‘And now this Herbert Frank is in the hands of the Chinese.’ Mirren pointed out.
‘An unforeseen event.’
‘An unforeseen Event.’ Mirren repeated. ‘For all we know Frank could be floating face down in in the Vltava now. You cannot just gamble a man’s life away like that.’
‘Bill these men gamble with people’s lives every day. Look at what happened with flight 632. Seventy six people lost. Men like Professor Frederick and Jacob Barnes hiding truth about flying saucers.’
‘Enough!’ Mirren shouted. ‘The editor of the New York post wants you on the first plane home.’ He seethed pointing at Dorothy. ‘As for you George, you can spend the next few weeks writing obituaries.’
‘Bill please listen.’
Mirren waved his hand before Rayman could say anything else. ‘Both of you, get out of my office now!’
Chapter 57
Betrayal
Emneth – Norfolk – 7:23pm
Friday 6th May 1955
Frederick got out of his car and looked at his house. A calm feeling washed over him. He was home, the one place that seemed invulnerable to the outside world.
Living in London during the war had taken its toll on both Frederick and Elizabeth. When the Germans surrendered in 1945 Frederick set out to look for a suitable home to set up a family. Although Cambridge had plenty to offer, Frederick looked further afield. After a few months of searching he found what he considered a perfect home. Situated near the town of Wisbech and less than an hour’s drive from the East Anglian coast Emneth was set in the fenlands of Norfolk.
Elizabeth was sat at the kitchen table. Tears streaming down her face. She was staring at a number of photographs that had arrived in the post earlier that day.
Frederick entered the kitchen and immediately noticed that his wife was crying. ‘Sweetheart are you ok?’
Elizabeth didn’t answer she just stared at the photographs sprawled out on the table.
Frederick looked down at one of the photographs. A sudden urge to vomit gripped him. He felt breathless as he picked up one of the pictures. The realisation of his life being in ruins suddenly became apparent. Guilt overwhelmed him as he stared at the image. Frederick shamefully recalled events in Paris. The flame haired woman who had straddled him. An overwhelming urge to make love to the seductress. Even as he stared at the photographs Frederick felt a sense of arousal. Then the image that Janus had seeded into his mind a few years earlier played in his mind. Frederick felt grief as the image of his wife’s dead body stabbed at his thoughts.
Elizabeth stood up and turned away from her husband.
Frederick dropped the photograph onto the table and approached his wife. ‘Please Elizabeth let me explain.’
Elizabeth spun and struck her husband hard across the side of the face.
Frederick was knocked backward, clasping his cheek as an intense stinging sensation seemed to cascaded through his body.
‘All those nights away.’ Elizabeth sobbed. ‘Your trips abroad. Is this what you’ve been doing?’ She pointed at the photographs on the kitchen table.
‘Elizabeth please, this is not what it looks like.’
His wife choked back her tears. ‘Then what is it Ralph, tell me what these photographs mean.’
Frederick cautiously stepped towards his wife. ‘I’m afraid I cannot tell you. All I can say is that the woman you see in these photographs means nothing to me.’
Elizabeth picked up one of the photographs and held it up. ‘From where I am standing Ralph this does not appear to be the case.’ The photograph Elizabeth held showed Frederick locked in a passionate kiss with the flame haired beauty.’
Frederick felt a surge of anger welling up from within. The last few years played in his mind. He suddenly found himself in Churchill’s office for the first time being asked to head a group looking into flying saucer sightings. Other events played through his thoughts. Operation Mainbrace, the psychiatric hospital in Abergavenny, Janus, Jacob Barnes. All those events had led to the encounter in Paris with the red haired woman. Frederick had a vague recollection of someone with a camera dancing around him taking pictures.
‘Why Ralph?’ Elizabeth cried. ‘Is your life here with me and the children that mundane?’
Frederick shook his head. ‘No of course not. You and the children mean everything to me. I couldn’t be more happier.’ He paused. ‘Where are Susan and James?’
‘They’re with mum and dad.’
‘Don’t tell me you told them.’ Frederick said shaking his head.
‘No.’ Elizabeth replied. ‘Not yet.’
‘Liz, listen to me. You cannot tell your mother and father about this.’
Elizabeth stared down at one of the photographs. ‘Who is she Ralph?’
Frederick shrugged. ‘I do not know.’
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
‘Liz please listen to me.’ Frederick begged. ‘This woman is nothing.’ He paused for thought.
‘Remember that telegram the Prime Minister sent me a few years ago.’
She nodded slowly.
‘In a way this is connected to those photographs.’
Elizabeth turned and walked into the living room. A suitcase stood in the middle of the room.
Frederick glared at the case which Elizabeth had just picked up. ‘Mr Diggle next door has offered to take me to the train station in Downham.’
Frederick stood in her way. ‘Liz please don’t do this.’ He pleaded. ‘I wish I could tell you what’s going on but I can’t.’
‘Can’t or won’t.’ Elizabeth said as she headed out of the living room.
Frederick followed her. ‘Liz believe me when I say I cannot reveal what I do.’
‘You’re a lecturer at Cambridge Ralph.’ Elizabeth said. ‘The glory days of Bletchley Park are long gone.’
Frederick suddenly recalled an event from the war, a celebration.
Bletchley Park July 10th – 1942
‘Bloody marvellous you two.’ Malcom Chambers shook Frederick’s hand and then looked at the man beside him. ‘Mr Turing you have proved yourself during this venture. With the enigma machine cracked, we’ll be able to monitor German activity without them knowing.’
Alan Turing smiled at Chambers. ‘Thank you sir.’
‘Now that the hard work is over with you two can go and have some fun for a few nights. The Razzle club in Soho is featuring a new act this weekend, something racy.’ Chambers beamed. ‘I’ve booked several seats for you and your team.’
‘That’s very kind of you Malcom.’ Frederick said. ‘But I promised Elizabeth I’d have dinner with her parents on Saturday evening. We’re going over plans for our wedding next month.’
Chambers put his hand on Frederick’s shoulder. ‘Ralph dear fellow, you’ve earned this. ‘I’m sure Elizabeth will give you the night off.’
Eventually Frederick nodded. He telephoned Elizabeth later that day and made an excuse that he had extra work to do. However little did Frederick now that a number of newspapers were at the Razzle Club covering the new act that Chambers mentioned. A picture of Frederick and Alan Turing together with their team surrounded by scantily clothed dancing girls appeared in the London Evening Examiner. Frederick used all his powers of persuasion to stop Elizabeth calling a halt to their wedding when she was given a copy of the newspaper.
Frederick returned to the present. ‘Elizabeth please I’m begging you don’t leave.’
His wife stood in the doorway clutching her suitcase. ‘We need time away from each other Ralph to decide whether we have a future together.’ Elizabeth turned and walked out of the door.
Chapter 58
Fall from Grace
Whitehall – London – 12:12pm
Monday 9th May 1955
Morris Stanford sifted through the photographs that Frederick had just tossed on to his desk. ‘I’m resigning from this operation.’
Richard Wilks and Stanford looked up at him. ‘Ralph you know you can’t do
that.’ Stanford said.
‘Says who.’ Frederick fired back. ‘Look at them Morris.’ He pointed to the pictures. ‘My marriage is in serious trouble because of this woman. Elizabeth has taken the children to her parents, I’m not allowed to see them.’
‘Ralph I understand how you must be feeling but you cannot walk away, not now. Majestic will never allow it.’
‘And what About the Angel Committee?’
Stanford took a deep breath. ‘I think we can assume that the Angel Committee is now officially dead in the water. We all answer to the Americans now. Now that the old man is no longer Prime Minister, there is no one to fight our corner. Majestic call the shots now.’
You mean Jacob Barnes.’ Frederick said. ‘This single incident has shattered everything I hold dear. When the Prime Minister set up this group I was prepared to use my scientific judgement to determine what flying saucers may represent. In the past few years we have made some startling discoveries. But since the Americans have been running the show they have had me traipsing all over the place. And it’s because of this I have found myself in this position. And if that’s not enough I have been summoned to the Royal Society this afternoon where I am to face a panel of senior members concerning my activities.’ Frederick shook his head slowly. ‘It’s as if the very fabric of my life is being unravelled.’
Stanford shifted in his chair. ‘I’m afraid there is more bad news Ralph.’ He revealed.
Frederick looked at him.
‘Jacob Barnes is flying in next week with another US senator, Joseph McCarthy.’
‘The communist witch hunter.’ Wilks said.
Stanford nodded. ‘I received a short briefing from General Stacy this morning. All remaining Angel Committee members are to be questioned.’
‘About what exactly?’ Wilks asked.
‘I’m guessing Barnes wants to assess where everyone’s loyalty lies.’
‘What a bloody nerve.’ Frederick protested. ‘So we all have to just stand there and let those two accuse us of being communist spies.’
‘We’ve nothing to worry about Ralph I have spoken to CIA head Allen Dulles yesterday. He says that Barnes and McCarthy have been interviewing everyone, even members of Majestic.’
Frederick stood. ‘Out of the frying pan into the fire. If you’ll excuse me gentlemen I have to go and present my head on a platter to the royal society members.’
Chapter 59
Royal Society – London – 3:00pm
A feeling of dread gripped Frederick as he sat in front of the assembled panel members. Being sat in front of Norman Hinshelwood, Chester Osborne and four other distinguished members brought back a dark memory or rather a vision that Janus had seeded into his mind. For a fleeting moment Frederick found himself back in the field at Stoke Lacy in Herefordshire a few years earlier, when he had first encountered Janus.
‘Your colleagues will abandon you Professor.’ Janus’ words repeated in his mind. Frederick was then thrust forward to the dreadful image of Elizabeth’s limp body. James and Susan stood by sobbing. Frederick began to question if leaving him was a good thing. After all, if Elizabeth was no longer in his life then perhaps she could be protected from the terrible fate that Janus had revealed for her.
‘Let’s get down to business shall we.’ Hinshelwood said Interrupting Frederick’s thoughts.
Frederick made eye contact with the panel in front of him. He noted the smug look on Osborne’s face.
‘You have been summoned here today Professor Frederick to answer charges of bringing this institute into disrepute. Your activities in the last few years have made a laughing stock out of the Royal Society. Your investigations into flying saucers has dragged this institute into a phenomenon that is not recognised by our members. Have you anything to say about your actions over the past few years Professor?’
‘Only that I have acted in the best interest of science.’ Frederick responded.
‘The best interest of science.’ Osborne scoffed. ‘Since when do flying saucers constitute as serious science?’
Frederick glared at Osborne. ‘Is this what you wanted Chester? My head on a plate before the Royal Society.’
‘I think Professor Osborne’s question is relevant.’ Hinshelwood said. ‘Flying saucers are not considered as having any scientific merit. Most of the stories you read in the newspapers are from drunks walking home at night or pranksters trying to make a mockery out of the public.’
‘You are correct Norman.’ Frederick replied. ‘But what about reports from professional people. Police officers, army personnel and pilots? Are you going to label them as drunk?’
Frederick was met with a wall of silence.
‘Have you seen anything you consider as a flying saucer Professor?’ Hinshelwood asked.
Frederick was knocked off guard by the question. He knew he had sworn an oath of secrecy to The Angel Committee and now Majestic. Images of what he had witnessed over the last few years played through his mind. His encounter at Church Fenton, the huge craft at Operation Mainbrace and the beings he had encountered at Mildenhall. He took a deep breath. ‘I have yet to see anything that would suggest that Flying saucers are real.’ The panel members exchanged looks.
‘Then what have you been doing since 1952 Professor?’ Hinshelwood asked.
Frederick found himself looking towards the door of the room he was sat in. Hoping that Malcolm Chambers and Winston Churchill would come to his rescue.
Osborne grinned. ‘Expecting company are we?’
Frederick looked back at the society members. ‘I know that you have wanted my head on a chopping block for the past few years. You have hounded me in regards to my activities involving flying saucers. I will say this about what I have learned over the past few years. The men who run this society are flawed.’
‘I should warn you Professor, you are addressing its most senior members.’ Osborne warned.
‘I know exactly who I am addressing thank you Chester.’ Frederick barked. ‘For a moment look beyond the newspaper headlines and look at the bigger picture.’
‘Which is?’ Hinshelwood asked.
‘The fact that so many people have claimed to have had encounters with beings from another world opens up a new era of science and asks the most fundamental question that man could ask. Are we alone in our universe?’
‘I think the evidence speaks for itself Professor. As far as science is concerned that answer is yes.’
‘So why are we here?’ Frederick stated. ‘Are you willing to stake your reputation on the belief that God created man? Gentlemen we are scientists, not religious scholars. Our driving force is to discover new frontiers. The UFO phenomenon represents a new frontier, whether you want to accept it or not.’
‘Thank you Professor Frederick that will be all.’
Frederick jumped to his feet. ‘Are you even listening to me!’
‘Yes, and quite frankly what you are suggesting is beyond preposterous.’ Hinshelwood said.
Frederick sat back down.
‘For now Professor Frederick it is the judgement of this panel that your membership to the Royal Society will be suspended. Your role at Cambridge will continue, but you will be under close scrutiny from now on. I suggest you go away and think about what has transpired here today and I suggest you consider denouncing any credibility to the flying saucer phenomenon. You may leave.’
Frederick rose and marched out of the room.
Chapter 60
Trinity College – Cambridge – 9:34am
Tuesday 10th May 1955
Frederick didn’t bother to knock, he stepped into Chester Osborne’s office and marched up to his desk. ‘I take it you’re satisfied with your little stunt yesterday.’
‘You had it coming Ralph, you’ve been keeping secrets from the Royal Society for years. You know they take a very dim view on flying saucers.’
Frederick shook his head smiling. ‘I cannot believe that after all that palaver the other day you still remai
n silent.’
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Don’t play the fool Chester. I have spoken to Lord Mountbatten. You were part of the flying saucer working party along with Henry Tizard.’
Osborne shifted in his chair.
‘I take it from the look on your face Mountbatten didn’t tell you about his visit.’
‘No he didn’t.’ Osborne replied.
‘The only reason I didn’t expose you the other day Chester is because I didn’t want this mess traipsing all the way to the palace gates.’
‘I’m sorry I didn’t realise Mountbatten had told you.’ Frederick turned and headed for the door.
‘Ralph!’ Osborne called out. Frederick turned.
‘Watch your back. Hinshelwood wants nothing more than to see your head roll.’
Chapter 61
The Accused
Bletchley Park – 12:02pm
Tuesday 17th May 1955
‘For the record could you state your name?’ Joseph McCarthy said in a demanding tone.
‘Ralph Frederick.’
‘Is that your full name?’’
‘No.’ Frederick replied. ‘My full name is Ralph Alfred Frederick.’
‘Alfred?’
‘Apparently I had a distant relative that served aboard the HMS Victory at Trafalgar.’
McCarthy stared at Frederick for several seconds. ‘He took a long drag on a cigarette, blowing the smoke towards Frederick. ‘What is your current position?’
‘I am a physicist working at Cambridge University I also lecture there.’
‘How long have you worked at Cambridge.’
‘Since the end of 1945. I was offered a position after the war had ended.’
‘Are you married?’
Frederick stared at McCarthy hesitant in answering.
The Angel Conspiracy (The Angel Cronicles Book 2) Page 15