In Treacherous Waters

by Richard V Frankland

  Sir Andrew Averrille looked at the Commodore aghast. “Is that all you have to say?”

  “Yes, I’ll come and show you out.”

  They were just leaving the dining room when Sir Andrew’s phone rang, “Yes, what is it?” There was a pause during which Sir Andrew was nodding his head, then frowning. “Wait a moment I will just ask, hold on.”

  Pointlessly holding the phone to his chest Sir Andrew turned to Campbell, “Whereabouts has your receptionist Lorna Parker-Davis gone for her holiday? Obviously we need to contact her.”

  “I haven’t a clue, Sir Andrew, there was some suggestion of Germany I think but she could well have changed her mind,” replied Campbell.

  “Do you mean that someone in your section has gone on holiday without notifying you of a place of contact for emergencies?”

  “No, it does not. It just means that I do not have that information immediately to hand.”

  “Well, who does then?” answered Sir Andrew, frustrated and annoyed by Campbell’s apparent game playing.

  “You could try contacting John Jessop.”

  Sir Andrew put the phone to his ear again, “Apparently you should contact DELCO section’s office manager/cashier.” There was a somewhat brisk reply that brought a furious frown to Sir Andrew’s face. “What, he’s on leave as well!” The frown turned to puzzlement as he listened to the response. “Oh, yes, he was the first on the list. Well, get over to his home then and wait for him. Do I have to do all of your thinking for you?” With that Sir Andrew Averrille pocketed his phone and strode down the hall to the front door. “An inquiry panel is being briefed later today and you will probably be called towards the beginning of next week,” he said, turning back towards Campbell.

  “I will look forward to it, Sir Andrew. You will notify me of course as to the panel members.”

  “Is that normal procedure?”

  “It is at this level, Sir Andrew.”

  As Campbell turned after closing the front door, his wife, Caroline, emerged from the study. “I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation, Alex. I know you have been expecting something but I never thought it would come to this.”

  “I thought it might eventually, darling, but in fact it has happened sooner than I expected and I was almost caught off balance,” Alex Campbell replied, putting his arms around his new wife and kissing her tenderly. “I think we are moving towards the end of a bit of internal skulduggery that has been festering for some months.”

  “What is it that poor Ian Vaughan has done that is so terrible?” she asked, before immediately saying, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked that question, I was wrong to even think that you could answer it.”

  “Come on, get changed into some suitable clothes for a walk in the country, I’m on ‘gardening leave’.”

  ***

  Three hours later they were enjoying lunch in the “Old Station Tea Rooms” at Holmsley on the New Forest, having first confused their followers among the shops of Winchester.

  They had just ordered their meals, when Alex Campbell got up. “I’m just going to the gents, darling, won’t be long.”

  Stepping out of the restaurant he walked past the tea and ice creams kiosk then round the back of the building to the gents’ toilet, passing two middle-aged men in incongruous dark suits sitting at one of the outside tables. On his return Campbell stopped at the table and turning to the two men said, “In your report you should mention that we are both starting with the mushroom soup, then my wife is having the salmon and I went for the braised steak. We haven’t made up our minds yet as to whether we will have desserts.”

  The older of the two smiled. “All right, Sir, don’t rub it in, we are just carrying out orders.”

  “I know you are, but a bit of breathing space would be nice.”

  Returning to the table Caroline greeted him with a wide smile, “I saw you talking to those two men outside, I assume that they are our tail.”

  Alex nodded, “Yes, probably not the only ones though. Have you got one of those pay-as-you-go mobiles handy? I’ll make that call to Lorna now while our two tails are too embarrassed to peer through the window at us. Hope this act works as I bet there is someone monitoring phone calls for this location.”

  Putting in Lorna Parker-Davis’ number he waited.

  “Hello, darlin’, I got a gardening job for a week or so, so it don’t look as if I can join yer now,” said Campbell into the phone, starting to speak before Lorna could say any more than “Hello”. Her response made him smile and with a wink to his wife he ended the call with, “Don’t yer get up to nothin’ with him or I’ll be real upset. I’ll giv’ yer a bell when I can, just to hear how you’re getting on like. Cheers, luv.”

  Caroline sputtered with laughter, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you do that, it was brilliant, you should be on the stage.”

  “If this goes wrong, that is a career I might have to consider, my love, but don’t let us get downhearted, not yet anyway,” replied Alex Campbell.

  The message was the trigger for Lorna Parker-Davis to make contact with Vaughan, but the last part was a clear instruction to stay away and wait for further instructions.

  They skipped the desserts but lingered over coffee then leaving the restaurant crossed the road to the car and changed into their walking shoes. Taking the path along the permanent way of the old railway line they strolled hand in hand for some two miles before sitting on the bank making plans for a short holiday in the Lake District.

  Switching the subject Alex Campbell turned to his wife and said, “You have been incredibly relaxed about all that has happened, Caroline.”

  “When I overheard Sir Andrew’s initial statements it had my stomach churning and I wanted to burst in and order him from our house, but you seemed so calm,” she replied. “Your calmness told me that you were expecting something like that to happen and knowing you from when I was just your driver, I knew you already had a plan.”

  Kissing her he got to his feet and gave her a hand, “Come on I have done all I can do today, let’s go home and see what Mrs Craven has cooked us for supper.”

  “Do you think that the mobile phone is far enough into that rabbit hole, Alex?”

  Campbell turned and putting his foot up onto the bank pretended to tie up a shoe lace whilst looking into the rabbit hole in question. “I can’t see it and it’s switched off, so a chance ring won’t reveal it, I didn’t think you saw me do it.”

  “I just caught a glint of metal as you tossed it in, just as you sat down, then I knew why we had stopped so early on a walk.”

  “You are not just a beautiful lady, but I have known that for some time.”

  “Oh, thank you, kind sir,” Caroline replied, curtseying theatrically but giving Alex Campbell a, “don’t patronise me” look.

  Starting to walk back to the car, Caroline, looking ahead said, “I don’t see our tail anywhere.”

  “There is another pair way up on the rise behind where we were sitting,” replied Campbell. “I would think the other two have been taken off the job. Let’s change the schedule and give the new team something to consider.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “A trip to a boatyard and a brief enquiry with a yacht broker.”

  Caroline chuckled, “That will have Sir Andrew in a quandary.”

  At Berthon’s Yard in Lymington the broker could not have been more helpful, “Forty to forty-five foot modern cruising yachts are at the upper limit for a couple to handle without crew, but if, as you say, you have friends available to help on long passages then either of those two yachts would be ideal for your needs.”

  Mr and Mrs Campbell walked away with full details of two yachts that would, according to the broker, be ideal for a Mediterranean cruise. As they crossed the car park Caroline said, “You sounded as if you were genuinely interested, Alex.”

  “Funny you should say that because on the drive across the forest I got to thinking how nice it would b
e if you and I could get right away from time to time,” replied Alex. “So by the time we got here I was quite excited by the prospect of owning a yacht. What do you think?”

  “Hmm. I would have to try it with someone who I know, knew what they were doing, Ian Vaughan for instance.”

  “Yes of course, darling, I wasn’t thinking of rushing into anything.” He paused for a moment or two. “I bet you anything that Ian Vaughan has been given his marching orders by Sir Andrew, so the chances are that he will be back in the UK before long.”

  As they got back into their car, Alex Campbell said, “Parked outside of the gates is a Ford Fiesta, can you get its number and write it down.”

  “Our new tail?” she asked as they approached the entrance.

  “Yes, but something a little more interesting, I think.”

  Caroline glanced at him, then turned to ensure that she got the number. “Got it, Alex, by the way a car some way back has just pulled out behind us.”

  “Yes, I saw it. If my guess is right that is the official tail and the Ford is, shall we say, part of the real problem.”

  “There was nobody in it to follow us, Alex.”

  “No, she was in the brokerage subtly finding out what our interests were,” Campbell replied. “She was writing down the name of the Oyster we were looking over. I saw her hurry through between it and the Amel alongside. Time to use the other phone I think.”

  As Caroline reached into her handbag, Alex handed her his phone. “On there is Jackson’s direct number, phone him and ask him to do an immediate search on that Ford and hold on for the reply.”

  Hurriedly Caroline dialled the number, praying that it would be Jackson who answered.

  “Jackson.”

  “Chief Inspector, I am glad I caught you. It is Caroline Campbell, Alex Campbell’s wife.”

  “Oh, what a nice surprise, er, how are you both?” The “er” was because before becoming Mrs Campbell, Caroline was Caroline Tucker, a police driver who frequently drove the Chief Inspector and Commodore Campbell, this meant that Jackson was now unsure of how he should address her.

  “Very well thank you. We have a favour to ask. Can you do a search on a vehicle registration for us?”

  “Yes, of course, I hope you have not been involved in an accident.”

  “No, it is nothing like that, it was just a matter of ownership.” Looking down at her note she gave Jackson the number.

  “Shall I call you back?”

  “No, I will hold on, if you don’t mind, it is rather urgent you see.”

  “Oh, er, yes of course.”

  It only took a matter of two or three minutes before she could hear Jackson put down a telephone and pick up the one she was on. “The car belongs to a Ms Alice Morgan. I hope that is what you were looking for, er Mrs Campbell.”

  “I’ll just check,” Caroline replied.

  “He said it belongs to a Ms Alice Morgan, Alex.”

  “Thanks, Brian,” Alex Campbell said loudly. “When I get back from holiday we must meet up for lunch.”

  “Tell him I will look forward to it, and enjoy the rest of your holiday.”

  “Thank you, Chief Inspector. I must go, we are just about to arrive.”

  Goodbyes said, Caroline slipped the phone into the car’s glove compartment.

  “Well done, darling, you handled that perfectly. Brian of course will be wondering what the hell it is all about but I know he won’t discuss it with anyone else, five years of working with him taught me that I can trust him.”

  “Did the name mean anything to you, Alex?”

  “Yes, she is one of the Communications Room staff, and the one that Penny Heathcote has had doubts about. I wasn’t sure when I saw her at the boatyard.”

  Alice Morgan had seen and understood the significance of the instruction to break all contacts with Commodore Campbell unless specifically ordered to. She was also aware that Leonard Staunton had taken over Campbell’s desk, so when she conveyed the information regarding Campbell’s outing to the New Forest and lunch location she found herself being sent on a mission to find out where and what Campbell was up to. After a high speed journey down the M3 she had caught up with the Campbells as they were returning from their walk and had trailed them to the boatyard.

  “Is this to do with whatever it was that Ian Vaughan was doing?”

  “Sorry, my darling, I can’t tell you anymore.”

  “Oh, Alex, I am sorry I shouldn’t have asked, that’s the second time today I have had to say that.”

  “I’m going to pull in for petrol at Fleet Services, would you mind driving the rest of the way home?”

  “No, of course not, it will be just like old times. Are you going to sit in the back?” Caroline replied giggling.

  Alex Campbell sputtered and laughed. “No, I much prefer being near you.”

  She reached across and stroked his arm, “I like that, my love.”

  “Getting back to sailing,” he said and continued, “When I was full time RN, I went on several sailing courses at the Joint Services establishment at Gosport. It was leadership skills stuff wrapped up with some good sailing. Les ‘Jumper’ Cross was one of the instructors; the first time I went out with him he nearly had me doing cartwheels with the yacht in order to drum into us the ‘Man Overboard Drill’. I used to thoroughly enjoy those trips. It is sad really how easily work gets in the way of enjoying life a bit, as it did when I was pulled into Anti-terrorist Command.” Caroline looked across at him, waiting. “There was a big plus side too though, I met you.”

  At Fleet Services Campbell topped up the fuel and returning to the car found Caroline adjusting the driver’s seat to suit and checking the mirrors. “Another Ford Mondeo parked over by the air and water,” she said, as he settled in the passenger side. “Here’s the phone.”

  Campbell smiled, “I hope they don’t guess why we have switched over.”

  Back on the M3 Caroline successfully got three or four cars between them and the tailing Mondeo. “They are a few cars back, Alex, they shouldn’t be able to see you making a phone call.”

  Campbell tapped in the number. “Jackson.”

  “Sorry to bother you again, Brian, but I have another favour to ask and I don’t want to go the direct route.”

  “What do you need to know, Alex?”

  “Can you give me the name of the person in charge of the team tracing terrorist group funding?”

  “Yes, that’s easy, I was talking to her only this morning, it’s Margaret Hutchinson, you know, tall skinny and a tongue like a razor.”

  “Yes, I do know, excellent. She was damn good on that South African Krugerrand exchange case. Thanks, Brian, that’s brandies to follow.”

  An hour later as the car entered the driveway of their home the front door opened and Mrs Craven was seen standing in the doorway.

  “Oh dear, I wonder what has happened, every time I have arrived to that welcome it has heralded bad news,” said Alex Campbell.

  “Can you put the car in the garage tonight, Alex.”

  Campbell looked at his wife for a moment, “Security you mean?”

  “Yes, Alex, that is exactly what I mean. So please will you set the garage’s independent alarm system before you come in.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right, we are going to have to be very careful.”

  Caroline waited for her husband while he put the car away then they walked together towards the front door and Mrs Craven.

  “Problem?”

  “Someone has been in the house while I was out at the shops,” Mrs Craven said quietly.

  Holding a finger to his lips as a sign for everyone to keep quiet, Campbell stepped backwards out onto the garden path and led them to the driveway.

  “When was this, Mrs Craven?”

  “Just before lunch, sir, so I would say between eleven, when I left, and twelve thirty when I got back.”

  “Anything obviously missing?”

  “No, sir, nothing taken,” then tu
rning to Caroline she said, “I hope you don’t mind but I checked your jewellery box and dressing table.”

  Caroline smiled, “No of course not.”

  “I didn’t call the police, sir. I thought it best to wait till you got home.”

  “Quite right, Mrs Craven. Don’t let us cause unnecessary fuss,” replied Campbell, looking down thoughtfully at the ground. “We will just carry on as if I am er, say, retired.”

  “If they didn’t take anything, darling, I assume that they left something,” said Caroline.

  “Yes, dear, probably some listening devices.”

  “Oh well, if they want to listen to my boring conversation, they can,” she replied with a shrug. “What delights have you got for us tonight Mrs Craven?”

  “Fish pie, Mrs Campbell.”

  “Suddenly I am very hungry,” said Campbell, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically.

  “Retirement hasn’t changed you then, sir,” said Mrs Craven, sparking a shriek of laughter from Caroline.

  ***

  It was around eight o’clock in the evening when the Gibraltar Police found the apartment they were looking for. While officers were questioning third floor occupants they were told by one family that they had heard what they thought was a domestic fight going on in the neighbouring apartment the previous afternoon. When the apartment was entered it was obvious that a disturbance had taken place in one of the bedrooms as there was furniture damage and traces of blood on the bedroom floor and in the bathroom.

  By the time Vaughan arrived on the scene the forensic team were there taking fingerprints and conducting a thorough search.

  Inspector Lopez was sitting on the floor outside the apartment, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his eyes squinting through the trail of smoke at a black book. “Anything of interest?” asked Vaughan.

  “Yeh, this. They found it under the bed, not sure whether it’s connected as I can’t make head nor tail of it as it’s all in some type of code,” the Inspector said.