sThe Quiet Wart

by The Quiet War (ARC) (epub)

  *

  An hour later, Liz ran back into the operations room. ‘She’s on the news.’

  The screen focussed on a small group behind a podium. Grossi and Anna were among them, waiting for a cue. Then Grossi moved to the podium, with Anna behind him. He began to speak in Italian, but then the English translation came through on BBC World News.

  ‘Today it saddens me to announce that we have not been able to reach an agreement with four of our member states — the United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark and Sweden — regarding their breach of the terms of certain EU bonds. To this end I hereby announce, that I immediately invoke the powers granted to me under Article Seven of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and suspend those states from European Union membership, until this breach is rectified.’

  Quickly stepping in when he moved back, Anna took the podium. ‘As the leader of the largest party in the Parliament, I am here to say that I, and the Parliament, fully support President Grossi’s tough stance on this important matter. It’s high time that the heads of member states realise that they cannot just flout EU law without consequence.’

  The noise level in the pressroom at the Berlaymont exploded, as every journalist raised their hand to ask questions, while at the same time reaching for their phones to call the office.

  ‘Wow, they’ve done it! That must have been what the meeting was about last night; putting the final words together,’ Liz said, blowing out hard.

  Everybody at the house stayed rooted to the screen for the next hour, unable to move. With the press coverage going into overdrive, there was plenty to see as every news channel speculated about the response from the four suspended countries.

  At 10:30 a.m. on the dot, the British Prime Minister, Ed Halliday, appeared outside the Berlaymont Building for a press statement, with every single TV channel in the world watching to see how he would react. ‘Will he just dismiss it as politicking, or will he react more aggressively?’ the BBC News anchor speculated.

  When the noise from the mob of journalists had quietened down enough that he could be heard, Halliday fronted the microphones. ‘Today we have seen a barbarous act from a European Union that has become infested with political infighting and corruption. But I’m here to tell you that we won’t stand for it. We won’t allow Britain to be bullied by the technocrats of the EU any longer, and if this position isn’t reversed, I see no other option than to cancel Britain’s membership of the EU forthwith.’

  Any speculation that he might just brush the actions of the President aside were gone, and he pushed his way through the journalists without taking any questions.

  ‘Fucking hell! It’s real,’ Clive said with his mouth aghast.

  Like Clive, Sean had been plagued by the constant question of whether what they were looking for was really happening, or whether they were just chasing conspiracies, and whether he was about to make a fool of himself again in the complex arena of European politics. All those doubts were now vanquished, as he stared intently at the TV screen, watching the lonely figure of the British Prime Minister walking away from a horde of reporters.

  ‘Anna’s walking out, right into that mess,’ Pete suddenly said over the radio.

  Back on the TV, a reporter shouted, ‘There’s Anna Faustein. Do you have anything to say to her, Prime Minister?’

  ‘Holy shit!’ Sean said, as Halliday swung around to see Anna walking through the revolving doors.

  ‘I do, and I’ll say it to her face,’ Halliday said, marching boldly towards her.

  When Anna saw him coming she stopped and looked back at the door, but it was already too late: she was on camera; she’d have to face him. The scene was electrifying as Halliday strutted up to her, chased by a crowd of journalists. As he reached earshot, he immediately started to yell at her, waving his finger. But there was no sound, the sound crews had been blocked out by the traditional journalists in the race to keep up.

  When the telescopic sound poles finally started to receive the conversation, they caught Halliday’s angry words. ‘It’s a fucking disgrace. I don’t know when that slimy bastard was even given the power to do it. And as for you, you can stick your fucking European Union up your arse, because we’re leaving.’ Swivelling around like a soldier, Halliday marched away, chased by the reporters, until he climbed into a waiting car.

  Holding a hand up against her face, Anna did the same, refusing to comment on the way.

  ‘Good on him! I didn’t think he had the balls,’ Clive said.

  ‘I agree. I’d switched my allegiances, but I might even vote for him now,’ Sean added.

  ‘That’ll be a wasted vote. Last I saw he was ten points down in the polls. He’s got no chance with the general election so close. Farrell will win hands down and he’s just about stupid enough to comply with everything the EU wants,’ Liz said.

  ‘Anna’s gone into the Willy Brandt Building. I guess she’ll be in there for the rest of the day as usual,’ Steve said over the radio.

  For the next eight hours, Sean and Liz were glued to the TV, switching between news channels. Sean thought he’d heard the sound bite ‘You can stick your fucking European Union up your arse, because we’re leaving’, at least 400 times.

  Every station was now reporting the results of an online poll that had been conducted throughout the day by one of the main political pollsters. Halliday had made a seventeen point swing in his approval rating and was now easily the clear favourite to win the May election.

  ‘Seems they all think like you,’ Liz said, poking Sean. ‘A few expletives and suddenly he’s cool again.’

  FROM ZERO TO HERO IN A DAY, the Sky News headline read, with a large picture of Halliday scolding Anna next to it.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Friday, 12th February. Brussels, Belgium.

  They were distracted from the TV at 6:45 p.m. ‘She’s out again. You could set your watch by her movements,’ Steve said.

  ‘She’s heading through the park on foot,’ the next update came through.

  ‘I’ll pick her up at the gate, but stay with her until then,’ Pete said.

  Five minutes later Pete announced that he had her in sight. ‘I bet she goes to the same restaurant,’ Pete laughed.

  ‘Wait a minute. No, she’s going to the apartment.’

  Running into the operations room, Dorsch immediately clicked a few keys on his computer and the screen in the centre of the table lit up with six live images: four depicting different shots of the inside of Anna’s apartment; one of the corridor outside; and one of the lift entrance.

  The sight of the small couch where Anna had propositioned him made Sean twitch with guilt.

  Then there was movement: first, on the camera by the lift, as Anna exited, walking brusquely; then, the corridor, as she pulled out the keys and opened her apartment door. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes and went into the kitchen, where she opened a bottle of wine. After drinking a glass quickly, she looked at her watch and went into the bedroom.

  She hastily inspected the contents of the suit carrier that was hanging in the wardrobe, without getting it out. Then she started to undress.

  ‘This is wrong,’ Liz said, shaking her head and looking at Sean.

  ‘Okay, you watch and tell us when she’s decent,’ Clive said.

  Reluctantly, Sean, Clive and Dorsch stood and moved around the table where they couldn’t see the screen. All eyes were focussed on Liz.

  ‘What’s happening?’ Sean asked.

  ‘She’s taken all her clothes off and is masturbating with a huge dildo.’ Liz smiled.

  ‘Ha ha!’ Sean said.

  ‘Okay, she’s gone into the bathroom and she’s having a shower. I can’t believe you put a camera in there,’ Liz looked up at Dorsch.

  Some time passed while Anna showered and dried her hair. ‘I bet she just uses the place to get changed when she has a function. There’s sure to be some kind of banquet tonight with all the big knobs in town,’ Liz commented.


  ‘Maybe, but keep watching,’ Clive said.

  ‘Okay, she’s back in the bedroom now, naked. She’s getting her clothes out of the suit bag.’

  Then Liz’s eyes bulged as she tried to focus on the screen. ‘Oh! I may be wrong, but I don’t think that’s the usual attire for a state banquet.’

  ‘What is it?’ Sean asked.

  ‘Some kind of dominatrix outfit I’d say.’

  Unable to resist, Clive, Sean and Dorsch all moved back around the table.

  ‘Perverts,’ Liz exclaimed.

  ‘It looks like she’s expecting company. Look at that whip,’ Dorsch said.

  Sean wasn’t sure whether he was just commenting, or that he genuinely admired it.

  After laying out the leather clothes on the bed, Anna carefully dressed herself and pulled on thigh-high patent leather boots to complete the image, before walking into the small lounge, dimming the lights and pouring herself another glass of wine.

  *

  Five minutes later, there was some movement in the corridor.

  ‘Did you see anybody come into the building, Pete?’ Clive asked.

  ‘No, not a soul for the last half-hour,’ Pete replied.

  ‘That’s weird. Either he lives in the same building, or there’s a back way.’

  When the new entrant knocked on Anna’s door, they watched as she checked her outfit and picked up the whip before opening it.

  ‘Wow,’ the deep male voice said before he entered, clutching a bottle of champagne. He was wearing a beanie hat pulled low onto his head and a long heavy black coat.

  ‘I thought I’d put on a special treat for you tonight, you naughty boy,’ Anna said.

  ‘She’s speaking English,’ Liz commented.

  ‘Did you mean it when you said you wanted to put something up my arse?’ Anna said in a provocative tone.

  The four people surrounding the kitchen table in the house froze.

  ‘No, it can’t be,’ Sean said.

  Then Anna pulled the beanie from her guest’s head, revealing the grey hair and manicured face of Ed Halliday, the British Prime Minister.

  ‘How did he get in there?’ Clive exclaimed.

  ‘The coat. the hat. I’m guessing he gave his security the slip and came in through a rear door somewhere,’ Dorsch said.

  ‘More importantly, what the hell is he doing there after today’s events?’ Liz added.

  ‘We need to be ready to speak to him on the way out. This is just about the only chance I’ll ever get to question a Prime Minister,’ Sean said excitedly.

  ‘I’ll stay here with Liz and Praew. You two go,’ Clive said. ‘We’ll keep you informed.

  Dorsch quickly grabbed a pistol from the cupboard and indicated to Sean that they needed to move. Once outside, a driver was waiting for them.

  ‘What’s happening, Liz?’ Sean asked, as the car sped out of the gates.

  ‘Wouldn’t you like to know. Let’s just say that he won’t be saying much for a while. She’s just gagged him with a mouth ball. I’ll let you know if anything relevant happens, but I’m not providing a running commentary of the sex.’

  In less than ten minutes Sean and Dorsch had joined Steve outside Anna’s apartment building. ‘Keep an eye on the door. We’ll see if there’s a rear entrance,’ Dorsch instructed.

  ‘Anything new, Liz?’ Sean asked, as they ran around the side of the ugly concrete building and through the garbage collection area.

  ‘Lots of new things. You’d be surprised! But nothing relevant,’ Liz replied.

  ‘It’s here,’ Dorsch said, pointing to a dark enclosed entrance, at the rear of the building. We’ll hide there by the bins,’ he said.

  They waited for another hour and a half, before Liz finally spoke. ‘Well, I’m glad that’s over. I was starting to feel sorry for him,’ Liz said.

  ‘Has he said anything yet?’ Sean asked.

  ‘No, they’re lying next to each other on the bed, exhausted. With good reason I might add. Wait, they’re finally speaking. Can you hear them?’ Liz said.

  ‘Yes, just about,’ Sean replied.

  ‘It looks like I’ll be calling you Mr Prime Minister for a lot longer then,’ Anna said.

  ‘Yep. I can’t believe it worked so well and so quickly,’ Halliday replied, laughing.

  ‘They planned it! I can’t believe he’d do that. Jeopardise the whole country for his own political gain,’ Liz shouted.

  ‘When will you tell your party that you don’t intend to leave the Union?’ Anna asked.

  ‘After the election, when you’ve removed the suspension… as we agreed. It’s only a few months. We can string it out until then. Besides, I quite enjoyed being a national hero today. I’m sure I’ll get the opportunity to build on that in the next few days,’ Halliday gloated.

  ‘You’d better get going before you’re missed,’ Anna said.

  ‘You’re right. Bloody security. They spoil my life,’ Halliday joked.

  ‘He’s getting dressed. And it will ruin his life when his wife and children find out,’ Liz said.

  The vile stench of the rotting garbage filled Sean’s lungs, as he and Dorsch crouched down behind the garbage bins and waited, watching the secluded doorway.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Friday, 12th February. Brussels, Belgium.

  ‘He’s leaving now, using the stairs. Get ready,’ Clive noted.

  Sean tensed and flicked his tongue around his dry mouth. Accosting a Prime Minister wasn’t something that he should take lightly, even if he was leaving a clandestine sex rendezvous. He studied Dorsch. So far, after only a few days as part of the team, the German billionaire had shown little respect for the law.

  ‘We can’t assault him,’ Sean whispered.

  ‘Then how will we stop him?’ Dorsch replied.

  ‘If he doesn’t stop of his own accord, we have to let him go. Assaulting a Prime Minister is going too far.’ Even though he was whispering, Sean made sure his point was firm.

  ‘Okay,’ Dorsch agreed, pointing in the direction of the door, as the shadowy figure emerged into the darkened yard.

  As soon as Halliday was clear of the entrance, Sean sprung to his feet. ‘Did you have a good time in there, Prime Minister?’ Sean asked.

  Clearly stunned by the approach, Halliday stopped and looked around, looking for an alternative route, but there was only one way out of the yard and that meant he would have to walk past Sean and Dorsch. When he saw that there were two of them, he turned and started to fumble for the key in his pocket, trying to head back into the building. But Sean ran forward to a spot only two metres away from him.

  ‘Can I ask you a few questions?’ Sean asked.

  Ignoring Sean and looking away, Halliday continued to search for his keys. When Dorsch joined them, Sean could see the panic growing in the Prime Minister’s face.

  ‘We’re not going to hurt you Prime Minister. We just want to ask you a few questions,’ Sean said, blocking Dorsch’s advance with his body.

  Suddenly stopping his key search, Halliday turned to face Sean. ‘Who are you and what do you want with me? I can have my security here in seconds and you’ll spend a long time in prison,’ he said aggressively.

  ‘For what? Asking questions? I didn’t think that had been criminalised yet. But since you ask, my name is Sean McManus, and I’m a British journalist.’

  ‘The journalist from the BW affair?’ Halliday said.

  ‘Yes, that’s right,’ Sean acknowledged, knowing that it would help Halliday understand that he was in no physical danger.

  ‘Look, I was just visiting a friend in this building, and I didn’t think it was fair to bring half of the world’s media with me,’ Halliday said, regaining his composure.

  ‘Oh, that’s nice of you. Who’s your friend?’ Sean asked.

  ‘It’s an elderly lady: an old friend of my mother.’

  ‘Really? That’ll make a very nice personal interest piece on you. Would you mind if we interview
ed her?’

  ‘I’m afraid that she’s quite frail and I wouldn’t want to disturb her again.’

  Dorsch made a loud tutting sound and Sean again moved to block him out.

  ‘That’s funny, I’ve never considered Anna Faustein old or frail.’ Sean lifted his eyebrows, making the point.

  Halliday bowed his head like a schoolboy caught lying. ‘Okay, you’ve caught me. I came here to continue my argument with her on behalf of the British people. I wanted to make sure I got my point across.’

  ‘Ha!’ Dorsch exclaimed in frustration.

  Even Sean would have to admit that the Prime Minister was a convincing liar. His face showed no signs of false statements: his eyes were open and made contact with Sean’s, even though that was the second blatant lie he’d told. Sean quickly switched approach. ‘Why are you lying to me?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m not lying to you, and quite frankly, I’m offended by that comment.’

  This time Sean laughed at the fake indignation displayed by Halliday. He’d seen the same face on TV thousands of times, telling lies to millions of people, in the deluded belief that they trusted him.

  ‘Why are you laughing?’ Halliday said, the tone in his voice sharpening. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got to get back to my hotel,’ he added.

  Sean thought quickly. He had to stop him from leaving, but the only way was to incriminate himself. ‘I’m laughing because I have video footage of you partaking in some rather interesting activities with Ms Faustein. I doubt many people will see it as continuing the argument, although it was apparently quite aggressive.’

  The comments made Halliday freeze and turn around to face Sean. ‘What do you want, Mr McManus? To break up my family, ruin my life? I have some interests that I share with Ms Faustein. Should I be persecuted for that?’

  ‘Tell him to ask his wife,’ Liz’s voice popped up over the earpiece.

  The speed of Halliday’s transition from denial, to lying, to pleading forgiveness was unbelievable. Sean pressed further. ‘I’m not a tabloid muck-raker, Prime Minister, so if it was just the sex I could probably overlook it. But the problem I have is that it’s more than that, isn’t it? You conspired with a German MEP to deceive the British people, in order to get votes.’