Chapter 9

"I think we'll start with a few introductions," began Alex. "Sue and Jack, as you know work for the FBI. They work well together and are not afraid of unearthing a few skeletons to get to the truth. Their exposure of Reynolds is proof enough of that." Ana and Will nodded whilst Jason looked blank, a piece of toast half way to his mouth. Alex glared at him.

"What!" his younger brother exclaimed. "I haven't read my emails yet," he added, flippantly.

Alex took a deep breath, "Jason works in a low key government department gathering and analysing terrorist chatter whilst Ana and Will work in my department doing… well… whatever is necessary. I have a feeling that we are about to involve ourselves with some very ruthless people and whilst I have every confidence in you and trust you all implicitly I must make it clear that no-one goes it alone, we work together as a team. I do not want anyone getting hurt because of lack of communication and a gung-ho attitude. Is that clear?" He turned towards Jason.

"Hey, it was once!" he protested loudly. "And it wouldn't have happened if you had answered your phone!" Alex grunted before turning back to the others and told them the same details that he had revealed to Jack the day before. Sue turned pale when she heard that Arif Dessa had escaped from prison and she looked especially worried when Jason confirmed that information led them to believe that he was coming to England. There was plenty of speculation buzzing around about why he was coming but nothing definite. Sue remembered that previously information had been left on an online auction site and perhaps he could be doing something similar again. Alex made a note.

Jack looked closely at Alex for a while and then said with some scepticism, "Are you officially allocated to this case?" Frustration washed over Alex's face as he reluctantly replied, "Not specifically, I made my interest known and the connection to my home does give me, at least, a foot in the door but I am not sure about how much help and support we will be able to access from the department. Even though the house has been broken into my superiors believe that is quite insignificant, if indeed not even related, and that the real action will take place in London and whilst I agree, there is that little niggle that we might be mistaken."

"I've seen your niggles before," commented Ana. "They are usually pretty accurate."

It was decided that Jack would approach his team at the FBI to find out what he could about Dessa's escape and subsequent movements. Will, who confessed to being somewhat of a computer nerd, was to check out any online auction sites that had come to their attention through suspected terrorist links in case Dessa was using the same idea again. Ana was to talk to her contacts to find out what information was out on the streets and Jason said that he was going to go back to bed. Alex threw up his hands in despair.

"What do you expect," cried Jason. "Like I said I spent most of last night up and about on your instructions."

Alex looked slightly abashed and reluctantly said, "Ah, yes well you can fill me in about that later."

"No I'll do it now with the rest of the team. Who's to say that it isn't connected?" Jason replied doggedly, enjoying the thrill of antagonising his big brother. Alex shrugged his shoulders and indicated that Jason could continue.

"Yesterday, Alex asked me to keep a watch on the river," he began. "Word has got to him that there may be a little smuggling going on. If there is though I saw nothing. I can tell you that it was cold last night and that it is pretty quiet out there in the dark however, none of the boats on the river moved last night, thankfully the moon is nearly full so it was pretty well lit up. I did hear some men talking but couldn't pick up anything they said or even tell from which direction they were standing. Alex believes that the contraband is being held here on the estate some-where but what I want to know though is how they could get it here, our driveways and paths are pretty well secure thanks to the cctv and I've checked it through."

Alex," said Sue "didn't you mention that there used to be tunnels around here from the old days of smuggling?"

"Those tunnels are long gone," replied Jason. "They've either been blocked up or they've caved in. We spent ages trying to find them as kids with no luck."

"You haven't convinced me that the two things are connected yet," stated Alex. "An indication of what might be being smuggled would help too. I'll keep an eye on things, hopefully it will turn out to be nothing."

"Well if there isn't anything else," began Ana. "I need to be off. I doubt if I will be back by tonight but I will certainly try to get back by lunchtime tomorrow."

"Ana has a plane," explained Will. "She's off to London to talk to her snitches."

"Oh!" replied Sue in surprise not knowing what to add to that.

"I've borrowed it from a friend, they have had some repairs done to it and I am testing them out." Ana explained, laughing. Will commented that he would be going as well as he had better access to resources in London but would keep Alex informed of any findings.

Ana and Will left the study with Jason following close behind with his now empty plate. Jack turned to Alex, "I'll text Bobby and let him know about Dessa. It's a little too early to call because of the time difference, but I can at least give him a heads up that I will be in touch." Alex nodded and Jack and Sue left the room.