Scream Blue Murder: an action-packed thriller

by Tony J. Forder

  Faulkener put back his head and swore. “Fuck! A Marine! I could have done with that information beforehand.”

  Cooper nodded. “Though to be fair to Hedgeman, you failed to request an in-depth until your second op failed.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. “Noted. On the other hand, unless he was a combination of Navy Seal, SAS and James bloody Bond, there’s no way he took down four of my men on his own.”

  “Don’t forget, he did have a young woman and a little girl with him. Perhaps they were both in the paramilitary wing of the Girl Guides.”

  “I’ve got four dead men on my hands, Allison. Save the levity for later, eh.”

  “Says the man who just this second mentioned double-oh-seven.”

  “Okay, okay. Look, the fact is, this Lynch character now has some help. That much is obvious. The house for starters. Then the fact my men were taken down so easily. Now that I know his background, his time in the commandos is a good starting point to find out where this help is coming from. We could be dealing with a small team of ex-Marines for all we know.”

  “What does your source have to say for herself?”

  “Melissa Andrews is hardly my source, as well you know. She allowed us to track her, that’s all.”

  “Did she? Or was she leading your men into a trap, I wonder?”

  Faulkener shook his head. “No. Initially we got GCHQ to tamper with her phone, so that she believed she was texting Chris Dawson. Then we decided to add an unknown player into the mix, someone potentially neutral who would take care of her. I’m convinced she believed it at the time, and that she left her phone on hoping she would be tracked and rescued.”

  Cooper paused to consider this, pushing loose strands of hair behind her ears. “So, do you suspect Susan Healey passed a burner phone to Lynch before you took her out? And that it was this he used to contact someone from his past?”

  “That’s exactly my line of thinking. After which they were collected from Chippenham, taken to Peterborough. The surveillance equipment inside that house could not have been anticipated. Yet the team I sent took precautions. They did their job. And still they walked into a trap, but not one set up by Melissa Andrews.”

  “Which leaves us where, Simon?”

  “Hendricks is no longer an issue, for a start. I had one of my operatives take care of that. He managed to get close to the investigation team, but unfortunately acted a little nervously, believing he was about to be exposed as a fraud. As for Lynch and his little posse, the phone was left on, and has remained on.”

  She frowned. “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

  “Of course. Whoever is helping Lynch, perhaps even the man himself, had to have figured out after the raid that they were traced somehow. I don’t know how Andrews managed to convince Lynch that she had no phone with her, but in my opinion, that lie could not have survived the attempted strike action.”

  “So, they know then? Lynch and whoever.”

  “They do. They know something.”

  “And your next plan of action will be?”

  “Different now that I am fully aware of what we might be facing. But still to take them down.”

  “Very well. By the way, I saw that video you showed the woman in the safe deposit bank. A water pistol, Simon? Really?”

  He grinned. “It wasn’t my idea, but it was a nice touch, I thought. It did the trick. Got me into that box. Got you the information you needed on our target. We wouldn’t be standing here now without that info.”

  The Baroness stepped in and patted him on the arm. “Indeed we wouldn’t, and believe me the data was illuminating. Anyhow, take care of yourself, Simon. But get it done by nightfall. Or else.” Then she winked at him and walked away without a backward glance.

  31

  Terry and I remained in the kitchen. The stools were wooden with pads of covered foam. Not ideal for comfort, but acceptable. Melissa had come through to ask for drinks refills, but then without another word had returned to Charlie in the living room.

  “I know you’re angry with her,” Terry said when she had gone. “And you have a right to be. On the other hand, she’s young and was afraid of both the situation and you.”

  “I’ve already forgiven her,” I said. “I’m just not ready to tell her so.”

  Terry nodded and continued explaining how he saw things taking shape. He knew the land well, which was a major advantage. We agreed it would not take our adversaries long to get a handle on it, however. They would position themselves at compass points and in between as much as possible, depending on numbers. Close enough to act as well as survey, far enough away to remain invisible to the casual observer. They would figure out the landscape.

  “But not what runs beneath it,” Terry said.

  I looked up. “Beneath? You mean a tunnel?”

  “Tunnels. Plural. My guess is this was a smugglers’ cottage at some point. Some changes may even have been made during wartime; this area was used extensively for trench training. We are in a good position here, backing on to the river. Somewhere along the line it feeds into The Wash and The North Sea, and I don’t anticipate a major strike from that direction. If anything comes from there, it will be diversionary. One or two of the tunnels have fallen in, others I have extended. There’s a decent network going on down there.”

  “So, once we know they are here we leave the phone and use the tunnel system to escape while they are waiting for nightfall.”

  “Is one way to go,” Terry said. He then shook his head. “But not mine.”

  “I know. But why is that?”

  “You’re forgetting why I came here at all, Mike. We’re dealing with professional, determined people. They want you badly. We slip away today, we are safe for today. But what about tomorrow? Or next week? Next month, even?”

  “So, your plan is to… what the hell is your plan?” I was confused.

  “Take some down. Take one, preferably two prisoners. Persuade them to talk. Find out why you’re being hunted down like foxes.”

  “But we know that, Terry. We witnessed something we should not have seen.”

  He screwed up his face. Scratched his beard. “And I think you know I don’t completely buy that. There’s something more in play here. Some aspect of the full story we just aren’t seeing yet. Ray Dawson was murdered for a reason. You say they want you dead because you witnessed his murder. I say the reason they did it in the first place is what drives them on.”

  “You’re sure of that? It could be just that simple.”

  “Yeah, it could be. But it isn’t. Listen to your head, Mike. Mine is telling me a different story. I think yours is, too.”

  I let it go. It was all guesswork on our part. The whole thing. I knew all about gut feelings of the kind Terry was being guided by. In his case, the gnawing sensation relied an intuition borne of literally dozens of military operations and conflicts of one sort or another. I trusted the man’s instinct more than my own.

  “So, what do we do now. I mean, right now?” I asked.

  “First up, I introduce you to the defences. Second, I show you a way out if this all goes tits up.”

  Rising to my feet, I said, “So I’m not coming with you on your scavenger hunt?”

  “No, pal. I need backup of the kind that has to take place from here. Your job is to offer protection should they attempt a breach while I’m in the tunnels, or if they get in behind me. And if all of that starts to look dodgy, your job then is to take care of your baggage and get Mel and Charlie out of here.”

  I shook my head. “No way, Terry. My phone call dragged you into this mess. I’m not running away and leaving you just because things get a little hairy.”

  Now it was his turn to stand. The two of us faced each other. “Mike, nobody mentioned running away. Listen to me, who saves Mel and Charlie if you go down as well? Who? You want to leave them to their fate just to save face. I know what sort of man you are. If those two were not here, you would stand by my shoulder. I k
now that about you. But they are here. And your first duty is to them. And you’ll abide by that. You won’t want to, but you will. Because it’s the right thing to do.”

  I glared at him. Everything my friend had said was true, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. “I’m going to get some air,” I said, turning and walking away.

  Terry let me go.

  A few minutes later, Melissa entered the kitchen. “Charlie is lost in those cartoons,” she said.

  Terry leaned back against the counter where he had been tidying things away. He looked up, took in her lowered head and clasped, fidgeting hands. “No need to be so sheepish,” he told her. “There’s no anger towards you anymore. You did what you felt was right at the time.”

  She smiled; faint, but there. “I’m not so sure Mike feels the same way, but thank you for that. I heard raised voices. Are you two okay?”

  “Ah, a minor dispute. No problem.”

  “Mike clearly has a lot of faith in you. He was a wreck after what happened with his friend, but from the moment he called you he’s been so much more relaxed. I need to thank you again as well, Terry. For coming to get us, I mean. That and… all that’s happened since.”

  “No problem.”

  This time she coughed up a choked laugh. “Oh, I’m sure it’s been a massive problem. One way or another.”

  “It is what it is. Mike called. That’s enough. What followed, what happens now, it’s all fine.”

  “If that’s truly the case, then all I can say is that must be a pretty big debt you owe Mike.”

  Terry nodded. “He hasn’t told you, then. That’s typical of the man, Melissa. Not the man you think you know, perhaps, but the one I know for sure. To be frank, the debt I owe is bigger than I can ever repay.”

  “It is? How so?”

  “He told you he was wounded, right? But what he obviously didn’t tell you was that I was also injured in the same firefight. A lot worse than him. Mike stood over me and took three of them down, somehow managed to tend to my wounds, crouched by my side until the rescue vehicle came in and swept us up. I’m told I was down on the ground for the best part of two hours. Mike fought them off and stood guard all that time. We lost two of our friends in the first exchange, so only the two of us got out. That’s why I owe him. Why I would do anything for him.”

  “Even give up your life?” Melissa asked him.

  “Absolutely. I wouldn’t have a life to give up if it weren’t for him. He’s the reason I’m still here. Mike bought me time by putting his own life at risk. The least I can do is reciprocate.”

  She was quiet for several moments. Finally, she nodded and said, “I think I have to consider him in a different light from now on.”

  “Up to you. He’s done right by you so far. He might speak or act as if he doesn’t care, but he does. About you and Charlie both.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.”

  Terry clapped and rubbed his hands together. “Good. Now, in a short while you and I have to go over a few things. Important things. As soon as Mike and I are done planning our next move.”

  “Okay. But we’re in trouble, right? No better than the situation we were in earlier.”

  “Similar, but better. This time we are prepared. Or at least, we will be.”

  “I’m part of this,” she said. “Me and Charlie, and I speak for her. You and Mike are the ones doing the fighting, but it isn’t your battle alone.”

  “I understand, Melissa. For obvious reasons, decisions over tactics have to be mine and mine alone. But I won’t leave you in the dark. You’ll have your role to play. I promise you that.”

  When he was alone, Terry Cochran gave a sigh and turned his thoughts once more to what lay ahead. It was a long time since he had carried baggage other than fellow unit members. He hoped it was a burden he was able to bear.

  32

  I returned from a short walk around the perimeter of the house feeling a little embarrassed over my display of peevishness. I realised almost as soon as I left the kitchen that Terry had done all the right things so far, and that it was his duty to take a step up to cover both his friend and Mel and Charlie. The stroll had helped me to cool off, inside my head if not externally. The heat of the day climbed with the rise of the sun. Terry had thrown open several strategic windows to allow for a cooling through-draft, yet still I felt sweat falling from me and soaking my top. The draining, strength-sapping heat made me want to curl up on the floor somewhere and ride it out in torpor.

  “Sorry,” I said, eventually locating him in a small study. It was bare except for a desk, on which stood a laptop computer, and a spare fold-up chair leaning against a wall.

  Terry shook his head as if my apology was unnecessary. He waited for me to make myself comfortable on the chair before swiftly outlining his plan. He would initially run surveillance from the roof space and identify as many positions as he could. He would then confirm whatever else he could using CCTV equipment. Finally, he would use the underground system of tunnels to put himself amongst them.

  “You have a cloak of invisibility I don’t know about?” I asked, half grinning.

  “The tunnel exits are well-concealed. They would have to be extremely fortunate to spot them. They provide all the elements of surprise I need.”

  “So, the hope is that you can rise up from sheltered areas close enough to them that they won’t have time to either see or hear you coming. Certainly not enough time to react if they do.”

  “Precisely.” Terry nodded.

  “Well, depending on where they position themselves.”

  “Okay, less precisely.”

  “I know we’ve been down this road before, but can I make a suggestion?”

  “Go ahead.” Terry folded his arms across his chest.

  “Two of us can cover twice as many positions. Is it possible that by going down there with you it gives us a greater chance of success?”

  Terry scratched behind his ear. “Mike, I’m not going to lie to you. The answer is yes. If we both attempt a coordinated strike, we improve our odds significantly. But in doing so we leave our flank uncovered. I mentioned this earlier, and that hasn’t changed. My way, I can hit my priority target, quickly move underground again to strike at number two. I might manage a third before they realise what’s happening, maybe not. So, I funnel back and re-join you here. That way, if they do happen to get past me, or go around me above ground, their numbers ought to be depleted enough for you to take them down. We do it your way, and they get behind both of us, then Mel and Charlie have no chance.”

  I shook my head. “The way you describe it, Terry, I don’t like our chances at all. If two of us can’t prevent them entering the house, why do you think you can on your own?”

  “Mike, I’m not necessarily saying I can.”

  Now I realised the full ramifications of his strategy. It wasn’t anticipating complete success. It was expecting only a limited version, one which offered greater protection for Melissa and Charlie, but made Terry himself expendable.

  “This is your master plan?” I said. “One that has a high probability of you not making it back.”

  “I’m a great believer in myself, Mike. In my mind, there is only one outcome: I remove threats from a minimum of two, maximum of three positions, then you and I together remove the remainder. I’m not counting on sacrificing myself today or any other day, pal.”

  “I believe in you as well,” I told him. “But I’m also a realist.”

  “We’ve been in tighter situations than this. You, more than anyone else I know, understand all about that. The odds are not in our favour, but odds are confounded all the time.”

  “And I assume you have a plan for me?”

  “Of course. While I’m out there, I need you to keep them occupied as and when they approach. The loft area provides coverage of every side of the house, and there’s enough height that you won’t be bent double as you move. You can switch between firing positions, which will keep them busy a
nd make them believe there are more of us. That alone is likely to cause a drawback and reassessment. That buys me more time.”

  “There is going to be a well-drilled unit out there,” I pointed out, nodding towards the window. “With good resources, we must assume. What if they have plans of the property, tunnels and all?”

  Terry smiled, teeth white behind the beard. “Then we revert to Plan B.”

  “Which is?”

  “You remember we used to talk about the final scene from Butch and Sundance?”

  “Of course. And in my opinion, they shot their way out and escaped.”

  “There you go then. Plan B.”

  While Terry was up in the roof space, preparing the firing positions, I gathered together weapons and munitions from the substantial subterranean armoury my friend had earlier shown me. I placed sniper rifles, close-contact automatic rifles, handguns, knives, flash-bang grenades and the real things in strategic positions around the house. If someone broke through our meagre defences, we were not going to be found short of firepower.

  Preparations did not take long. Now it was all about waiting, and if Terry was correct about the probable timing of an attack, there were still an awful lot of hours yet to kill.

  Hanging around for something to happen was not one of my remaining virtues. On Iraqi battlefields, I spent about ninety percent of the time kicking my heels, the remainder in a flurry of fevered activity. It was during those few moments where every sense became amplified.

  Most people never have to see the remains of a person who has just been blown apart by an explosive. It was something you never forgot, I reflected. And never stop seeing, either. Not even when you are asleep.

  Explosions and the sound of bullets being fired was just noise, promoting a visceral reaction. The sound that lingered most of all in warfare was the screams. I had discussed this often with my fellow commandos. To a man they agreed that those harrowing cries were more chilling than any other sound they had ever heard. Often your own colleagues, sometimes women and children caught up between warring factions. Like the mental image of body parts and physical carnage, the screams never left you.