Part   One   "Plausible Deniability"

 
Friday 28th October 2016
 

"Ah, Miss Smart, please take a seat."

It was nearing lunchtime when Tammy was called into see Donald Templeton, lecturer in criminology at the University of the Highlands & Islands to receive her first assessment.

"I see you seem to have no difficulty with most of the work but it's the sections dealing with legislation that have caused you trouble?"

"Yes, it might be because I was working under English law."

"Scottish Law is not that different, Miss Smart."

"Even so, enough to throw me occasionally."

"I wish it were that easy, but you advocated ignoring the statutes entirely in one seminar. Care to explain?"

"At times the law is an ass, Sir."

"I quite agree, but that doesn't mean we can kick it out of the way whenever we don't like it?"

Tammy held her tongue, the seminar in question had been an open forum for new ideas around murder cases. She had got carried away, but was this fair?

"Your student record states that you did six months as an intern with the Met Police in London?"

"Yes."

"Can you elaborate?"

"Sorry, no."

"National Security?"

"Yes, it's a catch-all but it's true."

"That's hard to believe, you only finished sixth form last summer and yet you seem to have a good working knowledge of the inquest system in Scotland, you understand how the police operate both here and in England, you understand the links between agencies and your geographical knowledge of the Highlands is superb. How come?"

"I had a wonderful range of experiences, none of which I can recount unfortunately."

"I was concerned that your references were false so I took the liberty of calling New Scotland Yard and speaking to the DI who wrote a letter of support."

"Kevin?"

"Yes, DI Edmunds confirmed you worked with him, and told me that your actions have saved the lives of many, but wouldn't explain himself. I did, however, learn that he's in Counter Terrorism, so that alone would justify your reticence."

"It would, Sir."

"So I established. Now, Miss Smart, please don't think I was being critical, but I needed to be sure. Try not to give any of the tutors a heart attack by suggesting non-legal approaches."

"I won't, they don't need to know what you've learned, do they?"

"Not unless it affects your work. Good day."

Tammy sat in her car for a few minutes before she finally pulled onto the road, wondering what that had been about? Was he fishing for information or was he trying to mark his position above her - a statement that he's in charge. Had Kevin really told him anything, or had he guessed?

By the time she pulled into the paddock at home she had written a contact report in her head, ten minutes later she faxed a handwritten report to Kevin's office.

She hadn't heard from Kevin, or her MI5 boss Jenny Osborne, for a few weeks and was in no hurry to rejoin the usual melée of intelligence matters in London but knew that she had an obligation to report anything out of the ordinary.

The house was deserted, so Tammy made herself a sandwich and took it up to her room. Her intention, after lunch, had been to do some reading but she instead fell asleep.

"Tammy?"

"Err, yes Pru?"

"There was a call for you, can you ring Suzie?"

"Okay, did she say where she was?"

"She called on the secure phone so I guess she's still at work."

Tammy took a look in the mirror and didn't like the wreck looking back. She dived into the shower and arrived in the study twenty minutes later clad in joggers, her hair in a towel.

"Hi Sis, what's up?"

"Your contact report, Kevin's not happy and Jenny's just plain angry."

"What? Hang on, did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's just that Kevin did not have a telephone conversation with the guy, who just happens to be a class one Marxist with suspected Russian links."

"Oh."

"Oh, indeed. Jenny wants you debriefed but I said you couldn't spare the time to come South."

"There's no classes next week, it's half-term."

"Well most of England is on half-term this week so I suggest you don't say that Scotland's different."

"Yeah."

"Look, when she's calmed down you can expect a phone call, can you put your office mobile on charge and turn it on?"

"Okay, I'm not going to have to finish my course, am I?"

"No-one's said that."

"Good, I was enjoying it."

"Look, Jenny's just passed me a note. Can you go back to your report and write a more detailed piece on any contact you've had with Donald Templeton? Upload it marked for Jenny; she'll decide who sees it."

"When does she want this?"

"Probably an hour ago."

"Thanks. Look, Suzie, I shredded my original report, can you email me a copy?"

"Sure, Sis."

Tammy went back up to her room and into the back of a wardrobe where she found the steel box that had previously lived at her London apartment. It was bolted to the floor and difficult to access, given how full the rails were of long frocks. Tammy dialled the combination, remembering that she was supposed to change it by the end of the month.

Inside was her office laptop plus her firearms and a smaller container with spare ammunition. It was better that she was responsible for her own items, Joan knew the box was here but not its' contents. The previous arrangement, where Tammy had used the office safe, was not appropriate in the long term.

Of course the laptop battery was flat and numerous updates had to happen before it was usable. That gave enough time for Tammy to clean and oil her weapons, change the box's combination, dry her hair, switch on her official mobile and finally take a drink from the little fridge in her room.

The promised email was there as well as a message from Jenny formally asking for a detailed summary of all contact between Tammy and Donald Templeton, along with hundreds of 'team', policy and informational emails that she was supposed to read.

Tammy sipped her tea as she considered her recollections; she'd only met the guy a few times and one of those was in a lecture theatre - him at the front and her at the back. The other time had been in the first week of her course, four weeks earlier, when he'd individually spoken to each student. Tammy struggled to remember what he'd said, and whether she'd been treated differently to the other students, but there was nothing.

Half an hour later she'd written five hundred words but there was little additional content compared to her handwritten report of a few hours earlier, even it did look better. She uploaded it, marked it for Jenny and sent it on its way. A minute later the system acknowledged that Jennifer Osborne had seen and approved the report, Tammy waited a few more minutes but nothing else happened.

She left the laptop charging, albeit switched off, and went downstairs in search of coffee.

 
Saturday 29th October 2016
 

"Good morning everyone."

Tammy surveyed the five actors, plus a number of understudies who had joined the theatre company a week earlier. The understudies were still using scripts but the five main actors for Deathtrap were now off script.

This was the B Cast, on Wednesday Tammy had spent a few hours with the A Cast and the same understudies. The play was booked for seven performances so far, originally starting on Thursday 8th December but she'd been asked to bring it forward a week to the first, fortunately none of the publicity had gone out.

"As you'll know, we have lost a week, I think the Pantomime stage crew need more time to prepare this year, so we start on December 1st with a press night. There's a schools performance on Friday afternoon followed by a Friday evening performance. There's also two shows on each of the weekend days."

"What about our scenery?"

"There's only one set and I'm told that's in hand, I believe the college is helping? Right, from the top?"

The rehearsal went well and very soon they would have to move to dress rehearsals. Tammy did wonder about getting a vocal coach in, given that the play was set in New York, but realised this would only further complicate the production.

Tammy just made it out of the stage door, locking it behind hr when her official mobile rang.

"Hello?"

"It's Dave, where are you, Tammy?"

"Oh, your name didn't come up?"

"It's a new phone number, where are you?"

"Mill Theatre carpark, in Thurso."

"Right, can I see you at Miss McPherson's house, I'm staying there tonight?"

"Sure, when?"

"As soon as possible, I'll organise some lunch for you."

This was her first call on her official mobile for a month, Jenny hadn't called back the day before but Tammy had carried the phone today as a precaution.

She parked around the back of the McPherson house and entered the building through the rear door, although Thomas was waiting there for her. "Can I take your jacket, Miss Smart? Mr Brown is waiting in the study."

"Thank you Thomas."

Dave Brown was sat in one of the armchairs, he indicated to Tammy she should sit in the other after closing the door. A tray with a cafetière, two china cups and a cream jug was sat on the low table between the chairs.

"Coffee?"

"Of course." Dave poured and Tammy made herself comfortable. Once they had both managed a sip of the stuff, Dave made it clear why he was there.

"To put it bluntly Tammy, it was either a lucky guess, heavy research or, worst case, the result of a leak."

"And Kevin's certain he didn't get a phone call?"

"Absolutely. His letter of reference was sent via the HR unit and had their phone number on it. There was no mention of the unit he worked for or any other information that might link you to Counter Terrorism or an Intelligence role."

"I see."

"Now, take me back to when you met him first."

"It was very brief, he did a welcome to all twenty of us and then went around the room and shook each of our hands."

"Did he say anything, ask anything?"

"Not that I recall, although everyone was giving their names so I did likewise."

"Okay, when did you see him next?"

"I've passed him in the corridors a few times, but it was two weeks later when I attended a lecture on financial crime which he gave for all 4 years of my course. He asked a question about pecuniary advantage and I was the only one to give a full answer."

"Did he address you directly?"

"Only to confirm I had the correct answer."

"When was the next time you saw him?"

"Yesterday morning when he gave everyone their end of module assessment, I hadn't even seen him in the corridors for the previous week."

"So how did yesterday go?"

"I was almost the last one to be called in and he hadn't spoken to me before I went into his office. He handed me my assessment sheet and that's when he commented on my apparent disregard for legislation."

"So I read, how verbatim was your original contact report?"

"Word for word, Dave, I wrote it barely fifteen minutes after that conversation."

"Good, because semantics might be important, whether he stated he knew some information about you, or whether he hinted and you filled in the blanks."

"I see, but my report was accurate."

"In which case you did fill in a blank, supply information he possibly didn't already have; that was unfortunate."

"I did?"

"The reference letter was from DI K. Edmunds. You supplied that his name was Kevin."

"Damn."

"Look, you should have been given a full briefing before you started that course, but you were signed off sick at the time. What you needed to know was how to swerve questions, plausible deniability if you wish."

"That would have been useful, but I guess my sabbatical happened too quickly for the usual planning?"

"Indeed, we'll have time later today, unless you had something else in mind?"

"No, although I was going to see Sarah. Now, what about Templeton?"

"I'm afraid you're going to need to go to his room as soon as possible."

"Bug?"

"Yes, you have the access."

"I'll have to come up with a good reason."

"You'll manage."

"Do you think he has any link to Martin Gore?"

"That has been considered, we're checking who has visited Gore in prison. They did both work at the University though."

"True, where is Gore?"

"HMP Addiewell, south of Edinburgh but I understand there are plans to move him to Belmarsh."

"That's in London, isn't it? When is he due for trial?"

"Next year, but there's no date yet."

"I'm not looking forward to that trial."

"I don't suppose you are, I suspect he has every intention of exposing you to the public."

"No!"

"That's a risk, Tammy, for anyone involved in intelligence."

"But me?"

"For everyone. Look, your managers will do their best to manage the situation, not that we know how it's going to play out yet. We still have more questions than answers."

"Oh, by the way, I've tried googling myself and some things are no longer available online."

"You can thank your sister for pointing out the news reports that might cause you trouble."

"I see."

There was a knock on the study door. "I think, Tammy, that's our call for lunch."

Part   Two   "Careers Advice"

 
Sunday 30th October 2016
 

"Where did you get to yesterday, Tammy?"

"I was called to a meeting, Angela, and stayed for lunch."

"But you weren't at dinner, either?"

"It took some time, so I was invited to stay for the evening. I got back around 10."

"I knew you were at Cathy's, is this more of that spook stuff?"

"You know I can't say anything."

"Ah, so it is - but I thought you had finished all that spy business until your course is over?"

"It's not as simple as that, I'm still technically employed."

"It's never simple with you, is it? Why can't you have a normal life?"

"We don't always choose our own paths, Angela."

"I suppose so. How do you think I feel, having two sisters as spooks and I can't know anything about it?"

"Look, what did we say about you becoming a target if you knew too much? It's best for your health if you can honestly say you don't know what's going on, if there is anything going on! I mean, do I look ready for a clandestine job?"

"Not in those PJs, no!"

"I need a shower, shoo!"

---

Tammy found herself in the pool over at Cathy's house shortly before eleven, joined by Daisy and Florence. Dave Brown had turned down a suggestion that he joined them in the water, citing more important business.

"How's school, Flo?"

"Busy, I'm in the sixth form now."

"Which A Levels are you taking?"

"English Lit, Maths, History and Art."

"Do you have time for all of those?"

"We're compressing the English Lit into one year."

"How are you doing Daisy?"

"Fine."

"Just 'fine'?"

"Yes."

Tammy decided not to take the conversation any further so started to climb out of the pool. The girls followed Tammy to the showers a minute later, just as Tammy was finishing. Upstairs she caught Dave Brown coming back into the house, he pointed towards the conservatory. "Cathy's in there. I'll join you in a minute or two."

Cathy was sat by herself, reading the Sunday paper.

"How was your swim?"

"Short, what's up with Daisy?"

"One of the new teachers dislikes having a girl in the class, and she's still a temporary student. I've spoken to the Head but nothing is being done about it, yet. Unfortunately she suffers with PMS so the last few days have been difficult. She'll be over that by tomorrow, but it doesn't fix the school issue."

"Oh, I didn't see her yesterday, apart from dinner, and I didn't get a chance to talk to either of them."

"Daisy has a pile of homework and has morning lessons all next week, Flo is excused classes all week, although she also has a pile of work."

"Oh, she won't like that one bit."

"She doesn't."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"I've spoken to Mike Thompson and he's supervised one of the lessons, he said, but of course nothing happened."

"Which subject?"

"English Language. She takes that GCSE at the end of this school year, all the rest of the exams are a year later."

"Extra pressure then?"

"Yes. I wonder if you wouldn't mind helping out?"

"How?"

"Can you see the Head tomorrow morning? I believe you'll be welcomed at breakfast? Perhaps even sit on on Daisy's English class?"

"Do I get the feeling that I've been stitched up?"

"Not at all, Tammy." Dave added as he walked into the conservatory. "It was my suggestion as the English teacher is Carl Templeton."

"Oh."

"I take it, Tammy, that you know him?"

"No, Cathy, I don't, but I've ..... I've just remembered that I should get home."

She was home shortly after twelve, her father beckoned Tammy into the study.

"Dave Brown came over and asked to use the study."

"I have a feeling it's connected to what I was just given."

"Such as?"

"I've been asked to have breakfast at the school tomorrow, then meet with the Head."

"Mike sent me a text fifteen minutes ago, said he'd contact you directly."

"He won't have my current mobile number."

"Well, your invitation is there, what's this about?"

"I'm not sure."

"Or can't you say?"

"There's an element of that, but I really don't think it's a good idea - Dave thinks otherwise."

"Is there a threat?"

"No, not to me or to the school."

"Is there potentially a threat?"

"Potentially everything and everyone is a threat, however unlikely that may be."

"So this isn't something that the Chair of Governors needs to be aware of?"

"No, Dad, you don't."

Once lunch was out of the way, Tammy went to her room and fired up her official laptop. She used the research tools to search for Carl Templeton, as well as Donald Templeton:

Donald Peter Templeton born 28.01.1968 Dundee. Parents Samuel & Christine Templeton
Carl Andrew Templeton born 14.02.1979 Dundee. Parents Samuel & Olga Templeton

So, Tammy realised, they were half-brothers. She tried to find Olga, or even a marriage certificate, but drew a blank. A search on the electoral database gave the same address in Thurso for them, but a year earlier they were both in Aberdeen.

She copied all of her research and added a summary of her conversation with Dave Brown then saved it to her own secure drive. An edited version went to Jenny, asking for advice, her official phone rang barely five minutes later.

"I really think it's a bad idea for you to become involved with this school aspect, Tammy."

"I have a horrible feeling about it, Jenny, Carl would no doubt tell his brother that I'd been in his class."

"Indeed, but I'm not stopping you from going into the school tomorrow - you are, after all, a former student."

"And a School Ambassador."

"So maybe you could sit in on Maths, or History?"

"And maybe Dave sits in on the English lessons? He is an old boy of the school as well."

"Indeed. It's a shame we don't have any other resources in Thurso at the moment."

"What about their mothers? Who is Olga and where did they marry?"

"I'll ask Suzie to find this out tomorrow, this is good work so far."

"Thanks Jenny."

Tammy shut everything down and locked it all securely away; her mum hadn't been keen on Tammy's espionage activities and assumed, incorrectly, that the sabbatical wouldn't be punctuated with danger or clandestine activities. The recent arrival of Colonel Sean MacTaggart, of the SAS, had been a low key affair but matters had been brought to a head before that when Martin Gore had held Joan and Richard hostage.

At that time, Richard had revealed Joan had a stock of sleeping pills because of their daughter's work. The pills hadn't been mentioned since Tammy decided to stay in Thurso but her mum certainly had a better outlook on life; anything Tammy did now would have to be well under the radar.

Of Tammy's natural mother, Tara, nothing had been heard since a birthday card had arrived in September, late. They didn't have a current address for Tara nor a mobile number, not that it bothered the Smarts.

 
Monday 31st October 2016
 

"Good morning everyone, we have two guests with us today who are former students at St Andrews. They will be available for informal careers advice and may join the lower years for some lessons. I'd like you to give a warm St Andrews welcome to Miss Tamara Smart and Mr David Brown."

There was muted applause, followed by some whispering from the year nine tables, the youngest who would have known of Tammy's transition. The prefects were immediately giving the miscreants some firm advice.

Tammy and Dave were sat on the Head's table, which was a little higher than the other tables, affording a good view of the dining room. Dave was already engrossed in conversation with Mike Thompson, the new Head, as the pair had attended St Andrews as boys. Tammy nodded to a few of the staff who remembered her but there were many new faces.

Dave and Tammy followed the Head to his study, collecting Richard on the way.

"My apologies, Tammy, I felt it was sensible to involve your father. I called him just before breakfast."

"Hardly unexpected, Sir."

"Please, you can call me Mike in here. Now, what exactly is the issue here?"

Dave gave the briefing. "Whilst various agencies were investigating an unrelated matter, a link to one of your teaching staff came up. It could well be nothing, but between Tammy and myself we'll sit in on a few lessons, with your permission of course, and make ourselves available."

"Nothing else?"

"No, Mike, if anything else this will just enable the teacher to be eliminated from enquiries, without any disruption to the school or even the teacher being aware."

"If I wasn't aware of your backgrounds, I would imagine this was a ruse. Now, which teacher is it?"

"Sorry, Mike, you don't need to know and it's better that you don't."

"Plausible deniability?"

"Exactly."

"Well, assembly starts in a few minutes so can you work out where you'd like to go for periods one and and two so I can inform the teachers?"

"Tammy will take Year Nine Maths, followed by Year Eight History, I'll take Year Eight Maths and Year Ten English. We'll decide at morning break where to go next."

Mike Thompson noted their schedule. "I'll pass that onto the relevant tutors."

There was a knock at the door and the school's secretary, Janet Adams, arrived with a tray of drinks.

"Ah, Janet, Tammy and Dave will be visiting these classes for periods 1 & 2, can you inform the staff room?"

"Of course."

Tammy was carrying both of her phones and, once the Head had left, checked the handsets. Suzie had sent a secure text:

Jenny's passed your report to me, will let you know when I have something.

Janet returned a minute later. "I've let everyone know, apparently one or two of the new staff think this is an assessment."

Dave snorted.

"Err, Janet, it's nothing of the sort!"

"I know, Tammy, I did point out that neither of you worked for Education Scotland."

"Thanks."

"So why are you really here?"

Richard glared at the secretary and then at his daughter. "Mrs Adams, as far as I'm aware they are here to offer careers advice."

"Of course, Mr Smart."

-----

"That was interesting, how about you Dave?"

"Some searching questions, Tammy. Mike, have you had any feedback?"

The Head nodded, "quite positive, we need to stir the interests of the boys so they focus on what they will do after school. Will you stay for the rest of the morning?"

Tammy and Dave agreed and worked out another set of classes to attend, trying to ensure that no tutor was seen twice.

-----

Tammy and Dave Brown took lunch back at Cathy's house before retiring to the study.

"I'd call that a success, Tammy."

"In terms of furthering their education and career choices?"

"Yes."

"What about Carl Templeton?"

"He's not really a very good tutor, despite his first in English at Dundee. I'm certainly going to mention that to Mike, discretely of course."

"Naturally, anything else?"

"No, apart from his clear dislike of Daisy."

"So Cathy's concerns are real?"

"Yes."

"Can we draw any other conclusions?"

"No. I suggest you go home and write up your report for Jenny. I'm catching next teatime train South, I'll be in London tomorrow morning."

Tammy drove home, using the interconnecting gate. Her phone had received a message, which she'd noticed when she used the loo before leaving the school.

Check email

A few minutes later her laptop was booting, she was in her bathroom freshening up when Angela walked into Tammy's room.

"What's that?"

Unfortunately the secure box had been left open and although her weapons were not immediately visible, it clearly didn't normally belong in a wardrobe. Tammy knocked the lid down.

"Well?"

"It's my safe."

"I hadn't noticed it before."

"That was the idea."

"Oh, does Mum know?"

"Yes, they both know its here but Dad wouldn't go through my dresses!"

"They wouldn't fit him!"

Angela now saw the laptop on Tammy's desk. The corporate login screen was active, although it didn't state a company, or agency, name.

"Is that new?"

"I'm sorry Angela, but remember what I said yesterday?"

"Yeah, but are you a spook or are you a student?"

"I'm a student, that's all you need to know. However, I need to do a little work for the people who have left a job open for me."

Angela reluctantly left the room, leaving it ajar. Tammy huffed as she walked to the door to push it closed, then turned the key.

There were two emails from Suzie.

From: Suzie Smart
Sent: 31-Oct-2016 11:15
Subject: Prison visits
 
Tammy,
 
Donald has visited Martin Gore in prison several times. Jenny is aware.
 
Suzie

 
 

From: Suzie Smart
Sent: 31-Oct-2016 11:45
Subject: Templeton family
 
Tammy,
 
Samuel Templeton & Christine McBride married 27.11.1967 in Dundee. Donald was born the following January.
 
Christine died of cancer in 1973, Samuel took a job in Murmansk on oil exploration, employed Olga as child minder, they married in 1978 in Murmansk and registered it at the British Embassy in Moscow after Carl was born.
 
Olga's full name is Olga Nikolaeva born 01.04.1959 Murmansk.
 
The family relocated to the UK 1984 but Olga wasn't allowed to leave until 1985, they settled back in Dundee. Carl settled down quickly at primary school but Donald only had Russian qualifications so had to redo English & Maths at the local college. He joined a political group at college and came to Special Branch's attention but, he was never considered a threat.
 
Samuel and Olga have retired back to Murmansk, Carl has joint nationality and visits several times a year, there's no record of Donald flying in the past five years.
 
Suzie

Tammy digested this new information but it didn't really tell her a great deal about the Templeton half-brothers. She wrote up her experiences from the day and submitted it, anything else could wait until tomorrow.

She'd put everything away when there was a knock on her door.

"Are you decent?"

"Yes Dad." Tammy reached the door and unlocked it.

"The Head's really pleased with today, even though he feels he was being used."

"So long as the boys, and Daisy, got something from it?"

"They did, it's prompted questions to tutors, and to your mum."

"Oh?"

"A few boys asked about going into welfare careers and she was the obvious source of information."

"She did know what I was doing there, didn't she?"

"Yes, but not why."

"Well, perhaps Mike would like me to repeat it later in the year, without a second agenda?"

"That would be good, but ideally we need to vary those who give the careers advice. Mike would like you to compose a message to former students in your role as school ambassador. Janet will actually send it out."

"I'd like to include John, if he's available?"

"Best contact him at work, Tanya might not appreciate any intrusion at home."

"Fair enough, how is she?"

"Insecure."

"When's the baby due?"

"Apparently in the middle of March, your mum knows the details."

"Okay, maybe Tanya will have better luck this time?"

"Indeed."

Part   Three   "Boy Or Girl?"

 
Tuesday 1st November 2016
 

"Hello?"

"Tammy, it's Sarah."

"Err, yeah, what time is it?"

"Six thirty. Look, Emily has gone into labour so I'm off to Inverness."

"That's great news, boy or girl?"

"She hasn't said. Anyway, I have a delivery due at nine, can you open up for me? Also need to despatch the order for Orkney for me."

"Okay, just this morning?"

"I will try to get back tonight."

"Okay, Sarah, drive safely."

Tammy knew from experience that Sarah's deliveries could be waiting outside the shop from 8am or might not arrive until 2 in the afternoon, so she dragged herself into the shower, no point laying in bed.

Tammy swung by the bakery after parking, there was no point being hungry mid-morning, and she wasn't sure if there was any milk in the shop for coffee. Suitably laden she finally arrived at the shop door just before eight.

"Oh Tammy, did you want an appointment this week?"

She turned around quickly, sending a take-out cup of coffee flying.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry, Joanne, I was silly to try carrying all of that."

It caught your leg, you'll have a nasty stain. It's all my fault."

Tammy had chosen to wear cream trousers and was quickly regretting that decision. She put everything else down and reached for her keys, she could do nothing on the street. Once the exterior alarm was disabled she unlocked the shop door, quickly punching in the alarm code for the interior. Joanne had picked up the rolls, cake and fresh milk and dropped them inside the shop.

"Look, I'll get them cleaned but you need to get out of them."

Tammy waved her into the shop then locked the door. She grabbed a pair of grey leggings and disappeared into the stock room to change.

"Here you are, but I really don't think it was your fault, Joanne, I shouldn't have picked up so much. I don't have more than a small handbasin here so can't even rinse them properly."

"Leave them with me, now did you want an appointment?"

"Friday morning?"

"I have some slots free but did you want your hair done as well?"

"Yes."

"I'll check with Sandy."

"Okay."

Tammy let Jo out and locked the door, she didn't now have a drink and didn't fancy munching on her mid-morning snack with the aid of a beverage. She retrieved the till drawer from the shop safe and checked that the correct float was there - it was. She next made sure there was enough floor space in the store-room for the delivery, although he hadn't been told how much to expect. A package marked for Orkney was waiting and would need to be taken to the ferry terminal.

She was startled by a tap on the shop window; Sandy was stood outside, Tammy let her in and switched on the main lighting.

"I brought you a coffee, to replace the one that you lost."

"Thanks, Sandy, but unnecessary really."

"Nonsense, I happen to know you can't function without coffee in the morning."

"Guilty as charged."

"I have booked you in for eleven, you can see Joanne at half ten."

"Thanks."

"Your trousers will be dry by lunchtime, it looks like they survived the trauma."

"Cheers, I don't know how long I'll be here today."

"Any news?"

"Only that Emily is in labour, how's Tanya doing?"

"John was getting interrupted all day long so she's been told she can't ring him unless it's an emergency, in which case to ring me first."

"I take it she's insecure?"

"Yes, I just wish she hadn't left that job, her days don't have any focus unless she has an appointment with ante-natal or the shrink."

"What about her spending time in the salon?"

"We tried that, some of the customers wouldn't make appointments if they knew she was going to be there."

"Oh."

"Don't take this the wrong way, Tammy, but I think you'd make a much better mother than my youngest daughter."

"Except I can't."

"Who says? There are plenty of babies and young children who need a mother, the skill is being able to care, protect and nurture the child - it doesn't have a biological requirement."

"Well, it's not on my plan yet."

"You have a plan, Tammy? That's the first any of us have heard about it!"

"That's not fair!"

"But true!"

Tammy accepted the coffee and Sandy went back to her salon. It was gone half-past eight and there were people in the street outside the shop so it wasn't long before the first customer arrived.

"Hello, are you new?"

"No, I help out from time to time. Can I help you?"

That set the tone for the morning, half the customers didn't know Tammy, the other half did. Unsurprisingly the main topic of conversation was Sarah's imminent grandchild.

Tammy locked the door at one and went to the newsagents to get a bottle of water, she returned a few minutes later to find a man banging on the door.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, where's the bloody woman who owns this store? I don't have all day?"

"That would be me then, and I don't like your attitude."

"I've been here fifteen minutes, I'm entitled to an attitude! I'll be late for the next delivery now, and I'll be sure to make you responsible for that!"

"Really, It's two minutes after one and I locked the door at one o'clock exactly. I checked the CCTV before I left the shop and there wasn't a delivery truck in sight. Now, where are you parked?"

He pointed down the road.

"So you parked outside the old store and decided to blame me for your cock-up when you realised what you'd done? I'm half-inclined to send you on your way and contact the supplier, but you have five minutes to get to our delivery bay behind the shop. I'll be waiting,"

Tammy watched him walk away before she took the keys and let herself back inside. She left the 'Closed' sign up and made certain the door was secure before unlocking the strong rear doors.

When the driver arrived a few mins later he was remarkably meek and restrained, even apologising for his earlier behaviour.

"My dad used to tell me that if you make a mistake, find a way of making someone else take the blame. It sounds really stupid but I used to look up to him."

Tammy wondered if she should feel sorry for the guy, but was he playing for her sympathy? She checked the delivery, more so than usual, before signing the pad and sending the driver off to his next unsuspecting victim.

Tammy unpacked the new clothing and made certain it was hung or folded before she re-opened the store. By three, however, it was clear that no-one else would be out shopping - the street was closed. Joanne had returned her trousers at two but hadn't stayed to chat.

She decided to run the package down to the ferry terminal herself so cashed up, secured the till drawer, enabled the alarms and stepped outside, the package by her feet. The chill of autumn was evident through the thin leggings, Tammy hadn't bothered to change.

It was a ten minute drive to the terminal, plus a few more minutes waiting for a parking space. She carried the parcel over to the ticket office.

"Can you complete this cargo form?"

Tammy quickly ticked 'No' to most of the questions, no it wasn't radioactive, and so on.

The clerk weighed it. "Five kilos, that's £7."

"It's on account."

"Oh, you're not the usual lady?"

"She's busy becoming a granny."

Tammy was most of the way home when her phone rang.

"Emily's had the baby! A healthy seven and a half pounds."

"Boy or girl?"

"We don't know, tests being run."

"Okay, I guess you're not around tomorrow?"

"No, I'll stay in Inverness tonight."

Tammy pulled up just behind her father and waited as he unlocked the gate into the rear paddock. Tammy secured the gate behind her.

"What's up Tammy, you look troubled?"

"Sarah's a granny but they don't know if it's a boy or a girl. Something as natural as childbirth and the answer should be obvious?"

"Not always Tammy, they had you down, incorrectly, as a boy for eighteen years?"

 
Thursday 3rd November 2016
 

"I'm heading home shortly and I'll open the shop tomorrow, Tammy."

"How's Emily doing?"

"They're sending her home in the morning but the babe might have to stay a bit longer."

"No name yet?"

"No, and I have a feeling it'll be a gender-neutral name. The chromosome test came up XXY, by the way."

"Oh, so the doctors are taking this slowly?"

"Yes, no quick or regretful decisions, they said. They should have finished their tests by Monday."

"Give my love to Emily. How's the boyfriend taking it?"

"He can't quite understand right now that there's more than two genders, he'll have to get used to it if he expects to stay with Emily!"

Tammy was home just after four, Pru met her in the hallway.

"Suzie rang, could you call them urgently?"

Tammy decided to use her mobile so had to open the secure box up, although she didn't leave the lid open any more.

"Hi Jenny?"

"Tammy, you are to drop any investigation into the Templeton brothers. Leave alone and destroy any notes you've made."

"Okay, but ...?"

"This is an order, Tammy. Did you take any photos or make any recordings?"

"No, not yet."

"Good, and speak to no-one about them."

"What's it all about?"

"Sorry Tammy, but that is a need-to-know, and you don't need to know."

"What do I do about college, and what about the school?"

"Neither are your concern, and you should not take any action that involves the brothers, however innocent that might seem."

"What about Dave?"

"I'm spoken to him, do not call him about this."

Tammy was none the wiser, this had looked like a pretty good Russian case but now she'd been frozen out. She walked back down.

"Did you want to use the study, Tammy?"

"No, Pru. I used my mobile to make the call. Have you heard from Dad today?"

"He's stuck at school, there's a staffing problem."

"Nothing new there then!"

Next stop was the kitchen, Zara was putting a pie in the oven.

"Dinner's another ninety minutes away, if you're lucky!"

She went back up to her room and took a shower, opting for a onesie once she was dry. As she stepped into the adult romper suit she recalled Elsie's dislike of the garment, especially at the breakfast or dinner table.

Tammy fell asleep and nearly missed dinner, he dad wasn't back by the time she went back upstairs.

 
Friday 4th November 2016
 

"Which firework display are you going to, Tammy?"

"I hadn't - Ouch - decided. Did you have to do that?"

"Sorry but that was a patch that needed extra wax."

"Warn me next time!"

"No way, you'll tense up. So, no invites?"

"No."

"That's a shame."

"Yeah."

"Any news on Emily's baby?"

"Yes, the name is Kim."

"Boy or girl?"

"Both, so to speak, but Emily will decide eventually whether to raise Kim as a boy or as a girl."

"It must be difficult?"

"Only for those who want to sweep such things out of the way, lest it brings shame on the family or some such twaddle."

"Tammy, the Highland folk don't like change or strange things, this isn't like London, or even Manchester."

"I know, I've encountered this behaviour before, haven't I?"

"You did, I'd forgotten."

Sandy was as efficient as usual and had Tammy through her chair in under half an hour. "It really only needed a tidy up."

She was just settling the bill when John arrived, he had something for Sandy.

"Hi Tammy."

"Hi, are you free at the moment?"

"I think I can spare twenty minutes?"

"Coffee?"

They escaped to the lounge of the Castletown Hotel, away from the prying ears of the salon.

"I've been meaning to call you, but I don't want to get Tanya by mistake?"

He pulled out a business card, "you can reach me through that number."

"Thanks, I've changed my number so I'd best give you that."

"What did you want to speak about?"

"I did a careers day at the school on Monday and we thought it would be good to bring recent students back, maybe two a week and set up a schedule of careers advice?"

"Sure, I'll do a slot."

"Thanks John, but what we need is for both of us to write to the students who've left in the past ten years."

"That's a lot of students!"

"All we do is write the letter, Janet will email it wherever possible."

"Can I come over, Sunday perhaps, and we can do this?"

"Sure, with or without Tanya?"

"That depends on her mood."

"Understood."

Part   Four   "Fireworks"

 
Sunday 6th November 2016
 

"Did you see the school's fireworks display. Tammy?"

"I didn't know they were putting one on, not until it was too late."

"I would have thought your parents might have said something?"

"No, John, I rarely see them at the moment. Plus I was knackered yesterday."

"The play?"

"Yes, I have two separate casts and I've been using Wednesday evenings but, from this week, the pantomime cast need that night for rehearsal. So, I pulled both casts in yesterday: B in the morning and A in the afternoon. I can't say the A cast was happy about the change."

"What time did you get away?"

"Half four, I'd not been able to get any lunch so had my dinner alone when I got back here. I was up here, just hitting the shower, when the fireworks started."

"That's a shame, it was a good display."

"I suppose you watched from the cottage?"

"No, Tanya wanted to watch it with the students."

"So, where is she today?"

"Claims the walking left her tired today, she was still in bed when I left."

"It's gone two o'clock!"

"Look, Tammy, I'm trying not to antagonise her plus I have no idea what time she gets up on days that I'm working."

"If she gets up?"

"Yeah."

"So does she contribute to the household jobs?"

"Occasionally, but she says she can't lift anything."

"I'd ask to see that in writing."

"I did, I slept in the spare room for the next few nights."

"John, you need to get away. She'll have to do things for herself if you're not there."

"I know Tammy, but she's not keen on me doing courses out of the area as that would mean I would have to stay overnight."

"I might have an idea, one that Tanya couldn't, probably, object to."

"Such as?"

"I need to run it past a few people first. Now, shall we draft this letter?"

They'd just finished the first draft when John's phone rang.

"Sorry, Tammy, I've got to go. Can you finish it by yourself?"

"Sure, but what's up?"

"She's tipped a glass of water over the bed, it needs changing."

"Fine."

Tammy watched John pull out of the drive for the short journey back to the cottage in the school grounds. She was in a quandary as she'd introduced the pair to each-other but now regretted that move, moreover it had been clear several times that John could have fallen for Tammy under different circumstances.

Tanya was aware that John viewed Tammy as more than a friend, but he'd never made a move on her. Of course, John had known Tom Smart for nearly seven years and they'd shared a dorm for five of those years.

Tammy had no wish to hurt John, or Tanya, and was acutely aware that she would be blamed if the couple's relationship disintegrated. Her only option was to help shore up the marriage, whether or not Tanya liked it.

She finished drafting the letter and sent it to Mike Thompson at the school, adding the idea that she'd earlier formulated. She closed down her laptop, it was sat next to her script for Deathtrap.

The stress of the play was now getting to Tammy, the whole of Saturday would now be taken up with rehearsals until the opening night, 1st December. The costumes weren't yet ready and the set would be another week, or two.

Sarah really wanted Tammy to run the shop on Saturdays so she could make a two day visit to Emily at the weekend but Tammy wouldn't be free and, with Christmas only six or seven weeks away, closing on a Saturday was a non-starter. Even closer to Christmas, the shop would also be open on Sundays. Tammy wanted to help more, but couldn't.

She found her father in the study.

"Was there an open invitation to the school's fireworks display?"

"Yes, all current and former staff and students, but any not at the school had to apply for a ticket in advance."

"So was I entitled to go?"

"Yes."

"How was I supposed to know?"

"Know what?"

"That there was going to be a display, that I could have gone and that I needed to apply for a ticket?"

"I thought you knew?"

"Clearly not."

"I'm a School Ambassador and former Head Girl but I don't get any invites even though both of my parents work there!"

"Oh, I'll have to check what contact details the school has for you?"

Tammy walked out of the study, not quite certain if she was entitled to have an argument with her father, but he was part of the school's management and he was accessible at that time. Richard had been clearly distracted and Tammy saw him working on the office computer, even whilst she spoke.

What was going on at the school?

Tammy pulled out her coursework and checked it was up to date. There was an ongoing project on youth criminality and she regularly scanned local newspapers and other media for reports of teenagers committing offences.

One such report caught her attention, there had been a break-in at the Wick campus of the University and a person was caught on CCTV leaving the administration block. The grainy photo didn't help much but a Police Scotland spokesperson put the age of the intruder between seventeen and twenty. What peaked her interest was that nothing had been stolen and minimal damage had been caused.

She added this information to her growing project file and wanted to dig deeper, much deeper. She scanned all the available news websites, including the Police Scotland site, and in each case the report was virtually the same; no journalist had investigated the crime. The UHI website gave a little more information, their report was dated several days after the break-in.

Students and staff may be aware of a break-in that happened at our Wick Campus on the night of Monday 1st November. It is suspected that the intruder accessed the UHI database but it's not yet clear what data, if any, was taken. Investigations continue and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in Edinburgh have been informed.

Tammy knew that the University was obliged to refer themselves to the ICO if there was a breach of their database, and thankfully the ICO was a pan-UK agency. When Tammy had worked at the National Crime Agency (NCA) she'd had access to the ICO systems and she wondered if that access was still valid a year later? She decided against using her official laptop, in case that was tracked and, instead, used a tablet - then stopped before she entered any login details.

Tammy was very aware that she had no legitimate right to access this information, hacking the ICO was not recommended given that they investigated corporate hacking cases and employed some very experienced technical staff.

Tammy's GCHQ training had covered several fields, one of which was how to hide your IP address. Fifteen minutes later she was secure, via a remote server and several VPN hops. She'd been advised not to use TOR as it wasn't as secure as once believed. Now she logged into the ICO site and was ready to search for the UHI case.

Unfortunately she had to use an NCA staff login and her search would be recorded against that login, however this was a shared login so she hoped the logs wouldn't point at herself after the hard work at masking her location. Tammy decided against making a specific search and instead looked for university breaches over the past month.

She found fifteen reports, including four from Scottish institutions.

In each case, at Stirling, Dundee, Aberdeen and, most recently, Wick, the targets were the staff and student databases. Most involved remote access using logins obtained from unsuspecting staff and there had been no physical access to the university computers. A random audit had been carried out by the University of Dundee, and this found the anomalous login from a member of staff who was on leave at the time.

All the other Scottish Universities had immediately audited their systems with Stirling and Dundee finding discrepancies. Wick, amongst others, had reported their systems clean and had added safeguards to mitigate against remote intruders.

"That's why he broke in, he couldn't do it remotely," Tammy said out loud to herself.

The question was why, why were these East Coast universities being raided? Whose data was being sought? It looked to Tammy like a fishing expedition, looking for someone who was in East or North-East Scotland.

There was no information in the ICO reports to suggest they had any clue about the source of the hacks, indeed it might not even be one person and the four reports might not be connected in any way. Tammy, however, had a hunch that one person was behind it.

A bell sounded from downstairs so she closed down her tablet, disconnecting her session.

 
Saturday 12th November 2016
 

Tammy had finished another exhausting rehearsal, and, for the first time, the set was on the stage. That meant everyone going back to their scripts for their stage directions. They only had two more weeks before the first performance and would need every available minute of rehearsal time.

Of the casts, the B cast was the better so Tammy decided they would take to the stage for the press night, revising her earlier plan.

There had been a few visitors in the theatre for this rehearsal, Tammy recognised most of them but the only one who spoke to her was Fleur Younger.

"It's looking good, Tammy."

"I'm not 100% convinced it'll work on the night?"

"Well, I enjoyed it. It's a challenging play?"

"Do you mean the underlying gay theme?"

Fleur laughed, "yes, it's not exactly a common topic in the Highlands?"

"I doubt if many will spot it, after all it played on Broadway for four years from 1978 to 1982, when society was not enlightened."

"A bit like the Highlands today?"

"That's a bit harsh, Fleur."

"If my mother's attitude is anything to go by?"

"I've met her, remember, but she's the exception not the rule. I didn't have a smooth ride either."

"No?"

"No, but none of the miscreants are around here any more. As far as anyone is concerned, I'm all girl."

Fleur whispered, "you're post-op?"

"Yes."

"I'm so jealous, my shrink won't agree to surgery yet. I'm on my third shrink in a year, so there's no consistency either."

"You'll get there in the end, but you're doing great already."

"Except for those days when I lose faith in myself and I'm a hormonal mess!"

"Welcome to womanhood!"

"Yeah, no-one warned me about that! How's your course going?"

"Fine, there wasn't much work this week."

"Did you get that notice about the data breach?"

"Yes. Everyone did."

"The Uni says that our personal details 'may have been taken'. That's a bit worrying?"

"It depends on whether the intruder got any data, and what their intention is."

"Does this mean all of my details are going to appear on a website, so even my Luddite mother could find me?"

"Unlikely, but not impossible."

Fleur clearly didn't like Tammy's response and started to sob. "Why can't I be left alone?"

"Hey, this isn't just about you. Did you know that three other Scottish universities have been targeted in the past month?"

"Oh?" Fleur looked up, clearly surprised.

Tammy nodded.

"Tammy, how do you know this, I haven't seen anything on the BBC about it?"

"I'm doing a criminology course, aren't I?"

"Ah, so you knew where to look?"

"In a way, yes. Look, I have to get going, do you need a lift?"

"Can you drop me in town?"

"Hop in."

 
Sunday 13th November 2016
 

"Dad, I sent Mike Thompson an email last Sunday and I haven't had a reply, is everything okay?"

"He mentioned your email, but he's been busy."

"That's BS Dad, and you know it!"

Richard looked embarrassed.

"Well, Dad? What's the real reason?"

"I was told not to say anything."

"By whom?"

"Suzie."

Tammy paused, Richard hadn't been used by Jenny before, there's no way Suzie said have anything without Jenny's authority.

"So I've been squeezed out of the school?"

Richard nodded, "temporarily."

"Why?"

"To stop your investigations."

"And that includes excluding me from the fireworks? You don't think that I might have noticed that?"

"I did raise that."

"Dad, you're being used by Jenny to do her dirty work."

"I realised that. Mike thinks he's been used as well, by you?"

"Jenny authorised that. Dave Brown was here as well, remember? He did not come to the Highlands for a social visit."

"I guessed. I've been told not to pass any calls onto you, Pru has been told the same."

"That's not on and I'm very unhappy."

"I wasn't happy doing this, your Mum seems to think that you upset Mike but doesn't know why."

"So you have both ignored me for the past week and a bit? And you, Dad, lied to me."

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"So, it stops, right?"

"I wish it could?"

"Dad, you're not employed by them and have no obligation. Do you realise that Jenny has played my sister against me? Against us? She's driving a wedge and you didn't see it?"

"Damn."

"Indeed."

------

ICO - Information Commissioner's Office http://www.ico.org.uk
NCA - National Criminal Agency http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
TOR - Anonymity Network https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)

Part   Five   "Orders"

 
Monday 14th November 2016
 

"Hello Tammy, what can I do for you?"

"Stop interfering in my life!"

"Hold on, you are employed to follow orders."

"And to investigate. I didn't expect I'd need to investigate my own family!"

"That was unfortunate."

"So, how do you think I can talk to my sister about this?"

"She was following orders."

"The Nuremberg defence?"

"That's not fair."

"Really? I have to repair relationships with my parents and at least one sister, plus the Head at my former school, and I don't know why."

"Perhaps it's best that you don't."

"So, what does it come down to? Am I not to be trusted?"

"That's not the issue."

"That's strange, Jenny, since you won't tell me what the hell is going on?"

"I don't have the authority."

"So who leaned on you?"

"You don't need to know."

"Was it another agency?"

Jenny didn't answer.

"So, it was another agency, which one?"

"SIS."

"Six? What's their aspect?"

"No, Tammy, this is precisely why you were locked out."

"Because I'd find that one of the Templetons was connected to the Secret Intelligence Service?"

"I can't confirm that."

"Come on Jenny, I haven't done any work on the Templetons and yet I'm already guessing what's going on. My take is that one or both of the Templetons is being run by SIS for their own purposes and my work triggered an alarm?"

"In short, yes, you did trigger an alarm, although it wasn't you personally who was identified."

"Dave?"

"Yes. He wasn't to know, and neither were you."

"And yet I'm being punished, you could have been honest with me?"

"I was ordered otherwise."

"In which case, that did a lot of bloody good, didn't it?"

"I did warn that there would be consequences."

"Look, call off the dogs and let me repair the relationships? Perhaps you can call my father?"

"Okay, Tammy, but need I remind you that the order stands - do not investigate the Templetons and avoid all contact."

"Fair enough."

"Bye, Tammy."

Tammy locked her car and went back into the college, satisfied that she could now get on with her life. Her schedule sent her to Room K11 on the far side of the campus and she was the last one into the room, immediately she saw it wasn't the scheduled tutor.

"Good afternoon, and many thanks to Miss Smart for joining us."

She blushed and a few heads were turned.

Donald Templeton continued, "this afternoon we're going to look at the recent break-in at this very establishment. You'll have access to all of the evidence and I would like each of you to formulate how to proceed with your investigations and develop a hypothesis for the crime. This is still under investigation by Police Scotland so there are no right or wrong answers as such. You have half an hour, please work by yourself and no conferring. Feel free to use search engines or any other online resources you need. Collect a package from the desk." He pointed.

Tammy knew what she wanted to write and was sure she didn't need any material but went along with the others and picked up a dozen stapled sheets along with everyone else.

There were no references to the other recent breaches, so it was unlikely anyone else in the room knew about them. Tammy searched, using her phone, and found a reference to the Dundee breach on a technology website, she noted the source. O a whim she went to the Information Commission's website and looked at the recent notices that had been issued. One caught her eye:

Educational establishments, particularly those in Scotland, should be aware of several recent data breaches and attempted breaches at Scottish Universities and Colleges. A variety of techniques have been used including phishing and gaining physical access to the campus. All remote access should be reviewed and an audit carried out to identify anomalies.

She noted the page and summarised the ICO notice. Within twenty minutes she had completed her investigation, she handed it to Donald Templeton.

"That was quick."

"I'd already looked at the break-in here, and I'd found other data breaches as well."

"So you surmise that some-one is systematically grabbing staff and student information from Scottish universities?"

"Yes, although some smaller colleges have also been affected."

"So what do you deduce?"

"That this is a fishing exercise, looking for names, dates, addresses, but there's no central database to search, so they're grabbing the data at source."

"Indeed, so where would you look to find the criminal who broke in here?"

"By now they are many miles away and possibly not even in the country, the question is - who wants the data?"

"Any ideas?"

"Until the data is used, or abused, we won't know."

"Okay, go back to your seat and I'll assess a few more."

Tammy watched as other students made the trek to the desk at the front of the room, only to be dismissed a minute later.

"Now, what have we learnt? Firstly, what physical evidence is there? We have a poor image and no fingerprints were recovered from the scene. Over a week on from the incident there have been no reported sightings of the man. Despite this, all bar one of you decided that this was the only evidence worth following up."

He paused, sipping from a glass of water.

"One of you considered if there were any similar break-ins in the area but couldn't find anything to support that idea. You should always look for similar crimes, establish if there's a pattern or whether someone else might already be investigating the same person?"

Tammy saw Lucas nodding and smiling, it seems he too had looked beyond the single incident.

"Now, only one person correctly identified a possible link between this crime and recent data thefts at three other Scottish universities. None of those thefts, however, involved a break-in, so the incident in Wick was a change in the method of attack. Well done, Miss Smart."

Tammy blushed as heads turned towards her. She thought she saw a glare from Lucas.

"Your task is to write up your investigation and include all the avenues of research you have been told about this afternoon. Collect your sheets before you leave, I'd like your work submitted by email by the weekend."

Tammy waited for most of the students to collect their work and Donald wanted to speak to a few, including Lucas. By the time she reached Donald's table, her sheet was the only one that remained.

"That was good work."

"Thank you."

"You knew about the link with Dundee beforehand, didn't you?"

"I did, but I validated the data before I showed it to you."

"Did you use privileged access to obtain the data?"

"Everything you saw, Sir, could be obtained from public sources."

"I see, well done."

Tammy left the room but Lucas was waiting for her in the corridor, he walked with her.

"Did you like that attention?"

"I did the work and I knew where to look, anyone else could have done the same?"

"I heard that you worked with the police?"

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Tell you what, try to find out about me?"

"Eh?"

"See if you can find out my life story?"

"Why would I do that?"

"So the next time you make an allegation that I worked with the police, you'll have some facts to back it up?"

They'd reached the car-park and Tammy was heading for her Mini Cooper.

"Nice car, I wouldn't mind a spin in it?"

"That's not going to happen, bye Lucas."

She dropped her official phone into the dock and called Dave Brown as she pulled out of the campus.

"What can I do for you, Tammy?"

"Some advice, please."

"My advice isn't official, Tammy, and I may not be able to say anything at all?"

"Understood. Firstly, I was told not to investigate the brothers but one is my lecturer and I was in a seminar with him this afternoon. Unavoidable."

"It was unavoidable, I suggest you write it up and submit it."

"Even so?"

"Yes, even if nothing happened, it covers your arse!"

"Fine, even if it just comes down to rear-end protection?"

"Correct."

"Now, I had one of the students sniffing around me, he suggested I'd worked with the police?"

"Which is almost true?"

"Yes, so I suggested he investigate me, in order to find some evidence to support his claim."

"Was that wise?"

"Perhaps not, but I really don't think he'll do it."

"Why not?"

"He'll do the minimum to get a 2.1 degree. I really don't think he'll be any trouble to me."

"Okay, but it might be wise to manipulate the search engines just in case?"

"I'll put out some press releases about the play, making sure my name is in them?"

"Do you have facebook?"

"Yes, but I hardly ever use it."

"Find some of your old reviews and share them on facebook. Anyone searching your name would have to plough through all the theatre stuff first!"

"Dave, I never considered you to be internet-savvy!"

"I don't advertise all my skills Tammy, and neither should you."

"Thanks for advice Dave."

"Bye Tammy."

She walked indoors a few minutes later after parking her car in the paddock, first stop was the kitchen for a drink.

"Hi Dad."

"Hi Tammy, I had an interesting call an hour ago."

"Jenny?"

"Yes, it appears you had a right go at her?"

"I needed to clear the air, it's not been easy for the past two weeks."

"And I'm sorry I went along with it, I told her I wouldn't co-operate in the future."

"Thanks."

"I called Mike and straightened that out for you, he does like your idea, by the way."

"So long as the school sets a budget aside?"

"That's where I come in!"

"So what's been agreed?"

"Hold on, young lady, this has to go to the Governors' meeting on Friday for approval."

"Come on Dad, that's just a formality?"

"Okay, We've set aside four thousand pounds for the remainder of this school year and in principle there's eight thousand for 2017-2018."

"What does the budget cover?"

"Flights for you and John, hotels and hire of a meeting room, including buffet."

"Is there a catch?"

"Yes, Mike has asked that we co-ordinate it from here and submit invoices."

"It'll be good to get the old boys together, where's the first one?"

"Glasgow, we're looking at the end of January. If that works well we'll book the second one in Manchester for May, and aim for London in August."

"Will any of the staff join us?"

"Mike would like that, but it really depends on availability."

"Sure."

"Remember, the aim is to improve the range of summer internships, scholarship awards and to get a few of the old boys to visit St Andrews occasionally, other than the spooks!"

"And to get John away for a few days!"

Richard left the kitchen to answer a ringing phone, leaving Tammy to make her coffee. When she left the kitchen, the study door was closed. Tammy remembered that their personal assistant, Pru, was off all week so her father would be spending more time at home.

She took the laptop out of the secure box and powered it up. It took a few minutes to write her contact report, she quickly shut down the laptop before Jenny would have seen it. She also switched off her official mobile phone, she had no intention of doing any more work.

Tammy showered and slipped into joggers before walking back downstairs with her empty mug.

"Dad, what are we doing about Christmas this year?"

"What do you fancy?"

"A quiet one, just us."

"Stay here?"

"Yes."

"That's what your mum and I thought, less risk of you becoming involved in anything!"

"That's not fair!"

"It's true! Remember Düsseldorf last year?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't my fault Angela was mugged."

"Well, we'll take no chances."

Tammy couldn't argue, things just tended to happen around her.

"Is Suzie coming here for Christmas?"

"She doesn't know, yet."

"Oh?"

"Your mum's spoken to her, that's all I was told. Now, Zara's off today and it's your turn to cook."

"Is it?"

"Yes, and for once we'll all be here."

"Okay, six thirty?"

"Yes."

"Any preferences?"

"See what's in the fridge, work it out from there."

Tammy couldn't remember the last time she'd cooked, or the last time they'd all sat at a table together. She checked the fridge and decided that a lasagne was the best plan, with salad and a jacket spud.

With everything prepared, Tammy had an hour before the lasagne needed to go into the oven so went back up to her room. She drafted a press release about the play and sent it to Fleur for approval, suggesting that Dr McIntosh took a look at it.

Next she found a few online reviews and newspaper reports relating to 2014's West Side Story. She shared this articles from her social media accounts. It didn't take long for Helen to comment.

Helen>Why are you posting this old stuff?
 
Tammy>Gonna be posting new stuff in a few days, didn't have facebook when I played Anita
 
Helen>Okay, do I get a free ticket to the new show?
 
Tammy>I even have to pay for my own ticket, Helen!
 
Helen>Really?
 
Tammy>lol. Gotta go, cooking tonight

Tammy didn't wait for Helen's reply and hadn't wanted anyone to comment, least of all Helen - who knew far too much about her. Tammy didn't know where Helen was right now, only knowing that she wasn't in Thurso.

She hadn't been fibbing, it was nearly five thirty and she did need to get dinner in the oven.

Part   Six   "Cold Case"

 
Tuesday 15th November 2016
 

Last night's dinner, and post-dinner talking, had helped clear the air. Joan was happier and even Angela had been smiling; although that was possibly because she'd finished another module of her course, with a Merit.

Tammy only had one class today and that involved watching a fly-on-the-wall documentary about one of Police Scotland's murder investigations. It had been made quite a few years earlier and Tammy recognised one or two of the youthful looking officers.

"Tomorrow, one of the officers involved in that investigation will be here to take questions. You should have enough information to find the many newspaper articles about the trial."

A few of the students hadn't been taking notes and now scrambled to remember what information had been given about the crime. Tammy's notes were concise, she had enough to go with:

Victim: Paula Dougall 22 years old
DoD: 14 February 2006
Found: St George's Park, East Thurso
Suspect: George Smith, 28 years old

Tammy knew the surname and wondered if Paula had been related to James Dougall, whom she'd encountered several times in the previous two years. He was, she believed, still in prison.

Before she went home she decided to drop in to see Sarah, only finding a mother and a pram in the shop.

"If I'd have known, Emily, that you were here I'd have bought you flowers."

"Don't worry, Tammy, this was a last minute decision and I didn't even let mum know until we were parking up."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, well, as fine as you can be after giving birth!"

"I guess you didn't have a Caesarean?"

"No, but the duty doc was considering it as I was overdue, thankfully my contractions started - that's something you cannot experience during ante-natal classes!"

"And how's Kim?"

Emily folded back the yellow blanket that was covering the tiny babe. Kim was wearing a white knitted hat and was in a white padded suit.

"She's asleep, so I won't pick her up."

"Her?"

"Yes, I've decided to raise Kim as a girl. The doctors can't be certain right now whether she'll be fertile but there's a few years before any final decision has to be made. Surgery is not an option right now."

Tammy hugged Emily, "so you'll be changing all the colours to pink?"

"Hell, no! Kim is a person and not a label or a brand. Plus, I've deliberately bought, or been given, gender neutral colours."

"What about her father?"

"He's history, he couldn't cope with the XXY diagnosis or the physical underdevelopment aspects in Kim's case."

"Is there any likelihood that she'd develop as a male?"

"Probably not in the normal sense, but I really don't want to take any irreversible decisions until Kim and I can talk about it."

"That's a few years away, then?"

"Probably!"

"So treating Kim as a girl was one of two options?"

"There was a third option, but it would have meant answering busybody questions all ruddy day long. Kim, and I, don't need that."

"What's the immediate prognosis?"

"I'm waiting for an appointment with a senior paediatric consultant who is familiar with these cases, but she's otherwise healthy."

Sarah returning, carrying a packet of nappies. "Here you are, Emily, hi Tammy."

"Did you forget nappies?"

"I thought I had four or five with me but there were only two in the change bag so mum offered to get some from the chemists."

Kim chose that moment to wake, flexing her lungs. Emily picked her up. "Oh, looks like Kim needs changing, can you help, Tammy?"

"Sure, how about the table in the storeroom?"

"Fine, there's a changing mat in the bag." Emily pointed under the pram, "bring the whole bag."

----

Tammy eventually left Sarah's shop after lunch, having agreed to look after it on Friday so Sarah could join Emily at a post-natal appointment.

The house was quiet and Tammy assumed no-one was in. She sat down with her office laptop and expected to find a reply from Jenny, following her contact report of the previous day, but there was nothing. The report tracker did say that Jenny had seen it, but that was all. Her emails were of the read-and-forget variety, although the security alert status had increased to amber for all London-based staff and satellite offices.

Did that apply to Tammy, on her sabbatical miles away from trouble? She decided that a little extra vigilance wouldn't go amiss.

"That you, Tammy?"

She jumped as her bedroom door opened. "Oh, I didn't know you were in."

"I was working on a report, what are you doing?"

"Checking on a few things, now I need to do some research for my course."

"So this wasn't course-related?"

"No, Angela."

"Which is more important?"

"They're both important. This took fifteen minutes and I probably won't need to touch it again this week. I'll now spend an hour, or longer, focussed on preparing for a session tomorrow. I only have a little information and I needed to be able to deal with it knowing that nothing else was outstanding."

"So, your secret stuff is still going on?"

"Angela, I don't really want to have this conversation."

"Because it makes you uncomfortable?"

"No, I mean yes. I can't answer your questions but right now I'm not achieving anything else either. I want to get my coursework done before dinner, if possible?"

Angela took the hint and left, but Tammy had lost her concentration. She put the official laptop away and locked the box, before booting her personal one. Next on her list, however, was to fetch a mug of calming tea from the kitchen.

She returned to her room, spotting a flashing light on her official mobile. She checked for messages.

From Security: Please note that the alert status is Amber. This affects all personnel regardless of location.

Tammy knew that the main UK threat level was Severe at the present time, but the Amber status suggested that there was a threat against the Security Service, albeit a threat with no name or agenda.

A check of the news websites revealed there had been a slew of successes against terrorists over the past few days, as well as a report that children were calling a child-friendly helpline to report suspected terrorist activity. None of these suggested an increased risk to the general public so Tammy really didn't know how to play it.

Her tea had now called so she tipped it away.

Her phone pinged again:

From Security: All staff working outside of the London estate should be extra vigilant.

Well, thought Tammy, that didn't help.

She decided that distraction was the best option and she researched the unfortunate case of Paula Dougall, who had died ten years earlier on a park near the Mill Theatre. She'd been found in evening of 14th Feb 2006, several hours after she'd finished work at the local primary school, and died in the ambulance from head injuries. She was identified by her brother, James Dougall.

George Smith had been arrested the following morning and was recorded as being her boyfriend. Some of her blood had been found on a shirt that he'd worn the previous day and this evidence had been key to his conviction, although the murder weapon had never been found.

In 2011 George Smith launched an appeal and the verdict was overturned. This hadn't been included in the TV programme, she noted. The grounds of the appeal were that Paula had visited George after work and had eaten a meal together at his home but Paula had cut her finger on a knife and he had cleaned the wound, and she'd otherwise left his around nine that evening.

This time was confirmed by a neighbour of George, who hadn't been interviewed during the original trial. George was released in December 2011 just in time for Christmas. He was subjected to a hate campaign and was found dead at home on 2nd January 2012 after neighbours became concerned.

No-one else had been arrested for the attack on Paula Dougall and the death of George Smith had been given to natural causes.

Tammy looked at her notes, it did seem that the conviction had been made with minimal evidence, and perhaps this was seen at the time as an open and shut case?

She printed off her notes ready for the morning.

 
Wednesday 16th November 2016
 

Outside the weather had turned decidedly wintry although there wasn't any snow on the ground, yet. The wind had woken Tammy at six and she couldn't get back off to sleep so surrendered. Her official mobile was flashing.

From Jenny: The security messages do apply to you. OK re report, keep me informed.

What did that mean?

Tammy opened up her secure box and removed her official laptop before climbing back into bed. She knew this would be logged, but reckoned she had enough reasons as she searched James Dougall in the UK national police database.

He was back in prison but up for parole after an assault, although he hadn't been convicted of the assault on Michael McPherson a year earlier, and hadn't even been arrested for that assault. His record included thefts and assaults; he wasn't not the kind of man you'd want to meet in a darkened street.

She put that away securely but slipped her baby Glock out of the box and into her bag before hitting the shower.

She was downstairs by seven for breakfast and was surprised to find her father already in the kitchen.

"There's a risk of snow and ice so I'm heading into school to help where I can."

"Ok Dad, I've just got one seminar this morning so I should be back at lunchtime."

"Be careful and make sure your snow chains are in the car,"

"Along with my shovel, flashlight, blankets and emergency water?"

"Yes, all of that."

"Don't worry."

She used her tablet at the breakfast table, checking the day's news stories, but it seemed as if the world was largely peaceful, quite a ridiculous thought.

The snow started to fall as she pulled out of the driveway, traffic was heeding the conditions and the ride into town took a few minutes longer than usual but by nine she was parked in the University campus. Tammy had learned that anyone arriving at 9.15 had little chance of a parking space, whereas 08.55 was usually no trouble. She found a spot close to the K block she'd been in the previous day.

First, however, she needed a coffee so went to the concession in the main building.

"Oh, hello Iain?"

"Hi Tammy."

"What are you doing today?"

"Giving a talk on a cold case."

"Paula Dougall?"

"Yes."

"That's my class you'll be with, I'm trying to keep a low profile so no professional references please, Iain."

"I thought you were just a student?"

"And your replacement as director!"

"Indeed, how's that coming along?"

"The Press night is in two weeks."

"Oh, how are they shaping up?"

"Mostly they're okay but I have my concerns about one of the B cast."

"Which one?"

"Lucy."

"Ah, she loses concentration?"

"Yes."

"She'll be okay on the night, I auditioned her."

"And then left it all to me!"

They walked away with their coffees and Tammy spotted Lucas hovering.

"I'll catch you later, Chief Inspector."

"Certainly, Miss Smart."

Tammy waited for the inevitable comment, it didn't take long once Iain was out of earshot.

"Looks like you were very chummy with that filth?"

"I've known him personally for a few years, I also object to that term."

"So you are a pig-lover?"

"What's your beef with the constabulary?"

"They confiscated my weed in the summer, second time this year."

"Then why are you doing this course?"

"So I can work out how to beat the system. As I said, you were a bit chummy."

"If you must know, I replaced Iain as director at the Mill Theatre. He put me on the stage when I was still at school and cast me as second lead in West Side Story. I've taken over from him and I have a play starting in two weeks."

"Yeah, I googled you. Were you attacked on the stage?"

"No, that was another girl. Look, I didn't even know Iain was a police officer at first."

Lucas seemed to accept Tammy's explanation and was silent for the rest of the walk to K10, the room adjacent to Monday's film. Iain had already reached the room and was stood with Donald Templeton.

Tammy settled herself down, towards the rear of the room. This was one of the rooms equipped for cross-campus working, the other Criminology classes at the other campuses would be joining in via video. On the screen behind Iain and Donald was a combined image from two other sites, she could just make out monitors fitted to the lectern.

By 09.25 everyone was seated so Donald introduced himself.

"Good morning from Thurso, we welcome students in Stornaway and Wick. I'm Donald Templeton and I'm a lecturer in Criminology here at Thurso. Over the past few days you've each been able to watch the Documentary filmed in 2006 concerning the murder of Paula Dougall. With us today is Chief Inspector Davison of Police Scotland who, as Detective Inspector Davison, was in charge of the murder investigation."

That much Tammy had known from the video.

"I'll ask the Chief Inspector to go through the case, we'll break for fifteen minutes and then we'll take questions. Please don't interrupt as this is a complex case!"

Donald stepped aside and Iain took over.

"Good morning everyone. I was ten years younger when that programme was made and a very new Inspector. For those who have done your research, it wasn't the highlight of my career either."

Iain spoke with authority and admitted that mistakes had been made. Tammy could sense that Lucas wanted to shout out but was now biding his time.

It was gone ten fifteen when Iain started to talk about the appeal, although he hadn't handled the investigation into the original conviction.

"A team from Stirling came here to examine the case and interviewed witnesses we hadn't found. Let's put this into perspective, the prosecution evidence ran to over two hundred pages of A4, with many witnesses giving contrasting views, none of the witnesses was credible. George Smith had been convicted of an assault using a knife when he was seventeen and we built the case around that, for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service."

Donald called for a break and almost everyone started heading for the café, the loo or both. Tammy checked her mobiles and saw a message on her official phone,.

From Jenny: For info, James Dougall was paroled last night.

She made her way to the front, keeping her bag with her.

"Iain, can I have a word?"

"Sure, Tammy."

They walked out into the carpark, straight into James Dougall.

"Oh, look, two of my favourite people."

Part   Seven   "Private Investigations"

 
Wednesday 16th November 2016 (continued)
 

"Hello Uncle, I wasn't expecting you yet."

Lucas had followed Tammy and Iain outside, or at least as far as the lobby. Through the window, the carpark was rapidly turning white. Tammy and Iain backed up and James Dougall entered the building.

Tammy had unclasped her shoulder bag and her right hand was sat on the bag.

"It's cold out there, and I caught the first train I could, is there somewhere to get a coffee around here?"

"Sure Uncle James."

"Do you know these two?"

"Tammy's on my course, and the filth is giving today's lesson."

"Remember, never trust the police, or her!" He jabbed a finger towards Tammy, careful not to touch her.

"I've checked, I can't find anything."

Iain took Tammy's hand, the free one, "a coffee sounds good."

She was having trouble keeping her tongue, but James wasn't making aggressive moves or talking threateningly. The recently paroled man was left in the café as the others returned to the lecture theatre.

A few stragglers followed the pair, and Donald restarted the session.

"The snow's starting to settle so we'll be quick. Any questions for the Chief Inspector?"

Lucas was the first to raise his hand, Iain nodded. "Who killed my auntie?"

"Paula Dougall was your aunt?"

"Yes."

"It's still an open case but new evidence is needed before any officers re-examine it."

"I think you got the right one first time."

"The appeal court didn't agree."

"Yeah, the law's an ass."

Donald glared at Lucas, "if you had a personal connection to this case then you should have said so, that goes for all of you. I also suggest you keep comments like that to yourself."

The majority of the questions centred on the appeal, with one student asking the question that no-one else had.

"So who did kill Paula Dougall, and was George Smith's death connected?"

"During the last cold-case review, a number of people were considered but there is no evidence that would link them to either death. During the fatal accident inquiry into George Smith's death, the medical examiner's report raised some queries but stopped short of saying it was not a natural death. Again, without further evidence that line of inquiry is closed."

"What evidence would be sufficient?"

"That's difficult to say, even a confession would be insufficient grounds to charge a suspect, but we never did find the murder weapon - that would be a good find but it will have had ten years to degrade."

"What was the murder weapon?" Asked Tammy, "It was simply referred to as a blunt instrument."

"From the impact marks it would have been the handle off a garden implement or similar tool. We found wood splinters in her hair. That information was never released to the public as we still hoped to find the weapon."

Iain took a few more questions from the Stornaway and Wick students before Donald went back to the lectern.

"Thank you Chief Inspector. I should remind you all that this is a cold case and the murderer could still be alive, indeed could still be in Thurso, and as such you should not make any accusations. If you believe you have new evidence, take it to the Police do not bring it to me, to other students or to the press! We will be emailing you the next assignment this afternoon, it's due back here on Monday."

Tammy held back as the students left K10, if anyone had looked they would have seen her checking her phone. Down the front, Iain was still talking to Donald.

"Ah, Miss Smart, I believe you know the Chief Inspector?"

"From the Mill Theatre, Sir."

"That was an interesting question you posed?"

"It seemed odd that the weapon had only been vaguely referred to. I take it, Iain, that the whole of St George's Park was searched?"

"Yes, Tammy."

"It's an interesting case."

"It was, at the time, a rare murder for Thurso."

"I don't remember it, I was only ten at the time. Anyway, I best get home."

"Could you drop me in town, Tammy?"

"Sure."

They left together, passing James and Lucas in the corridor. The roads were passable, decided Tammy, she didn't want to spend any more time in the college, so the snow chains were ignored and she hopped in, as did her passenger. Tammy hit the locking button before starting up the car.

"Do you feel insecure?"

"No Iain, not exactly, but Lucas has expressed a liking for this vehicle and I don't trust James Dougall one bit." She pulled out of her parking bay and headed for the exit.

"What were you going to tell me at break time?"

"That James had been paroled!"

"Oh, bit late now!"

"Quite."

"You were keeping your bag very close at break?"

"I had no wish to lose it."

"Are you armed today?"

"You know, Iain, that I can't answer that. Where would you like dropping?"

"By the Castletown Hotel, please, I have a meeting to attend before I'm done for the day."

She decided against driving down to the hotel as the side roads hadn't been treated, so dropped him on Olrig St.

"Thanks Tammy, I'll see you at the theatre if I don't see you in the meantime."

She was home ten minutes later, it was still a little early for lunch so she took advantage of the empty study to call Jenny.

"James Dougall turned up at the university this morning, he's Lucas Youngers's uncle."

"Is James a threat to you, right now?"

"He knows where to find me, but he didn't say anything to me, as such."

"I'll need a report."

"I guessed so."

"Why did you check on James yesterday?"

"We were doing a case study on the murder of Paula Dougall, I guess she's his sister, and I had a nagging feeling that James might not be in prison."

"Use of the Police National Computer for college research is frowned upon!"

"Considering he's assaulted me in the past, I think I was justified."

"You weren't working for the Service at the time so it has no connection to your work. Need I remind you that, right now, you have no work!"

"Yeah."

"Leave the criminal matters to the Police, please Tammy, you should concentrate on your studies and, until otherwise notified, you are not to undertake any Security Service work."

"What about contact reports?"

"We don't need a contact report for Donald Templeton, otherwise use common sense. We're booking you on a course for Easter, by the way."

"Where?"

"To be decided, there's no need for you to know that before March!"

Tammy wrote up her latest report, then submitted it before locking all of her official equipment away.

Lunch was next, Zara had left a pasty that was quickly zapped then eaten, causing mild indigestion.

Tammy really wanted to visit the library but the snow was coming down heavy again so she settled in for the rest of the day, regretting the speed with which she'd devoured lunch.

 
Friday 18th November 2016
 

Tammy arrived at Sarah's Boutique just after eight thirty. No deliveries were due and the weather was likely to keep most folks indoors. She dropped a few of her things off then, with just the shop keys and her purse in the pockets of her heavy winter coat, went to the bakery.

She checked the street carefully when she returned with her coffee, sandwich and bun, having no wish to repeat the previous experience when Joanne had surprised her.

The morning went slowly but Tammy had her personal laptop on the counter and was typing up the notes she'd made in the town's library the previous day.

One of her targets had been the Electoral Roll records, where she researched the Dougall family. Paula's address had been given in the newspaper articles as 23 Caithness Court and the 2005 Electoral Roll confirmed that, along with James Dougall. She went back through the years, and found, in 1995, that a Jenny Dougall had also lived there.

She used the library computers to access an online database, much safer than using her home internet connection under the circumstances, and looked for Jenny Dougall in Thurso, finding that she'd married in 1996 a Barry Younger. So Lucas' mother was James, and Paula's sister.

On a street map she could see that Caithness Court was barely two minutes walk from St George's Park. George Smith's property was the Western side of the River Thurso on Wilson St, so Paula would have used the footbridge that then continued across St George's Park, behind the soccer pitch. She shuddered as she realised she'd also used that footbridge and cut across the park in order to reach the theatre from the town centre.

So, was Paula on her way home when she was attacked? That looked likely, but why would she be attacked? On St Valentines day too? What was the motive? Tammy searched again for Paula Dougall and found her on the staff list at the nearby primary school, in the In Memoriam section, Jenny Younger was listed as the current Headteacher.

So two sisters had gone into education and the brother had gone into crime, Tammy wasn't certain where this was heading.

She was interrupted by a customer, the first of the day.

"Hello Tammy, it's been a long time."

"Hello Ann, how's retirement?"

"It was Steven who retired, I still have all the same clubs, groups and get-togethers that I always did."

"How's Steven?"

"Bored, mostly. I asked if he wanted to join the 'knit and natter' group but it didn't appeal to him!"

"It must be hard going from a full time job, running that school, to near nothing?"

"It is, the trouble is he never had time for much else, and only recently joined the golf club."

"I didn't know he played golf?"

"He can't, I think it's the place where he meets his acquaintances."

"Not friends?"

"He never had time for friendships, he didn't have a detached social life and certainly didn't count his professional colleagues as friends!"

"Oh dear, quite isolated?"

"Indeed."

"So what brings you here, Ann?"

"I saw Sarah yesterday and she said you'd be here. How about lunch?"

"I don't think I can shut the shop?"

"How many customers so far?"

"Just you."

"And it's half-past eleven?"

"I see your point."

"Come on Tammy, pack your stuff away and lock up, if anyone complains point them at me!"

Tammy had finished her coffee and her bun as she'd worked, so slid her lunch into the laptop bag. It was then that she realised she hadn't taken the till drawer out of the safe. At a quarter to midday she locked the shop up and walked with Ann to the Castletown Hotel.

The streets were empty but there was a good lunch crowd in the bar, Tammy recognised several people and acknowledged them as Ann led the way into the restaurant. Waiting for her was Dr Steven McIntosh and Dave Brown.

"Err, I get the feeling I've been stitched up?"

"Please sit down, Tammy."

"I'm not certain I can, perhaps I should leave?"

Dave Brown spoke, "on what grounds Tammy?"

"On the grounds that I've been told to keep out of things, and I was dragged away from the shop."

"That shop has ears, and eyes."

"Is that system still running?"

"Let's assume it is."

"Oh."

"Sit down, then take a look at the menu."

Once Tammy was settled, and their drink orders had arrived, Dave Brown handed Tammy a sealed envelope. She went to open it at the table but Ann suggested they freshened up.

In the cubicle she extracted the letter and read.

So, which enquiry was this?

She really needed a wee now so it was another few minutes before she returned to the table. Francis, the manager, had been watching and their starters arrived soon after she sat down.

Tammy kept looking for cues to start discussing the questions she had but everyone was studiously eating or talking about every other subject under the sun. She relaxed, eventually, and started to enjoy the food.

By two they were done and Tammy knew very little extra, although Ann had let one piece of information slip when they both went to the ladies.

"Dave flew up yesterday afternoon, he's staying with us."

They left the hotel shortly after, Tammy was invited to join them for dinner at her former Headmaster's home, at seven.

She stepped out of the hotel with the others and spotted James Dougall, along with Lucas Younger, almost immediately. Tammy wasn't convinced she'd be identified in her heavy coat, scarf and hat but received a glare from James regardless.

Dave spotted James, "known to you?"

"James Dougall, previous for assault and attempted robbery. Paroled a few days ago."

"Ah, where's your car?"

"Behind the shop."

"Do you mind dropping me off?"

Ann and Steven McIntosh went to the public carpark whilst Dave followed Tammy around to the back of the shop, next to the entrance into Caithness Marine's office.

"Do you have your card with you, Tammy?"

"No, it's at home, safe."

"We'll use mine."

Dave swiped his card on the exterior security door and they entered the staircase up to the office, above the shop. There was another lock, requiring a code, which Dave knew.

"Let's use the meeting room, it's secure."

"Hold on, I'm not to make use of any Security Service resources or use any equipment from home."

"And you won't, don't forget that Caithness Marine is a multi-agency operation hosted by the Border Agency right now."

"So we're off the books?"

"Yes."

"What's the job?"

"Come into the secure room and I'll explain."

Looking around Tammy could see that much of the equipment had changed from her last visit and the place was clean, had someone been in here? She followed Dave and closed the door behind herself, somehow ready for this unexpected briefing.

Part   Eight   "Conflict Of Interest"

 
Saturday 19th November 2016
 

Dinner with the McIntosh's been polite but Tammy sensed that Steven was simply doing a favour for a fellow Old Boy, or two, of St Andrews. Of course, the former Headmaster did not want to become too involved so Dave and Tammy kept the conversation off-topic.

One thing was clear, the investigation wouldn't be easy and wouldn't be quick, but many lives were at stake. It was now clear that included Tammy's and Dave's lives. She really didn't know where to begin and Dave had warned her not to discuss the issue with Ann or Steven, the least they knew the better, he'd said the previous teatime.

Her first task this morning was to get to the rehearsal at the Mill Theatre, time was running out before the first live performance. This morning, at least, students from the art and design faculty had arrived with the costumes, three sets, so there were fifteen clothing bags on a rail just inside the stage door.

"Each bag is named, if the sizes are wrong then it's because the actor didn't know their own size!"

The stage clothes were part of third year coursework and had been ready for three weeks, but the tutors had only just finished their assessments. There were minor differences between the A Cast costumes and the B Cast costumes as they'd been created by different students. The third set of costumes were for the understudies, where they were a different size.

Tammy isolated all of the B Cast clothes and handed them out as they arrived. "Go change, this is a dress rehearsal."

They had been warned the previous Saturday, and by email during the week, but one of the girls admitted to having "the wrong undies". Tammy was uncertain what that meant in reality, but the girl had arrived on stage wearing a mismatch of costume and her own clothes.

Regardless of minor issues, the costumes helped cement the stage directions and the cast were good, quite good.

They left at lunchtime and a short while later the A cast arrived and went through a similar routine. This group didn't have the same dynamic as the B cast, and they included Lucy who, again, stuttered over a few of her lines, causing one of the cast to corpse.

"Stop!"

Tammy paused.

"If one of you makes an error, the rest of you are to continue as if nothing has happened, understood?" They did, apparently. "Right, repeat that scene."

Lucy made a beeline for Tammy as they were finishing, around three.

"I'm sorry about that, Tom was making faces at me and I lost my place."

"And he then laughed?"

"Yes, same one. I do know my lines but I have to struggle to concentrate. I might have said this to Tom a few weeks ago."

"Thank you Lucy, question is how do we deal with this?"

"I really don't want to get him into trouble."

"And I don't want the cast, the show, to be let down by one person. Thank you Lucy."

"Thanks Tammy, Uncle Iain said you'd understand."

"Indeed." Nepotism was alive and well.

As soon as she could, Tammy locked up the theatre. She'd managed to negotiate one additional rehearsal day for the following Sunday, although that was subject to the weather as a storm was due to hit by the end of the following week.

She parked behind Sarah's shop but went into Caithness Marine instead, this time she was carrying her security pass and knew the current code for the inner door.

"Right, now you're here, can we get started?"

"Hold on Dave, I'm worn out, my throat hurts and I haven't had a drink since lunchtime."

"Well, the coffee pot is on, any more sightings of Mr Dougall?"

"No. Did you speak to Chief Inspector Davison?"

"I can't Tammy, I have no official standing right now."

"Yeah, I can't say I'm comfortable."

"Regardless, tell me about your suspicions?"

"It's conjecture, extrapolation if you wish, but I can't call it a suspicion."

"Why not, the phrase doesn't imply that you have damning evidence."

"Well, Dave, would he really kill his own sister?"

"It's not uncommon, albeit rare in the UK."

"Did he know George Smith? Did he approve of the relationship?"

"It's an interesting idea, but there's no evidence."

"Iain said the murder weapon would be key."

"It would, if it still exists, if it can be found and if DNA or prints can be extracted from it."

"That's a lot of ifs?"

"It is, which means you may be asking for the impossible, Tammy."

"I'd simply like to help solve the crime."

"I'm sure George Smith's remaining family feel the same but I haven't heard of them becoming amateur sleuths?"

"Amateur?"

"The police are the professionals in this case, if you find something out let them have it, don't investigate this by yourself as you could end up breaking the law or bringing attention to yourself - both of which would end your career and this bureau's work."

"Okay, okay, but that doesn't stop me going back over public records?"

"If it's simply a paper-chase then, it's unlikely you could get into trouble, but that's not what you're being paid for."

"Pay?"

"Yes, complete a time-sheet and you'll get paid for the hours you spend in this office; you need my authority to work anywhere else, understood?"

"Yes, Dave."

"Now, what do you remember from the briefing yesterday?"

"The hacks on the Scottish Universities were just the start, further hacks are targeting provincial universities across the country."

"Exactly."

"That the attacks are co-ordinated and mostly use remote access obtained from phishing emails."

"Indeed with only a few incidents due to break-ins and physical data retrieval."

"So, the next question is why are these attacks happening, who is financing them and what the end result will be?"

"Correct."

"There was a report in today's paper about a murder, someone had been found and killed in cold-blood. It was suggested that this person had gone to great lengths to hide. I suppose if you wanted to find people like that, having access to government databases would be ideal?"

"Indeed, Tammy, but if you can't get at the National Health and National Insurance databases, you would find it difficult to track people down."

"So build your own database, using student and past student records. My guess is that past students, Alumni, keep in touch with their colleges and universities so their current name and address would be on file?"

"Yes."

"So you can target people, so long as you know where they took their degree?"

"Or their Doctorate, Tammy?"

"How many of the senior security service personnel have degrees, Dave?"

"Over ninety percent, and their addresses are not normally public knowledge."

"Hence the Amber alert a few days ago?"

"Correct, Tammy."

"I'm assuming that the people who are stealing the data are not going to be the same as the ones selling it?"

"Indeed, we've discovered several sites on the dark web that offer name and address lookup, as well as a few offering the whole database plus updates."

"What's the price of the full database?"

"100 Bitcoins, that's approximately £75,000 right now."

"That's steep!"

"That depends on how badly you want the data, several foreign security services would dearly love a trove such as this."

"What can we do?"

"The sites are being taken down within a few days of them coming online, but we need to track who is behind the database maintenance, and who supplies the updates."

"Surely there are better equipped teams working on this, and there must be an international aspect as well?"

"Obviously GCHQ is heavily involved, and we've pulled in help from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand."

"The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance?"

"Yes, Tammy, this problem puts many of their own key intelligence and military personnel at risk, especially true of the Commonwealth countries."

"Can we assume that the police know that murder is connected, or that someone has made the connection?"

"No, assume nothing. Scan the newspapers for possibles and submit a list, with references. I'll disseminate it."

"We'll need a copy of the data for ourselves?"

"Agreed, it should be loaded onto our server by Monday."

"Now, Dave, why are we sat in Thurso, and not in London?"

"There's a risk the Service has been penetrated, we do not wish any third parties to know how the investigation is proceeding. This is not the only unit, but we don't need to know where the others are, and they don't need to know about us."

"Understood."

Tammy spent two hours scanning the main newspapers, once she'd gone to buy them. Eventually she had three possible murders and one burglary that looked as if they were connected to the data. She wrote them up and used the Caithness Marine system to send Dave her work. Then it was home time.

 
Monday 21st November 2016
 

"You look tired."

"Thanks Mum."

"Seriously Tammy, what are you involved in?"

"Apart from my coursework and the play?"

"Yes, where were you all day yesterday?"

"In meetings."

"Where?"

"I was in town the whole day, Mum, reading reports, writing reports and then talking about those reports. I'm in college most of this week and then next weekend I'll be in the theatre both days. Even without report writing I'll be busy until the play's over with."

"Remember, you were diagnosed with exhaustion almost three months ago and I'm beginning to see the same signs today. You'll have to drop something."

"In two weeks time the play will be over, no-one has mentioned the next one yet. The reports may take a couple of days a week, but that's all it is, and it's not a long-term project."

"Can you tell me what it's about?"

"No, but it is important. Look, I'm prioritising my coursework."

"So how come you look like you didn't sleep last night? What time did you get back?"

"I came in just before eight and I went straight to my room as I had a piece of coursework to do for this morning."

"What time did you finish?"

"Eleven."

"What about your dinner?"

"I came down and warmed it up once the work was done."

"Come on Tammy, that is not good for you."

"It's a one-off, mum, I promise."

"I expect to see you here for tea?"

"Yes, Mum."

----

"You look tired."

Tammy looked around but she already knew where the comment had come from.

"Thanks Lucas, I needed that encouragement."

"Hey, just saying what I saw, what did you spend the weekend doing?"

"Have a guess?"

"Oh, you'd doing that thing at the Mill? I couldn't do that."

"Do what?"

"Direct a play, that is what you do there?"

"Yes."

"I saw you in town, on Friday, with those old folk?"

"They're the theatre management."

Tammy decided to escape into the ladies loo, at first only to end that conversation. Her phone pinged but she now had a more important matter to deal with.

Suitably refreshed she made it to the small classroom they were using that day.

"Unfortunately Mr Templeton had been called away on family business and no-one else is available due to sickness. Please submit any work and then go to the library or head home. Keep an eye on your emails."

Tammy's work was on a memory stick, she opted for the library and found a vacant PC in a quiet corner. It only took a minute to login and send her coursework off. Next she pulled up the local news websites, there had been an attempted burglary the previous evening but the uninvited guest had been discovered and quickly ran off; the potential victim was unnamed.

She opted to get out of college and parked up behind the shop, alongside Sarah's vehicle. First call, however, was the office of Caithness Marine.

"Can I help you?"

"Sorry, that should be my line? I'm Tammy Smart, who are you?"

"Oh, Miss Smart, my apologies. I'm Karen Higgs and I'm the manager."

"For the Border Agency?"

"Yes."

"I've been here for the last three days and there was only myself and ..."

"Mr Brown? Yes, I was told, but I had to attend a briefing at Glasgow Airport on Friday. I'm told you drink coffee, the pot's fresh."

"Okay Karen, have you seen Dave today?"

"Yes, he popped in about eight but he flew out of Wick Airport about half an hour ago."

Tammy poured herself a mug of hot coffee, "I see, what's your role here?"

"I'm the local co-ordinator for marine intelligence, I understand you had a hand in setting this up?"

"I own the building."

"Ah, I wasn't aware of that. I take it you'd like to continue using the facility?"

"For the duration of the investigation, yes."

"Well, I'm not here all the time so all I ask is that you keep the place tidy,"

"No problem, Karen."

"Oh, there's a box in the safe for you, do you know the current combination?"

"I do, thanks."

The box was a small metallic box with a small combination lock. She was about to ask Karen about the lock when she remembered the text she'd received an hour earlier that morning.

36-28-34-00

She dialled this code and the box opened. She quickly shut the box up, closed and locked the safe, then took herself and her coffee to the secure room.

There was a note from Dave.

This is a Met-issued Glock 19 and it's not registered to you, yet. Do not put it in your bag unless there is a valid operational need. Leave it in the safe here the rest of the time. Karen does not know about our firearms and only has minimal info on you. She is not cleared for our investigation and has her own work to do. Please continue to collate, I'll be in touch if further actions are required, I'm going South for a few days and will be back soon.
 
Dave.

Tammy's personal phone rang as she was on her way back to the safe.

"Yes, Dad?"

"I haven't caught you in class, have I?"

"No, why?"

"There's an incident at the school, one of the teachers has been hurt, The police are here and we're locked down."

"I'm on my way."

"Tammy, I called to make sure you didn't come here."

"But I can help, Dad."

"No, don't you dare, please stay away."

----

Five Eyes Alliance - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes

Part   Nine   "Tea & Sympathy"

 
Monday 21st November 2016(continued)
 

"It's for you."

Tammy hadn't heard the office secure phone ringing, Karen was holding the secure phone's handset.

"Err, hello?"

"Let the police handle it, Tammy."

"Handle what, Jenny?"

"The incident at your old school, you are not their personal protection unit."

"I have a sense of duty, you wouldn't understand that?"

"Really, Miss Smart?"

"Okay, what's going on up there?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

"It's Templeton, isn't it? Was his house broken into last night?"

"Tammy, drop this immediately. I can't protect you if you continue this line."

"Jenny, I can't just sit here? My parents are up there."

"And your father has just told you that you'll not intervene."

"How did you know that?"

"You were being monitored."

"Hang on, Jenny, what gives you the right?"

"Tammy, if you can't accept this then perhaps your future lies outside the intelligence services?"

Tammy put the handset down, she didn't like where that conversation was going. Karen was, meanwhile, busy at a terminal on the far side of the office.

"I think I'll go home."

"Okay, Tammy, don't forget your box?"

Her security box was on the floor in front of the safe. Tammy reluctantly put it away before letting herself out of the building. She'd reached her car when her phone rang.

"Yes, Dad, what's going on?"

"It's all over, Tammy, I'm on my way home."

"What happened?"

"I'll tell you at home."

It was barely ten thirty when Tammy pulled up at home, just behind Richard's car. By the time she walked indoors, however, he was already on the phone and the study door was shut.

"Coffee, Tammy?" Pru held the kitchen door open.

"Sure, Pru, how was your break?"

"I had a week in Cornwall, the weather was kind and it was relaxing."

"Yeah, it's a different lifestyle, I haven't been there for a while."

"It was last Summer, I booked your flights. Any plans to go back?"

"Not right now, Pru, apparently I'll be doing a course at Easter but that's over four months away and I have no idea where it'll be."

"Perhaps a few months of being 'ordinary' will help?"

"Are you kidding? I can't do 'ordinary', but right now I don't know what I can do." Tammy ran out of the kitchen and straight up to her room, slamming the door shut. Her eyes were streaming by the time she landed, face first, on her bed.

Tammy woke, hearing a tapping on her door.

"Yeah?"

"Are you decent?"

"Yes, Dad, but I need a wee. Come in."

Tammy first checked the mirror in her bathroom before making use of the porcelain seat.

"What's up?"

"I don't know, Dad, I really don't know. I wanted to help today but I ended up in an argument with Jenny."

"She phoned a short while ago, she wanted to know how you were."

"Why doesn't she just use the camera in this room, or whatever monitoring device is here?"

"I'm sure she hasn't a camera in your bedroom."

"She knew that you'd called me, and what you said!"

"Where were you?"

"Caithness Marine."

"Which has CCTV?"

"Yeah."

"There's your answer, Tammy,"

"That still doesn't explain why she wouldn't answer any of my questions?"

"Maybe she couldn't."

"I can't see why not, I'd guessed most of it."

"Really?"

"Yes, Dad, I think Carl Templeton was attacked?"

"No, Tammy, he left the school several weeks ago, not long after your careers day."

"Oh."

"He was a supply teacher and he asked to be moved, it caused us a bit of a problem."

"So what happened this morning?"

"Two men stopped their van well inside the gates and walked towards the main building. Janet didn't like what she saw so quickly locked the office door, then radioed for the school gates to be shut before telling Mike Thompson what was going on."

"Oh, what time was this?"

"Just as first period was starting, the corridors were empty. The Head operated the fire panel in his office and shut all the fire suppression doors in the main building while Janet phoned the police."

"What were they doing?"

"It seems they had been told we did a bank run on a Monday morning and that there would be a substantial amount of cash ready to go."

Tammy laughed, "I'd love to know where that cash comes from!"

"Indeed, the school handles very little cash."

"What happened when they realised they couldn't get it?"

"The ground staff started to surround them so they ran back to their van, just as the first police car arrived at the gate."

"Were the guys known?"

"The police are interviewing them, but Janet didn't recognise them."

"So I couldn't have done anything?"

"That's right, Tammy, how about some lunch?"

---

Tammy was back in her room, having found time for a gentle swim after lunch. She was trying to relax but the business with the Templetons wasn't making sense, and it still stunk. The cyber attacks were a different matter, but she didn't know anyone, except Dave Brown, who was working on it.

If she hadn't hacked the Information Commissioner's database herself then she might even doubt that the cyber attacks had actually happened.

She wanted to vent her doubts and dialled Dave Brown's number - which was now unobtainable.

"Bugger!"

She resisted an urge to throw her phone across the room, just.

Tammy knew she needed help, especially if she couldn't get hold of Dave. The question was; where to get it?

"Where can I get answers without going through Jenny?" Tammy asked aloud to her reflection in the mirror.

In the background was the open wardrobe, with some of her shoes lined up neatly. Dead-centre were the pair of black heels she had been given for her birthday.

"KERRI!" Tammy almost screamed and dove for her desk drawer.

When she'd received the gift, Tammy had kept the return address off the packaging. With a smile of triumph, she entered the address into Google. Her face fell immediately.

On her screen was a link to wikipedia; 'P.O. Box 1142' was one of a number of secret internment facilities commissioned by the United States with the goal to exploit the German scientists recruited as part of Operation Paperclip along with planning escape and evasion activities of American POWs in Europe and now only a historical site.

Tammy face-palmed. "I should have known! Now what? How do I get in touch with someone who doesn't exist? It's not like I can ring up the American Embassy and say 'I would like to speak to an American agent that uses the alias Kerri Emerson, please.' Damn. Why didn't I ask better questions than about guns and drinks? DRINKS!"

Tammy dug into her business card collection and found the one that was most useful, then dialled. It was answered on the second ring.

"Wade." A pleasant voice answered.

Tammy smiled. "Marcus, Tammy Smart. I could do with a bit of help, please."

"Oh? What have you gotten yourself into, this time? You don't need me to bring the lads about do you?" The S.A.S. Captain asked with a chuckle.

Tammy had to laugh. "No Marcus. I just need a few minutes, on a clean line, with dear Uncle Sean."

Marcus Wade replied. "Done, but I'd enjoy dinner with you when you're back."

Before Tammy could reply a gruff older voice greeted her. "So Tammy. What're you into now?"

"Well 'uncle', I need to get in touch with my friend that we drank with. I seem to have lost her number. Would you happen to have it?" Tammy asked.

Sean MacTaggart became serious. "That's a big favour to ask, Lass. You are going to owe."

"I'm pretty much looking after myself these days. I really need this favour." Tammy answered.

Sean sighed. "Okay then. I'll see what I can do. Just go about yourself as usual."

"Thanks Uncle." Tammy said.

Sean huffed. "Typical. All Lovey, when y' be wantin' somethin'. Might jus' send Wade up there anyway. Give y' a hobby."

Tammy laughed as the call was disconnected. If her mother had thought having the Colonel around was stressful, she would certainly go over the edge if Marcus came calling. Even more so, if he weren't alone.

Her laptop pinged with an email, although the return address looked like a random set of numbers. The instructions were plain.

Tammy, Open this link and wait.

Going against all common sense regarding unsolicited emails, she did as asked.

She felt a cup of tea would be good and went down to the kitchen. By the time it had brewed, she wanted something to nibble on as well. The morning's Scotsman sat on the counter and she casually paged through it. Two cups later she returned to her room and almost fainted.

Tammy clicked on 'Dive In'. The dolphin disappeared and her desktop came back then a video window opened.

"Hi Tammy. What's up?" The American Agent she knew as Kerri Emerson asked.

"Hi Kerri, I've two problems. Firstly, what do you know about the data heists from British Universities?"

"We were brought in as some of the data related to US students who were in London, but we've identified the guys behind it."

"That was quick?"

"They made some mistakes and it was easy to track them."

"So who is he?"

"He is actually a she, Sharon Gainsborough."

"Shit!"

"You know her?"

"I was on a course with her last year, I had my doubts then."

"Well, we don't have her yet so you should remain vigilant."

"Where is she?"

"Unknown, she was in London until a few days ago but hasn't appeared online anywhere since Saturday morning."

"Okay, so that's over?"

"Focus Tammy, she's sold the database to a load of folk and your name and address are in there!"

"Damn!"

"Look, just be careful. You said there was a second problem?"

"Yeah, I feel like I'm being locked out of everything, no-one's being clean with me."

"I don't want you to reveal operational information so I won't ask for specifics, but I think I have enough to make a few discrete enquiries. If I see anything relevant I'll contact you."

"Thanks Kerri."

"Keep safe, Tammy."

Tammy's laptop screen cleared and then the familiar 'Shutdown' screen appeared, clearly there would be no record of that conversation.

She waited for it to restart then commenced an attack on her coursework.

 
Wednesday 23rd November 2016
 

Tammy hadn't heard back from Kerri yet, but she hadn't heard from anyone else, either. She spent Tuesday working on her studies, the full course title was BA (Hons) Sociology & Criminology and an email from one of the tutors had sent her looking for texts and background information. She had no time to fret about intelligence matters, or to visit Caithness Maritime.

It was mid afternoon when her mobile rang, she didn't recognise the number.

"Hello Tammy, it's Lucy."

"Oh, hello, what can I do for you?"

"I'm afraid I won't be available for the play."

"Lucy, I need you. What's happened?"

"Nothing."

"Really? Is it Tom?"

"Yes." She almost whispered her response.

"Lucy, please tell me what happened?"

"I can't, it's easier if I just leave?"

Tammy took a deep breath, she wasn't used to dealing with other peoples' issues.

"Please Lucy, I can't understand what has happened unless you tell me, or would you rather tell your uncle?"

"Uncle Iain, he wouldn't understand, he's too old."

"So?"

"Look, Tom asked me out yesterday when he saw me in town and we agreed to meet at the Wine Bar off the High Street. He said it was by way of apology."

"Did you go?"

"I was a fool, a bloody fool. He stood me up, I was waiting there for an hour."

"No messages?"

"No, but I found out later he was playing pool in a pub over in East Thurso."

"Okay, that's unfair and tantamount to bullying. Let me deal with Tom on Saturday, but I want you to stay, Lucy, please promise you'll be there?"

"I will, thanks Tammy."

"Take care, Lucy, don't say anything to Tom, right?"

"Sure."

Tammy was out of her depth, she knew very little about relationships and wasn't in a hurry to improve her knowledge.

She stared at her coursework but had lost her train of thought, ironically she had been working on an essay on the causes and effects of bullying.

Part   Ten   "Character Assassination"

 
Saturday 26th November 2016
 

That morning's copy of the Scotsman bore the photo of Fidel Castro, who had died the day before. Tammy read through the obituary as she had breakfast, wondering if there was potential for revolution in her own life.

She made a point to be in the theatre a little earlier than normal, so no-one was waiting outside when she arrived. The 'B' Cast, thankfully, arrived promptly.

"This is a full dress rehearsal, please get changed. Tomorrow, a make-up artist will be here."

There were a few groans as one of the cast remembered he'd double booked himself.

"My aunt's staying tonight and I have to go to church tomorrow morning; it's the nearest Sunday to St Andrews Day."

"As you're playing Porter Milgrim, and you don't appear until the second Act, I'm sure we'll cope."

Tammy wasn't sure, but had no choice and no time to argue, they had to rehearse.

During the interval between the acts, Tammy phoned the understudy for Porter, James McInlay.

"I know I said we wouldn't probably need you, but are you available in the morning?"

"Sure, is there a problem?"

"It looks like it, but is there any chance of being here by lunchtime so I can explain?"

"Okay, Tammy, can do. You'll owe me!"

Fleur and Dr McIntosh arrived during the interval and settled a few rows back.

The second act started and Tammy was satisfied they could put on a credible performance. It was just as well, this cast were opening the season, with the press night. As it was, very few seats remained for the other five performances, so the press coverage wasn't going to be as effective as it might.

The B cast slipped out at half twelve and Tammy waited in the green room for the A cast to arrive.

She could hear Tom as he walked onto the stage.

"That silly bitch isn't here." Tammy couldn't work out who Tom was talking to, but stayed out of sight. It was several minutes later when she heard Tom laughing, Tammy rushed out just in time to stop Lucy fleeing, in tears.

"Tom, Mr Lake, get out of here."

"I ain't done anything?"

"I don't like bullies and I won't accept it in this theatre. Go!"

Tom looked around the stage but didn't see any support, Fleur had now made her way up from the stalls and was talking to Lucy. Tom finally left the stage, Steven McIntosh had circled around to the carpark to watch Tom's departure - just in case.

"Now, let me be clear, I won't stand for anything like that. Either you're committed to making the play work or you're out of here. Do I make myself clear?"

There were a a few mumbles but no-one made an effort to follow Tom.

"Good, please get changed, this is a dress rehearsal. Don't forget we're back here tomorrow as well, when we'll have a make-up artists as well."

"Tammy, I guess I know why you asked me to be here?"

"Yes, James, but I wasn't sure I would be dismissing Tom like that."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Sorry about this, but its going to be a long day for you. Fortunately Tom was also playing Porter."

"Yeah, good job I had nothing planned!"

Lucy was playing Helga and turned in an excellent performance, as did the rest of the A Cast. They were now the better of the two casts, not that Tammy was planning to change the performances.

"Well done, Tammy."

"Thanks, Sir, er Steven."

"You handled that well, I'll make sure the board knows."

"Do you have to?"

"I'm afraid so, the programme is due to be printed on Monday and there has to be a change. Apart from that, we wouldn't like Tom to appear in any other production, would we?"

"Of course not."

Tammy waited for the cast to change back into their street clothes.

"Well done everyone, same time tomorrow please. Don't forget you're doing the schools performance on Friday afternoon and Saturday's matinee."

Tammy caught up with James just before he left.

"I feel I should make up for ruining your weekend, James?"

"You don't have to?"

"Castletown Hotel, six thirty?"

"Is that a date, Tammy?"

"Possibly."

Back at home she was getting restless as there was still no communication from Kerri, Dave Brown, or anyone else. She tried the email that had initially connected her to the American agent but that link now went nowhere.

She dived into the shower as soon as she'd chosen the right frock for that evening.

 
Sunday 27th November 2016
 

Tammy woke to hear a storm outside of her window, but it didn't matter. By eight she was in the kitchen, showered and dressed for the day.

"Morning, Mum."

"Morning, Tammy, what time did you get back last night?"

"Not long before midnight."

"And?"

"And I'm a big girl now."

"I know, Tammy, but I still worry."

"Yeah."

"What I would like to know, did you enjoy yourself?"

Tammy smiled. "He was a perfect gentleman. A few drinks, then dinner, followed by a few more drinks."

"What does he do?"

"Hey, enough questions!"

She took care on the drive down to the theatre, a tree was down just outside town but the road was passable. Fleur met her at the theatre.

"So?"

"So, what, Fleur?"

"How was it? I popped in the hotel last night and spotted a candlelit dinner for two."

"It was fine, thank you."

There was movement behind Tammy and she spun around to find James, grinning.

"Just fine, was I?"

"Hmmmm, maybe a little better than that!"

He went to kiss Tammy but she stepped back. "No, this is work! Time's pressing, go to the dressing room!"

Tammy checked on the two girls first, Joanne was already setup and was working her magic.

"Good evening, was it?"

"Not you as well!"

"I'll extract the information under torture, if I have to!"

"I dare you!"

Tammy left quickly and went to the boys dressing room, she didn't go in but just listened outside the door. James was chatting to the two other lads but the previous evening wasn't being mentioned.

They got under way a little later than normal, but this was the final rehearsal and Tammy wanted everything to be just as it would, on the night.

The B Cast were now tight, they worked well together, and Tammy was satisfied they could cope with Thursday's press night.

By the time they were back in the dressing rooms, the A Cast was arriving, minus Tom. Lucy wasn't looking good, Tammy took her aside.

"What's happened?"

"He started texting me last night, blaming me. It got nasty. He was texting this morning too."

"I hope you didn't respond?"

"No, I had mum call Uncle Iain."

"What will he do?"

"He wouldn't tell me but I have to give him my phone."

"When?"

"He'll pick me up when we're done."

"Okay, I'm sure the Chief Inspector can handle this."

"I hope so."

"Right, go see Joanne, she's waiting for you in the dressing room."

Once again the rehearsal went well. Tammy had wondered that morning if she shouldn't have insisted on a midweek final rehearsal, but this wasn't an overly complex play with just five actors and two acts. The same doubts came back to her but she dismissed them; this was Thurso and not the West End or Broadway.

Iain Davison had arrived during the interval but hadn't been seen by Lucy, Tammy made no attempt to speak to him until the actors had left the stage at the end of the performance.

"I understand you persuaded Lucy to stay, Tammy?"

"We can't give in to bullies, Iain. What's happening with Tom?"

"I'm sorry Tammy, but I can't tell you. In any case, I can't handle this because of my family connection."

"So you're not here in an official capacity?"

"Not at all, I'll just give my niece a lift home; she did well."

"They all did."

"Of course."

Tammy went in search of Joanne, finding her in the Green Room.

"Thanks for helping out."

"I enjoy it, all the girls got one of my business cards and I expect to see them before Thursday - you too."

"Really?"

"Come on Tammy, you are going to be on display on Thursday, at least make a little effort."

"Okay, okay, I'll call Sandy in the morning for a Thursday afternoon appointment."

"No need, you're booked with me at three thirty and Sandy at four."

"Thanks, I think."

"Thank me afterwards. Now, when is your next date with James?"

"That was a thank-you for helping me out."

"Not according to my sources!"

"Look, Joanne, when I need advice about relationships I know where to go, in the meanwhile ....."

"Okay, okay, but don't lose him."

Tammy was waiting on the stage as each of the cast came back from changing.

"Thank you everyone, very well done. There are seats at the press night for you plus a guest, please be here."

"Well done dear."

Tammy looked around, finding Anne McIntosh. "I didn't know you were here, Anne?"

"I've been telling Steven for weeks that I wanted a look at the production, I'm so glad I did."

"Will you be here on the press night?"

"Unfortunately no, but I'm helping one of the schools on Friday."

"I'll look out for you."

"Don't worry yourself, Tammy, the theatre will be packed and I need to keep an eye on my band of cherubs!"

"I didn't think we were getting the young ones, because of the murder scenes?"

"The Year Six children are the only Primary School ones coming, that's where I come in. The High School is sending Years Seven through to Ten, there may even be a bus load from St Andrews?"

"Well, I hope they are all well behaved!"

Tammy noticed that James was waiting, patiently. Tammy checked the backstage area and then a quick tour of the front of house, to ensure everyone had left. She felt a little pensive as she pushed the door into the male toilets, so she could make sure no-one was still there. Clearly she didn't have the same reticence with the ladies loos.

Finally she reached the stage door, where James was now stood.

"Sorry about that, I don't want to risk locking anyone in."

"Okay, did you want to go for a drink?"

"We both have cars here and I'm tired, maybe in the week?"

"If you insist." He gave Tammy a kiss then walked towards his vehicle, giving her a wave as he went.

Tammy's was the only car still left outside the theatre, a minute later the carpark was empty.

Back at home Tammy realised just how tired she was, and didn't finish her dinner. That had Joan checking Tammy for a fever.

"You're overdoing it, just as I predicted."

"No mum, I told you this weekend would be intensive, I've done absolutely nothing but work on the play for the past two days."

"What about the other work?"

"I did about two hours during the whole of last week, the rest of the time I was doing coursework. That's not overwork. I'm back at the university tomorrow, for a rest."

Tammy excused herself and went upstairs for a shower, doing her best not to get her hair wet as her next destination was bed. A notification was blinking on her tablet, but it could wait.

 
Monday 28th November 2016
 

"Good morning everyone and thanks to all who have submitted their work. For the rest of you, why not?"

Donald Templeton was addressing the combined students from three centres, including Thurso, in the same lecture theatre as two weeks earlier. Tammy was sat at the back, again, so she could observe without being in the lecturer's permanent view.

"As you'll have gathered from the homework, we're shifting focus and we'll be looking at society and social issues for the rest of this semester."

That generated a few groans from those in the lecture theatre, as well as the groups joining by video feed.

"I'm going to handover to Miriam Stokes who will talk about workplace harassment and stalking. For those who did the latest coursework, this will be familiar territory."

"More familiar than you think," uttered Tammy, quietly.

The lecture, of the 'Death By Powerpoint' variety, was split in to two, with a very welcome coffee and pee break. There were only ten minutes available for questions when Miriam finished her presentation with a scramble to get out as Donald called "check your emails for the slides, and the next coursework."

"Miss Smart?"

Tammy headed towards the lectern.

"Yes, Sir?"

"I'm told you handled a harassment case at the weekend?"

"I did, but I don't think it's appropriate to discuss it?"

"Why not?"

"Because if I say anything to identify the bully, it could also identify the victim and that I won't do. In any case it is now the subject of a Police investigation."

"I see."

"How did you find out?"

"I told him, Miss Smart, one of my nieces was in the theatre on Saturday. It would have been a very good example, but you are correct in your assessment."

"Indeed, Ms Stokes, but are you now guilty of spreading this information without knowing the full story? That's how disinformation, and rumourmongering can start?"

"Correct, a very professional approach."

"Thank you, please excuse me as I'm needed somewhere else."

Tammy wasn't due elsewhere at all, but wasn't comfortable continuing that conversation.

Tammy's first instinct was to see Sarah, but that would have meant parking by Caithness Maritime, in view of the cameras, so she went home. Her parents were out but Zara had prepared a pastie for her lunch.

"How did you know I'd be here?"

"Your father said it was likely."

"Oh, thanks anyway."

She ate in the kitchen, skimming that morning's Scotsman. Pru found her in there fifteen minutes later.

"There's a call for you."

"I'll take it in my room."

"It's on the secure phone, they won't say who they are but asked for you by name."

"Oh."

Tammy let herself into the study and glanced at the display for a clue to the caller, finding gibberish.

"Hello?"

"Hey there. Forget to check your email?"

"Kerri?"

"That's right. Good Job!" Kerri laughed.

"Sorry, I've been busy. What did you find?"

"Good news, bad news Tamara Smart. You have become persona non grata in several spheres of UK Intelligence."

"What?"

"The Intelligence Oversight Chairman has been handed evidence that you have associated with persons who are a threat to the UK, slamming you by association. Your ASS; is flapping in the breeze, girl."

"That's rubbish!"

"I know that. A couple of other people do, too. Nobody else cares. Better you than them."

"Why? What have I done, Kerri?"

"Ask SIS, they started your current shit-storm. That's the who and what, no clue about why."

"Bloody MI6 are playing games with me? I missed your good news."

The American said flatly. "All that was the good news. No illusions here, girl. No games. They're out to destroy you. Point-blank, Full-stop. And they'll do it too, unless you get on it. This is your life, so what do you want to do with it?"

-----

The Play - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathtrap_(play)

Part   Eleven   "Care In The Community"

 
Wednesday 30th November 2016
 

"Are you okay, Tammy?"

"Err, yes James."

"You look as if you're miles away?"

"Ummm." Tammy had certainly been staring past James, completely unfocused.

"Look, we can scrub dinner if you're not up to it?"

"Maybe."

"Tammy, tell me what's wrong?"

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both."

"What is it, a ruddy secret?"

Tammy blushed.

"Oh, is it woman's problems?"

"Something like that."

"I can re-arrange?"

"No, James, you can take my mind off it."

Tammy had first met James during her stint on the Business Studies course a year earlier but they hadn't spoken much. James, however, had made a point of regularly joining Tammy for a coffee and it started from there, albeit slowly. It was a lovely surprise to find that he'd auditioned for Deathtrap but Iain hadn't awarded James one of the key parts, only that of an understudy.

They ate in the Italian, Tammy figured that 'Pollo al forno patate e funghi' wouldn't be too difficult for her, given that she's had a knot in her stomach since Monday.

"I'm sorry, James, I have a touch of indigestion."

"You nearly finished it, never mind, will you feel better in a few days?"

"Hopefully. Can you call me a taxi?"

"Of course."

She was home fifteen minutes later and was certain she'd ruined the evening, maybe it would have been better to have cancelled? She really didn't know. Tammy was also looking for a life raft after being cast adrift by UK Intelligence.

What had Jenny said a week earlier? Tammy struggled to recall it, "I can't protect you if you continue this line."

Of course, the context was now different, but was Jenny trying to protect her? Tammy hadn't dared call her manager, or even her sister, in case the deceit had spread that close to home?

Kerri had no more information for her, either, or she would have broken some rule, sanction or code. Unless Tammy did something for herself, she was truly on her own.

Naturally, that was easier said than done. It was nine in the evening and she was due at the university in the morning and at the theatre for most of the rest of the day. Friday and Saturday were just a nightmare waiting to happen, she'd split the casts so they only had one show each a day, but, as director, was on her own - again!

There was a new text message on her phone.

Sorry it's a bit late, I wanted to check with uncle Iain first. Tom was in front of the Sheriff this afternoon. He was fined £400 for stalking me. He was warned not to repeat it

Hi Lucy, thanks for letting me know. Please report anything else that happens

That's what uncle Iain said. I'll see you tomorrow

Tammy hadn't realised that Tom would end up in court, but even she didn't know the full facts. A conviction was likely to cause him trouble in the future with employers, but that was not her concern.

Whatever she needed to do, for herself, would have to wait until the play was finished, and she had a pretty good idea what was going to happen.

One concern was this data, the lists. Of course her name was on it, but anyone should be able to find her even without the database. Their home was the registered home of Smart Dunbankin Ltd and several other companies, although a few were offshore to minimise costs and increase financial security.

So a search of Companies House, the central UK business registration agency, would instantly reveal her name, company name and position on that company's board. She was hardly hiding, it was her connection to the intelligence community that was being obscured.

Sharon Gainsborough had known Tammy could only have done a course at GCHQ if she had a good reason, but had Tammy told her what she did? There was a risk, but was Sharon just the purveyor of the database? How many folk, who were former agents, knew about Tammy?

Hilary Bull was one, Tammy had worked with her and then had been chased around the gardens of St Paul's Cathedral by Hilary before the woman was captured. She was in prison somewhere, as far as Tammy knew. Ben Franklin had a good idea of Tammy's work, but he was, hopefully, going to keep his mouth shut.

The Gores were a concern as well, although only Martin Gore liable to do anything and he was now in Belmarsh High Security Prison near London. Martina had been placed in a boarding school somewhere in the Midlands and both of her parents were dead. Anita had been shot by Tammy a year earlier and John had suffered an accident whilst on remand awaiting trial. The suggestion was that John had failed to complete on a contract. One question remained, where had John and Anita sent their intelligence reports about Tammy?

Paula Lavoska had been arrested after the attempted abduction of Andrea McPherson on a train and was being held pending trial as she was considered a flight risk, her sister Penny was missing and presumed to be out of the UK. Both had suggested that Tammy was an intelligence operative but equally both could have made an attempt on Tammy regardless of the database.

Also in prison were Yvonne Stewart, Jerry Trethgarwyn, Doran Kelmendi and Alban Berisha. There had been two attempts on Tammy's life as she arrived at the Old Bailey for Kelmendi and Berisha's trials, resulting in the barrister for the Albanians being arrested.

Another concern was the gang called 'True Freedom' who had launched a terror attack on London, starting with a random coffee house shooting. Tammy, and Kerri, happened to be there at the time and took out the terrorists, but the inquest had become deadly. Tammy hadn't yet been called to testify at the inquest and didn't know if it had already been held in secret. Next up was the trial of the two surviving terrorists, did they know her name?

What of the Templetons? Carl Templeton had left St Andrews after a short tenure and she had no idea where he was. She strongly suspected he was an MI6 informer or operative, possibly former operative, but he was officially off-limits. His brother, Donald, was more of a mystery; Donald was Tammy's senior lecturer but had clearly taken an interest in her background and seemed to have privileged information about her. He'd also been to see Martin Gore in prison several times, but could this be explained because Martin had worked for the university?

Closer to home Helen McPherson was a gossip, but Tammy could do very little about her. Could Helen be bought? She had money but not all of it was accessible to her until her twenty-first birthday. Of another McPherson, John McPherson was in prison on terrorist charges, it was said he was still trying to prove that Tammy was male.

So, was Tammy at risk because of the database? She guessed not, as she was living in plain sight and had already garnered the attention of the criminal fraternity; although her natural mother, Tara, was to blame for some of her troubles.

Tammy decided she simply had to get on with her life; to the residents of Thurso, and the surrounding area, she was a student, with a sideline in the theatre as an occasional actor and director.

If someone wanted her out of the intelligence game, she would appear to acquiesce to their unwritten demands, let them think she'd given up. If she wasn't a risk to them, could she get on with her life? Of course, that's what she would like them to believe, just how could she deal with the situation that MI6 had created?

That question could wait, right now Tammy had bigger issues to deal with.

 
Thursday 1st December 2016
 

Tammy was surprised to see Tom in the university, earning her a glare as they passed in the main lobby. She continued her walk to the coffee stall before heading to the seminar room they were using that morning. One of the junior tutors walked in.

"Good morning everyone, we're doing a test this morning based on your recent work, Please collect your sealed test pack from the front."

The twenty or so students all started to move, Tammy hung back t avoid the crush.

The tannoy burst into life "Tom Lake, please report to the Principal's Office." It was clear that a few of those present knew Tom and a few heads turned towards Tammy although only Lucas made a comment, by which time Tom was out of the door.

"You set Tom up, didn't you?" Tammy shook her head but said nothing.

"OK everyone, you have ninety minutes, starting now. Additional sheets are available if you need them."

Tammy opened the envelope to find two test papers, one of the multiple-guess variety and one that required expanded answers. She guessed that most would start with the first of the papers but that was only worth thirty percent of the overall mark, so she started with the first quesion on the other paper.

Q1: You have been accused of bullying but you feel you've done nothing wrong, what recourse do you have?

Tammy stared at the question, she'd been accused by her first shrink, Jill, of pushing Angela into transition. Fortunately, on that occasion, Joan and Elsie had defended Tammy. On the flipside, John McPherson had threatened and harassed Tammy when he's discovered she'd been born male, in that case she had resorted to a court injunction to prevent him publishing the allegations in the media. She started writing.

It was just over an hour later that Tammy had written answers to the six questions, she now had twenty two minutes to tackle the thirty multiple-choice questions.

"Time's up."

Tammy put her pen down, she had skipped a few of the questions and had just managed to go back and answer them, although she had some doubts about those choices.

"Put your sheets in the envelope and write your name on the outside. Don't forget to put your name on every sheet you used!"

The tutor went around the room to collect the envelopes, stopping at Tammy's table briefly. "The Principal would like to see you now."

She picked up her bag and jacket and headed out of the door, behind her Lucas was sneering "bye bye!"

Tammy waited by the PA's desk for the few minutes it took for the Principal to finish his important business.

"You can go in now."

She was waved into a seat across from the Principal.

"Thank you Miss Smart, I must advise you that I've received a complaint."

"About me, Sir?"

"Yes, the complaint alleged that you had been involved in harassing another student."

"Really, I suggest you give me some evidence before I call my solicitor."

"Please don't be hasty Miss Smart, all I've said is that we had received a complaint. Perhaps I might be allowed to explain what we did next?"

"Of course."

"As the incident happened offsite, at the Mill Theatre, I called the Theatre's Chairman to ask if he knew of this. He was able to clarify what had happened and no further action is needed."

"Such as?"

"An alleged assault."

"Which never happened."

"Indeed, and I trust Dr McIntosh in this matter. There was also no report to the police, which further cast doubt on the allegation."

"Good, I too trust Steven and I know he would have said exactly what happened."

"Indeed."

"Now, what about Tom Lake?"

"That's confidential."

"So you allowed him to spout off about me?"

"Actually, his mother made the allegation and this was supported by another student."

"I stand, er sit, corrected."

"Just to let you know, later this morning we will be submitting a statement on bullying and harassment to the local media with a copy on our website. We have a zero tolerance approach as we hope to have a happy and safe learning environment for our students and staff."

"So he's no longer welcome here? I just hope his fan club get the message as well?"

"I would urge you to report any issues."

"Sir, I have a thick skin and can cope with jibes. I've also had several attempts on my life in the last few years so a few harsh words really don't bother me."

"I hope you don't carry any weapons in the university?"

"Not normally, Sir." Tammy smiled as she stood. "I believe you're done with me?"

"Yes, thank you, and I have tickets for the final performance."

Tammy needed a drink, and a little relaxation, before the next session. Unfortunately she spotted Lucas near the coffee stall and her instincts wondered what he'd do next as she still wanted a coffee and didn't have the time to go to another outlet. As a precaution she reached into her bag and hit the audio recording app before dropping the phone back into her bag, leaving it unclasped.

As she approached the stall, Lucas was happily talking into his phone, a drink in the other hand.

"Yeah, she got dragged off and we won't see her again."

Tammy squeezed closer, keeping to his blind side.

"No, they won't know it was me."

Tammy saw an opportunity, "yes, they will!"

Lucas spun around.

"You bitch, what are you still doing here?"

"Getting a coffee before we head to the lecture theatre."

"You're out of here!"

"Nope."

Tammy could sense malice but there were too many students around, and more were approaching. Lucas turned to leave. "This ain't over."

"I couldn't agree more!" Said Tammy to whoever was listening. She reached for her phone and stopped the recording before, finally, approaching the stall for her drink.

A few minutes later she was in the lecture theatre ready for two hours of excitement, or boredom. She had clearly fazed Lucas as he only made eye contact once whilst the tutor droned on about the support available for ex prisoners returning to society, and the hardships they faced.

Tammy had helped put a good few in the courts and subsequently into prison and their freedom wasn't anything she'd considered. For terrorists there was often only one way they could leave a maximum security establishment, so she hadn't been involved with parole arrangements.

What of the minor criminals, such as Lucas' uncle? Once he'd finished the short sentence for assaulting Tammy and Angela, an incident that had occurred two years earlier, it hadn't been long before he was involved with thieving and assaulting behaviour. Could James Dougall be truly rehabilitated?

The way the lecturer was speaking, sending these poor unfortunates to prison was counter-productive and he suggested support in the community was a better approach. Judging by the mutterings and head shaking, most of the students didn't agree. Tammy wondered if she shouldn't have the tutor's name put through the Police National Computer?

"Excuse me sir, that's utter garbage."

Tammy turned her head, a lad had stood up and was addressing the tutor.

"How is it acceptable to put a dangerous criminal, or someone who has no regard for people and property, back on the street as if they had done nothing wrong?"

"It isn't as simple as that," replied the tutor, "society could be directly responsible for that person's behaviour."

The lecture theatre erupted in laughter, Tammy stifled her own amusement at the comment, remembering that she was a professional. The room died down as the tutor regained control, although it was clear that all credence had been lost.

"Clearly there are circumstances where incarceration is the only sensible solution."

The lunch bell sounded outside the room and, without waiting for permission, the students headed for the door.

Tammy had a lunchtime appointment and wasn't going to allow anyone to ruin it.

James was already in the bar when Tammy reached the Castletown Hotel.

"Wine, if you're feeling up to it?"

"No, James, I have a very busy rest-of-the-day and I'll be driving."

"Okay, let's grab a table and you can tell me how your day's been so far."

Part   Twelve   "Zero Tolerance"

 
Thursday 1st December 2016(Continued)
 

"You look lovely dear."

"Thank you Anne, Sandy worked her wonders."

"Come on Tammy, I know Sandy is good but she has to start with a good canvas in order to get a great result."

"I think I was in her chair for nearly an hour!"

"Well, the highlights work and the cut is perfect."

"On that I'd agree! Sorry Anne, but I need to check backstage."

Tammy had indeed spent some time in the salon that afternoon, starting with a visit to the torture chamber. Joanne had extracted all of Tammy's woes, all except those that could send Tammy into her own private incarceration, under duress. Tammy had even played her the audio recording of Lucas confirming his involvement.The beautician had promised to keep an eye out in case any strangers made an appearance backstage during the performance.

"Five minutes everyone!"

There were a few shouts of "almost done" but no calamities were in progress. Doing the honours for opening night were the B Cast, back up to strength with all five of the cast present.

In the auditorium, the A Cast were sat a few rows from the front whilst the local press, politicians, community leaders, key business owners and a few others, plus partners, all had free seats in the first few rows. Tammy had issued personal tickets to Mike Thompson, Rev Franklin, her parents and several others, whilst each of the two casts also had a few freebies available.

The local radio station had held a competition for free tickets and the staff rooms at each local school had received a bundle. The place was full but the only money taken was at the bar.

Tammy strolled onto the stage after giving a signal to the lighting engineer, the curtain remained down.

"Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Mill Theatre. My name is Tammy Smart and I am the director for this performance."

She paused, allowing polite applause.

"May I present, Deathtrap!"

She stepped off the stage and walked to a reserved seat in the front row, next to Dr McIntosh, as the curtain rose.

----

"Well done everyone."

Tammy was already in the green room as the first Act finished.

"Please concentrate on your timing, there were a few pregnant pauses during the second and third scenes."

Tammy guessed that most of the audience had missed the minor errors, but Steven McIntosh hadn't. She put it down to first night nerves as the same timing errors hadn't been seen during the previous two rehearsals.

Tammy headed for the bar next, to gauge how the audience found it.

"An interesting choice, Miss Smart?"

"Is that what your review will say?"

"Oh no, I haven't decided what I'll write yet."

"Given that it won't appear until Saturday's paper, I shall not worry."

"It'll be on our website just after breakfast tomorrow."

Many of the folk who knew Tammy simply said their greetings and left her alone, but the mood in the bar was upbeat. She was back in her seat a few seconds before the curtain rose for the second Act.

----

The applause at the end of the play was good, but not outstanding. Tammy joined the cast on the stage for their bow and shooed them to the dressing rooms as soon as the curtain dropped. It wasn't long before a few folk found their way backstage.

"Well done Tammy."

"Thanks Mum, now you can see what I was doing."

"So maybe your stress level can go down after the last performance?"

"That would be nice."

Anne McIntosh made her way past Joan, "the press are in the bar and they'd like a quote or two, Steven's got them at the moment."

The bar was somewhat busier this time, although many appeared to be waiting for a taxi or other transport. Steven and the three journalists were in the farthest corner, naturally,

"Ah, Tammy, do you have a word or two for these folk?"

"Certainly, Steve."

A reporter Tammy recognised asked, "Were you originally going to direct Guys and Dolls? What happened?"

"I was called away, unfortunately at short notice. I'm now resident in Thurso again so was fully available for Deathtrap."

She pointed at the lady to her left.

"Is it true that you assaulted one of the cast last weekend?"

Tammy felt her blood pressure rising, but Steven took control.

"Is that why you're here, your paper doesn't normally send anyone to our theatre? I think you can forget any more invitations, next time you will have to pay for your seat! Miss Smart and I will not be answering any more questions."

Dr McIntosh pulled Tammy away.

"Steven, Sir, I wanted to deal with her!"

"As far as I'm concerned, let them print lies. If we give them any quotes, they'll be used against you, against us, when there isn't a shred of evidence. I understand, however, that you did turn up some evidence?"

"How?"

"Anne told me, I don't know where she got it from."

"Well, yes, but it's not damning and could be explained away."

"But we need to be careful, someone is clearly out to get you."

"On that point, I completely agree."

"Keep you eyes open, Tammy, I'll see about getting a little more help for the rest of the performances."

By now Fleur had caught up with them, she'd been helping in the bar.

"More trouble, Tammy? I heard a few rumours in college today."

"I think I know the source, Fleur, and it sounds like he just wants to go back to prison."

"Well, try not to kill him before the justice system has a go!"

"I'll try, how's it looking back there?" Tammy pointed towards the foyer.

"Thinning out, the bar is closing shortly. I took a look outside and there's a Police car just outside the carpark."

"Probably just looking for drink drivers?"

"Probably."

Although the show had finished at ten o'clock, it was half eleven before Tammy arrived home. There were several missed calls on her phone but none of the numbers were familiar, she plugged it in and fell into bed, exhausted.

 
Friday 2nd December 2016
 

"Tammy, you should know that Steven phoned me this morning."

"I guessed he would, Dad."

"When were you going to mention any of it?"

"It only came to a head yesterday morning, and I've been kinda busy since then."

"What about telling the police?"

"I have no clear evidence Dad, and the Principal completely dismissed the allegation."

"What if Steven hadn't been at that rehearsal and the Principal hadn't found anyone competent at the theatre? You would have been suspended pending dismissal from your course and likely Police involvement. You would have been removed as director, too."

"On the basis of a total fabrication?"

"Yes, by the time it would be cleared up, you would have lost weeks of your coursework, the theatre would have parted with you and, probably, the security service will have cut its links."

"All because of a lie."

"Yes, so you were lucky, very lucky. Did you know that Anne McIntosh plays bridge with the Principal's wife?"

"No."

"Well, the incident involving Tom had already been passed through that channel when the official complaint arrived, otherwise you would have been called in days beforehand."

"I had wondered."

"You need to do better than that, write down all of your involvement with this Lucas, his father, Tom and so on, then we'll send a copy to our solicitor."

"When?"

"Now, I want this recorded today, in case anything else happens over the weekend."

"I have to be at the theatre by two!"

"Then you have six hours to do it."

Okay, but can I have breakfast first?"

Of course, the explanation about the thirty second audio clip took much longer than half a minute to document. Tammy had backtracked three weeks when she'd first noticed Tom grinning during the play at a point when that would have been inappropriate. She'd dismissed it then as nothing but then recalled Lucy stuttering over a few words, although she'd recovered quickly. All told, the incident wasn't bad enough, at the time, to halt the rehearsal.

Tammy's recollections moved forward to the incident with Lucy that led to Tom's dismissal a week later. She then considered where Lucas fitted into this. She wrote his story, from her viewpoint, from the beginning of term although it had been in mid November when Lucas had turned his attention towards Tammy, beginning when the break-in at the University was discussed in class. Tammy recalled he'd suggested she had worked with the police and she'd suggested he proved it.

Perhaps with hindsight that wasn't the best option, and Dave Brown had said so at the time. Perhaps Lucas was trying to force her to use her Police contacts to get herself out of this? No, she thought, he's not clever enough to play that game and neither is his uncle. It might be worth avoiding direct Police contact as a result? That wouldn't stop her solicitor making the moves, though.

She read back through her notes, fixed the English here and there, then printed off a copy for her father. It now ran to a page and a half of A4, but it was necessarily comprehensive.

"Okay Tammy, can you make a few changes here, and here?"

"Why?"

"Right now you haven't made it clear that you're the real victim, or potential victim. Sure, Lucy suffered, but that's fixed now? Tom has been sanctioned and Lucas, well, what has he actually done so far?"

"Snide remarks and supporting that complaint?"

"Do you have proof of that?"

"No, Dad, and I didn't say that I had proof."

"Yes, but you need to say how you feel about it, this isn't a court document and there'll be time to write a police statement if it ever comes to that. Jeremiah needs to know what impact this is having on you; if you're not affected, then there's nothing for him to do?"

"Fine, Dad, I'll make those changes."

"Then email it to me with the audio recording, I'll forward it to the solicitor with a covering note."

"If you want to?"

"I do, make sure you sign your original, send me a pdf?"

"Sure."

It was nearly eleven when Tammy finalised her statement, she still needed a shower but first she sent each of the B Cast a quick text, checking they were still on for the play. All bar Lucy replied within ten minutes. Tammy waited another ten minutes before stepping under the water spray.

"Why do you keep checking your phone?"

Richard and Tammy were at the kitchen table for lunch, a rare joint event.

"Lucy still hasn't replied to me, I sent her a message just after eleven, an hour and a half ago."

"It's probably nothing, did she have lessons today?"

"I can't remember."

"Look, there's plenty of time still."

"I need to be down there just after half past two, that's under two hours from now."

"So, plenty of time, what time is the curtain up?"

"Four."

"Well, no worries?"

"But?"

"If you start worrying now, what kind of shape will you be in by the time the play starts?"

"Ummm."

"Finish you lunch and maybe get an hour's kip, you don't have much time between the two performances, do you?"

"Two hours or so."

"Not enough time to get back here for a meal, so enjoy this one."

Tammy wasn't enjoying it, even though it looked good and tasted fine, Her phone pinged just as she put the scraps in the bin.

Sorry, my phone died and I didn't have my charger with me. Back home and leaving for the theatre at two. Lucy

Tammy wanted to relax, but was finding it difficult, grabbing some sleep right now was simply not possible. She grabbed a cold bottle of water and headed for her room, regardless.

----

"Tammy? It's gone two!"

She came to, Tammy was curled up on top of her bed, her tablet beside her.

"Tammy, did you hear me?"

"Yes, Dad, I'm coming."

She took a look in the bathroom mirror, her make-up was a mess and her eyes looked awful. She cleaned it all off but had no time to fix it. Her hair needed professional help, but all she could do was brush it and clip it back.

Tammy arrived at half-past two and rushed in, nodding at Steven McIntosh on her way past.

"Ah good, you're here?"

"Yes, sorry Fleur."

"Everything's under control, they know what they're doing."

"Are they all here?"

"Yes, including that boyfriend of yours."

"He's not ...."

"Really, Tammy, really?"

"Well ...."

"Look, have fun, enjoy the company and see where it leads?"

"Yeah, I best check on them."

"Is that natural blusher?"

Tammy went to the girls first, Joanne was just finishing Lucy."

"I was worried, Lucy."

"Sorry, there must be something wrong with my phone as the battery ran down much faster than normal."

Joanne looked up, "I think you need my services as well?"

"Please, before you go to see the boys?"

"Did you bring your kit with you?"

"Yes. I can't go out there without my warpaint, I ran out of time."

"We heard, your father phoned Dr McIntosh, he spoke to Fleur and she told us."

"Have I no secrets?"

"Nope, take a seat and show me what you brought, I only have my stage kit with me."

Ten minutes later Joanne had finished, "I need to sort out the boys now."

Tammy checked the time, an hour remained before it was curtain up time, time for her to make sure everything else was in place as the audience was due to start arriving any time now.

As this was the schools' performance the bar was closed although the smaller kiosk was busy selling soft drinks. Fleur was keeping an eye from a discreet distance.

"Only one kid has attempted to nick some chocolate so far, Tammy, he's already on his way home."

"Zero tolerance, even here?"

"At sixteen, they should know better. Don't forget that during the Independence Referendum in 2015 sixteen year olds had the right to vote, the right to decide Scotland's future."

"True."

"By the way, for someone who's just stepped out of bed you don't look bad."

"Thanks, I think! Oh, Fleur, is the new CCTV working?"

"Yes, why?"

"I think I can see a problem."

Part   Thirteen   "The Show Must Go On"

 
Friday 2nd December 2016 (Continued)
 

"Is that Tom Lake, at the back of the High School group?"

"Yes Fleur, can you get Steven?"

"No, Tammy, I'll deal with Tom, you get the boss, just in case."

Tammy made a quick exit, she wasn't certain she had been seen but didn't hear anything in her wake. Of course several of the audience wanted to say something to her as she went past and she had to politely say she was a little busy.

Steven was chatting to the cast.

"Sir, Steven, we may have an unwelcome guest in the foyer, he's tagging onto a group from Thurso High School."

"I take it that it's the one who was intent on ruining the show?"

"Yes, Fleur is monitoring, she thought it was better that she handled it."

"Indeed, Tammy, Fleur and myself are Theatre management and your responsibility lies with the play."

The former private school headteacher walked off.

"It's Tom isn't it?" Lucy was trembling. "He said he's ruin the show."

"When did he say that?"

"He sent me a text."

"Lucy, I thought you had blocked his number?"

"I did, this came from another number."

"Why didn't you let me know?"

"Uncle Iain said not to worry you, you had enough to deal with."

"Okay, I'm sure Fleur and Steven can sort it out."

Tammy checked with the lighting technician, all she'd managed to do the previous evening was to wave at him.

"Any problems?"

"No, not yet, I don't think we've had a fault since the theatre was refurbished last year."

"Good, and thanks for doing this."

"I enjoy it, it's a whole lot better than being on the stage!"

"I know what you mean, but at times I regret not being up there!"

Tammy could hear some shouting coming from the foyer but decided to let the others deal with it, it wasn't long before Fleur and Steven came looking for her.

"We've ejected him, I don't know what he had planned but his language was foul, fortunately Fleur had kept the primary school groups outside, on their buses."

"Was anyone else involved?"

Fleur answered, "I think I saw another lad was hanging around outside but I didn't get a close look."

"It might have been Lucas?"

"Perhaps we can check the CCTV later, We might need the footage from the foyer, but it's worth checking the carpark cameras as well."

"Thanks both of you, perhaps we can get on with the show?"

"Indeed, break a leg!"

Steven and Fleur started back towards the foyer. Tammy could see that the audience were still coming in and clearly the incident was a talking point amongst many of the children, and their supervising adults. Just then she spotted the B Cast coming into the auditorium, but Fleur had managed to intercept them - saving Tammy the trouble. Clearly Fleur had thought the same idea; use the off-duty cast as extra marshals.

Tammy was still close to Steven so updated him, although she had a spark of inspiration at the same time and offered it to the retired headteacher.

"I like that, leave it with me."

Her next port of call was the Green Room, all five of the cast were now ready and clearly first night nerves were going to be a problem.

"Will Tom try to get in again?"

Tammy would have liked the luxury of glossing over the possible outcomes, but that wasn't possible.

"Hopefully not, Fleur and Dr McIntosh dealt with him and there's extra security in the foyer."

"What about the stage door?"

"It's shut but it's a fire door so it can be opened in an emergency."

"So he couldn't get in that way?"

"No Lucy, he can't. Now, do any of you have any questions?"

"When are we on next?"

"Sorry James, didn't I tell you?"

"You might have done, but I could have been distracted at the time!"

Tammy blushed, unable to do much else, Lucy answered for her. "We get the matinee show tomorrow, and that's it. The other cast do the two evening shows."

The five minute bell sounded.

"There will be a slight delay before we raise the curtain, so you have a few minutes extra. Get to your places on time though, I'll be out front."

She walked across the stage and down the steps at the side, where Steven McIntosh was now stood.

"I have gathered three Headteachers and two Deputy Heads."

"Thank you Steven, and thank you everyone for agreeing to this extra curricular task."

That generated a smile, and even a smirk. Meanwhile, more of the audience noticed their school's senior management was now gathered by the stage, generating a wash of whispers. A minute later the house lights dimmed and Tammy walked, alone, onto the stage under a single spot. She hoped the lighting tech would realise what she had planned.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and welcome to the Mill Theatre. Could I first ask everyone to turn their phones off or at least mute them. Teachers, if you don't know how to do that, ask your class."

Naturally all the eleven and twelve year olds thought that was hilarious, but whilst they giggled or chortled, all of the Heads walked onto the stage. Suddenly the theatre was silent again. Tammy handed the microphone to Steven.

"Hello, for those who don't know me I was the Headmaster at St Andrews School, but I'm sure you recognise your own Headteacher or Deputy Head here. The reason we are all on this stage is because one person has been trying to ruin this show and we don't know if anyone in here was going to help him. Our advice is simple, don't. None of us like bullies and we want you all to know that we will find and deal with all bullies."

A few of the other senior staff on the stage said similar words then they all walked back to their seats, Steven handed the microphone back to Tammy.

A mobile phone rang, the entire audience turned to look.

"Err, sorry, I forgot I was carrying two."

Tammy saw, and recognised, the guilty party; she thought about saying something in response, but this was a drama and not a farce.

"Without any further ado, we present Deathtrap!"

Tammy wondered if the plot was a little too dark for the eleven year olds, but the theatre board had cleared it and hadn't asked for any changes or cuts to the script.

By the end of the first Act, Tammy's mouth was dry so she went in search of some water, Iain Davison caught up with her, "I'd just like to speak with Lucy Oh, apologies for my phone - I was still technically at work."

Tammy grabbed a bottle and went in search of Joanne, she was touching up one of the boys' warpaint.

"Done! Don't rub your cheek!"

"How's it going, Jo??"

"Fine, Tammy, this isn't hard work but I am losing pay by being here!"

"An hour a day?"

"Yeah!" She laughed, "but I do like the atmosphere in the theatre, and nobody questions my choice of colours!"

"I'll remember that next time you do my make-up."

"Here, how did that lad try to get in?"

"He was tagging onto a secondary school group, from Thurso Highschool, perhaps he was hoping we'd think he was a teaching assistant?"

"Not with 007 Tammy on the case?"

"Anyway, Fleur handled it."

"What was it with the suits on the stage?"

"Not sure if Tom has an accomplice, although we have no idea what he's planning. We wanted to make sure the kids all had guilt complexes if they thought about helping."

"Yeah, maybe, thing is teachers are the biggest bullies in most schools."

"That's a big generalisation, Jo."

"Okay, maybe a few teachers, but I still reckon the bad ones are in the majority of schools."

"Even St Andrews had a couple of rotten ones."

"All dealt with now?"

"I'd assume."

The bell sounded, Tammy made a quick dash to the nearest loo.

A few minutes later she found Iain in the Green Room, with the cast. "It's time, Iain."

"I'll stay here, it was a little uncomfortable around those teenagers at the back."

Tammy regained her seat next to Steven. "Any problems?"

"Two attempted thefts of chocolate, it seems one of the pair was told it was an initiation task by an older boy."

"Oh dear, what's been done?"

"Left in the hands of the relevant teachers."

The lights dimmed and a few seconds later the curtain was raised for the second Act.

About twenty minutes into the second Act, Tammy could hear tapping. It wasn't loud but the theatre was very quiet. When one of the actors was distracted by the noise, she decided to investigate.

Backstage she could hear a grunt and found Iain holding an older teenager. "Let me go!"

"Okay, what were you doing back here?"

"I wanted the toilet."

"So you went past the No Entry signs."

"I didn't see no signs, it was dark."

The knocking, which had paused, now continued, the lad became agitated.

"Tell us your name."

"No!"

By now, Steven and Fleur had also arrived, Fleur recognised which group he'd arrived with so quickly took his photo with her phone. "We'll identify you later, let's go."

As they went back into the auditorium, the knocking became a little more frantic.

"Shall we see who's there?" Asked Steven.

The door was eased open, and the two lads were very surprised , although they recovered quickly enough to leave in haste. The door was firmly, but quietly, shut; Steven decided to go to the lobby, just in case.

"I recognised Tom Lake, so you know who the other one was, Tammy?"

"Yes Iain, he's Lucas Younger, he's on the same course as me."

"I see. I reckon Mr Lake will be back in front of the Sheriff shortly, I'll join Steven out the front to phone it in. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, so far I haven't caught Lucas actually doing anything."

"Bear that in mind if you decide to make accusations!"

"I'm planning on keeping my head below the parapet."

"Good idea, I must go!"

Tammy walked back into the Green Room and listened to the play's final ten minutes from there. She moved to the side of the stage as the final scene unfolded and the curtain dropped.

"Well done everyone, quickly .....!"

When the curtain came back up all five actors, plus Tammy, were on the stage. There was applause from the adults and eventually most of the children joined in. Tammy signalled and the curtain dropped again. As soon as the house lights came on there was movement in the theatre, and various teachers were shouting as their flocks to stay still. Tammy decided that backstage was a much safer place.

"What happened?"

"We found Tom outside with another lad, he had an accomplice who was going to open the stage door."

"I asked about the door!"

"Yes, Lucy, but we have to be able to open it from the inside and Tom knew this."

"So, did they get him?"

"They ran away, your uncle's dealing with it and will no doubt run you home."

Tammy sent them to the dressing rooms to clean their faces and change, Steven and Fleur joined her in the Green Room.

"An eventful afternoon, Tammy?"

"Yes, Steven, and I'm back here tonight - remember?"

"We all are. By the way, I sent the other cast home at the end of the interval."

"Okay, it gives them an hour extra to relax!"

"Now, Tammy, we have a problem."

"Another one?"

"Yes, the theatre's website has had a glitch, apparently we have sold out for a matinee performance on Sunday."

"But we're not playing on Sunday?"

"You are now."

"Great. I'll let the cast know, it'll be this lot!"

"Did you read the reviews?"

"No chance, I've been busy and I haven't even checked my phone for messages."

Naturally one or two couldn't make it on Sunday, including Lucy.

"Sorry Tammy, we didn't know so I have other plans."

"Until just now I didn't know either!"

Twenty minutes later backstage was cleared, Tammy grabbed a broom and helped sweep all the confectionery detritus out from behind the seating. They had an hour before the doors opened for the evening performance and the theatre had to be clean and welcoming.

The B Cast arrived on time and didn't need any prompting to get ready, meanwhile a more mature audience was taking shape. This was the first proper night, just about everyone will have paid for their tickets.

She took a walk up to the bar and was recognised by many, even if she could only name about half of those who called her name. The bar staff looked familiar. "Evening lads."

"Good evening Miss Smart."

"Is this another sideline of yours?"

"We volunteer to run the bar on weekends if there's an event on and if we're free. It helps deter the miscreants if they know we're here."

Tammy couldn't agree more, the two Fraser brothers were perfect bar staff, you wouldn't argue with them if they refused you a drink - not if you knew that they were also part-time police constables and the muscle of the local shinty team.

She spoke to the evening's cast and explained the day's events as they'd missed the later incident.

"I need some volunteers for Sunday's matinee?"

She received some offers, but Lucy's counterpart wasn't available. She decided to call the understudy later as there were too many things to deal with.

-----

She crawled into bed at eleven, after a late re-heated supper in the kitchen.There had been no further news of Tom and Lucas so the day's second show had been perfect, no trouble, no errors and no worries. She still hadn't called the understudy, but it could wait. Regardless of everything, the show had to go on.

----

Mill Theatre (local info site) - https://arts.caithness.org/group/112

The Mill Theatre (Thurso Players) - http://www.thursoplayers.org.uk/Mill%20Theatre.htm

Shinty (A Highlands Sport) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinty

Part   Fourteen   "Dramatis Personae"

 
Saturday 3rd December 2016
 

Tammy's first task, after breakfast, showering, and so on, was to update her notes. Fleur had found a name for the miscreant boy, Colin Younger, age fifteen, so she added this information and forwarded the file to her father for onwards transmission to their solicitor.

She next phoned the understudy who would be playing Helga and explained how neither of the two actors were available for the extra performance.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't think you'd need me now, I'm in Edinburgh for the weekend, I've never made it to the Edinburgh Winter Festival before."

"Okay, enjoy yourself."

The reviews from the media websites were fair to good, but none of them was truly enthusiastic about the production. To be honest, Tammy was expecting something like that, this was a classic melodrama and didn't possess the razzmatazz that a musical, farce or a comedy would have. One concern was the allegation that she'd hit someone, but she couldn't find it in any of the papers, hopefully that was now a dead story, particularly bearing in mind the subsequent events.

Tammy put down her tablet and thought about what she still needed to do. She still hoped she could persuade Lucy to be available after all for Sunday's matinee as, right now, she was fresh out of actors who knew that part.

Today's matinee was a little earlier, at two, which would give Tammy and all the backstage crew a few hours off. Her phone rang, breaking her concentration.

"Ah, good morning Miss Smart, it's Mike Thompson."

"Good morning, what can I do for you?"

"I had an interesting phone call last night and it concerned you, when might you free to discuss it with me?"

"Now?"

"In person, I'm afraid."

"Monday afternoon, perhaps?"

"I'll see you then, thank you."

Tammy was none the wiser when she finished the call, but clearly the matter wasn't urgent. She did some coursework for an hour, or so, before heading into town.

"What have you done to your hair?"

"Sorry Sandy, but it's been a case of long days, short nights and quick showers."

"Well, let's see if I can't make you presentable."

After twenty minutes, and far too much hairspray, the hairdresser declared her task completed. "Are you going to the theatre now?"

"No, I have a lunch appointment."

"With James?"

"Err, yes."

"Why the worry? As far as I'm concerned you are allowed to have a boyfriend!"

"But he's not my boyfriend."

"Sure looks like it, to me at least. Off you go."

Tammy settled her bill and walked the short distance to the hotel, the Fraser Brothers were sat at the bar and it looked like OJ was their choice of drink.

"Hello Miss Tammy."

"Hello boys, are you joining us later?"

"We'll be there but we're working on Sunday."

"I'm hoping for a quiet and uneventful day?"

"You'll get one, we see to that."

James walked in behind Tammy and kissed her on the cheek.

"Not here!" She hissed.

"Why not? I hope you're not ashamed of me?"

"No, but, let's get a table."

Tammy had only managed two slices of toast with her coffee, because of a touch of indigestion from her late supper. Fortunately that had now passed so she ordered the all-day breakfast, whilst James ordered an omelette and wedges.

"Tammy, are you sure about that, I mean it'll ruin your figure?"

"Will it? By the time the day's out I'll have burnt off most of the calories, in any case, only I'm allowed to worry about my figure!"

"I thought I had the right to be concerned; as your boyfriend, and all that?"

"Really?"

James reached across the table and gently took one of Tammy's hands, pulling it to his lips where he gently kissed it. "If I have caused offence, may I apologise?"

"Apology accepted." Tammy giggled, a few feet away someone else was laughing.

"Tanya!"

"So he's not your boyfriend, mum told me what you said? Seriously Tammy?"

"Depends on your definition?"

"Rubbish, just because it's been a while doesn't mean you have forgotten what they look like?"

James seemed to take an interest in Tanya's words, Tammy thought she could hear his brain ticking.

"Where's John?"

"At the bar getting drinks, can we join you?"

"Err, it's a table for two?"

"Frances has prepared a bigger table for us, over in the back corner."

"Hey, what have you done with the Tanya I know?"

John now joined them as Tammy and James reluctantly started to relocate. "It's frightening Tammy, I'm pretty sure she's an alien who's impersonating my Tanya." That earned him a slap, on the rear.

"I see what you mean, John, the real Tanya would have slapped your face!"

At the new table Frances helped the ladies with their chairs; Tammy handled introductions.

"James, this is Tanya and John, who might eventually get married. Tanya and John, this is James, my boyfriend."

Tanya was, naturally, interested in how Tammy and James had met and how far their relationship had progressed.

"Hey, I don't ask you that question?"

"You don't need to, I'm pregnant, remember?" She patted her bump, although it was John's turn to blush.

"I guess your mum told you where to find me?"

"She did, but I'm subbing for Joanne this afternoon, she has appointments she can't swerve."

"Oh, okay."

"It means I can get my hands on your boyfriend, and the other guys?"

"The cast is small, Tanya, do you have Jo's stage kit?"

"It's in our car."

Their food now arrived and Tammy's plate certainly surprised a few of them.

"I'm a growing, busy, girl. Plus I might not get another meal today!"

Tanya had ordered a salad and had clearly decided that John should do likewise, Tammy guessed that some things hadn't changed in that relationship. It had been months since Tammy had seen Tanya, and she'd heard virtually nothing of her friend for ages.

"Come on, Tanya, what's the big secret?"

"Well, I got over the morning sickness, the depression has also gone. I've stopped pigging on take-aways as well."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, Tammy. The wedding's back on and it'll be in March, we've asked Mike Thompson if we can use St Andrews."

"That'll be a first for a boys school? When's your babe due?"

"The bairn should be with us around the twelfth of April."

"That's cutting it a bit fine?"

"Look, it'll take months to set it up, to get it right, plus I would like some milder weather. Have you ever tried getting measured for a dress knowing that you'll be two sizes bigger by the big day?"

"Me, married? Come on!"

James had a sudden look of concern, which Tanya spotted, Tammy soon picked it up.

"What's up, dear?"

"I think I can cope with this marriage question, but didn't you go to St Andrews?"

"Yes, I was the first girl there."

"How long were you there?"

John and Tanya looked concerned, Tammy wasn't sure how to answer, but James waited and didn't push her.

"A few years."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, err, hadn't we better get to the theatre?"

It was gone half-past twelve and the audience was pulling into the carpark, Tammy found the rest of the cast in the Green Room, already dressed.

"Tanya will be looking after you today, be easy on her."

She left them to get finished and took Tanya's man up to the foyer. "Do you have a ticket, John?"

"Couldn't get one."

"There's always a few who don't show, so there'll be a seat for you. In the meantime, can you give Fleur a hand?"

"With what?"

"Anything she asks!"

Tammy checked with the volunteers that everything was set, the auditorium was starting to fill but there was still an hour before curtain up. There was no sign of Steven McIntosh but Tammy remembered he had said something about the golf club. She spotted Iain Davison walking towards where she was stood, just to the left of the stage.

"One of the local officers went to see the Younger family this morning, Colin was advised not to become involved in any pranks."

"I have no idea what they were planning, if Colin had let them in, but I guess it wasn't going to be a laughable prank."

"Unfortunately, Colin wasn't saying and Lucas wasn't at home."

"Were their parents understanding?"

"Lets just say they didn't have any kind words."

"What about Tom Lake?"

"A report has gone to the Sheriff, it's up to them to decide if he's broken the terms of his conviction."

"In the meantime?"

"He's not at home and his car hasn't been seen, beyond that I don't know."

"Thanks Iain, for the update."

"I should add that you do not pass it on, I can't even tell Lucy any of that."

"But?"

"But I know you could probably get the same information via other routes?"

"Possibly." Or probably not right now, she considered. "Are you staying?"

"'Fraid not, I'll be back at four."

She watched Iain leave, via the stage steps. Tammy waited for a few seconds then went to check with the cast, just as Iain was heading for the stage door. Tanya had clearly finished her make-up duties, for now, as she was sat gossiping.

"Tammy, you haven't told them much about yourself, so I filled in the gaps."

Tammy stared at the pregnant girl, rage building inside.

"It was a joke, right? Tammy, a joke!"

The Director turned and walked out, went to the stage door and exited into the carpark, slamming the door behind her. Her coat, bag and common-sense were all inside the theatre, meanwhile snow was falling, the air temperature was rapidly dropping and her lightweight skirt suit simply wasn't adequate. She stood unsure whether to walk away but chose, reluctantly, to walk into the warmth of the foyer.

"Tammy, what's up?"

Fleur was quite alarmed at the girl's sudden appearance, John then asked the same question.

"Go and ask your fiancée!"

He quickly exited, Fleur quietly asked if there was anything she could do but Tammy shook her head and walked into the auditorium, her rage dissipating. It took her ten minutes to reach the Green Room due to the many familiar faces in the audience, but was a useful distraction.

John met Tammy and sent her along to the girls' dressing room. "My wife-to-be would like to say something."

Tanya, instead, burst into tears, although her make-up was already a complete mess.Tammy took her hands and guided Tanya to a chair, taking an adjacent one. She waited for Tanya to regain her composure.

"I'm sorry, Tammy, I wasn't thinking straight. I thought it would be a laugh but now I remember those talks by the men in black suits. I knew I'd said something wrong. If you like, I'll just go."

Tammy pulled out a bunch of tissues from a box on the side and handed a few to Tanya, before drying her own eyes. "No, Tanya, you volunteered for this gig so you should stay! Yes, I was hurt, and you know why. If I'd had my keys when I walked outside, I'd be at home right now."

There was a cough from the doorway.

"If my two favourite ladies have sorted themselves out, we're only fifteen minutes from curtain up."

Tanya looked in a mirror, "gawd, I'm a mess." She looked at Tammy, "and I think you should sort yourself out before the public see you!"

Tammy rescued her bag from a corner of the Green Room and started to remake her face, using a wall mirror. A few minutes later she looked ready for the world but her eyes betrayed her, that called for more eye shadow in a darker shade, not strictly an afternoon style.

The cast waited whilst Tammy finished her ministrations. "Sorry about that, everyone, I should know Miss Smith well enough not to get wound up by her. She has offered to go home and leave us in peace but I refused her request. I happen to know she's not due to go into labour for a few months so we have plenty of time left to torture her?"

Tammy paused, "now, I believe, we have an audience waiting. Let's all break a leg and get on with the show!"

Tammy strolled onto the stage, taking a place in front of the curtain after collecting a microphone.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and a very warm welcome to the Mill Theatre, I'm Tammy Smart. Could I first please ask that you check your phones?" She paused for a few second. "May I present Deathtrap!"

By the interval the audience was getting into the swing of it with oooohs and ahhhhhs aplenty. When Tammy checked in the bar she saw a roaring trade, of mainly soft drinks. It seemed that the two part-time bar staff who were also part-time police officers, were keeping many drivers off the alcohol. Their speciality was alcohol-free cocktails.

Tammy then spotted Sgt Stuart St James near the bar, in plain clothes.

"Hello?"

"Ah, good afternoon Miss Smart."

"Are you enjoying the show?"

"Yes, although I'm not here to have fun, officially anyway."

"Understood."

That eased Tammy's mind, she'd known Sgt St James since her very first full day as a girl and the Sgt, then Constable, had been one of the first to learn of her new legal name, as well as being aware of her previous one. His attitude had been distant at first but she now considered him a friend, or at least an acquaintance.

She was, naturally, stopped by a few familiar faces on her way back to her seat for the second Act. John had clearly noticed the empty chair so parked himself in it.

"Whose seat is this one?"

"Dr McIntosh!"

"Oh!"

"You're safe, for now."

"Safe? I still have to deal with Tanya when we get home."

"Is this new personality an act?"

"No, no, she really has changed."

The lights dimmed and the curtain came up for the second time.

Tammy sensed that the cast were going a little quicker than normal and she tried to signal for them to slow down. When they did get the message, it was in the third, and final, scene and they were two or so minutes ahead of schedule.

The characters Helga and Porter, played by Lucy and James, were on the stage for the last time and were just concluding their lines when there was an explosion, then the lights went out. The emergency lights came on and Tammy took the cast to the Green Room, whilst Fleur took to the stage, without the benefit of amplification.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid we do not yet know what has happened and I ask that you stay in your seats. The police are outside investigating and there is no risk to anyone in the building."

Part   Fifteen   "Big Bang Theories"

 
Saturday 3rd December 2016 (Continued)
 

"Stay here, I'm going to see what's happened."

"Is that wise?" Asked James, with the rest of the cast nodding their agreement.

"Let's just say that I've had some specialist training, I'll need my bag."

James was reluctant to let Tammy go on her own but John, who had stood in the doorway, told him to sit and wait.

"She's got me, us, out of a few tight spots before."

"Such as?"

"Sorry, I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement, or something like that, I can't tell you where or when and you won't find it on the internet. Apart from that, I'm a trainee solicitor and my legal advice, such as it is, is to never volunteer to do anything risky."

Tammy headed past the audience who were still, largely in their seats.

"What's happening?" Was the standard question.

"I'm going to find out!"

From the foyer it was clear that the constabulary were there with blue lights flashing everywhere. An ambulance was pulling into the carpark as she reached the doorway - Sgt St James was keeping the inquisitive audience members inside.

"Can I get past please Stuart?"

"Yes, but I must warn you it's not a pretty sight."

There were moans, naturally, why Tammy was allowed out and the others weren't.

There was a strange smell in the air that she couldn't place as she walked further from the main entrance. Most of the personnel were based around a corner of the building, not far from the stage door. She could see one person being treated by paramedics whilst another laid on the ground, covered by a sheet.

"Tammy, I really don't think you should be here?"

"Iain, I had to know, I get the feeling that this was directed at me."

"Well, Lucas Younger is under arrest, although he's receiving treatment for burns right now and we have one fatality."

"Who? How?"

"We can't name him until there's been a formal identification, and please don't speculate."

"Okay, but what happened?"

"It seems they got into the electrical meter box and attempted to sever the power, clearly something went wrong."

"Oh, will the power be back on for tonight's show?"

"That depends on whether we can get forensics here from Inverness so they can gather their evidence, there will have to be a fatal accident inquiry and there's a strict procedure to be followed."

"How would forensics get here?"

"By van."

"That's two hours by road, how about if we helicopter them?"

"No good, their van is packed with all the equipment needed."

"Damn. When can we let the audience out?"

"I would imagine in ten or fifteen minutes, but first we have to remove Lucas and the deceased then secure the site ready for the forensic team."

Tammy walked back inside.

"Chief Inspector Davison says there be a wait of up to fifteen minutes then you'll be able to leave." Of course there were questions but Tammy shrugged, adding that she knew nothing more. From the stage she made the same announcement and then spotted Fleur helping an elderly lady back to her seat.

"I saw you going out, what did you learn?"

Tammy took Fleur away from prying ears. "Lucas has been arrested, he was trying to cut the power."

"Well, he achieved that."

"Unfortunately, someone died out there, someone who was with Lucas."

"Oh, who?"

"They wouldn't tell me, Fleur, so I don't want to speculate."

"What about tonight's performance?"

"Doesn't look like the police will be finished in the next few hours, it's gone four now and the doors open at 6.30, we can't let them in without a guarantee that the power has been restored."

"That means we'll have to cancel, I'll get hold of Steven."

"And I'll contact the other cast."

It was only another ten minutes before the police announced that the audience could return to their cars, Chief Inspector Iain Davison took the stage.

"My apologies, but we have been dealing with a death in the car park, we have one person with severe injuries and a crime scene that will keep my colleagues busy for many hours. A safe route has been established and I ask that you make your way, slowly, out of the theatre. Thank you."

He left the stage without waiting for questions and spoke quietly to Lucy outside the Green Room before exiting the theatre via the stage door. Tammy had just got off the phone, now the A cast wanted to know what was happening.

"Okay, my guess is that power will be restored in time for tomorrow's matinee, which is another sell-out. Please be here by twelve thirty, Lucy?"

"I'll try to get here. Uncle Iain says I have to do a statement, so I don't think I'm going anywhere - was Tom involved, I mean did he die?"

"I don't know, I really don't know."

"What happened?"

"They cut the power, but clearly something went wrong, you all heard the explosion?"

They all nodded.

"Right, you'd all best go home."

"Will you be okay?"

"Yes, John, take Tanya home and thanks for being here."

Tammy followed them into the near deserted auditorium where she found Fleur.

"What did Steven say?"

"We take a rain check at nine in the morning, an electrical engineer is due here an hour before that to restore power."

"What went wrong, any ideas?"

"Hamish, the lighting guy, thinks they didn't realise it was now a three phase supply, he says although each phase is 230V there's 400V between any two of the phases."

"I remember doing something about that in Physics."

"Yeah, apparently it's rated at a hundred Amps per phase, Hamish says that's easily enough to fry someone. Do we know who it is yet?"

"No, I suppose everyone thinks it's Tom?"

"It can't be, Sgt St James told me that he was found in his car on Millbank Road, his younger brother was with him."

"Oh, who the hell was it then?"

"Look, Tammy, why don't you go home? Steven's on his way here but I doubt there's anything you can do?"

"Sure."

Tammy didn't get further than the foyer when Iain intercepted her. "I need a statement from you, young lady?"

"I've supplied my solicitor with updates regarding Tom and Lucas."

"We'd like those, but you still need to do a statement."

"When?"

"Are you here tomorrow?"

"Probably?"

"Okay, I'll have an officer see you at eleven, you should be done in time for the play."

"Assuming it goes on?"

"Indeed."

Screens had been erected outside so she couldn't see the scene of the incident. She first thought of it as an accident, but this was deliberate criminal damage albeit with an unfortunate outcome. Of course, did the person get what they deserved? Will it teach Lucas a lesson? Tammy didn't have answers to those questions.

It was gone five when Tammy reached her car, at the far end of the car-park, it was dark and cold, there was snow on the ground and the windscreen was frozen. She reached in the boot for her can of de-icer when a woman walked towards her.

"It's your fault," she screamed, "your bloody fault."

Tammy dropped the de-icer and reached for her bag, still on her shoulder.

"I don't know who you are, but how can I be responsible for criminal damage?"

"I'm Tom's mother, both of my boys are under arrest and his best friend is in hospital - you are to blame!"

She was very close and went to jab Tammy, who quickly stepped back, putting the car between them.

Tammy's fingers finally found a small can of spray and she pulled it into her hand. "I really don't know what you are thinking, your son is a bully and one of my actresses almost quit over his harassment."

The woman had eased around the car but now lurched towards Tammy who stepped back but raised her spray. "Come any closer and I'll use this!"

Fortunately the Fraser brothers had heard the altercation, Andrew went to Tammy whilst Neale stopped the older woman. Neale immediately tried to defuse the situation whilst Andrew had some advice for Tammy.

"Put that away, that's standard police CS, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Are you armed?"

"No."

"Good, I don't like extra complications. Have you written your statement yet?"

"No, that's set for tomorrow."

"I'd like you to do a short statement about this," he waved his arm towards his brother, "before you go home."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now, did she hit you?"

"No, but she would have done."

"Okay, we'll arrest her for threatening behaviour."

"My car has cameras fitted, you can have the footage."

"Oh, so you would have recorded everyone arriving for the play?"

"Yes. I can't download the footage without a laptop, but could do it tomorrow?"

"In which case we'd ask that you leave your car here tonight."

"No way."

"Then wait for the CSI team."

Tammy made certain her car was locked then walked back into the theatre, her phone rang.

"Hi Dad."

"I'd just seen the news, are you okay?"

"More or less, I'll be here for another hour or two. Any chance of a hot meal?"

"It'll be waiting for you when you get home."

"Thanks?"

"Look, you weren't due back here until ten tonight, so you'll be getting off early?"

"When you put it that way ...."

When the footage from her car was downloaded, Tom's car could clearly be seen coming into the carpark and dropping two people off, one was Lucas but the other one had his face covered. Tom had then reversed and exited, presumably to park up where he'd been found. The altercation was also in the footage, to Neale and Andrew's delight.

"Are you on overtime?"

"Yes, it was a question of being in the right place at the right time."

"You promised me a quiet day!"

"Sorry, you should know that the Q word is forbidden in the nick!"

It was nine that night when Tammy was finally allowed to leave the theatre. Unfortunately the loss of power had also caused the air conditioning to fail so the theatre had cooled to five Celsius by the time she left.

She ate in her room, the kitchen and dining room simply didn't appeal. Angela was out, somewhere, and her parents were in the lounge watching the telly. Tammy wasn't in the mood for anything, but managed a shower before bed.

 
Sunday 4th December 2016
 

Her hair was a mess when she woke, shortly after seven. She'd used a shower cap but it hadn't been fully effective, so the first task was another shower, this time washing her hair. It was closer to eight by the time she reached the kitchen, dressed and ready for the day.

The Scotsman was on the table and a small article caught her eye on the front page.

So Lucas' uncle, James Dougall, had been under that sheet. Tammy shivered, she hadn't liked the man and he had previously assaulted her, but she felt some emotion now she knew who it was.

"What's up, Tammy?"

"This, Dad." She pointed at the small piece.

"I suppose there'll be a Fatal Accident Inquiry then."

"Yes, I bet I'll be called as a witness, it'll be just another way that the families can blame me."

"Really?"

Tammy recounted her incident of the previous evening.

"Did you get a copy of your statement?"

"No, I forgot, I was tired."

"Okay, I'll get onto the solicitors. What's the plan today?"

"I'm waiting for a phone call to say that the play's going ahead, but the police want me there at eleven to do the main statement."

"I think you should have representation, I'll call them now."

"I can handle it."

"Maybe, and you're old enough to ignore my advice, but I think you'll want to make certain you cover everything and don't leave yourself open to any allegations."

"True."

She decided just before half ten to head down to the theatre, there hadn't been a phone call so she still didn't know if the play was on. Given the previous day's incident, she parked closer to the stage door, noting that there was just one van parked by the electrical box. Elsewhere in the car-park there was a smattering of ordinary cars and two police cars.

As she exited her car she could see a man crouched by the box, there was a loud click followed by a shout.

"Okay, try it now!"

Gradually the building lights came back on, then the aircon unit on the rear wall kicked into action, Tammy's spirits were raised as she entered the building, the show would go on!

Part   Sixteen   "Riddles"

 
Sunday 4th December 2016 (Continued)
 

Jeremiah Smith was waiting for Tammy in the foyer, talking to a police officer she didn't recognise.

"Ah, Miss Smart, this is Inspector Sutherland. He's handling the follow-up interviews."

"Sutherland? Any relation to the pharmacy here in Thurso?"

He laughed, "I've been asked that a few times but I'm normally based in Inverness and I'm originally from Dundee."

"Good, will you be interviewing me?"

"No, I brought a team with me, I understand from various sources that you are familiar with the local officers?"

"I've been involved with a few incidents, plus Chief Inspector Iain Davison was the main director in this very theatre before I was asked to take over."

"Well, we'll conduct these interviews using officers you won't know, so you may be asked to explain some things in more detail than if it were a local officer."

"I see, Jeremiah did you bring my earlier reports?"

He patted his briefcase, "I did, plus a few notarised copies."

"How long do I have before we start?"

"About half an hour, any chance of a coffee?"

"For you, Jeremiah, of course."

Tammy checked with Steven, who was slowly switching the theatre equipment back on. "I take it we're go for this afternoon?"

"Yes, Tammy, please inform the cast. One question, do you think the other cast would be available for an additional show this evening?"

"Really?"

"I think we owe it to our patrons to put a show on."

"For the money?"

"We're talking to our insurance company but I doubt if we'll be compensated for this."

"I guess there's no point suing the estate of James Dougall?"

"It normally wouldn't do any harm but might be seen locally as a unfriendly act?"

"What he did wasn't friendly!"

"Even so, we'll offer seats to anyone holding Saturday night tickets, can you put a cast together?"

"I'll try."

Tammy went to the Green Room to sit whilst making all the calls. Lucy put her head around the door just before Tammy was going to call her.

"Ah, good, are you available?"

"Yes, I'm being interviewed shortly but I'll stay for the play."

"I've been asked to put a show on this evening."

"Is everyone available?"

"I haven't called them yet."

"Okay, I'm just going to get a drink."

Tammy worked through the five cast members, and at first attempt managed to confirm four of the five, but she couldn't raise the other actress playing Helga. She tried the understudy a few times before getting through to her.

"Sorry, I've just left Edinburgh and I won't be home before eight."

Tammy was interrupted by a fresh faced pollice constable.

"Miss Smart?"

"Yes?"

"We're ready to interview you, we're using the manager's office."

Tammy sat next to Jeremiah Smith, of Smith, Smith and Smith, Solicitors and faced the PC. Inspector Sutherland sat away from the desk but said nothing.

"Now, Miss Smart, I'd like to record your statement concerning the events over the past few days. I must caution you that ...."

"Stop! Why is my client being cautioned?"

"There's been an allegation."

"Really? My client attended here at her own free will and has, over the past few weeks, catalogued a litany of bullying, harassment and a concerted effort to disrupt this theatre. Last night's events were only the latest chapter and my client was in the audience at the time!"

Tammy silently thanked her father for insisting she had legal representation.

The Inspector stood and opened the office door, calling the PC to follow him.

"What was all that about?"

"I'm uncertain, Miss Smart, but you are here as a witness and nothing more. Please don't get into an argument with the police, let me do that."

"Fine."

The officers re-entered the room and resumed their seats.

"My apologies, there is no need to caution you, Miss Smart. Now, let me take you back to last night."

Tammy nodded, she had a feeling that they would be in that room for some time, regardless.

----

It was gone midday when she finally emerged into the foyer, having taken her time to fully read the satement before signing it, after her solicitor had also read and accepted it.

"Thank you Jeremiah, I didn't take a copy of last night's statement so you might want to obtain one?"

"Indeed, goodbye Miss Smart and please don't hesitate to call me. I strongly advise you don't attend any interviews without representation."

"Quite, thank you again."

Tammy made another attempt to get hold of the actress who would be playing Helga that evening and finally the call was answered.

"She's got the flu and needs peace and quiet! Stop calling!"

Lucy wasn't accommodating, "sorry Tammy, but I'm not free this evening."

"What am I going to do?"

"You must know the part?"

"Sure, but I haven't rehearsed."

"We have a bit of time, I'll go through the script with you."

 
Monday 5th December 2016
 

It was a real bind to get into the university, Tammy was quite tired. She'd also stumbled through her lines, although Steven had thanked her from the stage for standing in. His added comment was "not that I would have offered myself!"

She had one lecture and one seminar today but naturally the chatter was about Lucas' non-appearance and it was clear to Tammy that there was anger directed at her. The tutor giving the lecture was also becoming irritated with the attitude of a small group. Tammy had sat near the front this time so she wouldn't see the Tom and Lucas fan club in operation. The tutor decided to act.

"What's going on Tammy?"

"Did you see the news about the theatre?"

"Yes."

"Apparently, I'm to blame?"

"How?"

"Would you mind if I addressed them?"

The tutor stood aside and Tammy stepped up to the dais.

"Pointing fingers and making accusations is a very dangerous approach, and I would have thought that criminology students would realise that? Let me spell this out: Tom tried to disrupt the play that I was directing, firstly from the stage and then by bullying and finally by apparent criminal activity. he drove Lucas and his uncle to the theatre where they went to shut off the power, there is CCTV of him dropping them off. Lucas suffered burns and is under arrest, his uncle sadly died.

"My crime, according to the court of public opinion, was apparently to want to put on a play, protect the cast from bullies and do the best I could. If you think that, somehow, I am responsible for any criminal actions then you are deluded and clearly on the wrong course."

A few of the group applauded and a few jeered at her. The tutor made one more attempt to quieten the room.

"Very well spoken, Tammy, I take it that you've been interviewed?"

"Yes, for over an hour, I then put on two shows and took to the stage to fill in for a missing actress."

"I was there."

The tutor was keeping an eye on two boys and one girl who were still making comments. He noted their names.

"Tammy mentioned CCTV at the theatre, well, we have CCTV in this room and I'll let the Principal know about what went on this morning, as it happens he was also in the theatre last night. Any continued disruption could lead to suspension, you have been warned."

Tammy took a minute during the mid morning break to call her solicitors, John answered.

"Looks like the Tom and Lucas fan club is still active." She passed him the names of the three miscreants.

"Okay, I'll let Mr Smith know. We've been told that all of those arrested have been bailed."

"Great, who let them out?"

"The Sheriff in Wick this morning, they're effectively under house arrest and only allowed out between nine and twelve each day plus they are not allowed near the university, the theatre or your home."

"Do you really think they'll abide by those restrictions?"

"Sorry Tammy, I'm just reporting the court's decision."

"Cheers John."

"Take care."

She decided to cry off from the seminar and took herself home, after sending Donald Templeton an email summarising that morning.

When she'd left the stage the previous evening Tammy had been on a high and there was a bouquet in her bedroom, all the female actors had received one from Steven. Today she felt down, and she now couldn't motivate herself.

A coffee helped pass some time and she went in search of newspaper articles about the weekend but they were too depressing.

Her phone rang.

"Miss Smart, it's Jeremiah."

"What can I do for you?"

"Mr Hibbert has passed your information onto me and I believe we have a problem."

"Go on?"

"You said the girl causing trouble in the classroom this morning was Lorna Kirk?"

"Yes."

"Her older brother is Jimmy Kirk and he is the officer who interviewed you."

"Damn, I have a feeling she's Lucas' girlfriend."

"Indeed, that would be a complication."

"Is there a risk that he'll leak information about me?"

"I wouldn't have thought that would be accessible by low-ranking officers?"

"It might be worth suggesting it to the Chief Inspector?"

"I'm afraid that you cannot simply accuse a police officer of being corrupt."

"So, Jeremiah, what is our best option?"

"Note everything and let me have a daily log of anything that appears relevant. I will date and notarise it, as before, so it can be produced as evidence if necessary. I have a feeling that the legal process in this case will not be quick and it's important that we have a good and true record."

"So I should sit back, let things happen and then report it?"

"Exactly, that way you cannot be accused of starting an incident."

"Well, there was this speech I gave in the university today?"

"You didn't mention that to Mr Hibbert?"

"It didn't seem relevant at the time." Tammy recounted her words, as best she could. "There is CCTV, should anyone argue I said something different."

"I doubt the University would give me access to video, although the police would be able to request it. Do you have any idea how long they keep video for?"

"No, sorry."

"I hope that it won't be necessary."

"So do I."

Tammy wrote up that morning's events and then checked her emails, Donald Templeton had replied stating that he had watched the recording and understood her reason for leaving, he'd attached the work she'd missed.

It was still an hour before lunch so she decided to clear up some of the coursework, she'd been at it for fifteen minutes when her phone rang.

"Hi James."

"Where are you? I looked at break time and then I heard you had been seen in the carpark?"

"I didn't have a good morning, I'm at home."

"Did you want to meet later?"

"I don't know, I have a meeting this afternoon and I don't know how it'll go."

"Where?"

"Sorry, it's confidential and even I don't know what the meeting is all about."

"Hey, that doesn't sound safe?"

"I know the place and I know the people, so I'll be fine."

"Look, Tammy, if you need a hug, let me know."

"Will do, bye."

She finished her coursework, at least the amount she was content doing, and wandered down to find some lunch. Someone had obviously known she was indoors as there was a covered plate of sandwiches, next to a note with her name.

Tammy, I had some smoked salmon and avocado left over, thought you might like it? Zara

It was close to three when Tammy parked outside St Andrews School. The bell for the last period had just gone and there was the usual melée of boys, and a few girls, in the main hallway. Most didn't notice her as she slipped into the secretary's office.

"Hi Janet, is he in?"

"Oh, hello Tammy, I wasn't expecting you for another hour?"

"I wasn't told a time?"

"Well, he's watching the Year Eleven first fifteen play."

"I can think of better things to do than stand by a rugby pitch in December!"

"I'm sure you can, I think they finish in about fifteen minutes, they're playing a team from Wick."

"Oh, a local grudge match?"

"Indeed, that's why the Head is watching from the touchline."

"Thankfully I only qualified for the third fifteen so we didn't play many matches against other schools."

"So rugby wasn't your game?"

"I'm not into sports, really, but I can run and I can swim. We also have a gym at home, not that I use it much."

"So long as you stay fit, Tammy."

"True, is my mum free?"

"She has no-one booked to see her, you know the way?"

It was only across the hall and up a corridor to reach the welfare office.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mike called me last week and asked that I saw him."

"Oh, he never said anything?"

"I'm just waiting for him to get back from the match, is your kettle warm?"

"Do I get the feeling you're not here to kill time?"

"No, mum, it's just that I've barely seen you since last week."

Joan reached over and hit the button to heat the necessary water.

"Your father keeps me up to date, how did it go last night?"

"The show was fine, although I had to play one of the parts as no-one else was available."

"It was awful news, wasn't it, about Saturday?"

"He was trying to get the show stopped, thankfully Lucy and James had finished their lines when the lights went out but that was only because the cast were a bit ahead of time."

"But ....."

"No mum, this was the same person who assaulted Angela and me two years ago."

"I didn't realise, Tammy?"

"He was also suspected of attacking Michael, in the disco, last year. He got to know John McPherson when they were in prison together."

"So not a nice man."

"Even so, mum, I could have done without the hassle."

I'm sure no-one will blame you for what happened?"

"I hope not." Tammy really didn't want to open that particular can of worms, in any case she was saved by a knock on the door. Tammy stood to open it.

"Hello aunt Tammy."

"Hello Daisy, how are you?"

"Hmmm, can I talk to Mrs Smart, it's private?"

"Of course."

Tammy walked out and closed the office door just as the 'Busy' light came on.

The Headmaster was walking back into the warm school as Tammy reached the hall, he signalled fr her to follow him as he unwound a heavy scarf.

"Good of you to come here, Tammy, but I must say I'm a little perplexed."

"Why? Who was this call from?"

"Dave Brown."

"Oh."

"His message was simple but he insisted it couldn't be written down, emailed or given to you any way other than face to face."

"So what was his message?"

"Visit your grandmother in Saigon on Thursday at 5.30pm."

"That was it?"

"Yes, although I have no idea what it really means."

Part   Seventeen   "Coast To Coast"

 
Monday 5th December 2016 (Continued)
 

Tammy had a fair idea what the message meant, even if it was a bit obtuse for Dave Brown.

"Sir, are you certain it was Dave who called?"

"I am, I started as a boy here when he was in the sixth form. He came back most years on reunion days."

"What about his phone number?"

"He called through the switchboard and no number was logged."

"Okay, I'll have to travel South, but I need a valid and veritable reason, one that would stand up to scrutiny."

"This week?"

"Yes."

"There is a private education exhibition in London, hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society at the Lawrence Hall in South West London, would you care to attend that?"

"That would put me in the right area? How do I get a ticket?"

"We're sent a pair every year but seldom manage to get anyone to go, I suggest you take both tickets."

"Thank you, but why are you doing this?"

"Because it's clearly something that you need to do and I can tell that you are troubled."

"Too true!"

"Okay, Tammy, go home. I'll have Janet confirm your and Dave's attendance on Thursday and Friday, then we'll email you the details."

"Please don't email me, I'll remember."

Tammy escaped from St Andrews school just before the final bell went and as such wasn't seen by too many. She was entering dangerous territory and didn't know whether to trust Dave Brown or not.

Her father was indoors when she walked in.

"I'm going to be away for a few days, I'll be in the smoke from Thursday."

"London? Why, Tammy?"

"Mike has just asked me to attend a educational exhibition on his behalf."

"That's a bit short notice?"

"He knew last week but walked to speak to me today, it seems someone pulled out?"

"I remember him mentioning this exhibition a month or so back, I don't recall any names being put forward?"

"Whatever, I'm available and I'd like to get out of town for a few days."

"More hassle?"

"Yes, but Jeremiah and the university are dealing with it."

"Okay, don't bottle it up in yourself."

"I won't, I'll go to the Uni in the morning but I want to head South on Wednesday morning."

"How?"

"Let's just say I want to travel as quietly and incognito as possible, for a quiet life you understand?"

"So security checks at airports are out?"

"Correct."

"I spoke to John at Wick Airport earlier, we are collecting a passenger from Aberdeen on Wednesday morning around ten if that helps?"

Tammy checked the train times. "There's a direct service to Kings Cross just before ten that morning."

"Okay, I'll have Jim pick you up here, he's the pilot allocated to the Aberdeen job."

"Thanks, Dad."

Richard paused and waited until Tammy was about to head upstairs. "Now, are you really going to the exhibition?"

"Maybe."

"Can you tell me the real reason?"

"Sorry, no."

Tammy went to book her train tickets then realised she shouldn't leave a paper trail. There was a risk that she'd be seen at Aberdeen or on the train but there were few ways out of the Highlands.

She called the salon, Debbie answered.

"It's Tammy, any chance of an appointment tomorrow?"

"We have nine in the morning or three thirty in the afternoon, nothing else I'm afraid. How much do you need doing?"

"Colouring."

"That's not a quick job, let me check with mum?"

"Okay, Debbie."

Tammy waited for a minute, wondering if she should hang up and call back?

"Hi Tammy, Sandy here."

"Oh, hi."

"Look, I can't fit you in for a colour but Tanya can do the colour and I'll have you at three thirty for a cut?"

"Beggars can't be choosers?"

"Hey, that's my daughter you're talking about!"

"Okay Sandy, what time?"

"Two thirty."

"See you then."

Tammy checked that her bedroom door was locked then pulled the steel box out of her wardrobe. She hadn't opened it for several weeks and struggled for a moment to remember the combination.

One piece of advice she'd been given during a recent training course was to have the means to travel under the radar, inside the box was a purse holding £500 cash as well as the documents for her latest alternative identity - Rebecca Simpson.

She changed the combination, as per security instructions and locked the box, she didn't need the money or the equipment yet.

Next, she booked a flight from Inverness to London Stansted for Thursday morning, returning on Saturday using her usual credit card; it was time to start laying a few false trails. The choice of Inverness was simple, it was within driving range and there were many more flights from there than out of Wick. She chose a hotel near Earls' Court and booked for the two nights.

She walked down to speak to her father as the secure phone rang in the study, Tammy answered it whilst also trying to open the office safe.

"Hello?"

"Can you go secure?"

"Hang on, I need both hands."

Tammy recognised the voice and wondered if it was a social call.

"Okay Suzie, we're secure."

"Are you planning to come down here soon?"

"Why?"

"Jenny is putting out a travel advisory."

"Well I've been asked to attend an educational exhibition on behalf of St Andrews. It's on Thursday and Friday of this week."

"Have you booked?"

"Of course, I'm coming down on Thursday afternoon and returning on Saturday."

"Did Pru book it?"

"No, she's not here today and I was only asked today to do it, so quite last minute."

"Okay, Tammy, keep your phone on in case there's a travel advisory?"

"Sure, I'm keeping an eye on the weather too, naturally!"

Tammy pulled the key out of the secure phone, cutting the call. She hadn't liked fibbing to her sister but then it was likely Suzie hadn't been told the whole story.

Dinner and the rest of her missing coursework beckoned.

 
Tuesday 6th December 2016
 

There was another lecture this morning, with Donald Templeton taking it. Tammy again sat near the front but couldn't detect any issues from Lorna or the two boys who had caused her stress the day before.

The lecture was addressing a theme of how society itself had changed the laws of Scotland, and the rest of the United Kingdom, forcing the law makers to listen to the public rather than being told what was best for them. One key example were the suffragettes of Edwardian England making the issue so hot that women, at least those over the age of thirty, could have the right to vote. Of course that law has changed since then several times.

Tammy considered how odd it would have been, she'd been legally male on her eighteenth birthday and as such had the right to vote in local, national and European elections but if as a woman she had to wait another twelve years?

As they headed out for a coffee break, before a seminar on the same topics, Tammy was followed into the ladies loo by Lorna.

"Look bitch!" She screamed, "I can't see my boyfriend and I got hauled into the Principal's office yesterday because of you!" She went to push Tammy but two more girls came in so Tammy dived into a cubicle.

Tammy quickly finished what was necessary but grabbed two sprays out of her bag before flushing the loo. A hand had snaked under the partition and grabbed Tammy's leg although nothing was being said.

Tammy uncapped both sprays, held her breath and very lightly pressed both, aiming at floor level by the partition. She quickly exited and washed her hands, exhaling slowly as walked away..

She was in a queue for coffee when a first aider was seen running into the ladies loo, and Lorna was helped out a few minutes later, by which time an ambulance had arrived. Comments heard around Tammy suggested Lorna had a panic attack.

The two lads were subdued when they reached the seminar room, pausing to let Tammy by, she wondered if Lorna was the driving force in this abuse aimed at herself? Without her, the boys seemed quite meek.

The session was good and constructive, although they had moved onto the abolition of slavery and then the ban on smoking in pubs, stores and so on. It was a lively discussion with views from all sides, in the case of smoking anyway, and Tammy left the room at lunchtime in a positive mood.

She found Donald Templeton in his office.

"Ah, Tammy, any trouble today?"

"None at all, I quite enjoyed this morning."

"Excellent, now what can I do for you?"

Tammy explained the invite she'd been given and how she'd be absent later in the week.

"I don't believe you're needed tomorrow so we're only talking about one session on Thursday?"

"Indeed."

"Considering that you are up to date, and I have no doubt you'll submit the next work on time, I think we can accommodate your invitation."

Tammy found James waiting for her.

"Done for the day?"

"Yes, why?"

"Darling Tammy, how about lunch?"

"I fancy Italian?"

"Buona idea, signorina!"

"Not too bad, are you learning Italian?"

"No, I just remembered those words in case you ever said you fancied going to the Italian restaurant!"

Tammy lightly slapped him, they parted company so each could drive into town, heading for the convenient port carpark, a short walk from their destination.

 
Wednesday 7th December 2016
 

Tammy was up early to shower and start packing her bags as she'd run out of energy the evening before. Her new hair colour, now a very deep auburn, had surprised Joan at dinner but Angela had just shrugged and Richard had simply nodded when he'd seen her.

Tammy had a feeling Angela was getting ready for a few changes in her life as it was now two years since Tim had morphed into Angela. Tammy tried to broach the subject at breakfast.

"Has Professor Roberts given his go-ahead?"

"Why?"

"I worry about you."

"Really, Tammy, you've barely said a word to me for weeks."

"I've been busy, the play and everything. It didn't stop me being concerned for you, though."

"Yeah, sorry, my surgery is next week."

"Next week? How come I didn't know?"

"Well, you hardly told me when you were going under the knife? AND that was over a year earlier than it should have been! By the time I found out you'd had the surgery you'd already road-tested your new equipment!"

"Oh."

"Yes, Tammy, I was hurt and that's why I haven't told you."

"I'm sorry, when are you going?"

"I have to be at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for for o'clock on Sunday so we're leaving here on Saturday morning."

"I might not be back by then?"

"Back from where?"

"London."

"When are you going?"

"About twenty minutes, I need to finish packing."

Tammy escaped back upstairs, now was the right time to take out the equipment she may need, this included her alias driving licence and banking cards in the name of Rebecca Simpson. She strapped a holster on and slipped the Glock 19 into it; whilst random bag searching at railway stations wasn't unknown, pat downs of young women was a lot rarer.

She'd just finished when she heard the rush of a chopper touching down. She slipped into a heavy winter count, picked up her bags and walked down to the front door, finding the helicopter sat in the road!

Jim took off as soon as she was secured in the co-pilot's seat, giving her a brief view of the coastline at the northern extremities of mainland UK, before they turned South East.

"Ever thought about getting your private pilot's licence then learning to fly one of these?"

"Maybe when I have more time, Jim, but who could teach me?"

"I'm qualified to teach in light aircraft and I work out of a school based at Wick Airport, for helicopters you'd have to go to Inverness or Aberdeen for tutoring."

"Okay, it's a thought, I could fly myself around?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that, you can't just decide to land at Heathrow because you're going to West London!"

"So there's research to be done before each trip?"

"Yes, but that's a part of your basic training."

Tammy was dropped in the dock area of Aberdeen, at a designated heliport. She grabbed a cab and headed for her first train of the day.

Her travel had to include a fair amount of distraction, if anyone managed to find her. Tammy was following a few rules to make surveillance difficult, all her communication equipment was switched off and she would pay cash for everything.

At Aberdeen station she used a ticket machine for a ticket to London Kings Cross then boarded the 0952 that was a direct service to Kings Cross, albeit with a few intermediate stops. She pulled out a novel and started to read.

Her train pulled into Edinburgh two and a half hours later, as soon as the doors unlocked Tammy was off and through the gates, heading for a sandwich shop. She returned to he station at a quarter to one and paid cash, using the machine again, for a ticket to London Euston Station, then boarded the 1252 service.

Options were limited if you were travelling out of Scotland by rail as you had to travel via Edinburgh, Glasgow or both. Tammy had taken a chance no-one was looking for her today but her heavy coat and winter hat would obscure her face, although she'd chosen a knee length skirt and sheer tights that morning, with the intention of drawing attention to her legs - so far it was working!

There are many potential ways to get across England by rail and Tammy took advantage of this by hopping off at Wolverhampton, near Birmingham. Her intention had been to find a service to Oxford then get into London on the Chiltern Line, terminating at the lesser used Marylebone Station. However, on the board at Wolverhampton was a better option, a direct service to Bournemouth on the South Coast.

She quickly bought a ticket to the coast as the train was only minutes away. She had eaten her lunch as she'd left Edinburgh but it was now approaching five in the afternoon and Tammy was a little peckish. Fortunately there was a trolley service on this train offering coffee, a Cornish pastie and chocolate; Tammy was tired but at least she wasn't hungry.

So far, she was also safe, at least she had no information to say she wasn't currently safe.

Part   Eighteen   "Under the Radar"

 
Thursday 8th December 2016
 

Tammy woke just after eight to the sound of gulls getting ready for the mating season. Although she'd chosen the place at random, her room was comfortable and the hotel was only a very short walk from Bournemouth sea front. She'd arrived at eight twenty the previous evening and had no problem checking in, using her Rebecca Simpson alias; she'd paid cash but would have to get some more notes out of an ATM soon, accepting the risk that would entail.

It was certainly a warmer morning than the one in Thurso a day earlier and her coat really wasn't needed. Tammy had to remain under the radar so she opted for a variation on the local dress code, leggings, a thin pullover and a hooded fleece jacket. Stylish it wasn't, but it would keep any random cold breezes at bay.

She lodged her suitcase and heavy winter coat in a locker at the station then look the short walk down to the sea front, it may have been December but the day was bright and still mild, she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face. A newsagent provided her with a selection of newspapers but, unsurprisingly the Scotsman was not available. She opted for the Times and the Guardian, working out that, between them, all the national news would be covered.

The seafront wasn't busy as she settled into a café for breakfast, having declined the hotel's offering. As Tammy saw it, the earlier she arrived in London, the greater the risk. As it was, she still didn't know who the bad actors were and most of her concerns had to be dissipated by a measure of trust, even if that trust couldn't be assured.

By ten she had finished breakfast, enjoyed two decent mugs of coffee and had skimmed both papers, ignoring the sports pages. She was keeping a particular eye out for any articles mentioning terrorism or security alerts.

Finally her train pulled out of Bournemouth around eleven, ideally she'd have stopped somewhere on route to change trains but somehow she had to get into Central London and this service was heading for Waterloo. Common sense prevailed, however, when the train approached Clapham Junction, she decided to hop off, dragging her suitcase behind her. There was a noticeable drop in temperature in South London so her winter coat went back on.

Her new destination was London Bridge Station. She recalled that extensive renovations were taking place and it almost certainly meant that the CCTV coverage wouldn't be as good as usual. This was also one of the least likely stations they could have expected her to use.

She ignored the main entrance, next to the bus station and, instead, exited onto Borough High Street, dodging two London Buses to get across to Borough Market on the far side. Despite it being South of the River Thames, Borough Market was still only a few minutes walk from the City of London, the financial centre of the capital. There had been a market on this site, on Borough High Street, for hundreds of years, pre-dating the pilgrim fathers' arrival in the future USA.

She walked into the Market Porter pub, ordered a ploughman's lunch and a large OJ, then took a seat in the snug at the back of the bottom bar. From here you could see who came in the nearest door, or if anyone was approaching from around the bar. The loo was also nearby, a young couple arrived and sat near her so Tammy asked they keep an eye on her bag, and her lunch should it arrive. She shed her coat before going into the loo, carrying her shoulder bag of course.

On her return the young couple had gone, as well as Tammy's coat. Thankfully her case was untouched, but she wasn't happy. Tammy racked her mind to recall what she had left in the coat's pockets, remembering a pair of gloves and a packet of tissues. Her food arrived before she could become more upset, and she felt she needed it.

Once she'd eaten, Tammy wanted to turn on her normal phone and check for messages, but this would reveal her location. Someone, on their way out of the pub, dropped the first edition of the London Evening Standard on a table nearby, Tammy scanned it.

Tammy stared at the article, the chances of that being a co-incidence were small to bloody zero. Another article on the same page referenced raids in Earls Court and the West End, although the Police hadn't publicly connected them. It was very clear, either there was a mole or the Security Service were after her - perhaps both were correct? She still had two hours to get to the meet-up but she couldn't sit in the pub for hours.

In the end Tammy talked the pub's landlord into taking her suitcase upstairs and she left a night's room deposit with him, with a promise she'd either be back for the bag or to stay in the associated guest house.

She walked North through the market and came out on Southwark Road, she was very near the Crucible Theatre and Southwark Cathedral and either place would do as a way of wasting some time. She regretted losing her winter coat as that really was needed, the best she could do was to rams her hands into the fleece's pockets, after pulling the hood over her head in a vain attempt to hide. She'd just made it to the Cathedral main entrance when she heard a voice behind her.

"Good afternoon Miss Smart, go right in and we'll talk inside."

She complied, although she had no idea if this was one of the good guys.

"Marcus?"

"Walk with me."

They mingled with the other visitors but the atmosphere was one of restraint so few words were spoken. Marcus directed Tammy out of the cathedral and onto London Bridge Road before heading down towards the Thames path.

"I think we can talk now, Marcus, what the hell is going on?"

"You've been compromised and they've been tracking you."

"Who?"

"Your lot, Special Branch, the Met, just about everyone!"

"Why?"

"Disinformation, you were fingered as the reason an operation went sour and it was suggested you are a mole. Up in the Highlands you were effectively shut down and that suited everyone but the moment you set foot in London they all got jumpy."

"But how did they know? I was careful!"

"Not careful enough, young lady. I'm sorry about your coat, by the way."

"Why?"

"There was a tracker in it, it was switched on this morning when someone discovered that you weren't on that train out of Inverness."

"Bugger!"

"I had a few friends relieve you of it, much simpler than I expected, and it's heading towards Wimbledon on a bus right now but there's no-one wearing it."

"I haven't used my phones."

"True, but your personal email account had been intercepted so they were aware of your diversionary arrangements. Unfortunately, all of Dave Brown's phones were under surveillance so the original meeting arrangements were known."

"Where is Dave?"

"Special Branch have him, no doubt trying to concoct charges."

"Okay, okay, but why are you helping me?"

"Simply put, we know what's really going on. Military intelligence is not the oxymoron that some make it out to be, plus we had help."

"From the States?"

"Yes."

They'd reached HMS Belfast. "How far as we going?"

"Not too much further, I guess you're not too warm?"

"No, do you think I could buy a new one?"

"If you're seen on any cameras around here then we're in trouble. Have you used any credit or debit cards?"

"No."

"Oyster card?"

"No."

"Good."

"How did you find me, by the way?"

"I was supplied the tracking data, fortunately we got to you first."

"I could have been grabbed whilst I had lunch, I was there for nearly an hour!"

"To the tracking team it looked like you walked through Borough Market only pausing at a stall. It was a straight line from London bridge Station and a known walking route."

"But will they go back to the pub when they find the coat?"

"Yes, they'll back-track."

"My case is there!"

"No it isn't, we know the landlord so by now it's been recovered."

They'd walked walked past City Hall which had enough cameras to worry Tammy.

"Unfortunately there's some maintenance going on this afternoon and all the CCTV will be down for half an hour, as of fifteen minutes ago."

There was a small area of parkland the far side of City Hall and right by the river path was a lawn. Tammy suddenly heard the sound of a helicopter approaching, it dropped onto the lawn in front of her.

"Go!"

A rear door was open and Tammy quickly took a seat, her back to the pilots. She strapped herself in before the nearest officer could assist, a headset was hanging behind her so she put it on. They lifted off almost immediately.

"Okay guys, where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe, you need to be kept out of the way for now."

Tammy had no idea which direction she was going, the sun had dropped below the horizon and she wasn't familiar with the terrain from the air. One thing was clear, however, they were flying low. Twenty minutes later, however, she knew exactly where she was.

Marcus helped her down. "I'm leaving you here, I think you know the way?"

"Thank you, but have you just delivered me into the hands of the conspiracists?"

"All is not as clear as you might imagine, Miss Smart."

"Just what I need, more riddles!"

"Bye for now."

She quickly moved out of the way as the rotors started to spin again, by the time she'd reached the rear door the chopper was out of sight. A familiar face opened the door for her.

"Welcome back to Abigail Adams House, Miss Smart, your baggage is due here shortly and you'll be in Room three. Dinner is at six thirty and your debrief is in the morning. Could you please take any weapons to the armoury, tea will be served in the conservatory shortly."

Weapons and refreshments in the same sentence, thought Tammy, this could only happen in the strange world she inhabited, in the UK at least.

"Am I a prisoner here?"

"Not at all, Miss Smart, you're a guest."

Tammy reached a secure door so fished in her bag for her security pass, she needed it now assuming it hadn't been blocked or cancelled. There was a beep and a green LED greeted her at the armoury's entrance, the Range light was out so she decided it was safe to enter. She immediately recognised the Range Officer, and he recognised her.

"Ah, Miss Smart, what do you have for me?"

"My Glock 19, Sir."

"I don't believe I've seen you with that one before, you'll have to enter it in the log. Do you have any spare ammunition?"

"One clip in my bag and another in my suitcase."

"Fine, I'll take the clip you have here. I still have your original Glock 26, by the way."

"I have one that I was given a year ago, when you wouldn't release mine."

"Who issued it?"

"Military, but I don't have it with me."

"I see, I'll release your weapon if you can show that you have returned the other Glock 26 to the issuing authority."

"I'll see to that, Sir, I take it that there's no restrictions on me?"

"None that I'm aware of, Miss Smart, but should I be aware?"

"No, Sir, none that you need to be aware of."

"Good, as I don't like second guessing and I will not issue weapons unless you are legally permitted and fully trained, understood?"

"Yes."

"You are also due to re-qualify in the next month so you could do that whilst you're here."

It wasn't a question, Tammy realised.

"I'm not certain how long I'm staying but I'm sure I can fit it in."

"I'm sure you can, don't forget you'll have to re-qualify with both weapons."

That was her invite to leave the range. A silver tea service was waiting for her in the conservatory, together with a wedge of walnut cake; Tammy suspected it was a Dundee Cake and thought she'd detected a little alcohol in it.

As she walked through the house she didn't see another person, none at all. In her room she found her case had been emptied into the wardrobe and the drawers, it was clear that the spare ammo had also been removed, and that her case had been searched.

Tammy had only packed for, at the most, three nights and hadn't packed a swimsuit but there was one in a drawer. She had a little time so jumped into the shower, using a shower cap, then dressed casually for dinner. She reasoned that if her debrief wasn't due to start until the following morning then it was unlikely that her inquisitors would be at dinner.

Of course, why would she need to be debriefed? What had she done? What the hell was going on?

As she left her room to head down to dinner another door opened.

"Suzie?"

---

London locations map: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wXnQDgzIOLzXGRcQqOA0ITsCHT...

Borough Market (Ancient Market) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borough_Market
Oyster Card (Travel Card) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_card

Part   Nineteen   "Housebound"

 
Friday 9th December 2016
 

Tammy climbed out of the warm water after a relaxing half an hour of exercise, although her mind had been doing somersaults as she gently did the breast stroke along the otherwise empty pool. To say the previous evening's dinner had been awkward would be a true understatement, Suzie was apparently under orders not to say anything about, about whatever it was. Jenny had also arrived during the evening but hadn't eaten with the sisters. After Tammy had returned to her room that evening she was sure she'd heard Dave Brown's voice on the landing, although she hadn't seen him in the house.

Breakfast was a solitary affair and Tammy's mind gymnastics had now spread to her stomach, relegating her to toast, OJ and half a mug of black coffee. A sealed envelope was brought to her by a maid.

At least she now had a name for her inquisitor, John Smith was the personnel security chief at the Security Service, MI5, and clearly she wasn't the only one being interviewed. Tammy guessed the 'do not talk to' instruction was directed at Suzie's relationship with Tammy, or should others be included?

In any case it was still only eight thirty and she had hours to kill before her interview. Tammy sat in the conservatory to read the newspapers, although, as usual, politics and the Middle East were the two main topics, often appearing in the same articles.

Every time Tammy heard a door swing she would crane her head to see who it was; she was getting jumpy as she still knew nothing about anything, and that bothered her. She gave up with the newspaper and went to her room, but her phones had been removed the previous day and her tablet was now also missing, truling out reading any of her digital books. A glance at the clock revealed it had only just gone nine.

Out of the window an overnight frost was clearing the expansive rear lawn, guaranteeing that Southerners wouldn't venture outside unless they had to. Tammy, however, had lived in the Highlands for most of her life so wasn't deterred by a little cold. Her winter coat was long-gone so she donned her hooded fleece before wandering back downstairs, reminding herself to put it in the laundry soon.

The last few times she'd visited the gardens at Adelaide Adams House it had been in the Spring or Summer so now the flowerbeds looked somewhat bare and lifeless. There were still plants a plenty but, no colourful flora survived. A few of the trees, notably two ancient oaks, were still shedding their leaves but a few more frosts would soon leave even those hardy trees naked in the wintry air.

She walked down to the lake and peered into the water, unsure if anything could survive down there, meanwhile the palm trees on the lake's Southern edge looked distinctly out of place. It started to rain so Tammy turned back to the house.

There was still almost two hours to wait. With some reluctance, Tammy went into the range, after checking that it was clear.

"Ah, Miss Smart, which weapon would you like to use today?"

"Oh, the 26 please."

The range officer returned with her Glock 26, which she signed for. He issued twenty rounds.

"Get yourself comfortable, when you've finished with these I'll test you."

Tammy was well out of practice, and it showed. She asked to fire another twenty rounds before testing but still wasn't happy. After sixty rounds she stopped.

"Sorry, I don't think I'm ready to test right now."

"Miss Smart, I think I'd agree with you, you're clearly not concentrating."

"I do have a few thing on my mind."

She checked her weapon back into the care of the range officer and turned down the offer of taking her targets away.

"Please file them appropriately."

It was half past ten when she re-emerged into the house.

"Tea is served in the conservatory, Miss Smart."

Tammy was startled by the housekeeper who had appeared from nowhere, she muttered thanks and went in search of her hot beverage. She found another wedge of the cake and decided not only was it Dundee Cake but it was also very good, probably not shop bought - although she couldn't be certain.

She refilled her teacup from the pot, at least it was a decent blend but she could have done with a mug of coffee instead. Whilst there was nothing going on, overtly at least, as the clock neared eleven she was getting very nervous and her anxiety was rising fast. Looking for a distraction, Tammy picked up the day's Times and started to go through it again, choosing to try the Sudoku puzzles after failing to get a grip with the crossword.

The conservatory clock ticked past eleven and it was approaching midday when Tammy put the paper down after returning to the unyielding crossword. She gave up waiting and headed up to her room to wash, feeling the need to freshen herself. Within a few minutes there was a knock on her door.

"Excuse me Miss, I've been asked to serve your lunch in your room and I have a message for you."

The maid left a tray on the desk and quickly left. Tammy picked up the note.

Tammy wasn't surprised, but it was unusual for the investigatory officers to be apologetic. She figured there were definitely others in the building, apart from Suzie, whom she couldn't and shouldn't meet until all the interviews were concluded - possibly longer. The feeling Tammy had was that she wasn't under suspicion, but she still had no real idea where this was going.

Her tablet was on the tray under a napkin, she started it up and checked she could login, but decided she'd buy a new one as soon as she could, not that she didn't trust the security service, but it wasn't beyond reason to think they had installed, ironically, spyware on it.

Lunch was a salad with a jacket potato that, by now, wasn't fresh out of the oven. The skin was extra crispy, distinctly over-cooked and it looked like the butter had been forgotten, as well as mayonnaise. Zara's baked spuds were always light, hot and fluffy, and for a moment Tammy regretted not being at home.

She picked at the meal, her appetite having grown wings and flown away, washed down with a bottle of chilled water. A banana looked a little green so Tammy left it for now. She freshened herself then picked her tablet back up to do some reading.

By three she'd finished a book, one she'd started a month or two earlier, and was contemplating what to read next. There was a knock on her door and Tammy opened to find the same maid who had been there a few hours earlier.

"Excuse me Miss, I have another bottle of water for you, as well as a note and can I clear your tray?"

Tammy accepted the water and the note, the maid was gone quickly, almost taking the banana as waste. She opened the note, the message was simple - '9am tomorrow' - so nothing more would happen today. No lifting of her room limitations, it wasn’t quite house arrest, though, but Tammy was more confident that she had nothing to fear. She lifted the bedside phone and called 111.

"Hello, I'd like to go to the range."

"It's in use right now, you will be collected in fifteen minutes, Miss Smart."

Delay, delay, thought Tammy. A pang of guilt hit her, she hadn't spoken to her father since Wednesday morning and it was now Friday afternoon. She was incommunicado until further notice and he'd no doubt be aware of the education conference being cancelled. He did have Jenny's number but she wasn't in the office and Tammy doubted anyone else would give him an answer.

It was eventually a twenty five minute wait before a uniformed police officer arrived at her door. He said nothing other than to confirm her name and left her at the range security door. The range light was off so Tammy opened it and stepped inside.

"Ah, Miss Smart, are you ready to test now?"

"I am."

"Good, I'll issue twenty rounds for you to warm up and then we'll start, understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

An hour or so later Tammy had finished with a solid pass.

"Very good, Miss, you were much more confident."

"It felt good, Sir, when can I test with the 19?"

"Tomorrow if you get time or Sunday?"

Tammy wondered if the range officer knew more about her debrief than herself. In any case, she really wanted to head home as soon as this was done with. An escort was waiting outside the range to take her back to her room.

"Congratulations, Miss."

"Er, thank you."

Dinner arrived shortly after six and included a small bottle of red, a Merlot, as well as more water. Tammy was now quite hungry and easily cleared her plate.

There was a knock on her door around eight and John Smith entered her room.

"My apologies, Miss Smart, but I can assure you we will be able to see you in the morning."

"Am I under investigation?"

"Strictly speaking, yes, but we are investigating everyone and everything. This is a very complex matter."

"What is the basis for the investigation?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Smart, but you will have to wait. Is there anything I can arrange for you?"

"Can you let my father know I'm safe?"

"Certainly, your sister has asked for the same message to be passed."

"How is Suzie?"

"Shaken, it was a long session with her today."

"Our other sister is undergoing surgery at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Monday, I hope we'll both be able to speak to our family by then."

"I can't make any promises at this stage, sorry."

"Okay, who else is here?"

"It's best you don't know, not for now."

"So long as my mother isn't here, like last time!"

"That's unlikely, but not impossible."

"Great, not, will I be able to swim in the morning?"

"Please call in the morning to see if there's an escort available."

Tammy thanked John and he left her in peace; she was now sure she was not at fault, but who was?

 
Saturday 10th December 2016
 

"Now Miss Smart, I'd like to run through some of your reports."

The lady speaking to Tammy was Sheila Fitzgerald, who had introduced herself as an internal investigator from the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. John Smith was sat next to her, poised to take notes although she'd been told the interview was being recorded. Tammy also assumed it would be videoed although she couldn’t see any cameras in the oak panelled library.

She continued, "On the ninth of April your sister reported a black car that was seen near your apartment in Docklands. You both reported this?"

"Yes, I'd also seen it before last Christmas and in the summer, the driver appeared to be watching us going in or out of the building."

"Did you check the plates?"

"No, but security at Thames House told me the plates didn't match the car."

"Have you seen this car anywhere else?"

"No."

"Now, let me take you back to the attack in the coffee shop in the summer?"

"I hate to think how many times I've recounted that one."

"You reported that your choice of coffee shop was purely random, and yet you were in the right place at the right time?"

"For me it was random, but the US agent, Kerri Emerson, had seen the full hit list, so maybe she steered me?"

"I see, you do know that Kerri Emerson doesn't exist?"

"Sure, I don't know her real name but I'm convinced she's accredited correctly, much the same way I don't know if that's your real name but I don't doubt that you do work for six?"

John Smith chuckled and scribbled on his notepad, Sheila ignored the comment.

"Is it conceivable that Miss Emerson deliberately took you to that coffee shop in full knowledge of an imminent attack?"

"Well, if she did, she didn't give me any warning as my weapon was in my bag when the action started. A heads-up would have been good but I really don't think she had any advance warning either. I'm sure the coffee-house CCTV will confirm that?"

"What do you know of the group behind that attack?"

"True Freedom? An ideology that apparently has no basis in religion and is really an organisation that extorts money through terrorism, or at least it used to be?"

"Used to be?"

"My thoughts were that it was shut down, rolled up."

"Have you had any other dealings with True Freedom?"

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"Pretty sure, I mean no one has come up to me and said they were from TF?"

"Okay, in your own words, tell me how you met the American agent and finish at the coffee shop."

That took some time as Sheila repeatedly made her go back over her testimony, although was this for completeness or to catch her out? Tammy was a little concerned, especially when her stay at GCHQ was being queried, that she might be giving information to someone outside of the 'need to know' area but John had re-assured her.

"Sheila has nearly full access, I'll stop you if it's outside of her remit though."

"You logged some security concerns during your stay down there?"

"Yes, one person was far too interested in me."

"Who was that?"

"Sharon Gainsborough. I've since had information that she was behind the data thefts from universities."

John looked up from his notepad, "Really? Where from? I've not seen that in any of your reports."

"No, I didn't report it as I felt no-one wanted to hear what I had, I was being shut out. I also only had it from one source and I couldn’t verify it."

"So what was your source?"

"Kerri Emerson."

"How did you contact her?"

"I didn't, she contacted me."

Sheila Fitzgerald shuffled some papers, clearly unimpressed with Tammy's attitude.

"What was your concern with Sharon Gainsborough?"

"As I said, she was too interested in me and I thought she was having a meeting with someone I knew, someone I was investigating."

"Who was that?"

"Martin Gore."

“We’ve established that it wasn’t Martin Gore, do you have any other suggestions who that person was, Miss Smart?”

“No.”

“Do you know Sharon Gainsborough’s current location?”

“No.”

“Have you been in contact with her?”

“Not since I left GCHQ.”

"Why did you go to Room 40?"

"It was continued specialist training after my stint at GCHQ."

“I see.”

“When was the last time you visited your apartment?”

“September.”

“Who was living there at the time?”

“My sister, Suzie, and I.”

“Why did you leave there?”

“I went back to Thurso, I wasn’t achieving anything in London and I needed a break. I made a choice one afternoon and travelled the same evening, it was the best decision I’ve made recently.”

“And you haven’t been back to the apartment since?”

“No, but my mum and Angela have been there.”

“When was that?”

“October.”

“What did they tell you about that visit?”

“That the place needed a tidy up and that Suzie’s new boyfriend had moved in.”

“Name?”

“Err, Alex I think.”

“Have you met him?”

“Nope.”

“Who does he work for?”

“Dunno.”

“Aren’t you concerned about your sister?”

“Of course, but she’s old enough to be responsible, and that includes bad decisions about boyfriends.”

“Really?”

“She moved into the apartment as her last boyfriend was a layabout who was two-timing her.”

“When was that?”

“In January.”

“And the black car first appeared in April?”

“No, in December.”

“We’ll take a break there, you can take refreshments in your room.”

Part   Twenty (final)   "The Trap Is Sprung"

 
Saturday 10th December 2016 (Continued)
 

Tammy was escorted back to her room at the end of her first session with Sheila Fitzgerald and John Smith, where a coffee awaited alongside a wedge of shortbread and a banana, clearly there was no intention of letting her starve. It had been obvious to Tammy that Sheila had tried to catch her out at the end of that session and the questioning had been fast and furious, but what was the fixation with the Docklands apartment?

The coffee was supplied in a cafetière and was thankfully a strong blend, just the drink she needed if she wanted to remain focused. She put the bedside radio on to listen for the eleven o'clock news, assuming she wasn't called back to the library.

The top of the hour passed with news from South Korea where the president was being impeached, and from the US where preparations were under way for the next presidential inauguration. Of course the usual UK political bickering was still in full, there was still over a week before the overpaid windbags in both Houses of Parliament had their winter break.

The radio station switched back to music and chat after the news and Tammy caught herself humming along to a seventies number, although she couldn't remember who it was by. The presenter did announce the title and artist but this coincided with a knock on her door.

"Are they ready for me?"

"I'm afraid not, Miss Smart, it'll be after lunch."

The police officer went away, leaving Tammy wondering why someone simply hadn't phoned her room, and what was taking the time. What had she said that might have changed the inquisitors' plans?

She left the music playing until midday when another presenter took over, with promises of a live interview with the Minister of Magic, or something; she switched off the radio. Tammy picked up her tablet and restarted the book she'd chosen the day before.

Lunch arrived at twelve thirty and she'd barely put her knife and fork down when her escort arrived. "They're ready for you now." She took her fresh coffee with her.

"Our apologies, Miss Smart, for cutting your lunch short but we are pressed for time."

"Let em guess, someone is coming up for forty-eight hours in cells and needs to be charged or released?"

Sheila turned to look at John Smith, who laughed. "I did warn you that she's sharper than she looks."

Tammy wasn't certain if that was a double-edged compliment or simply abuse of a common phrase, she took the option of just smiling, Sheila turned back to face her.

"As it happens, yes."

"So, who's in the cells?"

"Sorry, but that is not open to discussion."

"As I didn't hear of any security matters on the news, apart from your attempts to snare me, I suspect this is a terrorist case?"

"Potentially yes, and far more complex than most. Can we begin, Miss Smart?"

"Sure."

"Do you have a boyfriend at the moment?"

"Yes, not that I think the question is relevant?"

"Let us be the judge of that, what's his name?"

"James McInlay."

"Where is he from?"

"Thurso."

"How long have you known him?"

"Since October last year but we've only been together for the last eight weeks or so."

"I see, what about whilst you were in London?"

"One lad at the NCA wanted to get into my knickers but he didn't reach first base, I stayed single and happily celibate."

"Was anyone else interested in you, socially?"

"No, not as far as I know."

"Did you entertain in your Docklands apartment?"

"No, almost the only time I had visitors was when it was being swept."

"Did you use cleaning services?"

"No."

"What about any other staff?"

"We had Francesca available."

"Francesca?"

"Francesca Fullerton, she's my father's PA in London but I can use her if I need to. She was cleared before we hired her, by the way."

"Did she ever come into the apartment?"

"Only on the day Suzie moved in, I can't remember her being up there any other time."

"Did you meet Suzie's boyfriends?"

"I met one a year ago, we went out one evening as a threesome. She split with him in January, that's why Suzie moved into the apartment."

"Did you meet her socially?"

"No."

"You went to St Andrews, that's a boys school?"

"Yes, although it does admit girls now."

"How long have you been a girl?"

"Excuse me, but is this relevant?"

"I just find it strange that your medical records have you down as a natural girl when there's a copy of your gender recognition certificate in your personnel file?"

"Somebody played with my medical records, I queried it at the time but I guess they haven't been fixed. I think I can live with that."

"Were you responsible?"

"NO!"

"Calm down, Miss Smart."

"I'm done with discussions of a personal nature, John?"

The MI5 Personnel Security chief put his pen down. "I'd have to agree with Tammy, this is not relevant to the investigation."

Sheila shuffled some papers in front of her.

"When did you become involved in the Templeton brothers?"

"I met Donald on my first day at the university, this year that is, but it was nearly a month later at the end of October when Carl appeared on my radar."

"What was your interest?"

"Donald Templeton seemed to have information about me that he couldn't have obtained through normal channels. Seeing as he caused me some concerns I wrote a contact report, he claimed to have spoken to DI Kevin Edmunds but Kevin denies any conversation took place. Given that Donald was my senior lecturer, I needed to be certain that my security hadn't been compromised."

"I see, what about your interest in Carl?"

"When I got wind of a brother, one who was teaching at my former school, that was too much of a coincidence. Dave Brown spooked him", Tammy giggled, "and he quit the school soon after that. I never actually met Carl Templeton."

"Okay, how did you meet the O'Shaughnessy children?"

"Finlay was a pupil at my former school and Daisy was placed there after their parents were killed."

"Finlay?"

"Now known as Florence and the pair were adopted a year ago by Ms Cathy McPherson, now the head of the Clan McPherson in Thurso."

"What about their parents' deaths?"

"The prime suspects were John & Anita Gore. Other Gores were involved in trying to cover that up and to find the intel that the O'Shaughnessys had gathered."

"You killed Anita Gore, why?"

"That was a complicated day; The Gores hijacked David Stewart's funeral with the intention of killing me plus anyone who got in their way. One police officer was already dead when I disarmed John Gore with CS spray. I took his weapon and eventually confronted Anita Gore, it was her or me and I chose me."

"You took CS gas to a funeral?"

"No, I took that from an injured police officer. I didn't have my own weapon as it was in a safe that I didn't have access to. Damn, was someone trying to make sure I didn't have a weapon on me at the crematorium? Was Hilary involved?"

"Why would you take a weapon to a funeral?"

"I'd been threatened the day before, that's when I found out my office in town had been damaged, preventing my access to the safe. Police Scotland were handling that but the Met Police were responsible for the investigation into the Gores."

"You were arrested?"

"Yes, but that was resolved quickly."

"What happened next?"

"I was relocated to London, although I can't say that my tenure at the National Crime Agency was enjoyable."

"However you didn't kill anyone whilst you were there?"

"If you are going to insult me, this is over."

John Smith wasn't looking happy.

"I'm sorry Miss Smart, just a few more questions and then we're done."

"Okay."

"Now, you're attached to the Financial Investigations Unit but you don't appear to undertake any monetary work?"

"Yes, that's been a bit of a strange one, but that was due to the way I was recruited. My guess is that that topic is not for discussion?"

"Have that team been involved in any of your recent investigations and operations?"

"No. I haven't even spoken to them for ages."

"Have you discussed your work with anyone outside of your operational management?"

"No."

"What about that American agent?"

"That was a personal investigation that the department wasn't interested in, in fact I was told explicitly not to use departmental resources, that included staff and databases."

"So you went overseas for help?"

"As I said, it was a personal investigation after I connected several apparent distinct data breaches. I know that Kerri has access to some high end hardware as she provided the unencrypted info on the True Freedom attacks. She also doesn't play departmental politics, not in this country at least."

"Thank you Miss Smart, you may go."

As Tammy left, Suzie was heading in the opposite direction, Tammy wondered if she'd said anything that could harm her sister? Had she said anything that could harm any of her friends? What was the connection between all these cases?

Back in her room, Tammy tried to analyse what she'd gleaned from the questioning, why did they keep mentioning True Freedom? Was there another part of the terrorist group that hadn't been dealt with?

She put the radio back on and thankfully the music was back, after the lunchtime hiatus.

What was MI6's involvement, Tammy wondered, why wasn't this an internal MI5 investigation? There simply had to be an MI6 mole with links to herself and Suzie, but who? Tammy had suspicions about the Templetons but they'd only recently shown up and Suzie hadn't been involved in anything north of the border?

By three she'd had enough of her pondering and called to see if the range was free, ten minutes later she was holding her handbag sized Glock 19.

"Same routine, Miss Smart, twenty rounds to warm up and then testing."

"If you don't mind, I'd just like to practice today and maybe test tomorrow?"

"I have a slot at nine if you'd like it? The range is fully in use from eleven onwards."

"I'll take it, thanks."

Tammy used sixty rounds and her confidence, as well as her accuracy, developed during the ninety minutes she was on the range.

"I can't see any reason why you won't pass tomorrow, Miss."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Oh, your escorts have been withdrawn, I've just been informed."

She let herself out of the range and headed for the conservatory, finding Suzie there.

"What's up?"

"I've made a big mistake and I'm afraid I'll be sacked, or worse?"

"What is it?"

"I can't say, but I've been stupid, bloody stupid."

Tammy had a gem of inspiration, "boyfriend?"

I can't say."

"Okay, but you're not in a cell, are you?"

"No, but my security clearance might as well be printed on a paper aeroplane or toilet paper."

"Look, we'll get through this."

"I doubt you'll be unscathed, Tammy, this is deep."

"Except I still don't know what it's about."

"And I can't tell you."

The maid arrived with tea for both of them, and another wedge of the Dundee Cake, although this time there was a jug of whipping cream with it. Tammy took small bites as she made her way through the cake, Suzie was quite the opposite and finished it in no time.

"That wasn't bad."

"Suzie, have you decided what you'll do for Christmas?"

"I doubt I'll have a job, so I guess that means moving up to Thurso as I can't afford to live in London without work?"

"Haven't Mum or Dad said anything?"

"No, I've been under orders not to contact you and that meant not calling Thurso at all."

"So I've been persona non grata?"

"Sort of, it was more to isolate you from what was going on down here."

"Was it really necessary to bug Dave, intercept my emails and close a two day educational conference? Oh, and track me?"

"That wasn't me."

"Really?"

"Okay, I handled some of it but the decision to do those things was way above my pay grade. Anyway, how do you know?"

"The Evening Standard was a useful source, Suzie."

John Smith had appeared in the doorway to the conservatory.

"That doesn't explain why your coat ended up at Wimbledon bus garage?"

"Sorry John, that's a need-to-know, but I wouldn't mind it back? Do Special Branch have it?"

"On the contrary, Miss Smart, I'm told it's being dry cleaned."

"Okay, thank you, but I expect the tracker will be removed?"

"As you somehow know it's there, it's no longer of use."

"John, my sister seems to think she's losing her job?"

"Please, don't make any predictions or try to extrapolate, there will be a full briefing tomorrow for relevant officers. A press release will be going to the media shortly afterwards for Monday's papers."

"So when can I, we, leave?"

"After tomorrow's briefing and any supplemental interviews."

If dinner on Thursday, her first night at Abigail Adams House, had been awkward then dinner tonight was indescribably awful. The food was good, the wine superb, the desserts joyful but everyone at the table was under orders not to say a thing.

They were using the small dining room and there wasn't anyone unfamiliar at the table, apart from Suzie Tammy could see Dave Brown, John Smith, Jenny Osborne and Kevin Edmunds. Tammy had questions for all of them but even small-talk seemed to be off-limits.

Jenny had excused herself after the main course and Tammy didn't see her again that evening. Kevin looked tired, Tammy guessed he would be at the briefing the following day but apparently couldn't confirm by asking him. Dave was the surprise, she'd suspected he was in the house but she hadn't seen him and now understood why - his face had several cuts and bruises and one of his wrists was wrapped in a bandage, he had been through the wars recently.

Answers would have to wait.

 
Sunday 11th December 2016
 

Tammy woke with more hope and shortly after seven was in the pool, Suzie arrived some fifteen minutes later.

"How come you knew there was a pool here?"

"I've stayed in the house before, and it seems I left a swimsuit last time I was here."

"What's the news from home?"

"I'll assume that I can talk family matters?" Tammy raised her voice, half expecting a response.

"Are you paranoid, Tammy?"

"No, the place is wired so you can assume they are listening to us as well as, probably, watching?"

"Why?"

"This house has been used for debriefing foreign agents, amongst other things. I suggest you get in the water?"

Suzie sank herself in the warm water and swam for a minute before coming back to Tammy.

"Anyway, what about home?"

"Angela is in Glasgow and has her surgery in the morning."

"Damn, I didn't know."

"Neither did I until a few days ago, I haven't been the sister I could have been, or should have been."

"So are we going to Glasgow from here?"

"That depends on too many factors."

"Well, do you know what time this briefing is?"

"Nope, and I don't know if I'm invited as I'm probably being discussed. I also have an appointment on the firing range straight after breakfast."

"There's a range?"

"Yes, and two of my weapons are in there. I need to qualify with my little firearm, the Glock 19. I did the test for the '26 on Friday."

"Test?"

"I have to re-qualify each year. My certificate was due to run out so I opted to do it here, there's nowhere near Thurso to qualify."

They were both in the dining room by eight for breakfast. Tammy glanced at the front of The Observer newspaper, the headline was 'Major Spy Ring Smashed'. When John Smith arrived Tammy asked him if he's seen the paper? He snatched it up and went steaming out of the room.

Tammy suggested Suzie joined her in the range.

"Why?"

"It'll distract you from whatever you're dreading and you'll see what I have to do."

"Why do you think you'll keep your guns after this is over?"

"Because the range officer wouldn't have tested me if I was losing my licence."

"But?"

"Look, if you want to go with me, I need to move now? You can have a go on the range yourself, if the officer allows it?"

"Nah, leave me out. I'll ponder my future in the conservatory."

It took Tammy an hour and a half but she scraped a pass.

"Well done Miss Smart. I wonder if you'd like to try a new weapon that we've received in the past week, it's a SIG Sauer P320, soon to be the US Army's standard sidearm."

"Sure."

"It has a 9mm option but I think you'd do better with .357 rounds, there's fourteen in the magazine."

"To be honest, can I try a .40" weapon?"

"I don't have a P320 in .40 but I do have a standard Glock 22?"

Tammy wasn't ready for the kick from the first shot but adapted her grip after the first few and by the fourth shot was regularly hitting the target. She put the weapon down after two magazines and grabbed her sore right wrist.

"How the bloody Hell does Kerri use these twice weekly?" Tammy muttered to herself.

The range officer looked confused. "Come again, Miss?"

Tammy held up the pistol. "Someone I met. She carries two and said she is on a range at least twice weekly, same calibre as this."

"Must be American. Those Yanks really go at it. Makes it seem like they even train the office staff, just so they can send whomever happens to be free at the time." The range officer shook his head. "They definitely do things different. Sometimes, it's not a bad thing. You didn't hear that from me though."

"Thanks, why did you suggest I tried a higher calibre?"

"I like to make certain my customers are fully experienced, in case circumstances means they're faced with an unfamiliar weapon. They can get that experience here, safely."

"I'm not expecting to use a .40 calibre weapon in the near future."

"Never rule anything out, Miss Smart."

Tammy was directed to the incident room for the eleven o'clock briefing. Nothing was said until the doors were confirmed as locked. The lights were low and Tammy couldn't identify everyone in the room.

"Thank you everyone, my apologies for squeezing into here but this room is completely secure. For those who don't know me, my name is John Smith and this briefing is Top Secret.

"Firstly, we have concluded our initial inquiry but it seems someone leaked details of the investigation to the papers so now we also have a damage limitation exercise in process. In essence, some of you were identified in today's article and I think you can realise what that means."

Tammy was putting two and two together and not liking the sum.

"Each of you will be spoken to individually but the immediate result of the inquiry is that the Financial Investigative Unit at Thames House is being closed and the responsibilities will be merged into other units. This means that some staff will be moved and some released. The unit's manager, Jennifer Osborne is taking a well deserved retirement effective immediately.

"Unfortunately, misdirection by persons outside the Service managed to disrupt and infiltrate not one, not two but many investigations. Right now the Intelligence Oversight Committee is considering whether to let us deal with this in house or invoke a parliamentary investigation. Clearly there is potential for considerable damage to persons within and outside of this room."

He let his words hang for several seconds.

"For those who don't know, True Freedom have made several attempts to infiltrate the Security Service both before and since their take-down in London during the early summer. They penetrated our sister service, the Secret Intelligence Service, managed to get an operative into GCHQ, and got close to two Financial Unit analysts. In the course of their deception and treachery, they murdered several people and broke into apparently secure databases. Operatives were put at risk, the public was put at risk. Some of you, as a direct result of this, cannot work in operational teams any further."

He paused again.

"I will see each of you in the library over the next few hours, unless you're otherwise told you can stay for lunch and then leave. Transport arrangements will be posted at midday, the interview schedule is being posted now."

As everyone left Tammy could see the dozen or so of the Thames House based Finance Unit staff, including Suzie who was sobbing. Tammy followed the pack slowly and soon John Smith was next to her. "You and your sister are first, come on."

Tammy shouted for Suzie and dragged her off to the library, after offering her a tissue.

"Thank you ladies. Now Tammy, I have a problem and I'm hoping you might be able to assist me."

"Why, John?"

"Suzie's boyfriend was the MI6 mole, he was also the True Freedom recruiter."

"Oh, bugger."

"Indeed, right now Suzie is toast and she needs to get out of London asap. She'll need the support of family."

"Can I make a call?"

"Sure. But you'll need to know that his name is Alex Fullerton, he and his sister are currently at Paddington Green nick and will be in front of a magistrate later today charged with terrorism, breaches of the official secrets act, conspiracy to murder and a few more in all likelihood. I believe you are familiar with the sister?"

"Francesca Fullerton? Oh shit!"

Tammy used the secure phone in the library to call home.

"Dad, go secure."

It was a minute before the secure light glowed.

"I've been worried."

"Never mind that, two things, no three things have come up."

"Okay."

"Suzie and I need the plane at Stansted, no scrub that, North Weald Airfield isn't far from here, John?"

"Twenty five miles."

"I think North Weald will be quieter, so, Dad, can you get the plane to fly down and collect us."

"Can't you take a commercial flight up here?"

"No, for Suzie's sake we need to be discrete."

"Earliest is late tonight as it's doing another job at the moment, best would be in the morning so the crew can rest properly?"

"Fine, I think we can last another night."

"What's the other things?"

"We need to clear out the apartment and put it on the market. It would be useful to look for another apartment, but not in Docklands."

"I'll have Pru work on that in the morning, what about access to the apartment? Can I call Jenny on her usual number and then get hold of ?"

"Err, no. And don't call Francesca either but I can't tell you why right now. Hold on."

John wrote a number down and handed it to Tammy to read out, "Call this number tomorrow morning, Dad."

"How are you both? I presume I can ask that?"

"We'll survive, but we'll have Suzie back with us for a while."

"I'll let your Mum know."

"Thanks Dad. How's Angela?"

"She's on her way to Glasgow, can you give her a call?"

"Will do. Bye."

Tammy hung up the call. "I suppose the apartment is also toast?"

"Correct, but as you own it I could hardly tell you to sell it, Tammy?"

"Okay, now my guess is that I didn't get off cleanly?"

"Your situation is a little more complicated as you are already a public figure and you are also known to certain criminal groups."

"So outing me wouldn't have the same effect?"

"Correct."

Suzie asked "did the article name either of us?"

"No, but reference was made to your relationship, Suzie, and it wouldn't take long for your name to come out. For Tammy, the O'Shaughnessys parents were killed because they were investigating True Freedom, and when the Gores failed to take you out they were killed before they could reveal their links. We also believe the Lavoska sisters were, connected to the group and we'll be re-interviewing Paula Lavoska about that tomorrow."

"We couldn't work out their connection, there wasn't anything in common."

"Well, it fits with intelligence we've gathered. Your acquaintance Sharon was also on their books, before she went to GCHQ for that course and since she went rogue."

"So who did she meet in the theatre foyer in Cheltenham?"

"We now believe that was Alex Fullerton."

"My boyfriend, ex boyfriend? I hate him!"

"Yes, we believe his original intention was to become Tammy's boyfriend and was the driver of the black car you both saw."

"So it wasn't fate that brought them together?"

"No, Tammy. Suzie, how did you meet, again?"

"He helped me move into the apartment, Francesca, his sister, gave me his number and we eventually got to see each-other regularly."

Tammy added, "I guess our father will have to find another London PA now?"

"Never mind her, what about me?"

"I'm sorry, Suzie, but we'll have to let you go. You get six months on full pay and your leaving date will be the eleventh of June next year, you'll keep your pension rights but you can't take any work in that six months, and even after then there will be restrictions."

Suzie was sobbing, "I ruined everything." Tammy put her arm around her sister then pulled her tight. "We'll get through this, he didn't say you couldn't do a course, did he?"

John coughed, "I do have others to see! You'll be given a pack with full information plus a few forms to sign before you leave the house. Now, Tammy, Sharon Gainsborough remains at large and is considered dangerous although there's no evidence she's violent. As for the Templetons, forget Carl as he has a new identity in a different area."

"What about Donald?"

"Donald isn't his brother but was his minder. He's no longer used by the intelligence agencies."

"That's how he was able to get background info on me?"

"Yes, you put in a report about him and he did the same about you. What he didn't know was that his contact was also a True Freedom agent."

"Alex?"

"Yes."

"What was Carl's role?"

"We don't yet know, but he would have been close to your parents as they both work in the school?"

"So our family was targeted on multiple fronts?"

"Yes, it was a cozy trap with you being made to look like the mole, but without any specific intel."

"So I was left up there, out of the way and shut out of intelligence operations?"

"Yes, that would divert attention away from Alex and his little group."

"So how did we reach this," Tammy swept her arm, "how did we get from that to here?"

"You sprung the trap, catching everyone off-guard."

"Only because Dave suggested it."

"True, but he didn't tell you how to use counter-surveillance techniques, did he? That convinced several people that you needed to be stopped."

"Because of me?"

"Yes, then there was a bomb hoax phoned into the Met at the teachers' conference and that led to your B&B booking being found. The hoax was phoned from a mobile outside your apartment. Fortunately Alex was arrested at the restaurant and that highlighted his connection to Suzie, causing the house of cards to collapse."

"You said this was deep?"

"It goes back several years and affects much of your operational and personal life."

"But I keep my position whilst Suzie loses hers?"

"Not quite, I do believe you're on a sabbatical right now and that meant you are under my unit."

"I still dealt with Jenny?"

"For operational matters yes, but Financial Investigations is being wound up so we're looking for a better way to handle your unique situation."

"When?"

"What do you mean, Tammy?"

"My guess is that you've already made plans about my future, when were you going to tell me?"

"You'll be contacted in the next few weeks."

"Okay, okay, so I'm not going to be a simple student for the next few years? One thing bugs me though, John, who runs True Freedom? How come they were under the radar until this summer?"

"Helen Bell."

"Don't know her."

"You worked with her, Tammy, she was going under the name of Hilary Bull by then."

"But she's in prison!"

"That hasn't stopped her. We got her name out of Alex and we're now checking all her visitors."

Tammy held Suzie as they left the study, opting to go up to Suzie's room so she could freshen up.

"I was a fool!"

"It could have happened to any of us, the Lavoska sisters wanted me to go to Geneva to work for them, that would have me working directly for terrorists. Then there's Hilary bloody Bull, don't get me started on her!"

Tammy left Suzie then went to her own room, leaving her door ajar. She was in the bathroom when there was a light tap on the door. "Come in, won't be a mo!"

She was still straightening her leggings up as she walked back into the bedroom, where Dave Brown was waiting.

"Oh, sorry, back in a sec."

Tammy dashed back into the bathroom and made certain she was decent.

"Okay Dave, what happened?"

"I had a hunch that the meeting place had been discovered so I went there early and sat with the family. Alex turned up and pulled a weapon on me, he was disarmed quickly but I sustained a few hits. Then the counter terrorist lot turned up and nicked me as well, fortunately Kevin was involved but not before one of the officers decided to put his mark on me as well."

"Can I make a suggestion, Dave?"

"Go on."

"Let's grab a light lunch then, assuming Kevin is still in the building, get some transport back to the Vietnamese restaurant, we'll take Suzie with us as she needs cheering up, Kevin too if he's free. I'm sure we can use some make-up to make you look decent?"

"Sounds like a plan, apart from the make-up, but when are you leaving?"

"Private plane from North Weald tomorrow."

"Both?"

"Yes, our sister is in hospital and we need to visit."

"Long term?"

"Suzie has the rest of her life ahead of her but not with an intelligence service. As for me, I don't know yet."

#fin

Deathtrap Character Index

 

 

Smart/Small Family & household
Tammy/Tamara (formerly Tom) Smart	Principal character. Student and MI5 intelligence officer Previous aliases: Beccy Adams & Rebecca Simpson
Richard Smart	Tammy's father - Retired Banker
Angela Smart	Schoolfriend of Tom/Tammy. Formerly Tim Small. Healthcare Student
Joan Smart (was Small)	Angela's mother and Richard's wife. Welfare Officer at St Andrews School
Zara	Housekeeper & Cook (Anchored onwards)
Lily	Chambermaid (Anchored onwards)
Pru Campbell	Personal Assistant
Other Smart/Small Family members
Tara Simpson (formerly Smart)	Former spouse of Richard Smart & Tammy's mother
Suzie Smart	Daughter of Joan & Sister of Angela Employed by MI5 Financial Investigations Unit
George Small	Deceased spouse of Joan Small Formerly teacher at St Andrews
McPherson Family/Clan & Household
Elsie McPherson	Deceased Head of family Formerly School Governor St Andrews School
Cathy McPherson	Elsie's daughter New head of Clan McPherson & Schoolteacher Previosuly married to David Stewart (deceased)
Michael McPherson	Elsie's youngest son Student
Florence O'Shaughnessy McPherson	Adopted by Cathy Student at St Andrews
Daisy O'Shaughnessy McPherson	Adopted by Cathy Student at St Andrews
Helen McPherson	Elsie's niece. Daughter of deceased MP
Alison & Andrea McPherson 'A&A'	Elsie's Nieces Nurses at The London Hospital
John McPherson	Elsie's eldest son Former St Andrews School Catering Manager In Prison
David Stewart	Cathy's deceased husband, brother of Yvonne Stewart
Thomas	Butler
Anna	Chambermaid
Jonathon	Gamekeeper
William	Groundstaff
University (UHI) Characters
Donald Templeton	Lecturer in Criminology
James	Business Studies Student at UHI & Actor
Fleur Younger	Business Studies student at UHI Secretary of Mill Theatre Committee
Lucas Younger	Criminology Student Nephew of James Dougall (Convicted felon)
Freddie Flint	Tutor
Peter McDermot	Business Studies Lecturer
Lorna Kirk	Student - Girlfriend of Lucas Younger
School Characters
Lori Jenkins	Sixth form student Formerly Tony Jenkins
Ryan Jenkins	Former Year 11 student. Younger brother of Lori
Josie (Josephine) Richardson	Sixth form student (Anchored onwards)
Jeri Anders	Sixth form student & musician Formerly Gerry.
Ellie Sturgeon	Year 11 student Formerly Leonard
Martina Gore	Former Sixth form student
Jules Doherty	Sixth form student & Part time florist
Claude Breton aka Claude Benoir	Student
Mrs Janet Adams	School secretary
Harry Davison	Former School Governor / Father of Dr Jill Davison
Rev Franklin	School Anglican Chaplin
Mr Mike Thompson	Headmaster (from Aftermath)
Theatre Characters
Katie	Actor Writer & graphic artist
Suzanne	Actor Student Teacher
Karen	Actor Thurso High School Student
Mark	Actor/Student Michael McPherson's ex boyfriend
Yusuf	Actor Library volunteer
Lucy	Student & Actor Niece of Ch. Insp. Iain Davison
Tom Lake	Student & Actor
Hamish	Lighting Technician
Thurso Characters
Sarah Bonney	Boutique owner
Emily Bonney	Student in Dundee, daughter of Sarah Bonney
Sandy Smith	Hair stylist
Tanya Smith	Sandy's daughter Engaged to John Hibbert
Debbie Smith	Sandy's daughter
David Smith	Sandy's son
John Hibbert	Fiance of Tanya Smith St Andrews School Ambassador
Dr Steven McIntosh	Foormer Headteacher / Brother of Elsie McPherson Chairman of Mill Theatre Trust
Anne McIntosh	Wife of Dr McIntosh
Joanne	Beautician/Torturess
Frances Ernesto	Hotel/Bar manager
James Dougall	Known felon - uncle of Lucas Younger
Police Officers, Security Service & Legal
Iain Brown	Police Chief Inspector
Sgt Stuart St James	Police Officer )Sgt)
PCs Andrew & Neale Fraser	Police Officers, DJs and Shinty Team members
DI Kevin Edmunds	Counter Terrorism Unit, London See Unaccounted Gains Book 2
Jenny (Jennifer) Osborne	Security Service Finance Unit See Unaccounted Gains Book 2
Dave Brown	Retired government officer Old boy at St Andrews School See Unaccounted Gains Book 1
Kerri Emerson aka Krystel Evanson	Cyber-Operator of the Office of Immediate Covert Actions(U.S.A.) See Iron Dolphin by Alecia Snowfall
Sean MacTaggart	Colonel SAS - See Iron Dolphin by Alecia Snowfall
Marcus Wade	Captain SAS - See Iron Dolphin Book 2 by Alecia Snowfall
Jonathan Meach	HM Customs Investigator Old boy at St Andrews School
Karen Higgs	Current manager Caithness Marine
Louise Charles	Personal protection agent & investigator
Jeremiah Smith / George Smith / Isaac Smith	Solicitors, Smith, Smith & Smith, Edinburgh, Inverness & Thurso
Kelly Masters	Solicitor for Joan & Cathy, Thurso
Gerald Watson	Richard Smart's Solicitor, London
Medical Characters
Dr Adelaide (Adi) Sutherland	GP
Dr Kaufman	Psychiatrist (Anchored onwards)
Dr Jill Davison	Former Psychologist
Professor Julian Roberts	Glasgow Royal Infirmary Gender Identity Clinic
Dr Helen Yates	Endocrinologist
Others
Wendy Roberts	Wife of Prof. Roberts
Francesca Fullerton	Richard Smart's PA in London (It's Complicated onwards)
Sally Yates	Psychiatric nurse
James Yates	Husband of Sally & brother of Helen Yates
Becky Yates	Daughter of Sally & James