“You mentioned ‘bonded’, how does that work?” Harry asked.
“Duty is only paid to the Government once the manufacturers or retailers draw stock from the warehouse. These men will lift what we want and transport it to Greencastle. I’ll meet them, load the boat and come across. I suggest we try for eight days time.” Darlath looked at the calendar,
“So that would be the night of the…twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth when we land it at Glenbarr. Does that seem OK?”
All the men agreed and Darlath continued,
“I’m attending a meeting at the Scottish Office in Edinburgh tomorrow then I’m back to Dublin. I’ll contact you in four days time to confirm the set up.”
“As the new boy.” Harry asked,
“What happens to the stuff once we get it over here?”
Tommy replied,
“Well for tobacco and spirits we spread the goods between Wemyss, the Royal Stuart and the Lodge and they sell them on. For jewellery there’s a little Jewish firm in Edinburgh that we’ve used before.”
“Right son, enough for tonight, can you get me back to my bed?” Dermot then addressed the group,
“Gentlemen, we’ll leave it now for Darlath to contact us in a few days. In the meantime I’ll give the nod to Wemyss and the others that another batch is likely to be coming their way.”
Dermot struggled to his feet and started moving out to the car.
“Dad I need to sort the funding out with Andrew first.”
Andrew’s face brightened as he quickly thought of a solution. “Darlath, I could come with you now to your Dad’s hotel then we can sort out the funds there.”
Dermot responded, “Good idea Andrew, that way I can still get to my bed early. Let’s go.”
Steve was astonished by what had just occurred, Dermot was unknowingly encouraging his son and Andrew to get together.
Harry quickly marked up the maps before he said his farewells and went to see Eileen who was working at the Stuart.
At the hotel Dermot ordered a triple whisky to take to bed with him,
“Will you be long Darlath?”
“No Dad, we won’t be long. We’ll just have a quick drink.”
Andrew spoke up,
“I have to be home soon anyway Dermot, I’ve a busy day planned for tomorrow.”
The Waiter delivered the drink,
“I’m off to bed then, goodnight.” Dermot left Darlath and Andrew alone in the lounge. Darlath explained the likely costs of paying for transportation of the goods in Ireland, warehouse ‘fees’, boating costs and incidentals. Andrew handed over a brown envelope containing cash. “This is all in sterling, is that OK?”
“Yes, that’s fine, everyone would prefer that.”
The night porter came into the room,
“Would you like another drink before I close the bar?”
“Another round please,” said Darlath.
The porter returned a few minutes later with their order.
“I’ll need to ‘phone for a taxi soon. Can you do this for me?” Andrew asked.
“Do you wish to leave now sir, you see I’m just about to start my night duty at the porter’s lodge? If you’re staying a bit longer then you can come and find me or if you wish you can telephone yourself from the ‘phone on the desk at reception. There’s a taxi list pinned up there?”
“So where’s this lodge?” Andrew enquired.
“It’s down the corridor past reception. The room overlooks the main access driveway.”
“It’ll be easier for me to telephone when I’m ready I think, but thank you,” said Andrew.
“Very well sir. Just pull the main door shut when you leave. I’ll wish you goodnight then.”
Darlath gave him a tip and he left them alone.
With the funding arrangements resolved the two stayed on discussing their plans for the future. Later still they crept into Darlath’s bedroom unseen by anyone.
At about five in the morning Dermot woke up needing to use the lavatory. He slowly pulled on a dressing gown and made his way down the corridor yawning loudly. The bathroom overlooked the front gravel drive of the hotel and whilst washing his hands he heard a car approaching the main front door. Out of curiosity he switched the bathroom light off and lifted the blackout curtain. In the dim morning light he saw Darlath hugging someone in the canopied hotel entrance but, without his glasses, he couldn’t determine who she was. This was the first time that he had seen his son kissing a girl. All the innuendos and sniping remarks from Steve and other’s were now evaporating he thought. Dermot’s long term plan for power and influence for his son in Irish politics was on track at last. He suddenly felt uplifted, the regime that he’d planned for could now begin!
Suddenly he was distracted by a woman knocking on the door,
“Is anyone in there?”
Dermot switched the light on and opened the door,
“Sorry to keep you I was just looking out at the weather.”
The taxi pulled up, collected a passenger and quickly left.
Darlath watched it disappear along the gravel drive and then he returned to his room alone.
Chapter 14
“You’re a chip off the old block then?”
These were Dermot’s opening remarks to his son at breakfast the next day. Darlath maintained his composure, looking quizzically at his father.
“Last night son,” Dermot chuckled,
“You know, in the porch?”
Darlath didn’t show his increasing concern,
“What are you on about Dad?”
“I saw you; does she meet up with you every time you visit a hotel
over here?”
Dermot was enjoying himself. Darlath poured some tea and thought that he needed to discover what his father was so pleased about,
“So what did you see exactly?”
“I went to the bathroom early this morning and saw you by the front door with her, just as her car arrived.”
“Are you certain it was me you saw?”
Darlath suddenly felt more relaxed.
“Hey son you don’t have to deny it. It was you, I know your frame anywhere and you still had on that dark blue shirt, the same one as last night. You had your back to me but I saw you both.”
He smiled again. Darlath needed to ask the next question,
So did you see her get into the taxi?”
“’Fraid not, some bloody guest wanted the lavatory so I had to leave. But who is she?”
Darlath’s heart rate had now slowed down to normal again. He stretched across to reach for some toast,
“Well who’s the super sleuth eh?” He buttered the toast,
“Well, to answer your question she’s a secretary at the Scottish Office.”
“And you’ve seen her often?”
“Fairly regularly.”
“So I can meet her then?”
“Dad relax. Let’s just leave things as they are for the time being. But please don’t tell any of our people. It’s just between you and me for the time being OK?
- Now let’s change the subject Dad. How are you feeling?”
“With your news I feel really good today, what’s her name?”
“Dad, enough please! I’ll fill you in with all the details another time. We need to discuss your health. Are you in pain now?”
“Yes a little. It comes and goes. Today it’s not too bad so far. I book into hospital tomorrow for those tests.”
“Can I come and see you when you get the results?”
“Yes if you want to, it’ll be another few days yet.”
“Well let me know and I’ll try and arrange to come over. Now another thing, lets talk about when you are released from hospital. What about some proper nursing care, you shouldn’t remain in a hot
el when you’re like this? You need professional staff on hand to help you. I can find a good sanatorium for you where you can relax until you’re fully recovered?”
“I know you’re trying to help son but I’m OK living here. If I feel worse then I’ll consider what you say. Realistically you and I both know that I’m in trouble, my condition is not easing, probably won’t ease – let’s just leave it like that for now.”
They both sat in silence for a while and finished their breakfasts.
“Dad I must go now, I’ve got this meeting in Edinburgh, but I’ll be back later this afternoon. In the meantime you’ve no reason to go out, so stay here and read the papers. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye son.”
Dermot watched him leave the room.
Darlath walked through reception and without his father seeing ran up to the floor where Dermot’s room was located. He found the bathroom overlooking the front drive and went in and locked the door. From the window there was a clear view of the gravel drive but the porch canopy and some ornamental tubs of yew bushes on the entrance stairs partially obscured a group of guests that were now standing there. Darlath quickly realised that in the poor early light his father would have had no chance of actually seeing much or indeed anything of Andrew. Darlath scrutinised the angle and perspective down from the lavatory window just to make doubly certain, ‘I had my back to his viewpoint so he would have seen me holding someone but Andrew was actually shielded by me and the shrubs from being recognised. God that was close!’ he thought.
Chapter 15
Darlath subsequently confirmed that the night of the twenty-fourth/twenty-fifth was going to be the date for the night crossing from Donegal. The timing for landing at Glenbarr was estimated to be at 3.30a.m.
As agreed, Steve and Tommy left Glasgow during the evening of the twenty-third to drive across to Kintyre. In the morning of the twenty-fourth Harry accompanied by Andrew drove the Standard towards the same destination. At their final meeting before leaving they had reviewed the details of the plan and confirmed the check list of items to bring that included torches, lanterns, food, drink and a change of clothes. They also agreed what should be said if they happened to be stopped by the Police or Military authorities on the way down. Tommy and Steve carried the small dingy in the lorry that they proposed would be ‘sold’ at auction in Tarbet, a town between Inveraray and Glenbarr. To make their story more plausible they had contacted the local auction rooms in the town to say that they might call in. They knew they would have to take their chances of not being be stopped and searched on the return journey when carrying the ‘Irish prizes.’ If for any reason they were stopped on the homeward journey they would try and bluff their way out by producing documents confirming that they had been loyal and honest police officers until they had retired.
If stopped, Harry and Andrew would say that they are exploring the possibility of buying or renting some land in the area to set up evacuee or refugee camps that could be used by the Government as a contingency safeguard. Andrew had made contact with several land agents and farmers who had appeared interested in such a project. As it turned out, the journey to Kintyre was uneventful.
Harry and Andrew arrived at Westport after dark. As they turned into the lane by the derelict cottages they saw the profile of the Scammell looming up in front of them. The dim, slotted, car beams, necessary for blackout regulations provided only minimal illumination. In the final three or four miles Harry had to brake hard on several occasions to avoid hitting stray sheep that were wandering along the road. The men greeted each other and checked the time. It was now approaching midnight.
“Time for some food I think,” Tommy suggested.
“We can all shelter in the back of the lorry until it’s time to go.” The journey south down the peninsula started off dry around the Tarbet area but had now turned to a fine, misty drizzle that was blowing inland. They could hear the sea pounding the beaches either side of them as they settled in the lorry with a few bottles of beer and some sandwiches to share. Andrew deliberately avoided sitting near Steve, he wanted to circumvent any possibility of another row developing. As it happened Steve had fallen asleep and was relying on Tommy to wake him when they had to move on to the beach.
At 2.30 a.m. Tommy roused everyone. The weather had now worsened. Heavy rain was being thrown inland by strong, constant winds driving through the dunes. Numerous rivulets of water were cascading onto the track and merging into a fast flowing continuous stream just in front of the lorry. The wooden shutters on the cottages produced a whistling siren of eerie sound pitches as the damp wind streamed across them. The men unloaded the dingy and carefully placed it onto a two-wheeled trailer that they could drag to the beach. They donned long black oilskin coats that Tommy had procured, and slowly made their way down towards the sea.
The ground was now saturated. In daylight it would have been dangerous to proceed on foot, now in the darkness it was treacherous. Their boots sank deep into the muddy furrows of the track, and more alarmingly, each of the men had to be pulled free from patches of sucking quicksand. They left the dingy at the end of the track. It had been agreed earlier that Steve and Tommy would signal out to sea from the end of one of the rocky outcrops with the lantern and Andrew and Harry would do the same on the opposite side of the small cove. The two teams parted and, after clambering along the slippery rocks, each one managed to take shelter in the rocky outcrops. Apart from the noise of the waves breaking on the beaches either side of them, the cove itself provided a quieter calmer environment whilst they waited. After about half and hour Steve decided he needed to relieve himself and clambered back towards the beach to find an area that he could safely stand up on whilst still being protected from the weather. Just as he began his return journey a few minutes later, he was confronted by a snarling, vicious looking animal that had crept up to him unnoticed. The quietness of the cove was now pierced by Steve shouting hysterically as he faced the ferocious growling of an enormous feral dog that was standing its ground in front of him. Harry was the first to hear and he immediately began moving back towards the beach to see what was happening. As he approached he could just make out, through the clinging sea spray, that Steve was now violently kicking the Alsatian in the head. But the dog kept returning to an attack position. Harry managed to get a little nearer and could now clearly see that the animal was becoming even more aggressive. It bared its teeth and salivated in long silvery threads, its wild eyes wide open as it fixed its stare on Steve before moving in for the kill. For a few brief moments they scrutinised each other only feet apart and then the dog sprang forward but again it was kicked hard by Steve as it landed. Harry picked up a rock, partly in self defence if the animal decided to attack him, or, more hopefully, if he could get close enough to finish it off. Despite its injuries the dog returned to attack again only this time Steve managed an even harder kick to its head. The dog fell to the ground and whimpered, its paws twitching and pulling as it tried without success to stand up. Steve stepped towards it and in a frenzy of uncontrolled anger kicked repeatedly at its head.
“Steve that’s enough you’ve got him, he’s dead!” Harry shouted.
But Steve’s fury continued unabated. In a blind rage he persisted to direct violence against the dead animal.
Harry ran towards him and held him
“That’s enough Steve; he’s finished it’s over!”
Harry pulled him away and they both fell to the ground.
Steve was hunting for air to fill his lungs, his face rigid, his wild eyes still fixed on the animal.
“Nobody, not even a fucking animal, will get the better of me!”
He gasped, as he tried to get to his feet to continue the onslaught. Harry held on to him,
“Its OK now. He’s dead.”
But Steve continued, his eyes still fixed on the animal; he wasn’t responding to Harry.
“Get off of me!�
��
Harry released him and immediately Steve jumped to his feet intending to carry on the assault. His anger was now of someone deranged. He seemed to be experiencing pleasure or intense gratification from continuing his attack. His mind was no longer focused on the task ahead for the group. He was unhinged and determined to seek revenge. Harry tried again to calm him down.
Tommy arrived on the scene and shouted,
“Inspector!”
Steve was distracted.
“Inspector!” Tommy shouted even louder.
Steve turned to face him pausing briefly, he lowered his head and sank down onto his knees. It was over. Tommy rushed over to Steve, who was now panting for breath.
“It’s all OK, Inspector, the prisoner is safe now.”
Steve used his hands to wipe his face and was slowly helped to his feet by Tommy.
“Steve it’s all finished, we need you now. Remember the task in hand, remember our instructions, the boat should be here soon.”
After a few minutes Steve had calmed down and Tommy encouraged him back out to their positions on the outcrop. Steve said nothing . Harry was totally bewildered by what he had just witnessed. He moved away to rejoin Andrew on their side of the cove.
“What on earth spooked Steve?” Andrew asked.
“A really wild and vicious dog began to attack him but he managed to overwhelm it by some well placed kicks to the head. I doubt if I could have done it more efficiently.” Harry said.
“Then what?”
“Well he went berserk, crazy. He just continued kicking the thing that was already long dead. Just persistently kicking it, obsessional really. Then Tommy arrived and shouted ‘Inspector’ at him, and that seemed to stop him. It was really odd. Have you seen him like this before?”
“I’ve not witnessed it, but I know that his uncontrollable temper has got him into trouble before.”
“How come?”
“There was a story that some petty thief died after being arrested. At the Police Station, it was Steve’s watch. Something unpleasant happened to the guy but it was all hushed up. Tommy told me about it.”
Shadows of Deceit Page 12