by Mark Arundel
My experience as a combat soldier meant I was able to react quickly and clearly. Despite the adrenalin racing through me, I was unaffected by the shooting and the killing. My mind worked on our situation without a pause. I rushed over to Xing who was already up and on her feet.
‘We need to get away fast. Give me the key card for the room, I’ll get our rucksacks; stay here, I’ll only be a minute.’
‘Shall I kill the receptionist?’
‘No, she’s not important. We just need to get away before anyone comes.’
I grabbed the key card from Xing’s hand and sprinted up the stairs. Inside the room, I hurriedly collected our things.
Back in the lobby, Xing had a middle-aged eastern European couple on their knees with their hands on their heads facing the outside wall beside the entrance. She was pointing her Glock at them. They were scared.
‘Guests,’ she said by way of explanation, ‘they just walked in.’
‘Leave them,’ I said and passed over her rucksack. ‘Let’s go.’
Outside, the street was busy. We joined the pavement horde and put distance between the hotel and us.
We reached Senate Square and stopped near the fountain.
‘How did they know where we were staying?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Who were they?’
‘...hired killers, it doesn’t matter.’
‘Yes, but who hired them?’
‘Now we have to find a new hotel.’
‘My identity is compromised. We can’t use it again.’
‘I’ll use one of mine and pay with cash.’
I nodded.
‘Do you know a hotel?’
She nodded.
‘Thanks for having my back,’ she said, ‘as the Americans say.’
I tried a New York accent and said, ‘...hey, no problem, kid.’
Xing smiled. ‘Your second shot was good; you’re quick,’ she said.
Not as quick as either of your two shots, I thought.
‘Missouri must have sent them. They were after you,’ I said.
Xing didn’t answer.
‘How did they know about the hotel? We only checked-in yesterday, one night. Nobody else knew about it except you and me. We haven’t told anybody, so how?’
Xing looked at me with her coal black eyes.
‘Yesterday,’ she said, ‘perhaps we were followed.’
Xing led the way to the new hotel. We did everything we could to ensure nobody tailed us. I couldn’t be certain about it, but I think we arrived clean.
Ole London Hotel (yes, really) was on the west side of the island, a couple of streets in from the water. It was another small Macau hostelry, situated on the corner of a cobbled road and it had a big Cantonese sign running down one side. The stylish interior was modern with marble flooring and a reception desk beside a staircase. It caused me to have a flashback and in my mind, I saw Xing making those two shots and two heads popping in a spray of red.
At the desk, we received a welcoming smile. I hoped that we wouldn’t give this receptionist cause to scream and faint. Xing spoke to her in Cantonese while I stood back and waited. With the business completed and the cash paid, we went to our room.
The small window looked out over a neat garden.
‘What name did you use?’
‘Don’t worry, it’s a new one. I’ve not used it before.’
‘I better make some phone calls.’
‘I’m going to make some tea.’
I thought for a moment. Whom should I call first?
When he answered, his voice sounded normal. I listened carefully for any tone of surprise or anticipation over why I might have called. Although to be fair he was expecting my call anyway, so my detective work was probably wasted.
‘I’m afraid it’s bad news,’ he said.
I waited for him to continue.
‘The ducklings have taken their vote and they don’t want to involve themselves. It’s because he’s a child. They were apologetic, but I can understand their decision. Sorry about that.’
This was unwelcome news. Jemima, though, seemed genuine enough and his voice carried the necessary amount of discomfort for the bad tidings. He paused expecting me to speak. I remained silent.
‘So,’ he said awkwardly, ‘what do you want to do?’
‘I need to speak to London,’ I said. He didn’t respond. ‘Oh, yes, and I’m going to need a new identity.’
‘Why?’
‘That doesn’t matter. Can you organise a new passport and credit card?
‘Yes, all right.’
‘Good, call me when you’ve got them.’
I ended the call.
Xing passed me a cup and saucer of black tea and then sat crossed legged on the bed. She sipped from her cup. ‘What did he say?’ she asked.
‘The ducklings are out,’ I said. ‘They’re put off by the fact he’s a kid.’
‘Why? We’re not going to kill him. Did he tell them the whole plan?’
‘Yes, I’m sure he did.’
Xing made a face.
‘I’m going to call Bazzer,’ I said.
Xing sipped more tea and watched me.
‘It’s a trifle early, dear boy,’ said Meriwether. His voice was unusually gruff. ‘Has something happened?’
‘We got ambushed returning to our hotel. We’re both okay, but we left two men dead in reception.’
‘I see. Well, don’t worry; I anticipated an event like this. Give me the details.’
I told Meriwether the name and address of the hotel, followed by a brief description of what had happened.
‘Who were they?’ he asked.
‘Hired killers sent by Missouri, I think.’
‘How did they know where to find you?’
It was a good question.
‘We’re not sure,’ I said. ‘Someone may have followed us.’
Meriwether didn’t comment on that, but instead asked, ‘Do you need a new identity?’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I’ve spoken to Jemima.’
‘Good, he’ll make the arrangements.’
‘Also, the ducklings are out,’ I said. ‘They don’t want to do it.’
‘Oh, did they say why?’
‘Yes, it’s because he’s a child.’
‘I see,’ said Meriwether. His gruff, early morning voice had settled and now he sounded like an old-fashioned radio presenter. ‘Are you willing to go ahead?’
‘The plan will need modifying,’ I said, ‘and I’ll have to talk to Jackie and Jemima.’
‘Yes, of course, I quite understand. Well, once you’ve considered let me know your thoughts.’
Meriwether began to end the call by mentioning something about requiring tea. I told him I had a cup in my hand.
‘Lucky fellow,’ he said. Then he was gone.
I emptied my cup. Xing was still watching me.
‘We can still do it,’ she said. ‘After seeing you today, we won’t have a problem.’
I wasn’t so sure.
25
MONDAY, 20:00—23:00
We had stayed in the room and then gone to bed early. Both of us kept our Glocks within easy reach.
‘We need to move on this as soon as we can. The longer we wait, the more time we give Missouri to improve on his luck.’
Xing was standing naked, staring out the window.
‘Are you listening?’ I asked.
‘I can’t see any water,’ she said. ‘I don’t like this view.’
‘Come back to bed then.’
Silently, she returned and beneath the sheet, I felt her body press against mine. She kissed my neck and her fingers ran across my chest.
‘We can do it the next time he’s taken to the house. The Mercedes still has the tracker. Whenever it moves, we just follow it.’
‘I want us to wear vests,’ I said. I was expecting a negative response or a comment about Tenerife. I didn’t get either.
‘Yes, okay,’ sh
e said, simply.
‘Jemima too, even though he’ll be in the taxi.’
Xing lifted her leg across mine and held me tighter.
‘Missouri’s men will be cautious and capable,’ I said.
She kissed my neck again and rubbed my thigh with hers. ‘Not as capable as the two men today,’ she said. ‘They were experienced killers. It was fortunate they saw me but didn’t see you. We were right to take such care.’
‘Did you know he was there, that he had followed you in?’
‘He entered as I left the desk. I was turning on the stairs to check on him again when you fired. If you hadn’t come in when you did and covered me like that, I’m not sure I would have been quick enough.’ Her voice slowed and she pressed her body hard against mine. ‘Make me alive,’ she said.
It was a strange thing to say. I looked at her face in the gloom. Perhaps Meriwether was right. Perhaps Xing was everything he had said. If so, it confirmed two things I already knew: Meriwether was clever and Xing was dangerous. Neither of which helped me very much.
My dangerous friend moved on top of me and rested her head on my chest. It hurt my abdomen, so I lifted her off.
‘Sorry,’ she said, ‘I just wanted to lie on you.’ She rested her head on my upper arm and softly rubbed my stomach.
‘Why are you risking your life for money you don’t need?’ I asked.
‘It’s a lot of money,’ she replied.
‘...but you don’t need it.’
‘There’s no risk. I don’t care about life,’ she said, ‘mine or anyone else’s.’
I let those words hang for a moment before I asked, ‘Then why didn’t you kill me in Tenerife?’ I felt her body stiffen for just a second before relaxing again.
‘I’ve already told you,’ she said. ‘You weren’t part of the contract. I didn’t need to kill you.’
Again, I waited. ‘No, that’s true,’ I said, ‘but killing me when you entered the villa would have been the safest thing to do. If you knew I was wearing a vest then shooting me in the chest was taking a risk, an unnecessary risk if, as you say, you don’t care about life.’
Again, for a moment, her body stiffened. ‘I didn’t think you wanted to talk about Tenerife,’ she said.
‘I don’t, I want to talk about life. I thought you asked me to make you alive.’
A sudden change occurred. Her anger was unexpected. ‘Don’t then, I don’t care,’ she shouted. She threw the sheet aside and jumped from the bed. I waited, choosing not to speak. I watched her closely. She dressed quickly, in a simmering rage, glancing at me often. I thought she would speak, but she didn’t. She picked up her jacket, pocketed her Glock and turned for the door.
‘Where are you going?’
‘Out,’ she said. Her voice was hard.
‘Why?’ I asked.
‘...because I want to,’ she said.
‘Wait,’ I said, ‘take your K106 in case you need it.’ I picked up the phone from the bedside table and lobbed it at her. She caught it one-handed and then huffed loudly. She paused for just a moment while staring angrily. I held her eyes. The phone slipped easily into her pocket. She broke the intent look, opened the door, and then she was gone.
Just then, I realised something. I had had a number of things, mostly unrelated, playing in my mind and troubling me. Unexpectedly, they fitted together and made sense.
Immediately, I hurried from the bed, found my mobile phone and made a call. At the same time, I began to dress. Xing didn’t answer. I held on, but nothing. Either she wasn’t answering or she had the phone set to hold incoming calls. I cancelled the call and dialled another number. This time, I was successful.
‘Hello,’ Jemima said. His voice sounded sleepy. I skipped the introduction.
‘Do you have my replacement K106?’ I asked.
‘Yes, it’s here. I can give it to you tomorrow together with your new passport and credit card.’
‘The passport and card can wait, but I need the phone now.’
‘...now, but it’s...’
‘Can you meet me? Come in the taxi.’
‘...but I...’
‘It’s important, come right away.’
I gave him the two street names that made up the corner beside the hotel. ‘How long will you be?’
‘...ten minutes, if I leave...’
‘Yes, leave now and hurry; every minute counts.’ I ended the call, continued to dress and at the same time made a second call.
‘Hello,’ Charlotte answered. I couldn’t read her voice.
‘I need you to do something for me; it’s important...’
‘What is it,’ she asked.
‘...track Xing’s K106,’ I said.
Charlotte paused. ‘It’s not a convenient time,’ she explained. ‘Why don’t you just call her?’
‘I’ve tried that, she isn’t answering.’
‘Perhaps she doesn’t want to talk to you.’
I ignored her comment. ‘Use your tablet,’ I said. ‘I know you always have it with you. Charlotte, it’s important.’
‘Why, what’s happened?’
‘Charlotte, I don’t have much time. I need to know Xing’s location. Call me back on this phone when you have it.’ I ended the call and hurriedly finished dressing. I pushed the Glock into my shoulder holster and covered it with my jacket. I lifted both rucksacks onto my shoulder and then left the room. I didn’t anticipate returning.
Downstairs, the reception was empty. The desk looked lonely. I stood by the entrance before going out and made a call.
‘Where are you?’
‘I’m on my way. The traffic is not too bad. I should be with you in a couple of minutes.’
‘I’ll be waiting on the road. Do you have my new K106?’
‘Yes, it’s here beside me, on the passenger seat.’
I ended the call. The receptionist had returned. She smiled at me politely.
I exited the hotel carefully. Outside, the air was heavy and still. It had rained and the wet cobbles shone in the lamplight. I checked the parked cars before walking to the corner. I waited with my back against the wall, the rucksacks at my feet and my hand inside my jacket. Jemima arrived in his taxi. He spotted me and pulled over. I placed both rucksacks in the boot and noticed Xing’s commando kit was still there. I shut the boot lid and jumped into the passenger seat.
‘What’s going on?’ Jemima asked.
‘Do you have the K106?’ I said.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and I have your new passport and credit card.’
‘Give me the phone,’ I said.
He handed it to me and I switched it on.
‘There’s something you should know,’ Jemima said.
‘...what?’
‘The signal from the tracker that we put on the Mercedes has stopped,’ he said.
‘Do you know why?’
‘No, I’m not certain. Perhaps Missouri has discovered it,’ he said.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Charlotte calling me back.
‘Do you have it?’ I asked.
‘Yes,’ she replied. Her voice didn’t disguise her annoyance. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘I have a new K106 from Jemima. Can you send me the tracking code for Xing’s K106 so I can get a location fix on her myself?’
Charlotte paused for a moment before she said, ‘Tell me the serial code of your new K106.’
I turned to Jemima. ‘What’s the serial code for this phone?’ He passed it to me written down on a piece of paper and I read it out to Charlotte.
‘I’m sending it now,’ she said. ‘Follow the link in my message and your phone will automatically start tracking her phone.’
‘Thanks,’ I said and then ended the call before Charlotte could ask another question.
My new K106 successfully picked up Xing’s; good she had it switched on.
‘She’s that way,’ I said and pointed.
‘What are we doing?’ Jemima asked.
&nb
sp; ‘Hurry,’ I said. ‘We’re following Xing.’
Jemima pulled away. ‘...why?’ he asked.
‘...because she’s in danger,’ I said.
‘...danger? Why, what is she doing?’
‘Nothing,’ I said. ‘She went out for a walk.’
‘Then why is she in danger?’
‘...because someone is following her and that someone is reporting back to Missouri.’
‘...following her, who?’
‘You,’ I said.
Jemima went quiet; he breathed in and then made a high scoffing sound like a teenage girl. ‘Me,’ he said. His voice remained high.
I watched him carefully. ‘Turn here,’ I said. ‘Xing is at the end of this road. She’s beside the water.’
Jemima glanced at me nervously as he turned at the junction.
‘One or more of your ducklings followed us yesterday. Then you told Missouri where we were staying and he sent two killers to wait for us.’
Jemima was silent.
‘A duckling will have watched the hotel too and seen us leave alive and then followed us. When Xing left ten minutes ago I bet a duckling followed her and I bet Missouri knows about it.’
‘That isn’t true. I would never...’
‘Are you armed?’ I asked, cutting him off.
‘No,’ he said.
I watched him closely. ‘When we get to Xing you’re going to tell me everything, otherwise, I’m going to let her kill you.’