Dominion by C.J. Sansom

Author:C.J. Sansom [Sansom, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Mantle
Published: 2012-10-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Nine

EARLY ON FRIDAY MORNING SYME drove Gunther to Whitehall, along the busy central London streets. It was another cold day, the sky blanketed with grey cloud. Gunther asked, ‘Have you worked on investigations involving government departments before?’

‘No. It’s MI5 territory still. Though there haven’t been any spy cases in Whitehall since that Resistance group in the Home Office a few years ago; and they were double agents. The Whitehall bosses weeded out anyone potentially unreliable years ago. Or thought they had.’

‘Who is it we’re meeting?’

‘Fitzgerald’s Head of Department. Hubbold. Time-serving old fart heading for retirement, my boss said. Hubbold sounded apprehensive when he got the call. I don’t think he’ll give us any problems.’

‘What’s he been told?’

‘Just that there’s some suspicion about one of his department’s staff. It’s all right, we didn’t give Fitzgerald’s name.’

They drove down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, stopping on the corner of Downing Street. Going up the steps of the Dominions Office, Gunther looked up at the frieze outside, the Africans and Indians and Imperial figures, all covered now in soot. Syme gave his name to the old janitor at the reception desk, saying they had an appointment with Mr Hubbold. The old man telephoned his office and told them a clerk would be down in a minute to take them up. He asked them to sign a visitor’s book; Gunther made an incomprehensible squiggle. They stood watching the brown-overalled messengers, civil servants in their black jackets and pinstriped trousers. Syme said quietly, ‘What a crew. Look at those fusty clothes.’

Gunther smiled. ‘Some government servants still look like that in Germany. Though not so many now.’

A young clerk appeared and took them upstairs in an ancient, creaking lift. Looking through the grille Gunther saw partitioned rooms, cubbyholes, long, dark passages. They were led to a door with the name Mr A. Hubbold picked out in gold letters. The clerk knocked, and a deep voice called, ‘Enter.’

Syme introduced himself and showed Hubbold his warrant card. Then he introduced Gunther as a German colleague. Hubbold started visibly.

‘I didn’t know the German authorities were involved here.’

Syme said, ‘Our information on this matter comes from Germany. We are working with our German colleagues.’

Hubbold swallowed. ‘Has the Permanent Secretary been informed?’

‘All in good time,’ Syme replied firmly. Gunther had to admire the way he took control. ‘For now, sir, you are to keep this matter entirely confidential. As the commissioner told you last night, under the Special Powers Act the security organizations have power to direct any citizen—’

‘Yes, I know,’ Hubbold said quietly. ‘I cannot believe one of my staff could be involved in – treachery.’ He drew a deep breath. ‘Who is it? Who are you investigating?’

‘His name is David Fitzgerald.’

Hubbold stared at them, eyes still with shock behind his glasses. ‘Mr Fitzgerald has an exemplary record,’ he spluttered.

‘How long has he worked for you, sir?’ Syme asked.

‘Three years. He has always been hard-working, diligent, quiet. A settled family man.’

‘Do I detect a “but” in there, sir?’ Syme asked, with a little smile.

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