Mickey flinched at that thought, suddenly regaining the ability to move. The stasis lifted.
Dave raised both hands in an attempt to placate his friend.
‘Sorry Sam, slipped my mind.’
‘Well if it happens again, my boot will slip into that massive gob of yours.’
‘Okay, girls.’ Mickey tried to calm the situation.
‘So this Raynor bloke. He’s been to Salisbury Plain, set off a bomb, then he sits opposite you on the train the morning after setting off that bomb, then he sets off a bomb in London, then he’s there again when you get off the train last night. Then he sets off another bomb in London today. Don’t you think that’s a bit strange? He’ll probably walk in here in a minute’
Dave made an involuntary, nervous gulp at that idea.
‘Bloody hell Mick. It’s like sitting with Sherlock flaming Holmes at times. That’s why I’ve sent Jules and the Nipper to Wales. Told Jules it’s because I’ll be working a lot and she hasn’t seen her Mum for a while. In reality, though, this bloke is dangerous. Very dangerous. I don’t want my family being in harm's way. It’s just easier and safer if they’re not around.’
The beer was slowly starting to make Sam a bit woozy. He’d hardly touched a drop since he was put in the field, and being of less than average height, it didn’t take too much before he started feeling its affects.
‘Alright Sam, I was only saying. I think it’s time we called it a night. You okay getting home?’
‘I’ll be fine.’ Said Sam.
They all got up, shouted their goodbyes to Faye before leaving the pub. Before going their separate ways, Sam stopped them.
‘Look, guys, it’s been great catching up with you tonight, I really needed to let off a bit of steam.’
Dave and Mickey grinned at each other. Dave took advantage of the situation.
‘Poor old Sam, had a bit too much, now he’s getting sentimental. Gonna tell us he loves us next Mick.’
‘Shut up Dave, I’m trying to be serious here.’ Said Sam. ‘I don’t know when I’m going to be back in Andover, so look after yourselves. What I’ve told you tonight is deadly serious. If you let on that you know anything, you’re putting your own life in danger.’
Mickey patted Sam’s shoulder and shook his hand. ‘Listen mate. We might take the piss, but we both,’ he nodded at Dave, who nodded back, ‘know that this is really important. And really dangerous. Don’t go getting yourself into any crap that you can’t get out of without us.’
Sam smiled, appreciating the sentiment.
‘And if you need us, mate, you know where we are.’ The three embraced in a man-hug before each heading home in a different direction.
‘You’re still a twat, though, Sam.’ Dave shouted from a safe distance. ‘And you haven’t got the bottle to roast my bollocks.’
Sam laughed out loud and continued his walk home.
Chapter Nineteen
Sam’s head was pounding as he once again stood on the London-bound platform at Andover train station. It was another warm day, which didn’t help. The mugginess, even this early in the morning, seemed to be compressing his skull into his brain.
The train arrived and he fought his way on taking his usual seat and exchanging pleasantries with the quintessential British banker. He closed his eyes and tried to block out the pain.
When he arrived at Thames House, just over an hour later, he headed straight to the Operations Room. Virani was about to start the morning briefing.
‘You okay Sam?’ She asked, concern in her eyes.
‘Fine, thanks Jay, just had a couple with my mates last night.’
‘So you’re hungover?’
‘That about sums it up.’
‘Are you well enough to perform your duties today? If not, you can go back into the pool and resume your normal duties.’
She cleared her throat.
‘Okay, listen up. I do not want anybody coming in to this room if you are not functioning one hundred percent. I don’t want hangovers or tiredness from late night gaming sessions. I need everyone on this team to be fully functional.’
Sam looked meekly away from his boss, finding a stain on the carpet of particular interest. Virani’s tirade went on.
‘This will probably be the biggest case of your career. Do well on this one, and who knows where it can take you. I’m not saying stop living while we’re trying to solve this, I’m saying cut back a bit, be sensible. Thank you’
A few discontented mumbles echoed round the room.
‘Okay Sam, I need you to find every speck of online information you can about Nathan Raynor. Nobody can live in these times without leaving an online footprint. It just can’t be done.’
‘Will do Jay, so there’s not much in the public records?’
‘Not much at all. Unfortunately. He’s quite an elusive character, this Raynor fellow.’
She paused for a moment, gazing into infinity before snapping out of it.
‘Nick, the tattoo. Anything?’
Nick looked at his notepad.
‘It’s a squad tattoo. I’ve found a couple of references online, nothing concrete. A few conspiracy theories about a Special Ops unit.’
Virani raised her eyebrows. This snippet of information got her attention.
‘That’s actually quite interesting, Nick. I want you and Sam to follow that up, as Sam’s already looking for an online footprint. You can help him stay awake too.’
A few laughs in the room lifted the tension.
‘It might not be as far-fetched as you think; the Spec Ops Unit, I mean, not Sam falling asleep; and might explain the lack of available information about the man.’
She paused to take a sip of water. Nick beamed with pride. What he thought was inconsequential may turn out to be quite important. Virani continued.
‘Mr Barford, our old friend Bill Thompson. Is there anything to add about his relationship with Raynor?’
‘Nothing Boss,’ replied Barford ‘I can’t see how they could know each other. Not a trace of recognition. I’ve had behavioural psychologists analysing his body language, but they can’t see anything either.’
‘Okay, Neil, thank you. Do you see any point in keeping him in? Should we cut him loose?’
‘Well the CCTV footage from Knightsbridge is inconclusive, the camera angle didn’t give us a good look at his face, but unless he’s got a change of clothes hidden away somewhere, I don’t think it’s him.’
‘Fine. Well, let’s not keep him here, spending the tax- payer’s money on MI5 canteen fine dining. Thank him for his time, slip him a tenner and send him on his way.’
Barfod nodded his head.
A knock, and the Operation Room door opened. One of the data analysts from Sam’s old team sheepishly entered the room. Virani smiled and motioned for her to enter.
‘Come in Zavina, how can I help?’
Zavina spoke with a Scottish accent. Sam guessed it to be somewhere in the vicinity of Edinburgh; Livingston, maybe. ‘It’s Sam I really need to speak with, Jay. And you should know as well. It’s quite sensitive, can we discuss it in private?’
Zavina Latif was well known for her attention to detail. A fine analyst with a keen eye. She could spot things that the most talented Analysts might miss, and was well respected by her peers for her natural talent.
‘Be with you in a moment, Zav.’ Virani replied. She addressed the room once more.
‘Before we wrap up, is there anything else we need to cover?’ A few murmurs of ‘No.’ a few headshakes.
‘If you haven’t been assigned a new task this morning, carry on with the work you were previously assigned. If you think you’ve found anything, no matter how trivial it might seem, tell me. If I’m not around, find Grant Bray. Thank you all for your time. Let’s get a positive result today.’