A Devil Is Waiting - Jack Higgins [91]
Holley carried Jean Talbot out, Dillon put the front door on the latch so that the disposal team would get entry, and a few moments later, the Mini Cooper was on its way.
Doyle’s van was in the drive of Highfield Court, so Dillon dropped Holley off and carried on, with Jean Talbot still unconscious in the back. Holley tried the doorbell, and Doyle appeared, his face somber.
He held up a Codex. “This is Sara’s. I found it beside the bed, and from the state of that, I’d say she’d not been between the sheets. But it did look as if it had been slept on.”
“She was absolutely exhausted when I left her,” Holley said. “I think she probably flung herself on the bed fully dressed and just crashed.”
“No sign of a struggle. Whatever happened must have been slick and quick.”
“According to Kelly, she was to be drugged with Seconal.”
“Now that would really put you to sleep,” Tony said. “Anyway, there’s nothing more that we can do here, so let’s get back to Holland Park.”
They left, Doyle locking the door, and as they went down the steps, Holley’s Codex sounded. Roper said, “Are you still at Sara’s?”
“Just leaving.”
“Well, get here fast. I’ve just had confirmation of where Ali Selim may be from Greg Slay. Quick as you can, Daniel. I think time is of the essence now. I’ll contact Sean.”
“Anything interesting?” Doyle asked.
“Oh yes,” Holley said as he got into the van. “I’ll explain as we go. Holland Park and fast as you can.”
At Rosedene, Dillon walked behind the wheeled stretcher on which Jean Talbot lay, all prepped up for her operation, drowsy from drugs already. They paused at the entrance to the operating room, where Charles Bellamy and his team waited. Dillon stood to one side, gazing down at her.
“You know, I used to be an actor before the IRA got its hands on me, and actors never say good luck.”
“So what do they say?”
“Break a leg.”
“There’s an old Irish saying: When you’ve sinned, a devil is waiting.” She smiled faintly and touched his hand with some difficulty. “God knows, I’ve sinned enough in my time, so you must be my devil. May I say break a leg to you?”
“And why would I need that?”
“Oh, I think you know, my friend. Another performance, I’m sure. You’ll never leave that woman in such dire straits. It’s not in your nature. Give them hell. They deserve it, all of them.”
Her eyes closed, and the nurse pushed her through into the operating room. Bellamy nodded, and Dillon nodded back and went out to reception, where he found Maggie Duncan.
“A lovely lady,” she said.
“She’s certainly that,” Dillon said. “Can I see Harry Miller?”
“I wouldn’t suggest it. The operation was fine, but he’s had a secondary infection. Lots of penicillin will make it right, but at this moment in time he has a fever.”
“Well, tell him I was asking for him.”
“Try again tomorrow,” she said.
“I’ve a strong suspicion I’m needed elsewhere right now, so I won’t be here tomorrow.”
She sighed and shook her head. “How many times have we patched you up, Sean? You’ll never stop until—”
He cut in. “They bring me in inside a body bag.”
She crossed herself. “God forgive you for saying such a wicked thing.”
As he went out, his Codex sounded, and Roper said, “Things are hotting up, Sean. I’ve just heard from Greg Slay that Ali Selim is definitely in Rubat on this boat, the Monsoon. You’d better get there fast.”
“On my way,” Dillon told him, and ran to his Mini Cooper.
At Hazar, Greg Slay had tried innumerable times to connect with Roper, but the sandstorm blew fiercely, and it was well over an hour since his first attempt when he finally heard Roper’s voice.
“How are you?” Roper demanded. “What about the sandstorm?” He’d phoned Slay again so the others could hear him.
Slay said, “To go through it once more, the Hawker was delivering Ali Selim to Rubat. He’s down there now, staying on a luxury dhow owned by the sheikh who loaned him the Hawker that got him out of