The Darkness Below

Chapter Fifty Five - 1970

Vince's train came to a stop at South Ham Station, the penultimate stop before the end of the line, and stepped off the train and enjoyed the fresh air of the English countryside. He much preferred the clean air to that of the smog, dirt and dust of London. Vince was pleased he lived here and worked here at his small photography studio.

Vince was feeling confident and pleased with himself as his cover was secure and KGB Moscow Centre would be pleased with his meeting in Hyde Park. He felt emboldened by his successes and cautioned himself not to fall into the trap of becoming over confident. He had murdered a man who he suspected as a member of the Security Services so if he ever were caught and accused of being a Soviet spy he would be lucky to escape the hang-man's noose.

Vince looked up and saw a familiar face and he quickened his pace to close the gap between them. The man ducked into the newsagents shop and Vince slowed his pace and waits outside the shop for the man to emerge.

The man re-emerged from the newsagent and immediately turned away from Vince and carried on in the direction he was heading in before. Vince quickened his pace and closed on the man with swift silent steps. Vince raised his hand as if to strike the man he had followed and brought his hand down on his upper shoulder right by his neck. The man jumped as his hand landed softly on his shoulder and the man turned with shock and fear in his face.

'Hi John, you ok? You look like you have just seen a ghost!' Vince said jovially concealing his intrigue and concern with the fearful expression on John's face.

There was a pause and John responded 'oh Vince it's you, sorry about that. I just saw...er I just wasn't expecting you that's all'.

Vince was suspicious and trying to conceal his suspicion whilst enquiring further. 'Who did you see? Who were you expecting John? It's a bit late for Father Christmas!' Vince said with a forced smile.

'Sorry Vince, you just startled me and I spoke without thinking. What have you been up to today?' Vince could tell the John was concealing something but decided to let it slide for the moment.

'Oh just been up to town doing a bit of sightseeing. I'm still new to the area so find London fascinating. It's a great place for me and my camera. I haven't seen you around for a while, have you been ok? Funny to see you as I was thinking of you as I walked around London and those photos you had me develop.' Vince said like he was talking to an old pal. The mention of the photos he had developed for John brought a moment's break in his expression and you could see a momentary flash of alarm. Vince was intrigued, was this alarm a normal reaction to the fact the photos were of Top Secret documents or the slip in the façade of a wider concern John has about Vince. Does John suspect Vince is not just a photographer from Wales?

John responded 'yes fine thanks for asking. I can't stop to talk, sorry I've got to rush off but maybe catch up down the pub?'

Vince paused and gave John a curios look to see if John would panic and fill the small silence. It was always a good test of someone to allow the silence to linger as panicked people often felt compelled to fill the gap in the conversation.

'Yeah for sure see you down the pub, see ya.' Vince responded even though he himself had not been down the pub recently, Johns comment suggested neither had John. Why had John not been going down the pub recently, what had he been up to? Or maybe he had just got himself a girlfriend. Vince headed off to home and John went off in the other direction with a strange urgency in his step.

John walked off and his mind was racked with trepidation. He needed to find Smith, the man who had followed him up to the Redoubt and been attacked by Vince. He needed to do this as quickly as possible before Vince found him. What Vince will do to Smith when he does John is not sure. Also John realises that Smith is the only other living person who suspects that Vince Taft is a Soviet agent or at least an attempted murderer.

He looks all over the High Street but cannot find the man. Where has he gone? It gets dark and John decides he needs to speak to Grace and then probably Robbie for their advice on these recent developments. This latest development means that time is against them and they need to act quickly to save all their lives!