Midnight Runner - Jack Higgins [53]
"Professor Percy?"
"Yes."
"I was asked to call on you by a Rupert Dauncey."
Percy managed a smile. "I see. You'd better come in." He led the way along the corridor and entered a parlor. "Now what can I do for you?"
"First of all, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, my Walther PPK." He took it from his special pocket. "And this is his friend. He's called a Carswell silencer." He screwed it on the muzzle of the Walther. "Now I can shoot you through the kneecap and nobody will hear a thing."
Percy was terrified. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"I've seen your statement to the police about Helen Quinn's death. You say Rupert Dauncey was against the students going to the rally because he anticipated violence?"
"Yes."
"And that you both made it clear on the bus that you were against going?"
"Yes, yes. There were over forty students there. They can confirm it. The Oxford police have interviewed some of them."
Dillon grabbed him, pushed him back over a table, and rammed the Walther into his knee. "So you're telling me Dauncey's as pure as the driven snow, is that it?"
Percy totally freaked. "No, no, no. I mean, yes, but--it's just that he changed his attitude."
"What do you mean?"
"At first, he was all for positive action. He thought it good for the students." He hesitated and carried on. "He arranged for some of them to go to training courses in Scotland."
"Did Helen Quinn go?"
"No, but her boyfriend did, Alan Grant."
"You know he's dead."
"Yes, the police have been in touch. They said he committed suicide."
Dillon stood back. "Don't believe everything you hear. So that's all you can tell me, is it? Dauncey used to be blood-thirsty, but now he's changed."
"That's right."
Dillon rammed the Walther in again. "And you expect me to believe that fairy tale? When did you last see him?"
"We spoke on the phone late last night."
"What did he say?"
"That it was a good thing he and I had spoken to the students as we had, since we'd probably be called to the inquest."
"Yes, that was very convenient, wasn't it, Henry?" Dillon stood there for a moment, looking at him, then he began to unscrew his silencer. "You're not leaving anything out now, are you, Henry? Anything that might change this little tale of yours?"
Percy thought about the fifty thousand but decided on discretion. "I've told you the truth, as God is my witness," he said piously.
"Yes, well, I wouldn't call God into this if I were you, Professor. I'll see you at the inquest. And when you speak to Dauncey next--tell him Sean Dillon was here."
He walked into the hall. Percy hesitated, then picked up the phone. "Dauncey? It's Percy."
In the hall, Sean Dillon smiled softly and let himself out.
D aniel Quinn had Frobisher take him to the American Embassy first, and wait. He went up the steps and identified himself to the security guards. In two minutes, a Marine Captain in uniform was greeting him.
"My name's Davies, Senator. It's a privilege to meet you. Ambassador Begley is waiting." Quinn, unshaven and still in combat gear, shook hands with him.
"If I may say so, you look as though you've had a hard time out there."
"Well, I wouldn't recommend Kosovo for your next vacation, Captain."
"This way, Senator."
A couple of minutes later, he opened the door to the Ambassador's office and ushered Quinn in.
"Hello, Elmer."
Begley was wearing a Savile Row suit, his gray hair perfectly groomed. There couldn't have been a greater contrast. He came round the desk and took Quinn's hand. "Daniel, I'm so sorry. If there's anything we can do--anything--the resources of the Embassy are at your disposal. Sit down."
"If you don't mind, I won't, Elmer. I just wanted to touch base. I'd like to get to my house, shower and change, then I have an appointment with General Ferguson."