Midnight Runner Part 22

"Daniel. I'd like to say it's good to see you."

"Mr. President, let's take it as read and get on with things. What can I do for you?"

"Let's sit down," which they did, and Cazalet carried on. "General Ferguson has spoken to us, Blake and myself, on a conference call. I'm truly shocked at what he told me about Rupert Dauncey's conduct in this matter."

"It wasn't really aimed at me, you realize. Dauncey didn't intend my daughter's death. He simply wanted her on drugs at that rally, hoping she might be arrested and become a serious embarra.s.sment to me personally and to you politically."

"And the whole thing went hideously wrong," Blake said.

"Ferguson explained your reasons for destroying the recording," Cazalet said. "And I must be honest and say I'm dismayed. You could have nailed Dauncey in Court."

"He'd have gotten off lightly, Mr. President, and that's not good enough. He didn't murder my daughter, but he's responsible for her death, not that wretched young man, and I intend to see that he pays."

"But legally and properly, Daniel. We must operate within the confines of the law."

"That wouldn't even put a dent in the Ras.h.i.+d empire. And tell me this-what happens if the law doesn't work? Aren't I ent.i.tled to justice?"

"No," the President said, "because justice is nothing without the law. It's what binds us all together, it's the framework of all our lives. Without it, we're nothing."

"Which is exactly what the bad guys count on. I'm tired, Mr. President, and a lot of people would say the same thing. Tired of the wrongdoers getting away with it."

"What I say still holds true."

"Then, on this matter, we must agree to differ."

He stood up and Cazalet said, "If you're determined to follow this course, Daniel, I can't protect you. You realize that, don't you?"

"I would expect it."

"Then I have to tell you, you no longer have any official status for me in London. The Emba.s.sy will no longer offer you any kind of a.s.sistance."

"And I am no longer bound by Presidential Warrant?"

"I suppose that, too, yes."

"May I go now? I have a plane waiting to take me to London."

"One last thing. General Ferguson feels as I do. He will not involve himself or his people in this course of action. That means you won't be able to rely on any a.s.sistance from Sean Dillon."

"Mr. Dillon has indicated differently, and he strikes me as a man of strong views."

"I regret to hear it. Good-bye, Senator."

Blake ushered Quinn out. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Never more so."

Quinn walked away and Blake went back in the Oval Office. Cazalet was back behind the desk. "Do you think I was wrong?"

"No, sir, you weren't. But he's right about one thing. n.o.body is going to break Kate Ras.h.i.+d and her organization using the law or any other straight-up-and-down methods. This is one of those scenarios that calls for the Dillons of this world."

"But Daniel Quinn isn't a Dillon. There isn't a devious bone in his body."

"Perhaps he'll turn out to be a fast learner, Mr. President."

Late that night in London, Rupert Dauncey had a phone call from one of the security people he'd put on duty outside Daniel Quinn's house, in a telecom van. There were two of them, Newton and Cook, both ex-SAS.

"He's back, sir," Cook said.

"When did he arrive?"

"An hour ago. I tried you, but your phone wasn't on."

Dauncey said, "I was out for a run."

"Well, I thought you'd like to know that that chauffeur of his has come out in full uniform and he's standing by the Mercedes. I'd say Quinn's about to move."

"I'll be there in three minutes." Dauncey slammed down the receiver, picked up his mobile, and was out of the flat in seconds. A moment later, he drove Kate's Porsche out of the garage. As he approached the corner of Park Place, the Mercedes turned out and he had a quick flash of Quinn sitting beside Luke. He followed and called Newton and Cook.

"I've got him and I'm close behind. You stay where you are."

The traffic was light because of the lateness of the hour. Quinn lit a cigarette and leaned back in the seat. He'd always liked cities at night, particularly late at night. Rain-washed deserted streets, that feeling of loneliness. What the h.e.l.l am I doing? he asked himself, and the thought had been immediately overwhelming.

They moved down toward the river, the Tower of London, St. Katherine's Dock, and finally came to Wapping High Street and pulled in at St. Mary's Priory. He'd last been here a year before, on one of his London trips for the President. It was a grim building in gray stone, with a great, well-worn oak door which stood open. A bell tower could be seen, and the roof of a chapel beyond the high walls.

"I won't be long," Quinn told Luke, got out, and crossed the road.

A sign said ST. MARY'S PRIORY, LITTLE SISTERS OF PITY: MOTHER SUPERIOR, SISTER SARAH PALMER.

"We never close," Quinn said softly, and pa.s.sed inside. In a cubbyhole, the night porter sat drinking tea and reading the Evening Standard. Evening Standard. He glanced up. He glanced up.

"Good evening."

A notice on the wall said: The chapel is open to all for private wors.h.i.+p. The chapel is open to all for private wors.h.i.+p.

"Is the Mother Superior in?"

"I saw her go into the chapel a little while ago, sir."

"Thank you."

Quinn crossed to the chapel door, which stood open, and pa.s.sed inside.

Rupert, parked some distance behind the Mercedes, had seen Quinn cross the road and followed him, pausing only to read the sign before venturing in.

He adopted the simple approach and said to the porter, "Where did my friend go?"

"The chapel, sir, he was looking for the Mother Superior."

"Thank you."

Rupert moved to the open chapel door and could hear voices. He peered in. It was very dark, the only light the candles up by the altar. He went and sheltered behind a pillar and had no difficulty in hearing what was being said.

When Quinn stepped into the chapel he paused and looked toward the image of the Virgin, the candles burning in front of it so that it seemed to float in the darkness beside the altar. Sister Sarah Palmer was on her knees scrubbing the floor, a menial task usually performed by novices, but in her case designed to teach her humility, in spite of being Mother Superior. It was cold and damp and there was the unmistakable chapel smell.

"Candles, incense, and holy water," he said softly. "You'll have me crossing myself next."

She paused and looked up at him calmly. "Why, Daniel, what a surprise. Where have you come from?"

"Kosovo."

"Was it bad?"

"Too many bodies in the streets."

She dropped the scrubbing brush in her pail and mopped the floor with a rag. "As bad as Bo Din?"

"Different, but as bad in its own way."

She squeezed out the rag. "What is it, Daniel?"

"Helen's dead."

She stayed there on her knees, staring at him. "Oh, dear Lord." She got up as he dropped into one of the pews, and sat in front, half-turned toward him. "What happened?"

He started, then, and told her everything.

Afterwards, she said, "G.o.d has placed a burden on you, Daniel. What has happened is a terrible thing, but you must not allow it to destroy you."

"And how would I do that?"

"By seeking refuge in prayer, by reaching out for G.o.d's support..."

"Instead of seeking revenge?" Quinn shook his head. "But that's all I feel. It's a strange thing, suffering. I've discovered that there is the possibility of solace in making the other person suffer. It's as if nothing is enough. By letting Rupert Dauncey off the hook, I've extended his suffering, his punishment."

"Such thoughts will destroy you."

"If that is the price, I'll pay it." He got up, and so did she.

"Why did you come here, Daniel? You knew I couldn't condone your intention."

"Yes, but it was important that you hear the facts from me and perhaps understand my future conduct."

"So what do you expect, a blessing?"

"It wouldn't come amiss."

There was steel in her voice, a kind of anger, and for a moment she seemed the young nun at Bo Din again.

What she did then was the hardest thing she'd ever done in her life. She said, "Go, Christian soul, from this world, in the name of G.o.d the Father Almighty who created thee."

"Ah, very apt." Quinn smiled gently. "Good-bye and G.o.d bless you, Sarah." And he turned and went out.

Filled with despair, she dropped to her knees in the pew and started to pray. There was a movement nearby, and she opened her eyes, half-turned, and found a man squatting beside her. The blond hair, the handsome face was the Devil's face, she knew that at once.

"It's all right, Sister, I mean you no harm. I followed him here and, of course, saw your name at the door. I know who you are. You're the remarkable young nun from Bo Din."

"And who are you?"

"Many things. A bad Catholic, for one. Don't worry, I'd never harm you. G.o.d wouldn't forgive that."

"You're crazy."

"Possibly. I'm also the man he blames for his daughter's death."

"Rupert Dauncey," she whispered.

"That's me." He stood. "I liked your idea of a blessing. A prayer for the dying. That could well be appropriate." He smiled. "Don't forget to give him a call. Tell him I was here."

His footsteps echoed away and she pushed herself up and sat again in the pew, more afraid than she had ever been.

Back at Park Place, Newton and Cook saw the Mercedes drive into the yard. Quinn and Luke got out, and Quinn said, "I won't need you first thing, Luke. I'll go for a run in Hyde Park around seven-thirty, so tell Mary breakfast at nine."

The two men across the street heard it, and Cook phoned Dauncey, who had just got in, and relayed the information.

Rupert said, "Very good. Go home, but be back in the morning, dressed for running. When he leaves the house, follow him to the park."

"Then what?"

"Do what you have to do."

He didn't go to see his cousin and bring her up to date. Sister Sarah Palmer was too personal, and Kate would never understand his feelings. He poured a Jack Daniel's, found the evening paper, and sat down to read it. A moment later, his phone rang and he picked it up.

"It's Quinn. I've had Sister Sarah Palmer on the phone. I swear to G.o.d, if you harm that lady..."

"Don't be stupid, Senator, she's the last person in the world I'd harm, a marvelous woman like that. So goodnight and sleep tight." He hung up.

Quinn replaced his receiver, conscious that he actually believed Dauncey. He stood there thinking about it, and, on impulse, rang Sean Dillon at Stable Mews.

"It's Quinn." He told him the story. "I believe it when he says he wouldn't harm her. I don't know why, but I do."

"All right. The important thing, though, is that he followed you to this St. Mary's Priory, obviously from your house. I'd say you have watchers. Anything unusual in your street?"

"Hang on a minute." Quinn went to the window and peered out. "There's a British Telecom van."

"Telecom, my a.r.s.e."

"Thanks for the tip."