The large meeting room on the 16th floor was prepared. Water jugs and glasses, baskets with fresh buttery pain aux raisins, juicy oranges and crisp red apples, polished white ashtrays, note pads, pens, napkins, plates, tea, milk, and sugar. The shades were drawn wide open - and the room was filled with bright sunlight.

For a normal meeting on the 16th floor there wouldn’t be this kind of attention to detail, or any attention to detail at all. The attendees would bring their own refreshments. If they wanted a pain aux raisin they would have to get their own, if they could find one. The ashtrays would be dirty and full of cigarette butts. There would be no fresh fruit, and no napkins.

Today there were VIPs coming to the large meeting room on the 16th floor. From the operations division the Superintendent and Chief Inspector were coming. From the Ministry the assistant deputy-minister was coming. From the secret service Number Two and Number Three were coming.

Some non-VIPs were coming as well - the Inspector from the operations division, and the Number Four from the secret service. Also, there would be note takers from operations, SS, and the Superintendent’s assistant.

Someone from the People’s secret justice department would be in attendance - to observe - but they would not be mentioned in the official minutes, as there is no official record of the People’s secret justice department.

The meeting was set to start at 6:00 AM. It was 5:54 AM.

‘Are we all ready?’ - The Chief Inspector said, striding into the room followed by the Superintendent’s assistant.

‘Yes sir’ - the Superintendent’s assistant said, looking harried.

‘Ah, fresh pain aux raisin - nice touch comrade.’

‘Thank you sir.’

‘So what’s the seating plan?’

‘Operations on this side sir’ - the Superintendent’s assistant gestured towards the chairs with their back to the window - ‘and secret service on this side sir’ - the assistant gestured to the chair facing the windows. ‘I am putting the assistant deputy-minister here’ - and the assistant gestured to the chair at the head of the table, closest to the door - ‘and the man we don’t mention at the other end at the foot of the table.’

‘Very good, comrade.’

The Chief Inspector picked up a pain aux raisin and took a bite - ‘Quite lovely, comrade.’

The door opened and the Superintendent walked in - in conversation with another man wearing civilian clothes. No suit, or tie. The man was wearing dark blue chinos and a pale blue dress shirt, with a pair of brown leather boat shoes and a brown leather jacket. He was unshaven and had brown tortoise shell glasses. His hair was salt and pepper - and he had a smart, quick look about him. He was in good shape - and looked younger than he was.

‘Ah, good morning Chief Inspector - do you know Number Two?’ - Said the Superintendent, wearing his smart police uniform, including the pistol in the holster.

‘Yes, we know each other - we play at the same squash club. Good morning Two’ - the Chief Inspector held out his bandage hand to shake Number Two’s hand.

‘Good morning Chief Inspector - What happened to your hand?’

‘Arm wrestling with the Superintendent for more operations budget’ - laughed the Chief Inspector.

Number Two and the Superintendent joined in the laughter.

The room filled out - Number Two was joined by Number Three and Four. The Inspector shortly arrived, and the note takers filed in and stood against the wall - waiting for someone to tell them what to do. Everyone was saying hello to everyone else - getting teas and a delicious pain aux raisin.

The last to arrive was the assistant deputy-minister, deep in conversation with a man in a smart navy pinstriped suit.

The assistant deputy-minister was a wiry man - maybe in his mid thirties - he was wearing an expensive looking navy blue lambswool suit, and brown Oxford brogues. He wore a white shirt, and an expensive floral printed tie. His hair was black and messy - and he wore frameless glasses.

The man in the smart navy pinstriped suit looked like he could have worked for an investment bank - if there were such a thing in the People’s Republic. He had tanned, perfect skin, a handsome rugged face, and black hair that was perfectly slicked back. Under his navy pinstriped suit he was wearing a baby blue button-down Oxford shirt, and a knitted cobalt blue tie. On his feet he wore black quarter brogue shoes.

The assistant deputy-minister noticed the room full of people - and finished his conversation with the handsome man by covering the handsome man’s ear and whispering something.

‘Absolutely’ - the handsome man said, and then their conversation was over.

‘Good morning everyone - good morning assistant deputy-minister, good morning Number Two, and good morning Superintendent. Thank you all for coming at such short notice’ - the Chief Inspector said - ‘For seating arrangements - we have the secret service on this side, and operations on this side. Assistant deputy-minister, we have you here, and - you’ - the Chief Inspector looked at the handsome man - ‘we have you at the other end. Please help yourself to tea, fruit, and whatever else you may want. Now, shall we get started?’

The Superintendent and Number Two went up to the assistant deputy-minister and shook hands.

Everyone took their places - and the note takers joined their respective sides. The assistant deputy-minister’s note taker pulled a chair up and sat behind the assistant deputy-minister.

The assistant deputy-minister said in a dry, weak voice - ‘I would like some tea.’

The Superintendent looked at the Chief Inspector, who looked at the Inspector - who equally looked at the note taker - but the note taker wasn’t paying attention. She was poised to copy everything that was being said - which at this point, wasn’t much.

‘Let me take care of that for you’ - the Inspector said, getting up and going to the tea urn.

The Inspector poured a cup of tea and turned to the assistant deputy-minister - ‘Milk and sugar comrade?’

Number Two, Three, and Four turned to look at the assistant deputy-minister.

‘Lemon and honey’ - came the dry, weak voice of the assistant deputy-minister.

Number Two, Three, and Four turned to look at the Inspector.

‘We seem to be out of lemon and honey, comrade’ - the Inspector replied, trying his best to be affable.

Number Two, Three, and Four turned to look at the assistant deputy-minister.

‘I will wait.’

Number Two, Three, and Four turned to look at the Inspector.

The Inspector put the tea cup down and walked across the room. He opened the door to the large meeting room, left the room and closed the door behind him.

‘While we are waiting...’ - the handsome man spoke up - ‘Just a reminder - I am not here. To the note takers in the room, if I speak, don’t write down what I say - okay?’

The operations note taker looked at the Chief Inspector - and the secret service note taker looked at Number Four. The assistant deputy-minister’s note taker didn’t do anything - as they hadn’t taken any notes.

‘Does that mean - from now on?’ - The operations note taker asked.

‘No - not from now on’ - the handsome man said - ‘No notes with anything I say. Remember - I am not here, and you cannot write down anything that I am saying, if I am not here!’

The operations note taker crossed out several lines of notes.

Number Four whispered in the ear of the secret service note taker and the note taker nodded and crossed out a couple of lines.

The room sat in silence.

‘How’s business over there Number Two?’ - The Superintendent asked.

‘There’s still gold in them thar hills’ - chuckled Number two - ‘And you Superintendent?’

‘We cannot complain - there’s enough scoundrels out there to keep us busy.’

The door opened and the Inspector walked in with a small bowl of lemon slices and a pot of golden honey.

Number Two, Three, and Four turned to look at the Inspector.

The inspector picked up a new tea cup and placed a slice of lemon in the cup. He placed the tea cup on the table and with a teaspoon he dolloped a small amount of honey into the cup. The Inspector then filled the tea cup with tea from the tea urn, and gave the tea a stir to dissolve the honey. The Inspector placed the tea cup in a saucer, and then walked over to the assistant deputy-minister.

Number Two, Three, and Four followed the inspector with their gaze over to the assistant deputy-minister.

‘There you are comrade - tea with lemon and honey’ - said the Inspector with a smile.

Number Two, Three, and Four looked at the assistant deputy-minister.

‘Just put it there’ - said the assistant deputy-minister.

The Inspector placed the tea in front of the assistant deputy-minister, and then took his place back beside the Chief Inspector.

Number Two, Three, and Four continued to look at the assistant deputy-minister - waiting for him to try the tea.

The assistant deputy-minister picked up the tea cup and sipped the tea. He winced, and put the tea cup down.

‘Okay - just another reminder, as you were out the room before’ - said the handsome man - ‘I am not here, and remember - no notes about anything I might say - thanks.’

‘Okay - now that everyone’s comfortable, shall we do a quick round of introductions - for the record? I will go first - Superintendent, operations.’

“Chief Inspector, operations.’

‘Inspector, operations.’

‘Note taker, oper…’

“No, we don’t need you in the record - just the principles’ - said the Superintendent.

‘Shall I cross that out then?’ - The operations note taker asked.

‘Yes - cross it out.’

Everyone looked at the handsome man.

‘Remember - I’m not here’ - the handsome man said, smiling.

‘Number Four, secret service.’

Number Three, secret service.’

Number Two, secret service.’

‘Assistant deputy-minister, People’s Ministry for State Security and Policing.’

‘Splendid’ - said the Superintendent after it had gone round.

The assistant deputy-minister coughed loudly and was consumed by a prolonged coughing fit. Everyone turned to look at him.

‘Perhaps the lemon and honey tea would refresh your throat, comrade’ - said the Inspector.

The assistant deputy-minister instead pulled out a packet of Turkish, non-filtered cigarettes and held it in his mouth.

‘Does anyone have a light?’ - Asked the assistant deputy-minister in a weak voice.

The Superintendent looked at the Chief Inspector, who looked at the Inspector.

The Inspector stood and left the room.

The Inspector returned to the room with a packet of matches. He took a match from the pack, struck it and lit the assistant deputy-minister’s cigarette. He placed the matches on the table in front of him and walked back to his seat.

‘Okay - on to business’ - said the Superintendent - ‘Chief Inspector, if you would please...’

“Before we begin’ - said Number Two - “could we turn up the ventilation a bit?’

The heavy, strong, perfumed smell of the assistant deputy-minister’s Turkish cigarette was filling the room.

The Superintendent looked at the Chief Inspector, who looked at the Inspector.

The Inspector stood and left the room.

‘We should wait for the Inspector to return’ - the Chief Inspector opined.

They sat and waited - in silence.The assistant deputy-minister puffed huge plumes of perfumed smoke over the table.

‘How is Number One?’ - The Superintendent asked.

‘Good - shooting with the minister. Ducks, I think’ - said Number Two.

‘Wonderful’ - said the Superintendent.

‘And The Commander…?’- inquired Number Two.

‘Not so good - taken to his bed, unfortunately’ - said the Superintendent.

The whir of increased ventilation could be heard - and a blast of fresh, crisp air filled the room and chased away the perfumed Turkish tobacco.

The Inspector opened the door and retook his seat next to the Chief Inspector.

‘Okay - over to you Chief Inspector’ - said the Superintendent.

‘Thank you superintendent, and thank you all for coming today - we have shared with you in advance the operations report, the operations report cover sheet, and the evidence collection report. The content of those reports, as well as the subjects discussed today and throughout this operation are for operations and secret service eyes only.

The overall operation has been given the codename Camelot.

The deceased suspect - Anthony Wilkes - we will be giving the codename Lancelot.

The unknown suspected Unit district commander will be given the codename Percival.

C Ellis - and as of yet an unidentified suspect revealed in a note believed to have been given to Lancelot by Percival will be given the codename Gawain.

The Superintendent and I met with the deputy-minister yesterday, and we were informed that the minister - and the buro - want the following activities to begin immediately within Operation Camelot.

The infiltration and surveillance of the Victory docks - the last known place of employment of Lancelot. The purpose of this activity will be to identify the known work associates of Lancelot, and to apprehend and detain them.

Identify, locate, and detain Gawain.

The overall mission objective of Operation Camelot is to identify, locate, and detain Percival.

As part of Operation Camelot, the operation division will provide the secret service division with access to the confidential informant who provided the initial intelligence leading to the lethal apprehension of Lancelot. The confidential informant will be given the codename Bedivere.

All suspects detained by the operations division during Operation Camelot will be handed over to the secret service division for processing, and where warranted, further investigation, and potentially prosecution.

‘Any questions?’

‘Yes’ - said the assistant deputy-minister - ‘Can we turn the heat up? It is very cold in this room.’

The Superintendent looked at the Chief Inspector, who looked at the Inspector.

The Inspector left the room.

They sat in silence. The whirring of the ventilation disappeared and the room began to fill up with perfumed cigarette smoke again.

The Inspector opened the door and returned to his seat.

‘When do we get Bedivere?’ - Asked Number 3.

Number three had ice blue eyes - like a glacier that had been frozen for 30,000 years. He had a taunt, tight face and a slim muscular body - and had the look of a special forces soldier about him.

‘Inspector?’ - The Chief Inspector called.

‘We communicate with Bedivere via a dead letterbox. The operations team has set the marker, and we are awaiting a response. Bedivere normally responds within 24-hours - as soon as we have the meet, Bedivere will be taken into custody and handed over.’

‘And how reliable is Bedivere? - Asked Number 3.

‘We have used him before for operations at the port - and the information Bedivere has provided in the past has led to successful outcomes.’

‘Are we going to be getting suspects, or body bags?’ - Number Two asked.

‘I will take this’ - the Superintendent offered - ‘No lethal force will be used during Operation Camelot, all suspects will be taken into custody alive.’

‘It’s just that - you know - operations seem to be more like some kind of hit squad’ - said Number Two - ‘The secret service needs suspects with a pulse, not the remains of suspects scraped off the pavement.’

‘As I said, no lethal force.’

‘When does Operation Camelot begin?’ - Number Three asked.

‘Inspector?’ - said the Chief Inspector.

‘Operations have begun - we are working to bring in Bedivere. The operations teams have been assembled for the infiltration of the Victory docks night shift. Operations are working with Records to identify possible suspects lists for Gawain - at which point we will apprehend and detain.’

‘Alright - we will be standing by ready to take delivery of our first warm package’ - said Number Two - ‘And we do only want warm packages - pretty please.’

Everyone chuckled - except the assistant deputy-minister.

‘Anything to add, assistant deputy-minister?’ - The Superintendent said.

‘When will the heating be turned back on?’

‘I think we are just about finished, assistant deputy-minister. It looks like a lovely day outside - so perhaps you can warm up with a nice walk in the sun’ - said the Superintendent in his grandfatherly voice.

‘Okay - so go get ‘em guys’ - said the handsome man.

‘Quite’ - said the Superintendent.

Everyone stood up and shook hands, and made small talk. The assistant deputy-minister left as soon as the meeting finished with the handsome man and the ministry note taker. Number Two, Number Three, and Number Four left soon after with their note taker. The operations note taker asked if she could leave and the Inspector gave her the nod.

‘Let’s not drag our feet on this one, comrades’ - the Superintendent said to the Chief Inspector and Inspector.

‘Yes, let’s not. We need to get Bedivere off the street and over to Number Two as soon as possible Inspector - and full steam ahead on the operations work’ - the Chief Inspector said to the Inspector.

‘Consider it done, sir.’

The Chief Inspector took another pain aux raisin, and took a bite - ‘Quite lovely!’

‘I will finish up here’ - said the Inspector.

‘Very good’ - said the Chief Inspector.