Hung Out to Dry

by Hadford Howell

  There was one thing left for him to do. Make that phone call.

  ***

  Unknown to members of the Motby family, Captains Selwick and Motby had started to communicate, just by chance, six months earlier through Facebook.

  Captain Motby had heard from one of his pilot friends from UK flight school that British Airways, because of Britain’s soon-to-be formalised exit from the EU as at end-March 2019, might soon start hiring senior qualified pilots for its various jet fleets. Having now been with LIAT for fourteen years, Captain Motby was ready to make a move overseas to work for a large international airline. As his ambition had always been to fly with BA, this could be a chance for him to make his ambition a reality. He had been told by Selwick that they should discuss his current career when he was next in Barbados and so this was their private meeting. Of course, Captain Motby had agreed to this once his flying schedule could be amended accordingly and tonight, luckily, was the back-end of his off day. Captain Motby had to fly in the morning and would be away for the next couple of days on a three-day rotation with intervening nights in different countries. His return to Barbados would not be before Saturday morning, by which time Selwick would already be back in the UK.

  Once both men were settled in two comfortable chairs on the balcony overlooking the gardens at the back of the family quarters at Ilaro Court, the younger Motby hoped Selwick had something good to tell him, for example would confirm what his friend had told him about potential openings at BA by year-end. Captain Motby knew he’d have to give LIAT three months’ notice, so should any BA offer be made to him by November 2018, he would be able to get to the UK anytime from the end of February.

  ***

  Wharton and his Pressure Group pals assembled around 10:30 p.m. in the back room at SBB&G. He paid each member of the Group in cash for the work they had done earlier that day. There were no complaints. Wharton ordered in four Banks beers for them to toast what they certainly felt had been a job well done, though it had unfortunately not been flawlessly executed.

  The shooting at law enforcement officers during Powers’ break out was not originally planned but had become necessary. The explosions heard during the melee were necessary for distraction. The blowback from Power’s escape was bad in that it had been made worse by the shots they had fired. Pictures of the area where the break out had taken place looked bad. The RBPF was, according to media reports, already hard on the track of the two escaped prisoners. Their photographs had been passed by BPS to the RBPF who had released them during Gray’s promised 5:00 p.m. media briefing at RBPF HQ. They would be in tomorrow’s newspapers and were already on television news programmes and across social media. The escaped prisoners’ pictures were also now posted on law enforcement agency websites, meaning that the public could see what the faces of the escaped prisoners.

  There were no media stories to date about who was responsible for the escape. Wharton and his gang members had tried their best not to leave behind any traces of who they were at the scene, having worn gloves and masks and so they were not worried about their identities being discovered.

  Pressure Group members felt confident that once they continued their normal day-to-day work routines, their identities and respective roles in today’s prisoners’ escape would go unnoticed by family and friends. They each had what they felt were excellent ‘cover’ stories for where they were between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. that day. As for the two vehicles that had been used to execute Power’s rescue, the stolen six-wheeled truck had been abandoned at the scene of the incident, while the getaway car now lay at the bottom of a gully three miles away from where the incident had taken place. They were careful not to leave their fingerprints anywhere on or in either vehicle. They did not think about DNA evidence that might have been left behind, although Power’s fingerprints might, on reflection, be somewhere inside the getaway car.

  Prior to the Pressure Group members leaving the back room of SBB&G, they allowed themselves another drink. This time they used something stronger than beer to celebrate their achievement and pay-day.

  ***

  It was around 10:30 p.m. when Power dialled the number he’d memorised after being given it two days earlier by a fellow inmate.

  A phone rang in an ocean-facing house in Bathsheba, St Joseph. The individual answering the phone sounded not too happy to hear from him. They wondered how and where he had gotten their number from, but agreed to meet him at their home at midnight. They did not ask where he was or how he would get to them.

  There was no vehicle at Wharton’s house for Power to use, so he knew he would have to walk the distance to the individual’s house. That age-old Bajan saying of ‘when you ain’t got horse, ride cow’ sprung to mind. He estimated having to make about a thirty minutes trek to his destination. Looking at the clock on Wharton’s dining room wall, he realised that he would need to get going within the hour if he was to be punctual for his midnight rendezvous. The individual had warned during their brief conversation not to arrive at their house after 12:10 p.m. The residence’s heavy security measures would be relaxed to facilitate entrance to their home.

  ***

  “Trevor, I’m here on holiday, but I must confess that my visit coincides with a project we’ve been quietly working on in and around the Eastern Caribbean sub-region for about four months. To effectively bring it to the boil over the next year or so, I think it’s going to be imperative that our two organisations, MI6 and BIB start working closely together, sooner rather than later. Can that happen?” asked the Head of MI6.

  “It depends on what you’re trying to achieve, why and how,” answered the Head of BIB.

  “Good answer! Here’s the what and why. Over the past six months, our people have noticed a significant uptick in criminal activity, not only in Barbados, but across the Eastern Caribbean sub-region. They and our American friends on the ground here all believe that they’ve identified some, but not all of those involved. We’ve not been able to establish why and around what, for example any major activities taking place that criminals might be building up to taking advantage of,” said Sir Thadeus.

  “Well, I can only think of our EEC, sorry Extra Cricket Cover security project that was initiated last night after planning it for well over six months. It runs until midnight next Wednesday,” stated Colonel Burke.

  “Why next Wednesday? The Test Match ends on Tuesday, that is if it goes the five days given the way England are playing nowadays. So why Wednesday?”

  “Thad, the teams leave here mid-Wednesday morning for Trinidad and the 3rd Test. We also have a few other events that are in play around the cricket, ending with a two-day Commonwealth Sports Ministers Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Colonel Burke.

  “Where’s that meeting being held?” asked Sir Thadeus.

  “Hilton Barbados,” responded Colonel Burke.

  “What specifically are the few other events?”

  “Two of them. On Saturday night, the USA’s football team play Barbados at our National Stadium. On Sunday night, there’s a big concert by a Canadian singer at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.”

  “You and your security mates have your hands full, Trevor! I’m sure the prisoners escape thing today isn’t helping, in fact I suspect it will complicate your people’s work. But back to my ask. The criminal activity we’ve been monitoring is different to what we’ve seen in the past few years in the Caribbean. That, is all about our drug interdiction/prevention programme aimed at stopping all kinds of major drugs, guns and other illegal contraband from primarily reaching UK, Europe and USA shores via Caribbean Sea and air ports from their originating points in Venezuela and the tip of Columbia,” said Sir Thadeus.

  “Yes, yes, but what’s so new now, Thad? And how do you know that local groups are involved in more criminal acts now than they ever were before, and in different ways too where my people haven’t picked up on that yet?” asked a puzzled Colonel Burke.

  “Great question. There are new link
ages with established international crime syndicates who are looking to spread their influence and reach all parts of the world, including new areas where they have not been seriously active before, such as the Caribbean. Small countries like Barbados and its neighbouring Eastern Caribbean countries, are particularly ideal for these syndicates to spread themselves into.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, they believe local law enforcement and security agencies are not going to bother them because they are too insignificant. How so? By way of being insufficiently trained and or being understaffed to do anything about them, especially once they have fully extended their hooks into the local communities through their top professionals, politicians, public service officials, businessmen and even a few well-known sportsmen and women.”

  “You’re kidding me, right Thad? I mean, we believe we have a handle on our local criminals and the overall situation…who they are, what they’re involved in, where they keep their money, etc. But you’re telling me that, by our not recognising this ‘significant uptick’ in the supposed activities of local criminals, we’ve in effect, dropped our own balls?”

  “Not exactly, Trevor. But there is now much more going on in your country and your neighbours than I think your people are fully aware of, my friend. That old phrase ‘live by the gun, die by the gun’ is back. We should like to help you of course, but we’d prefer to do so formally and in fact must have political cover for our actions, otherwise my next House of Commons appearance before our Joint Security/Intelligence Committee will see me put away for all kinds of breaches. I don’t want that for Cindy and myself. I’m sure as hell neither Diane nor you would want that for us either. Should that ever happen, we might just have to return to Barbados and have you hide us out, that is, if I managed to escape Dartmoor Prison.”

  “Indeed.”

  “So, Trevor, do you think your Prime Minister would be willing to sign off on an approach by our Secretary of State (SOS) seeking enhanced collaboration between the UK and Barbados’ law enforcement/security agencies in general – MI6 and BIB specifically? Of course, in a perfect world, I’d rather such collaboration not be publicly acknowledged, but I gather that it may have to be presented to, discussed in and be ratified by your Parliament.”

  “Damn right. That’s for sure. Knowing my PM, he would insist on it, probably after an initial face-to-face meeting, ideally between himself and your PM (SOS might do) before anything can be formalised. My PM would have lots of questions about how any such arrangement would work between our two countries and organisations. For example, how would he deal with an investigative journalist or deliberate leak from a senior security official who dislikes the idea? My PM would at least have to first inform and discuss it with his Cabinet colleagues. I doubt any of them would be the source of a leak, but who knows?”

  “Fine. We’ve dealt with such situations before with other friendly countries like Barbados. We’ve always managed to work through any problems they may have had with this sort of thing effectively. I don’t think here would be any different.”

  “One, no two final considerations for you, Thad.”

  “Yes, Trevor?”

  “I think you’re aware that Barbados is part of and provides the headquarters for the Regional Security System (RSS), comprised of us and several Eastern Caribbean countries. The RSS is located next door to the airport. If this increased criminal activity you’ve just told me about really exists and is expanding and is so likely to engage other Eastern Caribbean (EC) countries, my PM will also have to speak with his fellow EC PMs. That would increase the risk of a new collaborative security agreement having to be more widely known, with debates being held in Parliaments, with the top public servants in these countries also having to be in the loop. Therefore, to avoid leakage, everything would have to be made public,” reasoned Colonel Burke.

  “Believe me, this can all be addressed. Like I’ve said already, we’ve worked out similar deals before, and I fully understand the UK’s longstanding and established working relationship with the RSS that has helped to build up its current operations,” said Sir Thadeus.

  “Okay. Next, you’ve mentioned neighbouring EC countries, but haven’t specified any in which what you’ve told me are rampant from your investigations. So, besides Barbados, which ones have shown an enhanced propensity for increased criminal activity by its local gangs, in concert with international criminal gangs or syndicates?” asked Colonel Burke.

  Sir Thadeous thought for a minute.

  “Trevor, a recent Director of the CIA has inferred that in order for their organisation to be successful, it must be aggressive, vicious, unforgiving and relentless. MI6, BIB and similar organisations, must do likewise with those who threaten our countries well-being, institutions, people – indeed our very way of life. I believe you to be the right man, in the right job, right place and time! They are a quadrant of countries where we’ve noticed activity that is gathering momentum: St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda,” answered Sir Thadeus.

  “Thanks. That’s most interesting,” mused Colonel Burke.

  “Before I leave you, I’m curious about one thing. How does BIB work? It’s a small department that does not even number in total a section in one of my operational units,” Sir Thadeus stated.

  “It’s simple. Barbados is tiny compared to your country. BIB has three operational teams of three, myself and two persons on the technical side of the house. Operational teams are called Gold, Blue and Black. All three teams are set to play a role in the ECC security project. Team names come from the colours of Barbados’ national flag. Gold represents the sand on Barbados’ beach. Blue (or ultramarine) represents the sea surrounding and sky overlooking Barbados. Black reflects the broken trident – the symbol of Neptune, a mythical sea god. The latter also speaks to Barbados’ break with Britain in November 1966 when the country gained its independence after being a long-standing colony. We are a very integrated and flexible organisation. We work closely together, occasionally with assistance from RBPF and BDF personnel who support the operations we pursue.”

  “I think I understand BIB more clearly now. You are specialists and operate, more often than not, behind the scenes,” said Sir Thadeus with a nod.

  “You got it,” said Colonel Burke. “Anyway, it’s been good to have you over.”

  “Cindy and I are grateful to Diane and you for your kind hospitality…and our after-dinner chat.”

  ***

  Just after 11:15 p.m., Power slipped out of Wharton’s back door to commence his journey. Some two years earlier, he had visited the heavily fortified residence he was now going to. Back then, he had approached the property by car, from the west and in daylight. Tonight, he would arrive on foot, from the east and at night.

  Power would request the individual’s assistance in one of two ways. Either provide him with the sum he needed to settle his debt to The Organisation by noon of the following day, or facilitate his departure from Barbados (and the clutches of its law enforcement) agencies by 4:00 p.m. Both situations would result in the favour the individual owed to him being wiped clean. His preference was the latter option.

  Power knew the individual he was going to meet had the ability to deliver. They owed him big time for the favour he had done for the individual that hampered one of their main competitors. That was two years ago. Power and the individual had not spoken about that favour since, but neither had either of them forgotten about it. In his long criminal career, he knew that having someone being indebted to you was not always a good position to be in. They might want to bump you off so as not to have to repay their favour or debt of gratitude. You had to be careful to keep the chit you held somewhere safe for a time such as this when you would try to cash it because you most needed to do so.

  Power’s need was now. It was time to cash in his chit with the individual. Money would be good, but escape from Barbados would be far better. Power and the individual would be square. Both would
know that should Power be recaptured he could decide to spill his guts to the authorities and the individual would go down big time. Great embarrassment to people in high places might also result from what he knew. Power’s death would, of course, eliminate this worry to the individual but what he might leave behind might also hurt them and open up a can of worms. It was therefore advisable for the individual to give him what he wanted.

  Power felt confident that he and the individual would come to a sensible arrangement tonight. Neither of them wanted to lose what they believed they had.

  ***

  The media had not yet broken the news that CBOB Deputy Governor Lewis was missing, but this was expected to leak sometime soon, perhaps overnight. That meant that this subject did not come up during the one-to-one after-dinner discussion between the two security agency leaders. While the role, size and funds available to their respective agencies were far different, the thinking, understanding, willingness and desire of the two men to work together was clear and so boded well for the future.

  ***

  Following Sir Thadeus and Cindy’s departure, Colonel Burke reflected on the evening with Diane for a few minutes before setting off for BIB HQ. He would see Sir Thadeus again tomorrow afternoon.

  Once back at BIB HQ, Colonel Burke went straight to his office. After checking to ensure that he had not received any calls from Motby or Jeremie on his red telephone line, he went in search of JJ, Mohammed and Jayne who he knew were in the building. Not finding them at their work stations, he went to the conference room where he found not only them, but also Fred and Joe.

  “Did I call you two? Can’t you sleep? You’re off today and tomorrow.”

  “No chief, is the answer to your first question…and not anymore, is our answer to your second,” said Fred.