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Back The Source Save as PDF
Chapters (53)
  1. The Source
  2. Dedication
  3. Contents
  4. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  5. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  6. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  7. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  8. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  9. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  10. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  11. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  12. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  13. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  14. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  15. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  16. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  17. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1996
  18. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  19. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  20. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  21. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  22. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  23. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  24. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  25. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  26. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  27. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  28. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  29. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  30. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  31. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  32. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  33. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1997
  34. Carly ~ Warchester ~ 1998
  35. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  36. Carly ~ London ~ 2001
  37. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  38. Carly ~ London ~ 2001
  39. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  40. Carly ~ London ~ 2001
  41. Marie ~ Just outside Warchester ~ 2006
  42. Carly ~ London ~ 2001
  43. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  44. Carly ~ Deptford ~ 2002
  45. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  46. Marie ~ Deptford ~ 2004
  47. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  48. Marie ~ London ~ 2005
  49. Marie ~ London ~ 2006
  50. Marie ~ London ~ Six months later
  51. Acknowledgements
  52. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  53. Copyright

‘Every military source we’ve got,’ a voice pipes up from somewhere in the mob. I watch Thomas stiffen, self-consciously smoothing his perfect hair. Surely the military can’t be where he’s got his tip? There are only a handful of people who could have anything to spill to anyone. The idea they’d blab to a nobody like Thomas is as ridiculous as the idea they’d break ranks in the first place. My neck pinches as I strain to see who else is talking.

‘We should have the army’s chief of staff at the time on the phone within the hour, we’re hoping for a junior Home Office minister as soon as they’ve sorted out their spokespeople, and 128we’ve got our own army of legal analysts who are already picking over the historic allegations.’

My head swivels between them. Thomas is hiding his eyes in his papers.

‘Have you spoken to our own lawyers about this?’ Olivia barks. ‘That is critical … Critical! We need to be 110 percent sure on what we can and can’t discuss given there are new legal proceedings under way. I want a document circulated with clear, concise guidance on that within the hour.’

‘Actually, Olivia, I thought a separate profile piece on General Minchin would also be a good idea,’ Thomas says, clearing his throat. ‘As you said, he was a decorated general, believed to have been at the heart of the most sensitive UK intelligence operations, and I’ve got some information that suggests—’

‘We should discuss that with qualified guests,’ Olivia says, dismissing him with a flick of bouncy hair. ‘That’s a far more interesting conversation to have with experienced military historians, or better still, military personnel. How do you propose we turn that into television? Have you ever seen moving pictures of Gil Minchin on military operations? In fact, have you ever seen anything other than his army-issue mugshots? No, I thought not.’

My hand clenches the phone in my pocket as Thomas crumples into another hair flick. Whatever he’s got, this crowd isn’t going to hear another word after that.

‘Excuse me, Olivia,’ Jemima pipes up beside me. ‘What is your thinking for the investigative teams? There are obviously a lot of lines to pursue.’