The Interrogator

by J J Cooper

  Jay thought it explained Catherine's pale complexion the previous night. 'Where is he now?'

  'Who? Your father?'

  'Yeah.'

  'I honestly don't know. As soon as we left you last night, we went home. Warren got straight into his car and disappeared without saying another word. I haven't seen or heard from him since.'

  'Who else knows about this?'

  'Nobody. Warren thought Lazarau might have said something, but he said that was taken care of.'

  'When did he say that?'

  'Maybe last week some time.'

  'Anything else I should know?'

  'That's all I know. Honestly, Jay.'

  Jay knew she had not given the entire story but he had enough information to confront Primrose.

  He thought about Sarah and tried several times to call her. He wanted to hear that she was OK. He started to worry when she didn't answer, but the feeling would have to wait, he decided, as he drove into the Canungra army barracks. He had more immediate issues to address.

  TWENTY

  Jay brought the BMW to a stop down the road from the Centre, near the access point for the concealed entrance. 'You're coming with me,' he said.

  'Why?' Catherine asked.

  'Because you haven't once asked me where we are going or what we are doing. I'd hate to be set up again.'

  'I –'

  'I don't want to hear it. Let's go.'

  The air was still and the gushing water of the Coomera River made for a tranquil setting. Like he did every night, Jay looked toward the stars and said a silent hello to his mother. He'd never missed a night since she passed away. From the mountains of Afghanistan to Iraq's Western Desert to the tropical hinterland of the Gold Coast and Brisbane's metropolis – he always made time to look up and give his love to her. A moment each night to celebrate the seven short years he had with her. A moment to let her know how much she was missed.

  He became aware of Catherine beside him.

  'What are you looking at?' she asked.

  He ignored the question. Took another moment and then said, 'Let's go.'

  Under the bright moonlight they dodged cane toads and moved across the oval, toward the concealed entrance. Catherine walked a couple of paces ahead. She knew where to go.

  Jay's heart-rate increased with the expectation of confrontation with Primrose. The pistol added to his confidence. His phone rang and he stopped to answer it. 'Speak.'

  'What kind of way is that to answer a phone? Your dad taught you better than that, boy,' Bill said.

  'Yeah, sorry, mate. I'm in the middle of something. What's up?'

  'What's up? You sound like one of those rappers. Where are you?'

  'At Canungra,' Jay said. He looked over at Catherine standing nearby. 'Have you spoken to that person we were speaking to earlier?'

  'What are you talking about?'

  'You know who I mean.'

  A momentary pause before Bill responded. 'Have you got someone with you?'

  'Bingo.'

  'OK. Got it. Is Sarah with you?'

  'That's who I'm talking about.'

  'What about her?' Bill asked.

  Jay breathed out hard. He walked out of hearing distance from Catherine and lowered his voice. 'Have you seen her?'

  'Not since I left you two earlier.'

  'Shit. I need you to do something for me.'

  'Yep.'

  'Take Jersey and Kuta for a walk down the main road that connects to your street.'

  'What for?'

  'I dropped Sarah off there about an hour ago and haven't heard from her since. Take protection with you in case.'

  'The shotty?'

  'Yeah, but keep it under your robe. Don't go waving it around. Send me a message when you have some news.'

  'Anything else?'

  'Not for now. Why did you ring anyway?'

  'Wondering where you were going without me. The girls were agitated and fairly fired up and I saw the van pull out.'

  'When was this?' Jay asked.

  'Ten minutes ago.'

  'Shit. Shit. It wasn't me.'

  'Figured that when you said you were in Canungra. Don't worry. I'll check it out when I go looking for your girlfriend.'

  Jay ignored the girlfriend comment. 'Let me know.'

  'I'll call,' Bill said.

  'No. Just send me a text message.'

  'What are you on, boy? Do you honestly think I have one of those annoying mobile phones?'

  'Just ring then and leave a message.'

  'Anything about your dad yet?'

  'I'm on it.'

  Jay hung up and continued walking to the concealed entrance. Catherine joined him.

  'Who was that?' she asked.

  'My lawyer. Just letting him know where I am.'

  'What are we doing here?'

  'You'll see.'

  Jay led Catherine through the shed, scanned his palm and punched in the code for the entrance into the tunnel. 'Brings back memories, hey?'

  'It wasn't my idea to bring you here.'

  'I know, I know. Warren is the evil one and you were just doing what he told you to do,' he said.

  'I'll take it from the sarcastic tone that you don't believe me.'

  'I don't trust anyone who carves their signature into others without permission.' He nudged Catherine in front of him so she would lead the way to the interrogation rooms. 'By the way, where does the little Sub Rosa emblem come from?'

  'Why don't you ask Warren?'

  She appeared too calm for his liking. He removed the pistol and held it down by his side. 'I intend to.'

  Catherine pushed open the door leading into the brightly lit hall. She stopped in her tracks. Jay checked his step and peered over her shoulder.

  'What the fuck is she doing here?' The voice boomed through the hall.

  Catherine replied first. 'Nice to see you, Major Bowen.'

  'Get the fuck over here, Jay.'

  Jay moved in front of Catherine and started toward his boss. 'It's a long story boss, I . . .'

  'What the fuck are you doing with a weapon in my facility, Sergeant Ryan?'

  Jay knew he was in trouble when his boss reverted to calling him by rank. He knew the rules about weapons in an interrogation facility. Rule number one – no weapons. No wonder Bowen was angry. 'I can explain. It's necessary . . .'

  'Unload that pistol now, soldier.'

  Jay instinctively obeyed the order and unloaded the pistol. He held the working parts to the rear and walked forward so his boss could inspect the weapon. A habit from countless times on the weapons range.

  Bowen looked into the breech. 'Clear,' he said. He grabbed the weapon from Jay and released the slide forward. He placed his index finger inside the magazine hold and depressed the trigger. The weapon made safe, he held out his hand to Jay. 'Magazines?'

  Jay straightened like all soldiers do when chastised by a superior. 'Just the one, sir. Ten rounds only,' Jay said as he handed over the magazine.

  'Good.' Bowen pushed past Jay and made his way to Catherine.

  Bowen had taken four steps before Jay noticed the limp. In an instant, he realised the reason: the German shepherd.

  Catherine's eyes narrowed and she smiled. Everything slowed.

  Bowen stopped in front of Catherine. She reached up and kissed him.

  The sound of the magazine reloaded into the pistol echoed. The slide, drawn to the rear and released, thundered. Jay's knees weakened. He reached for his phone. His hands trembled as he flicked it open. He dropped it to the floor. 'Fuck!' He shouted at his own stupidity and bent for the phone.

  'Leave it,' Bowen said in a calm voice.

  Eyes closed, Jay raised his head. He didn't want to look at the scene in front of him. He wondered why he hadn't figured it out. Betrayed again. His boss, his friend. Captured again and back in the interrogation rooms. He couldn't handle another torture session. He opened his eyes. Bowen pointed the pistol at him.

  'You know the drill. Adopt the
position,' Bowen said.

  Jay obeyed, lying face down on the floor, hands behind his head. Bowen locked on a set of handcuffs and pulled him to his feet. Catherine had the pistol.

  'Cat got your tongue, Jay?' she asked.

  No wondering if it was an exercise this time. No need for name, rank, number and date of birth. No conventional interrogation sessions; just lunacy and evil in the depths of a secret interrogation facility. 'You really are a little whore,' Jay said.

  A crushing blow landed in his kidneys and sent him hurtling forward. The wind was knocked clear from him as he landed on an ear. His head bounced up. The return to the ground smacked his jaw. He wanted to scream. There was no air in his lungs. Precious oxygen sneaked through as he gasped. Time stood still while he battled to breathe. His world was shattered. He couldn't believe a man he trusted – their history long and solid – would do this to him.

  Bowen dragged Jay to his feet, led him inside the interrogation room and threw him into a metal chair. The nightmare of the recent torture returned to him, except this time he had a companion.

  Jay guessed the hooded person in the chair next to him was a man because of the casual jeans, sweater and boots, his father's usual attire for Sunday afternoon football. He felt a faint glimmer of hope and tried to focus but the room blurred. He squinted. His vengeance for Primrose was thrown aside and replaced with desperation. Something told him he wasn't coming out of this situation in one piece. No need to worry about Primrose for now. One thing at a time. First, get himself and his father out of the interrogation room, alive. He squinted and shook his head. The picture became clearer.

  'Dad,' Jay said.

  Muffled sounds came from behind the hood.

  Bowen loomed in between Jay and the hooded man. He raised his arm and swooped down, landing the back of his hand against the hood. The muffled sounds stopped and the hood drooped forward.

  Jay used all of his strength to launch out of the chair and rammed his head toward Bowen. It had been anticipated and Bowen stepped aside as Jay hurtled off balance toward the wall. He regained his equilibrium in enough time for his shoulder to take the impact. Bowen grabbed him by the front of his jacket and held him against the wall.

  Again, Bowen's voice was calm. 'Let's not get angry. We've got a job to do and we're on our way. Take it easy and you'll get through this OK.' He left Jay leaning against the wall and walked to the hooded person.

  He removed the hood and Jay's heart sank.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Warren Primrose raised his head. Gaffer tape was pulled tight over his mouth. Dried blood flaked below his nose and across the tape. He looked like he'd been hit by a truck. But then again, that's how Jay thought he usually looked.

  Bowen glared at Jay. 'Told you I had him here. Your father is elsewhere for the time being. Sit down.'

  Shock froze Jay to the spot. Unable to fathom the circumstances – his boss involved and the betrayal. Shocked at seeing Primrose in the chair and not his father. His expectations dislocated once again. Bowen had played him like a fool. He felt like a fool.

  Jay looked across to Catherine. She stood in the doorway and waved the pistol toward the vacant chair in the middle of the interrogation room. Bitch, he thought. He couldn't believe the mess he had got into for one night of foolishness with her. A total lack of foresight. He knew he was a fool.

  He pushed off the wall and made for the chair. His feet felt like lead. He wished they were entombed in concrete and he was being pushed off a boat.

  Primrose started moaning behind his gag.

  'Shut up, Warren, or you'll get another one,' Bowen said, leaning forward with his hand raised in a backhand motion.

  Primrose went silent.

  Bowen strode toward the two-way mirror and turned, facing the two chairs. Catherine remained at the door, stone-faced.

  'Figured it out yet, Jay?' Bowen asked.

  Jay knew he had to fight now for survival – again. He needed to push aside the feeling of being beaten. His skills were being put forward for the ultimate test. Fight with what he had. He cleared his throat. His voice barely above a whisper, he said, 'I'm guessing you have a rose tattoo under your watch.'

  Bowen removed his watch and held up his wrist toward Jay. 'Yep. NB written on the back of the watch too.' He put the watch back on with the face covering the tattoo.

  A spark ignited inside of Jay. Years of training enabled him to cover any outward signs that he had picked up on the information instantly. He had a sniff at survival. Sarah and Bill were the only other two who knew he had checked the watches of Cliffe and Taylor. He searched for answers. 'What, NB like mine?'

  'NB like yours and the two buffoons who paid you a visit.'

  Jay paused and considered his response. 'Cliffe and Taylor. Hope they've warmed up somewhat,' he said. The confidence grew.

  Bowen chuckled. 'I have to admit you did a good job there. They were packing their bags for home when I got to them. I think they preferred your style of interrogation to mine.'

  Jay swallowed. He had to play the psychological game better than his boss. 'You should have known better than to send them after me.'

  'I didn't send them. I wouldn't have sent those two. Let's just say it was an error on Warren's part.'

  'And here I was thinking she'd set it up,' Jay said, nodding toward Catherine.

  'Just being a good wife,' said Bowen. 'In fact, I never had any intention of those two making it to your house. Problem was they decided to pick you up early. Once we got wind of it, just went to plan B.'

  Jay accelerated the questioning. He had been offered an inch and intended to take the mile. 'How did you know they came early?'

  'Now, now, Jay. Got to have some secrets.'

  Jay pushed on. 'Why did you let this psychopath torture me?' he asked, nodding toward Primrose.

  'He went too far. Yes, he was supposed to recruit you with the tattoo thing. Wasn't supposed to threaten your father. We needed the DVD for blackmail. We needed you to collect some documents. That's all. Once Catherine realised it was getting out of hand, she called for the big guns.' He thumbed his chest. 'I paid your dad a visit.'

  'Where is he?'

  Bowen smiled. 'He's fine. No need to worry.'

  'The message on the computer and the open safe – they were obviously from you. Why would you go back if you had already picked him up?'

  'Last minute stuff. Catherine did your room over after she left here and I did your father's to try to put you off track while we worked out what to do with Warren here.'

  'Lazarau?' Jay asked.

  'A success story there, to a certain extent. Got a lot of good information before he got greedy. Dipshit here just wasn't handling him right.' He pointed a finger at Primrose.

  Jay guessed where the story was heading. 'This is more than just your average espionage operation. Big risk trying to recruit me, even with the hidden video. What do you want?'

  'I'm getting to that. Lazarau became dead wood. Just one more document we need that he couldn't get anyway. That's why we need you.'

  Jay waited for Bowen to continue.

  'We're the only two people with Top Secret–Tango code access in this facility. I'm already on the winning team. We need you for a certain document that even I can't access.'

  'The Iraq interrogation report.' Jay knew that one day the interrogation would come back to haunt him.

  'Spot on. The report that you password protected and sent straight to the Chief of Defence.'

  'They were my orders.'

  'No shit! Yet to this day, even though I was your immediate superior at the time, you've never mentioned the capture, interrogation or report of this anonymous Iraqi general.'

  Jay knew he had a chance. Bowen had worked himself up. 'Tell me, boss, what do you know about that interrogation?'

  'I have my sources too. I pieced bits of the puzzle together through the documents Lazarau provided and the information I learnt when I was there. Only a handful of people at the tim
e knew that you were inserted with a black ops team to pick up a high-value target. You were taken out of my chain of command from Afghanistan for re-assignment. That's all I was told. Then all of a sudden, you were in Iraq before our advance party arrived. I heard some whispers that an Iraqi general had been snatched and interrogated. I started to get messages to back off when I looked a little deeper. Chief of Army rang me. I didn't take that call well. I don't like threats.' Bowen paused and rubbed his chin. 'Anyway, we're wasting time. I'll fill you in on the rest of it over a scotch some time.'

  'I've got the feeling I've already had my last scotch,' Jay said.

  'We'll see. I want that report now. I know where it is on the system. What's the password?'

  Jay remained silent, calculating his options.

  Bowen took out a mobile phone and dialled. 'Put him on,' he said. In the pause, Bowen glanced between Catherine and Jay. 'Ed, your son is here. Just say what we discussed and we'll all come through this just fine.'

  Jay stiffened. Bowen brought the phone over and placed it against his ear.

  Jay cleared his hoarse throat. 'That you, Dad?'

  'Jay. Glad to hear your voice. You OK?' Edward Ryan asked.

  'I'll be better once these lunatics let me go. At least you can talk ... what'd they do to you?'

  'Don't worry about me, son. Just do what they ask and it'll be over soon enough. Just follow the director.'

  'Where –'

  Bowen ended the call. 'Password?'

  'Scotch and dry,' Jay said.

  'I'm starting to think you have a drinking problem. What's the password before you get hurt?'

  'That is the password. Scotch in lower case. N for November in uppercase. Dry in lowercase – scotchNdry.'

  Bowen looked dumbfounded. 'That's it?'

  'That's it.'

  'Holy shit. I should have realised. I'm going to go upstairs to try it. If I come back without that message, you get to choose which limb gets broken first.'

  'On Primrose?'

  'Nice try. On you.'

  'It'll work. All this talk has made me thirsty. Any chance your lovely maid over there can get me a scotch and dry?' Jay asked.

  'Fuck off,' Catherine said.

  'That's enough,' Bowen said. 'Any more from you, Jay, and I'll gag you like Primrose.'