Dancing With Mortality Read Free Page A

certain documents, there is some
risk involved in your being employed by us at all in Ireland just at this time.
Am I making myself clear?’
    ‘Not entirely, no.’
    ‘This is shall we say, confidential work. I’ve taken the
liberty of checking you out. I know that both your parents are English, which
takes care of the main eligibility requirement. We also made some discreet
enquiries in Auckland. I think you’ll be an asset to us, as the fact you’re
neither English nor Irish means you won’t arouse certain suspicions. And that
your language abilities are first rate.’
    ‘What sort of suspicions are you talking about?’
    ‘Let’s just say that if certain people with Republican
sympathies got to know you were working for us, they might not take it too kindly.’
    ‘And how real is that risk?’
    ‘Minimal. We have a small office here. No one knows about
us, I can assure you. But protocol means I need to point out the pros and cons,
that’s all.’
    ‘What do I tell my wife?’
    ‘You tell her you’re doing translation work for a security
firm. And that there may be some anti-social hours involved. That’s all true
enough.’
    ‘Security firm – who are you really then? You’ve taken a lot
of trouble over me already.’
    Litchfield smiled enigmatically. ‘I’ve told you about the
work and stated our conditions. You’ll be needed on a part time basis, some
afternoons and evenings to fit in with your studies here. I think you’ll find
our financial terms more than adequate. If you accept, you’ll get a full
briefing then. Go away and consider it for a few days, then call me at this
number when you’ve made up your mind.’ He handed Harry his card.
    He discussed it with Natalie, leaving out the bit about
miffed Republicans and the consequent risk. God knew they needed the extra
money. The exchange rate against the Kiwi dollar meant that the money they’d
brought with them was being spent a little too fast for comfort. He decided to
accept Litchfield’s offer, even when he found out later that the ‘security’
firm was in fact SIS. He weighed the extra income against the perceived risk
and concluded he’d be here studying one more year then they’d leave Ireland and
any risk of incurring the wrath of anyone would disappear.
    After tonight’s little party at the beach he wasn’t so sure.

Chapter 2
     
    The sky was lightening and the grey
cloud cover was dispersing to reveal patches of blue overhead. The intermittent
showers of rain that had punctuated Michael’s frantic last two hours of riding
looked like they might die away completely. There was even the odd ray of
sunshine forcing its way between the retreating clouds.
    He wasn’t sure where he was. An hour ago he’d taken his
leave of the road and turned his horse into the fields and up into higher
country. Visibility was still poor and it was slow going. All he could do was
urge the horse forward at a walk, hoping that the direction they were taking
was leading them to the north, away from the beach and his possible pursuers.
Now that daylight had arrived, he reined his mount in and stopped to take stock
of his surroundings.
    He’d climbed higher than he thought. Behind him the sea was
clearly visible; he reckoned he must have put only ten miles between him and
the beach in the last two hours. The horse had found its way onto a track
through the rocky ridges that bordered the narrow fields in this area. He
needed to strike north east to get away from these ridges and into the forested
land where he wouldn’t be so easy to spot.
    He dismounted, tying the reins to an outcrop of rock. The
horse gave a soft snort and nuzzled his shoulder gently. He brushed its long
neck in automatic response.
    ‘Glad to have me off your back are you? You look as
exhausted as I feel.’
    He sat down heavily on the pebbly surface. His legs felt
rubbery, and he realised just how tired he was. He gave a long exhalation, and
then as he allowed himself to relax