one.'
'What about the late Mr Ricky Smith? Do we have anything on him?'
'Yes. He has a French connection, too. Their police have dug out their file for us. According to his prints, his name wasn't Richard Smith at all. It was Raymond Mahoney, age twenty-six, birthplace Glasgow. Time-served mechanic. Lived in France since
he was twenty. Bad boy, Raymond, or so they think: believed to have been involved in the gang scene in Marseilles. They had him marked down as a driver mostly, but he was known to have been in the vicinity of two or three shootings. The closest they came to doing him for anything was when he was picked up as one of a team in a freelance armed robbery. But then one of the police witnesses was killed on duty, and the other had a fit of amnesia financially induced, they reckoned, so nothing came of it.
Technically he's got a clean sheet, but they won't miss him now,3 he's gone.'
Proud freshened up then' drinks from a bottle of Highland Park. 'What're you doing about the-press?'
'Royston's got a statement ready to go out, as soon as I've been to visit Barry's dad. He's a widower, and he's been away golfing with a pal. They're due back at eight according to the pal's wife.
I'll catch him them.'
'No, you won't,' said Proud. 'I'll see that's taken care of.
You've done enough.'
'Come on. Jimmy, he was my man.'
'My man, too. I was planning to see Mr Macgregor myself, but Eddie McGuinness insisted. He feels that he has to take on at least some of the tough tasks personally. A solid man is our Eddie.'
'So I'm beginning to realise,' said Skinner thoughtfully.
The Chief Constable took a sip from his glass, savoured the smoky taste, and swallowed it. 'So what do these bastards do next, Bob?'
'I'm trying to think like them, Jimmy. Looking at the pattern so far, I'd say it's got to be the Fireworks Concert, a week on Thursday. They know we won't let them near any more celebs, and the Fireworks are the last big event in the Festival. It's even on telly this year. They might stick in a couple of wee surprises between now and then, but I'll bet that's the next thing they'll go for.'
'Let's cancel it then.'
'I've already suggested that to Ballantyne, but there's no way he'll agree. He's got brave again.'
'Well, we'll just have to police it so tightly they'll have to use aircraft to hit it. Tomorrow you and I will go and see Mr bloody Ballantyne. It's time you had some back-up when you're dealing with him.'
62
The inevitable communique was delivered to the Queen Street office of the BBC at 9:00 am on the following day. For the first time it was addressed to the media, rather than to the Secretary of State.
The News Editor, Radio, never a man to turn down a scoop, took a snap decision. He sent copies at once to St Andrew's House and to Skinner's office, then ordered that the morning's music programme should be interrupted and the text of the letter broadcast.
Skinner therefore heard it on the radio before he received his copy. He was alerted at once by the excitement in the newsreader's voice.
'The following message has just been received by the BBC.
Because of its use of a special code-word, we believe it to be genuine. It reads as follows:
'From the Fightersor an Independent Scotland.
'Communique.
'It is with regret that we report the death of a fine young Scottish patriot, Raymond Mahoney, on an active service mission in Edinburgh yesterday. We regret too that a further demonstration of our resolve has proved necessary. However the intransigence of Scotland's colonial governor, the Secretary of State, left us no choice.
'As before, our target was selected with a view to focusing international attention on our struggle for freedom. We note with some satisfaction that one member of the enemy's security forces also fell yesterday. If the occupying government continues to deny Scotland its right to freedom, he will not be the last.
'The first phase of our struggle is over. We have claimed the attention, and we believe the support, of the nations of the world. From now on we will seek to strike at the heart of the tyranny, wherever the opportunity arises. Our fight for an independent Scotland will not end with the Edinburgh Festival. It will go on until the occupying government yields, or until the last of its members is cut down. The Secretary of State and his puppet-masters in London are legitimate targets. They must realise that their police cannot protect them for ever.' 'That is the end of this newsflash,' said the newsreadt breathlessly. 'Now back to the studio, and to Eddie.'
63
'For Christ's sake. Sir James, don't you people ever listen! I've told Skinner, ever since this thing started, that we will not give in to terrorism. Now even you have joined the chorus of appeasers. I will not cancel the Fireworks Concert.'
Proud Jimmy looked at his most formidable, as thunderclouds of rage gathered on his brow. Skinner sat back in the Secretary of State's comfortable armchair and waited for the storm to break.
But Ballantyne had not finished. 'Whatever these people may threaten, far from cancelling the event, I will attend personally!
And I won't be alone. I spoke with the Prime Minister himself this morning and he has insisted on being present also! My information directorate has just made that announcement.'
'Sweet Jesus,' said Skinner softly.
Ballantyne shot him a haughty glance, but continued to address the Chief Constable. 'Protection and detection is what I asked of Bob last week. As our opponents point out in their so-called communique, his anti- terrorist squad has protected very little so far, and detected even less. Let's see if things will improve now that you're back.' ' 'Secretary of State,' Proud's tone was even, but Skinner knew that he was controlling himself with difficulty, 'I note what you say. However I have to tell you that I believe that you are being foolhardy, and that the Prime Minister should know better than to go along with you. If you insist, the Concert will proceed.
However, since my force is responsible for your safety, I will apply the following conditions. First, the general public will be barred from the Gardens, and only people with auditorium tickets will be admitted. Princes Street will be closed to all traffic between 'w Mound and Lothian Road. Spectators will be confined to the North side of the street, well away from the railings. They'll hear the music and see the fireworks, but they won't see either you or Second, the arena will be kept in darkness throughout. The conductor's rostrum and the players will be lit, to the extent that is necessary, but the rest will be blacked out. Third, the PM's armoured Jaguar will be used to drive you and him right up to your seats. Fourth, soldiers in protective clothing will be positioned behind you both throughout the concert, acting as human shields. Fifth, as soon as the concert is over, you and the, Prime Minister will be collected by the Jag and driven from the Gardens to overnight accommodation of our choice, which will be made properly secure. On those conditions alone, the Concert may proceed.'
Ballantyne stood up behind his desk. 'Quite unacceptable. That is quite unacceptable,' he shouted. 'We will not skulk in and out like that.'
Proud rose up, too, massive and formidable in his uniform. His voice was still quiet and steady.
'Secretary of State, sit down, while I tell you something. If you do not accept every one of those conditions, and put yourself and the Prime Minister completely in my charge, then I will resign as Chief Constable, and will make it known, loudly and publicly, that I have done so because the Secretary of State for Scotland has no thought or concern for public or police safety and is prepared to put lives unnecessarily at risk, lives like that of young Barry Macgregor, who died yesterday obeying your orders, or of that baby who was killed because you thought it was
