Shadows of Deceit (19 page)

Tommy poured drinks for everyone. Harry noticed that Steve had deliberately ignored Darlath when he had entered the room.

The men sat in a semi-circle around the fireplace.

Tommy spoke next,

“The last job brought in generous funds for everyone here, plus of course a share to Wemyss. I wish to advise that it’s Wemyss’s turn to fund our next project, which he has readily agreed to do. Now Darlath would you please describe this next job.”

“Thanks. This proposal has come out of the blue very soon after our last venture down at Kintyre. You probably know from my conversation with Tommy a few days ago that this next opportunity is very big. Potentially the largest project we are ever likely to come across. Absolute secrecy is required from everyone, is that clear?” The men nodded in agreement as Darlath continued,

“Through my contacts in Ireland we discovered that a large counterfeiting operation was underway in Austria where Nazi sympathisers, under rigid German control, were printing and producing good quality sterling notes. The plan was to flood the U.K. with them and ruin what’s left of the teetering British economy. But, because of the rapid and unexpected ease the Germans had in occupying all the Low Countries and France their initial counterfeiting plan was abandoned - until now. You see Britain’s normal trading activities with the continent have ceased because of the total occupation over there, and this prevented any easy opportunity to introduce these notes into this country. The Nazis are still very keen to carry out their plot and have now established an alternative manufacturing route to bring this currency ashore. This passage is through Ireland and then onward to the U.K.”

“So we can intercept some of it son, is that the plan?” Dermot interrupted.

“Yes Dad.”

Harry leaned forward,

“What happened to the old counterfeit notes and where are the new ones being produced now?”

“Apparently the Austrian bundles are now stored and held in the Harz Mountains. The new source is in the Bahamas. This is...”

Steve interrupted, “But the Bahamas are part of the British Empire, we would know if they’re being made there!”

“Yes, but listen gentlemen, who is the present Governor?”

Harry looked incredulous, “Bloody hell! You mean Edward? Edward the eighth and Wallis Simpson?”

Darlath chuckled,

“Exactly. Let me remind you of something that occurred just before the war. After Edward’s abdication which members of the British royal family went to visit Hitler and Ribbenthrop, their Foreign Minister?”

Dermot suddenly became more alert,

“It was them wasn’t it? Their visit caused a right storm over here at the time.”

Darlath continued,

“So much so that when war broke out the U.K. Government shipped them out from their new home in France and off to the Bahamas. The fear being that, as Nazi sympathisers, Edward would be appointed as a puppet head of state had the German’s successfully invaded Britain. So Edward and Wallis were dispatched from their Paris base to Lisbon and then onwards to the Caribbean. Well away from any Nazi influence.”

“Excuse me Darlath,” Harry asked,

“But how does this money get to the Irish Free State?”

“You have to realise that there is currently a large interchange of shipping between the Caribbean Islands, North and South American countries and Canada. A lot of these ships also travel across the Atlantic within the convoys bringing supplies to the U.K. and Ireland. We know that the money is now being printed by the Nazis in South America and sent in secrecy to the Bahamas for onward transit. So with a bit of planning and co-operation from
their
local, how shall I say, ‘supporters’, the boxes will be added as a commodity and shipped across under diplomatic confidentiality to their contacts in Dublin.”

Steve stood up to get another drink,

“And then across to the U.K. to flood the market, it’s as simple as that?”

“Almost” Darlath shifted in his chair,

“This is where it gets really heated. You see the U.K. secret services are aware of this plan and have issued ‘A heads up’ order to their agents. Their local surveillance teams are now watching and listening in the Caribbean. So far none of this money has arrived here. The first delivery is due in Ireland in two weeks. The British and Irish governments are trailing it as we speak. The idea is to land it in several batch containers, some at Cork and some at Dun Laoghaire. Both governments are co-operating and will pounce as it lands and confiscate it. You’ve got to realise that the Free State relies on a stable pound sterling to equate with its own currency. Any U.K. disruption would undermine the economy of Ireland as well.”

“What an incredible story!” Harry said.

“I’m still not clear about something,” Tommy said,

“Why are the Bahamas so important in the whole of this export business?”

“Good question Tom. It’s like this, before America joined the war Britain set up a clearing house to handle all of their import trade from across the Atlantic. This covered every country through South America, Mexico the U.S. and Canada.

They chose the Bahamas simply as a central reference point off the eastern seaboard for the whole continent. A team of British trade experts was established to co-ordinate the import to the U.K. of all that was required such as food and manufactured items. When the States joined the war they expanded the delegation and these people now control what is sent over by the convoys. All the paperwork is sent by teleprinter.”

“These convoys you describe, they also deliver cargo into the Free State of Eire?” Harry asked.

“Yes. Eire continues to maintain its neutrality in the war but still has to survive as a nation. Therefore it also relies on imports from the Americas and in effect rents space on ships to bring goods across. But as I said earlier, those countries or individuals sympathetic to the Nazis have infiltrated the system, hence the trunks of counterfeit money being smuggled to the German Consul in Dublin.”

“Will there be arrests when it’s brought ashore?” Dermot asked.

“That’s yet to be determined. The Government’s essential task is to stop large amounts of this money reaching here and being distributed. If the plot is foiled then that will be sufficient to annoy the Germans and prove to them that our intelligence monitoring is more active and successful than they think. However, if there is evidence that any Irish or British subjects can be tried for treason then that action will also be pursued.”

“That could include Edward?” Tommy asked.

“Possibly. But remember the government has to tread very carefully here. The King and Queen and their daughters are held in great affection by the people here and around the free world as well as amongst the populations of the European occupied countries. If word leaks out that the wayward brother Edward might possibly have been involved, if only by association, then that could have a detrimental effect on how they view George and Elizabeth. Both Governments have agreed to clamp down on any rumours until the hard facts are known. The British agencies are to investigate the plot but will only make it public if watertight prosecutions can be made. There is also something else that has emerged; the American services are investigating wire tap evidence linking Wallis Simpson, an American remember, to an affair with Ribbenthrop the German Foreign Minister before the war. If this is confirmed then it increases doubts about where her and her husband’s sympathies lie.”

The men shook their heads in disbelief at what they had just heard.

“I told you this one was hot didn’t I?” Darlath added.

Dermot cleared his throat before responding,

“Jesus boy, are we getting out of our league here, fighting above our weight perhaps? It all seems a bit risky?”

“Dad, so long as we say nothing to anyone then all we’re doing is collecting our usual supplies that, this time, may also include some metal trunks. The risky bit is the theft and transfer of some of the money in Ireland. Once on board the boat from Donegal the risk diminishes.”

“Where do we come in then?” Andrew asked.

“There’s another consignment of liquor that’s also arriving. So it’s arranged that the liquor, plus some batches of notes, will be ‘lost’ and transported to Donegal as in our previous operation. An Irish group based in Cobh will also take a few packs for their own use.”

“How big are these ‘packs’ then Son?”

“Each one is about the size of a passenger shipping trunk, that’s roughly about three foot by two foot by eighteen inches deep. These will be full of sterling notes, several hundred thousand pounds in each. These will be quality sterling notes, and very difficult to detect once they’re in circulation. Remember gentlemen, what we are diverting is only a tiny percentage of the whole counterfeiting operation. The prize for us will enhance the lives of our little group for a time but in reality this value is insignificant when compared to the whole manufacturing process that will be seized by our Governments.”

Steve who was now standing, interrupted briefly,

“Here’s the bottle, any top ups required?”

The bottle was passed around the group.

“Fuck me
, I need a drink now. What a plot, brilliant or what?” Tommy filled his glass to the brim, “Cheers everyone!”

Darlath carried on,

“Remember gentlemen, absolute silence on this one. I’ll liaise with Tommy as before and keep you informed. Now there is another matter. This time, gentlemen, I’m going to need some assistance in Ireland for a few days to ensure all loose ends are tied up.”

“What sort of help?” Tommy asked.

“Some of my contacts in the south need to be met and paid, whilst I can see some in the chain it’s not going to be possible for me to travel too far out of Dublin in the next week or so. I’m involved at work on several committees that have meetings arranged, and I must be present.”

“Sorry to involve you Harry.” Andrew said,

“But didn’t you tell me once that you knew Ireland quite well?”

Harry grinned,

“I think I said I had some contacts of my own over there. But you’re right I did get around a bit, and if you’re suggesting I go then fine. It’ll be better than rent collecting for you!”

“I’m happy with that.” Steve said.

Tommy nodded in approval “Darlath?”

Darlath readily agreed to the proposal,

“Excellent, I’ll arrange a ticket on the steamer Harry. Meet me in two days time at my flat. I should have received more details by then of what is happening and when.”

Darlath wrote down the particulars of his address and telephone number.

Dermot slowly managed to stand up,

“A toast to my son for all his work on this project.” They all drank,

“And a belated toast to Harry here on his recent engagement, good luck to you and take care of dear Eileen!”

They raised their glasses, “To Harry and Eileen.”

“Thank you, I’m proud to be part of your little group.”

Harry lifted his glass to salute them.

Dermot prepared to leave.

“Right, it’s time for me to go. I’ll see you tomorrow son.”

“Yes Dad, try and have a good night’s sleep.”

Harry, Tommy and Andrew helped Dermot back to his car whilst Steve went to the toilet. Darlath remained in the room clearing glasses onto the tray.

“Oh, they’ve taken Dermot out already?” Steve asked upon re-entering.

Darlath looked up, “Yes. Thanks for driving him.”

Steve ignored this, “I suppose you’re staying at Andrew’s again tonight?”

Darlath remained calm as he turned to face Steve,

“I’m sorry; what did you say?”

“You heard. I’ve suspected you two for a long time and now I have the proof!”

“It’s about time you grew up Steve and stopped all this schoolboy sensational nonsense.”

Steve wasn’t used to people rebuffing him so effectively and he felt his anger rising,

“Listen to me again,” he said, his face reddening,

“I know what you two have been up to. And I have the proof!”

Darlath continued his unemotional response staring directly into Steve’s eyes,

“Proof, what proof? I have no idea what you’re on about.”

“Your Dad doesn’t know yet, but I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell him.”

Darlath countered,

“Well let’s hear it then Steve, please tell me now what you’re inferring.”

He remained cool, his unblinking stare intensified.

“Answer me now Steve?”

There was a long pause before Steve broke the silence. He coughed and shifted his feet, unable to take this eye to eye scrutiny. Just as in the past, he’d become aggressive towards any prisoner that had tried to eyeball him, once again he was finding it difficult to control his temper. He reached out and grabbed Darlath’s shirt at the throat and pulled him violently forward. The two glasses that Darlath had been carrying in his right hand smashed together against Steve’s chest. This sound distracted Steve from punching Darlath with his free hand. He momentarily looked down to see that his shirt was now oozing blood.