The Bodyguard

Chapter 22 - Who Benefits

The next day, David went into the office. Craddock was talking to some other officer, when she noticed his arrival. He went to sit down and look up the vehicle.

Search blocked, please contact...

He rang the number and got a voicemail, he then hung up.

"David." his head snapped up to come face to face with Craddock, he went to stand but she stopped him.

"no it's fine." He sat back down, she rested against the desk

"I've just had a call from SO15. Apparently you're being a pain in the arse." she began.

"Ma'am, I have reason to believe..." she cut him off

"Listen. We lost the home secretary, let's catch the bastards who did it." David was slightly shocked but as usual he didn't show it.

"Thank you very much, Ma'am."

"You okay, to head across town?" She asked him

"Sure." he nodded

"I'll have a car sent to the D-Block door. I'll see you down there." she went to leave.

"Ma'am" he acknowledges as she walked away.

------

They arrived at SO15 & Anne Sampson's office, they created each other other.

"My team briefed me on the non evidential photo ID made by Nadia Ali. This man, Richard Longcross, you're convinced he works for...."

"The security service, yes Ma'am." he confirmed

"There's no evidence of that." she replied

"There wasn't. Last night I saw him at and internet cafe, using a vehicle, who's registration  data is withheld form the PNC. It's just some bullshit phone number to sucker you into setting off a electronic tripwire." He informed them.

"As you've disclosed it, we can smooth things over." Craddock breathed

"The only way the could have gone to that cafe is if they are tracking online key word in online activity."

"What key words?" Sampson wondered

"Relating to compro-mat the security service supplied to the Home Secretary." The two woman looked at each other.

"What are you talking about."

"In her hotel a few days before she was killed, the home secretary had a visit from Longcross. He supplied her with an encrypted file with comoro-mat, she then went onto share with the Prime Minister."

"And you kept this to yourself." Sampson asked incredulously. David looked down. He deliberately left, how Mia came into contact with it and how he thought she might know where it is now.

"if David is onto something, it might be a good idea to focus on that." Craddock interjected . Sampson didn't say anything she walked over to the window.

"Did you manage to get any copies of the comoro-mat?" Craddock questioned

"That wasn't possible. I did attempt to photograph the material using my phone, but the device was equipped with an inferred sensor that shit it down in proximity to digital devices." he replied

"Have you got any details on the scandal?"

"A series of scandals, all covered up. A sexual Assault, Drug Addiction, financial impropriety. Last night I learned that they were relating to the Prime minister. that's only what I was able to deduce. There maybe more compare mat. now that the home secretary is dead the security service must be terrified of their role coming out. That's why Longcross is tracking keywords relating to the Compro-Mat,to intercept anyone who is onto them."

"So where is it now David, any idea?" Craddock wondered

"The Home secretary had it with her, I assumed it was destroyed in the explosion." he lied

"And you suspect the security services, planted the bomb?" Craddock asked surprised

"It makes no sense the security service murdered Julia Montague. They were in partnership, she offered them greater powers in return for the compromising material" Sampson stated

"Maybe the relationship, went sour, or she became a liability, I don't know."

"Cut bono? Who Benefits?" Sampson muttered to herself "Clearly the Prime minister, for one."

"And his supporters. Roger Penhaligon, Mike Travis. Though Mike Travis I more suspect."

"Why do you say that?" Craddock wondered

"His daughter, I wouldn't put it past him to do something to ruin the Home Secretary but knowingly hurt the mother of his child."

"Some men are capable of that." Sampson added

"I know, but have you seen the way his is with her? She is the apple of his eye, from personal experience i know that look." Sampson and Craddock nodded

"But Mike Travis?" Sampson queried

"He was always jealous of the Home Secretary's private meeting's with the security service. He's all about party unity and completely loyal to the Prime Minister and Penhiligon."

"That's interning. We know Tahir Manhood wasn't carrying the bomb in the briefcase. But he did set of the device via a pressure sensor. And Rob MacDonald probably induced him to go on stage. And who's Rob's new boss at the Home Office?"

"Mike Travis."Craddock added. Sampson sat back down at her desk.

"Thank you. David."

"What's going to happen now, Ma'am?" David asked Sampson. who was now shuffling some papers around.

"We'll see to it." She replied.

"People keep saying that. Meanwhile the home secretary's killers are no nearer to being caught." he snipped and walked out. He headed back of the hospital where he was about to speak to the woman he talked to before.

"Sorry to keep you sergeant. How can I be of assistance?" he asked as they shook hands.

"Just a quiet word." he moved into a empty cubical and pulled the curtain slightly.

"The night the Home Secretary, she had three official visitors. Roger Penhiligon, Mike Travis and Rob MacDonald."

"Yes."

"What were their movements that night?" David questioned

"They were briefed in the management suite, then Mr Penhaligon spent the night in his daughter's room waiting news on his wife and daughter."

"Ex-wife. Did he have any visitors? What about this man." He showed her pictures of Longcross and Hunter-Dunn." she shook her head

"Sorry."

"Did Mr Penhaligon, hinder the medical staff in anyway?"

"No, he was very concerned about his wife and daughter's welfare." she answered

"Ex-wife. Was there anything unusual he was concerned about?"

"He seemed very concerned about his wife and daughters personal items. But I suppose that's not unusual."

"What Items?"

"Home Secretary's ministerial folder, her briefcase, her handbag and his daughter's handbag."

"He took these?"

"No, which is why he was very anxious about them. But that's because of sentimental value."