Angel Meadow by Bill Rogers

Author:Bill Rogers [Rogers, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Caton had spent a good part of the evening chasing numbers around Dublin trying to contact Detective Chief Superintendent McCarthy of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who had been such a help to him and his cousin Niamh a couple of years before. When he finally got through and explained what he wanted, McCarthy had been cautiously optimistic.

‘I’ll do what I can, Tom,’ he said. ‘But if the one you’re looking for is still active as a paramilitary, he definitely won’t want to meet with you, and even if he isn’t, it doesn’t mean he’ll be willing to meet a British police officer.’

‘But what if you can convince him that I’m not interested in the Troubles?’ Caton urged. ‘That I’ve nothing to do with the Historical Enquiries Team, and that I’m only interested in clearing up a murder on my own patch?’

‘But if he was involved, he’s unlikely to want to admit it. He may even have had something to do with your murder back in Manchester.’

‘Then if he isn’t prepared to meet with me, it’ll make me suspicious. You can tell him I’ll be forced to dig deeper. Find another way to eliminate him from my investigation.’

He heard a sharp intake of breath.

‘I hope you know what you’re getting into, Tom,’ said McCarthy. ‘There’s a fragile peace up there, and the extremists have still not given up. It’s still a minefield this side of the water. Literally as well as metaphorically.’

‘I don’t have any option, Eamon.’

The Irishman sighed.

‘Fair enough. I’ll give it a go. But don’t hold your breath.’

It was over breakfast the following morning that McCarthy rang back.

‘You’re on,’ he said. ‘I think I’ve found your man. He was understandably suspicious at first. He took a lot of convincing, but I think his curiosity got the better of him. What’s more, and it’s only a feeling I’ve got, I don’t think he had anything to do with it. Not in a bad way at least. But I could tell straight away that he knew what I was talking about.’

‘Eamon, that’s brilliant,’ said Caton. ‘Who is he?’

There was a long pause.

‘Not over the phone, Tom. I’ll email it to you. There was something he wanted you to do as well. It’ll all be in the email.’

‘What happens now?’

‘He didn’t want your phone number or your email address, but he did ask which hotel you’re staying at in Belfast. He said someone will contact you.’

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s it, Tom.’

‘I owe you, Eamon.’

McCarthy laughed.

‘That’s the second time you’ve said that, Tom. You still haven’t paid me back for the last time.’

‘I will. Maybe if you could wangle a trip over to Manchester, Kate and I can take you out. Show you a good time?’

‘That’d be good. How is Kate?’

‘About to give birth anytime now.’

‘That’s wonderful. You’d better get this wrapped up and get back there then. If you miss that, she’ll never forgive you.’

‘Don’t I know it.’

‘Give her my love and best wishes.’

‘I will.’

‘Niamh, too. And the fragrant Helen Gates.’

‘I will.

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