October 18, 1977

 

Bernadette drove her uncle home the next day and helped him unpack. There was a note in the mailbox for Bernadette O’Brien. She found it and one more when sorting Terry’s mail. There were no stamps on either envelope. She thought, This is not good. Opening the first envelope she read a note of cut and pasted newspaper words.

“This is our second attempt and last nice attempt to get in touch. Call the number below by October 22 or we will call on you.”

There was no doubt in Bernadette’s mind who the note was from. She had been expecting some form of contact. She thought, They must want me to do something either here or in the UK. They won’t ever accept that I want out. I know too much and they know too much about me to let me go. If I do one more job for them, there will be another and another. I might as well face up to the problem now. I’ll have to tell Peter but I must not allow the danger to spread to Jack. Terry is still too weak to be of much help. He doesn’t need any more bullet holes. There are just too many of them willing to die for the cause. For the time being, I’ll handle this myself. First I need to set up a meeting place they don’t control.

Bernadette called the number in the note and when someone answered she said, “I’ll meet you tomorrow on the city beach at 10 AM. If I don’t know you by sight, you’ll need to convince me you’re in some leadership position.”

“Good to hear you again. Tomorrow is good at ten on the Fernandina City Beach. I’ll be wearing a blue windbreaker. I think you already know me but no names. Come alone. I don’t want to see your uncle. Cheerio.”

Bernadette left a note for Terry and, with a plan forming in her head, drove the few miles to the Brandon house carefully checking for a tail as she approached the gated community. She loved the setting of the Brandon house on a spur of land jutting out through the marshland into the Amelia River and the Inland Waterway. The view was spectacular.

As soon as she stopped the truck, Rip and Jack came charging up, competing for attention. She dropped to one knee and hugged them both. It was hard to tell which one was wriggling the most. Maybe the one that was licking her face. Peter came out a few minutes later carrying two cold bottles of Bass Ale. He said, “I didn’t expect you back quite so soon.”

“I didn’t expect to be. I got a note in the mail we need to talk about.” Bernadette reached in her shoulder bag and handed the note to Peter. When he finished reading the note, she told him about the phone call and meeting arrangements.

“Before we talk about this problem, I want you to know I’m aware of bringing more danger to you and Jack. I was very careful to check for anyone following me on my way here.”

Peter said, “I wasn’t thinking about that. I am wondering if we can get rid of these people.”

“There are too many of them and they don’t care who they kill. Terry’s in danger, and he’s not well enough yet.”

“What do you think they want?”

“Something illegal, very illegal. Like killing someone or casing targets. They will never let me alone. All I want is to be able to live a normal life with you and Jack.”

“We both have enemies with resources and motivation.”

“Right now I can’t think long-term. What can I do tomorrow? My plan begins with following my contact after the meeting back to wherever they are hiding. If I find them, I’ll kill the lot of them, and Terry and I will disappear.”

“First, I’m part of this plan. Meet them and find out what they want. I’ll be there to back you up and follow them after the meeting with you. It’s possible we can get the lot of them arrested. In any event we have to make plans to move you and Terry.”

For the next two hours Bernadette and Peter worked out a plan for the meeting tomorrow. Bernadette left in the pickup to bring Terry back to the Brandon house. She only told Terry Peter needed him. Once again Bernadette checked for any tails.

“What’s up? Why are you checking traffic so closely?”

“Something’s come up with the IRA. Once we get to Peter’s house, you’ll get the full story.”