Major Thurston shouted out with extreme excitement. “My goodness, we have a witness at last! Good work gentlemen. Was there more detail given concerning the frightened shooter?”
Officer Murray continued where Wilson left off. “Here is the oddest part of it all. He said the man was not a kind he had ever seen before. The vagrant told us about a man of dark skin, a brown man. He kept muttering it was the first time he had seen a brown man in his days.”
Major Thurston leapt up from his chair and walked to where his subordinates were standing. “Do you realize what this means? There was a Colored man in attendance at Wheatstone Fields where the Common Man Movement was holding their main Dublin rally. Do I need to spell it out for you?”
Seargent Wilson blurted out in anticipation. “Yes sir, we asked others later if they heard Peter Harvey speak today. Every one of them said no, and Harvey was not seen on the main platform all afternoon. Through past surveillance we already know he is Malloy’s partner in the movement. Our guess is that Peter Harvey is the prime suspect!”
“You are spot on Wilson. Now I hope you know the particulars of that beggar. When we catch Harvey he is our only witness to testify at his murder trial. In the absence of a contrary account, he is our key to a successful conviction. In fact, have the vagrant moved somewhere on these premises. I will not have him vanish into thin air. He is too valuable now for us to risk losing!
“I don’t want anyone outside of us to know about this witness, including the Dublin Metropolitan Police. Less fingers we have in the pie the better.”
“Will do, Major Thurston,” replied Seargent Wilson. Without further hesitation he bolted out of the office, leaving Thurston and Murray in his wake. Turning towards the remaining officer, Thurston continued to piece together every scrap of vital information.
“We have Peter Harvey, closest confidant of Duncan Malloy, killing a British Security Force officer. Some delicacy will be required from heron forwards. Remember the public only knows this victim as some poor nameless chap shot without cause.
“Even when we apprehend Harvey the identity of Roland Winston-Hall must remain secret. Our goal now is to eliminate Harvey, the only witness to Roland’s mission.”
“I understand. I shall pass all of this along to Seargent Wilson. Sir, will we be continuing our surveillance of the Malloy family? Perhaps Harvey will flee there to get some assistance for his predicament?”
Major Thurston pondered the question deeply before answering. “If I were in his shoes it would be the last place to seek shelter! But it is important we cover all possibilities in this search. You men just proved all methods should be availed if we are to capture our suspect. However, I feel we should direct our efforts elsewhere initially.
“The game is afoot Officer Murray. Either we capture Harvey and save ourselves, or he escapes and all involved here will face a very uncertain future.”
“In that vein I request your permission to excuse myself. Sergeant Wilson is only a few minutes ahead and he will need my assistance. Is there anything else to be briefed upon before leaving?”
Thurston stroked his chin in silent contemplation. “Yes, go fetch Officer Patterson if you will. The four of us shall meet here again in four hours’ time exactly, and not a moment before. I have an appointment which cannot be interrupted.
“At that time we shall plan our next courses of action for the apprehension of Peter Harvey. I have an unfailing suspicion he will not be on Irish soil any longer than necessary. Therefore, with every minute which passes, the greater odds are he has escaped Ireland. Let me be perfectly clear; such a result cannot happen.”
“Very well Major Thurston. I will take my leave and follow out each instruction.” Officer Murray scrambled in haste to perform everything required.
Within the allotted four hours Wilson and Murray found, fed and housed the vagrant named Kieran inside Security Force’s headquarters. In addition, Officer Patterson was informed of the pending meeting with Major Thurston. Patterson had not been involved in any aspect of the assassination; he only conducted surveillance of Malloy’s household. He knew nothing about the planned attempt on Duncan Malloy or its dramatic consequences.
When the time arrived, Officer Patterson made his way to Major Thurston’s office. Before he rounded the corner to his destination, he overheard a rather distinguished voice making parting words. He froze on the spot while picking up the ending conversation.
“Listen to me very clearly. You know where I stand in the scheme of things. So when I say comb over that house down to the floorboards you damn well do it! Too much is at stake here, as it very well affects the Sovereign. Do very well and you have my word your life will change substantially for the better. There is no other result that will satisfy us!
“All I desire lies in the balance of your officers’ success. It is for me to know the reasons why, and yours to suffer the consequences if they fail in this assignment. Good day Major Thurston.”
A door could be heard closing firmly. Then, on rounding the corner Patterson beheld a very distinguished gentleman walking past him with scarcely a notice of his presence. The stranger’s air of discreet importance placed him as one of high standing. There was a vague familiarity about his face, though Patterson could not recall from where. Then, after a brief pause outside, he knocked decisively on Thurston’s door.
“Please enter,” replied the familiar voice. Officer Patterson strode inside.
Major Thurston rose from his chair to shake hands with Officer Patterson. “Good to see you. I always appreciate your punctuality. Please have a seat. We are waiting for Officer Murray and Sergeant Wilson. They shall be arriving at any moment.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth when a loud rapping was heard outside.
“Sergeant Wilson and Officer Murray I presume. Please enter.”
Major Thurston shook each man’s hand in turn as they approached the desk and greeted him. He offered the two officers vacant chairs around his sturdy oak desk, then stood up from his own seat to address everyone.
“First off, I do not need to tell you all this meeting is held with the strictest confidentiality. Any breach will be immediate grounds for court martial. From now on, all of you are working on this case as one unit. We will be pooling our efforts to capture the murderer of fellow officer Roland Winston-Hall at Wheatstone Fields.
“Now we have a suspect for that crime. He is Duncan Malloy’s confidant Peter Harvey. And we have a witness named Kieran to identify him.
“As you can imagine, this matter is of great urgency to the Realm. I have just reported to our London contact all which has happened today. I need not say they deemed our efforts sorely insufficient! Swiftness in finding and capturing Peter Harvey is a top priority. Nothing must impede our progress in this aim. Are there any questions so far?”
All but one of the men in attendance voiced their complete understanding. Though Patterson had no idea what Thurston meant in regards to an officer’s murder. It caught him totally unaware.
“Major Thurston,” he asked urgently. “What business is this about the killing of a fellow officer? Are there more aspects to this operation of which I was not informed? It was never clarified that an outside undercover agent would be at that rally!
“You already know from past reports our unit had no incidents of dangerous activities at these meetings. Regular surveillance did an effective job to date. In fact, those gatherings helped localize all the citizens so they could not get up to mischief elsewhere! This business just strikes me as very peculiar. Please clarify all that I have missed.”
Major Thurston had intentionally avoided telling Patterson about the assassination plot. He held complete trust in his capabilities, though feared his strong sense of morality would become an obstacle to their objective.
Patterson may have been a potential liability to include then, but now he needed his fier
ce loyalty to find Peter Harvey. With only four men working on the case they would be severely undermanned. Therefore, Patterson deserved some form of explanation for his efforts.
Major Thurston cleared his throat and looked directly into Officer Patterson’s eyes. He appeared to be searching the very fortitude of this young man to detect any infirmities of character. He then picked up the globe which sat on an ornate side table, moving it onto his desk.
“Patterson, let me answer your concern. When we entered this Security Force, our prime responsibility was to safeguard the interests of Her Majesty. Regardless of the daily subterfuge we must constantly face, that one objective supersedes all others. In your station, it is not to question the semantics of any threat, but to pursue and contain it. This matter is no different.
“Our country became a world power because of our adherence to order, structure and diligence. As a result, Britain oversees a great empire today, the likes of which other countries gaze at in much envy.
“On rare occasions we lost our focus, such as in America, where we lost the game. Those rebellious upstarts went from successful Independence to attacking our remaining North American interests within three decades. And even though we beat them back, even burning their White House, we learned a grave lesson. Do you know what that was Officer Patterson?”
Officer Patterson had not the foggiest idea. “I cannot say I do Major Thurston.”
Thurston whirled the globe on its axis. “In America’s case it started with protests about taxation without representation. We all know how it progressed from there. Here in Ireland the likes of Duncan Malloy speak of obtaining better living conditions and opportunities for the Irish. If history repeats itself, this will eventually grow into a future rally cry for rebellion!
“This land is British jurisdiction, and will be ruled by her laws. We will not allow the disruptive weeds of sedition to grow high and strangle our fertile garden. Capturing Peter Harvey will preserve Her Majesty’s interests and make no future heroes for insurrection. Are we clear Officer Patterson?”
Patterson thought it best to leave well enough alone for now. “I have a better understanding Major Thurston and appreciate the explanation.”
Major Thurston flashed a self-satisfied smile. “Then I shall continue talking about our courses of action to apprehend Peter Harvey. Always remember men; this Security Force functions on deeds, not words. It is only in proper execution one’s mettle is proven. Let us move forward with what needs to be done.
“To start, through prior reconnaissance we already established that Peter Harvey was intimately tied with Duncan Malloy and his family. You should know Patterson, since your efforts along with Officer Murray’s provided solid background information.
“We have long suspected the Malloy’s many connections are a backbone to this subversive self-government movement. Their influence poses a great threat to the Realm. Therefore it was sanctioned at a level well above mine to stop their activities by striking a decisive blow.”
Patterson’s throat felt terribly dry as he now came to a harsh realization. It was no coincidence the new undercover officer Roland Winston-Hall was at Wheatstone Fields today. On the fringes of his conscious an unthinkable plot began to form. Winston-Hall’s presence was required to harm, no assassinate the co-leader of this movement, Duncan Malloy. Patterson found himself involved in a covert assassination, of which he had no prior knowledge.
“Major Thurston, when you speak of a decisive end to the movement, was this man Winston-Hall brought in to eliminate Duncan Malloy? Is that why I was not informed of the whole operation?
“How could you dare take such an arrogant stance with me, no matter your rank? You bring shame on yourself by not dealing honesty with me from the start! I guess from your actions you deem my views of little consequence.”
Thurston’s momentary pleasantness disappeared in a disturbing vortex of malice. “By your outburst I stand vindicated of my decision! We were given an assignment from a superior level to be expressly carried out. Now you have the gall to challenge orders after they have been sanctioned?
“Are you not a member of this Force? Perhaps there are other allegiances which take precedence? If that’s the case, you walk a very dangerous path indeed!
“If it were not for your solid record of past accomplishments, this conversation would not have continued. A pending submission for court martial would have been my next move. Luckily for your concern I will disregard any hint of insubordination, and continue with your assumed cooperation.”
Patterson knew he had been forced into a savage conspiracy from which there was no escape. He eyed the major with contained fury at his hideous method of deception. Nevertheless, Patterson held his bond to duty as sacrosanct, so his complete compliance with the operation would be given.
“One pays a very high price to meet your standard for loyalty Major Thurston. You are correct to believe my heart disapproves of any manner of treachery, though the oath I took remains unequivocal. Carry on with your discourse.”
Thurston glanced at his pocket watch and immediately brought the meeting back on point.
“Looking at what lies before us, I feel we should focus on a few probable areas Harvey may turn up. Insofar as he knows, there are no witnesses to his deed. To our advantage Harvey may feel some minutes can be spared before taking leave of the city.
“Peter Harvey is no fool. I would imagine his good smarts would change any normal routine. It is known through common experience the more time a suspect is allowed freedom, the likelihood of their capture decreases. I cannot stress how valuable our efforts are in the beginning of this search; otherwise it may be a chase to points unknown over this whole damn Island!”
“Major Thurston, I say again, would it not be prudent to visit Goodhope House at the first convenient opportunity?” offered Murray. “Obvious it may be I cannot see where else a vulnerable Harvey would seek refuge. Especially if he feels there is some time before suspicions rest on him.”
Thurston now recalled the pressure from his London contact. He knew Goodhope House would have to be searched at the distinguished gentleman’s expressed request. There was no use putting it off any longer.
“Officer Murray, this suggestion is presented with sound logic. Unless there are other suggestions, we shall now make it our first priority.”
Officer Patterson still had a parting shot for the sheer audacity of this whole situation. He let his conscious expel unsettled emotions.
“I take it we shall be leaving for Goodhope House tomorrow? Seems so strange we deem a family whose highest purpose is to help fellow citizens as enemies of the Realm.
“At the same time, this current administration in Dublin Castle and London Parliament where such authority lies could not give a toss! Here we follow our instructions to the letter, yet every action appears to be scrutinized by the most unyielding of masters. Really, who can say the vicious trap will not eventually ensnare us as well?”
“Officer Patterson continues to speak as a righteous crusader,” replied Thurston. “I am thankful your determined persistence will be used to our advantage. Always remember one has no luxury to ponder social order when the hammer hangs just overhead. Speaking of which, may I enlighten you all on how the sands of time can change any person’s position?”
“Please do,” challenged Patterson.
“Gentlemen, you know one of the tragedies in all this business? Pains me to say the Malloy family used to be allies of our Realm for decades! Malloy’s family is as old as the hills in Ireland. Everything was fine between us and Goodhope House until Aidan Malloy lost his way.”
The officers assembled did not expect to hear this information. Seargent Wilson felt compelled to comment.
“Do you mean to tell us the Malloys have only taken to this cause of self-government in recent times? Why would they enact upon such a change in convictions? Did t
he Crown cause them harm in some tragic fashion?”
“Were it so simple an explanation no recount would have been warranted,” acknowledged Thurston. “Their parting did not originate from a conflict of wills. Therein lays the shifting tides of this nation. Ireland today has become a land of frustrated allegiances. Aidan Malloy made his turn because of events in County Mayo, where a forced eviction changed his life forever.
“As you all know, the Malloy’s have held vast property interests for generations. Well, on one occasion in County Mayo a new manager became involved in an eviction. Seemed a tenant family went three months without paying rent, and the hire was keen to show his effectiveness.
“Those were peak years of The Famine, and this tenant’s wife was three month’s pregnant with child. There was certainly no give in that man! The hire would not yield to very impassioned protestations from the family. When empathy failed, the wife begged mercy dearest for a month’s further grace.
“For some unknown reason, that set the strange bugger off. He grabbed this burdened lady by the scruff of her neck, dragging her towards the old cottage’s doorstep. She fought back with all the will she could muster, but he was a strong fellow indeed.
“Upon almost reaching their destination, she finally broke free. Though in her wild abandon, the lady tripped, hitting her head hard against a jutting rock. There was no second chance. Two lives were lost that day; the lady bearing her unborn child.”
Patterson shuddered in disgust. “What brutality! Surely the manager was dealt with by Aidan Malloy! He appears to be a principled man.”
Major Thurston replied in wonderment. “Would you believe no manner of reprimand was taken? I may be a hardened officer, though there is a touch of compassion which still dwells within me. Seems this brute knew someone in the local constabulary who found no negligence in his actions.
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