The Keepers of the Persian Gate (11 page)

“I take it this is litigation?” asked Paddy.

“Excellent guess, Paddy, you’re absolutely right,” replied Will. He walked over to a video screen set into the wall and pointed to it. “We represent all our clients at court, so if any of them have disputes or matters that go to court, this is where they end up. This screen lists all the week’s proceedings. Have a look for yourself.”

The list read:

PTB v Oxford International Press

Location: Royal Courts of Justice

Thursday 8 August 2011

MJM v Spectacle Newspaper Group

Location: Royal Courts of Justice

Thursday 8 August 2011

Regina v Thompson

Location: Old Bailey

Friday 9 August 2011

Lloyds of London v City of London Corporation (mediation) Doughty Street

Friday 10 August 2011

“Believe it or not, it’s a quieter time of year, although you wouldn’t think it. Any observations from the list?” asked Will.

Paddy looked more closely at the list.

“Well, based on the fact that the names of the plaintiffs in the first two cases are abbreviated, I’m guessing super-injunctions. That, and they are against newspapers and publishing companies.”

“Very good, young Patrick,” said Will.

“Thompson is a criminal case, which I’m surprised to see given the clientele. What’s that one about?” asked Paddy.

“Breach of Official Secrets Act,” replied Will. The case concerned a former spy in MI6 who until very recently had worked in the Diplomatic Service. He was a good friend of William Dunlop. Unfortunately for him, he was also very loose-lipped once he had a few drinks in him. One evening down in the local pub, he ended up systematically outlining and explaining the British government’s entire policy in the Falklands for the next twenty years to an undercover journalist.

“He’s a good man, just a bit of a tit. We’re hoping to have it struck out, but it could be an interesting one to get you involved with,” explained Will.

“What about the last case?” asked Paddy.

“This one’s a total flap. You’re aware of the City of London Corporation, yes?” asked Will.

“I am, isn’t it the company that effectively owns the City of London?” replied Paddy.

The Corporation had its own Mayor, separate to the rest of London. In fact, Will’s uncle James was Mayor in 1903. Which is why Dunlop & McLaine placed such great emphasis on supplying the Corporation with robust advice in all matters. They certainly ranked as of one the firm’s more important clients, not least because the relationship provided Dunlop & McLaine with lobbying power when currying favour on amendments to legislation at Westminster.

“What are they arguing over?” asked Paddy.

“Oh, they’re having a right old barney over insurance of Corporation property, including the Manor House, I believe,” said Will.

“Has Lloyds raised the premiums?” asked Paddy.

“Indeed,” replied Will.

In response, the Corporation had threatened to impose a special punitive tax on Lloyds. Dunlop & McLaine were due to attend a meeting that Friday, hoping to negotiate a deal.

“It’s all very petty, quite frankly. I go shooting the odd weekend with both the current Lord Mayor and the current Chief Executive of Lloyds,” explained Will.

Paddy and Will then moved down to the second floor and Will paused briefly to explain that this was where the executive committee of the firm met. It was also the place where all the client meetings took place. Last but by no means least, Will led Paddy down to the first floor, which dealt with Dunlop & McLaine’s primary specialist area of law, namely the law of armed conflict, intelligence and surveillance.

“The first floor is where you’ll be working,” said Will.

They came to a different sort of a door; it wasn’t wooden like the others. Instead, it had a metallic finish to it. “You may find this interesting,” said Will, putting his hand on a glass panel beside the door. There was a bleep of approval as his palm was scanned and the door unlocked.

“We can’t be too careful, I’m afraid. This entire floor is fully secure…Different windows, reinforced walls, etcetera. Now, quickly, in you come,” said Will.

Paddy and Will stood in a hallway with another door in front of them. The first door had to close before the other would open, ensuring that if someone did try and steal something, their escape would be slowed down substantially.

“Have there been any breaches of your security?” asked Paddy.

Will told him that just last year, the firm had a break in by someone who was believed at the time to be a member of the press. It was later discovered that this individual was actually a Russian spy. Many so-called allies of the UK were aware that Dunlop & McLaine held national secrets within its archives. On that basis, the firm needed to be as secure as the agencies and departments it represented. The government recognised this fact following the most recent security breach. As such, all of Dunlop & McLaine’s security was paid for by the taxpayer. Will explained that they would routinely bring in plainclothes policemen during high-risk matters to guard the vicinity of the building. In some cases, they would be required to guard the lawyers as well.

The inner door opened. “Now, this is a very elite team of people. We have twenty-six in total now on this floor, including yourself. There isn’t a single one among them that isn’t former Army or intelligence in some capacity. Here we are, this is your door. This is the only floor with a one-hundred percent closed door policy. You need a code to get into each room,” said Will.

Will imputed the code into a keypad and pushed the next door open. The letters on the door read Lt Colonel (Ret) Sir Mark Glover. The door led into a corridor which branched off into various offices. At the end of the corridor was a secretary sitting at a table.

“Good morning, Mr. Dunlop,” said the secretary.

“Good morning, Samantha, allow me to introduce to you our new trainee, Mr. Trimble,” said Will.

“Mr. Trimble, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” replied Samantha.

“I’m looking for Mark. Is he around?” asked Will.

“Unfortunately, he’s had to nip out on a bit of private business, but he did mention something about grabbing some dinner with Mr. Trimble later this evening, if he’s available,” explained Samantha.

“There you are, Patrick. You’re already being invited out for dinner. The old bugger never bought me dinner!” said Will.

“I’d be delighted, thank you,” replied Paddy.

“Ok, here is his mobile number. He said for you to call him any time after three this afternoon.” Samantha passed Paddy Mark’s business card. “Would you like to see your office whilst you’re here, Paddy?”

“Please, that would be lovely,” said Paddy.

“Ahem. Sorry to interrupt, but I’m going to make myself scarce now. I’ve got to go and explain to some Russian oligarch why the UK won’t allow him to live in Mayfair. I’ll meet you again tomorrow, Patrick, in my office, around 1000 hours?” asked Will.

“No problem, Will. A pleasure to have met you,” said Paddy.

Samantha led Paddy through Mark’s office. Paddy’s office was annexed to it. It was quite a thing for Paddy. He’d never had his own office before, let alone something of the size and stature of the room he was being led into. As Paddy walked in, Samantha stepped aside. It wasn’t quite as big as Mark’s office; however, it was still very grand, about twelve by fifteen feet at its widest points. It also benefited from two large bullet-proof windows overlooking Doughty Street. Paddy moved around to examine his wonderfully ornate antique desk, which was complemented by a leather captain’s chair.

“It’s magnificent,” said Paddy as he walked over to the wall opposite the windows. Here he was face-to-face with a large board, the names and dates beside them going back over one hundred years. This board contained a list of all former Army and intelligence trainees that had used the office over the years. There were some pretty interesting names on it. Samantha explained that it was Paddy’s responsibility to get his name engraved onto it. Tradition stated that it would only go on the board once he had completed his Training Contract.

Paddy surveyed the list. It boasted not only an illustrious amalgamation of soldiers, but also famous politicians, war heroes, businessmen, a Nobel Prize winner and a President of the World Bank.

“Some footsteps to be following in,” said Samantha.

“No pressure then,” said Paddy, turning to Samantha.

With that, Paddy said his goodbyes, and, armed with the folder containing all the relevant documents, marched off in the direction of the Inns of Court School of Law to read over the papers. As he walked out onto the road he was passed by several barristers. They were undoubtedly on their way to the famous set of human rights chambers which held offices further up Doughty Street. Paddy recalled how, several years before, he had toyed with the idea of becoming a barrister. He remembered how during work experience, or mini pupillages as they are called, he found the whole system outmoded. In any event, Paddy’s mother, who had also trained as a solicitor, had always discouraged him from the route. When Paddy was a student, she also used to joke that the wigs which all barristers wore would mess up Paddy’s hair. Of course, his hair was a lot longer in those days.

One perk of the barrister’s system which Paddy did like were the Inns of Court. All barristers belong to one of the four Inns of Court: Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Lincoln’s Inn. Back when Paddy was considering becoming a barrister he joined Lincoln’s Inn as a student member. Most student members go on to study the Bar Professional Training Course or BPTC, however Paddy - being indecisive Paddy - changed his mind, decided he wanted to be a solicitor instead, and then went and joined the army. Nevertheless, he wondered whether his student membership would still be valid and he couldn’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t be. Intrigued by the thought, he marched through Holborn and down Kingsway towards Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Chapter 6

Settling In

PADDY WALKED DOWN TO THE GATE LODGE, on the eastern entrance to Lincoln’s and marched past the guard as if he belonged. He recalled that there was a student office at the reception close to the entrance to the library. Walking in, he was greeted by a lady who introduced herself as Kelly Swavel.

“Can I help you?” said Kelly.

“Yes, my name’s Patrick Trimble. I joined the Inn some years ago as a student member and I am wondering if my membership is still valid,” said Paddy.

“Do you have your membership card?”

“Let me see,” replied Paddy. He ruffled around in his wallet to see if he could find anything. There behind an old Interrail card was his membership card. It was basically a piece of printed paper which had been laminated and had faded badly. Paddy passed the card to Kelly. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” said Kelly, writing down the card number. She walked over to a filing cabinet and pulled out a folder. “Right, Mr. Trimble, you are indeed still a member. Once you join, you are a member for life, you’ll be pleased to hear. You’re free to use the facilities we have here in any manner you see fit.”

“Thank you very much indeed,” said Paddy.

“We’ll print you a new membership card if you come back in a couple of days,” said Kelly.

Paddy continued his personal tour of the Inn, returning to the old library. The library itself was truly magnificent and had featured in several feature films over the years. The whole place had a sort of Harry Potter-come-Hogwarts feel to it. Walking around the booths, Paddy fondly recalled studying there when on a trip to London during his final year university exams. On the mezzanine level, Paddy took a seat at one of the desks, opened his laptop and inserted the memory stick.

The memory stick was password protected so he imputed the password he had been provided earlier with the file. When he opened it up he found that it mainly contained past bids made by the firm in regards to previous tenders for other agencies. Much of it was also noticeably redacted. Paddy spent the next hour or so perusing the various folders. He read of how Dunlop & McLaine had advised the British government on the technicalities and intricacies of handing back Hong Kong to the Chinese. The firm was also consulted following the mysterious death by suicide of Dr David Shackleton, the Iraq War Weapons Inspector. William Dunlop had been asked to conduct an internal investigation of MI5 in regards to allegations that Shackleton had been assassinated in the build-up to the war.

Most intriguingly, one of the firm’s bids to MI6 in 2004 alluded to direct advice provided to Prime Minister ‘in response to rumoured Operation Paget’ in 1998. However, no further detail had been provided other than the name of the operation. When Paddy googled the name, he found out why there was no further information provided. It was an extremely sensitive matter, and probably something which Dunlop & McLaine would prefer to have distanced themselves from.

He then hovered over a folder entitled “OTRs(NI)”. Opening it, he found this related to a unit tasked with tracking down Northern Irish terrorists who had disappeared following the Good Friday Agreement in 1997. They were referred to as ‘on the runs’ or OTRs. The unit was made up principally of former Royal Ulster Constabulary officers who had special skills in tracking down terrorists. The background information stated that as recently as 2008, there were as many as two hundred and fifty former republican and loyalist terrorists working for foreign entities in an unlawful capacity. One of the folders contained a signed letter from the former Prime Minister Tony Blair stating that all OTRs would be granted an amnesty following the signing of the St Andrews Agreement in 2006. The one condition on this amnesty was that the political parties in Northern Ireland had to agree to share power by 2007. The result was stated as ‘successful May 07’.

Having read all that he could, Paddy looked at his watch and realised that he had lost track of time. He only had about fifteen minutes to get over to the Cittie of Yorke to meet Cecil Faulkner. However, to his surprise, as he looked up he spotted the woman he’d seen earlier in the day at the waiting area at Dunlop & McLaine. She was just leaving the library and walking out to the main hall. Hastily, Paddy gathered his things and went to chase after her. When he reached the hall he couldn’t see her anywhere, so he walked to the exit. There she was, lighting up a cigarette. Paddy walked over to her.