Friday, 28 October 2011

THE DAY OF THE CACKLE CHAPTER SIX

CHP 6 LOOK WHAT WE DO FOR JOEL



Tuesday 2nd October 1984
Nimrod Reznik walks to the Chapel side house early in the morning and gives Amit explicit instructions.
“Tonight I will be meeting Joel Lipman at Speaker’s Corner, at 7.00 pm. When he leaves the Ivy House hotel book in for the night using the British, Juliet Barney passport.


When you are in the hotel, enter Joel’s room, it is 312, and place this bag under his bed. He will be getting a little test tomorrow.” Nimrod gave a laugh as he said this.

Amit was suddenly struck with the fact Nimrod had the same type of laugh as Craney, a cackle, though she did not comment on the matter.



The bag contained drugs. “I will keep him occupied for two hours so you have plenty of time. We will be discussing his future, whether we should get him into journalism in the USA or a job here in the Embassy.  Just do not go down to breakfast in the morning in case he sees you.”

Nimrod did not need to go to these lengths, he merely wants her to do this as a training exercise but as with many things Nimrod does he holds part of the whole story back.

Amit is very pleased, this is the first time Nimrod has taken her into his confidence regarding the planning and future of others.
“Will I be going alone or will Yoav being checking in with me?”
“If you want Yoav to go with you, contact him. If you want to do it yourself, do it yourself, I will leave it up to you. Stay in your room until I phone you and tell you to check out.” He now leaves the matter entirely in her hands.

Wednesday 3rd October 1984David Craney enters the Israeli Embassy at the appointed time. A young man and a young woman are waiting to meets him. “Ah, you are a guest of Mr Reznik, we have been expecting you. You will receive a short tour of the building then we have a very special surprise for you.”


“Follow me” says the young girl, “We can only show you a very small part of the Embassy even we do not have access to the whole building.”
He is lead into a very large room, “This is the function room for VIP `s, next we will visit the Ambassador’s office, then the Ambassador’s dining room.”

He is swiftly lead from one room to another, when the reach the dining room the young man smilingly says, “Now we have a surprise, take a seat at the table.” Craney notices the three places are set for dinner. “I will go and get your surprise.”
The young girl sits down and gestures for Craney to sit as well. The young man returns with dinner plates, “Beef Stroganoff for three from Orange street.” He sets two plates on the table and goes to fetch his own.
“It is very good food, we are pleased you told us about the restaurant in Orange street“, the girl laughs, “feel free to eat, we are paying for it.”

As Craney and the two guides are finishing their meal at the Embassy, Joel Lipman receives a phone call in his room from reception. The receptionist said politely, “There are two men here to se you Mr Lipman.” Joel was elated, he was expecting Nimrod and Yoav to call about the important task which was hinted at the night before.

He rushed down the stairs to the reception in the entrance hallway. There he saw two strangers smartly dressed in suits. He thought nothing amiss when one of the men said, “ Could we speak to you outside please Mr Lipman.”

When they stepped out onto the outside doorsteps of the hotel the man said, “Mr Lipman you are under arrest, we would like you to accompany us to the station, please do not cause a scene.” Joel was stunned, a car which was sitting down the street pulled up and the man said please get in the back. Joel pliantly does as he is bid, the man doing the speaking got into the front passenger seat and the other man got into the back with him.

The man sitting beside him said, “When we stop at the traffic lights please do not think of trying to jump out, the door s are all locked and you will only be thumped unnecessarily.”
Joel looked at the man in a state of disbelief. “You are going to Paddington Green Police Station just in case you are wondering!” The man in the front jovially said, “You will be out in no time if every thing goes well.” Joel now felt angry at them man’s flippant attitude.


When they reached the station Joel is booked in and everything he is carrying is taken noted and sealed in an envelope. “One watch, one wallet containing £25.00 a credit card and 3 pounds 46 pence in change and one hotel door key,” the sergeant at the check in desk mechanically said, “Please sign here Mr Lipman, this will all be returned when you leave.”
“If you leave,” butted in one of the arresting officers.

After Joel signed the form the larger of the two detectives said sharply, “Please come this way.”
They led Joel along what seemed to be a maze of corridors turning left, right, right, left, left, left then reaching a door with the number 32 upon it he was told, “This is the room for you.”


Joel and the detectives entered a very basic room with one desk a chair on one side and two chairs on the other. The Formica topped table was bare except for what seen to be some sort of machine near the wall.
“You do the needful Jack and I will get us some tea. What would you like to drink Mr Lipman, tea? coffee? juice?”
“Nothing” said Joel glumly. The detective responds, “Don’t be silly I will get you a coffee, if you do not wish to drink it that is OK.”

“Right Bill, you get the drinks and I will get the paperwork started.” Joel watched him press a switch on the machine and the man started to speak. Detective Bill Gains and Detective Jack Henderson are now in interview room 32 with with the suspect Mr Joel Lipman, could you please confirm your name Mr Lipman?”


Joel instantly knew the man had started a tape machine the interview is being recorded. “Yes” said Joel tersely. The man gestured at him with his hands, “Please state your full name Mr Lipman.”
“My name is Joel Lipman” was the immediate response.

The interview door was kicked and the man immediately stopped the tape. The other man entered the room and placed a cup of tea down for his colleague and a cup of coffee down for Joel, saying, ”There is your tea Bill and there is your coffee Joel. I will be back in a minute, I have only got one pair of hands.”
“Thanks Jack, this is our usual tea-time Joel, we do not like to miss our tea, take a drink it is safe, we do not put drugs in people’s coffee, we are British, we do not do things like that.”

Joel stared at him, then took a sip of coffee.
When the other man returned carrying his own tea Bill switched on the machine and said “Detective Bill Gains, I am going to read the suspect his legal rights, he read the due rights of a leaflet, looked at Joel and said, “Do you understand your rights?” Joel nodded and said, “Yes.”

“Right Mr Lipman were are you from? It was now the man called Jack asking questions while the other sipped his tea.
“Israel” was the reply.
Jack;” Where about in Israel Mr Lipman?
Joel; “Beersheba.”
Jack; “How long have you been in the UK?”
Joel; “About five weeks”
Jack; “Where have been living for those five weeks?”
Joel; “At the hotel you took me from.”
Jack; “Do you recommend the hotel?” Joel looked at him.
Jack; “This was an attempt at a joke by Det Jack Henderson, I am tying to lighten the mood and put the suspect at ease”
Joel looked at him furiously.

Jack; “What is your reason or reasons for being in the UK Mr. Lipman?”
Joel; “My uncle is arranging employment for me.”
Jack; “What is you uncle’s name?”
Joel; “Mr Nimrod Reznik.”
Jack; “And what does you uncle do?”
Joel;” He owns a small printers and he knows a few people in journalism, he is trying to get me a start in journalism, or give me a job working in his firm until I get a job as a journalist.”
Bill; “Are you aware that many journalists are in fact spies Mr Lipman?”
Joel: “No, I was not aware of that.”
Bill; “Many people are not aware of that fact Joel BUT WE ARE, aren’t we Jack?” Jack smiled looking at Joel.

Bill; “Gives us a run down of your movements over the last five weeks Joel?”
Joel; Shaking his head, ”I can’t, I need time to think.”
Jack; “Don’t worry Joel, you and us have plenty of time, and we are getting paid for it, you just think for a while then you can start telling us what you have been doing the last five weeks. You can start by telling us why you chose to stay in that particular hotel. Could your uncle not have put you up?”

Joel rubbed his chin and started to think.
“Take your time” Jack smilingly said to him.
After a few minutes silence Joel starts to speak, “I wanted to stay in a flat or hotel to have more freedom of movement, I can go out an in as I please without my uncle asking me where I am going all the time.” The two detectives nod, “Sounds reasonable, I felt that way when I was younger ,” says Jack.
“The reason I picked that hotel was because it was the one offering me the best financial deal.”
“That sounds reasonable too,” Jack nodded as he went on, “And did your uncle check out the hotel for you before you arrived?”
Joel; Yes he did.”

The two detectives looked at one another raising their eyebrows. “Right Detectives Bill Gains and Jack Henderson ending interview one with suspect Joel Lipman, it is now 17:36 pm, Wednesday 3rd October 1984,” said Gains switching of the tape machine.
“OK Joel you will be going to one of her majesties nice comfortable cells for a while and we will start looking into some things. That was not too bad was it? You can take your coffee with you.”

Henderson went to the door and called out, “Could you please take Mr Lipman to a holding cell constable, thank you very much.”
“We will see you later Joel,” said Gains and the two men left the room.
Joel found himself in a cell with a raised four legged couch in the middle of the floor. He was amazed at how calm he felt but he was also aware of his inability to think coherently. He lay down on the raised couched and tried to think things through.

After an hour he tries to sleep but he cannot. He gets up and paces around the small cell. As he is doing this he hears the keys at the lock and instantly thinks they have been in touch with Nimrod and I am going to be released, he is jubilant.
A constable come in with a tray sitting on it is two polystyrene containers, “Here is your dinner.” Joel is crestfallen, he had really expected and wanted to be released.

After sitting with his head in his hands for a few minutes he starts to eat the dinner. Twenty minutes later the constable returns and gives him a cup of tea.
Joel drinks the tea lies down on the couch and wonders what is going on!

At 8.30pm the door is opened and the constable orders Joel “Come with me please.” He is taken back to the interview room.
The detectives asks him how he is and tell him to sit down. Bill Gains than starts the tape notes the time goes through the whole identity and right procedure and finishes by asking Joel does he understand his rights. Joel nods saying “Yes”

Jack looking at Joel gravely and states forcefully, “Mr Lipman can you tell us if the drugs in your room belong to you?
Joel stares wide eyed and yells “What, what are you talking about? There are no drugs in my room, I don’t use drugs, you are crazy!!
Bill; “Mr Lipman, are your sure it is my friend who is crazy, we contacted a Mr Nimrod Reznik, he says he has never heard of you!”
Joel now cannot believe what he is hearing, he shakes his head saying, “I have nothing to say.”

Bill; “You will have to do better than that, we are now starting to search all the rooms in that hotel you were staying in. I would like to know again why you chose to stay in that hotel?”
Joel; “I have nothing to say”
Jack; “Why did you say Mr Reznik was your uncle?”
Joel; “I have nothing to say.”
Jack; “Do you know a Miss Juliet Barney?”
Joel; “No”
Jack; “She booked into the same hotel as you last night. Are you sure you do not know her or have anything to do with her?”
Joel: “Yes, I am sure!”
The two detectives look at each other and Bill Gains switches off the tape. Jack looks seriously at Joel and asks softly, “Joel is there anything you want to tell us while the tape is switched off?” The distraught young man shakes his head, “No”
Jack; “Are you sure?”
Joel neither moves or says anything.

Bill; “Right Joel we want to hear about all your movements over the last five weeks, you have had long enough to think about them”
Joel; “I need a rest.”
Bill; “You can’t have a rest yet, we have only started.”
Bill; “Who was the first person you met when you arrived in the UK Joel?”
Joel; “My uncle, he met at the airport and brought me to the hotel by train and tube.”
Bill; “Joel, listen to me carefully, this uncle you claim says he has never heard of you. You are beginning to sound like someone off you head on drugs or else your so-called uncle is lying, what do you think Jack?”
Jack; “I think you are maybe being a little bit to hard on the kid. Maybe we should have a closer look at the man who he claims is his uncle.”

Bill; “Good idea Jack, off you go and check with Special Branch, the Drug Squad and Interpol.”
Jack; “I will set the wheels in motion.” he left the room and Bill Gains noted the time saying, “Detective Jack Henderson has left the room.”
Then he stopped the tape machine again and asked Joel once more, “Joel is there anything you want to tell me while the tape is off and we are alone?”

Joel shook his head and Gains switched the tape back on. He then said, “The suspect Joel Lipman looks very tired, I am ending interview, he stated the time and switched the machine of.
“You are going to be here over night Joel, we will start again tomorrow morning, you will have all night to think about things.”
Gains went to the door and asked the constable to take Joel back to his holding cell. He told the constable before he left in earshot of Joel, “Make sure you look after him well, I have feeling something big is going on here.”

When Joel is put back in the holding cell he starts to feel incredibly exhausted, he lies down on the couch and tries to sleep but he is unable to do so. He is given a meal and morosely eats it then lies down again. Joel tries very hard to think logically it find it almost impossible to do so.

After lying down for two hours the thought comes to him, “Maybe I should just tell them everything, who I am and what I am, the whole thing is a big mistake. When I tell them everything they will realise I have nothing to do with drugs!”
He steps toward the cell emergency bell to ring it indicating he needs attention but before he can do so he is hit with the thought, “If I tell everything it could ruin my career!”
Joel slumps to the floor and holds his head in his hands he feels like a broken man.




Thursday 4th October 1984
The night felt like an eternity for Joel, eventually he hears the noises from outside the cell which indicates it is early morning. Suddenly the cell door open and the constable hands him his breakfast, the constable tells him after his breakfast he will be allowed to wash and shave. He will then be taken to the interview room where a solicitor will see him.


Joel wonders, “How will I know it is a real solicitor? and not some police trick?”
Joel is eventually taken to the interview room he has become familiar with, a police constable sits down opposite him and tells him “Your solicitor will be here in a few minutes. I am just here to keep an eye on you to make sure you are OK. I will not be asking you any questions, so you can relax for a few minutes.”

Later the door opens a very confident middle aged man enters the room, he looks directly at Joel and booms, “Mr Lipman I have been asked to represent you in court, we will be able to speak confidentially after the constable leaves the room.” The policeman smiles and immediately leaves.
Joel sharply asks him, “Who are you, I never asked for a solicitor? "
Solicitor; “Your uncle Mr Nimrod Reznik asked me to come and represent you.”
Joel; “What!!!!!! They told me my uncle had denied knowing me”
Solicitor; “I am sure they did. They do things like this all the time. Look at it from their point of view, you are allegedly caught with drugs, you tell them you have an uncle, they will immediately suspect your uncle may be involved as well.
If they can convince you your associate has betrayed you, then perhaps you will be tempted to betray him. They are Detectives after all!” He then laughs heartily.
Joel just sat looking stunned.

Solicitor; “Did they harm you or assault you in any way?”
Joel; “No.”
Solicitor; “Good, now Joel before we go any further, if you want me to represent you properly you must tell me if you are guilty or innocent?”
Joel indignantly shouts; “I am innocent, they just came to the hotel, brought me here then said later they had found drugs in my room, I know nothing about this.”

Solicitor; “Good, I believe you. Now Joel is there anything at all you want to tell me which may influence you case? You are going to be charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply later today. You will almost certainly remanded in custody as you are a foreign national and may flee the country. If there is anything at all that will help your case you must please tell me now?”
Joel; “There is nothing I can tell you.”

Solicitor: “OK, is there anyone in your family important or a target for someone who wants to take revenge?
Joel; “No, I am just from an ordinary family. Look I am exhausted and my head aches can I please have some sleeping tablets and headache tablets?”
Solicitor; “I will get you the headache tablets but the police will be very reluctant to let you have sleeping tablets unless you are examined by a doctor who prescribes them. As you will be in court a few hours from now it is unlikely you will be given sleeping tablets.”
Joel slumps his whole somebody onto the table holding his head, “I need to sleep he begs.”
Solicitor; “I will ask them to get you headache tablets now, then I must go. I will see you in court later Joel.” The solicitor gets up and leaves the room. Leaving Joel feeling very unimportant, exhausted, confused and depressed.

The constable returns and takes him back to his holding cell, “I will be back with the headache tablets in a minute, why don’t you lie down?”
The constable returns with the tablets and water, Joel gladly takes them and when the constable leaves he lies down on the couch and starts to cry.
Two hours later the door opens and the constable hands him his dinner on a tray. He also tells him, “Mr Lipman you are being released but you will have to be medically examined before hand, just routine, it is to prove you have not been maltreated, so you may as well enjoy your dinner, we will try and have you out as soon as possible.”
Joel cannot believe his ears!
While he goes through the routine discharge procedure Joel is informed his uncle has checked him out of the hotel and brought his belongings to the Police Station. There is a suitcase, backpack and two plastic bags full of clothes and belongings. "You can leave the bags here and call back for them later if you like," the Police sergeant informs him.

On release Joel immediately goes to the Regent Palace which he had heard Yoav mention he is exhausted, but he has to write a note, travel to Queensway and leave it in the Chapel Side house before he can return to the hotel to sleep.
 
Later that day Amit enters the house and lifts the envelope she sets it on the table as she knows it is for Nimrod. She does not open it.
Nimrod and Yoav call to the Chapel Side house for dinner at 5.30pm. After reading the note, they say they will be checking into the Regent Palace hotel.
Amit raises her eyebrows, “Why is that? Are you going to do business with those girls who hang about it?
“No we are not, it is strictly business. Joel Lipman has checked into the Regent Palace Hotel.” Nimrod firmly asserts.
“Perhaps he feels he needs a woman!” Amit giggles.

“More like a good night’s sleep,” replies Yoav. “Plus maybe a airplane ticket back to Israel!”
“If he cannot survive here he may as well return to Israel, he is not much good to us is he?” Amit forcefully states to the two men.
They both think she has suddenly turned into a very mature woman is a very short space of time!

The two men book into the same hotel as Joel Lipman, the next morning they will start to debrief him.

Friday 5th October 1984Nimrod and Yoav listen to Joel’s account of the arrest without much comment. Nimrod ends the meeting by telling him, “We will get back to you later about this. Stay in this hotel, try and relax. It may be all be one big misunderstanding.”

Later on Friday afternoon Nimrod meets his contact at the usual place in Shepherd Market. Nimrod is overawed by the fact the guy he is meeting can sit here in this lowly place in Shepherd Market completely unnoticed, yet he has the power to have anyone in the UK arrested as he sees fit.

The man gives Nimrod a plastic shopping bag inside it contains the tape recorder and tapes which had been used in the interviews with Joel Lipman. “Everything is on this, he never said anything when the tape was switched off. He never said anything to the solicitor either.  Using audio tapes is a good idea, we need to start using them in the UK.  I suppose you will listen to them?”

"Yes I will," states Nimrod.  When he is finsihed with them they will be sent to speech analysts to make sure they have not been tampered with and to analyse Joel Lipman`s speech patterns and stress levels.

Nimrod is pleased the young man has said nothing, he is now planning to arrange a job for him in the embassy working as an analyst for a spell. The he will move him onto a journalism job is the USA. Nimrod was hoping the young man would be successful in the test he did not want to be the one to destroy his career but he would have done if necessary.

The man tells him, “I am putting a report in on Joel Lipman. He is not a threat to UK security, no need to monitor his movements but he is someone whose career we should keep an eye on and cultivate friendly contact if necessary. Try and provide him with a British wife as well, if possible, while he is in the UK, though there is no need to go overboard with the matter. We don’t want to be throwing British girls at him, he may get suspicious!”

“Good idea” says Nimrod, “He may end up Ambassador to the USA someday!” At the same time Nimrod is also noting the fact he will be stressing the point to Joel not to get involved with any British females.

Some day in the future he will explain the whole episode to Joel, though he is expecting Joel to work it out for himself long before he reveals it to him. He regards it as a course in, “Intuition Building.”

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