by David Lowe
The officer stopped laughing and feeling embarrassed, said, ‘Three weeks.’
David looked at Gary and said, ‘What the fuck did you bring him in here for, you should have left him outside.’ Looking at Dominic, he said, ‘Is this your first surveillance job?’
‘Yes.’
‘Just sit quietly and don’t speak until you’re spoken to,’ David said scowling at the officer.
‘Here’s Tony with the drinks and our friend has sat down at a table by the window. He’s still on his own,’ Gary said.
As Tony Price placed a tray with their drinks on the table, David looked at the four drinks and said, ‘Bloody hell, are you three hitting the shorts already?’
As Tony handed out the drinks, he said, ‘No, Gary’s on a diet bitter lemon, I’m on a diet Coke and Dom’s on diet Lemonade. You’re the only one having alcohol,’ as he placed a pint of bitter in front of David.
Unable to believe what he heard, David said, ‘You’re not all teetotal health freaks are you?’
‘I don’t encourage the team to drink on duty and I suppose you could say we’re all as you put it “health freaks”. I have the team training in the gym during their breaks or at the end of a shift. I find it builds team spirit and bonds a team. It’s far healthier than going for a drink after work,’ Gary said.
‘Is this another one of your wind-ups,’ David asked.
‘No,’ Gary said looking at David’s slight paunch and said, ‘I take it you don’t work out much then?’
David looked down at his stomach. Breathing in slightly, he said, ‘Don’t you worry, I work out using suspects as punch bags. It keeps you on your toes as they like to hit you back. Unlike reps on a weight machine that type of exercise keeps your reflexes sharp.’
‘I didn’t mean to be rude. I just assumed that as you smoke and like a drink you didn’t take fitness too seriously. And another thing, I don’t like it when you smoke in the car.’
‘When you’ve finished being fucking holier than thou, rather than looking at me, start looking at our man behind me,’ David snapped back.
‘Three Asian looking men have just entered the pub and they’re walking over to Murphy now,’ Gary said.
‘Are they looking over at us?’ David asked.
‘They did for a split second, but they’re not paying any attention to us. One of them’s ordering drinks at the bar,’ Gary said.
‘That’s a turn up, I thought he would be meeting his Irish mates,’ David said.
‘He still could be. There are a number of Asians living in Northern Ireland now,’ Tony said.
Dismissively, David said quietly, ‘While there might be an Asian community in the north, I don’t know of any that joined the IRA! I’m going to the bog for piss so I can have a good look at them.’ As he stood up to go to the toilet, he glanced over the four men sat at the table by the window. As he did, momentarily he stopped dead in his tracks, Unable to believe what he was seeing he could not take his eyes off one of the men. His face went a deathly white at the shock of seeing one of his adversaries that he knew if he saw him, he would kill him there and then. ‘So Sayfel’s back,’ he muttered to himself.
‘What is it David?’ Gary said noticing that the colour had drained from Hurst’s face.
‘So the fucker’s back in the country,’ David said quickly sitting back down.
‘Who is? Dominic asked.
‘The Asian sitting in the middle of the other two. He’s Younnis Sayfel, known simply as Sayfel. He’s one of Al Qaeda’s top men in the UK. While on a job in London a few months ago, he stabbed my best mate leaving him for dead. He’s one ruthless bastard. Remember when those traffic bobbies got blown up at the service station on the M1 a few months ago?’
‘Yes,’ Gary said.
‘He was the one who planted the bomb that killed them. He also helped Chechen rebels come over to the UK and target Russian dignitaries and businessmen. While he’s Al Qaeda, he’s no qualms regarding who he operates with so long as they will help him fight us and promote his jihadist cause. Apart from possibly being the one behind the investigation the rest of my team are looking at in Manchester, he must be the money behind the Real IRA’s operation,’ David said fighting the temptation to go over to Sayfel and confront him there and then. ‘If he is, we’ve got one fucking uphill climb as that means Al Qaeda’s working with the Real IRA. It won’t just be the money they’re giving them, it could also be the use of their safe houses, equipment, and god knows what else to help them. If the two are co-operating then we’ve just stumbled across one fucking big can of bastard worms.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Bull Public House, Yoxall, Staffordshire, 22.05 hours,
Friday, 6th July
‘Have you got it?’ Murphy asked Sayfel, as he and his two companions joined him.
‘All in good time Declan. Before we do the transaction, have there been any developments at your end?’ Sayfel asked.
‘As I told you on the phone, my tout on the inside says Special Branch is already onto us and they’re watching me and the other three. They’ve applied for surveillance authorities on my home and business premises, but whatever they get, they won’t be able to use as evidence as my man’s made a mess of Cheshire’s surveillance applications, but there was nothing he could do for those issued in Liverpool and Manchester.’
‘That’s going to cause us a few problems. Have you let the others know Special Branch are onto them?’
Not knowing that Special Branch officers, including David, were already in the pub watching them, Murphy said, ‘With that Hurst seeing Sean in London and then giving Rory and Danny a kicking in Liverpool last weekend, they know alright. That’s why I’m bringing some others over from Ireland this weekend to do the jobs I had planned for them to do. There’ll be no direct contact between Rory and Danny with those coming over. We’re going to make sure the peelers stay watching those two while under their noses, the others get on with the job we’ve got planned.’
‘That Hurst’s becoming a fucking pain in the arse. Only months ago he and his team of detectives ruined the attack we had planned that would have brought the country to a standstill. For someone not in a high management position in counter-terrorist teams, he’s one irritating thorn in our side. Watch him, he might be a fucking nuisance but he’s clever and I’d love it if he was fucking taken out,’ Sayfel said with a note of frustration in his voice, then he gave a short laugh, ‘so if you and your boys kill him, there’ll be a bonus in it for you.’
‘We’ll try. I think it’s just bad timing how he and the ones he works with got onto us. I’d love to fucking know how they did.’
‘We haven’t time to go into that, shit happens. Take it from me, if you’re to finish the job you need to get Hurst out of the way. Ideally kill the bastard. You’ve done the right thing diverting Special Branch in watching Rory and Danny. While their attention’s on those two, you can get moving on your plans. Maybe you could use those two to set up a diversion to get Hurst out of the way. We haven’t got time for any more fuck ups. Everything’s got to go ahead next week, so make sure you’re ready.’
‘We’re ready for Prince William and his wife’s visit to Chester,’ Murphy said trying to be upbeat, ‘For the evening reception, Lord Trevelyan’s coming up from London. So we can hit him when he turns up for the function. While the security services are dealing with what they think will be our only hit, we’ll have another surprise waiting for them. My man tells me they think the Real IRA is under-supported and under-financed on the British mainland, so they aren’t expecting a big hit from us. He told me they’re only suspecting us to carry out an assassination.’
‘Good, but don’t rely on whatever they find on you not being able to stick, those bastards always find a way of making sure it does. That leads me onto another point. If they’re watching
you, how do you know they didn’t follow you here?’ Sayfel looked around the pub once more for anyone that might be paying them particular attention, but did not notice Hurst who had his back to him.
‘They didn’t, I gave them the slip.’ Leaning closer towards Sayfel, Murphy said. ‘I had my missus leave the house before me and she rang me earlier to say she got followed. They even had a uniform peeler stop and check her out. To be on the safe side, on the way down here I kept checking and trust me, no one followed me here.’
‘For your sake, I hope they didn’t. If they know I’m here, it could seriously compromise my end of things and could be bad news for you. I don’t like sloppiness. If I’m compromised, trust me it could be the last time you’ll be able to do anything for your cause.’
As Sayfel’s steely glare unnerved the Irishman, he knew Sayfel not only meant what he said, but also he was in a position to carry it out. Hiding his nerves, Murphy said, ‘I’ve been in this game a lot longer than you. Don’t forget, I was the commander of the Provisional’s Tyrone Brigade and I know what I’m doing. I’m confident I wasn’t followed here.’ As a slight element of doubt entered Murphy’s mind as to whether or not he was followed, wanting to change the topic he said, ‘Have you got what we need?’
‘It’s underneath this bench seat I’m sitting on. When we leave, you can take the case. It’s all there. Just as you requested, two million in used and untraceable notes. That should finance your projects for a while. We need the security services to be spread as thinly as possible and we’ve got to keep them looking in the wrong direction. As your old firm said, we only have to be lucky once, they’ve got to be lucky all the time. What time are your new recruits coming over?’ Sayfel said.
‘It should be this evening. Once we pick them up, we’re bringing most of them over to Liverpool, where they’ll be staying for a couple of days. I’ve got two of the ex-Provo boys staying at a safe-house closer to the target in Cheshire. They’re experienced and know what they’re doing. I’ve arranged for Sean ‘s replacement to make their own way to London. In the meantime, the boys who were working with Sean in London are giving SO15 the run around down there,’ Murphy said.
‘You’ve done well,’ Sayfel said taking a sip of his drink, ‘The only fuck up has been the unfortunate meetings with that bastard Hurst making your man McCrossan return to Ireland. Are you sure that your man can sort him out without my company getting involved?’
‘It’s all in hand. He’s going to set him and Adams up so they’ll be left in a vulnerable position where we can finish the job we should have done years ago. You forget, we’ve also got unfinished business with those two as well.’
‘It sounds like it’s going to be a busy week. If it goes according to plan, it’ll be a war on two fronts.’
‘You can count on us to do our bit.’
‘How do you know your man on the inside’s not been feeding you misinformation?’
‘He worked for us for many years when I was with the Provisional’s. During that time, he set the wheels in motion numerous times for the security services to go off on wild goose chases to get them off our tails. He’s the one who nearly gave us Adams and Hurst on a plate all those years ago and on top of that he led the British security services so far away from us we could move those from the south Armagh brigades to bomb canary Wharf,’ Murphy said.
‘Let’s hope he can still deliver. Let’s get some more drinks in.’ Sayfel instructed one of the men he arrived with to go to the bar.
‘I thought Muslims didn’t drink,’ Murphy said, ‘I’m surprised to see you having a beer.’
‘We don’t,’ Sayfel said raising his glass to finish off the beer remaining in it. ‘I’m sure you’ve had to do things in the past on operations that went against your beliefs’.
* * *
David leant into Gary’s ear and whispered, ‘Now there’s a few more punters in the pub, I’m getting out before Sayfel spots me. If he does, we’ll be compromised. Give me the car keys and keep your eye on him. Don’t let him out of your sight. I’ll see you back at the car.’ He turned to Tony and said, ‘Tony, you come with me, but stay to my left so it’ll be harder for him to see me. If they split up, Gary you stay with Murphy. I’ll stay with Sayfel.’ Gary got the car keys out of his pocket and passed them to David. David nodded to Tony and both officers got up and started to leave the pub with David looking away from Sayfel. Once out of the pub, David and Tony walked quickly back to the car. Unlocking the car doors, he told Tony to keep his eye on the entrance to the pub while he got into the passenger seat to make some phone calls. The first was to George.
When David told George about Sayfel being in the pub, George said, ‘Fuck me that was a close one. Is he still in the pub now?’
‘Yes, so get me as much back up as you can. I’m assuming the fucker’s going back to the London area. I’ll see which car he gets into so we can get the reg number.’
‘I’ll see if Staffs have got anyone available.’
‘See what you can do George. I’ll give Jenny Richmond a ring. Some of her mob might be near-by and able to help out.’
‘You do that and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.’
‘Thanks George.’ David rang Jenny Richmond. On answering the call, David said, ‘Jenny, it’s David Hurst. You’re not going to believe this, but we’ve followed Murphy to a small town called Yoxall in Staffordshire.’
‘I know. I monitored your radio transmissions. Is everything alright?’
‘I know this is a long shot, but are there any MI5 officers in the area? Murphy’s meet was only with our old friend Sayfel. I saw him as clear as day sitting there with two other Asian lads. I can only assume they’re also Al Qaeda.’
‘So that traitorous shit is back. Don’t worry, there’s an operation ongoing just outside Lichfield. That’s only down the road from where you are. Switch the tracker on in your car and I’ll get two mobiles down to you. What’s your plan?’
‘The other Cheshire officers are going to stick with Murphy while me and another Cheshire officer stay with Sayfel to see where he goes.’
‘I don’t want you to approach him. Have you informed anyone else?’
‘I’ve told George and he’s trying to rustle up some help from Staffordshire’s Special Branch.’
‘Don’t worry Staffordshire’s Special Branch I’ll have those MI5 officers on their way to you now. Go onto channel twenty-five and we can talk there. Remember you’re not to approach Sayfel.’
‘Understood, thanks Jenny. Do me a favour and let Debbie know.’
‘I will and try to keep Sayfel alive. We would like to speak to him at some later date.’
Sat in the front passenger seat, David’s eyes were focused on the entrance to the pub as he waited for Sayfel to emerge. Only taking his eyes off the pub entrance to glance at the clock in the car to check the time he grew increasingly impatient for Sayfel to emerge. After sitting in the car for nearly fifteen minutes, David saw Sayfel and the two Asian men emerge from the pub. As they walked away from David’s car, for a brief moment his instincts took over his discipline. Touching the handle of his pistol nestling in its holster under his jacket, he thought about getting behind them. Using the element of surprise he knew he could shoot Sayfel as well as take out his two henchmen. David’s left hand began to open the car door while his right hand reached for his Glock.
‘What are you doing,’ Tony asked, ‘our orders are to follow, not to challenge them.’
‘I’m just watching them,’ David said removing his right hand from under his jacket and picking up the radio transmitter said, ‘All units, Sayfel and his two friends are across the road from The Bull pub and they’re getting into a red Audi A6. I can’t make out the reg number yet.’
‘Alpha Mike four, we’re virtually at your location. Keep us posted on their direction of travel
,’ came the response from one of the MI5 mobiles Jenny dispatched to assist David.
‘Thanks Alpha Mike four. He’s starting to move off southbound on the A515 towards Lichfield, so he may be coming towards you,’ David said.
‘Thanks, we see him now. Orders are for you to leave him to us. You’re to return to your original target,’ the MI5 officers instructed David over the radio.
Disbelieving what he was hearing, David said, ‘That’s a negative. Your control told me to stay with Sayfel.’
‘There’s been a change of plan. I’ve been instructed to order you to return to your original target and leave this one to us.’
On hearing the transmissions Tony said, ‘What shall we do Sarge?’
‘Fuck them, get after him, Sayfel’s mine,’ David replied filled with rage. As Tony drove off after Sayfel, David rang Jenny Richmond at Thames House. On answering, he said, ‘What’s going on? Your mobiles have instructed me to back off Sayfel. Can you confirm this?’
‘Yes, Sayfel’s our target. Pull off him now and leave him to us,’ Jenny said firmly.
‘Why?’ David asked.
‘Don’t question my orders. Sayfel’s not your target. You’re to stay on Murphy,’ Jenny said.
Terminating the call and in frustration, David banged his fist on the dashboard shouting, ‘Fuck them, fucking MI5.’
As Tony pulled off Sayfel’s car and began to drive back to Cheshire’s ISB office, tiredness took over David. Hardly a word was exchanged between the two officers on the return drive to Chester, but it gave David time to reflect on the day’s events. From following McCrossan to Yew Tree farm in the Irish republic to Murphy using his wife as a decoy only served to confirm in his mind the police mole was already passing police activities onto the targets. Looking out of the window of the front passenger door, he was alone with his thoughts as images of him shooting McCrossan to seeing Sayfel flitted in his mind. Going through the events of the last couple of days, there was one name that came to mind as to who could be the Cheshire officer passing intelligence onto the Irish.
