“I’m convinced we are missing something important,” Miller stressed.
“Perhaps there are two cells working independently,” Simpson suggested. We know about Murphy and Maguire but the second cell target Bancroft. And maybe then are ordered to take out Murphy to stop him talking.”
Miller didn’t look convinced. “It doesn’t fit. We have two very different types of action and frankly different levels of professionalism. I can see the Real IRA or for that matter Continuity wanting to kill Bancroft but kidnap Melanie Adams…” Miller shook his head as his words trailed away in thought.
“Well Bancroft will be no great loss,” Simpson said after a moment of reflection. “Jones couldn’t abide the man and though it grieves me to say it, for once I have to say I tend to agree with him.”
Miller raised his eyebrows in question. “What did Jones have against Bancroft?”
“He was behind the combined service idea,” Simpson explained. “With him earmarked as its first leader. Worse thing for this country’s security that could ever happen if it came to pass.”
Miller was surprised by the intensity of Simpson’s feelings. He’d thought Simpson beyond caring about such matters. Miller had forgotten Bancroft’s role in leading the government’s push for a single security service. He’d met Bancroft a few times but wasn’t directly impacted by his political manoeuvrings and had enough interfering politicians of his own to worry about, without widening the group to peripheral figures like Bancroft.
“Jones doesn’t share your views either,” Simpson continued. “He’s got everyone focused on finding this Connor chap. Thinks he is the sole missing piece in our jigsaw.”
“Finding him would certainly be a good start,” Miller concurred. “One thing’s for sure though, Connor didn’t get the intel on Murphy without help. There must be at least one other involved and I intend to find out who was responsible for the deaths of three good police officers today.”
“We’ve been to too many funerals over the years,” Simpson said.
“One last request, Tony. Can you run one of your special background checks on Tom Ashdown?”
“Ashdown!” Simpson replied shocked. “Surely you don’t think he’s involved somehow?”
“Not really but I just want to be sure. My nose is twitching a bit. He’s been at the centre of everything that’s happened. Just being thorough.”
“Okay but he saved Melanie Adams and his brother was almost killed. I think you must be barking up the wrong tree if you suspect him of any involvement.”
Miller thanked Simpson for his help and as he walked back to his office he pondered once again what could be the missing piece in his jigsaw.
Eduardo had put a call in to the Chief on the pretext of being concerned about recent events and the possible impact the terrible publicity could have for their business dealings. He didn’t want extra attention being focused on the Chief’s business and contacts. The Chief was very understanding but quick to stress that his men were not involved. It was rogue factions outside his control. Eduardo knew the Chief was at least partially withholding the truth. Connor had been in London even if he wasn’t now and he was the Chief’s man.
“What about this man Connor who is all over the news? I have met him before. He is one of your men,” Eduardo stated firmly.
“Connor is tidying up the mess.”
“I do understand,” Eduardo sympathized. “But frankly when I see his face on the news he is now very much at the heart of this mess. What if the police capture him as surely they must do…? He even knows my name. This puts at risk all our very profitable business together… I am in London at the moment and if there is anything I can do to help bring these events to a speedy conclusion…?” He let the offer hang in the air.
There was a thoughtful silence at the other end of the phone. “There is possibly one thing you could help with,” the Chief finally responded.
Eduardo had gone fishing, dangled the bait and had a great bite. As he recounted his call to a scarcely believing Sam, they had then fallen into bed in a frenzy of further love making. She was intent on thanking him for what he had done and knew only one way to do that. Actually she again found more than one way.
It was late afternoon when they lay in bed planning the details. Eduardo wasn’t entirely happy at Sam’s insistence that she must be there at the end. He would have preferred her out of harm’s way but more than that, was concerned her emotional involvement might lead to irrational behaviour and complications. He knew though he would never be able to dissuade her from joining him so would just have to be doubly careful in his planning.
The Chief had asked him to do a spot of tidying up and he knew that not only would doing this favour earn him the Chief’s gratitude, something well worth having, but also Sam would be eternally grateful, for letting her be part of removing the pig Connor from the Earth.
The Chief had provided details of the safe house where Connor was laying low. He was expecting to be contacted and as he had met Eduardo a couple of times would be only mildly surprised by him being the contact. He was awaiting a change of identity and the delivery of a new passport. Eduardo would be the courier but the Chief had decided that Connor had become dispensable. Murphy was out the picture and it was best to tidy up all loose ends, which now included Connor. Eduardo had agreed to act as the cleaner and was amazed at how easy it had now become to honour his promise to Sam. If only all business and pleasure could flow so smoothly.
CHAPTER NINE
Eduardo and Sam took a taxi to an address provided by The Chief. Sam stayed in the taxi while Eduardo went in and came out a
