Not far from that hotel, Control had been undergoing indoctrination for several days, and taken to it surprisingly well. Both impressionable and malleable, he showed he might be useful in a role befitting his patriotic inner core and become an informer. Having regurgitated every morsel of knowledge he possessed about the environmental lobby, he undertook to continue as before, but confide to a secure source whatever the current business of the lobby happened to be. He would become a spy, and be fulfilled at last.
Experience had taught a salutary lesson and Control had come through, colours flying bravely. Important people were so impressed that he had been chosen to play a part in the war against terror, particularly to kiss and tell. He had come at last to understand that many subversives now espoused ‘green’ organisations to destabilise an overly kindly State. A call for bio-diversity was a suitably vague excuse to cause disaffection.
He supposed that his cell would be disbanded, and its members perhaps arrested. To his surprise, the reverse was required of him. His cell was to be expanded, given growth hormones by unexplained, shadowy folk. His covert life as Control would define him. Regular emoluments would be paid into his account. Additional honoraria would be granted whenever information proved vital to national security. He would emerge from this chrysalis a new being. In Le Carre-speak he had become ‘a grown-up’.
Control was removed to a pleasant guesthouse where he was shown film footage of certain ‘greens’ whom he recognised and was mentored in the ways of their wickedness. He had rubbed noses with the practitioners of dark arts. That he had been led to the brink, then pulled back at the last possible moment, became evident. Fulfilment of his destiny excited him.
Most thrilling of all had been his introduction to true tradecraft. They had insisted on this despite being visibly impressed by his sublime techniques in the field. “Another George Smiley, I swear,” one said admiringly after a discussion on dead letter drops.
Job security concerns met with dismissive laughter. Did he not realise the power that now supported him? His employer had been contacted and his job was safe. Officially, he had been ill. Companies understood, had to if they knew what was good for them (a knowing wink). He was one of the elite now. There were perks. He would find out for himself soon enough, of course he would.
They had already concocted a story for the benefit of the three remaining cell members who had been lightly questioned, and also field any queries from green lobbyists regarding abrupt disappearances and reappearances. His ex-girlfriend figured largely in the yarn. He liked that. It coloured his background, gave him a roguish persona.
He made telephone calls to establish the fable and prepare for his return. His mail had been collected at his apartment and delivered to him. A red letter demand for a bill he had forgotten to pay was settled on his behalf.
He had recognised his fault and been uncomplaining throughout his brief incarceration. “Model pupil,” had been one accolade. Then Guthrie came to visit and was immediately recognised by Control as an embodiment of hidden corridors of power. Guthrie’s decision to cancel an engagement in order to stay for lunch occasioned excitement and gratitude.
And it was much more than simply gratifying to receive praise from this mandarin whose life in the service of the State was one of stratagem and subtle device. The viscount spent a private hour impressing the new man with his erudition, enthralling his asset with boyish charm. It gave a peek into the domain of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Finally, regretfully it seemed, Guthrie had risen from their table. He had been greatly impressed by Control whom he would henceforth regard as both colleague and protégé. He begged pardon for the presumption of a fellow conspirator, and he smiled his knowing smile, an inclusive smile that spoke a thousand coded words.
There was one final thing. As a man rehabilitated, there would, of course, be no charge under the Terrorism Act of 2006.