Angel of Death Read Free

Downing Street Declaration.” He spoke about the Government’s discussions with Sinn Fein and the efforts, so far unsuccessful, to achieve a cease-fire.
    It was Rupert Lang who said, “I’m afraid we’re going to have as many problems with the Protestant factions from now on, Prime Minister.”
    “True,” Carter said. “They’re killing just as many as the IRA.”
    “Can we do anything about that?” the Prime Minister queried. He turned to Ferguson. “Brigadier?”
    Ferguson shrugged. “Yes, I’m conscious of the Protestant Loyalist problem.”
    “Yes, but are your people doing anything about it?” Carter said with some malice.
    Ferguson was nettled. “Actually I’ve got Dillon taking care of something rather special in that direction at this precise moment in time.”
    Carter said, “So we’re back to that little IRA swine?”
    Rupert Lang frowned. “Dillon? Who’s he?”
    Ferguson hesitated. “Go on, tell him,” the Prime Minister said. “But this is top secret, Rupert.”
    “Of course, Prime Minister.”
    “Sean Dillon was born in Belfast and went to school in London when his father came to work here,” Ferguson said. “He had a remarkable talent for acting and a flair for languages. He went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for a year and then joined the National Theatre.”
    “I’ve never heard of him,” Lang said.
    “You wouldn’t. Dillon’s father went back to Belfast on a visit and got caught in the middle of a firefight. He was shot dead by Paratroops. Dillon joined the IRA and never looked back. He became the most feared enforcer they had.”
    “Then what?”
    “He became disenchanted with the glorious cause and switched to the international scene. Worked for everybody. Not only the PLO, but the Israelis.”
    “For money, I presume?”
    “Oh yes. He was behind the mortar attack on Downing Street during the Gulf War. That was for the Ira-quis.”
    “Good God.”
    Carter broke in, “And he employs this man.”
    “He also flew drugs into Bosnia, medical supplies for children. The Serbs held him under death sentence. I did a deal with them and him. He came to me, slate wiped clean.”
    “Good heavens,” Lang said.
    “Set a thief to catch a thief,” the Prime Minister said. “He’s been more than useful, Rupert. Saved the Royal Family from a dreadful scandal involving the Duke of Windsor’s involvement with the Nazis. Then there was a rather tricky business involving Hong Kong, but never mind that. What’s he up to now, Brigadier?”
    Ferguson hesitated. “Actually he’s in Belfast.”
    “Doing what?”
    Ferguson hesitated again and the Prime Minister said impatiently, “Come on, man, if you can tell anyone, you can tell us.”
    “All right,” Ferguson said. “The Deputy Director wanted to know what we’re doing about Protestant terrorism. As you know, there are numerous factions. One of the worst call themselves the Sons of Ulster. Their leader is undoubtedly the most dangerous man on the Loyalist side of things. Daniel Quinn. He’s killed many times, soldiers as well as IRA.”
    “And dares to use the word
Loyalist
,” Carter said. “Yes, I know about Quinn.”
    “The trouble is that he isn’t just another thug,” Ferguson replied. “He’s astute, cunning, and a first-class organizer. Dillon has been staying at the Europa under the name of Barry Friar with my assistant, Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Bernstein. He posed as an arms dealer for a Paris outfit and met with Quinn’s right-hand man, Curtis Daley, tonight.”
    “I know that name too,” Carter said.
    “What’s the point of all this?” the Prime Minister asked.
    “To draw Quinn into the open and deal with him,” Ferguson said.
    “You mean shoot him?”
    “That is correct, Prime Minister. Dillon has a meeting with Quinn tomorrow at six. All he would tell Chief Inspector Bernstein was that he was to drive there alone. Wouldn’t say where because he knew she’d tell me and thought I