[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
style of the former Conservative politician David Hestletine, and
with a pair of aviator sun glasses propped up on his forehead. He
looked the image of what he was, a playboy car racer. Independently
wealthy with family money from the old empire, he had spent much
of his wealth pursuing his hobby of endurance sports car racing. He
had won his class at Le Mans on three occasions, but had never had
the commitment to give his all to the major works teams and win
the big one. It didn t bother him. He loved the thrill of driving and
hated it when he had to get out of the car for other drivers to take a
stint. He always drove the most laps and always was in the cockpit
of his car when it crossed the finishing line of the last lap. He was
also a member of the Star Council, and as his role meant he rarely
visited Cheltenham, he had a fully functioning remote office in a
secure room at his home. With lions and other exotic animals
roaming the grounds in carefully controlled enclosures, security was
easy to manage, hidden amongst the trappings of the security
needed for a safari park, were the security measures needed for a
remote office of the Department of Overseas Analysis, the outside
face of the Star Chamber.
Sit down David, the Colonel instructed, waiting until Racer
was seated before continuing. I think it is time for a change.
How so Colonel, everything seems under control, why
change?
75 | Page
New Assignments
The Colonel sat forward in his chair and pushed his finger
tips together, looking Racer straight in the face as he lied. Nothing
is amiss David, I just feel that with Henry having gone, it was time
to review who was focussing on what. I want you to look into the
American issues, and that means I need to get someone else to take
on your focus of Target One.
Target One is very quiet Sir, he hasn t peeped for over a
year. There is no activity consistent with his claim in any of his
emails or conversations. None of his associates at work even know
of his history.
That is fine then David. I am more concerned about Gustav
Waldemeir. We have renewed intel from our American cousins on
Waldemeir. He is somewhat anti British and there is a thought now
that he might be anti monarchy. He has connected to a number of
Internet chat rooms that discuss alternate monarchies, although
never interacted directly, he just listens in so to speak. I think that is
a tad suspicious, as do the cousins, which is why they raised it with
us. He hasn t frequented the rooms just once, but on several
occasions, and that is not co-incidence. Not interacting smacks of
covert behaviour, and his love of American Endurance Racing gives
us an opportunity, I think the time has come for you to spread your
wings stateside. Befriend him and see if you can tease him out of his
shell. Find out the true feelings of Gustav Waldemeir.
I am obviously familiar with Gustav Waldemeir, I had
wanted to shadow him some years ago, but you felt that I was too
obvious. What has changed may I ask?
Nothing David, water has simply flowed under the bridge
and now is a more prudent time for you take over his dossier.
Fair enough Sir. Will you want me to brief whoever takes
over from me on Target One?
Not at this stage David, no. I want fresh eyes. It may well be
that we conference you in later, but meanwhile, I want you to
concentrate on joining the American Circuit. I don t want to involve
our cousins at this stage, and that puts you at slight risk. Are you
comfortable with that?
Heck yes Sir, it s the friendly colonials after all. I don t
believe that I will ever have encountered our cousins or their
brothers, and so I don t expect my arrival will cause them concern
or nervousness.
King s Ransom
Thank you David. That will be all. Please keep me appraised
of progress. The Colonel sat back and watched Penhaligen leave
and shut the door behind him. He had no cause to doubt Racer s
commitment and drive, nor his trustworthiness, just his capability.
Compared to Teacher and Trader, Racer was second league. The
door knocked and Edward appeared.
Come in my boy the Colonel greeted, always an odd
greeting it would seem as they were of a similar age, The Colonel
having a greater weight of responsibility weighing him down and
perhaps ageing him. The Colonel had occasionally mused that
perhaps Trader would take his role if ever he were to leave his
position. He knew, though, that would be in the hands of Chalfors,
and Chalfors had many fish to fry with his little known position as
head of the Star Chamber as well as his slightly more widely known
position as head of one of the arms of the Security Services.
Additionally he had his position as Deputy Chair of COBRA, the
rather dramatic name for the civil contingencies committee that was
usually chaired by the Home Secretary, or exceptionally the Prime
Minister. Chalfors was the designated chair on the occasions that
the meetings were held outside of the Cabinet Briefing Office at
Number Ten.
Time for a change I think Edward, time for a change.
In what way Sir?
Henry has moved on and his departure cannot be allowed to
leave a gap.
Sir, do you want me to take on Henry s work? It is just
getting a bit exciting around Chagos at the moment, and I am
slightly concerned that if I pull my attention elsewhere, we might
not be fully prepared should the Primary accept the invitation to
open the Mauritian Parliament next year.
That is not my concern at the moment, I shall ask Six to
keep an eye in that area, they owe us a favour or two having
completely failed with Mrs Ivan last year. We have a more pressing
concern. I have moved Racer across the pond to have a look at
Gustav Waldemeir and that leaves Target One unmonitored. I want
you to review everything we have on him. I have intel that he may
be moving up a gear, and I need someone with a keen eye to look
into it.
New Assignments
Sir. At least G will stop getting jealous of my trips to Garcia.
Target One is rather closer to home.
This isn t a jocular matter Edward, we have to keep
focussed. Your focus is now Target One, the fact that he lives here
in Britain rather than sunnier climes should not affect you or my
PA.
Edward was surprised at The Colonel s rebuke. He wondered
if the recent change in the Head of the Government had indeed
affected the organisation. Geraldine had said that she thought
something was up, perhaps he had been wrong to simply dismiss at
as due to Henry retiring. Sorry Sir, my focus is appropriate at all
times.
Tidy up your Chagos file and copy it to me by the end of the
day using the Six encryption. I shall have his Lordship pass it across,
I want you focussing on Fitzroy from first thing tomorrow at the
latest.
Anne was beginning to find the driving between
appointments tedious and she no longer seemed to enjoy the
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
