The Network

by Luke Delaney

  He’d only managed to speak to Kate twice on the phone – their conversations stunted and impromptu-coded. She knew he’d be going undercover for a while, during which time they wouldn’t be able to see each other, but they’d only met a few months previously and she didn’t know enough about him to trust him completely yet. For all she knew he could be tucked up in some semi-detached in Sidcup with his wife and kids. If she put up with this, he decided, she’d put up with anything. Conway’s voice pulled him back inside the prison.

  ‘Stay close to me and the others,’ Conway warned him. ‘The exercise yard can be a dangerous place. The screws should have cleared it of the other prisoners, the ones who think themselves better than us, but you can never trust the screws fully.’ He made no effort to avoid being heard by the nearby prison guards. ‘You never know who may have bribed them to leave a door unlocked here or a window open there.’

  ‘Alright, Conway,’ the nearest guard said. ‘That’s enough of that nonsense.’

  Conway ignored him. ‘You see, we’re big prizes. If one of them can in some way injure one of us, or worse, then they’ll become quite a star in their pathetic little world. So keep your eyes open and stay close.’

  ‘I will,’ Sean promised. ‘Thanks.’

  The column concertinaed together as they reached the holding pen and waited for the lead guard to select a single key from the huge bunch attached to his waistband and open the door, bumping and squeezing together as they passed through the narrow entrance. Sean tried to shrug the tension from his shoulders, readying himself for the attack on Conway he knew was coming, but couldn’t warn him about as they stood huddled together like a nervous flock of sheep, those on the outskirts of the human herd more exposed and therefore more frightened. If the pre-arranged scenario went well, Sean’s cover would be truly cemented.

  The same guard took another key from the huge bunch and opened the door to the exercise yard, his head peeping inside before swinging back into the holding area. ‘Clear,’ he shouted to his colleagues before addressing the prisoners the main population of inmates called ‘the Lepers’. ‘Alright you lot, it’s all yours. In you go. You only get an hour a week so make it count.’ They started to move through the door into the yard, the stronger, dominant prisoners pushing the lowest ranking through first, so that they would trigger any planned attack and bear the consequences. But as no such assault came the men began to relax, flowing more freely through the oblong entrance.

  ‘Looks like we’re all safe today,’ Conway told Sean, but he wasn’t listening. He followed Conway’s two lead minders through the narrow doorway, tensing the muscles in his legs, ready to act quickly and decisively when the ambush came. They walked out into the sunlight, and noise and bedlam immediately broke out behind them. A man at least thirty pounds heavier than Sean burst from behind the open door, a home-fashioned prison blade glinting in his hand as he pushed past the two rearguard minders and lunged for Conway.

  ‘Die you fucking nonce,’ the big man screamed, thrusting the blade towards Conway’s chest, searching for his heart or at least a lung. But the blade never reached its target. Sean deflected the assailant’s arm upwards and away with his own forearm before sweeping his legs from under him with a low kick – grabbing the hand holding the knife before the man had even hit the floor, twisting and grinding his wrist until the knife fell to the floor and Sean kicked it away. Within seconds the guards took over the struggle, separating Sean from the assailant, just as the Head Prison Officer arrived at the scene barking questions and orders.

  ‘What the fuck’s going on here?’ he yelled.

  ‘One of the main population’s had a go, guv’nor,’ the guard who’d missed the attacker hiding behind the door explained.

  ‘What the fuck was he doing in the exercise yard?’

  ‘He must have been hiding behind the door,’ the guard answered.

  ‘Didn’t you check to see if it was clear?’

  ‘I must have missed him. Sorry.’

  ‘Sorry? Fuck me, he could have killed the cunt. Get him to bloody solitary. I’ll deal with him later,’ the Chief bawled, ‘and I’ll deal with you later too,’ he warned the unlucky guard. ‘Now get these men back to their wing – everybody on lock-down until I find out what the fuck’s going on.’

  ‘Alright, you heard the man,’ the hapless guard said, venting his frustration on the prisoners he hated almost as much as the main population did. If he had it his way they would all be hanged. He sang a little prison song in his head. Sex case. Sex case – hang him, hang him, hang him. ‘Move it – the lot of you – back to the wing.’

  Conway stuck close to Sean as they filtered back inside. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered so no one else could hear.

  ‘I just reacted. That’s all.’

  ‘That wasn’t just a reaction,’ Conway insisted, making Sean’s already pounding heart skip a beat, ‘that was training. So the question is,’ What does he know? What does he know? ‘where did you learn to fight like that?’

  ‘In the army,’ he explained, glad of some truth in Cramer’s background that would check out if Conway looked into it. ‘I did four years in the Green Jackets before they objected to some of my personal tastes. I was part of the judo team.’

  ‘Lucky for me,’ Conway said, ‘and maybe lucky for you too.’

  ***

  Later that day Sean sat in the communal area pretending to read a newspaper, the printed words little more than black dots in front of his eyes as he dreamed about the day he’d walk through the front gate of the prison and stroll down Trinity Road to Wandsworth Old Town and the train station. Maybe he’d even walk a little further and take a look at the Thames from Wandsworth Bridge – grab a pint and lunch before heading to the flat in Archway, North London that Cramer had been renting before his demise – rent that was now being discreetly paid by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police. The flat would be Sean’s home for as long it took to gather enough evidence to convict Conway and the inner core of The Network, or until the operation failed and was cancelled. He dreamed of the long shower he’d take without being watched – always alert and ready to react. He’d stay away from any police stations and buildings until the operation was complete.

  Sean felt Conway’s presence before he saw him, the unusual sight of the man alone making him both concerned and excited. Conway sat opposite him with a smile, but didn’t speak for minutes, staring at Sean as if he was making his final judgement on whether he could trust him, searching his face and studying any tiny body movements for any clues. Eventually he spoke.

  ‘I just wanted to thank you properly – for what you did in the exercise yard,’ Conway told him.

  ‘I was happy to help,’ Sean lied. ‘After all – we need to look out for each other – men like us.’

  Conway licked his lips with the point of his tongue, lubricating his mouth before speaking potentially dangerous words. ‘Yes we do. But is that what you are – a man like me?’

  ‘I’m part of The Network,’ Sean told him, ‘like you.’

  Conway snorted and sniffed a laugh, as if he was offended by Sean’s accusation. He leaned across the table before speaking in little more than a whisper. ‘The Network’s nothing – little more than an umbrella of protection – something simple to distract the police from what’s really important.’

  ‘And what’s that?’ Sean asked eagerly.

  Conway leaned back slightly, smiling more broadly, but still speaking quietly even though no one was anywhere near them. ‘Tell me, have you ever heard of The Sanctum?’

  ‘Only rumours of its existence,’ he lied, remembering the numerous mentions made to The Sanctum in the intelligence file DS Chopra had made him study.

  ‘And what do the rumours say?’

  ‘That the material provided to The Network comes from a small group called The Sanctum. That they make the films themselves – always the same men making the films and … performing in them. They say no one is ever allowed to join
unless they have been hand-picked and vetted by The Sanctum’s inner circle and no one knows who they are.’

  ‘They sound very secretive,’ Conway grinned.

  ‘I suppose they would have to be.’

  ‘Indeed,’ Conway agreed. ‘But why circulate the material to others on the internet? Why not just keep it to themselves and minimize their exposure?’

  Sean hadn’t expected the question, but somehow he knew the answer. ‘Because it makes them feel special,’ he answered. ‘It makes them feel powerful, especially amongst their own kind. That’s important to them.’

  ‘Yes,’ Conway beamed, ‘I suppose it would be – wouldn’t it?’

  ‘And besides,’ Sean continued, ‘not many people are using the internet yet. I doubt the police are even looking at it.’

  ‘Maybe they’re not keeping an eye on it yet, but they will – in time.’

  ‘Then The Network will have to find another way of existing – stay one step ahead – and so will The Sanctum.’

  ‘The Sanctum has nothing to fear from the internet. It exists in the real world, not the electronic. It’s three dimensional. It appeals to all the senses, not just the eyes.’

  ‘Then you know about it?’

  ‘As you said – rumours,’ Conway said with his customary grin. ‘I get out of here in a few days’ time – back to the world and the life I had before being unjustly locked in this toilet of humanity. If you avoid conviction and escape this dungeon then you should look me up. I could use a man like you.’

  ‘I’ll do that. Give me your number and address and I’ll call on you.’

  ‘No. It wouldn’t be shrewd for you to either visit or call me – you never know who’s listening or watching.’

  ‘Then how do I contact you?’

  Conway took the newspaper Sean had been reading and opened it at random, pulling a felt-tipped pen from his shirt pocket and scribbling something quickly inside before closing it and handing it back to Sean. ‘There’s a very interesting article at the top of page twenty-four. You should read it, memorize it and then destroy it. If you get out you should check the same newspaper daily. When and if it provides you with any instructions you should follow them exactly. Any questions?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Sean told him. ‘What if I don’t get out any time soon? What if I get convicted?’

  ‘Then we never met,’ Conway told him, the grin gone from his face, ‘and you must never mention my name again or try to find me. If I need to I’ll find you. Understand?’

  ‘I understand,’ Sean assured him.

  ‘Good,’ Conway answered, the grin returning. ‘Then I’ll see you on the other side, where life can begin again.’

  ‘To the other side,’ Sean joined in, raising a cold mug of tea.

  ‘Just be ready,’ Conway told him. ‘Be ready for anything.’

  Chapter Five

  Three Weeks Later

  He’d been checking the email address Conway had scribbled in the newspaper every day since he’d got out of Wandsworth – the case against him apparently dropped, or at least that’s what the court’s paperwork had said. SO10 and the CPS had worked together to make the whole charade look convincing, just in case Conway or The Network had someone watching the court. Ever since then he’d been sitting in Cramer’s flea-pit of a flat bored out of his brains, waiting for contact from Conway, but everyday there was nothing – until last night, the inbox blinking that it had received mail. With genuine fear he’d opened and read it – clear instruction of where to be and what time to be there.

  Now Sean was driving closer and closer to the address detailed in the email he’d received the previous night – an abandoned and derelict warehouse on the outskirts of North London – the sort of building people only ever saw as they flashed along the motorway fly-over that passed above. The nearer he got the more he wanted to turn the car around and head for home – tell SO10 he had good reason to suspect he’d been compromised and abandon the operation – but as much as his gut told him to cut-and-run, his heart and head told him to keep driving towards the vipers’ pit. SO10 and The Serious and Organized Crime Group knew this would be nothing more than an initial meeting – a chance for Conway and The Network to have a look at Sean on the outside, see if he still looked the part and maybe give him a little test. Hence he would have no back-up or covering surveillance. Using undercover officers and informants was relatively cheap compared to surveillance and the use of technology – both of which were in short supply. Those playing the game accepted they were a commodity that would be used to short-cut a potentially money-draining operation.

  Sean gripped the wheel tightly and ploughed forward, shaking his head at his situation and reminding himself to mentally record everything he heard and saw. He was sure Conway would have him searched thoroughly so he hadn’t worn a recording device – they were bulky and difficult to conceal at the best of times. He’d have to do it the old fashioned way, writing a synopsis of events as soon as he could get away and find somewhere safe to record the meeting. The old warehouse loomed ahead of him, black and grey, corrugated iron and breeze-blocks – threatening and foreboding, no doubt just as Conway had planned it. What did he know? What did he know?

  Suddenly Sean could think of nothing other than an ambush – he’d been lured here with promises of being given another glimpse of The Sanctum, but in reality the only thing that awaited him was a severe beating and a warning not to pry into their business, or worse. He felt his fear rise to almost panic levels before he managed to calm himself down, assuring himself he was ahead of the game – that Conway knew nothing other than that he was there to recruit another member to The Sanctum, one who had saved his life while they were in prison together. He slowed the car and let it almost roll along the old road leading to the warehouse.

  As the car park came into view he could see two cars out front – a battered old Ford Scorpio and a pristine, if somewhat old, Jaguar that someone clearly loved – and he was pretty sure who. A good car to lure young boys into. So Conway liked nice cars – somewhere down the line SO10 and the Crime Unit may be able to use that tidbit. As he got closer he recognized the man standing in the middle of the group of five – Conway, serious-faced and business-like. Even if he knew the other men he wouldn’t be able to recognize them as they all wore balaclavas and even gloves. They stood to attention as Sean approached and pulled his car across the front of them, instinctively blocking their escape even though if anyone needed to escape it would be him. He put on a false smile despite his twisting stomach and nerves that threatened to shake his voice and betray him. They’ll expect you to be nervous, he told himself, don’t worry about it. He stepped from the car and headed towards Conway, his hand outstretched as his eyes moved from Conway to the men in balaclavas. ‘John,’ he said, his voice detectably shaky. ‘It’s good to see you again.’

  Conway fired up a hand. ‘Stop right there,’ he demanded. ‘Don’t do anything, don’t say anything.’ Sean froze on the spot, reassuring himself it was all just standard procedure – they’d search him, be happy and move on. ‘Search him,’ Conway told two of his goons who stepped forward and began to run their hands all over his body – not just a TV pat-down, but a proper body search, digging their fingers into the crevices under his arms and between his legs and buttocks, untucking his shirt and belt, checking his waistband and the lining of his clothes while Conway looked on, drawing deeply on a cigarette, his eyes never leaving Sean’s body.

  ‘I didn’t know you smoked,’ Sean told him.

  ‘Never when I’m behind bars,’ Conway answered. ‘Inside it’s a weakness – a tool you can be controlled by, bribed and threatened with. I won’t be controlled by anyone or anything.’

  Finally the two searchers stepped away. ‘He’s fine,’ one told Conway.

  ‘Of course he is,’ Conway said, the familiar grin spreading across his face as he stepped forward and wrapped a hand around the back of Sean’s neck while placing the other on his shoulder. �
��Sorry about that,’ he apologized, ‘but this can be a dangerous world for men like us.’

  ‘I understand,’ Sean answered.

  ‘It’s good to see you,’ Conway continued, gently shaking Sean as he spoke, as if greeting a long-lost and much-loved brother.

  ‘It’s good to see you too,’ Sean lied. ‘I was beginning to think you’d never contact me.’

  ‘Patience. Men like us must have patience, Justin, and you are a man like us, aren’t you?’

  ‘I think so,’ Sean stuttered making Conway and the others laugh.

  ‘Well then, let’s find out.’ Conway turned and headed for the warehouse entrance, two of the minders following close behind while the others waited for Sean to move. When he did they filed in behind him and trailed after the others. ‘Keep up,’ Conway cheerfully called over his shoulder and burst through the front door into the building – the darkness spilling from inside. Sean felt an almost unbearable tension spread across his body as they walked along the dark corridors, the occasional ray of light breaking through windows that had been painted black, the sound of running water from broken pipes seemingly everywhere, and the floor beneath his feet riddled with deep puddles.