by David Adkins
“Very wise, Steve,” he replied.
Mr Coulson had become Steve and Smith had seemed to relax a little and that worried me. “Of course if something happened to me they would have enough knowledge to take up the thread.”
“Do not be so melodramatic. Nothing will happen to you or anyone else if you cooperate.”
Smith looked at Styles and Butler. “I think Steve and I need some privacy to hammer out an agreement.”
James turned to me. “Do you agree to this?”
I nodded. “Yes I think it might be for the best.”
Chief Inspector Styles and James Butler rose from their seats. Silently they exited the room and I was left facing Mr Smith across the small table.
“Just you and me then,” he said.
“So it seems,” I replied.
“It appears you know who Rupert Nesterman and Clive Deepdale really were. Is that so?”
I nodded. “I believe I do, they are Herr Rudolf Neuman and Herr Carl Dengler.”
“I assume you are also aware of the work they did for us.”
“They were German genetic scientists and also experts in germ and biological warfare who were working for the British Government at Tintree.”
“You are well informed and we shall get on to that later. My problem is twofold. First I need to put a stop to the organisation that is murdering our scientists. Secondly I need to protect the identities of the other Nestermans and Deepdales that are still working for us.”
“There are more?” I said with distaste.
“Your disgust is small minded. You don’t see the bigger picture of what’s at stake. Germany is defeated and has been for the past five years but we have a new enemy. Russia. We even have to be careful of our friends for friends can become enemies. We must not allow these countries, particularly Russia, to leave us behind in scientific research. All fields of scientific work are of vital importance. If we do fall behind we are placing our country at great risk. We have to my knowledge a number of German scientists working for us of which Neuman and Dengler were just two in one particular field.”
“Don’t you mean Nazi scientists?” I interrupted.
“All German scientists were Nazis. They had to be in order to survive.”
I laughed outright at the tired old justification. “I think that many were dedicated to their jobs. Are you saying that if you were a Nazi, of some standing, then you deserve to die but if you are a Nazi and a scientist then no matter what crimes you committed you can live because you are useful to us?”
“It is a crude way of putting it but yes. We must put our country first. Do you think the Russian and American governments have your scruples? They are probably employing more ex-Nazis than we are.”
“These men are war criminals and should be put on trial like the others.”
“And you are committing treason by wishing to undermine Britain’s position in the world and to put our country at great risk.”
“And you, Mr Smith, are committing treason for harbouring Nazi war criminals who have committed unspeakable crimes against our country and you are protecting them from justice. Then you steal the names of long dead babies to bestow upon them.”
He gave me an appraising look. “You have been busy. But I am doing what my country expects of me and obeying orders from the highest echelons in the land.”
“Then why are you so willing to go to any lengths, such as arranging for an innocent man to hang, just to keep the British public ignorant of what you are up to.”
“Sometimes the people need to be protected from their own naivety! Just imagine the sensationalist headlines if the newspapers got wind of it.” He took a breath after his unexpected outburst. “We weren’t going to hang him. He will be declared of unsound mind.”
“Like the others were,” I retorted. “Do you really believe that is good enough? Surely you are gambling with an innocent man’s life, for who can know what a jury will decide? And is it really worth it when the truth could come out anyway?”
“I hope that is not a threat. I see that we are not going to agree on this and so we must reach a deal.”
“I am listening.”
“These are my conditions, Coulson. First, you and Butler and Robinson will cease to represent Lucas so that the case can once again be handled by Lester Bruitt. Secondly, you agree to never mention a word of what you know and you make sure that James Butler learns no more. In other words you never breathe a word of this to anyone. Third, you tell me everything you know about the dark-haired woman so that she can be brought to justice and the branch of the organisation she represents in this country destroyed.”
I almost laughed out loud at his proposal. “What do I get in return?”
“You get three things in return. First you walk out of this interview room a free man. Second I will personally guarantee your future safety. Third and by no means least I will authorize a payment to you of the not inconsiderable sum of £10,000.”
“This is laughable,” I replied. “You cannot hold me without charging me and you do not have any evidence to charge me so I will walk out of here a free man anyway. I would not trust any guarantee of my safety coming from you, for you may find it expedient to eradicate me at any time. And if you were going to bribe me then that seems to me a derisory figure.” The offer of a bribe had momentarily surprised me but I had recovered quickly to see the tempting possibilities in the current circumstances.
I leaned forward, confident I had some power in this situation. "No. You knew I wouldn't accept this, so here is my counter offer. I walk out of here today, a free man, for you know there isn't any real reason you can hold me, and there are enough people wrapped up in this now that the matter will never rest. The trial of Max Lucas will proceed as quickly and as quietly as possible. James Butler will represent him, and due to the evidence we present, we both know Lucas will be acquitted. In return, I give you my word and will sign whatever paperwork necessary to the end of my guarantee that my knowledge of the truth of what is happening here will never get out. Both parties get what they want.” I shrugged. “Mostly."
He stared at me a for a moment, studying me carefully. “Let us look at these issues again one by one. So let us take my initial proposal. Your sense of right and your high moral viewpoint will not allow you to pass Lucas back into the hands of Bruitt.”
I nodded agreement. “That is correct.”
“Lucas is unimportant when you compare his future with the future of the entire country but I know where you are coming from. You must see that if Lucas is not convicted then the case will be reopened. Instead of having put a lid on the situation the lid will be lost forever. The mysterious dark-haired girl will be referred to in court. The papers love a good mystery and everyone will be seeking to find out who she is. The papers will lead the way and they have some excellent bloodhounds. It could be that the true identities of Nesterman and Deepdale will be discovered and that will lead to the inevitable question of how many more German scientists are working for us. The public in their ignorance will be outraged and the papers will smell blood. Our country will be in danger of falling behind Russia and America in all fields of scientific research.”
“She will be mentioned in court but she will not be named. I cannot name her and neither can you. You have been unable to catch her which is why you seek my help. If the Secret Intelligence Services are not able to track her down what chance do the newspapers have?”
“They will be knocking on your door.”
“I will tell them nothing for I know nothing of her identity. If James Butler handles the defence then we will only refer to a dark-haired girl. We can give no clues to her identity. Her description could apply to almost half the female population in the country. Lucas will be acquitted, the perpetrator of the deed will never be found and the mysterious woman will soon be forgotten. Surely MI6 can manage that.”
He rubbed his furrowed brow. “It could work but I am not sure you would cope with the pressure you would find yours
elf under from those seeking a story.”
“We can discuss that… but you’re not finished,” I guessed.
He nodded agreement. “My second condition was you walk out of here a free man and I guarantee your future safety. You seemed to think there was no substance to these offers. You underestimate me and my authority if you think you can just walk out of here. You also underestimate my authority if you think I cannot guarantee your safety.”
I smiled for I felt like a barterer at a middle-east market. “It is not that I underestimate your authority but it is more that I do not trust you. I could meet with an accident any time you considered it necessary. If I were to go abroad soon after the trial then we would both feel safe and I would be out of reach of the press. However, for me to start a new life with a friend I would need considerably more than £10,000.” I was perhaps making an exaggerated drama of the situation but I was genuinely wondering if I would ever feel entirely safe in the land of my birth. They knew that at any time I could sing like a bird to the tabloids and make a pot of money and I had some proof to back up my words. A large sum of money would guarantee me a good life abroad where I would be safe. I was very sure that living in California and seeing the world would appeal to Cassie.
He did not comment. “My third condition was that you provide me with any information you have to catch the dark-haired woman. After all she made contact with you and gave you her side of the story.”
“We have already partly covered this,” I reminded him. “She came to my home and told me she knew I was involved in the Lucas case and that she wanted me to continue my investigations because Lucas was innocent. I asked her how she knew Lucas was innocent and she answered because she and her accomplice had murdered Nesterman and Lucas’s story was true. I asked why she had come forward to tell me this and she replied that she did not want an innocent man to pay with his life for what she had done. I believed her and continued my investigations despite your threats. Days later she invited me to take a room at the Mayfair Hotel and said she would meet me there. I arrived before she did and booked a room. When she arrived at the hotel she showed proof as to the real identities of Nesterman and Deepdale. She carried plenty of distressing proof with her.”
“I can imagine,” muttered Smith. “What about the village near Tintree?”
“That alters nothing for I still have no knowledge of who she really is. Neuman and Dengler were animals who did unspeakable and barbaric things to helpless prisoners of war in their vile experiments. Their crimes were abhorrent and their work despicable. These are the men you were protecting.”
“It is a necessary evil,” he replied.
I scoffed, but resumed my story. “She had been delayed for some reason and did not reach the hotel to about 9 pm. She told me she wanted to keep the room on. It was late by the time I had looked through all the proof and so I slept on the couch and left early the next morning. I did not argue with her request or ask why as I was in a state of shock from what I had seen.”
“Too shocked to sleep in the bed with her,” he added sarcastically.
“Exactly so,” I replied.
“Let us suppose I believe what you have told me. I need you to help me with various things.”
I nodded.
“What did she say her name was?”
“Smith,” I replied smiling.”
“Is that all?”
I nodded again.
“Can you give a description?”
“She was pretty. She had long dark hair. She was about five and a half feet tall.”
“Is that the best you can do? Did she have any distinguishing features such as moles?”
“Not that I can remember but I did not see her naked,” I replied
“I will need you to help prepare a sketch of this woman.”
“Certainly,” I agreed.
“Did she say where she lived?”
“No, I got the impression she was very professional and therefore skilled in giving nothing away.”
“I can believe that,” he retorted. “Is there anything else you can remember that she might have said that would help us to find her?”
I appeared to be racking my brain. “The only thing I can think of is that she said she was a member of the INH.”
“That I already know. She is an extremely dangerous and elusive agent.”
“A bit like the Scarlet Pimpernel,” I offered.
“I can accept that she gave nothing away. Now where does that leave us? How much would you need to go and live abroad after the trial?” He changed the subject abruptly.
“Add another nought to what you offered. I think £100,000 would be a fair sum,” I replied.
He shook his head. “That is too much Steve. I could never get that for you. Let us split the difference and say £50,000. That would set you off to a very good start in your new life.”
“Your arithmetic is not very good, Mr Smith. The difference is £55,000.”
He smiled reluctantly. “It is a possible deal but I will have to clear it.”
“I am sure the Secret Intelligence Service has a very large budget and I will not take less.”
“Let me summarize your offer Steve. James Butler will represent Lucas but will give no indication at all as to who the dark-haired woman may be or what she represents. He will not point a finger at Bruitt and Son.”
“Out of interest, do the Bruitts work for you?” I asked.
“The Bruitts are a well-known legal company of renowned lawyers. They do the odd job for MI6 too as they feel it is their patriotic duty.”
“And I bet they get suitably remunerated. How about Styles, does he work for you too?”
“I used him once before this case and he has proved useful again.”
“You have tentacles everywhere,” I observed.
“You would do well to remember that. So you propose that Butler handles the case with what he has at his disposal leaving the identity of the girl a mystery. You also propose that we give you £55,000 to buy your silence and you use it to emigrate and thereby keep safely out of the way.” He looked shrewdly across the table at me. “I will think on it. You will remain a prisoner until I have made the necessary enquiries regarding the money and until I have reached a decision.”
“Why must I remain a prisoner?”
“Call it a demonstration of my authority. I do not want you running around loose until we have reached an agreement.”
“That is not necessary,” I began to protest.
“Styles, you can come back in now,” Smith yelled.
Chief Inspector Styles and James Butler trooped back into the room. “Styles, we will be holding the prisoner for another night at least while I follow up on certain things.”
James interrupted. “This is preposterous, you cannot hold him. You have no proof of any wrongdoing that I have seen and you have not charged him. I will be taking this further.”
“James, do not take any action. They cannot hold me for long. We can talk about all this when they release me.” I gave James a look, urging him to be patient.
He looked at me curiously. He probably realized that I was in the course of brokering some sort of deal with Smith. “I will not rock the boat. For now,” he added pointedly, glaring at Smith.
I was then led back to my cell to ponder on the long discussions I had had with Smith. I had not accepted Smith’s arguments and so I felt a little guilty at my possible monetary reward. Had I sold my soul to the devil? On the other hand we now had every chance of freeing an innocent man. Also perhaps I had been bargaining for my life as well as a large sum of money. I felt I had had no choice but it did not feel right that German war criminals were living off the fat of the land. The very land they had sought to destroy. It seemed that as I was to spend another night incarcerated I would have many hours to ponder on my moral dilemma. However, I could not get out of mind the image of running hand in hand along a deserted Californian beach with Cassandra Mitchell.
Chapt
er 11
Friday 23rd February to Thursday 1st March
It took me a long time that evening to fall into the welcome clutches of uninterrupted sleep, but when I eventually did I was slow to wake up. It was footsteps along the corridor that woke me on that chill Friday morning. My impatience to leave was visible as DCI Solcombe once again opened the door to bring in tray on which rested a half-decent looking breakfast.
“That looks a bit better,” I commented.
“Your prisoner status has been upgraded.” His smile was friendly.
“Martin, I need to make another phone call to my girlfriend to let her know what’s going on. She was expecting to see me last night.”
“I am afraid I cannot let you do that. When Smith left last night he gave strict instructions that you were to have no visitors and you were not to make or receive telephone calls.”
I sighed. “I really need to speak with her.”
“I am sorry and I wish I could help you but I cannot disobey orders. I got into trouble for the phone call I let you make yesterday. On that occasion I was able to plead ignorance but not now.”
“This is ridiculous.”
He put the tray of food on the table and he withdrew some magazines from under his arm. “I brought you these to read. Unfortunately, you’ll not be released today.”
“I have work to do,” I said in frustration.
“Smith said he wouldn’t be back until Saturday, so you’ll be here until then.”
“In isolation,” I moaned.
Solcombe nodded. “For most of the time, I’m afraid. Enjoy your meal.” He closed the door behind him and I was left alone again.
*
A constable brought me a light lunch and I saw and spoke to no-one until Solcombe brought me my dinner. “The dinner is more edible tonight,” he assured me.
“Thank you for your personal attention.”
“I wanted to let you know that you had two visitors this afternoon and I took messages for you. I was not told to not do that.”
I perked up from my despondency. “Who were they and what did they say?” I was suddenly more alert.
