The Shackleton Affair (A Raymond Armstrong Novel Book 2)

by Michael Gill

  “Fully understand Joe. I much prefer to have your undivided attention.”

  They ate in complete silence with Joe finishing his first pint well ahead of Raymond. He went to the bar and got two more.

  “Right lad, what do you want to know? I have been in the same lodge with Brother Armstrong for many years. A good man, your dad. I can’t tell you anything about our order, neither mason nor the knights unless you have reached the 32 end degree.”

  “I haven’t had the time and in fact it’s more about identifying a piece that was stolen.”

  “That I can do. Describe it to me.” He did while Joe listened intensely.

  “Your friend can’t remember the symbols on the medallion?”

  “No. He hardly ever looked at it.”

  “Where did he get it?”

  “His granddad, and they have no idea where he found it.”

  “He was a mason?”

  “Oh yes, for sure.”

  “Well, we’ll have to check my books at the house, but I’m quite sure it’s a missing piece from the Irish Crown Jewels theft.” Raymond looked in disbelief. “It’s from the order of Saint Patrick’s.”

  “An Irish order?”

  “Well yes and no. You have to look at the history of Ireland. Specifically the British,” he paused. “Do you know Raymond, if I’m sitting in a pub and somebody orders a black & tan I shudder? I hear my dad’s stories.” Raymond felt awkward just thinking about all the events over the centuries between the two countries. He worked for the British government, never questioning an order. Thank god he was never chosen for an Irish assignment. Joe excused himself and went off for a pee. Raymond went back to thinking about Joe’s comment. Black & tans is right up there with Cromwell on the atrocity scale. Only one hundred years ago is quite hard to fathom, he thought.

  “Right lad, one for the road and I’ll show you a picture of this collar back at the house.”

  Raymond ordered two more pints. “Would you continue with the history part, while we finish our pints?”

  “The order was made up of Anglo-Irish Protestants with wealth who moved to Ireland, or top nobles back in Britain. The King and Prime Minister were both members of the order I believe.”

  “Is it still around now?”

  “No. The last surviving member was the Duke of Gloucester who died in the seventies. I suppose it could be activated but highly unlikely. Do you know much about that time in Ireland, around the theft in 1907?

  “Not really,” said Raymond apologetically.

  “How about 1922 and the north-south divide?”

  “Slightly better,” Raymond responded.

  “Independence for Ireland. Southern Ireland lad. The north known as Ulster was and still is made up of wealthy Protestant landowners. They were granted land rights as far back as Queen Elizabeth the First.” Joe went silent, finished off his pint giving Raymond a nod.

  “Right, back to your place. I enjoyed this Joe. Thank you.”

  They drove back quietly. Joe looked drained. He was about his dad’s age at eighty five with silver hair, sharp blue eyes with large glasses and a fair-size nose. Short in stature, strong in his body, even at his age. Raymond thought he would have been a fighter in his day. Don’t mess with him in the local boozer.

  He asked Raymond to sit in one of the two armchairs while he found the book. He was back moments later with the book open.

  “What about this? Five harps, three Tudor Roses, the collar in gold.”

  “A shamrock,” said Raymond pointing to the medallion.

  “Call up your friend. If he recalls a shamrock you have one of the four collars stolen.”

  “Isn’t that a cold case? They closed it over one hundred years ago.”

  “They did lad. Why, I still wonder.”

  “It’s back to what I was telling you in the pub. Ireland is full of mystery and intrigue with a lot of unanswered questions. I seem to remember back then they said it was the IRA. Embarrass the king on his scheduled visit. Timing was perfect, the king was fuming. Can’t remember when they saw royalty again. In fact, I think our current Queen made one recently. That would have been the last since 1907. Not sure, you’d have to check.”

  “Do you buy that explanation?” Raymond asked. He shook his head.

  “Any suggestions?”

  “Look up the history on Home Rule. They were looking at making a big amendment to it. I think the war got in the way. That would have been around the time of the theft.” Joe fell silent for a minute.

  “One last thing. I said no secrets will be revealed when it comes to our Masonic rituals and goals. I will always keep my word to the brethren. But maybe I can steer you in the right direction.”

  “Yes please, anything.”

  “If I was the Grand Knight of the Order of St Patrick in 1907, I would be worried about the future. Those crown jewels were the property of the order and must stay with them at all times.”

  “Who was the big cheese at that time?”

  “I believe the King himself. Now be off with thee. I need a nap.”

  “Thanks Joe. I’ll let Dad know how much you have helped me. You know the home can arrange for him to have trips. He would like to meet up with you. You’re both very smart.

  “Thanks lad. I enjoyed lunch, and your dad and I will get together soon.”

  Chapter 10

  Raymond made it back to Stamford in record time and was sitting in his office. He had confirmed with Jeffrey that yes, a shamrock made sense. He recalled now it was a red diagonal cross and behind it was a green flower or leaf. Would never have thought of it but yes, a shamrock. Anne had left a message: she would be back shortly.

  He scanned through all the stories he could find on the Irish Crown Jewels theft, scratching his head as he read the article. He did find an image of the collar after many attempts. Most articles focused on the star and badge which in today’s value would be worth a fortune.

  The collars were four of the knights, which would be of great value to the members, but on the open market, not worth a great deal.

  “I am home!” Anne shouted from the kitchen.

  Raymond was so absorbed he didn’t hear the door open.

  “What have we got here?” Anne said, walking into the office. She peered at the main monitor. “Is that the missing collar from the whisky theft? Fairly sure. It look Irish. The shamrock, the harps.”

  “Yes it is. The order of St Patrick’s.”

  “Wow!” Anne looked across at the other monitors. “Wait a minute - are you seriously thinking this is an item stolen at Dublin Castle?” Raymond grinned like a Cheshire cat. “The Irish Crown Jewels theft?” He nodded, still smiling.

  “Do I have news for you?” Anne was grinning.

  “Don’t tell me you are an expert on this and did a thesis. I love a puzzle and a cold case over a hundred years old. Don’t spoil it.”

  “No, I don’t know much about it at all,” she paused.

  “You know that favourite word of yours?” He looked at her blankly. “Synchronicity?”

  “Yes, it happens to me quite a lot.”

  “Well, I am having the same feeling with Shackleton.”

  “What?”

  “Remember the tasting, when I mentioned it was an area I studied in college?”

  “I do, and a thesis on one of our national heroes. I was impressed and forgot to ask you more about it.”

  “Well, I found my old thesis in the spare bedroom. When you drove off this morning for Yorkshire, I couldn’t get the thing out of my head. It’s a long time ago but back then I was very passionate about my research.”

  “So what does he have to do with this? Was he part of the order? Involved in the theft?”

  “No, well he could have been involved, but his brother stole the Irish Crown Jewels.”

  Raymond thought for a moment while Anne continued to study the picture.

  “Did he go to prison?”

  “No, they dropped the case.”
<
br />   “Then really you are just assuming he stole them. She stared at him for a long moment. “Shit!”

  Anne pulled up an article on Frank Shackleton being the prime suspect for the theft. They now had a display of computer screens with a variety of stories on the theft at Dublin Castle.

  “Did your dad help you identify the collar?”

  “No, it was his good friend and fellow mason. I had totally forgotten his Irish roots. The man knows his stuff when it comes to Irish history and anything Masonic.”

  “What did he think of all this?”

  “Told me to look at the Irish home rule around that time. He said no way was it the nationalists. So the crown stole from themselves or it was purely a theft for money. Sell them in Europe somewhere with no questions asked.”

  “Right, we need a plan of action. Hard to believe a simple whisky theft suddenly snowballs into a case so big, full of intrigue and deception.”

  “You do look rather chirpy. It suits you.”

  “You look at the Shackleton link further. Find any information that has been found in modern times. Like the last ten years. Focus particularly on Chief Inspector John Kane of Scotland Yard.

  “And you?”

  “Study the Irish conflict in general, home rule, politics, the King, and why our government decided to close the case. I will list all possible conclusions I can dig up, add them to yours and we will discuss later over wine. Oh, and bring your thesis. Glad I married a woman with beauty and brains.”

  ***

  Anne shouted from the kitchen that sandwiches were ready. Raymond came in with a stack of papers he had printed off. He noticed Anne had brought her thesis on Shackleton which was lying on the coffee table.

  “BLT’s with healthy bread. I thought we should have something easy and get to our brainstorming session right away.”

  “I like your commitment,” he said, picking up one of the sandwiches. “Okay, I’ll make a start,” he said, putting down his plate.

  In 1907, Ireland was run by a Dublin parliament that answered to London. Incidentally, Dublin Castle was one of the most secure places in the British Empire. Clue one – it was an inside job or someone close to the staff had a duplicate key made. Now of course the Nationalists wanted an independent country. That is well documented, but some of the Dublin parliament members did not agree with London. Home rule was a sensitive subject with the minority liberals trying to improve self-government while the Conservatives were opposed and wanted all of it through London.

  This brings into play far more players than I had initially suspected. Still, I’m going with my gut feel first on this and then a number of possibilities.” Anne waited patiently.

  “It was an elaborate classic misdirection by the King and his most loyal followers to cast more doubt onto Ireland ever becoming a self-governed country. With home rule in effect the Irish have to at least be at peace and respect the King. Makes sense? He decides to make a visit to Ireland. Only Queen Victoria had been in the last five hundred years after dreaded King Henry the Eighth who declared himself King of Ireland. Look at it today. Our Queen made a visit in 2011 after one hundred years. Edward’s son George was the last.

  “Move on.”

  “Yes, back to 1907. Organise the theft, two weeks before his arrival, blame it on the Nationalists and find a patsy.”

  “Ooh, you mean Frank Shackleton.”

  “Yes. May I continue?”

  “No. My turn. What if the Queen gave her husband the idea?”

  “Why?”

  “She was a good friend of Ernest Shackleton and his brother needed help financially. Actually she was infatuated by him. They would keep the jewels hidden in Sandringham with Frank keeping some of the loot and Ernest given help for his exploration. A win-win situation for the King.”

  “Okay, so you are saying he kept some of the jewels.”

  “No. I just read the thief also took the jewels of Sir Arthur Vickers’ late mother.”

  “Value?”

  “About two hundred thousand today. He would have sold them on the black market. Sir Ernest didn’t explore again for nine years and the King was dead. The Queen had even more influence over her son. Come on, it could be feasible.”

  Raymond nodded. “At least we are on the same page. The King.”

  “And the Queen once you get round to reading my thesis.”

  So do all your other conclusions involve the idea that the Nationalists stole them to embarrass London, or homosexuality running rampant in the castle including Frank Shackleton?”

  “He definitely came up in my thesis as a secret gay person.”

  “I found about six other possibilities including those you mentioned.”

  “I think we should focus on your initial gut feel. I looked up all I could find on Chief Inspector Kane. By reckoning he was bought and paid for by the government. The evidence against Frank Shackleton is quite clear and yet he found ways to make it all go away. He acted out his investigation like he already had all the answers.

  “I think you need to read my thesis next. I know you will be totally convinced Shackleton was involved and acting under the crown’s request. Whether that was originally the Queen’s idea or not may remain a mystery.

  “What about you with Irish History, the home rule at that time?”

  “Hard to believe we have peace after all the shit we have piled on them over the years. Cromwell, the Black & Tans.” I could see how it has affected Joe his entire life. Hell of a shame.” He paused. Anne grabbed his arm.

  “It isn’t the regular people that cause all the problems, it’s governments. You should know better than most what went on and still is going on today. What did you tell me about Bosnia and Croatia, when you were there? Most of us around the world get along just fine until some leader decides to change history or a territory. Think about it Raymond, the British Empire was the second largest to the Romans. Such supreme power didn’t get built by being pleasant. So, what did you find that is relevant to this case?” asked Anne.

  “Well, speaking of conflicts today, you know all the trouble in Spain with ex-pats having their houses seized? Left with nothing but to come back home and sign up on the dole.” Anne nodded. “What if Ireland had become an independent county including the north? The new government could walk right in and say the land is now theirs and no longer falls under the British crown. And not all the land is owned. Much of it is leased or licensed by the British crown.

  “So to go backwards in history from today until 1922, while Ireland finally got their independence it was only the south. An area that had gone through a famine on top of so many men being killed in war. The six counties in the North would remain under the crown which was full of wealthy British Protestants - landowners.

  “King Edward and his son to follow were visionaries, knowing their popularity was slowly sagging in Ireland. Why not blame the bad guys? Look, they do it today. Politicians and leaders who convince the citizens, hey we are the good guys, not them.

  “Back to the case: looking at it simply as a theft. I have to tell you Anne, this is the strangest crime I have ever encountered. It’s got more holes than a bad B film.”

  “You mean like it was all staged?”

  “Good point.”

  “Any other reason why you opted for the crown?”

  “Yes, a big one. How many cold cases of this magnitude are never reopened? What do we have in Scotland Yard right now that doesn’t have some squad poking around with the latest DNA technology? This is classified under the sensitive area of British history to be stored away forever. This has to be connected to the King, or Queen, maybe the Prime Minister. It usually is or the Bank of England and maintaining our wealth. Above all, never embarrass our country. Right?”

  “What next?”

  “My mind is fried. An early night I think. Tomorrow I will take a long walk by the river, stop in the pub for lunch and read your thesis quietly.”

  “Any excuse for a pint,” she said.<
br />
  Raymond lay in bed, his mind still spinning. Anne had been a while in the bathroom finally making an entrance. She got into bed, snuggling up against him. He placed his arm around her.

  “Anne?”

  “Yes darling?”

  “What has all of this got to do with my whisky theft? It’s just one collar stolen with the crown jewels that ended up in a whisky box. If I find it so what? I think the crown jewel theft is meant to be locked away. Sir Ernest Shackleton is part of our heritage. I like working with you on stuff and this is an area I know well and can help with. I'm going to read your thesis because I like being married to a smart woman. I know it will be brilliant. But like I said, it won’t help solve this case.”

  Anne moved over him, shifting her weight on to her knees. She looked down at his face. “What do you think to my new lingerie?”

  “I was about to say it felt good next to me.”

  “Clear your mind of all that has happened today and focus on the now. Tomorrow is a brand new day.”

  “You had me at new lingerie.”

  Chapter 11

  “I’ve just finished sending all the dossiers for a new client. I am totally exhausted.” Raymond had been in the office all day.

  “It’s a light dinner again this evening with some French Pinot Noir. Shame you never made the pub or had time to read my papers.”

  “I know but this was a good pay day. It was a referral from one of my top clients. This company is poised to buy their leading competitors. The price is in the billions.”

  “What did they ask you to do?”

  “Find everything on the directors of the company they wish to purchase.”

  “And you did?”

  “Of course. Now they can decide which ones to keep for their board or offer a compensation package to the non-desirables.”

  “How many fit that bill?”

  “Three.”

  They sat at the kitchen bar tucking in to a quiche and a salad that looked similar to a ploughman’s lunch with radish, green onions, celery, beetroot and cheeses.