They were both up at 07.00, Sally was in the shower first, Dave made coffee and brought it upstairs, they swapped places in the shower, by the time he was out Sally was dressed and putting on her makeup. Dave dressed quickly, in the kitchen he made breakfast, Sally joined him ready for work. As she was leaving, he reminded her not to say anything to the others in her office.
Dave started with Stuart Ogilvy, he looked at the balance on his account £65372.56. “Not bad for someone who, according to HMRC doesn’t have any employment.” Flicking through the pages of the spreadsheet the balance varied between £20,000 and £95,000. He looked to see where it came from, ‘INT TRANS’ was all it said, £10,000 every month, either international or internal, looking on the next line there was a conversion fee, it was international. He wanted to see where the money went, apart from purchases that looked like shopping, there were regular cash withdrawals of £5000.00 from his local branch. Dave also saw many payments to airline companies. Another regular transfer was to his credit card, this was normally no more than a few hundred, at this time Dave was more interested in where he was flying to.
He spent the time until Sally returned trawling through airline companies passenger lists. There was a search facility on most of the admin sections where he could type in the name and it would list all the bookings made. He downloaded everything for Sally to make into a spreadsheet that made sense. He heard her come through the door and run upstairs, “I just signed for this,” she handed over a small padded envelope, similar to the one that had arrived last week. “I bet you haven’t eaten, do you want something?” “Yes please,” he was opening the package, taking out the envelope inside, he tried to bend it, there were cards inside. He looked at the ID and pass inside. Sally was changing in the bedroom, she could hear laughing, returning, Dave was looking at his ID card and smiling. “What’s so funny, he handed her the card, ‘Sargeant Greg Lestrade’, I can’t see anything to laugh at.” “You couldn’t have read Sherlock Holmes, there is a bumbling Scotland Yard policeman in a few of the books, ‘Inspector Lestrade’, always a few clues behind Sherlock Holmes. Someone is having a laugh.”
Sally brought up coffee and sandwiches, “what do you want me to do this afternoon?” “Will you create a new spreadsheet linking payments from the bank account to the flight information I will send to you.
Dave moved onto Mark James, there was an average balance of about £20,000, he was spending roughly as much each month as was going in. There were membership fees for various clubs and institutions, some in his constituency, but most in London. He had also been flying abroad, roughly once a month up until the time he was appointed to the Cabinet. Dave had to go back to checking flights, most of the payments were to budget carriers. The flights had all taken place on a Friday with the return on Monday, all were within Europe, Spanish mainland, Portugal, France, Germany, Majorca, The Canaries, Belgium and Ireland, in all over twenty-five flights. Each flight had a charge for extra luggage, leaning back with his eyes closed, he hoped for inspiration. He opened up the Home Secretary’s Wikipedia page again, something had made him look again at it. It was there, Mark James was a member of the House of Commons golf club, they would fly out most months to play teams from other European parliaments. He returned to the bank statements, there was no payments for accommodation or food and drink, this must have been provided by the host country.
Dave thought that was enough for the day, he wanted to eat and then go out for air. Looking out the window, he saw that rain was steadily falling, how long for, he had no idea. That evening, he cooked, it took his mind off the information overload he was suffering. As soon as the meal was over, he changed into his running gear and left for his run, when he returned over an hour later, Sally asked him where he had run to, “I ran up Nanpantan Road turning right at the traffic lights, I can’t remember much more until I was running back along the street here.” Dripping wet, he went to run a bath, Sally came to see him as he was soaking, “you’re not doing too much are you? I can take time off to help if you want.” Dave said he was OK, “it’s always like this at the beginning, I have no idea where I am going, slowly it all comes together. Thanks for the offer.”
The next morning with Sally gone, he did the same with Mark James as Sally had done with Stuart Ogilvy. It took him much longer, but by the time she returned it was all done. “Does anything need to be done?” “No, I think we are all up to date, would you like to go for a walk?” “Is everything alright?” “Yes, I just need to get away from it for a time.” “OK, let me change, I’ll be five minutes.” They walked towards town, Dave led the way into the park just off the town centre. Kids were playing, the sun was shining, couples were lying on the grass, Sally stopped by a bench near the bandstand and sat down, Dave was pulled down to sit next to her. “Stop thinking about it, anyone looking will think we have fallen out.” “Sorry, usually at this stage I become very withdrawn, I’m confused at the moment, it’s like being on a roundabout and taking each exit, going down that road for a bit, then returning to the roundabout and choosing a different route until you find the right one.” He put his arm round Sally and squeezed her tightly, I wouldn’t be where I am without you, both mentally and physically, you’re keeping me sane. I promise I will try to be better company.” You had better be when we go out on Saturday night.” He hadn’t forgotten, it just wasn’t a priority. “Who will be there?” “It’s at Olivia and Michael’s, you’ll like her,” “more than you?” Sally thumped him playfully, the other couple are Samantha, Sam and Peter, Sam is good fun, her husband is a knob.” “Can I tell him that?” “Somebody needs to.” They sat on the bench chatting, making comments about people walking past and anything else that took their fancy. Sally thought that he might be thinking less about his work. It was after 17.00, people were starting to leave the park, where they were sitting was now in shade. They slowly walked towards the gate, outside the park they had an ice cream, walking on into town, they realised the shops would be shutting, turning round, they headed home. Dave had heard his phone ping, but ignored it, he was enjoying himself being with Sally.
The message was from Freddie, his ID’s were ready, it also said he was on leave after tomorrow. Dave message back with a time, 11.30. “I have to go to London tomorrow, I’ll drive down in the morning.” “Don’t park at Luton this time, what time do you have to go?” “About 08.30, I will drive down to Stanmore and take the tube all the way in. I won’t have to change, it stops at Westminster.” After they had eaten, they sat together listening to music, Sally could hear Dave breathing, she guessed he had fallen asleep. “Go to bed,” she gently shook him until he woke, “go to bed, you must be worn out.” He obeyed without question, she waited until he was in bed, tidied up downstairs and went to join him. he was lying with the duvet only half covering him, Sally stripped off and quickly climbed in beside him, she ran her hand over his body, despite not going to the gym or working out there wasn’t any fat anywhere, it was all solid muscle. She liked it, he made her feel safe. Sally put the light out and slid down the bed, she went to sleep with her arm across his chest.
At 07.30 she put coffee on the bedside table next to Dave, he looked like he hadn’t moved all night. It was either the smell of coffee or Sally moving round the room that woke him. “I can’t remember coming to bed last night,” “You fell asleep downstairs and I carried you up here.” They both laughed, he looked at the clock and sat up. “I have to make sure no one sees me when I am in the MOD today. I’m supposed to be out on my ear.” She kissed him on the cheek, “it’s not as if you blend in with the crowd.”
The drive down was uneventful, as was the tube into Westminster, the only downside was it stopped at every station and the seats were uncomfortable. He was wearing his new suit, his briefcase was on his lap. His aim was to spend as little time in the building as possible, hopefully, in and out in less than thirty minutes. He passed through the barriers and took the lift up to the floor Freddie was on. He walked past his office, he saw him in there on the phone. Dave ducked into a breakout office, he slid the sign over to ‘occupied’, closed the blinds and sat down. It was 11.20, picking up the phone, he called Freddies extension, “I’m in breakout room 526.” Shortly after, there was a knock at the door, it opened and Freddie stood there with an A4 envelope. “Come in and sit down,” “Take them and let me get back to work.” “Sit down Freddie, as soon as you answer the couple of questions I have you can go.” With a resigned look, he sat down. “Roger Peterson didn’t pay you £500.00 did he?” Freddie knew there was no point in arguing, he shook his head, “He had the photograph as well.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. “Yes, you’re a fucking bastard.” “I know, plenty of people have told me that before.” “You’re fucking about with stuff that could get you killed.” Dave said nothing, he waited for Freddie to carry on, “these pictures are hot, they’ve disappeared.” This was new to Dave, he had only seen Freddie in the one he had looked at. “Who has been asking?” “No one, I overheard it at a party, the person who took them is missing.” “Are you telling me everything, is there anything else I need to know.?” Freddie was visibly shaking, “I was only at that party as I am very good at making everyone happy, I do what I’m told, others get paid, but I do it for free.” “Have you told anyone about me?” “No, no one.” “If you have, I will kill you, not because you told, but because you lied.” “Honestly I haven’t said anything.” “One last thing before you go back to your office. Roger Peterson asked you for another passport, didn’t he.” Regaining his composure Freddie replied, “If your so fucking smart, why are you asking me?” “I need conformation.” “He wanted a Chinese passport, I said it couldn’t be done, we have no way into the Chinese system.” Dave took the envelope and put it in his briefcase, “I’m going now, wait a couple of minutes before you leave, and Freddie, have a good holiday.” “Fuck off, just fuck off”
It had taken longer than he had planned, it was now nearly 12.00, as he walked along the corridor heading for the lift he saw the Brigadier coming in the opposite direction, he dived into a breakout room and closed the door. A few seconds later, it opened. “Not quick enough, I spotted you half way down. Why were you trying to hide from me?” “I didn’t want to be seen by anyone, I came down today for information I couldn’t get online, I had to see someone face to face.” “Let’s go to my office.” On the next floor up, Dave followed the Brigadier, sitting opposite, the Brigadier ordered coffee. “I had your pass tagged, I was informed as soon as you entered the building, they said what floor you had gone to, I had come looking for you.” Dave liked that, here was someone as suspicious as he was, “who were you seeing?” “I’d rather not say at this time, it will come out later, but for now, I’d like to keep it to myself.” “The coffee was brought, the Brigadier poured Dave a cup, he waited for the secretary to leave before carrying on. “Are you making progress?” Yes sir, I am going through the bank statements for Roger Peterson, I know the alias he is currently using. The next step is to see where he has been and what he has been doing.” “I have people who want information, they wanted me to have you report daily, and they want justification for the money we are paying you.” “Sir, if I have to report daily then I will lie, Sometimes I will follow a lead for days only to find out it was a blind alley. I will only report facts that I can confirm.” “There is also the question of you not being an officer.” Dave looked at the Brigadier, “sir, with a few exceptions most officers couldn’t find their own arse with both their hands.” The brigadier smiled. “That’s what I like about you, you don’t give a damn.” “Sir, as I said the other day, I’m good, my reputation should speak for itself, would the truth coming from an officer somehow be more palatable than from one of the ranks, if it matters that much, make me an officer.” “I might just do that.” “Hopefully I will have a file for you by next week, it will lay out the information I have gathered, the facts obtained, and hopefully my theory on the whole affair.” He pressed a buzzer on his desk and asked his secretary to bring in his diary. “How long will you need?” “Possibly up to two hours, maybe more depending on the information and any questions.” “Wednesday is your clearest day sir.” “OK, put it in for 14.30, book a committee room in the basement.” “Sir, may I say something?” “Nothing has stopped you so far,” “Sir, everyone attending needs to be cleared to ‘Top Secret’, I may have quite a tale to tell. Another thing sir, I hope there are no patronising, I’m better than you types, attending. I may be putting my life on the line on this job and I don’t need that kind of attitude.” “You really don’t like authority do you?” “I respect authority when the person above me deserves it.” “For your information, the Major is no longer involved, I am now your point of contact.” “There’s something not right in S417, I think it may be tied in, but as of now I don’t know what it is.” “Right Lestrade, your time is up.” “I liked your little joke sir, I hope I’m not as bad as he was.” The Brigadier offered Dave his hand, “See you next Wednesday.”
When he was back in Loughborough Sally was desperate to see him, “I’ve found something, come upstairs and see.” She switched on the laptop, while everything was loading, he changed out of his suit. “Look at this, Ogilvy is going backwards and forwards to Hong Kong, roughly once a month, only staying for a few days and then returning. At other times he is flying to European destinations. Now look at Martin, his flights coincide exactly with Ogilvy’s European flights. Never on the same plane, sometimes a day before and sometimes he stays a day later. Ogilvy has recently had a couple of flights to Angola.” “It’s more than a coincidence, you’ve done a great job with that.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I need to prepare all this for a meeting in London with the big boys, I’m back there on Wednesday. I had a very strange conversation with my contact in the MOD, I’m blackmailing him with a picture taken at a sex party, I’m going to have a better look after our meal.” “Can I see as well, it might be fun?” “You can, but I don’t think fun will be in your mind when you see them.”
When dinner was over, Dave went to study the images, he had only quickly looked through them, he had stopped when he spotted Freddie. They were stored in the cloud, once retrieved, Dave opened the first one, six men, all naked in a circle, he was studying the faces, he enlarged the image to allow him a better look. Whoever had taken the picture had used a good quality camera. There was no loss of quality. He didn’t recognise any of the faces, Image two had two men again naked in a ‘69’ position. The third one had Freddie’s face, this was the one he had stopped at before, Freddie was standing, smiling and naked, another naked man was on his knees in front of him. Sally came in carrying two mugs of coffee, Dave pulled down the lid of the laptop. “I really don’t think you want to see these pictures.” “It’s only a sex party, open the laptop up.” Doing as he was told, Sally gasped when the image appeared. “My God, what sort of a party is this?” “You wanted to see them.” He flicked on to the next one. It was a group shot. Again, everyone was naked. There were smiles on all the faces, “Sally was staring at the screen, “What are you looking at,” “I’m trying to see who has the biggest dick. There are all sizes.” Dave zoomed into the faces. “Recognise any of these. “That’s Ogilvy,” she pointed to one of the group. “Is that Martin to the right, with his arm round him?” “I think your right. Moving on, there was an image of Martin and Ogilvy kissing, another group shot with Martin’s head buried in Ogilvy’s lap. The final one in which the pair appeared showed them having sex. “Oh my fucking God,” “I don’t think God had much to do with it.” “Where did you get them from.” “I came across them during another case. As I said, I used one to help me get information, I hadn’t looked at the others.” “What are you going to do now, it explains some of the trips?” “I’m going to have a proper drink and think how the Hell I am going to present this on Wednesday. I can hardly stand up and say the Home Secretary is shagging another bloke and I have pictures to prove it. The other issue I have, is I don’t know if any of the attendees on Wednesday are in the pictures.”
On impulse, he picked up his burner phone and went out into the garden, looking in his notebook and called the Brigadier. “Sir, David Stretton, sorry to call you out of hours, I have a problem here which I need your guidance on. Are you able to talk to me?” “Yes, I have just finished dinner and having a brandy, wait until I am in another room. Right, I’m ready, it must be serious if you are calling me at home.” “Sorry sir, I have come across several compromising pictures which, if the wrong people were to find out I have copies could result in me being placed in a very difficult position. The person who took the pictures is missing. I need to know who is coming to the meeting on Wednesday to make sure they aren’t in any of these images.” “Who is in these pictures you have?” “I won’t say, especially over the phone, I can say sir, there are none of you.” “Bloody cheek. When you log in on Monday, there will be a message for you. Good night”
Sally was sitting with a large glass of gin when he returned. “I need a bloody big drink after seeing those pictures.” Dave poured another whisky for himself and joined her on the sofa. “Forget about that now, we have your dinner party to think about, what have you said about me.” “Not much, Until the other day, you were the lodger, I never told anyone about you being with me before then, I kept that private. Olivia is usually told everything but not that. I said you had been in the Army and were driving an Uber until you decided what you wanted to do. I don’t know what they will say when they see you. I’m playing tennis in the morning, back here to shower then the hairdressers in the afternoon. You need to be smart but casual. Your light trousers, a shirt and the blue Converse. That should do. If I give you a list, will you go to Tesco’s while I am out.”
© 10210ken 2024
