“Okay,” said Lance, “we’re leaving. Just keep your shirt on.” That was enough for Eddie. He made a charge at them with his fists raised. Andy turned and as Eddie came charging up, Andy’s right arm shot out with an upraised thumb that connected with Eddie’s larynx right under the chin. Eddie’s momentum caused the larynx to depress against Andy’s thumb. The breathing stopped because of a closed larynx and his eyes bulged out. His arms dropped to his sides as the pressure was maintained and his eyes started to go glassy. Andy took his thumb away and the three of them left the pub.
Inside the pub, there was a silence for about thirty seconds. Then one of the old men at the bar said, “Did you see that? He stopped Eddie Freeman with just his thumb!” Eddie was standing there, weaving a little and clutching his throat as he noisily gulped air into his lungs. His three mates were standing at the table with their mouths open and looking quite surprised. They had expected to see more action than they did. Outside, the three airmen got into Lance’s car and he quietly drove away and back to base.
***
The next day, Wednesday, the whole team were back at Wensley Electronics. The new klystron unit was taken out of store and checked in the lab for correct calibration. There was a positive atmosphere in the factory and the work proceeded quickly. Andy went on with his work of developing the data recording system for the radar unit. During the morning he received a telephone call from security to say a Mr Louden wished to see him. Andy went out to the security office at the main gate and gave the car keys to Louden and walked out with him. Louden said, “That was good work yesterday. We caught the whole cell from this area. The other two were a bonus. Our Manchester team cleaned out those involved at Argonaut Industries so that’s been a really good day’s work. Thanks for your help. No doubt Mr Hamilton will see you about a full de-briefing.”
“No doubt,” thought Andy but said, “Thanks for the opportunity.” They shook hands and Andy headed back into the factory. He also had to make a full report to Lutterworth but that would be written and sent registered mail. “Ah well,” he thought, “at least I get a chance to see Alice again.”
At that moment, Alice was looking at a page 3 article in the ‘Daily Mail’ about police foiling an attempted robbery from a van at Scotch Corner that was followed by a high-speed chase up the A1 where two more were apprehended. There was a photograph of an arrested man with a plain-clothes policeman who looked just like Andy. She would have to show it to her father. At the Russian Consulate in Manchester, Major Garasov was also reading the same article and noting the likeness to Corporal Hill and one of their agents to the two men in the photograph. In the last twenty-four hours, his network in the area had been severely dented and he linked this man to it. The telephone was also busy between MI5, the Air Ministry and the Lutterworth organisation. The photograph was a difficulty because it compromised an operative and also let Moscow know they had one of Moscow’s agents. There could be a strong reaction.
At lunchtime, the team went to the canteen for lunch and Dan picked up a copy of the ‘Daily Mail’ after he had eaten. When he saw the article and photograph on page 3, he had a chuckle at the thought of Andy being in the police. At the same time, he wondered what Andy was doing on such an operation as was reported. He decided not to say anything to the others until he had talked with Andy.
Flying Officer Goodhew had also been briefed by the Unit CO following a telephone call from Group Captain Clarkson. He called the team together after lunch and took them to a training room in the personnel department. “You are all aware that there has been an attempt to sabotage the radar unit for the Red Hawk system. It was discovered that there was a network working for the Russians and they planned to steal the new klystron unit before it was delivered to us yesterday. MI5 planned to foil the attempt and this was done successfully. Corporal Hill has some skills not associated with his normal duties and Mr Hamilton from MI5 asked for him in case these particular skills were needed. The request was granted by the CO. The public think the man in the photo is a plain-clothes police officer and this is to remain the case. If anyone suggests that it is Corporal Hill you are to deny it and say that it is someone who looks like him. Our work is top secret and the activities of all of you in this team remain under that classification. The CO has been asked to convey the thanks of Air Ministry for the efforts that you all put in and for your contribution to the operation’s success. Because of it, we will be moving to RAF West Sanby next week. You will have this weekend to put personal matters in order before you leave. In view of the incidents, the equipment will be handed over to the RAF on Friday at the factory instead of being delivered and handed over at RAF West Sanby. RAF transport will arrive on Friday to collect the radar unit and your tools and equipment. Tomorrow we prepare for the move in ‘transportable’ mode. Corporal Hill, you will document that preparation and note any difficulties. Any questions?” A few shakes of the head.
Sarge said, “Apparently not, sir.”
Goodhew nodded, “Good. Let’s get to it.” He then beckoned to Corporal Hill and said,
