“I wish I was going with you guys.”
“I don’t know why. These embassy functions are always a major yawn. I’ll be glad when it’s over.”
“I’d still rather be there than stuck in this damn bed,” he said.
“Hey, you’ve got Claudine and Dario here from tomorrow. I’m sure you can survive one night by yourself. Read those mags I brought for you.”
“I hope I’ll see you and Mike before you head back to the US on Monday.”
“You can count on it,” she told him. “We’ll drop by after we get back from Ireland tomorrow night. Promise. OK, I’ve got to go.”
“Thanks for coming round,” Paluzzi said.
“Sure,” she replied as she crossed to the door.
“I still say you two would make a good couple,” he called out after her.
“And I still say you’re wrong. See you tomorrow.”
He smiled to himself. He had been intrigued to know whether Sabrina’s feelings for Graham went deeper than just friendship. Now he had his answer. Well, he thought he did …
Chapter Thirteen
The Piper Seneca touched down on a deserted field on the outskirts of Warrenpoint and taxied to within a few feet of the white Rover parked at the end of the field.
When Palmer and Whitlock disembarked from the plane they were met by an RUC officer who introduced himself as Detective-Inspector Duncan Reeves. Although Palmer didn’t know him personally, he had been recommended by Eastman who had worked with him on several operations in the past.
“I heard about John Marsh,” Reeves said as they walked toward the unmarked police car. “He always seemed a very dependable sort. I was absolutely staggered when Keith told me he’d been arrested on suspicion of being an IRA mole.”
“A lot of us were staggered by the news,” Palmer replied as they reached the car.
“I thought it better if we dispensed with a driver,” Reeves said, opening the back door for them. “This way we can talk freely.”
“Good thinking,” Palmer said. “So tell us about the Stills Hotel.”
“It’s a dive, sir,” Reeves replied, starting the engine. “It’s owned by a Provo by the name of Joseph Meehan. He’s got a form as long as your arm. A particularly nasty piece of work.”
“Aren’t they all?” Palmer retorted, tight-lipped.
“He’s worse than most. He’s a heavy drinker who’ll go out of his way to pick a fight. And he knows how to handle himself even when he’s tanked up to the lip.”
“Sounds like he could liven up the evening,” Whitlock said.
Reeves turned the car out onto the main road into Warrenpoint. “I doubt you’ll come across him tonight. He’s usually out playing poker on a Saturday night.”
“Any sign of Brady?” Palmer asked.
“Nothing so far, sir. But that’s to be expected. He won’t make a move until he’s satisfied the area’s safe. Kane was seen entering the hotel earlier this evening and, as far as we know, he’s still there. He’s obviously going to be Brady’s point man at the rendezvous.”
It was another ten minutes before they reached the RUC roadblock which had been set up just inside the town. Reeves pulled up behind a police Land Rover and switched off the engine. The hotel was situated a couple of hundred yards further down the road.
Palmer asked Reeves for the car phone and dialed the number of the Stills Hotel. When it was answered he asked to speak to Pat Gorman. He was told there was nobody there by that name. Then he asked to speak to Kane. Silence. Several seconds elapsed before he was patched through to another connection.
The receiver was picked up at the other end. “Who is this?” a voice demanded.
“I want to speak to Brady.”
“You’ve got the wrong number.”
“I don’t think so. You tell him that if he hasn’t called me back in five minutes, the meeting’s off.” Palmer gave the number of the car phone then hung up.
The phone rang almost immediately. Palmer answered it.
“This is Gorman.”
Palmer was satisfied he was speaking to Brady. “Commander Palmer here. There’s been a change of plan. There will be two of us coming over to the hotel. I’ve got the head of the senator’s security team with me. I want him in on this as well.”
“No deal, Palmer. You come in alone.”
“Then no deal,” Palmer retorted and broke the connection. He had anticipated Brady’s reaction. Now he wanted to see just how desperate Brady was to meet with him. And if his plan backfired, he would have a lot of explaining to do to his superiors. They had only sanctioned the meeting after careful negotiations with both the RUC and the army to minimize the chances of anything happening to him while he was there. He looked from Whitlock to Reeves then back to the phone, willing it to ring again. Had he underestimated Brady? No, Brady had obviously wanted to meet with him otherwise he wouldn’t have taken such an enormous risk by calling Scotland Yard in the first place. So why wasn’t he calling back to renegotiate? He couldn’t afford any more setbacks after the disastrous events of the day. If he blew this, he’d better start contemplating life outside the force …
The phone rang.
He resisted the temptation to reach over and snatch up the receiver. No, he had to be seen to be the one calling the shots. He’d be damned if he’d dance to Brady’s tune. He let the phone ring for a few seconds then lifted the receiver.
“Palmer?”
“Yes,” Palmer replied.
“Scoby’s minder can come with you. Use the unmarked Rover. No driver. Both of you sit up front. Park outside the hotel. A space has been cordoned off for you. Go into the hotel and ask at the reception for Sammy Kane. We’ll take it from there.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve got it all worked out so well, Brady. If I didn’t know better, I’d be inclined to think you were running scared.”
There was a hesitant pause. “You just make sure those pigs stay behind their little roadblock. The area around the hotel is completely secured and my men have strict orders to open fire if any pig is stupid enough to venture within range. Make sure you pass that message on to Reeves.” The line went dead.
Palmer recounted Brady’s demands.
“We’re obviously under close surveillance,” Whitlock said.
“We have been ever since we got here,” Reeves told him. “The men have already spotted several Provos in prominent positions overlooking the hotel. They’re the ones we’re supposed to see. It’s the ones we can’t see that worry me. They’ll be the ones with the artillery.”
Palmer checked his watch. Seven forty-two. “I’d say it was time to go in.”
“He did say eight,” Reeves reminded him.
“If we’re playing by his rules,” Palmer replied. “And I have no intention of doing that.”
Whitlock nodded in agreement. “Commander Palmer’s right. We’ve got to take the initiative. The more we unsettle Brady, the better it’ll be for us when it comes to making any kind of deal with him.”
“Why do you think I waited until now to tell Brady that I’d be taking Mr. Whitlock in with me?” Palmer said. “This way we undermine his control of the situation. It gives us the edge. And that’s vital in these circumstances.”
Palmer and Whitlock moved to the front of the car and Reeves handed Palmer the keys through the driver’s window.
“You know the drill,” Palmer said to Reeves. “Stick to it and if something should go wrong, move in and get Brady.”
“Yes sir,” Reeves replied.