Arriving at College Green police station a young constable showed them up to a meeting room on the first floor in which there was a large conference table and a dozen chairs. There were no windows and the room was quite bare.
Before entering the room, Lloyd stopped Fleet and said. “We have had a response on that gun that Jason Walgrave handed in. It appears to have been used before in what the Met believe was a professional killing up there.”
“This gets murkier and murkier,” said Fleet.
Inspector Lloyd entered the meeting room followed by Chief Superintendent Fleet, the young constable left. “Thank you for coming in gentlemen,” she said, “hopefully you can help us get to the bottom of what is going on.”
Dave Withers responded. “First of all Chief Superintendent let me apologise for delaying this meeting from this morning. I trust you will appreciate that it was in all of our interests for my clients to be able to provide me with detailed instructions before we met. I have advised my clients to be totally open and forthright about what has happened to them and I think it best if we allow Mr Lever to start off.
“Before we do,” said Lloyd, “where is Adrian Lever, I was given to understand that he would also be attending today?”
“I don't know where he is,” I said. “He said he would be here and I am becoming increasingly worried about the fact that he has not turned up.”
“There is probably a perfectly simple explanation,” said Fleet, “so why don't we get on with it.”
“One more thing,” said Withers. “I think it would make for a more frank exchange if this meeting, at least initially, were to be an informal meeting, that is no recording. Do you agree?”
Lloyd looked at Fleet, “I will go along with that for now,” she said.
I then proceeded to tell Fleet the whole story, as I knew it:
The threats to myself and Alec purportedly about floating the company, the two attacks I had experienced and the car crash which ended up with me in hospital, followed by my 'escape' as I feared I was too vulnerable lying there in bed.
The approach by Mendip Finance to acquire the Company and the suspicion that somehow they were involved in some of the violence.
Then the hapless exploits of my brother hacking in to a US government system and unearthing material that would be very embarrassing for certain US officials if published.
The visits of other police, led by Naismith, who we now understood was Special Branch, and their greater interest in Adrian rather than my alleged car theft that they were supposedly investigating, and even the suspicion that they may have had a direct hand in the attacks.
“So as you can see Chief Superintendent, I think it is clear that we have clear reason to be concerned about our safety and that of our families. As we speak it is possible that Adrian is in great danger!”
“ What is this material that your brother hacked in to? Do you h ave a copy here that we can see, ” said Lloyd.
“We don't have a copy here and I myself have not seen it,” interrupted Withers. “Suffice it to say that it is said to be extremely incriminating evidence of the involvement of a senior US Official in war crimes. I am not sure if at this stage it would serve any purpose for it to be seen by a larger audience than has already seen it.”
“In the circumstances I don't think you can be the judge of that,” said Lloyd in a prickly response.
“I think we can reserve judgement on that for a while,” said Fleet. “What matters now is what is to be done from here. Firstly Mr Lever, I think I need to make it clear that we have not absolved you of the crime of stealing a vehicle from the hospital. However until there is some greater clarity on the other matters we can suspend that discussion and deal with it later.”
“Secondly, the crime by your brother of hacking in to US government files is much more serious and subject to severe penalties if they should choose to prosecute and try to extradite him to the US for trial. That is a security issue and will involve the appropriate security services in its prosecution. I have already talked briefly to Inspector Naismith, now I have your version of events I will talk to him again and see where he wants to take this. In the meantime Mr Withers is very experienced in issues of this nature and can advise you as to how to proceed”
“ Mr Lever, I think you should be aware that you are possibly exposed to prosecution for conspiracy to help your brother conceal his crime and of evading arrest.”
“I have done no such thing!” I said. “I really am worried about Adrian’s whereabouts. Much as you might not agree, I am sure he has not avoided this meeting intentionally, something must be wrong. Is there anything you can do to help?”
“We can put an alert out for him, do you have a photograph?”
“I can send you one from home easily enough.”
“Do you know where he was going when you last spoke to him?” said Lloyd.
“Yes, it was just after eight this morning, I left him at home, and he was due to leave almost immediately, he was planning to go to his girlfriends where he has been staying and pick up some clean clothes, before coming on to meet with us at the office before we were scheduled to come here.”
“Where does she live?”
“I don't exactly know. It is somewhere in Pill, but I don't have an address, or for that matter a name. He was however driving a very distinctive car. A 1935 soft top MG sports in British racing green. I can give you the registration num ber. It is my car. I lent it to him when he stayed with me a few days ago.”
“I think that is all for now, said Fleet. “Do you have anything else David?” she said looking at Lloyd.
“No, not for the moment except to remind you Mr Lever to let us know immediately if you hear from your brother.”
“I am sure he will do that,” responded Withers, “similarly I hope that we can rely on you to keep us informed on progress in your investigations.”
With that Lloyd escorted us downstairs to the reception desk and bade us farewell. Back up stairs he caught up with Fleet.
“Well, what do you make of that Boss. Do you believe it, and do you believe we have been told all of it?”
“I am not sure on either account, but I think something is going on. Make sure you get the alert out on Adrian Lever and on that car, I suspect his brother might be right that something has happened to him.”