by David Lowe
‘It’s Sergeant Parry from North Wales Police. I’m the custody officer at Llandudno police station. Your brother Michael McCullagh asked that you be informed of his arrest. He’s been arrested for the offence of kidnap and is at Llandudno at the moment. As it looks like he will be with us for the next couple of days, he’s asked that you pick up his wash-bag from his locker at work. The code to unlock it is five-one-eight-seven.’
‘Five-one-eight-seven, I’ve got that thanks.’
‘When you arrive, you won’t be able to see him. Just pass the wash-bag to the officer on the reception desk and it’ll be handed over to me to give to your brother.’
‘Thanks officer, I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ Maguire switched off the phone and straight away took the sim-card out and broke it.
‘Who was that?’ Mahoney asked.
‘The police.’
‘The police!’
‘Don’t worry, it was a sergeant from North Wales telling me Michael McCullagh’s been arrested, but McCullagh’s still given me the code to switch off the burglar alarm at the solicitors’ office tomorrow morning.’
‘How did he do that?’
‘He told me the other day he thought the peelers were getting close to him and should anything happen, I would receive a call on this phone asking for his brother to bring a wash-bag along with the code to get it, only it’s the code for the alarm.’ As he dropped the damaged sim-card onto the floor, he added, ‘I’m taking no chances on the peelers tracing this phone and getting a fix on us.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Main Dining Room,
Grosvenor Hotel, Chester,
06.30 hours, Tuesday, 9th July
Jenny Richmond arranged for the Grosvenor Hotel to provide breakfast for the MI5 and Special Branch officers that had duties in and around the hotel on the morning of the Royal visit. David and Debbie, along with Steve, who had joined them from his hotel, were taking advantage of it. Having helped themselves to the hot breakfast buffet, the three found a vacant table and sat down. ‘I’ll ring George to let him know we’re ready to resume duty,’ David said pouring HP sauce on his breakfast.
‘Once we’ve eaten, I take it you and I are going straight out to keep obs on the solicitors?’ Steve said.
‘In one,’ David said taking a sip of orange juice. After putting the glass back down onto the table he rang George who instructed him to attend Cheshire’s ISB offices for a seven o’clock briefing for all DS’s and team leaders. ‘I’m not leaving Steve on his own at the static obs on the solicitors’ office, even if it is first thing in the morning.’
‘Don’t worry,’ George said, ‘I’m sending one of Ray’s team over to the hotel to stay with Steve until you get back.’
‘OK George, I’ll be with you shortly.’
‘What did George say?’ Steve asked, mopping up his breakfast with a piece of bread.
‘I’ve got to go to a briefing at the ISB offices for seven. One of Ray’s team is joining you until I get back. He’ll meet you here at the hotel and then you two can go out to that spot we found in St. Werburgh Street,’ David said putting three sugars into his black coffee.
‘Are you going over for the briefing as well Debs?’ Steve asked.
‘No, I’m staying here with Jenny Richmond. For once I’ve no input on the policing side of the operation.’
‘She’s staying with her own from Five today. I’ll get this down my neck and get going,’ David said as he put another mouthful of his breakfast onto his fork.
* * *
‘George.’
‘Chloe my love, what’s up?’ George said answering a call from his wife.
‘Daddy’s on his way up to Chester. He’s already left Euston and he’s changing at Crewe. He’s booked a room at the Grosvenor for the next two nights and then he’s coming over to ours for the rest of the week. You couldn’t be a love and pick him up or get someone to pick him up at Chester station could you? With what’s going on, I’m worried. I’ve seen the appeals for those two men in the Cheshire area on the television this morning and I’m not stupid. I know they’re not bank robbers and they’re connected to your investigation.’
‘Don’t worry too much about Alan. He’ll have an MI5 officer close by protecting him. What time is his train due in at Chester?’
‘He rang me five minutes ago and said he should get into Chester around ten.’
‘OK love. I’m up to my neck at the moment. Once we’ve got him safely into the hotel, I’ll get him to ring you so you know he’s safe.’
‘Thanks darling. That’ll put my mind at rest.’
* * *
‘We’ve MI5 officers at the hotel assisted by SO15,’ George said briefing the assembled DS’s and team leaders from the various Special Branch offices from around the country sent up to assist on the operation. ‘Their remit is to observe the agency and hotel staff as they go about their preparations for the Prince’s reception tonight. Other MI5 and Branch officers are checking out the rest of the route and they’ll be following the Prince and his entourage as they go around the Chester area. David Hurst, I want you and Steve Adams to stay in the immediate area around the hotel. I know you’ve got a static obs spots set up. Steve will stay at the first floor of the shop opposite the solicitors’ we believe our targets will be using with one of Ray Baskin’s team. I’ve arranged for you to go up the tower of the Cathedral as it overlooks the rear of the solicitors’ office. I want the three of you to keep your eye out for Maguire and Mahoney.
‘Regarding other possible locations Maguire and Mahoney could be using, I’ve four other Cheshire ISB teams, including Gary Baker’s in these four sectors that I’ve drawn up on the maps that I’m handing out to you now.’ George handed out hard copies of maps of the Chester area to the officers sat on the front row of the briefing to circulate among the other officers. As the maps were being passed around, pointing to a large map illuminated on the screen behind him, George continued his briefing, saying, ‘There’ll be one team in each sector keeping static obs at the locations indicated on the map. Yesterday, Gary Baker from Cheshire’s Special Branch arranged the authorities. Ray Baskin, I want half of your team to search the outer areas of the city.’ Pointing on the map George said, ‘Your team will cover here, from the racecourse round the River Dee over here to the rail station and up to Chester University.
‘I want everyone’s eyes peeled not only for Maguire and Mahoney, but also for Murphy and O’Byrne. If your teams haven’t eaten yet, I suggest they get a breakfast on the move. They’re to be out there from now on. Time’s the issue folks, so let’s try and find them as soon as we can. I can’t stress how dangerous these men are, especially Maguire. If you see any of these men, let me know straight away. Follow them and I’ll call one of the firearms teams I’ve got on standby to assist you. So you know what Maguire and Mahoney look like, I’ve got still copies of the CCTV recording from the murder at the car dealership that I’m handing out to you.’ George clicked on his remote computer mouse to bring up two old black and white photographs, and said, ‘The only other photographs we’ve got are these twenty year old photographs from their PIRA days. From the CCTV taken at the car showroom where the security guard was killed, there are some good recent images of Maguire, but we struggled to get a decent one of Mahoney. Not only was he predominantly in the background, but as you can see, he was wearing a baseball cap. That’s it for now has anyone got any questions?’
* * *
In the cramped living compartment of the disused canal boat, Maguire looked at his watch, and said, ‘It’s just gone twelve. It’s time we went our separate ways. That secretary will be locking up the solicitors’ office soon.’
Mahoney moved over to the cracked window covered in the grime collected over the years the boat had been laying idle. He moved the small tattered curtain a few inches to t
he side and wiped away some of the dirt. Looking out of the window he said, ‘We need some luck with us for once.’
‘We will Dave, I feel it,’ Maguire said holding a small mirror to his face while fixing a brown wig on his head, ‘This job’s been jinxed and we could have done with McCullagh being out today, but we should’ve done enough damage over the last twenty four hours to have the peelers disappearing up their own arse. The Brits saying to the media you and I were armed robbers tells me they’re shitting themselves. They don’t want people worrying about us as well as Al Qaeda. That’ll change after tonight. The whole fucking world will know the IRA’s back.’
‘This could have the same affect of the nineteen-sixteen Easter rising. Back home it’ll inspire others to follow us and it’ll be the start of getting the fucking Brits out of Ireland once and for all.’
‘Maybe, but it’ll show the British government they’ve got to take us seriously and it’ll show Sinn Fein back home that they should get out of bed with the Unionists in Stormont and come back to the cause of getting a united Ireland.’
Taking a baseball cap out of his bag that contained an unassembled snipers rifle and an automatic pistol, Maguire zipped it back up and said, ‘I’ve got to make a move before that woman locks up.’ Putting the baseball cap on Maguire held out his hand. Gripping each other’s hand for a brief moment no word was spoken. Knowing this could be the last time they saw each other, neither dared mention it. ‘If this job goes off as planned it will be the start of getting the Brits out of Ireland for good this time. See you in Wicklow Dave,’ Maguire said picking up his bag, ‘You’ve still got that address haven’t you?’
Tapping his top pocket, Mahoney said, ‘Don’t worry its safe. I’ll see you in a couple of days where there’ll be a double Jamieson’s and red waiting for you.’
‘Make it a triple and it’s a deal and don’t forget tiocfadh ar la’ Maguire said, slapping Mahoney on the shoulder.
Mahoney raised a clenched fist, ‘Tiocfadh ar la Erin go bragh.’
Maguire carefully opened the door to the canal barge. Listening for any voices nearby, he checked to see if anyone was in the immediate vicinity. Satisfied it was safe he emerged into the bright sunshine of yet another hot summer’s day. He turned to Mahoney, winked at him and said, ‘See you Jimmy.’ Maguire got out of the boat and started walking along the towpath towards the bridge at the back of the Cathedral where he could join the road. Pulling down the peak of the baseball cap, he made his way to Thomas and Harvey solicitors’ office.
* * *
It was the hottest day of the year so far. The bright summer weather was attracting more people than anticipated into Chester for the Prince’s visit. Having gone midday, the entrance to the front of the Grosvenor Hotel had been cordoned off earlier than planned to cope with the throngs of people claiming a good spot to see the Prince. Many had flowers and other mementoes to give to the Prince on his walkabout in the hope he would come over and speak to them personally. Uniform police officers stood by the cordon. As well as keeping the crowds away, their role was allowing the security services, visitors and hotel guests with special day passes through to the hotel. Even though they had many hours to wait, the glorious weather along with the anticipation of having the heir to the British throne arrive along with his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, ensured there was a happy mood. A larger than expected crowd had gathered outside the hotel. While giving Maguire the advantage to mingle unseen it made it harder for Hurst and Adams to spot him.
From his observation spot in the first floor of a jewellers’ shop in St. Werburgh Street, on seeing the secretary walk away from the main entrance to the solicitors Steve radioed to the other officers, ‘Beckwith’s locked up the solicitors’ office and is making her way through the crowd away from the office. Anyone got sight of the Irish bastards yet?’
‘Patience Stevey, patience,’ David radioed back from his observation point in the tower of the Cathedral, ‘It’s just turned twenty past twelve. He’ll be here any minute.’
Close to the solicitors’ office, Steve saw a man walking forcing his way through the crowd. ‘There’s a male with the long brown hair wearing a baseball cap carrying a large grey holdall. He’s in Eastgate now coming into St. Werburgh Street. He’s going against the flow of the crowd. It’s hard to get a good look at him.’
Training his binoculars down St. Werburgh Street, David saw the man Steve described walking through the crowd. Not taking his eyes off him, he saw the man walk calmly to the back of the row of buildings that contained the solicitors’ office. Relaying the man’s movements over the radio, the man stopped at the back door of the solicitor’s office and turned round. Giving David the opportunity to get a good look at his face, his deep voice raised an octave as he said, ‘. . . to all units, its Maguire. The fucker’s in disguise. He’s at the back door now and it looks like he’s got keys. Wait until he gets into the premises before we make our move. Once he’s in, make to the arranged the RV point. Any sign of Mahoney?’
‘No, it looks like he’s on his own,’ Steve replied.
There was a tense silence over the airwaves as David watched Maguire put the keys back into his pocket, pick up his holdall and open the door. As soon as Maguire entered the office and closed the door, David shouted over the radio, ‘He’s in,’ then calling up the inspector of the armed rapid entry team, said, ‘X-Ray Sierra Four put your team in position.’
‘Will do.’
Taking his Glock out from its holster David took off the safety catch. Replacing it, he left his surveillance equipment in the Cathedral tower to be picked up later and made his way as fast as he could down the sandstone staircase of the Cathedral tower. Entering the knave, his Catholic respect for a House of God came out. He stopped running. Walking across the alter, he saw the gold and copper cross on the altar table. Even though it did not have an image of Jesus on it, he still bowed before it and made his way out to the main door. Being a protestant church, there was no holy water at the doorway, but he still crossed himself and said a prayer as he left the building.
Trying his best to walk nonchalantly, he made his way along the side of the Cathedral to the RV point. Expecting that once in the offices, Maguire would have a look outside, he did not want to run and bring attention to himself. Going through his mind was the fact the cat and mouse game with Maguire was coming to its end. The only problem being Maguire was no timid mouse. From the carnage over the past couple of days, David knew he was more likely to fight his way out of the offices than passively submit. Seeing the large crowds close by, he was aware of the potential danger this could cause.
At the rear of the Cathedral, David saw the rapid entry team officers along with Steve, who was talking to the team’s inspector. The inspector looked over to David and as he approached him said, ‘DS Hurst, we’re ready to go when you are. I’ve a sergeant watching the rear of the office and two of the team have made their way to the front. No doubt you heard MI5 and SO15 officers say they were also covering the front of the office from the Grosvenor?’
‘Yes, so we should have everything covered. As you’re the officer in charge, I’m in your hands now. My worry is the safety of the crowd standing outside the office’
‘The problem we’ve got is we won’t have a silent entry. The danger is if he takes a few pot shots at the crowd to get us to stand back. To prevent that happening, I’ve got the OIC of the whole operation to place marksmen in locations in the hotel overlooking the first floor windows of the offices. If Maguire shows his face, he’s a goner,’ the inspector said laying out a plan of the offices on the bonnet of one of the personnel carriers used by his unit. ‘I believe you reckon our target will be using this office here,’ he said pointing to the room used by the solicitor Harvey.
‘That’s right,’ David said placing his right index finger on the map, ‘from here he’ll have a good sight of those arriving at
the Grosvenor for tonight’s reception, and he’ll have a height advantage as well. Once you get up the stairs you can’t miss the office. It’s on the right with a large brass plate on the door with John Harvey’s name on it.’
‘According to intelligence reports Maguire’s used a pump-action shotgun with rifle slug ammunition on the two police officers and a thirty-eight semi-automatic pistol, and I’m assuming if he’s looking to bump off people attending tonight, it’s likely he’ll also have a high velocity rifle. Have you any further intelligence to add to that?’
‘No sir,’ David said, ‘all we know is, he’s not frightened to use the weapons. He thinks he’s a soldier fighting for a cause and police officers, even civilians will be casualties of war in his eyes.’
‘That’s what bothers me. We’ve got armour plated shields to provide protection to the first officers going up the stairs, but it’s still risky. He could get a shot into the side of the officers going up the stairs. Once he hears us using the duplicate key, he might come out of the first floor office,’ the inspector said as the rest of his team were putting the finishing touches to donning their protective equipment.
‘I know the commander of the regional counter-terrorist unit and the MI5 boss that’s up here would like Maguire to come out alive so we can interview him,’ David said knowing this could be difficult for the entry team to achieve.
As the inspector put on his helmet, he said, ‘We’ll do our best for you, but there’s no guarantee. I suggest you stay here and I’ll radio through when it’s safe for you to enter.’
David shook hands with the inspector and said, ‘Best of luck.’
‘Thanks,’ the inspector said who then called to the rest of his team to follow him.
