"*—column on the N4 north of Castlebaldwin. Twelve vehicles, maybe more. Troop carriers behind. And another on the Riverstown road, east of the lake. Smaller. Challengers with both. They're forming up. Over.*"
The radio was on the bonnet of Kavanagh's jeep, behind the GAA field at Ballinafad. It was five in the morning and still dark. James stood beside her with his hands in his jacket pockets, and he could see his breath.
"Which formations?" said Kavanagh. "Do you know?"
"*Some of the same as yesterday. Some we haven't seen before. Fresh. Over.*"
"Are the vehicles moving?"
"*Engines running. Not moving yet.*"
"What are the units either side of us seeing?"
"*Same. Castlebaldwin's got movement north of it. The lake shore's got movement on the far side. They're coming at all of it. The N4 looks heaviest.*"
Kavanagh picked up the other handset and spoke to the regional commander at Boyle.
