CHAPTER TEN
Sheldon was retained below ground, Stanton was not sure he was telling the truth and Bella was trying to remember what Sheldon had said. Stanton gathered all the information he could on Captain Brannigan. While Bella arranged to move their son, Stanton dragged Sheldon from his room and sat him where the Kostan Immosnavich had been interrogated, Kostan was a hardened operative and a Russian patriot, Sheldon was not. Sheldon strained his eyes shielding them from the light with his hand, he broke down sobbing in his hands. “Captain Brannigan he was to do a deal with you on a train?” asked Stanton. Sheldon couldn’t see him.
“Yes, I told Bella,” he sobbed intermittently whilst talking.
“In Devon?”
“Yes.”
“What stretch of line?”
“I can’t remember.”
“Brannigan’s family lives in Davenport, ring a bell.”
“No, I have no idea where he lives.”
“MI6 has been looking for him for a month, his house is watched. He lives right next to one of the biggest naval installations in the country, Plymouth is a big city.”
Sheldon stuttered. “I…I…I don’t know what you mean.”
“You have a suitcase full of shipping information, some discloses naval supply movements.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Stanton appeared through the lights, he held a piece of paper in his hand. He thrust it into Sheldon’s face. “A list of information for sale in your handwriting, clearly states British naval cargo shipping costs. Only one source could supply information like that.”
“I must have overlooked it, been a while negotiating the deal. I’m saying nothing.”
Stanton walked in close and looked down on him. “You’re a maggot, without giving information you are of no use. Holding naval information you have crossed the line, I will dispose of you.”
Sheldon tried to stand but Stanton sat him back down pushing him in the chest. “I heard you were out of hand, this is ridiculous I am entitled to a lawyer and a trial.”
“Bollocks, I’m looking for someone whom supposedly holds the plans of Polaris nuclear intelligence and you think a lawyer will help you out. You know something that makes you a traitor, punishable by death.”
“They have threatened to kill my wife.”
“Who?”
“Brannigan.”
“You said they?”
“No, em I meant Brannigan.”
“Why would he threaten your wife, you have nothing he wants' and intended to buy from him?”
Sheldon looked away. “St Bedeaux to Davenport.”
“Rail stations in Plymouth.”
“Yes.”
“A sudden return of memory. I ask one more time only, why would he threaten your wife.”
“To scare me into paying more money I imagine.”
“Oh imagine you do. Brannigan is a seasoned military operative, head of special operations in Ireland for four years been with MI6 for the last two years. He’s not that stupid or desperate, if he threatened your wife its due to something else.”
Sheldon became agitated. “I need a drink of water.”
“I’m done with you,” Stanton pulled his gun from his body holster.
“No, no wait.” Sheldon hesitated breathing heavy, he swallowed. “I was supposed to take Polaris with me but I chickened out.”
“A good move on your behalf, the KGB would have killed you kept the money and Brannigan could be very pissed off and turn on your wife. Why would Brannigan do such a thing he would know that himself, makes no sense.”
“I have nothing more to say.”
Stanton raised his weapon. “No you don’t.”
“No my god no, look this is difficult.”
“No you won’t feel a thing,” Stanton cocked his weapon.
Sheldon threw his hands up. “Brannigan is a double agent, he has the plans because I passed them on to him on the train just before I left to sell the shipping information he traded for it, we just swapped suit cases.”
Stanton holstered his weapon. “Brannigan is one of a chosen few, I don't believe he would do such a thing but if you're right you're a fool, do you know what you’ve done. Even I may not be able to stop him.”
“Look I have responsibilities, debt beyond comprehension; it made me do something stupid.”
“Thank god Bella was wise enough to bring you back. The perfect crime, a minister sanctioned overseas for exactly what he would be responsible for. I told you Brannigan is far wiser than the load of complete bollocks you came up with. What rail station did he get off at and did you see what car he was driving, was there anyone with him come on man think.”
“Davenport, a black jaguar the registration number is noted in a notebook in the top pouch of my case.”
Stanton walked past the lights and picked up the notebook referred to, he returned and handed it to Sheldon. “This is full of scribble, didn't you go to school, show me.”
Sheldon leafed through the book staining his eyes handing it back to Stanton with his finger under a line. “Here, the BJ stands for black jaguar the rest is the registration number.”
“Anything else?”
“A women, tall blonde buxom about thirty years old, she was driving.”
“You sat on this, you can stay here while we see what we can do. If we get him back here we can get to the bottom of this because I think you’re covering someone’s arse along side or way above you.”
“You’re getting out of you’re depth now Stanton, someone will kill you over this.”
Stanton leant down looking right into his face. “We’re just about to find that out but you’re dead right, one thing we all have in common we will die, but not today geezer not today. When I get back you may die depending on the seriousness of your cock up, I’m willing to put my life on the line, are you?”
Sheldon swallowed and avoided Stanton’s piercing gaze. “I think you’re mad.”
Stanton shook his head and pouted. “No not mad, but I’m getting angry.” He walked backwards out of sight shielded by the lights.
Bruce Hurst’s silhouette filled the gap between the bright lights. “Bruce thank god you’re here that Stanton is a madman you must call the home office immediately.”
Hurst grabbed him by the collar lifting from the chair growling in his face. “You idiot, If Stanton cant find Brannigan I’ll kill you, now come with me we have some quant accommodation for you. The safest place for you is here, we have contacted the home office with a report on your contact, and every MI6 operative is looking for Brannigan and you. Welcome to the island, try to leave here and you’re dead.”