"Botswana's police chief... said that a number of bodies had been recovered." "A report has just reached us of a major explosion... at the American Embassy in Ankara." "We are going over immediately... to our correspondent Jonathan Fuller." "The scene here is one of utter devastation." "American and Turkish emergency teams... have been working throughout the night... to rescue victims still trapped in the rubble." "At the moment, it's estimated... that at least 50 people have been killed." "So far, no group has claimed responsibility... for the attack." "However, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed earlier today... that all air, ground, and sea forces... have been placed on full alert." "Shit:" "Right, gentlemen." "Decision time." "Do we run it?" "Legal department?" "Well, there's no firm evidence... the two men have actually met." "They're sharing the same tart." "It's circumstantial." "Circumstantial?" ":" "It's about as circumstantial as Pearl Harbor." "Look, we've got two men turning up... at the same house on the same evening." "That's all." "And there's the problem... of Harry's unidentified source." "It's never been a problem before." "Yes, but if Markham brings an action... he's not gonna be turning up... as defense witness in a hurry, is he?" "Let's buy out the girl." "She'll want 25 grand up front at least." "Well, what's wrong with talking to the man himself?" "Another night, another show." "My idea of heaven is eternal nights... with Jack Macleod spiking my stuff." "Ah, Vernon, good to see you." "Stick close to him." "He's been in newspapers long enough to own one." "Is that right, Vernon?" "Hell, come on." "Let's walk." "It's only 5 floors." "Good for the heart." ""My journalists are free to write anything I please."" "Vernon:" "Yes?" "Reece wants to see you upstairs." "Nothing untoward, I hope." "I'd take your coat." "No peace for the wicked." "Well, we've missed the pubs anyway, Vernon." "See you later." "How's it going, Nick?" "Another sweet piece on the bingo winner?" "Give me a break, Jack." ""Witty, debonair Caledonian news editor."" "Seven letters, begins with "M"." "Cut it out, wise guy... or you'll still stay in the bingo." "Christ, what did that geranium ever do to you?" "All I want is a reaction from Markham... to top up the story." "Tell Harry Champion to do his own dirty work." "Come on." "Be sensible." "You know as well as I do... this story's not gonna lie down and be quiet." "Surely he'd rather hear it from you... than read it over the breakfast table." "My dear Vernon... now, this had better be good." "I had to leave... just as the division bell was ringing." "Why the hell couldn't we meet in Annie's bar?" "Because this time, it's more serious." "Come on." "We've had the build-up." "You'd better tell me." "Miranda Court." "Are you talking to me as a friend or a newspaperman?" "Or is that a silly question?" " Dennis, listen to me..." " Are we on the record or not?" "I'm trying to help you, for God's sake." "Reece thought..." "Reece thought he had the makings... of a juicy political scandal... so he sent his pimp along to check it out." "Sorry." "I shouldn't have said that." "Look, you can go back and tell him... that my private life is my business." "And if he tries anything, I'll sue him and Kingsbrook... through every damn court in the country." "Dennis..." "Do you know him?" "What's this all about, Vernon?" "Miranda Court has other clients." "He's one of them." "So?" "His name is Major Dietrich Kleist." "Officially listed as military attache... at the East German Embassy." "There's been wide-ranging reaction... this morning to the newspaper report... which alleges the involvement of former Chairman... of the Commons Defense Committee Dennis Markham... with a KGB agent." "In a recent report from the police federation... senior police officers are reported as saying... that they needed better resources... to fight the rise in crime." "Nick." "Someone's up." "Hey, liven up, mate." "Someone's up and about inside." "Mrs. Markham?" "No." "I just wanted to speak to Mrs. Markham for a few minutes." "Mrs. Markham is unavailable for comment." "If I were you, I would move your foot." "Thank you." "You could've killed him:" "Right." "Here we go." "Mrs. Markham..." "Are you Mrs. Markham?" "Mrs. Markham:" "Excuse me:" "I have nothing to say." "Police, madam." "The press have gone." "Thank you." "It must have come as a bit of a shock." "I'm sorry?" "I mean, all this..." "it must have come as a shock." "Wouldn't you be shocked if your wife... had been carrying on behind your back?" "Probably." "I'm separated myself, so..." "I'm sorry." "No, I meant the KGB man." "What's his name..." "Kleist?" "You know, the newspapers are saying... that your husband actually knows him." "You meet all sorts of people when you're an MP." "But I'll tell you one thing, Mr..." "Mullen." "My husband may be an adulterous bastard... but he is certainly not a Soviet spy." "All the same, I mean... you can see that they do have a point." "MP with access to defense secrets... top KBG agent sleeping with the same woman..." "Not at the same time, I presume." "Probably not." "But you can see that there is a security risk." "And these days, that's all you need... to prove someone's a traitor, is it?" "Yes, but he's not exactly anti-Soviet." "I mean, he was in the Communist Party... at one stage, wasn't he?" "You did know he was a member of the Communist Party?" "You're a bloody reporter:" "Driver, stop the car:" "Mrs. Markham, you really would be better off... giving me a full statement." "Get out." "I mean, you said that your husband... was an adulterous bastard..." "Get out." "Trudy Markham, wife of MP Dennis Markham... spoke yesterday about her marriage to the man... in the middle of "The Call Girl Spy Scandal."" "OK, yeah." "Rocked by revelations... about her husband's relationship with a call girl, comma... ashen-faced..." "Mrs. Markham... dodged waiting newsmen... as she left the couple's #80,000 cottage for London." "...with whom Miss Court also had a relationship." "Dennis Markham's..." "Later, the attractive 43-year-old blonde... spoke..." "No." "Sorry, Dixie." "I'll change that." "Later, the attractive 43-year-old blonde... broke down and spoke tearfully... about her 17 years of marriage to the prominent left-winger." "All right?" "That'll do for the intro." "Referring to her husband as "an adulterous bastard..."" "Mrs. Markham denied any possibility... of his being a Soviet spy." ""..." "It came as a complete shock to me..." ""that he was an acquaintance of Miss Court's... and I can only describe..."" ""...an extraordinary coincidence." ""My involvement in the area of defense..."" "Turn that up, Connors." ""...ended in 1979..." ""when the new government came to power." ""I've never discussed defense secrets..." ""with Miss Court..."" ""My involvement in the area of defense ended in 1979..." ""when the new government came to power." ""I have never discussed defense secrets..." ""with Miss Court..." ""nor anyone else, for that matter."" "Is he a spy?" "Is he a spy?" "You know, that is a pearl of a bloody story, that." "I don't want to see the opposition... coming up with any more like that." "We started ahead of the field... and that is how we're going to finish, right?" "So, Nick, Nick." "Wakey, wakey, son." "Check out where the Markhams go on holiday." "Any Soviet countries..." "Romania, Bulgaria... also check who he meets on holiday... and check if he attends any official engagements." "And, Nick, very nice piece you did on the wife." "Nick, call for Vernon Bayliss on 23." "Do you want to take it?" "Come on." "Get off your ass." "Yep." "Can I speak to Vernon Bayliss, please?" "No." "He's not around." "News conference, Maggie?" "News schedule?" "Thank you." "Never mind the expenses." "Get the shagging story now." "It's George returning his call." "George... returning his call." "Thank you so much." " OK." " Good-bye." "Danny:" "Vernon." "Well, I can see you're pleased to see me." "Mary." "Could we have another chair, please?" "Are you going to eat something?" "No, thank you." "I've eaten." "Look, I've been trying to get hold of you." "It's a bloody business." "I honestly didn't think the newspaper was..." "My dear chap, it's not your fault." "You did your all you could in the circumstances... and I don't want you blaming yourself." "I'm sorry." "I've got to go." "It's question time." "Look, Dennis, I..." "Vernon..." "I don't want to talk about it." "The only thing I'm interested in now... is saving my marriage." "He's shattered." "Well, he brought it on himself in a way... getting involved with that girl." "He's a fellow scribe." "I know." "I read that rubbish he wrote about Trudy." "Bloody disgusting." "A large couscous, please, Mary." "Thank you." "So, for what did you wish to tap... my superior knowledge, Nicky boy?" "Who's the... who's the girl with Vernon?" "That's Markham's secretary..." "Nina Beckman." "What angle is Bayliss working on?" "Do you know?" "I don't know." "Of course, he's been quite cut up about Markham." "You know, they were very good friends." "Both Reds together." "Vernon never told me he was a communist." "Yes." "Well, of course... he probably wanted to keep it under his hat." "I mean, not exactly appropriate... for the Kingsbrook newspapers, is it?" "Come on." "Let's eat." "Yeah." "Mm-hmm." "Yeah." "Well, do you have any record of any holidays... they might have taken abroad separately?" "Mm-hmm." "I see." "Sorry I can't be of more help." "No." "You've been most helpful..." "Miss Thomas." "So I'll see my name in the paper?" "Could well." "I mean, you never know." "OK." "Bye." "Got yourself a new toy, then?" "Yes." "I thought it was about time..." "I joined the age of technology." "Congratulations, by the way." "I hear you beat everyone to the post... with your Trudy Markham story." "Did you get that message yesterday... from that guy called George?" "Yes, thank you." "He didn't leave a surname." "Bloody hell, Vernon." ""Age of technology," eh?" "You haven't even caught up with the industrial revolution." "I understand you know Markham pretty well." "Where did you hear that?" "No secrets on the street of shame, dear boy." "I thought you might give me a few tips." "No, here." "The other one." "They've got you at it, as well, then, have they?" "Yeah." "What's your angle?" "Somebody left a cutting behind... on the photocopier, and I thought..." "Look, Nick, no offense, OK... but why don't you do your story... and I'll do mine, all right?" "Please yourself." "Nick..." " Hello?" " Vernon, it's George." "Hold on a minute, will you, please?" "Hello, George." "I'm sorry I wasn't in." "Is it safe to talk?" "Thank you." "Yes, go ahead." "It's going to be very difficult." "Well, I didn't think it was going to be easy." " How was Grimsby, then?" " After 48 hours in that place... you could forget what your appendage is for." "I thought you'd forgotten already, Leo." "Ha ha." "Very funny." "Yes, dear boy, I am." "84 quid for dinner for 2." "Do you think they'll buy that upstairs?" "Not if it was Grimsby, mate." "OK." "I'll be there." "Yep." "Nick Mullen." "I have some information to give you... regarding Dennis Markham." "Oh, yeah?" "Have a look at the 1979 World Peace Council in Prague." "Who is this?" "I know what I'm talking about." "I've already looked at it." "There is a photograph." "Anybody just put a call through to me?" "If it's not in that little lot we haven't got it." "Mullen... let's have them back, will you?" "Terry, have I ever let you down?" "Nope." "I could have another look... under "Prague" if you like." "I might have missed something." "No." "It's OK." "Let's have a look at the cutting." "Brezhnev." "From the first day... the conference was attended by Leonid Brezhnev." "Have a look through this." "You better take a look at that, Vernon." "OK." "So what does that prove?" "It proves that your friend was lying." "He said categorically... that he'd never met Kleist before." "Well, isn't it possible that Kleist... could just have been another face in the crowd... that Markham didn't know who he was?" "Come on, Vernon." "There's Markham." "There's Kleist." "That doesn't prove that Markham's a Russian spy." "You can't use it, Nick." "You'll be crucified." "All right." "For 4 1/2 years, this guy was chairman... of the Commons Select Committee on Defense... during which time he had access to our most important secrets." "No, no." "Let me finish." "He shares his lover with a known KGB agent." "Vernon, please, let me finish." "They then meet in Czechoslovakia... and are seen laughing and talking at a conference." "I mean, I've got to use it." "Dennis Markham is not a traitor." "Oh, I see." "One old comrade sticking up for another, eh?" " What?" " You heard." "I left the party in 1956, for God's sake:" "Well, then you're in no bloody position to be objective:" "Oh, objectivity being the hallmark... of this great and honorable newspaper:" "Spare me the humbug, dear boy:" "Give me a break, Vernon." "You know how it is." "It's a bloody good story:" "Well, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story." "Do you know something I don't know?" "Because if you do, you better tell me now." "I can't." "Not yet." "I need a few more days." "A few more days." "Jesus Christ, Vernon." "I can't sit on it." "Even if I wanted to, I can't." "Hey:" "Today's Daily Dispatch, in an exclusive story meeting with Kleist was published today has published a photograph which claims to show the story about Markham goes on to say..." "Nick, Nick, that was a splendid piece." "Splendid." "You deserve a drink." "What are you having?" "Whiskey?" "Anyway, anyway, to get back to the story, right?" "I'm covering this thing..." "you remember this." "Sure." "Aye." "This guy's been in for 6 months." "She claims he's innocent." "Big campaign, right?" "I'm sitting opposite her on the couch, right?" "And she says, "I think I'll go..." ""and slip into something more comfortable..."" "And we understand that Dennis Markham..." "Leo, Leo..." "Comes back in, right?" "With..." "Shut up, Leo." "Who's covering this, by the way?" "Big Gus." "Arnold." "Come in." "Help yourself to a drink." "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming this morning." "I have prepared a brief statement." "Well, that's a nice change, eh?" "In spite of my repeated and emphatic..." "Just got the circulation figures for this month." "Concerning the alleged relationship... with Major Kleist..." "We're up nearly 200,000." "Press speculation and innuendo has continued unabated... culminating in an article... which appeared in a national newspaper this morning." " Yeah:" " Yes:" "Bravo:" "In view of the damage... which this has caused and is causing..." "Do you think he'll sue?" "No." "He hasn't the guts." "He's got a lot of influential friends." "I know." "I have therefore decided to inform the speaker... of my decision... and resign my seat in the House." "Nice." "On the cards." "Well done." "I'm afraid I have no more..." "Lunch." "How does it feel, Nick?" "Feeling good?" "Anyway, to get back to my story..." "She comes back in, right?" "She's wearing this negligee." "It's completely transparent, right?" "And she's got these fabulous tits." " Nipples like organ stops." " Mind if I join you?" "It's a free country..." "I think." "You're doing all right." "Let us give praise for this splendid beverage... vodka and Coca-Cola." "Detente in a glass." "That, dear boy... is our friendly neighborhood spook." "Special Branch, you know." "Been following me around for days... haven't you, old cock?" "Cheers:" "Keep it down." "Oh, come on:" "Come on." "Time for exercise." "Come on." "Mustn't sit around all day, must we?" "Come on, Vernon." "I don't need your help:" "Somewhat of a regular event nowadays, isn't it?" "Yeah." "Vernon... you better come and have a look." "Shouldn't we call the police... before you go touching anything?" "They've been and gone, the bastards." "Look..." "It's a gold watch." "It was my father's." "A present for my grandson." "It's funny..." "Vernon, will you please tell me what the hell is going on?" "If you're in some kind of trouble, I want to help." "Your help has been invaluable." "I'm sure Dennis Markham appreciates all you've done." "Look, Nick, please, do me a favor." "Leave me alone, OK?" "Ah, good, Nick, come in." "I've got some bad news, I'm afraid." "Vernon was found dead this morning." "What?" "Yeah." "Looks like a heart attack." "I just heard." "Yes." "Arnold Reece, Sergeant Ross." "How do you do?" "Sergeant Ross would like to ask you a few questions if that's OK, Nick." "Is that OK, Nick?" "Yeah." "I understand that you took Mr. Bayliss home... from the pub yesterday." "Yeah." "How was he?" "He was... fine." "Absolutely fine." "He'd been drinking?" "Yeah." "He had been drinking?" "Yes." "We all had." "Did anything unusual happen?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Yeah." "Fine." "Thank you very much." "Sorry, Nick." "Forgot my contact book." "Night." "Night, Tom." "Yes." "Go ahead." "It's going to be very difficult." "Well, I didn't think it was going to be easy." "I'm not sure that it's possible, that's all." "Well, if you managed to clap your eyes on it..." "You're aware that this could mean... not just a Section II charge but a section I, as well?" "Well, if you managed to clap your eyes on it..." "Clapping eyes on it is one thing." "Getting a copy out is another." "Well, I didn't think it was going to be easy." "I'm not sure that it's possible, that's all." "Well, if you managed to clap your eyes on it..." "Clapping eyes on it is one thing." "Getting a copy out is another." " Hello?" " Nick, it's Roger Messiter." "Roger." "I've checked my old notebook... and Dyce and Parker were definitely... on that escape together." "Did you check if Parker was at the inquest?" "Yeah." "He wasn't there." "The only witnesses... were the local copper investigating the hit-and-run... and the police doctor." "Are you sure?" "Absolutely positive." "If you want to talk to Parker... he's in Greenmont Detention Center... but you'll have a hell of a job getting in there." "Right." "I need to speak to Dyce's mum and dad." "OK." "Got a pen?" "...Next Tuesday's council meeting." "A home office official today confirmed... that a senior civil servant... has been suspended from his duties... pending an investigation into a suspected leak... of highly confidential documents to the press." "The name of the civil servant involved has not been released." "Davis:" "Williamson:" "Brannigan:" "Look, you keep your eye on her, all right?" "Look after her for me." "Give us a fag, then." "Don't say a word." "Your mum fixed it up for me, OK?" "My name's Nicky Mullen." "I'm a reporter." "Won a million quid on a bingo, have I?" "I want to ask you some questions about your friend Steven Dyce." "Why, what's he gone and done now?" "Robbed a bank?" "Didn't you know?" "He's dead." "It's all in there, Micky... accident." "Those bastards." "They told me he was still on the run." "Tell me about the escape." "What escape?" "We nicked a motor in Thetford, right?" "And then about 15 minutes later, the Old Bill caught up with us." "So we pulled up and done a runner." "Only I weren't quick enough out, and they nicked me." "What about Steven?" "He climbed over a fence." "He got away." "See, it says here that he was found... on the morning of the 11th... but that he'd only been dead... for 36 hours." "He died on the 9th of August." "No belongings on the table, sir." "You said that Steven climbed over a fence." "Do you know where it was?" "I don't know." "It all happened so quick." " It was south of Thetford." " Time's up." "On some proxy side road." "What kind of fence was it?" "Was it..." "It was massive." "Come on, son." "Round a building site." "Do me a favor, all right?" "Get my mum to write to me." "Don't forget." "Base security here." "I have a Mr. Nick Mullen for Colonel Lehane." "Do we have clearance?" "I'm sorry, Mr. Mullen." "Colonel Lehane's been called away." "He asks that you write to him with any inquiries." "Sorry about that." "Have a nice day now." "Hello." "Pentagon." "Press office, please." "Army, Navy, or Air Force?" "Air Force." "Quinlan." "Hi." "My name is Gordon Carey." "I'm doing a piece on the F-111 aircraft... for "War Monthly" here in London." "I was wondering if you'd help me." "That's why we're here, Mr. Carey." "Good." "Um, well, first of all... am I correct in saying that F-111 aircraft... stationed at main United States operation bases in the U. K... are on continuous alert?" "QRA..." "Quick Reflex Alert." "Yes, you would be correct, Mr. Carey." "Does that mean the aircraft are armed with nuclear weapons?" "Yes, it does." "Sorry?" "I said yes, it does." "Can you tell me under what circumstances... would a Quick Reflex Alert aircraft go on a flying mission?" "I would have thought that was self-evident." "You mean a full alert?" "Yes." "Can you tell me what would happen if, hypothetically... an aircraft crashed... with its nuclear payload still on board?" "Are you writing for "War Monthly"... or "Peace Monthly", Mr. Carey?" "Surely you can't expect me..." "Hello?" "Am I correct in saying that F-111 aircraft... stationed at main United States operation bases in the U. K... are on continuous alert?" "QRA..." "Quick..." "And if there is one word that could sum up... the life and work of Vernon Bayliss... it must be the word "professional."" "He was a dedicated newspaperman... resolute in the pursuit of truth... hunting it down without fear or favor." "And in a humble way..." "I'm proud to have worked with such a man." "May he rest in peace." "You haven't got enough... but when you do, it'll be dynamite... and that old bugger will be laughing all the way to his urn." "Does that mean I've got the go-ahead?" "No guarantees." "Ah, Nick Mullen, isn't it?" "Victor Kingsbrook." "How do you do?" "I just wanted to congratulate you on that... marvelous piece about Kleist and Markham... terrific." "What are you working now?" "Anything exciting?" "Uh, well, it's early days yet." "Never mind." "I'm sure we'll read it when you're ready." "I know about the ninth of August." "Look, I know you've got absolutely no reason... to trust me, but..." "You give me one good reason why I should." "I know about the base." "Look, I know it's full of holes... but that's why I want to speak to Dennis Markham." "So you can get another tawdry front page under your belt?" "If you can't arrange a meeting... let's forget about it." "Do you still think he's a spy?" "Jesus Christ." "No, of course I don't." "Then why the hell doesn't it say that there?" "Because if he isn't, it means he was framed." "If he was framed, I just don't know how." "You didn't have any problem figuring out Prague." "All right, Prague was a mistake." "I should have listened to Vernon." "I need your help." "I need your help." "This is all I know:" "your newspaper broke the story... about Miranda Court and Kleist... just before Dennis was about to have an adjournment debate." "He was going to ask questions about the Dyce affair... which the government simply couldn't have ducked." "The story breaks..." "Dennis is forced to resign... no debate." "What about Kleist, the KGB?" "How does that all come in?" "The only person who knew the answer to that question... was Vernon." "He had something or was about to get something... which he said would prove beyond all doubt... that Dennis had been framed." "Do you know..." "George?" "George Paxton?" " Posh voice, stammer." " No." "Damn:" "Do you think Markham would know?" "He might, but he's in a villa... in the middle of Tuscany with his wife." "There's no phone." "I could fly out." "Look, he just doesn't want to know any more." "I'm sorry, I'm late." "I must go." "Thanks." "This is Nick Mullen." "I'm not home at the moment." "If you leave your name and number..." "I shall contact you as soon as I can." "I'm sorry to keep you, Nick." "Put Muriel down and come in, hmm?" "Hello?" "Take a pew." "Congratulations." "Terrific story." "Strong, powerful." "But..." "I'm afraid we can't run it." "Why not?" "Official Secrets Act." "But the Official Secrets Act... is the whole bloody point of the story." "Kingsbrook doesn't wear it." "You showed it to Kingsbrook?" "Oh, he knew about it even before I did." " How the hell did he know?" " I don't know." "Obviously, I had to show him." "First thing he said was..." ""There's a lot wrong with this country... but it's not Bulgaria."" "I thought Kingsbrook didn't interfere... in editorial decisions." "Yes." "Well... it would seem that this is different." "What the hell do you expect them to do?" "The man's into the government for millions." "What?" "Kingsbrook." "He owns Crozier Brown." "They build American bases." "Can't jeopardize that, old son." "Oh, come on." "It's not the first time you've had a story spiked." "You just got to walk away from it... into the next one." "Take a couple of weeks off." "Think about it." "News desk." "Jack MacLeod." "It's Nick Mullen." "Oh, hang on." "Where are you?" "I'm at home." "OK, hang on." "Nick, how are you feeling?" "I feel fine." "I'm coming in, Jack." "You sure?" "You sound a wee bit..." "Yeah, I'm sure." "Oh, well, suit yourself." "See you later." "...and the exclusion of reporters." "John Chillingham was outside the court." "George Rydell is no ordinary civil servant." "He's in the highly secretive Home Office Department... called F-4... whose function Rydell himself described... when called to give evidence... at a recent commons select committee hearing... on the activities of the special branch." "The department has, in essence... a threefold responsibility." "It is responsible for public order." "Clapping eyes on it is one thing." "Getting a copy out is another." "...for issues related... to the arming of the police..." "Getting a copy out is another." "...and for liaison... with both special branch and Ml5." "Getting a copy out is another." "From a statement issued by Mr. Rydell's solicitors today... there's an indication that a document... allegedly leaked to the press is involved." "In other..." "What the hell are you doing here?" "I heard about George Rydell." "Keep an eye on the stairs." "There's somebody in the flat." "Mullen:" "My handbag." "You're shaking." "Someone will have to take it." "Not if Kingsbrook has his way." "It's got to come from someone outside of Fleet Street." "I want to talk to you, Harry." " My dear chap, of course." " Now." "In private." "I want to know where the Markham tip-off came from." "Markham?" "Well, the world's moved on since then, old bean... in case you haven't noticed." "Don't patronize me, old bean:" "Where did the tip-off come from?" "Look, you know perfectly well..." "I've got to protect my sources." "Oh, yeah?" "Well, from now on, nobody is protecting anybody." "I'm sorry." "I can't tell you." "I want to know who told you Kleist was KGB." "I can't tell you." "It was the same source who rang me up... and gave me the Prague story, wasn't it?" "I have no idea." "Come on, Harry." "Who was it?" "Look, he's in the security services." "He's very, very high up." "I've used him for 15 years, and he's never been wrong." "That's all I can tell you." "Yeah?" "Well, you'd better get yourself a new contact, Harry." " Oh, really?" " Yeah." "Kleist is no more KGB... than Kim Philby was Ml-6." "He's a British agent." "Oh, that's very good." "Now, where did you get that from..." "John LeCarre?" "No." "I got it from George Rydell." "In black and white." "Now..." "I want a name." "Clegg." "Anthony Clegg." "Yes, sir." "Can I help you?" "Anthony Clegg..." "is he in?" "Yes, sir." "Who shall I say?" "Reece." "From?" "F-4, home office." "Yes." "Victor Kingsbrook, please." "Urgent." " Yes?" " Victor..." "Excuse me." "I'm looking for Anthony Clegg." "I think you'll find him in the main lounge." "Anthony Clegg?" "My name's Nick Mullen." "We talked on the telephone earlier, remember?" "I think there must be some mistake." " Oh, yeah?" " Mr. Mullen?" "Mr. Nicholas Mullen?" "Can you send that express for me, please?" "Thank you." "Please..." "Mr. Mullen." "This way, please." "Good evening, Mr. Mullen." "Please sit down." "Please, be seated." "May we apologize for the precipitant way... in which you were brought here?" "Am I under arrest?" "Lord, no." "Not yet." "Has no one explained the position to you?" "No one has explained damn all." "Well, let me." "We are here to assess your case..." " And to make..." " What case?" "and to make recommendations as to action." "I might add that nothing that is said within these walls..." " Bears any legal weight..." " What case?" "So, you may speak freely." "What bloody case?" ":" "You're a very intriguing person, Mr. Mullen." "No background of politics in your family." "No involvement with politics during your youth... apart from a brief fling in 1968." "Not even a member... of the campaign for nuclear disarmament." "If you don't mind my asking... how did you vote in the last general election?" " I didn't." " May we know why?" "No, you may not know why." "You felt yourself to be superior... to the general mob, did you?" "From what we can gather... you don't seem to have any especially... unpatriotic leanings." "Do you consider yourself a patriot, Mr. Mullen?" "A simple yes or no will do." "You would agree, would you not... that certain things bearing on the defense of the realm... are best left unsaid?" "If you mean covered up... no, I wouldn't." "From that, I take it... you are a believer in freedom of information." "Yes." "Yes, I am." "All information, freely available over the counter?" "No, of course not." "So, where would you stop once you embark... on this striptease of a government?" "I don't know." "By all accounts, you are a loyal subject, Mr. Mullen... and yet it would appear that you are perfectly happy... to impart information that gives aid and sustenance... to our enemies." "You described, in some detail..." " How a mere boy..." " The boy was killed:" "managed to break into a highly sensitive air base... which is there for our defense." "Do you really think it's in the country's interests... that such a thing should be made public?" "The boy was killed." "His body was dumped by the roadside." "I know." "I know what happened." "Descent to 4,000 feet... altimeter 2-9." "Radar position, runway zero..." "Yep." "OK." "We have a security condition... amber." "Do we have a problem with that?" "No, we don't." "It's over on the outer perimeter." "Holy shit:" "Jesus Christ:" "Overshoot:" "Overshoot:" "I know how close we came to a nuclear disaster." "Are you going to stop me... the same way you stopped Markham?" "Or are you going to dump my body... by the roadside as well, eh?" "Are we to understand that you intend to pursue this story?" "What did you say, Mr. Mullen?" "I said yes, I intend to pursue this story." "Thank you for your time, Mr. Mullen." "This gentleman will see you out." "Hey... what really killed Vernon Bayliss?" "This way, sir." "This way, sir." "Who is it?" "Well?" "Will the minister reply to the allegations made today... in the domestic and international press... regarding the Markham affair?" "Will he set up an inquiry into the involvement... of the British security services in this matter?" "Answer the question, sir:" "It is not customary..." "Answer:" "Answer:" "It is not customary... for the government to comment on any form of..." "Order:" "Order:" "The reports..." "The articles concerning Dennis Markham... which have appeared over the last few days... are flooded with rumor and innuendo..."