It came in at half three, while the Monaghan and Cavan reports were still being typed up for Brigade.
James was outside the portacabin with a mug of tea when the radio inside went, and Kavanagh's voice changed.
"Say again, Ballinafad."
He went to the door.
"*—came at us at two. Infantry and Challengers, down the N4 from Castlebaldwin's far side. We stopped the first push. Then our Challenger team went forward to reinforce the lake section and one of them just—went down. One shot. From nowhere. Through his ward and his armour and him. Over.*"
"Who?"
"*Conlon. Their warder. The big one.*"
Kavanagh's jaw tightened.
"Is the line holding?"
"*Holding. Just. The rest of that team's done. One more hit, two helping him. They can't cover their section. And the British are pushing right at it now. They know. Over.*"
"Did anyone see the rifle?"
"*No. Nobody saw anything. We heard it after.*"
