Poseidon's Ransom

Chapter Sixteen

Jack’s meeting with Mathew had been a revelation. He could not believe what his brother was saying. The Secretary of Defence gives terrorists access to a British nuclear submarine. Weapons systems breached. Three billion pounds paid.

‘Jesus Christ, Mathew! Is this for real? Don’t answer that, of course it is. You’d never bloody joke about something like this. And nothing in the papers?’

‘Full national security blackout on this one, Jack.’

‘So, was Grainger sacked?’

‘Not privy to that. Sacked or resigned, either way he was finished. His failing health is obviously a cover story for the bloody press.’

Jack leaned back in the big Chesterfield and shook his head. ‘This is unbelievable.’

Mathew grinned. ‘They do say truth is stranger than fiction.’

‘Yeah, I guess so. Okay, Mr Head of MI6. Why am I here?’

Mathew stood and went to his desk. He returned with a leather folder marked EYES ONLY. Jack grinned at the wording, and said, ‘Here we go again.’

‘The PM is monitoring this operation personally. If this gets out it’s not just her job. It will bring down the government. She wants retribution. She’s told the Director General that all assets are to be brought to bear, to capture or kill the people behind this attack.’

Jack grinned again. ‘She actually said that? Capture or kill?’

‘Probably not in those exact words, but that is the desired outcome.’

‘The desired outcome?’ Jack nodded and smiled. ‘Right.’

‘She also wants to recover the ransom.’

‘Really? She doesn’t want much then? But to be honest, Matt, this sounds like a job for a good detective. Not someone like me.’

‘Perhaps. But I know you have all kinds of contacts. Especially in the, shall we say, less salubrious parts of the world. And then there’s your father-in-law. Dimitri’s intelligence network is almost as good as ours.’

Jack smiled. ‘Yeah, well that does tend to be the case when you’re one of the richest Russian oligarchs in the world.’

‘The security services are stretched, Jack. In every arm of the service there’s been cuts. We aren’t as well-resourced as we once were.’

‘No need to sell it, Matt. If I can help I will.’

‘Are you sure? Nicole isn’t gonna like it. The last time you helped us almost killed you.’

Jack gave a little chuckle. ‘That’s putting it mildly. But fuck it, I’m in bro. What’s the plan?’

‘MI5 is focussed on the UK, but I believe the answer is international.’

‘Of course, it is. Whoever set this up is no muppet and they won’t be anywhere near the UK now.’

‘The money’s the key, Jack. Follow the money and we’ll find the people behind this.’

‘Okay. So I guess I’m off to the Balkans?’

Mathew smiled. ‘You’re booked on the midnight flight to Podgorica, Montenegro.’