A Servant of the Company by Alan Cooke

could not remember ever feeling such pain.
    Jennings was ecstatic as he left the building, hiding his pleasure under a troubled frown. It would not do to gloat over his rival’s downfall. Henderson had been too bloody popular with the Officers and Senior N.C.O.s, a real Mr. Goody Goody.
    As far as the authorities were concerned, there was no possibility of anyone having entered his room because Henderson’s were the only fingerprints to be found, and his keys were in safe custody in the sick quarters. The only punishment that could be administered was Dismissal. His Army career had come to an end and Scouser was delighted.

CHAPTER FIVE
    The Golf Club was particularly busy and the buzz of conversation in the bar increased as a more people arrived. He recognised one of the group and gave him a wave. Bernard Sturrock crossed the floor to meet him half way. ‘Good to see you again. Haven’t seen you for ages. Keeping busy?’ He released his grip from the firm handshake. ‘Come over and join us and give me your news.’ Introductions were made and the conversation resumed where it had left off. A young man on leave from the Army was telling the story about a Corporal who had been charged with drug offences and had to leave the Army. He seemed very upset by the whole thing as the Corporal was apparently well regarded and potential officer material.
    ‘I’m certain he was set up by someone, impossible to prove it but knowing the calibre of the man, this was totally out of character. He had so much going for him.’
    This certainly was interesting stuff, with the right questions at the right time he would be able to find out much more. And who knows, possibly another recruit.
    ‘What happened to him when he left, I think it would be very difficult to get a job with that sort of thing hanging over him.’ ‘Information, information. Please give me information,’ he silently urged his companion.
    ‘He met a girl while he was doing an Open University Degree course, and I believe she has given him a room. I don’t think it’s a serious relationship but apparently she was there when he needed someone.’ The Officer turned to field a question from another member of the group.
    ‘Oh yes, he is still in the garrison town. The girl works in her father’s car showroom and from what I gather isn’t short of money. Although I’m sure young Henderson will be giving her some of his savings towards food and things. He was a great saver while he was with us, more interested in his studies and the Third World than spending all he earned. I learned to respect him while he was in my company. He came from a pretty rough background, but had really worked hard to raise himself above it. It’s a damned shame it ended as it did. Now let’s change the subject, I shouldn’t be talking shop and boring the pants off you lot.’ There were mutters of sympathy for the ex Corporal, but probably most of it insincere. There was no smoke without fire.
    This could be quite a coup, he thought. An intelligent, articulate, educated but disenchanted young man probably without hope of ever achieving his dreams. Unless he was offered a helping hand. The Army had given the Organisation some very useful people and this could extend that success.
    Arriving home, he picked up a pad and created a flow chart for Corporal Henderson. It led him to the garrison town and an Open University student who worked in her father’s car showrooms.
    ‘It shouldn’t be too difficult to track that young man down,’ he said to himself, and set to work on the plan to tempt the ex-Corporal into the Organisation. More flow charts and it was there.
    On this occasion he decided to use a recruitment agency, he knew how they worked and soon found one that suited his needs. First he had to create the vacancy, and decided on the title of Business Development Manager. He devised a vague job description together with a location and remuneration package. Once this was done, he