Declan knew that landing in Northern Ireland as opposed to the Irish Republic came with a great risk, but McGuire had assured him the passports he had provided, which identified Declan and Meaghan as French and American tourists respectively with no connection to each other, were foolproof and that each of them would make it through the required security without incident.
Having gone through the humiliating screening process successfully, Declan bent down and scooped up his backpack from the conveyor of an x-ray machine as he searched the incoming crowd for Meaghan. Spotting her as she neared the entrance, he moved away and waited outside of the security area.
He watched as she went through the same process and then placed her American passport in the travel bag she had bought in Anguilla.
"I guess that's it then," he said. "No more overseas excursions planned, right?"
She gave him a cold stare. "Looks like the Ulster boys won this round."
Declan shook his head. "The people who won yesterday are the Anguillans since they won't be dying in mass numbers from either an IRA or a UFF bomb tomorrow."
"So it's true what they were saying about you in Belfast, that you've become some kind of peacenik or something?"
"That's not you talking. That's me. Three years ago-"
"Meaghan McCraven?" a loud voice called.
Declan looked over Meaghan's shoulder. Two men in civilian clothes approached followed by four uniformed officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
"Meaghan McCraven, you're under arrest for-"
"I don't know who you're talk-"
"Save it. You're Meaghan McCraven," an officer said holding up a picture, "Take her away."
Declan stepped forward as the constables grabbed Meaghan by the shoulders and began to pull her away. One of the plainclothes officers stopped him with a hand to the chest. "Get lost, stud, if you know what's good for you. This one's not worth the lay."
Declan felt a set of hands grab him from behind. "It'll be grand, old son."
"Take your friend's advice," the officer said as he turned and walked away, following the constables as they led Meaghan away, her terrified eyes locked on Declan until she was around a corner and out of sight.
Declan relaxed in the grip of the man standing behind him as he noticed a lock of long, blond hair that had spilled over his shoulder. He knew the man was one of the few around that could match him move for move. "Let me go, Torrie." He turned and looked into the face of Torrance Sands as the man released him.
"There's nothing we can do, Declan." Eamon McGuire said as he stepped up next to Sands. "The RUC had every member of the unit identified and pictures at every entrance. She didn't have a chance of getting through."
Declan regarded both men coldly for a moment before walking away.
"Do you think he has any idea it was you who told the screws where to find her?" Sands asked.
McGuire shook his head as he watched Declan leave the airport. "How could he? We've done more in the last four days to bring Declan McIver back into the armed struggle than the Brits have in the last six months."
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ian Graham is an award winning author and lifelong entrepreneur with an interest in politics, history, and religion. The stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. His writing has previously appeared in Action Pulse Pounding Tales Vol. 1 & 2 alongside best-selling thriller authors Matt Hilton, Stephen Leather, Adrian Magson, and Zoe Sharpe. He lives in the eastern United States with his wife and two daughters and shares a birthday with the United States of America.
Please visit www.iangrahamthrillers.com for more.
Other books by Ian Graham:
VEIL OF CIVILITY: A Black Shuck Thriller (Declan McIver No. 1)
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