“On his worst day and your best he’d put you away without even thinking about it.” He cast off and started the outboard.
DILLON LIT A CIGARETTE AS THE INFLATABLE coasted in. “You’re looking good, Jack, the years have been kind.” “Kinder still to you, you young bastard. Where’s Liam Devlin?”
z86 “Back in Kilrea. Eighty-five is a little old for gunplay.” “‘The best of men in his day.” “So here we are,” Dillon said. “And what’s to be done? You’ve had it, Jack, no point to it anymore.” “Not quite true, Sean. If we find the wreck, which we will, and the gold bars waiting.” He shrugged.
“A hard morning’s work could net one million, perhaps two. Not to be sniffed at.” “Ah, you were always the practical man,” Dillon said. “Is Hannah Bernstein well?” “Oh, yes. I like that one, a lady of parts.”
“And then some. Let her go. Take me.” “And why should I?” “Oh, I’ve been honing my talents since the old days. I can fly a plane, Jack, but I’m also the best damn diver you ever saw, I even blew up PLO boats in Beirut harbor for the Israelis.” “You little rascal.” Barry ughed. “No, Sean, she’s too valuable to hand over just yet, too useful.” “God help us then, I’ll just have to come along for the ride.” “A nice thought, but let’s check you out first.” Barry prodded his Browning. “Check his pockets, Kevin.” Stringer did as he was told and found the Walther.
“Satisfied?” Dillon asked.
“When was I ever?” Barry smiled. “Under his jacket and against his back, Kevin, he’always favored that position.” Stringer found the second Walther. “You’re fight, Jack,” and he handed it over.
“I usually am,” Barry told him. “You hold the fort, Kevin.” He smiled up at Dillon. “In you get, Scan. I think I’ll put you to work.” DILLON WENT OVER THE RAIL FIRST AND BARRY handed the line to Moil and followed. The two women came out of the wheelhouse. Dillon said to
Hannah, “Are you all fight, girl dear?”
“I’m fine.”
Dillon glanced at Moil. “Christ, but he looks as if he just learned to walk erect this morning. If he gives you any trouble let me know and I’ll select two items on his person and break them.”
Mori erupted, but Sollazo got in between. “Leave it, Giovanni.” He turned to Barry. “Have you checked him out?”
“A Walther in his pocket and another in the back of his pants. A good job I remembered that, but I’ve got good news for you. Sean here is a Master diver.
I mean, he’s made money out of blowing things up.
Don’t you think we should put him to work?”
Sollazo smiled. “Why, that really makes my morning.”
“Good, then let’s have the anchor up.”
Kathleen Ryan had stood there staring at him and now she moved forward, a strange, dazed look on her face.
“Martin, it is you, isn’t it?”
There was something strange here, something not right. Dillon said gently, “As ever was, Kate, I’m sorry about Michael.” “I killed him,” she said. “I persuaded him to overdose on his pills. Dr. Sieed said it would be all right, that he’d just have an angina attack.” She ran a hand over her face. “He died, Martin, and I killed him.
Isn’t that the terrible thing?” It was Hannah who put an arm around her. “Come on, love, let’s go down to the cabin,” and she led her away.
The engines rumbled into life as Barry took Avenger out to sea. Mori said, “That’s all we need, a crazy woman.’ ‘ Dillon said, “Tell me, son, do you work at being a shite or does it just come naturally?” and he turned and went and joined Barry in the wheelhouse.
To GET THE WALTHER FROM HIS ANKLE HOLster and to kill Barry, Mori, and Sollazo i:seconds Was not impossible, but it required the righmoment, and the fact that Hannah came up on deck didn’t help.
Dillon smiled out at her as she stood under the deck canopy shielded from the rain.
He said to Barry, “The great pity we end up dealing with scum, Jack.” “I know, son, but one thing hasn’t changed. Anything I get out of this goes to the Organization we both served for so many years. Money for arms.” “Times have changed, Jack.” “We can’t be sure.”