My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  The morning came as Brian got dressed after a shower he kissed Vicky deeply as they said their goodbyes, but not before exchanging numbers. Vicky was sad, but happy at the same time.

  After breakfast she headed home as her mind kept going back to the night’s events and how happy she was with her thighs still burning after the nights love making. The traffic was heavy so she had to concentrate on the road.

  Arriving back at HQ’s in the late afternoon with a smile on her face. She met with Jim showing him the list of names and phone numbers of the contacts that Susan Gormley had written down; also commenting on her refusal to name the courier of the kids.

  Vicky yawned as she said ‘sorry it was a long drive and the traffic was heavy.’ Jim smiled as he looked at her with an enquiring tilt of his head. Vicky looked at him with an uncontrolled grin on her face and said ‘what?’ ‘Nothing, just wondering how it went, that’s all.’ Vicky said ‘I was well looked after by the officers, they were very accommodating.’ Jim could have pushed it, but didn’t, he just smiled at her, Vicky knew from the beaming smile on his face what he was thinking, he was right, but she kept quiet.

  Jim looked at the list of names, some only had first names. ‘Okay nip along to the intelligence section and ask for name and address checks against the numbers from the mobile provider’s to see if any are local to us; then bugger off home you need to sleep, alone that is,’ as he smiled and winked at her. ‘Bugger off Jim’ as she smiled back.

  Vicky called Brian to let him know she was home safe after the journey. They chatted for a couple of moments then she drove home. Once home she crashed on her bed exhausted and didn’t wake until the morning wrapped in a warm bundle with her duvet around her.

  22

  After some influence from Langton the list of names and addresses from the mobile phone companies came through a bit quicker than normal. It was unknown if those on the list still lived at the addresses or indeed gave the right address in the first place, but there were a couple of names who lived in their police area. Vicky ran the list through the intelligence section to establish if any of them had records.

  Vicky picked on a couple who had criminal convictions; she also obtained photographs. This would be a watching and waiting game. She knew from old that the more times offenders had been arrested and imprisoned the more they got to know about police procedures so would be looking-out for the tell-tale signs that they were being watched.

  Langton looked through the list with Vicky as they discussed which ones to look at first. He then said ‘if they are all connected and we nick one, they will go to ground; they have to be connected in some way, especially with their names in Susan Gormley’s mobile. Although having said that, they must be feeling confident since Forsyth was arrested with no follow up enquiries being made; so the coast as far as they’re concerned is clear to carry on as before. They are out there Vick looking to prey on defenceless kids again, so we have to get this right.’

  Langton looked at the list of photos and selected three. He then said ‘okay Vick having said that, we can’t take on the world; we will concentrate on these ones first and then if successful hit the rest straight after. Take a drive by all of the addresses and make notes just in case we need to move onto them quickly; hopefully we can get some of them if not all.’ Vicky nodded as she looked at the list of photographs including the ones Langton had chosen.

  The photographs gave the impression of normal looking people, but underneath that normality they were evil predators, preying on little girls to satisfy some sick sexual desire. Vicky couldn’t understand how someone could get any kind of sexual satisfaction from little girls. She shook herself as a shiver went down her spine when she thought of the pain and fear that little Christina had been subjected to at the hands of Forsyth and others.

  Vicky had put the addresses in sequence to make it easier for travelling from one to another. Langton then said ‘look Vick this is over to you as Jim could be away again for a while, I’m not sure when he’ll be back, but we need to get as much done as we can before he goes, so you can carry on in his absence.’ ‘What! I can’t do this on my own this too big for just me.’ ‘I know, and when the time comes, I’ll get you some help. The same as before I won’t let you sink so don’t worry. Also before you ask what Jim is doing, I can’t say Vicky, so don’t ask him either okay!’ Vicky nodded as she said ‘okay.’

  Vicky drove by the addresses and wrote down the details of vehicles parked outside also others close by. Most of the houses she checked were terraced some semi-detached. So there were no designated car parking spaces. Vicky went to the 3 addresses that had been selected where she looked for some good observation points for the days to come.

  Vicky was writing down the best doors to knock on requesting assistance, but from the look of the ones she had chosen most houses looked like they were empty during the day.

  Vicky had stopped the car as she looked at the best options; then she noted and made diagrams of the best vantage points. Vicky nearly jumped out of skin as her phone went, she saw from the display it was Brian, she got out of the car for a stretch as she spoke ‘can’t talk at the moment Brian, can I call you later? Okay, miss you too.’

  Vicky looked in the rear view mirror checking her hair then smirked to herself as she thought of Brian. She drove to a café where she sat and drank coffee. Vicky thought that it could be a long job, but then thought, she needed to ascertain whether the suspects were still living in the houses. Vicky remembered a conversation with Jim about his crime squad work when trying to confirm if a person still lived at an address. He got some double glazing leaflets then knocked on the doors of a couple of houses either side of the suspects houses then knocked on the door of interest to see if he got a reply from the suspects to confirm they still lived there. It had worked before, but no guarantee it would work for her.

  Vicky sat as she said to her-self ‘it would be better doing that, than being sat outside a house with no suspect inside because they’d moved.’ Vicky nodded to herself as she decided to go for it.

  Vicky looked at likely houses that could be used for observations. She would check them out when she got back to see who was resident. She needed someone on their own with no kids who would chatter at school about the police being in their home. An elderly person or couple would be ideal.

  Vicky armed herself with some leaflets from one of the motorway service areas and a clipboard with some official looking headed paper she had made up with the help of Sandy.

  Then armed with all she needed went and knocked on a couple of doors either side of the subjects addresses. Then she went up to one of the suspect houses, she knocked the door, she was just about to walk away when it was sheepishly opened, the face that peered around the half opened door she instantly recognised as one of the suspects; he was older looking than the photograph, but still recognisable.

  Her job was done; confirmation he was living there, but to take away any suspicions she went through a pre-prepared speech ‘good afternoon sir, I am enquiring if you would like double glazing. It will save you money in the long run; sorry your name was Mr?’ ‘Not interested.’ Then the door closed in her face.

  Vicky went next door, but there was no reply so pushed leaflet through the letterbox when she was a few doors away she packed up knocking on doors in that street, then made her way to the next address on the list and did the same. She found all three suspects were still in residence.

  Jim’s phone went. He looked at the display as he saw Yvonne’s number. Jim answered ‘yes ma’am, how can I help you?’ ‘Right Jim next Wednesday you fly; I will meet you in Langton’s office in the morning at 7 am see you then.’ That was it nothing else she was gone. Jim sat and thought, she is like a machine on the go all the time.

  Jim arrived at HQ’s although the journey was on auto pilot, it had been a blur as he had been thinking of all the implications he could be involved this time, albeit he knew he would never be told the truth about what was goin
g on. That was the most frustrating part of the work with the spooks, what was real and what was made up by Yvonne; he never knew or was never told the truth, just like a mushroom he was kept in the dark and fed bullshit.

  Jim went straight to Langton’s office where he sat down and went through what Yvonne had said regarding the meeting in his office the following morning. Langton looked at Jim as he reached for the bottom drawer; albeit Jim didn’t want a scotch, he happily accepted it as he sipped the golden liquid.

  Langton looked at Jim as he said ‘before you ask I haven’t got a clue, I only know what was in the report you read and what you were told after your pillow talk.’ Langton smiled as Jim shook his head and laughed ‘you just won’t leave it alone will you?’ Langton looked serious as he said ‘Jim this is has got serious implications just be careful. I will be bringing this up with Yvonne. This was never part of the original agreement we signed you up too.’

  Jim finished his scotch thanking Langton then went to find Vicky; when he found her he said ‘okay Vick this is now over to you, as I am off on Wednesday, so you’ll be in charge of this investigation. I will get Langton to get you some help. You okay with that?’ ‘Not really Jim, but that’s why I was brought into the post, to take over when you’re away.’ ‘Quite so, and may I say a good choice too.’ ‘Flattery will get you everywhere.’ Vicky knew as soon as she said it the banter would start, and it did. ‘Well how much flattery do I need to give you to get anywhere?’ ‘Bugger of Jim you know what I mean.’ ‘Yes ma’am and you look lovely today, how far has that got me?’ Vicky laughed as they continued back and forth with innuendoes on both sides. Vicky loved the banter, none was meant to offend or insult it was good humour and she always gave as good as she got and enjoyed the laughter and the comradery that came with it. Rather than being a victim if anything she was over protected by her counterparts.

  23

  Jim arrived early in the office; he made coffee for himself and Langton he also made ready a cup for Yvonne. Jim sat in with Langton who looked under the weather. Jim said ‘late night was it?’ ‘Another meeting about budgets including instructions about how costs needed to be cut across the board; these new university trained business managers know fuck all about policing, just red lines and figures. You wouldn’t believe how they want policing to go, just fire brigading going from one call to the next and so on. You’re okay, as you’re funded by the spooks. But nonetheless all they’re looking at is facts and figures, not the hours of grafting, going to post mortems, none of that, just figures.’ Langton was in full flow when his desk phone rang.

  Jim made his way down to reception where he met Yvonne they shook hands as Jim led the way to the lift. Once inside he patted her bum, as she smiled, then they reached the top floor. Jim said ‘you look lovely M.’ ‘Bugger off Jim, but thanks for the compliment.’

  Jim made the coffee as Yvonne shook hands with Langton; they small talked about budgets and constraints. Yvonne said ‘the same message was being passed around all governmental depts. we have been given the same warning as well.’

  Jim entered with the coffee, as Yvonne opened her briefcase taking out a buff coloured folder with Top Secret stencilled across the top in bright red. ‘Okay gents this has got to remain between these walls, our American cousins won’t know the whole truth, only what I want them to know, is that understood?’ Both Jim and Langton nodded.

  Yvonne sipped her coffee then opened the folder, ‘this is the issue Jim, the suspect in my organisation has many legitimate links to many agencies around the world, he is in a position to control many operations, so he has an insight into what goes on worldwide. He has, we suspect turned rogue. How we know that, I cannot divulge, but we suspect he has gone over to the criminal side.’

  Jim had heard all this previously he knew how he had been duped by Yvonne before; including how she would deny anything he suspected or found out, always avoiding or being economical with the truth.

  Langton said ‘Yvonne, when Jim was first nominated for this job he did so in the belief that he was helping you out with the odd issue when you required outside help, but it now appears he is getting deeper and deeper into your way of working with no training, back-up or assistance; I think if this is to carry on in the same way then some training for him wouldn’t go amiss, do you not agree?’

  Yvonne sipped her coffee then said ‘quite so, I hear what you say and to some extent I fully agree, but the trusted person who could have helped Jim, was Briggs, but unfortunately he has been killed; his death warrant being signed by the suspected staff member in my organisation, so in order to catch him, I need Jims help.’ She didn’t wait for a reply as she carried on - she was head of MI5 she wasn’t going to listen to the ramblings of Langton no matter if he was right or wrong - ‘as I explained when we met Jim, I need you to pick up a package for me which has been compiled by a trusted source. The package contains amongst others the name of the suspect in my organisation. There is no such list, but the suspect doesn’t know that, I have fed him the information saying a courier is picking it up in the States and bringing it back to me.’

  Yvonne sipped her coffee then continued speaking putting up her hand as Jim was about to interrupt. ‘I fully realise the questions and the position it places you in Jim, but this is a national security issue; you will be rewarded handsomely which will be good, especially with the constraints we are all under.’

  Jim said ‘look, this man, your suspect will be pretty pissed off and will want that package at all costs, which puts me in the firing line so to speak, also, who is the person handing me the package?’

  Yvonne tugged at the hem of her skirt as she replied ‘quite so Jim, the person handing over the package is from the Afghan embassy, he is one of our trusted sources who has intercepted a series of messages passed to rebel units by the suspect; one such message identified Briggs as an MI5 agent. You are instructed to let go of the package if snatched or you’re confronted; the fact is we would like it to be snatched as it will confirm the suspect has acted.’

  Yvonne tugged the hem of her skirt again as she continued ‘there will be other things happening in the background which I cannot talk about, but the package being snatched will put the icing on the cake.’

  Langton then said ‘are you okay with that Jim, it’s your choice you don’t have to do this, Yvonne has explained the dangers and the risk, so your choice.’ Jim laughed as he said ‘I accept the mission.’ Yvonne smiled as she thanked both for their time as she produced the ticket for the flight 06.30 from Heathrow. Jim said ‘you do this on purpose so I get no sleep.’ Yvonne smiled inwardly relishing their nights together. Langton was looking at Yvonne still thinking, was Jim or not?

  The meeting over Yvonne shook hands as Jim showed her to the lift, once inside he patted her bum as she said ‘please be careful Jim, I need you.’ ‘I need you too M.’ The lift arrived at the ground floor, Jim took her visitors pass then she waved goodbye as her driver picked her up at the reception door.

  Jim went back to Langton’s office where the scotch was already out, Jim said ‘I need this after that revelation, I feel like the condemned man’ as he sipped his scotch and laughed. Langton put on his serious head ‘be careful Jim and do what Yvonne says, let the package go if snatched.’ ‘I’m no hero if they want it they can have it.’ Jim finished his scotch just as Vicky arrived. He went to his office and said ‘okay Vick it’s confirmed I fly out Wednesday so this job is over to you. What I need you to do is present me with a plan for the operation on the suspects and I’ll take it to Langton to try and get you some assistance, but be warned there are financial cuts coming, so don’t be surprised if it is refused.

  Vicky looked at Jim ‘are you winding me up, this is about little kids.’ ‘Yep government cuts; they don’t see the hours it takes to get evidence against a suspect, all they see is money, they don’t have to look at the aftermath of the poor kids, but they’ll be the first to point the finger when something goes wrong blaming those at t
he front line for not doing something.’ Vicky nodded ‘arseholes they haven’t got a clue.’ ‘Anyway get writing whilst I clear my desk before I go. I’ll be in Monday, but not Tuesday.’

  Vicky sat thinking as she started to compile her report on the findings including names of the suspects who had been contacted by Susan Gormley, Vicky made a good case for a team to commence observations, but now Langton had to convince his bosses that a team should be put together to monitor the activities of the suspects.

  24

  Wednesday came as a driver picked Jim up a 2 am then drove him to Heathrow. The traffic was minimal until they got closer to London. Then the nearer they got to Heathrow the traffic became heavier, even at stupid o’clock in the morning.

  The driver dropped Jim off at the terminal he thanked the driver then was off to check-in his bags. Once free of his luggage he went through security to the business class lounge where he had a coffee and a sandwich. After a while he saw his flight number on the overhead display indicating boarding was taking place; so he walked to the gate where he showed his passport for the last time then he was directed to the comfortable seats of business class. He was knackered he had hardly slept the night before as he had been ravaged by Jackie as a farewell treat for him, but in reality for her too, she had really gone to town on him.

  The cabin crew were attentive after take-off with coffee and food. It was an 8 ½ hour flight so he hoped to sleep and wake refreshed at the other end, but no matter which way he tried to turn he just kept thinking about the task ahead and what he was going to find, more importantly, would he ever be told the truth? How much did Barney know? Had Yvonne let him into the real reason he was there? Also did Carole-Anne know the reason? His mind just wouldn’t slow down.