Light of the Sun: They always make a mistake and when they do, we kill them...

by David Costa

  ‘Good morning, Mr Reece, my name is Johnson. We have been told to expect you both. Here is your key, you’re in apartment two on the first floor. The apartment has two bedrooms with a kitchen and bathroom ready for your use. If there’s anything else you need just let me know.’

  ‘Thank you, Johnson, to tell you the truth we are both knackered, and I know I need sleep, so if you could give us a wake-up call at twelve that would be great. I’m not confident I’ll hear my own alarm.’

  ‘No problem, Mr Reece, will do.’

  Reece wasn’t exaggerating. Anna went for a shower while he headed straight for one of the bedrooms where without taking his clothes off, he was asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow. Anna showered quickly and like Reece although the water jet had freshened her, she was asleep in the other bedroom ten minutes after Reece.

  COBRA stands for Cabinet Office Briefing Room-A and is the British Government’s briefing and meeting room when there is a crisis in the country. Different Government Ministers covering their own departments can chair the meetings usually with experts in the relevant issue that brings the committee together to deal with the crisis of the day. The meetings are usually called in times of great need. At 8 am. While Reece and Anna were catching up on their sleep in Pimlico, just such a meeting was taking place in the Cabinet Office Building at 70, Whitehall, just behind 10 Downing Street. The room was windowless, with one large central table surrounded by brown leather commuter type chairs. In front of each chair was a small computer screen and on the wall was a large screen visible to all sitting around the table. The room was the British equivalent to the more famous American Situation Room in the White House. Chairing the meeting and seated in the middle chair on one side of the table, was the Prime Minister, Peter Brookfield. Present were his senior advisers in the fields of Intelligence and Anti-Terrorism. From MI6, Sir Ian Fraser, known to those present as ‘C’; from MI5 Caroline Aspinall; from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Stuart Stevens, and his Deputy Commissioner in Charge of the Anti-Terrorist Squad, Helen Francis. There were three other people who because of their rank and expertise were attending to ensure the PM was getting the best advice possible before he made any decisions. Suzanne Hughes MP, the Home Secretary; Sir Martin Bryant, Chair of the Intelligence Committee; and General Sir John Richardson, British Armed Forces Chief of Staff. For this meeting there was to be no civil servant present as notes did not need to be taken. This was a briefing and discussion meeting only. Any follow up or actions resulting from the meeting would be passed on to the various departments by the people present to carry out the final agreement made by those at the meeting. The PM opened the meeting by asking if everyone present had read the small file each had been given to bring them up to date with the issue before them. Everyone indicated they had, and he continued.

  ‘Good. You will now be aware of where we are with this operation which I have sanctioned. Unless I’m mistaken ‘C’, we don’t know where the plutonium, or the people that have it, are now?’

  Everyone looked to where Sir Ian Fraser, sat opposite the PM, and waited for his reply.

  ‘As everyone will see from the short report in front of them Prime Minister, we’ve been working with our friends in the Israeli Secret Service Mossad on this matter. From our end, we’ve identified the Barcelona Suicide Bomber as a onetime British Citizen and her connections to a Jihad terrorist known as the Arab, who attended university in this country before becoming the high-ranking terrorist master he now is. Intelligence received mostly from Mossad has indicated that the target for the use of this plutonium attack is somewhere in Europe most likely here in the UK.’

  Although all those around the table were highly experienced in their own fields, some of them still took a deep breath as they thought of the serious threat that these words brought home to them.

  ‘So, what you’re saying Prime Minister, is that for now we don’t know where these people are and there is an imminent threat of a terrorist attack in this country possibly here in London using a dirty bomb?’ It was the Suzanne Hughes the Home Secretary asking the question.

  ‘I think the question you’re asking is correct in its assumption at this time Home Secretary,’ replied Brookfield.

  Feeling the tension in the room Sir Ian continued.

  ‘In a joint operation with Mossad our own people have been working to track down the terrorist cell involved. The trail led to Malta where we believe there was a handover of the plutonium by an Iranian Quads Colonel to a member of the cell. This Colonel was, we believe then murdered by this terrorist, who we believe, from our people there, to be a woman. We don’t know at this time why they killed him. From further checks it’s thought she may have taken a flight into this country shortly afterwards.’

  ‘But how did she get the plutonium through the airport’s security checks?’ it was Martin Bryant who asked the question. Sir Ian knew someone would ask.

  ‘As anyone who works in the security business knows there are ways and means. Our scanners should show such items up, but with modern technology, ways can sometimes be found to circumvent our systems, as we have seen in the past with the shoe bomber and the bomber who nearly blew himself and a plane out of the sky when one went off in his underwear. Our people did see the Colonel arrive for his meeting in the Malta hotel with a silver walking stick, which they couldn’t find after he was killed. We believe the woman, who may now be in London, was the assassin; and that she brought the walking stick with her into this country. We believe this walking stick contains the plutonium.’

  ‘What are your people doing now Sir Ian?’ asked the Prime Minister.

  ‘We have been working closely with Mossad during this operation, and my head of operations Jim Broad will be briefing me further today and I will of course bring you up to date then. We are asking for the CCTV and passenger details of the flight from Malta to London which we think the woman used. Our agents on the ground were able to see what she was wearing and it’s possible she did not have time to change clothes before her flight. We have agents in Malta watching the Iranian ship and the Hezbollah bodyguards on-board in case they go back into the city of Valletta. I would suggest that you contact our Commissioner in Malta to ask their security and police to help us track down this woman by releasing any information they get while investigating the Colonel’s murder, and the woman’s movements afterwards. This will include access to the hotel and airport CCTV and records. I also have GCHQ at Cheltenham checking their systems and our access to CCTV at the London airports, looking for a woman with a distinctive walking stick who might fit our target’s description. This will also require the help of our police, anti-terrorist people and MI5, especially anything they’re getting from their agents and technical sources. Information, however small, is vital. I have a specialist, Matthew Simons. He’s the head of our Middle East desk who is currently in Malta, and I’ve instructed him to return immediately and link in with all the agencies including those at this table to co-ordinate all the information we generate.’

  ‘Of course, Sir Ian. As your people are already aware, I think you should take the lead in this country for now. Everyone here will give you whatever support you require. Going around the room does anyone else have anything they would like to add?’

  ‘I think it’s too early to comment now Prime Minister,’ it was Sir Martin Bryant who answered on behalf of those there. ‘The one thing I would like an answer to as soon as possible is, why was this Iranian Colonel killed? Is there something else going on that we are not aware of? How do we get these answers? We all know how Mossad operate. They’ve killed their enemies in Malta before. Are they at their work once more, and if anything goes wrong, would they leave us as the Patsy picking up the pieces? The Home Secretary will also have to consider if we should raise the current threat level now.’

  ‘That is something to think about and I’m sure ‘C’ is on to it as well.’ answered Peter Brookfield.

  Sir Ian Fraser was w
aiting for something like this from Martin Bryant. Always the politician lining up someone to blame if things hit the fan. It was time to produce his ace up his sleeve.

  ‘Correct Prime Minister. I can only answer Sir Martin with what I’ve already told everyone here, that this is an ongoing joint operation with Mossad. I think raising the threat level at this time might tip off our terrorists, and that might even bring an attack earlier than they planned if it’s not already underway. Upgrading the level will bring questions from the press, the people, and fellow politicians, which could cause panic in the population. Without the intelligence Mossad have given us already, I do not think we would even be aware of much of what we do have. I can tell everyone here that I’ve been contacted by Kurt Shimon the Director of the Mossad Kidon agents. He tells me he is currently on his way to London as we speak, and he has asked to meet me at Vauxhall Cross this afternoon. I don’t think he would be coming to London unless he has something of importance to tell us and he wants to be here when we progress this operation.’

  Peter Brookfield looked around the room before he replied.

  ‘I hope he has something for us. Because without a lucky break, as far as I can see, we might reach a situation where we will have to bring in severe restrictions on movements and increase searches. The people of this country will not be happy with that. Get out there and find these people as a matter of urgency. I do not want to see any leaks in the press that would cause panic and maybe tip the hand of the terrorists to change their plans whatever they are. If I think we will need another meeting Sir Martin will let you know. In the meantime, everyone, any information, give it to Sir Ian and his team so that they can catch these people. Sir Martin and Sir Ian please stay behind for a minute. Everyone else let us get our people hunting.’

  After the three men were left alone Peter Brookfield spoke to the two men in a slow deliberate quiet voice.

  ‘I think you will both agree with me, that this is probably one of the most dangerous situations we have been in. The reason I wanted to speak to you alone was because, once again, we find our most secret team SG9 deeply involved, from Malta to here. What I need to ask you. Should we keep them involved, bearing in mind that their original remit for their formation is not only to track down these threats but to eliminate them? From what you tell us, Sir Ian, they’ve carried out their mission as far as it was briefed to them in Malta. What I’m asking, I suppose is, do you think the national resources we have will be adequate to do the job without them now?’

  ‘I understand what you’re asking Prime Minister. SG9 has taken this as far as they could in Malta. The murder of the Iranian has muddied the water and they were tasked to find out who was meeting him and identify the item they were collecting. It was hoped we could have intercepted that person with the plutonium before they even got to these shores, but because of that murder and the assessment that the woman did the killing, we’ve moved on somewhat from the initial remit. Our SG9, and the Mossad agents at this moment are the only people who might have an idea of what this woman looks like and, who we are looking for. For now, I would like to keep our people involved if only to keep tabs on Mossad operating on our turf, even though they will deny it, I wouldn’t be inclined to believe them. They are determined to get their hands on the Arab, and the niceties of good manners on their side will not be respected I’m sorry to say, probably because we would do the same in their place. I’ll report back after my meeting with Kurt Shimon when I hope to have more information. The fact he is coming here personally means he not only is bringing something important to the table, but he wants to shoe himself into an operation on our soil involving his people.’

  ‘All the more reason we should retain control Prime Minister,’ said Bryant.

  ‘OK. For now, we keep SG9 involved, but I want to be kept informed every step of the way, understood?’

  ‘Yes, Prime Minister,’ both men replied in unison feeling they sounded like a well-known pair of Civil Service Mandarins in a sitcom.

  Chapter 19

  Reece had slept deeply without dreams. He was awake before the wake-up call from Johnson but still replied with a ‘Thank you,’ when the phone had buzzed. Awake, he felt fully recovered from the exertions of the last forty-eight hours. Anna had heard the buzz of the phone and shouted from her room that she was awake. An hour later both agents were sitting in the outer office of the head of MI6 at Vauxhall Cross. To Reece, this office looked like so many more he had seen in government departments, modern furniture with the added flat screen computer screen on the steel desk. The secretary sitting behind it also looked like she’d come from a standard production line, white crisp blouse, dark pinstriped skirt, and black rimmed glasses. Reece thought her quite attractive for a woman who looked over fifty. She had asked them to take a seat as ‘C’ was busy now. She offered something to drink which both agents refused with a ‘no thank you’, then she returned to her typing.

  ‘This is my first time here, what about you?’ asked Anna.’

  ‘A few times, and every time I came here the news was never good.’

  ‘Well, the last time I spoke to my boss he wasn’t happy so I’m ahead of you on that score.’

  ‘At least you’re one up on me. I’ve never been to Mossad Head Quarters. But when it comes to being told off, I’ve had some of those in the past, but I always think to myself, don’t worry they can’t make you pregnant.’

  ‘Doesn’t stop them trying,’ smiled Anna.

  The intercom on the secretary’s desk buzzed. Pressing a button on the top of her desk, they heard the deadlock on the door open to the office of the head of MI6 release.

  ‘You may go in now,’ she said in her clipped educated voice.

  The office was as Reece remembered it from the first time, when he was recruited by ‘C’ and Jim Broad into the Black Ops team that was SG9. Back then he realised he had been searching for a purpose in life, especially one where he could use the skill he had been trained in and used fighting the terrorist war in Northern Ireland all those years ago.

  The same desk that had been used by every ‘C’. Legend had it that it was the one used by Nelson on the Victory. The desk was clear of any files or documents, the only items being the tamper proof computer and a special desk communications console. Reece had been told the console allowed the director to speak securely with the Prime Minister as well as his equivalent in the CIA, Mossad and all the European Directors. In one corner stood the grandfather clock another item from a bygone age when the first head of MI6, Sir Mansfield Smith Cumming, who used the first initial surname to sign off all secret documents using green ink. The tradition stuck, every Director of MI6 afterwards used the prefix ‘C’, and the green ink tradition became protocol. Reece, when serving in the RUC Special Branch had always used the term Boss for his superiors. This was instilled into SB recruits so that an officer’s rank was never spoken, protecting their identification as a police officer, especially in public, and in the undercover world they worked in. Reece rarely called Sir Ian Fraser ‘C’, using in the few times they met, the word Boss or Sir. The large bay window looking out over the Thames and London was fitted with windows that not only gave natural light but were bulletproof and made of a material that stopped audio or visual surveillance penetrating the room. Sitting at the large conference table, were three men. ‘C’ and Broad he knew, but the third man he did not know. Reece could see from the look of familiarity on Anna’s face as she smiled but raised her eyebrows in question, that she did know the third man. Jim Broad stood to welcome them and gestured that they should join them at the table.

  ‘Welcome David, welcome Anna,’ said Broad. ‘I think a quick introduction is needed for you both. Anna I’m James Broad one of the MI6 Covert Operations Directors.’ Reece noted he made no mention of his department, SG9.

  Pointing to the man at the end of the table that faced the bay window, Broad continued.

  ‘This is Sir Ian Fraser, otherwise known in intelligence circles as
‘C’, the head of MI6 and of course you already know this man to my right, your own boss Kurt Shimon. For your information David he is the head of the Mossad Kidon teams.’

  Both argents sat across from Broad and Shimon, wondering what was to come.

  ‘I hope you were able to get some rest. I think you may be a little busy in the next few days,’ said Sir Ian.

  ‘Yes sir we did, thank you,’ replied Reece.

  ‘Good, then let us get on. Despite having the information that there was going to be a handover of terrorist materials in Malta we seem to have missed it. Instead, we lost the courier and discovered a murder. Not the greatest of operations, but from what we’ve learnt and discussed before you joined us it would appear none of these problems were down to how you carried out your part of the mission. I think Kurt can bring us up to date with some new information we were not aware of. It might help you understand a bit more about what happened in Malta.’

  ‘Thank you, Sir Ian. It is good to meet you at last, Mr Reece. I’ve heard a lot about you. I hope you will forgive me but even Anna did not know what I’m about to tell you. The Iranian Colonel who was murdered was one of our agents. His own people would call him a spy or a traitor.’

  Reece and Anna looked at each other, then around the table before looking once more at Kurt Shimon, who continued to speak.

  ‘In a way, it was through Colonel Shafi that we first got on to what was developing in this terrorist plot. As head of security at one of the Iranian nuclear facilities he had been instructed by his masters in Iran to collect the plutonium and transport it and meet up with the courier in Malta. Anna, what you and David did in Malta was always going to be as good as the information you had at hand. The fact you were not aware of the information we had is not your fault. It was a matter of what you needed to know at the time, and I’d hoped that our dead agent Colonel Shafi would have given us the rest of the picture after his meeting with the courier. I would then have been able to brief you on the next part of your mission with a clearer picture of what was happening. We do not know at this time how our agent was blown or why they killed him without the torture that would be the norm for the Iranians and Hezbollah, but we will find out in the process of time. For now, we do not think your input to the mission has been exposed. We believe you are unknown to them at this time, although given by the fact they’ve killed Shafi, they must suspect we have some knowledge of their plans. I think the fact they appear to be continuing with their plans was deliberate. If we had had taken out the woman, the one we now suspect is the courier, then they would only have lost one member of what we believe is a bigger team. The other members of their team would regroup for a further operation; perhaps one we are not aware of. We believe this team is intact and will continue with its operation. It is now our job to find them and stop them. Now it looks like the target is here in the UK. I’ve told Sir Ian and our Prime Minister has told the British Prime Minister that Mossad are willing to work with the security forces in this country to help stop them.’