Michael Parker: A Covert War

‘What about Abdul Khaliq, what part did he play?’

‘Oh, he wanted David as a bargaining chip. The Americans were getting greedy and wanted him out of the way and their man in place. He needed some kind of assurance, and he believed David was the answer. He believed he could do a deal with us and get out before the CIA got to him.’

Cavendish then told Marcus that it was when he spoke of hearing that the ‘station chief’ was responsible for the shipment out of the country that confirmed it was the CIA boss who was orchestrating the whole affair. Randy Hudson was the CIA Station Chief in England and perfectly placed to oversee the operation on behalf of his paymasters back in the States. It was another piece of the ‘jigsaw’ that fell into place.

They spent some time talking about the devious and secretive work that intelligence services perform, and how it impacts on the public perception of what is happening in the hotspots around the world. But eventually Cavendish made his excuse and bid them all goodnight.

When the MI6 man had gone, Marcus told Susan and David that he was going back to his business; Guard Right Security. He said that Cavendish had assured him that his entire office would be refurbished at the expense of MI6. Or the taxpayer! Cavendish had also offered Marcus a job.

‘You’re not going to take it, surely?’ Susan asked in surprise.

Marcus shook his head. ‘No,’ he assured her. ‘I only have so much adrenalin, and I don’t want to waste it on Cavendish and his deceitful plans. And I won’t miss it either.’

They all laughed at that.

‘But there is one thing I will miss,’ Marcus said wistfully.

‘What’s that?’ Susan asked him.

‘My sessions in the gym with Maggot.’

Susan sat upright. ‘Really?’ Marcus nodded at her. She leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment. ‘How come you beat Maggot, Marcus? You told me that he always got the better of you, no matter how hard you tried.’

Marcus smiled. ‘That’s true. But this time there was one difference: we were fighting dirty, and that meant no rules.’

He let it sink in. Then he shook his head gently, tears forming in his eyes.

‘You know, I shouldn’t say this, but I’m going to: Maggot would have been proud of me.’