The Morning Line: A War, A Family, A Horse Race, a Hero by Tom Kenny

Author:Tom Kenny [Kenny, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Shortly before eight o'clock, Aidan walked out of the Reading Room into an evening that had finally shed a good measure of the day's heat. He was upbeat, thrilled with the response from the famed journalist to his proposal. He now had a true ally in place.

Establishing a reason to justify his stopover in New York City, Aidan had suggested to Empire Breeders that, as a public relations gesture, he dine with the chief resident of the British Consulate General on his way to Saratoga. Dinner had been shelved in favor of informal drinks and snacks, and scheduled for nine o'clock at the Plaza's Oak Room. He hailed a cab to return to the hotel.

After a brief visit to his suite, Aidan stopped by the front desk, was told there were no messages, and crossed the lobby to the Oak Room. As he walked into the popular bistro, Consul General Noel Colchester spotted and hailed him from a nearby table. Turning in the direction of the greeting, Aidan recognized Noel, whom he'd once met at the HiHo club, but had no inclination who the two women with him at the table were. One, thirtyish, blond and very attractive. The other, the half century vintage of Colchester.

With a boisterous greeting, Colchester met Aidan halfway between the table and Oak Room entrance. Arm around Aidan's shoulder, he led him back to the table. "Aidan McGuire, please say hello to my lovely wife, Judy, and Barbara Sweeney, over from London on a trade mission. When Babs got wind of our meeting the famous horse trainer for drinks, she begged and pleaded. It worked." Colchester smiled at the blond beauty. "We were happy to bring her along. Right, Judes?" he said, turning to his wife, who maintained a fixed smile on her face.

Ninety minutes later the foursome stood in the hotel's marble lobby. "Babs, you can share our cab and then take it the rest of the way to the Marriot. The ride's on the Consulate," Colchester said, then, looking at the blonde's twisted smile, got the hint. "Now that I think of it," he continued, "your hotel's on the other side of town. You just let me know the cost of your cab, and we'll reimburse."

Following goodbyes, the Colchesters turned to walk to the entrance and the line of yellow cabs queuing in front of the hotel. Aidan, left standing alone with the blond, smiled and nodded another goodbye. He started toward the elevator bank when she stopped him cold. "Gerry Appleyard asked me to make contact, Aidan."

"Whoa." Aidan turned back to Barbara. "And you are exactly... who?"

Barbara smiled her row of perfect teeth. "Domestic counterintelligence. You know, MI5. We come in all shapes and sizes."

Isolated from others by the expanse and bustle of the lobby, Aidan asked, "And, the message?"

"There is solid information that the IRA has placed an order for a very substantial arms purchase."

"That is interesting. Anything else?"

"Just that I'm available for any messages you need to have delivered." Barbara smiled as she handed Aidan her business card.

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