"Interview starting at time fourteen thirty-three GMT" Gallagher looked at
his watch, half past eleven at night. The interview room at the precinct
station was quite a strange one. Gone were the usual panic strips, tamper
proof tape recorders and CCTV cameras covering all sides of the room. In
were the bare wooden chairs, large table, bright fluorescent lighting and a
small mobile cassette recorder.
"Officers present, Detective Chief Inspector Gallagher and Detective Sergeant Wilkinson of the Vehicle Crime Unit" Gallagher noted, "also in attendance representing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Assistant Inspector Kiichi Goto"
Gallagher looked across at his prey "now Mr Nakumoto" he began looking through the bulky file as Aoi looked back nervously "before we begin, I would just like you to state your full name for the purpose of the tape please"
Aoi looked back blankly, arms crossed a swollen lower lip evidence of the cut caused by Gallagher's right hand cross.
"We know you speak English Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher looked back at him.
"We know allot about you" Wills said with a smile.
"Never got anything from the British Spooks before but trust me Mr Nakumoto they are very through" Goto said, taking a puff from his cigarette.
Aoi sighed and looked to the empty chair next to him "do I get a lawyer?"
"Oh no this isn't a proper interview Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher scratched his head, his coat still on as he leaned forward, resting his elbows onto the large table "we're having a quick chat"
"And we just would like to find out a few things about your contacts with the Real IRA if you don't mind sir" Wills took the file and read through it.
Aoi shook his head. Gallagher turned to the tape "for the benefit of the tape the suspect has just shook his head, possibly in disbelief" he turned back "now common lad, tell us your name"
"Aoi Nakumoto..or Nakumoto Aoi" he smiled sarcastically "depending on which policeman is going to arrest me"
"And do you have any links to the Real IRA?" Gallagher asked.
Goto leaned back out of the conversation, almost moving to the sidelines to watch the play begin.
"None that I can think of Officer" Aoi said immediately "any meeting with such people is purely accidental I would say"
"So you acknowledge that you know they exist?" Wills said, looking up from the file.
"Of course I do Officer" Aoi nodded "I watch the news like any other citizen"
"And how about the EDA" Gallagher rested his chin in his hands, watching Aoi closely "y'know 'down with the Babylon Project second phase, down with the Thames Estuary project, etc"
"Again officer I watch the news, I am fully aware of them" Aoi lifted his head up a little higher, almost looking at the DCI with a touch of contempt.
"For the benefit of the tape I am now showing Mr Nakumoto a file released by the British Security Services" Wills said, handing the sheet of paper over to Aoi "take your time sir"
Aoi read the document, indeed taking his time as he read it over before nodding, still looking a bit uncomfortable and offended that he was here in the first place.
"Mr Nakumoto that is a file released by the Security Services to us after a surveillance operation named 'Woodpecker'" Gallagher began, he too was taking his time "it lists yourself and five other Japanese ex pats who live in the United States and the United Kingdom"
"I do live in the United Kingdom yes" Aoi nodded "I work at the partner of a Anglo-Japanese Accounting and Law firm"
Gallagher nodded "suspect is now being shown five photos out of the set also released by the British security services" Wills handed them over "they show the suspect with several figures who are identified to be Gerry O'Farrel, Danny Curran and Shinji..Ikeda?" he looked to Goto who nodded slowly.
"The first two are the confirmed members of the inner circle of the Real IRA and Mr Ikeda is the European representative of the EDA" his grin widened "now Mr Nakumoto could you please explain why were you meeting these people in London earlier this year?"
Aoi took a deep breath, a drop or two of sweat evident on his forehead as he took his glasses off.
"We also have more documents seized in a recent raid of properties in Richmond, London which allegedly put you as the go between and treasurer of the group which comprises of members of the Real IRA and the EDA Mr Nakumoto" Wills added.
Aoi rubbed his eyes "I don't understand Officers I-"
"Come on Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher said, "suspect is now rubbing his eyes and seems to be in some visible distress".
"Mr Nakumoto" Wills leaned forward now "our government has been in discussion with the Japanese government over extradition" he said slowly. "You understand that if you do refuse to admit to anything we will go through with extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of supporting and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism"
Aoi nodded, visibly shaken as he looked at the proof laid before him.
"However while extradition is now certain, we can cut a deal for you Mr Nakumoto, we can make sure that you are well cared for" Gallagher kept his smile "do you want your lawyer?"
Gallagher shook his fist with a chuckle "got the bastard!"
"I was quite surprised" Goto smiled slightly as the trio walked slowly down the hall towards the exit to the public area of the station "none of that would be admissible as evidence"
"Yep" Gallagher smiled "but its a bluff, as long as he says he'll grass on his mates in the proper interview, that doesn't matter" he said as he held up the piece of paper "and I have this"
Goto and Wills looked at it and nodded, remembering what had happened next in the interview room.
"For the tape, suspect if writing something down on a piece of paper" Gallagher watched Aoi with curiosity, he looked over at Aoi and saw what he was doing "interview ending fourteen forty-five" he stopped the tape.
"Here" Aoi said pushing the piece of paper "this is all you need, the Irishmen, they left today bound for London Heathrow"
"When?" Wills said, "when did they leave?"
"Early this morning" Aoi said, wiping the sweat off of his forehead "please do not say my name in this business, I am in great danger as it is"
"Yes Mr Nakumoto, this is off record" Gallagher smiled as he took the piece of paper. On it was an address in Greater Manchester in the North West of England "thank you sir".
Wills chuckled "the idiot, he's going to get extradited anyway"
"Well that's his problem I guess" Goto shrugged "Of course you can re interrogate him back in the UK"
"Which is what I intend to do" Gallagher grinned,
As they walked into the main public reception, a young policeman came out behind then.
"Captain Goto" he said in Japanese "an urgent phone call for you"
"Ah! Can't escape work for one minute can you?" Goto smiled, putting his cigarette out and turning "I'll see you back before you leave for the airport"
"Sure" Gallagher nodded "right fits poppin'" he looked to Wills as he walked out.
"Sorry Guv?"
"What's going on with getting home"
Wills explained as they stepped out to the embassy car about how they would have to leave the rest of the team here to complete the exhibition as planned. Gallagher and Wills however would have to go and finish their dirty work that they had started.
Once at the Embassy though, there was a call waiting for Gallagher too.
"Drop the extradition charges" it was Sir Andrew, quite insistent; he could see his finely woven plan being pulled apart by incompetent politicians and clean coppers.
"I don't believe this" Gallagher said after a long pause.
"Harry, steady the buffs now"
"I spent the last few days half asleep from jet lag trying to find some wee Japanese lad who you won't extradite?"
"Yes, you've done well but we know where the IRA men are" Sir Andrew tried to remain calm down the line "just get on the first plane home."
"Are you ordering me?" Gallagher demanded, almost wildly demanded, keeping his voice just low enough "are you..do you even have the power to compel me to come home?"
"I can't order you Harry but I can assure you that if you press forward with the extradition your position as it is now as head of your unit will become untenable if not the whole position of your unit as a whole"
Gallagher blinked "y'what?" he raised his voice "stop me if I'm wrong but...are you threatening me?"
Sir Andrew paused, taking a sip of his tea at his desk in the East India room of the Foreign Office "who said anything about threatening?" he smiled slightly. "Allow me to make it clear that while in the public eye the Home Office sent you here, within Whitehall everybody knows that you are a marked Foreign Office man" he said calmly.
There was a pause; Gallagher thought for a moment was he bluffing? Up until now he thought his objectives had been well hidden by the Foreign Office in its battle against a Home Office hostile to any plans for a Police Labour force.
"Now if you bring back Mr Nakamura or whoever the bloody hell he is I can almost guarantee you that he will be all that the Home Secretary needs to save his skin" Sir Andrew kept his voice gravely quiet. "And if by the end of the week the Home Secretary is still there, he will be looking for the scalp of the turncoat who decided to work for the Foreign Office"
Now it had become clear. Gallagher put the phone down calmly and turned, scratching his head. It was a trick. The whole mess was a trick. He had now left the police in everything but name, number, position and salary. His new masters were the people at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
"So who do I owe this conversation?" Goto smiled as he sat back in the seat in the office.
"Just wanted to relay a few choice bits of information" Ayhagami said, smoking from a cigarette, Bhatou kept a close watch from outside.
"I'm all ears Secretary" Goto nodded, declining the offer of a cigarette.
"Those British Gaijin, they never learn" Ayhagami "we have them by the balls and now they're fighting among themselves"
"Well it is hardly surprising that their Trade department gets overruled by squabbles between cabinet members" Goto remarked "no stability in their politics and while King Blair is away" he looked up with a smile.
"Very true Captain, but that DCI Gallagher, he isn't a fool" Ayhagami smiled back "he knows about their squabbling."
"Seems like he's the last person to know" Goto couldn't help let a light chuckle slip his mouth "I've got my eye on him."
"I'm sure you do" Ayhagami "I heard you have fingers in many pies."
Goto looked back at the Secretary "no comment."
"So what did he want?" Shinobu said as he sipped a coffee back at landfill site.
"He just wanted to come to gloat. He knows I've invested time in backing whatever the hell Gallagher was doing" Goto said as he looked outside. "He just wanted to screw the UK Government out of as much money as possible, hence why he was so happy to help our initial investigations" Goto stared out of the window of their office.
"I just feel sorry for the people down there" Shinobu was looking out of the window too. Below the British Engineering team were buffing and waxing their Fairfax. One man had a vacuum cleaner inside the cockpit and was cleaning some of the metal edged controls with some brasso "they're so passionate about their work."
"Labour engineering transcends gender and nations" Goto broke his slight frown with a smile "that seems to be the only thing going for them these days."
There was another thoughtful pause, interrupted by Gallagher knocking on the door and entering "well I'm ready and the embassy car is here to take me to the Airport."
Goto turned, his smile still showing as he shook Gallagher's hand "again my apologies for not saying my farewells at the airport but as you can see, I'm on duty"
"No problem, I need to get off anyway" Gallagher chuckled lightly "after all this business is over I can get you a drink if you ever come to the UK"
"Deal" Goto smiled.
"That goes for you too!" Gallagher nodded at Shinobu "you're all welcome anytime!"
"Thank you, I wish you luck for your new unit" Shinobu nodded back and smiled with sincerity.
Gallagher shook Shinobu's hand and let Goto lead him out of the office.
"Officers present, Detective Chief Inspector Gallagher and Detective Sergeant Wilkinson of the Vehicle Crime Unit" Gallagher noted, "also in attendance representing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Assistant Inspector Kiichi Goto"
Gallagher looked across at his prey "now Mr Nakumoto" he began looking through the bulky file as Aoi looked back nervously "before we begin, I would just like you to state your full name for the purpose of the tape please"
Aoi looked back blankly, arms crossed a swollen lower lip evidence of the cut caused by Gallagher's right hand cross.
"We know you speak English Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher looked back at him.
"We know allot about you" Wills said with a smile.
"Never got anything from the British Spooks before but trust me Mr Nakumoto they are very through" Goto said, taking a puff from his cigarette.
Aoi sighed and looked to the empty chair next to him "do I get a lawyer?"
"Oh no this isn't a proper interview Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher scratched his head, his coat still on as he leaned forward, resting his elbows onto the large table "we're having a quick chat"
"And we just would like to find out a few things about your contacts with the Real IRA if you don't mind sir" Wills took the file and read through it.
Aoi shook his head. Gallagher turned to the tape "for the benefit of the tape the suspect has just shook his head, possibly in disbelief" he turned back "now common lad, tell us your name"
"Aoi Nakumoto..or Nakumoto Aoi" he smiled sarcastically "depending on which policeman is going to arrest me"
"And do you have any links to the Real IRA?" Gallagher asked.
Goto leaned back out of the conversation, almost moving to the sidelines to watch the play begin.
"None that I can think of Officer" Aoi said immediately "any meeting with such people is purely accidental I would say"
"So you acknowledge that you know they exist?" Wills said, looking up from the file.
"Of course I do Officer" Aoi nodded "I watch the news like any other citizen"
"And how about the EDA" Gallagher rested his chin in his hands, watching Aoi closely "y'know 'down with the Babylon Project second phase, down with the Thames Estuary project, etc"
"Again officer I watch the news, I am fully aware of them" Aoi lifted his head up a little higher, almost looking at the DCI with a touch of contempt.
"For the benefit of the tape I am now showing Mr Nakumoto a file released by the British Security Services" Wills said, handing the sheet of paper over to Aoi "take your time sir"
Aoi read the document, indeed taking his time as he read it over before nodding, still looking a bit uncomfortable and offended that he was here in the first place.
"Mr Nakumoto that is a file released by the Security Services to us after a surveillance operation named 'Woodpecker'" Gallagher began, he too was taking his time "it lists yourself and five other Japanese ex pats who live in the United States and the United Kingdom"
"I do live in the United Kingdom yes" Aoi nodded "I work at the partner of a Anglo-Japanese Accounting and Law firm"
Gallagher nodded "suspect is now being shown five photos out of the set also released by the British security services" Wills handed them over "they show the suspect with several figures who are identified to be Gerry O'Farrel, Danny Curran and Shinji..Ikeda?" he looked to Goto who nodded slowly.
"The first two are the confirmed members of the inner circle of the Real IRA and Mr Ikeda is the European representative of the EDA" his grin widened "now Mr Nakumoto could you please explain why were you meeting these people in London earlier this year?"
Aoi took a deep breath, a drop or two of sweat evident on his forehead as he took his glasses off.
"We also have more documents seized in a recent raid of properties in Richmond, London which allegedly put you as the go between and treasurer of the group which comprises of members of the Real IRA and the EDA Mr Nakumoto" Wills added.
Aoi rubbed his eyes "I don't understand Officers I-"
"Come on Mr Nakumoto" Gallagher said, "suspect is now rubbing his eyes and seems to be in some visible distress".
"Mr Nakumoto" Wills leaned forward now "our government has been in discussion with the Japanese government over extradition" he said slowly. "You understand that if you do refuse to admit to anything we will go through with extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of supporting and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism"
Aoi nodded, visibly shaken as he looked at the proof laid before him.
"However while extradition is now certain, we can cut a deal for you Mr Nakumoto, we can make sure that you are well cared for" Gallagher kept his smile "do you want your lawyer?"
Gallagher shook his fist with a chuckle "got the bastard!"
"I was quite surprised" Goto smiled slightly as the trio walked slowly down the hall towards the exit to the public area of the station "none of that would be admissible as evidence"
"Yep" Gallagher smiled "but its a bluff, as long as he says he'll grass on his mates in the proper interview, that doesn't matter" he said as he held up the piece of paper "and I have this"
Goto and Wills looked at it and nodded, remembering what had happened next in the interview room.
"For the tape, suspect if writing something down on a piece of paper" Gallagher watched Aoi with curiosity, he looked over at Aoi and saw what he was doing "interview ending fourteen forty-five" he stopped the tape.
"Here" Aoi said pushing the piece of paper "this is all you need, the Irishmen, they left today bound for London Heathrow"
"When?" Wills said, "when did they leave?"
"Early this morning" Aoi said, wiping the sweat off of his forehead "please do not say my name in this business, I am in great danger as it is"
"Yes Mr Nakumoto, this is off record" Gallagher smiled as he took the piece of paper. On it was an address in Greater Manchester in the North West of England "thank you sir".
Wills chuckled "the idiot, he's going to get extradited anyway"
"Well that's his problem I guess" Goto shrugged "Of course you can re interrogate him back in the UK"
"Which is what I intend to do" Gallagher grinned,
As they walked into the main public reception, a young policeman came out behind then.
"Captain Goto" he said in Japanese "an urgent phone call for you"
"Ah! Can't escape work for one minute can you?" Goto smiled, putting his cigarette out and turning "I'll see you back before you leave for the airport"
"Sure" Gallagher nodded "right fits poppin'" he looked to Wills as he walked out.
"Sorry Guv?"
"What's going on with getting home"
Wills explained as they stepped out to the embassy car about how they would have to leave the rest of the team here to complete the exhibition as planned. Gallagher and Wills however would have to go and finish their dirty work that they had started.
Once at the Embassy though, there was a call waiting for Gallagher too.
"Drop the extradition charges" it was Sir Andrew, quite insistent; he could see his finely woven plan being pulled apart by incompetent politicians and clean coppers.
"I don't believe this" Gallagher said after a long pause.
"Harry, steady the buffs now"
"I spent the last few days half asleep from jet lag trying to find some wee Japanese lad who you won't extradite?"
"Yes, you've done well but we know where the IRA men are" Sir Andrew tried to remain calm down the line "just get on the first plane home."
"Are you ordering me?" Gallagher demanded, almost wildly demanded, keeping his voice just low enough "are you..do you even have the power to compel me to come home?"
"I can't order you Harry but I can assure you that if you press forward with the extradition your position as it is now as head of your unit will become untenable if not the whole position of your unit as a whole"
Gallagher blinked "y'what?" he raised his voice "stop me if I'm wrong but...are you threatening me?"
Sir Andrew paused, taking a sip of his tea at his desk in the East India room of the Foreign Office "who said anything about threatening?" he smiled slightly. "Allow me to make it clear that while in the public eye the Home Office sent you here, within Whitehall everybody knows that you are a marked Foreign Office man" he said calmly.
There was a pause; Gallagher thought for a moment was he bluffing? Up until now he thought his objectives had been well hidden by the Foreign Office in its battle against a Home Office hostile to any plans for a Police Labour force.
"Now if you bring back Mr Nakamura or whoever the bloody hell he is I can almost guarantee you that he will be all that the Home Secretary needs to save his skin" Sir Andrew kept his voice gravely quiet. "And if by the end of the week the Home Secretary is still there, he will be looking for the scalp of the turncoat who decided to work for the Foreign Office"
Now it had become clear. Gallagher put the phone down calmly and turned, scratching his head. It was a trick. The whole mess was a trick. He had now left the police in everything but name, number, position and salary. His new masters were the people at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
"So who do I owe this conversation?" Goto smiled as he sat back in the seat in the office.
"Just wanted to relay a few choice bits of information" Ayhagami said, smoking from a cigarette, Bhatou kept a close watch from outside.
"I'm all ears Secretary" Goto nodded, declining the offer of a cigarette.
"Those British Gaijin, they never learn" Ayhagami "we have them by the balls and now they're fighting among themselves"
"Well it is hardly surprising that their Trade department gets overruled by squabbles between cabinet members" Goto remarked "no stability in their politics and while King Blair is away" he looked up with a smile.
"Very true Captain, but that DCI Gallagher, he isn't a fool" Ayhagami smiled back "he knows about their squabbling."
"Seems like he's the last person to know" Goto couldn't help let a light chuckle slip his mouth "I've got my eye on him."
"I'm sure you do" Ayhagami "I heard you have fingers in many pies."
Goto looked back at the Secretary "no comment."
"So what did he want?" Shinobu said as he sipped a coffee back at landfill site.
"He just wanted to come to gloat. He knows I've invested time in backing whatever the hell Gallagher was doing" Goto said as he looked outside. "He just wanted to screw the UK Government out of as much money as possible, hence why he was so happy to help our initial investigations" Goto stared out of the window of their office.
"I just feel sorry for the people down there" Shinobu was looking out of the window too. Below the British Engineering team were buffing and waxing their Fairfax. One man had a vacuum cleaner inside the cockpit and was cleaning some of the metal edged controls with some brasso "they're so passionate about their work."
"Labour engineering transcends gender and nations" Goto broke his slight frown with a smile "that seems to be the only thing going for them these days."
There was another thoughtful pause, interrupted by Gallagher knocking on the door and entering "well I'm ready and the embassy car is here to take me to the Airport."
Goto turned, his smile still showing as he shook Gallagher's hand "again my apologies for not saying my farewells at the airport but as you can see, I'm on duty"
"No problem, I need to get off anyway" Gallagher chuckled lightly "after all this business is over I can get you a drink if you ever come to the UK"
"Deal" Goto smiled.
"That goes for you too!" Gallagher nodded at Shinobu "you're all welcome anytime!"
"Thank you, I wish you luck for your new unit" Shinobu nodded back and smiled with sincerity.
Gallagher shook Shinobu's hand and let Goto lead him out of the office.