Chapter 66

Not even a year had passed since Bert had left for America. Nothing had changed in District 31, but it seemed so different. He was wearing a suit and a trilby hat pulled low at the front. Other residents greeted him as he passed. Polite good mornings rang out as he made his way to Dan's house.

The night of the attack on Dan was a vivid memory for him. It had not gone as planned. Those bloody alarms that had blared out had caused all the trouble. As the whole neighbourhood was waking and emerging from their homes he had fired his gun. He had seen someone move within the house and he hoped it was Dan.

Samantha had died and Dan lived on. Bert was angry that he had missed his target but happy that he had caused pain. He had visited the house at night but would know it again whatever the conditions. He paused opposite the home where the Ellis family lived. He hoped to catch a glimpse of one of them.

He wondered if his mother was inside. Bert hadn't given her much thought since his return. She had probably mourned him and then got on with her sad servant's life. Why had she accepted her lot? Why didn't she fight against the government like him? His father was the same. Work, come home to a cheap meal, go out to work. Each day trudging on the treadmill and getting nowhere. He had nothing in common with them.

He couldn't hang around on a quiet urban street for long. Curtains would be twitching as people inspected the stranger. Bert would have to move on. He would go for a walk and return later. Dan would come home from his nine to five job and Bert hoped to observe him as he drove up in his car.

The town where he lived was similar to District 31. There were old parts which had survived the meteor strike and new residential areas. The houses and apartment blocks, like his, had been built to a certain design and could be found wherever the OWG ruled. At least the unattractive boxes were well constructed. The government didn't want the expense of repairing these homes.

The houses in the labour area were the cheap ones. People living there were supposed to feel lucky that they had somewhere to live. They carried out their own running repairs knowing that if they complained it could be trouble. Either they would be ignored or they would be marked down as a dissenter.

The shops in the high streets were the same wherever one went. Bert passed a grocer, a butcher and a hardware store. There would be a hairdresser, lady's and gentlemen's outfitters and a furniture outlet. He would not be surprised by an unusual offering in any OWG town anywhere in the world.

He timed his second pass of Dan's house just right. He saw a car pull into the drive and watched as a man got out. It was not him. The man he was seeing was six inches shorter and thicker set. Bert's feet took him to the edge of the property and he called out.

"Excuse me. Where is Mr Ellis?" Bert did not attempt any subterfuge.

"He moved some time ago. Can I ask your name?"

Bert was already walking briskly away. The new resident had looked alarmed by the question. He was not going to reveal where Dan moved to. This was a most annoying development. How the hell was he going to find out where the family had gone?

The options open to Bert were limited. He couldn't go to his mother's house. She thought he was dead and would be shocked at the very least. His crimes meant that he was unlikely to get a warm welcome. Asking the wrong person could arouse suspicion. He would have to go back to his home town and think of a plan to find out the information which he needed.

There was a temptation to head for the area near Marlborough school. Serena would be there. He had friends there who would help him if he asked. His face was well known though. He couldn't wander the streets without someone recognising him. He had a scar and a limp but that was not enough to disguise that he was Bertie Crawford to those that knew him well.

He couldn't break cover. Bert slumped low in his seat on the train. His eyes were cast down and his lips pressed tightly together. He lacked the resources to find what he most wanted. The location of Dan and his family. It had never occurred to him that he would not be able to find Dan. He was angry with his foe for moving and with himself for assuming that he would be in the same place.

He sought the sanctuary of his flat. Bert would not be visiting the communal area that evening. He put the kettle on simply for something to do. He cancelled a date with the young woman who had caught his eye. In his present mood he couldn't be sure that he wouldn't lash out if she said the wrong thing.

All of these problems were crowding in on Bert as he paced the floor of his small lounge. It was so unfair that he could not find the man he so wanted to kill. He couldn't visit his mother and father. Well, that was not so important. He couldn't go to Marlborough to see Serena. He couldn't see his current girlfriend in case she antagonised him into hitting her.

Bert took out the gun which he had brought with him from America. He inspected the mechanism and found that it was in working order. He was sure that it would be, but he liked to check anyway. He pointed the barrel at an imaginary Dan and acted out the moment when he would blow him away. Then he smiled.

To calm himself further, he poured a glass of whisky. He had developed a taste for it after being offered some by one of the men in the house. The warmth as it ran down his throat was most satisfying. The feeling of relaxation and happiness after a few drinks was most welcome. The headache that he would have in the morning was not so welcome.

~~~

"There is an urgent memo from General Markov. I think that you ought to see it." Alastair Barton informed the future president of the world.

Nicholas Salter held his hand out, but did not look up. Everything was urgent. He had people who were supposed to weed out the dross, but some things still got through. Barton was hovering which meant that he was supposed to peruse it without delay. He emitted a loud irritated sigh and then began to read.

The report from the general detailed his visit to the garrison at Brock barracks. He had identified a number of lapses in security as well as discipline and procedure. Bullet points followed. Salter read the first few and then flipped the page. There was a total of 43 errors noted.

The last page reminded Salter that Markov was now in District 31 following his participation in the successful campaign in South America. He would be honoured to personally take command of the force to ensure that the government was safe from any threat.

"Get him in here." Salter ordered.

The telephone call from the OWG was the first step. Markov guessed that Salter would not have read all of his report. Would this meeting be about convincing him of the need for his appointment or simply accepting the commission? Markov would be prepared to answer questions if necessary.

Nobody got a significant job at the top of government or the military without having been interviewed by Salter. He liked to judge the men when they came before him. He would know what type of person they were and whether they were suitable. He had been wrong on several occasions, but he didn't dwell on that. He practised selective amnesia.

Markov was immaculately turned out when he presented himself in front of Salter. The veneer would count with someone like him. Salter appraised the general by staring at him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. It was a ridiculous piece of theatre which Markov tolerated as it was a means to an end. He stood ramrod straight and waited for the minister to speak.

The report lay on the desk in front of Salter. He looked at it and flipped the pages. His face was a pantomime of consideration. Markov's eyes did not flicker. He did not move a fraction. The sighing, foot tapping and raised eyebrows were in his head.

"Tell me why I should appoint you."

Markov was dying inside at the banality of the question. He weighed up whether to overwhelm Salter with facts or appeal to his vanity. The minister was an intelligent man, but he had become lazy. Hopefully that would contribute to his downfall. Markov gave his answer.

"I am the best person for this task. It is paramount that the OWG are protected. I can ensure their safety."

The general didn't want to enter into a long discussion with this horrible man. Brief was best. Salter's demeanour changed. Markov was not messing around and it was time for him to deliver his verdict. Salter had decided on receipt of the report and after checking him out, that Markov was the man for the position, but he liked his power games.

He gave a speech about how he was a busy man. Salter took his responsibilities very seriously. If he could get on with running the world, with his government of course, without worrying about security that would be excellent. General Markov would be trusted with this most important task.

The next bit was tricky. Markov knew about Salter's private gang of enforcers. He would allude to their existence and see what was said.

Having one commander for all security is essential. I need to know who is in the parliament building and what they were doing. If ministers have private arrangements that is fine, as long as they limited their activities to out of hours periods."

That was unexpected. Salter had to acknowledge that Markov was well prepared. What he said had some merit as well. Most of all he would have a scapegoat if anything went wrong. He would let the general run things his way, but his men would be on call if needed. This man was a professional soldier who was dedicated to his career. Who could be more trusted than him?

There was paperwork which ratified the appointment. Salter also signed another order which was the sacking of the general who had been in charge of the garrison. Markov did not feel particularly bad about usurping the previous incumbent. The man had been lazy and incompetent.

He had manoeuvred himself into the right position. Another key piece of the plan to get rid of Salter was in place. He would report back to Ryan and his fellow conspirators as soon as possible. The special edition of The Military Times would be released soon and then things would happen quickly.