The Darkness Below

Chapter Two - 1970

Harris was angry. He had escaped the explosion set by Vince Taft, Soviet Spy, more by luck than judgement. Both he and Sgt Armstrong had been kept in the dark by their respective bosses and had they been given the full picture may have been able to prevent the explosion and catch Vince Taft.

Whilst Grace, John and Smith were taken care of by his colleagues Harris headed straight for Mi5 HQ to see his boss Commander Manningham Whitehead.

*

Harris arrives at the outer lobby to the Commander's office and gives a determined and slightly crazy eyed nod to Whiteheads secretary and proceeds to walk to the door to his boss's office.

'You can't go in there, you haven't got an appointment' the secretary calls out in haste but with a tone that makes it clear that she realises her protests will be in vain.

Manningham Whitehead looks up with a startled and disgruntled look at being disturbed. Before Harris gets a chance to speak Whitehead booms

'What are you doing here Harris? What is this mess you have going on at the Centre Point Tower?'

Harris loses any vestige of calm and common sense, shredded by the discourteous tone and the implication that the mess at the Centre Point Tower is Harris's responsibility.

'That MESS sir would not have happened had I been given a full appraisal of the situation. In fact it was due to two civilians that I am alive, perhaps you would have preferred me dead. A dead agent is always good when it comes to budget discussions with the PM!' Harris retorted with a ferocity that Whitehead was clearly not used to nor expecting.

'I will overlook that insolent outburst based on your recent stresses.' Whitehead responded.

Harris wasn't to be mollified and was far from calm and carried on with a reckless abandonment that could only be attributed to the fact that only hours earlier Harris thought his life about to come to an end. He carried on battering away at his boss and outlining the dangers Harris had been placed in by an old fashioned outlook on information flow.

*

After a very heated discussion Harris began to flag and his anger subsided to be replaced with exhaustion and mild shock. Harris touched his ear and realised that there was a small amount of blood seeping from his ear canal. The force of the blast must have caused some damage.

Harris sagged into a seat and Whitehead glowered at him with a malevolent anger.

'I see you are quite finished. I can assure you that we were not conspiring to get you killed and your resilience has been noted. The deft handling of this situation would have earned you praise had you not barged into my office! Anyway aside from that I will be recommending you and...' Whitehead said whilst opening a file and looking for some information '...Sgt Armstrong for an award for bravery, obviously subject to successful completion of this mission' Whitehead finished with a dead pan tone.

Harris was too tired and jaded to be swept away by the prospect of a bravery award but did realise its benefits in his career progression with the Security Services. Maybe he could get that transfer to Mi6 and see more of the world.

'Thank you sir' Harris responded in an equally dead pan tone to which Whitehead responded with an irked shake of the head.

'And first step on that road to wrapping this up is the arrest of Grace Spring and John Wood. They have clearly broken the law and we will use charges against them in order to ensure their cooperation and compliance. We don't want anyone going to the Press with stories that would reflect badly on Mi5. I don't need to tell you that if that eventuality should arise you will be held responsible as the agent in charge.' Whitehead instructed with a mirthful smirk.

Harris was shocked and thought for a moment. Harris felt that Whitehead was enjoying turning the screw on Harris after Harris's recent outburst.

'Sir I refuse to arrest Grace Spring and John Wood. They are our best lead in catching Vince Taft who is believed to be working for the Soviets. Arresting them will ensure they do not cooperate.' Harris responded.

Whitehead glowed red with anger at Harris continued obstinacy especially as it was now accompanied with intelligent argument.

'You refuse Harris? This is not a room in which you have the option to refuse. If you like I will have you arrested!' Whitehead bellowed then checked himself realising his anger was getting the better of him.

After a pause for reflection Whitehead continued 'in light of recent communication glitches...' Harris felt sure would be his only admission of guilt '...I am going to give you greater scope in bringing this situation to a satisfactory resolution. Greater scope means you will be held responsible for any further leaks of information from Grace Spring and John Wood. If you see a better way proceed on your own head be it.' Whitehead boomed and then stood and pointed at the door. Harris took his leave feeling he had danced with the devil and lived to tell the tale.

As Harris crossed the small outer lobby past the secretary she looked up and called 'Mr Harris?'

Harris turned ready to be admonished or threatened only to see the receptionist smirk and say 'well done Mr Harris, nicely done.' At which point she waved him out and Harris was gone.