Fear of the Fathers Read Online Free PDF

that?”
    â€œJust because. I can’t validate the statement with hard facts. I just got the feeling that, whatever was going on in the assassin’s head, it was much deeper than just political idealism.”
    Ayres raised his eyebrows. “Are you suggesting that political idealism is somewhat frivolous?”
    â€œNot at all sir,” said Jennings, slightly embarrassed. “I only meant that his grievance didn’t appear to be a secular one. To me, he seemed to be operating at a higher level – on a spiritual plane, if you like. I know it may sound stupid, but you did ask what I thought.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Ayres. “I’m glad you’ve been honest with me. And, for the record, I don’t think it sounds stupid at all. If you think there’s more to it than politics then I’m quite prepared to believe you, but that brings us back to religion.”
    â€œI suppose so,” admitted Jennings. “But like I said: he was a Sikh. And unless you can think of a reason why they’d want you dead…”
    Ayres shook his head. “I can’t,” he said. “Of course, there may be some old grievance that I’m not aware of. But remember Jennings, the assassination attempt wasn’t personal against me – it was aimed at the nation as a whole.”
    Jennings took a sip of his coffee and looked across at the Prime Minister. He wondered if Ayres was right and that it was an attack on the British as a nation. Personally, he had his doubts: a bullet was a device of singular intent. It would have been more efficacious to use a bomb; but a bomb would have killed others and the assassin hadn’t wanted to do that. After all, he’d had the chance to kill Stone, Appleby, Davis and himself. If it was a statement against the nation, he would have shot them without compunction. No, this guy wanted Ayres, and Ayres alone. But why?
    â€œAre you alright Jennings?” Ayres asked. “You’ve gone a bit quiet.”
    â€œYes, I’m fine sir. I was just thinking, that’s all.”
    â€œWhat about?”
    â€œYesterday, sir. Nothing seems to add up.”
    Ayres got out of his chair and paced behind the desk. “I agree with you Jennings,” he said. “The whole thing’s entirely confusing. Between us and the Yanks we’ve got the best intelligence network in the world. It’s got to the point where it’s almost impossible for a terrorist to sneeze without our knowledge. And yet, a man breezes in to Cheltenham and takes a shot at me, and we don’t have the first clue as to who the hell he is, or who or what he represents. It seems that we have a new enemy; an unseen enemy. I’ll be honest with you Jennings – I don’t feel safe at all.”
    â€œI understand your concern sir,” sympathized Jennings. “But I wouldn’t have thought that he’ll try anything again soon. It’s highly unlikely that anyone will – not with the step up in security.”
    Ayres returned to his seat. “Yes, you’re right, of course. I’m just a little jittery about the whole thing. It’s very easy to get complacent when you’re in a privileged position. You forget that not everybody’s going to like you and your policies. ‘You can’t please all of the people all of the time’, as they say.”
    â€œNo, sir,” agreed Jennings.
    â€œAnyway,” said Ayres. “This all leads to the reason I asked you to come over. In light of yesterday’s events I’ve decided to have a slight change in my security arrangements.”
    â€œSir?”
    â€œI’ve asked Brennan if I can have you permanently assigned to my little team, and he has agreed.”
    Jennings contemplated the news. It was an honour to be asked, but at the same time he had reservations. Of late, he’d had quite an easy time of it work wise: small assignments here and