Page 42 of Celtic Dragon
“It could be. Answer the question.”
“Did you really have to tie me to the chair?”
“Let’s just say we’re taking precautions. Now answer the fucking question!” I say impatiently.
“Yes, yes! I can help you,” he replies. He then asks, “Who’re you busting out?”
“Aillise and Conner O’Byrne.” A look of dread crosses his face at the mention of my aunt and uncle. “Do you know them?” I ask.
“Not personally, but I know of them. How do you know they’re at Maghaberry?”
“We don’t. You’re gonna help us figure that out as well.”
“I told you, I was fired. I don’t work there anymore; I have no idea who their prisoners are now.”
I move close to his face, and as I untie his hands, I say with forced calmness, “Look, Liam. May I call you Liam?” He nods. “Ok, Liam. I’m not sure that you understand me. I don’t care what you may or may not know. I don’t even care what you may or may not be able to do. The important thing that you need to understand is that I need to get the O’Byrnes out of Maghaberry prison and you’re gonna to help me do it. It’s that simple.”
He nods in agreement and as he does this I can see fear in his eyes.Good! I want him scared. I want him so scared of me that he’ll do anything I ask him to do.
“So, this is what you’re gonna do. First off, you’re gonna contact one of your friends at the prison and confirm that the O’Byrnes are being held there.” I hand him a burner and say, “Do it!”
He thinks for a few seconds and then begins to dial. He holds the phone to his ear and I can hear the distant sound of a phone ringing. Eventually he says, “Colum, it’s Liam.”
There’s a pause and then he says, “I need some information on a couple of prisoners. Can you help me out?” Another pause and then Liam says, “I know, I know.” He adds, “It’s really important, Colum. IRA, life and death shit, if you know what I mean.” I had no intention of killing him, but it was nice to know that was afraid that death just might be his fate. Another pause and then he says, “The O’Byrnes.” He listens again and then says, “I know who the fuck they are, just tell me, are they there or not?”
The other person says something and Liam makes several affirmative grunts. He then says, “Ok, Colum. I owe you. Thanks.” He closes the phone and hands it back to me.
“Well?” I ask.
“They’re there.” Rebel breathes a sigh of relief that I can hear from across the room. Liam continues, “They’re being held in the new accommodation blocks that were built in ’99. The security is higher in that part of the prison ‘cause it is only used for prisoners that they don’t want anyone else to know are there.”
“Excellent. And now that you know that they’re there and where they’re being held, can you get ‘em out?” I ask.
He’s quiet for a moment and then says, “The prison was built in 1976. It’s not old, but it has one of the traits that an older prison would have: tunnels.”
“Tunnels?” I ask incredulously. That seems like an odd feature for a prison that was built in the 20th century.
“Yeah, tunnels. For some reason, when the prison was constructed the British wanted a means to come and go without being detected. Very few know about these tunnels and therefore they provide the perfect means of escape.”
“If the British know about these tunnels, won’t they be guarded in some way?”
“You would think,” he says, “but I have proof that they’re not.”
“That’s how you broke your friends out?”
“Yep,” he replies proudly.
I smile slightly; Liam is definitely proving to be very valuable. “So what do we do to get ’em out?” I ask. I’m so ready to be done with all of this shit. I want to go home so bad. I miss my girl.
“Let me make some contacts. It should take a day or two. I’ll be in touch.”
I shake my head. “Hell no. That’s not gonna work, Liam. How do I know that you won’t bolt?” I pause. “Nope, can’t take that chance. I’ll provide you with whatever you need to make contact with your people, but you’re not leaving this house. I need them out and you seem to be the man who can do it. You’ve just become my new best friend.”
“But …”
“Did I mention that I’m in control here? Don’t even try, Liam. You’re staying put.” He looks disappointed, but nods his head in agreement. “I’ll get you a phone. What else do you need?” I ask him.
“Phone is good. Paper, something to write with, a computer of some sort, and internet access,” he says.
