Patriot Games - vastav

"I made sure the guy I shot – the second one – was dead. Then I checked the car.
The driver – well, you know about that, and the security officer. One of your
people, Mr. Owens?"
"Charlie was a friend of mine. He's been with the Royal Family's security detail
for three years now . . . " Owens spoke almost as though the man were still alive,
and Ryan wondered if they had ever worked together. Police make especially close
friendships, he knew.
"Well, you guys know the rest. I hope somebody gives that redcoat a pat on the
head. Thank God he took the time to think it all out – at least long enough for your
guy to show up and calm him down. Would have been embarrassing for everybody
if he'd stuck that bayonet out my back."
Owens grunted agreement. "Indeed it would."
"Was that rifle loaded?" Ryan asked.
"If it was," Ashley replied, "why didn't he shoot?"
"A crowded street isn't the best place to use a high-powered rifle, even if you're
sure of your target," Ryan answered. "It was loaded, wasn't it?"
"We cannot discuss security matters," Owens said.
I knew it was loaded, Ryan told himself. "Where the hell did he come from,
anyway? The Palace is a good ways off."
"Clarence House – the white building adjoining St. James's Palace. The terrorists
picked a bad time – or perhaps a bad place – for their attack. There is a guard post
at the southwest corner of the building. The guard changes every two hours. When
the attack took place, the change was just under way. That meant that four soldiers
were there at the time, not just one. The police on duty at the Palace heard the
explosion and automatic fire. The Sergeant in charge ran to the gate to see what was
going on and yelled for a guardsman to follow."
"He's the one who sounded the alarm, right? That's how the rest of them arrived
so fast?"
"Charlie Winston," Owens said. "The Rolls has an electronic attack alarm – you
don't need to tell anyone that. That alerted headquarters. Sergeant Price acted
entirely on his own initiative. Unfortunately for him, the guardsman was a hurdler –
the lad runs track and field – and vaulted the barriers there. Price tried to do it also,
but he fell down and broke his nose. He had a devil of a time catching up, plus
sending out his own alarm on his portable radio."
"Well, I'm glad he caught up when he did. That trooper scared the hell out of me.
I hope your Sergeant gets a pat on the head, too."
"The Queen's Police Medal for starters, and the thanks of Her Majesty," Ashley
said. "One thing that has confused us. Doctor Ryan. You left the military with a
physical disability, yet you evidenced none of this yesterday."