The Moscow Whisper by Michael Jenkins

Author:Michael Jenkins [Jenkins, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Failsafe Thrillers
Published: 2020-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

London

Jack strolled along Millbank heading for a meeting that would either make or break his plot. He was scheduled to attend an informal and unminuted meeting with the cabinet secretary who also doubled as the national security advisor to the UK. Sir Justin Darbyshire was one of the Prime Minister’s core advisors, and the only senior civil servant who knew of the existence of The Court.

Jack arrived in good time to meet with Laura who was inspecting the maps on the cabinet secretary’s wall. She was studying a silk escape and evasion map of occupied France in 1944 when Jack strode into the office.

‘Ah, nice tie Jack.’ Laura began. She threw a cheeky smile across the room. ‘I thought you might like the colour.’

‘Very kind of you to send me such a gift. How are you?’

‘Couldn’t be better. You know, if ever you want to get me a present, one of these would be great!’

‘I think the one next to it is probably more interesting, and quite a rarity. That’s the original map of the Dayton accord, signed by the US and Serbian Presidents when they agreed the re-alignment of the Bosnia and Herzegovinian border in 1995.’

‘Very good. I had no idea he liked maps so much.’

‘Well, Sir Justin started his career as a Military Surveyor you know. Long before he became a civil servant.’

Sir Justin Darbyshire walked in to greet them both, apologising for his absence due to a short notice meeting. He was a man of real stature with impeccable manners but known to swear often. He had represented his country at rugby and athletics in the ‘70s and was a rare civil servant who had previously served with distinction in the Army. His government role was comparable in rank to that of a military General or a High Court judge, and his political acumen saw him quickly promoted to become the UK’s highest ranking civil servant within an impressive twenty-two year period.

Sir Justin wore a dark blue suit partnered in masterly fashion with a dazzling emerald green tie set against a pristine white shirt. Powerful, wise, and a friend of the new Prime Minister, he carried considerable influence far beyond administrative matters, reaching deep into the very heart of the political decision-making process. His unelected role also provided some authority over elected ministers, although his constitutional authority was somewhat ambiguous, but noticeably stronger with a new PM in town.

‘Jack, Laura, so good to see you both. Sorry I’m late, do please take a seat. I’ve just been having a chat with the Chief of Defence Intelligence and he’ll be joining us a bit later. Now, tuck into some of that grub, take a seat and we can start.’

Jack helped himself to a few cheese and pickle doorstops, and a glass of orange juice. He noticed Laura fleetingly wince at the spread that Sir Justin had ordered for their informal chat which was the precursor to a more formal arrangement at a later stage.

‘Nothing fancy food wise I’m afraid Laura.

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