Patriot games - Tom Clancy [23]
Again Jack thought that he must look rather funny with his mouth open.
"Your Majesty, American law-"
"We know," she interrupted smoothly. "The Prime Minister will be discussing this with your President later today. We believe that in view of the special nature of this case, and in the interest of Anglo-American relations, the matter will be settled amicably."
"There is ample precedent for this," the Duke went on. "After the Second World War a number of American officers were accorded similar recognition. Your Fleet Admiral Nimitz, for example, became a Knight Commander of the Bath, along with Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, and a number of others.
"For the purposes of American law, it will probably be considered honorary-but for our purposes it will be quite real."
"Well." Ryan fumbled for something to say. "Your Majesty, insofar as this does not conflict with the laws of my country, I will be deeply honored to accept." The Queen beamed.
"That's settled, then. Now, how are you feeling-really feeling?"
"I've felt worse, ma'am. I have no complaints-I just wish I'd moved a little faster."
The Duke smiled. "Being wounded makes you appear that much more heroic-nothing like a little drama."
Especially if it's someone else's shoulder, my Lord Duke, Ryan thought. A small bell went off in his head. "Excuse me, this knighthood, does it mean that my wife will be called-"
"Lady Ryan? Of course." The Queen flashed her Christmas-tree smile again.
Jack grinned broadly. "You know, when I left Merrill Lynch, Cathy's father was madder than-he was very angry with me, said I'd never amount to anything writing history books. Maybe this will change his mind." He was sure that Cathy would not mind the title-Lady Ryan. No, she wouldn't mind that one little bit.
"Not so bad a thing after all?"
"No, sir, and please forgive me if I gave that impression. I'm afraid you caught me a little off balance." Ryan shook his head. This whole damned affair has me a lot off balance. "Might I ask a question, sir?"
"Certainly."
"The police wouldn't tell me where they're keeping my family." This drew a hearty laugh. The Queen answered.
"It is the opinion of the police that there might exist the possibility of a reprisal against you or your family. Therefore it was decided that they should be moved to a more secure location. Under the circumstances, we decided that they might most easily be moved to the Palace-it was the least thing we could do. When we left, your wife and daughter were fast asleep, and we left strict instructions that they should not be disturbed."
"The Palace?"
"We have ample room for guests, I assure you," the Queen replied.
"Oh, Lord!" Ryan muttered.
"You have an objection?" the Duke asked.
"My little girl, she-"
"Olivia?" the Queen said, rather surprised. "She's a lovely child. When we saw her last night she was sleeping like an angel."
"Sally"-Olivia had been a peace offering to Cathy's family that hadn't worked; it was the name of her grandmother- "is a little angel, asleep, but when she wakes up she's more like a little tornado, and she's very good at breaking things. Especially valuable things."
"What a dreadful thing to say!" Her Majesty feigned shock. "That lovely little girl. The police told us that she broke hearts throughout Scotland Yard last evening. I fear you exaggerate, Sir John."
"Yes, ma'am." There was no arguing with a queen.
* * *
3
Flowers and Families
ilson had been mistaken in his assessment. The escape had taken longer than anyone at the Yard had thought. Six hundred miles away, a Sabena flight was landing outside of Cork. The passenger in seat 23-D of the Boeing 737 was entirely unremarkable; his sandy hair was cut medium-close, and he was dressed like a middle- level executive in a neat but rumpled suit that gave the entirely