The Death Trade Read Online Free Page B

champagne.
    â€œYou’ve been too nice to us entirely,” Dillon said as coffee and tea arrived. “So what’s this about future plans?” he asked Ferguson.
    â€œ
AQ.
Two letters only, but we all know they stand for ‘al-Qaeda.’ Osama may be dead, but in a worldwide sense he lives on and is as potent as ever. His jihadist message appeals to people in every country and from all levels of society. He made them think they were fighting for a just cause, doing something worthwhile with their lives. The purity of terror excuses all guilt from the message. That also has great appeal. Take the Army of God organization. It’s a perfectly legitimate charity, dedicated to the welfare of Muslims in many countries. Right here in London, it operates from an old Methodist chapel in Pound Street, and its welfare work is first class.”
    â€œAnd we know from past experience,” Dillon said, “that certain areas of its activity are directly linked to al-Qaeda.”
    â€œWhich would shock many wealthy Muslim businessmen, people so rich that we can count them as being beyond reproach, who provide considerable financial support, based on the fact that the charity promotes interfaith involvement with Christians and Jews and sources at a government level.”
    â€œWhich would seem to me to muddy the waters nicely,” Sara put in.
    â€œWhere is this leading?” Dillon asked.
    â€œMany in al-Qaeda’s hierarchy have been assassinated in Pakistan and elsewhere by Reaper drones and similar weapons. But sometimes a different approach is needed. Because of his knowledge of shipping in the Mediterranean, Daniel Holley has been able to give me names of tramp steamers and rust buckets delivering arms of every description on behalf of al-Qaeda.”
    Sara nodded. “So you want us to—”
    â€œBoard some of them at night, drop a few blocks of Semtex into the hold, and sink them. We’ve done it before. Many times over the years, haven’t we, Billy?”
    â€œYou’re right,” Billy said. “A few times, Dillon and me. Twice in Beirut.” He turned to Dillon. “Get the diving suits out again.”
    Harry said, “I’m not sure that’s wise, my son; you’ve been damaged enough in your time. Professor Bellamy would like you to take it easy.”
    â€œThat was over a year ago.” Billy nodded to Dillon. “You up for it?”
    â€œI wouldn’t be asking you to pair up with Dillon,” Ferguson said. “I was considering you and Holley when he’s available.” Before Billy or anyone was able to say anything, he carried on. “I was thinking of Sara and Dillon teaming up for something else. In fact, having seen you in action together earlier at the piano, I think it’s an excellent idea. But we’ll get to that later. We’ll have some more champagne now.”
    Maggie had been standing at the back, already opening a fresh bottle. She poured it into glasses and went around with the tray.
    Ferguson said, “I must say you all seem rather subdued. Why don’t you give us a suitable toast, Sean?”
    â€œYou’re too kind,” Dillon told him. “Considering what you’ve just discussed, I’d say something appropriate would be: We, who could be about to die, salute you.”

3
    F erguson left first, then the Salters. Roper retired to the computer room and Dillon decided to use the sauna. Sara chose the quiet of the library and sat checking everything she could find on Husseini. She spent an hour in this way, then returned to the computer room, where she found Roper at the screens.
    â€œStill here?” he said.
    She explained what she’d been doing, and he nodded approvingly. “Nothing like being prepared.”
    â€œI thought I knew him, but there was a lot I didn’t,” she said. “What are you up to?”
    â€œSame thing, in a way. Having a look at his