“Oh, you’d make a deal. Popes, prime ministers, and presidents make deals like that, and it’s called diplomacy and strategy. That’s what this life is all about, Maureen—illusion and semantics. Well, I’m making no deals today, no accommodations, no matter what names the negotiator gives me for it to make it more palatable. That should make you happy, since you don’t like deals.”
She didn’t reply.
He went on. “If you agree that the deal I made with Major Martin wasn’t so awful, I’ll put Sheila’s name on the list of people to be released.”
She looked at him quickly. “You mean, it’s not—”
“Changes things a bit, doesn’t it? Looking ahead, were you, to a tearful reunion with little Sheila? Now you’ve nothing whatsoever to gain from this. Unless, of course, you see my point in trafficking with the enemy.”
“Why is it so important to you that I tell you that?”
A voice called out, “This is Burke. Coming in.”
Flynn said to Maureen, “We’ll talk again later.” He shouted into the sacristy, “Come on, then.” He drew back his jacket and adjusted the pistol in his waistband, then said to her, “I respect your abilities as a fighter enough to treat you like a man. Don’t try anything, don’t make any sudden moves, don’t stand behind me, and keep silent until you’re spoken to.”
She answered, “If that was a compliment, I’m not flattered. I’ve put that behind me.”
“Aye, like a reformed whore puts the streets behind her, but the urge is still there, I’ll wager.”
She looked at him. “It is now.”
He smiled.
Burke appeared from the sacristy corridor, pushing a serving cart. He rolled the cart over the marble floor and stopped at the bottom stair below the gate.
“Do you know Miss Malone?” Flynn asked.
Burke nodded to her. “We’ve met.”
“That’s right,” said Flynn. “Last evening at the Waldorf. I have a report on it. Seems so long ago, doesn’t it?” He smiled. “I’ve brought her here to assure you we haven’t butchered the hostages.” He said to her, “Tell him how well you’ve been treated, Maureen.”
She said, “No one is dead yet.”
Burke replied, “Please tell the others that we are doing all we can to see that you’re safely released.” He put a light note in his voice. “Tell Father Murphy he can hear my confession when this is over.”
She nodded and gave him a look of understanding.
Flynn was silent a moment, then asked, “Is the priest a friend of yours?”
Burke replied, “They’re all friends of mine.”
“Really?” He came closer to the gate. “Are you wired, Burke? Do I have to go through the debugging routine?”
“I’m clean. The cart is clean. I don’t want to be overheard either.” Burke came up the seven steps and was acutely aware of the psychological disadvantage of standing on a step eight inches below Flynn. “And the food’s not drugged.”
Flynn nodded. “No, not with hostages. Makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it?”
Maureen suddenly grabbed the bars and spoke hurriedly. “His real name is Brian Flynn. He has only about twelve gunmen—”
Flynn pulled the pistol from his waistband and pressed it hard against her neck. “Don’t be a hero, Maureen. It isn’t required. Is it, Lieutenant?”
Burke kept his hands in full view. “Easy now. Nice and easy. Miss Malone, don’t say anything else. That’s right.”
Flynn spoke to her through clenched teeth. “That’s good advice, lass. You don’t want to jeopardize others, such as Lieutenant Burke, who’s already heard too much.” He looked at Burke. “She’s impulsive and hasn’t learned the difference between bravery and recklessness. That’s my fault, I’m afraid.” He grabbed her arm with his free hand and pulled her away from the gate. “Leave.”
Maureen looked at Burke and said, “I’ve made a confession to Father Murphy, and I’m not afraid to die. We’ll
Burke looked at her and nodded. “I understand.”
She smiled, turned, and mounted the steps to the altar.
Flynn held the pistol at his side and watched her go. He seemed to be thinking, then said, “All right, how much do I owe you?”
Burke slowly handed a bill to Flynn.
Flynn looked at it. “Five hundred sixty-one dollars and twelve cents. Not cheap to feed an army in New York, is it?” Flynn slipped the pistol into his waistband and counted out the money. “Here. Come closer.”
Burke moved nearer the gate and took the bills and change.
Flynn said, “I deducted the sales tax on principle.” He laughed. “Make certain you report that to the press, Lieutenant. They love that sort of nonsense.”
Burke nodded. Brian Flynn, he decided, was not a complete lunatic. He had the uneasy feeling that Flynn was sharper than Schroeder, and a better performer.
Flynn looked down at the cart laden with covered metal dishes. “It wouldn’t be Saint Paddy’s Day without the corned beef, would it, Burke? Had yours?”
“No. Been busy.”
“Well, come in and join us, then. Everyone would enjoy your company.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t?” Flynn made a pretense of remembering something. “Ah, yes. Hostages will neither be given nor exchanged under any circumstances. Police will not take the place of hostages. But I’ll not keep you prisoner.”
“You seem to know a lot about this.”
Flynn thrust his face between the bars, close to Burke’s. “I know enough not to do anything stupid. I hope you know as much.”
“I’m sure we’ve had more experience with hostage situations than you—see that
Flynn lit a cigarette and said abruptly, “So, I should formally introduce myself now that Miss Malone was thoughtful enough to tell you my name. I am as the lady said—as you might have known from other sources—Brian Flynn. Ring any bells?”
“A few. Back in the late seventies. Over there.”
“Yes, over there. Over here now. Unlike John Hickey, I’m not officially dead, only unofficially missing. All right, let’s talk about our favorite subject. Is Major Martin present at your war councils?”
“Yes.”
“Get him out of there.”
“He’s representing the British consulate for now.”
Flynn forced a laugh. “Sir Harry will be distressed to hear that. Let me tell you that Martin will double-cross his own Foreign Office, too. His only loyalty is to his sick obsession with the Irish. Get him the hell away from the decision-making process.”
“Maybe I’d rather have him close where I can see him.”
Flynn shook his head. “You never see a man like that no matter how close he is. Get him out of the rectory, away from your commanders.”
Burke said softly, “So your people on the outside can kill him?”
A slow smile passed over Flynn’s face. “Oh, Lieutenant, you are the sharp one. Yes, indeed.”
“Please don’t do anything without talking to me first.”
Flynn nodded. “Yes, I’ll have to be straight with you. We may still be able to work together.”
“Maybe.”
Flynn said, “Look here, there’s a lot of double-dealing going on, Burke. Only the New York police, as far as I can tell, have no ulterior motives. I’ll count on you, Lieutenant, to do your job. You must play the honest broker and avert a bloodbath. Dawn tomorrow or—I promise you—this Cathedral will burn. That’s as inevitable as the sunrise itself.”
