Peace at Lambeth Bridge: A Rob Royal Spy Thriller

PEACE AT LAMBETH

BRIDGE

Robert Dean Bair

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Bloomington

Peace at Lambeth Bridge

Copyright © 2008 by Robert Dean Bair

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-0-595-52000-8 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-595-50748-1 (cloth)

ISBN: 978-0-595-62105-7 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 11/25/2008

Cover photos:

Paintings of Lambeth Bridge, London and the Cloisters of Canterbury,

Other books by Robert Dean Bair

The Cloisters of Canterbury, 2006

Contents

DEDICATION

APPRECIATION

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CLEVELAND

CHAPTER 2

DECISION

CHAPTER 3

CHANGE IN DIRECTION

CHAPTER 4

TORONTO

CHAPTER 5

THE UNITED KINGDOM

CHAPTER 6

TORONTO

CHAPTER 7

CLEVELAND

CHAPTER 8

CHICAGO

CHAPTER 9

SAN FRANCISCO

CHAPTER 10

JUDGE BROWN

CHAPTER 11

DOUD AT LAMBETH BRIDGE

CHAPTER 12

THE LETTER

CHAPTER 13

LONDON

CHAPTER 14

INTRUDER!

CHAPTER 15

SOUTHERN OHIO

CHAPTER 16

CLEVELAND

CHAPTER 17

SURPRISE ASSIGNMENT

CHAPTER 18

LONDON

CHAPTER 19

THE STRANGER

CHAPTER 20

CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND

CHAPTER 21

RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

CHAPTER 22

HOUSTON

CHAPTER 23

LONDON

CHAPTER 24

GRANDE ROCHESTER

CHAPTER 25

RICIN POISON

CHAPTER 26

QUESTIONS?

CHAPTER 27

ANOTHER ATTEMPT

CHAPTER 28

A VISITOR

CHAPTER 29

KYLE OF LOCHALSH

CHAPTER 30

HOUSTON

CHAPTER 31

LONDON

CHAPTER 32

UNBELIEVABLE

CHAPTER 33

A LIFE TIME OF MEMORIES

CHAPTER 34

HOUSTON

CHAPTER 35

THE SEARCH

CHAPTER 36

DAYTON

CHAPTER 37

CLEVELAND COUNTRY CLUB

CHAPTER 38

ENGLAND

CHAPTER 39

THE ARTIST

CHAPTER 40

CECELIA

CHAPTER 41

TORONTO

CHAPTER 42

JUNE WEDDING

CHAPTER 43

COLUMBUS

CHAPTER 44

AERONAUTICAL PRODUCTS

CHAPTER 45

NEW ORLEANS

CHAPTER 46

A SAD DAY

CHAPTER 47

LONDON

CHAPTER 48

CANTERBURY

CHAPTER 49

LAMBETH BRIDGE

CHAPTER 50

THE MEETING

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the men and women who serve in the nation’s intelligence community, especially those who have taken their secrets to their graves. They dedicate, and many times give their lives for the safety of a grateful nation. They and their families make unknown sacrifices and never experience a normal life. They continue to fight terrorism, leaks and corruption today.

APPRECIATION

I want to thank my loving wife, Mary Dell Tinsley, a special friend, a gifted artist, a dedicated and caring teacher, who continues to be supportive wherever I might be and for reading and correcting my manuscripts and always wondering, but never asking.

A special thanks to Carol deFrank, for editing Peace at Lambeth Bridge, and for her encouragement and friendship.

INTRODUCTION

In 1940, a group of ordinary American citizens were concerned about the United States. It was still trying to recover from the financial and emotional burden of the Civil War, World War I and worldwide depression. Bread lines and soup kitchens were visible in most cities of the country. Men standing around fires in metal drums trying to keep warm were common sights. This group found the living conditions of the poor around the world were pitiful and repulsive to the group.

These individuals had many concerns, but chief among them was the question whether the United States government was going to maintain a pure democracy or be influenced by socialism as had been the case in some of the countries in Europe. Was the need of food for the starving people in the United States and the world being addressed? The group wanted to help, they had to help!

They learned of imprisonment and execution of the Jews in Europe and that their government was doing nothing about it. This group decided that they would provide accurate information to the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

After World War II, the Group continued to operate outside the government, without political influence, funding humanitarian needs that saved lives.

Some of these individuals had relatives and business associates in various parts of the world who provided alarming information not available to the public and often, not even government officials. The Group offered their services to the President of the United States, regardless of political affiliation and the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The Group’s covert couriers delivered information to the President, before it became known to the newspapers. The information delivered, without leaks, aided the President, Congress and British government in making correct and vital decisions.

The Group’s director is the only person having knowledge of the couriers’ identities and their missions. They are given assignments and provided the resources necessary to carry them out.

***

In 1948, an invitation to the White House by President Harry Truman was an honor for Rob Royal. President Truman asked Royal to fulfill a confidential mission. Because of the mission’s success, he was recruited by the Group. Aware of the Group’s activities, he could not refuse the invitation to join the covert Group that didn’t exist. Operating outside the government and the military, and it wasn’t subject to the leaks and corruption within government circles. The Group stood for patriotism and everything that he believed. Joining the Group led to his extensive training as a secret courier.

Royal’s assignments for the Group, took him to Great Britain, Europe and behind the Berlin Wall into East Germany. The deaths of other covert couriers and attempts on his life made it difficult for Rob Royal to live a normal life. He had concerns that those near to him would be in danger.

When in doubt, he would remember a dream.

I was in England. It was night. I was alone standing in deep snow in the center of the stones at Stonehenge. It was quiet and still. The moon was shining, casting eerie shadows of the stones on the snow.

I spoke aloud. What am I doing out here all alone.

A voice came down from the sky. You’re not alone, you have never been alone, and you will always be cloistered.

When he told the dream to Canon Ferdie Filpin at the Canterbury Cathedral England, the Canon said, Cloistered means protection for those beneath the archway. The voice from above could only come from One. The Lord is telling you that you will be protected in what you are doing. You are not alone. He is your cloister.

Although difficult, he continued his association with the Group while employed by a management consulting firm.

CHAPTER 1

CLEVELAND

The morning sun was shining on the windshield as I drove along Lake Erie from Bay Village into Cleveland. A large flock of ducks circled and landed into the wind on the choppy water. I had just returned from a ten-day fishing vacation on the isolated Canadian French River. The warm days and cool nights should have been peaceful. However, dreams that would probably haunt me the rest of my life had prevented me from relaxing and resting.

All of the events of the last several months were still fresh in my mind. Especially the deaths and the investigation that resulted in the arrest of former Nazi SS Officer Hans Mueller for war crimes, and Frances Murita for fraud, extortion and the murder of Ruth Watkins.

I parked my car in a space reserved for employees and walked along Euclid Ave to the firm’s office in the National City Bank building. I was happy to be back in Cleveland. After my discharge from the Army and graduation from college, I obtained a consulting position in the audit department at James Allen & Associates, a management consulting firm in Cleveland, Ohio. It had been an interesting experience.

When I stepped out of the elevator, Cecilia the receptionist greeted me with a warm smile and commented, You’ve been vacationing in the sun.

How could you tell? It didn’t take much sun for me to turn to red and sometimes blister.

Cecilia joined the firm just a few weeks after I did. Her enduring smile and Brooklyn accent carried her through several clerical positions to the coveted receptionist desk. She was always available and willing to help everyone in need.

Yes, I was glad to be back. I walked into my office; the chair behind the desk was inviting. There were several pieces of mail on my desk; I started looking at the envelopes. All were routine except for one, PERSONAL was printed in large black letters across the envelope. It was postmarked Trenton, New Jersey. There was no return address. My heart rate increased. I took a deep breath and slowly opened it and removed a folded piece of a newspaper. It was the front page of a Trenton, New Jersey newspaper. The bold headlines: ‘FRANCES MURITA ARRESTED BY U.S. MARSHALS’ set off an alarm within me! It was as if I were standing next to a fire station when a fire alarm sounded. There was nothing else in the envelope; I looked at the postmark again. My heart rate continued to increase; I could feel my heart beating in my chest. Perspiration ran down my face. I removed a handkerchief from my pants pocket and wiped my forehead… No! There was no way this should be happening!"

While on a consulting assignment I discovered that Frances Murita had stolen the identity of Ruth Watkins. Murita had met Watkins in the Woman’s Army Corps during WW II. I was responsible for Murita’s arrest. During my investigation, I learned that she was the niece of Frank Salvatore who was serving a sentence in a federal prison for military contract fraud. What an unbelievable coincidence!

When I was in the army and stationed at Fort Jay on Governor’s in the United States First Army’s Communication Section of Military Intelligence, I was ordered to the White House and given a confidential assignment by Harry S. Truman, President of the United States. I discovered a military contract fraud in Dayton, Ohio, and was responsible for the arrest of Frank Salvatore the perpetrator of the fraud. I was not to be a witness; nevertheless, I was subpoenaed to testify at Salvatore’s federal trail. Despite high security, when U.S. marshals were escorting me up the steps of the Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey, an attempt was made on my life. An associate of Salvatore’s fired shots at me. One U.S. marshal was shot and killed. Two others wounded before the assassin was shot and killed.

I identified him as the man who fired a shot at me during the investigation. The man chased me across the roof of a building until he tripped and fell through a skylight. After a few minutes of silence thinking I was safe I returned to the skylight, I saw the man on the floor of the building. He wasn’t moving. His nose was flat against his face and blood was flowing from a cut that ran from his left ear to the corner of his mouth. I called the sheriff’s office from a gas station and reported a man was injured.

Someone was obviously aware of my involvement in the arrest of Murita. Like before, I was told that my name would not be connected with her arrest or the arrest of former Nazi SS Officer Fritz Mueller for war crimes.

After I completed the confidential presidential assignment, the President introduced me to Clarence Doud, a Texan, who headed a covert Group of ordinary citizens that weren’t part of any government or company. The Group had concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s intelligence organizations. Doud successfully recruited me when I learned of the purpose of the Group. The decision was far-reaching. There was no record that this covert Group existed. We gathered information from many points around the world for the President of the United States, members of The United States Congress and members of the British government, while supposedly living normal lives. We didn’t reveal our activities to anyone, including our families.

After the end of World War II, the Group continued searching for Nazis who had committed war crimes and fled Europe to England, Canada, the United States and South America to escape prosecution. Also, we acted as couriers, picking up parcels from informants that provided sensitive information about organizations and governments that might be of interest to the United States and British governments, without leaks to the press and public.

Information leaks were a major problem for the President, Congress and the Brits. We received many requests for background information on individuals. As subterfuge, at times we posed as insurance investigators; verifying addresses, employment records, and spent hours checking police records, and other public records. The information we gained from neighbors and friends of the subjects was unbelievable. I often wondered if loyalty existed and now understood why they told us during training at the farm in Virginia, Don’t trust anyone. Sleep in your own bed-alone!

Just before I was to leave on a consulting assignment at a truck company in Springfield, Ohio, the president of the consulting firm, James Allen, surprised me by confiding that he was one of the founding members of the Group. He gave me a list of names and photographs of Nazis wanted for war crimes. I was supposed to keep my eyes open.

During the assignment, I learned that Mueller, one of the wanted Nazis, was employed at the plant under an assumed name. I also discovered that Murita, the employment manager’s secretary, had stolen the identity of Ruth Watkins, the niece of Henry Wiseman, a former resident of Springfield, who died in a concentration camp during the war.

My investigation of Murita took me to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and to Trenton High School in Trenton, New Jersey. I learned the secretary Murita is a daughter of a well-known mob family. Further investigation determined that Watkins and Murita were in the Woman’s Army Corps at the same time and stationed in England with the United States Eighth Air Force during World War II. Watkins reportedly died in an auto accident near London in an old Hillman car that Murita was driving. The accident and medical reports were suspicious.

I went to England to work with another member of the Group, Bifford Wallace. He was a former British Intelligence Officer and now a solicitor in the British Foreign Office. We discovered that Murita and Mueller had conspired to kill Watkins.

I read the article again; it contained everything originally reported in the Springfield, Ohio, newspaper when U.S. marshals arrested Frances Murita. There was a photo taken of her screaming and kicking as she was carried from the Springfield Truck Company. Now another leak put me in danger, as well as those around me.

I picked up the telephone and called Allen’s secretary. Shirley, is Mr. Allen available?

Let me find out.

I could hear her talking with Allen. He’s available now.

With the newspaper article and the envelope clutched in my hand I walked to Allen’s office. The door was open. His secretary motioned for me to go in.

What can I do for you, Rob?

I closed the door, went to the front of his desk and handed him the front page of the Trenton, New Jersey, newspaper and the envelope. He motioned me to an armchair in front of his desk. He looked over his reading glasses at me several times while inspecting the newspaper article and the envelope.

Tilting his shiny bald head, he said, Oh no, Rob! There’s no logical reason for anyone to send you this newspaper article, unless they are sending you a message. Doud will be in Cleveland later this evening and will be in the office for our scheduled meeting with you in the morning. We must stop the leaks! He planned for you to leave for London on Sunday. We’ll put our heads together on this. There are several reports on your desk, read and digest the information. Of course, keep your eyes open and back to the wall.

I returned to my office and read the consulting reports completed by other associates. It was routine but educational to see how other associates approached their assignments. On one of the reports, Joseph Scott Davidson, the Sr. Vice President, had attached a note: Rob, analyze this report in detail. Think that you might like the assignment. Scottie.

I started reading the files. Global was a construction company that built roads, highway bridges and airport runways, and underlined in red, military installations in the US and UK. Underlining of military installations was of interest, I had several questions for Davidson.

It was after five, time to leave for Bay Village. I stopped for dinner at a restaurant on the shore of Lake Erie. When I arrived home, I spent a few minutes with Mrs. Gray, my dear landlady. I looked at Lake Erie driving to and from work and heard the surf at night when my bedroom window was open. I didn’t spend much time in Cleveland, but when I did it was like living at home with my parents.

I had a restless night, too many unanswered questions. However, it was a beautiful morning. Driving along Lake Erie was delightful. There were several boats on the lake. Auto traffic was normal for a weekday. I arrived at the office before eight.

As soon as I was at my desk, I reread the reports on the construction company. There were several divisions of the company. Ringing of the telephone interrupted me.

It was Allen’s secretary. Mr. Royal, Mr. Allen would like for you to join Mr. Doud and him in his office.

It was 9:15, early for the scheduled ten o’clock meeting.

Doud stood just inside the office with his hand extended. Glad to have you back, Rob. How was the fishing on the French River?

It was excellent. The Indian guide knew exactly where the fish were biting. He prepared a shore lunch everyday, fresh fish over an open fire.

Allen walked around his desk, took my hand and said, Let’s use the conference table. Take a good look at Lake Erie and close the draperies before we start. There was no way anyone could keep their mind on the business when the draperies were open. The view was a continuous panoramic movie of beauty.

Clarence Doud, all six foot six of him was in deep thought. "Rob, Jim and I have been discussing you receiving the Trenton newspaper article about Murita’s arrest. The envelope postmarked was intentional. We can assume nothing, but we think that it is a warning. Whoever did it knows who you are and what you do. There’s no way of knowing how they learned you were associated with James Allen & Associates or of your investigation of Frances Murita. They may have been watching you since the attempt on your life in front of the Federal Building in Newark, when you were to be a witness in Salvatore’s trial. I don’t know how they became aware of your consulting assignment in Springfield and connected you to Murita’s arrest. I know that your name wasn’t on any of the documents submitted to the federal judge that issued the warrants for the arrest of Murita or Mueller.

The Group has always been concerned about the safety of our couriers. Since this recent event, we need to reassess your association with the Group. You may want to consider leaving the Group. I must say that we would prefer that you stay. But the leaks increase your danger. You have become a valuable member. Your ability to make decisions on your own resulted in successful assignments. Allen has related that your consulting assignments have been excellent and Davidson wants you assigned to the Global Construction audit. However, it is your decision to make.

I looked at Doud and Allen. "I haven’t changed my mind about the objectives of the Group. The arrest of Mueller for his war crimes and Murita for her involvement in Watkins’ death and stealing her identity convinced me of the Group’s importance. Mr. Allen told me there have been more names added to the war crimes wanted list encourages me to continue and be a part of their arrest. When I close my eyes I can still see the stacks of dead bodies in the concentration camps in Germany and Poland. I have enjoyed the consulting assignments, finding them challenging and stimulating. I would hate to give up either one now at this time in my life.

"Nevertheless, I am not happy knowing that someone is watching me. I also am concerned about someone knocking on Mrs. Gray’s door looking for me and the danger it puts her in as well as my family.

I must say that it has been difficult not to reveal my activities, especially some of the interesting places that I have visited on my assignments. But I understand the reason for the oath of silence that I took.

Doud and Allen looked at each other. They were communicating like Biff Wallace and I did in England. I recalled several questions and answers that we exchanged without speaking a word, just using our eyes.

Allen was the first to speak. Rob, we want you to stay with the firm, we think that you will continue to grow and contribute. However, I too am concerned about Mrs. Gray; she has been a friend of the company for many years. Take sometime and sleep on it, before you decide. Let’s schedule a meeting for tomorrow morning at nine and if you still need more time we’ll reschedule. Call my secretary in the morning.

I returned to my office and continued reviewing the Global files through lunch and the rest of the afternoon. When I left the office at 6 o’clock my briefcase was full of files. I stopped at my usual restaurant for dinner. I was aware of everyone arriving and leaving. No one showed an interest in me. When I got home I visited with Mrs. Gray for a few minutes, and then went to my room.

The Global files were interesting. It was a large company with construction contracts for the government and private companies in the United States and the UK. The number of airfields used was unbelievable. I turned off the light sometime after one in the morning, but couldn’t sleep. I started to think about the envelope with the newspaper article, and that someone had learned of my association with the consulting firm and somehow connected me with Murita’s arrest. I remembered President Truman’s concern about leaks in the government and his resolve to put a stop to it.

I looked at my watch, it was after three. I got up and dressed, and quietly walked down the stairs and out the front door into darkness. Pausing on the front porch, I looked in both directions; there were no lights other than the streetlight in front of the house that was covered by swarming insects. I stepped over the porch railing next to the house. As I walked the two blocks to the Lake Erie shore, the sound of the pounding waves increased. There were no cars parked in the street, only two in driveways. Most residents kept their cars in their garages at night. I walked slowly back for two more blocks before returning home. The only sound was a distant car and an occasional bird, between the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore. There wasn’t anyone watching me now.

I wasn’t sure about my decision to stay in the Group and take the Global job. It would be great to talk with Canon Filpin at the Canterbury Cathedral in England. The Canon told me that I was cloistered and a Gypsy Palm Reader in Springfield once told me I would have a long life. I could use the Canon’s prayers and the Gypsy’s predictions.

CHAPTER 2

DECISION

It had been a restless night. As I left the house, I looked up and down the street. Nothing had changed since my early morning walk. I looked out on Lake Erie every few minutes on the drive into Cleveland, parked my car, walked down Euclid Ave, stopped at a coffee shop for coffee and a doughnut and was at my desk before eight. I opened the Global contract files that described construction at an airport in the UK.

At nine o’clock I went to Allen’s office, and his secretary motioned for me to go in. Doud and Allen were at the conference table drinking coffee.

Doud stood and shook my hand. How was your night?

I smiled, but didn’t reply. He motioned for me to join them. They were looking at me, probably observing the dark circles under my eyes; it was obvious that I hadn’t slept well.

Doud smiled, Tell us your decision, we will understand whatever and will support it.

I looked across the table at both men; my life had been interesting since meeting them. Yesterday, I told you that I didn’t want to leave Allen and Associates or the Group. Yes, I am concerned that I’ve been connected to Murita’s arrest, and don’t like watching my back. But, I’ve decided to stay in the game for now.

Doud walked to the window, and looked out on Lake Erie before returning to the table. "Rob we are happy with your decision.

Tell Mrs. Gray that you will be on assignment out of the city for several months.

Allen cleared his throat. Rob, the staff in the office will be told of your assignment with Global Construction. Davidson will provide you with the necessary introduction to Global’s offices in the United States and air bases in the UK.

Doud looked at me for several minutes. Rob, we had planned for you to fly to London on Sunday. Since your old friend Biff Wallace is on an assignment for the British Foreign office in Europe and considering the recent developments here, this trip to the UK will be different. Leave tomorrow and instead of flying from Cleveland to New York, drive to Toledo, then to Detroit and through the Windsor tunnel to Toronto. You will meet Mary Ann McGee.

I remember her. We were in the same training group at the farm in Virginia.

Doud gave Allen an unusual look. She has been active with the Group in Canada, Ireland and England. You will meet her at the Toronto Airport where she is an air traffic controller. She’ll give you a parcel for your contact in Ireland. You’ll fly from Toronto to Dublin. When you arrive at the Dublin airport Mindy Gorman will meet you.

She was in my training group too.

"Your assignment with the Global Construction will provide you with the opportunity to travel around Ireland and the UK. To help develop your cover you will be looking for some of your ancestors in Ireland. We have compiled a list of your relatives’ family names starting with your great-grandfather, Michael Keith Savage; we know there were Savages in Ireland. Mindy was born in Northern Ireland and still has relatives and friends there and while she guides you around Ireland, she will be helpful in finding your ancestors.

"Your assignment for Allen & Associates will require visiting airfields in the UK used by the United States during the war and several that are still used by our Air Force. You will audit construction and operating costs and looking for any irregularities that may interest our Congressional committees.

"Mindy’s experience as a civilian employee at the Greencastle air base during the war will be useful. Visiting airfields on this trip will set up a reason for your frequent visits around Ireland and England.

Looking for your ancestors is a normal interest and will be helpful while gathering information about various political groups. Also when you are receiving and delivering information to the Group’s contacts in Ireland and Scotland and Wallace in London. Some of your previous contacts will be invaluable.

I am not a stranger in the UK.

"The Group still has concerns for war criminals. As Allen told you, more names are on the list. We are concerned about the future of Ireland. There has been a conflict between England and Ireland for centuries. We’ll provide you with some history before you leave. We don’t expect you to be an expert in English history, but you do need some background of events that may be politically volatile.

"Searching for your ancestors will allow you to ask questions without creating suspicion. You will find Mindy’s knowledge