It was 9.15 a.m. and Berin, alias Edward Williams, went up to the ‘Post Restante’ counter at the main post office and presented a driving licence as his identification. The postal clerk went to the shelves and returned with a large envelope. Berin signed for it in his alias name and went out to find a quiet place to open the envelope and check the contents. He found a spot near the ruins of the cathedral, bombed and destroyed during the war. Opening the packet, Berin drew out instructions, a photograph and a miniature tape player. He read the instructions and looked at the photograph, realising that it was of one of the three men who got off the bus that morning. Berin checked out the tape player and was impressed by the miniaturisation. It was not much bigger than a packet for twenty cigarettes and was made to look like one. It was operated by him opening one end as though it was a packet of cigarettes. When he removed a cigarette it would activate the tape. He read through the instructions again, checked the face on the photograph and committed all to memory. Berin then walked past the bus station to a park. There he found a quiet spot, took a box of matches from his pocket and lit a match. With this, he burned the instructions and scattered the ashes among the plants. Moving to another part of the park, Berin did the same thing with the photograph. He then went and found a cafe to get a good breakfast, late though it was. Finding one not far from the cathedral, he went in and ordered a meal and tea. The tea came in a pot with milk and sugar, all on a tray. He thought of home in Russia and his mother’s samovar and tea drunk from tall glass beakers. The English tea was strong and nearly black. It had taken some getting used to. He hoped that the meal would help to freshen him up. He would go for a good walk afterwards. The journey from Nottingham had not been pleasant. It was a night train to the south-west and, judging by the conversations and hair-styles, seemed to be full of servicemen returning to their bases. He had had to stand from Nottingham in a crowded corridor of the train. By gradually working his way towards the rear of the train he had found a seat and managed to sleep fitfully. When he had completed his work he would get an evening train to Nottingham and spend the night there. Then he would travel back to Louth on the Tuesday morning. After the meal, Berin went for a walk and stopped to look at the ruin of the old Coventry Cathedral. It had been destroyed by German bombs during the Second World War. As he looked at it the memories came flooding back. He remembered the bombing of his home city by the Germans, the sound of the Stuka dive-bombers as they dived towards the city before releasing their bombs. His father had joined the local militia and fought the Germans. Berin remembered the hunger as food supplies virtually ceased. Then when he was eight years old he was evacuated with his mother and younger brother and sister. It was a long journey by train across the north of Russia. They returned after Leningrad was freed and the German siege lifted. His father was still alive but had been injured during the fighting and walked with a severe limp. Berin shook himself out of his reverie and resumed his walking.
Later in the morning, Berin again caught a bus that would take him out to Jennings Industries. There was a cafe and shop not far from the works and it was just possible that his target would go out during the lunch-break. On arrival, Berin walked up past Jennings Industries and as he neared the front gate he saw the man in the photo drive a truck into the company’s yard. Five minutes later the hooter went for lunchtime and shortly after that the same man came out
