The Savage Day - Jack Higgins [21]
I put the ARI 7 on the back shelf with the fuses and spare ammunition clips, loaded the Mauser and fitted it into place, then pushed the flap up out of sight.
'Very neat,' Meyer observed.
'Nothing like being prepared.'
He glanced at his watch. 'I'll have to be away soon. I've got a hire car laid on by a local garage. They're going to run me down to Abbotsinch. I'll catch the evening plane to Belfast from there.'
'Then what?'
He shrugged. 'I'll get straight to the house I've rented and wait to hear from you.'
'You'd better show me where it is.'
I got out the right map for him and he found it soon enough. 'Here we are. About ten miles out of Stramore on this road. Randall Cottage. It's right at the end of a farm track beside a small wood. A bit tumble-down, but rather nice. The sort of place they rent to holidaymakers in the season. Here's the telephone number.'
It was easy enough to remember. I rolled the slip of paper into a ball and flipped it out through the side window. 'What did you tell the agent?'
'I said I was a writer. Belfast was beginning to get me down and I felt in urgent need of a little peace and quiet. I used the name Berger, by the way, just in case.'
I nodded. 'It all sounds pretty neat to me.'
He looked out across the Firth a trifle dubiously as rain drummed against the roof of the cabin with renewed vigour. 'Do you really think you'll get across tonight? It doesn't look too good.'
'According to the Met forecast, things should ease up considerably during the early evening, and even if they don't, we'll still make it. This boat was built to stand most things.'
There was a sudden hail across the water. 'Kathleen, ahoy!'
Norah Murphy and Binnie Gallagher were standing on the jetty beside a taxi.
Meyer said, 'Take me across with you and I'll be on my way. I don't want to talk to her any more than I can help.'
He went below to get his hat and coat and when he returned he was stowing Al Bowlly away in his briefcase. I helped him over the rail, slipped the line and joined him.
His face was very pale as I started the outboard. I said, 'Look, it's going to be all right. I promise you.'
'Is that so?' he demanded. 'Then tell me why I feel like I'm lying in my grave listening to earth rattling against the lid of my coffin.'
I couldn't think of a single thing to say that would have done any good. In any case, we were already coming in to the steps at the bottom of the jetty.
I stayed to tie up the dinghy and Meyer went up ahead of me to where Norah Murphy and Binnie waited beside the taxi. The boy was dressed exactly as he had been on that rather memorable night in Belfast, but Norah Murphy herself was all togged up for Cowes week in a yellow oilskin. Underneath she wore a navy blue Guernsey sweater, slacks and rubber boots.
Meyer turned to me as I arrived. 'I'm just making my excuses to Dr Murphy, Simon, but I really must get moving now or I'll miss my plane.'
'I'll be seeing you soon,' I said and shook hands.
He got into the taxi quickly. The driver passed out a suitcase to Binnie, then drove away.
Norah Murphy said coolly, 'So here we are again, Major.'
'So it would appear.'
I led the way down the steps to the dinghy and Binnie followed with the case. He didn't look too happy, but he got in after a moment's hesitation and sat in the prow. Norah Murphy perched herself in the stern beside me.
As we pulled away she said casually, 'It's going to be a dirty night. Is the boat up to it?'
'Have you done much sailing?'
'One of my aunts was married to a retired sea captain. They had a house near Cape Cod.'
'Then you should have learned by now not to be taken in by top show. Take the Kathleen. Underneath that rather drab coat of grey paint there's a steel hull by Akerboon.'
'Only the best.' She looked suitably impressed. 'How is she powered?'
'Penta petrol engine. Twin screws. She'll do about twenty-five knots at full stretch. Depth sounder, radar, automatic steering. She's got the lot.'
I cut the motor and we coasted in. Norah Murphy took the line and went