Chapter 38
Be Careful What You Wish For
0645 – Hereford, UK
It was a pleasant morning. The sky promised a sunlit day and birds were chirping in nearby trees. Brad Evans was sat in his car surveying the exterior of Arnie Pettigrew's house. He had managed to shake the two assigned to his surveillance, obviously they did not know the lay of the land as well as he did. He rubbed his face, feeling the after effects of maybe one too many drinks last night. He checked the email on his mobile. Confirmation: video call with Dave Warner at half past ten. He knew his life would never be the same after he had made contact with Warner. But…..this had to end. Pettigrew was not right in the head. Innocent people did not need to be harmed in order to satisfy someone else's greed.
"Right. This is it." He muttered as he flung the car door open. He thought it odd that no on had eyes on Pettigrew. Surely they did not think he sent the text messages. When Evans reached the front door, he looked around, then proceeded to knock. No answer. He knocked again, this time with more force. "Son of a bitch!" He muttered and tried the door handle. It was unlocked. He glanced around furtively and opened the door, slowly entering. "Pettigrew!" He shouted. No response. He looked in the kitchen and could see no activity in the back garden through the windows. He made his way down the hall to the bedroom and could hear the shower running behind the closed bathroom door. He began to feel lightheaded and headed back to the lounge and wait out. The wave of lightheadedness hit him again and he thought perhaps the alcohol had finally caught up with him. He took a gander out the front window and saw a tall man in a gray hoodie walking on the sidewalk. Evans felt that wave again and sat on the sofa rubbing his eyes. The man in the gray hoodie stopped in front of Evan's car, quickly running a coat hanger beneath the driver's side window. It was a matter of seconds and the car was gone.
"Pettigrew! How filthy were ya? Get your arse moving!" Evans shouted looking at his watch. "Pettigrew!" He shouted again, pulling a pack of cigarettes out. It just took that instant flick of the lighter and it was the last thing Brad Evans did.
Xxxxx
0730 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
The Garrison was on high alert after the explosion. Intel confirmed it took place in a residential area, one dwelling was completely destroyed, two adjacent ones had sustained minor to heavy damage. Elvis was sat in the briefing room along with all of the other officers. They awaited the arrival of General Atkinson who would provide further details related to the incident. It had been a crushing blast to be sure and concerning to have occurred so close to the SAS base.
"Attention!"
All officers rose to their feet.
"Relax." Atkinson said, placing his hands on his hips. "You are all aware than an explosion took place this morning at approximately 0705 hours. It has been deemed a domestic incident. Not an act of terrorism. We will proceed with normal operations on base. I do want you to know however, that the dwelling destroyed was the home of former Captain Arnold Pettigrew."
Exchanged glances abounded throughout the room. Elvis was stone faced.
"Sir, do we know the status of Pettigrew?" Captain Nigel Aimes inquired.
"We do not captain. The fire investigators are on scene as we speak. I am certain further intel will be forthcoming. For now we carry on." Elvis made eye contact with Colonel Godfrey.
Xxxxx
0900 – Hoddesdon, UK
Georgie stepped out of the shower and tousled her hair with a towel. She had never slept in this late and it was something of a treat. She slathered lotion all over her body, paying particular mind to her bump. "There, there little boy. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms." She said lovingly. "Your daddy is so happy as well. It won't be long and you'll get to meet him." She missed Elvis terribly. How much longer would this go on? Toni had gone to Colchester days ago to testify. There had to be some light at the end of this dark forsaken tunnel. The best bit was spending time with Nonna Sofia.
Her ears pricked when she heard a knock. "Georgie! Can you hear me?" It was Elena'a voice.
"Yeah I hear ya. What's going on?" Georgie said, grabbing her robe to cover herself, then pulled the door open. What was Elena doing here at this hour?"
"There was a house explosion in Hereford!" Elena hurriedly exclaimed.
"What?!" Where?" Georgie asked, stunned.
"I just heard about it on the news." Elena said. "They are still trying to determine what happened."
Georgie made for her room and immediately grabbed her mobile. "Shit!" She said. Elvis had left a voice message ten minutes past. She looked up and quickly played back the message:
"You'll probably hear about an explosion this morning. It was Pettigrew's house. Stay sharp."
"What is it? What's wrong Georgie?" Elena asked moving closer to her sister-in-law.
"It was Elvis telling me about the explosion." Georgie said, biting her thumb nail. She quickly sent him a text: "Got your message. You OK? xx"
Xxxxx
1000 – SAS Garrison, Hereford, UK
"They found remains amidst the rubble." Godfrey said as Elvis sat down.
"He was in there then."
"Yes. The investigators will continue on site to determine the seat of the explosion." Godfrey said. "Never would have expected this."
"No." Elvis said, vacantly rubbing his chin. His mind analyzing the current intel. The two were awaiting the incoming video call from Dave Warner. Elvis pulled out his mobile and saw Georgie's text. He responded: "I'm good babe. Do not worry. Investigation is underway. What are ya up to with Nonna today?" He wanted to keep her apprised of developments but knew she was concerned about him. He did not want her stressing. He looked up when he saw the video call coming in.
"Go on then." Godfrey said to Dave Warner as he angled his laptop so he and Elvis could to view the screen.
"Not so quiet morning it would seem." Warner said.
"Affirmative Dave. Unexpected would explain it better." Godfrey said.
"I understand Pettigrew is down." Warner said.
"There were remains found, presumably his." Godfrey agreed.
"Yes, well Evans gave surveillance the slip this morning." Warner said.
Elvis let out a breathy, sardonic laugh. "He is Special Reconn. Who'd they 'ave followin him?"
"Not Special Forces obviously. They have not located his whereabouts. Do you know if he checked in at the Garrison?" Warner said.
"Special Reconnaissance is the other side of the compound. I can check." Godfrey said. As he proceeded to make a call, Warner addressed Elvis.
"Evans and Pettigrew were seen at a Pub last night. Both returned to their homes."
"Anythin unusual seen 'appenin around Pettigrew's place this morning?" Elvis asked.
"Unfortunately they had pulled surveillance from Pettigrew."
"What?!" Elvis exclaimed. He locked eyes with Godfrey who had just ended his call and was shocked when he overheard the exchange.
"I was never informed of that Dave." Godfrey said.
"Neither was I until this morning. Does not matter now I am afraid." Warner said.
"Beggin your pardon sir, but it bloody well does matter. You are tellin us no one had eyes on Pettigrew's dwellin this mornin. There could 'ave been loads of intel surrounding wha' 'appened!" Elvis said.
"Agreed Dave. How could they pull surveillance?" Godfrey demanded.
"A misguided judgement. They felt with Pettigrew on suspension he was no longer a security threat." Warner said.
"What imbecile put that reasoning together?" Godfrey said just about ready to jump out of his seat. "That makes him a security threat even more so! I am afraid we have quite the problem here Dave. Evans never checked in on base today." Godfrey said.
"Fuck sake. I can't believe this!" Elvis said raking a frustrated hand through his hair.
"This is concerning gentlemen. I was to have a virtual call with Evans at 1030 hours."
"You have his email containing allegations about the heroin, yes?" Elvis said.
"Indeed. But that will need backed up with sworn testimony. Without Evans there will be no testimony." Warner said.
"The email is a paper trail." Elvis said.
"That anyone could have sent." Warner said.
"Who just so happened to have access to his computer and password." Elvis countered without compromise.
Xxxxx
1100 –
"Georgiee! Hey beautiful!" Elvis said smiling broadly. Unconsciously adding more spring to his steps.
"To what honor do I owe this phone call?" She answered playfully.
"I am headed to direct a training class. Just wanted to hear your voice." She could hear his measured breathing as he paced along.
"Is everything OK?" She could not help needing reassurance.
"Yeah. Fuckin mess though."
"Was Pettigrew injured?"
"Roger. He's dead actually."
"Oh Elvis. I guess I'm not surprised, the images looked brutal on the news."
"Yeah. Fortunately no one else was around."
"Do they know what happened?"
Negative. Still scouring the scene."
"Do you reckon I can come back home then?" She said and her words struck him in the chest. He paused and wanted desperately to say yes, but…
"Not just yet babe. I'm sorry. Need to sort developments with Evans. Now he's gone missin."
"Ya reckon he was with Pettigrew?"
"Nah. Only the remains of one was discovered. The thing is George, Evans was plannin to come forward and expose them all. He knew about the stolen heroin."
"How do you know that?"
"He sent Warner an email. Next thing we know, Adam Jones makes a phone call and the shit hits the fan."
"Who did he call?"
"Don't know. Call went to a fake account."
"Ah shit Elvis. Do ya reckon anyone else is involved?"
"Good question. But right now we 'ave to find Evans. 'At's it."
"I want this to be over, OK? I want our life back. Let Warner handle this." She pleaded.
"I am done. I just need to make certain you are safe. Please Georgie."
"Alright. But I want you to know your son is getting rambunctious."
Elvis grinned. "Is he?"
"I reckon he may be a boxer. He has a pretty good punch." She said.
"Already takin after you." He said laughing.
"What?" Then she laughed, realizing what he was referring to.
They were both silent for a moment….
"I really miss ya Elvis. I miss ya so much." She finally said softly.
He was dying inside… "I miss you as well. More than I ever thought possible." He said.
She swallowed down her intense longing for him….. "Nonna gave us a housewarming gift."
"Did she?"
"Yes. A beautiful lace tablecloth she had made. Elvis, it is beyond lovely."
He was silent….
"Elvis? Are you still there?"
"Yeah….She, uh, made that tablecloth before she and my nonno wed. It was her gift to celebrate their new life together." He said.
That touched her heart deeply. "She told me it was your grandfather's favorite." She said.
"Indeed. He absolutely adored her and it meant a lot that she made that for them."
"She told me bits about him, and you. It sounds like you two were very much alike." She said smiling.
"He was my best mate when I was a kid George." Elvis cleared his throat. "Did ya save me any cannoli?" He asked, and she could tell he intentionally changed the subject, the memories of his grandfather obviously ran deep for him.
"Yes! I froze some just as I told ya. Elena thought they were good." She said.
"Jeez! Now I really can't wait. She criticizes everything."
Georgie laughed. "Yeah. That's what Nonna said."
They both laughed and it was music to each other's ears.
"Today my culinary lesson will be wedding soup." She said with a flourish.
"Ah, will ya stop already?"
"What? I am really enjoying this Elvis."
"I'm 'appy for ya. But I am jealous. Take away is startin to taste like rations."
Georgie's face scrunched as she wheezed out a laugh. She missed him so much.
"Oi! It ain't funny George. I'm wastin away 'ere." He moaned.
"You know how to cook."
He shook his head. "Not the same without ya sittin across from me." He said. His deep voice sending a ripple of delight through her.
"Ooooh, I know sweetie. I would give anything to be near ya right now." She cooed.
"Just a second. Did you just call me sweetie?" He said.
"I did. Yeah."
"Ya feelin OK George?"
She laughed. "I do have some molecules of romance ya know."
Elvis laughed. He had to stop walking to his destination and bend over, he was thoroughly amused. It felt so good to talk to her and enjoy their banter. "Let's face time tonight babe." He finally said.
Are you asking me out on a date captain?"
"I am indeed corporal. But it's OK…we're married."
