The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comThere was no spyhole so I slipped on the security chain and turned thekey. The door smashed to its limit against the chain, then again andagain. `Police, police, open the fucking door,' shouted an irritatedmale voice. `All right, all right, calm down,' I replied, slipping thechain to avoid a big bill from the Copthorne.A pugnacious-looking Maori led the charge. `Get back over there, in thecorner,' he yelled, shoving me backwards away from my half-unpackedsuitcase. Two more officers followed him up.Once the room was secured and they had me under control - not that Iwas resisting - a fourth entered. `I'm Detective Inspector Whitham,Auckland Threat Assessment Unit,' he announced, flashing his ID at me.He introduced the glowering Maori, who looked disappointed I had nothit him, as Constable Waihanari.`We have a warrant to search you and your belongings,' announcedWaihanari, waving a sheet of paper at me. `Strip,' he ordered. While myclothes were being searched, a female officer and a portly fourthofficer pulled on latex gloves and started a careful search of mybelongings. The telephone was still off the hook, with my friendlistening in from Sydney, so the female slammed down the receiver andfor good measure pulled the telephone lead out of the wall socket.`Can I see the warrant?' I demanded after Waihanari had allowed me toget dressed again. I checked it for accuracy - any discrepancy wouldmake it invalid and I could force the police to leave - but everydetail was correct. They even had the correct hotel room number,explaining why the receptionist insisted I took the suite.I heard other voices lurking outside in the corridor and as I finishedreading the warrant they entered. To my surprise, one was Ratcliffe.`What the hell are you doing here?' I shouted, leaping to my feet andcausing Waihanari's eyes to light up. Ratcliffe had flown all the wayto New Zealand at the British taxpayer's expense (and I later learntthat Whaley had accompanied him) for this latest episode of pettyharassment. `Get out of this room now!' I shouted. Waihanari waslimbering up with a gentle haka and I turned to him. `If he doesn't getout of here right now, you can have your fun.' Ratcliffe held up hishands to calm me down, and backed out of the room. He knew this latestpiece of harassment would be relayed to the press the next day and hedid not want a repeat of the bad publicity of the Paris.The New Zealand police searched my hotel room more professionally andthoroughly than the French. Anything unscrewable was unscrewed - allthe light fittings, electrical sockets and desk fittings, and theydismantled all my personal belongings. They found the Psion disk afteran hour and a half, hidden inside a clunky British adaptor plug. Theporky officer smiled with delight when he opened it up and pulled itout. I smiled too, as I had backed a copy up on the internet thatmorning in an Auckland internet caf‚.Just after 11 p.m. the police left with the disk and a few other piecesof paper that they decreed were evidence that I was `endangering NewZealand security'. Feeling bloody annoyed, I went out into downtownAuckland to get drunk. The second pub I stumbled into had a promotionevening for a canned vodka cocktail called `KGB'. When I was halfwaypage- 215 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com