The twyford code, p.14
The Twyford Code, page 14
(00:01:47)
Got to chase that b[EXPLICIT]cks out me head. It’s got to be real. Got to be.
Audio File 116
Date: 19.06.19 08:58
Audio quality: Good
Trousers still damp, but nice and warm. Got no tail. Confident of that. Nearly nine o’clock [DecipherItTM time ref 510229-13151]. Should leave now but something stopping me. Know what it is. Don’t want a see him. Too soon. Nothing to say. Or too much to say and no words. One minute want to knock s[EXPLICIT]t out of him and the next (. . .) don’t know. Need to see if missiles book is hidden under decades of his clutter. Why don’t I just go? Or call him? I got his number. What am I afraid of ?
(00:00:12)
I tell you what. There’s somewhere else I have to (. . .) I’ll go there instead. Pay my respects.
.hhhh hhhh Can I forget this and go back? Apologise to Maxine. Look for a new job. Another hostel placement. Pretend everything that happened never did. Because to be quite truthful (. . . .) I don’t know. I looked at those pages last night and I saw something. I looked again this morning and whatever I saw had gone. If something as solid and permanent as a printed page can be bent, moulded, made to fit, then surely nothing is solid or permanent at all.
Audio File 117
Date: 19.06.19 09:09
Audio quality: Good
Can’t remember where I got up to. Still can’t listen back to these files. Did I say how I left it with Nate?
In his converted garage, Nate shows me the Twyford Code forum on the web. Over time the mystery has grown in people’s minds, he says, it’s human nature. If something’s just out of reach it becomes the very thing you think will make your life complete. Reminds me of what the affable owner of Edith Twyford’s cottage said about the code. About Maeve and Lionel’s search for the golden hair. Reminds me of a lot a things.
(00:01:06)
I said Andy Harrison was a planner. By that, I don’t mean he had a flip chart and made lists in rainbow pens. He wrote nothing down. Suited me.
When Andy had his sights set on a big hit, he’d put together a team from his inner circle and engage us in painstaking preparation. He’d have to be satisfied we could pull the job off. Ironically, given his line of work, he was no risk taker. We could spend years working on a job only for it never to happen. If he thought it might go to s[EXPLICIT]t, he’d pull the plug, abandon the whole thing. Even with hours to go. No word of a lie, he’d call a job off halfway through. Takes courage that. There’s a basic human need to make time already spent seem worthwhile. Not for Andy, and that saved us on many occasions, I’m certain.
The big hits were what we lived for. Not only Kos they meant a few months, or more, of high living, but because they were exciting. Simple as. Exciting and that sense of, what? (. . .) Achievement, afterwards. Yeah, achievement.
Take the Belgravia job. We spent a year planning, four dummy runs and two attempts before we finally did it. After such a long build-up, the execution was electric. That third time went like clockwork. Every aspect of the job in perfect harmony with every other. Like a ballet. It was beautiful. And I was part of it. The high from that one lasted weeks. Longer than the money did, in my case.
Booked into a suite at the Savoy. Hired a Lambo. Drove through the west end with a girl. Treated her to dresses and handbags. Nothing was too expensive. Exclusive restaurants. Bottle a bubbly every time. New Bond Street for watches. Hatton Garden for cufflinks and rings. Burlington Arcade, handmade shoes. Then Savile Row. Parked on double yellows while I got measured. Tailors buzzing round, does sir want this or that? Then .hhhh my reflection in them togs (. .) that’s who I would a been if things had gone right for me from a nipper. It’s who I REALLY am hhhh yeah (. . . .) didn’t last long.
(00:00:16)
Nate. He knows so much about the code he’s gun a be useful in my search for missiles. As I’m leaving he goes all misty-eyed. The Twyford Code is subtle, he says, it’s a cerebral thing. That’s what’s so great about it, Steve. He gives me a soppy grin. I feel a tightness unravel in me chest. Funny feeling that. Think it’s (. .) is it? (. . .) Forgiveness.
[End Transcript]
Audio Files Batch 7
[Start Transcript]
Audio File 118
Date: 19.06.19 11:50
Audio quality: Good
Sun’s out. Didn’t recognise the place at first. Back then, there were a f[EXPLICIT]k-off fence. Derelict wharf, blind windows, and an old abandoned dock. Twisted limbs of wood like a skeleton trapped in the water. Nasty shifting mass a toxic sludge under a layer a litter. S[EXPLICIT]t no one wants.
NOW, there’s a proper path all the way from the DLR. Café. Sundial. Flower beds in the shape of a crest. Neat grass. A little monument to something. Plaque. Kiddies on swings. Young guns swoop past on skateboards and bikes. I’m sat here on this bench, watching the river go by. Closest we been in forty years. Literally. Gives me a shiver that, but not a nasty one. More (. .) .hhhhhh (. . . .) Colin were right. It’s nice here. Why’d they still call it Mud Sump? Horrible name for such a beautiful place.
(00:07:11)
They’re still here. Down there. No one knows but me and Colin. Can’t tell my son. He won’t know where to pay his respects and they’re his grandparents (. . .) Never knew their own grandson (. . . .) in my head I introduce em and they’re dead pleased he’s turned out so well. That he speaks and writes so nice. That people look up to him at work. That he ain’t like me at all. They’re relieved and sad at the same time. Light and heavy (. . .) Would he think well a them? Can’t answer, can I?
(00:03:47)
Plaque on this bench. Mustard bin put there in memory a someone. What’s it say now? (. . . .) Let us crave youth, in some weary harbour, obscure. In mind imagine greatness, high towers, heaven’s anchor. Vain endeavour becomes endless (. . .) ethereal notions (. . . . .) What is that, Latin?
(00:00:59)
So missiles mustard given old Mr Wilson instructions to return my book. He delivers it to Colin, who keeps it. Like he keeps everything. Time stands still in that maisonette. Everything in there stands still with him. Trapped. Buried in the past (. . .) In the safest place for it.
Audio File 119
Date: 19.06.19 12:31
Audio quality: Good
The benefits of Andy’s attention to detail rarely paid off during a job itself. More often than not, THAT was a simple smash-and-grab, the least of our worries. It’s what happens next that makes or breaks. You pull your mask off, clap eyes on the haul, maybe touch it if you dare (. . .) allow yourself a single breath of relief, but just one, because that’s when the main game begins.
It’s when you’re most vulnerable. Bill has the advantage. He can sit back, watch, whistle and wait. It’s when any mug who fancies their chances will make their move to rob you of what’s newly yours. It’s when a fool with a grudge could take advantage.
You keep busy, cover your tracks, protect your interests, ensure no one loses their cool, cracks, blabs, turns or rats. All while you appear to drift about your normal business with not a care in the world. Andy not only prepared us for this twilight period, he made sure only his most trusted personnel were party to the whole truth. Otherwise, he’d tell different people different details, to protect the organisation and all of us within it, but mainly to protect the prize, the spoils, the loot, the haul, the treasure. That way he kept the truth, whatever it was, on the move. Smart (. . . . .) Wait. What’s.
Audio File 120
Date: 19.06.19 12:42
Audio quality: Good
Incoming call.
Caller:Steve, hi mate=
Source:What? (. . .) () DONNA=
Caller:You alright? Who were those blokes, Smithy? Didn’t like the look a them. Was in two minds whether to leave you=
Source:Wait, wait. Need to switch this off=
Caller:Alex called. She wants to talk. First time since she got there. Our youngest won’t settle. He’s asking for me=
Source:Yeah, great. I need to=
Caller:It’s a second chance, Steve=
Source:I’m trying to=
Caller:Thing is .hhhh hhhh I can’t help with your project any more=
Source:I know, you told me=
Caller:Said I’d still help, and you know I like that fantasy stuff, but sorry, mate. Just can’t do it now=
Source:This button don’t=
Caller:See, I only get so much leave from work=
Source:Fine. Got a turn this off=
Caller:There’s Nate, though, he’s great with tech=
Source:Yeah, yeah, don’t. Here, got it. Off.
End call [?error].
Audio File 121
Date: 19.06.19 12:56
Audio quality: Good
Calling.
Caller:Shell, it’s Steve. You free tomorrow?
Source:No, I’m speaking at a girls’ school. Convincing them to study science=
Caller:Only Donna’s gone AWOL and Nate (. . .) well, he’s done a lot lately=
Source:Steve, I can’t. When you’re ready, come to us. No food or drink, remember=
Caller:S[EXPLICIT]t this f[EXPLICIT]king thing’s still on.
End call [?error].
Audio File 122
Date: 19.06.19 13:05
Audio quality: Good
Sun’s in me eyes. Can barely see the screen. What’s going on? (. . .) It’s recording all me phone calls. How do I stop it? F[EXPLICIT]k me sideways.
[background noise]
Who’s this now? Unknown number. Well, Dad (. . . .) Mum. Hope you get more peace than I’m getting here. HELLO?
Audio File 123
Date: 19.06.19 13:06
Audio quality: Good
Incoming call.
Caller:May I speak to Steven Smith please?
Source:He’s busy. Who’s calling?
Caller:Oh. Well, it’s not urgent. I’ll call at a better time.
Source:Hold on. What’s it about?
Caller:It’s Jobcentre Plus. About his application for a housing grant. But if he’s not=
Source:Didn’t realise I’d applied for (. .) HE’d applied for a housing grant?
Caller:The application is automatic on release. Not to worry. I’ll call another=
Source:We:::::ll, I can see if he’s available.
Caller:I thought you said he=
Source:Oh, he’ll definitely want to take this call. Just wait one moment. (00:00:10)
Source:Hello. I’m Steven Smith. How can I help you?
Caller:Good to speak with you finally. I’m Robbie from Jobcentre Plus.
Source:What a SURPRISE. Great to hear from you. How can I help?
Caller:Good news. Your housing grant is approved.
Source:That IS good news=
Caller:AND it’s calculated from your date of release. There’s over a thousand pounds. Enough for a tenancy deposit=
Source:A grand? Sweet.
Caller:All you need do is collect the first check.
Source:It’s paid by CHECK?
Caller:Frayed so. An anti-fraud measure. All subsequent instalments are made by bank transfer, but you MUST collect the first payment in person. Sorry.
Source:No, don’t be. It’s not a problem.
Caller:So, can you pop into the Jobcentre tomorrow?
Source:I (. . .) I guess so.
Caller:Bring ID and ask on the front desk for Robbie.
End call.
Audio File 124
Date: 19.06.19 14:54
Audio quality: Good
So finally visited me folks [background noise] you got to laugh. It’s heavy in me chest still, but different. Feels a bit lighter. Or maybe I got stronger so it’s easier to carry. One or the other.
A lot of talk inside about feelings. How feelings are like visitors with something to give you. If they knock on your door: answer. Let em in. Accept the gift. Say cheers, mate. Otherwise, they said, the feeling will go away and you won’t get the gift.
I disagree. If a feeling knocks and no one answers, it’ll get p[EXPLICIT]d off. It’ll kick the door in, chuck the gift at you and smash your best ornaments so you don’t disrespect it again. You’ll be clearing up a lot more mess than you had to start with. So it’s good, Maxine, to cry if you want. Remember that.
Lucy called, so excited I could hardly understand her. Lorraine’s off and she’s noticed something but didn’t want a talk on the phone. So, here I am back at the library.
Audio File 125
Date: 19.06.19 15:34
Audio quality: Good
Voice 1:You see here, there’s an N delineated between the dartboards. Whereas on the second illustration it’s either a V, two Vs or a double you. It could also be two ewes rather than Vs. Now, if it’s an N and a double you, then the numbers on the dartboards MIGHT, and I stress might, be latitude and longitude coordinates. North and west. Which means Edith and her husband were indicating a VERY specific location. (. . .) Isn’t it EXCITING?
Voice 2:Right, Lucy, tomorrow I’ll have the dosh to buy a map=
Voice 1:[background noise] STEVE, no one uses maps. I’ve already found the place. Well, it’s a number of potential places, you’ll see. I’ve been organising the numbers into possible coordinates all day and I, or GoogleTM anyway, has identified several precise locations=
Voice 2:Amazing=
Voice 1:All in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean=
Voice 2:Oh.
Voice 1:BUT there are a few others I found by using the SAME numbers and assuming that some may include decimal points. For example, here’s one on the Ivory Coast in West Africa. And this one: a wine bar in wreck some and HERE, a derelict listed building in Liverpool.
Voice 2:Might be worth a butcher’s=
Voice 1:But, Steve, there’s something EVEN stranger about this. It’s a photograph of Edith Twyford taken in the early 1940s. She didn’t have GoogleTM. She’d have to access detailed maps drawn by the military to pinpoint locations SO accurately. Perhaps that’s believable if we consider Edward’s connections. Yet there’s a funny thing about all three places, RIGHT now. It’s too much of a coincidence to be (. . .) pure coincidence.
Voice 2:Go on.
Voice 1:Here, this position on the Ivory Coast, is a local money wiring service. The wine bar in wrecks em is called The Bank. That derelict listed building in Liverpool (. . .) used to be a bank. The longitude and latitude references of all three feature the SAME numbers in the SAME order. It’s only spaces and decimal points that make the coordinates different.
Voice 2:That’s=
Voice 1:Mindblowing, Steve. It’s beyond chance. (00:02:11)
Voice 2:Lucy, I’m gun a come into some money tomorrow. It’s legit. I can top up the car, drive to wreck sum and Liverpool. I don’t know how much tickets to the Ivory Coast are, but=
Voice 1:I SHOULD say no, Steve. It’s UTTERLY preposterous. But I’m SO excited I’m going to say YES. That’s a VERY good idea. And you know the BEST thing about it? It’s my day off tomorrow. I can come too.
Audio File 126
Date: 19.06.19 18:56
Audio quality: Good
Bit busier in here tonight. Not just on the treadmills and weights either. Watched a couple of exchanges go down just now. Spotted the dealer, but credit where it’s due, most wouldn’t. There he is now, on the lateral pull-down machine. Even my expert eye don’t pick him out straight away. You can spot the swaggering plonkers, surrounded by cronies, a mile off. But this young gun’s smart. Literally. Expensive gym gear, discreet logos. Tidy haircut. Slight beard. Nothing about him stands out. Instantly forgettable. That’s what you want. Wonder what his story is.
(0:03:33)
He does his own juggling. That leaves him exposed. Still, it takes more bottle to step back and trust others to work for you. Second nature to him. But that don’t mean he can teach someone else. Maybe he has trust issues. Rightly so. A little bit of para goes a long way. But you have to relinquish some control to grow your business. Manage people. Motivate them to work their arses off and not kick you in the teeth once they learn the ropes. The Harrisons raised us boys in that Merton annexe for a good reason. Inspiring loyalty in others is a priceless skill (. . .)
Lucy’s got a new lead. Turns out the pictures in Edith Twyford’s study could be map references. I’m gun a visit two of em, see what’s what. She invited herself but. What harm? Anything. Anything to get away from the smoke and (. .) missiles book (. . . . .) Colin (. . . . .)
Nate texted. Asked how I am. Said did I need anything looked up online. Nice of him. Didn’t mention the trip tomorrow. Let him sit in his garage and believe strangers’ theories (. . . .) because at least he’s safe there.
Audio File 127
Date: 20.06.19 08:59
Audio quality: Good
Voice 1:Need to fill up before we set off, Steve?
Voice 2:Have to get the dosh first. Gun a nip from the Jobcentre to the bank. Wait here, and if a traffic warden turns up, sa:::::y (. . .) I’m sorry, but as an important doctor I had to hop off and save a little nipper’s life before I could park legally.
Voice 1:Or I could NOT tell an elaborate lie and simply move the car. Leave the keys.
Audio File 128
Date: 20.06.19 09:17
Audio quality: Poor
[background noise] It doesn’t matter, Steve. [background noise] No, I insist. I’ll pay for petrol and anything else we need. I’m sure the Jobcentre just made a mistake. Now, let’s go. [background noise]
