Peele was considered again as the new "C" after Gibbs' departure, but
Wellingham and Burnside succeeded in blocking it. Peele resigned and
received a knighthood as a consolation prize. Soon afterwards, he died
of a stroke. It's whispered in the halls of the SIS that on his deathbed
he blamed Neil.
Edward Tyler's body was flown home from Malta at SIS expense, and buried
near London. For several years thereafter, Neil had dinner occasionally
with Tyler's widow and children. Russian and American "watchers" have
twice photographed Burnside at Tyler's grave.
Diane Lawler (P.A. to D.Ops #1) left the Service and had a couple of
children. She remains as demurely sarcastic as ever. She is working
slowly on a tell-all book about her time in the SIS, which she intends
to publish once she thinks she is too old to be imprisoned; she has made
secret arrangements with a large American publishing house to print it
posthumously if she dies first. The book treats Neil rather acerbically,
but her basic fondness for him shows through. It is, however, positively
vitriolic on the subject of Matthew Peele.
Marianne Straker (P.A. to D.Ops #2) learned enough about the
Sandbaggers' job while working for Neil to apply for training to become
the second female Sandbagger. Neil succeeded in preventing it, wanting
her to stay on as his P.A. This backfired, as she was infuriated by his
attempt to limit her career. She now holds a classified position at M.I.
5.
The Duty Ops Officer in the Ops Room eventually retired to a bungalow in
Cornwall. He enjoys gardening and visits from his grandchildren. He
reads H. Rider Haggard novels to them before bed, and wishes he could
tell them some exciting stories that are also true.
Tom Elliott's body was found by Bulgarian authorities when neighbors
complained about the smell. Since the flat was rented through the
Embassy as a safe house, Neil had to move fast to cover the connection.
Elliott's body was cremated. His only memorial is a footnote in SIS
files.
Alan Denson is simply another forgotten casualty of the Cold War. His
parents remain devastated and bewildered by his death.
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