Kathleen, Barry, and Sollazo peered in through the window and Barry held the girl tight. Suddenly Ryan gave a terrible gurgle and reared up on the bed and then he relaxed, all life draining out of, him.
Hassan came out. “I’m afraid he has gone.”
z76 Kathleen struck out at him. “He can’t have. It’s not possible.” Barr restrained her. “Hold on, gift, it’s not your fault.” “But it is,” she said; “I’m a trained nurse, I’m supposed to know these things. I choked at my old hospital at Green Rapids. The doctor told me three Dazane would give him an angina attack, but not more than a couple of bad days. It was our way out, don’t you see.’? You’d have to take him to hospital and we’d have a chance to get free.” She broke down entirely. Barry handed her over to Sollazo. “Take her to the station wagon. I’ll handle things here.” Sollazo took her out and 1Tarry turned to Hassan.
“You’ve been a good friend to the IRA, All, and we appreciate it, so this is another special one.” · “I understand, Jack.” “You get him up to the crematorium tonight put him through the ovens. No name, no cettificat%.” “Whatever you say.” “Good man yourselL” Barry said, turned, and went out.
DILLON AND DEVLIN, SITTING IN THE TOYOTA, watched the station wagon drive away. Dillon said, “Only the three of them and the girl and no Ryan.
What goes on?” “I know this place,” Devlin told him. “An IRA safe house. It’s run by a damn good surgeon, an
Egyptian named All Hassan. Maybe we should pay him a visit?”
ALL HASSAN, SITTING IN HIS OFFICE, ONLY A DESK.
light on, was aware of the door opening and glanced up to see Devlin, Dillon behind him.
Devlin said, “Hello, All. Remember me? Liam Devlin. You took a bullet out of me eighteen years ago.” “Oh, my God, Mr. Devlin,” Hassan said.
“And this is a friend of mine, Sean Dillon, who’s done as much for the cause as I have.” “Mr. Dillon,” Hassan said uncertainly.
“A few people we know were in earlier propping up a Mr. Ryan between them,” Dillon said. “They left without him. Why would that be?” “I think you must be mistaken,” Hassan said desperately.
— Dillon produced his Walther. “Well, this doesn’t agree with you, so think again.” Which All Hassan did and told them al.
AT VICTORIA FARM, KATHLEEN WAS IN THE BEDroom, still weeping. Barry, Sollazo, and Mori were in the sitting room drinking whiskey when the phone rang.
Stringer said, “Thank God you’re there, Jack.
Something’s come up.” He started to talk. When he was finished, Barry said, “Hold her tight, Kevin, we’re on our way. We’ll leave now.’ ‘ “I will, Jack.”
Barry put down the phone and turned to Sollazo.
“Do you recall a woman in glasses having lunch in the Loyalist today?”
“Sure,” Sollazo said. “Good-looking lady in an Armani trouser suit.”
“She’s not only a Detective Chief Inspector, she also works for Brigadier Charles Ferguson, the Prime Minister’s special intelligence expert, and guess who his troubleshooter is, Sean Dillon.”
“Christ,” Sollazo said. “What do we do?”
“We get the hell out of here now. Don’t ask me what’s going on because I don’t know, but we leave now for Scotstown and we check Irish Rose out tomorrow morning.” Barry turned to Mori. “Get the girl.”
Mori glanced at his boss and Sollazo nodded. “Do as he says.” DEVLIN AND DILLON, SITTING IN THE TC:0TA, watched the station wagon leave. “There you go,” Devlin said. “Hot for Scotstown. I should imagine Ryan’s unfortunate demise has brought things forward.’ ‘
“We’d better get going, then,” Dillon said.
“No rush, Sean, we’ll go to my cottage first. After all, you know where they’re going.” AT KILREA COTTAGE, DEVLIN SAT BY THE FIRE with a Bushmills in his hand. Dillon bustled in, his Walther in one hand, his spare in the ankle holster in z79
the other. He pulled up his trouser, put his foot on a chair, and fastened the ankle holster. He slipped the other Walther in his waistband against the small of his back.
Devlin said, “I always favored a Walther myself, Sean, there’s one in the desk drawer. Get it out.” Dillon did as he was told. “Now put it in your pocket.”