closed the.
door, and turned. i
“Out we go, turn left and through’the fire door.” A moment later, they were descending in the freight elevator. They emerged into the underground car park and crossed to the laundry truck, Kathleen watching, her face pale with excitement.
Mori opened the rear door. “In you get. You’ll find what clothes you need in there. Get out of the prison uniform and make it fast. We haven’t got long.”
He took off his white coat, tossed it into a nearby trashcan, got behind the wheel, and drove away, passing the prison ambulance at the main entrance, the ZoI two guards lounging beside it, and tumod out into the highway.