The Midnight Bell

by Jack Higgins

  “So where is this tirade leading us?” Roper asked.

  Jake Cazalet walked in at that moment and answered. “They don’t know what to do anymore, except to allow you people to shoot what we hope are the villains. The news that al-Qaeda has raised its head again in the shape of a new Master went down like a lead weight considering that the last one was barely dead.”

  “I imagine it would,” Blake said.

  Sara turned to Frankel. “Have a decent breakfast, Henry, and remember what Somerset Maugham said. ‘To dine well in England it’s necessary to have breakfast three times a day.’”

  Henry laughed. “Ah, you always find a way to cheer me up. I shall follow your advice religiously.”

  “So what’s Ferguson up to at the moment? Still at Downing Street?” Dillon asked.

  “Ministry of Defence. An ad hoc committee with interested parties discussing how to keep things from getting out of hand.”

  “Why aren’t you on it? Good God, Jake, with your experience as a soldier and president.”

  “Don’t worry, the Prime Minister has made me a special advisor. I’ll find excuses to avoid going back to Washington, won’t I, Blake?”

  “That’ll be the day,” Harry said. “So we really do have to stay close?”

  “Within reason.”

  “We do have the Dark Man to open, but I suppose young Hasim can manage in a pinch. He’s shown a lot of promise, that boy, and Dora thinks the world of him.”

  “Then there’s things to be done at Harry’s Place,” Billy said.

  “Have you got a wedding or something?” Sara asked.

  “One or two things, that’s all, but stuff needs organizing. We can get back here soon enough if you have a problem.”

  “Well, I do,” Dillon said. “I just heard yesterday that a dear friend of mine has been killed in a car crash on a visit to Ulster. A drunken driver was responsible. I need to pay my respects to the family, so I’ll have to go out for a while.”

  “No problem,” Roper said.

  Dillon nodded, staring into space, and Hannah said gently, “Is it help you need?”

  There were others listening, as Dillon said, “And you the girl to see it. When I came to live in Kilburn with my father, my mother being dead, our next-door neighbors were Finbar and Eileen Magee, her the kindest woman I ever knew, him a drunken, unpleasant swine, a con man and petty criminal who had been to prison often.”

  “So what did all that lead to?”

  “Twin boys named Tad and Larry, who attended the same school I had, though twelve years later.”

  “So what went wrong?” Sara asked. “Something obviously did.”

  “The Magees, like me, came from County Down, had been a family of substance in earlier times, and they owned a farmstead above Drumore Bay. A cousin, Eli Magee, farmed it for them and ran a big old launch named the Maria Blanco from the jetty below in the bay.”

  “Was Finbar IRA?”

  “They wouldn’t have him. He was a braggart who claimed to be IRA to his sons and encouraged them to visit, which Eileen didn’t want because there was bloodshed and war over there. There were lots of guys like him, claiming a false glory when all they were doing was driving a truck by night, hauling groceries to supermarkets, booze to pubs, and delivering orders from the chief of staff on the way to local commanders.”

  “Backed by documents that would satisfy the police?” Sara said. “If they were stopped?”

  “Of course, but carrying a weapon was out because of the danger of police searches.” He shrugged. “It was a kind of IRA postal service delivering mail to its troops.”

  “And you would know,” said Hannah.

  “Of course, I’m the fella who’d dumped a promising career at the National Theatre two years earlier because his father, in Belfast for a family funeral, stumbled into a firefight between paratroops and an angry mob, and was shot by mistake. It was the Provisional IRA for me, the Provos, next stop, and I’d have thought you’d agree with that, Hannah, after what happened to you and your parents.”

  “Nobody could understand more, Sean, and a hell of a choice to have to make.”

  Sara said, “But what did Eileen think of Finbar’s persuading his sons to visit him in bandit country?”

  “Her worst nightmare came true because the RUC began sniffing around Finbar, the man with the sons from London who kept visiting him.”

  “I’d have been surprised if they hadn’t. What did it lead to?”

  “He produced a Browning handgun from his pocket one night just to give himself the right kind of macho image, drunk as usual. Refused to stop for a police car, crashed in the chase.”

  Hannah said, “So ten years in the Maze Prison?”

  “No, because he was drunk, he had a problem handling his gun, and the police opened fire.”

  “They shot the bastard?” Hannah said.

  “No, but they did hit Larry Magee twice, one in the right leg, the other in the back, a legal response to attack, but as the police had done the shooting, it was an awkward one. They solved it for the moment by dropping the boys off at the local cottage hospital.”

  “So obviously Finbar was arrested,” Sara said.

  “Of course, but the doctors at the hospital, knowing which side their bread was buttered on, but not what to do with Larry, approached the IRA chief of staff for County Down, Hugh Tulley, who sent a top enforcer to clear things up, which he did.”

  “Would that happen to have been you?” Hannah asked.

  Sara cut in. “What did you do?”

  “The IRA had plenty of money in those days, plus the right connections. I stole the boys from hospital one night, drove them to the home of a good friend, who flew us out to a small airfield in Kent. Using our connections, I’d been able to arrange a discreet private hospital to receive a young man who’d been in a car crash abroad, back injured, leg broken.”

  “Very clever,” Hannah said. “So Ulster, the gunplay, never happened?”

  “And Eileen?” Sara asked.

  “Forever grateful.”

  “Which only leaves Finbar,” Hannah said. “What happened to him?”

  “Nothing,” Dillon said. “The RUC never brought a charge. They found him too useful as an informer.”

  “The bastard,” Hannah said.

  “Yes, he was and still is.” Roper smiled. “But at least it leaves us with Captain Wonderful here, who rights all wrongs.”

  “Not really, Larry was crippled for life,” Dillon said. “But at least Eileen got her boys back home.”

  Billy cut in. “All these years, Dillon, and you never mentioned you knew the Magees.” He appealed to Hannah. “They were the most famous gangsters in London when they were active.”

  “Gangsters?” Hannah was astounded.

  Harry said, “He’s right, Hannah. Only the best for them. Suits from Savile Row, shoes from Lobb’s, one of the nicest houses in Curzon Street, not too far from the Dorchester, which you’ve got to admit is rather convenient. The Green Harp near Shepherd Market, one of the best gaming clubs in London, with Tara Place on the upper floor specializing in Irish cooking.”

  “Which I haven’t sampled since the improvements,” Dillon said. “But intend to.”

  “What a story, Dillon, you’re always full of surprises. Come on, Billy, we’ve got work to do,” Harry told him.

  Billy stood up, and said, “And Finbar, what’s happened to him?”

  “Eileen was over in Ulster to discuss legal matters concerning the Magee farm, where he’d been living for years. He picked her up at the railway station, drunk as usual, had one of his crashes, and managed to kill his wife. Cuts and bruises where he was concerned, but it appears he’ll walk free.”

  “Dear God.” Hannah crossed herself. “Damn him to hell.”

  “A truly dreadful man,�
� Sara said. “But still their father, that’s the problem. What do you think the brothers will do?”

  “I haven’t the slightest idea,” Dillon said. “I don’t even know whether the funeral’s today or tomorrow. I’m going to see Tad and Larry now. How often do you see me in a black suit, but this one is just in case.”

  “Can I go with you?” Hannah asked. “Mine’s dark blue, but acceptable.”

  Roper said, “It’s okay by me, but if there’s a funeral, I want you back here as soon as it’s over.”

  Dillon grabbed Hannah’s hand, they hurried out, and Roper turned to the Salters. “You are the only two I can accept living out, so off you go.”

  Harry grinned, said, “Let’s move it, Billy,” and they were gone.

  Blake, Henry Frankel, and Jake Cazalet had been talking quietly. They turned expectantly. “The guest wing can meet your needs unless you’d care to return to the Dorchester,” Roper said.

  “I’ll hang on here for the moment,” Blake told him. “Any word from General Ferguson?”

  “He’ll be here as soon as he can. Begs your indulgence.”

  “How wonderfully British of him,” Cazalet replied. “So let’s have tea or something and resume our conversation.”

  “I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Roper moved out into the computer room.

  He was followed by Doyle with a mug of tea and a bacon sandwich on a small tray.

  “You haven’t eaten a thing, sir, too busy talking.”

  Sara came in, and at the same moment Roper’s Codex sounded. He picked it up but didn’t answer at once, saying to Sara, “We need to talk about Highfield Court, your grandfather, and Sadie. Obviously, it’s a concern. Just give me a minute.”

  He raised the phone in his hand. “Giles Roper. Who is this?”

  “You know me as the Master. I thought it time we had a chat.”

  Tony Doyle was shocked. “It’s him, all right, Captain Gideon. I recognize his voice from the recording.”

  “Go and get the others now,” she said, and shoved him out of the door.

  “A pleasure to hear your voice, Captain Gideon. I’m a great admirer.”

  The others came in, Henry Frankel leading. “What in the hell’s going on?”

  “Ah, the reinforcements have arrived,” the Master said. “Not necessary. I’d intended to speak to each of you individually, but I’m happy to tell all of you together: You’ll get no warning of the gun that barks at you from the darkness when you least expect it or the car bomb that will launch you into eternity.”

  “I’m trembling in my boots,” Henry Frankel told him. “I can hardly stand.”

  “Ah, Mr. Frankel. Your partner must have a permanent smile on his face. You’re such a funny little man. Why is that?”

  “It’s the only way I can cope with the prospect of being bored to death by a creature like you.”

  “Ah, you have claws. I’ll have to think of an answer to that. I’ll let you know next time.”

  “And when will that be?” Roper asked.

  “Whenever I want, wherever I want. I can find you, but you cannot find me. I have a network of true believers and criminals who will do anything for money. I am invisible.”

  “So there you are, gentlemen,” Henry Frankel said. “On top of that, he won’t be happy until sharia law rules the roost at the Old Bailey.”

  “An interesting thought,” agreed the Master.

  Jake Cazalet said, “Do you think the people of the free world are going to stand by and just allow all this to happen?”

  “Oh dear, the voice of America speaks. Go home, President Cazalet, while you will can.”

  “Or what? You’ll declare jihad?”

  Charles Ferguson, alerted by Tony Doyle on his arrival, had eased in quietly behind them and heard enough to realize what was going on.

  “Why, yes. You have earned jihad,” said the Master.

  Ferguson called, “Charles Ferguson here. On me, too, then?”

  But the Master had switched off. There was quiet, then Ferguson said, “I think a drink is in order. Let’s all go get one, sit down, and decide what we’ve going to do about this creature.”

  —

  IN THE BARGE on the Quai des Brumes in Paris, the Master sipped coffee and considered the call. He had enjoyed baiting Ferguson and company at Holland Park, but it was time to get to business. He should speak to the new Army of God man at Pound Street, Yousef Shah, freshly arrived from Oxford University, where he had lectured in comparative religion.

  As Dr. Yousef Shah sat at his desk in the office of the Army of God Charity, beginning the task of familiarizing himself with his many duties, he was shocked at what the quiet voice had to say when he answered the phone.

  “There is only one God and Osama is his Prophet.”

  Yousef Shah’s reply was automatic. “Osama is risen.”

  “This is the Master, wishing you well. Has the Grand Council in Paris warned you about what you will be up against in this appointment, supplied you with details of our particular enemies here?”

  “Such material has been supplied to me in full, and I’ve already started to work through it.”

  “You will find strong backing in the Army of God and the Muslim Brotherhood. Those numbers we gave you—call upon them in a time of need and the people will follow your orders without argument because they know the word of Osama is behind you.”

  “May his name be blessed,” Yousef Shah answered automatically.

  “And may it be so, but remember at all times that there is a particular danger there. We have had two Masters killed because of the activities of a British intelligence group led by Major General Charles Ferguson.”

  “I shall take care at all times, I promise you, particularly with these people.”

  “The blessing of Osama go with you,” the Master told him, and hung up.

  Yousef Shah sat there, thinking about the call, then reached for the information file he’d been given and started to look for Charles Ferguson. He read the information he was seeking, then phoned the Brotherhood’s special number and identified himself.

  “A house called Highfield Court at the end of South Audley Street. The people are Jewish, the name Gideon. Check the situation at night thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly.”

  “At your orders, Imam.”

  He sat back. He had no idea what he had done or intended, but it was a beginning.

  3

  UNAWARE OF THE HIGH DRAMA they had left behind them, Dillon and Hannah drove toward Hyde Park as it started to rain.

  She said, “What exactly did the brother do? Not drugs, I hope.”

  “No, Eileen wouldn’t have stood for it, and her voice was law in the home, especially after the marriage broke up and Finbar cleared off to Ulster.”

  “Good for her.”

  “Only an idiot chooses that game these days when ten or fifteen years’ hard time is what you draw.”

  “But what about the other things?”

  “Eileen’s family were bargees who worked the Thames from one end to the other and stole anything they could lay their hands on. A way of life.”

  “I suppose to young boys it must have seemed normal,” Hannah said.

  “Booze and especially cigarettes have always been much cheaper in Europe than Britain, where they’re heavily taxed, so that’s where they started, working for other smugglers until they saved enough for their own boat. The people in that game would raid other boats, there was open warfare, and the legend of the Magee brothers was born. A tough life, but that’s the way they all started on the Thames, even Harry Salter.”

  “So they were thieves?”

  “Still could be as far I know. Tad’s the hard man, Larry the brain. A few years ago, there was a rash of robberies in London involving gold, diamonds, and stuff like that,
millions disappearing into the maw of Europe. Scotland Yard believed the Magees were responsible but could never prove it, and it’s too late now. They’re living on their reputation, part of the elite, too well-off to have to steal anymore.”

  “What about women in their lives?”

  “Tad was deeply in love some years ago, but she died of a brain tumor. He’s never taken another woman more seriously than a night out. As for Larry, I suppose the back-shooting took care of him.”

  She was uncomfortable and it showed. “I suppose so, but I can’t wait to meet them.”

  “I tell you one thing. They’re going to love you,” and Dillon turned out of Park Lane into Curzon Street, drove halfway down, and paused for the gates of the magnificent Georgian town house to swing open. He drove inside and parked beside an Aston Martin.

  “What a contrast,” Hannah said, as she got out. “Your Mini and this Aston Martin.”

  “Indeed so, but my old Mini is supercharged, and Tad Magee has been trying to buy it for years.”

  They approached the front door, which opened, and a white-haired woman of sixty or so wearing a belted white smock over a blue dress stepped out smiling.

  “I was hoping you would come, Sean,” she said, as she opened her arms to him.

  He turned to Hannah. “Molly Ryan, a friend from my youth and the housekeeper here.”

  Hannah held out her hand. “It’s grand to know you.”

  Molly embraced her lightly. “What a lovely Irish girl. Where did you find her, Sean?”

  “This is my second cousin, Hannah Flynn, she’s at college in London. Her uncle and I were young boys together in Collyban. Served in the Provos later.”