Red Hawk Rising

at MI5, Hamilton sat at his desk reflecting on the situation. He wondered about the Pole, Walmar, and the turnover of his crewmen. He decided to try and find out more about that and telephoned another section of MI5. He asked them to go back through the reports and find out when a Russian vessel has been reported off the Lincolnshire coast near the mouth of the Humber. He also wanted to know when a Russian vessel had actually docked at a port in the Humber. An MI5 man was already en route to Louth and Parfleet St Peter. Hamilton decided to get instructions to him to ask the locals when Walmar had had changes of crewmen. The agent already had a copy of the photograph of Enderby and knew that the man could be dangerous. Hamilton decided that he would also put a higher priority on the background check to Enderby. He also decided to get a copy of the photograph of Enderby to the agent in Coventry and tell him to ask if anyone remembered seeing him on the day that Eddy Dennis died. Hamilton knew that he could hand this part over to the local police but felt that it would complicate matters at this stage.

At RAF Nocton Hall, Corporal Jamie Rogerson was having his shoulder set and encased in plaster. He was still unconscious and this concerned the doctors. He had received a blow to the head and then oxygen had been cut off to the brain when his lungs filled with water. It was planned to put him into intensive care until he had recovered consciousness. An order came through that he was to be allowed no visitors until he regained consciousness and was deemed fit enough to receive visitors. The police would want to interview him but they would have to wait until authorisation came through for that. Nocton Hall was used to unusual cases and the Senior Medical Officer prepared a list of RAF nursing staff that would be rostered to care for Corporal Rogerson. This would ensure his safety.

It was nearly 16.30 hours and Commander Edgar Rice of MI5 drove into Louth. He was, of course, in civilian dress. Navigating his way to the police station, he parked his car outside and walked in and up to the front desk. Pulling his I.D. out of his pocket, he showed it to the constable on duty and asked to see the inspector. The young constable’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he looked at the card and back up to Commander Rice. He had never met an agent of MI5 before but had read much about their exploits. He almost stammered, “Certainly, Sir,” and hurried to the inspector’s office. Rice smiled to himself at the reception. It wasn’t the first time it had happened since the novels of the “James Bond” character were published. Of course, Bond was MI6 and not MI5. The young constable came back, opened a door at the side of the counter and asked Commander Rice to follow him. He was shown in to the inspector’s office and the inspector came round his desk to welcome him. “Commander Rice, Inspector. I understand you were expecting me.”

“Yes,” was the reply. “Lockley’s the name. Please have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?”

Rice responded, “Thanks, but could you make it coffee, please. It’s been a long, fast drive up from London.”

“Certainly,” said Lockley. He picked up the ‘phone, called the sergeant and asked him to arrange it.

“Now, Commander, my sergeant was the one who went down to Parfleet St Peter to interview the witnesses and find out what he could. He has prepared a report that you can read. No doubt you will want to talk to him as well.”

“Certainly, Inspector. If I could read the report first, please.” As he said this there was a knock on the door and a constable came in with a tray of cups of tea and coffee and some biscuits. He put it down on a small side table and left the office.

The inspector handed Commander Rice the cup of coffee and said, “Here is the report. I’ll leave you for a few minutes to read it and organise my sergeant to see you when you are ready.” He gave Rice the report and left the office.

About this time, Berin, alias Enderby, was leaving Louth Railway Station and heading for the bus stop to get the bus to Parfleet St Peter. He had a wait of about ten minutes so he went for a short walk down the street and back to give himself a little exercise after so much sitting on trains. By the time he returned to the bus stop a small queue of would-be passengers had formed. There was no-one that he recognised. When the bus came, Berin noticed that the driver was the same person who had driven the early bus that he had caught. As he paid his fare, Berin watched the driver’s face but he showed no curiosity or sign of recognition at seeing him. He just handed Berin his change, punched the ticket and handed it over. Berin walked about half-way down the bus and managed to get a seat that was vacant. He went and sat by the window and put his bag beneath his feet. The bus stopped frequently, mainly to drop people off. Eventually it came to the road at the edge of Parfleet St Peter. Berin rang the bell for the bus to stop, got up and went forward to the exit. The bus stopped and Berin got off with a thanks to the driver and headed into the village as the old Bedford wound its way down the road towards Mablethorpe. He decided not to disturb Walmar and would head straight for the shed, but as he walked down the street, he was seen by Walmar who was in