by Matt Stark
Sam pressed a button on the coffee machine and watched a Styrofoam cup drop down and start to fill with dark black liquid.
But it wasn’t just his lack of progress that was bothering him. In the back of his mind he’d been thinking about his interview with Peter. Something about it had been bugging him but until now he hadn’t known what. He picked up the Styrofoam cup and slurped at the coffee while looking across the room at Brian – still bent over his PC.
It was the New Dawn file Peter had shown him. The one with the horror show pictures of Leicester Square and Marylebone. The file was an A4 size manila folder about a quarter of an inch thick. And that was the problem. Considering the devastation New Dawn were causing, all of JIS’s resources would have been allocated to stopping them. That kind of activity would have produced reams of paperwork. Even if the enquiries never got anywhere the file should have details of suspects interviewed, background research and so on. But the file Peter had shown Sam was virtually empty.
Sam took another slurp of coffee.
And then there was Peter’s reaction when Sam asked about the suspect, Serina.
“Leave the detective work to us, Sam. Just focus on getting your ability back.”
At the time Sam had convinced himself that made sense. After all, a fully functional Sam was what Peter really needed. But now he thought back he remembered Peter had seemed anxious to divert Sam away from talking about the New Dawn investigation. He’d shown Sam just enough to win him over but no more. And then there was his restricted security clearance. Sam pulled his key card from his pocket. Level 3. He couldn’t leave this floor without an escort. Why? What was it Peter didn’t want him to see?
Sam shook his head. Of course Peter had to keep him on a tight leash. After ten years in a Beijing prison Sam was a security risk until proven otherwise. Any other agent in his shoes would have been debriefed for six months minimum – not put straight back to work – even if it was in a limited capacity.
Sam got himself another coffee and headed back toward Brian.
He hadn’t been thinking straight. But he supposed ten years in prison with a psychopathic interrogator would do that to you. He rubbed his face with his free hand. In time he’d be okay. He just needed to learn to trust people again.
Halfway to Brian Sam looked up and saw Peter and Suzie in Peter’s office. Sam was about twenty yards away. But he still had a good view because for once Peter hadn’t greyed out the windows. Peter and Suzie were sitting opposite each other at his desk with a large file in front of them. They looked engrossed in conversation and neither of them noticed Sam. He shook his head and half-smiled. A few minutes ago seeing Peter and Suzie huddled together like this would have sparked off his paranoia again. But not now. Maybe he was learning to trust again.
Still half-smiling he made to turn away when Suzie stood up abruptly and banged her fist on Peter’s desk.
Sam froze.
She was red in the face and Sam could see she was shouting at Peter although he couldn’t hear anything through Peter’s soundproofed windows. Peter was shaking his head. The more he did it the more Suzie shouted. Suzie must have gotten sick of being told no because she picked up a cup from Peter’s desk and threw the contents over him before storming out of his office. A second later the windows greyed out. Suzie took the elevator, so wrapped up in herself she didn’t notice Sam.
Sam blew out a breath. What the fuck had he just seen? Part of his mind said it was just a simple argument between colleagues. The kind of thing that would happen every day on a high-pressure investigation like this. But another part – the part he’d called paranoid a few minutes ago – was sure Suzie and Peter had been fighting about him. He’d never wished to be telepathic more than now. He thought about running after Suzie to make sure she was okay. But she hadn’t looked like she wanted company. He could have confronted Peter – pushed him to see what he could find out. But Peter would just give him the same implacable face he’d given Suzie. Anyway, Sam still didn’t know for sure what he’d seen was any more than frustration over their lack of progress finding New Dawn.
He turned to head back to Brian. What he’d seen changed nothing – for now. His best option was still to work with Brian to get his ability back. Then he could be of some use and maybe he’d find out what the hell was really going on around here.
Chapter 15
5 p.m. Saturday, 31st January; Vauxhall Cross – 3 hours to deadline
Sam had continued to work on his ability with Brian but they’d made no progress. It hadn’t helped that half of Sam’s mind had been on what he’d seen in Peter’s office. As the minutes passed he became surer Peter and Suzie were hiding something crucial from him, and that he wouldn’t be able to focus on getting his ability back until he knew what it was.
Right at that moment Suzie came into the office pushing a handcuffed Middle Eastern woman in front of her. Before Brian could object Sam jumped out of his chair and jogged across the room, keeping his eyes on Suzie and the woman. He was going to confront her and get the truth. But halfway there Suzie saw him and sped up, heading toward the interview suite. Sam wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. He broke into a run, reaching them at the corridor leading to the interview suite and grabbing Suzie’s elbow, harder than he meant to.
“Suzie, I need to talk to you, now.”
“Not a good time,” she said, yanking her arm free and heading down the corridor with her prisoner in tow. Sam caught up with the pair and got in front of them, blocking their path. Suzie pulled her prisoner protectively behind her. She seemed edgy – unwilling to look Sam in the eye. Her reaction made him surer than ever he was being deceived. He was about to speak when Suzie rushed forward trying to squeeze through the gap between Sam and the corridor wall. Sam blocked her, and before she could try again put his hand on her chest.
“Suzie, we need to talk.”
Still avoiding eye contact Suzie pushed forward against Sam’s hand, grunting with effort, but he held her back. After a couple more failed attempts to get past Sam Suzie looked up and finally met his gaze. Her eyes were blazing and her heart beating fast beneath his fingers.
“What the fuck are you doing, Sam?”
Sam knew if Suzie and Peter had been lying to him she wasn’t going to confess it all right now. He needed another approach. He nodded at the prisoner.
“Is this Serina?”
“Yes.”
“You’re taking her for interrogation?”
Sam felt Suzie’s heart skip a beat.
“Of course I’m taking her for fucking interroga–”
“I can help.”
As Suzie stared slack-jawed at Sam his mind was racing. He’d said the first thing that had come into his mind. But maybe interrogating Serina was the answer. Whatever Peter and Suzie were hiding was connected to Serina and New Dawn. What better way to get to the truth than to question her? And he wouldn’t be jeopardizing the op. He used to head up MI5’s interrogation team, so he knew what he was doing. Plus the pressure of real work might even trigger his ability. It was worth a go. But first he’d have to convince Suzie. She was still staring at him like he’d sprouted wings.
“Suzie?”
“No, Sam,” she replied shakily. “You need to focus on getting your ability back.”
Sam felt his eyes narrow. That phrase again – Peter’s words coming out of Suzie’s mouth.
“Don’t you think a telepathic interrogator would be useful?”
Suzie’s eyes widened. “You can…?”
“Not yet. But maybe getting back to work would help. I could sit in. Maybe I’ll hear something.”
She looked even more agitated.
“No!”
She went to push past Sam again, but he blocked her. This wasn’t working. Whatever Peter had said to Suzie had scared the hell out of her, and she wasn’t giving in anytime soon. He glanced at Suzie’s prisoner. She’d been watching Suzie and Sam fight but hadn’t said a word. He might have more chanc
e of convincing Suzie if they were alone. He leaned forward, softening his voice to seem as non-threatening as possible.
“Can I have a word, in private, Suzie? It’s important.”
Conflicting emotions ran across Suzie’s face as she weighed up her options and realized she had none.
“I’ll need to put her in the interview room,” she said flatly.
“I’ll do it,” said Sam, lifting the lanyard and the attached key card over Suzie’s head.
Suzie’s eyes blazed again for a moment but she didn’t resist. She just stepped aside and let Sam lead Serina down the corridor. He stopped outside a door marked Interview Room One, slid the key card through the electronic key reader, pushed Serina inside and pulled the door shut. Whoever she was she’d be safe in there. When he turned around Suzie was right behind him.
“What the fuck are you playing at, Sam? Have you forgotten we only have three hours to stop the next bomb?”
Sam had a moment’s doubt, but was too far down this path to change his mind now. Suzie’s face was flushed, and her sapphire blue eyes angry – but behind the anger Sam saw fear. He touched her cheek.
“Suzie, what’s going on?” he said softly.
She frowned but didn’t pull away.
“What do you mean?”
He might as well be direct; there wasn’t time for anything else.
“Why are you and Peter keeping me away from the suspect?”
“We’re not keeping you away from the suspect. You just need to…”
“I know... focus on getting my ability back. But that’s not the full story, is it?”
Suzie pushed Sam’s hand from her face.
“What?”
Sam couldn’t tell if she was really confused or just play-acting.
“You and Peter are lying to me. I don’t know why or about what exactly, but I do know it has something to do with the New Dawn case, and that you’re both shit scared I’ll get to the truth. That’s why you don’t want me anywhere near Serina.”
Suzie’s jaw dropped again. She looked shocked but then again lying was in her job description.
“Where the hell is this coming from, Sam?”
“Peter showed me a sanitized version of the New Dawn file and he’s frozen me out of the investigation. And now you’re doing the same. I’ve been in prison, Suzie, not lost my intelligence or my common sense. I know he’s hiding something from me – and he’s roped you into it.”
Suzie’s face softened and she touched Sam’s hand. Her skin was warm and soft against his.
“Sam, this is paranoia. After all you’ve been through its only natural you’d see demons everywhere. But Peter and I aren’t demons, we’re friends.”
Doubt stirred in Sam’s guts again, but he pushed it away.
“I saw you and Peter fighting.”
She half-smiled. “Sam, what do you expect? The stakes are high – so are tensions. Sometimes we need to let off a little steam, but that doesn’t mean anyone is lying to you. It’s only your mind saying we are.”
Her eyes were wide and sincere but he didn’t believe a word of it. But he saw now that Suzie wasn’t ready to confess. If Sam wanted the truth he had to interrogate Serina. And that would mean upsetting Suzie even more. He didn’t want to but had no option.
Suzie squeezed his hand.
“Sam, we don’t have time for this.”
He looked Suzie in the eye and focussed on sounding as sincere as she had.
“Okay, maybe there is no conspiracy but I can still help. I know how to break a suspect fast.”
Suzie let go of his hand, her face hardening again.
“I can handle it, Sam.”
“I’m not sure you can, Suzie.”
“What?” Her voice was angry.
“Suzie, you don’t have the experience to question this woman.”
Sam knew he was being cruel to Suzie, but he had no choice.
“I know what I’m doing, you arrogant bastard.”
Sam ducked his head and ran his fingers through his hair. He felt shit but making Suzie doubt herself was the only way he’d get to Serina. He looked up.
“No, Suzie, you don’t.”
She bit her lip.
“What makes you think only you can break her?”
“Because I understand human nature.”
“What?”
“I know Peter told you British Intelligence took the kid gloves off after 9/11 and the Paris bombings, but they didn’t go nearly far enough.”
Suzie opened her mouth to speak. Sam put his hand over her mouth.
“Suzie, Peter still thinks the world is a civilized place. He thinks deep down humans are good. But take it from someone who’s spent ten years in hell, if humanity has any decency it’s buried so deep no one will ever find it.”
She tried to break away from Sam but he held her firm.
“Suzie, your interrogation techniques won’t work with this woman. At least not in the time we have. She doesn’t play by your rules.”
He’d made his point and took his hand away. Suzie glared at him, but there was uncertainty in her eyes again.
“What do you mean?”
“Right now she thinks she’s safe. She thinks we have limits. We have to show her we don’t. That’s the only way we’ll break her in time.”
Suzie stared at Sam for a long moment.
“You’re talking about torture?”
Sam wasn’t sure what he was going to do if he got face to face with Serina. He just needed Suzie to begin to doubt herself. But torture wasn’t on his agenda. When it came to getting to the truth it was a shit technique. Sure, some poor bastard choking on water poured on a cloth shoved down his throat would talk. Unfortunately what he said would be garbage.
“Suzie, you have to trust me. I know how to break her. I can get the information we need, even if I can’t read her mind.”
Sam’s voice had softened. He didn’t want to hurt Suzie, but right now seeing Serina took precedence.
But Suzie shook her head again. “It’s too soon.”
Sam leaned closer to Suzie. Nothing else had worked. It was time to beg.
“Suzie, I might not be telepathic, but I’m ready. And I need to work. If I don’t I’ll go crazy.”
“Sam, up until a few days ago you were still in a Beijing prison cell.”
As Suzie finished speaking an image of Deep Throat screaming in his face flashed in Sam’s mind. It was gone again in an instant. But Sam’s stomach was clenched tight as a prune and his breath was coming in gasps.
“Are you okay?”
Suzie was squeezing his hand, her sapphire blue eyes full of concern. Sam swallowed. His tongue felt too big for his mouth. Sweat was rolling down his back. He blew out a breath trying to calm himself. He knew now was not the time to have a meltdown.
“What do you think I did in prison?” he said shakily.
“I don’t understand.”
“I was interrogated. Day after day, month after month, year after fucking year. I’m the only JIS agent with that kind of experience. Let me use it.”
Suzie looked into Sam’s eyes. She reached her hand out and stroked his cheek, which had been twitching like crazy since the Deep Throat flashback.
“Sam, that’s the problem, you’ve been imprisoned for ten years.” She leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek, then pulled back. “You’re only here because you’re a post-human. You have global amnesia, and PTSD. If it wasn’t for your telepathic ability you’d be in the infirmary. Until you get it back, you’re a liability.”
Sam’s eyes focused on Suzie’s.
Suzie was probably right about his mental state – but she was still lying.
“Why don’t you want me to question that woman, really? Who is she?”
Suzie stepped closer to Sam – until they were almost touching. He smelt apple and cinnamon soap.
“Sam, you have an amazing ability and you’re a highly experienced agent. You will be an asset to th
is department.” She put her hand on his arm. “You’re already the most important person in the world to me. But you’re not ready to work until you get your ability back.”
Sam blew out a hard breath. He was having trouble controlling the anger bubbling inside him. He knew Suzie was lying.
Suzie looked at her watch.
“Sam, there just isn’t time for this. I’m going to take the suspect for interrogation. We need the information now. Peter is on his way back from a meeting with the Home Secretary. If you need to, please discuss it with him.”
Before Sam could react she slipped past him and headed for the interview room.
Sam didn’t move. Suddenly he wasn’t so sure of his plan, or what he’d really seen in Peter’s office. Maybe he’d got this all wrong? Suzie and Peter could have been arguing about any number of things – not necessarily him. Maybe Suzie was right. All those years in prison had taken their toll – and he was jumping at shadows, seeing things that weren’t there. Suzie had waited for him for ten years. Wasn’t that worth some trust?
He rubbed the heel of his hand into his forehead. All he was sure of was that Deep Throat had fucked with his mind for years, and he was a long way from getting over it. He heard Suzie slide her key card into the electronic reader. She was right. He wasn’t ready yet. As the door swung in he heard it:
Jesus, I hate lying to him.
And his blood went cold.
Chapter 16
5.30 p.m. Saturday, 31st January; Vauxhall Cross – 2.5 hours to deadline
Sam watched Suzie go into the interview room and reappear a minute later. She shut the door and walked past him, not making eye contact. Sam had tried to hear her thoughts again, but couldn’t. Suzie marched into Peter’s office, walked over to the desk, then disappeared as the glass walls turned grey.
Jesus, I hate lying to him.
Sam hadn’t just heard Suzie’s thoughts. He’d felt her emotions. Layers of guilt and fear. And they bothered him more than the words, because only a very big lie, a real whopper, would stir up so much emotional debris in its wake.