“I do. We’ll get you to Algeria. There are many ways to move you around from there. Hold tight. I’ll be back to you.”
AT HOLLAND PARK, Roper sat at his computers and showed the TV footage of the funeral cortege in Hazar to Greta.
“What did Ferguson say?” she wanted to know.
“Poor sod.”
“Is that all?”
“Absolutely. He’s gone to the Ministry of Defence for the rest of the day. Pass me the scotch.”
“You’re worse than a Russian with his vodka.”
“We drink for different reasons. What do you think?”
“About Hussein? Surely he’s all washed up. Never mind coming to Britain, if he puts foot on a Baghdad street, he’s a dead man.”
“You think so?” He lit a cigarette. “I’m wondering…after the Hannah Bernstein affair last year, when Igor Levin dumped his Russian masters and legged it to good old Dublin with his two sergeants, he phoned me and gave me his number.”
“A sort of challenge?”
“In a way. We couldn’t track him legally in Dublin. I’ve spoken to him on the odd occasion, late at night, feeling cheesed off.”
“You never said.”
“I didn’t think Ferguson would like it. The point is, I’ve told him about our current experience with our Russian friends and he’s obliged me on occasion with his personal opinion. He knows quite a bit about what’s been going on, with the Broker and all that.”
“Does he know who the Broker is?”
“I’ve told you-nobody does.”
“Does he know about Chekov?”
“Not from me-but I feel like telling him.”
“Well, don’t stop because of me,” and she went and got herself a vodka.
LEVIN WAS SITTING in the corner of Kelly’s bar waiting for Chomsky, when his mobile went and Roper said, “It’s me, homing in like Spock from cyberspace.”
“Tell me what happened in Baghdad. Did it get anywhere?”
“Let me give you a quick recap.” When he was finished, he added, “What do you think?”
“I think you’ve got trouble, my friend. He’ll be on somebody’s doorstep before you know it. It’s good to know Dillon and Billy can still cut the mustard.”
“More to the point, so can Harry. Greta’s standing right next to me. Let her tell you.”
“Hey, lovely,” he said. “So you’re speaking to me?”
“I didn’t know I could, you rogue.”
“Do you still love me?”
“Naturally.”
“So what’s this about Harry?”
She told him, and was thoroughly amused. “Chekov on sticks. So much for the Moscow Mafia in London. Chomsky has just joined me. He sends his best.”
Roper had put the call on the speaker. “Dillon and Billy aren’t here. They’ve gone to see Harry at the Dark Man. He’s put Ruby Moon behind the bar. Remember her?”
“How could I forget? Now, I’ve got something interesting to tell you. Enough for now but I just want to mention something. Remember friend Popov? He now works for Michael Flynn at a firm called Scam-rock Security.”
“Yes, used to be chief of staff of the Provisional IRA years ago. A bit of a bruiser. What’s your point?”
“This Broker, the mystery man who fronts for Osama, is apparently also heavily involved with Michael Flynn, who, it would seem, is in the mercenary business.”
“I could have told you about the mercenary bit.”
“But not the Broker, who is involved with Volkov. I don’t know what’s going to happen at Drumore with Belov International, but they will need a decent bunch to keep our soldiers out.”
“The decent bunch being ex-Provos.”
“I think you’ll find Flynn is after the work.”
“Interesting.”
“And, I happen to know that Volkov got Popov the job at Scamrock, and as we’ve said, Volkov means the Broker and the Broker means Osama.”
“Did Popov tell you he got the job from Volkov?”
Chomsky’s voice was heard over the speaker, “No, he didn’t, the bastard. I’ve got my ear to Igor’s phone, Roper. I’ll deal with Popov.”
It was Greta who cut in. “No, don’t be stupid, Chomsky. You wait, see just what his involvement is before making a move.”
“Sorry, Major,” Chomsky said. “You’re right.”
“Of course she is,” Levin said. “Take care, my friends. And call again.”
Roper switched off. “Well, that was interesting, you must admit.”
“Yes, very much so,” Charles Ferguson said from the doorway. “The things the help gets up to when one’s away.”
“Oh, dear,” Roper said.
“Well, it could be.” Charles Ferguson smiled. “But I always wanted to get my hands on Levin, as you well know. He’s too good to be sitting around on his backside.”
“Well, there you are then. As for me, I need a break. If Sergeant Doyle is available, he can run me to the Dark Man.”
“And I’ll go with you,” Greta said.
“All right, you talked me into it.”
DOYLE PHONED AHEAD, and when they got to the pub there was a booth waiting for them. They crowded round two tables, Ruby supervising things, Baxter and Hall as usual propping up the wall.
“My goodness, you did well in the car park affray,” Ferguson said. “For you, Harry, it’s a return to your old form.”
“It never went away,” Billy said. “It was just like the old days.”
“Yes, I was a very naughty boy in my youth,” Harry said. “Let’s have a drink, my love. Champagne all round.” He made as if he would slap Ruby’s bottom, but managed to stop himself in time.
She smiled. “That’s a good boy, Harry,” and went off for the champagne.
Roper lit a cigarette and Greta said, “What will you do when they ban the cigarettes?”
Roper shrugged. “I’ll figure out something. By the way, General. Item of news from Heathrow which may interest you. Professor Dreq Khan is back. Flew in from Brussels today.”
“That is interesting.”
“That bastard is untouchable,” Dillon said.
“And he knows it,” Roper put in.
“Makes you wonder why he’s come back,” Greta said.
“If that means could there be a purpose to his return, I’m sure there is,” Roper said, and Ruby arrived with the champagne on a trolley.
