‘Ah,’ Harrison said, ‘that’s more like it.’
‘Have you heard the latest from London?’
‘I haven’t been into the office yet.’
The Welshman linked his fingers over the desk top. ‘The Seven Dials bombings appear to be the handiwork of our old friends AID AN.’
It was like a douche of cold water; suddenly Harrison felt wide awake. ‘You’re joking.’
‘Wish I was, Tom. It was confirmed in the warnings. Seems like our bomber is putting himself about a bit. That’s why they want someone over there who’s had some experience of how AID AN works. See into his mind, so to speak.’
‘I’m not sure I can do that, and I’m not sure I’d want to, the evil bastard.’ He almost spat the words, giving vent to his rising anger. So it had been the same AIDAN cell who’d killed Jock Murray and had come within a whisker of catching himself at the Europa the previous night. ‘I mean we still don’t know if the AIDAN codeword signifies a particular active service unit, a new strategy or an individual bomb maker. I don’t suppose “Whiz” has been able to shed any light on the matter?’
The colonel shook his head; the Weapons Intelligence Section had been working overtime to get a lead on the bomb maker’s identity or some common pattern that might give them a clue. ‘What we can guess, Tom, is that the situation on the mainland can only get worse. The warnings have made it quite clear that the campaign is a protest by the Provisionals at being left out of the latest peace process.’
‘I’m sorry?’ he said, recalling what Trenchard had said to him outside the Europa.
‘It must be the world’s worst kept secret. Protracted talks between Dublin, London and the major political parties in Ulster. They started last autumn and the prevailing wisdom is they’re likely to continue throughout this summer. Politicians on both sides are determined to get a result. Quite far-reaching and controversial proposals apparently. But, the official line is strictly no comment and no knowledge of any such talks. I imagine the Defence Advisory Committee and any Irish equivalent have got their hands full keeping it out of the media.’ He held Harrison in a steady gaze. ‘So you can see that PIRA thinks it’s got nothing to lose. My guess is that’s why they’ve let AIDAN — whoever or whatever that is — loose on the mainland. To bomb its way to the conference table. So, can I confirm you’ll be giving London a hand?’
London in summer. The warm dusty streets, the leafy parks, the pubs, restaurants and theatres^ pavement cafes — what humble squaddie in his cramped billet wouldn’t willingly give up a month’s pay for such a comfortable posting?
Was he really the only soldier in Belfast who would prefer to stay where he was? But, despite his misgivings, he knew he couldn’t let CATO down. ‘If that’s what you want, Colonel, of course I’ll go.’
He read the relief in the colonel’s gentle smile; although he had the authority to order such things, he was a man who liked to rule by consent. ‘I thought I’d pull in Meredith from the mainland to replace you. Meanwhile, of course, you’ll be walking on eggshells. You’ll need to be the model of diplomacy not to upset Al Pritchard’s wounded pride.’
‘I know Al well — we used to work together some years back when he was still with us. I think I can handle it.’
‘Not the easiest of men to get on with.’
Harrison thought for a moment. ‘I was wondering if I’d be able to get over. At least it’ll give me a chance to visit Jock’s wife and pay my respects.’
‘Jock was best man at your wedding, wasn’t he?’
‘We were good friends.’
CATO nodded sympathetically. ‘Then I expect Pippa must be pretty upset too.’
The sudden use of his wife’s name had a profound effect. It hadn’t even occurred to him to telephone her and break the sad news. Hadn’t occurred to him? Did he really mean that? Or was it the sure knowledge that he’d just be handing her a stick to beat him with? Although Pippa came from an army family herself, she’d always hated the Work he did in bomb disposal. Pippa had never been able to accept it any more than he could bring himself to think of any other life. Perhaps it had been more convenient to drown his own personal sorrow in the mess last night before the Europa bomb. After all, it wouldn’t have taken much to have picked up the telephone.
He realised too late that he’d allowed his concentration to lapse and that CATO was watching him carefully, waiting for the reply. Harrison tried to sound casual. ‘Yes, I’m sure she’ll be shocked. We’ve both known Jock a long time.’
‘You haven’t spoken to her yet?’ Mild surprise registered in his tone. The colonel took a particularly keen interest in the social wellbeing of his men and their families on the basis that a happy ship was an efficient ship, with no unnecessary mental distractions from the dangerous job they did. Usually Harrison welcomed Top Cat’s concern, but not at the moment. Not until he’d sorted out things in his own way.
‘She was away on business when I called yesterday,’ he lied.
CATO nodded in his usual understanding way. The way he did when he didn’t believe a word of what he was being told. ‘Still doing well is she? What’s her father’s business? Publishing?’
‘Public relations,’ Harrison corrected. ‘And she’s enjoying it, keeping busy anyway.’
‘So still no chance she might come and join you over here?’
Harrison had to laugh at that. ‘She feels she’s had to wait long enough since Archie was born to resume her career. She hated life over here behind the wire and I can’t say I blame her for that.’
‘So you’re both happy with the arrangement?’
‘That’s the bonus with not seeing much of each other, we have some great reunions!’ Harrison laughed as he said it, but even to his own ears the words had a hollow ring to them. And he was sure the point wasn’t lost on CATO.
But then they were interrupted by the commander’s aide, informing him that the party of Members of Parliament from London had arrived for a briefing by him.
As the door closed he raised his eyebrows in an expression of absolute despair. ‘That’s the trouble with this job, Tom. Seem to spend all my time wet-nursing politicians and journalists.’
Harrison sympathised. He said: ‘I think I’d prefer to defuse a bomb any day.’ But he wasn’t sure he really meant it.
CATO stood up. ‘By all accounts the politicians are getting pretty anxious in London. Meredith will be over here on Wednesday morning so, allowing for a handover session, you could take the shuttle out that evening and report to Al Pritchard on Thursday. In fact, you’ll probably see him at Jock Murray’s funeral in the morning.’
Funeral. That single word was so cold and final. Clods of earth clumping onto a coffin roof. Dead and buried. Gone for ever, but not forgotten. Memories of laughter shared in the mess, Jock’s wicked sense of humour, their celebration in Cyprus when he heard that Brenda had given birth to their first.
Harrison felt the emotion rising in his chest, the choking claw at his throat. CATO may have sensed it, for he indicated for his 2IC to leave with an understanding smile.
He was outside the door before the moisture came to his eyes and dampened the skin of his cheeks. Roughly he rubbed it aside with the back of his hand.
Jock, you old bastard, stop taking the piss.
6
The press hounds were out in force. The pack had descended on the small village in the Surrey hills. They i doorstepped Brenda Murray’s modern detached house on the outskirts until she made a brief appearance at the front door. She wore dark glasses to hide her grief; her hair was lank and dishevelled. The cameramen with their probing telephoto lenses had the picture they wanted.