Conflict

Conflict.

David Rory O’Neill.

Published by davidrory publishing at Smashwords.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Copyright David Moody 2013 and 2016. 7th ed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in Belfast until troubles and tribal violence drove him away, David grew to be a non-conformist and independent soul clinging to his counter-culture ideals. He found peace and his true calling as a storyteller in the literary Irish tradition. He now lives in a lovely restored old art and book-filled house in the lee of the Silvermine Mountains, Tipperary, Ireland. He shares his life there with beloved Brigitte and a cat with issues, called Bobby. David Rory O’Neill has written twenty novels and more are bubbling and brewing. http://www.davidrory.com

Art work by: raysheaf

@ http://raysheaf.deviantart.com

Design by Samantha at Ebookcoversgalore.com

Thanks go for editorial help to Miriam Drori.

For Ria who is my beloved legacy and who in June 2016, gave me a grandson: Art Leonis Parker Eliott.

For Brigitte who showed me what love can be.

For the Indie authors who have overcome self-doubt and embraced readers.

And to the readers who share the vision and have embraced the authors.

David Rory O’Neill. Ireland. 2016.

Published books:

The Novella:

Leotie, Flower of the Prairie.

Animal

Rachel’s Walk

Rachel’s War

The Daniel Series:

1 Conflict

2 Challenge

3 Passion

4 Grip

5 Judgement

6 Pyramid

7 Trial

The West Cork Trilogy:

1 Surviving Beauty

2 Beauty’s Price

3 Blue Sky Orphan

4 The West Cork Trilogy Omnibus.

The Prairie Companions

The Butterfly Effect Trilogy:

Bonny The Butterfly Effect.

Lauren The Butterfly Effect.

Chepi The Butterfly Effect.

I welcome contact with my readers. Information on published and future work can be found on my website: http://davidrory.com

Or visit me on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1myLoRf

If you enjoyed this novel please leave a review on your suppliers website – reviews are the lifeblood of the modern author.

UK English used so you will find grey not gray and colour not color – these are not mistakes. (Sorry Noel Webster)

Contents:

Introduction.

Review.

Chapter 1. Threads.

Chapter 2. The Web.

Chapter 3. Strike.

Chapter 4. Aftermath.

Chapter 5. Winging it.

Chapter 6. Rescue.

Chapter 7. Evolution.

Chapter 8. Resolution.

Glossary of terms used.

Introduction:

Daniel grew up in a typical working family as they struggled to come to terms with post-war austerity. Lauren came from more financially secure middle-income comfort. They lived their childhood less than fourteen miles apart and did in fact meet at a wedding as children. Daniel had his first romantic crush on the tall pretty girl with the enormity of golden blond hair. He knelt on his bed and playacted for his mother how some day he would marry her. She laughed and thought him charming.

They grew into that inexplicable breed – independent, non-conforming, parent vexing loners. They rejected the tribal pressures and fought the bullying they were subjected to. Both tried to escape by joining the Royal Navy – he to fly and she to put her thwarted Olympian athletic prowess to use as an instructor. Neither got that far as their particular skills were noted and they got diverted into a new top-secret covert intelligence-gathering unit.

When Daniel met Lauren again he had long forgotten the nameless blond subject of his boyish crush. They were teamed up as they began a double life of danger and duplicity, driven by the same passion to fight the bullies. They found release in each other’s arms as they coped with conflict.

Daniel is drawn into a secret war and they think he is their pawn but Daniel and his partner, Lauren, are cut from different cloth. These are individuals driven not by tribal hate but implacable moral certainty. They do not play the game but seek to dismantle it from the inside. Their struggle is simple and clear, until Bonny comes into their lives. One of the innocent that could so easily become another statistic – another casualty – collateral damage.

They may save her or she may offer them salvation, but either way, Daniel’s conflict will be altered forever by the bountiful force of nature that is Bonny McAdam. Out of something rankly foul, a thing of unique and loving beauty is created.

This novel deals with adult themes and is aimed at mature open-minded men and women who enjoy reading of thrills and romance set amid meaningful eye-opening historical realism.

Reviews:

AngieB. LOVE this book which was so new and interesting to me having never read anything like it ... it captured my attention immediately and I was desperate to learn more and more about the well-written characters of Daniel, Lauren & Bonny and how their story unfolds... I have since ripped through all the available books in the Daniel Series and anxiously await the next publication Pyramid (6th in the series). This series has intrigue, danger & excitement, feeling, love & sensuality ... had my emotions all over the place.

Pell. I really enjoyed this read. The characters gripped me instantly. I was fascinated to know what happened to them in the story as they loved and battled their way through some hair-raising action. Real thrills and spills written at great pace. Each chapter brings a new intrigue. My girlfriend read it too and didn't expect to enjoy this kind of thriller but there is plenty of romance in the book too and the 3 main characters end up in a kind of love triangle. An eye opening and surprising look at a subject I thought I'd not relate to. Alternative and a bit shocking but highly recommended. It sold me on this talented author and I've bought his next two books as well.

Conflict. David Rory O’Neill.

Chapter 1. Threads. The Op.

Daniel, I think I shall go mad if I don’t get a shower soon. I can’t stand this smell and filth much longer. This is not what I imagined when I signed up for this. My bum is sore and getting chapped from the sweat. Damn and blast, I’m getting cramped up now. How the hell do you stay so still?

Daniel stopped peering through the binoculars on the tripod by his face and looked over at Lauren. He could see a bright stripe of light across her eyes from the slit in front of their faces. The rest of her face was streaked with black camouflage paint and her golden blond hair was tucked beneath the dark woollen bobble hat she wore. He laid a hand on hers and squeezed it gently. She lowered her head, turned sideways to him and laid her cheek on his hand. She sighed and whispered: Sorry darling, just venting.

I know darlin’, I know. I was thinking there must be a better way to do this. This is not what I signed up for either. Dave Hall’s SBS crew or even, God forbid, the SAS are better suited to this kind of op. I was going to have words with the boss about an idea I have that would be a better way for us to operate. It would be in plain sight. Not like this. I’ll tell you about it when we get out of here.

He looked back and said, X-ray-J has just gone in and that means the whole cell are in there now. Get the cans on and see what you can hear.

Lauren switched on the coms set. They had to be careful to conserve the battery. Now, after three days, it had very little life left. After five minutes she tapped Daniel’s hand and said, This is it, Daniel. They are talking targets and it’s going to be in the next hour. Four in the team. Two trigger men, a driver and the bomber. It’s going to be the pub we suspected and they’ve picked 16.00 because the big race starts then. It’ll be packed. Do we call in the squad now?

Yes, call it in Lauren. That shower awaits. Can I join you?

It’s a requirement, darling. You’re not getting close to me stinking like you do.

It could have been any city street anywhere in the USA or the UK. A long street of brick-built terraces – public housing. Small gardens front and walled yards out back. Opposite are blocks of ten-story flats or apartments, concrete, built cheap. The blocks have flat tops, roofed in black tar and chippings. There are cars parked both sides of the street, not new flash cars but used, cheap workingmen’s cars. Kids play in the street, skipping or playing ball games against a gable end wall. The walls have big gaudy murals painted on them, tribal allegiance and gang territory declared. Front doors are open. Some have mothers stood watching, chatting to each other over the fences and hedges. Scarves on heads with hair rollers beneath. Arms crossed, cigarettes held up at eye level, heads tilt to blow the smoke away from the neighbour a few feet away.

The thing that makes this scene different is the meaning of the wall-end murals and the flags that flutter over the tall flats. This is a city gripped by civil war. There is danger lurking in these streets and in some of these houses plots are being hatched to bring death and destruction to those who fly a different flag and have different tribal symbols on their gable ends.

In the middle of this war the forces of law and order should be fighting to bring justice and peace, but in this place those forces are not fair and just. They are often corrupt and partial and they collude with some of these plotters. They give them names and those names suddenly do not come home. The name may appear later on the news, another casualty of the war. Then there is the army, the soldiers sent to keep the sides apart, sent from over the water. One tribe sees them as their army. Their sons may be in this army. The other tribe sees them as oppressors, invaders. The enemy to be attacked, sniped at and bombed.

Then there are those who do not belong to these tribes. They were born here among them and some of their families may fly the flags and claim allegiance, but these children grew and rejected this tribal madness. These children saw the bullying and the mindless hatred and refused. They said no and went their own way. Most went away to find a life free of the madness, but some remain, defiant, fierce in their desire not to be driven away or be forced to conform and take sides. They became warriors but they do not fight for flags or a corrupt state. They fight for justice and peace and the idea that tribes can learn to live side by side until the tribal fear goes and peace becomes an option too valuable to throw away.

Two such warriors are watching this scene. They lie side by side on the flat roof of the tall flats. Over them is a two-foot high tent-like structure made from the same tar felt and chippings. They have been there three days and nights and have not left the hide. Discovery could mean certain and horribly mutilated death, so the incentive to remain still and hidden is considerable. Daniel and Lauren are a team. They are easy and close and have been lovers for several months now. They know that is not a great idea but the attraction had been overwhelming and irresistible. They have discovered a bond that neither expected. They are soul mates, warrior soul mates.

Daniel had demonstrated a knack for seeing solutions where others saw only dangerous muddy problems. His calm clarity and vision had earned him his call sign: Hawk-one. Now Lauren had been teamed with him, she was Kestrel-one. Lauren now used that call sign as she radioed in to bring M-squad to the location they had been watching. Like the raptors for which they were named, they called the hunters to the prey. Two dark blue vans appeared from either end of the street within ten minutes of the call. The action, when it started, was fast and apparently confusing. Daniel and Lauren watched through binoculars as men dressed all in black and wearing ski masks appeared, running from the vans to the front and rear of the house. They were inside fast, as if the doors had melted. They carried small machine guns with big silencers and Lauren could hear on her headphones the phit-phit-phit sound they made, as death was silently dealt to the plotters in the house.

Daniel saw tiles fall from the roof of the house. A man he knew to be X-ray-J pushed through a gap in the roof and slithered and clambered across the roof of the adjoining houses. He reached an end house and climbed down a drainpipe into the rear yard. Lauren was seeing the same thing. Shall I call M-point?

No, if they start dashing about out there it will cause a small war. I’ll go. Keep an eye on where he goes in case I miss him. I think I know where he’s headed. Daniel had rolled on his back and wiggled out of the dark overalls he was wearing. He used them to wipe his face reasonably clean. Wait fifteen then get out of here, Lauren. Pick me up at location two in twenty. Then he was gone.

Lauren focused on the yard X-ray-J had dropped into and saw him appear in the street alongside the house. He walked across the road and jumped and climbed over the wall of the yard on the house the other side. Then she saw Daniel run across the road and down the lane behind the row of houses. She could not see much, as the angle was wrong. She lifted the hide, intending to go to the edge of the roof. But she stopped as she heard the loud retort of handgun fire. Six maybe seven shots. She held her breath and knelt, focussing her binoculars on the lane Daniel had gone down. He appeared, looked in her direction and gave an all-clear signal.

Lauren gathered their equipment into a large black kitbag and walked to the trap door in the roof through which they had climbed three days before. Lauren dropped down into the empty flat. From her pocket she pulled a packet of moist wipes and cleaned the paint from her face. She shook out her long hair and took off the overalls. She checked herself in the cracked mirror in the bathroom and considered using the loo until she looked at the caked filth and shuddered. I can wait a little longer. Daniel had used a plastic bag and that was now sealed in the large black bag. Lauren’s fastidious nature had rebelled at the idea of taking a dump in a bag while laid on her back. She’d done it during training but had decided she’d avoid that indignity in the field even if it did mean cramps in her gut.

She bounded down the stairs taking two at a time. The car was parked in a lock up garage behind the flats. She tossed the bag in the boot and drove out, slowly, carefully. The meeting point was a chip shop six-hundred yards away. When she arrived, Lauren was surprised not to see Daniel waiting. She’d waited three minutes and was beginning to get nervous when she saw him wander out of the cafe carrying a bag and two cans of Pepsi. She laughed at the audacity that was so typical of him. He’d most likely just been in a lethal contact but he was calm enough to behave in an unremarkable way, just a bloke getting a carry out supper. When he got in, she wrinkled her nose at the pungent vinegar tang but took a Pepsi and drank it down in one long gulp. Their water supply had been getting low and she was thirsty. She wished she’d listened to his advice and put cold lemon tea in her bottles instead of the water that tasted foul after three days.

Daniel unwrapped the parcel and offered it to her. She took a chip and then another and then grabbed the piece of fish and wolfed that, blowing and humming as it burned her mouth. Daniel was grinning at her and he’d eaten only a few chips. Want any more, darling? he asked.

She shook her head and he stepped out and dropped the parcel in a bin outside the shop. Right, let’s get to Hillsborough shall we? he said as he got back in the car.

As she drove off, Lauren looked at him exasperated and said, Well? Spill it, what happened?

Daniel didn’t answer for a few moments. He took a few deep breaths and then said very quietly. I’ve just killed a man is what happened. I guess I always knew that might happen when I started this but I’d hoped to avoid it. Sneaky-beaky work is not meant to include shooting people. That’s Dave Hall’s line of work.

Lauren looked over at Daniel. His face was emotionless and his voice had been softer than usual. He glanced at her and said, Not now, darling. Get us back safe and we’ll talk later.

After an extensive debrief, Daniel and Lauren set off for his flat at Balmoral. Lauren drove with her usual speedy enthusiasm in her little blue Renault Gordini. Daniel was not a comfortable passenger and always sat staring straight ahead to avoid the motion sickness he’d suffer if not driving. They went in and straight through to the shower. As she got the shower going, Daniel ran a bath. They washed each other’s hair then came out and sank sighing into the bath. Lauren put her legs up either side so she could sink down in the water. Daniel laid his hands on her big bulging thighs and gently massaged them as he spoke. She’d heard his report of the facts of the contact. Now he spoke of his feelings: What’s surprising me is how little I feel. It was so simple. He aimed at me and would have killed me if I’d not acted faster and been a better shot, so he died and I didn’t. That doesn’t upset me much at all. I was wondering why I went after him. We could have let him go and let the police or army pick him up but I kept thinking about how many people he’s killed and how many more might die before they lifted him. It seemed a simple choice. Does that make sense?

Lauren opened her eyes and looked at Daniel carefully. His face showed no emotion other than the slight flicker of pleasure she’d come to know and love when he looked at her naked body. Yes darling, it’s simple when you say it like that but then you have a talent for making complex things simple. It was a good op in the end.

Daniel and Bonny (Nine months later.)

It was the enormity of the breasts that was causing him problems. Try as he might, Daniel could not produce sufficient professional detachment to ignore them. He had been trying for weeks now to keep his eyes on the road, her lovely eyes or his notes as he taught Bonny McAdam to drive. Bonny must have been well used to men’s eyes being drawn to her breasts that sat so very high and ludicrously proud on her small curvy frame. That was reason enough for Daniel to be determinedly non-conformist and confound this expectation. He really did hate to conform to tribal and sexual norms and was stubbornly and sometimes dangerously individualist. Daniel smiled and Bonny noticed and asked: What’s funny? Did I do something silly?

Daniel looked over at her and saw the look of concern. He was struck yet again by how fiercely determined Bonny was to get it right first time every time. She really hated to get things wrong and he had to rein in her tendency to flail herself when she made inevitable learner’s mistakes. He asked her to pull in. When she had stopped she turned in her seat and looked at him with her big eyes wide and fearful.

Bonny you mustn’t always assume that you are doing something wrong. You are making extraordinary progress and are way ahead of what I would expect from a young lady of your age. My smile was only a happy memory.

Having mentioned her age, Daniel had to remind himself yet again of what age she was, twenty-one. If one looked only at her face, it could have been the face of a child. So round and clear and flawless with those extraordinary big eyes full of multi-faceted colours – pale grey and blue with rings of golden yellow and emerald green flecks. Daniel found himself swimming absently in her eyes that were so very hard to ignore. They vividly contrasted with the little girl face, perfectly framed by her long black hair. He was brought back by her sudden beaming smile and he suspected that smile was a knowing one, provoked by his rapt gaze. Careful, old son, remember who her father is. Are you going to give in and come and let me buy you a drink when we finish? I’m getting embarrassed asking, said Bonny.

Daniel had been hoping for another invitation to the club because one of the transmitters needed a new battery and he might get a chance to do that. He smiled at her with affection and warmth that worried him when he felt it: Sure thing, Bonny, that would be nice.

They were doing reverse and three-point turn practice off Duncairn Gardens. When they finished he took over and drove them across to the Shankill Road and the club. He asked her highway code questions as they drove. She got all but one right. Bonny said, I read it every night in bed, you know, but it is so boring. I’m reading that book you gave me and that’s not boring. I have been laughing my socks off. I really love the people. The bit where Mack and the boys go on the great frog hunt is fab. I love Steinbeck. What should I read next?

Well, there is a nice little collection called the Pastures of Heaven I think you might like. I saw a copy in the market bookshop. I’ll pick it up for you. I have one but it is a first edition and I’m sorry but I’m a bit precious about that.

Bonny was looking fondly at Daniel as he drove and spoke to her about books. She loved the sound of his voice. It was soft and musical and not at all like the harsh flat tones she was used to. He used words well, correctly, with care. He was polite and talked to her as if she were a lady. He held doors open for her and always was gentle and kind, even when she had mucked something up or forgot her flat shoes or was late. She noticed how he tried hard to look at her eyes and not her boobs. That had really impressed her. Her Mammy had told her that some day she would find a man who would love her and he would find her in her eyes. Then there was that voice that was honey soothing and that made her feel so girly and wet when fondly imagined whispered words of love came to her. In the weeks since she had been sitting close by him, she saw how he looked into her eyes. She saw the intelligence, the worldly knowledge and felt the sure manly strength he radiated. She decided she was going to love this man and would see if he could love her. She would give him her virginity if he would have it.

He never talked about himself, his family or where he was from. When she asked, he would be polite but steer the question away and turn it into a question about her. He was always interested in her things, her family, news and stuff she thought boring. She loved to talk books with him and he had given or lent her many to read. She consumed them fast so she could talk to him about them. She spoke more about Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday and they laughed and giggled about the great simple humour in those. He told her about John Steinbeck’s more serious work, so she wanted to know more about Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. He seemed to have read all the books by Steinbeck and lots of other writers she had never heard of including Irish ones like O’Casey, Joyce and Becket.

Bonny sat in the smoky club with Daniel, well away from her father, as he told her about stream of consciousness writing. He said she should try reading some Joyce to see what she made of it. She was pleased he spoke to her of things like this. He didn’t talk down to her or assume that because she had big boobs she was stupid. She had never had conversations like this with any man. Hadn’t realised that it was possible.

Her good feeling was shattered by the loud arrival of her cousin Ray and his mob of loud-mouthed hangers on. She felt herself blushing and wished she had not brought Daniel here. She decided she would never do it again. Her embarrassment was made worse when a girl came and started throwing herself at Ray. Bonny was relieved when Ray took the girl outside. Bonny thought of asking Daniel if he would like to come home with her for a coffee instead but they had only started their drinks. She decided he might think it too forward. She tried to ignore those around her, turned slightly towards Daniel and made sure her legs were crossed just right so her thighs revealed by her miniskirt looked good. She was wearing a top that was low cut and showed her high deep cleavage. She wished he would have a quick peek.

Ray.

It was a soft, warm, smoke-hanging June night and Ray was sweating freely as he humped, grunted and cursed, Maggie, I’m gonna cum.

The girl clung to his wet neck and pulled his long greasy hair as he banged her back against the red brick entry wall. This was her first time with Ray. She’d fancied him since he was at her school and now, a little drunk, she had got off with him in the club. She had been pleased when he had asked her to come out with him in front of her mates. He was nineteen and most of her mates fancied him too, so she had come out, not really knowing why. She found out soon enough as he dragged her up the entry, pulled aside her knickers and started banging her against the wall. He had said nothing. He didn’t even kiss her or look her in the eyes. She felt stupid. Then he grunted, withdrew, let go of her thighs and dropped her to her feet. She almost fell and reached for his neck again to steady herself. He shrugged her off, turned away, zipped himself up, hawked up, spat at her feet and then turned and walked away.

My name’s not Maggie, she shouted after him. Ray rejoined his pals in the UDA club.

Did ya screw her? asked Hughie.

Yeah sure, he said as he ordered another pint. Ray was feeling angry rather than satisfied. He glanced around and noticed the guy with Bonny looking straight at him and saw in his face something that produced a rage instantly. He was obviously unafraid and disapproving and Ray reacted to what he saw as a challenge. What you lookin’ at, ya bastard?

The man smiled. Ray grabbed a bottle from the table and ran and lunged at the smiling man. As he raised the bottle to strike, he noticed a blur of movement and then felt an explosive pain in his throat. He sank to his knees gasping for breath, stunned, wondering what had happened and very afraid. He could not breathe.

Jim, bring me a cloth and ice please, Daniel called to the barman. He stood and raised both hands towards Ray’s friends, who were getting over their surprise and getting to their feet. Easy now, guys. If I don’t see to him he’ll be dead. Sit down and let’s have no more silliness.

They stopped and looked at each other, uncertain what to do. As the barman arrived with the dishcloth and ice, Daniel said, Hold that against his throat for a few minutes, Jimmy. He’ll be alright.

Daniel looked at Bonny who was looking flushed and upset and said, Sorry about this Bonny. Nothing I could do.

He looked over at the table where her father, Billy, was sitting and said, Billy, sorry about that. I know he’s your nephew but I couldn’t let him have a go. Calm these bozos down, will you, before someone else gets hurt.

Billy stood up and walked over. Sit down, he said quietly. They did as they were told for they all knew Billy. He was the local UFF commander and not to be argued with. Billy looked into the eyes of the tall slim man and saw no fear, only an open returned gaze. You that driving instructor who’s teaching our Bonny?

Yes, Daniel’s the name. Sorry about that. Hot headed bugger isn’t he. He nodded down at Ray who was beginning to breathe again.

Yeah, he’s a right pain in the arse. Better be off before he comes round and starts a fuss. I’ll have a word with him later. See you around, Danny.

Daniel nodded his agreement. He waved and said goodbye to Bonny and left the club. Outside the door he stood to one side, leaned against the wall and waited. He was waiting to see if anyone was going to follow him out. He relaxed, took a few deep breaths and lit a cigarette.

Inside, Ray was sitting holding the ice pack to his throat and asked his pal beside him, What’d that bugger hit me with?

Didn’t really see, Ray. It was too fast but I think it was some sort of karate punch thing.

No shit, it hurts like hell. I thought I was a goner. I’ll get him.

But Ray, your Billy knows him. Told us to stay out of it.

Well our Billy can go screw himself. I’m gonna get him.

Across the bar, Billy was talking quietly to Jimmy the barman: "Did you ever hear back from our friend in branch about this Danny bloke? After