Three Faces of West (2013) (3 page)

“Have you seen this?”

“Seen what?”

“Views all over the internet like social media and other places. They are all saying that the incident at King’s Cross was a terrorist event. Even the media outlets are saying it.”

Jack replied in an unfazed tone,

“That’s not surprising; news spreads like wildfire these days.”

It seemed like a suitable reply, but John had another bit of news, the act up his sleeve,

“They are also saying the Cullinan brooch robbery was a setup. Rumours are that it is actually a fake.”

This revelation instantly pricked into Jack’s consciousness, making him react like a dog with pointed ears. Quickly he rebuffed the internet arguments in a vain attempt to quash any potential fallout,

“They are exactly that, just rumours.” He snapped.

This made John rather defensive but he knew his partner was right, these were internet rumours, but he had to go further,

“There are also comments questioning the role of the security services, in both incidents.” He said tentatively.

Jack wanted to find out who was saying these things, inside he knew that if they came from official news outlets then this would be harder to dispel. Of course there were going to be questions and criticism but nothing on the scale at the moment. Knowing that if he could take action, nothing could be sanctioned without authority from those with higher clearance, so as much as he did not like it, Jack was stuck with the helpless feeling of frustration.

A knock came at the door, grabbing the attention of both John and Jack a young dark haired assistant popped his head round the door,

“Jack,” He said, “Someone wants to see you.”

“Who is it?”

“Section chief.” Was the reply, “Wants to see you now.”

Jack being puzzled gave John a blank look as if to say “what now?” Getting out of his heat he left John in the office once more to scour for additional comments in the digital world.

Five minutes later Jack returned rather excitedly. Clearly to John, Jack had been injected with some kind of enthusiasm that pepped him up once again,

“What this time?” He asked,

“Come on,” He said grabbing his coat while simultaneously throwing John his,

“Where are we going?” Asked John, stomped through the offices like a pair of wild animals,

“New Scotland Yard.” Said Jack excitedly, “They have something they wants to share with us; apparently it’s about that brooch.”

“Oh right,” Said John.

The two men proceeded to the exit with double haste wondering what the new information could be.

New Scotland Yard, Broadway, Westminster, time 10:35 am. The arrival of both intelligence officers was not wholly unexpected at the headquarters of the metropolitan police force. The shining building stood tall like a silver beacon, outside the famous triangular sign rotating continuously whatever the crisis. Jack and John entering the building and announcing themselves in the front reception triggered the special branch into action.

Waiting in the foyer did not seem very long for the two men, Jack spent his moments observing his surroundings, the floor, the ceiling, the walls, the decor,

“Hello again,” Said a familiar voice. Looking across he was greeted by the face of Inspector Waterson. West immediately jumped into action,

“Inspector,” He said while shaking his hand, “What can we do for you?”

“Well I think it is better you come up and follow me.” The inspector responded promptly.

Waterson led both men toward one of the lifts, which upon entering imputed the floor number 9 cueing the lift doors to shut. One could feel the motion of the lift as it transported the three men upwards. When it opened the corridors and offices that greeted them was one similar to those at Thames House. With Waterson taking the lead West and Hudson followed him into a less busy office staffed by only a few select individuals.

Waterson dispensed with the formal greetings, they were already well acquainted with each other during past operations. A large table in the centre of a room was the defining feature and it was here that the inspector gestured for both Jack and John to sit with him for the discussion,

“Now I’m guessing you are wondering why you have been called here.” Said Waterson,

“Of course,” Replied John, “Jack said you had something important to divulge.”

The inspector looked at both men with a hesitant look on his face, absolutely there was additional information and by the look of it, had to imply security concerns,

“Why else would we be here.” Jack thought to himself.

The inspector continued, “We’ve had forensics sniffing round King’s Cross as well as your people. We have found something significant.”

“What’s that?” Asked Jack. Reaching down Waterson pulled out from beneath the table a small bag. Looking closer both Jack and John could easily tell that it was an evidence bag, but the packaging was not important, it was the contents that caught their eyes. Jack could clearly see inside a small thin black rod. At first glance he could not distinguish it, until John suddenly made the breakthrough,

“That’s a clock hand,” He said out loud quite suddenly, “Look at the length, it’s too long and thin, looks like a minute hand.”

Waterson replied, “That’s correct, we found it in the train wreckage, there’s other bits as well that indicates this came off an alarm clock. One of those old fashioned ones.”

This immediately aroused West’s suspicions. He knew that with modern technology why would there be an old fashioned alarm clock on board a train?

“Unless it was used as a timer” He said out loud carrying on from his train of thought.

“That’s what we think.” Replied the inspector. By now the men were on the same wavelength,

“We have found two sets of these, which is consistent with the number of explosions this morning.” Concluded Waterson.

Jack thought about this for a second. Deciding to probe further he asked,

“You say there were other pieces, like what?”

“Wires and connections perhaps for radio components. All highly charred and damaged of course.”

Both West and Hudson looked on attentively,

“We think these are components of explosive devices. If they are, then someone planted those bombs on the train to perpetrate an incident. This is no accident; we’re looking at a coordinated terrorist attack.”

John instantly jumped in,

“Then that makes it a security issue.” He said turning to Jack. “I’ll have to see if there’s anything on file regarding this. Internet, phone taps, the lot.”

Jack looking at the table, absorbing everything just said, decided to ask the inspector for

more information,

“But why call us? Surely there are other teams down there that your lot must be liaising with. What have we got to do with the investigation at King’s Cross?”

Jack wanted an answer, but before he could put the question again the inspector interrupts,

“There’s another thing as well, we think this morning’s terrorist attack and the robbery you two attended are connected.”

“What?” Asked John,

“Uniform got a call from the duke’s apartment at 07:40 this morning like I said earlier,”

Both men remembered, they were eager for Waterson to finish his sentence,

“Witness statements and many other accounts we’ve taken so far all show one thing.”

“What’s that?” Asked Jack,

“The first explosion on the train, and possibly the second one straight after occurred at 07:30am, a full ten minutes before the first call at the duke’s robbery.”

Suddenly the niggling feeling in Jack’s head lifted in an enlightened rush,

“Of course, the timings!” He thought to himself. His slight facial expression betrayed his thought to any other observant enough to notice.

“So we think that this bombing is some kind of distraction? To deter the police away from the robbery crime scene?”

“Yes,” Replied Waterson, “Uniform gets a call at 07:40am, leaving the perpetrators free to carry out the robbery. Ten minutes earlier the bomb went off, pulling all available resources to King’s Cross. Meanwhile our thief takes the opportunity and tries for the brooch. How? We don’t know for sure yet. We’re working on your theory.”

John looked over to Jack knowing the implications of what they had just heard,

“That is what we think at the moment.” Concluded Waterson. A few seconds of silence followed as the other tried to take in what happened,

“Then that does make the robbery a security issue.” Deduced John.

Jack decided to play detective in giving a reply,

“So whoever planned the robbery had something to do with the bombing. The train explosions were just a huge distraction to deter police away from the real prize, the brooch.”

The inspector replied suitably, “Exactly. What better time for a bit of organised crime than during a major crisis. Even though it does involve murder.”

“That’s not all,” He continued. They thought they heard it all when like another bolt out of the blue; he delivered the next piece of news,

“You know that we found the missing brooch, even though we don’t have the thief,”

“Yes?” Said Jack,

“Well come and have a look, we have it down in the lab for examination. I’ll explain everything when we get there. Seems like this little mystery is about to get bigger.”

Puzzled John and Jack followed Inspector Waterson out of the office back toward the lifts once more.

The laboratory, below ground level looked like something out of a cheap science fiction movie. Staffed by individuals in little white coats, it was well maintained. Waterson, West and Hudson all entered through a set of swing doors down one end of the lab, suddenly exposing Jack and John to the professionalism of the facility. Following Waterson past some of the tables filled with instruments and testing machines all unified in their work to forensically disseminate different crimes, he led them to a work bench where upon arrival an assistant produced another evidence bag. As soon as it came into view, Jack instantly recognised the contents. Brilliantly catching the sun like a searchlight, the bag contained the Cullinan Brooch.

Waterson pulled it out of the bag laying the jewels out on the table,

“I know you recognise this, but there’s a major problem.”

“What’s that?” Quizzed John,

Jack looked on at the brooch as the inspector continued,

“When we found this back at the apartment we had it authenticated before returning it to Royal possession. It’s a good job we did, because it’s a fake.”

The two men examined the object closer still. Jack could make out some of the details, he was by no means a jewellery expert but there were clues here. The inspector sensed this and explained accordingly,

“Look closer, you’ll find that it isn’t as clear as what it first appears.” He said while placing the brooch under a nearby microscope.

Jack moved in to see under the lens, Waterson was indeed correct, the clarity was off somewhat. It appeared cloudy in places, not everywhere but enough to raise suspicion. The inspector continued,

“If we turn it over,” Doing so as he said it, “We find tiny cracks coming off the cutting edges.”

The cracks, only hairline was visible once magnified, but they were there. This seemed already abnormal for diamond. This form of carbon is one of the hardest substances known, but here it was cracked. The Inspector though was not done yet,

“If you look at those edges, we see that even though they are straight, the angle is all wrong. Brilliant cut diamonds reflect light off all angles, this one doesn’t.”

Jack looked up from the microscope,

“So you’re saying this is not cut correctly because of the reflection of light?” He asked,

“Yes.” Replied Waterson, “And the colour is incorrect. Diamonds can have yellowish tints, but like the clarity, the colour is not compatible for the Cullinan Diamond.”

“So you are saying this is a copy?” Interrupted John.

“Yes, good enough for a sight only inspection, but will not stand up to scrutiny.” Said the inspector.

The three men made their way back up to the offices on the 9
th
floor. Entering the room where the previous revelations were made seemed familiar now to both West and Hudson with Waterson closing the door behind them before any further comment could be made. Turning round to face his guests, deciding to cut the two intelligence officers off quickly,

“We’ve had rumours that the intelligence was flawed. I don’t know what goes on over at your place, but apportion of blame is being laid squarely on you.”

“We know,” Said John,

“We saw the news; it’s all over the place. It’s OK; our priority is to get to the truth not worry about what others are saying on social media and the like.” Added Jack.

Waterson looked at the two; he believed them over what was going around on the internet. But there was something else, he showed it in his eyes, and John could tell it,

“Look, some of the officers investigating think that perhaps the brooch was replaced before being stolen,” He said

“You think the robbery was more complicated than before,” Asked John,

“No…Look, some of the lads are investigating the line of inquiry that perhaps one of you two switched it. I’m sorry but we have to follow all leads, and dismiss any possibility.”

Both John and Jack stood there in silence. How could they think such a thing? How on earth could they manage it if they did? West wanted to crush this theory from the outset,

“Let me tell you now that piece of glass down in your laboratory was not put there by me or my colleague! If you or one of your friends have sufficient proof then I’ll be glad to see it, otherwise don’t even go there inspector. I’m sure you of all people are aware of the importance of evidence to back up an allegation!”

Inspector Waterson looked on in silence before speaking,

“Of course.” Was the muted reply.

John watched in silence with fascination the standoff between his partner and the policeman only ending with Jack turning to him,

“I think we are done here John, I trust there’s nothing more inspector?”