The Human Factor Read Online Free PDF Page B

Hargreaves said. ‘But let’s assume for a moment that they are really after information and not scandal. Section 6 seems a most unlikely department for that. There are no atomic secrets in Africa: guerrillas, tribal wars, mercenaries, petty dictators, crop failures, building scandals, gold beds, nothing very secret there. That’s why I wonder whether the motive may be simply scandal, to prove they have penetrated the British Secret Service yet again.’
    â€˜Is it an important leak, C?’ Percival asked.
    â€˜Call it a very small drip, mainly economic, but the interesting thing is that apart from economics it concerns the Chinese. Isn’t it possible – the Russians are such novices in Africa – that they want to make use of our service for information on the Chinese?’
    â€˜There’s precious little they can learn from us,’ Percival said.
    â€˜But you know what it’s always like at everybody’s Centre. One thing no one can ever stand there is a blank white card.’
    â€˜Why don’t we send them carbon copies, with our compliments, of what we send the Americans? There’s supposed to be a détente , isn’t there? Save everyone a lot of trouble.’ Percival took a little tube from his pocket and sprayed his glasses, then wiped them with a clean white handkerchief.
    â€˜Help yourself to the whisky,’ C said. ‘I’m too stiff to move after that bloody shoot. Any ideas, Daintry?’
    â€˜Most of the people in Section 6 are post-Blake. If their traces are unreliable then no one is safe.’
    â€˜All the same, the source seems to be Section 6 – and probably 6A. Either at home or abroad.’
    â€˜The head of Section 6, Watson, is a relative newcomer,’ Daintry said. ‘He was very thoroughly vetted. Then there’s Castle – he’s been with us a very long time, we brought him back from Pretoria seven years ago because they needed him in 6A, and there were personal reasons too – trouble about the girl he wanted to marry. Of course, he belongs to the slack vetting days, but I’d say he was clear. Dullish man, first-class, of course, with files – it’s generally the brilliant and ambitious who are dangerous. Castle is safely married, second time, his first wife’s dead. There’s one child, a house on mortgage in Metroland. Life insurance – payments up to date. No high living. He doesn’t even run to a car. I believe he bicycles every day to the station. A third class in history at the House. Careful and scrupulous. Roger Castle in the Treasury is his cousin.’
    â€˜You think he’s quite clear then?’
    â€˜He has his eccentricities, but I wouldn’t say dangerous ones. For instance he suggested I bring those Maltesers to Lady Hargreaves.’
    â€˜Maltesers?’
    â€˜It’s a long story. I won’t bother you with it now. And then there’s Davis. I don’t know that I’m quite so happy about Davis, in spite of the positive vetting.’
    â€˜Pour me out another whisky, would you, Percival, there’s a good chap. Every year I say it’s my last shoot.’
    â€˜But those steak-and-kidney pies of your wife’s are wonderful. I wouldn’t miss them,’ Percival said.
    â€˜I daresay we could find another excuse for them.’
    â€˜You could try putting trout in that stream . . .’
    Daintry again experienced a twitch of envy; once more he felt left out. He had no life in common with his companions in the world outside the borders of security. Even as a gun he felt professional. Percival was said to collect pictures, and C? A whole social existence had been opened up for him by his rich American wife. The steak-and-kidney pie was all that Daintry was permitted to share with them outside office hours – for the first and perhaps the last time.
    â€˜Tell me more about Davis,’ C