Алистер Маклин: Dead Halt

He had all the attributes needed to succeed in the political arena. His telegenic good looks and charismatic personality appealed to a wide audience; his uncompromising, often vitriolic speeches, laced with old-fashioned patriotic values, appealed to the conservatism of the middle and upper classes. Most political analysts regarded it as a foregone conclusion that Scoby would one day lead his party. It was only a question of when it would happen …

“Mr. Whitlock, I’m Jack Scoby.”

It wasn’t difficult to understand Scoby’s appeal. He was a strikingly handsome forty-year-old with a rich tan and thick black hair which was beginning to gray at the temples. He smiled and extended a hand of greeting.

“C.W. Whitlock,” Whitlock said, shaking Scoby’s hand.

“Shall we go through?” Scoby asked, gesturing to his office.

It was a spacious room with a heavy teak desk and three leather armchairs positioned equidistant from each other against the adjacent wall. The customary American flag hung in the corner of the room.

A man, who had been sitting in one of the armchairs, got to his feet and smiled quickly at Whitlock. He was in his late thirties with thinning brown hair and wire-rimmed glasses. Whitlock knew who he was before Scoby introduced him.

“Mr. Whitlock, this is Ray Tillman, my right-hand man and the brains behind my election campaign.”

Tillman shook Whitlock’s hand but said nothing.

Scoby closed the door. “Please, won’t you sit down, Mr. Whitlock?” He waited until both men were seated then moved around behind his desk and sat down. “It’s a bit of a coincidence you coming around here today. I’d actually made a note in my diary to ring UNACO sometime this week to introduce myself. We’re in the same boat, aren’t we? A new team in office. It certainly won’t be easy trying to follow in Colonel Philpott’s footsteps though. He had an exemplary record as UNACO Director.”

“Did you know the Colonel?” Whitlock asked.

“I met him a couple of times at embassy functions,” Scoby replied. “But I knew him better by his reputation. And that’s what really counts, isn’t it? Now take his successor, Sergei Kolchinsky. He’s something of a dark horse for those of us outside UNACO. Certainly an interesting choice as the new Director.”

“I take it from the tone of your voice that you don’t wholly approve of his appointment?” Whitlock said, frowning.

Scoby clasped his hands together on the table. “He’s a former colonel in the KGB who’s from an era when the Cold War was at its peak. And now he’s in charge of an international anti-crime unit working out of the United States. I find it hard to reconcile myself to those facts.”

“Sergei’s loyalties lie firmly with UNACO,” Whitlock shot back, angry at any insinuation to the contrary.

“I’m sure they do,” Scoby replied without much conviction. He was quick to give Whitlock one of his disarming smiles. “It goes without saying that Sergei Kolchinsky will have my full support for as long as he remains UNACO Director. And hopefully I’ll be able to meet him at some point in the near future. Perhaps the three of us can get together for lunch after I return from my trip to the United Kingdom?”

“I’ll have a word with him next time I see him,” Whitlock said. “Actually, the reason for my being here concerns your proposed trip to Britain at the end of the week. We received some information which may make you want to change your mind about going.”

Scoby frowned. “Really? What kind of information?”

Whitlock explained what had happened the previous night in London. He left nothing out, knowing it would only be a matter of time before Scoby received a report of the events anyway.

Tillman sat forward once Whitlock had finished talking, his arms resting on his knees. “What are the chances of this IRA cell being apprehended before Mr. Scoby leaves for London?”

“It’s impossible to say,” Whitlock replied truthfully then looked at Scoby. “That’s why I asked to see you. We’ll do everything possible to find them but if they’re still at large by the end of the week it might be wise for you to postpone your trip.”

“That’s out of the question,” Scoby cut in quickly, shaking his head. “I won’t be threatened. I intend to fly to London on Friday, irrespective of whether you’ve found these terrorists or not.”

“The senator’s views on the IRA are well known but I still don’t understand why they would plan a hit on him,” Tillman said. “It would damage their image abroad. Especially here in the States.”

“We don’t know what they’re planning, Mr. Tillman,” Whitlock was quick to correct him. “And that’s why we’re pulling out all the stops to find this informer. Naturally I’ll let you know of any developments in the case.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Scoby said.

“Well, I’d better get back to the UN,” Whitlock announced, getting to his feet.

“Thank you for coming.” Scoby walked Whitlock to the door. “If you call and I’m unavailable I’ll make sure you’re put through to Ray.”

“Fine,” Whitlock replied. “Hopefully we’ll have sorted this out before you leave for London.”

“I know you’ll do your best.” Scoby opened the door then shook Whitlock’s hand again. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you. We’ll discuss that lunch further when I get back after the weekend.”

Whitlock smiled and left the room. Scoby closed the door behind him and looked across at Tillman. “Well?”

“It doesn’t make any sense. The IRA have got nothing to gain and everything to lose if they carry out this operation.”

Scoby bit his lip pensively. “Agreed. But what if they’re not working for the IRA?”

“Whitlock seemed convinced they were an IRA cell,” Tillman replied.

“I’m sure they are,” Scoby was quick to point out. “But what if they’re a rogue IRA cell in it purely for the money? Enough money to buy them new identities where the IRA would never find them.” He crossed the room and perched on the edge of the desk, his arms folded across his chest. “And let’s face it, I’ve got enough enemies in my own party, never mind amongst the Democrats, who would love to see me silenced. Permanently.”

“You think this whole operation could have been planned from Capitol Hill?”

“Why not?” Scoby nodded thoughtfully. “And what better way than to use an IRA cell in Britain to do their dirty work for them? That way, no comebacks.”

“Do you want me to have someone look into it?”

Scoby shook his head. “Let UNACO handle it. That way it’s all legit. They’ve got the resources and the contacts to get to the bottom of this, but more importantly, Kolchinsky and Whitlock will be desperate to impress the Secretary-General after the loss of their team in London. Which means the truth won’t be suppressed. And if the plot did originate on Capitol Hill, the newspapers will have a field day. I’ll see to that.”

“And you’ll be seen as the innocent party, strengthening your hand as a candidate at the next election.”

“Precisely,” Scoby replied with a knowing smile.

“We’re overlooking one thing though,” Tillman said anxiously. “That cell is still out there somewhere. Your life’s in danger until they’re caught.”

“It’s a risk I’ve got to take. Imagine what the press would say if they found out I’d postponed my trip because of a possible terrorist attack. That would seriously damage my public image. And I’m not about to jeopardize that. Not with so much at stake.” Scoby smiled to himself. “You know, Ray, this could actually be a blessing in disguise. It can only improve my standing, both here and abroad, and that can’t be a bad thing, can it?”