by KC McLaren
Roberts sat down and leaned against the inside of the van. Brad could tell by the look on his face how much the guy wanted to get up and take a swing. Don’t worry mate, he thought, you’ll never get the chance, shame, I’ve not taken out a SEAL in hand to hand fighting for a long while. He smiled at the American staring back stating Brad knew what his was thinking and was unimpressed. He turned back to Marks and asked, “What else have you got for me?”
Marks removed an iPad tablet from one of the ruck packs and handed it over to Brad. “This has the schematics of the buildings. All floors above twenty-eight on the taller tower are accessed by key-card, coded for owners only. The floor above forty-seven is an exclusive bar, The Attic.” He handed the device over to Brad.
“Good,” Brad said. “We’ll head for the top where the lift housing is situated. I checked out the area before you two so-called hero navy seals arrived. We need to get into the basement car parking area. I expect there will be at least one person stationed there next to the lift which shouldn’t give us any problems. You understand, Marks?”
“Yes, I have a dart pistol that should take care of that.” Marks replied.
“I don’t give a damn about your little puff pistol, if you can’t get close enough for an effective hit, take him out.” Brad motioned his head towards the side arm Marks had.
“I understand,” Marks replied reluctantly. “Flip over to the next page on the iPad to the floor plans of the penthouse, our target I presume, covers two floors, forty-six and forty-seven. The main living area being on the 46th floor.”
Brad studied the plans then flipped back to the architecture and layouts of the building. “There…” He pointed to the iPad. “As I say, we need to get to the lift housing. On the east side there are no windows down from the housing to the bar area and onto the forty-seventh floor. That balcony area for the penthouse to the master bedroom, we can enter from there.” Brad handed the iPad back to him.
Marks studied the iPad again. “Why not just use the lift directly and access the floor? I’ve hacked into the computer systems of the building, I’ll control the elevators and lights on all floors when you ask.”
Brad looked at him, smirking. “Well me little tech wizard. I’m sure the girl that beat the shite out of you? She has by now got a few suckers of her own playing along. As soon as those elevator doors open, as you call them, our element of surprise will be gone.”
“I hope that Irish luck of yours holds out, Sean.” Marks used Brad’s real name which made him fume red in the face. It was the first time today where he felt real anger.
“Don’t you ever use that name. That’s in the past, ended.”
“Sorry, Brad, I just thought…” He replied.
“I don’t fucking pay you to think!” Brad said reverting to the more comfortable English accent he had gained many years ago.
Marks laid the iPad on the floor of the van for a moment averting Brad’s attention and busied himself checking his gear. He put on a tactical vest and radio comms, then put his black leather jacket back on. Marks took out a pair of trousers from another bag and another baseball hat. He handed them to Brad. “As well as your leather jacket, these too are lined with metal fibres and made of synthetic polymers mixed with metamaterials…”
Brad held up his hand. “Stop it Marks. I need not know what, how or why. All I need to know will the Marks line of cat walk fashion do enough to hide us from the CCTV camera’s? Along with any thermal imaging devices around and how much?”
“Well, they are not cloaking devices if that’s what you think. But we’ve come a long way since the early publications of the possibility. The clothing will shield you enough from any CCTV cameras and thermal imaging. As I say though, it’s far from perfect so we must take the usual precautions of avoidance,” Marks replied.
“That’s all I need to know.” Brad responded.
“The last thing I would say, don’t forget what country we are in. We all know about the Brits and the hold they have on advanced surveillance technology. This Jonathan Beckett? If he is a high profile target, I would give it about thirty minutes before our comms are detected, no matter how much they have cost you. However, the key cards and codes for all floors should present no problems. I doubt very much the Brits are too concerned about a penthouse apartment.”
Brad put on the pants and then put what he needed into one of the other backpacks and placed the black cap on his head. As he replaced his leather jacket over his tactical vest he replied, “Well, at least that is one thing you’ve not fucked up today then. Let’s move out.” Brad commanded.
Chapter 28 | Car Parking
JASON CARRYIED THE BACKPACK and it wouldn’t be wise for the officers to see its content. Jason looked over at Egil with a what now expression on his face?
Egil reached into his pocket and brought out his MI5 ID. He hoped the credentials would have much more impact than the British Transport Police one.
The officer looked at it and said, “We’ve not been informed of any intelligence officers on scene. May I ask why you are here?”
Egil looked at him eye to eye, “No, you bloody well can’t and why would you ever be informed of our presence on scene anywhere?” Egil said, trying to bully his way out. The seasoned police officer was having none of it.
“Sir, there is an incident going on regarding a possible shooting. As you well know, Canary Wharf is a high risk area. I’m not going to give you the bullshit about just doing my job, but I expect some co-operation regardless of who you say you are.”
“You are right.” Egil said, realising his mistake. “We’re here to lend support, not to hinder you. However, my colleague and I need to leave and I don’t have time to explain the reasons.”
The officer looked down at Egil’s ID. “Mr Finstad, you of all people should know the drill. The area is on lock down till at a time we can ascertain the situation. I need to verify your credentials before allowing you to leave.”
Egil noticed the officer standing behind his colleague raise his MP5 a fraction, his finger now resting on the trigger. Damn it, he thought. It wouldn’t take too long before they realised it was level three they needed to be searching. If the officer called for ID verification, it would connect the government Range Rover to Jason and him. And if that happened, then they would be both detained and out of the game. He needed to think. “OK, how about one phone call so we can all get on with doing what we are supposed to be doing?”
“I don’t understand, Sir. It will only take ten minutes or so to clarify things.”
“As I say, my colleague and I need to leave and now. And I’ll be blunt with you.” Egil was taking a gamble, but they had run out of plays. “We can’t be found to be here. It’s a matter of national security.”
He cringed at the words but had no choice. Before the officer responded, he took out his wallet and pulled out a white card with a set of printed numbers and letters.
“Call your situation room and give them this code, otherwise it will be me having you arrested for interfering with an ongoing national security situation.” Another gamble on Egil’s behalf, but he held the police officer’s stare.
The officer hesitated weighing up his options. Egil thought the officer would ignore him. Instead raise his gun and demand both Jason and him get flat on the ground. It’s never wise to threaten one of these guys.
“You better have a very good reason in making such threats,” the officer replied taking the card. “Wait here and don’t move.” He commanded with a distinct edge of threat in his voice. The officer stepped backwards to his right and made the call. He waited for a few seconds then looked back at Egil with both curiosity and consternation on his face.
He turned to his colleague and handed his mobile to him, “Stand down Andrew. You need to take this call too.”
The officer listened to whoever was on the other end, his cheeks turning a little paler, “Yes, Sir. We understand, Sir. Right away.”
After getting his mobile
back from his colleague the first officer turned back to Egil. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr Finstad,” he said with a slight sarcastic tone. “You have never been here and we have never seen you. Please leave the area now. I suggest that you hurry, Sir.”
Jason stood transfixed on the spot. “You coming along, Billy boy,” Egil said to Jason. “Or are you waiting for a personal invitation?”
As they walked away Egil paused and turned back around to the officer. “Thank you,” he said. “I apologise for being an ass, it’s been an interesting day to say the least. Since both of you can’t ever reveal to anyone, and I mean anyone, that we’ve been here. Get onto your commander and tell them to concentrate their efforts on level three, not four.”
The officer looked at Egil. Again, he could see him contemplating a decision. A slight change in his stance, undetected to the untrained eye, suggested he may go against the orders just given to him and detain them both. A professional decision, but not one Egil wanted. “I have more information for you,” he said. “On level three you will find a government plated Range Rover. In it there is a dead body. The man who shot him is long gone. He is a rogue agent, I believe American.” Egil continued, giving the officer a description of Brad without mentioning the change in disguise.
The officer dropped his MP5 to the side of him. “Mr Finstad it’s time for you to get on your way before my better instincts kick in and I do something I’ll no doubt regret. But for what’s it worth, I believe you. Good luck.”
“Thank you. I’m sure you will come up with a good reason of how you came by the information. And no, we were not involved.” Egil and Jason strode off and headed back towards the bar they planned to meet at.
Out of ear shot of the officers, Jason said “Egil?”
With a Cheshire cat grin on his face Egil replied, “I would rather have them chase a ghost than concentrate on looking for anyone else, as in me.”
“I understood that part, but the white card. What the hell was that? I want one.” Jason replied.
“You don’t have platinum air miles, Jason.” Egil laughed. “Let’s just say a high ranking government official owed me a big time favour? That was a get out of jail free card.”
Jason looked at him amused, “I can still your eyes are dilated, Egil. Are you sure you are not taking anything else along with that speed? Coke, meth, too many sugars in your tea old boy?”
“I wouldn’t look so self-assured Jason. That card was for your benefit more than mine. Those two would’ve not backed down just because of our ID’s, and certainly not the police ones. Once it’s known I’ve used my escape card for this, it will be revoked and questions asked. Thankfully it won’t involve you and it will keep you well and truly out of any involvement of the death of the CIA agent. If I’m to clear my name and sort this out, I’ll need your help more than you know. Did you bring presents?”
Jason sighed, “Yes, I’ve got presents and some extra pay-as-you-go phones. You’ll have to dump your MI5 one. It’s too easy to track. I’ll give it less than twelve hours before you are declared a persona-non-grata and put on the ThornScope list. I’ll run interference as long as I can.”
“Good,” Egil replied, “I need to get up to date on what you know and combine that with what I think I know. And fast. I believe the key in getting my name cleared is not in apprehending Jonathan Beckett, but to win his trust. Whatever is going on here, it’s bigger than anything we know.”
Jason agreed and continued. “As far as bringing you up to date. Beckett has numerous properties around London, some in the Docklands and one of particular note. He owns two penthouses one which is leased back to an offshore company, they manage his total portfolio. The penthouse stands out as he has never stepped inside of it since the topping out of the building well over ten years ago. The other thing of note, I wanted to get Lucy to run images that came from the Canada building, it got denied. However, the image shows a car leaving the back entrance of the bar and heading south towards the Docklands. The penthouse in question is on the thirty-ninth floor of 1 Millharbour.”
Jason got the presents out of the backpack, a Glock semi-auto pistol and two spare magazines. “I don’t have to remind you that carrying such weapons may lead to contacting the SC0-19 arms response team. They shoot first, then maybe ask questions.” Jason laughed as Egil did his usual shaking of his head.
Jason continued. “I’ve pre-programed the mobiles with numbers of the mobiles I have too. Since it’s Christmas time, I thought it would be nice to have to some bonus money for both of us. I don’t think I’ll need my share. You can have the lot. There’s two-thousand-pounds.” Jason handed over a brown envelope and smirking said, “Should be enough to score a few hits if you get any withdrawal symptoms.”
He looked serious at his partner and good friend. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? You know before we got together,” he winked, “I did two years tracking down persons of ill repute. People who had left the security services and believed free-lancing meant being involved in criminal activity.”
“I know, Jason. But the more I think of it, the more I’m convinced this is the only way to get to the bottom of everything,” Egil replied.
They stopped at the corner where the street split right to the bar and left to Canary Wharf tube station. He looked up and around knowing that the CCTV’s would no longer help him. Jason sensing his friend’s thoughts said. “Don’t worry. Apparently the cameras in this area have been playing up all day, a few more will not be noticed. I’ll head to Canary Wharf’s security offices and have the pleasure of deleting you.”
He winked at Egil again.
“If you keep winking at me like that, Jason, I swear I will tell that pretty red-head of yours you’ve the hot’s for me. Then we will see who’s in trouble mate.” They both laughed out loud at each other.
“I need to get going. Brad has a head start on me and as it stands, I may be too late as it is. If you can get any information on the bastard let me know soon as. One thing I believe; Brad is not out to kill Beckett but won’t hesitate if things go north. I need one more favour from you, Jason.”
“Anything, Mr Viking. Apart from speed or recreational drugs, I think you’ve had enough for one day.” Jason smiled.
“I need you to get a message to my godfather, the Home Secretary. Since my father past away and killed, well…”
“I know, Egil. Leave it with me. I will make sure he knows you have not gone all traitor-mental-Philby on us. I trust him as much as I trust you. One thing though, don’t go all emotional and weepy on me, you know I don’t like long goodbyes.”
AS they departed Jason’s mobile went off, his personal one. He looked at Egil as if to say, more bad news and answered it. It was Lucy, his red-headed girlfriend. After a brief conversation he cut the call.
“We’ve got confirmation that Beckett is at 1 Millharbour, but you’ll not like it.” He said to Egil.
“Don’t worry I’m a big boy, after today’s events, it can’t get much worse.” He looked at Jason with raised eyebrows willing him on to give good not bad news.
“From what Lucy has told me,” Jason continued, “there is a high probability that there is an SO19 team either inside 1 Millharbour, outside it, or both.”
Egil folded his arms, rolled his eyes up and let out a whistle of surprise. This day just gets better and better. SO19 was another division of London's Metropolitan Police Service. It provided personal protection to the UK’s highest ranking government officials. These guys were armed twenty-four-seven.
Damn it, he thought, if they were around it meant a member of the cabinet was also there. And he knew it was not the Home Secretary as he had just spoken to the two police officers.
“Did Lucy say anything else?” Egil asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
“Yes. The Prime Minister is in incognito. Unreachable.”
They looked at each other and Egil put his hand out to shake Jason’s. “It’s even more importan
t now to get down to that penthouse. If the PM is there, he is also in danger. And since I’m still the senior field officer, I am declaring this Brad character to be a terrorist. I, no, we need answers. There’s nothing else to say Jason.”
Jason took his hand and shook it. “Good luck, Egil. I have your back, always.”
Chapter 29 | Underground
BRAD WALKED CASUALLY CROSSING over the Millharbour Road. He got onto the other side just down from the car park entrance to the east tower block.
“Comms check,” he said.
“Loud and clear,” Roberts replied.
Brad looked right, then turned left and walked back up the road. “Good, when I give you the signal drive the van into the entrance and to the underground car park. Don’t pile it on and don’t drive fast. There’s not many people around and we don’t need extra attention. Your shoulder up to this simple task?”
“I’ve got it. Don’t worry, my shoulder is no way near hurting as much as my pride is. If you see that bitch, give her a slap for me.” Roberts replied.
Brad ignored him and looked towards the other American, “Marks, you take the route around to the left of the buildings. Again, no rushing. I’ll take the right and walk through the car park entrance then meet you at the bottom stairwell of the fire exits. Watch out for camera’s.”
“Copy that. I can see on the iPad there are two of them covering the left side entrance to the car park, they won’t be a problem. There’s another two on the side you are taking.” Mark’s replied.
“OK, I can see them. How good is your fashion clothing, Marks?” Brad replied.
“Just keep your head low. The camera’s will see nothing but a haze on the screen. But as I said earlier, don’t let the tech lead you into a false sense of security,” Marks responded.