Free Over the High Side by Nicolas Freeling Page A

trouble.’
    Van der Valk decided by himself that there was a way of getting at the facts, and went quietly to see Mr Kevin Nolan.
    â€˜A confidential memo?’ said Mr Nolan, sounding a little amused. ‘That will mean it went to the Ambassador and hasn’t come my way. I’m curious myself,’ disarmingly, ‘I’ll pop in for a word with him; he’s free as it happens. Won’t keep you more than a minute.’ And true to his word reappeared in a quarter of an hour.
    â€˜The Ambassador feels it’s a little ticklish: however, he authorizes me to handle the matter. I’m only anticipating, of course, since this will come trickling down through official channels – hm? – but since you are here and took this trouble I will give you the gist … verbally … in confidence of course … oh dear, oh dear.’
    â€˜Sounds English, that,’ said Van der Valk comfortably, liking Mr Nolan, who was certainly doing him a good turn by being human. ‘Civil servant in receipt of embarrassing instruction.’
    The teddy-bear beamed, pleased by this perspicacity.
    â€˜It does rather, doesn’t it? In Ireland we would probably say “Oh Jaysus”. Mm, I mustn’t be frivolous.’ He gathered threads, coughed, got his fingertips arranged.
    â€˜Perhaps I can best explain by putting a hypothesis. Let us assume that we in Ireland have a criminal inquiry, and Inspector Moriarty – in charge of the investigation – forwards a request to the Netherlands Government with a view to interviewing a witness of Dutch nationality – a young man of unknown identity. Now upon checking this identity, Commissaire Van der Valk discovers a fact that could, conceivably, embarrass the Dutch Government. To wit, the young man in question is the only son of a well-known, highly respected,massively influential member of the Second Chamber. On hearing this the Dutch Government is – undeniably – embarrassed. It communicates a sense of misgiving to the Netherlands Embassy in Dublin, where at this moment the Counsellor, Mr Van der Linden, is trying to explain to Inspector Moriarty, in whom he has every confidence, that his witness to put it mildly is red hot.’
    â€˜I understand perfectly. Can I know the identity of the respected etcetera member of the Chamber – let’s see, you don’t have a House of Lords do you?’
    â€˜No,’ said Mr Nolan sorrowfully. ‘We are like you, or rather since we are a republic, like France. We have Senators. You wish to interview the son of the President of the Senate. Imagine what the French police would say to you.’
    â€˜They’d say “Oh Jaysus”.’
    Mr Nolan beamed at him.
    â€˜Since – oh Jaysus – you possess the name Lynch there’s no point in hiding under any alias. We are about to be faced with Senator Terence Lynch uprisen in his majesty. Oh Holy Mother.’
    â€˜Some cry on the Virgin,’ agreed Van der Valk. ‘Mutti, Hilfe!’
    *
    â€˜If we had something direct, now.’ The Officer of Justice was far from happy. ‘You must understand, Van der Valk, that I’m under instructions from The Hague. If we had an overriding fact; a strong motive; or an eyewitness. Something we could go into court with. An incontrovertible fact. We haven’t, you know. I have received a confidential memo.’
    Van der Valk groaned, and cried silently upon the Virgin.
    â€˜Senator Terence Lynch is a prominent – a most prominent figure. He is a newspaper proprietor, sits upon several international commissions, in his own country chairman of a most important committee on the Euro-market. A man of unquestioned integrity.’
    â€˜But as liable to bring his son up badly as anyone else.’
    â€˜Get it in your head: we’re not getting this boy. Not without more evidence.’
    Van der Valk went home and brooded, causing Arlette to say