Shadows of Deceit (15 page)

“What do they catch going out from Greencastle?” Andrew asked.

“The boats are usually used for crabbing and salmon fishing but they’ve had lots of interference from seals apparently. The seals either frighten off or attack the salmon. That’s why this skipper is keen to do a bit of extra work for us.”

Steve turned to face Darlath,

“You mentioned the possibility of him using a tender. Shouldn’t we also take a boat with us in the van? If there’s a problem getting near, at least then we can start a shuttle service to and from his vessel?”

Dermot spoke up, “Good idea.”

Turning to Steve and Tommy,

“Can you two source one to take up there?”

“Aye aye Captain.” Tommy said with a smile.

Dermot didn’t laugh, he was in pain again.

“What about funding this project?”

“It’s my turn; I’ll sort it out with Darlath.” Andrew said, adding, “I suppose we need to know what we are buying don’t we?”

They all laughed as Darlath spoke,

“It’s more of the usual I’m afraid, lots of Tobacco, liquor, some perfume and some jewellery.”

“Enough to fill the Scammell?”

Darlath laughed,

“Yes Tommy, you can drive your favourite lorry again.”

“Who’s going on this jaunt and when is it?”

Dermot growled, gritting his teeth and trying not to reveal how much he was suffering.

Tommy replied,

“From this end I suggest that me and Steve take the truck down to Glenbarr and Andrew and Harry can use one of our cars and meet us at the beach.”

“What about you son?”

“I’ll come across on the boat and meet up with them.”

Dermot tried to move in his chair.

“How many people will be on the boat with you?”

“There’s the skipper plus two.”

“Can they be trusted?”

“I think so, they’re desperate for cash. They’ve done similar trips across for other people I know without any problems.”

“OK. son, if you’re sure. Now what about timing?”

“The goods from the States land at Cork tomorrow. It’ll take two days to unload and move them up to Dublin. There they go into bonded warehouses and it’s in there that some will be lifted and made available to us.”

“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.

“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 hotel 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.

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.