Launch Code

FIFTY

Sunday 1 December 2019, Norfolk

Toby listened as his father-in-law subtly changed his story. Again.

Megan was right, he hadn’t outright lied to them before. But he had withheld information. Important information.

With each iteration something new had been revealed: Bill killing Craig to stop the missiles being launched, and now talking to the Russians about the near-launch. How much of this could Toby believe now? He had no idea.

It was likely what Bill was telling them was the truth. But what was he missing out?

If Lars were still alive, there would have been someone else to check Bill’s story with. Admiral Robinson would be able to confirm some of it. But not the really important stuff. And having a frank conversation with Admiral Robinson would be difficult.

‘So, it wasn’t Commander Driscoll who gave secrets to the Russians?’ Toby asked.

‘No,’ said Bill. ‘Donna just made that up on the spot. To deflect the FBI’s attention from me.’

‘But you only told them about the near-launch? Nothing else?’

‘Correct.’

‘So someone else told the Russians more? Gave them the real secrets about the submarine command and the missiles that the FBI mentioned?’

‘I guess so,’ said Bill.

‘Well, who was that?’ Toby asked.

Bill shrugged.

‘Could it have been Lars?’ Megan said. ‘He told you he spoke to Pat Greenwald.’

‘Yes. But he didn’t say he gave her real secrets.’

‘He wouldn’t, would he?’ said Megan. ‘But that’s really why he came to England. To see what Sam Bowen had to say.’

Toby remembered Lars telling him as much on the beach.

‘That’s right,’ said Bill. ‘He asked me all about our conversation with Sam.’

‘Including what Sam had to say about Pat Greenwald?’

Bill nodded.

‘So maybe it was Lars,’ Megan said.

Bill looked uncomfortable. ‘Lars was more than a friend to me. He and I shared something extraordinary. I’m not going to call him a traitor unless I am absolutely sure. And I’m not; I’m not at all.’

‘Even though he’s dead now?’

Bill bit his lower lip. ‘Yes. Even though he is dead now,’ he said sombrely.

‘I don’t know,’ said Toby. ‘Brooke was pretty firm that Lars never left the Cottage. They even heard him go to the bathroom about midnight.’

‘OK,’ said Megan. ‘What about Justin? Maybe he left the Cottage and killed Sam? To stop Sam writing about how his father wanted to blow up the world.’

‘So you are saying Brooke’s lying about Justin being there with her that evening?’ said Alice.

‘No. Yeah. I don’t know,’ said Megan.

‘Brooke wouldn’t lie,’ said Alice.

Actually, Toby wasn’t sure about that. He would lie for Alice.

‘Whatever,’ said Megan, stepping back from her accusation. ‘But, Dad. You have to tell the police all this. Otherwise they’ll lock Alice up again!’

Bill swallowed, and looked at his eldest daughter. He appeared to be on the edge of tears. ‘I can’t,’ he said to her. ‘You must understand that.’

Alice’s face hardened. She got to her feet and left the kitchen table. A moment later they heard the front door bang. They could see her through the kitchen window leaning on the flint garden wall next to the pear tree, staring out over the marsh.

Toby joined her. He put his arm around her and squeezed.

Time to dispel one of the many Guth secrets. ‘You know why your father doesn’t want to tell the police all this?’ he said.

Alice didn’t answer.

‘Because he thinks you killed Sam Bowen.’

‘He told you that, did he?’ Alice said, turning towards him. There were tears in her eyes, but also contempt.

‘Yes,’ said Toby. ‘I don’t believe him, obviously.’

Alice turned away from him towards the marsh, brooding under a low grey sky. A couple with a dog strode in single file along the top of the dyke down towards the dunes, which were slumbering under their thin, worn blanket of grey-green grass. To the west, an early brushstroke of pink was already tickling the underside of the clouds.

Toby tried to put his arm around her again, but she shook him off. ‘You don’t believe I think you killed him, do you?’ he repeated.

No answer.

The door to the house opened behind them and Megan appeared in the front garden, clutching her phone. ‘Nothing from Maya yet, but I got an answer from Vicky,’ she said to Toby. ‘She doesn’t want to talk to me about Craig. If she talks to anyone it has to be Justin – according to her, he’s the only one who still cares about her brother. I guess that’s not surprising. And, anyway, it looks like Craig’s death isn’t that important after all.’

Alice spun round. ‘Will you just butt out, Megan? This has nothing to do with you! It’s got to do with me and Dad. Can’t you just leave us to it?’

‘I’m only trying to help,’ said Megan.

‘But you’re not!’ said Alice. ‘You’re only making things worse.’

Megan glanced at Toby. ‘Go back inside, Megan,’ he said.

‘No,’ said Megan. ‘Anything that has to do with my dad and my sister – and with my mother, for that matter – has to do with me. It’s my family. Our family. That’s important.’

Alice turned back towards the marsh and snorted. ‘It’s ridiculous to hear you say that.’

But Megan wasn’t giving up. ‘Alice? Why didn’t you do more to get yourself off the hook with the police?’

Alice didn’t reply.

‘Toby and me are doing what we can, which isn’t much. But we’re trying. But you and Dad. You do nothing. You don’t give them anything. Mom told you a lot about all this stuff, didn’t she? Well, why didn’t you tell the police? Why didn’t Dad?’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ said Toby.

Alice turned to face her husband and her sister. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

‘Isn’t it obvious? You’re so damned clever, Megan, can’t you see it? Can’t you, Toby?’

‘No,’ said Toby.

Alice sobbed.

‘I didn’t tell you because Dad killed Sam Bowen.’