Jasmine

By Howard Ellis

Roger Harvey decided to leave the crowded underground train at Balham station and take the bus the rest of the way to the old War Office in Whitehall. As he was exiting the train, a youth bumped into him, shoved a pink plastic carrier bag into his hand, and disappeared into the crowd. Just as Roger was about to reach the street, a young woman came rushing in the opposite direction, collided with him, and fell heavily to the ground, winded. He helped the girl to her feet and, feeling sorry for her, suggested they have a coffee at the coffee house next to the station. When their drinks arrived, the girl noticed the plastic carrier bag Roger was still holding and asked about it. Inside, Roger found several sheets covered in chemical formulas that the girl recognized as potentially hazardous. As a military intelligence officer working for a supposedly non-existent government security department, Roger decided that the girl, whose name he had learned was Jasmine, and the chemicals deserved investigation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398456518

Howard Ellis

Born on the eve of the second world war, living in the Midlands, I can remember being wakened as Coventry was being bombed. The early hours of D day seeing the sky filled with aircraft heading for Normandy, the roar of the engines making the windows rattle. Spent five years in the RAF then drifted into the motor industry until retirement. Now living on the South Coast with a one tenth share of an ex fishing boat and trying to become a writer.

Book preview

About the Author

Born on the eve of the second world war, living in the Midlands, I can remember being wakened as Coventry was being bombed. The early hours of D day seeing the sky filled with aircraft heading for Normandy, the roar of the engines making the windows rattle.

Spent five years in the RAF then drifted into the motor industry until retirement. Now living on the South Coast with a one tenth share of an ex fishing boat and trying to become a writer.

Dedication

To Barbara L Rosin.

Copyright Information ©

Howard Ellis 2023

The right of Howard Ellis to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398456501 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398456518 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

For continual encouragement (Nagging) Carol Burrel and Barbara Rosin for constructive criticism Alan jones.

1. Unexpected Meeting

Tuesday morning, Jasmine woke slowly and bleary-eyed after her degree course party. Laying there trying to clear her brain, she glanced at the clock, eight fifteen. Eight fifteen! She had an interview for a job at ten fifteen.

Trying to leap out of bed to nearly fall on her face had not been a good idea, saved only by the proximity of the wall. Recovering and moving more carefully, she made it to the kitchen, then bathroom to get ready.

A quick shower while some bread was toasting, dressing in her smart, day clothes, managing to wash down the toast with a cup instant coffee before grabbing a coat and bag, dashing out of the door, nearly leaving the keys in the lock.

From her student bedsit, it was the best part of a quarter of a mile to the tube station; it would be touch and go to make the train and the interview. Managing to make the crossing lights on the A24 only to be baulked at the next crossing. Running as she entered the gloom of the station entrance colliding with a heavy-set man on his way out, glancing off, she hit the wall and went sprawling.

Hey steady, the man bent down offering his hand to help Jasmine to her feet.

Sorry, it's rather dark, rushing, didn't see you. Ooff! That pavement is hard, she said brushing the dust from her clothes, wincing as bruises made themselves felt.

Are you all right?

Think so. Glancing at her watch, she sighed. I'm never going to make it now.

You don't look all right, let me buy you a cup of coffee to help.

I was on my way to a job interview and rushing because I was late.

Giving the man a brief appraisal, noticing he was wearing a regimental tie, deciding he seemed genuine, added, Could I take you up on that coffee?

Certainly, this way.

Leading Jasmine out of the station entrance along to the nearby Camden coffee house, he bought two coffee's and took them to a vacant table.

I'm Jasmine, by the way, thank you for the coffee.

I'm Roger and you're welcome.

As Jasmine sipped her coffee, Roger took the opportunity to look in the bright pink carrier bag he was clutching.

What have you got there? she asked.

Not sure, you are the second person I've collided with in as many minutes, the first just shoved this bag into my hands and disappeared in the rush.

Didn't think bright pink was quite your style, looks like a folder of some sort, she said peering at it, rubbing her eyes.

Been over doing it?

Just a bit, the end of course party last night. Aren't you interested in your mysterious file?

Roger opened the brown manila folder and looked at the sheets inside.

Looks like some kind of chemical formulae.

Let me, see?

Roger passed the folder across, Inside were four sheets, the first a list of chemicals, while the other three sheets were covered in formulae and chemical reaction chains; Jasmine fanned the sheets out, now alert and concentrating.

Where did you say you got this? she asked.

Someone shoved the bag into my hands as I got off the tube and legged it. What is it, how to make an atom bomb?

Silent for several seconds, studying the papers.

No, she said slowly after a pause, but I think this could be almost as nasty, she spoke quietly looking Roger straight in the eye without smiling.

Pardon?

Although I'm not absolutely certain, this list of chemicals mixed together in sufficient quantities could set off some very unfriendly reactions indeed.

Are you sure?

Fairly, I've just completed my chemistry degree at Uni, waiting for the results to come through, hence my job hunting.

Roger had been in intelligence for twenty years, almost from the day he joined the army at eighteen, he was now working for an officially non-existent department within the Ministry of Defence.

During his time in the service, he had become convinced in the power of coincidence. Jasmine had looked at, and immediately understood a complex looking set of chemical formulae, so, she was either very knowledgeable, connected with the folder in some way, or possibly both. Whichever it was, was worth following up, to check out both the girl, and the documents.

Sitting with his back to the street, Roger had the sensation of being watched, by looking into the mirror behind the counter he was able to see out into the street. Several possible watchers stood across the road looking towards the coffee shop, narrowing it down to two both using mobile phones.

As you are now at a loose end, I think we ought to go see a friend of mine, if you are anywhere near right, he, will be most interested.

Police?

Something like that, first we need to lose a couple of possible observers. Taking the sheets out of the file, folding and putting them into an inside coat pocket, he placed the empty file back into the carrier bag.

When you have finished your coffee, we walk smartly out of here and I'll make a show of dumping the carrier bag in the nearest waste bin, we then carry on and hopefully blend into the crowd before anyone who might be interested, finds the papers missing.

Why not just leave it here?

Because the lady behind the counter has sharp eyes and would call us back, better to dump it in a bin as we go.

This is getting to be real cloak and dagger stuff.

Hopefully just the cloak, I have an aversion to daggers.

A good point, oh sorry, that was unintentional. I've finished my coffee so shall we depart and confuse the enemy?

Well, Roger thought, she's cheerful and there was probably nothing to worry about but, that niggle was there, best to be on the safe side.

The coffees had been paid for, so it was possible to leave the cafe without any delay giving any watchers minimum time to react. Turning away from the underground station entrance as they left the coffee house a casual glance told Roger one person watching was still using a mobile phone.

Don't make it obvious but don't dawdle, we have a tail, Roger said putting his arm round the girl's shoulder.

Perhaps, I have just invited you up to my flat, she said moving closer.

Good idea, he said while casually launching the carrier bag into a waste bin.

That's it, now let's cross the road and put some distance behind us.

Dodging through the traffic to the opposite side of the road they continued at a smart walking pace. After covering maybe two hundred yards, a large heavyset man came directly towards them. Despite being in a busy street, the way he carried a coat over his arm spelt trouble.

Damn, Roger said, Just follow my lead.

The man approaching was confident relying on his size plus the threat of the gun, the end of a silencer now visible under the coat gesturing towards an entry between two shops.

You first, Roger said quietly, the Jasmine taking the hint walked quickly into the passage, once in the alley Roger stopped sharply, turned knocking the gun arm aside driving straight fingers up under the man's ribs. The gun coughed, a bullet ricochet off the wall, an empty case rattling on the ground.

Jasmine turned in time to see Roger ram the heel of his hand up into the man's face to connect just under the nose, snapping the head back, he fell to the ground to lie very still.

You OK, Jasmine?

Fine, was that a bullet that went passed me?

It was, shall we continue on our way before his friends show up? he said picking the pistol off the ground and putting it in his inside jacket pocket.

Won't he follow us when he wakes up?

He won't! Let's make tracks and see that friend of mine.

Returning to the street and continuing on, to quickly blend into the crowd, | further along the road catching a bus that would take them to Whitehall.

Jasmine sat casually glancing out of the window, Roger able to see her reflection on the window glass, a little pale, to be expected after her fall in the station entrance as well as the incident in the alley, absently rubbing her arm where it had hit the ground, her eyes looking about casually rather than glancing nervously.

Roger had dealt with many dubious characters and was confident this girl was not involved in anything but, having identified a possible threat, she needed checking out, along with the papers.

2. The Dungeon

Leaving the bus at Whitehall, Roger guided Jasmine across the road turning into Whitehall Place, the big ministry buildings making the road look like an ornate canyon.

Just for a moment, I thought you were taking me to Number ten.

Lord no, we avoid politicians, here we are, turning to a deeply recessed doorway, the only entry on that side of the huge building with a single solid looking unmarked door lacking handles or key holes, just a keypad set in the wall. Roger entered a number sequence and after several seconds the door swung open.

Your friend must be high up.

Not really, just one of the faceless mandarins you hear rumours about from time to time.

Stepping inside, the door closed itself solidly behind them leaving one option, a short hallway leading to lift doors; Roger pressed the call button and the doors opened.

After you.

When the lift started downwards, Jasmine looked at her escort raising a questioning eyebrow.

Taking me to the dungeons?

One of the old wartime bunkers, this area is riddled with tunnels that come in handy, especially with land prices the way they are.

So, is it the rack or having your wicked way with me?

The latter was your suggestion as we left the cafe.

So, it was, she smiled.

Roger looked at the girl more carefully, early twenty's, intelligent, slim, about five eight, brown hair gathered into a fairly long pony tail, quietly attractive, dark eyes that had just a hint of red from partying, smartly dressed, she had, after all, been going for an interview.

Despite the incident in the alley, Jasmine felt remarkably calm, even cheerful. It was a pity about missing the job interview but, it had only been for a filing clerk until her degree results came through, so it was not going to be the end of the world.

As the lift descended into the bowels of London, Jasmine began to wonder just what she had stumbled into, had she really been shot at in that alley? She had always cringed when watching any sort of thriller at the cinema or on the television where heroines only opened their mouths to scream loud and long.

Having spent most of her childhood in the company of boys, she had become inured to most things and avoided screaming, particularly at the least provocation and felt pleased with the way she had remained calm.

So, where are you taking me? she asked.

This is a quiet corner of government that has numerous nondescript entries and exits, allowing a modicum of privacy for those looking after things that don't officially happen, or exist, Roger explained.

Which leaves me intrigued, if none the wiser.

The lift stopped and doors slid open into a brightly lit reception area, a man of medium height, with an obvious military bearing stood waiting.

Good morning, Roger, won't you introduce your guest?

Morning Henry. This delightful young lady is Jasmine or Jazz, I haven't any more information other than she is a whiz on chemistry.

Good morning, Jasmine? Henry shook her hand with a firm but gentle grip.

Little incident on the way in, Roger continued recounting how he had inherited the file collided with Jasmine and the scuffle in the alley.

Cornered us in a busy street forcing us into an alley, loosed off a round so I had to hit him a bit hard.

Where?

Roger gave the location of the alley, Ok, I'll get him shovelled up.

Here's the artillery, couldn't leave it lying about.

I thought he went down rather permanently, Jasmine said.

You, OK?

I felt the draft from the bullet as it went past me, I'm just pleased there wasn't another following it, an alleyway is no place to try dodging bullets.

I'll make sure there's a generous snifter in the coffee, steady the nerves, Henry said leading the way to a pleasant office with several easy chairs grouped round a table facing a battery of video screens.

Jasmine made herself comfortable in one of the chairs as Henry went to organise the coffee. Roger removed his topcoat placing the papers on the table. Jasmine picked them up and resumed looking through the list of chemicals, scribbled formulae and chemical structures on the succeeding sheets.

Coffee is on its way. So why has Roger shanghaied you to our subterranean lair, Jazz? Henry asked as he returned.

I'm really not certain, but this list of chemicals that, in themselves are fairly innocuous, nothing nasty until you start combining them. Even then, two, three or more don't add up to much until you have a multiple combination, depending on the ratios and quantities, things could get very interesting.

How interesting?

Corrosive, flammable, explosive, toxic, both liquid and gaseous or combinations of all of them.

That nasty?

If you put a five-kilo sack of each in a skip and left it out in the rain, you would have the sort of problem I would not want to be down wind of, and if anyone tried mixing it by hand, even dry, they would certainly never finish the job.

Hmm! Henry was silent for a moment then asked, Do you mind if I have some of our people look at this?

Not at all, I would be glad to be proven wrong, just make sure they look thoroughly all the way through.

Very well, make yourself at home, Jazz. What were you doing today?

Going to a job interview, I was late even before I ran into Roger, so I can write that one off.

Never mind, we can always use a good brain, your first job is finding what we can use to smother this little lot if, or when it materialises and gets going.

Well, nothing like taking on the impossible to practice for miracles, have you anywhere with a chalk board, it's easier than using pencil and paper for this sort of thing.

I'll have someone sort one out for you.

An hour later, armed with a box of assorted coloured chalks and a copy of the papers, Jasmine had a large chalkboard covered in chemical symbols and molecular structure diagrams.

You look busy.

Hello Roger, I'm beginning to wonder just what I have blundered into, this is a nightmare!

Our specialty, let's take a break for lunch.

Fine, where are we going?

Upstairs to mingle with the suits, they have a good restaurant we use.

I need to get the chalk off my hands and spruce up a bit.

No problem, on the way.

Taking the lift up and stopping just before ground level, Roger leading her through a dingy basement to another lift, this one continuing up taking them to the top floor and a brightly lit corridor with doors marked for restrooms.

There you are, go freshen up, then we'll sample the day's offerings.

3. Jasmine Gets a Job

Returning from the rest room, she found Roger talking to a woman in her late twenties.

Ah here she is, Jasmine allow me introduce Clary who is, amongst other things, our personnel minder. Over lunch, she will take a few details then sort out your passes etc.

Really? I thought you were joking about giving me a job.

Clary added, Just watch this lot, they all think they're James Bond when they get near a woman.

Jasmine turned towards Roger, clasping her hands together giving a doe­eyed impression of a Bond girl saying, Oh Roger!

Clary burst out laughing, You'll do, let's get some lunch.

Over an excellent lunch Clary had made notes of Jasmine's details and left to start the paperwork while Jasmine and Roger enjoyed a second cup of coffee, it was only now that Roger mentioned the formulae.

So, what have you come up with so far, Jazz?

Only conformation of its nightmare potential.

Any way of stopping it?

Not yet.

In that case, I had better take you back.

Oh no, not the rack, anything but the rack! she said in mock horror.

Roger gave her a lecherous smile, Anything?

Er mm. On second thoughts, perhaps a little stretch.

Back in subterranean London, Roger left Jasmine to continue trying to work out just what reactions could occur as the various chemicals combined while trying to find a way of neutralising the result.

Clary meanwhile had taken Jasmine's details to security to carry out the initial security check that would be followed later by a thorough vetting. The initial security scan using Jasmine's national insurance code to access her computer records, came back clear within minutes, requiring only some follow up checks for confirmation.

During the afternoon, Clary appeared with coffee and a pile of forms for her to sign, the last of which Clary had explained was the official secrets act, adding that even just seeing it meant she could be in serious trouble if she divulged anything she learned.

So, what do I tell people when they ask what I am doing?

"With your qualifications, congratulations, by the way, you have your degree, with honours! Your initial security check has come up clean, so unless you've been shacked up with some undesirable, your current official position is chemist with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, commonly known as ’Ag and Fish'. Here's a rough job description, change it around to one that suits and you are happy with to tell friends and relatives, then let me have a