in some of the violence.
Then the hapless exploits of my brother hacking in to a US government system and unearthing material that would be very embarrassing for certain US officials if published.
The visits of other police, led by Naismith, who we now understood was Special Branch, and their greater interest in Adrian rather than my alleged car theft that they were supposedly investigating, and even the suspicion that they may have had a direct hand in the attacks.
“So as you can see Chief Superintendent, I think it is clear that we have clear reason to be concerned about our safety and that of our families. As we speak it is possible that Adrian is in great danger!”
“ What is this material that your brother hacked in to? Do you h ave a copy here that we can see, ” said Lloyd.
“We don't have a copy here and I myself have not seen it,” interrupted Withers. “Suffice it to say that it is said to be extremely incriminating evidence of the involvement of a senior US Official in war crimes. I am not sure if at this stage it would serve any purpose for it to be seen by a larger audience than has already seen it.”
“In the circumstances I don't think you can be the judge of that,” said Lloyd in a prickly response.
“I think we can reserve judgement on that for a while,” said Fleet. “What matters now is what is to be done from here. Firstly Mr Lever, I think I need to make it clear that we have not absolved you of the crime of stealing a vehicle from the hospital. However until there is some greater clarity on the other matters we can suspend that discussion and deal with it later.”
“Secondly, the crime by your brother of hacking in to US government files is much more serious and subject to severe penalties if they should choose to prosecute and try to extradite him to the US for trial. That is a security issue and will involve the appropriate security services in its prosecution. I have already talked briefly to Inspector Naismith, now I have your version of events I will talk to him again and see where he wants to take this. In the meantime Mr Withers is very experienced in issues of this nature and can advise you as to how to proceed”
“ Mr Lever, I think you should be aware that you are possibly exposed to prosecution for conspiracy to help your brother conceal his crime and of evading arrest.”
“I have done no such thing!” I said. “I really am worried about Adrian’s whereabouts. Much as you might not agree, I am sure he has not avoided this meeting intentionally, something must be wrong. Is there anything you can do to help?”
“We can put an alert out for him, do you have a photograph?”
“I can send you one from home easily enough.”
“Do you know where he was going when you last spoke to him?” said Lloyd.
“Yes, it was just after eight this morning, I left him at home, and he was due to leave almost immediately, he was planning to go to his girlfriends where he has been staying and pick up some clean clothes, before coming on to meet with us at the office before we were scheduled to come here.”
“Where does she live?”
“I don't exactly know. It is somewhere in Pill, but I don't have an address, or for that matter a name. He was however driving a very distinctive car. A 1935 soft top MG sports in British racing green. I can give you the registration num ber. It is my car. I lent it to him when he stayed with me a few days ago.”
“I think that is all for now, said Fleet. “Do you have anything else David?” she said looking at Lloyd.
“No, not for the moment except to remind you Mr Lever to let us know immediately if you hear from your brother.”
“I am sure he will do that,” responded Withers, “similarly I hope that we can rely on you to keep us informed on progress in your investigations.”
With that Lloyd escorted us downstairs to the reception desk and bade us farewell. Back up stairs he caught up with Fleet.
“Well, what do you make of that Boss. Do you believe it, and do you believe we have been told all of it?”
“I am not sure on either account, but I think something is going on. Make sure you get the alert out on Adrian Lever and on that car, I suspect his brother might be right that something has happened to him.”
CHAPTER 28
Adrian came round lying on a bed in a semi dark room. He was handcuffed and the handcuffs were linked by another set of handcuffs to the bedpost. He felt really groggy, and soon dropped unconscious again.
When he came round, the room was in almost total darkness, and it seemed that outside the window blinds it was dark, so he had obviously been out for a few hours. He yelled out, but nobody responded. As he l ay there listening he could hear no noise, no traffic, no people noises. Nobody around.
They had taken h is watch, shoes, belt, and coat. A fter what seemed like several hours he heard the crunch of tyres on gravel accompanied by the glare of headlights flashing across the window. The sound of a door opening, some subdued conversation, and then the sound of footsteps on bare floorboards coming closer. The door opened and a flood of light splashed across the room temporarily blinding him as the overhead light was switched on.
“Well Mr Lever, are you comfortable, ” said a gaunt lo oking guy with a southern drawl?
“I could do with the toilet.”
The guy who had spoken turned and said “Reg, undo him, and take him to the bathroom, but manacle his ankles before you do.”
Five minutes later he was back in the room and handcuffed to the bed again.
“Who are you?” he asked. “What do you want?”
“Oh come on L ever, don't lets play that game. You know why you are here and why we want you.”
“Are you Groucho?”
There was a slight hesitation before he answered, “Groucho? Who do you mean?”
“The person you told my brother that I should call.”
“Never heard of a man called Groucho.”
Adrian shrugged; they were not going to admit anything. “So what happens now?”
“It's not my decision as to what happens to you now but I suspect you will be going on a little air trip; that decision will be made by others and until we are told, you will stay here with us. Reg will get you some food, but don't try anything funny or you will regret it.” With that they both left the room.
There was a whispered conversation in the room next door. “Look here Mac, I’m not going to stay here and babysit this guy; it’s not my job.”
Mac slowly turned and looked at him. “Reg, I don't think you are in a position to argue. This job has not exactly gone smoothly and some people are looking to you for that. If I were you I would keep my mouth shut and do what is needed until the job is finished.”
“The stuff ups were not my fault,” whined Reg. “Dawson gave us no real heads up on what this case was all about. Anyway where do I get food from?”
“There's a MacDonald’s a mile down the road, try that, and bring back a burger and fries for me with some drinks.”
CHAPTER 29
Dave Withers, Alec, and I had adjourned across the road for a coffee and a quick parley.
“Well I think that went as well as can be expected,” said Dave.
“Thanks for joining us,” I said. “Do you think they can help?”
“Well they can help trying to find your brother if he really has gone missing. Don't forget that photo they asked for. Look I have to get going, keep in touch with me and I will let you know if I hear anything.”
That left Alec and I sitting musing over our coffees. “You have been very quiet Alec. What do you think we should do now?”
“Well apart from your brother, I don't think much has changed, and hopefully he has just been delayed
