“That’s excellent. We definitely need your knowledge and input,” Laura started. “But please, call me Laura.” A discussion then ensued on how to approach the investigation, concluding that Cezar’s colleagues would research those sites that David’s team had identified as being of interest, as well as using their own records to find any other facilities that could be of interest. That would take until the end of the following day. Then, once they had an agreed list of prospects, the visits would start.
“Another day of sightseeing then,” suggested Rob as they walked out of the building. “Clearly keeping a close eye on emails,” he added quickly as he caught Laura’s sideways look. “And this time, Nat, we expect you to join us – at least for part of the time!”
Secretly, Laura was delighted at having the opportunity for more downtime with Rob. She kept chiding herself for her suspicions over whatever may have happened between Rob and Freja, if anything. She knew that the new distance between Rob and herself was predominantly of her own making and this was a great opportunity to close that gap again. Having Nat around helped – she was concerned that if the entire time was just the two of them it could become too intense and backfire, regardless of the fun time she and Rob had shared the previous day.
* * *
Lunch was bland, as usual, but presented an opportunity for some welcome company for Burak. He got on reasonably well with the guard who brought the meals to his cell. Conversation during lunch was supposed to be on renaissance art – something that fascinated him, but knew little about. On the other hand, the guard knew a lot, studying it as a hobby. Consequently, when Burak’s mobile phone rang, his irritation was clear, “Yes, what?!”
“Ah, hello Burak. You able to speak?” Siggerty was surprised at Burak’s uncharacteristic style of answering – he clearly hadn’t glanced at the screen to see who was calling.
“Sorry Jim. Yes, I can speak. I was just in a conversation with someone but can return to it another time.” Burak mouthed “Sorry” to the guard who left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Everyone knew why Burak was at the holding centre and that he had to maintain contact with his network.
“Its good to hear from you. I presume you’ve found somewhere safe to hole-up?”
“Well, yes and no. I keep moving. I now know it’s the Afghans who are after me. We turned the tables on some guys who came after one of my men and questioned them at length. The only thing is how to use the knowledge to my benefit?”
Loads of ideas started to spin through Burak’s mind, not least that this could help Steven, Rob and Laura, and consequently himself. “Any idea why they are acting in quite such a robust manner?”
“Ah, well, that’s a great question.”
“And?”
“And it’s not entirely clear, other than something to do with having taken some market away from them.”
“Yes, of course. But that’s to be expected, as is some retaliation. But there appears to be more behind this than the usual aggrieved drugs lord.”
“I agree. All I got out of the guys before they died was they had won a large market from others and I have taken too much away from them. Now their main man is angry at the loss of cash.”
Burak furrowed his brow – there were two interpretations to Siggerty’s comment. “Jim, the loss of cash in terms of loss of income, or actual loss of money, aka someone has ripped the guy off?”
“Don’t know for certain, but got the impression it’s the former – the loss of income.”
“But Jim, unless there’s something you haven’t told me, you’ve only increased your takings by ten million or so – and that’s not a lot in your business.”
“Always nice to have though,” Siggerty laughed.
“Agreed. But that’s not the point. Any idea what this Afghan wants the cash for?”
“Nah. Not my problem right now – I just need to stay alive!”
“It is your problem, Jim. That is the whole point. If this Afghan person is so anxious to keep his cash flow, there has to be a reason and knowing that reason will help get him out of your life.” Burak paused for a moment, allowing the message to sink in. Like a scolded child who knows he’s in the wrong, Siggerty remained silent, suggesting he had taken Burak’s message on board. “Where are you?” Burak eventually asked.
“Manchester.”
“Oh, okay. Somehow, I’d thought you’d have gone further. Just remember, I will need details of who is after you if I’m to help stop this – there are a lot of Afghans.”
“We are working on that, trust me!”
Having finished the call, Burak sat in silence, picking at the remnants of his lunch. Even though he was hungry, he was deep in thought and had lost interest in eating. The question is how do I stop this Afghan when I don’t have the resources I used to? Burak sat, blanking out all thought for a long time, merely staring at the blank wall. Steven! That’s it! An idea had popped into his mind. Steven will almost certainly be interested.
A minute later Burak was chatting to Gurning’s assistant, who informed him that Gurning was unavailable but would call him back.
Patience had never been one of Burak’s strong points and he begun pacing his cell, frustrated at not being able to share his amazing plan. Convinced that Gurning would be enthused by the opportunity, Burak also had plans for how he could use that to his own benefit.
Gurning was, at the time, deep in conversation with MI5’s DG. As required, when Burak’s guard left him to take Siggerty’s call, he had reported it. Upon checking, some key words were flagged, justifying listening to the entire conversation. Burak had not quite got used to that fact, thinking he could still keep the upper hand.
“You know that Burak is going to use this against us,” the DG was saying, having listened to Gurning’s briefing.
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t expect anything less. But the thing is, we can link these toxic chemicals and his man’s connections with the London drug assassinations – possibly more. We have to follow this one through.”
“Steven, I agree. But I don’t want to ease-up on Burak – not yet at least.”
“Sir, with all respect, we know we cannot trust the man, but he could be key to an absolute blinder of an operation here. If we play this right, we could obtain essential leads not just on these chemicals, but also blow a huge hole in the drugs trade – two big fish at the same time.”
“Yes, I know. Mention of this Afghan connection is extremely interesting. Okay, see what Burak has to say. Just be careful and ensure that any perceived liberties you concede are precisely that – perceived only. I will manage the inevitable politics around this. Let me know what is required and I will provide you with the operational cover.”
“Thank you, sir. I will make sure that Burak is locked down and is aware of that.”
* * *
When Gurning got back to his office his assistant immediately handed him the note that Burak had called twice and was eager to speak to him as soon as possible. “Thank you, Jill. I will call him, but not immediately. If he calls again, please stall him.”
Jill watched as her boss disappeared into his office and closed the door – a rarity when he was alone. It was also rare for Gurning to ask her to stall incoming calls – he knew that to do so was awkward, particularly because he didn’t approve of lying, so she wouldn’t ever say that he was out when he wasn’t.
26
It was a pleasantly bright day in Liverpool. Unlike in London, the supply of drugs hadn’t been disrupted by the recent rivalry because this was Siggerty’s home territory. It was London where Siggerty had bumped-up against Kamal’s dealers, but now Kamal’s men knew Siggerty’s home town and were turning up the pressure.
