by M G Leslie
The Chief nodded his approval, so Bill continued, "About six months ago GCHQ started to see signals traffic indicating an increase in the flow of raw drug products to various parts Africa – much of which was supposedly destined for mainland Europe or the UK.
We're already aware of the usual routes, and as you know, we closely monitor shipments from Columbia and Venezuela to West Africa – mostly cocaine and mostly destined for the likes of Ghana and Nigeria before being transported on to labs for further processing in South Africa, Nigeria and ultimately Europe. We also track the movement of Heroin – generally located in the southern and eastern African states.
The intelligence reports I’m referring to, appeared to be suggesting that a new lab had been set up in Zimbabwe – we presumed because of it’s more reliable infrastructure and minimal oversight from Western nations – I don’t need to remind you of the fragile political situation.
The public face, for want of a better description, of the lab, seemed to be related to medical research. Indeed, even as we speak they claim to be conducting research in to Aids and the Ebola virus. However, on closer inspection, we concluded that the research was a cover – less about finding a cure and more about creating deadly viruses for chemical warfare – potentially being shipped to the UK via neighbouring Mozambique where, you'll recall from our regular FCO updates, the UK has extensive business relationships and regular, completely legitimate, shipments as a matter of course.
In response to the potential threat, we sent an officer, Peter Baines, to Harare. His job was to recruit an asset in the research organisation, identify the key players, methods of transportation and future plans.
Well, after a number of discreet visits to their offices, he recommended that we place an existing asset, who’d worked for the service on assignments in Zimbabwe before, in to the organisation.
So, after a series of background checks on the staff – including a review of their movements, bank accounts and credit cards – we targeted an employee, whom we discovered had a number of partners in addition to his wife. Indeed, it seems he enjoyed variety, both in terms of quantity and gender, which as you can imagine, would not have been received well by the authorities in a place like Zimbabwe.”
He hesitated, expecting a laugh at his feeble attempt at a joke – but nobody made a sound, so he continued. “Err, anyway, after a few meetings with Baines, during which photographs were provided as evidence, he ‘voluntarily’ resigned and recommended our asset as a replacement – who was of course armed with a suitably arranged life-history and references.
Baines has, or had, been working with the asset over the last couple of months and it’s been very useful – his initial reports supporting our first suspicion of drug trafficking. However, our most recent analysis of the data, when combined with other signals intelligence, leads us to conclude that these people are indeed producing chemical weapons, as we feared.
We have sources in the Zimbabwean government, and as far as we can tell, they appear to be unaware of this situation. So this is an independent group that is taking advantage of a less developed country such as Zimbabwe, to conduct illegal research and potentially create weapons of mass destruction."
After a short pause, Fabio Alexander started to speak – armed with a huge file in front of him that contained intelligence reports that his department had gathered on Africa and Zimbabwe in particular.
"Sir, just to add to Bill’s opening statements, whilst we might consider Zimbabwe to be third world – and in many ways it is – the infrastructure, including the likes of network and Internet connectivity, is very much first world. You can get Internet speeds there that rival any country in the world – and they have reliable power as well, which is critical to research organisations – especially those dealing with chemicals."
"And we are 100% certain this organisation is producing chemical weapons and represents a credible risk to the UK," the Chief replied.
"Yes," said Bill – cutting in just as Cale was about to speak, “The combination of the chemicals that they’re procuring puts it beyond question. As part of our intelligence gathering, we’ve reviewed financial records and international shipments – it all adds up to weapons manufacture – especially as they appear to be stock-piling the stuff.”
"Were you going to say something Cale?" asked the Chief, having turned to look at the man who had opened his mouth and then closed it again.
"No Sir, just going to confirm what Bill just said," replied Cale.
“What about our partners Bill? Has this come up in our regular intelligence sharing meetings with the likes of the CIA?”
Bill nodded, “It was raised in last month’s meeting Sir – our CIA liaison officer raised it as a potential area of concern, citing it as a potential drugs factory in line with our initial suspicions. But since they weren’t seeing any regular shipments of so-called product, it wasn’t seen as important. So that’s where it was left.”
The Chief paused, seemingly thinking about the answer, before continuing, "So why was Baines killed and who killed him?"
Bill continued, "The most obvious conclusion Sir, is that the asset's cover was somehow compromised within the research organisation. We believe he was followed to the meeting place with Baines and as we now know, he was shot and killed. Baines must have been followed as he left the scene and the rest is history – he was shot and killed as well. A tragic loss of life."
"I'd like to see his last report. And what’s the name of this research organisation?" replied the Chief.
"Here Sir," said Bill, as he retrieved a printed copy from a folder in front of him. "It just says that the asset has identified someone. And based on my own conversation with Baines, I believe he was going to give us the name of the man leading operations in the research organisation, which is called CS Research Sir. There had been some speculation that one of the senior figures in the organisation was here in the UK – but there’s no evidence to that effect – it’s just something the asset said to Baines and he, in turn, passed on to me."
There was another pause whilst the Chief looked through the papers in front of him – records of meetings between Baines and the asset, past communications, intelligence reports and finally a recommended course of action that just said, 'Destroy the lab'.
“What about the man Baines removed from CS Research – the man that Mr Iwu replaced? Could it have been him?” asked the Chief.
“We’ve ruled him out,” said Fabio. “He has a cast iron alibi and,” then he paused before glancing at Cale, “Cale, would you like to comment – I know you looked in to that?”
“It wasn’t him Sir,” said Cale. “As you know, I’ve recruited assets for that very purpose, many times before. He doesn’t fit the profile Sir – he’s nothing more than a womanizer.”
“What do you think?” asked the Chief – looking at the Chief of Staff.
“I’d like someone to pay a visit to this CS Research Sir. I think we need to get someone in there again and check it out once and for all – first hand, and not via an asset that Bill’s suggesting was perhaps not as reliable as we may have hoped. Because if there are chemical weapons being made there, then we have to do something.”
“But Sir,” asked Fabio, addressing the Chief of Staff, “Surely an operation to destroy the laboratory would be more productive?”
“We can’t just send a team to a foreign country and destroy one of their offices without knowing what’s inside.”
“I believe we do understand what’s inside the laboratory,” said Bill. “As I say, our conclusion is that they are manufacturing chemical weapons.”
“Which contradicts the earlier reports,” the Chief of Staff countered. “So we need to be certain. To be clear gentlemen – if you’re asking us to send a team in to close this place down, we need to be able to explain why. And we need to be able to explain precisely what we are closing down.”
Then with a hint of annoyance showing in his voice he added, “We don’
t go around randomly blowing places up and killing people you know.”
Price, still just listening, was tempted to speak for the first time and say, “No – we leave that to the Americans.” But he decided it would not be well received – so he silently and invisibly laughed at his own joke, whilst also thinking, “Actually, the Americans are no worse than us – if the truth be told.”
After a moment’s silence, where everyone seemed to take stock of the Chief of Staff’s remark, the Chief’s voice brought Price back to the reality of the meeting.
"Ok – thank you gentlemen. I will look through the evidence with the COS and will make a recommendation to the Foreign Secretary as to the way forward – then we’ll formulate a plan. Obviously we’ll seek your assistance as and when necessary. But this looks like a thorough piece of work so far. Thank you – that will be all for today."
The Chief of Staff, whom the Chief often referred to simply as the ‘COS', Bill, Fabio and Cale stood up and started to leave. Then just as they reached the office door, Bill turned and spoke again, "Sir – I strongly recommend a Special Forces operation to eliminate that organisation and everyone in it. If they're prepared to commit cold-blooded murder in this way, they must be planning something – otherwise, why would they take such an action – they must know we were involved and will react."
"I understand Bill – we just discussed that and I got the message. I said, I’ll review the papers again and I can assure you that I’ll pass your recommendation on to the Foreign Secretary, along with the COS’s advice," replied the Chief.
However, undeterred, Bill continued, "Time is of the essence Sir."
"I said, I got the message," replied the Chief – this time a little impatiently. Then as the Bill went to open his mouth to speak again, he raised his voice a little, "Enough Bill. Enough. I have explained that I will deal with it.”
Bill glanced at Price, who still appeared to be busy texting someone on his mobile phone, evidently completely oblivious to the verbal exchange, and then walked out of the Chief’s office.
As the men disappeared from view, the Chief spoken again, this time in a calm voice, “Julie, I need some privacy if you’d be so kind please.”
Julie had been the Chief’s assistance for many years and knew exactly what he meant. So she walked back to her desk outside the Chief’s office, closing the door behind her.
The split second the door closed, Price placed his mobile phone face down on the Chief’s desk and looked up, making direct eye contact with the Chief, who spoke, "What your view of this mess?"
"I believe we have a problem Sir. Someone knows who killed Baines and I have a hunch it's one of the three men we just met – or someone in their department," Price replied in a calm voice.
"That’s what you said earlier – run your theory by me one more time.”
Price stood up, walked over to the Chief's desk and retrieved a piece of paper from the folder. "This communication," he said whilst holding the piece of paper in the air. "This was sent the night before Baines died. All three of those men would have been copied – plus the Chief of Staff obviously. Up to that point, SIS did not know that the asset had found the name of the man running the weapons manufacturing in CS Research and Development Ltd – assuming, by the way, that it is weapons manufacturing, because quite frankly, the evidence of that seems a little weak to me – and I might add, that was the point Cale Jones was about to make earlier as well.”
“Why didn’t he?”
“He’s not going to contradict his boss in front of the Chief Sir.”
“OK, but why did he think that Price?”
“He was involved in the set up of the CS Research employee that Iwu replaced. Bill paints a picture that this guy was a womanizer – and I guess he was – although I would probably have described him as someone who got a bit drunk and misbehaved when under the influence of alcohol. If you read Cale’s report – he was stupid, but not that bad Sir – there are millions out there who are far worse. Cale, quite rightly, just took advantage of a weakness and planted the classic honey trap so that we could get evidence against him and place Iwu in there. Anyway, my point is – in doing so, he ended up meeting this guy – hence the ‘not so bad after all’ opinion.”
“OK, so he was a nice guy. Frankly speaking, I don’t really care. Did he say anything else that was useful?”
“He said it was a drugs factory. He didn’t seem to know much as he worked in the office area. But there was no indication of weapons manufacture – according to him.”
“He could have been covering his back.”
“Absolutely. Yes, that’s certainly possible, as Cale did say he was scared. In fact, ‘scared shitless’ I think was the exact phrase Cale used. But even putting that aside for a moment, it could have been a blown cover that got Baines killed as Bill said – and I agree that's the most likely scenario. Because, as we both know, that happens – a lot – which is why we train so hard to avoid it.”
“So your point it was exactly?”
“I knew Baines – he was a very careful operative. We worked together in South America last year – he wouldn’t have made that kind of mistake. He didn’t like confrontation. So he would have preferred to spend endless hours researching, checking and exploring alternatives rather than face even the hint of a problem – never mind a blown cover."
With a hint of sarcasm, the Chief interjected, “A very different approach to the one you usually adopt Price.”
Price, in return, nearly laughed, “No Sir, I do tend to prefer to act and ask for forgiveness afterwards.”
"Indeed, But going back to the point – you agree a blown cover is the most likely explanation in the normal course of events – but you’re now saying, just not where Baines is concerned.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Maybe the asset gave him away – had you considered that?”
"Yes, but no – I read an intercept of the call he made to Baines the previous night – GCHQ have been keeping tabs on Baines for a while now – at Bill's request I might add.”
“Why?” interrupted the Chief.
“Why did he get GCHQ to monitor Baines so closely?”
“Yes.”
“Because Bill’s thorough Sir.”
The Chief looked back sceptically, so Price continued, “Bill is careful Sir – you know that – I honestly don’t believe we can read anything in to that particular action other than, he was doing a thorough job. But as I say, on the intercepted call – the asset sounded," then he paused for thought before saying, "I'd describe it as… jittery – at a push, maybe even… scared. Either way, most definitely not the tone of someone who just gave away his case officer."
“He could have been acting on the call.”
“Yes Sir – true – he could. But I don’t think so – I think Baines would have realised – at least, I hope so.”
"OK, perhaps it could have meant he knew his own cover was blown," replied the Chief still sceptical of Price’s viewpoint. Then he said, "Tell me why you are really so sure that's not the case?"
"Sir, I honestly think Baines would have realised – I have, or had, a great deal of respect for his abilities. Although I must admit, you make a good point and I am starting to question my convictions a little.”
The Chief seemed pleased with the reply, and gently nodding his head in agreement, as he said, "It is always very difficult to judge in these situations Price. All the information is second or third hand. It’s not easy. But that’s our job – to make a call, and act on it.”
The room fell silent whilst both men were seemingly thinking and taking stock of the situation. Then the Chief spoke, “OK, this is what I want you to do. Get yourself out there and find out what really goes on in that lab. If it is what they say it is – then get rid of it and all those involved – by any means – we do not want chemical weapons coming to this country.”
“Yes Sir,” said Price, who was about to stand, when the Chief continued.
“There is a second possibility, however. And that is that you are right and Bill is wrong. And in that scenario, it would suggest we do have a problem in the Firm. And if that is the case, I want to know who the problem is, which means you’ll need to go there discreetly – so you’ll be on your own.”
Unlike most people, the Chief rarely referred to his service as MI6 – he followed a longstanding tradition of calling it the Firm, whereas Price, who also disliked the MI6 tag, referred to it by it’s official title, SIS.
Having heard the Chief’s instructions, Price just said, "I understand – don’t you worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this Sir."
“You seem very confident.”
“Call it a former-soldier’s hunch,” Price replied as he stood up to leave.
"Price?"
"Sir."
"This is sensitive – you may be about to remove a lot of people from the face of this planet. If the diagrams in this folder are correct, it's a sizeable facility with potentially one or more British citizens working there. When I say you’ll be on your own, I mean you really will be. So for all our sakes – don't get caught – I cannot protect you – if this goes wrong you will get life if you’re lucky!!"
“In that case, I’ll be sure to take a good book to read.”
“This is not a joke Price. I suggest you take it seriously.”
Price opened the door to leave, then at the last second looked back and said, "So beers on you when I get back then Sir?"
The Chief ignored Price’s flippant response and said, "Get back in one piece my friend, and I will make sure you receive more than a few lousy beers.”
Price just smiled and said, “A beer will do nicely Sir,” then just as he turned to leave for the second time, he paused – seemingly thinking – and looked back yet again.
Seeing the pause in Price’s steps, the Chief looked up, “Anything else?”
Price walked back in to the office, closing the door behind him, and said, “Sir – that girl in Hong Kong.”