“Thank you for that Inspector. I now want to make it clear how we are to handle this. First of all, we have as our starting point this young man, Tom Brooker, possibly badly injured and without any preparation thrust back three or four thousand years. He needs medical help and, I would suggest, some survival aids. I have had one of my staff work on this and we have a list of items that we think should be put into the Larkhill contraption; what is it called again?” Gaskin looked towards Morton-Farrell. “The Beast, Sir.” “Yes, quite so.” Gaskin advanced the next slide which showed a list of items that would excite even an average Boy Scout. “We should send these things back to Brooker in the Beast, perhaps with some written instructions. Now I want the three of you to apply your brains to this and either add or delete things from this list. I then want everything procured as soon as possible and taken to Larkhill. I do not want any further attention to be obvious at the Larkhill site and so I want Morton-Farrell to continue to be our man on the ground, if you are happy with that Waverly.” There was an instant “of course Sir.” Waverly turned to Morton-Farrell who nodded. Gaskin handed out three printed copies of the list and then left the room.
Waverly took the lead and they went through the list and then made several additions. After a few minutes of writing scribbled notes on one of the printed sheets, Alfred found the notebook computer that was connected to the display screen. He produced a new slide showing their amended list. They were worried that it might be too much but at that point in the discussion, Gaskin returned. “Why should there be any limit?” he said. “If we can send it in the Beast, let’s do it.” This prompted several more items to be added. Waverly talked Gaskin through the list. They wanted everything packed into two rucksacks so that Tom could move his kit around quickly if required. The list included medical supplies, some concentrated rations, flints and strikers, five days supply of water and practical clothing. As soon as the list was agreed Gaskin addressed the invisible aid, “Graham, pass this on now. We want it ready tomorrow morning – wake up Her Majesty if you have to. Oh, Graham. Add a lump hammer and masonry chisel to the list.” The response over the loudspeaker was swift. “That’s done Sir.” Waverly was starting to wish that he had a Graham of his own.
Gaskin had more requirements to get across to the joint Special Branch and MI5 team. “I want the watch resumed on the landlord. I do not want him stumbling into any of this, as he is linked to both Brooker and Gordon. If necessary we help him back to his alcoholic oblivion – it is vital that there are no cracks in our protection of this information. Fredericks, get Mutt and Jeff back into that flat to take away that notebook and leave a virus on his computer to sort out anything he may have written about Professor Gordon. Both the Professor and his wife will have to be read on to the VRK, but they are not to be given any information about Stonehenge. I want the three of you back here at 5pm on Monday. The Joint Intelligence Committee is meeting on Tuesday morning and I will be holding the Director’s hand whilst he briefs the status of Stone Message.” With that the meeting ended and Julian Gaskin departed. The others remained in the room to iron out some of the detail.
Chief Inspector Waverly wanted Morton-Farrell to return to the Durrington house without delay. “We must keep an eye on the Gordons until things settle down,” he said. Morton-Farrell said that he would ring them as soon as he was above ground and warn them that he would be returning late. That way he would be able to judge that they were okay. Fredericks was confident that the rucksacks could be delivered to Larkhill by no later than lunchtime the following day. They agreed to keep each other informed of every development and then ended their meeting.
On leaving the building, Chief Inspector Waverly and Inspector Morton-Farrell found themselves walking in the same direction. “Do you get on well with Fredericks, Brian?” Waverly asked. “No problem Sir. We were in training together at Hendon but he left the police after just three years. I lost touch with him and the next time I saw him was about two years ago when we were after that South African arms dealer,” the Inspector replied. After a couple of minutes their paths separated and the Inspector was soon motoring back down to Durrington.
Inspector Morton-Farrell arrived at the rented house a few minutes before midnight and had to ring the bell as he had no key. Both Alison and the Professor were up but in their dressing gowns. Alison had prepared a light supper of melba toast and paté for the Inspector. There was a choice of cocoa or red wine to accompany the snack and he didn’t hesitate to choose the wine. The Gordons kept him company whilst he ate his meal and he was able to give them a sanitised version of the plan. “We are certain that Tom is alive and well but we don’t know quite where, no sorry, quite when he is.” He thought that he had detected an improvement in their frame of mind which was reassuring. “We are going to send some bits and pieces to Tom, including a special medical kit for his toe. The medical people are happy that his wound, although painful, is quite minor.” What he then said made a huge improvement in the Gordons’ mood. “Would you please write a note to Tom and we will include it amongst the things that we are sending. I will need it when we leave here in the morning.” The Inspector was just able to drag himself upstairs to bed as he left Alison and James writing separate notes to their lost young man.
Alison would not need the car that day, as she said that she would take a nice long walk and deliver their sandwich lunch en-route. The Inspector nearly choked on his cornflakes when she said that she was intending to continue on to Stonehenge as “it seems such a significant part of our heritage.” As they left to get in the car the Inspector was pleased to see Alison and James embrace in a most tender and loving way. “Thank goodness”, he thought, “at least the Professor is no longer under any pressure from Alison over Tom’s disappearance.” He then realised how much he was missing his own wife whom he had not seen for several days. At least she was used to his odd hours and short notice trips away.
They drove into the camp at 8.30am but were delayed at the main gate: “because of the heightened security state – we’ve gone up to Amber sir” so the guard on the gate informed them. They had to get out of the car and open the bonnet and boot so that a full search could be made for bombs or weapons. The Inspector guessed that the security state had been raised by someone in London in order to improve local security. It was more discreet than putting in any special security arrangements just for the Dagger Building and it was probably cheaper.
Once at the Dagger Building, the Inspector watched as the Professor entered the security code in order to unlock the door. “Gaskin was right,” he thought, “but how the hell did they find out the combination as it was supposed to be known only to the Professor and Tom Brooker?” He found out in a conversation several days later that copies of all combinations, whether safes or secure door locks were kept in sealed envelopes inside the Adjutant’s safe. Somehow, someone managed to gain access to the information but whether it was with the Adjutant’s knowledge he was never told.
Steve Howson arrived within a few minutes of the Inspector and the Professor. He was able to take the Inspector to one side and tell him just what a state the Professor had been in for the remainder of the day before. “At one stage, I thought that he might do something stupid. Every now and again he would just stop and put his head in his hands and moan that it was all his fault. He looks a damn sight better today though. What news from London, Inspector?” The Inspector knew that he could not mention the Stone Message but he managed the same subterfuge that he had used the evening before with the Gordons.
After bringing Steve up to date, he asked. “I don’t suppose you know if anyone around here has reported a pair of rucksacks appearing out of the blue in or near the Dagger Building?” He felt sure that they would have been told by the omnipotent Quartermaster had that been the case. “What do we do whilst we are waiting for the kit, Inspector?” Steve asked. “Well, I think that we need to make sure that everything is ready for the despatch of the supplies for Tom, but I think that we
could start with…” The Inspector had a naughty grin on his face and imitated the drinking of tea from an imaginary cup. “Bloody hell, if I had a quid for every cup of tea that I’ve made for you, I’d be a bloody millionaire.”
Whilst their mugs of tea were cooling down, the three went about some simple housekeeping. Had Tom been there everything would already have been in its proper place but after just over an hour, which included time out for tea, everything was ship-shape and Bristol fashion. Which was just as well as the next excitement was about to happen. A loud banging on the door announced the arrival of the backpacks. The courier was none other than Alan Fredericks. At the door, he said to the Inspector. “Tell the Professor that I’m with Special Branch and my name is Alfred. I just had to come down and see this. I told Gaskin that I had to be here to make sure that everything went as planned. Oh, our kit list required a third rucksack, but I am sure Tom will manage.” The Inspector was pleased to see Alfred, and a quick wink and a nod to Steve secured the cover story.
The Inspector wanted to get things moving. The sooner that Tom had his medical kit the better. “James, have you got the notes that you and Alison have written?” The notes were produced and contained in a long white envelope with “Tom Brooker, Urgent” written on the outside. Alfred put the envelope inside a clear plastic map case that had a far more important note inside titled “SURVIVAL KIT - READ THIS FIRST”. The three rucksacks were placed side by side in the centre of the Beast. The Professor set everything up and was happy that the despatch should take place. He was looking nervous again but then each of the other three would admit to sweaty palms and raised heart rates if asked.
“Now, we must get this right first time.” The Professor said just as Alfred’s mobile phone rang from his jacket pocket on a hook near the main door. The Professor cast a worried glance towards the source of the interruption. “Ignore it. Sorry Professor,” said Alfred. The Professor went over to one of the power supplies. “Bugger,” he said and immediately went back to the computer on the bench. “Brian, could you help me please?” The Inspector went over to the work bench.
“The power supply has tripped. I need to reset the driver on the outside of the Beast. When I say, press Control and R on the keyboard. That will initiate the reset.” The Professor went over to the Beast and squatted down and reached out towards a large cable that was attached to one of the two ribs that formed the doorway. None of the other three had a clue what he was doing, but he appeared to be managing to sort out the problem. He then took out a small screwdriver from his white lab-coat pocket and went into the Beast to adjust something important. He called out. “I’ve found it. We can do the reset now. Press Control and R at the same time now, Brian.”
At that instant, the Inspector’s mobile phone rang. The Professor was getting agitated. The Inspector chose not to answer the call but apologised and asked, “Control, then what James?” The answer was swift. “Control and R, get on with it man.”
Alfred and Steve were standing near the end of the bench and were disappointed that things were not going quite to plan. Even so, it was still very exciting and they were sure that the rucksacks would be on the way to Tom at some point that day. They all understood the Professor’s agitation at such a critical stage. The Inspector followed the instruction given to him, pressed Control and R. The power supplies hummed, the computer beeped and the alarm messages appeared on the screen. Alfred dropped his water bottle just before the open top made contact with his lips. Steve cried out “No! Press Cancel.” But there was no cancel button. The Inspector did not realise what he had done at first as he was watching the reactions of the other two. When he turned his gaze to the inside of the Beast, he realised. The rucksacks had gone and so too had the Professor.
Nobody said a word for nearly a minute. The three just stared and stared at the Beast. The Inspector moved from the work bench to the Beast and then stared back at Alfred and Steve. “Oh Shit. Shit bloody Shit,” was all he could say. “Is that it Brian? Is that what this thing does? Has he really gone?” Alfred was not sure what he had just witnessed. “That’s it. He’s gone. Let’s hope that Tom doesn’t kick the living daylights out of him when he turns up.” The Inspector then turned his attention to the consequences of what had happened. “I think that I’ve been tricked into being an accomplice to this cock-up. What do I tell Waverly?”
Alfred was thankful that he had not initiated the dispatch of the Professor. “I suggest it’s what Waverly says to Gaskin that you should think about.” The Inspector was quick to point out “Remember Alfred, you’re here to make sure everything goes as planned.” The only one of the three not feeling vulnerable was Steve but then his mobile phone rang. He answered it and the other two watched him stiffen up with dread. “Yes Sir. They are both here.” Steve was talking to Chief Inspector Waverly who wanted Inspector Morton-Farrell put on the line. Steve knew that his boss would need a second or two to compose himself and so as quick as a flash, he said. “They’re all on the far side, Sir. I’ll get him to call you in three seconds.” Waverly was impatient. “Has the kit been sent yet?” Steve replied, “Yes Sir.” The line went dead.
As Steve explained his brief call with Chief Inspector Waverly, the other two were checking their phones. “Gaskin tried to get me a few minutes ago,” said Alfred. “And Waverly tried to get hold of me,” said the Inspector. “I better call him. The shit is about to hit the fan now.” He was dreading the consequences of allowing the Professor to pull off that stunt.
As the Inspector returned the call to Waverly, Fredericks returned the call to Gaskin. Neither of them was on the telephone for long. Both bosses were told of the Professor’s disappearance and both bosses informed their subordinates of the events in London that morning. Gaskin’s account to Fredericks was the most succinct. “At 8am this morning a man claiming to be Tom Brooker arrived at reception here in Thames House. He was sent away by the man from the evening shift, but he returned at 9am and asked to see a contact he called Alfred. A couple of phone calls later it was discovered that you were away and so he insisted on seeing someone else. Luckily, I was called and I had him put in one of the guest suites. I am told that he is in good health but a little tired. I want you and Waverly’s Inspector back here, ASAP. There is a helicopter en route now. The pilot has been told to expect three passengers, but now it will be just two. Pity about the Professor. I will not get involved with Brooker until you are both here.”
The Inspector and Fredericks finished their telephone calls and looked at each other with expressions of incredulity. Steve did not know what was going on and after being brought up to date adopted a similar expression. “What do we say to Alison Gordon?” he asked. “She must be told nothing,” said Fredericks who then checked his watch and added, “Shit. She’s due here any minute with our lunch.” They knew that she wanted to walk to Stonehenge after dropping off the lunch, and so they agreed to make up a story that the Professor was with the Quartermaster and after that would be flying to London to meet one of the Government scientists.
When Alison arrived with lunch, she was serene. She had taken some time to get through the main gate of the camp due to the security measures, but despite that she was cheerful and composed. She put her bag down and took out two bags of sandwiches which she had wrapped individually for the Inspector and Steve. “I am so sorry, not to bring you anything, Alfred. Nobody told me that you would be here,” she said. There were no sandwiches for the Professor, but she pulled out an envelope from her bag and gave it to the Inspector. “This is for you, Brian. James asked me to give it to you. I know what he was planning. Did he get away okay?” One could have heard a pin drop as she waited for a reply. “Ye-yes. He’s gone with the provisions that Alfred had brought from London. He is a very brave man,” said the Inspector who felt very uneasy, as he added, “there was a medical kit amongst the stuff and he will be able to sort Tom out very easily.” Alison Gordon smiled and turned to leave. “I am going on to Stonehenge now. When James an
d I came down here looking for a house to rent we drove there and we sat together and watched the sun go down. It was very special for us both. I told him that I would never forget that moment. I will always keep dear James and my lovely Tom close to my heart.” She left before either the Inspector, Fredericks or Steve could say anything.
The Inspector opened the letter from the Professor. He read it out loud to the other two. “Brian, I am sorry to have tricked you into sending me to Tom’s side. I knew that you would not know the control codes and that you would think that you were doing a Reset. I could not live with the guilt of sending Tom away and it is dreadful to think that he could be lying on his own in the middle of nowhere and unable to cope with his injury. Alison and I have discussed this at length. At first we thought that we would somehow try and go together, but I would not allow that. Who knows what epoch the Beast would have sent Tom into and that might be the wrong place for a woman. I have had a very good life and my father, during his lifetime, had made the most generous provision for me. I had always hoped that he would one day make himself known to me, but I have lost all hope of that as he is surely dead. My only regret is that Alison and I could not have had the gift of a child and that is why young Tom now means so much to me. Please look after Alison until she has had time to come to terms with this dreadful messy end to our life together. I will keep her close to my heart for ever more and will always be grateful to you for your kindness over the last few days.” The Inspector finished reading the letter and immediately Fredericks swallowed the lump in his throat and said, “We can’t just let Alison go off on her own.” He turned to Steve. “Any minute now, Brian and I have to go to London. Can you go after her now and make sure that she is safe?”
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