“Honey, if time is a factor, you better be a bit less oblique,” I said, leaning back on the cot and noting that from this angle I could see right up to her panties, which were white cotton and soaked with sweat.

“I do apologize. Of course you’re right. Let me explain, Michael. Jeremy and I work for MI6, British Intelligence overseas, which, in case you don’t know, is the equivalent of the CIA and a-”

“I know who you are,” I interrupted.

“Good. Well, I am in charge of a section within MI6 called SUU-the Special Ulster Unit. MI5 deals with Irish terrorism in the United Kingdom, but SUU looks at Irish terrorism in Europe and the Americas. We report directly to the home secretary. We largely bypass the MI6 bureaucracy. We have had many successes. Well, several successes…”

“Ok. Where am I supposed to come in?” I asked.

“For the last six months or so, Her Majesty’s government has been in not-so-secret negotiations with the IRA to resume their cease-fire agreement. The election of Mr. Blair has changed little except for speeding things up. The negotiations have been going well. The IRA’s Army Council is becoming convinced that this is the right thing to do at the right time. The Clinton administration has been helpful. Things are moving quickly now and the IRA seems to be on the verge of announcing a complete cessation of hostilities and a resumption of the cease-fire.”

“I read the papers,” I said.

“Well, yes, it hasn’t exactly been the best-kept secret in the world. And we’re jolly well hoping that it’s going to come off. The problem is that the IRA’s Army Council is worried about causing a split in the IRA.