Confessional. Part 24

'And she is under guard? She has spoken to no one?'

'Yes to both questions, General.'

'And the man Devlin has not attempted to get in touch with her?'

'It would seem not. We've had the computer pull him out of the files for us. Pictures, everything. If he tries to get close, we'll know.'

'Fine. Now give me Tanya.'

Belov handed her the phone and she almost s.n.a.t.c.hed it from him. 'Papa?'

She had called him so for years and his voice was warm and kindly as always. 'You are well?'

'Bewildered,' she said. 'No one will tell me what is happening.'

'It is sufficient for you to know that for reasons which are unimportant now, you have become involved in a matter of state security. A very serious business indeed. You must be returned to Moscow as soon as may be.'

'But my tour?'

The voice of the man at the other end of the line was suddenly cold, implacable and detached. 'Will be cancelled. You will appear at the Conservatoire tonight and fulfil that obligation. The first direct flight to Moscow is not until tomorrow morning anyway. There will be a suitable press

release. The old wrist injury giving problems again. A need for further treatment. That should'do nicely.'

All her life, or so it seemed, she had done his bidding, allowed him to shape her career, aware of his genuine concern and love, but this was new territory.

She tried again, 'But Papa!'

'Enough of argument. You will do as you are told and you will obey Colonel Belov in everything. Put him back on.'

She handed the phone to Belov mutely, hand shaking. Never had he spoken to her like this. Was she no longer his daughter? Simply another Soviet citizen to be ordered about at will?

'Belov, General.' He listened for a moment or two then nodded. 'No problem. You can rely on me.'

He put the phone down and opened a file on his desk. The photo he took from it and held up to her was of Liam Devlin, a few years younger perhaps, but Devlin unmistakably.

'This man is Irish. His name is Liam Devlin. He is a university professor from Dublin with a reputation for a certain Irish charm. It would be a mistake for anyone to take him lightly. He has been a member of the Irish Republican Army for all his adult life. An important leader at one stage. He is also a ruthless and capable gunman who has killed many times. As a young man, he was an official executioner for his people.'

Tanya took a deep breath. 'And what has he to do with me?'

'That need not concern you. It is sufficient for you to know that he would very much like to talk to you andthat we simply can't allow, can we Captain?'

Turkin showed no emotion. 'No, Colonel.'

'So,' Belov told her, 'you will return to the Ritz now, you and Comrade Rubenova with Lieutenant Shepilov and Captain Turkin in attendance. You will not go out again until tonight's performance when they will escort you to the Conservatoire. I will be there myself because of the reception afterwards. The Amba.s.sador will be there and the President of the Republic Monsieur Mitterand, himself. His presence

is the only reason we are not cancelling tonight's concert. Is there anything you don't understand in all this?'

'No,' she said coldly, her face white and strained. 'I understand only too well.'

'Good,' he said. Then go back to the hotel now and get some rest.'

She turned, Turkin opened the door for her, a slight, twisted smile on his mouth. She brushed past him, followed by a thoroughly frightened Natasha Rubenova and Shepilov and Turkin moved in behind.

In Kilrea, Devlin had not been long back at the cottage. He didn't have a regular housekeeper, just an old lady who came in twice a week, knocked the place into shape and did the laundry, but he preferred it that way. He put the kettle on in the kitchen, went into the living room and quickly made the fire. He had just put a match to it when there was a rap on the French window and he turned to find McGuiness there.

Devlin unlocked it quickly. 'That was quick. I'm only just back.'

'So I was told within five minutes of you landing at the airport.' McGuiness was angry. 'What's the score, Liam? What's going on?'

'What do you mean?'

'Levin and Billy, and now Mike Murphy's been pulled out of the Liffey with two bullets in him. It must have been Cuchulain. You know it and I know it. The thing is, how did he know?'

'I don't have any fast answer on that one.' Devlin found two gla.s.ses and the Bushmills and poured. 'Try this for size and calm down.'

McGuiness swallowed a little. 'A leak is what I think, at the London end. It's a well-known fact that the British security service has been heavily infiltrated by the Soviets for years.'

'A slight exaggeration, but some truth to it,' Devlin said. 'As mentioned earlier, I know that Ferguson thinks the leak is from your people.'

To h.e.l.l with that. I say we pull in Cherny and squeeze him dry.'

'Maybe,' Devlin said. 'I'd have to check on that with Ferguson. Let's give it another day.'

'All right,' McGuiness said with obvious reluctance. 'I'll be in touch, Liam. Close touch.' And he went out through the French windows.

Devlin poured another whiskey and sat there savouring it and thinking, then he picked up the phone. He was about to dial, then hesitated. He replaced the receiver, got the black plastic box from the desk and switched it on. There was no positive response from the telephone, nor indeed from anywhere in the room.

'So,' he said softly, 'Ferguson or McGuiness. It's one or other of the b.u.g.g.e.rs that it's down to.'

He dialled the Cavendish Square number and the receiver was picked up at once. 'Fox here.'

'Is he there, Harry?'

'Not at the moment. How was Paris?'

'A nice girl. I liked her. Pretty confused. Nothing more I could do than present the facts. I gave her the material your bagman brought over. She took it, but I wouldn't be too sanguine.'

'I never was,' Fox said. 'Will you be able to smooth things down in Dublin?'

'McGuiness has already been to see me. He wants to move on Cherny. Try some old-fashioned pressure.'

That might be the best solution.'

'Jesus, Harry, but Belfast left its mark on you. Still, you could be right. I've stalled him for a day. If you want me, I'll be here. I gave the girl my card, by the way. She thought I was a failed romantic, Harry. Have you ever heard the like?'

'You give a convincing imitation, but I've never bought it.'

Fox laughed and rang off. Devlin sat there for a while, a frown on his face, then there was another tap on the French window. It opened and Cussane entered.