Tammy: Flying High - Part 7

Tammy: Flying High Part 7: Digging Deeper Shiraz Turvey & Alecia Snowfall

 
This story follows on from Tammy: Rank Stupidity and Snowfall's Butterflies, Asphalt & Insanity

Part 7: Digging Deeper

Tammy received the promised keys on Saturday, along with a letter of introduction for her, prepared by the Crown Agents.

After spending a few hours with Joey Tammy was collected in Maisie’s van for the run out to Vernon Farm.

When Mary greeted them she noted that Tammy wasn’t dressed for exercise.

“No, I’m putting in a bid for this site and the Agents have agreed I can have a look around.” Tammy handed over one of the letters she had received.

“Oh, so I had best move my planning up a notch?”

“There’s months to go, yet, Mary.”

“Maybe, how will you open the locked doors?”

“I was supplied with a set of master keys, and security cards.”

“The card reader system doesn’t work.”

“I’ll have a look for it whilst I’m wandering.”

Tammy bid them farewell and walked over to the reception building. She confirmed that the pass reader was inactive so let herself in by key. There was a small security office in that building, which included a CCTV wall, but only for monitoring.

She went up a floor and found a large office with a good view over the site, both into the courtyard and across to the carpark outside the gates. There was a door cut into the site wall and this was marked as emergency access. There was a keyhole on that side, which Tammy used.

The far side of the door had a crash bar. Tammy walked across a corridor to another door, aware that she was on a bridge. Another keyhole brought her onto the Mezzanine level, whilst the back of that door was marked with an alarm warning.

Tammy took the stairs down to the lower level then opened the back door of the lift lobby at that level, finding another stairwell. That took her down, low level lighting was still on. She had to unlock another door at the bottom, as the touch pad wasn’t working, and found herself in an open area, with doors nearby.

The room on her left was marked as Control Room, exactly the same as her map, one corner of that room had the override controls for the site security. It didn’t look like it would be difficult to re-enable everything, although changes would have to be made.

Tammy wandered into the other spaces, noting that fresh bedding, and fresh air, would be needed in the bunk rooms before they could be used again. She then realised that the air con was off, as it was too quiet! That air-conditioning would be a major demand on the power, but perhaps the solar arrays could cope?

The radio room still had a site radio and air band transceiver installed. But currently disabled.

Back in the control room Tammy identified a partly bare server rack that was powered down. Near to that was the power control panel, she noted that the solar panels were generating a couple of kW but the batteries were full, apart from the emergency and low-level lighting, everything was still off.. She contemplated turning something on, but decided that could wait. An adjacent locked room warned of various risks, including explosion. She opted to leave that alone.

Tammy exited the way she had come in then locked doors behind her as she went.

Rather than head back up to the Mezzanine level Tammy walked into the courtyard and, looking back, only now spotted the communications tower behind the reception building.

She opened a side door into that large barn and walked into the bottom corner, next to a set of toilets was a locked door that led to a set of stairs. The same was true in the far corner of the barn, except the toilets included shower facilities. She followed the stairs down and they led to another shower suite, although this was set for decontamination if needed. The basement’s loo facilities were also in this area. Tammy climbed back to ground level and locked up.

She made it onto the courtyard as Mary and Maisie were walking over.

“Where have you been?”

“Looking around, I guess time passed?”

“Tammy, check your phone?”

Tammy pulled her phone out of her bag, it now showed several missed calls, but it hadn’t rung.

“I must have been out of range?”

“Right, your dad called when he couldn’t reach you. Your mum didn’t turn up for work this morning. She seems to have boarded a flight to London.”

“Oh.”

Mary looked confused. “Is something wrong?”

“She works at St Andrews School but has never done anything like this before. Excuse me, I need to call my sister.”

Tammy walked away, through reception and towards Maisie’s van. She called the European desk at MI5 using her secure mobile.

“European desk?”

“It’s Tammy Smart, I need Suzie Small urgently.”

“This is a secure line, you shouldn’t have this number?”

“I don’t have time to explain, I need my sister urgently and this could be a serious national security matter.”

“Transferring you ……… Tammy?”

“Suzie, have you heard from mum?”

“Not since yesterday when she called me, and wanted to know everything about you. I promise you she still doesn’t know about the baby?”

“Thanks, but it’s not that. She didn’t go to work this morning and it looks like she’s on her way to you. She’s a very loose cannon right now, and could be dangerous to both of us.”

“Dangerous?”

“Like exposing both of us, even accidentally.”

“What do we do?”

“We get her help. She needs the shrinks at AA House?”

“I can’t organise that!”

“I’m not even certain that I can, but please brief your team leader, tell them about my tea with Her Majesty and how mum reacted. Then tell them about the time mum and dad were hostages in their own house, tell them anything that will get them to treat this as a potential major multi agency security breach.”

“They won’t like it.”

“I know, but at least they’ll listen.”

“Are you coming here, Tammy?”

“No, I’m staying in Thurso tonight and I’m needed elsewhere tomorrow, if I still have a job.”

“That bad?”

“Yes, Suzie. Look, the best I can do is to ask for the Met Police to meet her at the house.”

“She won’t like that.”

“I know, but hopefully she’ll recognise them?”

“Kevin?”

“Maybe, or one of the others in that team.”

“Okay, leave it with me, keep me in touch.”

“Sure, and please let me know if she tries to call you.”

“Yes, Tammy.”

Maisie had kept her distance, holding Mary back, but now walked over.

“Trouble?”

“Big trouble, mum could be heading to Suzie.”

“How bad is it?”

“Bad enough for my security clearance, and jobs, to be suspended pending enquiry.”

“Ouch.”

“There’s very little we can do right now but I need to make another call, mum has a few hours head start on us. Can you drop me back home please?”

“I need lunch, so I’ll come back with you, and I’m clear for the rest of today.”

“Great, I might need a cuddle.”

Whilst Maisie drove, Tammy called Detective Chief Inspector Emily Keane, Kevin’s immediate manager. She repeated her concerns.

“You were right to notify us, Tammy, how aware of your other activities is she?”

“Mum knows I have a military connection but nothing beyond that, hopefully. She equally knows I have met various Royals, but again she doesn’t know what the circumstances were. So far I’ve been able to keep almost everything from her, but she may have made connections in her mind. It’s my Security Service connection, alongside Suzie, that’s of primary concern.”

“Is she a risk to national security, in your opinion?”

“Potentially, yes.”

“I concur. She needs help, but firstly needs to be intercepted.”

“She barely knows London but will have keys to the Epping house, she’ll probably wait there for Suzie to finish work.”

“Are you planning to fly down?”

“No. I think that would complicate matters at this time.”

“Good. Does Suzie know that you would phone us?”

“I did, she knows Kevin and I think Mum has met him a few times, but I’m not convinced he’s the right person for this.”

“Yes, but he knows exactly where to go and can handle Suzie if she turns up. Please leave it with me.”

“Thank you Emily, you have my number?”

“I do.”

Tammy relaxed a little as they arrived home, lunch was a priority but Maisie shooed Tammy up to the office so she could phone her Dad to update him, before making the most uncomfortable call so far.

“Commander Traeger, it’s Captain Smart.”

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“I need to appraise you of a possible security breach.”

“Where?”

“My mother, who is currently on route to London. I have appraised agencies including the Met Police so we can constrain the person concerned and prevent the breach from happening, Sir.”

“Is Broadsword at risk, Captain?”

“I hope not, Sir, I don’t believe she knows anything about Broadsword. She does think, however, that she knows where I have been and what I have done, and could do damage to myself if she made those thoughts public.”

“And that’s a risk?”

“Yes, which is why I have effectively asked the Met Police SO15 to arrest her under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.”

“Your own mother?”

“My step-mother, but yes. If you recall, my sister, Suzie Small, works for the security service and that precedes my own connection to that service. My sister knows enough to identify Broadsword assets.”

“I see, and would she release that information?”

“I would hope not, but did you read the report of my lodging at the Queen’s guest quarters upon return from recent Royal duties, Sir? Suzie broke protocol to phone her mother.”

“Ah, but I hadn’t realised she was your sister? She needed advice, I believe?”

“And received it, there hasn’t been an incident since then.”

“That was only a few months ago, Captain!”

“Of course, Sir, but so much has happened since then.”

“I’ll need a report.”

“Of course Sir, but I’ll hold off sending it as we don’t know where this is going right now. Ultimately I would like my mother to receive help, but that might not be today.”

“I hope you will still be coming to see me tomorrow?”

“Unless something happens in the meantime, Sir, that requires my attention elsewhere.”

“Keep me informed.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Tammy put the phone down and opened a new file on her laptop. She went back to the previous Wednesday’s failed dinner appointment and then back to the guest quarters in the Spring, and their subsequent falling out.

For completeness Tammy included the incident when Richard and Joan had been used as bargaining chips for herself by Martin Gore before going back to David’s funeral some three years earlier when Anita Gore had been shot by Tammy. Tammy’s life was complicated and unfortunately Joan had been there several times.

When she finally called him, her father had not been able to add any more. He had been in a Governing Body meeting at the school and had been advised when that broke for coffee. She added this to her report, regardless.

Finally, she went downstairs to have a late lunch, and to wait.

It was nearly seven that evening before there was an update, Richard had joined Tammy and Maisie for tea whilst they waited so heard the news directly.

DCI Emily Keane was the caller.

“Sorry Tammy, but there was an incident and your step mother was injured.”

“How?”

“A recently qualified female Detective Constable accompanied Kevin. They took some time to reach the house and your mother was already on the premises. When your mother answered the door she was screaming and shouting at Kevin and seemed to lunge at him. The DC tasered her.

“Her condition?”

“Stable, but it transpires she has a heart condition, so is in HDU at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow under observation.”

“Why hasn’t the hospital rung us, my father?”

“Possibly because officers there have insisted that no-one has contact.”

“Let me guess, as Harlow is in Essex there are Essex officers guarding her and they have simply been told it’s a national security case?”

“Yes.”

“Get her moved to Abigail Adams Medical Unit as quickly as possibly, Emily.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Can’t or won’t, Emily?”

“I don’t have jurisdiction.”

“Noted.”

Tammy cut the line.

“What the hell is going on, Tammy?”

“Sorry, Dad, I had no idea this was going to happen? What’s this about a heart condition?”

“She’s been suffering with angina. Her GP suggested stress.”

“I suggest she changes her GP. Okay, next call coming up, please don’t say anything.”

“I take it that last one was to a senior Police officer?”

“Detective Chief Inspector in Met Police Counter Terrorism.”

“I see, who now?”

“Sir Thomas Addington, currently Chair of the Intelligence Oversight Committee.”

“Jeez Tammy, who the hell do you work for?”

“Me, dad, I work for myself.”

Tammy engaged secure mode and dialled Sir Thomas’ number.

“Miss Smart, I wish this was unexpected?”

“Sorry, Sir, but we have a difficult issue.”

“I gathered that when I saw the surname of the subject.”

“Sir, she hasn’t breached the Official Secrets Act, not yet at least, but Essex Police don’t know that. She needs to be relocated to AA House?”

“If she is medically fit to travel?”

“Of course, Sir.”

“What is your aim?”

“That she receives counselling to establish whether she planned to ruin mine and Suzie’s careers, with the inevitable national security knock on effects.”

“And that was a risk?”

“A very severe risk, Sir.”

“I see, congratulations by the way?”

“In which regard, Sir?”

“Retaining your rank, of course, oh and Maisie’s pregnancy. When is the wedding?”

“Ah, thank you, Sir, we’ll let you know about the wedding plans when we know ourselves.”

“Of course. Someone will be in touch.”

Richard had gone home at nine that evening as nothing more had been heard. It was two hours later that Tammy received a simple text from an unknown number:

Joan is safe & sleeping

Tammy had a restless night.

By six thirty on Tuesday morning Tammy knew nothing more. She drove over to Wick airport and was in the air by seven in her CzechSport.

Today’s flight took her solo to Teeside, followed by a drive into Catterick army base in a hire car.

She checked in at the Broadsword building then went to find the Colonel.

“Ah, good morning Captain.”

“Sir, I take it that you have been briefed?”

“About your step-mother?”

“Yes.”

“There’s an update, I’ve been informed that you got your wish, she’s in Abigail Adams House.”

“That hadn’t been confirmed to me, but I wanted her there voluntarily and uninjured. The Met couldn’t handle that.”

“There will be an enquiry, several probably, and you should expect to be admonished, Tammy. Please don’t give the Commander extra ammunition against you. You will need him.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Let’s take a walk, the first meeting should be setting up.”

Once in the room, Tammy couldn’t see anyone else sat there but Emily & Sir Thomas were on separate video monitors. The spy overlord started.

“Ah, thank you for joining us Miss Smart.”

“My pleasure, Sir, DCI.”

“I suspect you would like some information about your step mother?”

“Yes, Sir, if there is any?”

“She had a comfortable night under observation and there are no immediate concerns according to the medical staff.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“But I suspect it is her mental health which is of greater concern?”

“That’s correct, and last week I was formulating how best to have that assessed. Unfortunately events overtook me.”

“Who had you raised your concerns with?”

“No-one on the British side, Sir, I wasn’t entirely certain how to proceed. Her decision to fly down meant I made some panic calls, and I’ll admit that.”

“Miss Smart, I am aware of who you spoke to and was expecting your call by the end of last week.”

“Oh.”

“Please remember, you have friends and we can make plans. Under the circumstances there were no plans there were only knee-jerk reactions, and that does not bode well. In short, everyone panicked, yourself especially.”

“And for that I can only apologise, Sir, DCI. My original thoughts, however, are that she remains a risk.”

“And I concur, Miss Smart, but we are at the point where we are all going to have to justify our actions, all of us, but only you have spoken to everyone concerned.”

“I haven’t spoken to the trigger-happy DC with the Taser, Sir?”

“Almost everyone, I stand corrected.”

DCI Emily Keane now spoke. “Unfortunately that DC will be now removed from firearm duties pending investigation. Kevin himself is off front line duties whilst he writes his own reports. I don’t like having staff taken away from me.”

“Reports, plural?”

“Yes, he’ll include references to his prior engagements with your step mother, for historical purpose. Your report should do the same.”

“I have started a report along those lines and I had already decided to go back in time to explain the wider issues, but, given that I lived with her for a number of years, I need to be a little subjective about what’s included and what isn’t, Ma’am.”

Emily Keane didn’t bite so Sir Thomas continued.

“I would certainly like sight of Miss Smart’s report, I’m sure that the Colonel can assist with distribution?”

“I can, Sir Thomas.”

“Excellent. Now, Tammy, I would like to make it perfectly clear that you are not to make contact with the medical team at Abigail Adams House and are not to turn up there. You should also avoid contact with your step sister for the time being.”

“Sir?”

“This is to protect you, Tammy, from any further allegations. Your father can supply updates if he is willing.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Miss Smart, Colonel, we will reconvene in thirty minutes.”

The monitors went dark, so Tammy followed the Colonel back to his office.

“Another fine mess, Tammy.”

“I didn’t plan it but I could see the danger.”

“You didn’t see the danger of a met police officer with a twitchy finger or that Joan Smart had a heart condition. Your instruction to Emily yesterday lunchtime was to intercept and detain, not to assess. You actually got what you asked for, even if it wasn’t what you intended.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Now, the Commander would like you to do a visiting officer’s course at Sandhurst next month to bring you up to date with protocol.”

“I start helicopter training next week that takes me into mid July.”

“When were you going to mention this?”

“I was going to bring it to this meeting, Sir, but I’ve booked it as a civilian. I looked at my calendar and saw it was blank, which is why I took the first available weeks. With respect to the Commander, he mustn’t assume I’ll be free. I suppose this course is the only one this year?”

“Of its type, yes. You aren’t making friends there.”

“I know, but there must be a package I can read?”

“A training package? I’ll ask him to research that.”

There was a knock at the door and coffee arrived. As Tammy hadn’t eaten or drank anything since a hasty breakfast she took advantage of the biscuits on offer.

At 1100 they reconvened in the meeting room, but now all the monitors were in use, showing Dannigan and Heather Young, amongst others. Tammy was, however, a little surprised to see Commander Traeger sat in the room, but kept her mouth shut.

Sir Thomas was chairing this meeting.

“Now that we are all here, perhaps Captain Smart can bring us up to date?”

“Thank you Sir Thomas. I have now visited a site to the South East of Thurso twice. This is a site which is already in UK Government hands and was previously used as an off site control facility for the decommissioning of the Dounraey Fast Reactor. The site has had helicopter operations in the past so should have some of the necessary licences. There is a subterranean facility and I gained access to that yesterday. The site caretaker is unaware of the underground facility. In short it is ideal for civilian and quasi military helicopter operations as well as several other potential uses. I’d like to thank Heather Young for supplying plans and keys.”

“Thank you Captain. I believe you are also a director of a commercial helicopter operator, Smart Air? Is there potential for conflict of interests?”

“I am a non executive share holder of Smart Air, and my own planes are based with them at Wick Airport. I have made it clear to my father, who is the chairman of the company, that I would not be in competition with Smart Air and might actually put business in that direction if the need arose.”

“I see. How do you see the next steps at this site? Does it have a name?”

“Vernon Farm. I’d like to have the site surveyed, especially in respect of the power and security. The structures looked in very good condition. I am examining buying it privately.”

“What is the time-scale for ownership?”

“A guess? September at the earliest. It probably wouldn’t be fully operational until Spring 2019.”

“Operational as what?”

“A home, an office, and somewhere to park my helicopter? Everything else is subject to operational needs.”

“Indeed, Captain. Ladies and Gentlemen we have moved a little further forward with Project Spinnaker, are there any questions?”

Commander Traeger was first.

“How are you going to finance it?”

“Privately, Commander.”

Dannigan laughed. “Yes, Captain, that’s the correct answer … but you may need help?”

“Yes Major, and I will go to the most appropriate institutions to find that help, but it’s fair to say that I believe I can afford this site, depending on what the UK Government charges for it.”

Dannigan nodded. “Sir Thomas, what is the price?”

“I believe the site’s listing is being re-evaluated at the moment.”

“I see, regardless of that, it would cost money to establish an operational facility above ground? So although the site may be privately owned by Tammy I would imagine that a number of agencies could have access on a fair use arrangement?”

“Paul, that is one approach that Captain Smart, as Miss Smart a private individual, could take. I’m given to understand that there is plenty of space above and below ground and a good opportunity to work together.”

Various grunts could be heard in response to Sir Thomas. Tammy was next up.

“At our last meeting it was suggested I could have a Puma, has anyone made any progress? Major Elliot?”

“Hmmm, not yet, but when you have control of the site then I think a fast response capability is valuable, which is something you don’t currently have?”

“Correct, Sir. I’m also looking at obtaining a civilian helicopter early on and I’m taking the necessary courses over the next month.”

Sir Thomas questioned that. “When did you book those courses?”

“A week ago, before I knew much of what I now know, I saw a personal operational need and bought it. The Army and our friends have contributed to my training but this was something I could do by myself for myself.”

“How is your lieutenant doing?”

“She is moving onto fixed wing having passed out on multi engine civilian helicopters. She also has a military licence for the Puma. The idea is that she will be able to operate in a support role.”

Various voices were heard saying “Good.”

“And what happens, Captain Smart, if you don’t get the site?”

“We carry on as before and berth any helos at my family hanger. That isn’t ideal. I asked my office girl last week to search for other suitable properties but without disclosing why. None of those properties would have been suitable for anonymous helicopter operations.”

“So we hope that this project moves one step forward?”

“Yes, Sir, that is my hope. Does this meeting agree that I can proceed? Does Project Spinnaker have a green light?”

There were nods and grunts from all present, except Traeger, who hadn’t previously been a part of this group.

“Captain Smart, you are hereby ordered to keep us informed. A report is needed with your current status and current actions.”

“Yes, Sir.“

The meeting broke up.

Tammy made her way out of the room and followed the Colonel. Traeger was behind them. All three went into the Colonel’s office, Traeger closed the door.

“Geoff, that was your first time in the lion’s den with Tammy. Did you know everyone there?”

“No, I didn’t, and I thought the Captain was quite insolent.”

“I didn’t get that impression, Tammy?”

“There were three civilians present: Heather Young, Sir Thomas and Paul Dannigan.”

“You called him Major?”

“Yes, out of politeness, but he wasn’t there in a military capacity.”

“Isn’t all this talk of a private base rather odd, even strange? If you need helicopters then relocate to the barracks here?”

“I’m a student on a degree course, Commander, and I run a business. I have an arrangement with Broadsword that means I am available when something happens. Between those times I’m getting on with my life and building a good profile. This site would allow me to continue that facility.”

“It still seems too much like a sixties spy movie?”

“I’m thinking of a fitness centre so my wife-to-be can safely train in her late stages of pregnancy and after the birth. I’ll arrange a site visit when I have completed the purchase.”

“Hmmm, this is very odd. It also seems you aren’t available for the Sandhurst course?”

“I’m not, and this is the first time you have mentioned it. I’m currently looking to plan a wedding, and will have to co-ordinate that with Sir Thomas amongst others. So August may be a bad month to schedule anything. I’m back at university from September, there’s a baby due in February and hopefully we’ll be commissioning a new site.”

The Colonel laughed. “Geoff, please stop treating Tammy like one of your soldiers. She isn’t, and has some very good friends – she has worked with everyone who was in that room. They all talk to her, and, yes, she was promised a military helicopter for personal use. That will probably come from the RAF. If you want to fly it then get yourself a licence.”

Tammy’s phone rang, securely.

“Yes, Sir Thomas?”

“Are you now free?”

“Possibly, why?”

“Can you get to AA House?”

“I’m in my two seater, so just about on a full tank, but you specifically told me not to go there?”

“You are needed in person, so ignore that command.”

“Can I be collected at North Weald at three?”

“Of course.”

The line went dead.

“I’ve been summoned.”

“Who is Sir Thomas?” Asked Geoff Traeger.

“Sir Thomas Addington, Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and a fixer, with connections everywhere. He needs to see me in person, so I go. Colonel?”

“Yes, yes, do you have transport to your plane?”

“Unless anyone’s spiked it, yes.”

“Off you go then.”

Note: There are 4 more chapters remaining to be published