"Correct again, Arena. Very good. An outstanding chap indeed," Johnson added with a pained smile. There was a moment of silence as he gathered his thoughts. "He's been seconded to INTERPOL recently. Heads up a new area concerned with terrorism. Very secret."
"Yes," she offered boldly. "INTREPID. I've received the brief."
"Not much gets past you, does it now," Johnson said. "Yes, indeed. Terrorists, their networks, weapons of mass destruction, illegal arms, the slave trade and illicit narcotics are amongst their targets. He has the great luxury of being able to hand-pick his people from anywhere in the world. These INTREPID agents are part policeman, part soldier, part spy - or so they say."
"I understand the General's known to run it old school, Sir. Sends his agents out with the maxim 'live by your wits'. He's not keen on modern gadgets, or technology in the field," Halls added. She was aware of Davenport's appointment and intrigued by the mystique surrounding him and his 'Defenders of the Faith', as they'd become known in select circles. "No fan of the modern 'techno-spooks', as he calls them."
"Quite right. Chalk that up to his colonial roots. Prides himself on choosing the types who could hold their own in a bar brawl, as easily as attend a formal occasion at the Palace." Johnson added disdainfully. "Anyway, he has raised some rather disturbing matters regarding Malfajiri, and as we've just discussed, the President of that country has declared a state of emergency and will arrive in London shortly to personally request Her Majesty's help. We expect his government to fall at any time."
"Yes," she said.
"General Davenport expressed a most grave concern over an issue involving arms smuggling. Specifically a major operation that the latest INTERPOL intelligence suggests is connected to a British private military company operating in Malfajiri." Halls noted a somewhat furtive glance from Johnson. She remained silent. "There's more. INTERPOL believes that whoever is behind this gunrunning business has been secretly supplying the rebels in that country wth their arms via a source within the American military in Iraq - arms that are being used against the democratically elected government of Malfajiri. This is a company, I might add, to which the Foreign Office, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, has given its full endorsement."
"I see." Halls moved uncomfortably in her chair. "And is the General suggesting that somebody in the Foreign Office is implicated?"
"He's not sure," Johnson replied. There was a long pause. "But the mere suggestion of complicity by the Foreign Office, or any branch of the Government for that matter, would be of immeasurable damage to Great Britain."
"The timing couldn't be worse," said Halls.
"Exactly, especially with President Namakobo's visit to Britain imminent, and this renegade, Baptiste, looking for the first opportunity to assassinate him. The fact that Baptiste is part of this al-Qaeda-linked extremist alliance operating throughout West Africa isn't exactly comforting. Of course, it's impossible to know what any of these revolutionaries are these days: Muslim, Communist ... Labor!" He tossed her a flicker of a smile, a rare occurrence. "Fanatics take their support anywhere they can get it, from whomsoever may provide the funds. In the old days, it was the Soviet union ," Johnson added pensively. "According to Davenport, this alliance has set into play a campaign to topple failing states in Africa and the Pacific, establishing terrorist havens as they go. The whole thing reeks of the old communist push through Africa and South-East Asia in the fifties and sixties." Johnson paused for a moment. "And, if these reports are true, Britain is bloody well helping them to do it!" he exclaimed, leaving his chair to pace the room. "The British people have little stomach left for the war on terror, Miss Halls. They're tired. Far too many lives have been lost already, at home and abroad. Citizens and soldiers. I would go as far as to say that this could even bring down our Government."
'I'm afraid I have to agree with you. Is the Secret Intelligence Service aware of all this?"
"Oh yes," he replied testily. "They have known for some time. The Chief of SIS discussed it with Davenport personally. It seems Britain has already had a crack at getting to the bottom of it."
"And?"
"And failed."
"So, what happens now, Sir?"
"Well," replied Johnson after a few moments, returning to his seat. "That's where you come in."
"Me?"
"Yes, if you're up for it?" He gave her a conspiratorial grin.
"Well... of course," she replied warily. "But, what can I do?" "Davenport came to me as a trusted colleague. He smells a rat within those branches of government already involved and needs our help." "Is he suggesting this is a mole hunt? Within the Foreign Office?"