Ghost Group: Bruce Cole Series, #2

By Max Dent

BOOK TWO
After twelve months undercover in an IRA terror cell, Bruce Cole had assumed he would return to his SAS unit. He was wrong.
The success of his last mission had given the Prime Minister ideas. He now wanted a Top Secret unit to tackle terrorist threats, anytime and anywhere. The rules were simple. Be as unconventional as necessary to get the job done. Be ghosts.
Operations in Bosnia, Iraq and Germany see Cole and his new team hitting terror groups head-on.
Ghost Group is born.

GHOST GROUP is Max Dent's second novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oink Books
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215112151

Book preview

1

MONDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 1994

You would think that after a year of working undercover that Cole would have been thrilled to be getting back to his unit, but he wasn’t. 

His mates and the regiment seemed a world away, like it was a previous life, in a different time. The question that kept going through his mind was would he just be able to step back into that world, and forget what had happened to him in the past twelve months? He wasn’t sure he could.

Daventry hadn’t discussed what the options were, only saying that it was time for Cole to ‘come back in’, but to what? The boss hadn’t said. 

Cole had always known that the operation would end, but he hadn’t really thought about how he would feel when that day came. Now here it was, and he wasn’t really prepared. 

Thankfully, Daventry hadn’t stipulated a date or time, just saying that the operation was over and ‘return to base’. Possibly Daventry had known how Cole would be feeling and that’s why he had left the timings open; even so, Cole knew that the clock was ticking and he only had a matter of days before Daventry sent the cavalry out to pick him up.

By five o’clock, Cole had turned his computer off for another day and decided to eat out in the pub across the road.

Evening James, the usual? asked the barmaid behind the bar of Winchmore Pub.

Yes please Nikki, said Cole, as he looked up at the house specials on the blackboard. 

I’ll have the steak, with chips and salad please.

No problem, the corner table? she asked.

You know me, said Cole, as he went across to the small table in the corner to continue to mull his options over. 

2

THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 1994

Morning Janet. Any sign of Cole yet?

No Sir, not yet, but I’m sure everything is ok.

I do hope so Janet, I do hope so, said Daventry, picking up his mail and heading into his office. 

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and Janet came in with his cup of coffee. 

There you are Sir. Don’t forget it’s your wedding anniversary on Saturday. I’ve ordered some flowers and booked you a table at Keats. Do you want me to order a gift for your wife?

Blast, I’d forgotten clean about that. I was supposed to go to Hereford this weekend. Thank you Janet, what would I do without you? Which anniversary is it?

Fourteen Sir, and it’s customary to give gold jewellery for this anniversary Sir.

Er, yes, right. Ok, choose something for her. If you can keep it under two thousand pounds I’ll be a happy man.

Right you are Sir.

Once Janet had left the room Daventry picked up the phone and rang Hereford.

David, it’s Charles. How are you?

Can’t complain Charles. Are you still coming down here this weekend?

Well, that’s the reason I’m calling. I’ve just been reminded this morning that it’s my wedding anniversary on Saturday.

Congratulations!

Thank you. It’s just that I've missed a few in recent years, so I wonder if we can catch up next weekend?

Of course, it’s your call, you’re the boss.

It would certainly help, and to be honest, I’m not really ready at this end. A slight hick-up shall we say.

Hope it’s nothing serious?

No, it has just pushed things back a bit here, that’s all. So apologies and I’ll see you next weekend.

Always a pleasure Charles.

Daventry at least had a bit of breathing space while he waited for Cole to return.

3

MONDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 1994

Daventry’s day had been instantly busy from the moment he had stepped into his office. Unusually it was one call after another. 

Yes, well you can tell him that I don’t approve of the way this has been handled and I shall be taking the appropriate measures following his return. 

Daventry was interrupted by a knock at the door. 

Can I just ask you to hold for a moment, said Daventry before covering the mouthpiece.

Yes!

Sorry to disturb you, but Cole has just walked through the main gate Sir.

Daventry instantly removed his hand from the mouthpiece. 

I’m going to have to call you back, I’m sorry. And replaced the handset.

What would you like me to do? asked Janet.

Just send him in when he gets here.

Yes Sir.

Janet left the room and returned to her desk to wait for the sound of the buzzer at the front door.

Bruce Cole to see Brigadier Daventry, said Cole, as he waited for the lock to be electronically opened. A few moments later Cole stepped into Janet’s office.

Good to see you Bruce. The Boss knows you’re here so you can go straight through. Can I get you a coffee?

Yes please, white one sugar, thank you, said Cole, as he looked at Daventry’s open door.

Cole, come in, said Daventry, getting up from his desk and walking towards Cole with his hand extended.

How are you Bruce? Welcome back. Take a seat. he said, closing the door after Cole.

I was starting to wonder if you’d gone AWOL!

No Sir, just taking some time to sort things out at my end, that’s all.

Well, you’re here now, that’s the main thing. Are you well? asked Daventry, struggling to find a way to settle the awkwardness in the room.

I’m fine. It just feels a little strange being back here Sir.

I can imagine it does. Ok well, first things first, we will need to run a debrief and get you seen by the doctor.

Janet brought in two cups of coffee and sat them down on the desk.

Right, well let’s get congratulations out of the way first. It was a sterling job and the PM wanted me to extend his gratitude for all you did.

Cole just nodded. He didn’t take credit very well.

I’d like you to take some leave. Get away somewhere, relax and recover.

Thank you Sir.

Then once you get back we can discuss the options that are open to you.

Options Sir? I had assumed I would go back to the regiment and continue where I left off?

That’s one option, but we have others that I would like to discuss with you when you get back from leave. I see you don’t have any luggage with you?

No Sir. I just wanted to come in today to meet with you and talk. My things are back at the house in Winchmore Hill and they can stay there till I know what I’m doing.

Ok, but you will need to remain here while you’re debriefed and cleared by the doctor.

Yes, that’s fine. After that, if it's ok with you, I’ll take some leave. How much time do I have?

Two or three weeks, it’s up to you.

Thank you Sir, I appreciate that. If it’s ok with you I’d like to discuss my options before I go on leave, that way I can give them some thought while I’m away.

I’m happy to discuss them with you now if it would help?

It would, Sir.

Well, obviously, and let’s get this on the table straight away, you could be asked to be returned to your unit and then resign from the British Army. Obviously, I’d rather you didn’t.

Daventry waited a moment but Cole didn’t comment.

The next option is we get you back to your troop, who I understand are currently undertaking jungle training in Belize.

What’s the third option Sir?

Daventry paused and took a deep breath. 

The third option is you stay here with me. I have something that may be of interest to you.

What would you prefer I did?

If I’m honest I’d like you to stay here, said Daventry.

Cole thought for a moment, then finally spoke.

Ok Sir, I’d like to just mention a few things if I may?

Go ahead.

As you know I set up a business while I was in north London and it is going fairly well. I’ve got a number of staff working for me and I would like to retain that business. One of my chaps is more than capable of running it in my absence, so I just want to mention that.

Daventry nodded.

I will take two weeks leave and once I get back I will come in and we can talk again.

Any idea where you will take your leave?

I’d like to go trout fishing on the Tweed. I have two weeks left of the season. The tranquillity will give me time to think in peace.

Excellent idea, I was on the River Annan a few weeks ago, much to my wife’s dismay.

Do you want the pager back Sir?

No, not for the moment. Keep it till you’re back from leave and we can then decide what you’re doing. Ok well let’s get your medical done straight away and I’ll clear sometime this afternoon to get you de-briefed. We should then have you home tonight.

Thank you Sir. There is one last thing, said Cole reaching into his jacket pocket.

Here is the remaining money from the five thousand pounds you gave me. I’ve itemised the expenditure, said Cole, handing the brown envelope to Daventry.

I hadn’t really expected to get any of it back if I was honest, but thank you. Right let’s get your medical done, said Daventry picking up the phone on his desk.

4

MONDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 1994

Good morning Sir. How was your weekend in Hereford?

Very good Janet. I managed to restrict my alcoholic consumption to a reasonable level, but you know what Colonel Stevens is like.

Indeed Sir.

Daventry sat down at his desk and removed four files from his brief-case and set them down in front of him. 

Well let’s see what we have, he said to himself, as he opened the first file. 

Brian MacIntyre. Born Glasgow. Joined the Parachute Regiment, then did five years with the French Foreign Legion, before returning to the British Army. Mmmmm…interesting. 

He read the rest of the file in silence, before placing it to the side and opening the second file.

5

MONDAY 3RD OCTOBER 1994

Morning, sit down. How was the fishing? asked Daventry.

Very good Sir, I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed fly-fishing, said Cole.

Everything sorted in terms of your business?

Yes, all sorted, it’s in safe hands with Nick.

And the apartment in Winchmore? 

I’d decided to keep renting it until you and I spoke today, Sir.

Daventry paused and opened a thin file that was sitting on his desk.

I’ve got your medical and psychological evaluation here, so let’s just deal with that before we move on to other matters.

Oh dear, is it that bad Sir?

Well, medically you appear fine. Physically you are below par, but given the past year, I’m not surprised. The Psychologist has raised a few issues, but frankly, I am not going to put any value on those right at this moment. So you’re back. Well done.

Thank you.

Right on to more important things. Did you give some thought to your future while you were in Scotland?

I did, Sir. I don’t wish to leave the army and while I’m quite happy to return to the regiment, I am interested in knowing more about the third option Sir.

Daventry looked happier and picked up his phone.

Janet, can we have two coffees please. Thank you.

Ok let’s start, said Daventry coming round the desk and sitting in the armchair next to Cole.

On the 3rd of September, I had a meeting with the PM. He feels that there is an increasing threat from international factions. Concerns range from the crisis in Bosnia to the continued problems in the Middle East. While the regiment and the security services clearly have their place to deal with these kinds of issues; your recent operation has made him realise that it would be beneficial to have a small, autonomous unit to deal with specific threats that the British government may not want to openly condone. He has asked me to put this unit together.

The whole statement had caught Cole off-guard. It was not what he expected to hear this morning.

How big is the unit to be? asked Cole.

Just four men, including you, said Daventry, taking a gamble.

Cole took a moment to digest things but there were a hundred questions going around his mind.

Thoughts? asked Daventry.

Lots, if I’m honest. I assume we will work as a team but not always? Where will we be based? How are we funded? Equipment? What do we do when not on operation? Pay? Command? The list goes on. 

Well firstly, if I don’t have the men, this will not even happen. But let’s assume I am able to create a unit. Base - I’m still working on that but it won’t be at Hereford. Funds - the PM will establish funding through a network of channels. Equipment - beg, borrow and steal; and if that fails I will have to get the chequebook out. I’m not sure how busy we will be, but I would expect that slack time will be taken up with training. Pay would come through the army, as yours did over the past year. As for command - I am in sole charge. My orders will come directly from the PM and I am only answerable to him. The unit is answerable to me. As far as everyone else is concerned the unit will not exist. As with Operation Daffodil, there will be no memos, written letters, communications or briefings. No medals or commendations will be awarded.

Do you have the other three yet?

I have four suitable men but I haven’t spoken to them and therefore they haven’t said yes. So do I have one at least?

Cole had already made his mind up. 

You have one Sir.

Welcome to Operation Theseus, said Daventry, taking Cole’s hand. 

Thank you Sir.

Right, let's get to work. I have four possible people here, said Daventry, taping the folders on his desk. 

I will get each man in here separately, each day till Friday. Once I’ve seen all four men, I will make a decision on their suitability over the weekend. Hopefully, by Sunday, you and I will have three men we can work with. I’ll then call those three back and outline the operation. By the end of Monday, we should have a start.

Sir. I assume if either we don’t find any of the four suitable or they don’t want to accept then we are back to square one?

Yes we are.

How wide have you cast the net Sir?

Across all three services, although at the moment it has only thrown three from the army and one from the navy.

You said by Sunday that you and I?

Yes, my wife and I would like to invite you to the house for the weekend. That way I can technically be at home and keep the peace, while also doing some ‘work’.  Is that alright?

Er yes Sir, I suppose.

Good, well let’s resume this at one-thirty.

Yes Sir.

Cole walked out the gates and walked down King’s Road to find a place to have lunch. He found a small table at the ‘Big Easy’ restaurant. It felt strange walking down the King’s Road again, and so many memories and thoughts came back to him. He resisted the urge to walk down to No. 474, knowing it would not be a good idea. 

As he ate, he wondered what kind of men Daventry had picked. He tried to imagine what they looked like, were they tall, short, did they have an accent? Would he get on with them, would they get on with him? He stopped trying to worry too much about it, after all, men generally got on in other units, and a bond was always quickly formed. 

His mind then started to worry about spending the weekend at Daventry’s home. He felt a little apprehensive if he was honest. A boss had never invited him to stay at their house before and Cole hoped it wouldn’t be too stressful. 

After lunch, Cole walked slowly back to the Duke of York and into Janet’s