by Chris Simms
I gave many thanks to God at this news and so I began my arduous walk to safety. Many times I left the road to hide from English horsemen as they rode by. The ground was most rough and often unable to hold any more moisture. If it were not for the fowl and other prey Pio was able to bring back, all there would have been to eat was berries and water cresses which could not have sustained me for the long journey.
Little by little, I continued travelling until, after many days, by the grace of our Lord, I met with a clergyman. He was dressed in savage’s clothing, for this is how priests travel so the English should not recognise them. He spoke to me in Latin and, because God gave me grace, I was able to reply in the same tongue. He said he would deliver me to O’Rourke, a great enemy of the Queen of England and all her affairs.
Jon dragged his eyes from the screen and looked around. Tables, chairs, lights humming, fridges purring, ceiling vents sighing with warm air. Modern-day comforts: he shivered at the thought of how brutal life had been. His phone warbled and he snatched it up. Anonymous was showing on the screen. ‘Hello,’ Jon said cautiously, praying for Alice’s voice.
‘Have you left? Is it true?’
Siobhain, he thought. I should have fucking guessed.
Chapter 35
Jon placed his elbows on the table. ‘What do you want?’
‘Where are you?’
‘The airport. My plane leaves at half-seven.’
‘But…you can’t go.’
‘Siobhain, or whatever your name is, I’ve had enough. You’ve been no help whatsoever. I don’t believe Zoë’s even there.’
‘You got the photo, right? She’s here – it’s where she lives.’
Jon thought about the image in his back pocket. ‘That photo is probably years old. You know what I think? You gave it to me to keep your sad little game going for a bit longer.’
‘I didn’t! It’s not a game. She’s coming back – they sent her to Dublin on that delivery. But she’ll be back. Later on, she will.’
Last time we spoke, Jon thought, you said she was too hurt to get out of bed. ‘You’re making this up as you go along. I can tell from your voice. I’m not fucking interested, all right?’
‘You’re just going to leave her here?’
‘She’s not fucking there, OK? Maybe she was once, but she isn’t now.’
‘She is here.’
‘And where, exactly, is here? It’s half-five in the morning and I can hear music. You’re in Darragh’s, aren’t you? Who saw me leaving? The guys on the door? Did they tell you I’d left?’
‘What?’
Jon thought about the times he’d been in the club. The young customer – the flirty one who’d shot me the glances. The one who asked if I was chatting her up when handing out those posters. ‘Are you the girl always hanging round in that place?’
‘Which girl? I’ve got to go – ’
‘It is, isn’t it?’ He heard a click and the line went dead. ‘Typical,’ he muttered. ‘Pissing me about, as usual.’
***
‘Hazel!’
She stuffed the phone back into the pocket of her skirt.
‘Hazel! What are you up to?’
She turned her head. ‘Sorting out a nail.’ The chair swivelled round as Darragh de Avila looked through the doorway into the nightclub’s office.
‘In my fucking seat, too! You can do that later, people are wanting drinks through here.’
Christ, that was close, she said to herself. She thought of Jon in Galway airport. He can’t go now. She examined the edge of her lilac-coloured thumbnail. ‘There. Done.’ Brushing a strand of dyed-blonde hair from her face, she stood. ‘Are we not closing soon?’
Darragh shook his head. ‘These boys? They’ll drink right through – probably go straight from here to the fight at the farm.’
She placed her hands on her hips. ‘That’s great. Devlan’s going to get home and I’ll be asleep on my feet.’
‘If you want a little sniff to pep you up, there’s some in the top drawer.’
‘Really?’ Her eyes lowered to the desk. ‘I can?’
‘Just make it quick – it’s elbow-to-elbow at the bar and I don’t need you wandering back in spangled.’
Jon made sure no message had been left while he’d been speaking to Siobhain, then put his phone on the table. He shook his head. That woman is playing me. Fuck knows what she’s trying to prove, but that’s what she’s doing. Next time she rings, I’ll just hang up. He glanced about and realised the lights above the check-in desks were now on. Two women wearing white blouses and mauve neck-scarves were sitting there. He glanced down at his holdall. May as well get rid of it now, before the place starts getting busy.
As he crossed the shiny floor, he went over what he’d read. If the de Avilas were really descended from the author of that account, the family’s foothold in Ireland had been hard won. Rick was right, it gave an insight into how they viewed the world. He wondered if Francisco made it to the land under O’Rourke’s control. The chieftain would probably have welcomed a trained soldier like the Spaniard into his ranks. After all, he also had the dog – and what a weapon that was.
‘Morning,’ the woman behind the desk smiled. ‘Just the one item?’
A few minutes later, Jon resumed his seat. A fresh mug of coffee stood by the mouse mat. Jesus, he thought, nodding his thanks. I’ll be ricocheting off the ceiling at this rate. Taking a sip, he turned his eyes to the screen.
Finally, we met with a great lake at the far end of which was a castle. I could see it would be very difficult to take – artillery could not be brought to bear on its walls on account of the marshy terrain.
We arrived at the door to be told the chief was gone to defend a territory from the Lutherans. Though he is a savage, he is a Christian and sworn enemy of the English heretics, carrying war to them whenever he can.
The Lord, in His infinite pleasure, had already delivered to the castle over twenty of my countrymen, each one a good fellow. They told me all survivors from our fleet were being delivered to the Governor of Connacht who was hanging them at once and people who had sheltered them were being placed in prison where he did them all the injury he could.
The chief inclination of the castle’s inhabitants seems to be plunder and war. Whenever the heretics sally forth from their garrisons, the fight with them is immediate. The English have demolished the great majority of their churches, monasteries and hermitages, assisted by natives of the land who are as bad as they.
In turn, the inhabitants of the castle plunder the villages of these savages, if they become aware they do have cattle or other effects worth taking. No day seems to go by without a call to arms passing among them.
The men clothe themselves in blankets and wear their hair down to their eyes. Of Pio, their fascination knows no bounds. He will not let any close, so they sit for great lengths and study the animal, whispering all the while.
After more days passed, the chieftain O’Rourke returned. He is a gentleman and most sturdy soldier. After Mass was said among them, in accordance to the orders of the Church of Rome, he did tell us that a great force from the Governor was coming against him and he intended to fly for the mountains.
I bade him to allow me to talk with my fellow countrymen. We considered our past misfortunes and, in order to not see ourselves suffer more injuries and insults, thought it better to make an honourable end of it here by defending the castle to the death.
The chief, failing in his efforts to dissuade us, lay down provisions and arms for our use, including muskets, arquebuses, cross-bows and other weaponry, before departing with his people. The enemy came in sight the next day, their number greater than one thousand. From across the marshes they observed us but could not get their guns closer. The Governor demanded by trumpet many times that we should surrender the castle so he might pass us back to Spain. This we knew to be the lies of a Lutheran heretic.
Jon was vaguely aware of a series of notes ringing out above
his head. A female voice announced that anyone on the 6.25 to Edinburgh and 6.40 to London could proceed to the departure gate. His attention went back to the monitor.
When night came upon us, we knew the heretics would attack. I ventured out with Pio and he soon detected the sound of the English approaching. Their cries of terror when he attacked from the dark! I heard the splash of men as they fled the narrow tracks to become ensnared in the breast-high marsh. His Divine Majesty then pleased us with moonlight and we were able with cross-bows to finish the men where they floundered.
We were besieged for seven more nights and each one Pio returned to me with the blood of heretics on his jaws. Soon they sallied forth no more, and when our Lord saw fit to deliver us severe storms and falls of snow, the Governor was compelled to march his force back to Galway.
Jon sat back, thoughts whirling in his head. The de Avilas had surely read this. No wonder Devlan wanted an Alano so badly. That dog saved his ancestor’s life again and again. Jon imagined the delight Devlan must have felt when he realised the breed hadn’t died out. He’d have sold his grandma to get hold of one.
The terminal now rang with the sound of footsteps and people’s voices. Several men in suits were making their way to the doorway on the other side of the seating area. Leaning forward again, Jon read the last section of the story.
When the chieftain O’Rourke received news the English had retired, he returned and did fête us greatly. To me he gave a sister of his, asking that I marry her. My fellow countrymen chose to make the journey north in order to place themselves in the care of the Bishop of Derry who had offered us passage to the Hebrides and the safety of Scotland. From there it would be possible to journey back home. I reflected that, despite their rough ways, these people were Christian and of such remarkable spirit. Moreover, Spain did not hold much for me, since God had not yet granted me the blessing of a wife. So, I took up the chief’s offer with the request that, when circumstances should permit, I would lead a force of men back to the site of where the Concepción was wrecked. There, if God was pleased to allow it, I would revenge the lives of my countrymen cruelly taken by the savages of that place. This account I have wished to write to you.
Signed Francisco de Avila, 19 October, 1589, the region that is Connacht
Jon recalled the sight of the fearsome creature in his local park. I bet Devlan bloody loved that – setting his Alano on the family of a hated Englishmen. And a policeman at that.
He glanced at his watch yet again; the need to ring Alice was so strong it made him squirm. She should have found a service station to call me from by now, surely? He dragged air deep into his lungs in an attempt to stay calm. It was now nearly six in the morning. Plenty of time for Rick to have got to Center Parcs. He selected his colleague’s number. ‘Where are you, mate?’
‘I’m here. I was about to call.’ There were people speaking quietly in the background.
‘You’re at their lodge?’
‘Yes.’
‘Alice hasn’t rung me yet. She was meant to ring me.’
‘You told her to get on the motorway and keep driving.’
‘I know but…fuck, this is…’ He bowed his head. ‘What’s the score there?’
‘I don’t like the look of it. You know what bothers me most? That toy dog.’
‘Had its head been ripped off?’
‘Yes.’
‘They tried to kill my wife and daughter!’
‘Listen, to me –
‘Rick, they tried to kill them!
‘Jon, get a grip. Listen to me, I’m calling Alice and Holly. Then I’m taking them somewhere safe.’
‘Where will you take them?’
‘I’m not saying where. I can’t risk telling you – not on your phone. Do you understand?’
Jon sank down in his seat. ‘Just make sure they’re safe, Rick. Until I get back? Please.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m heading to my car right now.’
‘Rick, I need to speak to them. I need to know they’re OK.’
‘When we meet, I’ll ring you, OK? From a payphone. You have that one call.’
Chapter 36
Time dragged so slowly, Jon couldn’t say how long it took for his phone to finally beep. A text from Rick.
Alice and Holly with me. Will ring once sure not being followed.
He sat back and let his arms slip off the table. They’re safe, he thought, head tilting back. Oh thank God, they’re safe.
The tannoy announced the imminent arrival of the Manchester flight. My plane, he thought. Once the thing’s been turned around, I’m going back home.
The airport was now in full swing. A man was unlocking the door to the Avis office. Jon was just thinking he should check there was nothing owing on his hire car when his phone rang. Anxiously, he looked at the screen. Anonymous. This better bloody not be Siobhain again. ‘Hello?’
‘Is that Detective Inspector Spicer?’
The voice was southern Irish and he could hear other people talking in the background. ‘It is.’
‘Detective, this is Martin O’Donagh from the ISPCA. A colleague asked that I call you about an operation we’re conducting today.’
The raid on the de Avila farm, Jon thought. I’d forgotten all about it. He sat up. A row of payphones were to his left. ‘Martin, give me your number and I’ll call you back.’
The ISPCA officer answered on the first ring. ‘DI Spicer?’
‘Yeah. It’s going ahead then?’
‘It is – we’ve been looking to catch these guys for many years.’
‘When’s it happening?’
‘The first fights are due to take place later this morning. We’ll wait until everyone is there and then go in. Rendezvous point is the Garda station at Maam Cross, on the N59. It’s about halfway between Galway and Clifden.’
‘That leaves you a long drive in.’
‘We daren’t be any closer – in case word gets to them before we arrive. It’s happened several times before.’
‘Really? You know this lot, then?’
‘Clochán kennels? They don’t get much bigger. The Manchester United of the dog-fighting world. We believe it’s where many of the pit bulls being fought in your country have come from. If we get a result, Detective, you’ll have to come back to Galway for the celebration. You’ll not buy a drink all night.’
‘Thanks for the offer, but I only passed the message on. Do you know who the main players are?’
‘The de Avila son. Fellow called Devlan – he’s the one with a passion for dog-fighting. A guy from Belfast seems to be his right-hand man, though we’re not sure of his name. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to charge Devlan with something after today.’
‘I doubt it, the bloke’s over in England.’
‘He’s still there?’
‘I’m fairly certain. That’s why I’m heading back – ’
‘You’re not coming along?’
Jon sighed. ‘Believe me, I wish I could. How many have you got for the raid?’
‘There’s twelve of us from the ISPCA and seven Guards. We’re hoping for at least another eight Guards from the station in Clifden. Someone’s putting a call in now to confirm numbers.’
‘Can I ring you back later to see how it went?’
‘Of course.’
‘Good luck, then.’ After hanging up, he glanced through the plate glass separating him from the departure lounge. Passengers were filing out to a small plane waiting on the tarmac. Night had now almost faded and on the runway beyond, the same type of plane that he’d flown in on from Manchester was taxiing towards a man waving a pair of glowing batons.
This is it, Jon thought. Just a bit longer and I’ll be on a flight. Back to my family. Home. Manchester. A city I know inside out. And Devlan de Avila? The guy will wish he never ventured out of his little town.
His phone rang and his eyes shot to the screen. Anonymous again. ‘Hello?’
‘It’s me, mate. I’m calling from a
payphone.’
Rick, Jon thought. ‘Are they…’
‘Right here, next to me.’
He felt his chest heave. Rick, he thought, I could pick you up and bloody kiss you. ‘You don’t know how incredible it feels to hear that.’
‘Once the pips go, that’s it. We’re going somewhere secure.’
‘I understand. Can you put Alice on?’
A brief pause. ‘Jon?’
‘Alice.’
‘We’re safe, Jon. Do you hear?’
He was grinning stupidly. ‘I do.’
‘Daddy?’ Holly’s voice, in the background.
He wiped the tears from his eyes. ‘Sweetie, can you hear me?’
‘Yes! Uncle Rick is taking us on a secret adventure.’
‘You be good, OK? I’ll be there soon.’
‘I will. Bye, Daddy!’ A bumping noise as the receiver was handed over.
‘Jon?’ Her voice was low. ‘Rick’s not saying much. What’s happening? Was it…had someone been in our lodge?’
‘We don’t know – ’
‘Then why all this business with the payphone? I mean, fucking hell, Jon.’
‘I’ll be there soon. My flight leaves in – ’
‘If that lad didn’t try the wrong door, we might never have woken up,’ she whispered. ‘And what if I’d turned a light on? If I’d known where the switch was…’
Jon rested his head on his free hand. ‘We know exactly who did this. He will not get away with it. Trust me, I won’t let that happen.’
‘Find him, Jon. Find him and do whatever you have to do. Make sure he never – ever – comes near us again.’
He felt an uncoiling in his breast. Like a whole new part of his heart had suddenly kicked into life, pumping him full of blood. His voice felt hoarse. ‘I will.’
A rapid series of pips. Money’s run out, Jon thought. We’re about to be cut off.
