As soon as the news broke of the attack on Kings Cross, Garside called an emergency Cabinet meeting. Commissioner Reynolds was invited to attend. He hurried into the Cabinet room. Garside and his team including Henry Mason and General Keatson had already occupied the room.
‘Good morning First Minister, gentlemen, I hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long. I’ve been busy getting updated on the events of last evening.’ He said nervously.
He was right to be nervous; Garside was apoplectic having been briefed by his MI5 man. The men that were killed last night were his secret special forces and that made him feel very vulnerable.
‘So Commissioner,’ Garside’s eyes narrowed, ‘what exactly happened last night and what has your response been? We are eager to hear what your report is and that you have dealt with the perpetrators of this crime.’ Garside’s words were delivered quietly but menacingly.
‘Well Sir,’ Reynolds started, spluttering his words, ‘Kings Cross Police Station was attacked last night at 2300 hours and four officers were killed, a prisoner escaped with the perpetrators. The Station officers were unharmed but bound and gagged. The alarm was raised at midnight when they failed to answer a call from HQ. We are making all necessary enquiries to ascertain who was responsible but as yet we only have our Police Officers’ statements to work on.’
‘And what, exactly have they been able to tell you Commissioner?’ There was now a reddish tinge to Garside’s face. He was desperate to contain his rage.
‘The gang was well organised, dressed in black with black ski masks. They were armed and only one member spoke. He appeared to be the leader. He demanded that a message be passed on.’
‘Did he now, and what was that Mr Reynolds?’Garside said raising his eyebrows.
‘That you were to stop the murder squads now if you do not they will seek them out and stop them just as they did last night. “We will not allow innocents to be slaughtered” were his closing words.’
Garside finally exploded, ‘what bloody murder squads, what the hell is he talking about. Who the hell is this, this criminal and why has he not been dealt with?’
Henry Mason interrupted, ‘We think Sir that the escort officers that were detailed to collect the prisoner for transport to Dartmoor Prison were mistakenly thought to be an assassination, squad. This group of terrorists are obviously working on flawed intelligence.’
Reynolds was surprised that his MI5 colleague was able to make such a conclusion; he had not done so although he could now see the link.
Garside was still seething but now very worried knowing that he was exposed by this breach. Mason knew that his boss would see that this group, whoever they were, knew of their clandestine activities and, in fact, were working on very good intelligence.
Garside turned once again to Commissioner Reynolds, ‘this terrorist group sounds very much like the group that attacked Southwark Park Containment Pen a couple of months ago. Commissioner, please explain to me why this might be.’ He stood up slamming his hands on the table, his face purple with rage, ‘when you assured me that they had been dealt with.’
Reynolds was a quivering mess and tried desperately to hold himself together. ‘It must be a different group Sir, that’s all I can say, but I can assure you we will catch the perpetrators of the Kings Cross attack.’ He knew he didn’t sound convincing.
‘I sincerely hope so Commissioner and quickly. You may leave us now but keep us fully informed of your progress. I will call another meeting here in one week.’
Garside concluded his remaining Cabinet business very sharply and dispersed them with the exception of Henry Mason. ‘Henry, what the hell is going on here?’
‘I’m not sure yet Tony, but given the level of intelligence they appear to have and their organisation my guess is that they are renegade State Police Officers.’
‘Find them Henry and deal with them before they do any more damage. Also, I want Reynolds taken care of; he’s of no further use to us. Find a suitable replacement then get him out of my hair. Where are we with the Centralised Data System?’
‘As I have said, Tony, it will take at least two years to complete. If you want it done in one year then we have to cut back seriously on the integrity and security of it.’
‘I don’t care, Henry, get it done. We need to identify all of those who have the skills and capabilities to oppose what I am trying to do here.’
Mason inwardly smiled at the idea that Garside believed or at least wanted others to believe that what he was doing was in some way altruistic and patriotic.