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‘Perfectly, ma’am,’ said Max, flatly.
‘Now, I will only say this once. Ross, your team is to have no part in this case. Any intelligence you receive must be shared, along with source details to DCS Wakefield. When I say no involvement, I mean exactly that. No poking about, no rattling cages, or shaking trees. Nothing. This is too important, too high profile, and is the sort of thing that costs careers. Am I clear?’
‘Crystal clear,’ said Ross.
‘Now, I’ve been made aware of the excessive hours you’ve all been working, so I want you all to take the rest of the week off. Go and spend time with your families. We’ll meet next week, and I’ll want to review your team’s performance, and how I think we can improve, moving forward.’ Her eyes lowered to her report again, indicating clearly that the meeting was over.
Ross looked at Max, raised his eyebrows and shook his head as they stood up.
‘Oh, one more thing,’ said Campbell.
‘Ma’am?’ said Ross.
‘Your camper van–dwelling technical man, Bobby?’ Her eyes narrowed.
‘Barney, ma’am.’
‘I’m having vetting look at him, as I’m not comfortable with the idea of a man with access to such sensitive material and equipment living in a camper van.’
‘Is that necessary, ma’am?’ said Ross, his brow furrowing with confusion.
‘Yes, I believe so. I’m going to be looking at all staff working in professional standards as well as other sensitive roles, including your staff. I want a clean bill of health on all the workforce in such sensitive roles.’
‘That seems a little like overkill, ma’am?’
‘I disagree. Vetting have already informed me that Barry—’
‘Barney, ma’am,’ interrupted Ross.
‘Okay, fine. Barney has some significant debt issues. His house in Leeds was repossessed not so long ago. Were you aware of this?’
Ross just stood there, open-mouthed.
‘I can see not. You need to be aware of what your staff are doing, Ross. Debt is a serious driver for corruption, you know.’
Ross’s face flushed. ‘Barney is a freelance contractor. He’s the best in the business and he’s been vetted to the highest level with the security services for decades.’
‘Well, his vetting is being renewed now, so I advise you speak to him to see if there are any other surprises. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.’ Her head bowed again, the tension almost crackling in the room.
Ross opened his mouth, his teeth bared in a snarl, but Max took his elbow and led him away before the anger he could see welling up overflowed. Ross didn’t resist.
‘What now?’ said Max as they left the office, nodding at Margaret as they passed through.
‘You heard her ladyship. We’re taking the rest of the week off, but not before I tear that senile, one-legged old spy a new arsehole.’
‘Maybe make sure he’s okay first, Ross?’ said Max, softly.
‘Aye, right, I’m feeling really bastarding sensitive after that bollocking. Fucking second in a day, because of that old duffer.’
‘So, are we just going to let Hardie do whatever he’s planning?’
‘I don’t see what else we can do, Max. If we go off-books, we’re liable to all get bloody sacked. Can you imagine how Mrs Fraser would take that? “Sorry, hen. I cannae pay the mortgage this month as I got canned.” Same goes for you. We leave it to them and pick up the pieces when they inevitably fuck it up. Or, alternatively, maybe Hardie actually is just trying to horse trade for early parole, and a cushy regime.’
‘You believe that?’
‘Does the Pope shit in the woods?’ said Ross, wincing as he limped down the corridor.
‘Erm, no?’
