by Jim Eldridge
‘And getting shot,’ grinned Mitch.
‘So,’ asked Two Moons, ‘what’s next?’
‘We’ve been summoned to a meeting at Spook Central,’ said Mitch. ‘I guess that, after what happened with Sparks and the Russian, they’re having to come up with a whole new plan.’
In the briefing room at MI6 HQ, there was a new air of determination about the men of Delta Unit and the MI6 agents. Any reservations Gerald may have held about the team seemed to have gone.
The fact is, thought Mitch, Two Moons has been shot and is in hospital; I’ve nearly been blown up by Deacon; one of the spooks has been murdered, and one of the assassins, Dmitri Pavel, is dead. The stakes have been raised, and everyone knows it.
‘Pavel may be dead, but Deacon, Smitt and Lavall are still out there,’ said Gerald.
‘And under surveillance?’ asked Tug.
‘Smitt and Lavall are, yes. Despite what happened to Pavel, they don’t seem to have been startled into taking cover.’
‘Maybe Deacon hasn’t told them Pavel’s dead,’ murmured Benny.
‘And maybe he won’t,’ added Nelson.
‘But he must know we’re watching them,’ said Mitch.
‘Perhaps he’s assuming that when the time is right, they’ll give us the slip,’ said Gerald.
Nelson shook his head. ‘He wouldn’t take that much of a chance,’ he said. ‘Deacon knows us. He knows what we’re like. Once we’re on someone’s tail we’ll hang right on there.’
‘Maybe Lavall and Smitt are just decoys?’ suggested Mitch. ‘We’re kept busy watching them instead of looking for Deacon.’
‘Maybe,’ agreed Benny. ‘But we do know there’s a connection.’ Benny gestured at Mitch. ‘Remember, Mitch, Deacon said to you “You killed my operative”.’
‘True.’ Mitch nodded.
‘At the moment, these two assassins are the only leads we’ve got on Deacon,’ said Gerald. ‘So what I’d like to do is keep them under surveillance. Sooner or later they’ll lead us to him.’
‘Hopefully sooner, rather than later,’ said Nelson. ‘The conference begins in just a couple of days.’
‘Have your IT people been able to get a fix on their mobile phones yet?’ asked Benny.
Gerald shook his head. ‘Not yet, unfortunately,’ he admitted.
‘OK, so we stick to the old-fashioned way,’ said Nelson. He looked at the file on the two men again. ‘Lavall is staying at the Manxman Hotel on the Strand, and Smitt is in a bed and breakfast place near Victoria station. I suggest this time Mitch and Benny trail Lavall, and Tug and Gaz look after Smitt. I’ll stay in reserve, so either team can call me in as backup.’
Gerald shot him a hard look. ‘You’re excluding my personnel,’ he said, tight-lipped.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Nelson. ‘I got the impression you didn’t want to work with us so closely any more.’
Gerald was stony-faced. ‘This is still an MI6 operation,’ he replied curtly. ‘However, in light of what happened to John Sparks, perhaps it might be better to keep our teams separate.’
‘What happened to Sparks wasn’t our fault,’ said Mitch.
‘I’m not saying it was,’ said Gerald. ‘I’m just saying it might be better if our people followed you at a distance. We’ll keep in contact by the same communications system.’
‘So, you watch us watching them?’ asked Benny, with a wry smile.
‘It does seem logical,’ said Gerald. ‘That way, if there are any slips, our people can move in unseen and continue the surveillance.’
‘If we get killed you mean,’ said Gaz with a grim smile.
‘No one else is getting killed,’ grunted Nelson. ‘Not on my watch.’
‘Then I suggest we continue the operation,’ said Gerald. ‘The sooner Lavall and Smitt can lead us to Deacon, the better.’
15
Mitch and Benny were in the lobby of the Manxman Hotel. They had been assured by the MI6 agents watching Pierre Lavall that he was still in his room on the fifth floor.
‘Unless he got out the window,’ suggested Mitch.
Benny grinned. ‘His room overlooks the Strand,’ he said. ‘If he tried climbing six floors down the face of the building to the street he’d already be on YouTube.’ Benny gave a short sigh. ‘I know it was a pretty horrendous experience for you, Deacon nearly killing you with that bomb, Mitch, but in a way, it’s a good thing it happened. The rest of the unit never really believed me about Deacon. Now, after that, they have to.’
‘I’m glad to be of service,’ said Mitch with a wry smile.
Just then Tug’s voice came over in their earpieces. ‘Target Two’s on the move,’ he said. ‘Heading for Victoria station.’
‘Copy that,’ said Benny. ‘No-show from our target so far.’
‘Scrap that,’ said Mitch sharply. He’d just seen Lavall step out of the lift and head for the reception desk.
Mitch walked across the lobby and out of the door on to the Strand, ready to pick up Lavall as he left the hotel. Benny stayed behind, in case Lavall left by another exit. But the Frenchman handed in his key at reception, and walked out into the busy street.
Mitch let Lavall head off for a few yards before starting to trail him. He was heading west towards Trafalgar Square. Would he stay on foot or take transport? If so, which would he choose: bus, underground or taxi?
Lavall didn’t seem to be in any hurry, nor did he appear at all worried that he might be followed. He just kept walking casually along the Strand. Mitch followed at a distance. He was wearing his headset clipped over his ear, just like any other hands-free mobile phone.
He knew that Benny was somewhere close by; possibly on the other side of the road, or in one of the taxis MI6 had provided, staying back and keeping watch, ready to change over.
In his earpiece he received an update from Tug: ‘Target Two entering Victoria station. Heading for the underground.’
Mitch was glad the communication system they were using worked underground. Modern coms technology meant you could be in touch with anyone almost anywhere: from outer space to deep below ground level.
Lavall kept walking until he reached Charing Cross station. There, he stopped to buy a newspaper from a stall.
Gives him the chance to take a look around and see if there’s anything suspicious or anyone on his tail, thought Mitch.
But he had kept enough distance to avoid being spotted.
Which way now, wondered Mitch? Overground train? Or will he keep walking?
Lavall headed towards the entrance to the underground.
‘Here we go,’ murmured Mitch into his mouthpiece. ‘Target One going underground.’
‘Got you,’ came Benny’s voice.
‘Target Two is heading towards the Victoria line northbound,’ Mitch heard Tug say.
Mitch wondered if Lavall would also head north. Were the two planning to meet up? If so, the odds were that they’d be meeting Deacon. At the thought of Deacon, Mitch felt a shiver of anger run through him; directed both at Deacon and himself. He’d been careless. He’d let his guard down and allowed himself to be caught. Well that wouldn’t be happening again. Next time they came face to face, Deacon wouldn’t be walking away.
Still some way behind, Mitch followed Lavall down the stairs to the underground station. He checked the direction they were heading and radioed it back to Benny and the others: ‘Bakerloo line southbound.’
Lavall was heading in the opposite direction to Smitt. So maybe there was no meeting with Deacon after all. Maybe the two targets had a different agenda today.
Reaching the southbound platform, Mitch glanced up at the electronic display. The next train would be arriving in one minute. The one after that would come four minutes later. Would Lavall wait and see who else stayed behind on the platform, just to make sure he wasn’t being followed? It was what Mitch would do. As both trains had the same final destination, everyone on the platform should get on the first one, unless they had another motiv
e for being there.
The crackle of the railway lines told Mitch the train was coming. Lavall moved forwards to the yellow line at the edge of the platform. Mitch, a few yards further down, did the same. The train slid into the station and stopped, and the doors opened. Mitch stood to let the people get off, and then got on the train. Lavall went to move forwards on to the train, then stopped and stepped back, staying on the platform.
The doors of the train slid shut, and the train moved off.
16
‘Target One remained on the platform,’ Mitch said into his mouthpiece. He was on the train, leaving the station.
‘I thought he might,’ said Benny. ‘I’m staying at the bottom of the escalator in case he heads back up. I’ll keep in touch.’
The next station was Embankment, only a few seconds further on. Mitch got off the train, left the platform and waited in the area by the escalators, out of sight of the platform and the incoming trains. He didn’t have to wait long. He heard Benny’s voice in his earpiece say: ‘Target One on train. I’m in the next carriage.’
‘If he doesn’t get off at Embankment, I’ll grab the train after this,’ said Mitch. ‘That way I’ll stay out of his sight.’
‘Copy that,’ said Benny.
Mitch waited until he heard the next train pull in.
‘Looks like Target One is staying on,’ Benny informed him.
‘I’ll stay here in case he sneaks off at the last minute,’ said Mitch.
Lavall stayed on the train and Mitch heard it move off. He then walked on to the platform to wait for the next train. He wondered where the MI6 operatives were. There was no doubt that Gerald would have his own people close behind Delta Unit, out of sight and taking turns to get on and off trains the same way Mitch and Benny were doing.
Mitch caught the next train, which meant he was now just two minutes behind Benny and Lavall.
‘End of the line,’ announced Benny. ‘Elephant and Castle. Target One getting off the train. Heading to Northern line northbound platform.’
‘Copy that,’ murmured Mitch.
In his ear he heard Tug say, ‘Target Two getting off at Euston.’
Euston station, thought Mitch. The place where Sparks had been murdered. Where he and Two Moons had confronted Pavel. Had Deacon chosen somewhere near there for his base?
‘He’s heading for the escalator,’ continued Tug.
Mitch’s train pulled in to its final stop at Elephant and Castle. Mitch stepped off and headed towards the northbound Northern line platform. As he walked he took off his black jacket and pulled it inside out. The jacket was reversible; now the lining on the outside was red. A reversible coat was a neat and easy device to avoid being spotted when tailing someone.
‘Train arriving,’ said Benny. ‘I’m getting on it. I’ll let you know Target One’s movements.’
‘Copy that,’ confirmed Mitch.
Mitch strolled towards the entrance to the northbound platform, and then stopped in case Lavall appeared and made for the exit after all. He heard the train doors open, and then shut, and the train leave.
‘Train on the move. Target One stayed on the platform,’ said Benny. ‘Looks like he’s staying there.’
‘Copy that,’ said Mitch.
So Lavall was staying put. Maybe he had arranged to meet someone on the platform. Who? Not Smitt, because Smitt was at Euston. Deacon, maybe? Mitch hadn’t seen any sign of him, but then, he reminded himself, Deacon was a master of disguise. Maybe he was already here at the station – he could be dressed as a station worker, or anybody going about their daily business.
Mitch heard the sound of another train approaching the northbound platform. He had to take a chance. He walked through the short tunnel on to the platform and spotted Lavall further along. The train was visible now. Mitch decided to let Lavall make the move; see if he got on the train. It was a risk: if Lavall got on and Mitch followed, Lavall might step off again just before the doors closed. If that happened, Mitch was sunk – he would lose Lavall. And if he rushed off the train, Lavall would spot him as a tail.
There were always the MI6 agents – they’d take over, but Mitch’s cover would be blown.
The train doors opened. Lavall got on. Mitch did the same, entering the next carriage. Mitch sat down. If Lavall was going to jump off, Mitch would have to stay on the train anyway, and by sitting down he looked less conspicuous – like a normal guy going about his business. If Lavall had any suspicions, hopefully this would put him off the scent.
The train doors slid shut. Lavall stayed in the carriage.
‘Target One on train. I’m in the next carriage,’ Mitch reported.
‘Copy that,’ said Benny. ‘I’m at London Bridge station. Getting off now.’
‘Target Two on Northern line train, City Branch,’ reported Tug.
The same line as us, thought Mitch. He felt a stirring of excitement. Were the two men going to meet up?
Mitch picked up a discarded newspaper and pretended to read it, while sneaking a glance into the next carriage. Lavall had sat down. The train stopped at Borough station. Lavall stayed where he was. The next stop was London Bridge.
As the train slid into London Bridge station, Mitch spotted Benny on the platform among the crowd. Benny disappeared from sight as the train passed him.
‘Stay on the platform,’ Mitch advised, ‘in case he jumps off.’
‘Copy that,’ agreed Benny.
Mitch kept his eye on Lavall. The Frenchman stayed in his seat. The doors slid shut and the train moved off.
‘I’ll follow you on the next train,’ said Benny.
‘Copy that,’ murmured Mitch.
In his ear, he heard Tug say, ‘Target Two getting off at Angel.’
‘Where’s Gaz?’ asked Mitch.
‘Picking up the train behind this one,’ said Tug. ‘I’m on Target Two.’
Mitch cast another glance at the tube map. Angel station was just four stops further along the line.
‘I’ve got a feeling our man will get off at the same place,’ he said. ‘This could be our meeting point.’
‘That’s how it looks to me, too,’ agreed Tug. ‘He’s heading for the lift. I think we’re leaving the station.’
‘Copy that,’ said Gaz, his voice coming in for the first time. ‘I’ll be with you in about one minute.’
Mitch kept watch on Lavall in the next carriage as the train stopped at Bank, then Moorgate, then Old Street. As the train approached Angel, Lavall stood up.
‘Jackpot,’ said Mitch. ‘Angel station, confirmed.’
‘I’m on the next train,’ said Benny. ‘I’ll be there shortly.’
The train pulled into Angel and Mitch followed Lavall. He kept well back, letting the Frenchman get halfway up the escalator before stepping on himself. Tug was already above ground watching Smitt. Mitch was sure that Smitt and Lavall would meet somewhere near here.
Mitch emerged from the station into the bustling streets. He scanned the area, looking for Lavall. Yes, there he was! The Frenchman was on the other side of the road, heading towards the maze of side streets that backed on to Pentonville Road.
‘Come in, Tug,’ he said. ‘Where are you?’
‘Heading towards Chapel Street,’ said Tug. ‘Target Two in view. You?’
‘Same direction, just a few streets behind you.’
‘Chapel Street,’ said Benny. ‘Got that.’
‘Me, too,’ came in Gaz’s voice.
Mitch now slipped off his jacket and reversed it again so the black side was showing. Less noticeable than the red. He saw Tug, standing looking in a shop window. Lavall walked past Tug and continued along Chapel Street. Tug waited until Lavall was out of earshot, then murmured, ‘Target One went into Mott & Co warehouse on Chapel Street.’
‘Target Two heading towards same warehouse,’ added Mitch.
The Mott & Co warehouse was an isolated single-storey building; little more than a corrugated iron shed set on a patch of concrete
, surrounded by a chain-link fence.
Mitch stopped and scanned the buildings, as if he was looking for a particular number. He saw Lavall stop outside the metal fence, look around, and then walk through the gateway towards the warehouse. Once Lavall had disappeared from sight, Tug joined Mitch.
‘Looks like we’ve got the location for the meet, Colonel,’ Tug said to Nelson through his headset. ‘Both targets have gone into the warehouse.’
‘Copy that,’ said Nelson’s voice.
Mitch was aware of movement behind them; someone approaching. He turned and saw Benny and Gaz.
‘Looks like we’ve all ended up at the same place.’ Gaz grinned. ‘What does that suggest?’
‘That our friend Deacon is in there with them,’ said Benny grimly.
‘Or coming along later,’ said Tug.
‘Good point,’ said Benny. ‘OK, let’s scatter. We don’t want him seeing us. Let’s see how this plays out.’ Into his mouthpiece he said, ‘We’re all at the location, Colonel, awaiting orders.’
‘Hold it,’ came Nelson’s voice. ‘New orders.’
There was a brief pause, then Gerald’s voice cut in and they heard him say: ‘Delta Unit, stand down.’
‘What?’ snapped Benny. ‘We’ve got them in our sights!’
‘This is our operation,’ snapped Gerald. ‘You will stand down, Delta Unit. An armed response team will take over from here.’
17
The four soldiers looked at one another, shocked and outraged. This was their operation! They had tracked Lavall and Smitt here.
‘Colonel . . .’ began Tug, but Nelson interrupted him.
‘We’re being overridden here, guys. Nothing I can do.’
‘Colonel, these people don’t know what they’re walking into,’ said Benny. ‘We know Deacon. He’s tricky. I get the feeling this isn’t going to be straightforward. They can’t just send in the armed response team. This could be an ambush. Some scam of Deacon’s.’