Free Angels Fallen by Francis Joseph Smith Page A

the afternoon temperature approached a balmy eighty degrees.
    Well-dressed office workers took advantage of the weather by fleeing their high-rise buildings in mass seeking a lunch break away from the office.
    Dan steered Jim to one of five lunch carts, each proudly proclaimed to sell New York’s best hot dogs, getting in line behind four well-dressed financial types.   
    The time had come. Dan had to broach a subj ect he kept hidden for so long, looking from side-to-side, wondering how best to go about it.
    How do you go about disclosing a past you kept hidden for so long?
    Dan coughed a few times in order to clear his throat before tapping Jim on the arm, gaining his attention. “Since your father obviously neglected to inform you of one important fact, I guess it’s up to me. The phony priest part you are already aware of. What you don’t know is that I’m also ex-Irish Republican Army.”
    A rush came over him with the truth finally disclosed.
    The four yuppies halted their conversation in mid-sentence, mouths agape, turning to face Dan and Jim. 
    Dan turned and nodded. “Well, chalk one up for me, Dan. My Dad did inform me. But thanks.  I was wondering how long it was going to take you.”
    Dan stared hard at the yuppies until they thought better and moved on, orders in hand. He waited until they were out of range before continuing.  “Now on to some particulars for our mission,” he said, effortlessly switching gears. “If we are to travel overseas, we’re going to require passports. I recommend Canada, New Zealand, and U.S., with credit cards to match.  It will help us to blend in just in case we are being monitored by anyone with the capability to follow electronic transactions.”
    Jim shook his head as he applied onions to his Coney Island dog, dropping some onto the wax paper in the process. “Electronic transactions? Passports?”
    “You just heard me say I was with the bloody IRA. Well, at least up until 1988, when I had to run for my damn life or the Ulster faction would have killed
    me —correction—will still kill me if they get the chance. And from what I understand, they have a rather large price on my head.  To be truthful, young Dieter, I know some bloody awful people if need be.”
    Jim nodded. “Is that what you were alluding to back at the estate when you said you had trouble sleeping, mentioning the names Derry and Cork?”
    “Let’s just say I had differences of opinion with certain people and leave it at that.  I don’t want to stir up any old memories.  They should stay just that way— old memories .”
    The crowd a round them kept changing as their lunches were quickly eaten, fast food from one of the many carts that crowded the area being the choice of most.
    “I don’t believe it,” Jim said.  “Under that mild exterior lies a real ruthless bastard.  Al l right…done. I won’t dig into your past or bring up the issue again.”
    “Good.  L eave it for a later date,” Dan said, knowing that given time the issue would once again rear its ugly head.  “I have some new instructions for you since our little discussion on the train. I need you to grab a cab and head over to the Empire Hotel on 34 th Street.  I took the liberty of already reserving a suite in your name.  You will pay only in cash. Don’t use any of your old credit cards or money cards.  They are to be trashed…disposed of… ripped into shreds.”
    Jim stood ready to object, but Dan cut him off. “I’m going to buy us some new identities from friends I have over in Brooklyn. I’ll meet you in the hotel room by five o’clock.  We can have an early dinner and discuss what our next step will be.  Now let’s find a camera shop and get some passport photos for our new identities.”
     
Vatican City, Vatican Intelligence Bureau, Rome
    Perluci paced back and forth trying hard to contain himself after reading the latest e-mail message from the US. “Our information says they are right on