‘Oh, I guess we’re on schedule. You probably saw that the equipment has already been fitted to the Rapier, and we hope to be able to do the flight trials next week. There’s a little adjustment to the pod’s camera guidance system that we are working on, but that all should be done by this weekend.’
Swan recorded a few notes on his clipboard. ‘How many personnel do you have here with you?’
‘Well, excluding the two US Ranger guards, we have eight technicians and four office staff, then myself and Jake here.’
Swan wrote some more notes. ‘Tell me Frank, what will happen once the Python Hawk has finished being testing here?’
‘I guess our job will be done and we will go back to the States for a nice long vacation before our next assignment. I’m personally looking forward to getting in some fishing and riding back home in Kentucky.’
Swan smiled. ‘Have you been fishing since you’ve been here? The lakes are excellent and full of trout this time of year.’
Maitland shook his head. ‘Nope, I haven’t been able to get out much here. This project is crucial to our ongoing spying game with the Russkies, and if we can deploy it within the next few months, our Government will all be happy.
‘I understand that the system is to be used on the FB-X.’
‘That’s right, but seeing that the airplane isn’t ready for weapons trials yet, our Government asked yours if we could use the Rapier for initial trials, even though it will be carrying the Blue Eye system.’
‘What is the maximum all up weight of the Python Hawk?’
Maitland shrugged. ‘Sorry pal, that one is classified. Ask me another.’
Swan looked down at his clipboard. ‘GK Systems. Can you tell me more about your company?’
‘Well, we’ve won loads of new weapons contracts for the US, and of course, we’ve built the FBX and the Python Hawk system. We’re also working on a little fighter and attack aircraft, which we think will be a real winner. We’ve got a lotta advanced orders for it already, especially from European countries that are part of NATO, looking to replace their old stuff that their still flying. Hell, where’s my manners. How about that coffee, fellas?’
Swan nodded in appreciation and looked at Gable, who also noted the sudden change of subject. He studied Maitland as he went over and mumbled something to his number two that Swan couldn’t quite make out. Maitland returned to the desk with the coffee cups.
‘So, you two gentlemen do not work for GK then, I take it?’
‘No, Alex. We’re here in more of a US Air Forces in Europe capacity.’
Maitland looked at the men. ‘So what about you guys? How you finding things at Brinton’s?’
Swan relaxed, taking a sip of coffee. ‘Actually, it seems to be a well organised outfit, with what I feel has a good man at the head of the team.’
‘I guess you’re talking about Howard? Yeah, he’s a nice guy, and I admire his attention to detail. It’s pretty damn thorough. We’ve had a few scraps over the Python Hawk, but he’s a reasonable guy, and we eventually worked things out.’
Maitland glanced at both men. ‘Any more questions, guys?’
Swan decided that he had gone deep enough. He put down his clipboard. ‘Actually Frank, that just about wraps it up with the evaluation of the Python Hawk. The system hasn’t been tested yet, so I won’t be able to tick all of my boxes today.’
‘Have you been to the UK before this assignment Frank?’ asked Gable.
‘I was here during the deployment of one of our bases about six years ago. I was second in a team overseeing the movement of personnel. I kinda like ol’ England. Only wish I could get out and explore this beautiful country. Maybe go fishing in the lakes, like you mentioned, Alex.’ He picked up a pen as he leant back in his chair. ‘So, what about you Alex? How long have you been doing your job?’
‘I’ve been an evaluation inspector for three years. Before that, I worked as an analyst in the Ministry of Supply and during the war, I was in the Army. Royal Signals Corps.’
Maitland interrupted him. ‘Interesting work in Signals, Alex?’
‘It had its moments, but generally it was all done from a desk in Whitehall decoding communications from the Germans and the Japs that came from the chaps at Station X. I was also out in the field. Mainly at one of our outposts in Kent.’
Maitland nodded in appreciation. ‘I was still in college during the war. My brothers saw action though in Anzio, then at the fall of Berlin. I lost my eldest brother when he was accidently killed by a trigger happy Red Army soldier, outside the Reichstag. Nearly caused an international incident. But I guess he shouldn’t have been fooling around wearing that SS helmet at that particular time.’
Swan decided to take advantage of the American’s relaxed state of mind. ‘I hear your set up here is pretty secure.’
‘Yeah, we’re as secure as a preacher’s collection box on a Sunday. Ain’t that right, Jake?’
The Texan nodded in agreement.
Swan nodded. ‘So, we can rest assured that no one can penetrate this area and get their hands on the Python Hawk?’ Swan added.
‘No way, buster. Will Hart, our resident US Ranger, will cut anyone down with his M-14 should they try and enter the area without authority.’
Gable confirmed with the American. ‘That’s assured then, Frank?’
‘Guaranteed, Arthur,’ confirmed Maitland.
Gable gestured outside the office. ‘That nasty business of the accident outside. Were you two gentlemen around then?’
‘I was having dinner in the canteen with one of my technicians and Jake was downstairs overseeing the fitting of the cameras into the Python Hawk. I spoke to the kid, James, a few times. He was a nice guy, always speaking about his fiancé when we had coffee together in the canteen. What she must be feeling right now, the poor missy. At least they’ve fixed that loose bar on the jig now.’
Swan rose from his chair. ‘Yes, which should lay any spectre of doubt to rest with the other workers, shouldn’t it Frank?’
Swan suddenly noticed a surprised look in the American’s eyes, followed by a slight pause of silence between the two men.
‘I guess they’ll be pleased to know they’re safe,’ answered the American, hesitantly.
Swan nodded. ‘Well, we better take our leave and go and write up this report. Thank you so much for your time Frank, Jake. It’s been a pleasure to meet you both.’
‘Thanks, Alex, Arthur. I hope I’ve been helpful enough. Anything else I can do while you’re here, just let me know.’
The men shook hands and as Swan looked down, noticed the motif on Maitland’s ring. He smiled at the American and followed Gable out of the office. Behind the door the two Americans conferred. ‘Well, are they a couple of Limey spooks?’ Brannigan enquired.
‘They’re certainly something, Jake.’ He turned to the door. ‘But they sure ain’t Ministry inspectors, you can be sure of that, buddy.’
Brannigan agreed. ‘So whadda we do? Did ya hear what he said about spectre of doubt? Do ya think he was testing your reaction? What do you reckon he knows already?’
Maitland smiled. ‘Relax pal, they go back to London tomorrow, so we carry on. We gotta get the Spectres operational. Let’s focus on that. But your back up plan of seeing that the Rapier doesn’t see service is beginning to appeal to me, and I also somehow feel that we haven’t seen the last of this Mr Alex Swan. I’ll make a few calls, see if the guys sitting in their neat new building at Langley can help in finding out who this guy really is.’
Swan and Gable were about to leave for their hotel when an eager looking office junior intercepted them in the reception lobby. ‘Mr Swan, so pleased I haven’t missed you. I have a telegram for you, sir.’ The young man placed the sealed brown enveloped marked Strictly Confidential in the palm of Swan’s hand.