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

“As you wish, my lord.”

“In fact,” said Lord Glenarthur, extracting a five-pound note from his wallet, “can you make sure I’m not disturbed before seven tomorrow morning, when I’d like a cup of tea and some toast and marmalade?”

“Brown or white, my lord?”

“Brown will be just fine, Braithwaite.”

“I’ll put the Do not disturb sign on your door and leave you to rest. Good night, my lord.”

* * *

The four of them met in the ship’s chapel soon after they’d checked into their cabins.

“I don’t imagine we’ll be getting a lot of sleep for the next few days,” said Scott-Hopkins. “After spotting that car, we have to assume there’s an IRA cell on board.”

“Why would the IRA be interested in the Buckingham, when they’ve got enough troubles of their own at home?” asked Corporal Crann.

“Because if they could pull off a coup like sinking the Buckingham, it would take everyone’s minds off those troubles at home.”

“Surely you don’t think—” began Hartley.

“Always best to expect the worst-case scenario, and assume that’s what they have in mind.”

“Where would they get the money to

fund an operation like that?”

“From the man you spotted standing on the dockside.”

“But he didn’t come on board, and took the train straight back to London,” said Roberts.

“Would you come on board if you knew what they had planned?”

“If he’s only interested in the Barrington and Clifton families, that at least narrows down the target, because they’re all on the same deck.”

“Not true,” said Roberts. “Sebastian Clifton and his girlfriend are in cabin seven two eight. They could also be a target.”

“I don’t think so,” said the colonel. “If the IRA were to kill the daughter of an American diplomat, you can be sure that any funds coming out of the States would dry up overnight. I think we should concentrate on those first-class cabins on deck one, because if they managed to kill Mrs. Clifton along with one or two other members of her family, the Buckingham would not only be making its maiden voyage, but its final voyage. With that in mind,” continued the colonel, “for the remainder of the trip we’ll carry out a four-hour shift patrol. Hartley, you cover the first-class cabins until two a.m. I’ll take over from you then, and wake you just before six. Crann and Roberts can cover the same watches in cabin class, because that’s where I think we’ll find the cell is located.”

“How many are we looking for?” asked Crann.

“They’ll have at least three or four operatives on board, posing as either passengers or crew members. So if you spot anyone you’ve ever seen on the streets of Northern Ireland, it won’t be a coincidence. And make sure I’m briefed immediately. Which reminds me, did you find out the names of the passengers who booked the last two first-class cabins on number-one deck?”

“Yes, sir,” said Hartley. “Mr. and Mrs. Asprey, cabin five.”

“The shop I won’t allow my wife to enter, unless it’s with another man.”

“And Lord Glenarthur is in cabin three. I looked him up in Who’s Who. He’s eighty-four, and was married to the sister of Lord Harvey, so must be the chairman’s great-uncle.”

“Why has he got a Do not disturb sign on his door?” asked the colonel.

“He told the steward he was exhausted after the long journey from Scotland.”

“Did he now?” said the colonel. “Still, we’d better keep an eye on him, although I can’t imagine what use the IRA would have for an eighty-four-year-old.”

The door opened, and they all looked around to see the chaplain enter. He smiled warmly at the four men, who were on their knees holding prayer books.

“Can I be of any assistance?” he asked as he walked up the aisle toward them.