“The shooters knew my hotel in Brecon. They knew where to find us at the waterfall. It’s fair to say by now that those gunmen were Flex and an associate. Maybe more than one.”
“Are you saying you think Flex had inside help?”
“I know he did.”
“And do you know from whom?”
“At first I thought it was Lewis, but I know now that’s not possible.”
“Then who?”
“The Princess told me you have SAS troopers on the security detail?”
De Villiers nodded. “Of course. They’re the best of the best.”
“They’re also people who are loyal to Flex, he being one of their own.”
“I don’t like where you’re going with this, Morgan.”
“But hear me out anyway. I’d like you to look into the service records of the SAS men on the Princess’s detail, to see if any served alongside Flex.”
“They’re all younger men on this detail, much younger than Flex. He has been out of the regiment for a while now. I doubt it’s possible.”
“But we need to consider it.”
His business at an end, Morgan gave De Villiers the number that he could now be reached on.
“But we’re not done yet,” the Colonel said suddenly, surprising him.
“We’re not?”
“No, Morgan. There’s a reason I wanted you to come to the Tower, and I’m afraid you can’t leave without knowing it. Follow me.”
Morgan allowed himself to be led by De Villiers into the heart of the Tower, emerging in a courtyard that was lined with small terraced houses older than the American’s home nation.
“Who lives here?” Morgan asked.
“The Beefeaters,” the Colonel answered.
“They’re trusted to live inside the Tower?”
“More than trusted. They’re the soul of the place, every one of them a former warrant officer with twenty-two years’ service or more. They come from the army, air force and navy, each of them as dedicated and patriotic a person as you’ll find.”
Morgan listened, interested to find out where De Villiers’ speech was heading.
“Many of them joined the military at sixteen,” De Villiers added. “And they’ll serve until they retire. Duty to their country is all, to them.”
“And duty to the Crown?”
“You’ll not find a Beefeater who doesn’t see them as one and the same. After you, Morgan.” The Colonel unlocked a door and stepped aside so that the American could walk in first.
He did, and came face to face with a man holding a gun.
Chapter 88
THE ARMED MAN made no move as Morgan entered, a Heckler & Koch MP5 machine gun held downward across his chest. After a moment, Morgan recognized him as one of the men who had talked to Lewis at the gate of the royal residence in Wales, what felt like a lifetime ago. The man acknowledged Morgan with a jut of his chin.
“Up here.” De Villiers pointed over Morgan’s shoulder. Morgan brushed by the armed man as he made his way through the cramped corridor and up the narrow staircase. Behind him, De Villiers stooped so that his head avoided the ceiling.