Tested by Fire by David Costa (the little red hen read aloud TXT) 📗

for. The best you can do is to go about your normal government business. I’ll update your security detail that there is an increased threat, unknown what exactly but to stay on their toes.’

‘Well, there’s no way we can cancel the Party Conference or even increase the security presence without raising questions from the press.’

‘I agree, sir, this is the very reason I’ve given the Department the lead role on this. It’s their intelligence source, their agent, their handler, and the main target, Costello, is known to Reece. Now everything is in hand and moving forward to Manchester.’

‘That’s good. Keep me updated, I’ll be available at all times.’

Sir Martin stood to leave.

‘I’m not happy about the Islamic involvement, Prime Minister. It’s always unreliable but on this occasion the fact we have an agent reporting on the Republican Costello might just give us the opening we need.’

Brookfield shook Sir Martin’s hand.

‘Let’s hope so, Martin, good luck.’

After Bryant had left the office, Brookfield read over the two pages once more and wondered how he could appear normal to those close to him knowing what the words on the two pages were telling him.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-one

Mary McAuley had decided to pay a visit to her old haunting grounds of Newry. She didn’t know why but she felt in her blood that some of the answers she was looking for, and that Joseph needed, were to be found there. She’d always trusted her instincts and once again, she was to find that trust was to prove so true.

She’d deliberately taken her time walking around the shopping area in the town centre. She knew that if she was spotted, word would be quickly passed that she was in town. She bought a blouse in Dunnes Stores to ensure she had one of their distinctive green bags. After two hours of walking around and talking to people she knew, old neighbours and friends, she headed to the local Republican Club. When she entered, she noticed it had had a paint job and new chairs and tables. Since the ban stopping smoking in public places had come in, the club smelt of the fresh paint with just a hint of beer. She walked up to the bar knowing the eyes of the few men and women in the room were watching her.

‘Well hello, Mary,’ said Paddy Maguire from behind the bar. He hadn’t changed much except his hair was a little thinner than she remembered, and his beer belly a little larger.

‘Jesus, Paddy, are you still here?’

‘Club Steward, now if you please. I think the Committee thought that since I’ve been here since the year dot, I needed a new title to reflect the new paint job. How are you? How have you been? You look great.’

‘Not bad. You know me and Brendan got divorced and he’s inside?’

‘Yeah, he was always a bloody fool. Dint know what a good thing he had. We all knew he knocked you about a lot, sorry about that.’

Sorry it was happening or sorry no one did anything about it, she thought.

But someone did, and it was because of him she was here.

‘Well, what will it be, are you staying for a drink, do you know we even have coffee now?’

‘Well, that sounds great. I’ll have a white coffee please no sugar.’

Maguire pointed to a table in the corner.

‘You sit yourself down and I’ll bring it over.’

‘Why don’t you pour yourself one and we can have a catch-up?’

‘Sounds like a great idea. Sean can cover the bar.’

Mary sat at the table choosing the chair with her back to the wall and facing the door, another little tip from Joseph. Now she could see anyone coming into the club, friend or foe, and from where she sat, she could also see the half-dozen people sitting in the room plus the two young men playing at the snooker table. She noticed Maguire whisper in the ear of Sean and point in Mary’s direction before he arrived at the table placing a tray with two mugs, a milk jug, and a pot of coffee on the table, then he sat down opposite her, but she could see the entrance door over his shoulder.

‘Should I be mum? How do you like it?’ Maguire asked, but his eyes showed he had another meaning to his question than how she liked her coffee.

She thought she’d play him at his game.

‘Strong, with a little milk no sugar, a bit like my men.’ She smiled.

This had the desired effect and Maguire’s hand trembled slightly as he poured the liquid into the mugs. Mary had always enjoyed the effect her beauty had on men, especially weak men like Maguire. When they were thinking about her, their mouths ran off in all directions trying to impress her. Mary had learnt to ask the right questions and lead them in the direction she wanted, without them realising they were being led. This was when she listened, the trick always being to make them think they were in control of the conversation.

‘So, Mary, what brings you back to Newry?’

She’d been expecting the question. She knew the answer could open the whole conversation in the direction she wanted it to go or raise suspicion as to her motives if she got it wrong. She looked over the top of her coffee cup into Maguire’s eyes and smiled when she replied which she knew would have the desired effect of knocking him off guard.

‘Oh, you know me. Newry has some of the best shops.’ She held up the Dunnes bag for effect as she continued, ‘I get bored living in the big city sometimes, and I love the drive down here. I take the long way down to Newcastle then through the Mournes to catch up how beautiful it is. Then when I