by Tom Benson
Jake and Rachel said they’d been excited taking part and were elated at the success. They’d come through unscathed, and both brought up useful critique points.
Phil thanked them and nodded to Annabel.
“We have one fly in the ointment,” Annabel said. “Within a few minutes of us delivering the captives to the safe house early this morning, one of them ran away.”
Rachel said, “In the outfits they were wearing, she’ll be spotted quickly.”
“I agree, and we have people out searching for her. I hope we find her first.”
“Could she lead anybody back to the safe house?” Jake asked.
“I doubt it, and the two women working for us at The Oaks are capable if anyone visits.”
Phil said, “We did all we could. It’s a fine balance between making somebody feel free and, feeling as if they are a prisoner. We couldn’t lock windows and doors, or they would never calm down.”
“I suppose if a person is scared and desperate they’ll run,” Rachel suggested.
Annabel said, “You have to remember, a few of the girls have been made drug dependent. Addiction changes a person’s concept of reality.”
Everything had been covered after an hour of de-briefing. Phil addressed Jake and Rachel. “I want to bring you two as up to date as possible. Alpha and I will both be missing for a day at least. Today and tomorrow we’ll tidy up loose ends.”
“Jake, you go back to training tomorrow. If you have a need to discuss issues you had on the job, you can talk to your instructor. He’s a secure asset.”
“Rachel.” Phil turned to face her. “I’d like you to continue with the surveillance task. Watch for anomalies with the ice-cream van routes. The taxis you spotted are one aspect, and there must be more. Note details and we’ll de-brief when we get you back.”
“Got it,” she said. “I had one matter I wanted to bring up.”
“Go on.”
“I thought it would be handy if Jake were mobile.”
Phil said, “Have you got a provisional license, Jake?”
“Yeah, and I cycle regularly. I’ve got road and traffic awareness.”
Annabel said, “Gaining a car license would take time, but all you need for some motorbikes is a provisional. We’d need somebody to teach you to ride?”
Phil said, “Are you up for it, Rachel?”
“Yes. I’ve thought it through, and I hoped you wouldn’t mind.”
“I can’t think of anybody better qualified. Have you seen a suitable bike?”
“I saw an ideal machine at Mike’s place—a Suzuki 125cc,” she said. “As far as lessons are concerned I’ll be happy to spend a couple of hours with Jake each night this week.”
Jake looked upward and smiled.
“Dream on,” Rachel said and punched his arm.
Both Phil and Annabel grinned. Phil nodded to Annabel.
She dialled a number on her Motorola and inspected her bright red fingernails while she waited for a response. “Hello Mike, yes it is. I’m fine, how are you? Good. You’ll remember my colleague Rachel ... yes, she’s the one.” She laughed and winked at Rachel.
Rachel’s brow furrowed.
“Yes,” Annabel said. “I promise I’ll think about it.” She shook her head. “In the meantime, the lovely Rachel will be coming to see you. She’ll have another colleague of ours with her. Yes, I’d appreciate it. Ciao.” She closed the phone and nodded to Phil. “Sorted.”
“Okay,” Phil said, addressing Jake and Rachel. “You’re on, and I want you to keep us posted on progress.”
“Thanks, Hawk,” Jake said. “I won’t let you down.”
“Before you go,” Phil said and handed them both a manila envelope. “You earned this.”
They checked their envelopes. The pair stared wide-eyed at their bonus payments, nodded to Phil in appreciation and went to one side to get into their leathers.
Rachel said, “When I take you home Jake, catch some sleep. I’ll pick you up mid-afternoon. We can zip across the city to Mike’s.”
“Are we starting today?”
“The sooner, the better,” Rachel said. “We’ll use the car park and minor roads around Mike’s place for the basics, and I’ll follow you on the main road for a while. If all is well, I’ll shadow you across the city to get you home.” The pair mounted the big Norton.
Annabel operated the curtain door. Rachel touched her visor with her right forefinger, and the bike was gone.
After lowering the door, Annabel went back to sit at the table with Phil.
Phil said, “We’ve got time in hand now to review our plans for the next two days. Tommy’s garage won’t be open until 07:30.”
Phil drove the ‘dirty’ Transit as he called it, and Annabel waited at the lockup. The van was left at Tommy Somerville’s garage with specific requests by Phil, and he left in an identical white Transit when he returned to the lockup.
Annabel took Phil to the side street where he’d parked his car. By 08:00 they had recovered Phil’s car and gone their separate ways to get some rest.
.
Tuesday 16th July
Instead of catching the bus from Drumchapel, Jake was in his leathers and mounted his Suzuki. Across the street, Rachel was sitting on her machine. She waved to indicate Jake should set off first.
In thirty minutes, after an uneventful ride into the city, Jake turned into the alleyway at Blythswood Square. He raised a hand to thank Rachel. She revved her machine which briefly lifted the front wheel from the ground, and she raced off on her task.
Phil drove across the city to Knightswood, picked up Annabel, and they went to The Oaks to collect Kirsten.
“How long have you known Lindsey,” Annabel asked.
“About eight years or more,” Phil said. “Lindsey’s husband Ken was killed when we went into Iraq on a rescue mission. He was a great guy. One of the two British agents had already escaped by the time we reached the target.”
“Did you know who the people were?”
“Yes, it was a diplomat and two MI6 operatives. By the time we got in, the diplomat was bruised and shaken. The remaining hostage was one of the operatives. Viking carried him out when we left. We did a quick search for the other person, but nothing.”
“Yes, but you saved the one who was left behind and the diplomat.”
“Funny thing was, the battered guy was as selfless as Ken. He was young and badly beaten, but his main concern was his missing partner—Chameleon.”
“Chameleon?”
“Yes, the MI6 guy we rescued was your boss, Stuart Fowler. He said his team-mate had made a bid for freedom, and he was more worried about Chameleon than himself. It gave Stuart kudos in my eyes. It’s why I trusted him when we discussed my enterprise.”
“Stuart isn’t as active as he once was,” Annabel said. “Torture and the threat of being beheaded would affect self-confidence.”
“I’ll give him a call,” Phil said. “Maybe he’ll tell me the whereabouts of Chameleon. I have a special interest there.”
“I’d leave it for a while. Stuart is up to his neck in work with the new department. He doesn’t have many in his team, and it’s kept busy.”
“It’s a small world, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is ....” Annabel was in the passenger seat, but her mind was miles away.
After a few minutes, a new conversation got underway, about how much Glasgow had changed since Phil had last lived there. The talk faded rapidly.
They were both beginning to realise their social skills had suffered due to their line of work, but neither was prepared to admit it aloud. Notwithstanding some of the stilted conversation, the pair recognised camaraderie.
Annabel said, “Once we have Kirsten in the car, you know it’s going to take teamwork to gain any information, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I think we’ll be equal to the challenge.”
They parked up outside The Oaks retirement home.
Chief Constable Davenpo
rt answered his phone. He listened for several minutes to the irate man on the other end, and with a whimper, he put the phone down.
The Godfather had given the police chief twenty-four hours to solve the vigilante issue. The unknown killer was becoming a thorn in the side of organised crime in districts of Glasgow north of the River Clyde. The hits on Hartley’s criminal enterprises would be watched by other crooks, and it would ruin his reputation.
During the call, Hartley said there would soon be a clear message sent out. He didn’t clarify what the message would be, and it was the lack of clarification which worried Davenport. Would Hartley contact a newspaper and point the finger of suspicion at the Chief Constable? Speculation was mounting, regarding the virus in the Scottish police computer network? Perhaps Hartley would bring up Davenport’s past in an anonymous tip-off.
It was a bright, warm morning, and traffic was light on the A82, the main carriageway west from the city.
Phil’s mobile phone buzzed. He checked the screen and handed the phone to Annabel. “Could you speak for me, it’s Lindsey.”
Annabel accepted the phone, and Phil glanced over his shoulder into the rear seat. Kirsten’s head was lolling gently from side to side as she dozed, exhausted.
“Hi, Lindsey, it’s Annabel speaking. I’m helping Phil with the delivery.” She listened for two minutes. “We’re about halfway. Thanks, Lindsey. Ciao.” She closed the clamshell and handed it back to Phil.
“Lindsey said there’s a pair of mobile speed checks on our route. The first is north of Dumbarton, and the second is north of Luss.”
“Thank you.” Phil made a mental note to keep to the speed limits.
It was 12:30 when Phil’s Celica pulled into the driveway of Highland Heaven. Lindsey’s place was one of many establishments scattered along the foothills and mountains which overshadowed Loch Lomond. The window sign clearly stated, ‘No Vacancies’.
A side door of the house opened, and a tall, slim woman in a blue tracksuit ushered her visitors inside. Lindsey was fifty but looked forty. Her shoulder-length brown hair was neatly brushed. She acknowledged the two women and kissed them on both cheeks as she introduced herself. When she turned to face Phil, she looked him slowly up and down, and her eyes glistened.
“You look as young and fit as ever Phil McKenzie—it isn’t fair.” She held her arms out, and the pair embraced. A minute of silence passed before Phil held his friend at arm’s length.
“I see your birthdays are working backwards,” he said. “What age are you now—thirty-two?”
Lindsey punched him in the chest and shook her head. She wiped her eyes with a tissue. “You get your car inside the garage beside mine, there’s plenty of space. I’ll make a pot of tea, and I’ve prepared a light lunch.”
“I’ll be right back.” Phil went outside.
Having watched the friendly greeting between Phil and Lindsey, Annabel felt a pang of jealousy.
Kirsten said, “May I use bathroom please, Lindsey?”
“Of course, love. Go up those stairs and left.”
Before Kirsten left the dining room, she picked up the Marks and Spencer carrier bag which Annabel had given her.
Annabel seized her chance. “You and Phil go back a long way.”
“Yes, we do.” Lindsey smiled. “Phil served with my late husband, Ken. They helped each other out of some tight situations. I met them both when I was a nurse, but it was Ken who asked me out.” She gazed out of the window towards the garage. “They were close, and I always wondered if they tossed a coin.” She turned. “I’m sorry, I’m waffling.”
“Please, go on,” Annabel said. “I hardly know anything about Phil, but I think he’s a great guy.” She held up a forefinger. “He doesn’t talk about himself.”
“You wouldn’t know about his ‘MM’ - his Military Medal?”
“Oh my God, it’s one of our highest military decorations.”
“It was Ken’s final mission when Phil earned the MM.” Lindsey related the story of how a team had been sent to the Middle East to rescue two British agents and a diplomat. Annabel knew the story better than anyone but listened intently.
“Ken took a bullet in the neck,” Lindsey said. “Phil told me Ken knew he wouldn’t make it, and his concern was for me, and the hostages. Phil was in a bad way about losing Ken, but they all knew the risks, and he died an honourable death.”
“It must be a bitter-sweet memory of a wonderful guy?”
“Ken was posthumously awarded a medal for his professionalism during the mission.”
“He was a brave man.”Annabel closed her eyes briefly and nodded.
Kirsten spoke as she entered the room. “I hope you don’t mind. I changed clothes.” She stood in a knee-length floral dress and white ballet pumps. Lindsey nodded and waved her to join them at the table. Kirsten’s expression had brightened since she’d changed.
It was two hours later when Phil and Annabel stood up to leave. They both embraced Kirsten and thanked her for all the snippets of information she had remembered. Instead of joining the others as they were counselled and rehabilitated, she would be allowed to remain with Lindsey for a short while. She was pleased with the arrangement.
Annabel said, “It was lovely to meet you Lindsey, and I’m sure we’ll meet again.” They embraced. “Take care and remember we’re both on the phone.” She turned and embraced Kirsten. “You’re safe here, so relax.”
“Thank you for everything,” Kirsten whispered.
Annabel went outside and took in the beautiful view of the loch and mountains as she waited for Phil.
Lindsey nodded towards the striking woman standing outside. “You could do a lot worse, Phil.”
Phil inclined his head and raised an eyebrow. “I’ll see you soon,” he said, ignoring her comment about Annabel. He kissed Lindsey on both cheeks and went outside.
Having escorted Jake to the city in the morning, Rachel headed back to Drumchapel and rode to the top of Lochgoin Avenue. She watched, as down below, taxi drivers visited the ice-cream vans.
Lochgoin, at its highest point, gave a view over the centre part of Kinfauns Drive which cut its way through the estate in a long curve. Rachel surveyed the area and rode to a spot where one of the vans made a regular stop. She parked close, but left space, knowing a taxi would turn up.
Rachel stood beside her bike and took her time to remove her helmet and gloves. A taxi turned up. Rachel ensured the driver got out and reached the van before she did.
The man stood behind two small children who were buying ice-cream. He glanced left and right as the biker approached. From the counter of the van, the taxi driver lifted a brown package the size of a multi-pack of cigarette cartons, plus a regular pack of cigarettes. He nodded to the ice-cream vendor and returned to his car.
Rachel bought a bar of chocolate and asked for a chilled bottle of Coke. She had a good look inside when the driver turned to open his fridge. Nothing unusual Rachel thought unless the guy expected to go through four large boxes of wafers in one shift. Rachel walked back to her bike, and as she guzzled her cold drink, she checked the information panel near the wheel arch of the van. She had her next target.
On the way back towards Glasgow, Phil’s phone buzzed, and as he’d done earlier, he checked the caller and handed it to Annabel. “It’s Stella.”
“Hi Stella,” Annabel said. “Phil’s driving along a winding road—” She went quiet, and her brow furrowed. She glanced sideways at Phil. “Where are you now? Okay. Don’t leave the office, and if anybody suspicious comes near, lock yourself in, and call the police.” She listened and nodded as she spoke. “You did right. Phil will call later.” She closed the phone.
“What’s going on?”
“Last night, as Stella was driving into her street after work, she saw a guy letting himself into her house. He used a key, but she didn’t recognise him. A big car with tinted windows was parked in her driveway. She drove past, left the street, and spent the night with a friend.�
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“Did she try to contact me?”
“She didn’t want to get you involved in case it brought you trouble.”
“It could be her ex-husband sending somebody.”
“I could put eyes on the house,” Annabel said. “No detailed briefing necessary, and reporting only to me.”
“It’s complicated enough,” Phil said. “I don’t want to—”
“What’s complicated about two adults having a relationship?”
“We’re not having—” he stopped himself. “I’m sorry, Annabel. You don’t deserve to have your head bitten off.”
“Wow.” She smiled at him. “Am I sensing emotion seeping from the human fridge?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
“Would you mind if I took a guess?” she said.
Phil winced. “You’ve already guessed.”
“I think you two have an arrangement.” She smiled when she saw the dimple appearing in his cheek. “You see her on a Friday evening, and you stay overnight. The safe-house we used for the captives is a building on the books of her agency, and I’ve heard strange reports about the block you live in.”
“The block I live in?”
“The light comes on at unusual times in Flat Four, but only the living room light. It’s the flat next door to you, but nobody in the block has ever seen the gentleman who lives there.”
“Holy shit.” He turned to face her.
Annabel’s lips curled briefly. “It angers you to have warned off Mr Kavanagh, but he’s the type who might try to get to Stella.”
“Okay,” Phil said. “We’ll say you’re right. Irrespective of my relationship with Stella, am I right to get involved? Does it sound personal?”
“If you’re asking me if you’re letting your heart rule your head—I’d say no. The man is a total bastard, Phil. He has a history of violent and sexual assaults on women.” She paused. “Now, would you like me to get eyes on the house?”