by David Lowe
‘Why have you arranged for us all to go out tonight? It sounds a dangerous game you’re planning?’ David asked.
‘It might seem like that, but I’ll have the whole place covered. I went through Debbie’s analysis of the intelligence and your latest report on McCrossan and his cronies. Now we know one of McCrossan’s main targets is Alan Trevelyan. It would be quite a coup for the Real IRA to assassinate a Supreme Court judge be he retired or not. It’s certainly headline grabbing, as well as showing a defect in our ability to provide security for prominent and important figures on the British mainland. The Real IRA could do with raising their profile. Admittedly the incidents in Lurgan and Omagh, as well as bombing MI5’s offices in Belfast and the shopping centre in Londonderry over the last year or two have let us know they’re still active, but that would be nothing in comparison to showing the world they have the ability to assassinate a Supreme Court judge here on the mainland,’ Jenny said, ‘From the reccies carried out, we think we’ve identified possible locations close to the club for McCrossan to use. We’ve arranged for press releases to be given that Trevelyan’s celebrating his retirement tonight at the Atrium whose members are holding a dinner in his honour. We know the Evening Standard and the Metro newspapers are running the story as have the local radio stations. We hope this’ll entice him and flush out McCrossan.
‘MI5 officers, supported by SO15 will be stationed inside and outside the club. Their main priority is the safety of Alan Trevelyan and Chloe. Ben Solaru’s team along with Steve Adams will be outside the club at locations that give a good view of the entrance to the club and the locations we think McCrossan may use as he watches for any activity. You two will be armed because, if they get really close to Trevelyan, you may have to take a bullet for him. With luck, it shouldn’t come to that.
‘That leads me onto a second point. If nothing happens tonight, I want you two to return to Manchester tomorrow where, along with Steve Adams you will be assigned new tasks. Steve’s to go to Liverpool and assist Merseyside while you’re going to Cheshire’s ISB investigating Declan Murphy, O’Byrne and McElvaney. I’ve sent a message to Cheshire’s ISB to this effect, so they know that you’re with us at the moment and will arrive once events here are concluded after tonight. I also want some digging carried out on this Mark Dunn who has helped the IRA in the past. Our main concern is they may be targeting civilians as well as the judiciary, the security services and potentially politicians. Just like the old days when the IRA showed us they’re not fussy as to where and who they attack, we must expect the same. If they thought Bridge Street in a small town like Warrington was a legitimate target, then it could be anywhere. I know that doesn’t help you to pinpoint your enquiries, but with Murphy and Dunn based up north and possibly bank rolling the Real IRA in Britain, I’ve got the North-West Counter-Terrorist Unit working on this one. So far, the intelligence we have leans to the fact the Real IRA will to try an attack in the north of England. In fact it could be on your own door step. There’s an exhibition and conference at the G.Mex centre in Manchester taking place next week. It’s going to be opened by the Prime Minister a week on Friday.
‘Looking at Murphy in particular as he is the wealthiest of the two, I was thinking if my businesses and my main warehouses are based in the Cheshire and Manchester areas I could accommodate the Real IRA. If I was in their shoes, after assassinating a retired Supreme Court judge, blowing up the Prime Minister would be something I’d go for. That could be the senior political figure your informant told you of David. They’re more likely to be confident of success if they think our attention is diverted watching Al Qaeda and other jihadist extremists. What do you think?’
‘That makes good sense to me. Do you want me to go to Liverpool with David and Steve?’Debbie asked.
‘No, I want you stay in Manchester and flit between there and Bradford with that Al Qaeda job you’re looking at as the G-Mex exhibition may also be an Al Qaeda target. That way you can liaise between West Yorkshire’s ISB, George Byrne and David. I don’t want you having anything to do with Edge. I’ve already got the wheels in motion to have that little prick sidelined on this one. David, you will update me directly on what you do, where you go and on anything you find,’ Jenny said.
‘Any plan that involves me not having to deal with Edge is fine by me. What plans have you got for him then?’ David asked.
Jenny laughed and said, ‘I’m afraid that’s on a need to know basis and you don’t need to know at this stage.’
David said, ‘And what do you want us to do for the rest of the day?’
Jenny looked at the two of them. ‘You two will be busy enough this evening, so I suggest you both leave and spend some time together. Before I forget, here are your rail tickets for the train back to Manchester tomorrow,’ she said handing them an envelope.
Chapter Thirteen
The Atrium Club, London,
19.20 hours, Wednesday, 4th July
‘Are you sure I look alright?’ David asked Debbie who was adjusting his tie outside the entrance to the Atrium Club.
Before Debbie could answer, Steve Adams’ voice came through in their earpieces, ‘Davey, you look gorgeous. I’d fancy you myself if I wasn’t such a god send to women. You’re the lucky one. You’re getting a nice meal while we’re out here watching your back.’
‘No winding me up while I’m hob-nobbing,’ David said over the radio.
‘We’ve got everything covered, so go and enjoy yourself. David, don’t forget that you use the soup spoon away from you and you work from the outside in with the cutlery. Debbie, make sure he drinks from the cup and not the saucer,’ Steve said
David turned to Debbie and said, ‘Ignore him.’ Taking a deep breath he said, ‘Come on let’s go in.’ Entering the club, David’s attention was caught by the ornate ceiling. Admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into creating such a beautiful piece of work, his eyes were drawn down to the highly polished wood panelled walls along with the equally impressive paintings of Atrium members past and present, most of whom had been painted wearing their judges’ robes. Staring at them, he said to Debbie, ‘Just look at the detail in those paintings. Now that’s what I call art, they’re as good as a photograph.’
As he spoke, a voice behind him said, ‘They are rather splendid aren’t they. How can I help you sir?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry mate. I’m David Hurst and this is Debbie Heron. We’re Lord Trevelyan’s guests for the evening.’
The smartly dressed concierge studied the diary page for that evening, running his index finger down the left hand column containing the names of the guests members had invited. As he did so, he kept mumbling, ‘Hurst’. On finding their names he said, ‘Ah yes sir, you’re both expected. Madam would you like me to take your coat?’ As he spoke one of the assistant’s took Debbie’s coat while the concierge said to David, ‘If you and the lady would go through to the room immediately on the right, Lord Trevelyan is waiting for you.’
David ushered Debbie into the room. Once again David was equally impressed with the ornate fittings in the large lounge area that had an equally impressive bar in the far corner of the room. On seeing them enter the room, Alan Trevelyan rose from his seat next to Chloe and walked towards them. As they shook hands, Trevelyan said, ‘It’s been a long time David. I hope that son-in-law of mine’s looking after you at work?’
‘He is, thank you sir.’
‘Please, it’s Alan,’ Trevelyan said as he looked at Debbie.
David nervously said, ‘Alan, may I introduce you to my partner Debbie Heron.’
‘It’s a delight to meet you Debbie,’ Trevelyan said gently shaking her hand. ‘You’re far lovelier than Chloe described you. David, when you say partner, do you mean a life partner or a work partner?’
‘I’m sorry sir, erm, I mean . . .’ Being in an environment containing powerful and senior pillars of society,
feelings of social inadequacy and intimidation came across David causing him to be tongue tied.
Sensing his nervousness, to avoid David suffering any further embarrassment, Trevelyan said, ‘You see that’s the trouble today with all this neutrality of language. If this beautiful young lady is your girlfriend you should be proud to say so. I know I would be. Debbie, go and join Chloe while David and I order some drinks. Now I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. You’re as good as anyone in here and many of the members here are nothing more than jumped up pricks. This reminds me of the first time I met George, he looked just as you do now. What would you like to drink?’
‘I don’t suppose they serve beer here?’David asked.
‘In this bar they do, and if I remember correctly you like drinking bitter. I take it a pint would do for starters and I’ll join you as I’m partial to a proper ale myself, and for Debbie?’
‘A glass of red wine please.’
‘Does she have any preference or would you like me to choose?”
‘Please, you choose,’ David said not having much of a knowledge of wines. Sensing the Atrium would have top wines, he did not want to show his ignorance.
‘I think a nice red Bordeaux would be the tipple for her. Am I right?”
‘That sounds good to me Alan.’
‘I’m not really a connoisseur of wine, but I am of women.’ As Alan was talking a barman approached him, ‘Thank you Mark, two pints of bitter, a large Bordeaux and a double G and T please.’
‘I’ll bring them right over,’ said the barman.
‘Thanks Mark’ said Trevellyan, ‘let’s go and join the ladies. I know that you and Debbie are here to look after me. For that I am truly grateful. We’ll talk about what MI5 have arranged later. For now, let’s join the ladies and wait for your rather clever brother and his wife to join us. I was so pleased to hear Peter’s news. From what I’ve heard about him on the circuit, he’s an excellent advocate, a real fighter. That’s why I like lads from your background joining the legal profession. You fight fearlessly for a cause.’
‘I understand what you’re saying Alan. Thank you, I appreciate it. Actually I’m looking forward to this evening.’
They joined Chloe and Debbie and as the men sat down, Alan said, ‘Young Mark’s bringing the drinks over.’
Chloe leaned over to David and said, ‘I hope Daddy wasn’t boring you with his legal stories?’
‘No it was just the opposite. I was starting to bore him with my police stories.’
Laughing, Alan said, ‘David, none of those tales are boring. When I’ve plied George with a few drinks, he opens up with some wonderful tales of what the police really get up to. Debbie, I should imagine you can also entertain us all evening with some of your experiences. I envy both of you. All I ever got to do was work in an office reading boring case files. The trouble was that I knew they were boring as many of them were my own judgements.’
Chloe looked up and said, ‘Here’s Peter and Felicity.’
Trevelyan got out of his seat and said, ‘Excuse me for a moment.’
As Alan went to greet them, David looked at Chloe and said, ‘It’s been a few years since I met your father. I forgot what a gentleman he is. Anyway he’s in for a treat now in meeting Felicity. I promise to be on my best behaviour when she starts on me, which, once she sits down, will be in about thirty seconds. Look out, here she comes.’
As Felicity joined them, David stood up and said, ‘Hello Felicity, it’s nice to see you. I think you know Chloe don’t you?’
‘Hello David, yes I do, how are you Chloe and you must be Debbie?’
David said, ‘Debbie this is my sister-in-law Felicity. It’s a while since I’ve seen you and our Peter together.’
As they shook hands Felicity said to Debbie, ‘I hate it when David calls Peter “our Peter” it’s as though he and his family own him. I believe your father’s an ambassador.’
‘He’s currently the ambassador to Jordan,’ Debbie said, ‘David and I are going out there next month to join them for a few weeks.’
‘Very nice too,’ said Felicity, ‘It’s nice to get away isn’t it? I imagine your parents will be pleased to see you. Have they met David before?’
‘Not yet,’ Debbie replied, ‘Daddy’s been out there for eighteen months and he’s had no reason to return to the UK.’
‘Well I hope you’ve warned them what to expect, may I suggest you keep him away from any official functions, not only because of his lack of manners but with that temper of his, he could easily cause a diplomatic incident.’ As Felicity sat down next to David, she noticed the two pints of bitter on the table and said, ‘Here’s a classic example of what I’m talking about. David, if you weren’t sat there, I’d know you were here simply by the fact there’s beer on the table. Not just one, but two pints. Just for once can’t you just try to be sophisticated when you come to an establishment like this?’
Walking up behind her, Trevelyan passed Felicity her drink and said, ‘Felicity, could you pass me my pint please?’
Blushing she said, ‘I’m sorry Alan, I didn’t realise.’
As Trevelyan sat down, she passed him his drink. Winking at David, he said, ‘Now we’re all here, let’s toast our new Queen’s Counsel. Here’s to Peter Hurst QC.’
The five of them raised their glasses to Peter who thanked them. David said, ‘I’m so proud of my brother. No offence Alan, but he entered a profession where it’s a case of not what you know, but who you know. Peter’s overcome all of that through tenacity, skill and ability.’
‘Perhaps the rest of your family could learn from Peter’s example,’ Felicity said looking at Trevelyan and Chloe. ‘It took me a couple of years, but I finally managed to smooth Peter’s rough edges as well as help him to lose that god awful Liverpool accent.’
Chloe and Debbie’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Peter cringed while David looked away. Seeing the reaction to Felicity’s comments, rather than lose his temper, David was holding back laughter. Chloe was the first to break the silence. She turned to her father and said, ‘Oh I don’t know, Daddy what do you think? I mean our George’s accent is rather quaint and makes him sort of distinguished.’
Trevelyan looked thoughtfully and said, ‘I agree, his Manchester accent does mark him out. I find men like my son-in-law and David are honest and have integrity. That’s what sets them apart. I don’t know if Chloe would agree with me, but in the legal profession there are just too many social climbers. As they try to rise through the social ranks, they lose those qualities that made them distinctive and individual. They drop their regional accents, begin to drink fine wines or expensive spirits, agree with everything a head of chambers or a senior judge will say, change their interests just to try and fit in and behave in a way they think will make them accepted. Ladies please forgive me, but they are basically a bunch of arse lickers. What do you think David?’
Struggling to stifle his laughter, he said, ‘I’m not changing for anyone. I’m proud of where I come from. There’s nothing worse than dealing with people who aren’t true to themselves.’
Trevelyan nodded in agreement and said, ‘David, I see that you’ve nearly finished your drink. I’ll order two more pints. Peter can I tempt you to join us in a beer?’ Peter looked at Felicity causing Trevelyan to say, ‘Don’t look to your wife for permission. Make your own mind up as to what you would like. In fact I will make it up for you. That’s three pints of bitter and the same again ladies?’
* * *
After they finished their meal Trevelyan said, ‘Gentlemen, I think we should retire outside as I need a smoke. David, I know you smoke. Peter will you join us and have an Irish? I know you’re partial to Irish whiskey. Ladies feel free to order whatever you like. I’ve primed Mark to look after you.’
Trevelyan and the Hurst brothers rose from their seats, wa
lked across the lounge area towards the door at the rear of the dining room leading to the rear courtyard. As it was a pleasant summer evening, the sides of the marquee had been folded back. As the three sat down, David took out his cigarettes and said, ‘This is a classy smoking area Alan.’
‘It’s rather fine isn’t it?’ Trevelyan said producing a leather cigar case from the inside right hand breast pocket of his jacket. Handing Peter a cigar, he took one for himself and offered one to David, ‘Are you sure that you wouldn’t rather have a cigar David?’
‘I prefer cigarettes. I only smoke cigars at Christmas, wedding and christenings.’
‘Now let’s get down to business. David, I’m fully aware that Debbie’s an MI5 officer and that you’re both armed. I noticed that both of you hardly drank any alcohol this evening and I understand why. I’ve spoken to both the Home Secretary and Jenny Richmond from Thames House. They’re trying their best to wrap me up in cotton wool, but I’ve told them I would rather make myself an open target for this McCrossan fellow. Of course, I realise it will result in more of your colleagues being deployed to look after my safety. I believe the more accessible I am to McCrossan, the sooner he will take the opportunity to kill me. Personally, I’d rather it be over sooner, rather than later so I can get on with my life and enjoy my retirement.’
‘That’s very commendable Alan,’ David said, ‘but it’s a risky strategy.
‘I’ve asked George to arrange for you and DC Adams to be my personal protection,’ Trevelyan said, ‘ David, I know you’ve killed members of the IRA before and that tells me you’re not frightened to use that thing hidden under your jacket.’
‘I’ve no objections to doing that, but personal protection’s not really my role. I’m sure George can assign a couple of officers who are more highly trained and experienced than me,’ David said.