CHAPTER 3
LOOK WHAT THE PROFESSOR CAN DO?
Tuesday 25th September 1984
Early in the day Nimrod leaves his apartment and enters the Bond Street underground station. Nimrod loved travelling on the underground, he spent a considerable amount of his time
travelling around London, while on the underground he also did a lot of his thinking and planning.
It particularly amused him to ponder the fact you could spend hours on the train surrounded by a great many people yet no one disturbed you unnecessarily. He had a large number of contacts in London and most of them lived within the two inner zones. Nimrod knew the two inner zones like the back of his hand.
He thinks of some of the famous people he had noticed while riding the tube. He smiles to himself when he remembers the day he got on the tube and sitting across the carriage from him was the actor Robert Di Nero.
He could not believe it, they were both wearing almost identical clothing. Red checked short sleeved shirts and chinos. The actor had his head completely shaven. He went unnoticed to everyone else on the carriage, he looked just like another underground traveller.
At first Nimrod thought he was imagining the whole thing but the next day he saw a London paper and there was a picture of a shaven headed Robert Di Nero leaving Peter Langan`s restaurant. There were usually photographers hanging about outside that particular restaurant looking for famous faces to snap.
He imagined how these famous people must feel being at the mercy of unscrupulous photographers. Anyone caught taking pictures of Nimrod would have their camera and their face smashed to pieces within seconds.
Today he is primarily travelling to a house in Iverson Road, West Hampstead, to see Professor Norman Gibson.
First he travels to Piccadilly Circus and enters the Regent Palace hotel to meet with Yoav Hoffman.
Nimrod checks the breakfast restaurant as soon as he enters and spots Yoav eating breakfast alone.
“How did everything go last night?” Nimrod inquires, he is not expecting any surprises it was a very simple escapade.
Yoav looks at him and says, “I think the kid Joel would be best suited to an inside office job.”
“He is very clever," replies Nimrod.
Yoav shakes his head and retorts, “Being clever is not enough, he needs to learn to be clever AND invisible.”
Nimrod grimly smiles he knows Yoav is right. Nimrod is Yoav`s senior officer but sometimes he feels as if Yoav is more capable than him. He knows Yoav will give him a true and usually accurate assessment of people and situations. He does not think it below himself or a sign of weakness to ask Yoav for advice.
There is no point in discussing this point any further thinks Nimrod, he has already made up his mind to act on Yoav`s assessment.
“How is the breakfast? Is this still your favourite hotel?” asks Nimrod.
“Of course it is, do you know how useful it has been for us?” Yoav makes a wide gesture with his hands. They had a contact in the security of the hotel who let them bug rooms. The hotel was frequently used by escorts, female and male who would arrange to meet their clients there. Occasionally some of the clients could be thought of as good investments.
There were quite a few non publicly known VIP types who never realised they had been compromised in the hotel. They would only ever find out if they happened to become useful stooges or pawns. Otherwise the unsuspecting compromised victims were never bothered or contacted.
“We will meet for dinner at Chapel Place, see you at Queensway tube station around 5:30. I must go now, I have a lot of work to do unlike you. Don’t do anything foolish in this hotel, walls have ears you know!” Nimrod laughs aloud as he says this then he leaves.
As Nimrod is travelling to his next call he is working out what to do about Joel Lipman He starts to think of how he can tell the young lad in a sympathetic way that there are some doubts about his abilities at the present time.
He concludes the young man should be given the role as a trainee analyst working inside the embassy rather than on the ground, if possible. First he would have to take action to assure himself regarding the young man’s potential. He now knows what way to go about the matter.
Nimrod now sets off to see the Professor Norman Gibson a retired university historian. He is looking forward to the visit as he liked the man and enjoyed his company. Nimrod and the professor had many shared interests, history was one of them. Gibson also had another passionate interest. He was a unofficial expert Graphologist.
When calling at Gibson’s house Nimrod knew the man would be in, the man never left the apartment until after lunchtime. The professor’s face beamed when he opened the door and saw Nimrod, he warmly greeted him and ushered him into the living room.
“And what is the purpose of this visit, business, pleasure, boredom, company?” Gibson joked.
“First, for me it is business for you it is pleasure.” Nimrod takes out the Filofax as he says this. “When I get this done we will have plenty of time for tea and conversation. I would like your opinion on this signature if you don’t mind?”
The Graphologist takes the Filofax smiles and asks if this is a real person or an experiment of some kind. “Its real,” intimates Nimrod
Professor Gibson looks a the writing for about a minute and states, “Schizoid, a Schizoid type personality,” he looks across the room at Nimrod who looks very disappointed. “Doesn’t fit your needs I guess?”
Nimrod looks at him and says, "I was hoping you would come up with something else.” Secretly he was pleased.
“I suppose you will have to try and get something or someone else now? The Professor is not being nosy, he merely assumes Nimrod is vetting a prospective employee for embassy or sensitive work.
“I suppose I will, there is always somebody else.” Nimrod smiles as he says this, then quickly goes on to ask the man how his wife and children are doing. “Fine, fine, my eldest daughter has started university. My wife and youngest daughter are currently in the Canary Islands, they could not resist the chance of a cheap holiday. You must come for dinner some evening soon. Or we could go to the theatre some evening?”
The two men are avid theatre goers and good friends though there is quite an age difference between them. The Professor never pries into Nimrod’s work but they share their views on a wide range of other matters.
“I am going to the theatre On Saturday night to see a play, The Rats Skull!,” proclaims Nimrod. “Already seen it” replies the Professor, it is excellent, you will enjoy it, are you taking a young lady with you?
“Of course, don’t I always? I’m glad I can stay longer and chat but I have to keep a careful eye on the time, I’ve another meeting at Shepherd Market later.”
The Professor raised his eyebrows and declares “I hope it is not a young lady from Shepherd Market you are taking to the theatre?”
“I am not going to meet a young lady like that at Shepherd Market, It will be strictly male to male business, the individual I am meeting wanted to meet there, he works nearby. Now our business is concluded you now have the privilege of making me some tea.”
Gibson says, “I am glad you can stay for a while, there are some things I would like your opinion on but I will get the tea first.”
When Gibson comes back with the tea, biscuits and buns, Nimrod enthusiastically declares, “I must tell you this story first, it will give you a good laugh. About two months ago I watched that actor called Michael Landon give an interview on UK TV. He was he promoting some book or show. The interviewer asked him how he liked London? He gushed with praise, I love it here the people are so friendly and helpful, I don’t want to go home.”
“Really” nods the Professor as he sips his tea, he knew there is more of the story to follow.
Nimrod is now in a very gregarious mood, he continues, “The following week I was in New York for 5 days! Guess who I saw being interviewed on American TV, Michael Landon! This time the interviewer asks him, “You were in London last week how did you enjoy it.”
Landon says, “Oh I hated it, the people were so unfriendly, the food was terrible the weather was terrible, I could not wait to get back to the States!”
He is now laughing uncontrollably which starts the Professor laughing hysterically as well.
“Wouldn’t you just love to analyse that guy’s handwriting Professor?” giggles Nimrod.
When they both calm down the two men spend considerable time discussing a wide range of issues, Nimrod checks the time and ends the conversation. “I will give you a call and take up your dinner offer, thanks for your help.” The men shake hands and Nimrod leaves.
He again heads for the underground and while he is travelling he reflect upon the Professor’s opinion on the signature, he is very pleased. He will get a second opinion from an Israeli expert but he is not expecting to contradict the professors verdict.
He gets of the tube at Green Park and goes to the designated pub in Shepherd Market. The man he is looking for is already there, they shake hands and the man says, “Lets find a quiet table. I have what you want, it is not be the authentic file, it is a copy, how is that?”
“Good” Nimrod emphatically nods his head as he says it. “It will be the usual price” the man quizzically says. “You are worth every penny” is the ready reply, “Would you like another drink? Certainly the man says. Nimrod calls the waiter and orders the man a drink.
“Do you have anything else which may be of use?” asks Nimrod, “Not at the minute, do you have anything useful for me? “There is something which could be of use to both of us” Nimrod intimates. The man was all ears.
“We have a young man we would like you to test for us, he is called Joel Lipman. He is staying in the Ivy House Hotel, Hugh street, behind Victoria. We do not want him harmed, just keep and eye on him and give him a test at the appropriate moment. It will impress your boss and help me greatly.
When you get him tell him you want to know what he has been doing for the last four or five weeks, OK? I think he is a nice kid really but it is better if he is tested now by friendly fire rather than later. Will you do that for me?”
“ Of course” the man nods“ and I will meet you by the same arrangement in the same place if anything else comes up. Just don’t forget the FSR.”
The man opens his briefcase and gives Nimrod an A5 size brown envelope. The whole action looks normal in this particular establishment it has quite a number of people who come in here with briefcases and take something out or put something in.
“See you soon” says Nimrod as he picks up the envelope and leaves the pub. He now heads to the Chapel Side house for dinner. He meets Yoav at Queensway tube station, then they approach the house together.
When the pair arrive the next night she has only dinner for two set out on the table. She launches a furious tirade at Yoav in Hebrew, “You make big joke on Amit, Now Amit make big joke on you, there is only dinner for two, you will have to make your own or go out and buy something!”
Yoav and Nimrod look at each other surprised, Yoav says, You are kidding, she looks at him furiously then he adds, “Aren’t you?” She says “No I am not!”
Yoav is convinced and heads out of the room to go and buy a take away dinner. She lets him get to the door then shouts “I am only joking your dinner is in the oven,” you can go and get it yourself.”
He returns smilingly and goes to the kitchen oven to get the dinner, then she shouts, "There is just one thing, I made sure it is burnt!”
He opens the oven door apprehensively and sees a perfectly cooked dinner, he laughs, then they all laugh, Amit says, “Now we are even, I can play practical jokes as well!”
"Now you have both settled matters can we begin dinner?" They both look at Nimrod and say, “Let’s eat.” He asks Amit what she thought of the young lad Joel the previous night. She was expecting this. “I think he is too easily distracted by females, when he called here he was, and when I walked passed Yoav and him at the outside table I could tell he was looking attentively at me.”
“Lets move on” said Nimrod, “Do you think the guy will show up for the theatre Saturday Nimrod ponders. Amit says, “I think he will” Yoav laughs saying I have never met the guy, I have no idea.”
“If he comes, you will be sitting beside him, you can get him talking if anybody can. Here is your ticket,” he reached into his coat pocket and give Yoav the ticket numbered next to David Craney.
“What about my contribution ?“ asks Amit, “ I take it you mean the signature” Nimrod sighs. “Of course I mean the signature, it’s the most important part!” Amits indignantly declares.
Nimrod says, “The handwriting indicates a Schizoid personality.” They all smile they have all been classified as, “Schizoid personality types”
“I now have a file which we can all have a look at. That particular play is a Godsend” he goes on, "We could not have planned such a scenario better if we had tried with ten thousand people at our disposal.
“I read up a little about it,” said Amit who was another avid theatre goer. “I am looking forward to it even of the guy does not turn up.”
"Choosing a Saturday was also good, which was my idea,” smiles Nimrod. “His shop is not open on a Sunday we can invite him to stay the night here. Amit felt uncomfortable hearing this, instantly she shouts, “I hope you are not hinting I should get very friendly with him!”
"No, no nothing like that.” Nimrod assures her, “It will just be like a bunch of friends getting together, maybe we could suggest a friendly game of cards or something. You could take a look in that chess bar tomorrow night Amit, just to she if he is there and help things along. You can just use your own initiative no need for us to be around, you usually walk past there anyway don’t you?”
She nodded affirmatively and she was absolutely delighted, she felt she had made the grade once she had heard those words, “you can just use your own initiative.”
“Yea sounds like a good idea Nimrod, you do have good ideas some times!”
“What will you wear?” Yoav butted in. “Oh no!” She cupped her head in her hands, you can do the dishes that is the price you must pay for your smart remarks.” They are all laughing now.
While Yoav does the dishes Nimrod asks Amit, “Do you want to have a look at the file first?” She nods and opens the envelope, it contains three A4 sheets of paper, the girl read them intently while Nimrod goes and lies down the sofa. He closes his eyes waiting for her to finish reading.
She finishes reading goes over to the sofa and hits him on the face with the pages. “It is your turn to read Nimrod, you don’t expect me to do your job for you, do you?”
He opens his eyes, takes the pages and starts to read. Yoav comes out of the kitchen and looks at Amit, she looks at him and raises her eyebrows. He watches as Nimrod continues to read the file.
When Nimrod finishes he hands the file to Yoav, “We will be waiting for your opinion when you finish.” Now he looks over at Amit and smiles.
Yoav sits down at the dinner table and quickly reads through the pages. He stops and looks up at the other two. “Good” was all he said.
Nimrod quizzes, “Who wants to go for a walk?” Good idea says both his colleagues. They walk down the street with Amit in the middle taking both their arms. They looked like a sister and two brothers out for a walk.
Wednesday 26th September 1984
Amit looks in through window of the King’s Head as she goes down the street around 7:30 pm there is no obvious sign of Craney so she carries on with her rambling walk through Hyde Park. On her return an hour later she enters the premises and sees Craney playing chess. She orders a coke and watches as she feels she now has a degree of familiarity with him. Hardly any of the chess players notice her.
She watches as the players start to move the pieces and press the clocks rapidly, she notices others sitting at the bar are watching the various games. Craney`s games ends he slumps back in the chair and holds two hands up to his head and a number of people laugh, the two players look closely at the clocks they both laugh Craney lost by four seconds.
He gets up from the chair and notices Amit, she says, “Hi you look surprised!”
“I lost by four seconds” he says, she does not really understand but laughs at the expression on his face.
“Are you going to go to the theatre Saturday?“ she inquires. “Yes!” Craneys enthusiastically declares, “Thanks for the invitation and ticket. I looked up a bit about that play it sounds very interesting.” She smiles broadly. He says to her “You will not believe this!”
“Believe what?” says Amit, “See that guy who just beat me? He is an actor, he is some TV show about WW2 American soldiers,” Amit looks closer at the man who seems about 25 or 26, “I don’t recognise him” she whispered.
“He has worked with lots of famous people I have never heard of,” cackles Craney, “Last week has was talking about some guy called Sir Robert Stephens, who he was working with, I had never heard of him! Apparently he is highly regarded in the theatrical world!”
“Tell her about Sir Robert Stephens, Richard” Craney called aloud to the young man who was now playing another opponent.
“Everyone knows who Sir Roberts Stephens is except barbarians like you David. You really need to get a bit of sophistication,” was the retort.
“So, they are not all nerds here? Amit observed she was now impressed because she had met a real actor. “No, they are not all Nerds,” Craney said forcefully.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Amit inquired, “Not at the moment, Why, would you like to be my girlfriend?” he quizzed the girl.
“I already have a boyfriend,” Amit grinned. “I will be surprised if you only have one boyfriend” Craney wryly speculated. She gave a mischievous smile saying, “I must go now, see you on Saturday” see waved as she left the bar.
“Who is that?” asked his former chess opponent, “Oh it is a young girl who was in here last week, she lives somewhere up the street I think.”
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