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Reg took a cup of tea into the Old Man’s office and placed it on the table in front of him.
“If you don’t mind me asking, Sir, how did it go?”
The Chief looked up at the older man and sighed. “I’ve had a worse time at boarding school but it was a very uncomfortable meeting, Reg. The DG wasn’t well pleased and I was grateful that Shawcross, his deputy, came in and was able to placate him. I tried explaining the nature of our remit and how we came about but I’m afraid he was a bit too inflamed at the time to listen properly. Of course, George, a master of diplomacy, calmly re-directed his thoughts and skilfully explained why we were needed.”
He sipped the tea. “I must confess I’m guilty of a miscalculation. I realised Radler didn’t trust SIS when Gallagher passed on the cryptic clues. He knew they were compromised, obviously, and wanted to know who they’d send out to him. I concentrated too much on the point-scoring. I should have kept the DG informed before today and admitted such, taking it on the knuckles so to speak, but luckily I was able to feign ignorance and convince him I wasn’t aware he didn’t know of our existence. Of course, the meeting with Century House’s DG was another fun-packed event but suffice it to say we’ve survived for now. If we can bring Radler ‘home’ in a condition that is still useful to us we might be around for a lot longer.” He looked enquiringly at his subordinate. “I don’t suppose there are any biscuits at all, Reg? Two of those chocolate digestives, perhaps?”