the Strand.'
'I'll need a reason.'
'Announce by policemen on foot that a major police exercise is being conducted. That it will last for several hours, duration unknown. That's only part of it. You and I must keep in the closest touch by secure communication.'
'Is that all?' Buchanan asked cynically.
'For the moment only, yes. I know the target. Strictly between us, I'm in touch with the SAS. That goes no further.'
'Understood. I had better get cracking.'
'Just before you leave, I've been in touch with the Home Secretary and got his blessing. Couldn't say anything else – he's had a copy of the PM's directive. And I'll be paying the PM a brief visit. I know he'll signal his agreement.'
'Take good care of yourself, Tweed. I smell great danger.'
Tweed ran up the stairs, entered his office, stood behind his desk. He waited while everyone watched him.
'I'll explain the plan to wipe out the al-Qa'eda cell at 3 a.m. So everyone must be back here by then. Paula, have you ever seen all six barges coming upriver to the power station? You get about a lot.'
'Yes, I have, it's like a huge convoy.'
'Explain in more detail. The distance between the barges.'
'Not more than a hundred yards, at a guess. It really is an impressive sight. I've also seen them going downriver.'
'Same formation?'
'I'd say the distance between one vessel and the next is greater. Two hundred yards. Another guess.'
'Close enough, thank you. Now, Nield, drive to where Harry is looking after Billy Hogarth. Between you, get him out of bed, bring him back here. Monica, he can sleep in the camp bed I use in that cupboard. When you've settled him lock this office door, keep the key. Any trouble with him – unlikely – call on George for help. Give him coffee or tea to drink. No alcohol. I don't think he'll want any -he pretends to be drunk according to Paula, to get rid of his brother, Martin. Send out to the deli for breakfast and lunch. The official line for Billy is he's being moved to a safer place…'
'Anything when we get back?' asked Nield, putting on his windcheater.
'Yes. Both of you go to the basement, assemble an armoury. Sub-machine guns, tons of ammo, explosive grenades, plenty of night-glasses, personal water canisters, hand-guns to your choice, dark clothing with large SIS patches on the backs and tear-gas bombs. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.'
'I'm off,' said Nield and disappeared.
'Forget sleep,' Tweed continued. 'There won't be any. Newman, drive up to Carpford, knock on all the doors, wake them up if necessary. I want to know who is up there. And while you're there, check every rooftop. You're looking for elevated radio masts. Then report back to me here. Urgent.'
'On my way,' Newman replied and left.
The phone rang. Monica took the call, gestured to Tweed.
'Buchanan's back, says he won't keep you a minute.'
'Get him up here…'.
'I forgot to show you something,' Buchanan said, the moment he was in the room. 'Only take a tick. I have a photo sent to me from New York after the first abortive attempt to bring down the World Trade Center which didn't work.'
'I remember that incident.'
Buchanan placed a photograph on Tweed's desk. Tweed stared. Then he beckoned Paula and Beaurain to come and look. Paula gasped.
'My God, it's the same thing.'
Tweed opened a drawer, took out the sketch Beaurain had drawn on Mrs Wharton's description of the machine she'd seen six men carry from van to motorized trolley. The photograph of the device was the exact replica of Beaurain's drawing.
'Giuliani sent a note with this,' Buchanan explained. 'He said this one didn't detonate. They took it to pieces. It was packed with Semtex and another explosive which would have increased its power. So now you know what you're up against. Must dash…'
'What's the target?' Paula asked.
'I remember this first attempt,' Tweed replied. 'They planned to destroy the ground struts holding up the buildings. It did not work when the other devices were detonated, but it made a helluva mess. I can use this photograph.'
'What's the target?' Paula repeated.
'Wait until the 3 a.m. meeting here.'
'I guessed you'd say that.'
Tweed suddenly frowned. 'I could have made a mistake. Try and delay Newman from leaving…'
He had hardly finished speaking when Paula flew out of the door and down the stairs. George saw her coming, had the front door unlocked and open. She ran down the steps, saw Newman just taking off in his car. She ran like mad, ran in front of him. He braked suddenly, swore, switched off, dived out.
'You idiot! I could have run you down…'
'Shut up! You're needed upstairs…'
'Sorry, Bob,' Tweed said as a flushed Newman dashed in, followed by Paula. 'But I may need you here before you go up to the village.'
'Anything I can do?' Beaurain asked with a smile.
'Yes. It would help me if you both went down to the waiting-room while I make a highly confidential call. Not my idea.'
'A chopper's landing in Regent's Park,' Paula reported, looking out of a window. 'That's odd. Looks like a Sikorsky.'
'Let me make this vital phone-call,' Tweed said after checking his watch. 'I'll call you all up when I've dealt with this.'
Paula left, followed by Monica, Beaurain and Newman. Now Tweed had the office to himself. He pressed the numbers from memory, the numbers which would put him through to SAS HQ at Hereford. A bored voice answered.
'Yes.'
'Tweed here. Able is expecting me to call now.'
'Never heard of the name. Hang on…'
'Who is this?' a crisp well-educated voice asked.
'Tweed, SIS.'
'Codeword?'
'Pagoda.'
'Fire away.'
'I need a contact from you here. I cannot discuss this on the phone.'
The phone made a strange noise. Tweed frowned, decided to check.
'There's a strange noise on the phone.'
'That's a system to ensure we cannot have the line tapped.'
'I can tell you now. Be on red alert.'
'I see,' Able replied calmly. 'As to the contact, we foresaw you'd need one. He'll arrive any moment. You will confer with him alone. Unless Robert Newman is available. He can sit in.'
'What about Beaurain?' Tweed spelt the name.
'Christian name, please.'
'Jules Beaurain…'
'His credentials, please.'
'Former chief of the Brussels anti-terrorist squad. Later he was Commissaire of Brussels police.'
