Solo (Aka the Cretan Lover)(1980) by Higgins Jack

Author:Higgins, Jack [Higgins, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-03-21T00:32:09+00:00

O'Hagan joined him and saw that the map was of the west coast of Scotland including the islands of the Outer Hebrides.

'What's all this?'

'This island here, Skerryvore,' Tully pointed. 'It's a missile training base. One of my boys, Michael Bell, was a corporal technician there. Knows the place backwards.'

'So?'

'It seems that on Thursdays once a fortnight, an officer and nine men drive up by road from Glasgow Airport to Mallaig. From there, they go to Skerryvore by boat. Let's say their truck is stopped on the way to Mallaig one Thursday and I'm waiting with nine of my men to take their place, including Michael Bell, of course.'

'But why?' O'Hagan said. 'What's the name of the game?'

'The thing they're testing on that island is called Hunter, a medium-range missile. Not atomic, but a new kind of explosive that would cause a very big bang indeed. One of those things on target could take out a square mile of London.'

'You must be crazy,' O'Hagan told him angrily. 'Rockets on London? What are you trying to do? Lose everything we've fought for?'

'But it's the only way, don't you see? Take the struggle to the enemy's own doorstep.'

'Kill thousands at one blow; totally alienate world opinion?' O'Hagan shook his head. 'Brendan, at the moment in the eyes of many people abroad, we're a gallant little handful taking on an army. That's how we'll win in the end. Not by defeating the British Army, but by making the whole thing so unpleasant that they'll withdraw of their own accord, just like they did in Aden and Cyprus and all those other places. But this...' He shook his head. 'This is madness. The Army Council would never approve such a scheme. It would be like shooting the Queen - counter-productive.'

'You mean you'll tell the Army Council about this?'

'Of course I will. What else do you expect me to do? I'm Chief Intelligence Officer for Ulster, aren't I?'

'All right,' Tully said defensively. 'So I was wrong. If the Council won't back me, then there's no way we can do it, that's obvious. I'll see if breakfast is ready.'

He went into the kitchen where Morgan, Seumas and Keogh sat at the table. He moved to the front door and found Rafferty leaning inside the jeep, oiling the brake pedal shaft. Rafferty straightened and turned.

Tully's face was distorted with fury. 'Dump them, Jackie. Three with one blow. No messing. You understand?'

'Yes, Mr Tully,' Rafferty said without the slightest flicker of emotion. 'One of those Russian pencil timers should do it and the plastique.'

'Get to it then.' Tully went back into the kitchen.

O'Hagan was just coming out of the living-room. He had the map under one arm and the Sterling submachine-gun ready for action in his right hand.

'I've suddenly lost my appetite.' Outside there was the sound of the jeep starting up and driving away. 'Where in the hell has he gone?'

'For milk,' Tully said. 'We don't have a cow here. Liam, let's be reasonable.'

'Just keep your distance.' O'Hagan nodded to Morgan and the boy.

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