“And what range would the computer have?”
“The range is infinite, the only restriction is the strength of reception to its onboard modem. This is governed by terrain of course, and which is why it’s so bloody expensive. But there’s another reason why someone would be using this type of kit. You see it can never be pinpointed or tracked to one specific location, even if the receiving computer is stationary for long periods of time.”
“How?”
“Well it’s all in the mobile phone signal that the computer’s very powerful processor chip uses. It can automatically and randomly change the network from one to another in a split second, and without breaking the call. This on its own is extremely impressive, but there is more. While on line the call is continuously re-routed all over the globe, to evade being traced. That way, if you’ve settled down to do a spot of eavesdropping, you won’t get any unwelcome knocks at your door.”
“Yes well, that’s all very interesting, Vince. But I’m far more interested as to why someone went to the trouble of bugging my apartment. I want you to put all of those cameras back, exactly where you found them. Whoever they are we don’t want them knowing that we’ve rumbled them, not for the time being anyway. And, when you get back to the office, run a check through our own database of surveillance equipment dealers who sell this particular product, both here in the UK, and abroad will you. Oh, and Vince, run the check yourself, I want to keep this very much between ourselves.”
“Of course boss, I’ll do that first thing when I get back there. But what intrigues me, is why someone would want to bug this place?”
“I’m not sure, but it could just be connected with this U-boat mystery Nathan Cunningham has landed us with. Come to think of it, rather fortunate I put that aluminium briefcase into the firm’s vault yesterday afternoon.”
“But how would they have known about the existence of the briefcase and it’s contents?”
“Um, that’s what I’m wondering.” LJ frowned. “I tell you what Vince. Before going back to the office, go across to Thames House and have a quiet word with one of your old friends in the technical department there. I’m sure they’ll be able to tell you if anyone has recently booked out this type of equipment, won’t they?”
“You really think…?”
“I don’t think, Vince, I’m merely considering all the options.” LJ looked at his watch.
“Now re-instate those bugs and be on your way. Roberts will be here in a moment to take Miss Cunningham to the hospital.”
When Vince Sharp had left, LJ went into the living room where Annabelle was sat by the window drinking coffee. “I’m ever so sorry about all of this, Annabelle.”
“It’s not your fault. After all, you didn’t ask my father to come to London, and burden you with all this Nazi submarine stuff, only to then go and get himself knocked over, did you?”
He sat down opposite her and said gently. “As a matter of fact, my dear, yes I did ask him to come over here. As you know your father, and I have been friends a very long time. We’ve been through a lot together, and to be honest this business with him getting himself put into hospital is extremely disturbing to say the very least.”
“So, do you think that he was deliberately run over because of the U-boat?”
“I really don’t know, my dear. But please trust me when I say to you, that if Nathan is laying there in hospital, fighting for his life because he inadvertently discovered that U-boat. Then I will do everything in my power to find out the truth and to bring whoever is involved to justice. Of that you can be assured.”
Hugo Malakoff was sat in his private office at the château, watching aerial footage of the rugged Jersey coastline that was being sent back in real-time and displayed on a large wall mounted plasma screen, when the man who called himself Slater phoned through from London.
“I’m very sorry Mr Malakoff, but we found nothing at the Belgrave Mews address.”
“I’m not surprised, but it was worth checking,” Malakoff said. “There were no problems I trust?”
“No, none at all, sir” Slater lied easily. “But I did bug the place, not that anyone would notice. It was just in case the girl says anything to Levenson-Jones while she’s staying there.”
“You imbecile, you were told not to bug that apartment.” Malakoff suppressed his anger with icy coldness. “I told you, that this man is a former MI5 controller. Employed at the highest level, and is still involved with the intelligence community, he’s someone, Slater, who checks everything, twice, even in his sleep.”
“I’m sorry, Mr Malakoff, I thought that I was doing the right thing, I used the new equipment that you sent to us.”
“Never mind, the damage is already done. But I hope for your sake Slater, that Levenson-Jones does not discover those cameras. But all the same, it would be wise for you and Black to stay out of sight for a few days. That bizarre blond hair you both have, it makes you stand out like a couple of belisha beacons, and is far too distinctive. Change it straight away. Also, if you have any other little jobs that you are currently working on, drop them immediately. Do I make myself clear, Slater?”
“Yes Mr Malakoff, very clear.”
“Good, because I’m going to require both of you, and your special talents very soon. So keep your phone switched on, and wait for my call.” Malakoff put down the phone and continued to watch the dark Jersey coastline flash by the lenses of the high-definition video camera that was attached to one of his private helicopters.
It was just after six-thirty that evening. Annabelle Cunningham was sat opposite LJ on the sofa in his office, the aluminium Kriegsmarine briefcase was on the coffee table in front of them. “How is your father today?”
“Pretty much the same, thank you for asking.
They’ve told me to expect no change in him, until he regains consciousness. And only Pop himself knows when that will be. But the consultant did say he was extremely pleased that his condition had stabilised.”
“Good, I’m sure he’ll pull through. He’s a tough one your father.” LJ got up and walked over to the drinks cabinet. Without asking Annabelle, he poured them both a good measure of single malt whisky into crystal tumblers before returning to his seat, and snapping open the catches of the briefcase. “Have you seen this before, my dear?”
She leant forward, a puzzled look on her face. “No, never.”
Gently picking up the leather bound diary of Korvettenkapitan Otto Sternberg, he asked. “Or this?” He opened it, and handed it across to her.
“No, I’ve never seen this book before, why?”
LJ said, “Because, this is the reason why Nathan came to see me. He discovered this briefcase and its contents inside the wreck of a German submarine somewhere off the coast of Jersey, Annabelle. Did he tell you anything about that before leaving to come to London?”
Annabelle took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering. “Yes, he did tell me that he’d been diving that morning and that he’d discovered a Nazi submarine. He also said that it was still tied up inside a large cave, and that it was a mystery how or why it was there.”
“Is that all he told you about it, Annabelle. It really is vital that you tell me everything that you can remember. However trivial you may think it is.”
“Well, he did mention something about Heinrich Himmler. He was very excited, about how it appeared that he was involved in some way. But that really is all he told me about the matter. He made me promise not to tell anyone on the island. I think it was the press that he was most concerned about, turning Jersey into a media circus as well as attracting relic hunters, and the like. But I know for certain that once he’d spoken to you, he felt much happier about the situation. He told me that if anyone knew what to do, you would.”