Cast No Shadow, Peter Sharp [books to get back into reading txt] 📗

hotel, he considered the kindness of his two companions, both of whom had indicated their willingness to find him employment. However, if, as seemed likely, both offers would be for tedious civil service jobs, he was doubtful he would be interested. He would need to find a form of words that said ‘no!’ without appearing unappreciative.

Kelly was about to leave the hotel on the following morning when the concierge intercepted him.

“Telephone call, Mr Kelly,” he said. “A Mister Donnelly.”

Kelly walked to the reception desk and took the proffered phone. “Hello,” he said, “Dan Kelly speaking. It’s good of you to call, Jack.” The voice in the earpiece spoke quietly and concisely; there was no exchange of unnecessary pleasantries.

“Listen Dan, I am fully aware that if I suggest a civil service job you will find some way of saying no without offending me.” Kelly wondered if Donnelly was a mind reader. The voice continued, “The job I have in mind is quite specialised, but I can’t discuss it over the phone. Would you take lunch with me today at Jackson’s? It’s on the corner near your hotel.”

Intrigued, Kelly readily agreed. “Twelve thirty at Jackson’s. Bye!”

The line went dead.

Kelly strode into Jackson’s at twelve twenty-nine. Donnelly was already seated at a table. Like Kelly’s hotel, Jackson’s was of moderate standard, but had gained a reputation for good value and reasonable fare. Kelly sat down opposite Donnelly and they exchanged pleasantries. There was a brief silence as they perused the menu, Donnelly choosing a poached egg on a single slice of toast and Kelly, feeling extravagant, plumped for the smoked salmon salad.

Once the waiter had retreated with the order Donnelly spoke, “I don’t intend to waste your time and mine by beating about the bush. I think I can secure you a position in Military Intelligence. MI5 to be precise. If you are interested?”

Kelly blinked, thunderstruck. “Thank you,” he said, unsure how else to respond. “What’s involved?”

“Let me say from the off,” said Donnelly, ignoring the question, “that the reasons we can have this conversation are twofold. Firstly, I have a personal recommendation from Admiral Jenkins and, secondly, I have pulled your file and had your war record scrutinised.” He paused before adding, “Impressive by the way.”

“Thank you,” said Kelly again. “I take it that the meeting last night was not pure chance.”

“Heavens no!” responded Donnelly. “You will find that extraordinarily little of what happens in Military Intelligence is by chance. You are a man of habit, Mr Kelly. You enjoy a glass of vodka in the Savoy most evenings. You attend O’Sullivan’s Gym in the East End four times per week where you box and lift ludicrously heavy weights. You occasionally smoke, but not heavily. You run along the embankment most evenings and you have recently travelled extensively, mainly in Scandinavia, though we are not entirely sure why.”

Donnelly broke off as the waiter returned and served them with their food. A wine waiter bearing a bottle of white wine in an ice cooler quickly followed him.

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering your favourite Hock which I understand you enjoy with lunch.” Donnelly tasted it, nodded to the waiter, and waited in silence until he had poured the wine into their glasses. Once alone Donnelly continued again before Kelly, somewhat bewildered, could comment. “If you are interested, I will arrange an interview with the head of G Branch, who will assess your suitability for a role in the department.”

“I see,” said Kelly, “but you haven’t told me what’s involved.”

“Intelligence gathering in the main. Can’t go into too much detail at this time,” said Donnelly. “But I rather think you can work it out for yourself.”

“Very well,” said Kelly. “What’s the next step?” Donnelly produced a typewritten sheet from his jacket pocket and handed it to Kelly. On it was a specific address located on the banks of the Thames and a room number. Underneath that were a time and a date two days hence.

“The Branch Head will see you then,” he said simply.

“I’m grateful,” said Kelly. “If this all goes through, will I be working with you?”

“Unlikely,” said Donnelly. “I’m in a different department. Whatever you decide I wish you luck for the future and, if you do join the Service, I will watch your career with interest.”

The man at the reception desk was dressed in a sober hotel style uniform, but his bearing and the double row of medal ribbons on the jacket confirmed his military past. Beside him was a man in a plain grey suit, about thirty with a hard face. The bulge in the left side of his jacket suggested he either had a very thick wallet or he was carrying a pistol.

“Thank you, Mr Kelly,” the receptionist was saying. “I can confirm that you are expected, would you please take a seat?” Kelly moved to the waiting area and sat down, looking at his watch as he did so. He was five minutes early.

Promptly, at the time specified on his note, a man came down the curved staircase and walked the short distance across the hall to him. He was about Kelly’s age with a fresh complexion, dark lank hair and wearing a grey suit seemingly identical to the one worn by the man at reception. Kelly wondered if this was some sort of uniform.

“Lieutenant Kelly?” the man asked, approaching with his hand outstretched. “Addison, G Branch.” Kelly took his hand. “The Boss is expecting you; shall we go?”

Kelly nodded, but Addison was already making his way towards the stairs. Kelly followed him up the stairs and along a corridor. He noticed that all of the doors had their number prefixed by either ‘G2’ or ‘G3’. Eventually they stopped outside an office marked simply ‘G Branch’ and underneath, ‘Head of Department’.

Addison tapped gently on the door and immediately walked in. Kelly found himself in an anteroom containing a desk and chair, a few filing cabinets and little else. Sitting at the desk was a