Authors: David Lowe
‘Murphy left the pub five minutes after Sayfel and his two associates carrying an attaché case. As you know Gary, he returned to his home address after the meeting. Members of Gary’s team are still keeping him under surveillance, but as he sent his wife out as a decoy, we’ve got to assume he may have found out we’re onto him or it could be that he’s extremely surveillance conscious. That doesn’t stop us from monitoring his movements. It’s just means we have to be very careful. This may prohibit us from burgling and bugging his home and possibly his business premises. This weekend, MI5 are bringing up some equipment that may help us listen in to what’s being said without having to enter any premises. I can’t promise when that’ll be.
‘Going by what you saw in the pub in Yoxall, we believe that Sayfel handed over money to Murphy. That means Al Qaeda’s bankrolling the Real IRA. I know they’re the most unlikely of bed follows, but I can see Sayfel’s logic. By financing the Real IRA all he has to do is liaise with Murphy while focusing on Al Qaeda and other jihadist groups preparations. In other words, through Sayfel, Al Qaeda are starting a terror war in Britain on two fronts. Our other intelligence reports suggest the Real IRA is planning a two-pronged attack. One possible and highly likely target is the evening function at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester that Prince William’s attending and the second prong of their attack could be an attempt on Alan Trevelyan’s life. He was the Court of Appeal judge who turned down McCrossan and O’Byrne’s appeal against conviction in nineteen ninety-seven. It’s important we stop them so they can’t show how close they can get to the powerful on the British mainland.’
‘Thanks Debbie. You’re right, we’ve got to stop them from getting anywhere near that function by getting as much evidence as we can and fast. We need enough to arrest at the very least, so we can hold them for at least seven days,’ Alec said. Seeing David give another long yawn, he added, ‘I can see you’re tired David. That’s understandable seeing how you were in Ireland this morning and then come over here. I suggest we call it a day and David and Gary can join the surveillance operation in the morning,’ Alec said.
As Alec spoke David and Debbie looked at each other. ‘How did you know I was in Ireland this morning?’ David asked, ‘I never told you that.’
‘And neither did I,’ Debbie said.
‘Do you think we’re all in the dark here in the sticks? We have our sources too,’ Alec said laughing. ‘Come on, it’s been a long day. Gary, get your team to start watching Murphy’s business premises early in the morning. I’ll come in tomorrow and after I’ve finished with the meetings arranged for the morning, we can go through any developments and start our plan of attack on how to sort these Irish buggers out. I have to meet the Chief at ten tomorrow morning, so I don’t know how long that will take, but once it’s finished I’ll come out to see how you’re getting on.’
Debbie and David said their goodbyes to Alec and Gary and walked out of the building. ‘My car’s parked just over here,’ Debbie said to David as she linked her arm into his. ‘There’s something about Alec I can’t put my finger on. He seems OK and I know George likes him, but it’s been a few years since they’ve worked together. I’d love to know how he knew you were in Ireland this morning?’
‘George must have told him,’ David said taking a cigarette out of his pocket.
‘George is under strict orders from Jenny not to tell anyone,’ she said letting go of David’s arm as he put his lighter to his mouth to light his cigarette. ‘You know George better than me, but I don’t think he would mention anything to Alec if he’s been ordered not to.’
David put his lighter back into his pocket and took a drag of his cigarette. Exhaling the spent smoke he said, ‘I agree, it wouldn’t be like George to pass on information when ordered not to. Not even an old boys’ network can break his silence. I get the feeling you don’t trust Alec?’
‘I can’t say for sure at the moment, but there’s something about him I can’t put my finger on. I get the feeling he’s hiding something and I definitely get the feeling he’s not happy to have a couple of outsiders working in his Special Branch office.’
‘I think he’s the mole. I was thinking about it on the drive back from Yoxall and I rang Jenny earlier to tell her.’
Debbie gave a wry smile and said, ‘Jenny’s crafty. She told me about the meet between Murphy and Sayfel and told me to get over to Chester straight away and meet you. She never told me you thought Alec was the mole. She obviously wanted to see what my impression of him was before she told me.’
As they approached Debbie’s black convertible Saab, David said, ‘I think we should ring George and check out if he told Alec.’
‘Let’s go to the hotel and worry about that tomorrow,’ Debbie said putting her arms around David.
‘We’ll have to find somewhere first and book in for the night.’
‘Courtesy of Jenny, it’s all sorted,’ Debbie said, ‘She’s booked us a suite at the Grosvenor for a few nights. The bill’s on her, or I should say it’s on her team’s account. She got it on the back of the Royal visit, saying that we need to be close for checking security details. Now come here.’ Debbie kissed David passionately and said, ‘That’s just for starters, you’ve got to see what I’ve got for you tonight.’
* * *
‘This is the life. Contacting room service and getting a full English breakfast while wearing these plush bath robes,’ Debbie said biting on a piece of toast ladled with marmalade, ‘I love the selection of toiletries in the bathroom, and that shower. It was like being under a waterfall. While I was in the shower, I was thinking about Alec. He claims to have an appointment with his chief constable at ten this morning over the security arrangements for the Royal visit, but I thought DI McCullagh was making all of the arrangements?’.
‘He is, but I suppose it’s like my office. You know there’s times we have to include Edge in proceedings he’s not directly involved in. After all, Harvey’s the head of the Cheshire’s ISB and will need to know what’s going on.’
‘I just think it’s strange we’re in the middle of major developments on this investigation where a major Real IRA suspect is running around his force area making who knows what arrangements, especially after Murphy met one of the country’s most wanted terrorists yet Alec feels like he has to tell his Chief Constable in person the latest round of security developments for next week’s Royal visit. I’d have thought Murphy was his priority and left briefing the chief on the latest preparations for the visit to McCullagh. While you’re out watching Murphy, I’ll keep an eye on Alec.’
‘That’s a good idea, especially if he is the mole’
‘Who else could it be? Who else knew of the surveillance authorities?’
‘McCullagh. He was with Alec when Gary and I went into Alec’s office with the requests.’
‘What’s this McCullagh like?’
‘He seems alright. I only had a brief chat with him. He’s been a Branch man for most of his service and he seems really committed to the job.’
‘We can’t eliminate him either. It might have been him who tipped off Murphy.’
‘If you asked me to put money on who it is, I’d say it was Alec.’
‘That’s good enough for me. By the way, I forgot to tell you, I’ve been invited over to Liverpool tonight for Siobhan’s birthday. Apparently it’s a girls’ only night. I’m supposed to have the day off today, but with what happened last night, I’ve a few things to sort out before I go over to Liverpool. Siobhan’s arranged a makeover for us this afternoon, but now I don’t know what time I’ll get there.’
‘Just sort out what you have to do this morning and let me babysit whatever it is that you may have to do for the rest of the day. You go over to Liverpool and enjoy yourself. You’ll have a good night. Some of her friends are a good laugh. I reckon you’ll end up at one of those clubs frequented by the footballers and wannabe Wags at the Albert Dock as our Siobhan likes it down there. If you do, make sure you’ve got plenty of money with you.’ David put his breakfast on the bedside table, got off the bed and reached into the side pocket of his jeans that were hanging over one of the chairs in the room. Pulling out his wallet, he took out a bundle of notes and handed Debbie two hundred pounds, saying, ‘Put this towards some drinks. Make sure you’ve got twenty pounds for the taxi home tonight.’
‘Put your money away,’ Debbie said, affronted at what she saw as a display of old fashioned machismo, ‘I’m an independent girl with my own means.’
‘I don’t care. Where I come from, we look after our women. I wouldn’t give a shit if you were a millionaire, I’d still make sure you’re looked after. Now take it, as some of this is to get our Siobhan a drink.’
Grabbing the money out of his hand Debbie said, ‘I’m not going to argue with you. I wouldn’t want to dent that archaic working class pride of yours.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
Murphy’s Business Offices, Runcorn,
09.40 hours, Saturday, 7
th
July
‘Murphy’s in the office. He arrived about eight forty this morning,’ Tony said, briefing both Gary and David as they arrived at the static surveillance point, an empty office block opposite Murphy’s business premises. ‘This is the best obs spot we could get at such short notice. We couldn’t get any techies in last night to burgle and bug the place. The security’s too tight and he’s had security guards on masse looking after the place. It’s been a similar pattern at his other warehouses in the county. As we think this is the nerve centre of his construction business, we’ve concentrated our attention here. It’s been busy since early morning with a number of lorries coming and going, but he’s not been seen coming out yet,’
‘Thanks Tony,’ David said looking at the yard area, ‘It is busy for a Saturday morning. Is this the usual volume of traffic for a Saturday morning?’
‘I don’t know,’ Tony said, ‘we only got the authorities yesterday evening to keep obs on him. So we haven’t been watching this place until this morning.’
‘That’s true,’ David said, taking hold of the high-density binoculars with specially coated lenses to prevent reflecting any glare. ‘The sun’s strong today. Where about are his offices?
‘Just over there to the left of where you’re looking now,’ Tony said pointing to the office block in the haulage yard.
‘I’ve got them. Where the fuck is he? Come on Declan show your ugly face,’ David said passing the binoculars to Gary, ‘If only we could get a little closer to those offices that would be a start.’ Silent, he thought for a moment then excitedly said, ‘I’ve got it! Gary what access does your team have to specialist vehicles?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You know, do you have access to the likes of taxis or marked up delivery vans?’
‘Only very limited access I’m afraid. As our Chief’s slashed the Special Branch budget, we have to rely on the budget we get directly from the Home Office. Even then, it doesn’t stretch to us having luxuries like decoy vehicles. I know, because Alec moans about it all the time.’
‘Leave it to me,’ David said as he got out his mobile phone from his jacket pocket and began scrolling down to Steve Adams’ number. Pressing the call button, once he received a reply he said, ‘Stevey, how’s it going?’
‘Apart from having to work with hundreds like you, I can’t grumble. I get the feeling this isn’t a personal call, you obviously want a favour.’
‘Am I that shallow?’
‘Let’s put it this way, you’re so shallow I’d struggle to even have a paddle in you, never mind a swim. So what do you want?’
‘Are you still with Andy Curtis?’
‘I’ll rephrase that question, what do you want Merseyside to do for you?’
‘We’re struggling to get close to Murphy. Is there any chance of one of Andy’s team becoming a delivery driver for the day? You know, get packages made up, something to do with construction or the like and use one of their vans to make a delivery at Murphy’s offices here in Runcorn?’
‘I’m with him now. I’ll pass him over to you.’
David waited while Steve passed his phone to DS Andy Curtis. ‘David, Andy here. This sounds interesting. We can do it and it’ll make a change for one of our lot from watching O’Byrne and company, who to be honest are doing very little at the moment.’
‘Great, give Debbie Heron, our MI5 liaison officer a ring, Steve has her number and she’ll arrange for MI5 to prepare a suitable package for you to pick up and deliver to Murphy. She said last night that MI5 are looking to pass over some equipment we can use. It’ll have to be delivered personally to Murphy’s office.’
‘Not a problem mate. I’ll get onto that now. I’ll give you a ring when we’re on our way. Provided the equipment’s ready, we can have it done by late morning at the earliest. I’ll speak to you soon.’
‘Cheers mate.’ David replaced his phone into his jacket, slapped Gary on the back and said, ‘It looks like we’ve got a runner. Merseyside’s sorting it out and we should have an in by late morning. Not a word to anyone else on the team and certainly not a word to McCullagh or Alec what we’re doing. Is that understood?’
* * *
At a quarter to ten that morning, carrying the plans for the Royal visit, Debbie entered the Chief Constable’s suite at Cheshire Police’s headquarters. Walking up to the Chief’s personal assistant she showed her MI5 identity card and said, ‘I’m Debbie Heron from MI5. I was wondering if the Chief Constable was free at ten this morning. I just want to brief her on MI5’s role for Prince William’s visit next Tuesday.’
‘I think she is. There’s nothing in her diary for this morning. She normally uses Saturday mornings to catch up on her paperwork, and I usually come in on Saturday mornings in case she needs me. I’ll just ring and check for you.’ The PA rang the Chief and informed her that Debbie wanted to see her. Replacing the telephone receiver, the PA said, ‘Just as I thought, she’s free all morning. She’s more than happy to see you now, if that’s convenient?’
‘That would be lovely, thanks.’
‘It’s through the door just behind me. I’ll bring in a pot of coffee in.’
‘Thanks.’ As Debbie entered into the Chief Constable’s office the Chief stood up and walked from behind her desk to greet Debbie. ‘How do you do?’ Julia Hudson said, ‘Please take a seat. I wasn’t expecting a visit from you people.’