Authors: David Lowe
Sensing his nervousness, to avoid David suffering any further embarrassment, Trevelyan said, ‘You see that’s the trouble today with all this neutrality of language. If this beautiful young lady is your girlfriend you should be proud to say so. I know I would be. Debbie, go and join Chloe while David and I order some drinks. Now I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. You’re as good as anyone in here and many of the members here are nothing more than jumped up pricks. This reminds me of the first time I met George, he looked just as you do now. What would you like to drink?’
‘I don’t suppose they serve beer here?’David asked.
‘In this bar they do, and if I remember correctly you like drinking bitter. I take it a pint would do for starters and I’ll join you as I’m partial to a proper ale myself, and for Debbie?’
‘A glass of red wine please.’
‘Does she have any preference or would you like me to choose?”
‘Please, you choose,’ David said not having much of a knowledge of wines. Sensing the Atrium would have top wines, he did not want to show his ignorance.
‘I think a nice red Bordeaux would be the tipple for her. Am I right?”
‘That sounds good to me Alan.’
‘I’m not really a connoisseur of wine, but I am of women.’ As Alan was talking a barman approached him, ‘Thank you Mark, two pints of bitter, a large Bordeaux and a double G and T please.’
‘I’ll bring them right over,’ said the barman.
‘Thanks Mark’ said Trevellyan, ‘let’s go and join the ladies. I know that you and Debbie are here to look after me. For that I am truly grateful. We’ll talk about what MI5 have arranged later. For now, let’s join the ladies and wait for your rather clever brother and his wife to join us. I was so pleased to hear Peter’s news. From what I’ve heard about him on the circuit, he’s an excellent advocate, a real fighter. That’s why I like lads from your background joining the legal profession. You fight fearlessly for a cause.’
‘I understand what you’re saying Alan. Thank you, I appreciate it. Actually I’m looking forward to this evening.’
They joined Chloe and Debbie and as the men sat down, Alan said, ‘Young Mark’s bringing the drinks over.’
Chloe leaned over to David and said, ‘I hope Daddy wasn’t boring you with his legal stories?’
‘No it was just the opposite. I was starting to bore him with my police stories.’
Laughing, Alan said, ‘David, none of those tales are boring. When I’ve plied George with a few drinks, he opens up with some wonderful tales of what the police really get up to. Debbie, I should imagine you can also entertain us all evening with some of your experiences. I envy both of you. All I ever got to do was work in an office reading boring case files. The trouble was that I knew they were boring as many of them were my own judgements.’
Chloe looked up and said, ‘Here’s Peter and Felicity.’
Trevelyan got out of his seat and said, ‘Excuse me for a moment.’
As Alan went to greet them, David looked at Chloe and said, ‘It’s been a few years since I met your father. I forgot what a gentleman he is. Anyway he’s in for a treat now in meeting Felicity. I promise to be on my best behaviour when she starts on me, which, once she sits down, will be in about thirty seconds. Look out, here she comes.’
As Felicity joined them, David stood up and said, ‘Hello Felicity, it’s nice to see you. I think you know Chloe don’t you?’
‘Hello David, yes I do, how are you Chloe and you must be Debbie?’
David said, ‘Debbie this is my sister-in-law Felicity. It’s a while since I’ve seen you and our Peter together.’
As they shook hands Felicity said to Debbie, ‘I hate it when David calls Peter “our Peter” it’s as though he and his family own him. I believe your father’s an ambassador.’
‘He’s currently the ambassador to Jordan,’ Debbie said, ‘David and I are going out there next month to join them for a few weeks.’
‘Very nice too,’ said Felicity, ‘It’s nice to get away isn’t it? I imagine your parents will be pleased to see you. Have they met David before?’
‘Not yet,’ Debbie replied, ‘Daddy’s been out there for eighteen months and he’s had no reason to return to the UK.’
‘Well I hope you’ve warned them what to expect, may I suggest you keep him away from any official functions, not only because of his lack of manners but with that temper of his, he could easily cause a diplomatic incident.’ As Felicity sat down next to David, she noticed the two pints of bitter on the table and said, ‘Here’s a classic example of what I’m talking about. David, if you weren’t sat there, I’d know you were here simply by the fact there’s beer on the table. Not just one, but two pints. Just for once can’t you just try to be sophisticated when you come to an establishment like this?’
Walking up behind her, Trevelyan passed Felicity her drink and said, ‘Felicity, could you pass me my pint please?’
Blushing she said, ‘I’m sorry Alan, I didn’t realise.’
As Trevelyan sat down, she passed him his drink. Winking at David, he said, ‘Now we’re all here, let’s toast our new Queen’s Counsel. Here’s to Peter Hurst QC.’
The five of them raised their glasses to Peter who thanked them. David said, ‘I’m so proud of my brother. No offence Alan, but he entered a profession where it’s a case of not what you know, but who you know. Peter’s overcome all of that through tenacity, skill and ability.’
‘Perhaps the rest of your family could learn from Peter’s example,’ Felicity said looking at Trevelyan and Chloe. ‘It took me a couple of years, but I finally managed to smooth Peter’s rough edges as well as help him to lose that god awful Liverpool accent.’
Chloe and Debbie’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Peter cringed while David looked away. Seeing the reaction to Felicity’s comments, rather than lose his temper, David was holding back laughter. Chloe was the first to break the silence. She turned to her father and said, ‘Oh I don’t know, Daddy what do you think? I mean
our
George’s accent is rather quaint and makes him sort of distinguished.’
Trevelyan looked thoughtfully and said, ‘I agree, his Manchester accent does mark him out. I find men like my son-in-law and David are honest and have integrity. That’s what sets them apart. I don’t know if Chloe would agree with me, but in the legal profession there are just too many social climbers. As they try to rise through the social ranks, they lose those qualities that made them distinctive and individual. They drop their regional accents, begin to drink fine wines or expensive spirits, agree with everything a head of chambers or a senior judge will say, change their interests just to try and fit in and behave in a way they think will make them accepted. Ladies please forgive me, but they are basically a bunch of arse lickers. What do you think David?’
Struggling to stifle his laughter, he said, ‘I’m not changing for anyone. I’m proud of where I come from. There’s nothing worse than dealing with people who aren’t true to themselves.’
Trevelyan nodded in agreement and said, ‘David, I see that you’ve nearly finished your drink. I’ll order two more pints. Peter can I tempt you to join us in a beer?’ Peter looked at Felicity causing Trevelyan to say, ‘Don’t look to your wife for permission. Make your own mind up as to what you would like. In fact I will make it up for you. That’s three pints of bitter and the same again ladies?’
* * *
After they finished their meal Trevelyan said, ‘Gentlemen, I think we should retire outside as I need a smoke. David, I know you smoke. Peter will you join us and have an Irish? I know you’re partial to Irish whiskey. Ladies feel free to order whatever you like. I’ve primed Mark to look after you.’
Trevelyan and the Hurst brothers rose from their seats, walked across the lounge area towards the door at the rear of the dining room leading to the rear courtyard. As it was a pleasant summer evening, the sides of the marquee had been folded back. As the three sat down, David took out his cigarettes and said, ‘This is a classy smoking area Alan.’
‘It’s rather fine isn’t it?’ Trevelyan said producing a leather cigar case from the inside right hand breast pocket of his jacket. Handing Peter a cigar, he took one for himself and offered one to David, ‘Are you sure that you wouldn’t rather have a cigar David?’
‘I prefer cigarettes. I only smoke cigars at Christmas, wedding and christenings.’
‘Now let’s get down to business. David, I’m fully aware that Debbie’s an MI5 officer and that you’re both armed. I noticed that both of you hardly drank any alcohol this evening and I understand why. I’ve spoken to both the Home Secretary and Jenny Richmond from Thames House. They’re trying their best to wrap me up in cotton wool, but I’ve told them I would rather make myself an open target for this McCrossan fellow. Of course, I realise it will result in more of your colleagues being deployed to look after my safety. I believe the more accessible I am to McCrossan, the sooner he will take the opportunity to kill me. Personally, I’d rather it be over sooner, rather than later so I can get on with my life and enjoy my retirement.’
‘That’s very commendable Alan,’ David said, ‘but it’s a risky strategy.
‘I’ve asked George to arrange for you and DC Adams to be my personal protection,’ Trevelyan said, ‘ David, I know you’ve killed members of the IRA before and that tells me you’re not frightened to use that thing hidden under your jacket.’
‘I’ve no objections to doing that, but personal protection’s not really my role. I’m sure George can assign a couple of officers who are more highly trained and experienced than me,’ David said.
‘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, 5
th
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.