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Chapter 27
Enemy at the Gate
1100 – Hereford, UK SAS Garrison
"At's right Chloe. Monday 1300 hours. I will meet up with the Inspector on site. Pardon? …One o'clock, 'at will be one o'clock….Really good…..We will see ya then….Right…..Thank you…..Bye."
Elvis' knee bounced up and down as he proceeded to text Georgie with the update. "Yes?!" He bellowed in response to the knock at his door. Sergeant Roberts opened up and stood tall.
"Colonel Godfrey wishes to see you sir."
Elvis tapped his mobile on the desk. "His office?"
"Affirmative sir."
"Roger. Thanks Roberts."
"Sir."
Elvis scooted his chair back and stood. He had not received any dispatches from Dave Warner as yet this morning, so he was curious as to the nature of the summons by Godfrey. He walked briskly, smiling as he went, anticipating Georgie's response to his text. He entered Colonel Jonathan Godfrey's office and stood to attention. His eyes were focused straight ahead but he could see that someone else was in the room seated in front of his CO.
"Relax captain." Godfrey said.
Elvis did so and clasped his hands behind his back as his gaze fell upon the guest. He instantly noted the rank on the uniform and the answer to his question was solved once he saw the name badge. Well, well, well, so Colonel Wescott Jones indeed decided to pay a visit to the Garrison. Elvis' eyes slowly tracked to Jones' face, making direct eye contact, then he applied his full attention to his CO.
"Take a seat captain." Godfrey said.
"Sir." Elvis angled his chair so that he would have visual access to Jones as well.
"Elvis, this is Colonel Wescott Jones. Wes, Captain Elvis Harte."
"Ah yes. Captain Harte. I have been looking forward to meeting you." Jones said sniffing and extending a hand to the captain. I bet ya 'ave Elvis thought to himself as he exchanged the obligatory handshake.
"Sir." Was all he offered in response, and really wanted to wipe his hand clean on his trouser leg following the handsake. Elvis did not like the snide countenance on this man one bit. Jones eyed him, wondering why Harte did not question his introductory comment.
"As you know captain. I took issue with your…..how shall we say….tactics with my nephew. However, I understand the SAS are picky bastards so I want to know more about what prompted your reservations about Adam."
Elvis lifted his chin. "Reservations sir?"
"Affirmative Harte. You voiced issues about one thing or another and now my nephew is in detention. So, I want to hear more."
"Beggin your pardon sir, but I never had a conversation with you about my reservations."
Jones paused and smirked. Godfrey sat up straighter and observed the stare down between Jones and Harte.
"Are you disrespecting me captain?!" Jones finally said.
"Negative sir. Just being factual."
"Fuck sake Wes! You're acting as though this is a Court Martial." Godfrey said.
"He interviewed Adam."
"As did Captain Pettigrew sir." Elvis said with a chilled calm.
"Cease wasting my time and tell me what I want to know!" Jones said sneering.
Elvis looked at him blandly.
"Stand down Wes. The interview is history. Adam attempted Selection. Whatever happened to remove him from the process has nothing to do with the scrutiny he was placed under by Captain Harte."
"You have someone here who harbors resentment and I want to get to the bottom of it dammit!" Jones blasted back. Elvis pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Resentment? Over what?" Godfrey asked somewhat flabbergasted.
"All of a sudden my nephew is plucked by MPs during the middle of a military exercise, carted off like some common criminal and is now sitting in a detention facility! Someone is responsible!"
"My advice to you Wes is that you speak to Adam." Godfrey said pointedly.
"Someone here is behind this." Jones went on. "I am certain of it!"
Elvis' eyes narrowed and slid to Jones. Is he aware Toni is here? If that is so, then he illegally obtained that information because the assignments at the SAS Garrison are considered classified. Colonel Wescott Jones does not have that level of security clearance. Elvis could count on one hand the individuals he had any conversation with regarding Adam Jones. Colonel Jones had garnered some sort of intel to think he could walk in Godfrey's office and lay blame on the SAS for his nephew's actions.
"Come on Wes! Fucking prove it! You are surely not indicating Harte here is to blame." Godfrey said. Jones looked Elvis up and down. The captain remained neutral.
"What do you know Harte?" Jones prodded.
"Respectfully, I 'ave no comment sir." Elvis responded smoothly.
"I order you to tell me what you know!" Jones yelled, face becoming scarlet.
Elvis regarded him briefly, then looked at his CO.
"That's it!" Godfrey equally shouted and slammed a hand down on his desk as he abruptly stood. "This is utter nonsense! Either you produce a legitimate allegation or this meeting is over!"
"He is covering for someone!" Jones roared, standing as well and inches from thrusting a finger in Elvis' face.
"And just who would that be Wes?" Godfrey threw back.
Jones blinked furiously and glared down at Elvis, who slowly turned his head towards him with an expression that was unreadable, except for two dark eyes that bore into his accuser's face.
"Prove it!" Godfrey coaxed.
Go on. Prove it. Say it. Say her name!" Elvis thought.
Jones was inches from hanging himself right now. Instead he became mute as he looked at both of them.
"No?!" Right. Captain you are dismissed." Godfrey said.
"Sir." Elvis responded and stood tall with his chin held high.
"I am not finished here!" Jones snarled.
"You most certainly are." Godfrey countered. "In fact Wes, this entire exchange calls for a report to General Atkinson. He must be made aware of purported issues within the Garrison. It is my duty, of course,to report such allegations. Is that not so?"
Jones' face reddened as Godfrey nodded towards Elvis to exit the room.
"Sir." Elvis acknowledged, turned sharply on his heel and advanced to the door.
Once outside of the office he could hear Jones say, "I do not think that is necessary Jon."
"It most certainly is." Godfrey replied. "You cannot come here and demand anything from my officers. I will not tolerate that. Not even from you."
Wescott Jones just accelerated his own demise. Elvis smiled grimly and pulled out his mobile. He needed to make contact with Dave Warner and knew Pettigrew would be watching him.
Xxxxx
1230 –
Georgie rang her mum for a face time chat as it appeared Elvis was not contacting her for a lunch meet up any time soon. He had not responded to her following his earlier text.
"Hello?!" Georgie!"
Georgie smiled as her mum's face came to life on the screen. "Heyyyyyy!"
"How's my girl?" Grace asked warmly, thoroughly pleased to see her daughter.
"Yeah, fine. We're all fine. I'm getting bigger and bigger mum!" She laughed as she tilted her mobile so Grace could see her bump.
"Ohhh my Georgie! You are! Grace chuckled happily.
"Mum! I felt the baby! I can feel it now!" Georgie gushed.
"Awwwwww, isn't it the most wonderful feeling Georgie?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it is." She nodded happily. "I can't wait for Elvis to be able to feel it as well. He is so excited about everything mum. I have my second sonogram next week!"
Grace took in the joy on her daughter's face. "Georgie, there was a time when I thought Elvis would never make you happy. I was so wrong luv. This is the happiest you have ever been." She said leaning closer to the screen, wishing she could hug her daughter.
Georgie nodded with an unbridled smile. "I am so happy mum. I have always loved Elvis and we have the most amazing life together."
"I know honey. There are no doubts now."
"I have something else to tell ya!" Georgie said excitedly.
"What is it? Tell me!"
"We found a house!" Georgie said grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh my God Georgie! Have ya ?"
"Yeah. Well, it's a cottage really, but we love it!"
"You bought it?"
"Not as yet. We're having an inspection done on Monday and if all goes to plan we'll make an offer."
"Is it in Hereford?" Grace asked vainly hoping they would eventually move closer to Manchester.
"Yes mum. This is where we work, and we love it here. The garden is lovely. I just know you'll fancy it!"
"Georgie we could transplant some of the rose bushes from our garden for ya." Grace said.
"Awww yeah! Mum that would mean loads to me! I 'd always have a part of ya with me, remembering how we used to prune them together." Georgie said wistfully.
"I know you fancy the red ones." Grace said smiling warmly.
"We were hoping if we get the place that you wouldn't mind coming to help get things cleaned and sorted." Georgie said.
"Absolutely I will do that luv. You need to be careful and not be pulling and lifting things."
"Not to worry mum. The captain has already dispatched his orders. Half of the SAS will be helping." Georgie laughed.
Grace joined in the laughter. She knew how Elvis was. She also knew he loved her daughter. She was thrilled Georgie was happy. They were a fine couple together.
"Oh hey! Mum, I gotta go! I'm getting an incoming from Elvis. Talk to you later."
"OK Georgie. You two take care! Love you!"
"Love you too. Bye. Elvis? ….."
