Colin Forbes - Cell

'Think you ought to see this. We can get it enlarged downstairs in minutes, get a clearer pic of the object below the hatch.' He looked at Newman. 'I think you showed extraordinary initiative and courage collecting this vital data. Thank God you disobeyed my orders. Now we are sure where the al-Qa'eda cell is.'

He looked across to Marler.

'Marler,' he explained to the others, 'has just returned from following Eva Brand. Anything to report, Marler?'

'Yes and no…'

Marler, drawing on his remarkable memory, proceeded to recall every word of the conversation he had heard between Palfry and Eva. Tweed sat very still, his eyes fixed on Marler until he had concluded.

'Intriguing,' he began. 'And valuable. Sounds as though Mr Victor Warner is feeling the pressure. Maybe why he's glad to hide behind me. But two items could be significant. The Minister's trips off without any guards. And the fact that Palfry's tub-house, as Eva called it, can house up to twenty guests. I wonder. No signs of intimacy between the two of them?' he asked.

'The reverse,' Marler told him. 'Eva dominated Palfry from the word go. Wasn't exactly polite.'

'Another piece of the jigsaw slotted in.'

'I read Paula's report on her ordeal at Carpford,' Buchanan interjected. 'Am I right,' he asked, turning to Paula, 'that when you escaped out of that horrible tunnel you saw a huge abandoned quarry? More to the point, you saw one big boulder tumble down from the crest, joining a whole shambles of fallen rocks?'

'Yes, I did. The shambles, as you called it, was at least ten feet deep and covered a large area. A lot looked as though it had collapsed recently.'

'At the moment,' Buchanan went on, 'we have four bodies which have disappeared in that area. Mrs Warner, Mrs Gobble, Jasper Buller of Special Branch and Pecksniff, the crooked solicitor. I say bodies because at this stage I fear none of them are still alive.'

'You think they're buried under the quarry rock-fall?' suggested Paula. 'Then send a team to search there.'

'I'd like to but there are obstacles. My enquiries show that a large area of that land, including the quarry, are the joint property of Victor Warner and Drew Franklin. Since I can't yet show probable cause for the search no legal figure will sign a search warrant.'

'That's a curious arrangement,' said Tweed. 'I thought Drew rented his cube house. Yet you say he owns land.'

'I know.' Buchanan shrugged. 'The transfer document drawn up by the New Age Development Corp must be complex. If we could ask Pecksniff we'd find out its terms. But Pecksniff is no longer available, to put it mildly.'

'You know, Bob,' Paula said, staring hard at Newman, 'really we do need those aerial photos Airsight are supposed to be taking one day.'

'Tomorrow,' Newman said with a grin. 'The outfit's owner, whom I've told you is the best man, flies over there shortly after dawn tomorrow, takes his pics and rushes them to us here.'

'I hope,' Tweed intervened, 'he doesn't make a great song and dance when he flies over. I don't want suspicions aroused up there.'

'I've already talked to him about that,' Newman assured him. 'He's clever. He'll take his shots when he first flies over, then he'll do a loop-the-loop manoeuvre before he pushes off. Anyone seeing him will assume he's a macho young pilot showing off.'

'That should cover it,' Tweed agreed.

'When I study those pics,' Paula remarked, 'I should be able to spot which house has the cellar where I was imprisoned.'

Tweed stood up, began pacing the limited space left in his office. He talked as he paced.

'We are so close to the moment when al-Qa'eda will launch its attack on our city. Tomorrow, I'm sure.'

'Today,' Newman corrected. 'It's just after midnight.'

Tweed was pacing when Buchanan stood up to leave. He kissed Paula on the cheek, said he must get back to the Yard.

'I'll come down with you,' Tweed said. 'Don't argue…'

At the bottom of the stairs he asked George to unlock the door to the visitors' room. Taking Buchanan by the arm, he ushered him inside, closed the door.

'Secrecy is vital,' he said.

'You have a plan to destroy al-Qa'eda, haven't you?' Buchanan suggested.

'Yes. It will involve a lot of cooperation and perfect timing.'

'Then I might as well tell you I have alerted the police anti-terrorist squad for an imminent operation. No details.'

'I'd like you to station them on the right bank of the Thames. Between Albert Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. As many marksmen as you can muster. They can go there now in plain clothes and pick spots where they'll be concealed, but with a clear view of the river. Give you more later. Also, at 4 p.m. when it's nearly dark I want all the street lights on both sides of the river switched off…'

'There'll be a riot. People will want to get home.'

'You haven't heard the worst yet. Well before 4 p.m. I want all traffic diverted away from the river, the Embankment. I want traffic banned from crossing those bridges. You'll have to get cracking. They can drive down the Strand.'

'I'll need a reason.'

'Announce by policemen on foot that a major police exercise is being conducted. That it will last for several hours, duration unknown. That's only part of it. You and I must keep in the closest touch by secure communication.'

'Is that all?' Buchanan asked cynically.

'For the moment only, yes. I know the target. Strictly between us, I'm in touch with the SAS. That goes no further.'

'Understood. I had better get cracking.'

'Just before you leave, I've been in touch with the Home Secretary and got his blessing. Couldn't say anything else – he's had a copy of the PM's directive. And I'll be paying the PM a brief visit. I know he'll signal his agreement.'

'Take good care of yourself, Tweed. I smell great danger.'

Tweed ran up the stairs, entered his office, stood behind his desk. He waited while everyone watched him.

'I'll explain the plan to wipe out the al-Qa'eda cell at 3 a.m. So everyone must be back here by then. Paula, have you ever seen all six barges coming upriver to the power station? You get about a lot.'

'Yes, I have, it's like a huge convoy.'

'Explain in more detail. The distance between the barges.'

'Not more than a hundred yards, at a guess. It really is an impressive sight. I've also seen them going downriver.'

'Same formation?'

'I'd say the distance between one vessel and the next is greater. Two hundred yards. Another guess.'

'Close enough, thank you. Now, Nield, drive to where Harry is looking after Billy Hogarth. Between you, get him out of bed, bring him back here. Monica, he can sleep in the camp bed I use in that cupboard. When you've settled him lock this office door, keep the key. Any trouble with him – unlikely – call on George for help. Give him coffee or tea to drink. No alcohol. I don't think he'll want any -he pretends to be drunk according to Paula, to get rid of his brother, Martin. Send out to the deli for breakfast and lunch. The official line for Billy is he's being moved to a safer place…'

'Anything when we get back?' asked Nield, putting on his windcheater.

'Yes. Both of you go to the basement, assemble an armoury. Sub-machine guns, tons of ammo, explosive grenades, plenty of night-glasses, personal water canisters, hand-guns to your choice, dark clothing with large SIS patches on the backs and tear-gas bombs. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.'

'I'm off,' said Nield and disappeared.

'Forget sleep,' Tweed continued. 'There won't be any. Newman, drive up to Carpford, knock on all the doors, wake them up if necessary. I want to know who is up there. And while you're there, check every rooftop. You're looking for elevated radio masts. Then report back to me here. Urgent.'