Chapter 19: Raid

Norm was optimistic that he’d be able to make the afternoon flight to Dublin. He aimed to drop off the ident cards at Docklands first thing, then head round to Victoria to pick up the train to Gatwick.

He’d be glad to get back to Ireland. He hadn’t enjoyed returning to the world of New Order and he’d enjoyed the experience of operating under cover even less. The fact that Gerry’s group didn’t seem that well organised didn’t give him a lot of confidence but at least it didn’t look like they weren’t planning anything violent.

The address Gerry had given him was close to the northern end of Mudchute Park. It was a part of London he knew. He’d grown up in Stratford. He felt uneasy about the cards he was carrying but at least he knew the ground, he told himself. He kept looking for any MCF presence but he guessed that most of them would be on security detail over at Canary Wharf. He managed to find the address without a problem.

Jack was already there with Gerry and three others.

“Can I give you these now?” Norm asked, handing over the ident cards.

Gerry took them and looked them over. “Why not. I’ll let Danny know how helpful you’ve been. These look pretty good.”

“I’ll tell Danny. Hopefully the MCF will agree.”

“Well, in twenty minutes or so there will be a couple of hundred blokes hoping the same thing.” Jack stuffed the cards in his back pack. He and the others and headed out. Gerry stayed. He looked at his watch. “We’ll see how young Jack gets on with this.”

“Has he not done much of this sort of thing?”

“About as much as you, I would think. And you’re as Irish as my ma’s Yorkshire pudding.”

“Does that worry you?”

“Nah. I’m guessing you’ve jumped from a sponsorship here and made the crossing. If you’ve got the nerve to come back, fair play to you. Jack’s proving something to himself. He’s just not sure what yet.”

“Well, if you’re happy, I’m going to head off. Irish or not, I’m on a flight to Dublin later and I’d hate to miss it.”

“Well, I’m not sure I’d be trying that today. I’m going to hang on here for a while and see how the break works out.” He looked at his watch again. “They’ll have clipped the fence now and then broken through the back wall of the canteen. Our friends on the inside will be making their way out. There’s a boat waiting in the Gallions Point Marina that will get them across to the south of the river and then they’ll be on their own.”

“Do you know what. I think I’m about changing my travel plans. Life’s going to hectic everywhere for a bit with that lot running around.”

“You could be wise.”

There was a crash from the front door as Jack half fell through it. “Gerry,” he called, “get the fuck out of here!”

He was obviously distressed. He dumped the back pack with its load of ident cards on the table. Gerry tried to calm him. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. We got about twenty out, I reckon, but then a whole bunch of MCF turned up, body protectors, riot shields, helmets, dogs, the whole bit. Terry took a tasering and Greg got clubbed down. I didn’t see what happened to Jim.”

“Do you think you were followed back?”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t know, I don’t think so, but once those girls start in on Terry and Greg I wouldn’t rate their ability to keep a secret. So we’re not safe here.”

“They know fuck all about the organisation apart from knowing about this place.” Gerry looked around at the room, apparently thinking. He came to a conclusion quickly. “Someone’s blown the whistle on this but I’m fucked if I know who. Inky Skin and Mudchute will stay off limits until we work out if they are secure or not. This place too, obviously. Our best bet now is to split up. Good luck you two.” He grabbed the bag of cards and headed for the door without looking back to Jack and Norm.