Free False Friends by Stephen Leather Page B

al-Qaeda cel . I was drafted in early on because they are total virgins. They’ve been groomed and trained and done the Pakistan training camp bit but since then they’ve been put into cold storage. To be honest, I’m starting to wonder if they’ve been rumbled. But until we know either way we’re just watching and waiting.’ He smiled rueful y. ‘Truth be told, I’ve been on more exciting jobs so I’m more than happy to work with you. What’s the story?’
    ‘Simple enough,’ said Hargrove. ‘You’ve heard of the English Defence League, right? There’re a couple of guys in an EDL offshoot in Birmingham looking to buy guns. We’ve got an inside track and need someone to play the part of the arms dealer. It’s a role you’ve played before with some success.’
    ‘I remember,’ said Shepherd.
    ‘We don’t need much in the way of a legend,’ said Hargrove. ‘You’l be brought in as a London arms dealer through the contact we already have in place. I thought we might pul in your teammate Jimmy Sharpe.’
    ‘Razor? He’s working for you?’
    ‘Joined my team three months ago,’ said Hargrove. ‘Since he left SOCA he’s been rattling around the Met and no one real y knew what to do with him. They offered him a retirement package but he turned that down and then they sent him to me.’
    ‘He’s a good operator,’ said Shepherd.

    ‘One of the best. It’s just that he’s old school and the world has changed.’ He drained his glass.
    ‘You’re prospering,’ said Shepherd.
    ‘I’m management so it’s easier for me. I fol ow the rules, see which way the political wind is blowing and go with it, and I make sure that al my boxes are ticked. If I don’t screw up I could go up another rung before retirement, maybe two. That’l do me, Spider. I already have my cottage in Norfolk and my flat near Lords and a Cordon Bleu cook to wait on me hand and foot, so al ’s right with the world.’
    ‘It’l be good to work with Razor again.’
    ‘Wel , he’s the perfect fit for this job. The guy we have in place is young but experienced. He’s involved in the long-term penetration of right-wing groups. To be honest, he’s been undercover too long and wants out so he can probably appear in court to give evidence, which gives us a huge advantage.’
    ‘Sounds like a plan,’ said Shepherd.
    ‘I’l put you together with Razor and we’l see what we can put together by way of samples. Then the inside man can fix up a meeting with the buyers and we’l take it from there.’ Hargrove grinned. ‘It’s good to be working with you again, Spider. The old team back in harness.’
    Shepherd grinned back. ‘I was just thinking exactly the same thing,’ he said. He held up his empty glass. ‘One for the road?’
    Hargrove looked at his watch. ‘Would love to but I have to get back. The wife is doing something special with duck tonight.’ He stood and picked up his coat. ‘I’l be heading up to Birmingham in a couple of days and it’d be handy if you could come with me. Bit of a briefing with the locals and it’l give you a chance to have a sit-down with Razor.’
    A young man in a leather jacket smiled at Hargrove and raised his martini glass.
    Hargrove smiled and nodded, then he patted Shepherd on the shoulder. ‘Next time I’l let you suggest the venue.’
    ‘I stil don’t see why Mohammed can’t come to the mountain,’ said Sharpe as he walked out of Starbucks and onto Hampstead High Street. It was Friday morning and the sky overhead was threatening rain.
    ‘Now what are you moaning about?’ said Shepherd.
    They were both carrying coffees. Hargrove had sent Shepherd a text saying that he was on his way and Shepherd was holding two coffees, a regular for himself and a latte for the chief superintendent.
    ‘Why are we having to schlep up to Birmingham?’ said Sharpe. ‘There’re three of us; why can’t the undercover guy come down to London?’
    ‘To be honest, I don’t want to be