Alex Palmer - The Tattooed Man

‘I think that’s a question you should ask them,’ Grey said. ‘They may have felt it was an act of betrayal. From the information I have, my opinion is that Brinsmead was a poor choice for an operation of this nature. I’m advised he was a close, long-term friend of Ricks-not a good situation to begin with-and was chosen on her recommendation for his scientific skills and his previous experience in the army. By all accounts, he didn’t have the temperament for undercover work.’

‘You are aware that both individuals were in the employ of or were connected to a Dr Elena Calvo?’

‘We do know that. It’s clear she’s been imposed upon. We will be speaking to Dr Calvo in due course. At present, we don’t consider it the right time for an interview. We’re uncertain about her allegiances to Dr Brinsmead. She was previously involved with him, and since his return from the DRC she’s given him a great deal of support. We don’t want her warning him.’

‘I think it will be the other way around,’ Harrigan said. ‘I think you should warn her.’

‘I’m sorry but that can’t happen. It could jeopardise the operation. I understand she has very professional security of her own. We’ll rely on that.’

‘Did the parent agency in Britain know these two people were working for her?’

‘They were aware of Brinsmead. We found Ricks for them. As part of our watching brief, we sent an agent to Dr Calvo’s launch. She identified her as Calvo’s personal bodyguard.’

Harrigan decided there was no future in advising either Grey or the commissioner that he had known about Sam from the beginning and could have identified her from whatever picture they happened to have.

‘I’ve advised Stephen that both they and an individual who appeared in this morning’s video, Andreas du Plessis, are persons of interest to us,’ the commissioner said. ‘Could you tell us where we are with that?’

‘It’s very early days. The case we have against them is in its infancy,’ Harrigan replied. ‘It’s more a matter of circumstance than evidence, but in my judgement Brinsmead and Jonas are responsible for the killings at Pittwater and also the special assistant commissioner’s shooting. Again in my judgement, du Plessis was the agent responsible for the murder of Senator Edwards and his adviser. Obviously we’re still acquiring evidence.’

‘Do you have any idea who du Plessis was an agent for?’ Grey asked.

‘Elena Calvo,’ Harrigan said after a pause.

‘Are you sure?’ the commissioner asked.

‘She’s the one with the motive. She’s got a lot to protect.’

‘The senator was a friend of hers. Is she a danger to the community?’

Harrigan considered it was fair enough to say Elena Calvo had taken care of all eventualities and probably didn’t mean anyone else any harm. Why else might she be prepared to give him the opportunity to remove the one person who could incriminate her: du Plessis?

‘No,’ he said.

‘Do you have any proof?’ Grey asked.

‘We’re in the process of acquiring it. Circumstances indicate there is a connection between Elena Calvo and Beck and also between LPS and Beck’s activities with the International Agricultural Research Consortium. At this stage, I can’t afford to rule her out as a possibility.’

‘Whatever Beck was doing has been shut down, hasn’t it?’ Grey said. ‘In which case, Commissioner, we will leave that part of the investigation to you and your people. It’s not our responsibility. That’s a case you’ll have to prove yourself.’

‘The issue we have to deal with now is where this leaves our entire investigation,’ the commissioner said. ‘The Minister for Police spoke to me late last night, Paul. The federal government has requested we direct our manpower to support ASIO in their hunt for these two individuals. Obviously, we’ll comply with that.’

‘You should know that the British government intends to extradite both Brinsmead and Jonas for stealing and publishing top secret government information,’ Grey said. ‘Those extradition warrants will be ready to be executed very soon.’

‘Be that as it may, we still have a significant murder inquiry to pursue,’ the Commissioner said.

‘As I’ve said,’ Grey replied, ‘for the British government this is a matter of national security. Falcon is an extremely important agency. Its operations cannot be compromised. If there is a murder trial for these two individuals here in Australia, then there is certain evidence they cannot be allowed to present in an open court. If a prosecution is to proceed, it will need a narrow focus. Specifically, any information relating to the operation in which Brinsmead received his burns will need to be excluded.’

‘We can try to do that,’ Harrigan said, ‘but there’s so much information out on the net, it’s impossible that any kind of suppression orders will be effective. Everything on their website has been posted all over the world.’

‘Then we have to move into damage control. From here on in we must maintain secrecy and let that publicity die.’

It would be a useless exercise. Harrigan left this unsaid.

‘Do we know why Falcon didn’t pursue Beck and du Plessis for murder four years ago?’ he asked instead. ‘There was enough evidence.’

‘I have no information on that,’ Grey said. ‘Our primary role in this is to arrest two individuals who have contravened British national security laws.’

‘Where does that leave du Plessis? If we apprehend him, is there any intention he be charged for the massacre we just saw on the net?’

‘Before anything, Falcon will want to interview him and determine what he does and doesn’t know. He may also need to be extradited. If his evidence in any way revealed knowledge of Falcon’s operations or its operatives, then that information would have to be prevented from entering the public domain. I understand he’s wanted for murder in South Africa. That may have to be sufficient retribution.’

‘There’s a question of how much access we’ll be allowed to any of these individuals once they are apprehended,’ the commissioner said. ‘If they’re to be returned to Britain for questioning almost immediately, when do we get to interview them?’

‘You will be given access in due time. But the individuals in question will need to be debriefed first and made to understand what they can and cannot say. Please be assured that we have the political authority of the federal and state governments behind us. It’s their intention we cooperate with the British secret service.’

‘How long will these debriefings take?’ the commissioner asked. ‘How will we be advised when these people are available to us?’

‘You will be informed at the right time. You have my word on that. Meanwhile, we’ll continue with the manhunt. Does that cover everything?’

‘Paul. Do you have any questions or comments?’

‘These two people have already been driven to act in extreme ways,’ Harrigan said. ‘I wouldn’t underestimate them, particularly now. You may not find them easy to track down, particularly Jonas.’

‘This is where you come in, Paul,’ the commissioner said. ‘I’m making the information you’ve collected so far available to ASIO. With your and your squad’s assistance, they will analyse it here. That process will begin first thing this morning.’

‘We’ll cooperate in every way.’

‘Thank you,’ Grey said. ‘I think that’s all for the time being. Our agents will be here soon. I understand your people are on their way in, those that aren’t here already. Good morning.’

‘Is Elena Calvo really your choice for the individual du Plessis is working for?’ the commissioner asked as soon as Grey had left the room.