Unfortunately the IRA man wanted a high price for the name of the informant. He wanted to start a new life in Australia. The odd thing about the request was that despite having a large family he wanted the new life only for himself. He would be forever hunted if the deal was made and he thought he would have more chance of avoiding his past if he had only himself to worry about.
To Miller’s way of thinking this made it more likely that his information was genuine because he was afraid of what the future would hold. Whether he cared for his family and didn’t want to put them in danger or just wanted rid of them, Miller didn’t really mind. He’d long since given up trying to second guess people’s motives for their actions. This was an opportunity that didn’t come along often. Even so, learning the informant’s name was still going to cost a great deal of money to move this man halfway around the world with a new false identity. There would be other useful things the local Special Branch boys would learn but everything hinged on being able to offer the new identity. And they needed to act fast. The IRA knew the police had him and would become suspicious after seventy two hours if he disappeared. It was too much money for the local Special Branch boys to agree the deal. They needed Miller to pick up the tab.
Miller was desperate to find the name of the informant for more reasons than putting an end to the current troubles. If there was a senior informant today in MI5, then perhaps that same person could have been a less senior informant some years ago. Again he thought of the tortured body of Brian Potter. He needed to know the name. He returned to his office, made a couple of phone calls and wrote the necessary emails. Then he called Ireland and informed them to agree to the man’s terms. He just hoped it would be worthwhile. He didn’t like rewarding a senior member of the IRA with a new life but he was pragmatic enough to do so for the bigger picture.
Later in the afternoon he picked up the phone and heard the name of the MI5 informant. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. The name provided after the agreement to a new life had been confirmed in writing was Jones. Miller only knew of one Jones and he was indeed very senior in MI5. He was Tony Simpson’s boss.
The problem now was knowing how to proceed. How could he draw Jones out into the open? He didn’t want to scare him and give him the chance to cover his tracks. And given his senior position, it was going to be very difficult to know just who could be trusted. It would be near enough impossible to prove anyway. He had friends in high places and was no fool. Even just trying to run any checks was almost impossible, without him getting to hear about it. Miller thought of running the news past Simpson but he doubted he would be able to offer any additional insight.
There were some things Miller could do and the first would be to investigate Jones’ financial affairs. That he could do without setting off any alarm bells. If Jones was living above his means or could not explain specific deposits in his bank account, then Miller would have some ammunition to take this further. Even as he thought of it, he knew he had little chance of finding out anything so easily. If Jones was guilty, he would have squirrelled his payments somewhere in an account that would never be found. That would be true of anyone in MI5. Still he would run the checks as at least he would feel he was doing something. After all Jones had been on the very short list of people aware of the details surrounding Murphy’s transfer to Court.
He would also ask around about Jones’ sexual preferences. If Jones was being blackmailed, then it could possibly be linked to a mistress or perhaps even a man. Miller didn’t know a lot about Jones’ private life but did know he had a wife and children. He was in a job where scandal could quickly end a promising career. Whatever he found, it was doubtful anything would ever up in a court of law. What he needed was evidence that would satisfy Jones’ Director not a Judge.
He didn’t like Jones personally but he was shocked he might be the informant. He couldn’t remember him ever being in Ireland though he still could easily have been there undercover. If he came up blank with Jones, he was going to have to go to him and discuss the information he had been passed. He didn’t have much time. His friend in Ireland could only sit on the news for twenty four hours. Even doing that was putting at risk his career. Then Jones would hear via official routes soon after or probably far quicker through his own contacts.
Once the news was out in the open, Jones would simply deny everything and claim he was being framed. Miller had just authorized the huge expense of relocating someone to Australia and there were going to be repercussions if Jones was completely innocent. In fact, Miller might be taking that cruise with Mary sooner than expected. What didn’t make sense to Miller was how Connor linked to Jones. Who exactly was pulling whose strings?
Eduardo approached the white door quickly and gave a short firm rap. There was no sound from within the house
