The Age of Exodus by Gavin Scott

Author:Gavin Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

15

PIER 751

In the cab on the way back into town Gillian asked him if he had given any further thought to her idea that someone in Ernie Bevin’s entourage might know more than he was letting on, and he had to admit he hadn’t. But when he had finally kissed her goodbye and promised he would be in touch again before he went, he saw Thornham and Priestley walking into the hotel and hurried after them. He found them in the bar ordering Manhattans and went over to talk. Both men, he thought, seemed distinctly shaken by Loppersum’s death, and chubby little Priestley, perhaps because he had been involved in translating the Sumerian curses that had preceded Charles Templar’s murder, seemed particularly upset.

“I have to say I wish you hadn’t brought that Sumerian demon into the equation,” he said slightly plaintively. “After what happened in London it’s the last thing we need.”

“I thought I was just talking to the police,” said Forrester. “I’d no idea there was a journalist listening in.”

“Of course it was just bad luck,” said Richard Thornham. “Nobody really blames you. What I don’t understand is whether this whole supernatural thing is pure coincidence or not.”

“I believe it’s a distraction,” said Forrester. “I’m sure the real link has something to do with Palestine.”

“Charles wasn’t on the Middle East desk,” said Priestley.

“And Burke had no particular link to either the Jews or the Arabs,” said Thornham.

“He did have strong views on a homeland for the Jews though,” said Forrester. “As did Jan Loppersum.”

“As does Mr. Bevin,” said Thornham, “and hopefully there’s no Sumerian demon after him.”

Forrester now tried a shot in the dark. “But I wonder if he has anything to do with Double Eye?” Both men looked at him sharply.

“Double I?” said Thornham. “What leads you to mention that?”

And as he spoke Forrester suddenly heard the phrase for the first time as a set of initials – I.I.” He told them what the boy in the Lumley’s shop had said, and added a description of Alexander Samson.

“He talked a lot of nonsense about international communism, but he was the chairman of the board type.”

Priestley leant closer, looking worried. “Look, old chap, less said the better about I.I., eh? In fact, better forgotten about.”

“Why?” said Forrester. “What does I.I. stand for?”

“Listen,” said Thornham, smiling. “We’re all about to go home soon. Let’s not add to the complications before we go, eh?” And he called for another round of drinks.

* * *

As Forrester walked along the corridor back to his room, he felt an increasing certainty there was someone inside waiting there for him, and for a long moment he stood in front of the door, wondering what to do. For some reason the image of the man in the Homburg in Lumley’s bookstore came into his head, and he prepared himself mentally for a second encounter with Alexander Samson. But when he opened the door he found himself looking at someone he instantly recognised as one of the

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