Be Careful What You Wish For (The Clifton Chronicles 4)

“After we’ve checked in, Brendan, come to my cabin at nine o’clock. By then most of the first-class passengers will be having dinner, which will give you more than enough time to set up the equipment.”

“Setting it up won’t be the problem,” said Brendan. “It’s getting that large trunk on board without anyone becoming suspicious that I’m worried about.”

“Two of the porters know the number plate of this car,” said the chauffeur, “and they’ll be looking out for us.”

“How’s my accent holding up?” asked Glenarthur.

“You’d have fooled me, but I’m not an English gentleman. And we’ll have to hope no one on board has actually met Lord Glenarthur.”

“Unlikely. He’s over eighty, and he hasn’t been seen in public since his wife died ten years ago.”

“Isn’t he a distant relation of the Barringtons?” asked Brendan.

“That’s why I chose him. If the SAS has anyone on board, they’ll check Who’s Who, and assume I’m family.”

“But what if you bump into a member of the family?”

“I’m not going to bump into any of them. I’m going to bump them all off.” The chauffeur chuckled. “Now, tell me, how do I get to my other cabin after I’ve pressed the button?”

“I’ll give you the key at nine o’clock. Can you remember where the public toilet on deck six is? Because that’s where you’ll have to change once you’ve left your cabin for the last time.”

“It’s on the far side of the first-class lounge. And by the way, old chap, it’s a lavatory not a toilet,” said Lord Glenarthur. “That’s the sort of simple mistake that could get me caught out. Don’t forget, this ship is typical of English society. The upper classes don’t mix with cabin, and the cabin classes wouldn?

?t consider speaking to those in tourist. So it might not be that easy for us to get in touch with each other.”

“But I read this is the first liner with a telephone in every room,” Brendan said, “so if there’s an emergency, just dial seven one two. If I don’t pick up, our waiter in the grill room is called Jimmy, and he…”

* * *

Colonel Scott-Hopkins wasn’t looking in the direction of the Buckingham. He and his colleagues were scanning the crowd on the quay for any sign of an Irish presence. So far he hadn’t seen anyone he recognized. Captain Hartley and Sergeant Roberts, who had both served in Northern Ireland with the SAS, had also drawn blanks. It was Corporal Crann who spotted him.

“Four o’clock, standing on his own at the back of the crowd. He’s not looking at the ship, just the passengers.”

“What the hell’s he doing here?”

“Perhaps the same as us, looking for someone. But who?”

“I don’t know,” said Scott-Hopkins, “but, Crann, don’t let him out of your sight, and if he speaks to anyone or attempts to go on board, I want to know immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” said Crann, who began to weave his way through the crowd toward the target.

“Six o’clock,” said Captain Hartley.

The colonel switched his attention. “Oh, God, that’s all we need…”

* * *

“Once I get out of the car, Brendan, make yourself scarce and assume there are people in the crowd looking for you,” said Lord Glenarthur. “And be sure you’re in my cabin by nine.”

“I’ve just spotted Cormac and Declan,” said the chauffeur. He flashed his lights once and they hurried across, ignoring several other passengers who needed assistance.

“Don’t get out of the car,” said Glenarthur to the chauffeur. It took both of the porters to lift the heavy trunk out of the boot and place it on a trolley as gently as if they were handling a newborn baby. After one of them had slammed the boot shut, Glenarthur said, “When you get back to London, Kevin, keep an eye on forty-four Eaton Square. Now that Martinez has sold his Rolls-Royce, I have a feeling he might do a runner.” He turned back to Brendan. “See you at nine,” he added, then got out of the car and melted into the crowd.

“When should I deliver the lilies?” whispered a young man who had appeared by Lord Glenarthur’s side.

“About thirty minutes before the ship is due to cast off. Then make sure we don’t see you again, unless it’s in Belfast.”

* * *