Read Online Beirut - An Explosive Thriller by Alexander McNabb - Free Book Online

says he’s
selling bombs to Arabs?’
    ‘ And what
arms are we talking about here, precisely?’ Channing challenged.
‘Conventional? Chemical? What is this shipment that’s worth the
price of two superyachts?’
    The viscous
voice seeped into the room again as Dubois placed his hand on the
small pile of papers in front of him and leaned forwards. ‘Mr
Channing is perfectly right in this. We know too little about this
affair. But I would suggest there is enough here for us to
investigate. We must place Hoffmann under surveillance. Meier, too.
We need to find what, if any, weapons were sold, on what basis and
to whom. We also have to substantiate this story of a luxury yacht
being used to transfer them. This is an ideal operation for
European Joint Intelligence as it touches so many of our
stakeholders. Surveillance will be handled by the Bundesnachrichtendienst who would oversee the domestic service, the Bundesamt für
Verfassungsschutz . Does this work for you,
Herr Schmidt?’
    Schmidt
nodded, his head lowered. Lynch’s lips tightened. Jesus, would ye look at him? He’s only fucking
delighted.
    Dubois
continued to deliver his judgement. ‘Mr Jefferson, could British
customs coordinate with our European partners in the marine search
for the boat and lead the liaison with the International Marine
Organisation? I think this is urgent. Ms Durand and her digital
intelligence team will work closely with Mr Lynch in Beirut on
this. I would like to prioritise an assessment of the security
dangers posed by any plan to import arms into Lebanon – and
particularly why a respected Lebanese defence company with known
American affiliations would want to become involved in the black
market for weapons. Brian, as Mr Lynch is already with us here in
Europe, perhaps he might care to coordinate our efforts to discover
precisely what has happened at Luxe Marine? We are, as you know,
very stretched for resources.’
    You wily old
Froggie bugger, Lynch marvelled, you were going to do this all
along. It was all mapped out ages before I came into this room.
You’ve given gifts to everyone and Channing’s outgunned.
    ‘ Agreed,’
said Channing, a politician conceding the battle. Lynch had worked
for Channing for years, knew the man well and had rarely seen him
politically bettered. This one went to Dubois. Lynch shook his
head. The politics of intelligence had always revolted him. He
relished Channing’s brittle smile.
    Channing
sighed. ‘Well, that’s settled. It will be at least good to have
some professional help for Mr Lynch when he gets back to
Beirut.’
    Brian
Channing had just let his pain show and Lynch’s black Irish heart
sang for joy.
     
     
    Duggan sat
staring from the window, a lonely figure picked out in the dull
daylight. Lynch closed the door behind him and sipped his whisky.
Yates had fixed him a second on his way upstairs to meet the
customs man after the EJIC meeting had broken up and the guests had
left the safe house.
    ‘ So you’re
the MI6 man on the case?’
    ‘ So they tell
me. What was it you were doing in Hamburg again?’
    Duggan turned
to regard Lynch. ‘Isn’t that in my file? A drugs bust, went wrong
and I copped a bullet in my shoulder. I was recuperating for a
couple of days before I flew back.’
    ‘ Did you
believe her story?’
    ‘ Not at
first, it seemed pretty far-fetched to be honest.’ Duggan stood and
peered out of the window. ‘But there was no doubt she was scared. I
thought she was safe enough in the hotel, took a trip to the Luxe
boatyard to have a look myself. My mistake. They took
her.’
    ‘ Who’s
“they”?’
    Duggan
grimaced. ‘Meier’s people. Where can I get one of
those?’
    ‘ Hang on,’
said Lynch. He opened the door and called down to Yates. He grinned
at Duggan. ‘There’s a bloke makes them here. Very civilised, I must
say.’
    The big man
sat down again at the window, his hands clenched in his lap. Lynch
pulled a chair over to join him. ‘What did you