As soon as Finlay closed the office door behind him, Grahamslaw picked up the telephone.
Mick Parratt answered almost immediately. ‘How did it go?’
‘Good. He fell for the MI5 bluff and he paused to think a lot before answering questions. My guess is he was trying to work out how much I knew before answering.’
‘So we got what we needed?’
‘Mostly. Not all good news, though. I’ve confirmed the SAS link and also an interesting fact that both the dead lads and Finlay were on Operation Nimrod, the Iranian Embassy siege.’
‘No kidding? We’ll need to follow that up.’
‘Yes, I agree. But that can wait. I found the source of the leak.’
‘Finlay knew about it?’
‘Only second hand. An old boss of his from the regiment told him. It seems to have come from that break-in a few months ago at the Special Branch office in Northern Ireland. Some army files were stolen, apparently.’
‘I thought nothing was taken?’
‘So did I, but I can’t say I’m surprised they covered it up. I want you to get over there and talk to the RUC, find out the truth. And, before you go, make a call to MI5. If there is an IRA cell out there with a list of targets, we need to know who they are.’
‘What about the MI5 office here at the Yard? Shall I ask them?’
‘No, leave them. I think we need to ask at a higher level. Try the section head of the Irish department. If you don’t get any joy with him, let me know and I will try one the directors.’
As he ended the call, Grahamslaw pulled a slip of paper from his wallet. On it was written a telephone number. He dialled it. The call was answered almost immediately.
‘Sir, it’s Bill Grahamslaw, SO13. It’s about the burglary at the Irish Special Branch offices earlier this year. I’m in receipt of evidence that suggests some sensitive files were stolen and that they may now have surfaced.’
Within thirty seconds of making the call, Grahamslaw had packed all the notes and papers he had available into a briefcase and was heading for the police station car park. He was on his way to see the Home Secretary.