Chapter 15
The rest of the day hadn't been a total washout. At least the scenery had been nice. Sat off in Sandy's motor, they'd watched the local officer chat to the redhead and Gally knew it wasn't his life sucker. There was no doubt, she was a very attractive woman but she wasn't 'the one'. As the officer had said, later when they thanked him, "Red hair and green eyes, a dangerous combination, difficult for anyone to resist."
Back at the office, Reg wanted to know if he cared for an evening at the railway enthusiasts meeting in Clapham. Gallagher declined, claiming the excitement might be too much for him. No, he'd be going for a quieter night at a drinking establishment he knew just off Sloane Square on the King's Road.
He was partial to an early evening pint and wasn't one for staying out much past ten. In his opinion, the riff-raff tended to start crawling out of their holes around then so it was no surprise for him to be walking back to Sloane Square for the tube just after 9 pm.
He'd almost made the junction when he saw Clive, standing on the opposite pavement with a uniformed policeman, close to the local military barracks. The officer held Clive's arm and it didn't look good. He checked the traffic and crossed over, reaching the pair just as the officer was about to call in on his radio. Clive looked agitated, like he wished he was invisible.
Police identification already out, Gally said, "Alright, Officer, John Gallagher, Special Branch. Can I ask you what you think you're doing?"
Taken aback, the young constable asked to see the warrant card again and read it carefully before offering, "I've arrested this man for importuning. I watched him from that alley over there..."
Gally interrupted with authority, "Very commendable, but sadly you've walked right into a surveillance we're doing. This man is a colleague of mine from the Security Service. Now, I can't tell you too much but we've been watching someone who's just gone into the bistro up there and we're waiting for his contact to arrive shortly, so it would be nice if you could make yourself scarce then we can recover something from a long, hard day."
The officer gave him a sheepish smile, "I'm sorry, I wasn't to know."
"No, you weren't, son, but standing around asking for the time doesn't quite qualify as importuning in my book but I'm going to forgive you and say nothing further."
He put his hand to his ear faking receipt of a radio message, signalling with his other for the officer to stay quiet. He milked the moment for as long as he could, glancing up and down the street as if gaining his bearings before pronouncing, "Right, that was my controller, our man is only two streets away and will be here any minute. You'd better do one and make it quick." He gave him an encouraging palm on his shoulder.
With another hurried apology, the constable crossed the road and briskly walked off, disappearing into the side street opposite.
Gally looked at his colleague. "I don't need to know why you're here, Clive. It's your business. Where's your motor?"
They walked back and into another side street in silence. As Clive unlocked his car, Gally said, "Look, if you need to find somewhere safe to frequent, I know some decent sorts who could help you out. They're nice people and you never know they might be able to introduce you to the man of your dreams. Go home and avoid these back streets because our mate in the big hat will probably still be lurking somewhere."
Clive gave him a weak smile. "Thanks, Gally. I appreciate it, I really do. Don't tell the Old Man.”