By All Means (Fiske and MacNee Mysteries Book 2) (32 page)

'What's it about?'

'Fiske says she believes you can help with her inquiries into several serious crimes.  No further details.  I thought you might want to hazard a guess.'

Roskill's denial was perfunctory and unconvincing.

Cordingley shook his head despairingly.  'Mike, if I'm going to help you, I need to know what's going on.  I've checked, and Fiske is currently investigating two murders, both in companies owned by Burtonhall.  And there are possible links to the attacks on Last Cairngorm and Mercury Fulfilment. You have connections to all of them except Last.'

'You can sit in.  Then it'll be news to you at the same time as it's news to me.'

There was no point in pressing him any further.   They might have another discussion before Fiske arrived, but Cordingley doubted it.  His client was in real trouble, but what kind of trouble was known only to the police and his client. And his client wasn't telling.

*

Vanessa got home well after eight.  She had spent two hours preparing for her interview with Roskill, which she had agreed could take place at the offices of The James M Roskill Public Affairs Trust in Belgravia the following afternoon. She had arranged a flight in the late morning, which would give her time to talk to Dongle about Mathieson and check with the PF about the possibility of charges against Roskill and further charges against MacIver.   She could talk to Colin MacNee on the plane about what the SOCOs had found in Saltcoats.

Neil was in the kitchen - as always, Vanessa thought, with a little pang of guilt - and the smell suggested smoked fish.

'Cullen skink!  My Glasgow auntie used to make it, but I don't suppose a nice middle class girl form the West Midlands has ever heard of it.   It's essentially a Scottish chowder, made with smoked haddock - I sourced some smokies from Arbroath -, cream and potatoes.  You'll like it.  Very nourishing.  Very wholesome.  My auntie said it would stick to my ribs.  She also said it would put hair on my chest, but that wouldn't interest you, I suppose.'

Vanessa put her arms round his neck and kissed him.  'If you made it, I'll love it.  Even if it didn't do much for your chest.'

'I decided to be buff, not hairy.  If you have any complaints, submit them in writing!'.  But Vanessa was already in their bedroom, getting out of her working clothes.

As they finished eating, Vanessa told Neil that she was going to London the next day to interview James Roskill.

'I thought you might be.  I had a call today from my contact in the SFO, and it seems that the ex-PM's name is being much bandied about in the City,  Nothing very specific, but a  suggestion that some of his dealings may be a little less than kosher.'

'You could say that!  I think he may have been complicit in a couple of murders and a bit of terrorism.  I'll put it to him, but I doubt he'll cough.  I've done a bit of contingency planning with the PF.  She thinks we might be able to get him on conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism, but the case is far from strong.  I'll need to put some pressure on him.  Colin's coming with me and I might let loose his moral indignation.  Might work.  Anyway, it will be fun to watch.  He's a terrier when he gets going.'

'My contact also told me that Andy Hanna may have overstepped the mark when he talked to one of the journalists who've been investigating offshore tax havens.   Implying that you might provide a
quid quo pro
in return for information about the 'very big names' you're investigating.'

Vanessa smiled.  'Andy's certainly shown the occasional sign of going off piste - Esslemont raised an eloquent eyebrow when he came up with information about cross memberships of the boards of the companies we're looking at.  But what he found was useful.  I'll wait until I hear what he's got.'

'You've changed your tune a bit since we had that little spat about how you should treat the gentlemen of the press!  Your morality has become a little less absolute.'

'OK, so I over-reacted.  Put it down to the pressure of the case.  I really, really need to close it, and if Andy's information helps, that's fine.  I guess it's unlikely to be the kind of stuff that we can use in court, but if it makes it even a little more likely that we'll get convictions, that's fine too.'

Neil refilled his glass - a nice Chilean Sauvignon Blanc to go with the fish - and took Vanessa's hand in his.  'Do you honestly believe you'll get Roskill in court?  A former PM and internationally respected philanthropist?'

'Christ, Neil, you sound like the Chief.  You should have heard him talking about the need to be able to defend our actions, not going on fishing trips, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.  At least Esslemont weighed in on my side.  No special favours.  Treat Roskill like any other "person of interest".  Going to him rather than bringing him here is as far as I'm prepared to go in respecting his position.'

'You know it'll get out.   Somebody will tip off the press.  The Met knows you're interested in him.  A lot of people in NEC know...'

'I trust my people and, especially after the Fleming business, I don't think any of them is likely to be indiscreet.'

'I understand that.  But you've had to backfill to investigate the Roskill connection, and some of the people you've now got working on it don't owe you anything.   Don't mistake respect for your rank and your reputation for personal loyalty.'

Vanessa was quiet for a moment, considering carefully how to respond.  She discussed almost everything about her work with Neil.  He had been really helpful with the financial aspects of the case.  But she bridled when anybody, even somebody she loved, told how to do her job.  She decided to say nothing except that she'd think about it.

'Good.  Better to be ready.'

*

The First Minister read the draft statement prepared by the Permanent Secretary. It was bland to the point of vacuousness, rehearsing the timeline that had led to MacIver's arrest, and reiterating that the FM had had no reason to suspect that he might have been involved in criminality.   She had had no prior knowledge of the arrest and it would be inappropriate to comment further.    A reference to the presumption of innocence had been added by her private secretary, but she struck it out even before she had decided not to make the statement.

She asked the Permanent Secretary to come to her office.

'James, this really won't do. If I make this statement, I'll be crucified in Parliament. It says absolutely nothing.  The best that can be said for it is that it might do as a holding statement, but I think we are well past the point at which Parliament will accept that.   They are out to get me and the silence from the Justice Secretary suggests that he is positioning himself.'

'First Minister, you would not expect me to comment on party matters.  But I have to advise you that it would be unacceptable in terms of accountability if you were to let another parliamentary session go by without a statement.  If my draft is unacceptable, and you accept my advice that a statement must be made, I will draft another statement.  Before I do so, I need to discuss the content.'

'Go on.'

'We have reached the point, First Minister, where you need to answer in detail the questions that have been raised about the vetting, or otherwise, of Paul MacIver.  You will need to address the points raised in Parliament last week, and in the press this week.  If I may be frank, you need to answer the questions set out in the
Banner. 
I have the information to answer three of those questions.  The issue of who recommended MacIver to you is a matter entirely for you. On those in respect of which I am able to produce a draft, the answer, in all three cases, is no.'

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

James Michael Roskill had decided that charm would be more effective than bluster.   He was good at it, and Vanessa Fiske knew immediately that she would have to keep her guard up.   It was not that she was particularly susceptible to flattery or exaggerated respect. She wasn't, and she would not have acquired her reputation as an effective interrogator if she was.  Rather it was an awareness of the seductive and potentially undermining effect of being close to someone who had wielded so much power; who had, apparently without self-doubt, taken life and death decisions; who had, apparently without losing sleep, sent hundreds of his fellow citizens to war.  And it was about being in the presence of the kind of self-confidence seldom experienced except among the very powerful and the very rich.  Roskill was both.

When Fiske and MacNee arrived at the Belgravia headquarters of the James M Roskill Public Affairs Trust, the receptionist, a stunningly beautiful young black woman with a South African accent, picked up the phone and said they were in reception.  They sat down and looked at the various reports and publications on display.  All were concerned with the charitable and philanthropic activities of the Trust and all contained many photographs of Roskill, sometimes with the recipients of the Trust's grants, but more often with world leaders, monarchs, and presidents.  Colin MacNee thought that Roskill was very careful about his legacy and his legend.

The detectives were surprised when the former Prime Minister came through the door behind reception, thanked the receptionist by name, held out his hand and said,  'Chief Inspector Fiske, welcome to the Trust.  Inspector MacNee, good to meet you, too.'

Vanessa appreciated the punctiliousness with which, gender notwithstanding, he had recognised her seniority. It didn't always happen, and the frequency with which Colin was greeted as "DCI Fiske" was a running joke between them.   She also noted that he had not thought it necessary to say who he was.

'Please come up.'

They climbed an elegant cantilevered staircase, curved in a style that Vanessa recognised as an eighteenth century signature feature, and were led into Roskill's office.  It had been a drawing room and was now furnished in a deliberately modern style.   There was no desk.  Colin recalled that Roskill had been famous for having no desk in his Downing Street office and for hiring - and firing - people while they sat on a sofa and he stood.  There were two modern Chesterfield sofas and three matching armchairs, grouped round three sides a low table.   The fourth side ensured that every seat offered a view, through the tall sash windows, of the Belgravia street scene.   It would be easy to be comfortable here, but less easy to be relaxed.

A man of about Roskill's age was already in the room, preparing to pour coffee or tea from the pots arranged on a side table.

'I think you've already spoken to Edmund, Chief Inspector, but you've not met.'

Vanessa extended her hand.  'Lord Cordingley.  This is my colleague, DI Colin MacNee.'

Cordingley said nothing.

'Edmund is rather highly priced help for pouring the coffee, but he'll turn his hand to most things.  I've asked him to be here today.'  He paused for effect. 'For obvious reasons.'

Vanessa decided to formalise the atmosphere.

'Mr Roskill, I am going to question you.  Before I do so I must caution you. You are not obliged to answer any of these questions but any answers you give will be noted and may be used in evidence against you.  In normal circumstances, in a matter as serious as this, I would interview you in a police station and record the interview.  In this case, I hope that you will accept that it is sufficient for DI MacNee to take notes, a copy of which will be provided to you.'

Roskill looked to Cordingley, who nodded.

The interview lasted no more than half-an-hour.  It ranged from the  exchange of emails between
[email protected]
and
[email protected]
, through the nature of any other contact that Roskill might have had with Paul MacIver, his financial interests in Burtonhall and its companies, the bombing of Last Cairngorm and the cyber attack on Mercury Fulfilment, to the beneficial ownership  of the BVI nominee account from which substantial payments had been made to MacIver, and which the detectives believed had been used to finance his illegal activities.

For most of the interview, Roskill was calm and impassive, more often denying all knowledge than offering no comment.  It was only when the questioning turned to the attacks on Last and Mercury and the possible effects on the market value of the companies, and to the BVI account, that Roskill paused before answering and turned, wordlessly, to Cordingley for advice.   Fiske was unsure to what extent the two men had prepared their answers but it was clear that the only lines of questioning that unsettled them were those concerning Last and Mercury and the offshore account.

'I have reason to believe, Mr Roskill, that you are one of two beneficial owners of this account.'  She handed him a note of the details as communicated to the bank where MacIver's account was held.  'I believe that I also know the identity of the other owner, but it would be inappropriate for me to name him at this stage.  Can you confirm that you control this account through nominees?'

'No comment.'

'Have you any knowledge of the payments from this account, of over £2000 per month over a six month period, to an account in the name of Paul MacIver?

'No comment.'

'What was the purpose of these payments?'

'No comment.'

'Did you, through these payments, help to finance the attacks at Last and Mercury?'

'No comment.'

'Did you conspire with Paul MacIver to destabilise Hedelco and Ebright Offshore Drilling in order to affect the value of these companies?'

'No comment.'

'Thank you, Mr Roskill.
  I think it is likely that I shall have to speak to you again soon.  If I do, you will have to come to Aberdeen.  In the meantime, DI MacNee will give you a copy of his notes and, once they have been transcribed, we will send you a copy of the record as we place it in the case file.   May I ask you, or Lord Cordingley on your behalf, to sign this to confirm receipt of the copy?'

*

As they walked towards Sloane Square, Colin MacNee gave Vanessa his impressions of the interview.

'He didn't half play on his reputation as a technophobe!'  It was common knowledge, because he tended to mention it in every interview he gave, that Roskill could not use a computer, knew nothing about the Internet and had never sent an email.  It was part of his persona as a world statesman existing above the common herd.

'But were you convinced?  I certainly wasn't. When you were asking him about the email exchanges, his answers seemed to me to show he knew more about the process of emailing than he was ready to admit.   I wish we had a tape.  My notes are pretty full, though, and he used terminology that would be unfamiliar to the kind of technophobe he claims to be.'

'Such as?'  They were entering Sloane Square station to get a train to Paddington.

'"Spam", "domain", "IP address", "server", to name just a few.'

'Oh, come on, Colin. He could have picked up that kind of language anywhere.  From his staff, his kids, from books and newspapers.  Proves nothing."

'No, boss, it's more than that. He was easy with the language, familiar, more than just aware of it.'

'Would you like to put that to a jury?'

'No, but I would like to put it to Roskill the next time we talk to him.  He's
[email protected]
and he's been emailing MacIver.  I'm sure of it.  I think we should try to get MacIver to confirm it and then press Roskill.'

'Seems pretty clear that he's behind the BVI account.  I think we may have enough to convince the PF to charge him with conspiracy to cause an explosion and possibly to murder.  If she goes for it, and she'll have to consult the Crown Office in Edinburgh, we'll have to get Roskill to Aberdeen and into court.  Jason Sime of the
G & T
was right: this is bigger than Dunblane.'

*

'There's no doubt that MacIlwraith's lock-up was used to make a bomb.  It would be going too far to describe it as a bomb factory, though that's what the tabloid headlines will say.  The SOCOs found residues of the "ingredients" listed in the "recipes" he had downloaded.  And there was also equipment that the anti-terrorism squad say is consistent with the manufacture of explosives.  And he had more rucksacks than a Boy Scout troop.'

While Fiske and MacNee were in London, a verbal report had gone to Esslemont. Colin was now reading from the full SOCO report.

'You'll need to put it to him before we decide whether to ask the PF to change the charges against him,' Vanessa said, 'though it won't matter one way or the other.  He's going away for a long time.  What's important is that it hugely increases the likelihood of a jury convicting him.  We need something like that to be sure of nailing Mathieson for the cyber attack.   I think a jury will convict him on the Jamieson murder charge, but I'd like to close the file on Mercury as well.'

'I'll see if Dongle's back from Glasgow.'

Fiske and MacNee had got back to NEC HQ in the early evening after interviewing Roskill.  Esslemont and the Chief were unavailable until the next morning.  Their report on the former Prime Minister and their recommendation that he be brought to Aberdeen for a further interview and probable charges would have to wait.  It was also too late too speak to the Procurator Fiscal, so Vanessa decided to speak informally to Fiona Marchmont, the force's legal adviser.   She got her at home just as she was getting her children to bed.  She called back about fifteen minutes later.

'It sounds to me as if the only thing that will give the PF pause will be the political sensitivity.   The evidence is certainly enough, even if it's circumstantial, to go to court and let a jury decide.  But we kid ourselves if we believe that the decision will be simple or very quick.  The Crown Office will have to be involved.  The security services will need to know.  Intergovernmental courtesy will be invoked to tell the Home Secretary and Number 10.  You might get clearance to arrest Roskill by the end of tomorrow, but it might be the day after.'

'Can I ask you, off the record, about something else?  The other beneficial owner of the BVI account is almost certainly Sir Justin Carey...'

Fiona interrupted and said, incredulously,  'Carey of the FO?  Are you sure?'

'As sure as I can be given the secrecy that surrounds everything in BVI, but I don't have anything else on him.  No other connection with these cases, except my suspicion that Roskill got him to intervene when we were trying to get the Hedelco emails.   I could regard him as a person of interest, but it would be a stretch.  Will my case against Roskill be weakened if he is referred to as "A N Other"?'

'I don't think so, but I'll consider it further.  It might be better if you didn't refer to him at all.   I'm sure you can think of ways of dealing with Carey informally, but very effectively!'

'Fine.  And thanks, I may have to talk to you officially tomorrow.'

'Before you go, how are you? We haven't spoken for a while.'

'I'm OK.  Knackered, but OK. My blood pressure's up a little, but the morning sickness is better.  I just need to get this case off my desk before I can ease up a bit.  If Roskill needs to be arrested, I'm bloody well not going to London again.   The Met can do it, or if it needs someone from here, Esslemont will have to conquer his dislike of leaving Aberdeen.'

'Good luck with that!  I may see you tomorrow.'

*

Vanessa looked at her watch.  It was half past eight and she hadn't been able to speak to Neil since getting back from London.  As she reached for the phone, Colin MacNee stuck his head round her door.

'Dongle's here.  Will I bring him in?'

Vanessa sighed and nodded.