by David Lowe
‘You can’t kill me. That’s twice you’ve tried,’ McCrossan said. With blood filling his lungs from his internal injuries, his voice was croaking as he spoke. McCrossan knew if he made just one slight move, his old enemy would open fire. ‘You can’t fucking do it. It’s not in your nature,’ he said taunting David.
Keeping his weapon pointed at McCrossan, David’s mind was in turmoil. Should he kill him? Should he arrest him? McCrossan was responsible for planting bombs on the British mainland killing innocent people including children. This was the man who made death threats to him. Threats made with hate. In trying to kill him only the week before McCrossan showed that hatred had not diminished over the years.
‘You can’t do it Hurst. You’re too fucking soft. You know I’ve got rights,’ McCrossan said. Trying to laugh, he began to cough as he struggled to breath.
The imagery of the carnage of the Provisional IRA’s bombing in Corporation Street, Manchester came to the forefront of David’s mind. ‘Can’t I?’ Hurst said, his mind urging McCrossan to make a move to justify killing him.
‘No. You’re a fucking coward.’ Knowing he was dying his hatred for David Hurst was keeping him alive.
‘And you’re nothing more than a murdering bastard,’ Hurst shouted back at him in anger.
Hurst’s comment drew another feeble smile on McCrossan’s face. Knowing his two uncles had been mistakenly killed by British Special Services in their ‘shoot to kill’ policy, memories of the British Army storming into his family and friends’ houses during the Troubles for no other reason other than to intimidate the nationalist community in the Province, and how members of his family who had no dealings with PIRA had been interred for no other reason that they were Catholics came to his mind. McCrossan knew who the murdering cowards were. To him they were the British. Raising his right hand, he struggled to lift his pistol towards Hurst.
It dawned on David that McCrossan was dying in front of his eyes. Sensing that he may not even have the strength to pull the trigger, he kicked the pistol out of McCrossan’s hands. ‘I’m not wasting any more rounds on you. You’re nothing more than a fucking murderer. It’s years in purgatory for you, then hell. Fuck you.’ David picked up McCrossan’s pistol. He looked once more at McCrossan. Slowly he turned his back on him and began walking towards Stuart Stroud.
As David walked away, the energy life-force keeping McCrossan alive dissipated. Giving out a loud gurgling sound as his lungs had filled with blood, the Irishman breathed his last, his head slumping to the side. ‘Is he dead?’ Stuart asked.
‘Yes, but at least I didn’t murder him like that stupid bitch did to that poor sod over there,’ he said pointing to the young man she killed.
‘Louise, look after Lisa. Take her back to the car,’ Stuart said, ‘I need a few moments alone with David.’
Louise took hold of Lisa Greening who was still in a state of shock. As the officers walked off up the driveway towards their cars, Stuart said, ‘Not quite what we planned.’
‘That’s an understatement,’ David said standing over McCrossan’s body.
‘Thanks for what you did. If you hadn’t, me and Lisa would be dead,’ Stuart said looking at the four dead Irishmen.
‘What happened?’
‘When Lisa and I got to the barn at the back of the farmhouse, we found them dead, shot in the back of the head. As we checked to see if they were still alive, as if from nowhere McCrossan came out with those two,’ Stuart said pointing to the two other gunmen. ‘The young lad searched us and took our weapons and phones. I’m convinced we were set-up, McCrossan said as much. They knew we were coming and McCrossan was pissed off because he was expecting to find you, not us. There’s no doubting he was after you.’
‘Whoever it is in the police that’s been tipping him off must be close to this investigation. That’s twice now I’ve been in that situation with McCrossan where he knew I was there. It always bugged me when I shot him in ninety-six how they knew me and my mate Steve were on our own watching them.’
‘That’s the job where you got a bravery award isn’t it?’
‘Yes, Steve Adams was hiding in the garden of a house they were using and he said they never searched for him, they went to the exact spot where he was hiding. So it’s like today. How did he know I was here? This insider’s told him we were here.’
‘We can sort out the whys and wherefores later, first we’ve got to clear up this mess. We have to get rid of the bodies and any evidence that looks like there’s been a shooting. I’m just praying no-one was nearby who may have seen or heard what happened and called the Gardai.’
‘So what happens now? Clear up the site and these four disappear, ending up on the Gardai’s or PSNI’s missing persons list?’ David asked walking over to the bodies to pick up the weapons laying on the floor.
‘I know you thought this is what we planned to do all along, but trust me, it’s not what we intended. We wanted to follow them and get as much intelligence as we could. We’ve a problem. There are spent rounds from your Glock traceable to you.’
‘I take it this never happened then and I’m to keep my mouth shut?’
‘I’m afraid so. Obviously you’ll have to talk to Jenny Richmond about it, but no-one, including the Branch is to know, and that includes Debbie Heron, unless Jenny authorises it.’
‘I can keep my mouth shut when it’s in the interests of national security even though Lisa was out of order killing the young lad. That was murder.’
‘That’s the shooting that makes this a bit of a sticky wicket. If we took him alive, we could have squared it off with An Garda Siochana. It still would have meant answering hard questions, but we could have ridden it out. It was her first time out on a proper op and she’s panicked. Leave this to me. Go to the car and with Lisa and Louise and drive back to Belfast. We can debrief what happened there. I’ll let you know when I’ve cleared the site. While I do, it’s best you’re away from here just in case An Garda Siochana are aware of the incident and send someone round. Coming across an MI5 officer is bad enough but finding a British Special Branch officer will be more embarrassing. They expect it from us, not from your mob.’
David extended his right hand to Stuart, ‘I understand.’
As Stuart shook hands with David he said, ‘Thanks again. I’ll write it up so that you get the credit you deserve. When I say it was a pleasure working with you, you know what I mean. If I don’t get back to Belfast before you go back to Manchester, give my regards to Debbie.’
As David looked at Stuart, he sensed this was not the result Stroud wanted. Debbie said he was a good man and now he could see it. He knew the MI5 officer was doing his best to ensure there was no trace of David being at the farm and that Stuart was prepared to take the flack on his behalf should the Irish police or security services arrive at the scene before he could clear the site. David gave a knowing nod of appreciation, smiled and said, ‘If I can ever return the favour, I will.’
‘There’s no need,’ Stuart said, ‘saving my life is enough. Now get back to Belfast.’
Chapter Nineteen
MI5 Offices, Belfast,
13.45 hours, Friday, 6th July
‘I’ve heard from Stuart. With a couple of MI5 officers I dispatched to the farm, they finished clearing up the site an hour ago,’ Jenny Richmond said using a video-conference facility to David, Shrina Patel the senior Belfast MI5 officer and Louise Dorman. ‘What happened there is our problem to sort out and David you’re going back to Manchester this afternoon. When you do, all you’ll say to any Special Branch officer that asks is that you identified McCrossan and left the scene straight away. The only ones you can talk to about this in full is Craig MacDonald and Debbie Heron. The less people outside MI5 know about this the better. That means not even Steve Adams or your DI, George Byrne are to know. I know it’ll be hard, but until you hear otherwise
from me or Craig, your lips are sealed. Do you understand?’
‘I understand,’ David said, ‘What about Lisa Greening? What happens to her?’
‘This is why we keep it to ourselves. I know you’re angry and you think it was murder . . .’ Jenny said.
‘I don’t think it, I know it,’ David said interrupting Jenny. ‘I suppose that’ll be swept under the carpet?’
‘Don’t be so naive,’ Jenny said, her face on the screen showing displeasure at not just being interrupted but being accused of doing nothing over Lisa Greening’s actions at the farmhouse.
‘I’m not being naive, but this is the thin line we’re crossing between a democracy that we fight for and a totalitarian regime.’
‘If it reassures you, Lisa Greening will not go out on any operations for a long time. She’ll be posted to Thames House where I can keep a close eye on her,’ Jenny said in a matter of fact way. ‘As I said, you’re not to repeat a word of what happened to anyone back in Manchester apart from Craig and Debbie. When you get back to Manchester, Debbie will meet you. Once there you’re to pack enough clothes for a week, maybe two. I’ve emailed a briefing pack to Debbie and she’ll give you your orders while you’re packing. Once you’ve digested its contents, you’re to go straight to Chester this evening where you’ll report to DCI Harvey, head of Cheshire’s Special Branch. For the foreseeable future you will be assisting them in looking at Declan Murphy. Cheshire’s Special Branch have already set up an obs spot on his home.
‘As I mentioned to you before you flew to Belfast yesterday evening, information has come in suggesting that a Cheshire police officer is an IRA informant and has been for some time. Of course they’ve been a little dormant since PIRA activity ceased on the British mainland. You need to be careful who you deal with and what intelligence you impart with officers there.’
‘Have you managed to find out if they’re in Cheshire’s Special Branch?’ David asked.
‘Not yet, but since I spoke to you last we’ve narrowed it down to a couple of possibles and we know one is in Cheshire police. I’ve gone through their staff roll and I’ve forwarded the ones we suspect onto Paul Edge and George Byrne. They’re going to make enquiries to find out who it is. After what happened at Yew Tree farm with McCrossan, this line of enquiry is now of paramount importance. Knowing you were over in Ireland it has to be someone with access to our intelligence reports. We’re going through everyone that’s accessed them over the last few days. By what we’ve found they thought you were with the PSNI’s Special Branch not MI5.’
‘You’re giving this job to Edge?’ David said shaking his head in surprise.
‘Politically I have to. That’s why I’ve got George Byrne working alongside him. Knowing those two, Paul Edge will let George do all the work. That’s a good thing as I know George will do a thorough job.’
‘What do you want us to do here in the Belfast office,’ Shrina Patel asked.
‘Stuart Stroud’s going to stay with you,’ Jenny said, ‘and I want him and Louise to lead the enquiries on the ground. Going from the intelligence, it appears the Real IRA are sending more operatives over to the British mainland. I want the Belfast office to stay on top of this and report any movements from the targets we’ve already identified. On top of that, with the Home Secretary, I’ve spoken to the Irish interior minister. Obviously we didn’t discuss what happened this morning, but we did forward some intelligence that Real IRA operatives are moving to and fro over the border between the Province and the Republic. I emphasised the point that over the past few weeks this border activity has intensified. Stuart will be MI5’s liaison officer working with the Irish. David, anything we find out will be forwarded onto you straight away as well as to the commander of the North-West Counter-Terrorist Unit. He’s co-ordinating all the Special Branch CTU activity in the region on this investigation. With SO15 watching events in London, Merseyside with Steve Adams and David with Cheshire, we should have everything covered.’
‘What’s happening with the West York’s job and my team?’ David asked Jenny.
‘They’re still looking at the two targets in Prestwich and are not to get involved in this investigation. For the moment, that includes Debbie. But if you can’t get through to me, pass on any messages on via Debbie. Regarding possible targets the Real IRA are looking at, all we have to go on for the moment is the Prime Minister’s visit to the G-Mex centre in Manchester and Prince William’s visit to Chester. Both events are taking place next week. If they are targeting one or both of these events, the Real IRA are going to have to move fast. We’ve already upset their plans this morning and on top of that, once they realise what we’ve done, they’ll be in no mood for mercy. Seeing how they’re going to make some moves, and soon, that could just be the chance we have to keep an eye on what they get up to. If those are their targets, they don’t have the luxury of time.’
‘What about Alan Trevelyan? Do you think he’s still a target, even though McCrossan’s now out of the game?’ David asked.
‘Thanks for reminding me,’ Jenny said, ‘He’s still a potential target and I’ve asked SO15 to provide him with personal protection. He’s coming up to Chester next week for the Prince’s visit. He’s been invited to the evening reception at the Grosvenor Hotel. We’ll have to keep an eye on him and in the meantime curb his enthusiasm, that’s why I’ve asked that he be protected by SO15. He wants to make himself an easy target to try and draw the IRA out. While his willingness to help is commendable, I get the feeling he doesn’t fully understand the implications of this. Leave him to me. Shrina and Louise, I want you to focus on Real IRA activity in the Province and across the border in the Republic. David, I want you to focus on Murphy. Has anyone got anything else they wish to add?’
The three officers mumbled, ‘No’.
‘Good, so let’s get to it. David, a car is waiting to take you to Belfast airport now. A helicopter will take you back to Manchester where Debbie will meet you at Eastlands stadium.’
* * *
Opening the rear passenger door of the Special Branch car Debbie was using to meet him David flung his overnight bag on the back seat. Opening the front passenger door, he sat in the car as Debbie greeted him with a kiss. ‘This is literally a flying visit,’ she said putting the car into first gear. Moving off from the car park, she added, ‘Are you OK after this morning’s events?’
‘Yes, I’m fine. At least that’s McCrossan off my back.’
‘I read Stuart Stroud’s initial report. I couldn’t believe it at first.’
‘The only thing that pissed me off was that Lisa Greening. She had it in for me the moment I got into the helicopter last night. She was a right snotty cow all the time I was with her, then bottled it at the farm and killed the unarmed lad who was with McCrossan.’
‘Jenny said you were annoyed,’ Debbie said driving onto the Ashton New Road towards Ancoats.
‘That’s the way it goes I suppose. The main thing is, I’m sat here next to you.’
Debbie glanced over to David and smiled, ‘That’s true. So you got to use the Glock sooner than expected?’
‘Yes, it’s a good weapon. I prefer it to the Berretta. Hopefully, it’ll be a while before I have to use it again. So what have you got for me?’
‘When we get to the flat I’ll go through the details while you’re packing. Basically, you’re using this car and to drive over to Chester where you’re to report to a DCI Harvey. You’re main role is to keep a watch on Murphy, see who he meets up with and if you can, get into his premises so we can listen in to what he gets up to. On top of that, George, along with Edge will be coming over to Chester tomorrow to look into who it is that’s been passing intelligence onto the Real IRA.’
‘Jenny told me about that earlier today,’ David said, ‘I couldn’t believe she’d got Edge involved.’
‘Don’t worry, both
Jenny and Bernard Gamble put him straight. He’s not to interfere with your side of the investigation, he’s to simply liaise with Cheshire’s chief constable. She’s been made aware that one of her officers has been passing on intelligence to the IRA. George is to do all the donkey work on finding out who it is.’
‘That’s the sort of brief Edge’ll enjoy. It’ll give him time to brownnose the chief officers’.
‘Steve wants you to ring him when you get to Chester. You mustn’t tell him what happened this morning. If he asks how it went, which he will, just say MI5 have McCrossan in hand. If you have to go into specifics, just say you went to a farm in Armagh and once you ID’d him you returned to Belfast. Well it’s not far from the truth.’
‘Don’t worry I won’t say anything. Where is Steve?’
‘He’s having a great time in Liverpool watching McElvaney and O’Byrne. When I spoke to him earlier, he went on about having to work with Neanderthal Scousers and the like. Obviously he’s having a good time!’ Debbie said pulling up the car outside David’s flat in Ancoats.
As David undid his seatbelt, he leant over to the driver’s seat and kissed Debbie on the cheek. ‘I take it I don’t have to rush over to Chester? I’d like say hello properly in the flat.’
‘If you hadn’t suggested it, I would have. It might be a while before we see each other.’
Chapter Twenty
Cheshire’s Special Branch Office, Chester, 19.32 hours, Friday, 6th July
‘Welcome to Chester David. I’ve heard good things about you from George Byrne. He was telling me you were involved in that dirty bomb job a few months ago. It took some courage to do what you did,’ Detective Chief Inspector Alec Harvey, head of Cheshire Police’s ISB said as he welcomed David Hurst to his office.
‘Thank you sir. George has been equally complimentary about you too. He said I could trust you totally.’
‘He’s right, you can. Me and George go back a long way. I was talking to George while you were on your way over here. He’s emailed me all the relevant intelligence reports on this Irish job. Before we go through how to start off this end of the operation, would you like tea or coffee?’
