The Cotton Malone Series 7-Book Bundle

by Steve Berry

  “That’s up to the police,” he said. “My orders are to hand you and the bag over to them.”

  He’d stuffed the bundle inside his travel bag, where it would stay until the police assumed custody. He half expected Ian to bolt, so he remained on guard. Ahead he spied two men, both in dark suits walking their way. The one on the right, short and stocky with auburn hair, introduced himself as Inspector Norse.

  He extended a hand, which Malone shook.

  “This is Inspector Devene. We’re with the Met. We were told you’d be accompanying the boy. We’re here to give you a lift to Gatwick and take charge of Master Dunne.”

  “I appreciate the ride. Wasn’t looking forward to an expensive taxi.”

  “Least we can do. Our car is just outside. One of the privileges of being the police, we can park where we want.”

  The man threw Malone a grin.

  They started for the exit.

  Malone noticed Inspector Devene take up a position behind Ian. Smart move, he thought.

  “You responsible for getting him into the country with no passport?”

  Norse nodded. “We are, along with some others working with us. I think you know about them.”

  That he did.

  They stepped out of the terminal into brisk morning air. A bank of thick clouds tinted the sky a depressing shade of pewter. A blue Mercedes sedan sat by the curb. Norse opened the rear door and motioned for Gary to climb in first, then Ian and Malone.

  The inspector stood outside until they were all in, then closed the door. Norse rode in the front passenger’s seat, while Devene drove. They sped out of Heathrow and found the M4 motor way. Malone knew the route, London a familiar locale. Years ago he’d spent a lot time in England on assignments. He’d also been detached here for a year by the navy. Traffic progressively thickened as they made their way east towards the city.

  “Would it be all right if we made one stop before we head for Gatwick?” Norse asked him.

  “No problem. We have time before the plane leaves. The least we can do for a free ride.”

  Malone watched Ian as the boy gazed out the window. He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to him. Stephanie’s assessment had not been a good one. A street kid, no family, completely on his own. Whereas Gary was dark-haired with a swarthy complexion, Ian was blond, fair skinned. He seemed like a good kid dealt a bad hand. But at least he was young, and youth offered chances, and chances led to possibilities. Such a contrast to Gary, who lived a more conventional, secure life. The thought of Gary on the streets, loose, with no one, tore at his heart.

  Warm air blasted the car’s interior and the engine droned as they chugged through traffic.

  Malone’s eyes surrendered to jet lag.

  When he woke, he glanced at his watch and realized he’d been out about fifteen minutes. He willed himself to alertness. Gary and Ian were still sitting quiet. The sky had darkened. A storm was approaching the city. He studied the car’s interior, noticing for the first time no radio or communications equipment. Also, the carpets were immaculate, the upholstery in pristine condition. Certainly not like any police car he’d ever ridden in.

  He then examined Norse.

  The man’s brown hair was cut below the ears. Not shaggy, but thick. He was clean shaven and a bit overweight. He was dressed appropriately, suit and tie, but it was the left ear lobe that drew his attention. Pierced. No earring was present, but the puncture was clear.

  “I was wondering, Inspector. Might I see your identification? I should have asked at the airport.”

  Norse did not answer him. The question aroused Ian’s attention, who studied Malone with a curious look.

  “Did you hear me, Norse? I’d like to see your identification.”

  “Just enjoy the ride, Malone.”

  He didn’t like the curt tone so he reached for the front seat and pulled himself forward, intending to make his point clearer.

  The barrel of a gun came around the head rest and greeted him.

  “This enough identification?” Norse asked.

  “Actually, I was hoping for a picture ID.” He motioned to the weapon. “When did the Metropolitan Police start issuing Glocks?”

  No reply.

  “Who are you?”

  The gun waved at Ian. “His keeper.”

  Ian reached across Gary and wrenched the chrome handle up and down, but the door would not open.

  “Great things, child locks,” said Norse. “Keeps the wee ones from slipping away.”

  Malone said, “Son, you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  Ian said nothing.

  “These men have apparently gone to a lot of trouble to make your acquaintance.”

  “Sit back, Malone,” Norse said. “This is none of your concern.”

  He reclined in the seat. “On that we agree.”

  Except his own son was in the car too.

  Norse kept his head turned back toward them, his gaze and the gun glued on Malone.

  The car continued through morning congestion.

  He absorbed what was whirling past outside, recalling what he could about the geography of north London. He realized the bridge they’d just crossed was for Regent’s Canal, a corridor-like waterway that wound a snaking path through the city, eventually spilling into the Thames. Stately trees lined the four-laned promenade. Traffic was heavy, but not congested. He spotted the famous Lord’s cricket ground. He knew that the fictional Baker Street of Sherlock Holmes lay a few blocks over. Little Venice wasn’t far away.

  They crossed the canal again and he glanced down at brightly painted house boats dotting the waterway. Longboats dotted the canal, no more than three meters high, designed to fit under the tight bridges that spanned the canal. Rows and rows of Georgian houses and flats lined the street, fronted with tall trees less their leaves.

  Devene turned the Mercedes off the boulevard onto a side lane. More houses rolled past on either side. The scene was not unlike Atlanta, where his own house had once sat. Three more turns and they entered a courtyard enclosed on three sides by high hedges. The Mercedes stopped outside a mews constructed of pastel-colored stones.

  Norse exited. Devene also climbed out.

  Both rear doors were released from the outside.

  “Get out,” Norse said.

  Malone stood on cobblestones outlined by emerald lichens. Gary and Ian emerged on the other side.

  Ian tried to bolt.

  Norse slammed the boy hard into the car.

  “Don’t,” Malone called out. “Do as he says. You too, Gary.”

  Norse shoved the gun into Ian’s neck. “Stay still.” The man’s body pinned Ian to the car. “Where’s the flash drive?”

  “What drive?” Malone asked.

  “Shut him up,” Norse called out.

  Devene jammed a fist into Malone’s gut.

  “Dad,” Gary called out.

  He doubled over and tried to regain his breath, motioning to Gary that he was okay.

  “The flash drive,” Norse said again. “Where is it?”

  Malone rose, arms hugging his stomach. Devene drew back to swing again, but Malone jammed his knee into the man’s groin, then smacked Devene’s jaw with his right fist.

  He was retired and jetlagged, but he wasn’t helpless.

  He whirled in time to see Norse aim the gun his way. The retort from a single shot came the instant after Malone lunged for the pavement, the bullet finding the hedges behind him. He stared up into the Mercedes’ passenger compartment and saw Norse through the partially open doors. He sprang to his feet, pivoted off the hood, and rammed his legs through the car’s interior into the far side door.

  The panel flew out and smashed into Norse, sending the phony Inspector reeling backwards into the mews.

  He propelled himself through the open door.

  Ian was running from the courtyard, toward the street.

  His gaze met Gary’s.

  “Go with him,” he called out. “Get
out of here.”

  He was tackled from behind.

  His forehead slapped wet stone and pain shuddred him. He’d thought Devene out of commission. A mistake. An arm wrapped around his throat and he tried to release the stranglehold grip. His prone position gave him little room to maneuver and Devene was hinging his spine at an unnatural angle.

  The buildings around him winked in and out.

  Blood trickled down his forehead and into his eye.

  The last thing he saw before blackness enveloped him was Ian and Gary, disappearing around a corner.

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