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'I'd like to phone my editor。'
Dyne nodded； but insisted on dialling the number himself。 He ascertained that he was in touch with the Chief Editor himself before passing the receiver across to Kent。 The conversation lasted less than five minutes； with Kent doing most of the listening。 After all； there was little to report from the valley。 The government was keeping the public constantly informed of events； telling them only as much as it wanted them to know。
'The riots are the worst problem at the moment；' Kent said as he replaced the receiver。 'Bloody full…scale war； but fortunately confined to certain areas…so long as the army can contain them。 Otherwise it'll be total anarchy。 There are rumours in Fleet Street of US troops being flown in； but that could present a dangerous threat to world peace。
Russia has made a similar offer； apparently。 Just imagine it； American and Russian troops meeting on top of the biggest nuclear bomb in existence。'
'Rumours！' Dyne became his abrupt self once more； rising to his feet to make it clear that the meeting was at an end。 'That's half the trouble in a crisis such as this。 Everybody speculates； particularly the press。 If only people would stick to facts 。 。 。 '
Coyle and Kent were escorted back to the Mercedes； and drove slowly back through the checkpoints。
'Nothing much gained there； I'm afraid；' Coyle muttered as they reached the outskirts of the town。
'It isn't what they tell you that counts； it's what they don't tell you。 You have to learn to read between the lines。 Danger level still rising at the estimated rate。 But is it？ How the hell would anybody know except them？ They don't know where the escaped radioactivity has gone； however。 I'm sure of that。 Our only means of munication with the outside world is through battery…operated radios； transistors； home…made crystal…sets。 They don't want us to see television。 The nearest transmitter has been temporarily put out of action。 Why？ I'll tell you。 Because they don't want the people of this valley to see the things happening outside。 It's one thing to read or hear about something。 Quite another to view it with your own eyes。 See what I mean？'
'Yes。 They've got to prevent rioting in the valley at any cost；' Coyle replied。 'They can't take any risks of the centre being stormed。 That might set the whole thing off days before its time is up。 In other words； they're still desperately trying to buy time。 By letting you talk to your editor； Dyne knows you can't tell him anything that hasn't already been officially announced。 A good move on his part。 I'd love to be able to bug the line when he talks to Canverdale； though。'
Apart from one valley in the south…west of Scotland； the whole nation watched the ten o'clock TV news。 Portable sets occupied prominent places on the bars of crowded public houses； hotel lounges were crowded。 Without a doubt it was record viewing。 A number of cities were covered； brief glimpses of the after…effects of street battles…the damaged property； the fires still blazing despite the unceasing efforts of local brigades。 The worst scene was kept until last： a half…demolished street； army vehicles blocking one end； an inferno engulfing a row of terraced houses； fire…engines； ambulances； blankets； discarded clothing covering huddled corpses yet to be collected。 A vicious multi…racial mob having been forced to retreat some two hundred yards； still shouting； hurling missiles； which were parried by riot…shields。 Half…bricks； broken tiles； anything。 No gunfire； though。 So far the rioters had not been able to obtain weapons。 They had relied upon numbers； but in the end they had been driven back。 Volatile leaders urged the hordes to stand their ground。 There were promises of guns； and already crude fire…bombs had devastated much property…bottles half filled with petrol or paraffin； burning rags for fuses。 Many of the blazing houses belonged to the people themselves。 They did not care； they would fight on until the city was razed to the ground。 The army would not be able to hold them in the end。
The television reporter was shielded behind a reinforced Champ； a relic of the same model used in the campaign against Rommel…with a Rolls…Royce engine which was why it was still in use。 The camera crew； however； were forced to expose themselves to the dangers of the missile…throwing crowd to obtain the most spectacular and horrific of the day's events on film。 The reporter…a stubble of beard on his chin； eyes red…rimmed； clothing smoke…stained…raised his voice in an effort to make himself heard。
'Rioting began early yesterday evening； and continued throughout the night。 This is just one of many similar cases。 Troops； firemen and ambulances have fought an unceasing battle。 In this area alone it is estimated that the number of dead exceeds fifty； the wounded many more。 Military casualties have been slight； but it's clear that these mobs have no intentions of letting up； and the cost of damage is already into millions of pounds。 Tonight there will be no sleep for either troops or auxiliary forces。 However； in the city centre itself； today life has continued fairly normally； given the conditions。 Most office…workers have reported for work as usual； and public transport has been operating satisfactorily。 But； after another night of terror； it is doubtful whether many muters will venture into the city tomorrow。 Gerald Watson； News at Ten； Birmingham。'
Monday； 11。30 p。m。 Canverdale made another broadcast。 In the calmest voice he could muster； he advised muters to stay out of the cities on the following day。 He added； hopefully； that soon the army and police would have everything under control。
The moment he was off the air he fitted a cigarette into the long holder； applied the flame with a shaking hand； and drew the smoke deep into his lungs。 If there was one thing he detested it was having to lie deliberately。 The truth was that in many areas the troops and police were being forced back。 The tide had turned； and a backwash of bloody terror was swamping Britain。
Already a military escort waited outside for the evacuation of Downing Street。 Canverdale was well aware that his next broadcast would be made from a secret underground headquarters in Hertfordshire。
Chapter 14
On Monday night Coyle returned home； and Anne reluctantly went back to her parents。 Just for a few hours out of the precious few left。
Jane and Sarah were seated before the small electric fire in the living…room； and both looked up as he entered。 Their forced smiles meant nothing more than an acknowledgement。 They had guessed he would e。
Sarah prepared a snack which none of them really wanted； but they must pretend to eat something in the midst of this forced family reunion。 Nobody spoke； but the silence was worse than any backlash of words； and Coyle wondered how they would get through the long evening ahead。 The television was out of action； of course； and his transistor radio was still at the office。 He knew Sarah had one in her room； but that was not really a solution