Hill was impressed. “It’s a pity we couldn’t get one of these for our unit. It would save a lot of wastage on cold mornings.” The clerk nodded knowingly. “Must get back to my desk,” said Andy. He thanked the clerk and headed back to his office.
Sitting down at his desk, Corporal Hill opened a folder and started writing. After a few minutes he stopped writing and took a sheet of notes to Douglas. As Hill gave Douglas the notes he said, “We need to keep a check on the movements of these.” Douglas quickly read the notes and gave a nod of agreement. At the bottom of the sheet, Hill had lightly written three names. Five minutes later he took an eraser and erased the pencilled names.
Promptly at 17.00 hours, Douglas cleared his desk and took his tray of folders to be locked in the secure cupboard that was used for the classified files and papers still in use by staff. Corporal Hill delayed and seemingly worked to finish some charts. He was in actual fact keeping an eye on the three suspects. Griffiths left first. He spoke to Miss St John and said that he had to attend a meeting over in the treasury building. She nodded her understanding and said, “Goodnight Mr Griffiths,” then she took two folders over to Emerson’s desk and said that she would be leaving. He nodded and wished her a good evening but the look on his face suggested that he could be giving her a message. The other staff had already left and there was only Corporal Hill and Emerson left. “Time you were leaving, Corporal Hill. That work will keep until tomorrow,” called out Emerson. “Certainly, Mr Emerson,” came the response. Corporal Hill stopped working and put his papers and folder into the tray and carried it over to the secure cupboard. As he turned back, he saw Emerson deftly slide some sheets of paper into an aeronautical magazine and then put the magazine into his briefcase. Emerson then went over to the secure cupboard and locked it. Corporal Hill decided to leave his empty briefcase in the office overnight. As he was walking out of the office, Emerson called security to say the office was cleared and would they check and lock it. At the building exit, Corporal Hill signed out and left the building.
Following him down, Emerson handed his briefcase to the security officer for checking. Seeing only a magazine and a newspaper, the security officer handed the case back to Emerson with a “Fine. Goodnight, sir.”
Outside, Corporal Hill had paused in Kingsway as if undecided which way to go and he saw Emerson exit the building. Without looking about, Emerson crossed the road and walked quickly down to the corner of the street. Corporal Hill stayed on the Air Ministry side of the road but walked decidedly in the direction that Emerson had taken. As he reached the corner, he saw Emerson and Miss St John kissing in greeting and then walking arm-in-arm down the street. As Corporal Hill prepared to follow, Douglas emerged from a shop doorway and caught up with him. “Andy, don’t follow them,” he said. “They are already under observation and being followed. We need to head for Trafalgar Square.” Andy nodded his agreement and fell into step with Douglas. Douglas continued, “Griffiths has gone to a meeting at Treasury. He is also being followed. When I left today, I immediately reported in and warned that this may be it.”
“I think you are right,” said Andy. “I noticed Emerson slide some sheets of typed paper into a magazine which he then put into his briefcase and I’m guessing that it will be a copy of our report.”
Douglas said, “When we get to Trafalgar Square we will be briefed and this time we will be given small ‘walkie-talkie’ units and weapons so that we can look out for each other. If a drop is made, our job will be to follow the pick-up. Others will deal with whoever makes the drop.” Andy nodded his agreement.
As they walked into Trafalgar Square, a man detached himself from a van parked in the street and walked across to them. He was recognised by Douglas and they stopped and waited for him to come up to them. When he reached them, Douglas said, “Andy, this is a colleague, Tim Phillips. Tim, Andy Hill.” The two men shook hands and at the same time appraised each other. Both men were about the same height and build and appeared to be a similar age.
Tim Phillips spoke, “Our targets are currently having a belated afternoon tea in a small cafe just off the Embankment. Everyone is in place. Andy, I think you had better go over to the van and get a hat and light overcoat and change those shoes so that you are not so easily recognised. John will do the same. We’ll stay with the van until we get instructions to move.” The three men walked across to the van and got in. It drove off away from Trafalgar Square past the church and then turned into a side street where the driver parked. The move was to avoid suspicion by anyone who could be involved in the drop, if that is what was to happen. John Douglas and Andy Hill changed their shoes for older, worn pairs, got out of the vehicle and put the hats and coats on. Andy had a corduroy cap that pulled down well over his face. Hats and coats were old and stained and well-worn. The two of them would look like a couple of men on hard times. There were plenty of them around London.
The driver, who introduced himself as Ed Milward, had a large thermos of tea and poured
