Unaccounted Gains - Book 1 - Part 12

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Accountancy Can Be Deadly
Part 12
Final Chapter

First posted here in 2014, this story had only been available on Kindle since 2017.

 
Windsor
 

Gail now knew Sophie was fit and a very good swimmer but, contrary to her efforts, Gail decided she still wasn't as fit as she should be. She suggested that perhaps a go on the running machine later would be an idea?

"I'll join you, if there's two machines?"

"I think there are, but they were moved to make room for the crash mats."

"Oh good, Gail. When can we go there?"

"Come on Sophie, we're sat in the jacuzzi in our swimsuits and haven't had breakfast, let alone a shower."

"Okay, but when?"

"Depends what I'm told at breakfast for today's diary, but I can't do any of my accounts work right now as my laptop's been taken."

"Stolen, from here?"

"No, taken to the IT guru for surgery I think."

Helen joined them for breakfast.

"A change of plans ladies, we're putting the move back to Saturday."

"Why?"

"The surveillance equipment won't be in and tested by Friday morning."

"What about the house? Won't it still be needed by then?"

"That plan slipped by a couple of days too, but that's as much as I can say."

"Can we still go down to the flat so I can show Sophie around?"

"Yes, but don't take anything more of your own stuff with you until we know it's fully secure. Some of the communications equipment was removed yesterday as an alarm was found to be faulty, your clothing and possessions have been delivered to a storage facility for now."

"Why?"

"If someone or something got in there then it would become contaminated."

"What?"

"Look, right now we have to treat it in exactly the same way as when we received the keys two weeks ago. It was potentially contaminated so was deep cleaned, swept for bugs, checked thoroughly for electrical, gas and telephone faults, swept again and finally swept yet again after the furniture had been delivered. It's an ongoing process."

"I understand, I think. I take it that you're informing everyone that the date has changed?"

"Very few people need to know the change of plan, if necessary we load a van on Saturday morning with most of the rest of your gear and meet the other van plus the technical team there."

"Right."

"Why don't you two spend an hour on the range then we'll go for a drive?"

"Sophie, I'll just go to fetch my bag."

"Bag, Gail?"

"For my pass, otherwise we're not getting in there."

There was no doubt Sophie was good with a handgun but Gail was now getting plenty of practice; she was able to hit the target 80% of the time. The range officer commented that Gail would in good time reach the required standard for police certification with sufficient practice.

"But this is just a past-time whilst I'm here, I have no need for a weapon as I'm just an accountant."

"Madam, I wouldn't let just an accountant in here, we have been instructed that you are to have full access at any time it is practical."

"Who said that?"

"Someone very senior, well above my pay grade."

"Come on Gail, lets meet with Helen, we're done here."

"Fine by me. I need to go to my room first."

They walked out of the security control suite into the warm summer air, Gail pointed at the doorway opposite.

"That's the fitness suite, take a look inside whilst I freshen up."

 

The drive into Amersham a little while later seemed to take less time on this Wednesday morning, probably as traffic on the M25 was lighter than on Monday. It certainly didn't feel like a forty minute journey, but Gail sat in the back listening to the other two girls dig the dirt about mutual acquaintances and police stations of the realm.

"We're here, Gail, you open up."

She opened the exterior door and stepped into the air-conditioned lobby.

"Good morning Harry."

"Good morning Miss Adams, I see you brought a friend?"

"Yes, this is Miss Grieve and she'll be staying with me for a few weeks."

"Ah, I was informed you would have a house-guest but that it was a Miss Greig."

"Sounds like a simple typo."

"Typo?"

"Typographical error."

"Yes, I suppose it does."

Helen finally walked in behind the other two and asked why they were stood there.

"We've just been fixing a spelling mistake."

Having resolved that issue the three girls headed up to the eighth floor and into the flat. There were several men and women working in there who immediately stopped. One challenged the small group.

"Stop, who are you?"

Gail took the initiative.

"I'm Abigail Adams and this is my flat. With me are DS Grieve and Miss Bell, both of whom are warranted and armed. So, it's your turn now."

"I'm sorry Miss Adams, I didn't recognise you. We've already had a couple of odd visitors here today, although none had a key. I'm Jimmy Ruddle and this is my band of counter espionage engineers. Are you going to be here long?"

Helen took over, shooing Gail and Sophie off to do a tour of inspection.

"Guys, about these visitors - any names or photos?"

"No, sorry. The door camera isn't working yet and we're not in a position to ask for ID from someone knocking on the wrong door."

"What time was this?"

"Just after nine."

"There's someone in the lobby from eight onwards to prevent random walk-ins, what time did you get here?"

"Not long after seven. There is a rear delivery door by the way, we use that one."

"I'll have to speak to Harry downstairs on the way out. In the meantime, don't open the door to anyone, understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Helen caught the girls in Sophie's allocated room, the first place they'd checked. There was an animated discussion about decoration, apparently Sophie was a bit of a goth.

"Keep it down, you two, what seems to be the problem?"

"Helen, the room's too light. I need opaque curtains, dark carpet, purple or black bedding."

"Sophie, you might only be here four weeks, that's the extent of your initial assignment. We're not redecorating the room. If Abigail is agreeable however, you can choose some alternative curtains and bedding, although they'll have to come out of your generous expenses package."

"I suppose I could live with that."

"Expenses package?" Gail was interested, Helen picked it up.

"Gail, hmm Abi, if Sophie is here twenty fours hours a day for four weeks then the usual forty two hour week doesn't apply, instead of overtime she gets a daily allowance that is designed to cover any ad-hoc expenses. Don't forget she also has her own home to maintain."

"How much is this allowance worth?"

"One hundred pounds a day on top of basic salary. All taxable of course."

"A day? Blimey, I might be able to help with the tax, though."

The subject was dropped as one of the sweep team wanted to check the bedroom. The girls quickly concluded their tour and headed back to the lobby. Harry was absent, a sign simply said:

 

Gone for lunch

 

Helen's question would have to wait for another day.

They would be too late for lunch back at the house so drove to Windsor to use a random café. Sophie did not relax once while they were in a public place and, of course, the car-parking was some distance from an acceptable eating establishment. They finally, after fifteen minutes of searching, settled on a courtyard café off a pedestrian lane with two exits. The seating was rearranged to provide line-of-sight to both exits.

The service wasn't fast but the quality of the food was superb, Sophie had been pensive throughout the lunch, easing up while they were waiting for the bill but, now that had been paid, was again anxious.

"Sophie, You're taking this too seriously."

"No, she is not, Abi. Given your recent history we are right to be concerned. Some incidents have been shown to be benign whereas others have been malignant. The ones we need to worry about are those that haven't been clarified yet, that includes our recent trip to Kew. And, no, we are not discussing it any further here. Come on!"

They walked directly back to the car-park where Sophie performed a check of the vehicle but clearly wasn't happy. Helen picked up on it immediately, pulling her phone out as she told the others to move well away from the car. Once they were a good distance from the car, she made a call.

"DI Keane, Helen Bell. We're in the River Street car-park in Windsor. We have a Code Blue, repeat Code Blue."

"Received."

"Sophie, did you check the vehicle in Amersham?"

"No."

"So anything malicious could have been done before we got here?"

"It's conceivable."

They could now hear sirens in the distance, Helen moved the other two well outside the car-park, about 200m away. Then they waited, while normal members of the public went about their business until the police cleared them away.

 
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
 
A cordon was quickly established whilst the nearest bomb disposal squad, based a few miles away at RAF Northolt, was on the way. This created quite a crowd but the police pushed everyone back several streets, although they struggled with a group of three ladies.

"That is my vehicle, if I presume you've checked the number plate then you'll know it's a Met car."

"You still have to move."

"Look, I can pull rank on you. Concentrate on the public and point the Bronze Commander in my direction when he or she gets here."

The young PC moved away, he'd deal with the public first and catch up with his Sergeant in a short while to take advice. He ended up arguing with a line of taxi drivers so missed the bronze commander's arrival. Helen didn't.

She introduced herself to the senior Police Officer who had arrived in the Windsor carpark, assuming control of the contained situation, although in fact it had already been declared safe.

"So it was you who called it in?"

"Yes, the evidence pointed to the vehicle having been tampered with."

"We'll hopefully confirm that when the car reaches the fleet HQ. Who's the suspected target?"

"I can't discuss that now as it's an counter terrorism case, but it is imperative we now get back to base."

"Go by tube?"

"Our base is outside the tube network, unfortunately. Now, given the circumstances I'd suggest a different mode of transport, although it's outside my normal authority."

Their helicopter had landed at South Mimms Motorway Services by the northern edge of the M25 where a van from the house was waiting to collect the small group. The backup Met Police chopper team hadn't expected to be used as a glorified taxi service instead of their usual surveillance and tracking role, even less so as they hadn't been told the final destination in this cloak & dagger arrangement.

Finally back indoors, Helen went straight to the library to use the secure phone whilst Gail and Sophie sat in the conservatory. Gail was finally able to ask questions freely.

"Sophie, what was wrong with the car?"

"Something didn't feel right. There were some scuff marks around the door frames on the near-side but no jemmy marks or other damage. There were also some disturbances under the car but it was difficult to see what it might be until it's on a ramp being examined properly."

"So was there a bomb?"

"No, almost definitely not. My suspicion is that either someone had tried to break in, or it was an attempt to plant a tracking device."

"Oh. When will the answer be known?"

"Later today I suspect. No doubt Helen's on the case."

***

When the call came, the three had just sat down for dinner, Helen took the call on her an extension in the dining room.

"Yes, okay, yes, thank you."

"News?"

"Yes, Gail. No sign of explosives or a tracker but plenty of suggestion someone had tried to get into it either in Amersham or at the car-park. Why they wanted to get into it is another matter. The carpark's CCTV is being checked but I was told one of the cameras is out of action so it's of limited value. Some prints have been found on the car and will be checked, they'll also be checked against our own prints to eliminate ourselves."

"Right, so we weren't in danger?"

"Not necessarily, but we weren't careful either. That's the same problem that we had in Kew Gardens."

"I remember it well."

"So do I. Gail, I want a report on today's events written by the morning, you too Sophie. I'm staying tonight as my replacement car won't be here until the morning."

"Report?"

"Yes, you two may have heard or seen things that I didn't. Sit down and write a report from the moment we left here, include everything relevant. Even if there's nothing new in your report it will still be useful to get you into the practice of writing them. That comes with the territory I'm afraid."

"Do you have the receipt from the café? I could put in a VAT refund claim at the same time?"

"Get lost, Gail. I'm going up to my room, good night."

***

By the time Gail and Sophie reached breakfast, Helen had already departed. Gail had spent two hours the previous evening compiling her report in draft and then in manuscript as she didn't have a laptop at this time, she was pleasantly surprised how much detail she could remember. Sophie, in comparison, did have a laptop with her and only needed to connect to the printer in the library to obtain a hard copy. With Helen absent, they asked Jenny what to do with the paperwork.

"If Helen's asked for them, I'll fax the reports to her office, she'll probably swing by there at some point today."

That put Gail at a loose end, she and Sophie still needed to get to know each-other before they moved into the flat but neither felt like talking much this morning. Gail was also still regretting her breakfast choice of kippers, it was repeating every few minutes; any suggestion of exercise was beaten back.

It didn't help that this was the wettest day of the summer. Gail had seemingly lost track of time but that day's newspaper announced it would be the August Bank Holiday on Monday meaning. She worked out that children would be back in schools in less than two weeks, not that Gail had any children of her own, nor nieces or nephews. Indeed, she wasn't even certain if she had any living relatives. That suited the Security Service, unsurprisingly.

Out of desperation for something to do, Gail went down to the range, Justin was in the control room.

"Hello Miss Adams."

"Formal again, I see."

"I've been," cough, "advised to keep it formal, Miss."

"In that case I won't ask about your history with DS Grieve."

"I couldn't possible comment. What brings you down here?"

"I'd like to use the range."

"It's occupied at the moment so I'm afraid you can't go in there."

"Who's using it?"

"Two of the house staff are having their weekly practice."

"House staff? I never would have thought they would do that."

"Had you considered why an accountant would use Police issue weapons? These are illegal in the hands of the public in this country."

"I've been advised to practice when I can, but today it's to occupy my time."

The light over the range door changed from red to green and shortly afterwards it swung open allowing the maid and housekeeper to exit.

"Hello Miss, are you waiting to go in?"

"Yes Lisa, I didn't know you did this?"

"Have to keep my hand in, Miss, just in case."

Gail was about to ask what the 'just in case' meant when she was called in by the range officer.

Forty-five minutes and several targets later, Gail was very happy. She was now missing the target 10% of the time and those on target were starting to gather around the inner rings. The usual range officer was waiting for her when she exited.

"If you can deal with the strays then your score will be more than acceptable. You can expect your licence soon."

"Thank you, but I still don't know why I'm being given this privilege."

"As I said yesterday, that answer is not known to anyone in my pay grade."

The rain had eased off whilst Gail was underground but it was now nearly lunchtime. Sophie was absent, Gail understood that she had gone over to Amersham to check the area out for safe walking routes, likely ambush points and any potential enemy surveillance locations.

"She's welcome to that task," thought Gail.

She avoided the fish that was on offer at lunchtime and had a simple vegetable soup. The aim was to be able to use some of the gym equipment a reasonable time after eating.

It was just after two when Gail walked into the fitness suite. She'd changed into her leotard but wore sweats over that. She also remembered a towel.

Taking off her top, she started on a running machine. Gail pounded away for half an hour, steadily increasing the speed. Once into a rhythm she didn't feel any strain, although the moment she stopped her calf muscles complained; she was bent over rubbing them when Sophie walked in.

"I wondered if you were in here?"

"I've just run several miles so I'm not jumping back on that machine."

"I wondered if you fancied a rowing race?"

"Rowing race? Okay, I've never done that before on dry land but let's give it a go before I change my mind."

Gail had assumed the rowing machine was all about arms and shoulders so regretted her unconditional agreement within the first few minutes. There were muscles and tendons being used that she didn't even know she possessed. This was true torture. Sophie meanwhile was pulling far ahead on her linked machine. Gail wobbled back onto her feet, panting badly, then she grabbed her towel to mop her brow.

"You win. I'm going for a shower."

"Same again tomorrow?"

Gail felt no better off for all her exertions, indeed even after a long soak in the bath to help relax, she was still feeling the cramps that had started in her legs. She phoned housekeeping for a glass of iced water, and sipped this as she read. When dinner time arrived it was just her and Sophie with no sign of Helen returning.

Sleep came easily that night.

 
Abigail Must Die!
 

Gail's phone rang at seven in the morning as she was putting on her swimsuit.

"Hello?"

"It's Jenny. There's an urgent conference call in the library in fifteen minutes."

"I was on my way to the pool."

"Sorry Gail, this really is urgent and may take some time."

"Okay, I'll get dressed and get down there, could I have some coffee?"

"I'll have that waiting."

"Thanks."

What could be that urgent? Jenny hadn't mentioned Sophie once so was she in this meeting or not? There was a knock on Gail's door as she was pulling on a pair of slacks.

"Come in."

Sophie opened the door and looked impatient in her swimsuit with a towel over one shoulder.

"Gail, I was waiting for you."

"Sorry Sophie, I've been called to an urgent conference call. I take it you weren't called?"

"No, what's it about?"

"I don't know, all I know is it's urgent. Sorry, but I must get moving as it's almost time."

Gail rushed downstairs, the library door was open and Jenny was waiting in there with the handset of the secure phone in her hand. A pot of coffee was on the desk next to some paperwork.

"Yes Emily we're secure. Gail's here now, I'll just connect Helen then you're setup."

Jenny pressed a few buttons then handed the handset to Gail before leaving the room, firmly shutting the door behind her.

"Gail, are you on your own?"

"Yes, Emily"

"I suggest you lock the door before we continue. Helen can you confirm your location is secure?"

Gail did as asked, missing Helen's response, then returned to her seat. On the desk in front of her were the originals of hers and Sophie's reports.

"This briefing is classified Secret. Please confirm you both understand?"

They did.

"Now Gail, we have some disturbing information. You'll recall that Anna was withdrawn last week"

"Yes, but I didn't understand why?"

"You weren't informed at the time as it did not appear to be relevant, however that has now changed."

"Is this related to yesterday?"

"Yes, let me explain. The initial investigation into the incident at Kew showed that Anna was not carrying out her duties in accordance with instructions meaning that her position became untenable. A further investigation has now brought us to the conclusion that the incident at Kew was staged."

"I don't understand, she chased after the robber."

"Indeed, but the robber was her nephew, David Grieg."

"Oh, shit, Grieg?"

"Quite. This now confirms that the address of your flat, plus your new identity have been compromised."

"How?"

"We're working on it. Helen, can you take over?"

"Thanks Emily, David Grieg's fingerprints were found on the car plus the sweep team at your flat have identified David and Anna Grieg from photos as the visitors on Wednesday morning."

"So it was no typo?"

"No and we suspect she was going to obtain a key for the flat posing as your flatmate. Unfortunately we've not yet been able to speak to Harry, he was found yesterday morning in undergrowth behind the building."

"Oh, is he going to be okay?"

"He's only just regained conciousness, unfortunately the CCTV in the lobby was disabled."

"How did they get in the building?"

"Through the rear delivery door and up the staircase. The lock showed it had been tampered with."

"So what now?"

"We're working on it. Reconvene at 1100hrs?"

Emily and Gail confirmed, Gail put the handset back on the cradle. She finally poured a cup of coffee from the waiting cafetière and sat wondering what the hell was going on? Who could she trust? Emily and Helen had been with her from the first day at the original safe-house and had never lied to her, even if they hadn't always said everything Gail wanted or needed to know.

Diane had been kidnapped by terrorists then compromised by Essex Special Branch, finally today she'd heard about Anna's treachery. How could these people do this to her? Who next? She started to sob.

Jenny was outside the library door and, although she wasn't deliberately listening, could just hear Gail through the sound-proofing. She used a key to unlock the door.

"Gail, come on dry your eyes. Everyone's working out what to do."

"I've been betrayed!"

"We all have. Now, if we have to relocate you later then you need a good breakfast as lunch may not happen if we need to get moving. I'll make you a fresh pot of coffee."

"How much do you know?"

"Enough, enough to know that we're now in lock-down."

"Lock-down?"

"No-one gets in or out of this house until further notice."

"But you said I would be relocated?"

"You will, as soon as the lock-down is cancelled. Get some breakfast then go to the range."

"Why?"

"Food first, then speak to the range officer."

What was strange was the presence of Justin in the hallway, in combat uniform and armed with an automatic weapon.

"What are you doing?"

"There's a threat, this is my position."

Gail knew what the threat was, but could the house be at risk?

Breakfast was a strange affair. Gail wasn't certain if Sophie had been in the pool but she hadn't long sat down before Gail entered the room. The strangeness was amplified as Sophie was in a bullet-proof vest and had a sidearm on the table.

Gail went up to her room and grabbed her bag, but decided to take the pass out and hang it around her neck using the lanyard to make sure that all the security personnel knew who she was. She then went down to the range as requested.

"Ah Miss Adams, I've been expecting you."

"That’s a line from a film, isn’t it? I'll think of the film title in a moment. Why am I needed?"

"Please just go straight into the range."

Gail entered the range. The red light was showing but the door wasn't closed. Inside, the range officer had a store open that clearly contained substantial fire power, this she knew to be the armoury from her previous visits.

"This is your firearms licence, sign at the bottom and on this receipt."

"Why?"

"Otherwise what we do next is illegal."

"Okay, what?"

Gail put the licence in her bag as the officer removed a tray from the armoury and put it on a table, there was another receipt.

Sign here."

"What for?"

"You're signing for a Glock-26 handbag gun, the same as you've been using."

"Why?"

"Too many questions. You would have qualified in a few days anyway but circumstances dictate that I issue this now. Sign here!"

Gail reluctantly signed and picked up the weapon, checking that the safety was on, as well as several clips. One clip was inserted then everything was transferred to her bag. What the hell was going on? Jenny was waiting in the control room.

"Gail, Anna knew the location of this house as well as the main entry points. We don't know what her motive is but she can be extremely dangerous. You have been issued that weapon to protect yourself in case our defences fail. Once the threat is over I'll take the weapon back from you and return it to the armoury. Whether or not you choose to use it in the meantime is down to you complete with the consequences."

"I'm not at all comfortable with this, I'm an accountant not a law enforcement officer."

"But you impressed the range officer with how quickly you became competent with that weapon, which to be honest doesn't suit most of the team here."

Gail wasn't convinced but knew there was trouble brewing. She was outside the conservatory when her mobile rang.

"Hello Helen?"

"Hi Gail, can you get to the library?"

"Sure, but why is my phone working?"

"Later, get to the library."

Gail rushed into the library and shut the door behind her, the secure phone was ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hi Gail, can you please push the blue secure button in 3-2-1 ... still there?"

"Yes Helen. What's going on?"

"We decided to do a dummy delivery to the flat using one of the vans, but with armed officers in the back. The vehicle was rammed and an attempt made to get the driver out but the officers overwhelmed them. Anna has an arm injury but will live to see her trial, David Grieg discharged a pistol towards the driver and was shot, he died instantly. One other was detained unhurt but we don't have a name or any other details yet."

"So is it over?"

"No, we don't know what else Anna had planned, nor why, or even if someone else is running the show?"

"That's too many unknowns."

"Quite, the problem now is that we have substantial evidence that your location and identity have been compromised, Abigail Adams has to effectively die today. We then start again."

"Again? Where do I go? Another new identity?"

"The answer to the first question is being sorted at the moment, listen to Jenny and do as she asks. Have you been issued with a weapon?"

"Yes, a Glock-26, the same as I was using in the range. As I said to Jenny and the range officer I'm not happy about that."

"But you are competent and right now everyone in that house has to be capable of helping with security, that includes you and the chambermaid."

"I know, I understand the issues it's just that I'm uncomfortable."

"Look, I'll be in my office all day unless something happens. If we need to talk, use the secure phone. Don't forget the conference with Emily at 1100."

"Okay, bye for now."

She hung up and walked back to the conservatory. Suddenly there was a huge explosion from the far end of the garden and the ground shook, followed by alarms everywhere. Then another explosion, much closer. The security shutters came down quickly between the two explosions causing the house lights to come on, then suddenly go off. The house was now in a state of confused darkness. Another explosion near the front of the house knocked Gail off her feet, falling initially against a wall then her head made contact with the tiled floor.

She was later told that Justin had found Gail slumped just inside the conservatory and, with Sophie's help, carried her to the emergency room in the basement. She came around within a few minutes but was deemed to have suffered concussion so would require a trip to hospital, not the best outcome possible especially given the security risks. Another plan was needed.

Once the all-clear was given a full evacuation was ordered. A military helicopter landed on the front lawn and the house front door was opened, something Gail had never previously seen. She was instructed not to take anything other than her bag, her belongings would follow. Sophie assisted Gail board the chopper, although Gail was not yet aware of the revised plan, were they flying to a local hospital?

The flight took them to army barracks in Hereford, where Gail dropping into the medical office to be checked out. It was whilst she was there that Gail's phone rang, she opened her bag to retrieve it then remembered the Glock handgun that was also in her bag. She wasn't the only person to spot the firearm.

"Hello Helen."

"Where are you?"

"Safe at the moment."

"Can you enable Secure on your phone?”

"Got it."

"Right, we're secure, where are you?"

"SAS barracks, Hereford."

"That's pretty safe. What's the plan?"

"Sophie and I have just discussed Cornwall seeing as we're not that far from the South West. She'll organise a car when one of these fine officers drops us into Hereford town centre."

"Okay, keep me informed."

"Bye."

Gail slid the phone back into her bag, unaware that several armed personnel were now looking at her strangely. The senior officer spoke.

"Madam, is that a handgun?"

"Er, yes, a Glock 26. I have some spare magazines too. I understand it takes NATO standard ammunition if you can spare me a box?"

"We'll see about that, but why would an accountant be carrying a concealed weapon?" Gail still had her ID card around her neck.

"My job title is irrelevant, my firearms certificate is also in there, feel free to have a look. By the way, where's my bodyguard?"

"Outside. I'd like you to find the certificate, slowly now please."

Gail had the certificate in a side pocket so pulled that out easily. She unfolded it and handed it to the officer.

"This is a Met Police Firearms Unit licence."

"If you say so, it was only issued this morning and I hadn't had a chance to read it, what with being attacked by terrorists and all that."

"Who do you actually work for?"

"The Security Service, on a joint Met Police Security Service counter terrorism initiative." She made up the name on the spot, it seemed to impress the officer.

"What about your bodyguard?"

"She's just finished with the Diplomatic and Royal Protection Team and is my close protection officer, she's armed with a Glock 17, personally I find the '26 easier to handle."

"I'm not happy with you two having weapons on this base."

"I was even less happy being issued with it this morning. As soon as your doctor has cleared me then we'll be gone. I have to go into hiding whilst a new identity is dreamed up for me, again. I promise we won't trouble you again, probably."

END

 
----
 

This book Accountancy Can Be Deadly, and the follow-up - Spying By Numbers - are also both available for Kindle.

The third book, Diminishing Returns is currently in production.

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Comments

Typical Mil Spec Attitude

"I'm not happy with you two having weapons on this base." Utterly predictable. Had to deliver a prisoner to an Air Force Base, in full uniform with a deputy sheriff, also in full uniform. Driving a full-dressed city unit, prisoner shackled in the back seat.

SP officer we delivered prisoner to commented on us still being armed, I replied that we were required by law to be armed when on duty, for our and others' safety.

Officer commented 'We have enough bombs here to destroy the state, you're safe here.'

Me, tired and the proud possessor of a sarcasm streak y-e-a wide: "Well then you have nothing to worry about from us! In the meantime we'll hang on to these. Just in case, you know?"

Note 1: This was long before the Ft. Hood incident. Undoubtedly things would have gone much differently then.

Note 2: I have no idea what the prisoner supposedly did. I asked and got the usual need to know reply. Normally an agency would pickup their prisoner at our PD. This time we got a "request" to deliver him under armed escort to the AFB about 70-80 miles away. I gather the "request" came from a high enough level that refusal wasn't an option.


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Can't Trust Anybody

joannebarbarella's picture

Well, at least Gail is still alive!
I'm enjoying re-reading this story. Thanks for reposting.

Great story

Shiraz, what a great story! I loved it so much I purchased "Spying by Numbers" , loved that one also. Can't wait for "Diminishing Returns" to come out. Thank you

When it rains, it pours

Jamie Lee's picture

Oh brother, nothing like a bad law enforcement officer. Good thing they caught Anna in the act and made it so nephew is no longer a worry. He got what he deserved.

Now what? What secure place can they hide Abi? And who was Anna working for, or was she in it for herself?

This is a real engrossing story.

Others have feelings too.