Defender by Chris Allen Read Free Book Online Page B

had travelled the world with her parents. Her father's career as an expert hydraulics engineer and her mother's relief work in struggling communities abroad, along with an Oxford education, had provided Arena with an upbringing that had prepared her perfectly for a career in the Foreign Office, and she had risen to prominence within a relatively short space of time with, most importantly, her reputation well and truly intact. On this she had taken a leaf from the pages of the successful women around her, whom she admired. Loyalty and career first and, very definitely, love last. She had been 'spotted' by Director-General Evans and immediately appointed as the right hand to his Chief-of-Staff. When the Chief-of-Staff was away, as was the case now, Halls stepped up. It was a role that some saw as a responsibility beyond her 26 years - but her sagacity, intellect and an ability to recall even the most seemingly insignificant facts, were fast becoming lore around the corridors of the Foreign Office. She was a classic polymath, one of the DG's select inner sanctum - Evans's 'Golden Girl'. The ensuing weeks of Evans's protracted absence, had seen Johnson carry out a coup. Evans's key people had been found other duties and Johnson had begun the solicitous task of establishing his own cabinet. Halls knew she'd been kept around merely as window dressing to appease any suggestion that Evans's team had been completely cleared out. Continuing on her recitation of facts, the Assistant Chief-of-Staff went on, her eyes slightly narrowed as the facts came to her. "Served in the New Zealand Army before moving to England to join the Parachute Regiment. Decorated in Northern Ireland with the Para's and later in the Gulf with the SAS. And, despite his injuries, went on to serve as a legal officer in Cambodia and Bosnia. A recognised authority on terrorism, rules of engagement, human rights and international humanitarian law. CBE, DSO, MC. Yes, I think that's it."
    "Correct again, Arena. Very good. An outstanding chap indeed," Johnson added with a pained smile. There was a moment of silence as he gathered his thoughts. "He's been seconded to INTERPOL recently. Heads up a new area concerned with terrorism. Very secret."
    "Yes," she offered boldly. "INTREPID. I've received the brief."
    "Not much gets past you, does it now," Johnson said. "Yes, indeed. Terrorists, their networks, weapons of mass destruction, illegal arms, the slave trade and illicit narcotics are amongst their targets. He has the great luxury of being able to hand-pick his people from anywhere in the world. These INTREPID agents are part policeman, part soldier, part spy - or so they say."
    "I understand the General's known to run it old school, Sir. Sends his agents out with the maxim 'live by your wits'. He's not keen on modern gadgets, or technology in the field," Halls added. She was aware of Davenport's appointment and intrigued by the mystique surrounding him and his 'Defenders of the Faith', as they'd become known in select circles. "No fan of the modern 'techno-spooks', as he calls them."
    "Quite right. Chalk that up to his colonial roots. Prides himself on choosing the types who could hold their own in a bar brawl, as easily as attend a formal occasion at the Palace." Johnson added disdainfully. "Anyway, he has raised some rather disturbing matters regarding Malfajiri, and as we've just discussed, the President of that country has declared a state of emergency and will arrive in London shortly to personally request Her Majesty's help. We expect his government to fall at any time."
    "Yes," she said.
    "General Davenport expressed a most grave concern over an issue involving arms smuggling. Specifically a major operation that the latest INTERPOL intelligence suggests is connected to a British private military company operating in Malfajiri." Halls noted a somewhat furtive glance from Johnson. She remained silent. "There's more. INTERPOL believes that whoever is behind this