by Gary Tulley
Shaking his head, he readily declined his offer and reminded Baxter that he was merely a political observer," in that case I suggest that we push on. I'll leave you to put Eastern in the picture regarding the details of the operation, Rogon. I get the impression, that you two seem to share a common bond, as far as timing is concerned." For a split second, Eastern struggled to stifle a well-aimed outburst at Baxter's ingenuous remark, "Timing!....you idiot. The word isn't even in Rogon's blasted vocabulary." Diplomatic as ever, he kept his thoughts to himself and gestured for Rogon to continue.
"Before we discuss the operation fully, Mike, you'll be pleased to know that Aubrey Millington is being held in custody, as we speak. It appears that he was apprehended a few hours ago by Passport Control officials at Gatwick, when attempting to flee the country."
"Now that's what you call a result. My day just got better and better. One assole 'banged up' and another two to go!" he asserted, causing Goodridge to cringe at Eastern's bar room persona, and leaving him in no doubt as to what he could expect forthwith. For his part, Rogon appeared to be hedging somewhat in his approach before replying.
"Judging by that remark, I can only presume that you're taking our friend, Gauntly, into account?"
"Unquestionably. I'm surprised that you need to ask." At this juncture, there was no way that a gob-smacked Eastern could have prepared himself for what was about to unfold. as Rogon took centre stand.
"I'm afraid there's no easy way of saying this, Mike. I can only say that, in my defence, what I'm about to tell you is only one part of a massive internal, but legitimate, cover-up, set in motion as a joint enterprise by the Government and Spooks. This, in turn, has now culminated, bringing operation 'Cuckoos Nest' into being. That being the case, and for the record, I can categorically state that for reasons that will become clear, William Gauntly, in name and body, has never, at any time, existed. And I humbly apologise on behalf of my colleagues for letting you think otherwise." Mouth agape, Eastern found himself reeling on the ropes yet again. This time coinciding from another formidable disclosure. For want of an escapism, the sudden urge to 'kick ass' figured highly as an option.
"What is it with you bleedin' people?" he demanded." Especially you, Rogon.
One minute you're feeding me buckets of diplomatic shit, and the next opportune minute, you conveniently renege on everything we've previously stood for. For two pins I...."
"Mike! listen to me," implored Rogon, "calm down and try to understand where I'm coming from, and by that I mean the system. Due to the complexity of the operation, a decision, taken at the highest level, prevented me from allowing you access to multi-privy information. Any disclosure on my part would have rendered the whole operation into becoming a no-brainer".
"Yeah, well fucking bully for you, Rogon. So tell me, how long has this 'cover up', as you choose to put it, been going on for? Or does that come under the Official Secrets Act as well?"
"I've no intention of going down that road, Mike, but don't think, for a minute, that I'm getting any satisfaction from what has now transpired. This meeting is all about transparency and as of now, you are integral into bringing about the success of operation 'Cuckoos Nest'."
"If I didn't know you any better, Rogon, I'd feel obliged to take that last statement as a compliment. So, putting that to one side, for how long has the operation itself been in existence?"
"Would it surprise you, Mike, if I said approximately a year before you came on board?"
"Shit! What do I know?"
"Believe me, months of meticulous planning has gone into developing this project, hence the enforced security blanket surrounding it in the past."
"Hell, Rogon, you don't do things by halves, do you? So, looking back, my internment was only a small part of the operation?"
"Precisely! Although in real terms, your time spent inside Foredown helped to institute a major over-all contribution."
"Uhm, right now I find myself struggling with that prognosis."
"You do, in what regard?"
"Simply by knowing what we know now. Just to digress for a minute. Brezznov, by his own admission, figured out that I was a 'plant' (incognito) and subsequently played me along like a wet fish."
"Well, if it's any consolation, you can blame the late Steadman, for that, Mike. Having said that, the flipside evolving from one man's fatal mistake, has now left the agency with an unexpected legacy."
"Uhm, something positive at last to dwell on, so, convince me. Right now, the only legacy I've got, Rogon, is a bleedin' headache, whilst trying to make some sense out of operation 'Cuckoo's Nest'. Which reminds me, I've still got an ongoing problem with our man Gauntly. According to you, and I quote, 'the man never existed', is fast becoming my problem, Rogon. That being the case, how the hell did Brezznov manage to obtain and use a bank card belonging to Gauntly, or even Stockfield, come to that?" When responding, Rogon, afforded a rare smile, as a bolster, before continuing.
"I was wondering when you were going to play that card, Mike, and I bow to your tenacity. Briefly, when I stated earlier, that Gauntly never existed, I agree, that on hindsight, I should have given you the benefit of time, to digest the fact of the matter."
"I accept that. So, now that you do have my full interest at heart, I feel that a good reason to justify the fact, wouldn't go amiss. The sooner I know what the hell is going on at this stage, the better. All I require are some facts."
"You have my full attention, Mike. So, on the assumption that you have already done your homework, I can categorically state that the two names, Gauntly and Stockfield, were alias's, used by an agency, Spook, working in conjunction with operation 'Cuckoo's Nest."
"Now why doesn't that surprise me? And the bank card itself?"
"Forwarded to Brezznov, via the same undercover agent, the intention being that it would hopefully encourage Brezznov to surface."
"Well, you certainly succeeded in doing that, Rogon, almost to the tune of four hundred and fifty thousand pounds in art-work, and he still evaded capture. By the way, the alternate covert agent that you're using on the case. Would we have met before?" Rogon steeled himself before replying, as if in anticipation, stemming from what could amount to, as being a verbal hiding.
"Once again I....."
"....a simple yes or no will suffice, Rogon." Eastern cut in.
"In that case, you will have to cast your mind back to HMP Foredown."
"Huh, I'm not likely to forget that episode in a hurry."
"No, quite. Putting that to one side, I'd like you to dwell on the inmates you mixed with, if you will, especially within the domain of the prison kitchens. Does the name, Fuller, mean anything to you?" Almost immediately, Eastern's body language spoke volumes, as a link to his past internment flooded his subconscious.
"Indeed I do. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd have to say that the man in question, including Brezznov, could well have been joined at the hip. I soon became aware that their relationship stank of an uneasy conspiracy. So, why Fuller, and where does he fit into the scheme of things, if at all?" Nodding graciously, in a benevolent manner, Rogon replied in a patronising manner.
"As before, Mike, you're explicit observations have, once again, done you credit. This in turn, makes what I have to state, that much easier. Fuller, in fact, is a covert Spook agent....."
".......what! He interrupted, "you certainly took your time going public with that. Presumably, you had a good reason for not divulging it earlier? Just give me the facts of the matter, Rogon, and be done with it. I only hope that Fuller, is in a position to throw some light on Brezznov's whereabouts."
A pregnant pause followed, allowing Rogon time to gather his thoughts. In one sense, he'd managed to 'get-out-of-goal'. His eleventh-hour decision to expose Fuller, had received a far better response from Eastern than he'd anticipated. Outwardly, his body language, personified 'game-on'. "As I stated earlier, Fuller has been working
under the same directive as yourself, Mike."
"Fine, I don't have a problem with that. Obviously, he was interned at a much earlier date than myself, from what I can gather from his relationship with Brezznov?"
"Once again, your prognosis precedes you, Mike. In fact, Fuller was interned, alongside Brezznov, some six months before you came on to the scene."
"With respect, Fuller certainly had me fooled. His alleged association with Brezznov, was almost believable in my eyes. Which is more than that asshole Brezznov can say. Yeah, I've got a good feeling about where this is all going."
For once in his life, Rogon found himself on a 'plastic' roll, and it showed in his body language. "Hopefully, with the intention of bringing the bastard down, and out of circulation for good!" he exacted, confidently. The vibes that he was now giving out, washed over Eastern's, body, goading him into an immediate reaction.
"Christ, Rogon, and here was I, thinking that your-robot-syndrome was impregnable. Attitude, that's what it's all about. Hang on to it. We have got a lot of talking to do....right?" Acknowledging Eastern's sound advice, became the easy part. conclusions, were always going to be the hardest nut to crack. In the end, it was left to Rogon to put Eastern's mind at rest.
"Trust me, Mike, things will improve. This particular case, frustrating as it is, has been a challenge from the beginning. Nevertheless, using our combined genre's, and by that, I'm talking about a game-plan alluding to a conclusion. What do you say?" Nodding vigorously, Eastern catapulted himself into the verbal arena.
"So, what is the position with Fuller, at this moment in time?"
"Interesting point, Mike. Since Brezznov's Banker's card spree-up West, Fuller has had nothing substantial to share, in the way of information."
"I'm not surprised. He always kept his plans close to his chest. Incidentally, is Fuller still on his payroll?" Rogon didn't hesitate when replying.
"Yes, thank God. Although any SP we do manage to get, is always going to be second-hand. As you're aware, Mike, Brezznov has gone to ground for reasons of his own. Subsequently, even Fuller doesn't know where he's holed-up"
"At least he can't leave the bleedin' country. Saying that, I don't think he gives a shit anyway. He's willing to sacrifice anything, rather than blunt his poxy ego."
Without prompting, a rare smile of recognition briefly crossed Rogon's, face.
"Was it something I said, Rogon?" questioned Eastern.
"Yes, as it happens. You mentioned his ego. That's got me thinking. Knowing his perversion to a challenge,”
…… “Let’s offer him one that he can't refuse." Eastern interjected. "Only, this time, we'll be in a position to be in front of the game, dictating the rules to suit ourselves." For a second or two, a sustained mask of satisfaction carpeted Rogon's, face. Finally, he spoke with grim determination.
"I could kick myself. It was there all the time, staring us in the face. His egotistical trait holds the key to his destiny. Used in the right context, and by that, I mean as a retaliation force, you then expose the flip-side, thus creating a........."
".........fully-blown weakness, attached to a host of scenarios." countered Eastern, "which leads me to suggest that his biggest weakness, when all things considered........"
".........are diamonds!" This time, the moment became ripe for Rogon to intervene, and he lost no time in making a case for it, "If we play our cards right, by devising a scheme to suit his ego, I feel sure that we can nail him."
"Uhm, I like that, Rogon. Right now, a legal 'scam' comes to mind."
"And the bait being?"
"Why, diamonds of course. What else?"
"I couldn't agree more, in fact..."
"Go on."
"Our joint conclusions seem to tie in with a report sent in by Fuller, a few months back."
"And?"
"He stated, and I quote, 'Brezznov revealed to me at one stage, that taking ownership of a particular world-renowned diamond, would become the pinnacle of his career.'"
"Ironic isn't it? It's almost like 'karma' has come back to haunt him. Do we know the stats connected to this acclaimed diamond?" Disengaging himself from their conversation, Rogon referred his new-found interest toward a de-briefing file situated on his desk. After a minute or so, he looked up and spoke. There was no denying the tension attached to his voice.
"Ah, here we are, Mike. God, you're going to love this. You've got to admire the man's taste. No wonder he wants it that badly. The profile report alone will make you feel dizzy, and that's just reading it." Tentatively, he handed the file across for Eastern to peruse. Easing himself back in his chair, he blissfully awaited a foregone reaction.
"Fucksake!" expounded Eastern, "that's not a diamond, it's a bloody rock."
"If that's an assumption, then you're closer to the truth than what you think, Mike.
If that doesn't entice him out, and back into circulation, then nothing will."
"Yeah, exactly my sentiments. The worst way it'll give him something to think about. Going on from that, how does the diamonds potential rate, on a scale of one-too -ten, for example?" Rogon shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, as a mark of defeatism, before replying.
"Value-wise, I couldn't begin to scratch the surface, Mike. What I can say is that the 'Kimberley Legend', as its called, is still uncut to this day, and weighs in at 1,255.3 carats. It originates from South Africa, having been discovered there in the eighties. Arguably, any diamond expert would have no hesitation in ranking it alongside the 'Koh-i-Noor,' the 'Centenary', or even the 'Cullinan'. That gives you some idea of what we're looking at here, especially when you consider that the 'Cullinan' diamond itself, originally weighed in at 3,160 carats alone. It has since been broken down to eleven stones. But please, read on, you'll find the complete history in the file. Personally, I found the contents absolutely fascinating."
Some tension biting minutes later, Eastern glanced upwards, trance-like, mouth agape. Momentarily, he appeared to be lost for words. Finally, it was left to Rogon to extinguish what had virtually become an ordained hiatus. "This is a rare moment indeed, Mike. Certainly for me. I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be stuck for something to say."
"Yeah, well milk the moment, Rogon. A verbal glitch, as far as I'm concerned, is rarer than a 'penny black'. On a serious note, I feel as if I've been on a conducted educational tour, for the last five or so minutes. We are talking serious mind-boggling money here. I'm just worried that Brezznov might even struggle, in terms of finance, to make the 'Kimberley Legend' his own. What are your thoughts on that?" Should he have harboured any concerns, at this juncture, then Rogon, for reasons of his own, ineptly kept them to himself.
"In spite of frozen assets in operation, Mike. I feel quietly confident, that he's got the bollocks, and arrogance, to play along with whatever we propose. No, I'm not unduly worried. We'll cross the monetory bridge when we come to it."
"Is that a 'we' as in you and me, Rogon? Your memory seems to have gone into hibernation. I'm only here for Queen and country, under a bleedin' distress warrant.”
“In other words, don't give me any grief should the mission go belly-up. The buck stops with you, Rogon. When this is all over, I got plans....big plans, which doesn't include a life membership working for Spooks."
Rogon's jaded feeling, were lost in no-mans-land. Unperturbed, and emotionless, Eastern's sentiments, washed over his plastic persona and dissolved. Finally, he replied in a robotic manner. "In fear of repeating myself, Mike. I have always maintained that you have the right fibre to make a good agency man. Having said that, your affiliation toward the agency has always remained subjective, to say the least. This mode will, in time, cease to exist. You will always be one of us, Mike. Not necessarily in day-by-day performance, but merely in spirit, until such time your presence is required. Think of Operation 'Cuckoos Nest' as being a dress rehearsal, for want of an example. Thus far, this is your second mission with Spooks. I think I'd be right in saying that you probably thought that after the Police corruption case, which
I hasten to add, you dealt with most admirably, you wouldn't be seeing me again. But there you have me, Mike. Fortunately, Spooks had other ideas. I therefore rest my case. You really are becoming a habit these days. Rest assured, you will get used to it in time. Right now, we, as a combined unit, have a job to do in bringing Brezznov down. I therefore suggest that we take time out to digress further on. As you so aptly put it, a 'legal scam'"
In Eastern's case, once in a lifetime would be countermand to a trivial lack of insensibility, but to find himself verbally grid-locked, twice in 24/7, was, to his way of thinking, far beyond reproach. They say, and I quote, 'the pen is mightier than the sword'. Not only had Rogon verbally infested Eastern's body, but had come through the back with a bloody great bow on it! Briefly, a sustained silence ensued. The only answer available, could be found coming from a small trickle of blood, resident on Eastern's chin. It's origin being from a gouge in his bottom lip via an irate tooth. Finally, he allowed a look of disbelief to fall away, before breaking their unearthly silence.
"Well, that fucking told me! Rogon. But hear this. The minute I get to see Brezznov 'banged-up', like it or not, I'm out of here...end of." True to form, an unrepentant Rogan legitimately, master-minded the last word.
"That's what I like about you, Mike. So indulge me, when I state you prefer to say it as you see it, it's a great attribute, and a requirement that the agency looks for in a Spook. Now then, down to business. The ball is in your court regarding a 'legal scam', and you have my full backing on it. Then again, owing to the intensity of such a scheme coming into being, I will, of course, need to consult Whitehall as to our intentions. Not that I have any concerns in that department, you understand. The PM will be glad to wash his hands of it. With an election on the horizon, a result could be a penultimate vote-winner. Going on from that, the security involved, as I see it, will be hugely immense, due to the many aspects that will need to be covered."
"We're obviously talking a 'code red' here?" Eastern remarked dryly.