Echobeat by Joe Joyce Read Free Book Online Page B

must know that Goertz was in his house, even if he didn’t meet him himself. Which is unlikely. And he must know of their other contacts with him. So, he can’t deny any knowledge of him. And he can’t know what else we know.’
    ‘Okay,’ Ó Murchú nodded to himself. ‘Where do we go from there?’
    ‘Some people appear to believe that we’ve deliberately allowed Goertz to remain free. We can presume the German legation has heard those rumours and may believe that too. So we could suggest to Herr Hempel that we can no longer tolerate Goertz’s activities. He’s compromising our neutrality. And interfering in our internal affairs by fomenting subversion through the IRA.’
    ‘So we must arrest him. As we can do at a moment’s notice?’
    McClure nodded.
    ‘Really? We know where he is?’
    ‘No, sir. But we can make an all-out effort to find him.’
    ‘Another bluff.’
    McClure conceded the point with a slight nod.
    ‘What if they call our bluff?’
    ‘It’s unlikely. We make it clear that we must arrest Goertz and put him on trial. Which means his contacts with the legation and with the IRA will be made public. Cause a major diplomatic problem. Even justify abandoning neutrality. On the side of the Allies. Or give the British an excuse—’
    A look of horror crossed Ó Murchú’s face and he raised his hand for McClure to stop. ‘Whoa,’ he said. ‘Hold your horses.’ He steepled his hands on the desk and leaned his chin on them and ignored McClure and Duggan for what seemed an age. Then he sat back and placed his left hand, palm down, on the desk. ‘Their request to strengthen the legation,’ he said. He put his right hand, palm down, on the desk, leaving a wide gap between his two hands. ‘Our concerns about Dr Goertz’s activities,’ he nodded, looking from one hand to the other. ‘Side by side on the table. No linkage. And,’ he looked up at McClure, ‘no threats.’
    ‘No, sir,’ McClure accepted the reprimand.
    ‘Thank you gentlemen,’ Ó Murchú dismissed them. They stood up to leave but Ó Murchú changed his mind. ‘It may help you to know how sensitive this matter is,’ he said. ‘They have now spoken of serious consequences if we don’t make the arrangements they require.’
    They waited. ‘Serious consequences?’ McClure prompted.
    ‘They have hinted at breaking diplomatic relations,’ Ó Murchú paused to let the implications sink in. ‘It is possible, but not likely, that they are trying to engineer such a breach. Which would be very serious and probably be a prelude to military action. They insist they want us to remain neutral but who knows what their real plans are.’
    McClure and Duggan remained halfway to the door. Ó Murchú ran a hand down over his face, looking tired and dropping his diplomatic demeanour. ‘I don’t need to remind you these are dangerous times. And of your obligations under the Official Secrets Act.’
    ‘No, sir,’ McClure said. ‘Of course not.’
    ‘I’m telling you this information so you understand the importance of what’s happening. Keep it to yourselves as far as possible.’ He switched back to his formal self. ‘Keep me informed of any developments.’
     
    On the way back to headquarters, McClure suggested it would be no harm to keep an eye on the Friends of Germany meeting in the Red Bank restaurant that evening. In case Goertz turned up. ‘I know it’s unlikely but you never know,’ he added. ‘He may think he’s immune from arrest too. We’ve got to pull out all the stops.’
    Duggan murmured his assent, wondering if he wanted him to do it in person.
    ‘You’re going dancing tonight?’ McClure asked, confirming his suspicion.
    ‘Bill Sullivan organised a table at the Gresham.’
    ‘Big date?’
    ‘No,’ Duggan smiled, remembering Sullivan’s advance warnings from his companion for the evening. ‘Far from it.’
    ‘Wouldn’t matter then if you were a little late.’
    ‘Not at all.’
    ‘Good,’