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THE LAUGHTER STOPPED as soon as DCS Graham spoke, “Here’s what is going to happen. And it’s a sign of what you are getting into, okay? This crime scene is going to disappear, wiped clean, as if it never happened...”
Regan’s mouth opened wide but no words would come out, but Red spoke, “And how the hell are you going to do that?”
“You heard about the CIA and removal teams?”
In awe, Regan said, “Yes.”
“We have our own. They are better than anything the CIA has. Once I make my next phone call, this place will not bear witness to any crime, never mind murder.”
Regan asked, “What about Callum? Is he going to get away Scot free with killing Caroline?”
“Yes. But why worry? He will end up serving about eight years in jail for the drug dealing, plus another seven for rape. This is the only way you, in particular, Regan, will live to fight crime another day. Not just any old crime but infiltrating the top echelons of organized crime gangs that affect the security of the United Kingdom. You and the other team members will be the cream of the cream. How does that grab you?”
“It grabs me a lot. I’m your man.”
“And me,” chimed Red.
“The best part is you will be paid handsomely.”
“Now you are really talking my language. What exactly is handsome?” asked Regan.
“Four times your current salary and pensionable.”
Red and Regan looked at each other. They high-fived, too excited to speak.
“I have another question,” said Regan, “Can we recruit John Barnard?”
“Jack has told me all about him and the answer is ‘yes’.”
DCS Graham made his phone call to the removal team.
Regan made his own call to John Barnard and arranged a meeting in the team’s new office in an anonymous suburban house in South West London. It had the latest security gadgets monitoring twenty-four hours a day and also had the advantage of proximity to Heathrow. The team’s brief was wide-ranging and was not restricted to operations on UK soil. If matters affected the security of the United Kingdom, Regan, Red, Barnard and any other future operative would fly to where they were needed anywhere in the world.
The safe house comprised of five ground floor rooms. One was an ops room with state of the art electronic kit occupied by two personnel who worked a twelve-hour shift. They were then relieved by two other guys. The other rooms were offices and a kitchen cum dining area. There were five bedrooms, all kitted out with bunk beds. The half-acre of garden housed a separate nondescript building. It was a rest house comprising of a TV room, a library and kitted out with luxury leather Chesterfields.
Regan and Red went to the library after John had been formally inducted into the team. There, they chatted for a full hour.
Regan started the conversation between these two old friends, “I really can’t believe all this. I am allowed to live to ‘fight crime’ another day, in another place. One time I didn’t think this would ever happen.” His eyes filled.
“I know what you are saying. You nearly went rogue, didn’t you?”
“Red, me old mate, between you and me, yeah I did. How the fuck did you know?”
“Missus R told me. She knows you better than you know yourself. She said, ‘Red, I am worried about him. I just know he is thinking of doing something terrible. I blame myself because I know he wants me to have the bloody operation.’ I knew she was serious when she swore. Never heard your Mum swear before.”
Regan’s tears fell, trickling in warm rivulets down his cheeks. He held his hand aloft as if to stay any further conversation. Red took the hint and allowed Regan to regain control before he spoke again.
“Now for the good news, buddy, if you want some good news that is?”
“Shoot,” Regan said with a smile.
“My father died leaving a lot of money to me. Part of it was savings and part from selling his house. Even though it was a tied house at one time, it fetched a lot because of its location in the Forest of Dean. So that means...”
“Don’t say what I think you are going to say.”
“I can say what the hell I want. It’s my money. I’m sending you and your Mum to Boston for the operation she needs. Shut up ... that’s not all. I’m coming too because I’m having a bionic arm fitted like the Six Million Dollar Man...”
“Oh, fuck off! You are teasing me.”
“Not at all. I’m serious.”
“Man! I love you,” Regan said hugging Red.
“Steady fucking on. I’m not queer you know.” Both hugged and laughed as one.
“Suppose I’d better call Ma and tell her the news.”
“No need, she’s already got her bags packed.”
“Fucking A!” Regan and Red hugged again.
