Chapter SeventeenA news blackout was imposed on the incident at the farm, but Simpson was informed of all the details. A terrorist cell had been caught red-handed assembling sophisticated missiles. The resulting gun battle had been ferocious, with three of the terrorists killed outright. The other three fought recklessly until sharpshooters immobilised them. At once the medics went to work. Intelligence wanted them alive. The owners, a retired farmer and his wife, escaped down the cellar, pulling the hatch after them and miraculously missing a hail of automatic fire. The terrorists fortunately hadn’t followed but merely secured the hatch bolt. They were prudent for farmers did have shotguns. That was the sobering story at the farm. The story at the Manor House was also sobering. Two homing
