by David Lowe
‘There may be officers better trained at personal protection than you, but I’d like to play a more active part in your investigation, be a sort of agent provocateur. How does that sound?’ Trevelyan asked.
‘I don’t like that idea at all,’ David said, ‘Not wanting to sound rude, but you have no experience of detective work.’
‘I know I haven’t, but you can tell me what to do,’ Trevelyan said.
‘I’m sorry Alan, but it’s out of the question,’ David said.
‘Funnily enough that’s what Jenny Richmond told me when I put that suggestion to her. Well it was worth a try. I need something to do now I’ve retired and I thought I would be useful to you,’ Trevelyan said laughing, ‘Now Peter, how does it feel to be the latest QC from, Lincoln’s Inn?’
Chapter fourteen
GMP’s Special Branch Office,
09.30 hours, Thursday, 5th July
‘George, a word in my office,’ Paul Edge said walking past George Byrne and Detective Sergeant Ray Baskin who were stood by the water cooler.
‘To insult me again, sir,’ George replied in a surly tone as Ray Baskin decided it was time to make a tactful retreat from the water cooler.
‘No,’ Edge said, ‘Come to my room I have a few things to go through with you.’ The two officers never spoke as they made their way into Edge’s office.
As they entered the office, Edge sat down behind his desk and with his hand beckoned George to sit down. ‘I’d prefer to stand if you don’t mind,’ George said trying to remain aloof.
‘It’s time to put our cards on the table. I’m sorry for our misunderstanding yesterday morning. I would most probably feel the same as you if a member of my family was under threat from a terrorist attack. What more do you want? Why are you still trying to get back at me?’
‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,’ George said looking puzzled.
‘Your father-in-law, Lord Trevelyan, I’ve been told he’s one of the Real IRA’s targets. The Police Minister rang me yesterday afternoon telling me to release Hurst and Adams to assist this Jenny Richmond from MI5 on the investigation she’s running into the Real IRA. Then this morning, I had a phone call from the Chief telling me Hurst and Adams are returning to Manchester later on today and I must release them to the commander of the Northwest Counter Terrorism Unit. It’s not hard to put two and two together to see that you’ve been using your friends in high places to undermine me.’
‘I’ve had nothing to do with it. All I’ve been doing is running the three investigations you’ve assigned to me. Most of the time, I’ve been looking after Alex Bullard in the investigation into the doctor and the dentist in Prestwich and Ray Baskin’s team’s operation on the five targets in Bolton and Oldham. That operation alone has taken up not only all of Ray’s team, but I’ve had to put two other teams on to assist him as well as liaise with MI5. On top of that, I’ve been keeping an eye on David Hurst and Steve Adams while they’ve been down in London assisting SO15 with this Irish connection. I’ve had no time to go behind your back and contact others I know to undermine you. I suggest you stop being paranoid.’
‘You deny having a hand in what’s been going on with this Jenny Richmond at MI5 and having the Police Minister and the Chief contact me?’
‘Yes. Clearly SO15 and MI5 have unearthed a line of enquiry on the Irish activity that needs to be bottomed out. It may or may not involve my father-in-law. I’m getting sick of your innuendos that I’m behind everything. Don’t blame me for your insecurities. And while I’m on the subject, get off Hurst’s back. If you want some feedback, many of the counter-terrorist teams think you’re a prick, so get over it. Change your approach, play to their strengths and you’ll get support as to look to get to the next rank Paul. Take that as friendly advice from a colleague who’s known you for many years.’
‘So that’s what you think this is all about do you? Me looking to get to the next rank,’ Edge asked indignantly.
‘I do. Manage the department Paul, let those who can do, and if they’ve got a good reputation and are wanted by the likes of MI5, SO15 or at the behest of senior politicians, seize the moment and be co-operative. Stop seeing it as people constantly trying to undermine your authority and take the credit for developing and managing the Hurst’s of this world.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean George?’
‘Be honest with the officers under your command and you’ll be surprised at how they’ll respond. If you don’t, then you’ll have constant battles with them.’
* * *
‘Afternoon George, Alex, we’re back’ David said to his DI walking into GMP’s ISB office accompanied by Steve and Debbie.
Stood at Alex Bullard’s desk and having his back to them, George turned round. Genuinely pleased to see them he said, ‘It’s nice to see you back. Have got any news for me?’
‘Plenty,’ Debbie said, ‘a brief’s on its way from Thames House for you and Paul Edge. That’s if you haven’t got it already. I suggest we have a meet with Paul Edge and I’ll brief you both with the latest developments.’
‘Do you want me and Steve to join you?’ David asked.
‘No just George and I,’ Debbie said, ‘While we brief Edge you go and meet Jimmy O’Leary.’
‘Fine by me,’ said Steve.
‘Has he been in touch again,’ George asked.
‘Yes, he rang when we were on the train back to Manchester. He said he’s got some top information and stressed that we should meet up with him today,’ David said.
‘I agree with Debbie, it’s more important that you see him,’ George said, ‘There’s no point you seeing Edge and it wouldn’t be advisable at the moment. I’m afraid we had words earlier and a few home truths came out. How did it go with my father-in-law?’
‘We laid a trap by going to his club. Debbie and I joined Alan and Chloe in the club while Steve was with SO15 outside watching out for McCrossan but it was a no show. At least I got a good meal out it,’ David said.
‘And I finally go to meet Peter’s wife, Felicity. The term bitch is too mild to describe her. Mind you, Alan put her in her place a few times,’ Debbie added.
‘He can do that alright. Come on Debbie let’s go and update Edge while you two go and meet up with O’Leary. Let me know what he wants and before you make any promises, get it sanctioned with me first,’ George said.
As David and Steve began walking out of the ISB office, Debbie and George made their way to Edge’s office giving Debbie the opportunity to ask George what had been going on between him and Edge. ‘Our exchange of words yesterday was that bad, I was on the verge of leaving the Branch. After the Police Minister bollocked him, we had a chat earlier and he apologised to me. That gave me the chance to pass on some friendly advice on how to manage the staff in this department’
‘It must have been bad for you to lose it with him,’ Debbie said.
‘It was the usual Edge response to having senior figures telling him what to do.’
‘I know Jenny Richmond had words with him over David and Steve being down in London. He annoyed her so much, she got the Police Minister and Bernard Gamble to ring Edge.’
‘Typical, he thought it was me,’ George said knocking on Edge’s door.
As the two entered Edge’s office they sat down while Debbie briefed Edge with the latest developments regarding the Irish investigation. Once she finished, Paul Edge asked her, ‘What do you want from me? I’ve had some heavyweights telling me what I should and should not be doing regarding this investigation.’
‘It’s simple, we just need your full co-operation. I’ll ensure you’re kept updated on what the Irish targets get up to,’ Debbie said.
‘Thank goodness someone is,’ said Edge.
‘It’s important to bear in mind that David Hurst and George’s father-in-law and p
ossibly his wife are potential targets. Jenny Richmond’s assigned David Hurst to go to Cheshire to assist Cheshire’s ISB to look into Declan Murphy. It’s important we find out ASAP if he’s the financial backer to the Real IRA’s activities on the mainland. Steve Adams has been assigned to assist Merseyside’s ISB as they keep tabs on O’Byrne, McElvaney and Pickup.’
‘I suppose they can be someone else’s headache for a while instead of mine,’ Edge said, ‘that said, I can see why those two have to go to Cheshire and Merseyside. They’ve got the intimate knowledge on these targets as well as the experience in dealing with the IRA.’
Stunned that Edge could pay even the slightest of compliments, Debbie said, ‘That’s precisely why MI5 want them to carry out those tasks.’
‘I should give credit where credit’s due Debbie. Is there anything else you want from me with this investigation?’ Edge asked.
‘No, that’s all for now. I’ll let you know when I do.’
On leaving Edge’s office, Debbie looked at George and said, ‘Well I wasn’t expecting that. They must have been powerful words you passed onto him this morning.’
‘One swallow doesn’t make a summer,’ George said as they walked down the corridor to his office, ‘let’s see how long he keeps it up before he reverts back to type.’
* * *
‘Is this Jimmy’s new gaff,’ Steve asked as David was parking the unmarked Special Branch car outside a luxury apartment block at Salford Quays.
‘No, he’s flat sitting for one of his mates that’s working out in Dubai for a few months.’
‘I was going to say, if it was his, he’s done alright for himself. Which flat is it we’re meeting him?’
‘Twelve A, it’s on the first floor.’ David switched off the car engine. ‘I was surprised when he said he wanted to meet in the flats at the Quays. I came to the same conclusion as you that he must have done alright for himself since we last did business with him.’ Unbuckling his seat belt, David reached over to the back seat and picked up the folder relating to the investigation. The two officers got out of the car and walked up to the communal entrance where David looked at the entry buttons and pressed the one for twelve A.
‘Come on up boys,’ Jimmy O’Leary said seeing on the security camera it was the Special Branch officers.
On hearing the buzzing noise, the officers opened the communal entrance door and entered the apartment block, walked up the stairs to the first floor and approached the front door, which was open slightly. As they couldn’t see Jimmy, the two officers looked at each other. Both were suspicious. It wasn’t like him. When they called to meet him at places where he stayed in the past, Jimmy would normally stand at the door and give a cordial welcome. Carefully placing the folder onto the ground and without saying a word David nodded at Steve. Both officers drew their pistols. David stood one side of the door while Steve quickly moved across to the other side. Cautiously, Steve pushed the door wide open, then raising his weapon he looked down the hallway. There was a door immediately on the left with two further down on the right of the hallway. It was silent inside the flat. Entering the hallway first, David followed Steve. Slowly, they made their way down the hallway to the open door on the left leading to the main living room. Neither could see Jimmy. Once more the officers looked at each other. Steve nodded and both of them burst into the room, Steve covering the right of the room, David the left as Jimmy appeared from the kitchen area.
Not expecting to see the two of them standing there aiming their pistols at him, Jimmy clutched his chest, ‘Jesus Mary and Joseph. Put those fucking things away.’
Putting the guns back into the holsters David said ‘Sorry about that Jimmy, we didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just . . .’
‘You thought it was a set up. You’re getting jumpy in your old age, both of you. Do you think I’d do that to you two?’ Jimmy said interrupting David.
‘No, but we thought . . .’
‘I know what you thought,’ Jimmy interrupted David again, ‘One of the boys you’re after had a gun to my head so they could get you. Sit down and I’ll bring you a cup of tea.’ As Jimmy walked back into the kitchen area of the open plan room, he added, ‘Don’t worry David, I’ve made you a pot of coffee.’
Both the officers sat down on a soft brown leather couch opposite the French doors that led to the balcony overlooking the Quays. Looking around the flat, Steve said, ‘Nice place Jimmy. How long are you staying here?’
As Jimmy was pouring the drinks he said, ‘Another four weeks. Not bad is it?’
‘Very nice indeed,’ David said.
Walking back into the living area, Jimmy placed a mug of tea on the coffee table in front of Steve and handed David a mug of coffee. ‘I’ll just get mine then I’ll sit down and let you know what I’ve found out.’
Remembering he had left the folder containing documents on the investigation on the walkway outside the front door, David got up out of his seat and said, ‘Fuck. I’ve left the paperwork outside. Excuse me a moment Jimmy, I just hope no one’s picked it up.’
As David walked out of the room towards the front door, Jimmy sat down and said, ‘Is this how you greet an old friend these days?’
‘I’m sorry Jimmy, but it’s better to be safe than sorry,’ Steve said.
‘Perhaps it should be me apologising. Having been out of this game for a while, I forgot how careful you lads have to be,’ Jimmy said as David rejoined the two of them. ‘I see no one took your secret file then?’
As David sat down, he placed the folder on the coffee table, picked up his coffee, took a sip and said, ‘No. Lucky that. So what have you got for us Jimmy?’
Sitting back on the comfortable looking leather lounger and caressing his mug of tea, Jimmy said, ‘Quite a bit, especially about Sean McCrossan. I see you boys went back down to London this week. I also know that while you were down there the two of you went looking for Sean. Are you two fucking stupid or what? I told you the other day yer man was active again and you know only too well Sean’s experienced fighting the Brits. He had you tailed the whole time you were there. And David, one of them even approached your brother. I was surprised when I found out how you two had been operating in London.’
Both David and Steve sat there surprised that within less than forty-eight hours news of what happened had travelled though the Irish community in Britain up to Jimmy. ‘I sussed out we were being followed. Both of us are wary at the moment,’ David said, ‘and I got our colleagues in London to shake them off. So it was one of McCrossan’s men that approached Peter in the toilets. We thought it as a rent boy, or Peter did and as he said it happens frequently we thought nothing of it.’
‘They approached your brother to make sure it was you. I’ll tell you this, you’re both lucky to be sitting here as McCrossan was looking to call in the threat while you were there. Then he got wind you were setting him up.
‘How the fuck do you know that?’ David asked.
‘Just like the old days, I make it my business to know what’s going on with my countrymen over here. McCrossan’s got a contact on the inside but I don’t know any more than that,’ Jimmy said.
‘When you say on the inside do you mean someone in Special Branch?’ David asked taking his cigarettes out of his pocket, ‘Is it OK to smoke in here Jimmy?’.
‘Yes sure, feel free,’ Jimmy said taking a cigarette off David, ‘Like I said, I have no idea, but it’s a possibility.’
‘It must be an SO15 officer,’ Steve said as he was about to light the cigarette he took from David, ‘that’s who we were working with in London.’
‘Or MI5,’ David said.
‘I’ll leave that for you to work out,.’ Jimmy said, ‘if I find out any more, I’ll let you know straight away.’
‘Who told you this?’ David asked, ‘Have you been speaking to Sean McCrossan
?’
‘No,’ Jimmy said, ‘McCrossan got in touch with one of the lads here in Manchester who worked for the Provo’s and told him what had been going on. That’s who told me. I’m warning you, get back into the ways you worked when you were dealing with the Provo’s during the Troubles or your families will be burying you sooner than they expect to.’
‘We will,’ Steve said, ‘especially now we know one of our own is passing information on.’
‘At least you two have well and truly fucked up Sean’s plans for now,’ Jimmy said, ‘So much so, he went back to Ireland this morning. He’s going to a farm he stays at just outside Crossmaglen in Armagh to lay low for a while.’
‘So we’ve stopped whatever operations the Real IRA had in London?’ Steve asked.
‘On the contrary,’ Jimmy said, ‘there’s a number of young lads McCrossan recruited down there waiting for instructions. While in Armagh Sean’s briefing another old hand to go to London to take over as head of operations in London. I don’t know who it is, yet. What I do know is that once Sean’s made contact in Ireland with whoever’s taking over from him, he or she will be in London within forty-eight hours.’
‘I noticed you said she as well as he. It could be a woman they’re sending over?’ David asked.
‘Don’t forget, during the Troubles the Provisional’s had women in senior positions,’ Jimmy said. Sensing the concern the officers were feeling he added, ‘I’ll keep digging to see if I can get the address of the farm McCrossan’s staying at in Armagh and once I’ve got it, I’ll ring you. If I can’t get through, I’ll text you with the address. I’ll only know who’s replaced Sean when they’re over here on the mainland. Whoever it is coming over to London will not be operating openly like Sean was. That tells me they’re using a safe-house down there you boys might not know of.’
‘But whoever McCrossan sends down will have to make contact with the ones that were working with him. That’ll give us a chance to find out who it is that’s coming over,’ Steve said.
