Everything to Lose (32 page)

"Prime
Minister this is interesting," said Sir Milton Johhns reading from the Shawlens file.

"Go
on Milton," the PM said.

"During
the James Barscadden incident Shawlens was captive on a Russian boat heading for Russia. Two US F16's were dispatched to destroy the boat but the SBS boarded the boat and executed a successful rescue in the nick of time. The CIA told us that they were after a Russian agent called Zavarok and aborted the F16's when the SBS confirmed Zavarok killed. Zavarok was a well known target so up until this moment I accepted their explanation.

On
the basis of what you have just told us Prime Minister. It would seem the US was prepared to destroy a Russian boat, in UK waters, to prevent Shawlens falling into the hands of Russian agents," Sir Milton Johhns said.

"That's
it then. They will do anything to protect their national security. His fate is already sealed. I am content to hand him over but I must stress that the money saved by not replacing Trident must remain in the Ministry of Defence," said the Defence Secretary.

"Provided
their offer is backed with binding contracts. I say give him up for the good of the country," said the Deputy PM.

"Obviously
he's done something serious to undermine their national security so reluctantly I agree. We should hand him over sooner rather than later," said the Foreign Office Secretary.

"Maureen
you are unusually quiet," the PM said to the head of the JIC.

"I'm
trying to get my simple mind around the maths Prime Minister. Thirty-four billion dollars. Plus let's say for argument sake another six to make the Argies go away. I cannot think of anything this man Shawlens could possibly have or know that would be worth forty billion dollars.

I
think the sum total of all that we know around this table is not even worth forty million dollars. If it was a crime or terrorism they would show us the evidence and we would gladly cough him up. I know this is not real money but surplus kit they already have and can afford to hand over. Even so.

Whatever
the issue is with Shawlens, it must be incredible, colossal and maybe world-shaking. BUT they don't want us to know anything about it. He's not a physicist so it can't be nuclear or space. Maybe he's found a way to turn sand into water. I don't know but I sure as hell want to know. What on Earth is worth this wrath of God amount of money?" she said and most of the people around the table agreed, nodded and added supporting comments.

"Any
other comments?" the PM asked.

"I
think it's curious that the Department of Defence is paying. Okay they're not parting with cash but the loss of these subs and equipment will still be painful," said the Defence Secretary.

"They
know we need a deterrent and they can write these off without too much reduction in their nuclear capacity. It's a loss of income to the US Treasury not to the DoD," said the CDS.

"The
time limit troubles me. It usually means something is going to happen soon. Should we be preparing for some impending doom, an end of the world thing?" The Home Office Secretary said.

"I
was assured that there is no imminent danger or threat to the UK. The planet is not going to die next week," said the PM.

"One
way or another. The yanks will have their way. I think we have to accept the inevitable. We might as well get some benefit for the country and solving the Argy problem will mean a great deal to the public. I don't mind handling that issue if you want," said the Deputy PM.

The
PM moved his head slowly around the room looking carefully at each face to assess the degree of support or opposition to the proposal.

"Are
we all agreed then?" the PM asked.

No
dissent was offered. The room sensed that the PM had made his decision. Not since he was twelve years old had anyone been able to tell the PM what to do. He had made it clear to each of them when he became PM that he was incontestably the boss. Even his chosen posse of political advisors were purposely all too young and too timid to tell him what to do. He had already made his mind up.

"If
anyone wishes to disagree, please speak now."

The
room remained silent.

"So
be it. Draft contracts are already on their way from the White House. They need to be thoroughly scrutinised in a very short time so all of us must free-up space to collectively deal with this urgent task."

"My
secretary will coordinate a series of meetings to distribute the work, collate your feedback and prepare a follow-up meeting," said the CDS.

The
CDS and the Prime Minister stood up first then the others around the table started to gather their things. Before any discussions started the Prime Minister spoke to everyone in the room.

"Let
me be absolutely crystal clear on this matter. What we do here today is covered by the collective COBRA responsibility agreement and the Official Secrets Act.

I
sincerely hope all of you understand the scale of the shit-storm that will engulf each and every one of us if this decision goes public. Because it will block out the sun for the rest of your life. Milton you have forty-eight hours to find out what the bloody hell I'm selling here for forty billion dollars."

51

Reagal
Close
,
Cosham

Three days after his return from Prague Gavin felt sure he could make full use of his leg again. He did thirty minutes running on the spot and felt nothing unusual in the leg that had been injected with 80PGen. He was sure he'd given his immune system plenty of time to clear the foreign material from his body.

It
was almost nine p.m. It was dark, cold and wet outside so the central heating boiler was moaning loudly as it battled to heat up the flat. Zoe Tampin sat upright on the living room settee. Her laptop perched on a cushion resting on her knees. She was working on the SLIPFIRE operation final report. Her SEM mobile phone signalled 'incoming secure call'.

"Voice
ID please," a female voice asked.

"Zoe
A. Tampin, Section B, number, twenty-ten-seventy-nine, Cosham, Hampshire, twenty-fifty nine," Zoe replied looking at her wristwatch for the time.

"ID
confirmed. Please hold for Sir Milton Johhns."

Zoe
put her laptop on a coffee table, sat up straight and her mind sharpened to a fine point. She had met the Head of MI5 only a few times to say hello. She had never had a conversation with him and expected that he didn't even know her.

A
personal call from the head boss was not a regular experience. SLIPFIRE was done but it was a bit too early for a congratulations call. If there was an urgent update then Cairn would call. So what was this call about? Her mind raced ahead of itself.

Maybe
Rolley Morgan was related to the Sir Milton Johhns and he wanted to know more about Rolley's death. A briefing snapped into place ready to be told if that was what this was about. It's a bit late in the evening for that she thought.

Maybe
the government agency involved with the Bulgarians has asked the Head of MI5 to intervene and he wants the files. A government to government deal. Maybe they know she is waiting for them.

Maybe
Cairn is dead but the Lambeth Group VC would take over. There would be a RED FLASH. Oh hurry up and get on, her mind urged. Finally Sir Milton Johhns spoke.

"Zoe?"

"Yes sir."

"Can
you speak freely?"

"Yes
sir."

"Do
you have control of Dr Shawlens?"

"Yes
sir. I have him here. He's having a shower."

"Oh
I didn't realise .... That you and he were …. um," he muttered.

"It's
nothing like that sir. He's still under my protection for the moment."

"Why
is that?"

"The
SLIPFIRE op is done but there are some loose ends to sort out. We're waiting for them to turn up here."

"What
sort of backup do you have?"

"I
have Special Forces teams on rotating eight hour shifts. One team is parked outside in a removals van. Police armed response units are on fifteen minutes standby if I need them."

"Zoe.
I have just discovered that Gavin Shawlens is much more than a simple academic. He's a vital key that our American cousins are desperate to possess. He's in grave danger."

"Roger
that sir. What do you want me to do?"

"I
want you to take Shawlens and I want you both to go dark. Do this tonight, as soon as you are ready."

"Can
I have an MI5 safe house?"

"No.
Most definitely not. Do you have your own doghouse?"

"Yes."

"Take him there but only if you're sure no-one here or at Six knows its location. Or you might want to keep that place in reserve. It's your call Zoe."

"Understood
sir."

"I
am sending you the precise location of a car drop two miles east of your current position. I have placed a black cabin luggage case in the boot containing the usual stuff plus extra cash and equipment. The car keys are under the front wing on the driver's side. I alone will be your contact. There is a ghost phone in the pack for direct contact. Don't use it for any other calls. Disable both of your Lambeth Group phones."

"Yes
sir but I have a short-range subdermal tracker in my arm."

"I
will scramble your frequency long enough for you to get out of range. This will bring your Special Forces crashing into your position. Be ready to leave. There is a magnetised arm band in the case that will mask your arm tracker."

"Thanks
sir I wouldn't want to have Shawlens cut it out."

"Zoe,
when the shit hits the fan, all the sisters and the cousins will be hunting for Shawlens. You must be deep to avoid confrontation. You must not trust anyone in the services, not even your friends."

"What
force am I authorised to use if discovered?"

"Zoe
you must not be discovered. When this kicks off they will label you rogue, to be killed on sight. Do what you must to keep Shawlens hidden. There are written orders from me in the luggage case so your backside is covered when this is over."

"Absolute
worst case. If I'm overrun, do you want me to prevent Shawlens from falling into enemy hands?"

"No.
Repeat no," he said loudly and it made her eyes blink.

"Understood
sir. Is it just him or is their baggage to go?"

"Just
him."

"Anything
else I need to know, sir?"

"Zoe
I am going to break the usual need-to-know protocol and tell you why I am asking you to do this difficult job."

"Thanks
sir. Greatly appreciate your trust in me."

"Today
the PM informed a meeting of COBRA that Gavin Shawlens has something, probably knowledge, that's worth tens of billions of dollars to the USA. The Americans want to buy him from us as if he was a bloody pizza pie. Our grubby political masters have agreed to sell him to the CIA. I need more time to find out why they want him."

"Waow!
So Shawlens was the target."

Now
it
all
falls
into
place
she thought.
It
was
the
CIA
who
sent
Vindanson
to
Prague
.
It
was
the
CIA
who
bugged
our
flat
.
It
was
the
CIA
who
killed
Scott
and
Ivan
.
The
CIA
tried
to
kill
Gavin
Shawlens
.

"If
we can get a hold of what he knows then he might cease to be a target."

"Does
he need to know why he's going off the grid?"

"No,
don't spook him. I suspect he's not even conscious of what he knows. So keep a close eye on him. The cousins are seemingly on a clock so there might be something about to pop."

"O
.., K ..," she said mysteriously.

"What
is it Zoe?"

"He's
been having nightmares."

"What
does he recall?"

"Fragments,
nothing I can understand. I'm sure it's not a full picture yet. To be honest I haven't paid much attention."

"Zoe
this could be very important. Tease out his nightmare. It might be a key."

"Roger
that sir," she said then thought
how
the
hell
do
I
do
that
.

"Any
clue what it is I'm looking for? Is it a biochemical thing?"

"Zoe
I've been through his life with a nit comb. I can't find anything that he's done or worked on that might explain where the cousins are coming from. All they say is Gavin Shawlens has put their national security at risk. For the life of me I can't see how."

"I'll
embrace the unexpected."

"Now,
exactly how long do you need to get ready?"

"Thirty
minutes. Three, two, one, check."

"Check.
I'll be in touch, a bit later on, not quite sure ...," he said and she sensed apprehension in his voice.

"Everything
will be just fine sir. We'll go dark and await your instructions. I know their search methods back to front. They won't find us I guarantee it."

"Zoe."

"Yes sir."

"There
is no one else in the entire country I would rather have looking after Shawlens than you. Keep him safe. Watch your back. God speed. Johhns out."