Andy McNab - Payback

He looked at Danny. ‘Forget what I said about making a run for it. You wouldn’t get more than twenty metres.’

The aircraft came to a standstill but the pilot kept the engine running as one of the men came towards the cockpit door. With his shaven head and most of his left ear missing, he looked almost as menacing as the machine gun he was carrying. He kept the MP5 pointed at Danny and Fergus as they climbed out of the aircraft. The second man was standing midway between the aircraft and the vehicle, a Chrysler Voyager.

One Ear nodded towards the wagon, and the aircraft turned back to the runway. After the long flight in the cramped aircraft, Danny and Fergus walked slowly and unsteadily to the vehicle. As they approached, the side door slid back and Danny stooped to get in.

He stopped as he saw who was waiting inside. ‘Elena!’

George Fincham had a lot on his mind. As a high-ranking IB, he was rarely asked to explain his actions by a superior officer; when it did happen, it wasn’t pleasant.

It had happened that day, and in a way it was hardly surprising. The teenage suicide bombers had thrown government, police and all the Security Services into a state of high alert. Manpower was at a premium and Fincham had been called in to explain why four of his most experienced operatives were apparently running around Spain ‘like headless chickens’.

Fincham had no alternative but to admit that they were following up a lead regarding the wanted ex-SAS traitor, Fergus Watts. He knew he was on shaky ground: the recapture of traitors did not come into his remit and he had good reasons for not disclosing his personal interest in Fergus Watts.

He argued that he had acted swiftly and on his own initiative, but it didn’t wash, particularly after he admitted that Watts had evaded his team and was believed to be ‘somewhere in Spain’. Fincham was ordered, in no uncertain terms, to get the team back to the UK immediately.

He left his boss’s office with the words ‘In future, just forget about showing initiative and stick to your own job’ ringing in his ears.

Fincham was back in his own office, using his mobile to call Fran in Spain. ‘I am well aware of what I told you yesterday. There’s been a change of plan – that’s all you need to know. I want you and the others back here tomorrow. Be on the first plane!’

In the safe house in Pimlico, the night shift had taken over, but the two fresh operators were just as efficient at monitoring and recording every word that Fincham had spoken.

‘Marcie’s not gonna like this,’ said one as he removed his headphones and switched off the recording gear. ‘She wanted them out of the way.’

‘No bother,’ said his partner. ‘Deveraux’s got it all worked out. And she’s no lady to mess with.’

There was no touching reunion for Danny and Elena.

Marcie Deveraux was sitting next to Elena with her back to the driver’s seat. She glared at Danny and told him to ‘Shut up and get in the car.’

He did, and Fergus followed. One Ear got behind the wheel and the second man took the front passenger seat.

‘Let’s go,’ said Deveraux to One Ear. The vehicle slowly moved off, headlights cutting through the darkness.

She turned on the interior light and fixed her eyes on Fergus. ‘Firstly you need to know that I brought Cinderella here along for two reasons.’

Danny expected Elena to snap back with some remark about not being called Cinderella, but she said nothing. She was obviously scared and had been warned to keep her mouth shut.

‘Reason one is to show you that she is still alive,’ continued Deveraux. ‘Reason two is to remind you that she is only alive because I am allowing it. At the moment. Got that?’

Fergus nodded.

‘Good. Now listen-’

‘Where you taking us?’ said Danny, unable to stop himself from jumping in.

Deveraux ignored him and kept looking at Fergus. ‘Haven’t you taught him that he should only speak when he’s spoken to?’

‘Shut it, Danny,’ said Fergus without looking at his grandson.

‘Whether or not the three of you live or die is of no concern to me,’ said Deveraux coldly. ‘If you help me, you have a chance; it’s as simple as that. But it has to be fast. I’ve saved you from Fincham twice; we’re unlikely to be as fortunate a third time. Agreed?’

Fergus nodded again. He preferred it this way; Deveraux was stating the fact: cold, hard and straight.

She took a thick brown envelope out of her handbag. ‘I know all about your true role as a K in Colombia, and about Fincham’s activities. I aim to expose him for what he is, and you can help me do that. After all, we want the same thing: Fincham where he belongs.’

The vehicle was nearing a gate. Armed MoD policemen waved them through and One Ear eased past the gate and then drew to a halt as he waited to slip into the flow of traffic.

‘It’s time for you to stop running, Watts,’ said Deveraux.

Fergus smiled. ‘I said that myself only last night.’

‘Then get your revenge on Fincham. It’s payback time. Give me the names of anyone else who can confirm that you were operating as a K so that I can build my case against Fincham. I need hard proof. Fincham is a clever man – he’s covered his tracks well.’

‘And then what, if you do nail Fincham?’

Deveraux paused as the Voyager slipped into the traffic, heading towards the A40. ‘Then you can start again, a free man. Danny gets his army bursary for university and then officer training at Sandhurst; as for Elena, I’ve already had her father freed from prison.’

Danny looked at Elena and she nodded.

‘Something for everyone, you see,’ said Deveraux.

‘And what about you?’ asked Fergus. ‘What do you get?’

Deveraux smiled. ‘Job satisfaction. Now, are there any questions?’

Fergus needed time to think. He had many questions, but only one he was prepared to ask at that moment. ‘Your name?’

‘This conversation never took place, so you have no need of my name. Elena knows how to make contact, and you will only do so when you have the information I require.’

The meeting was over. Deveraux turned and tapped One Ear on the shoulder and he pulled the Voyager over to the side of the road. The door slid open and she handed Fergus the brown envelope. ‘Think about what I’ve said, Watts, but not for too long. Goodnight.’

‘What about Elena?’ said Danny quickly. ‘Isn’t she coming with us?’

Deveraux laughed. ‘Don’t worry about Cinders. She’s going home before her carriage turns back into a pumpkin. And remember this, Fincham knows nothing about her, so keep it that way.’

Danny hesitated, but Elena gave him a slight reassuring smile. He smiled back, touched one of her hands with his and stepped out of the MPV. Fergus winked at Elena and followed his grandson out onto the roadside.

Seconds later the Voyager had disappeared.

They were surrounded by scores of lunch-time shoppers when all they really wanted was to be alone. There was so much to say, but they both knew that now wasn’t the time to say it.

Elena had suggested the meeting place when Danny had contacted her online earlier. She knew that he would want to check she was OK after their encounter in the Voyager the previous night. She also knew that the MSN conversation was most probably being monitored, so she kept it brief, even though she figured that they would be expecting them to meet up anyway.

They were in a ground-floor, open-plan coffee shop inside the Lewisham shopping mall. The complex was busy, but not as busy as it would usually have been. Many people were staying at home, or at least avoiding busy places, but there was still a big enough crowd to get lost in, which was what Fergus wanted. That, and the choice of exit routes and doors leading to car parks.