Stay of Execution

5

Sir James Proud’s uniform had never fitted him better. The extra girth that once he had carried had disappeared under a regime of diet and exercise; Lady Proud had even said to him that he looked as if he had lost years in age as well as pounds in weight.

Appearances can deceive, though, Chrissie. The thought ran through his mind as he looked around the conference table. He estimated that he was the oldest person there by around fifteen years, and the thought chilled him, more than a little. For the first time in his police career, he wondered whether he should get up from his chair and tell Bob Skinner, ‘You do it, son. It’s your turn now.’

His deputy was there, and so was the assistant chief constable, Willie Haggerty, the rough-edged Glaswegian who had shaken up the uniformed side of the force since his arrival. They flanked him, as he coughed quietly, to clear his throat, and to end the quiet chatter and set the meeting going.

They were gathered together at eight a.m., an hour that the veteran chief constable regarded as ridiculously early, but it had been forced on him by the politicians, or, to be fair, their managers. He knew from decades of experience that civil servants never had regard for anyone’s diary or convenience other than those of their masters.

‘Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,’ he began. ‘I suggest we begin by introducing ourselves. You know me, and, I think, DCC Skinner on my right and ACC Haggerty, who’s responsible for all operations in the city of Edinburgh, on my left. We also have the honour. .’ He was sure that his deputy twitched in his seat, for a split second, at his use of the word. ‘. . to welcome Scotland’s deputy justice minister, Ms Aileen de Marco, MSP. She’s sitting next to Willie, and beyond her is her private secretary, Ms Lena McElhone. Next to Bob Skinner is Chief Superintendent Brian Mackie: he heads a specialist team that we’ve set up to take executive control of major state and public events, operating across our divisional structure. His people will have a key role on the day.’ The dome-headed man on Skinner’s right was wearing a uniform that was almost as sharp as that of the chief constable: he nodded and threw a diffident smile to the table.

‘Beyond Brian, there’s DI Neil McIlhenney, head of Special Branch.’ The big detective, whose private views on the early scheduling of the meeting mirrored those of the chief, raised a hand.

‘Now,’ Sir James continued, ‘I suggest that we go round the table, with everyone else introducing himself. Let’s go clockwise. ’ He looked at the man seated next to Lena McElhone.

‘Thank you,’ said the bearded, bespectacled visitor. ‘My name is Godfrey Rennie; I’m in charge of the part of the Justice Department that deals with the police.’

The man on his left, slight, owlish: ‘Mike Munro, head of the division responsible for Edinburgh.’

A stocky figure in a dark suit, expensive, but worn over the collar of a priest. ‘Monsignor Eduardo di Matteo: I represent the External Relations Division of the administration of the Vatican State.’

Another priest, his suit dark also, but more worn. ‘Father Angelo Collins, private secretary to His Holiness.’

Gold-rimmed spectacles, silver hair cut in military fashion. ‘Giovanni Rossi: Vatican logistics.’

Angular, patrician, sandy hair swept back from his forehead, eyeing the rest through Gucci spectacles perched on the bridge of a long nose. Skinner knew the type and liked them even less than he liked politicians. ‘Miles Stringfellow, Her Majesty’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.’

And finally, black leather jacket, open-necked white shirt. ‘Jim Gainer, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.’ Across the table, Lena McElhone blinked; her mouth fell open slightly. His Grace smiled at her, and winked. ‘I like to go incognito, sometimes,’ he said.

The chief constable turned to de Marco. ‘Aileen,’ he said, ‘I know that you have to be off fairly soon, so would you like to begin by addressing us.’

‘Thank you, Sir James.’ The deputy justice minister laid down the pen with which she had noted every name on the pad in front of her. At first sight, Bob Skinner thought as he looked at her, she was a typical member of the new Scottish parliament, and of its executive. Not only was she female, she was blonde, perfectly groomed and attractive, somewhere around thirty-five, politically correct, a Glasgow councillor who had stepped up to the national stage, and smart enough to know that her idealism was nothing unless it was harnessed by realism. He might have been inclined to distrust her, but Willie Haggerty knew her from his Strathclyde days; he rated her too, and that was recommendation enough for him. There was something else the ACC had said about her; now, meeting her for the first time, Skinner saw what he had meant. She had that indefinable extra spark, not the charisma of a pop star, or even of a Jim Gainer, but a quiet sense of her own ability that communicated itself to those she met.

She had very attractive pale blue eyes, too, and they made contact with everyone as she began to speak, passing a little personal warmth each time. In spite of himself, Skinner returned her soft smile. ‘I’m not here to issue any orders, or even make any requests,’ she said. ‘I promise you that; I’ve come simply to give you a message. The visit which we’re gathered here to discuss is the most important this country has had in many years, maybe the most significant ever.

‘We are welcoming home. . and I say this as a practising atheist. . the greatest living Scotsman. Be sure that the executive will give you all the support you need, of whatever kind, to ensure that everything goes smoothly. This will be a great, emotional occasion.’ She paused. ‘But it will be even more than that. It’s true to say that the election of Cardinal Gilbert White as Pope was as big a surprise in Scotland as it was everywhere else in the world. It was greeted with a spontaneous public celebration, the like of which I have never seen. Now, beyond that, the reign of John the Twenty-fifth offers us a unique opportunity. Religious intolerance has been the curse of Scotland for four hundred years, but here, for the first time, we have an event that can draw divided communities together, and heal all those old wounds. We in government will be doing our damnedest to make sure that happens. As far as we’re concerned. . and this is the personal message that I bring from Crichton Griffiths, the justice minister, endorsed by Tommy Murtagh, the First Minister himself. . that means that people must have open access to His Holiness, so that they can see him for the man that he is, and so that he in turn can reach out to them. That’s all I have to say.’

The ageing chief constable nodded to the young minister. ‘Thank you, Aileen. As always, the executive’s support is welcomed. It’s good to hear that we’re being watched from on high too.’ An attentive listener might have picked up a trace of sarcasm in his tone. ‘Yet as always, there’s a counter side. Bob, would you like to continue?’

Every eye in the room, save those of his colleagues, turned towards Skinner. The big DCC leaned forward slightly, his big hands flat on the table in front of him. A lock of steel grey hair fell across his forehead; he frowned, only for a second, but the gesture caused the scar above his nose to deepen suddenly into a trench-like feature. But then he looked up at the minister and smiled, his clear blue eyes catching hers.

‘Yes, thanks, Ms de Marco. You’re right, as Jimmy says, and I’ll be among the first to sign up for your vision. The papal visit is an opportunity, if not to bring about love-ins at every Rangers- Celtic game, because there will always be ultras at either end of those grounds, but at least to create a new climate, and to isolate them as far as we can. But it’s an opportunity for other people too. I’ve been in this job for a few years now: until a couple of years ago my principle was, if it can happen, plan for it as if it will. That’s all changed, though. Now we have to think the unthinkable, we have to use our imagination in ways we’ve never really used it before. We cannot underestimate the determination of those who see us, our institutions, and our people, from our leaders to our very babes in arms, as mortal enemies. I will do everything I can to ensure that those who want to see the Pope get to see him, but there have to be limits. I’d be grateful if you would thank the First Minister and your boss for their interest in us, but I’d be even more grateful if you’d tell them from me not to use the phrase “open access” in public.’

‘And from me,’ Gio Rossi interrupted. He had introduced himself as logistics officer, but the police at the table knew that his real function was security.

‘I’m not in a position to tell them anything, Mr Skinner,’ said Aileen de Marco, quietly. ‘That’s how they want it to be.’

‘Okay, I’ll tell them myself, if I have to. Pope John the Twenty-fifth is indeed the greatest living Scotsman, and it’s my job and the job of my colleagues to see that he stays that way. He’s also among the leading living targets in the world, and probably, because of his style, the most vulnerable. Don’t worry, the public will see him and they’ll hear him, but they’re not going to be touching the hem of his robes. This will be the tightest security operation you have ever seen. Your bosses might get to kiss his ring, but only after they’ve been through the metal detectors.’

The minister smiled. ‘Do you really see them as potential assassins?’

Skinner nodded. ‘Absolutely.’ He did not smile.

‘Oh, come on.’

He leaned further forward. ‘Remember what I was saying about thinking the unthinkable? There’s a scenario: it was found among some al Qaeda papers in Afghanistan, and circulated throughout the intelligence community by the CIA. A deep-cover terrorist gets close to someone in the moments leading up to a major event, someone who’s going to be in proximity to the target. He slips something into his pocket. The explosives available these days mean that it doesn’t need to be very big to do the job. It could be no bigger than a cigarette case, a calculator, or even a fountain pen. Once it’s done, the innocent First Minister, or Mrs First Minister. . her handbag’s an obvious place to stash a device. . has become a walking bomb. As soon as he’s next to the target, it’s detonated remotely and, boom, it’s raining sticky bits of President, or Queen, or even bits of you. Get the picture? Everyone is searched.’

‘Even the Pope himself?’ Godfrey Rennie asked, a hint of outrage in his voice.

‘No one will get near his person, but yes, his robes will be searched.’

‘You’re kidding!’ the civil servant protested.

Skinner threw him a long, cold look. ‘And why on earth would I do that?’ he asked quietly. He knew Rennie from crime-prevention committee meetings in St Andrews House, and blamed his nit-picking for their seemingly interminable length.

‘That’s standard practice,’ Monsignor di Matteo interrupted. ‘We take security very seriously, even if that means that we have to do things that in the past would never have occurred to us. His Holiness understands, and leaves such matters entirely in the hands of Signor Rossi and his logistics department.’

‘And their qualifications are. .?’

The chief constable blinked at Miles Stringfellow’s interruption. He made to reply, but Skinner beat him to the retort. ‘. . are not to be discussed around this table, sir,’ he snapped. ‘You should know better than to ask a question like that.’

‘Her Majesty’s Foreign Secretary tends to ask whatever questions he likes,’ the man countered. His voice was as smug and unctuous as his smile.

Almost in unison, as if on cue, Willie Haggerty, Neil McIlhenney and Brian Mackie leaned back in their chairs. They were waiting for the DCC to explode, but for once Sir James Proud was able to head off the storm before it burst upon the head of the visitor from Whitehall.

‘That may be so,’ he said calmly, ‘but I think that in this case he would be prepared to receive his reply from Signor Rossi and Monsignor di Matteo in private. So, if you don’t mind, we won’t pursue that line of discussion. However,’ the old chief went on, ‘it might be helpful to us all if you explained the reason for your presence at this meeting. Our friend Mr Munro didn’t go into that when he advised me that you would be joining us.’

Stringfellow ran his fingers through his immaculately groomed hair. ‘I’d have thought that was obvious,’ he exclaimed archly. ‘You could say that I am here to ensure that your natural enthusiasm does not get out of hand, and to represent, and if necessary safeguard, the interest of Her Majesty’s government. . Ms de Marco’s parent company, as it were. . in this visit. It should not be forgotten that Pope John the Twenty-fifth is not only the head of the Roman Catholic Church, he is also the head of an independent state, and of its government. As such, this is a state visit. The fact that it’s happening in Scotland is neither here nor there. It’s a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, none of whose responsibilities, as far as I am aware, were devolved under the Scotland Act.’

‘And what does that mean, exactly?’ asked Proud.

‘It means that any proposals you make here are subject to approval by the FCO.’

‘Now wait just a minute!’ Aileen de Marco exclaimed. ‘My department is responsible for policing in Scotland; that is absolutely clear. We don’t report to you or anywhere else.’

‘I repeat, madam,’ Stringfellow replied, ‘that this visit is a British rather than a Scottish matter. We should have oversight and we intend to have it.’

The chief constable tapped the table. ‘Now just hold on there, sir,’ he said, as visibly annoyed as most of his colleagues had ever known him. ‘You seem to have forgotten something. A state visit is a royal event. It’s the Palace that has to be satisfied. As a deputy lord lieutenant for this area, I’m better qualified as a representative of Her Majesty than you are. There’s another thing, too: I’ve policed five state visits during my time as chief constable of this city.’

‘With respect, Sir James, your role is ceremonial and it counts for nothing; and while your previous experience is invaluable, your security plan must still be subject to our oversight.’

‘Excuse me!’ The words were barked from Stringfellow’s left, as the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh shouldered his way into the argument. James Gainer was six feet tall, and had a neck like a tree-trunk. Any newcomer walking into the room would have taken him for a police officer, rather than a prince of the Church. His appointment to succeed the elevated Cardinal White had taken many non-Catholics by surprise. However, those who could see beyond his unorthodox approach to the priesthood, his rough-and-tumble dynamism and his youth. . he was forty-four. . knew the effect they had on thousands of people and knew that he was the outstanding candidate. He had been described as ‘a dangerous choice’ by one conservative cleric, but most saw the wisdom of selecting someone who was radically different from his predecessor.

‘Am I sitting here listening to you guys fighting a turf war over my boss?’ he asked.

Stringfellow looked round; his smile was patronising. ‘That’s rather simplistic, Your Grace. This is a state occasion, and it must be treated with all the ceremony appropriate.’

‘Crap.’ Across the table Lena McElhone let out an audible gasp. ‘This is a man,’ he snapped, ‘an old man at that, coming home to his people. We will look after him, thank you very much; we will protect him and we will deliver him back safe to Rome. I’m the Pope’s representative here, and I’m answerable to him for the success of this visit: not to you or anyone else, only to him; the Bishop of Rome. I know Signor Rossi’s qualifications for the task, and I know Bob Skinner’s as well. But I know sod all about you, my son, and that I don’t like. With all due deference to your master, the Foreign Secretary, the reality of the situation is that unless I’m satisfied with the security arrangements, we don’t have a show. That means that Bob and Gio are in charge. If that’s simplistic, fine.’

The Foreign Office representative drew in a breath and stared frostily at the table-top. Aileen de Marco put her pad and her pen into her briefcase and pushed her chair back from the table. ‘I have to go.’ She looked at the deputy chief constable. ‘Mr Skinner, you’ll copy me into everything?’

‘Yes, Minister.’

She smiled. ‘You make me sound like a TV series; every time someone says that I want to laugh. The name’s Aileen; I’m a New Labour minister, remember. To save time, if you could copy my private office directly, please, rather than through the department.’

Skinner saw Godfrey Rennie’s involuntary frown as she rose, everyone else standing with her.

‘Sure.’ He paused, then nodded towards Stringfellow. ‘Aileen, you do know what all this is about, don’t you?’

She looked puzzled. ‘No. What?’

‘His boss. . I don’t mean the Foreign Secretary; I mean everybody’s boss, the one with the smile. . wants to be front and centre, alongside the Pope at all the events. With his wife, of course; especially with his wife. Best seats in the house.’

‘It’s news to me.’

‘And to Tommy Murtagh, I’ll bet. I don’t hear any outraged denials from along the table, though.’ He looked at Stringfellow again; the man was tight-lipped, angry, but the look in his eyes confirmed the truth of the DCC’s guess.

‘I’m sure they’ll sort it out between them,’ said the deputy justice minister, cautiously. ‘But what will that do to your security planning?’

‘Nothing. I’m used to working in tandem with the close-protection teams. We protect the area, they protect the individual, just as Giovanni and his logistics team protect the Pope. I’ll let you have a copy of the final programme for the visit, and a summary of the security plan, once Jim’s cleared it.’

‘Thanks. Give Lena a call when it’s ready.’ She turned to her private secretary. ‘You got a card?’ The woman nodded, fished in her handbag for a business card, and handed it to Skinner. Then she turned and left the room, escorted by the chief constable, with her assistant in their wake.

As the DCC went back to his seat, it seemed to him that with her absence the room was just a little more drab, a little more dull. He glanced out of the window and saw that the fog was still thick outside, encircling the Fettes headquarters building like a wall. Daylight seemed to be fighting a battle with the enveloping darkness, one in which it was no more than holding its own.

The summer had been blazing, unnaturally hot, and autumn balmy until, as if to complete the cycle, October had brought a sudden cold snap, culminating in a fog which the Evening News swore. . and no one was about to argue. . was the worst seen in Edinburgh for forty-seven years. It had arrived half-way through the previous afternoon; it had not been unannounced, but its density had taken the weather forecasters by surprise. Since early morning, as soon as it had become clear that it would not lift with the dawn, television and radio stations across central Scotland had been broadcasting emergency messages announcing school closures and bus, rail and flight cancellations, and advising everyone to stay indoors, until they could venture out in relative safety. Skinner had been grateful for Neil McIlhenney’s offer of his spare bedroom rather than driving the twenty miles to Gullane at no more than walking pace, then having to leave home before six to reach the office in time. Sarah had understood when he had phoned her; in truth she had sounded indifferent.

‘Gentlemen,’ he called out as he sat, bringing the meeting back to order, ‘the chief has to prepare for a board meeting this morning. He won’t be back, so I’ll take over the chair.’ He looked at Stringfellow. ‘Let’s tie up any loose ends. This visit has been arranged from the start in association with the Executive rather than Westminster. If. . and it wouldn’t be the first time. . there are tensions between Downing Street and the First Minister’s office because of it, I don’t want to know. All I want is a final guest list. For what it’s worth I think that having two of the world’s highest profile targets side by side on a series of public platforms is a fucking horrible idea.’ He threw a glance at the Archbishop. ‘If I was wearing your mitre, Jim, I’d advise against it. That said, I do remember His Holiness as a man who doesn’t like to say no. So, if it happens, I’ll protect them. But Mr Rossi and I need to know, and damn soon, because until we do, we can’t finalise our plans.’

He leaned back, feeling suddenly irritable, and uncomfortable in yesterday’s shirt. ‘In fact,’ he said heavily, ‘it’s pointless going on here.’ He pointed at the Foreign Office man. ‘You,’ he pointed at Rennie, ‘and you. Go away and speak to your respective ministers and get this sorted out. I want a final decision on the VIP list, and I want it by close of play today.’

He reached across Willie Haggerty and picked a document off the top of a pile that lay in front of McIlhenney. ‘We’ve spent valuable time preparing this,’ he exclaimed, waving it in the air. ‘If any of it’s going to be knocked on the head, I need to know.’ He felt a final burst of exasperation. ‘And I need to know now!’