Costa Crew: One More Shot

Chapter 2 - Serve and Protect

DCI Paul Houston was surprised to find the Deputy Chief Constable waiting in his office when he arrived at the Metropolitan police that morning.

"Morning, Paul," she said. "Please, take a seat."

Paul was a little put out by being asked to take a seat in his own office, but he did so without protest. DCC Fleming was his superior officer after all, and for her to come to his office instead of summoning him could only mean one thing.

"Operation Godfather," Fleming said. "Any luck with that lead?"

"We've found two people by the name of Anna Granger. One is ninety years old and in care, and the other is twelve. Unless this is an Artemis Fowl situation, I doubt either of them are Coulson's employer. It's also fair to assume that they would create an alias, so we couldn't find them even if their people did talk to us."

Fleming nodded. "Quite right, but we shouldn't rule anything out. Granger could be strapped for cash and working as a messenger for the Godfather. I want your squad to follow up on that lead, preferably someone good with kids and who won't arrest Granger because she seems slightly nervous. I need you to come to my office first thing tomorrow. 9am sharp, don't be late. Bring PS Monroe and whichever of your detectives you choose. They have to be good and they have to be able to keep secrets, because this operation is tight security. Right now I'm the only one in the Metropolitan police who knows any details. Chief Constable Hunt doesn't even know what it is."

Paul was speechless and could only nod. "Yes Ma'am," he was able to say eventually. Fleming smiled and handed him a document, before leaving without another word. Paul supposed that was how it was for the head of Operation Godfather. No time for small talk when the Godfather was at large.

Paul closed his door and shut the blinds over before reading the document.

TO BE READ BY NONE OTHER THAN DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE KATE FLEMING AND DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR PAUL HOUSTON

MI5 and the Metropolitan police have decided to share resources on Operation Godfather in an attempt to reach and arrest the Godfather themselves. A small team of three officers and three agents will act as a bridge between the two organisations and lead the investigation. The chairman of MI5 will lead the team and with them will be a Cyber Security Agent and an undercover operative who will remain anonymous and communicate only with the other two agents, whose names cannot be disclosed in this briefing for security reasons. Police Sergeant Charlotte Monroe is being recommended for this as the head of the armed unit associated with DCI Houston's squad. The third officer will be a detective of Houston's choice and will have the choice to decline the mission but will be sworn to secrecy before being briefed regardless. A full mission briefing will be held in DCC Fleming's office.

They were working with MI5? That explained how secretive Fleming was being. Paul knew straight away which Detective to choose for the team. The detective he had known since his high school days. The edgiest detective of them all, he thought, allowing himself to chuckle.

Then he remembered. The briefing! That thing they did every morning with the squad! The important thing that was even more important with Operation Godfather ongoing! He should probably hurry, he thought.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, trying to remain professional as he walked into the briefing room.

DI Raymond Drake raised an eyebrow. "Imagine Paul being late for something."

Paul ignored this remark from DI Drake, something he was accustomed to doing even before the operation. He wasn't normally late for briefings, though that might not have been the case had it not been for Becky making sure he always left on time during their high school days. She would be proud. If she ever answered her phone.