And so, instead, they went back to their cottage and barbecued i two thick steaks in the garden, with potatoes baking in foil in the red-hot coals, and sliced onions sizzling on the grid. They ate as hungrily as they had made love in the sand, washing down the succulent meat with good red Valdepenas, and finishing off with a whole pineapple quartered and soaked in Cassis.
Then, all their appetites satisfied, they sat in the garden and watched the day go down in the west – and with it, their brief break from the dangers which had so recently overwhelmed their lives.
'Will they ever stop, Bob?' Sarah asked him suddenly.
'Yes, love. They'll stop, when they've got what they want. And that isn't Scottish independence, or any of that crap. I don't believe that any more. They've got us tear-arsing around all over Edinburgh, and that's what they've been out to achieve all along.
It's all being done with a purpose in mind, though I've no idea at all of what that could be. When I do know, that's when they'll stop. Because I'll stop them.' I The hard determination in his voice made her suddenly afraid again, just as she had felt in the Park, over the body of young Macgregor.
'Darling, promise me one thing. Please. That when you do meet up with these people, you'll take care. Of yourself. Inside and out.'
He looked at her in silence. 224; 'There's someone in you that I don't know. It's like there's a closet inside you with something awful and dangerous inside: a real bogeyman. I'm just terribly afraid that if he ever really gets out, he could take you over.'
She held his gaze until his eyes dropped.
Aye, my love,' he said with a deep sigh. 'I know the man you mean. I've met him. And I've no wish to encounter him again either. But I have to say that if I'm ever in that kind of danger again, I hope he's still around. Because one thing about my alter ego: he doesn't half get the business done!'
66
Skinner saw the ball drop as the gun went off.
"This is where I'll be, Andy. I can see the whole show from here.'
The three of them – Skinner, Martin and Adam Arrow stood on the Castle battlements, just at the angle where the Millsi Mount Battery joins with the Western Defences, a part of the image which most visitors conjure up when their thoughts returnj to Edinburgh, f It was a few seconds after one o'clock. Close by, the famoui gun still smoked, having just boomed out its time signal. When it had fired, Skinner had been gazing out, across Princes Street, over' the Scott Monument and the Balmoral Hotel, at the roof of the round grey stone building on the top of Calton Hill, and had seen the huge green globe as it slid down its flagpole, in a visual time- check for navigators in the wide River Forth, simultaneous with the sounding of the gun for those on land.
Now all three looked downwards, observing the main Glasgow railway line at the base of the rock, and beyond it the chasm of Princes Street Gardens, all in the shadow of the great Castle. The tented roof had been removed from the Ross Theatre. Only the stage was out of sight, under the canopy of the open-air bandstand, which for all its grand theatrical title, it was for most of the year.
The air was heavy, the heat stifling. Skinner glanced up. Thete was a hint of purple about the sky. i 'It's going to break, Andy.' E 'You can set your watch by it, boss. Whatever else the weather does in Edinburgh, you can be sure it'll piss down on the Fireworks concert!'
Skinner laughed. 'Aye, that and don't forget the Queen'sjGarden party in July!' But their moment of light relief was a short f. one. 'Have we covered everything, d'you think?' he asked, deadly serious once more. "
'Yes, I think so,' said Martin. 'Princes Street gets blocked off to vehicles at nine o'clock, but the crowd barriers will be installed along the north pavement this afternoon, and we'll close the pavement looking into the Gardens at eight, as soon as the last of the shops close.'
'Right,' said Skinner. 'And as soon as you see to that, you're off to Number 6 to meet up with Ballantyne and the Prime Minister. Although we've doubled the guard on him, like all the Scottish ministers, I want you and Brian to be as close to him and the PM as their underarm deodorant, until tonight's well and truly over. The PM's protection men are happy for us to run this one, not that they were given a choice. You and Brian will be in the Jag with our two VIPs when they leave Number 6. You'll have armed officers in cars in front and back, and four motorcycle outriders, one on each corner. Mind you, you should be all right in that Jag anyway. There's a ton-and-a-half of armour plating in it, and all its glass is proof against any sort of bullet. So listen, if the shit does start to fly down there tonight, the first thing you do is get Ballantyne and the PM inside that bloody motor. It'll be the safest place in Edinburgh.'
He turned to Arrow. 'Adam, you and your men will be stationed inside the theatre area, agreed?'
'Mm. That's right. We'U guard the perimeter, and keep watch on the seats, in case some looker's planted himself in the audience.
One lookin' out, one lookin' in, alternately, all the way round, using night glasses. I'd be happier with another couple of men, though.'
'You've got them. I'll give you McGuire and Mcllhenney. In fact, why don't we kit them out in bulletproof vests and helmets and ask them take up position behind Ballantyne and the PM.
They're both big wide buggers. They'll make good blockers.
They'd have to volunteer, but I know them – they will. That'll "ee up all of your guys for what they're best at.' "Thanks, Bob.'
'What about Maggie Rose?' said Martin. 'We mustn't forget about her. She'd be pissed off if she was left out of the action.' "That's OK. Maggie will be with me, up here, watching for whatever happens. For believe me, boys, there will be something to be seen, and it won't be just fireworks. I've never felt as certain o' anything in my life.'
67
Everything that evening happened on cue – even the weather. Thef storm broke, finally, at 8:45 pm, just as Skinner and Maggie rosch were driving up the deserted Castle esplanade between the high-H tiered temporary grandstands, which on another night would have been filling with spectators gathering for the Military Tattoo in the3 wide parade ground which they Hanked. But fireworks and orchestra had taken precedence over marching bands and military gymnastics, and for that. Skinner guessed, as the first flash of. lightning lit up the gloaming, six thousand potential ticket-holdersg should feel truly grateful.
Heavy raindrops pounded on the roof of the car as he swung if into the tunnel which takes vehicles into Edinburgh Castle, resuming their bombardment as he drove back into the open, anc up to the parking area between Butts Battery and the Castl Hospital, which had once been, ironically, its powder magazine.
He felt glad of the long Burberry waterproof coat and hat whic he had thrown on to the back seat as he had left home.
Maggie Rose was clad for wet weather, too. In knee-lengti boots, jeans and a hooded Barbour jacket, she looked for all th world like a countrywoman on a week-end walk, not a detective engaged on life-or-death duty.
Skinner opened the boot of the car and produced from it two pairs of odd-looking, heavy binoculars.
'Here, take these,' he said, handing one set to Maggie Rose.
'They're light-intensifying, infra-red or some such. However, they work; they'll help you see in the dark. You're going to need them before much longer.
'Are you armed?' he asked casually as they walked up to their vantage point on the Mills Mount Battery.
'No, sir. I didn't see the need for it up here.'