“She saved my life once and took a bullet in the doing,” Dillon told him.
“Jesus,” Devlin said. “A nice Jewish girl like that.” “I remember what Fergnson told me she said’ once,” Dillon said. “It was after she shot Norah Bell, the bitch had stabbed me in the back twice. She said I’m not a nice Jewish girl at all. I’m a very Old Testament Jewish girl.” Devlin laughed. “God save us, if I wasn’t seventy five years of age I’d fall in love With her.”
“Seventy-five?” Dillon said. “It’s the great liar you are.”
Hannah came back and leaned down. “They look settled. I saw Barry give the waitress an order. Look, I’m thinking about what you said, Liam, about us standing out like a sore thumb whenever we get where we’ re going. That might apply to you more than me. I mean, if it turns out to be Scotstown, for example, this Kevin Stringer would know you, Sean, even you, Liam.”
“He could recognize me,” Devlin said. “I was well known in these parts, mainly because I was born in thecountry.”. He grimaced. “Sometimes it’s hell being a living legend.”
Hannah said, “Not me. I’m just an English tourist or I could be. That garage.has a car hire sign. Pass me my shoulder bag and I’ll go and see what I can get. If our friends leave before I’m ready, just go. I’ll follow the coast road Dmdonald and Scotstown way. I’ll find you.”
Devlin handed her the bag. “On your way, girl.” THERE WAS A MECHANIC WORKING ON A CAR IN the garage, a small man in a tweed suit and cap sitting in a glass office. He got up and came out.
“Patrick Murphy,” he said. “And what can I do for you, Miss?”
“I’ve been touting with some friends, but they’re going back to Belfast. They dropped me here because someone in Warrenpoint said you hired cars.” z6z
“I do, indeed. How long would it be for?”
“Two or three days. I want to roam the Down coast. Just take time off. Can you help?”
“Well, it’s not the fancy stuff I can manage, but I’ve a Renault saloon over here if you’ve nothing
against the French.”
“Nothing at all.”
She followed him across the garage and had a look.
“Newly checked and the tank is full,” he told her.
“Wonderful.” She embellished her story a little.
“When I come back, I’ll be wanting to return to Belfast.”
“No problem. I run a taxi service. We’ll take you to Warrenpoint. You can catch the train. Now, if you’ll give nke your licence, we’ll get on with it. How would you be paying, by the way?”
She opened her purse, took out the licence, and checked her cards. “Would American Express be all
right?”
He smiled. “Well, as they say on the television, that will do nicely.” SHE DROVE OUT OF THE GARAGE AS BARRy AND Sollazo walked toward the station wagon. She pulled in behind the Toyota and briefly punched the horn.
Dillon turned, raised a hand, and gestured her forward.
She pulled out between the tracks as the station wagon turned into the road and followed it, and the Toyota came on behind. z63
SCOTSTOWN WAS DESOLATE IN THE RAIN, THIRTY or forty houses, the jetty, a dozen or so fishing boats in the harbor all enveloped in a damp, clinging mist.
There was a wood at the top of the hill overlooking the village. Hannah pulled in at the side of the road ‘looking down and saw the station wagon turn into the car park of the public house. The Toyota stopped behind her and Dillon and Devlin got out.
“A long time since I was here,” Dillon said. “But I was fight, though. That’s the Loyalist down there, and if Kevin Stringer’s still there, he’s Jack Barry’s man.” “Let’s take a look at the harbor.” Devlin raised the binoculars. “Not much, just fishing boats. No, wait a minute. There’s some sort of motor launch anchored out there. Thirty- or forty-footer, painted gray. Looks like serious’business to me. Take a look.’ Dillon peered thrOUgh the binoculars. “You could be right.” “I’ve got to be.” Hannah took the binoculars’ from Dillon and checked for herself. She nodded. “I agree, Liam, but what this needs is a closer look. I’ll go and play the tourist. I could do with a nice cup of tea and a sandwich, anyway. I’ll try the Loyalist.” “While we starve?” Dillon said.