Medusa

‘Yeah. Well, you would remember, wouldn’t you. Moira wrote me you’d been picked up. Sent me a copy of the East Anglian with a picture of you tied to the buoy.’ His mouth stretched to something close to a grin, the teeth bared. ‘And now they’ve landed you with something that looks to me like a bloody suicide mission.’ He leaned forward again. ‘Look, boy, you owe it to yourself, to the men you’ve got cooped up in this tin can they’ve given you — get out now, before it’s too late.’

Gareth stared at him as though hypnotised.

‘Well, say something, for Christ’s sake. What’s it to be? Stay here and get pulverised to nothing, or up your hook and get to hell out before it’s too late?’

A funny little half-smile showed on Gareth’s face. He shook his head. ‘Come off it, Pat. You’re not here just to try and save my life again. You’re here because you know damn well the presence of one of HM ships in Mahon harbour makes the whole thing impossible. Your plan of operations depends on two things for success — surprise and unimpeded access to the harbour here. The first you’ve achieved. In fact, your people exploited the element of surprise so well that you were able to seize control of all the key positions at this end of the island. What you didn’t expect was that there would be a Nato warship anchored in Port Mahon. Your coup now needs the backing of a major power and I doubt very much whether you’ll get it as long as this tin can, as you call it, remains anchored here. At least that’s my reading of all the flurry of signals my Communications Office is picking up.’

His voice had become stronger, more authoritative as he developed his argument. Now he leaned forward, both elbows on the desk, his eyes fixed on his half-brother. ‘My advice to you — it’s the same advice as you’ve just been giving me — get out now, while you can.’ Abruptly his right hand came up, jabbing a finger. ‘Time is against you, man. You know it. I know it.’

‘You’ll be smashed to hell, boy.’

‘Maybe. But I don’t think so.’ Somehow his voice managed to carry conviction. ‘By dawn you’ll be faced with crack Spanish troops and the arrival of the first of their naval units.’

‘And how will they get into Mahon? We’ll blast them out of the water with those big guns on La Mola. As for troops — what troops? They can’t land …’

‘Paratroops,’ Gareth said quietly. ‘I’ve just heard they’ll be taking off about an hour before dawn.’

‘Thank you. I’ll pass the information on. But I think Madrid may have second thoughts. Landing paratroops anywhere on Menorca would amount to invasion of the new republic’s territory, and with the powerful support we shall then have — ’

‘That’s provided you can get Medusa out of the way,’ Gareth cut in. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?’ And he repeated his previous argument: ‘Because you know damn well that support won’t be forthcoming so long as there’s a Nato presence in Port Mahon.’

‘So you won’t listen to reason.’ The line of the man’s mouth had hardened, so had his voice. There was anger in it now as he said, ‘Then I’ll have to use another form of persuasion. The woman. We’re holding her hostage for your departure.’ He turned to me. ‘Your wife, Steele. You haven’t said much so far, but I’m telling you now, if you don’t want her death on your hands, you’d better start persuading young Gareth here to get the hell out of Mahon.’

‘Where is she?’ I asked.

‘I told you, not far from here.’

‘Was it you who broke into the house and took her?’

He shook his head. ‘Not me. Two of my crew. You met them the day you agreed to swap Thunderflash for that fishing boat of yours. They say she fought like an alley cat.’

‘Is she all right? Is she hurt?’

‘They had to tie her down, that’s all.’ He was looking straight at me. ‘No, she’s not hurt. Not yet.’ He turned back again to Gareth and added, ‘But she will be if you don’t get out of here fast.’

‘I have my orders.’

‘Then get some new ones. Tell them there’s a woman hostage and you’re in love with her. You are in love with her, aren’t you?’ Gareth’s eyes flicked in my direction and he passed his tongue over his lips. Evans was grinning, knowing now that his information was correct. ‘You can have her back the instant you’re clear of Port Mahon. I’ll hand her over to Steele here. That suit you?’

Gareth half shook his head, his hands locked, the fingers moving. I thought I detected a new mood, one of indecision. Evans saw it, too, and it was then that I heard him say, ‘Look, Gareth, the people I’m with aren’t squeamish, you know. Nor am I. But they’re real hard. You know what I mean?’

Gareth half shook his head again, his eyes slitted as though wincing in advance of what he seemed to know was coming.