Red Star Rising: A Thriller by Brian Freemantle

Author:Brian Freemantle [Freemantle, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Thriller, Mystery
ISBN: 9781429938150
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Published: 2010-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

“I’m relieved that Robertson and Fish have solved their problem,” announced the Director-General.

“Have they?” questioned Charlie, from his suspended telephone booth.

Aubrey Smith hesitated. “They will have when the new sweep is completed and if we locate some fresh bugs that will give us even more evidence.”

“I would have appreciated being told directly that they’d been seconded to my investigation.”

There was another pause from the London end. “Let’s not get petulant. Robertson called to tell me what had been found in Stout’s rooms and how Stout being kept at the press conference helped. There was a natural progression to the conversation that followed. You can’t be expected to handle everything by yourself. I thought Paula-Jane could be brought in, too. Her speaking Russian would help, wouldn’t it? Maybe Halliday, too. MI6 have offered their help.”

“I don’t want any permanent embassy staff included,” argued Charlie.

“Why not?”

“There’s been very little so far to give me any confidence or faith in existing staff here. I want to maintain the separation.”

“Robertson and Fish are sure Stout’s their spy.”

“I’m not,” disputed Charlie.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“This was—and still is—an appallingly mismanaged embassy,” reminded Charlie. “My investigation should remain entirely independent from anyone here. Unquestionably the people with Robertson and Fish are sufficiently security cleared, but I need a system under which I personally examine and assess all recorded messages without my authority being questioned, apart from by you.” Charlie’s irritation was growing. “I know a secondary recording system has been installed ensuring calls will be taped to provide you with immediate access to every contact. I would like your guarantee that you will not instigate any action whatsover, as a result of what I have begun today, without prior discussion with me—”

“That is impudent insubordination!” interrupted the Director-General.

“That is a very necessary operational request, expressed as directly as it was to prevent the slightest misunderstanding between us,” persisted Charlie, glad that as always the exchange was being automatically recorded in London. “You have gone with me—trusted me—so far in risks that I have accepted to be entirely my responsibility. If I fail, I want that failure to be of my own mistakes and making, not through the interference of others following their insufficiently prepared initiatives or an agenda of which neither you nor I have prior knowledge.”

“I’ve read your file, know your history: Charlie Muffin, the maverick loner bucking all authority and opinions other than his own,” warned Smith. “And I’ve backed you all the way. Sometimes I’ve got to defer to collegiate pressure here.”

The internal counterintelligence department in which Robertson and Fish operated was under Jeffrey Smale’s direct control, Charlie remembered, many unexplained irritations abruptly becoming clearer.

The Director-General continued, “I think, upon reflection, that misunderstandings have occurred. Robertson can come back with his other two adjudicators, leaving his support staff with Fish and his people to provide your backup.”

Was Smith according him the battle honors? Or allowing Paul Robsertson a tactical retreat? “I’ll let Robertson know you want to talk to him again.” If he hadn’t won the battle he’d at least come out best in the skirmishes, Charlie decided.

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