Thank you all! It so good to hear from you xx
Chapter 32
A Work in Progress
1400 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
Captain Arnold Pettigrew glanced at his watch. Harte had left at approximately 1230 hours and his vehicle was still non visible in the car park. He was certain Georgie had not accompanied him. He saw her conversing with an MSU trainee half past one. He began to ponder the possibilities, when his mobile alerted him to a message, pulling him away from the window. He briskly swiped a finger to open it. A smug smile curled his lip as he read Major Brad Evans' text... He quickly responded:
"Adam Jones shut down admirably. Not to worry."
He sneered and laughed at Evan's come back and texted back:
"Brad I do not give a fuck about Wes. He made his bed, so to say, and he can bloody well sleep in it! The fool should have kept his distance."
That did not sit well with Evans and the major's counter message caused Pettigrew's nostrils to flare.
"You're the senior officer Brad, you sort it out."
After he sent the message back to Evans he threw his mobile onto the desk and looked out the window again…..still no sign of Harte.
Xxxxx
1500 –
Georgie was in the middle of a mock field rescue when her mobile vibrated in her back pocket. She reflexively grabbed it and simply answered, "This is Georgie."
"Georgieeeee!"
Ah, the sound of Elvis' voice lit up her world. "Heyyyy! How'd it go? I'm smack dab in the middle of an exercise."
"Roger. I'll be brief. Some minor issues which I reckon we can take care of, but, I want the sellers to replace the windows, or at least give us a credit. The roof and chimney are sound so I'm 'appy about 'at."
"Oh my God Elvis, are we making an offer?"
"Hell yeah we are! Take a day or two to get it sorted but Chelsea is on it as we speak."
Georgie could not hold back the thrilled smile on her face and she momentarily turned away from the trainees. "Ooooh Elvis I am so excited!" She gushed.
"Now don't go gettin yourself all wobbly-headed, I ain't there to catch ya!"
"Yeah, ya best get steppin and get back here ASAP then."
"Any problems?"
"Nope. Peters makes a good mother hen."
"He cares about ya George." Elvis said laughing.
"I know, but he's worse than my nan."
"Be glad he's on our side."
"I am. I watched him sharpen knives this morning."
"I can imagine. One of his specialties. He can strike like a cobra."
"You'll be back shortly?" She asked, eyeing the action in front of her.
"Yeah. Getting in my car as we speak."
"OK, see ya." She said.
"Bye. Love ya. Bye."
Xxxxx
1530 - Ministry of Defense – London, UK
"Sir we need eyes on Major Bradley Evans." Dave Warner said. He was flanked by Jason Speers from MI5 and Gordon Platt from MI6. Baxter's eyes moved between all three men seated in front of him.
"What have you uncovered?" Baxter inquired.
"We have reason to believe Evans and Captain Arnold Pettigrew developed a bond whilst in Afghanistan and we are concerned it is no small coincidence that the cache of heroin went missing within that time frame. Coupled with the fact that Adam Jones was deployed there as well.
"Go on." Baxter said.
"Captain Elvis Harte has been attempting to isolate possible extraction sites for the heroin, as he is familiar with the terrain. It is felt the perpetrator did not act alone and there may have been multiple routes to secretly move the amount that was taken."
"Is this theory credible?" Baxtor said, steepling his hands together.
"We believe it is sir." Gordon Platt said. "MI6's intelligence supports the speculation that someone had the ability to monitor the impoundment of heroin and how the containment could be breached."
"And you three believe it to be Pettigrew and Evans."
"Affirmative sir. Full stop. Those two are our focal suspects. The third being Lance Corporal Adam Jones." Warner said.
"What solid evidence do you have?" Baxter asked pointedly.
The three glanced at each other.
"It is primarily speculation at this stage sir." Warner said.
"We are pressuring Adam Jones and awaiting full disclosure on his cell phone records." Jason Speers said.
"Pettigrew has been monitoring Elvis Harte's activities. That leads us to believe he knows Harte is on to him. We have needed to take precautions to keep Harte's personal life protected sir." Warner said.
"I see. Needs must. You have authority to do what is in the best interest of this mission and the safety of it's key operatives." Baxter said.
Dave Warner, Jason Speers and Gordon Platt exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Xxxxx
Elvis just stepped inside of his office and tossed a briefcase onto a chair when Sergeant Roberts appeared directly behind him. "Sir!" Roberts said hurriedly.
"Alright. Wha' is it Roberts?"
"Lucky you sir, you're back. General Atkinson just rang for you."
Elvis huffed a laugh and nodded. "Expected 'at would be comin."
Roberts eyed him. "Sir?"
"Thanks. I reckon 'at's where I'm headed."
As he trekked down the long hallway of the Administration building Elvis texted Georgie, letting her know he had returned and was summoned to meet up with General Atkinson. After sending the message away he looked up and spied Arnie Pettigrew walking towards him from the opposite direction. Their eyes locked. Elvis' confident swagger never missed a beat as the two came face to face in front of the Senior Officer's Suites. Pettigrew smirked and said.
"I take it you received a summons as well."
"To see the Gen?" Elvis asked cooly. Pettigrew nodded curtly. "After you." Elvis said, gesturing a hand for him to take the lead. Pettigrew sniffed and swiped a finger across his nose, then proceeded inside. All the while Elvis Harte analyzed him, every single detail of his body language.
Xxxxx
Georgie's brow creased deeply as she read Elvis' text. She was certain this meet up had to do with Jones' antics in front of Godfrey. Elvis had told her this would be imminent. Tad Peters approached her, uncertain as to why she appeared troubled.
"Things not looking good on the survey?" He asked.
"Huh? Uh…no….the inspection went rather well actually. Elvis is in front of Atkinson at the moment." Georgie said almost vacantly, her thoughts elsewhere.
"Ooooo….that's Godfrey's doin." Peters said parking himself on the edge of a table.
Georgie looked at him. He really was caught up in all of this and Elvis obviously trusted him.
"It has to be done." He said.
"Yeah. That's what Elvis told me."
"The shit is gonna get deeper and smellier as this progresses, you must know that." Peters said.
Georgie laughed.
"Well said sir."
Xxxxx
Elvis glanced up when the door to Atkinson's private office opened. He had been responding to a message from their agent Chelsea and wanted to gauge Pettigrew's demeanor as he exited his encounter with the general. Elvis knew this meet up was in response to Wescott Jones' allegations against the Garrison. What is unbeknownst to Arnie Pettigrew is that Atkinson is privy to the Internal Affairs investigation. The general is a no nonsense leader. Few ever walk away from him feeling as though they were his new best mate.
"You're on pal." Pettigrew said as he arrogantly walked passed Elvis.
Sorry he pissed on your cornflakes. Elvis thought to himself with a mad twinkle in his eye.
"Harte! Let's move!" Came Atkinson's voice over his assistant's intercom. Elvis looked at the civilian administrative assistant as he got up and walked by her. She eyed him up and down and continued to do so until he closed the door behind him. Then she fanned herself with a folder.
Xxxxx
Do you reckon you'll get the cottage?" Peters asked, handing Georgie a bottle of cold water.
"Thank you. Here's hoping!" She said lifting the bottle up and then taking a hearty swallow.
"Elvis will get it for ya."
"I know he's doing his best. I just wish he didn't have to worry about this shit with Pettigrew."
"You're the only one he worries about Georgie. You're the only one that's ever gotten under that thick skin of his. Pettigrew is a target to him. That's how Elvis sees it. He's not worried about Pettigrew."
Georgie considered what Peters said and smiled hesitantly. She needed to sit down and put her feet up for a bit. The mock field exercise had kept her stepping and she felt fatigued now. Peters skidded another chair over for her to elevate her legs.
"Thank you." She said and sat back wearily.
"You miss him already." Peters said. She looked up and smiled, confirming he was right.
"What time is your sonogram?" He asked.
"0800 hours." She answered with a sigh. She took another sip of water and regarded Peters.
"Are you really going to pretend to be me?"
Peters cackled. "I could never fill yer knickers…..er, I mean boots!"
Georgie snorted a laugh as she pictured the stout man in knickers and wearing a wig. He was thinking the same thing and they both tore up with laughter. "Got your bags packed?" He asked.
"No. Doing that tonight. I'm not looking forward to it"
"Elvis is smart about where he's sendin ya."
Georgie agreed. She tried to relax. Elvis' plan was the right thing to do …but oh how she will miss him.
Xxxxx
"So Harte, you have gotten yourself in the mix of it haven't you?" General Atkinson said. His deep set eyes peering at the captain from beneath bushy gray brows.
"Yes. You could say that sir."
"Well I am saying it dammit! I am not happy that the likes of Adam Jones was even permitted to initiate Selection, however, in hindsight I quite imagine it was a blessing. If Colonel Jones had not made a complete fucking arse of himself opening his mouth, none of this would have come to light. So, I commend you on your tenacity to make inquires."
"Thank you sir."
"I had a short briefing with Baxter earlier. MI6 whole heartedly agrees that sensitive intel related to the heroin cache had been compromised. They have eyes on Pettigrew and Brad Evans from Special Reconn now. Your back is covered as well as your wife's. I do not need to remind you that someone may get hurt in the process, but it will end."
"Acknowledge sir."
"Right then. Crack on."
Elvis stood to attention. "Sir."
"Oh and one more thing Harte….get a haircut. You are not crawling around out in the field any longer."
"Yes sir." With that Elvis turned and left the room. As he closed the door behind him, he raked his hair back and an amused smile appeared. It had grown a bit since his return.
Xxxxx
1800 –
Peters walked Georgie to the entrance of the MSU Training Center where Elvis was waiting for her. "Myself and the trainees will miss ya fair corporal." Peters said as Elvis approached them.
"Oddly I feel I'll miss you lot as well." She said grinning. The amusement faded from her face when she got a good look at Elvis. Her mouth fell open. He was sporting that inimitable Elvis smile and reached for her through the open door.
"Ready beautiful?"
"Just a second. What happened to you?" She asked as her gaze travelled all over his head.
"Wha'? Oh this?" He said as his eyes shot upward.
"Yes! This!" She said plucking at his har.
"This is a haircut." He glared at Peters who was in the background stifling a laugh.
"You decided today, this afternoon, to get yourself a haircut?" She said staring at him.
"It wasn't my idea I can assure ya." He answered dryly.
"Well I rather like it." She said flicking his shorter bangs.
"Do ya? I'd like to hear more babe, but right now, I got to get ya home." He said, tucking his arm around her, keeping her close. In his earpiece he could hear Jackson say, "Good to go boss." "Roger. Thanks fellas." Elvis said, warily helping Georgie get into the car. Peters watched. The entire team had their backs. It would be a difficult night. Their last night together for no one knew how long. Tomorrow they would see their tiny baby and finally discover if they were having a boy or girl. It will be a bittersweet morning for them and they both knew it.
