Sir Lucius Stagg was sitting behind his desk in the study of his London residence, and Edward Levenson-Jones was sitting opposite him, giving the former Prime Minister a full account of the assignment in Jersey.
“So what’s to be done about Lord Asquith?” Sir Lucius asked, “I mean, a Lord of the Realm, behaving in not only an ungentlemanly and dishonourable manner. But, in what can only be described as a criminal way. There is no doubt in my mind that he colluded and conspired with Hugo Malakoff to have at least three people murdered.”
Dillon, sitting on a long leather Chesterfield sofa, said, “Why not, simply feed him to the police and the gutter press. Between them, they’ll almost certainly destroy every part of his public and private life, and make it publicly known that his father collaborated with the Nazis. He’ll be completely finished.”
“Because, that would not be productive. And would merely serve to open up a can of worms for the Government.” It was Simon Digby from MI5 who replied, with a hint of condescension. His mobile phone started to ring. And after a brief conversation, apologised to Sir Lucius for the interruption, informed him that he had to leave, and got up out of the leather club chair, casually walking across the room.
He was standing by the door, his hand firmly gripping the handle, when Dillon said with rancour, “And that’s a good enough reason is it? I think not.”
Digby paused, and then said, “Well, putting it bluntly, Dillon. It’s the sort of publicity that we can all well do without, especially in the present international climate. Even someone as basic as you, must surely realise that?” And with that he opened the door and left.
Dillon, at that instant, wanted to rip the spook’s head off, and throw it out the window. But, caught the look that LJ was giving him, and backed down. As he always said, what goes round comes around. And Digby would keep for another day.
Sir Lucius used the intercom on his desk to make doubly sure that Simon Digby had left the building. Picked up one of the ledgers, hesitated then put it down again. Picked up another and this time read aloud the names of Asquith and Malakoff, and the amounts that they’d been paid for their services to the Third Reich. “Do you believe these documents to be genuine, Edward?”
“If they’re not, Sir Lucius. Then this is a very elaborate hoax that has cost the lives of some very good people.” The words hung heavy in the room. LJ reached across for the ledgers and replaced them in the silver chest, closed the lid and locked it. “Quite. Well, I’ve arranged a meeting with the Home
Secretary for six o’clock this afternoon. I’m afraid that Simon Digby will be present, but probably for the best if they’re all brought up to speed with regards our recent visit to the Channel Islands. As for details about the U-boat, I think it best if we simply tell them that the cavern collapsed, sealing it down there for all eternity. After all, there’s no reason why anyone outside of this room should know about it’s whereabouts or the precious cargo which is still on board.”
Sir Lucius, took a clean white handkerchief from his jacket pocket, and blew his nose loudly into it.
“Why involve any of them at all?” Dillon said.
LJ answered, “Because, they already know about the spear of destiny. I told Digby right at the start about Nathan’s discovery, who in turn and at the appropriate time, would have informed the Home Secretary’s office. Better that we bring them all up to speed of our own free volition, old son. And if you’re wondering why I went to Digby — that was because we wanted to open the assignment in Jersey. That’s why we were able to operate so freely down there, and how you were allowed to roam around the countryside, carrying weapons and explosives.”
“And there was I, assuming that it was because we were conducting a covert operation, and that no one knew we were there at all.” Dillon said sarcastically.
“Never mind all that, gentlemen. The simple fact is this. That they only need to be made aware of certain elements of the assignment. In particular, that of Hugo Malakoff’s involvement. The fact that he’s no longer alive, is a good enough reason to involve them, because there may by awkward questions asked at a very high level, regarding his demise. Naturally, we must adhere to caution at all times. That is, until Oliver Asquith is dealt with appropriately. And, don’t for one minute, think that Asquith is alone in this. Because he’ll almost certainly be in cahoots with at least one other person who’ll be looking out for him, and of course his very own animosity. As for this conversation, needless to say that it must remain within these four walls, is that understood.” LJ and Dillon both nodded their agreement.
It was thirty minutes later and Oliver Asquith was working in his laboratory at the British Museum when the phone on his desk started to ring.
“Hello, Asquith here,” he said it, in a tone that indicated his annoyance at having been disturbed.
“Edward Levenson-Jones, Oliver.”
“Edward, back from Jersey so soon?”
“Our job down there is now finished, Oliver. But, you and I need to have a little chat.” LJ told him.
“Well, let me see. I can fit you in at the end of the week.”
“Hugo Malakoff is dead,” LJ said matter of factly, “and I have in my possession a number of ledgers that were kept by Himmler’s people, which make very interesting reading, Oliver. Your late father’s name appears frequently, between 1940 and 1943.”
“So you know the truth, Edward. But you know what; I’m almost relieved that it’s over.” Asquith slumped against the edge of the workbench.
“But it’s not over, though. Is it Oliver?”
“What do you mean?”
LJ ignored Asquith’s question, instead replying, “I wouldn’t go speaking of this matter to anyone, Oliver. And, I mean anyone. That really wouldn’t be to your advantage.”
“Who else knows about this?” Asquith said warily.
“Sir Lucius, Dillon of course. Oh, and Simon Digby. Apart from them, no one.”
“Digby. And what does he have to say on the matter?”
“Not a lot. He would rather like to throw you to the wolves. With the right spin coming from a certain Government Department, the police and the gutter press would rip you open and finish you off, once and for all. And it’s for this very reason, Oliver that you must not speak to him.”
“That’s simply not true, you’re lying. Digby would never do that to me, I’m far too valuable to him.”
“Oliver, I’ve had my suspicions about you and Digby for a while, but I wanted to be absolutely positive that you were still working for them, and that he was handling you. What is it you do for MI6 these days? Let me guess, the Middle East. It stands to reason with your regular visits to that region. Remember Oliver, no matter how valuable you think, you are to him. If he thinks that a scandal is brewing around you, he’ll show his true colours. Have no doubt about that, old son.”
“You were always a clever smug bastard, Edward. So what happens now?” Asquith said through clenched teeth.
“We meet, Oliver. The London Eye in forty-five minutes, and do not be late.” LJ put down the phone and turned to Dillon who was sitting opposite him. “He’s frightened, and now I’ve cut off his only route to a complete cover-up.”
“He’s just as likely to top himself.” Dillon said.
“What makes you think that?”
“Remember that first time you introduced me to him at the House of Lords. From the minute we were shown into that meeting room, I was instantly aware that he was acting completely out of character, using an aggressive and superior attitude with me. Why, because he wanted to hide the fact that he was in way over his head and sinking fast.”