Private Investigations

Fifty-Four

‘I need some more information,’ I told Clyde Houseman. ‘Some of it I could get from the Ministry of Defence, but I don’t have time to wrestle with their bureaucracy.’

‘Will I have to clear it with my boss?’ he asked.

‘Part of it, no; but I don’t mind if you check with her. I’d phone her myself but I’m sure she’s busy enough already.’

‘Meaning I’m not.’ He chuckled softly.

‘Meaning you’re not the Director of MI5; one day, maybe, but not yet. I need information on three people, all of them Navy, like Walter Hurrell. The names are Jock Hodgson . . . although I’d guess that might be John in the records . . . Hector Mackail, and David Gates. The first two have left the service, but are recently deceased; the third is still operational. I know that Mackail and Gates connect professionally, but I’d like to know if and how Hodgson relates to either of them.’

‘That shouldn’t take long,’ Clyde remarked. ‘Do you want the MoD to know that you’re asking?’

‘I don’t care,’ I said, ‘not about that part. But the next bit’s a little more sensitive. Gates is an engineering officer on a Trident sub; that means he’s totally isolated.’ I told him about the attack on his wife and the abduction and death of his child. ‘Even then, the investigating officers are being denied access.’

‘That’s very tough,’ my young friend agreed, ‘but you can understand why, sir, can’t you?’

‘Sure I can,’ I replied. ‘And that’s why I need you to get involved.’

‘I don’t know if I can.’

‘On your own authority, no, you can’t. But this is the part where you will need to involve Amanda Dennis. She does have the clout to ask certain questions, and insist on an answer.’

‘Okay,’ Clyde said. ‘What do you want to know?’