Jack Higgins - Day of Reckoning

He took her hand. 'Hannah.'

'No, don't say a thing. Dillon and I will go off and save the world again, only increasingly, I wonder what for.'

In Ferguson's office, she said, 'So what's the situation? Dillon and Billy Salter are fine. They're both master divers and Dillon is an expert boat handler. That leaves me and Sean Regan.'

'And without Blake, you're one short.'

'Exactly, sir.'

Ferguson got up, went to the window, and looked out. He turned. 'This kind of black operation works best without official special forces intervention. That's why I haven't given the Kilbeg bunker to the SAS. It has to be the kind of job that never happened.'

'Yes, I see that, sir. On the other hand, we could do with another gun, just to be on the boat when Dillon and Billy are doing their thing on shore.'

'It's a difficult one. Do you have any thoughts?' 'Yes, I do actually. An excellent gun.'

'And who would that be?'

She told him.

Dillon and Billy were sitting in the window seat at a pub in Oban, just finishing a superb Scottish breakfast of kippers, poached eggs and bacon, washed down with hot steaming tea, when Dillon's mobile rang.

Hannah said, 'Blake isn't good. They've sedated him. He'll be out for hours.'

'So you'll be on your way with Regan?'

'Yes, but Sean, we've got a problem. With you and Billy on land, and me with Regan on the boat, we need another gun. No big deal, just somebody reliable who really knows what he's doing.'

'And who would that be?'

She told him what she'd suggested to Ferguson, and Dillon laughed. 'Why not? There's nothing like a professional soldier. When will you leave?'

'Two o'clock. Be with you about four-thirty.'

'I look forward to it.' Dillon closed his phone and smiled. 'There you go, Billy, you'll have to mind your manners.' 'What do you mean?'

So Dillon explained.

Ferguson accompanied Hannah to Pine Grove when she went to pick up Regan. He was in Roper's suite again, going over a few points, and Helen Black stood by, with Miller.

Roper said, 'Well, I think the bastard's told the truth, or his version of it, anyway.'

'I damn well have,' Regan said.

'You'd better.' Ferguson smiled coldly. 'If not, I'll see you stand in the dock, Regan. Fifteen years.' He nodded to Miller. 'Take him and prepare him to move out. Put the manacles on.'

Miller complied, and Ferguson said, 'Get on with it, Superintendent.'

Hannah said, 'We've got a problem, Sergeant Major. You are aware of most of the facts, but let me summarize. We're sailing to County Louth from Oban late this afternoon. There'll be Dillon and Billy Salter, and me to guard Regan. Blake Johnson is unwell after the treatment for his gunshot wound. We're short a gun.'

'I see.' Helen Black smiled. 'How long have I got to pack?' 'Half an hour.'

'Then I'd better get moving.' She was out of the door instantly.

Later, at the main entrance, Hannah led Regan down the steps and eased him into the Daimler onto one of the extra seats. The driver had put the luggage in the boot and Ferguson stood at the top of the steps with Helen Black, who wore a khaki jumpsuit. They were alone for a moment.

'I'm grateful, Helen.'

'Tony's in Bosnia at the moment,' she said, referring to her husband. 'The Household Cavalry has two troops there.' 'I know, my love.'

'There's no need to worry him, but you'll obviously see to things if anything goes wrong.'

'My dear Helen.' He kissed her cheek. 'Just believe in Sean Dillon. He is a bastard of the first order, but my God, he's good.'

'You didn't need to tell me, not with the years I spent in Ulster. See you, Charles, and thanks for asking me to the party.'

At Farley Field, the Gulfstream was ready. Madoc loaded the luggage, then took them in. As Parry and Lacey came on board, Hannah made the introductions.

Lacey said, 'There's a bit of a headwind. It'll be an hour and forty-five minutes, but could run to two.'

He joined Parry in the cockpit, the engines started, and they moved away, taking off very quickly and climbing steeply.

Regan held out his manacled wrists. 'Can I have these off? I'm not going anywhere.'

Helen Black laughed. 'That's true.' She took out a key and unlocked him.

Madoc appeared from the galley. 'Tea, ladies.'

'An excellent idea,' Hannah said.

'Personally, I'd like an Irish whiskey,' Regan told him. Madoc looked at Hannah, who nodded. 'Give him what he wants, Sergeant.'

Helen Black turned to her. 'Well, here I go, into the war zone again.'

As they returned to the Highlander, Billy said, 'Jesus, Dillon, not only two women, but both coppers.'

'Yes, Scotland Yard Special Branch variety and Royal Military Police. But remember one thing, Billy: they've both killed more than once in the course of duty. They both know what they're doing.'

'What have I got myself into?'

'Well, as Heidegger said, and you quoted him to me, life is action and passion. .'

Billy cut in. 'Okay, so it's going to be bleeding active and terribly exciting.'

'You'll love it, Billy,' Dillon said, as they coasted in and he reached for the Highlander's ladder.

The rain continued relentlessly. Billy was coiling a rope under the awning when a voice called, 'Highlander, ahoy.' Hannah, Helen Black and Regan were standing on the jetty beside a Range Rover, the driver in plain clothes but obviously RAF.

Billy called down the companionway, 'They're here, Dillon.' Dillon came up on deck and looked across. 'Fine. I'll go and get them.'

The inflatable coasted in at the bottom of the steps and Hannah called. 'Everything okay?'

'Absolutely. Let's have the luggage.'

There were only three bags and the driver brought them down. Regan followed, hands manacled again. He held up his wrists to Dillon. 'I might as well be on a Georgia chain gang.'

'You deserve to be, you shite.' Dillon shoved him into the boat. 'Go on, get in there.' He turned to greet the women. 'Sergeant Major, Superintendent. A fast boat and a passage by night. Action, passion, we've got it all here.'

'How riveting,' Helen Black said. 'I can't wait,' and she stepped into the inflatable.

Dillon handed the luggage up to Billy, and Helen climbed in, followed by Hannah. Hannah looked around the Highlander. 'My God, I must say it looks pretty basic.'

'Underneath its lack of a good paint job, it's superb, so don't worry,' Dillon said. 'Just get settled in, stick Sean in the saloon, and let's get on with it.' He turned to Regan. 'Just remember one thing, we're back with the old movies again: one false move and you're dead.'

'Come on, Dillon, you're going to kill me anyway.' 'Not if you're good.'

They put Regan in the saloon, the two women settled into the aft cabin, and Dillon made ready for sea. He took Billy, Hannah and Helen into the wheelhouse and went over the controls, then showed the women the Walther in the fuse box beside the wheel.

'Just in case.'

The sea was starting to flood in through the entrance to the harbour, and the Highlander was rocking from side to side.

Billy said, 'Jesus, I feel terrible,' and he turned, went out on deck, and vomited over the side.

Dillon followed, took a plastic pill bottle from a pocket of his reefer jacket, shook the pills out, and offered them. 'Get them down, Billy. They'll make a difference.'

Hannah said, 'Kindness and consideration from the great Sean Dillon?'

Dillon smiled. 'Sticks and stones, Hannah, not that it matters. We've got to leave if we're to make tonight's schedule, so I've other things to worry about. We'll discuss the plan of attack later. The wind's force five to six at the moment, but it should ease later.'

They left at three, and ploughed out into the turbulent waters, the sea running heavily. Dillon stood at the wheel alone. After a while, Helen Black came in with a mug. 'Tea,' she said. 'I believe that's your preference.' 'It's the grand woman you are.'