Gladio by Steve Chambers

Author:Steve Chambers [Steve Chambers]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781903506387
Publisher: Zymurgy Publishing
Published: 2014-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Following Eric’s directions, John drove the 2CV north out of Leeds and then west towards the hills. As he drove, Eric explained about Tony Stubbs’ mission and the accident that fucked it. John was incredulous and sceptical. Would Gladio really employ a sad loser like Guttridge?

‘I need evidence.’

Eric nodded. ‘That’s where we’re going, to get some.’ He directed John to the forest glade where he’d met Hatton. Despite the day being warm and muggy, it was dark and gloomy. No birds sang there. Eric got out of the car and looked round nervously.

‘What is this place?’

Eric began to clear away some debris from a tree stump. ‘Arms dump. There’s lots of them, hidden away in forests like this.’ He finished clearing the debris and felt around in the undergrowth for something. Then he pulled and a small rectangular metal hatch levered up. Eric reached in and pulled out two bundles wrapped in heavily greased polythene. John watched fascinated as Eric unwrapped one of the bundles and revealed a black, new, metal and plastic machine pistol. ‘All top quality stuff.’

John inspected it. ‘You supplied Billy Hatton from here?’

‘And Stubbs. I was the armourer. They were both mechanics.’

‘Mechanics?’

Eric looked round furtively. ‘Killers.’ John handed the weapon back. Eric began to wrap it up again.

‘How did you meet?’

Eric grinned. ‘We knocked over a couple of supermarkets when we were in the TA. That’s when we were recruited.’

‘Into Gladio?’

Eric shook his head. ‘No, it was the SAS that came first.’ John looked askance at the unimpressive little man in front of him. He didn’t look like SAS material. Eric caught the look on his face. ‘We thought it was a bit iffy but the money was better and we were in a scrape after the robbery. They offered to wipe the slate clean.’

‘And that’s when Gladio recruited you?’

Eric nodded. ‘They sent us to Ireland.’ A pulse of fear contorted his face.

‘Are you a fascist?’

Eric shook his head vehemently. ‘I’m not political. I did it for the money.’

‘Who else was recruited?’

‘Don’t know. You’re put into three man teams, a need-to-know basis. You don’t know anyone else.’ Despite trying to stay focused, John felt himself growing excited.

‘And you were trained in Northern Ireland?’ Eric flinched, then nodded.

‘Billy and Stubbs were really into it.’

‘But you weren’t?’

Eric shook his head. ‘They gave us local targets to fucking practise on.’

‘And you’re prepared to say all this on camera?’

Eric nodded, hopping nervously from foot to foot, glancing furtively at the enfolding gloom of the forest. ‘I don’t want to end up like Billy and Stubbsy. If I’m on TV telling my story, they’re going to think twice about…’ he trailed off.

John put his notebook back in his pocket. ‘Stay here.’ Eric nodded agreement. He was used to taking orders and he felt better for unburdening himself. John climbed into the 2CV and drove away. Eric sat down and began to roll a cigarette. Above, a crow called a warning. Others answered. Eric shivered involuntarily. He didn’t like the place.

It took John ages to find a phone box.

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