Answers on a Postcard

[Gisela]

Heidi asked, “Why else would the House of Spies pick up the baton?”

We know from Edward's chat with his fist-clenched daughter that the House of Spies had their eye on what was happening with Sam in Russia. We also know from the same chat that the Home Guard (probably during breakfast between Edward and Phil - at the club) that HoS knew of Rebecca's connection to Sam. We also know that Edward and ALP (my hero) were old friends.

My read of ALP and his relationship with Phil is that he would have spoken with Phil: from ALP's chat with Geoff, we know ALP had spoken with Edward.

Also, the HoS was, in the main, off the ranch. If HoS had stayed on the ranch, would it have been picked up and ran with?

[Gail]

It's about money. Very early on, Harry's thoughts are on Geoff's present position: 'how to manage the service's ever dwindling resources'. If HoS had of been officially given the entire picture (maybe they were, but we never got to read of that) would they have had the finances to shoulder such an op? Would they have wanted to shoulder it? I'm with Heidi. I doubt it's credible to suggest HoS would have given that a stamp of approval. Phil said, 'I'll keep in on my desk as an op request, that way it won't go any further.' I'm sure there are ways in which senior people from HoS can move the pieces on the chessboard without raising eyebrows. Someone, I don't know who, mentioned that there is a history of financial backing from outside sources to help HoS ops.' It was always about the money. Sam is penniless. HoS survives on ever dwindling resources. Edward and ALP have buckets of it. Ops of this nature need heaps of cash. Without a few viable buckets, the plot has no credibility.

[Poppy]

'Someone, I don't know who, mentioned that there is a history of financial backing from outside sources to help HoS ops.'

I think it was John who mentioned there is reference to such in a book written by a former occupant of HoS (Inside Intelligence, maybe).

The idea of HoS being offered KGB flies on the understanding that the provenance is not known by the office would always be a stretch. The Sam/Rebecca dynamic does give that idea legs.