Free The City of Shadows by Michael Russell Page A

pushing aside Hannah Rosen’s simple statement hard. Hannah knew her friend. It wasn’t a fact but it was as close to one as made no difference. He couldn’t tell her he didn’t understand what Susan Field’s silence was. It was the silence of the grave.

4. Stephen’s Green
    The lights were still on in the house at twenty-five Merrion Square. It was almost ten o’clock. The uniformed officer Stefan Gillespie had left there was still on the steps. Garda Liam Dwyer had the collar of his coat turned up, his cap pulled down. Smoke hovered in front of his face. He was cold and hungry and pissed off. He should have ended his shift three hours ago.
    â€˜I can’t let you go in, Sarge, sorry.’
    â€˜Who says?’
    â€˜Sergeant Lynch. It’s a Special Branch operation now.’
    â€˜A serious business then, Liam. Is he inside?’
    â€˜They’ve gone for a pint.’
    â€˜I can see why they would. It’s thirsty work keeping the nation safe.’
    â€˜No one goes in. That’s Sergeant Lynch’s orders.’
    â€˜So what’s Jimmy Lynch up to in there?’
    â€˜How do I know? I’m out here.’
    â€˜There’s no fooling him, is there, Dessie?’
    â€˜He’s got Special Branch orders, he needs to be on his toes, Sarge.’
    â€˜You can piss off, Dessie. I’ve been here since this afternoon.’
    â€˜Maybe they’ll bring you back a bottle of stout,’ laughed Dessie.
    â€˜I hope you’re not thinking about putting in for any overtime from Inspector Donaldson when you get back to Pearse Street.’ Stefan shook his head with a look of mock concern. ‘He’s not happy about those two at all, especially Detective Sergeant Lynch. I’d say he had the holy water out when they left the station, and maybe the bell, book and candle. Will we go back and tell him you’re taking your orders from Special Branch now, Liam?
    Garda Dwyer felt that a little more cooperation would be no bad thing.
    â€˜They’ve been looking for something, Sarge,’ he said quietly.
    â€˜Jimmy and Seán Óg?’
    â€˜And the German feller. They were turning the place inside out.’
    â€˜You know what they were looking for?’
    â€˜I can’t see through the front door, not being a detective.’
    Stefan smiled, but ignored the sarcasm.
    â€˜Where’s Keller now?’ he snapped.
    â€˜He went with them, Sarge. Not to the pub though.’
    Stefan could see he knew where Hugo Keller was.
    Dwyer smiled. ‘Any fags? I’m on my last one.’
    â€˜I’m sure Dessie’s got some, Liam,’ replied Stefan.
    Begrudgingly Dessie MacMahon pulled twenty Sweet Afton from his pocket. As he opened the packet, Stefan took it and handed it to Dwyer.
    â€˜Hey, I’ve only just bought those!’
    Liam Dwyer lit a cigarette from the stub in his mouth. He put the packet of Sweet Afton into his pocket and dropped the stub to the ground.
    â€˜You’re not the gouger they crack you up to be, Dessie.’
    â€˜So Keller’s not with Lynch?’ Stefan returned to the matter in hand.
    â€˜He was off to the Shelbourne for a drink. There’s a Christmas party on, every German in Dublin. Jimmy Lynch said they’d see him back here.’
    â€˜Well, it’s a pity we didn’t know there was a party. I’m sure the inspector would have told us to back off on the raid if someone had said. But they’re always the lads for a bit of Christmas spirit in Special Branch.’
    â€˜How much longer do I stand here, Sarge? Can’t someone take over?’
    Stefan laughed. ‘You’ll have to ask Sergeant Lynch that, Liam.’
    The Shelbourne Hotel was warm and welcoming. Two flags still flew over the brightly lit entrance, looking out on to Stephen’s Green – the Nazi swastika and the Irish tricolour. As Detective Sergeant Gillespie and Garda MacMahon