Midnight Runner - Jack Higgins [65]
A procession formed up, the two cemetery attendants at the front, then the two priests, Quinn following with the ashes, Tom Jackson, and Blake Johnson bringing up the rear. True to form, it started to rain as they came out. The two attendants produced umbrellas for Blake and Jackson, one held an umbrella over Quinn, the other over the two priests.
The little procession wound its way through the cemetery, which was very old. There were pines and cypresses, winged angels and Gothic monuments, the sentiments on the gravestones recording an implacable faith in the possibility of life in the hereafter.
The attendants stopped at a large pillared mausoleum, with angels on either side of a bronze door. One of them produced a key and pulled the door open.
Quinn walked between the two priests. "If no one minds, I'd like to do this on my own."
Inside, there were several ornate coffins: his mother and father, his wife, and three other members of his extended family. Flowers had been placed beneath a niche in the wall. The cask with her ashes fit quite well. He knew, because Jackson had told him, that her name would be chiseled into the granite beneath the niche, enhanced with gold leaf.
He stood there quietly, his head not bowed in prayer, for he was beyond prayer. "Good-bye, love," he said softly, then went out.
One of the attendants shut the door and locked it. Monsignor Walsh moved close. "Daniel, don't close out the world, don't close out God. There is a purpose in all things."
"Well, you'll forgive me if I'm not buying that this morning, but thanks for coming. She was always very fond of you. You must excuse me," and Quinn walked off, followed by Jackson and Blake.
They reached the parking lot by the church and he paused. "Sorry, Blake, it's not my best day. I'm grateful you've come."
"The President himself wanted to be here, Daniel, but it would have turned into a circus, which he knew was the last thing you would have wanted."
"I appreciate his thoughtfulness."
"You're going back to London?"
"As soon as possible."
"The President wants to see you."
"Why?"
"General Ferguson spoke to us. He's concerned. We all are. I'm sorry to have to remind you that you're bound to the President by the Presidential Warrant. You can't say no."
Tom Jackson said, "Presidential Warrant? I thought that was an old wives' story."
"Well, it isn't," Blake said.
Quinn said, "Okay, I'll go home, pack a few things for the return journey, and I'll see you at the airport. You can give Tom a lift."
Jackson said, "For God's sake, what's going on?"
Quinn said to Blake, "Did Ferguson tell you everything?"
"Yes."
"Good. You can tell Tom on the way back. Like I said, I'll see you at the airport."
He climbed in beside the chauffeur, gave him an order, and they drove away.
B lake had arrived in a Presidential Gulfstream. Quinn spoke to his own pilots, told them to follow to Washington and book a slot for London. Jackson was there to see him off.
"Daniel, if you want that bastard dead, let me do it, but not you. He's not worth it."
"It's my affair, Tom, don't worry about me. I'm kicking you out of the Legal Affairs department, by the way."
Jackson looked shocked. "But, Daniel, what have I done?"
"Nothing but do a good job at everything to which you turned your hand. Bert Hanley spoke to me. That heart of his is worse than ever. The doctors want him out. So, you're President, effective immediately. I'll still be around as Chairman, but you'll manage pretty damn well without me." He hugged Jackson. "God bless, Tom, but I've got things to do." He smiled bleakly. "Bo Din all over again."
"No, Daniel," Tom Jackson called, but Quinn was already passing through security.
Later, on the plane, Blake said, "He thinks the world of you."
"He's a great guy and I'd go to hell for him, but what I've got to do, I've got to do. I'm determined about it." He tipped his seat back and closed his eyes.
C lancy Smith opened the door