Free Shadows of Deceit by Patrick Cotter

is Andrew also coming here tonight?”
    “No. Once he knew you had made it to the Dugout he ‘phoned me to say that he was going across to Edinburgh for a meeting with our solicitor. You see we both use the same one for our businesses.”
    ‘I bet he made his excuses knowing Darlath would be here’, Harry thought.
    Dermot continued,
    “So Harry, welcome, we look forward to working with you for a few months until you decide how you want your life to move on. Now I think it’s time we discussed business, come and sit down everyone.”
    Dermot continued,
    “Firstly it’s agreed that Harry joins us, then we need to plan our next adventure.”
    Harry spoke up,
    “Excuse me lads but as the new boy I don’t yet know Darlath’s position in all this.”
    “Of course. Apologies Harry. Darlath is useful in that he works for a government ministry in Eire that is similar to our Civil Service. He was educated in Dublin by the Christian Brothers and after university acquired a position in, what is now the equivalent to the Foreign Office of the Free State.”
    Darlath intervened,
    “Dad I can explain my own story. It’s like this Harry, at the moment, as I was born in Ireland, I’m free to travel between Eire and the U.K. There is some discussion that this benefit may change but probably this won’t come up for serious discussion until the war is finished. But it means that on Irish ‘foreign office’ business I can travel frequently between Dublin and the U.K. You see London is keen to maintain cordial relations with Eire despite all their previous differences.”
    Dermot interrupted,
    “You see Harry, London’s fear is that the Germans could put pressure on the Free State so that they, the Reich, appear to have been ‘invited’ to establish a naval base over there. If that happened then it would effectively cut off supplies from the U.S.A. to Britain.”
    Darlath grinned at his father and then continued,
    “Thanks Dad. More worryingly the Germans could build up their military strength and launch an invasion from Ireland into the U.K. It’s a potentially dangerous and difficult state of affairs but Eire wishes to maintain its neutrality, that’s why they’ve allowed a Nazi Legation or Consulate to be established in Dublin. But it means, as I said, that I, as a junior official, can travel freely and monitor the situation for the benefit of both countries.”
    “And with your knowledge and information this little group can make a few pounds on the way?”
    Harry smiled and looked at Darlath.
    “Yes. Remember Harry there already exists a huge black market in the trade links between us, the States and Canada. If I can assist our ‘little group’ as you call it to cream away just a tiny fraction of it then why not?”
    Tommy spoke up,
    “So you see Harry we are just a bunch of minor players on the world stage really; spear carriers only, in all this. All we’re doing is taking a small share of the action. If it wasn’t us then someone else would take our place.”
    Steve sat forward to speak,
    “Through Darlath we receive a lot of inside info.”
    “And just to clear things up -” Darlath said,
    “- I’m my father’s son. I‘ve been involved in many of his dealings over the years and have no qualms about continuing to make a few pounds or punts in this way. No one is getting hurt. It’s just that we are diverting a small percentage of a very thriving and expanding market in luxury goods.”
    “Amazing.” Harry said,
    “What a respectable club I’m enrolling into.”
    “Time now for business please.” Dermot insisted.
    “But first I need a piss again – help me up Son.”
    Darlath did as he was told and escorted his father out through the kitchen to the lavatory.
    “I’ll get some more coal.” Tommy followed the other two out, carrying the empty scuttle.
    “Do you need another drink?”
    Harry asked Steve as he walked towards the table at the back and opened another bottle.
    “Why not, I’ll