A Real Job (34 page)

Sitting in one of GMP’s Branch cars on the corner of Poppythorn Lane and Glebelands Road in Manchester, Alex Bullard anxiously looked at her watch. ‘What time do you make it George?’ she asked her DI sat next to her.

George looked at his watch and said, ‘I’m sure it’s the same time you make it. It’s twenty past six. That’s the fourth time you’ve looked at your watch in the last couple of minutes. Don’t fret. The rapid entry team’ll be here any moment. Enjoy these last couple of minutes of calm, as I can’t think of any other better way of spending an early Sunday morning.’

Parked behind them was a van containing the rest of David’s team. Behind them was a van containing the forensic evidence team. Deciding there was enough evidence, Yorkshire’s Counter-Terrorism Unit and MI5 arranged a series of early morning raids to go ahead on the Al Qaeda operatives in Manchester and Bradford at the same time that Sunday morning. For George, the raid in Poppythorn Lane was a great inconvenience. Earlier that morning Debbie called him to tell him about the attempted abduction of Siobhan at Diamonds Club in Liverpool. On hearing this, George knew the Real IRA investigation was reaching a climax especially as Merseyside’s Special Branch along with Steve Adams had successfully executed the search warrant on the guesthouse in Liverpool, arresting all six targets. If that was not enough, just before he set out with Hurst’s team that morning, he received a call from Cheshire to inform him that his old friend, Alec Harvey had committed suicide in his cell. He knew this would take that particular investigation to new heights as the Independent Police Complaints Commission would be involved, not just because Alec was a police officer, but also because he died in police custody. Even so, George felt he should be with Alex. This was her first raid as officer in charge and he promised to help her.

‘I know how busy it’s been for you, so I really do appreciate you coming out to help me,’ Alex said.

‘I wouldn’t have missed your first entry and search operation as a DS for anything. I remember my first time and just like you are now, I was worried about the things that could go tits up, such as the intelligence being wrong.’

A look of anxiety came over Alex’s face as she said, ‘God, I never thought about that.’

‘Don’t worry. We’ve got that much intelligence and evidence on this job, it’s coming out of our ears. Once firearms have sterilised the house and it’s secure, remember, you’re the boss not me. You tell me what to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s a mundane or a dirty role. You’re the officer in charge. I’ll only interfere by giving you the odd suggestion if I think you’ve overlooked anything. Going by how you’ve handled this operation so far, I don’t think I’ll be doing much of that.’

‘Thanks George. The other thing on my mind is the team’s so used to how David runs the show . . .’

Cutting Alex short George said, ‘He’s got total faith in you and thinks you’re one of the best bobbies on the team.’ Seeing in the corner of his eye dark clothed figures wearing helmets and body armour crouching as they ran towards the house, he said, ‘Here’s the rapid entry team.’ George looked over at the targets’ house and added, ‘Looks like the entry team is getting into place and they’ve got the duplicate key out. Here we go.’

The two watched as the firearms officers dressed in their protective equipment burst the front door open. As the door swung open, the firearms officers streamed into the house and the stillness of the early summer’s Sunday morning was punctuated with shouts of, ‘Armed police. Lie still’. Monitoring the radio transmissions, the waiting Special Branch officers followed the progress of the rapid entry team. Alex was looking at the plan of the house, plotting their movements as they relayed over the radio each room they entered to make the house safe.

Seeing the intensity in Alex’s face George smiled and said, ‘Your intelligence was spot on. Just like you said, there’s been no snarling dogs, no surprise guests staying over, just our two targets sleeping like babies. Well done Alex. That’s an excellent piece of work.’

‘You’re flattering me now. I bet you say that to all of the girls,’ Alex said reaching over into the back seat of the car to pick up her file relating to the investigation. ‘I’ll get ready to go over.’

‘Good. All we need now is the warrant,’ George said still watching the front door of the targets’ house.

‘I gave that to you. Don’t tell me . . .’

‘I’m only pulling your leg. It’s here,’ George said pulling it out from the inside pocket of his jacket. Reporting the house was secure and safe to conduct the search, the firearms unit inspector requested the attendance of the officer in charge of the search over the radio. Both Alex and George got out of the car and George said, ‘You go over on your own. I’ll bring the rest of the team over in a minute.’

‘I’ll go over and show the warrant to Islam and Hussain, then I’ll call you in.’

*     *     *

Approaching eight o’clock that morning David and Debbie were working in Alec Harvey’s Cheshire’s ISB office when George rang David. ‘Hi George, how did it go with Alex and the rest of the team this morning?’ David asked

‘Like clockwork,’ George said, ‘Both targets are in custody. On top of that, we found plenty of evidence to tie them into West York’s investigation. How’s your family? I heard what happened.’

‘They’re fine. They’re staying in an MI5 safe-house for the moment. I haven’t seen or spoken to them yet, as I’m under strict orders not to approach them. I’ve spoken to Steve. They’ve got McElvaney and Pickup at the custody suite at St. Anne Street and he’s going to interview Pickup later this morning with one of the officers from Merseyside. He thinks he’s the weak link, so he feels he’s more likely to empty him out than McElvaney. Seeing how Pickup pissed his pants when Debbie had the gun to his head, I think Steve’s right.’

‘What about O’Byrne?’

‘He’s under armed guard in a side room at Liverpool’s Royal Hospital. He’s only got concussion, but they want to keep him in for twenty-four hours for observation, then he’s going to be taken over to St. Anne Street nick.’

‘That’s good. At least they’re out of the way. I take it you’ve heard about Alec Harvey?’

‘Yes, poor bastard, obviously he couldn’t face doing time. I also feel for the poor custody officer on whose watch he killed himself.’

‘True. Stupid Alec, I was going to see him this morning and see if we could sort out another tactic with the CPS, but as you said, it seems he couldn’t face what was coming his way. With a DCI committing suicide in police custody and the IPCC being involved, it’ll be all over the papers and the TV. I’ve spoken to Julia Hudson and she’s agreed that her press department make no mention that Alec was Special Branch and also keep out the fact his arrest is tied into a Real IRA investigation.’

‘That makes sense. Was she alright with that?’

‘She knows it’s not a lie, it’s just simply withholding information that could jeopardise the progress of the investigation if it was released now. No doubt, when this is all over it will all come out. I told her the last thing we need now is media attention interfering with our investigation. You know what journalists are like with these twenty-four hour news channels, they’re like a dog with a bone and analyse the slightest tit-bit, no matter how insignificant it is. That only causes widespread panic, as well as having knobheads on the likes of Facebook setting up sites heralding our targets as heroes. What’s the latest on the six they got in Shiel Road?’

‘Three are detained at St. Helens custody suite and the other three are at a custody suite in Birkenhead. As well as the targets, Merseyside were surprised to find the explosives and firearms at the guesthouse. We can only assume, but it looks like they were ready to make their move today or tomorrow on their intended target. It looks like we got them in time before they could do any damage. Talking to Steve, he said there are four novices out of the six they lifted and they’ve put the four of them together at Birkenhead custody suite.’

‘What are your plans for this morning?’ George asked.

‘Debbie’s staying here until about mid-day. She’s not had any sleep yet, so she thought she’d tie up a few loose ends and then turn in for a few hours this afternoon. I’m going to join Gary Baker’s team outside Murphy’s house in around half an hour.’

‘I’m leaving for Chester in a few minutes with Paul Edge. My priority is sorting out this mess with Alec Harvey. Once I get to Chester I’ll ring you.’

‘Thanks George, I’ll speak to you then.’

As David put his mobile phone on the desk, he was about to tell Debbie what George said when Michael McCullagh stormed into Alec’s office and said, ‘What are you two fucking doing in this office? Have you no respect for the dead? Both of you get the fuck out of here. Now!’

David stood up and moved towards the DI. Sensing he was about to give a mouthful to McCullagh, Debbie grabbed hold of David’s arm and calmly said, ‘DI McCullagh I suggest you calm down. Under the orders from MI5 I’ve commandeered this office. And for your information, I’m sorry what happened to DCI Harvey.’

‘I don’t give a shit how sorry you are, where are your fucking orders? I want to see them. As I’m the senior officer in this department, I’m acting DCI and this is my office,’ McCullagh said walking round the desk to where Debbie was sitting.

David held out the flat of his right palm to McCullagh and said, ‘There’s no need to kick off like this. What’s your fucking problem?’

Walking towards David, McCullagh’s face reddened with anger as he brushed past Debbie and said, ‘My problem’s you, you interfering piece of Scouse shit. I know what your job is. You’re here to destroy this department. You’ve already got the teams split, suspecting each other as to who this fucking mole is and it was you that effectively killed Alec with your suspicions. You think you’re the fucking business, the big I am just because you’ve been involved in some big jobs and that you’re shagging an MI5 officer.’

Squaring up to him, David leant into McCullagh’s face, ‘Too fucking right I’m good, but I’d never show any disrespect to someone who’s earned it and you fucking haven’t. The man who had this office last stole just over a million quid from your budget, a budget that could be used to save officers’ lives. The way you’re fucking acting, it wouldn’t surprise me the reason you’re pissed off is because he gave you a cut.’

Prodding Hurst in the chest with his right index finger, McCullagh said, ‘You fucking bastard! I’ve had to put up with some shit from the Brits since I’ve been working here. Talking to me about Ireland, telling me you’re half Irish on your mother’s side to gain my trust. I don’t give a shit! You’ve got no real Irish blood in you. I know what you’ve done when you’ve been over there. I’ve put up with some shit, but you’re the biggest heap of shit I’ve had to put with, you fucking Scouse bastard.’

Jumping out of her seat and getting in between the two officers, while Debbie found what was said in anger interesting, sensing McCullagh was trying to get David to lose his temper and hit the DI so he could have David arrested, she shouted, ‘Just shut the fuck up, both of you!’ Both stopped and looked at her. ‘Thank you gentlemen. We are in the middle of a major investigation and on top of that, there’s the Royal visit that you’ve been organising Michael. We’ve got a number of Real IRA targets running around the northwest of England. In addition to this, a DCI who had been an excellent detective in his day has been found out to have embezzled just over a million pounds and all you two can do is shout and squabble like dickheads. Mister McCullagh, I suggest you ring this number and talk to senior intelligence officer Jenny Richmond. She’ll confirm that I’m to use this office and you have no authority to remove DS Hurst from this investigation. DS Hurst, go and join DS Baker’s team out in the field. I can go through the files on my own. Mister McCullagh, once you’ve made the call, I suggest you return to your own office and continue with the preparations for the Royal visit. If there are any significant developments in my investigation, as you’re now the acting head of the department, I’ll let you know.’

McCullagh looked at both Debbie and David, turned on his heels and began to leave the office. As he opened the door, he looked back at them and said, ‘Fuck you. Fuck the both of you.’

David looked at Debbie. Knowing she was taking the sting out of the heated exchange, he said, ‘Thanks Debbie. I was just about to hit the ignorant fucker. I’ll join Gary now. Its best I get out of this office. I don’t think I’ve got too many friends around here at the moment. No doubt they’re all blaming me for Alec killing himself.’

‘Before you go, think about what just happened with McCullagh. It’s interesting to hear what people say when their guard’s dropped.’

‘What do you mean? I didn’t say anything that could compromise this investigation.’

‘You didn’t, but McCullagh did. You most probably didn’t take in what he said because your temper was up. I was surprised to hear the hatred in his voice when he referred to putting up with the “Brits”. He virtually spat the word out. Do you remember, when he said you’ve got no Irish blood in you?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t think anything about it,’ David said raising his eyebrows trying to work out what Debbie was getting at.

‘Think about what McElvaney said to you when you arrested him when they tried to kill Steve? He said exactly the same thing to you. Also the term “Brits” is not one I would expect to be used by an Irishman that’s lived in England for nearly thirty years, who’s married to an English woman and whose children have been born and raised here. Also, how did he know what you got up to Ireland? I don’t think he was referring to when you see the family in Mayo, I think he’s talking about McCrossan and the shooting last Thursday,’ Debbie said giving that knowing look.

His temper subsided, David thought for a second, ‘Are you suggesting McCullagh’s the mole? He can’t be. You’re reading too much in what he said in anger. He’s got commendations. He’s respected by the officers in this department and has a good investigative record, even from his days when dealing with PIRA.’

‘Think about it. It’s perfect. Having a good record helps to avert any suspicion his way. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was him that informed PIRA that Steve was hiding in the garden of that house you were watching in ninety-six and that he’s been their man ever since he joined the police.’