by KC McLaren
“What did the PM tell you about this group Egil? Genesis, I believe they call themselves.”
“Genesis? Never heard the name.”
“Ah, so the good old Thomas Starling did not tell you all then. He is rather a weak man, our PM.”
“Bill? You’ve always had only good words for the man. What the hell do you mean by, weak?”
“He’s losing his power base, Egil. He’s become dangerously infatuated with this conspiracy. Did he tell you he doesn’t trust most of his own cabinet?”
“Yes, but from what I’ve seen today, and the more I see, the more I think there is something to all of this.”
“That’s the point, there is something to all of this. Much more than he even knows. The worse thing, the PM is losing it.”
“He didn’t strike me as a man that was losing it, Bill. And Jonathan Beckett, it’s certainly no coincidence that he has been kidnapped, is it? Tell me, why am I here?”
“Listen, I’ve known about this group for a long time. And yes, we do need Jonathan Beckett back in. If we don’t, the UK is going to be sold down the river to the EU. We may have ThornScope protecting our national interests but there is more to it than you know.”
“Jesus, Bill, are you telling me you are in some way a part of all this?”
“No, no, no. I’m…” he hesitated. “I’m not a part of it. Not at all.”
“Bill, I’ve known you all of my life. And you’ve never lied to me before. You are now.”
“My dear boy, my son. Not everything is as it seems. If nothing else you learn from being here this evening, remember that.”
“You are talking in riddles. What is it, let me help you,” Egil said.
“I’ve been in politics all of my life. I’ve served as a cabinet minister for four Conservative Prime Ministers, have held most senior positions going. Over time I’ve seen how each government give more away to the power house of the EU. We can’t even fart without consulting with the EU Commission first.”
“So you are part of some fantastic conspiracy to over throw the government?” Egil asked.
“I’ve told you no. I’m not,” Bill replied.
“Well, what you’ve just said sounds like to me a confession of a man who realises he is in far too deep.”
“I’ve been approached on several occasions. And yes, I’ve advised. The Prime Minister is out of his depth. What the hell was he thinking taking a clandestine meeting in an up market penthouse, half of the people he didn’t want knowing about it, knew before he did. Including me. The idiot’s put the cat amongst the pigeons – a cat that is very premature in the attack, he is a fool.”
“Did you know this Jonathan Beckett would be there? And tell me exactly why are so many people after him?”
Egil watched the expressions on his god father’s face carefully.
“No, I didn’t know that Beckett would be there. There have been several organisations after him over the last few years.”
You are lying, Egil thought to himself, that micro flinch in the eyebrow gives it all away. He didn’t want to push further though till he found out more. “You mean by organisations, as in foreign governments, don’t you?”
“Yes. Not least this Genesis one too. There is a lot more that ThornScope can do, and should do to protect our way of life. You’ve seen the news about Greece?”
“Yes, but what has that got to do with today’s events? And why the hell does it seem that I’m the last person to know about anything going on?”
The Home Secretary got out of his chair and went over to his study desk picking up a remote and turned his TV on. The picture, tuned to the BBC World News, came to life.
‘Greece’s central bank has said there has been a systematic attempt to destabilise the country through attacks on the banking system.’
‘It said it would use all powers at its disposal to protect citizens' savings. Shares in Greece’s banks have fallen sharply in the last ten hours.’
‘There is speculation that a run on deposits at the country's biggest bank, Corporate Union Commercial Bank, could spread to others. The central bank has urged all state institutions to work together to protect financial stability. We will take legal action against those spreading untrue and ill-intentioned rumours about the health of Greece’s banks.’
‘Several banks have closed branches and remain closed until Monday after depositors withdrew 400million euro of funds in a matter of hours.’
‘We have also been informed that the head of Greece’s bank, DIMITRIS CHRISTAKOS, has suffered a major stroke, no further information is available at the present time.’
The Home Secretary turned to Egil, “That has been on the news most of the day. We’re also getting unofficial reports that other countries are reporting similar problems – Italy, Spain and Portugal to name a few. And why have I kept you in the dark? You’ll understand before you leave here.”
“Forgive me,” Egil replied, “I’m confused, I can only repeat my question. What has this got to do with events of the past day in the UK?”
“Everything,” the Home Secretary replied walking back over to his desk. He pressed a button on his intercom system. “Has the girl arrived yet?”
“Yes Sir, we have her in one of the private rooms currently awaiting your instructions,” came the reply.
Egil recognised the voice of Carl, but who was the girl?
“Good, keep her there till I say otherwise. And keep an armed guard outside the room too. Now please show in Mr Jacobs.”
“Yes, Sir,” Carl acknowledged.
Egil kept his expression calm and unchanged, but his mind wanted to shout out obscenities demanding why Reginald Jacobs had been invited to this meeting.
The Home Secretary sensing Egil’s inner anger said, “I expect, no I demand, that you will act accordingly and professional to your boss and my office. Lastly, don’t say a God damn word till I tell you too, you’ll know when. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir.” Egil snapped back not realising his reply sounded like a rookie solider answering to the command of a staff sergeant. Should I salute too, he thought.
The door to the office opened and Reginald Jacobs, Director General of Britain’s MI5 stepped through.
“William, I must say, somewhat of an unexpected call and demand I come here.”
He stopped in his tracks and he looked at Egil.
“Why is one on my officers here? And more importantly why is he here without my knowledge.”
“Because I invited him, and please refer to me as the Home Secretary, Reginald. This is not a social visit.”
“Forgive me my manner, Mr Home Secretary, but that does not explain why one of my men is here. One that is currently under investigation for breaking protocols and involved in several serious dubious incidents today, including the killing of a CIA agent.”
“Both myself and the Prime Minister have decided those investigations and any other matter of concern regarding Officer Finstad will not serve purpose in the ongoing crisis we are facing. On the contrary, we believe Officer Finstad is the best person to get to the bottom of all this. He will be reporting directly to myself and the Prime Minister.”
“That can’t be the case, whilst I respect both yours and the PM’s office, the Security of the UK falls directly under my jurisdiction…”
“Cut the crap and political spiel. You serve at Her Majesty’s Government’s pleasure, putting it bluntly. I am the one who will say who is working for whom and when.”
“Sir, Mr Home Secretary, I have to object…”
“Duly noted, now sit down and listen, both of you.”
“I am sick to the teeth listening to you two tell tales trying to out manoeuvre each other. Both of you are becoming the laughingstock of the box, yes I have my ear to the ground too. This is not a public school playground.”
“Mr Home Secretary, this is outrageous. I won’t be chastised in front of my own men in this degrading manner, regardless of your position,” Jacobs start
ed to rise out of his chair.
“Before you leave, Jacobs, I have your resignation in my drawer waiting for your signature,” he turned to Egil. “And yours too.”
Jacobs begrudgingly sat back down.
“It’s a bluff, you wouldn’t dare. Only with the full approval of the cabinet can I be removed from my position, and you’ll need a damn fine reason too.”
“That may be the case on all accounts, hence why the resignation is also counter-signed by myself and the Prime Minister. I don’t need your signature. The mere fact you have been meeting with David Strickland is enough to undermine our confidence in you. And before you get out of this office, your resignation will be released to the news stations. The harm will be done. Her Majesty’s Government no longer has trust in its head of MI5.”
Egil noticed, for a moment, the puzzled expression on Jacobs face.
“What do you want, William?”
“You mean, Mr Home Secretary, don’t you?”
“What do you want, Mr Home Secretary?”
“First off, both of you. Take out your mobiles, switch them off and take the batteries out. Jacobs, that also includes any other little toys you may have on you. I’ve been informed you are carrying at least three listening devices, as I expect you would. Surprised you thought you could bring them into the Home Office.”
Egil began to enjoy himself.
“Now Jacobs, as I’ve said I know you have been covertly meeting with David Strickland. In fact, I believe you were at his estate today. I also know Strickland has his eyes set on becoming the first real President of the EU – or should we call that the Federation of Europe.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr Home Secretary. You are being prosperous and outlandish.”
“Oh, that is rather funny, and rather ironic. I am sure I can recall one of my predecessor telling me Kim Philby said something similar. I do like the memories of those days, I was just a lowly ranking British Intelligence Officer at the time.”
“Sir, I really don’t know…”
“Don’t lie. Or believe me when I say that resignation letter will be the least of your worries. I will also remind you, I’ve been in your shoes, twice actually. There’s nothing you can tell me about our British Intelligent Services that I don’t already know.”
Jacobs did not give up. “If you had anything on me, I would not be sitting here.”
“On the contrary, first rule of intelligence, don’t waste and burn a good asset in the field. Tell you what, let’s forget about the resignation letter. You are right. It’s a bluff. However, the tape recordings I have, are not.”
Jesus, this is getting well beyond serious, Egil thought to himself.
“Do you think I’m a hypocrite, Jacobs? Yes, I believe you should and certainly wouldn’t disagree with you. The road to power is paved with hypocrisy. Although I would have to say, I’ve never been of the sorts of wanting the power people think they have. Take the Prime Minister, actually take any world leader in the free west as an example of non-real-power. The real power lies with people like you, the money men and me.”
“I don’t have all day, William. Get to the point.”
“At last. An understanding. We don’t have much time, so I will get straight to the point. I don’t wish to take your power away, Jacobs. Shall we say, I just wish to divert it better? You’ve been looking into the sun for far too long and forgot about the shadows being cast from it. It’s something every out going Head of MI5, MI6 tells the incoming head – don’t stare into the sun, it’s the shadows that will bring the light. Turning the turned, is rather an explicit under taking, don’t you agree?”
“I don’t know what sort of games you are playing, Mr Home Secretary. But I can assure you there are some extremely powerful people in play. A lot more powerful than you can ever be. You think you can threaten me in such a way and insult me by bringing in your little pussy puppet godson who has no real place in my organisation.”
Pussy puppet godson? Damn, I hope Jason never gets to hear that phrase, Egil thought.
“Insults are rather petty coming from such an intelligent man as yourself, Jacobs. But it also gives me clear indication that you know exactly what is going on here. You’ve been caught with the proverbial hand in the cookie jar. As many a man in history, you’ve cursed yourself with the lust of power.”
“It’s you that is misguided,” Jacobs retorted. “It’s your government and that pathetic excuse of a Prime Minister that is going to sell our country out to the highest bidder in the EU. And yes, I do believe Strickland is the only one with the means and the backing that is going to stop that.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as calling him pathetic,” The Home Secretary said. “But I do agree he needs to have a change of heart in some policy making. And thank you for confirming my thoughts on Strickland, well played. I will admit, there are some elements of your conspiracy plot that intrigue me, I would even go as far as agreeing with them. But to make our country into a Super Police State controlling a Federation governed by the likes of you and Strickland and God only knows who else? That is something I can’t and won’t allow. We’ve had an Empire. It didn’t turn out too well. We’ve fought two world wars to protect us from the likes of the David Strickland’s of this world. And if you think you are going to get your hands on ThornScope to abuse and use it? To take away those very freedoms we’ve fought hard to protect with countless amounts of lives over centuries? You obviously have no idea what this country is about. And whilst we are not currently warring with guns, tanks and missiles, one thing is clear, we are certainly at war. And you have a choice to make, right now.”
Jacobs replied, “I made my choice a long time ago, it’s too late for old dinosaurs like you. Welcome to the new world, Mr soon to be forgotten Home Secretary. You have nothing on me. And you know it.”
“I was afraid you would see it that way. You are a traitor to our country. You’ve intended to overthrow parliamentary democracy by political, industrial and violent means. This goes against the very core which the service was built.”
The Home Secretary got up from his chair and once again walked to his desk. He opened up a draw and took out a thumb drive, a sheet of government letter head paper and a hand gun.
“You recognise the hand gun, Jacobs?”
Egil could see clearly the look of shock on Jacobs face.
“That’s impossible, there is no way…”
“On the contrary, very possible. I started keeping tabs on you a long time ago. I may be an old worn out dinosaur, but my brain functions adapt extremely well. As one gets older, one also gets a lot wiser. With it, I believe, brings a sense of great understanding. Now back to your hand gun. The one you’ve personally used on more than one occasion to, shall we say, disappear people who have not been like-minded to your own objectives. You should have also taken the second part of advice from your predecessor. If you are going to kill someone, off the books, use a foot soldier, don’t get anywhere close to the actual deed yourself.”
“You still can’t prove anything, and this man here, this Egil? He is far too weak that’s his problem. He has never had the balls to do any real work to protect the UK.”
“I’m proud of you, Jacobs. To the end, deny all. I will let you leave in a minute. How you leave is up to you. If you are alive, I will give you the thumb drive, it has some interesting conversations and images on it. It’s a copy, but will no doubt cement what you do after that. I rather like the one about the Chancellor of the Chequer – rather damning. Again, you should have abided by the simple rules. Don’t get involved personally when doing something off the books. Tut, tut.”
“As for my godson, I agree. It’s time for him to stand up and be counted and grow some mighty balls in the process. I have a letter in my hand, well not a letter, it’s a confession of sorts. All your deathly, well the ones I know of, deeds you’ve done illegally over the years. You will sign it. Then you can leave with both of us knowing who you work f
or from now on.”
“And if I don’t,” Jacobs replied
“As you say, Egil needs to grow a set of balls.” He turned to Egil, “Egil, take the gun out you are carrying and if Mr Jacobs does not sign his confession. Shoot him twice in the chest. The security outside won’t come in till they are told. Difficult times call for difficult decisions, and it’s your time. If you don’t do it, I will, then you can resign and walk away.”
Egil despised Jacobs, never trusted him. And after the conversation they’ve just had, his doubts about the MI5 boss had just been confirmed. But to shoot and kill someone in cold blood, even the likes of Jacobs? He removed his gun from the holster and pointed it at Jacobs. “With pleasure Mr Home Secretary, with pleasure.”
“You won’t shoot. You don’t have the balls,” Jacobs said. “And you William, you are no better than I. Never have been, I have some of your dirty closets ready to open when I wish.”
“Yes, I believe you have,” the Home Secretary said. “But only the ones that have been given to you by my people. You see, Jacobs. That’s the difference with you and me. I’ve never broken the unwritten rules, and certainly never intentionally had innocent lives put at risk, or murdered. I serve my country, and only my country. Without doubt I will go to my grave with regrets, but unlike you, I am not a traitor. You made this personal when trying to set up my godson for murder, even treason, one of our own just to serve your purpose? That was the last straw. I could have let you go on with your charade a lot longer, till a time of my choosing, but you forced my hand today. You have five seconds to ponder the dilemma.”
The five seconds became the longest of Egil’s life. What happens if Jacobs decides not to sign the confession? God, please make him sign the document. He watched Jacobs, his hands gripping the sides of the chair, knuckles turned white. His face a spectacular crimson of blazing anger. Egil had seen the expression all too often, the moment when a captor knew he was cornered, defeated. But this was no ordinary captive, no ordinary traitor as his godfather put it. As Egil pointed the gun at his boss, he knew one thing. Life from today would never be the same again.