“As a matter of fact, I do.” Devlin opened the
boot of the Toyota and produced a large holdall.
“Empty, I’m afraid.”
“That doesn’t matter. I’ll book into the Loyalist
and play the tourist. They’ll be back.”
“And we with them,” Dillon said.
Devlin put his hands on her shoulders. “Take care.
We’d hate to lose you.”
“Don’t worry.” She raised her shoulder bag. “I’m carrying ”
“Hannah, you’re the wonder of the world.” Dillon
kissed her on both cheeks and then softly on the
mouth.
Her eyes widened. “Damn you, Dillon, that was a
first,” and she got into the Renault and drove away. TEN MINUTES LATER A DELIGHTED KEVIN STRINger was showing Hannah a bedroom with a view of the harbor. “And how long would you be staying?” he asked.
“Two nights, possibly three. I’m just touring.
Down from Belfast.”
“A great city. We don’t have en suite facilities, z68 but the bathroom and the necessary is just next door.” “Wonderful.” I’ll see you later. Dinner at seven if you like,” and he went out.
DILLON CAUGHT UP WITH THE STATION WAGON within fifteen minutes and settled back. “What do you think they’re up to?” “This was just a prelinfinary sortie to check the boat. They’ve probably’ dropped off the diving equipment.
It’s back to Ballybum now. They’ll return, maybe tomorrow, with the others.” “And up we come again and what then?” Dillon asked.
“That’s up to you and that young woman back there. She has the police authority, Sean. Scotstown is in Ulster and that’s part of the United Kingdom.
It’s up to you and Ferguson.” Devlin leaned back.
‘,Maybe a little gunplay,who knows, but not as far as I’m concerned. I’m getting too old, Scan. The trigger finger isn’t what it was. I’d let you down.” “Cobblers,” Dillon said.
“I’ve done my bit. Good luck and God bless you, but count me out.”
IT WAS ALMOST FOUR O’CLO(K.AND AT VICTORIA Farm, Kathleen was in the kitchen boiling the kettle.
Ryan sat at the table and Mori was in the siiting room.
She glanced at her watch. “They’re due back in an
z69 hour. If we’re going to do it, it should be now.” “If you think it will work,” Ryan said.
“Look, Uncle Michael.” She held up the pill bottle.
“Three Dazane pills will bring on your angina symptoms. The effect will really start showing by the time Barry and Sollazo are back. Jack Barry isn’t go-lng to just let you lie there and die, he’s not the kind.” “You mean you hope he isn’t?” “Look, even if they did nothing Dr. Sieed told me the symptoms wear off in a couple of days. On the other hand, if Barry listens to me and takes you to a hospital, that’ll be our chance.” He sat thero looking at her and then laughed. “Oh, what the hell, what have we got to lose?” She opened the bottle, put three pills in her palm, got a glass of water, and went back to him.
“There you go then, U’6cle Michael.”
RYAN’S SYMPTOMS FIRST BECAME APPARENT within half an hour. He stayed there at the kitchen table, head in his hands, and then he’started to sweat.
Fifteen minutes late the trembling started.
Kathleen called, “Mori, get in here.” The Sicilian appeared on the instant. “What is it?” “He’s having an angina attack. He’s had them before.
Get him into the sitting room on the sofa.” Wlori pulled Ryan up and got an arm round him.
They went out of the kitchen together and along the hall to the sitting room. Kathleen followed with a
zTo
glass of water. Ryan looked terrible, his face gray, and for the first time she felt doubt.
“Uncle Michael, drink this.” She put the water to his lips and at that moment he started to shake terribly.
This was more, much more, than she had ex2 pected, and at that moment Barry came in the room, Sollazo at his back.
“For God’s sake,’what is it?”
“He’s having another.angina attack,” she said.
“He needs a hospital.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Sollazo turned to Barry. “Hospital is out.”
Barry knelt down and put a hand on Ryan’s forehead.