Free Don't... 04 Backlash by Jack L. Pyke Page A

via the channels and are aware ISIS and
Al-Qaeda have ties. See what they’re prepared to divulge from their
end, and get it out to Grantham.”
    “I take it this
is why the district-general is at a COBRA meeting this morning?”
Andrews handed the note back.
    “Partly.” He
saw how Andrews fidgeted.
    “Anything else,
sir?” He knew this could have been done over email. “You said ‘two’
issues.”
    “Personal
favour,” said Gray, pushing over a file he’d kept on his desk.
    Andrews picked
it up and looked it over before flicking a look up at Gray. “During
subject 639’s interrogations, this list of six numbers is repeated
three times.” He frowned. “And 639 used this specific penmanship
under interrogation?”
    Gray
nodded. “It’s
Devan
ā
gar
ī
Sanskrit.
Take note of the vowel diacritic, and pay attention to how all
repeats are never in the same order.”
    Andrews
thumbed through the rest of the file. “639’s a computer specialist,
where Sanskrit is known but....” He had that look about him that
Gray shared. “It could be an encrypted code for something beyond
technical language. Do we have access to 639’s computer
system?”
    “The Met has
been through them, but they weren’t looking for this.”
    “And you don’t
want them to look for this?”
    “No. You find
out what; you find out why, and if you obtain any names from them,
you don’t engage; you don’t act. You report solely to me. Are we
clear?”
    “Understood.
I’ll get the computers back from the Met.” Andrews tapped the file.
“The word ‘Richards’ is repeated four times.”
    “I’m aware of
who Richards is. If you come across any other mention, you make a
note, then discard the name. The same goes for mention of Jack and
Gregory Harrison; those leads stay dead. All three are under
protection.”
    “Protection?”
    “Hmm?” said
Gray, pausing a moment.
    “You said
protection, not witness protection.”
    Sharp
man.
“I said
protection.”
    Andrews fell
quiet for a moment and Gray could see him evaluating the validity
of their detainee.
    “An Italian
missing person report was filed a few months ago over a woman who
was deported from here.... A Mrs Fortello.” Andrews glanced over.
“Gregory Harrison’s ex-wife.”
    “So the report
said.”
    “This
information isn’t to be reported to MI6 either, who are handling
the case.”
    “No.”
    “Okay.” And it
was evaluated as quickly as that. He’d connected the dots between
Elena, the missing person report, and external business beyond
MI5/6 control. Gray wouldn’t want it any other way. Andrews was
pure culling capability. “I’ll prioritise this,” added Andrews.
    “Keep intel via
the shared email address. No connections through MI5; no calls
unless it’s urgent.”
    “I’m due in
your main debriefing meeting with you at eleven, would—”
    “Skip it.”
    Andrews nodded.
“Okay. I’ll email as soon as I dig something up. Is 639 still
available?”
    Gray took the
file back and shelved it. “Only directly through me.”
    He stood to
leave, paused, then—“I’m here for any business you need clearing
up, sir. Contact through the usual channel.”
    Gray gave a
nod. “Thank you. Concentrate on this and the Bhasin file first. I
want to know why and who on both counts.”
    Andrews paused
by the door. “Looks good, by the way.”
    Gray frowned
up.
    “The whole—”
Andrews circled his own jaw. “—rough look. Is that why you’re
avoiding the district-general and SSTP this morning?”
    “You heard
about that, hm?”
    “Even made sure
I held Reignfold’s door for him whilst he got out of his
Rolls-Royce this morning.”
    “Very... decent
of you.”
    “The planted
tech should let you know who he calls once he leaves.” Andrews
smirked and left him alone.
    Gray focused
back on subject 639’s case file.
    Not all of his
time had been spent avoiding his life. In fact, he’d gone out of
his way to socialise and see who cried longer than Jack