Page 41 - double revenge 3.

‘The problem is, lf Arnold tells the World that America is directly funding our assignment, however
innocent that assignment might be, then many people will go very wobbly at the knees. The

Cottage is seen as a loose cannon and the Big House would be pleased to see our downfall.
Parliament believes that all departments of the Intelligence service should be answerable to
parliament and not have the autonomy we possess. Needless to say, our Country’s enemies will
make great play of UK intelligence services being a CIA lapdog,’ George fingered a quote sign, ‘and
our friends may not trust us in the future. If you were, say, a Commonwealth Country and you
needed assistance from British Intelligence, would you not be a little wary that the help being
provided might now be paid for by Washington and thus the assistance would be dictated by
American foreign policy?

Current thinking is that Arnold has stashed the memo and everyone is looking for it. We want you
to find it to prove he is lying, to prove that we are not involved in covert operations and preserve
the autonomy the Cottage enjoys. The Americans want you to find it before the UN announces that
America is still meddling in Guatemala’s affairs and the Big House wants you to find it to prove to
the PM that we should be forced back into the MI6 fold.’

‘So why am I involved. OK to find the memo but why has the Big House decided on me to lead their

search, do they have no one of their own?’ I asked.

‘I have been given to understand the decision to involve you was taken at the very highest level, for
the same reasons I wanted you here in the Cottage, you are trustworthy. That I can assure you is
the top and bottom of it.’

The “Trustworthy” bit stung a little. I asked George for a top up and when he had refilled our
beakers I decided to confess.

‘I haven’t found Arnold but I did find his fiancée, well that’s putting it a bit strong. Arnold met a
beautiful girl who had ambitions of finding a rich husband. He had a few idyllic weeks with her and
then walked out. She now realises she was being taken for a ride and has written him off. She gave
me this, she believes it has something to do with his investment clients but I think Albert should
take a look at it.’

I passed the papers to George who took a brief look and spoke on his intercom.

‘Ask Albert to pop along, would you?’

George turned to look at me.

‘How long have you had this?’

‘Literally a couple of hours. ’ I replied. ‘I didn’t want to mention this in front of Collinson.’

‘No, you were probably wise not to. A couple of hours ago you say, what was it a sleepover?’