Launch Code

THIRTY-SIX

Saturday 30 November 2019, Norfolk

‘So that’s who Pat Greenwald was,’ said Bill. He took a last spoonful of soup, which was cold by now, and sat back in his chair.

‘Wait,’ said Megan. ‘Wasn’t Commander Driscoll the captain?’

‘That’s right,’ said Bill. ‘It’s confusing. The captain of a nuclear submarine usually has the rank of commander.’

‘Didn’t he kill himself?’ said Toby.

Bill breathed in deeply and nodded. ‘Yes, he did. A few months after the near-launch incident. We all thought it was because he couldn’t get over what happened then. But maybe it was because he told the Russians stuff he shouldn’t have. Who knows? It’s very sad.’

‘Did the FBI investigate him?’ said Megan.

‘Probably,’ said Bill. ‘I don’t know. I never heard any more about it. I didn’t ask, and they didn’t tell me. My guess is they dropped it. Nobody wanted to bring up the near-launch, even after the Cold War was over.’

‘What about Pat Greenwald?’ said Megan. ‘Did the FBI investigate her?’

Bill shrugged. ‘No idea.’

‘Does Admiral Robinson know all this?’ Toby asked.

‘Yes he does. I told him at the time. He told me to forget it.’

‘Part of the great cover-up?’

‘What can I say?’ said Bill.

‘Does Prestwitch know?’ said Toby.

‘I’m not sure.’ Bill frowned. ‘Probably not. I doubt that US intelligence would like to share that kind of screw-up with their allies. Why do you ask?’

‘Because I told the police I would tell Prestwitch everything I knew about Craig’s death.’

‘Why would you do that?’ said Bill.

‘To help them find who killed Sam Bowen,’ Toby said. ‘And now Lars. And to get Alice out of jail.’

‘But I told you all about the Hamilton’s last patrol on condition you would keep it quiet.’

‘You made me sign the Official Secrets Act. Which is why I told the police I would talk to MI5. Then they can decide what to tell them.’

‘No, Toby. Don’t do that. I’m warning you. I trusted you.’

‘No, Bill. Someone’s got to help the police. Someone’s got to help Alice.’

‘If all this becomes public, Donna will be accused of being a spy.’

‘Mom’s dead, Dad,’ said Megan.

‘Yes. And I want her to rest in peace.’

‘Are you concerned that you might be prosecuted?’ Megan said.

‘Maybe,’ said Bill.

‘I don’t understand why. You didn’t know anything about it,’ said Toby.

‘If you are telling us the whole truth,’ said Megan.

Bill’s shoulders slumped and he poured himself another glass of wine.

‘Don’t either of you see the real reason why I don’t want the cops to find out any of this?’

Megan and Toby were silent.

‘Isn’t it obvious?’

It wasn’t to Toby and Megan.

‘Because I think Alice killed Sam Bowen.’