Kate shook her head.
‘Would the commissioner be able to help?’ asked Rafi.
‘More than likely,’ said Kate. ‘I’ll give him a call.’
A couple of minutes later she had the name and mobile number of a Mr Perryman: a director at a major international property agent. Kate smiled. ‘The commissioner hopes that this individual will be more cooperative than the vice chancellor!’ she said as she dialled the number and was put through to voicemail. She left a message asking whoever picked it up to return the call as quickly as possible.
Kate hung up, then rang back and spoke to the receptionist. It transpired that there was no one in from Mr Perryman’s team. The receptionist promised to get the first one who came in to ring her.
Ten minutes later Kate received a call from Mr Perryman’s personal assistant: Pam Blake. Kate introduced herself.
‘Could I speak to Mr Perryman?’
‘I’m afraid not; he’s on his way to a property inspection.’
‘I have a problem and was wondering whether you might be able to help. What I am about to tell you is in strictest confidence.’
‘I understand.’
‘We’re investigating a serious crime; my commissioner advises me that your boss is the man to help us access your databases. We could do with his help, now, please!’
‘Leave it to me; I’ll contact Mr Perryman and ask for his permission to help you.’
Only a few minutes later, Pam was back on the phone to Kate.
‘I have confirmation that I may help you – within reasonable bounds, of course.’
‘Thank you,’ said Kate. ‘May I email you a list of the addresses? What I need,’ she looked down at Rafi’s scribbled note, ‘Are the printouts from your in-house database, Focus and EGi giving details of which agents have done deals at these addresses in the past four years. Could you do this as a matter of urgency?’
‘Of course! I’ll get Mr Perryman’s colleague, Justin Smith, to run the searches. As luck would have it he’s just walked in the door.’
‘Will you please advise Mr Smith that this information isn’t to be discussed with any of his colleagues. When he’s printed it out, I’d be most grateful if you’d ring me so that I can arrange for it to be picked up. If there’s going to be a delay, could you please let me know?’
‘Will do.’
‘Thank you, Pam.’
‘My pleasure.’
Kate turned to Rafi. ‘This has all happened so fast. Remind me what precisely you are looking for? And what are Focus and EGi?’
‘If we can find the external valuer, we can get hold of the property portfolio valuation report. I’ve a feeling it’ll show properties which are not on the mortgage register and which could be part of the terrorist plans. Focus and EGi are the two huge online databases that property agents use to find information on deals done, amongst other things.’
‘Thanks… If it helps us find more properties, it seems like a good call,’ said Kate.
Kate took a call from Colonel Matlik. ‘Good morning colonel. Your timing is perfect; David has just walked into the room. Let me put you on the speakerphone.’
‘Hello David,’ said the distinctive voice of Colonel Matlik.
‘Good to hear you again,’ replied David.
‘I was so sorry to hear of the deaths of your colleagues; rest assured we are leaving no stone unturned at this end,’ said the colonel. ‘And we are treating your request on a strictly need-to-know basis, as asked.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Regarding the security business; initially we were unable to find any link to them, but the name you gave us is very interesting. Mr Koit was well-connected and very wealthy. He had a shadowy past. The FSB – Russian Federal Security Service – had been keeping an eye on him. They tell me that he was killed in a private plane crash several months ago and that he had some very unsavoury connections with people from Chechnya. Through Mr Koit we have traced a local company specialising in executive training in guns and personal security. They are based deep in the countryside, twenty kilometres from Tallinn. I have sent two of my officers undercover to see what is there.’
‘Excellent,’ said David.
‘I have also been looking into their fishing activities. Your terrorists operate two trawlers, and it seems that they have quite a set-up in Tallinn. I have spoken to a tax inspector and asked him to look at their books. He knows nothing of our suspicions. In one hour’s time he will be paying their warehouse in the docks a visit. Two of my operatives are tagging along to have a proper look around.’ A deep chuckle echoed down the phone line.
The colonel hesitated. ‘What worries me is that they aren’t showing the telltale signs of an Al Qaeda cell, but those of a very professional organisation which uses experts rather than recently trained recruits.’
There was a pause. ‘My team monitors the activities of Russian investors and mafia. This creates tension from time to time with the Russian FSB, but as there is a Chechen connection they’re being most cooperative. Oh, by the way, our laws prohibit us from using phone taps unless we have a court order from a judge. A colleague will petition the judge as soon as the court opens this morning. I’ll let you know if they produce anything useful.’
‘Thank you,’ said David. ‘By the way, how’s Kristina – is she enjoying university?’
‘Yes, thank you. When all this is over you must come and visit us. We will talk again soon.’
The speakerphone went silent.
David turned to Kate. ‘Kristina is his only daughter; his wife was killed by a car bomb meant for the colonel several years ago. It seems that he upset some people in the Russian mafia who were trying to set up business in Tallinn. He’s a driven man, determined to right the wrong of his wife’s death. Heaven help any terrorist who crosses his path. We couldn’t ask for a better ally.’
It was 7.45 a.m. when Giles arrived for his morning briefing. He indicated to Kate that she should make a start.
‘Commissioner, we’ve uncovered a large amount of background material which indicates that the terrorists are thinking big. As the financial markets are involved we believe that the attacks will be sooner than later; probably a matter of days, certainly not weeks.’
‘Kate, it does no harm to work to a short timescale, but be very, very careful not to overlook critical pieces of information in your quest for speed.’ The commissioner glanced up and looked at the others. ‘Is that noted?’
‘Yes, sir,’ they chorused.
‘What investigations are ongoing?’ enquired Giles.
‘We have a number of balls up in the air, sir,’ replied Kate. ‘The Estonian Security Service is investigating the terrorists’ activities on a firing range outside Tallinn, an Estonian import/export business and their fishing business there. Emma is researching the whereabouts of the terrorists’ trawler fleet, as we believe that they may use it as part of their exit strategy.
‘Rafi,’ continued Kate, ‘is working on the property angle to see how many of the properties the terrorists own are close to likely targets. John and his team are working with MI5 to unravel the terrorists’ sizeable public sector businesses. This is proving to be an unexpectedly large project. They’re working on the list of its public sector contracts and the senior people on their payroll. The list is long and the names include a couple of Members of Parliament and many very well-connected people. This causes MI5 and us major concerns. Our investigations could be set back if one of these people learned of what we are doing and tipped off the terrorist leaders.’
David and Giles nodded. Kate continued, ‘Also, Jeremy has received confirmation that Callum’s last meeting was with one of the suspected ring leaders: Maryam Vynckt. She’s a director at Gulf Trade Bank and is ideally placed to move money around unseen, offshore.’
Giles turned to David. ‘We’ve got a meeting with the London anti-terrorist committee at 12 o’clock. They’re still convinced that the next attacks will target public places: airports, underground trains, stations, and the like. We’ll have to break cover soon or else we’ll be in deep s h one t, if events conspire against us.’