While Myra was still pondering Det. Insp. Polson, Frank got up and briskly said
"Right then, I'm off home." Myra suddenly realised she was very tried, wanted to
see her parents-and she was the boss. "Hold on luv" Myra shot back equally
briskly, "I got a job for you-run me 'ome." Frank was completely crestfallen.
"And where's that then?" Frank asked in a disheartened fashion.
"Basildon" replied Myra matter of factly. The man rolled his eyes "And you
can pick me up at, let's see...one o'clock tomorrow afternoon." "You can't do
that, Miss Dunn said departmental cars are..." his reply tailed away. "That's
right luv, she ain't here and I am." Kim could barely surpress the smile on her face.
"And guess what?" Myra said jauntily "Tomorrow evening all three are going
downstairs and have a little party on the firm. I bet Miss Dunn never did that." At
last she had raised a smile on Frank's face. And she would worry about tomorrow tomorrow.
Myra's parents were, of course delighted to have their daughter home. Delighted too at her
big new promotion. Very impressed that her driver was collecting her tomorrow. On the
drive to London, Myra's mind couldn't help but ponder the significance of the phone call
from the police. Very cagely, she broaced the subject with Frank "The Old Bill? Try
to avoid them bastards. They will always try to involve us in their own little schemes,
knowing that our powers are far greater than theirs. They always come on buddy buddy, but
there's always a reason of their own." That may explain a few things Myra thought.
Knowing she was new...this Polson greezer was maybe just trying it on. Myra then asked
about the Anatoffs. Still under "Obo" (observation), still believed to be a
threat from onwards Frank replied.
When they reached the office, Myra rang Polson and fixed up a meet for late that
afternoon. A pub in Bermondsey called the Lord Nelson. Kim said that the Major wanted to
see her. Well, he'll just have to wait, Myra thought. Myra asked Kim how best to get
there. "Well, I'd catch a train from Waterloo East. You can get the money from petty
cash for a Travelcard." Myra exploded. "Travelcard? Fuckin' Travelcard? There's
a yard full of cars down there!" pointing out of the rear window. Kim looked
takenaback "That's departmental policy, Miss..." "Don't talk to me about
her. She's dead-done" Myra spat out the words and as she did she noticed Frank
glaring at her. She also noticd that the janitor was watching closely. She stalked towards
the front of the building and noticed the heavy afternoon traffic. Maybe the train would
be the best bet, especially since she didn't know how to get there. "And another
thing," started Myra, trying to lighten up the atmosphere "Everybody talks about
'The Department.' Department of what?" "Department of Internal and External
Security" Frank said grimly. Myra thought a moment. "DIES? We're DIES? Ha and we
use Buspasses! Does the Man from UNCLE know about this? Where are the petty cash
slips?"
The moment broke the tension and they all laughed, Myra, Kim and Frank. "Right"
said The janitor stepped aside for Myra as she opened the door. "I'll be back about
6.00-6.30pm-reserve a table downstairs" and was gone. She saw the Lord Nelson from
the train as it approached the station. It was about a ten minute walk back to the pub,
built into a large 1930's tenement block. Somehow it had managed to retain a proportion
it's original character, even though the inside had succumbed to successive
modernisations. As Myra opened the door she saw Polson, just as she had imagined him to
be, and more or less as he had described. Middle aged, wearing a dark non descript mac,
greying black hair, he sat at a table with a Guinness in front of him. He looked up and
smiled, as Myra stepped forward, still wearing her one and only black skirt suit. She
carried no handbag, her purse in her right pocket. As they shook hand Polson said
"I'm Kevin Polson. Pils, isn't it?" thinking that knowing her drink would place
her at unease. If it did, she showed no outward sign. "Yeah, cheers" was all she
said. He went to the bar, while she settled herself at the table. "Myra, they only
have warm ones, I'm afraid-would you like something else?" he said while pulling a
fiver from his wallet. "Nay, that's alright, luv. I can drink it quicker when it's
warm" Polson chuckled at this and returned with a glass over the bottle.
"So then" as the policeman raises his glass to Myra's "I'm not going to
fuck about here-you're the new three striper?" Myra gave an affirmative nod, though
she didn't really follow. "Your predecessor was a difficult woman, very hard to work
with. But a few of my little birds have told me that you might be a little
more...approachable, shall we say?" Myra didn't have a clue as to what he was talking
about, but the pit of her stomach told her it couldn't be very good. She just smiled a
little, and her eyes twinkled, "Oh really?" she questioned, in a polite fashion.
"Yes, really" replied Polson directly. "The word is you were a top hitter,
done a couple here on my patch. I know I can't touch you now, but I can make things, well
difficult for you. Now, help us out once and awhile and well, the interdepartmental
machinery will be oiled and you never know, I might be able to help you." Myra blew
the smoke from her cigarette upwards. "And what happens if I tell you to piss
off?" "Like I said, you and yours might start getting a little aggro when you're
out doing your little Sir-Spy-Master thing. Really piss me off and I knew at least two
faces who would off you like that" Polson snapped his fingers for effect.
"Another Pils?" Myra smiled "Why not-I might as well get something
out of you" Polson's smile turned into a laugh and he got another round in. "OK,
this is for you-this is your mark" He handed Myra an envelope with two pictures of a
flash, street wise looking man about 22. "This is Mickey Dyson. Drug dealer, porno
pusher, now moving into protection. His movements are on the back. Top him and you'll do
me, the division and South East London a big favour. And I'll be a good friend." Myra
realised that she was going to be used again and that there was little she could do.
"OK, I'll help you out. But since you talked straight I'll do the same-are you as
bent as you seem?" Polson smiled "Not really, but if a little flexibility gets
the job done..." "So you'll be my flexible friend?" Polson winked as they
finished their drinks. It was time to go. Polson would in touch. As Myra walked back to
the station it started to rain. A cab hove into sight. "Screw it" thought the
big blond as she hailed it "Petty cash can pay for this too."
In the restaurant, Myra, Kim and Frank relaxed. Curious about the reference to a
"three striper" Myra asked Kim when Frank left the table. Kim took out her ID
card, displaying it's two diagonal stripes. "I can carry weapons for my own
protection, or in extreme circumstances, offensively. Frank is only a one striper-no
weapons." Myra looked puzzled. "I think Miss Dunn really took to Frank-treated
him like a son. Didn't want him to be hurt or something. He certainly didn't appreciate
it. He used be a Marine, he's real tough-a good bloke to have with you. If he hits you,
you don't get up in a hurry. But he doesn't like us carrying guns and him not. And in case
you're wondering." Kim seemed to sense Myra's thoughts "The last time I carried
was when we escorted you. And you know what? It wasn't even loaded!" "Do you
like it, carrying a gun I mean?" Myra asked curiously. Kim smiled a shy smile.
"Me too-I get real buzzed up. I really love it." "Well, pretty soon you'll
be doing that, won't you?" Kim said. Myra looked at her. "The Antaoffs.
Remember? You were supposed to see the Major about that this afternoon."
"Shit" Myra sighed. "I'll go home tonight and scope them out over
the weekend. I'll speak to the Old Boy Monday Morning."
Myra paused and said "There's something else on my mind. The janitor-Bill? How comes
he's always clanking about with his bucket when we are talking business?" Kim looked
at Frank, then Myra. "Well, he was sent over by Fleet Side, so he's got clearance of
course...but we don't really trust him." Myra looked puzzled "The word is"
interjected Frank "That he is Special Branch. Didn't The Major mention that? We
always let him hear what we want to hear, but try to not to let him know too much. Good
cleaner though." So that's how Polson contacted her? Maybe. Myra made a mental note
to watch him.
As the evening progressed and they all began to enjoy themselves Myra quitely said to Kim
"I decided what we're going to do. I'm going to gave Tomonaga to you as your obo.
Frank and me will keep an eye on the Anatoffs. How about that Frank? A romantic long
weekend with your farvourite blonde." Frank made a thin smile but said nothing.
"We'll book in into their hotel and just keep an eye on them. If Tomonaga arrives
Wednesday, then be best take the Anatoffs out by Tuesday. Too bad we'll have to do it in
Basildon itself, but unless they decide to have a day out there's nothing we can do about
that. I'll leave a message for Miss Dawson to tell The Major things are in hand." Kim
looked at Frank "He won't like that, he-" "Let me worry about that. We have
a job to do and we'll do it. But for now..." Myra raised her glass "This is on
the Firm-cheers!"