BBC RADIO DRAMA: THE DEFECTOR by Eric Saward

The defector by Eric say word the defector section 3 mr. Grierson conference sir he's with the controller I don't know sir I think the best thing I can do is to get him to bring your bag no he's secretary isn't in today right so goodbye who was that head of Records he's so off her yeah did you know his youngest son that applied it on the service and Miller was saying That his applications been referred for further investigation why no apparently the sister of his current girlfriends remember the Socialist Workers Party you know what the

head of recruitment is that little rock now they established a positive Association I don't think so and I think he's being unfair oh yeah I agree but you can't tell him that I mean he's feeling so bad he's postponed yet again the annual Recruitment from clay Marie apparently to many of the recommended candidates approved unsuitable after further investigation what is the poor campaign to do if he can't rely on Oxford to restock the Secret Service as a prize that he does it's let him down in the past that it's about time we did that little

red brick blood into the system you must be jerking the head of recruitment odd math snob I'm convinced the reason he Despises Greer so much is simply because he won dozen down did have the audacity to become a citizen leader and it's about time you recruited a new head of recruit one of the best fuels in the building I mean it's not bad they also keep one of the best malt whiskey's I've ever tasted don't know why this brand isn't home here the Scots are a canny REITs we export the inferior stuff to England claiming

it's the best and we keep the most select brands for home Consumption help yourself we are also a very curious race by that I mean inquisitive what the English might call nosy what do you mean I am curious as to the purpose of your visit you've been here 15 minutes and not set a weapon that's very worrying especially as it's not every day of the week my controller pops in to suck my whiskey and covered my room alright something is amiss if to do with the minor defection yeah when we were Interrogating him how many

people did you have researching the accuracy of his utterances I suppose the whole section must have been involved at one time or another as you recall he had a great deal to say I do indeed but unfortunately most of it have been rendered useless a transcript of his interrogation has been transmitted back to the other time by who we don't know that it might be someone in this section Ah come away how could it be Security section has been aware of a leakage of information from one or other of my sections for quite some time

but why do they think it's from here we have a man in East German intelligence a very reliable man I might have he's seen Meyers file or at least the photocopier well that proves nothing the file could have easily have been copied in our copy of the archives transcript with the Working copy prior to final typing assembled in this section it was quite adamant about that it's not possible there were nearly a thousand pages to that makes it all the more terrifying if someone is organized well enough to be able to copy so many sheets

of paper what else has been transmitted I cannot believe it how many people had access to the completed file very few myself my secretary one or two of my senior people use the blind Exactly No why not the sheer volume of work made it impossible to keep track of every single page all the time I had to organize my section into shifts to cope with the huge amount of information being sent down for verification some of my people were working 16 hours a day all secret documents must be signed for without exception if we've been

given more than 10 minutes notice we would have been able to organize ourselves a Little better you are aware that the Security section Neumeier was defecting three weeks before he set foot in the country you know very well we can't advertise nah that's always the excuse the security people leave everything until the last minute and then expect us to produce miracles for them we are a research section we need time to organize ourselves it still doesn't excuse your lack of security then I am sorry sir you realize That have to be an investigation I do

I have appointed John Harvey to lead it I believe you know him and you'll get to know him better have lunch together you need all the help you can get him what's the matter you're the c3 16a I think so what are you intending for a new typewriter what's the matter I suppose you know of us the other sections of Industry was neutered writers I didn't well I have now we're a Research section our machines get twice to use it with the last to be real quick yeah better in dentists and more c36 DNA's when

I debated no coming to this and what is it that is from section one special priority you need mr. Greer signature right sir just a signature yeah thanks what is it little Aramis listen to this it is imperative a meeting is arranged with section leader Greer as soon as possible affirmative reply of our Albert Memorial Immediately Scrooge when was it picked up mr. sheet another again and the Albert Memorial did litter box can I have the original note it's the translation the originals in German I wonder why you sent a degree I don't know I

suppose I better go and see him and find out well I cannot see why he's writing to me in fact I'd go as far as to say I find it most peculiar we are not an operational section they have screwed knows you Hey but from where That I wonder them and if he does know me why doesn't he give some clue as to his identity the we would apply what do you think I think we should all right you seem doubtful well it's all a wee bit melodramatic what with code names and clandestine meetings into

that you can almost see the wet cobblestones in old vienna and here there's little music in the window it's all where I go carefully it certainly wouldn't be the first time some cocky students had Attempted to humiliate the service and true that the person who wrote that note knows the code name and site of one of our dead letter boxes I would think it worth a meeting just to find out where they acquired that information yes yes of course shall I get on to the Security section no I'll clear it with them so that you

can arrange the meeting me why just in case it is a hoax I don't want to be the laughingstock of the department security Object they'll say it's work for a trained man I thought you were a trained man well I am but I haven't been operational for ages and then it's about time we allowed you to scrape a little rust from your I'll speak to the controller right sir that's what you want and involve Peters in this as well the exercise might take his mind off gossip and intersection entry how'd you like to make a

dead-letter drop So clear yeah why not it will be fun so really he's being very careful okay thank you very much a lot of what forensic report unscrewed his letter all it says is that the note was written on an electric typewriter has yet make unknown aproned now just man you sure yes sir oh good yes yes yes I've already written a reply mm-hmm in German yes I've just had the forensic report on Scooby's no no no help at all the writer that was Greer we have the official word we are operational we've all clearance

to play at being postman just like the old days eh that's we should draw sidearm and 18 rounds why not come on let's give this delivered and we can have some relax yeah yeah and when the controller suggested we had lunch together I was rather hoping it would be your club or somewhere else I thought this little more cozy a remote would be a better plan it took me nearly An hour to find the place well I would have cared in somewhere near there but I wanted to avoid us being seen by anyone from your

section you won't be able to keep your investigation secret for long you know I realize that but I don't want to advertise my presence and before it's necessary I see but do you have any idea as to who the infiltrator might be not yet so what all suspects including me I think you're very same that's very reassuring Okay I realize that we haven't got on very well in the past but I want you to understand that my investigation will not be an exercise in vindictiveness I'm pleased to hear a lot of course as little disruption

to your section as possible I have your word of honor on them you do the thing is the English have a terrible arrogance about that honor especially those of your age in general I never seem to accept that the rules You honor and play fair by are entirely ogre only and that the other side may not agree with them I think you also forget I've seen you investigating your own little different world it was not a pretty sight what exactly do you mean Bella can you not remember when Section five had a wee bit of

trouble a year or so ago you were wrong is there like some latter-day Witchfinder general within a week you have spread so much discord and suspicion lifelong friends were prepared To denounce each other on the slightest pretext it took months before that section was working smoothly again well you're not doing the same for my people have it your own way Rhea but much rather worked with your cooperation but if you want it the hard way that's entirely up to you at least this way I know where I stand do you where do you be forensic

let's quickly supply so long As a flat one out there I don't do that three men's short and secured a second up at the monster boy learn the reason why soon enough is that the reply are you ready no what's it say he wants a meeting tonight well Jim berries in the kingsroad the restaurant yeah look ring clan bond will you ask him if he can run a check on the place and what are you going to do see grill a meeting tonight with section Leader Grier is imperative book table 6 for 2100 hours this

evening at Jimbo is a restaurant in the Kings ruled and I will join you for a glass of wine during your meal Scrooge at least it doesn't want you to wear a blue daily of a recognition block man I tell you television is turning our livelihood into a fast are you going you think I should could be interesting then you go it doesn't seem nice and you'll tell Scrooge should he turn up but I am a Busy man and that I'm only prepared to meet him when I know what his business is all right can

I take Peters with me now if you wish but I don't want to see the cost of that meal on your expense sheet it should it turn out to be a who doesn't know anything special Brown like a meal there but tonight yeah what isn't good going no you think it might be a hoax and what are you think I don't know but I think it's worth finding out all right How do I mind coming along if the firm's paying ring the restaurant and book table 6-4 about 8:30 this evening right um what if I

can't get Table six well use your initiative what time is it 10 past 10:00 he's not coming is he it seems Greta was right probably waiting for us to get drunk I must say it's not a good wine depends another bottle much longer should we wait let's drink the wine for those Thiago's is there another bottle the same please I Forgot how good a Western told me how expensive it doesn't show this me in the last time I arranged to meet someone in a restaurant I was arrested police raided the place it was a brothel

upstairs I liked out Cheers good [Music] you know things were different then the operation was to be numbered with the elite certainly isn't nowadays you only Have to see some of the bonus they recruit to realize that anyway intelligence work has changed so much I mean all the real gathering of information takes place in researching this like ours I'd much rather be there at the heart of things and sitting out in the cold right it convinced myself I was doing something worthwhile know what you mean it's strange I actually enjoyed this John oh thank you

I don't burn out Paul tell me what are You saying people ask what you do for a living depends usually that I'm a terrible officer no connection with friends relations that's the same the Official Secrets Act makes it difficult to say anything else absolutely I join you for a drink that depends who you are my name is scoot a good name for a man who carries drink sit down the aluminum enliven bill conservation vine and Bible speak English resume if you are sexually Degree you know I'm afraid he couldn't make it why not well he's

shy you know the British you like but he does send his apologies no wasting my time and had a great personal risk mr. gray I will see you when we know a little more about you relax you're quite safe this is a wine it is fortunate that I recognize you from this afternoon there the dead leg about this it's not very professional to Want to pick up you know why not I could have had a team of men with me all waiting to see who was watching me kill off the post you could have been

funneled no visible target in our section when this law was office there just the two of us you know play games please then tell us what you want all right I'm here as a representative I cannot say but I represent someone very important who wishes to defect from the Democratic Republic please do not ask Such questions of the moment why should we be interested because of his position he is a high-ranking intelligence officer with special responsibilities for espionage activities in this country why does he want to defect I'll tell you that himself so why doesn't

he just go ahead there's nothing stopping that the customers be assured of a friendly reception I don't think we've said that many East Germans who can rivet us if you can get over the Border you'll be greeted with open arms if I represent will not be coming over the border in the way you mean so how does it man to arrive he will be part of an official delegation soon to visit this country as a band of action guests who defected can cause great embarrassment to the host countries so see the need for a firm

assurance when I bring in a family with him no they're all dead and what do you hope to get out of all This understand what sort of a reward do you expect for acting as a go-between I also wish to defect I see this person representing when do we get to know his name after you have agreed in principle to accept both him and me we don't know getting you will be disappointed it might not think so but I've got to take considerably more than that back to - employers I must have a name give

you a name if you expect us to trust you you're gonna give us something in return After all if you're sad about it another country must be fairly safe perhaps how did you approach section 3 winner of operation because my client knows section Anita Greer I have needs to know something from where do you know only the go-between you snare them any other reason why you can deception free well the position of my client gives him access to very valuable information concerning your section all right on safe arrival in this country he will Identify and

denounce a double agent in your section now do you understand the need for secrecy do you believe his story I don't know I don't want to I agree that it's always very unpleasant to be told a colleague could be a spy but on this occasion I fear he may be right oh the section is already being investigated apparently a complete photocopy of the meijer file has got into the hands of East German Intelligence that's not possible that's what I said but I'm told it's true and I think the file came from this section yes Scrooge

is genuine I fear so we'd better do something about finding out who the defector is right I also want to know who Scrooge is as well that might be easier I listed the wine gas used at the restaurant at least got a complete set of prints good what about you meeting scooter tell him I am agreeable and as soon as possible something that Worries me about Scrooge's client what's that the fact that he hasn't got any living relatives I mean I don't use it as other person matter they say oh he's trusted yeah but if

you suggested you must stow the party line about a lot of conviction and you don't think that sort of man changes his mind it's been known an official list of an East German trade delegation coming to London in two days time now most of them in there so I mean so bloody hard line almost Petrified can you imagine any of these defecting I don't know I could check them out and Scrooge does tell us who his client is I want to be in the position to be able to ask him a few pertinent questions get

the computer boy to produce some likely candidates from that list you've got based on what well we know the defector is an intelligence officer and that he doesn't have any living relatives my bigger base is done All right I'm on my way have you organised Greer's reply to Scrooge oh that's done Alero no he isn't here at the moment and this is John Harvey yes I'm telling sir and what are you doing in my office I'm waiting for you actually and when you enter another man's office is it sir usual practice to sit in his

chair and go through his papers the only reason I'm sitting in your chair is because I've just answered your phone and I Wasn't going for your papers so who was it sorry on the phone at a record thing now what can I do for you the controller tells me you're handling a go-between for a defector do you think that wise I didn't have much say in the matter he came to me but considering what has happened since he made contact with your section would it not be more sensible to hand over further negotiations to the

Security section it's too late I am meeting Scrooge this evening and what About a double agent in your section I thought catching him was your job it is and I shall cat him then there were no problem except that if a double agent hears about screwed she'll arrange to have him dealt with then you'll have to catch him very quickly instead of wasting your time causing further risk to Scrooge by having him followed you see the controller tells me things - it was necessary to have Scrooge follow no and whatever embassy security noticed Your men

they didn't I wish I had your confidence because some of your men are about as inconspicuous as I heard a rhinoceros in Korea say bloody rude it amazes me that a man of your supreme cactus noses managed to get so far in the service I'm I know when to creep obviously the way you run this section Rosa you not understand that excludes coverage blown they'll kill him I am aware of that and I would be grateful if you wouldn't talk To me as though I was some sort of mental defective I am aware of the

importance of security I owe what about this mark top-secret you left the room unattended without locking it in your safe I don't think anyone would be interested in stealing an empty file it seems you should have gone through my desk after all bad you are supposed to lock your office when you leave it anyone could wander in here there's a notice on my door saying you could only Enter by appointment do you think that would stop anyone perhaps not but as you're the only uninvited person I've found in this room in a very long while

Harvey I'm thinking of it maybe you're the spy what time is it 20 past 6:00 it's been a long day why don't you go home no I want to be here when Scrooge is reply arrives sure stick with it but be discreet but that was Baker Scrooge hasn't shown yet it's a bit of a Dread how's that short list of possible defectors coming along and I'm still waiting on the computer people chase them up first thing tomorrow all right [Music] I'm afraid he's in conference can I take a message yes I see are you sure

it's him I don't tell him sir what's the matter Scrooge is dead how run down by a refueling tanker at London Airport what Was he doing there they're not sure but they think he was being taken back to East Germany what time was he killed I don't know absolutely no doubt the dead man is screwed none sir his prints met with those on the wine glass draupadi was soon rose gray huh he's gone down too he's ready to take a look the car always did attract him well at least we've dispelled any doubts we might

have had about there being a double agent in Section three and that being so I would like to recommend that the section be suspended until he's caught can be done I couldn't possibly justify telling down an important section on evidence as flimsy as Scrooge's death for all we know he may have given himself away Sarah let things go on as they are for the time being hmm look so down hard in with a little luck the death of Scrooge might only be a minor setback the thing we must now Concentrate on is whether we've lost

his client as well so I'm screwed dying at the airport was fortuitous really people may not have had time to interrogate him properly his times identity could still be saved well when was the earlier his own time could pick him up about midnight Arthur's meeting mr. Renfield is very earliest and he died at 1525 this afternoon a very long if they could have had him was 14 hours screwed could still Run well enough to break away from his escort and get himself under the wheels of a tanker his own side couldn't have spent the night

working on him otherwise he'd have been a stretcher care it's possible he could have crashed as soon as they picked him up told them everything interrogation might not have been met by their lives that but if there's any chance crudest x is safe i want to make contact with whereas men are getting a shortlist Together of possible defectors when it's ready I want our people in East Germany to have a copy I wouldn't know what they think and also their thoughts on the possibility of trying to make contact with the defector themselves yes sir unless

there's something else you wanted no I don't think so as soon as I've had a word with the controller I'll be away myself how was it at the airport grim and messy there was a particularly nasty person from the East German Embassy demanding schooled his body be returned immediately although what they think they can learn from 20 pints of pureed man I failed anyway you will be off right sir good night there isn't any doubt that screwed his death was right no sir apparently he was just about to mount the steps to his aircraft when

he made a run for it as he ran round the nose of the plane he met the tanker head-on he was in a Terrible mess yeah most of the passengers waiting to board the airplane sorry dear escort they try to stop him one of them was nearly killed doing so just a theory I know and I allowed the confidence of your thoughts I've been speculating on how far the East Germans might have got with Scrooge's interrogation if they try to save him it means they still wanted him alive hopefully that's good news for them you

will think he may not have told Them the name of his client the part where it might be possible to contact him by our own people in East Germany but we have no idea who he is that's why I want your people to keep working on a possible short list of defector right sir but all where I am of the opinion scrooge would still be alive if harvey hadn't ordered the surveillance we never know that for certain I also think Harvey overstepped his beef when he had screwed Hobbies businesses but then why didn't you consult

me oversize pressure of work ah come a wing parties are low unto himself he does what he likes forget that your section is under investigation Greer obvious methods may lack proper procedure of times he's a very experienced officer always has good reason forty dollars it also be argued that if you were a little cooperative a little more approachable he be more willing to keep you informed of his Activities I Racine Harvey at work before he almost takes a delight in being esoteric and the amount of disruption is already caused in Myra section has to be

seen to be believed well Graham I know more like what it happening when you do a section under investigation is never good for morale the open conflict between two senior officers only adds to the bad feeling created by such an investigation avi has a job to do whether we like it or not Assuming you will start to cooperate the sooner this mess will be cleared up one of them and I'll speak to Harvey in the morning remind him that you are a section leader if you must be kept informed of what's happening and thank you

sir helped us out to another whiskey thank you we have a report on your visit to the airport just for the fire relax sir has there been any reaction from the East Germans on the death of Scrooge Even what he was up to I died whether the FO will receive more than a strongly worded note denouncing the general decadence of the British people and tanker drivers in particular this is margin Shaw section three that's right it's our printout reading lessons number I don't know okay I'll hang on morning you'll be copies I'll start at 9:30

don't bully me I see extremely fragile and sit down there's all something breaks yes I mean it's been collected who who sanctioned their hobby that explains everything can you run off another copy for me thanks very much that obvious walked off without short list of possible defectors supposed to care a little interest would be appreciated what happened to you Linda's pregnant Oh congratulations Thanks yesterday so we went out with her parents to celebrate of course I'm ahead Like an absolute bastard gallon of wine dad shame dad luckily I passed out in the car half past

3:00 this morning freezing cold you just left me where I can left you look more they back the guy over you sure no I see it's just that I'm being interviewed by one of Harvey's men in a few minutes I'll tell him Sir Greer wants to see me and what about your interview we have to switch terms you go in my place yeah I don't think you're going to believe it but this Arrived a few minutes ago I'd like your considered opinion in spite of the death of Scrooge my client still wishes to defect but

because of my friend's death security and must be much tighter I will deal only with the agent Martin Shaw I will meet him at 11:30 this morning a brookgreen Hammersmith w6 to negotiate details of my clients defection miser what do you think I'm amazed that the defector has two representatives in England yeah and at The client still safe do you think the letter is genuine he knows too much with not VIN I agree so how do you feel about meeting this miser I don't mind as long as I can take someone with me take Peters

what will the control is it I'll speak to him although I don't think you'd have much choice with you is the named agent I assume madam knows what you look like I suppose then that's what you'll have to find out god it's cold frozen Wouldn't be here 11:30 Park Bench meetings really suitable for fine sunny days you sure in the right place if this is Brook green it's the right place mister as there are only a half-dozen paths Vinci's not many more blades of grass and a couple of tennis courts I think it's highly unlikely

especially as we happen to be the only two people on the green and why doesn't he hurry up it's probably terrified keeping us waiting plenty of time to Look around I remember I sat outside a cafe in Cairo for two days waiting because I want to show up it was warm unbelievably sir I had to keep drinking cups of Egyptian coffee to keep the capital rather happy I was it had 50 cups of thick sweet coffee that day so the second day I thought I'd alternate the coffee with bottled mineral water and what happened I

missed my contact was digging so much water has been half a day and the ball actually I'd settle For a nice warm now come on let's go we've given him enough time the cars this way I want to call in first I don't use the car radio there isn't one we're in my own car I'll turn from the box over there so it's warm you like the pub across the way we can have lunch there extension 9 1 hello hello sir it's sure no he didn't share okay hello yes where are you what what you

mean not alone where can we meet yes I understand All right yes it was miser well it didn't say family must be able to see us took time to telephone why didn't he show himself he says we're being followed no although he said he anticipated something ideas good baby are people for I don't know but even if they are would you risk showing yourself up toward that the strange suppose not at least it isn't a waste of Germany if we go to the litter bin next to the bench Louie where who said we find a

Letter I'll get it right but keep your eyes open we got it sir I'm gone I've taken it to forensic they'll give you a buzz when it's been opened and checked the right have you seen the duty officer for debriefing yet I'm on my way Donna a good man oh you said that you spoke to myself that's right was it a man or a woman a man did he speak in English or German English in fact his English was very good but he had an accent oh yes is there something Wrong the whole setup seems

a little too contrived as though he had no intention of showing himself he said the phone thing was just a precaution in case of problems as it turned out he was right and I've already had words with her from throttle about that little problem you know who was following us I have every reason to believe they were harvestmen he nearly ruined the whole meeting is getting quite good at that sort of thing but anyway you'll be off Now for your debriefing I'll let you know when I hear from the expert not yet given debriefing and

they went for a chat with the chumming communication and did you notice hobbies men who followed us but you should he'd ordered a communications link between here in his field operator never guess how many men he had on surveillance 51 of the men following Scrooge was obvious sure oh yes put him through hello mr. drink what really have you had A little and nothing's missing I see no I wouldn't bother the police at the moment now I'll explain this evening I'm really most grateful for your consideration yes I'll see you this evening yes goodbye that

was my caretaker you just seen two men coming out of my flat Oh was a much taken not as far as you can see that's bloody lucky it is isn't it look Oh black I don't lecture you but do You think it wise giving your caretaker the section telephone number can you imagine what Harvey would say I didn't I gave him the alias switchboard number as far as he's concerned I still work in the department the parks and open spaces give me some credit sure right sir my dad's letter is back from the expert estrosi

he's named the defector who is it Karl Konrad Schiller he'll certainly be a worthy prize isn't a part of delegation Arriving tomorrow that's right official reception at 10:30 so we have a lot of work to do and very little time to do it in I want you to arrange another meeting with myself only this time I will speak to him and I want the meeting as soon as possible writer and here's our file on Schiller read it both of you then let me have your impressions but first get the meeting with my sorry um you

wanted to see me sir yes how are You coming yes it done thank you sir I gather you've been using part of your team for surveillance work yes sir why didn't you tell Greer you were putting his men under surveillance because I knew he'd make a great deal of fat yeah never turned out he would have been right I don't believe my eyes I saw my men sir your faith is touching but the facts say otherwise I don't think they do I think Meisner was bluffing there wasn't any way it Could have known me were

there I hope you're right because if you're not a lot of awkward questions are going to be asked don't do when the cream of my security section are swatted by what may turn out to be nothing more than a dissatisfied caracal officer I realize that sir sometimes forget that I have to account for the activities of this department to our political masters the death of screwed was upset the minister if we lose miser as well I'll be Expected to wield the ax you do understand how we yes sir I go and vindicate the faith I

have in you find the spy in Section three and keep mightor alive until Schiller is in our hands well don't do anything for a moment now there's nothing to worry about I just want to have a word here first yes it's I'll call you back in a few minutes bye are you alright That was Linda is there anything wrong why didn't you tell the police that your flat had been broken into well nothing's been stolen what's a bit casual isn't it when after day you'll forget they're operational I certainly don't want the police hanging around

my neck asking silly aggression Linda just got home from the office she said that someone had been in the house and that's with you nothing's been stolen well then how can she be so Certain because the cat was sitting in the whole wedding for her and she laid it out on her way to work that's right and there's no way it could have got back into the house unless the front door been opened my house has been searched doesn't it soon as you're fled a bike home not by the opposition it's possible no I doubt

it you're just the messenger boys for Greer they can hardly expect us to be taking Home important papers concerning the Scrooge or miser or anything else down to there and who the hell was it I can only think of one other person Harvey at least a couple of his men and he probably argued that he was only doing his job no when I got married I gave up being a field operator to prevent this sort of thing happening now I don't mind being investigated but I don't my wife upset on my house searched wet you

know as Well as I do that Harvey would burn your house down with your wife inside he did he thought it was necessary what's more he probably get away with it Jean writer straightaway it seems miser wants to meet you alone sure I don't quite know how to take it seems your poor old section leader is no longer acceptable here's the letter thank you Mars wasn't taking any chances all things considered and I don't blame him One little bit to walk down Upper Street Islington at 2100 hours this evening miser finds everything to his satisfaction

who made contact I must confess I'm a little apprehensive as to how Harvey will respond to the news of an unchaperoned clandestine meeting surely when tried a surveillance pass again I think even he must be seated eating force Harvey has carte blanche when it comes to interfering in other People's business should the controller say too much and Harvey's activities proved to be justified there could be a lot of awkward questions and being an ambitious man and the one thing the controller doesn't like awkward questions so nothing be said about Harvey's blunders and not at the

moment but when this affair is finished I'm very much hoping Harvey will be as well well I won't share it here I don't think anyone Will but let's not start celebrating too soon in fact I suggest you to be way off home for an hour or so you've both got a long evening ahead of you me as well I'll add I need someone to keep me company while waiting for sure to return from his job why didn't you make a complaint about your house being searched now you heard Greer Harvey's got carte blanche anyway I

probably can't prove the house Is searched by his men that's what they rely on because I bet you a bent pin to a five-pound note they didn't have a search warrant bastards was any consolation I don't think most of this section would have been given the once-over what can they hope to find the usual stuff collapsable Aston Martin in the suitcase under the bed shortwave radio in the martini shaker you know the sort of thing it's not funny just hope That if hobbies section is ever investigated you are part of the team who takes his

base of pieces are a sir are you off home no sir just up to the canteen I sure wouldn't mind postponing your meal for a little while I've just had a phone call from our forensic Department apparently they've discovered something did you say what no I'm on my way out there now thought you might like to join me I don't like speculating it's not very Scientific what do you think you've found well here's the tyre granted the report on the machines used to write both scrooge's and miser letters you want us to read it no

very long report and I do have a home to go to which incidentally I would like to see tonight sorry the plants main feature is that all Mises letters were written on the same electric typewriter you don't seem surprised not particularly do you not find it cumbersome that my I returned to Whatever he did to you is the same typewriter no in my experience I've found agents will get almost ridiculous lengths not to leave any clue as to their identity as you probably well know an electric typewriters of faceless machine it tells you nothing about

the operator not even if it can cut properly then what if I tell you that I think the typewriter is in the East German embassy so you know how far the Albert Memorial dead leather box is from the East German Embassy tell me six miles that's not very far in a car with the traffic as it is I estimate around journey of 45 minutes what kind of say that I am very suspicious but why because of the very fact that he went backwards and forwards to type these letters it wasn't necessary is everyone never more

than three dozen words typed out in the back of his car perhaps he didn't have a portable Typewriter while he was being extra careful wrong he was not being careful because I bet my pension plus 50% more that they're coming and going to the east germ embassy staff are recorded and I don't think that a fairly safe bet so therefore he was advertising his activities popping backwards and forwards it doesn't make sense we know from our meeting with him at Brook green but he's a man who leaves very little to Chance surely would have thought

it's safer to lighten that background and run the risk of being questioned by his own security people so you think he was going back to his embassy for reasons other than to use his cut better I do do you remember the blue young skipper I remember the name not the incident in detail precisely the same happened with him as is happening here the same type Roger was used for all communications didn't he turn out to be A double agent right and the reason he used the same electric machine was not for anonymity but because he

had to go back to his office to receive instructions from his controller now why should my sir neither controller if he's just an innocent go between well then what do you think he's assuming a great deal with a food blighter me so of them right can i scrap the meeting midnight huh I know I get ahead what's the point if you think it's A setup because whatever else happens we'll get filler need a very useful prize be able to sweat a great deal out of them before them so I'd realize we haven't fallen for him

right in using any surveillance I'm sure that evening now the meeting place is too vague I'd need dozens of men to cover it properly who is going with him no-one mises Newt was quite specific about that he will only meet him alone swell the little Government yes I suppose it does a bit we must have some record of that meeting that doesn't mean I want to repeat it this morning's Fiasco no sir I don't forget to keep Greer inform this time better still involve him if possible a radio Mike Harvey has decided he wants a

recording of your conversation with myself and to make sure everything goes smoothly the controller suggests I ride in the communications van what's the Point of the recording Harvey doesn't speak German he assures me he's a fast learner he still has an hour but alternatively you could always coax miser to speak English all right if that's what he wants how big it is radio Mike I am told it's minut in fact small enough to conceal in your navel very useful what sort of range does it have a two miles and where will the receiver be in

the communications van apart well a Discreet distance away that's very reassuring what you call a discreet distance as far away as the listening device will allow and you want us to be you seem nervous I'm a bit you will be all right we will be nearby if you need any help that's what's making me nervous what time is it nearly 10:00 where is my sir he's probably being careful checking everything very thoroughly but for Nearly an hour we had Harvey to thank the dinner and we don't cigarette thank you whoever considered surveillance work as being

on active service must have led a very lethargic existence I see more action cleaning my teeth until I see you can come in later I'm aware of that why is his voice so muffled he's wearing the radio mic on the lapel of his jacket why in case it's necessary for him to take his overcoat off won't it seemed Rather strange should the meeting take place in a doorway that surely moves his overcoat on such a cold night might it not make my use of suspicion button in this case all this necessary isn't even solar a

chilly experience and the man sounds as though he's suffered enough already now what happens if they're going building that effect perception shouldn't unless the buildings got a lot of steel in it as most of the buildings Around here a Victorian that's a largely thank God for the Victorians without them would modern espionage be possible why are you running the tape recorder so the tape recorder man why is it switched on I was told to record everything including what was being said in this band so it's only recording what's been received oh the radio Mike did

Harvey tell you to do that yes sir I see well if he's going to find the last hour of tape rather fascinating the Odd mourn about the cold the occasional XP teeth that even a drunken sailor would rather have deleted Emmanuel the coughing fit Shaw had a night proved of some medical interest I'm obeying orders aren't we all read him provision check I'm just passing the king's head my father looking biting keep your mind on your work lad oh she was talking to someone sir the time surely can you turn the volume on it just

turned ten yes it is a nice what Isn't it very cheap too if you could hold on if you weren't so miserly how do you do I'm Marvin sure so he sure thank God for that they would you like a call okay get out of it he'll you keep me waiting quite a while this one god damn they would have to get into a car driver King's Head and what's that crackling noise distributor of misers cars affecting the radio mic it won't get worse with damage a mother how to use a car we must stand

out like a sore Thumb following in this thing we have all this weight at the park here it's nothing so I hear a deep the next turning on the left and stop that what's happened with a bit park under my wire bridge but what does it mean but what happens to an ordinary car radio when you pass under every god damn it he continued the middle platform let him in how did it go it's didn't we didn't get a bloody thing once your apartments just static oh no oh yes Do you think Mazal source if

he did he didn't say anything did you comment on why he parked where he did not really only that he wanted a quiet road he couldn't have seen the microphone buddy no I even get my overcoat buttoned until we'd stopped as an extra precaution Harvey is not going to believe this of all the places in London miser could have chosen to stop he has to choose under our railway bridge right back to the office as we go Perhaps you might like to reminisce about your recent meeting with miser it would be nice to get something

on tip the plan vassilis defection is very straightforward you'll need the hotel where he's staying at exactly 1200 hours tomorrow which hotel the more breh in Park Lane Shilla will take a taxi the top and Court Road there he will wait for 10 minutes before taking another taxi to Camden Lock where he will walk along the canal to Gloucester Avenue What is all this taxi taking a needle or so that we can check he's not being followed anyway when he emerges into Gloucester Avenue we're to have a taxi driven by one of our men waiting

for him now I see is there a recognition code yes I've got it fixed properly Schiller will say take me to Buckingham Palace I'm told the Queen's collection is very good the driver will reply but the art is better at the National Gallery you must agree That is a certain poetry about a recognition company once Schiller is in the taxi and all the way to a safe house time to go and collect neither sound straightforward enough he smiles a certain Schiller will be unfettered enough to leave the hotel as easily as you think sure is

a pretty important person would think it very free let's hope you're right and what happens if Schiller is being followed oh we dear we dare to the canal Mugler Is a salt East German diplomats on sightseeing tour drama coming on that will leave the rough stuff to the Special Branch they'll enjoy that's what we've got of miser mm one of their voice is so muffle the Shah was wearing the radio mic under his overcooked it was your radio operators idea I say now the small tape you have very short debriefing is everything arranged for Phyllis

defection tomorrow I from misers point of view although I'm not too sure How we're organized you are I will be ready not a my side effect now once Schiller is safe sure we'll collect him from a pre-arranged meeting place I'm Willy yeah we still don't know what might have looks like doing in fact we don't know anything about him sure is with the photo fit people now trying to put a picture of him together hmm what that's worth you think there's something wrong oh yes miser is crowd will you save for an honest defector oh

he's just Nervous especially after what happened to Scrooge not that nervous look at my letters again what am I supposed to be looking for according to the expert they were all written on the same machine so it means that each time lies away to replied one of your communications he returned probably to his office to do so that is not the action of a nervous man especially if that typewriter happens to be in the East German Embassy and what are you choosing to deduce from that we Believe the reason miser returned to his office was

to receive instructions from his controller on what to put in the reply oh come away man next you'll be reading intrigue into the recipes on the backs of porridge boxes the controller agrees with this they're both of the opinion that miser is probably a go-between to plant killer on us why should the East Germans want to do that everybody not confusion a man I sure could create If we accepted him as a friendly defector but how can you be certain he really doesn't want to defect either it is found I have ma'am but his sort

of background in history do you not find him an unlikely candidate or I know what you mean but the prize boy of today can easily be the potential psychiatric patient of tomorrow come on man simmer survived so many purges is almost indestructible I can't believe that is the original defector so what are you Going to do about it nothing now this game except our attitude toward him killers defection will take place as planned he'll be very useful to us won't he be disappointed when he asks for a suite in the Dorchester and gets you in

an interrogation room with a rubber hose and what would you do about the person he denounces as the double agent in my section and I'm not sure yet you're going to have to take him out of Circulation it's one of the things the other side will be checking to see Shiller has been accepted I realized then it could all prove rather embarrassing I know especially if Schiller denounces you sure that's what he looks like as far as I can remember so what I expected what were you expecting I don't know really just looks a bit

a little bit odd not at all German I see well you've got to remember that I didn't get that much of look at him he Wouldn't be nearly an hour it was very dark and he said most of the times getting to the windscreen I really didn't see him a leg well let me do with this photo a picture of Mizer I don't know never the man himself buddy soon oh god I'm tired come on let's go you've got a long day tomorrow right dead one reveal oh yes first I'd like to introduce detective Inspector

mark in a Special Branch he's our liaison officer and also officer in Charge of the towpath team right now you should all been given a photograph of Killa as you'll see he's been given the codename of Bulldog you should also have a plan of the route he's taking now surveillance teams I do not want a repeat of the Brooke Green incident bulldogs an experienced intelligence officer will spot any slip-ups a mile off I don't want him running for cover because of a mistake on your part understood in the event that bulldog is Being followed by

the time he reaches Camden lot the team on the towpath must act most judiciously all that will be necessary are delaying tactics I do not want to brawl what they put up a fight sir then that would be restrained in the most tactful way possible until Bulldog is clear marching in the taxi he'll be brought directly to the safe house in sq Road the surveillance cars acting as escort what if the other side tries to snatch him back well then the nearest Operators will go to his aid but involve the police as soon as you

can and no excessive rough stuff I can't stress that enough I do not want an incident once Bulldog is in our taxi Joe will collect meisa and bring into the safe house mr. Greer and I will be a task you rode with the communications team and a question so what happens it Bulldog deviates from the schedule set out here you remain on station the project isn't aborted unless Schiller returns to his Hotel no more questions adrenaline mr. block here wallet asked you read all right I think so well now I don't know why they gave

me the dollar driving the taxi because you're the best man doesn't money you'll have six surveillance cars in attendance when you bring children you'll be safe enough I hope so where are you picking up murder Baker Street I must admit under Glavine was left over I think my moves up good anymore it'll be a piece of cake the worst time get is a puncher that's right or a bullet in the back of the head sorry I saw his blue dog he's still hiding in his hotel huh I hope nothing's wrong wrong and perhaps he likes

to tease if nothing else comes out of this affair we've at least Scotch and I use that word advisedly the fallacy that the Germans are a punctual people thank you control this how long Will you hold chill in here until this evening then we move in the programming are on standby control the car to piccata car two over registration number of taxi carrying Bulldog is tango Hotel kilo 964 November over control listening I cannot for the life of me understand why you're not using an open channel it would save having to repeat everything if the

East Germans are trying to monitor our radio calls I'll find it considerably more difficult with Each vehicle receiving and transmitting on a different wavelength your theory about Schiller is correct they wanted me to try and monitor us they already know where he's going they only know his route until Gloucester Avenue and they certainly don't know where the so far one report please over control listening control the car to report position please over three can pick them up at Tottenham Court Road control to car to break off Surveillance when you've told car you what's happening let

the Technium towpath know ETA of bulldog right sir now would you like some kind of role to power three you're not trying to make it unfair and are free I make pretty good take part of control over control over although they just passed another side of a tail over control listening control the taxi over taxi ETA bulldog one minute over oh well we've nearly got him Should you not tell Shore to go and pick miser up once she lives in the taxi you think he might have had a change of heart at this lipstick no

I just want him in the taxi first control over Roger control listening just a few more seconds what's going on in the cab tell him to drive often close control the taxi drive off and crews stand by for further instructions over him leave me give the recognition code you will be Able to ask him yourself in about half an hour's time get out of the surveillance cart and tell them to keep their eyes be alright sir do you not think this may be Schiller's idea dividual but is it a bloody stupid one didn't I read

in his file that he fancies himself was a bit of a platypus this is no time to spare a man this is not a very good beginning we are sitting here in a state of confusion and he hasn't even arrived what sort of effect Is he going to have when he's actually in the room I'm beginning to wonder who is going to sweat what out of whom get Peters to confirm positive ID of shilla control the taxi over please confirm positive ID of bulldog over telling him tige recognition code again control to taxi please try

pulled on with a recognition code over are you sure your buddy got a Buckingham Palace with a very good art gallery on there by the National Gallery Only right tell Peter stop bringing in control to taxi bring bulldog in over shouldn't you bring the control I don't know if I ring and it's only Schiller locking about all of bloody stupid man huh must be Schiller it's one hell of a coincidence if it isn't you don't sure tell him to collect mightor perhaps he might be able to explain Chile's behavior control to taxi report ETA over

tell him to keep coming shouldn't we get a few heavies together Just in case he needs some doing yes it might not be a bad idea control the taxi keep coming a reception committee will be waiting over control this me at beer this is Harvey the taxi will be here in a moment how much do you want a small reception committed we did Chile's playing out of it yes if there's any trouble grab him bring him into the house but be careful I don't want him damaged are you not to going down to join in

the fun I sure watch from up Here thank you take it to the toll I get into trouble over go ahead taxi over I'm just trying to ask you Rose I hope you already know we're standing by over lucky for and I'm seaman in the road like that it's as good as cellular crabs an invitation and there's under the great pressure he was expecting an easy votes don't know its skills anyway here he comes 125 not bad going my god he's right look at bouncing up and down in the back no fools don't pass out

after dumb way it's alright he stopped that's me get that taxi and quick daddy good units yeah pay for this in the interrogation Robin what is he up to at least your men have got him why don't they man don't a flawed one of young man he's making Winston's out Of it so much for our training in self-defense I think our message should definitely be literally come on every manageable Street gets shortened to the house any way you can you're enjoying this aren't you you must admit it's a bit of a shambles and not the

sort of thing that expect from an experienced officer would behave like this it seems someone's well there's no explanation sir what do you mean I didn't know what went wrong was Killer we had the right man he did everything as planned until he got to attack you know I have happy home office the Commissioner of Police the effort even the Ministry of Defence burning up my telephone line filler is shutting kidnap the East Germans are doing the same they want explanations reasons for what's happened that's a lie why did you continue to bring Shilla in

once you've started to protest I saw no Reason not to why should I have given him just because he got cold feet idiot you've played right into their hands this is the record of the 999 call that brought the police to sq road kind of the taxi carrying Schiller arrived 125 oh no oh yes are we that call was made three minutes before the taxi even turned into the world the East Germans knew your every move sooner never had any intention of defecting you were totally and completely set up What's the point for God's sake

why go to all that trouble I would suggest you try and find out nothing at all you sure right well give me a corded or anything excuse me what is it that sure was missing what I just found a ski road he hasn't turned up as I get under the carpool the faint I was carried to a cross I get me commander Armstrong Special Branch it's very urgent good - the registration number at the car as well Thank you and the number - Greer thank you hello jock Alec can you do me a favor one

of my men has gone missing yes he was operational and I'm a bit concerned something might have happened to him do you think you could get onto Traffic Division and ask them to keep an eye open for just a moment jock do you have the details of Shaw's car hello jock it's a red Renault 12 estate registration number Juliet kilo November 405 November the driver is Martin Shaw he was supposed to be picking someone up in Baker Street and taking them to Shepherds Bush I am very grateful jock I hear from you soon don't even

it happened too impatient after the ask your old shambles I'm not prepared to see anything come here may I of course come in I just came from records don't you tell you the truth I am rather annoyed what's the matter I spent the whole morning trying to match This photo fit picture of miser to that in a photograph of a member of the East German Embassy now I realized these photo fits are very much a hit-and-miss affair but there's nobody there who even vaguely resembles it I see well why wasn't your man showing the East

German a mug book in the first place the motive hit wasn't put together until late last night records at least uh look I'll tell you what I'll do I'll get him to come up to records right away see if we can Recognize anyone I wish that have been suggested this morning it might have saved me a great deal of time yes I'm afraid I had other things on my mind so I heard a shambles wasn't it hello can I speak about it draw anyone since when I see it's a fetus but keep me informed thank

you Grill oh hello jock where Baker Street was there any sign of him then what the hell is going on okay jock and grateful is he Hello Peters can you get on the shores home see if he's there what I they found the car in Baker Street yes yes sir and what a suitcase did you say what he was going I see ok well I'm very grateful for your help with the dream thank you goodbye what's that him no so he isn't there and that was his caretaker did he have anything useful to say and

that Shah was carrying a suitcase when he left this One did he say what he was going abroad on business he's not your any levity no sir oh dear you're not thinking what I'm thinking are you that short built and the abandoned car known as another shambles with shira he organized the whole thing and we just blindly followed can't believe he's a double agent the best thing to do is find him and ask him now what else did his caretaker see but Shawn took his car this morning that if he did he certainly didn't bring

it here he parks in the bay next to mine there wasn't there this morning he definitely got him before you this morning yes then he must have switched to his own car when he dumped that in or and get on to the garage and see if he had got his registration done the writer hello this is Peters section 3 do you have a registration number of Martin Shores copy his bail number is 67 thank you Just checking - good can you bleep me commander Armstrong special batch if sure has bought it where is the most

likely place people is German right now let's hope he use his own name when he booked a flight there may still be a chance he hasn't left yet I'll check yeah yeah right got it and the car definitely hasn't been in today many thanks sure desperation no matter what make of Car is it it's a blue MINI Clubman GT right now a check on those passenger lists agree on Luke Jacques can you put out a special alert for me hello it's for a class good god I know you're not the Traffic Division but you can

get things moving much quicker than I can and time is at a premium oh don't worry I take full responsibility and I'll get the controller to endorse my request as soon as possible you're a real pal and the colour I want is a blue MINI Clubman GT registration number and M 0 9 6 7 P the driver is to be detailed at all costs inventor charge if necessary isn't that what you usually do just the two now when was the last one I see Thanks well they'll call back on the passenger list what good that'll

do the last part of the day but East Germany left at 12:55 and that doesn't surprise me one little bit while we were struggling with Schiller our little spy was flying away To safety hello hurry and do you think I could have a word with you socialism up defection was a setup to allow sure to get away unnoticed so it seems but I sure have slipped out of the country unnoticed at any time he didn't need the Schiller farm we've already given that some thought I must say I take my hat off to the man

he's a dedicated professional obviously man think about it Sure third he couldn't leave until he'd tied up all the loose ends really I reckon the East German still don't know the name of Scrooge's real client but annoying they had a potential defector on their hands they had to do something to discredit him and that's why miser was invented well ha have they discredited him can you imagine the attitude of the Secret Service the government the controller to anyone now wanting to deflect from East Germany yes Anyone coming here would come under such scrutiny that anything

he might have to tell us would be out of date before we accepted it as true and that includes Scrooge's client we couldn't risk the humiliation there's the control in there any of this here I haven't told him he's going to be angry sorry I guess the moment it for you it's Peters yes lad yes rule that was quick queer em fool that doesn't surprise me you can advise the Traffic Division that They find his car at a London Airport I and the passenger lists drisdom okay Shores car was stopped for speeding on the m4

had ten minutes past 12:00 this afternoon and I got him if you mean the police know if you mean the East Germans yes he caught the 12:55 flight to Dresden so that's it so let's see how far have you got in investigating Sean can you believe it I'd actually clear him I have the Feeling the controller will want to know how you managed to overlook the fact that he was an officer in the HPA if not the KGB I wonder how much he passed on I would think a great deal he was a very good

researcher and he had access to highly secret information telling me did you actually have any suspects as a matter of fact I did you thanks a lot hmm I'd enjoy listening to your bones crack under the wheels of the inquiry this myth is likely to invoke well I had Evidence in fact another piece drifted onto my desk and a few minutes ago and what was there it's about your brother the fact it's been a member of the Communist Party to put it politely and my brother is a lonely man in his search for friendship he

tends to be drawn towards minority groups well you should have reported it I wouldn't let that worry your head at the moment I think you've got bigger problems to concern yourself with it might be for me hello Maria yes he's here sir I'll put him on it's for you who is it the controller in the defector by Erik's a word Shah was played by john rowe and peters by Nigel Lambert Greer John Sampson Harvey Hayden Jones the controller William Edel the radio operator Terry Malloy the forensic expert Stephen Hancock and the operational agent Peter Brooks

the play was directed in our Birmingham studios by Roger pine