by Bill Ward
When she asked him, he admitted it was the last thing he really wanted but it was the only sensible course of action. She considered it carefully and agreed to leave but on the condition he went with her. She had said it mischievously with a smile, knowing he had a business and a brother who needed him. She explained she was not easily intimidated and had no intention of running away. Much like when you came to my aid she had said, again with that small smile. Tom admired her ability to construct a convincing argument. So deep down he was happy that at least for the foreseeable future it seemed Melanie intended to stay in England. He just prayed that she would not be in any further danger.
Colin had been very sleepy and weak but at times conscious when they visited him that morning. He had a room to himself because of the seriousness of his injuries. Nurses came and went very regularly, checking the various machines to which he was connected and updating the notes at the bottom of his bed.
Colin’s eyes appeared to light up in recognition when he noticed Melanie was with Tom. He had blinked and Tom felt sure his brother was making sure Melanie was indeed in his hospital room and he wasn’t dreaming. He managed a whispered rather hoarse hello but that was it as far as conversation. Although he was definitely on the road to recovery, he would be spending several further weeks in hospital and there was still no definite prognosis about any long term physical injuries. He had not yet been well enough to ask what he remembered of the actual shooting and not been told of John’s role in probably saving his life, while forfeiting his own.
Liz had been surprisingly welcoming, especially given she couldn’t have had much sleep, having been parked permanently and dutifully at Colin’s bedside since first arriving at the hospital. She revealed they were moving Colin next day to a London hospital, more experienced with trauma such as he had experienced, which would also make it easier for her to visit. Tom put her friendliness down to this news and the presence of Melanie and suspected had she not been there he wouldn’t have been made so welcome. They all agreed that if the doctors considered it safe to move Colin then he must indeed be improving.
Sam was stretched out on the large hotel bed with Eduardo when she heard the newsflash. She sat bolt upright, focusing on the screen and pictures of a wrecked and smouldering van. She covered her face with her hand and let out an exclamation that quickly turned to an anguished cry. Eduardo took a few seconds longer to understand the reason. Then he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her reassuringly into his large chest. He held her close for a minute then she pulled away and looked up into his eyes.
“I bet it was that bastard Connor,” she said with venom.
“Might well have been,” Eduardo soothed, stroking her hair. “But don’t worry about him. I promised he would be dead and I am a man of my word.”
“He was a good brother. Why did Connor do that? He wouldn’t have talked. Christ we are all meant to be on the same side.” The words came with a rush. “I should call home, speak to Ma and Da.”
“Of course but not from here,” Eduardo suggested.
“I want to pull the trigger,” she suddenly threw out. “I want to look him in the eyes just before I squeeze the trigger.”
“It may not have been Connor,” Eduardo responded, hastily retreating on his earlier encouragement it had possibly been him. “For all we know he could have already skipped the country. I would have in his place.”
Sam didn’t look convinced. “I’m sure it’s him and I’m going to make him regret what he did to both of us.”
Sam’s reaction worried Eduardo. He understood some of how she was feeling but had learned that personal feelings clouded judgment and where such serious matters were concerned, it would be vital to keep a clear and unemotional focus. That Sam could act on impulse and be very emotional was beyond doubt. She had wanted drugs to implicate Ashdown but then on impulse had asked Connor to kill Ashdown instead. The result had been bad for her. Eduardo liked Sam and wanted to help her. They had agreed that her original plan for the drugs and his reason for being in England was no longer a good idea. It seemed Connor would now replace Ashdown as the focus of her hate.
“I have an idea,” he said. “I am going to take you to dinner and over a nice Rioja we will drink to your brother and then I will explain why I am going to call the Chief.”
Miller purchased two large coffees and joined Simpson on a bench by the river. After brief pleasantries Miller jumped to the reason he had asked to meet. “Is it just me or are you boys also wondering how the hell they managed to hit Murphy? The Court and timings were a closely guarded secret.”
“We’re actively looking for scapegoats to blame! I assume you are running checks on everybody in the know? Someone must have tipped them off.”
“What about your end. There are a few names on the list that I can’t check.”
“Not likely to be one of us,” Simpson answered dismissively. “Most likely someone in the prison.”
“Nobody inside the prison knew the full details, only the time he was being collected. The officers accompanying Murphy were only briefed ten minutes before they left.”
“Where are you going with this?” Simpson enquired. “It could be anyone directly or indirectly giving the location away. Maybe someone has a bug in their office they don’t know about. It’s hardly a first.”
“True, but we’re missing something here.” Miller took a sip of his coffee and looked out across the river. “It doesn’t make sense. We have a sudden rush of Irish associated murders and attempted kidnaps but who is behind it?”
“My guess would be the Real IRA. They recruited Murphy and Maguire and let them loose on London.”
“But if Bancroft was their target why were they also trying to kidnap Melanie Adams? It doesn’t make sense. And why haven’t they claimed responsibility at least for the murder of Bancroft? They might not want to admit to trying to kidnap Melanie Adams but Bancroft is an entirely different matter. They would claim he is a legitimate target and want the kudos for his death. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“Perhaps they don’t want to claim credit for Bancroft because they know they will automatically get the unwanted credit for Adams and the attempt on Ashdown.”
“I’m convinced we are missing something important,” Miller stressed.
“Perhaps there are two cells working independently,” Simpson suggested. We know about Murphy and Maguire but the second cell target Bancroft. And maybe then are ordered to take out Murphy to stop him talking.”
Miller didn’t look convinced. “It doesn’t fit. We have two very different types of action and frankly different levels of professionalism. I can see the Real IRA or for that matter Continuity wanting to kill Bancroft but kidnap Melanie Adams…” Miller shook his head as his words trailed away in thought.
“Well Bancroft will be no great loss,” Simpson said after a moment of reflection. “Jones couldn’t abide the man and though it grieves me to say it, for once I have to say I tend to agree with him.”
Miller raised his eyebrows in question. “What did Jones have against Bancroft?”
“He was behind the combined service idea,” Simpson explained. “With him earmarked as its first leader. Worse thing for this country’s security that could ever happen if it came to pass.”
Miller was surprised by the intensity of Simpson’s feelings. He’d thought Simpson beyond caring about such matters. Miller had forgotten Bancroft’s role in leading the government’s push for a single security service. He’d met Bancroft a few times but wasn’t directly impacted by his political manoeuvrings and had enough interfering politicians of his own to worry about, without widening the group to peripheral figures like Bancroft.
“Jones doesn’t share your views either,” Simpson continued. “He’s got everyone focused on finding this Connor chap. Thinks he is the sole missing piece in our jigsaw.”
“Finding him would certainly be a good start,” Miller concurred. “One thing’s for sure though, Connor d
idn’t get the intel on Murphy without help. There must be at least one other involved and I intend to find out who was responsible for the deaths of three good police officers today.”
“We’ve been to too many funerals over the years,” Simpson said.
“One last request, Tony. Can you run one of your special background checks on Tom Ashdown?”
“Ashdown!” Simpson replied shocked. “Surely you don’t think he’s involved somehow?”
“Not really but I just want to be sure. My nose is twitching a bit. He’s been at the centre of everything that’s happened. Just being thorough.”
“Okay but he saved Melanie Adams and his brother was almost killed. I think you must be barking up the wrong tree if you suspect him of any involvement.”
Miller thanked Simpson for his help and as he walked back to his office he pondered once again what could be the missing piece in his jigsaw.
Eduardo had put a call in to the Chief on the pretext of being concerned about recent events and the possible impact the terrible publicity could have for their business dealings. He didn’t want extra attention being focused on the Chief’s business and contacts. The Chief was very understanding but quick to stress that his men were not involved. It was rogue factions outside his control. Eduardo knew the Chief was at least partially withholding the truth. Connor had been in London even if he wasn’t now and he was the Chief’s man.
“What about this man Connor who is all over the news? I have met him before. He is one of your men,” Eduardo stated firmly.
“Connor is tidying up the mess.”
“I do understand,” Eduardo sympathized. “But frankly when I see his face on the news he is now very much at the heart of this mess. What if the police capture him as surely they must do…? He even knows my name. This puts at risk all our very profitable business together… I am in London at the moment and if there is anything I can do to help bring these events to a speedy conclusion…?” He let the offer hang in the air.
There was a thoughtful silence at the other end of the phone. “There is possibly one thing you could help with,” the Chief finally responded.
Eduardo had gone fishing, dangled the bait and had a great bite. As he recounted his call to a scarcely believing Sam, they had then fallen into bed in a frenzy of further love making. She was intent on thanking him for what he had done and knew only one way to do that. Actually she again found more than one way.
It was late afternoon when they lay in bed planning the details. Eduardo wasn’t entirely happy at Sam’s insistence that she must be there at the end. He would have preferred her out of harm’s way but more than that, was concerned her emotional involvement might lead to irrational behaviour and complications. He knew though he would never be able to dissuade her from joining him so would just have to be doubly careful in his planning.
The Chief had asked him to do a spot of tidying up and he knew that not only would doing this favour earn him the Chief’s gratitude, something well worth having, but also Sam would be eternally grateful, for letting her be part of removing the pig Connor from the Earth.
The Chief had provided details of the safe house where Connor was laying low. He was expecting to be contacted and as he had met Eduardo a couple of times would be only mildly surprised by him being the contact. He was awaiting a change of identity and the delivery of a new passport. Eduardo would be the courier but the Chief had decided that Connor had become dispensable. Murphy was out the picture and it was best to tidy up all loose ends, which now included Connor. Eduardo had agreed to act as the cleaner and was amazed at how easy it had now become to honour his promise to Sam. If only all business and pleasure could flow so smoothly.
CHAPTER NINE
Eduardo and Sam took a taxi to an address provided by The Chief. Sam stayed in the taxi while Eduardo went in and came out a couple of minutes later holding a brown envelope. He also had a weapon hidden in the rear waistband of his trousers. They then had the taxi take them nearby the second address in Finchley provided by the Chief, where Connor was laying low. They found a coffee shop where Eduardo left Sam while he went and scouted the property. Returning twenty minutes later he purchased a double espresso and joined her at the discrete table in the corner. He emptied two bags of sugar into his coffee before he spoke.
He huddled forward so he couldn’t be overheard. “This won’t be easy,” he started. “Are you sure you need to be part of this? Can’t I just call you to join me once I have dealt with him?”
Her look was enough to answer his question.
“Okay. It is a small house with a front door on the street. There is no way to approach the house unseen. I will secure him and then call for you to join me. You can then deliver the coup de grace. ”
“He’s a Muppet but dangerous,” Sam warned. “Take care.”
“A Muppet?” Eduardo frowned. “You mean like Kermit the frog?”
“I mean he’s a fool but he’s known as a hard man so please be careful.”
“I like that you want me to take care,” Eduardo said appreciatively. “I assure you Sam I share your concern for my health and will take great care. Please also do not act impetuously. I too care for you. Now I shall have one more coffee and then be on my way.”
Sam screwed up her face. “I don’t know how you can put so much sugar in such a small drink. It must taste like treacle. And it’s very bad for your health,” she admonished him.
Eduardo pushed his chair back and stood. “I can see I have a lot to teach you,” he smiled.
Miller was dwelling on the contents of the report on his desk from an old Special Branch colleague in Ireland. As a result of the upsurge in violence on the mainland, he had asked Special Branch to rattle cages and push all their informants to discover who the hell was responsible. It was being put about on the streets of Belfast that Connor had gone missing and was suspected of joining the Real IRA. The suggestion was that he could be responsible for taking Maguire and Murphy across the sea and causing the recent troubles. It made some sense to Miller. Connor could be the man Murphy had mentioned Maguire meeting. After the demise of his team, Connor had then killed Bancroft by himself before going after Tom Ashdown for some sort of revenge. And had Connor been behind the attack on Murphy? Perhaps removing someone he rightly didn’t trust.
His thoughts were interrupted by his mobile ringing. He recognized the voice at the end of the line asking him if he could please call back urgently when he was free to speak. Miller realized that it wasn’t a discussion to be had in the office. He left his office and walked towards Victoria until he found a phone box, which afforded him privacy and some protection from the cold. He dialled the number back on his mobile. He listened intently to his old friend from Special Branch in Ireland, his excitement steadily growing.
They had arrested a senior member of the IRA, carelessly caught with a large stash of cocaine in the boot of his car. Just what he was doing transporting drugs so openly was still a complete mystery. He had been spotted with a broken rear light and if he had pulled over, the police officer would have politely pointed out the fact and continued on his way. Instead the man had accelerated away with the police car in hot pursuit. Driving an underpowered saloon he had not gone far when he was cornered by three police cars at a junction and forced to stop. The quantity of drugs was sufficient to have him put away for many years and having been to jail before he wasn’t keen to return.
The man had tried bartering for his freedom with snippets of information but the local police weren’t interested. Then he asked to see a senior member of Special Branch because he had something very important he wanted to trade for his freedom. The piece of information in question was that the IRA had a highly placed informant in MI5. In fact the suggestion was that the informant was so senior he could access and pass on absolutely anything demanded of him. If such an informant did exist, then it would explain how the killer found out details of the route for transporting Murphy to Court. It also meant that the same per
son had the death of not only Murphy but also more importantly three police officers on his hands.
Miller’s brain was racing as he listened, analysing what he was hearing. The informant was unlikely to be passing information for any ideological reason so they must be blackmailing him. Unless it was pure greed and he was being well paid. At the moment Special Branch had disclosed this information solely to Miller and currently only unofficially. They too knew that if someone senior in MI5 was indeed the IRA’s contact, then it was vital they kept this information to the fewest people possible. However, they wouldn’t be able to sit on the info for long.
Miller wasn’t sure how the revelation about an MI5 informant, fitted with his analysis that the IRA wasn’t responsible for the attacks on Bancroft or the actress. Perhaps the two weren’t connected. Was this informant simply helping the IRA gain retribution against the renegades? Or was their some other agenda?
There was also the further very real possibility that the man they had arrested was playing Special Branch and intentionally pointing the finger of blame at an entirely innocent person, just in the hope of causing some disruption in the security services and securing his freedom. In fact, the more Miller considered the question, the more he thought that was the most likely answer. The fly in the ointment was that he was being left in no doubt by the man at the other end of the phone that he in particular and Special Branch in general, were convinced the information was authentic.
Unfortunately the IRA man wanted a high price for the name of the informant. He wanted to start a new life in Australia. The odd thing about the request was that despite having a large family he wanted the new life only for himself. He would be forever hunted if the deal was made and he thought he would have more chance of avoiding his past if he had only himself to worry about.
