Three Lives Down (A Dan Taylor thriller)

by Rachel Amphlett

  ‘Is the Prime Minister okay?’

  ‘A bit shaken, but yes.’

  ‘Where’s Sarah?’

  ‘With Mel. David will explain.’

  ‘All right, what’s the plan?’

  Mitch shrugged. ‘David told me to get you as far away from London as I could within half an hour and then phone him on this.’ He held up a mobile.

  ‘Okay, let’s do it.’

  Mitch put the phone on the car roof, dialled a number, and made sure the speaker setting was on.

  David answered before the first ring tone had ended.

  ‘Are you safe?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Dan. ‘Thanks. What’s going on?’

  ‘Apart from the Prime Minister having to admit his error in insisting on an extremely public press conference you mean?’ David sighed. ‘We’re in damage control here.’

  ‘What’s happened?’ Dan looked at Mitch and raised an eyebrow, but the other man shrugged and shook his head.

  ‘MI5 were running an operation of their own to try to draw Malikov out, to see if he made a mistake. They failed, so they waited to see if our plans worked. They infiltrated the bunker and confiscated Mel’s computers about an hour ago. Mel and Sarah have made formal statements. They’re not going to be charged, but our investigation has been taken over by MI5.’

  ‘Shit.’ Dan met Mitch’s eyes over the expanse of the car and noticed the same shock that he felt register in the other man’s face.

  ‘There’s no easy way to tell you this,’ David added, his tone grim. ‘Hugh Porchester’s wife and twelve-year-old daughter had been kidnapped by a rogue Russian group based here in the UK, led by Malikov,’ he said. ‘In order to keep them safe and get her back, Porchester had been made to agree to overthrow the PM’s attempts to stay in the EU and help the Russians sabotage the government’s fracking project.’

  ‘Are they okay?’

  There was a moment’s pause at the end of the line. ‘Malikov executed them both,’ said David. ‘MI5 think he realised it was the end for him, so he shot them before the house could be breached.’

  Dan staggered and reached out to lean against the car. Next to him, Mitch put his hands on his head and turned away, swearing profusely.

  ‘Jesus.’ Dan ran his hand over his face. ‘Why weren’t we told of this before, David?’

  ‘Because people outside of the EPG decided to use us as bait.’

  Dan’s head jerked up, and he saw the same confusion as he felt cross Mitch’s face.

  ‘They did what?’

  ‘It wasn’t just a case of waiting to see if we were successful,’ said David. ‘It seems that Hugh Porchester was willing to help the Russians up to a point. We were right about that. When you started getting too close to the truth, he tried to back away from whatever deal he’d struck with Malikov. And it appears that MI5 knew all about it.’

  Dan felt bile rise in his throat. ‘So, if I hadn’t kept the pressure on him, his wife and daughter would still be alive,’ he said.

  ‘We don’t know that for sure,’ said Mitch. ‘Isn’t that right?’

  Mitch glared at the phone, waiting for David’s response.

  ‘No, we don’t,’ agreed David. ‘There’s something else you should know, too. Lily Porchester was Malikov’s ex-wife.’

  Mitch slammed the palm of his hand on the roof of the car. ‘This just gets better,’ he snarled and turned away.

  Dan concentrated on keeping his breathing calm, knowing that if he lost his temper, David would be reluctant to divulge any more information. He held up his hand to silence Mitch.

  ‘David? What did you mean, we were used as bait?’ he said. ‘What’s been going on?’

  ‘I’ll keep it brief,’ said David. ‘I don’t have much time. Essentially, from what I’ve been able to gather since Porchester was shot, is that there’s a rogue element within the Russian government that are extremely worried about the effect EU sanctions are having on their country.’

  ‘That’s a good thing, though, isn’t it?’ said Mitch. ‘That’s the whole point of the sanctions being in place.’

  ‘It is, if it makes the Russian government back down,’ said David. ‘The problem is, this rogue element doesn’t believe that’s ever going to happen, not with the current leader they’ve got, and that’s what’s had MI5 so concerned. Malikov and his backers decided to take advantage of the British leadership’s stance on the UK’s place within the European Union and persuade them to use those negotiations to ease away from the EU restrictions on Russian gas exports.’

  ‘But he could only do that if Porchester persuaded the Prime Minister to include that in his negotiations,’ said Dan. He frowned and rubbed his chin. ‘That’s what Heatherington was driving at – the cost of gas without Russian imports is going to increase due to an ageing population.’

  ‘Right,’ said David. ‘But the Prime Minister doesn’t want to lose his vetoing powers within the EU, so he was reluctant to even put that on the table. Instead, he decided to press ahead with the Northumberland project to prove to the public that fracking for gas was a more viable option.’

  ‘So, Malikov arranged for the theft of the isotope in the hope that he’d force the Prime Minister back to the negotiating table,’ said Mitch. ‘He sabotaged the development programme.’

  ‘How did Porchester get involved with that?’ asked Dan.

  ‘We’re helping with the investigation now,’ said David. ‘Mel’s working with the other security agencies, and it seems that Porchester may have approached the Russians first to test the water about the possibility of a new gas deal with them before the party in-fighting started. Once the air cleared and he found himself in a better position of power, it looks like he tried to back out of those negotiations.’

  ‘And the Russians didn’t like it,’ Dan finished.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘What was in it for Porchester, though?’ asked Mitch. ‘Before his family were kidnapped, I mean.’

  ‘Probably a place on the board of any UK company Malikov set up to manage the gas import business here,’ said David. ‘He was too damn greedy to settle for life as a public servant. Mel’s finally been given access to the other files she was trying to trace; it looks as if Malikov was providing a monthly sweetener to Porchester on the side, provided he continued to play his part, of course. Once Porchester realised that his plans might be uncovered and tried to back out, Malikov kidnapped his wife and daughter to force him to see the plan through.’

  Dan shook his head. ‘I can’t believe how arrogant this Malikov is,’ he spat. ‘He just thinks he can force this government to abide by his rules.’

  ‘Money talks,’ said Mitch.

  ‘True,’ said David. ‘And the only way to ensure their plans didn’t go wrong was to make sure the key members of the Energy Protection Group were well out of the way. At the end of the day, it was Porchester that handed over your mission details to the Russians, no-one else. He did that voluntarily. Malikov’s men only took Porchester’s wife and daughter to make sure he didn’t back down once he realised how close you were to ruining Malikov’s plans.’

  ‘What’s the Prime Minister doing now?’ asked Dan.

  David cleared his throat. ‘He’s advised everyone here that he’s going to meet with Malikov.’

  ‘What? Why?’ Dan stepped closer to the phone, unable to believe what he was hearing.

  ‘I’m presuming to try to clear this up in such a way that the public don’t find out that their government was nearly ousted by a Russian-backed coup,’ said David.

  ‘Where’s he meeting him?’ asked Mitch. ‘Surely he wouldn’t bring him back to London with all the press focus there?’

  ‘A team have been sent to collect Malikov from his house. They’ll take him to the PM’s country residence,’ said David. ‘The PM wants to speak to him in private.’

  ‘He fucking used us,’ snapped Dan. ‘He knew damn well what would happen. It’s kind of convenient he’s managed to
keep Malikov alive so he can talk to him, isn’t it? Thanks to us.’

  ‘We can’t prove anything,’ said David. ‘And be careful you don’t broadcast that point of view anywhere outside of the EPG.’

  ‘It’s true, though, isn’t it?’ said Mitch. ‘The Prime Minister didn’t want us near Malikov. Why?’

  Dan snapped his fingers. ‘He’s going to make a deal with him.’

  A silence fell while Mitch and David let his words sink in.

  ‘Jesus Christ,’ Mitch murmured eventually. ‘That’s it, isn’t it? Get rid of Porchester and start off on a clean slate with Malikov – or his contacts back in Russia.’

  Dan nodded. ‘It’ll give the PM a back-up plan, just in case the European Union issue him with an ultimatum – stay in or get out and fend for yourselves.’

  ‘Hang on a minute,’ interrupted David. ‘This is all just conjecture. You’ve got nothing to prove that’s the case. So, in the meantime, we support the PM. Is that understood?’

  ‘Jesus,’ murmured Dan and rubbed his hand across his face. ‘What happened to Malikov’s men?’

  ‘They were all killed during the raid,’ said David. ‘Although they probably had links to other groups based here in the UK. MI5 are going through the data now.’ He paused. ‘Hang on.’

  Dan glanced across the roof of the car at Mitch, and then turned up the volume on the phone.

  Someone else had entered David’s office and was speaking to him, their voices muted as if they were deliberately talking out of range.

  Dan decided to press on, ignoring the interruption.

  ‘How did they manage to get so close to Porchester’s family?’ he asked. ‘Surely Porchester’s daughter would have been watched.’

  ‘Sadly with the number of terrorist threats MI5 have to deal with, keeping an eye on the Russians was well down the list,’ said David. ‘And unless you’re the Prime Minister, you don’t qualify for the sort of high-level protection that was needed in this case.’

  ‘What happens now?’ asked Mitch, his face pale.

  Their boss’s tone changed. ‘Whichever way we look at it, Dan, you pushed Porchester in front of the PM, and because of your actions, he was killed by a sniper,’ said David. ‘I realise you were acting on the information we had at hand, but we’ve got to deal with that.’

  Dan looked at Mitch, and both men shrugged.

  ‘So, we face another Parliamentary committee hearing?’ asked Mitch. ‘I’d better dust off my suit.’

  ‘Not exactly,’ said David. ‘The story being given to the press is that a man is being held for questioning by police in relation to the shooting of Hugh Porchester.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Hear me out, Dan. It’s for your own safety,’ explained David. ‘It’s going to take a while to gather all the evidence so a Parliamentary enquiry can take place. You will get your name cleared, but we need to play by their rules for now.’

  ‘So, what do you want me to do?’

  There was a slight pause at the other end of the line before David spoke. ‘I’m sure you’ll think of something. We’ll have a complete debrief when you get back to base here. There are a few people that would like to talk to you.’

  Dan frowned and looked at Mitch.

  The other man shook his head and put a finger to his lips, before leaning closer to the mobile phone.

  ‘Understood,’ he said, his voice doing little to hide his frustration. ‘We’ll head back as soon as we’re done here.’

  Dan raised an eyebrow, but Mitch shook his head again.

  ‘Before you both go,’ said David. ‘The Prime Minister asked me to convey his gratitude for your work today. His actual words were “tell them they were outstanding”.’

  ‘I should hope so,’ Dan growled. ‘I’ve put my bloody life on the line for him.’

  ‘I hope so, too,’ said Mitch. ‘We’ve got his car.’

  CHAPTER 58

  Mitch ended the call and looked at Dan and then frowned. ‘What?’

  ‘You tell me. David obviously isn’t telling us everything,’ said Dan. ‘Why didn’t you want me to say anything to him?’

  ‘Because he wasn’t alone and probably wanted you to be careful what you said,’ replied Mitch. ‘Otherwise he wouldn’t have pulled the whole “people would like to talk to you” line, would he?’

  Dan tugged at his ear. ‘You think someone else is in charge now?’

  ‘You want to know what I think?’ said Mitch and then continued without waiting for an answer. ‘I’ll tell you what I think. I think the minute we walk in that office, you’re going to be arrested. They’ll put you in a military prison, and they might let you out in a year or so, once they’ve got all their stories lined up and ensured their arses are covered.’

  Dan felt a cold chill across his shoulders, despite the warmth of the end of the afternoon.

  He swore and stepped away from the car.

  He rubbed his thumb over one of the scabs that still clung to his chin, and touched the indentation underneath that would surely leave yet another scar on his body.

  As he ran through the conversation with David in his head, he began to understand Mitch’s concerns. David had a habit of being cagey at best, but had never dodged a direct question before. Ever.

  What do you want me to do?

  I’m sure you’ll think of something.

  Was David trying to warn him?

  Or was he trying to give him another sort of message?

  He lowered his head and glanced at Mitch.

  The other man had his back turned to him, hands on hips, staring at the lowering sun over the tree line at the edge of the field beyond where they’d parked the car.

  I’m sure you’ll think of something.

  Dan swallowed then turned and made his way back to the vehicle.

  ‘Three lives, Mitch,’ he said as he drew closer. ‘Why the hell didn’t any of us realise he was being blackmailed?’

  ‘It didn’t start off as blackmail,’ said Mitch. ‘You heard David. Mel had the evidence to prove Porchester had taken Malikov’s money willingly to further his career.’

  ‘And by the time he realised what Malikov was really capable of, it was too late to back off,’ said Dan, pacing beside the vehicle. ‘But how did the security services find out where Porchester’s wife and daughter were being held so quickly?’

  Mitch’s eyes opened wide. ‘He knew. The PM knew they’d been kidnapped.’

  ‘So, why didn’t he do anything to help them?’ Dan stopped. ‘Christ, he was using them as well.’ He stared at Mitch. ‘He knew where to find them, but he didn’t order the rescue until he knew Porchester was out of the picture. He didn’t want to alert Malikov that MI5 were onto him.’

  ‘And then it was too late to save them,’ finished Mitch. ‘And now, the PM is going to arrange a meeting with Malikov once he’s in custody.’

  Dan raised his gaze to the horizon, lost in thought for a moment, before he exhaled.

  ‘This stinks.’

  He shook his head and concentrated on the traffic passing over the motorway bridge above their heads. He checked his watch. It was too early for commuters. Less traffic compared to what there would be in, say, an hour from now.

  ‘We need to move,’ Mitch said and gestured to the parked car. ‘You heard David. We have to report in, make formal statements.’

  ‘Malikov will get away with it,’ murmured Dan and then blinked and fixed his stare on Mitch. ‘If Malikov ransomed Porchester’s family, who’s to say he hasn’t blackmailed other politicians?’

  ‘You’re not making sense,’ said Mitch. ‘Get in the car. Let’s go.’

  ‘No.’

  Mitch sighed and rubbed at tired eyes. ‘I took a big risk getting you out of the shit back there. David needs our help, so, please,’ he finished, gritting his teeth, ‘get in the damned car.’

  ‘I can’t, Mitch, sorry.’ Dan held up his hands and took a step back.

  ‘Wait,’ said Mitch. ‘
What are you going to do?’

  ‘You heard David. A transfer team is going to collect Malikov from his house,’ said Dan. ‘I remember the building being listed in one of those financial reports that Mel had. It’s a big eight-bedroom place near Ashford. The hit squad will be winding back their involvement at MI5’s request, and the transfer team are on their way to a simple pick-up, right? All the other bad guys are dead.’

  Mitch’s eyes narrowed, and he folded his arms. ‘And?’

  Dan told him.

  Mitch spun on his heel and stalked away, a string of curses exploding from him as he paced the pockmarked asphalt. Finally, he calmed down enough to walk back to Dan.

  ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ He stared at Dan for a moment, and then realisation reached his eyes. ‘No, you’re not.’

  He began to pace once more. ‘You’ve lost your bloody mind.’

  ‘You’re not helping.’

  ‘Are you fucking serious?’

  ‘Listen to me.’

  ‘Of all the stupid ideas I’ve heard from you over the years, Taylor, this is the dumbest.’

  ‘Mitch.’

  Dan waited until the other man stopped pacing and turned to him.

  ‘You’re not coming with me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Dan reached out and squeezed Mitch’s shoulder. ‘You’re sitting this one out.’

  ‘No way.’

  ‘You haven’t got a choice.’ Dan’s eyes flickered to the lull in the traffic above.

  ‘Is this going to hurt?’

  ‘Probably.’

  ‘Don’t leave a scar, okay. It’ll just –’

  Dan swung his fist, punching the air from the other man’s lungs, and then landed a stun blow to the back of his exposed neck.

  Mitch crumpled to the ground, out cold.

  ‘Sorry, mate,’ said Dan, dragging Mitch’s body towards the car, ‘but this is for your own good.’

  He unlocked the trunk of the car, emptied the space of the paraphernalia associated with the head of British politics, and then hefted Mitch’s dead weight into the confined space, before removing the tail light to improve air circulation, and slammed the lid shut.