Drink with the Devil

‘All very unfortunate,’ Ryan said.

‘Indeed it is, Mr Ryan. Will you be coming in?’

‘No, I’ve got business to attend to.’

‘Well if you let me know where you are and give me a phone number I’ll keep you posted.’

It was enough. Ryan smiled softly. ‘I’m away now, but just one more thing, Angus. Put Mr Reid on the phone.’

‘Mr Reid? I don’t understand,’ Angus said.

‘Stop arsing around and put him on.’

Reid, who had been standing beside Angus listening in, took the phone from him and shoved the barman across to Scully.

‘Michael, old son. Don’t you think it’s time to be reasonable?’

‘Was it you or Scully at the wheel? Not that it matters. When the time comes you’re my meat.’

‘You always did have a touch of the theatrical about you, Michael. So you intend to carry out that hare-brained scheme of yours?’

‘Goodbye, Reid,’ Michael Ryan said and put down the phone.

He opened the back door, lit a cigarette and stared into the rain thinking of Hugh Bell, good friend and comrade in arms for so many years. At least Scully hadn’t had the chance to squeeze the truth out of him. There was some comfort in that.

The kitchen door opened and Kathleen looked out. ‘There you are. Is everything all right?’

‘Fine.’

‘I thought I’d take Martin something to eat down at the cottage. Benny says he’ll drive me.’

‘That’s fine. I want to go over the planning again so don’t mind me.’

‘I’ll see you later then.’

She went back into the kitchen and Ryan stayed there, looking at the rain, thinking about Reid and Scully. They would have to go back home now, nothing else for it. There would be a confrontation eventually, had to be, but he would handle that when the time came.

He thought of Reid, the skull-like face and wire spectacles and his smile was terrible to see. ‘You little bastard,’ he said softly. ‘You want it all yourself, don’t you? Well I’ll see you in hell before I allow that to happen.’

Keogh hadn’t bothered with the bedroom of the small cottage at Marsh End, simply built up the fire and lay on the couch. He slept surprisingly well, got up at seven and put the kettle on.

He stood at the open door looking out at the rain and noticed the creek on his right hand. On impulse, he went back inside, stripped, found a towel in the small bathroom and ran naked across the yard.

He draped the towel over a bush and plunged into the creek, swimming strongly to the other side, passing into the reeds for a while, disturbing wildfowl and birds of every description which rose in clouds into the rain, calling angrily. The salt water was cold and invigorating.

‘What a grand way to start the day,’ he said softly as he emerged from the creek and reached for the towel.

He went back to the cottage, towelling himself vigorously, then he dressed and made a cup of tea. There was milk, bread, eggs and bacon in the larder. He stood there, sipping tea, wondering whether to leave. He looked out and saw the Land Rover with Benny and Kathleen.

In London at the William & Mary Reid and Scully were getting ready to leave. Their search of Bell’s small office had yielded no clues.

Scully said, ‘Nothing, Mr Reid; what do we do?’

‘We go back to Belfast,’ Reid said. ‘Don’t worry. Ryan has got to come home and no place for him to hide. We’ll bide our time, but we’ll get the bastard in the end.’ He raised his voice. ‘Angus, get in here.’

Angus stumbled through the door. ‘Yes, Mr Reid.’

‘Anything – anything at all you can tell me?’

‘They took a train, that’s all I know. I did hear the Glasgow Express mentioned.’

‘Glasgow?’ Scully said. ‘Why would they go there?’

‘Not Glasgow, you fool. That line goes up through the north-west. They’ll get off somewhere.’ He turned back to Angus. ‘Anything else?’

‘I don’t think so.’ Angus brightened. ‘Oh, yes. The other week I overheard Mr Bell on the phone. It must have been a shipping office because he said he needed to charter a flat bottom ferry. The kind that could transport vehicles. After a while I heard him say the Irish Rose, Captain Tully and it’s here in London.’ Angus nodded. ‘Yes, that’s what he said.’

‘Did you hear him mention that name again?’

Angus nodded. ‘Just before they left I was in the stillroom checking bottles. I heard Ryan say to Mr Bell the Irish Rose is well on her way by now so we’ll see her Friday morning.’

‘But he didn’t say where?’

‘Definitely not.’

‘All right,’ Reid said. ‘You’ve got my number. You phone me in Belfast if you hear anything.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Another thing. Keep your mouth shut. Give me any trouble and I’ll send Scully to give you a seeing to. They’ll find you in the Thames with your balls cut off.’

Reid went through the door and Angus, plainly terrified, stood back. Scully patted his face. ‘You mind what Mr Reid says, there’s a good boy,’ and he went out.

Keogh ate the ham sandwiches Kathleen had brought, sitting at the end of the table, and she sat opposite, a mug of tea in her hands. Benny had gone back to the farm. Keogh finished it and lit a cigarette.

‘How are you? How do you feel?’

‘About the job, you mean?’ She shrugged. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve done things for Uncle Michael before; dangerous things. I can look after myself.’

‘At your age you shouldn’t have to.’ He stood up. ‘Come on. We’ll get a breath of air.’

The mist drifted in, creating a strange and sombre world. Reeds lifted on either side of the creek, water gurgled in the mud flats and as they walked along the broad track, birds lifted in protest on either hand.

‘A strange place this,’ Keogh observed.

‘Yes, I’m not sure that I like it.’ She frowned. ‘It makes me feel uneasy.’

‘I know what you mean.’