“My God! This is incredible.”
“You should see it from my end, boss.”
“What do I call you?”
“Rebecca. A doctor suggested it and it seems to fit.”
He smiled. “Yes, it does, somehow. I can’t get my head round this.”
“It takes a while, I haven’t really, either. The doctor says I’m perfectly normal, so I’ve a steep learning curve ahead of me. At least I was married for a while, so I know a little bit.”
“Rob, sorry, Rebecca, you were married to the mob, Debbie rarely saw you, and when she did, you were knackered.”
“True.”
I was pleased, as he was actually beginning to accept my story.
He looked at his watch. “Where are you staying?”
“Nowhere. I had thought of my flat, I suppose, although I’ll want to get rid of that as soon as possible. By the way, did your blokes check it out?”
“My blokes? No, why?”
“Someone has, and they were very good.”
He frowned. “Interesting, I think it best you don’t go back. Until we know who paid the visit, I think you should stay well clear. Was it bugged?”
“”Not that I could find.”
“Then we’ll find somewhere for you, okay?”
I nodded.
“Still, there’s little chance of anyone realising just who you are, sorry, were. You should be fine.”
“I agree, but until I get access to my account, I’m a bit stuffed.”
“Are you still interested in working for me?”
“I don’t have a lot of choice. I can’t go back, so I have to go forward, and you’re the only person I know with the clout to make things happen.”
“Standing’s done a bunk. The files were good, but not quite complete.”
“I downloaded all there was.”
“I’m sure you did, and there was a lot of good stuff, which, incidentally, was all missing when we seized the computer. However, our new man tells me there’s some crucial information missing.”
“New man?”
“We went in after getting your message and retrieving your package. Roger Whiteside was Standing’s deputy and number two on the project. Once we confronted him he told us everything he knew, even about you and the melting flesh business.”
I wondered why he’d accepted my story so easily.
“Anyway, he’s agreed to cooperate, as the alternative is prison as an accessory. He didn’t know about poor old Ray, though. Standing had wiped the computer memory, but left sufficient behind for Roger to retrieve most of the project with what you’d managed to acquire, even if it does put him back a good few months at least. Your description of everything was pretty accurate.”
“Thanks.”
“But the device still doesn’t work properly. Roger claims that Standing had revised the power supply and managed to produce a working prototype. It seems he’s taken it and the knowledge with him.”
“Any idea where he’s gone?”
“No, he went just hours before we went in. That was shortly after you disappeared.”
“Has his family gone with him?”
“No, his wife claims no knowledge. I don’t believe her, but have no grounds to prove otherwise. The kids are still in school or at college, all with important exams coming up in the next year or so. Sarah is playing the aggrieved and abandoned wife very convincingly, only I’m not convinced.”
“Are you on her?”
“Oh yes, a full team, twenty four-seven, with all the technology you could wish for. So far nothing.”
“What about the kids?”
“What about them?”
“If he’s as proud of his children as I am of mine, he’d want contact. Even if it’s just to see they’re okay.”
“We checked they’re still where they should be. It seems that it’s life as usual for the family. I get the impression that the relationship wasn’t exactly the most passionate kind.”
“Until he gets a buyer, there’s no point in moving the family. Who’d buy this technology?”
“My guess is he’d try for a very large figure, particularly if it works. The only people who’d stand to gain are those who could afford it and who would use it operationally.”
“That would fit a large amount of nations, wouldn’t it?”
“Not really. Oh yes, the technology would be nice to keep your chaps safe, but those who’d seek to use it large scale and have the wherewithal to mass produce it in the numbers required are limited.”
“You mean like the Americans, Russians or Chinese?”
“I don’t think the Russians have the necessary need, but the North Koreans would have, as would an oil-rich Moslem cartel.”
“Shit!”
“Imagine an army of bullet-proof soldiers swarming into Israel.”
“They’d go nuclear in response,” I said.
“Maybe that’s what they want.”
“Would he sell to them?”
“I think he’s just burned his boats. If we catch him, it’s prison, so he’ll sell to the highest bidder.”
“What about the Americans? They’d happily use him and pay him well.”
“They seemed to have no foibles about using the Nazis after the last war, so perhaps. The Americans or the Chinese would be a safe bet.”
“At least the Americans are on our side.”
“Not necessarily; only when it suits them. The Americans are on the American’s side, just as we are on ours. The Americans don’t like the idea of a United European State, it’s too much like competition for them.”
“None of us do,” I said.
Howard laughed. “The words are Rob’s, but the voice and body aren’t. This must be bloody difficult for you,” he said.
“I haven’t really had time to think about it. Walking in heels is the hardest part, once I got used to the silly underwear. It’s bloody odd having a chest that sticks out, but I’m getting there.”
“How are you off for funds?”
“I’ve a few quid, but unless I can get to my account, I’m stuffed,” I repeated.
“If Rob’s been compromised, then I think it best we don’t touch the past, and that includes that account. I’ll arrange something and make sure your son is well provided for. It may take a few days, I think it will be best if you come and stay at my London place. That way we can sort out the social services and keep you safe. Have you any luggage?”
I held up my carrier bags.
“I just need to pop into Boots and get some toiletries, then I’m sorted. This shopping lark is quite fun.”
He laughed. “Rob wouldn’t have said that.”
“I’m not Rob anymore, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed, it’s rather hard not to. I just need to work out a story.”
“How about I’m the daughter of an old friend from Hong Kong or somewhere obscure? My parents died and so I’ve returned to the old country. I haven’t seen you for years, but used to call you uncle. You aren’t a blood relative, but you and poor dead daddy were very close.”
“That might work, but Mary will know it’s all balls.”
“I’ve met Mary, if we have to meet, just tell her I’m a new employee.”
He nodded.
I went across the road and selected a wash bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, a flannel, shampoo and one or two other essential bits and pieces. I passed the rack of feminine hygiene products and threw in a box of tampons, just in case. I also bought a small holdall from the suitcase shop next door.
I rejoined him outside.
“Got everything?”
“For the moment. Is there any chance of picking up my car?”
“Now?”
“I’d like to.”
He waved at a passing black cab, with its yellow ‘For Hire’ light illuminated.
Twenty minutes later, we were in the basement car park of a certain government building. My black Range Rover stood there, a definite link with my past. It was reassuringly solid and familiar. I needed some familiarity in the topsy-turvy world I’d rejoined.