by Ted Tayler
“The outcome at the station might have been very different,” said Colin. “We were fortunate. The first three bombers were taken out of the game in textbook fashion. Rusty had to take a risk though to take Rehman out of the picture. The Jaffri girl could have had her own or his phone number on her mobile. If so, Rusty and I would be in body bags, plus a few hundred innocent bystanders. More important than that, Athena might have been blown to pieces too. Our second in command walked right into the middle of the kill zone. It was imperative I protected her if the Olympus Project is to carry on after you’ve gone.”
“I see your point Phoenix and well-argued. The surveillance section will review their procedures to see if we could have prevented these gaps in our knowledge. It was a risk sending the teams into the station and its surroundings without knowing each of the five cell members carried bombs. That cannot happen again. Remember the lessons learned today Phoenix and be on your guard. Because we knocked out most of the CCTV equipment in the area and since the teams kept most things under the radar, the authorities have little evidence. There were no bodies left for them to examine. We have a cleaning crew based in London for such eventualities. They arrived at the scene minutes after you dashed out of the concourse with the girl on the stretcher. Fragments of her hair, skull, and brain etcetera are in the sewers and heading out to sea by now. When you and Rusty performed your heroics, the panic among the crowds meant that few of the witnesses the police have tracked down can give credible statements. We’re doing what we can to keep fogging the mirror, so they never see the full picture. There’s been no sign as yet of them using crime scene people to comb the concourse for forensic detail. It will need a close eye for another couple of days, but we should be able to breathe easily by Monday.”
“Once again sir, I’m sorry to have been so careless; it won’t happen again. Do we have any news from Brad in Milton Keynes?”
“Of course, there was one more piece of good news old chap. The police were tipped off about a possible burglary and bless the locals they called in the security guys once they found the data we left. Brad has people standing by to inform us when any of the other links in the chain is arrested. A series of dawn raids will take place in the Midlands. It feels good to throw a bun to the official arm of the law now and then.”
“A pity they drop the bloody thing though as often as not,” said Colin.
Erebus managed a thin smile.
“Off you go then Phoenix; good hunting next week. At our group meeting this morning we discussed you by the way. After you’ve completed this job, you deserve a holiday. It will give you time to recharge your batteries. So far, we have kept you here at Larcombe as opposed to sending you into the field, as we have with Brad for example. No doubt you have guessed why.”
“I never thought it through, sir. I guess it was for my own good.”
“First, having ‘head-hunted’ you, we needed to assess whether we made a good choice. Second, we wanted to give you a haven where your real identity could never be discovered. If we had made an error of judgement, then it was easier to rectify if you were on our doorstep.”
“The pet cemetery again,” said Colin.
“That won’t be necessary old chap. You have proved beyond doubt to be the useful acquisition I convinced Athena and the others you would be.”
“Will I return to Larcombe after my short vacation?” asked Colin.
“I’m duty-bound to ask Athena for her opinion Phoenix; with her up in London until this evening, we couldn’t make a firm decision.”
“OK, I understand. If that’s it for tonight, sir, I’ll be off to bed.”
“Goodnight Phoenix. Sweet dreams.”
Colin walked back to his quarters, wondering where he might go for a few days after he’d been up to Bonny Scotland. He’d avoid Aberdeen and the other cities that Maiden’s Hair visited on their tour. There was no point in risking anyone recognising his alter ego Owen Collins the roadie. Surely there was somewhere he could go where there was ‘live’ music, a bar and a comfortable bed? He decided he needed to search on his laptop as soon as he got in and make plans.
It was late and the stable block was quiet when he slipped into his room.
“I thought you’d never come back,” whispered Athena sleepily.
Colin jumped but recovered his composure and turned on his bedside light.
“Erebus called urgently. I’m sorry I missed our swim.”
Athena pulled back the sheet that covered her. She wore her costume.
“I didn’t want to swim alone. When you didn’t arrive, I came here to find you. I saw the note from Erebus and I felt tired. I stretched out on your bed, rested my eyes for a second and then before I knew it, here you are.”
“Here I am,” Colin said, “was there something in particular you wanted?
Athena was so close her perfume invaded his nostrils. He felt his body respond straight away. All that earlier indifference and frostiness had gone. She raised herself up onto her knees and rested her arms on his shoulders.
“I don’t want to be alone tonight,” she said, “with my mother facing that operation first thing tomorrow. Just hold me Phoenix. Please?
Colin’s erection did the sensible thing and retired for the night.
“Of course, Athena,” Colin replied.
He lay beside her and she soon dropped off to sleep with her head on his chest and his arms around her. As he lay there, listening to her steady relaxed breathing, he thought what a funny old world it was. Colin Bailey, the vigilante killer transformed into the perfect gentleman by a goddess. Well, at least for one night.
CHAPTER 22
Colin felt Athena stir and move away from him. It was dark, and she obviously wanted to leave the stable block before anyone discovered she spent the night there. Innocent though it may have been. Before she left, she kissed him softly on his forehead.
It was time to get up and head for the shower. A cold one today, despite the chill of the late October morning. His next port of call was the swimming pool and while he ploughed his way up and down his lane, Rusty appeared for his daily workout. Rusty called out to him.
“A good night, last night Phoenix?”
Colin ignored him at first but Rusty wasn’t prepared to let it go.
“A cosy drive back with her ladyship, eh? Did you come straight back, or did you take the scenic route?”
Colin realised Rusty was referring to earlier last evening. He was unaware of his overnight guest. What a relief.
“We came straight home. I got a summons and a mild bollocking from Erebus about you know what. Then I had an early night. Athena planned to go swimming as I recall. How did our visitors spend the night?”
“It was uncomfortable,” said Rusty. “It ain’t the Hilton they’re running at the bottom of the ice-house and they had an early call this morning. They’re being invited to talk for the next few hours. The sooner they co-operate the longer it will be before they join Zunairah. She’s got a nice spot under the shade of a beech tree as I understand it. A crew took her to the pet cemetery at half-past seven.”
Colin still remembered the look on Zunairah’s face as he pressed the gun against her head. He saw no fear of death in those eyes, just hatred. He wondered whether he should regret having pulled the trigger, knowing what he knew now. That she couldn’t have exploded any of the bombs with the phone she picked, but he cast the thought aside. She made her choice to die yesterday and he couldn’t risk her taking anyone else with her if he could help it. He resumed his swim content he did the right thing.
“Fancy a brekkie later, mate?” called Rusty as he caught him up in the next lane.
“Sounds good,” called Colin, as he sprinted away from his colleague.
The morning passed uneventfully after that. Colin and Rusty had a full English and several rounds of toast washed down with mugs of coffee. The items Colin needed for the trip to Scotland on Sunday arrived at his quarters as promised. There was even a well-stuffed
envelope which had ‘Holiday Money’ scribbled on the front. It was hand-delivered by a steward from the main building in the early afternoon. Colin felt a kept man. He wished he could get his finances sorted out, but he had to face facts, he had years ahead of him before he could be ‘legally’ declared dead.
Colin spent the afternoon preparing for his next mission. He went over his plan for Donald MacDonald for the umpteenth time. He wandered to the canteen for a light meal in the early evening. He wasn’t that hungry and planned to work out where to spend his time off as soon as he got back. When he had eaten and left the canteen, he saw Athena making her way across the lawns towards him.
There was an awkward moment when they stopped and spoke at the same time.
“Sorry,” said Colin, “you first. Tell me, how is your mother?”
Athena brushed his cheek with the tips of her fingers.
“Daddy says the procedure went fine. She’s attached to various tubes, drips, and drains at present, which makes things look far worse than they are. She’s still drowsy and in discomfort this evening but they’ll have her up and out of bed sitting in a chair tomorrow. Daddy says she should be home in a week and then it's three months allowing the body to heal.”
“Will he be on his own with her during that time or will Erebus let you take leave to help out?”
“Daddy is arranging for a nurse to live in, for the first couple of months at least. He can’t sit around the house for too long, he’d go nuts. I’ll ask Erebus for time off on the occasional weekend. With the scale of operation, we are dealing with at Olympus globally at present, I can’t be spared too often, though. When she has recovered from her procedure, she has to adopt a healthy lifestyle to cut the risk of developing further heart problems in the future. We need to get her to stop smoking, to eat healthy food, to drink less and, at least, exercise a tiny bit.”
“I’m glad she’s through the first part at least,” said Colin, and Athena squeezed his arm.
“Thank you for last night,” she whispered, “it was sweet of you not to take advantage of me.”
“That’s funny,” replied Colin, “that’s what I was going to say.”
Athena smiled. “You’ve eaten I take it?” she asked.
Colin nodded. “I’m going back to my room to decide where I might spend my few days’ holiday. Erebus told you I wasn’t coming straight back after Dunfermline I assume?”
“He did, and he asked if I objected to you being sent out into the field to live somewhere handy for any future direct actions you might carry out. I told him I wanted you to stay here at Larcombe for good.”
“Really?” said Colin. “Do you still need to keep a close watch on me?”
“No Phoenix,” she said as she walked away from him towards the canteen. “I can’t bear you being hundreds of miles away when I might need you to hold me as you did last night.”
Athena stopped. She walked back and held his hands in hers.
“It’s been a long time,” she said, “be patient with me.”
Colin kissed her on her lips.
“I’ll see you when I get back from my holiday Athena; take care until then.”
Athena walked towards the canteen and Colin headed to the stable block. He turned to glance back as he neared his quarters and Athena stood by the door to the building, waiting for him to look her way. She gave a brief wave and went indoors.
Colin started planning his holiday and couldn’t concentrate on anywhere or anything. He only thought about how great it had been to kiss Athena. He imagined kissing her body from tip to toe.
“Another cold shower before bed,” he groaned, “and up early in the morning to see if I can’t finally plan this bloody holiday.”
Colin was at Bath Spa station yet again on Monday, the first leg of his journey about to begin. Everything he needed for his mission and his short break was in his trusty rucksack. He carried a sizeable wedge of notes too, to buy any items he needed.
He hadn’t seen Athena since that Friday evening. Erebus and the others occupied her time with Olympus business. There had been no further updates on her mother’s progress. Colin assumed that no news was good news.
The train left the station on the short hop to Bristol. Colin peered out of the window and was glad that once his holiday was over, he’d be returning to the Roman city. He hadn’t fancied pitching up in a strange town and starting afresh. He had the potential promise of a relationship with Athena on his return. How important that relationship would be in his life he couldn’t tell yet, but it looked good for now.
Colin understood the next six or seven hours would be a drag. Trekking across the country to Birmingham New Street, then up the west coast further and further north until he arrived in Edinburgh. He soon found his eyes dropping, and he slept while the train plodded through to Gloucester and Cheltenham. He changed trains again before he knew it. While in Birmingham New Street he had a few minutes to spare, so he bought a magazine and a hot sausage roll. When he looked at the change he’d got from a tenner, he wondered how long the money he had might last him. Things had got dearer even since he’d returned from The Gambia.
The sausage roll tasted great though, and the magazine kept his interest for a few moments, so it wasn’t a disaster. He needed something to occupy his mind. Staring out of the window as the train made its way through the last of the Midlands wasn’t much of a treat. Colin watched the changing scenery on the other side of the glass and counted off the stations as he travelled further up the country. As the train threaded its way through the busy traffic hub of Crewe, Colin thought although the price of a sausage roll has changed dramatically, many more things change very little.
Colin, at last, stood on the platform at Edinburgh waiting for his final connecting train. Just over half an hour later Colin walked out of the station at Dunfermline. It was approaching nine o’clock, and bloody freezing. Well, what did he expect in late October in Scotland?
His research found a reasonable bed-and-breakfast within a short walk of the station. It wasn’t long before he unpacked his overnight things from his rucksack. He slept knowing if everything went to plan, then he’d be off on his holiday within twenty-four hours.
Donald MacDonald was in his customary position; sat in his car watching the children as they arrived to start the school day. He slumped in his seat so that from the other side of the green opposite the school gates, it was almost impossible to see whether anyone sat in the car.
The policeman left the house at a quarter to eight as usual after what had become his staple breakfast diet. A bowl of porridge and a tumbler of whisky. Donald MacDonald was on a slippery slope.
His career had gone down the toilet. Despite the damning evidence against him, Donald believed the two sisters had stitched him up. He even complained to the few friends he had left that the pathetic sentence he received was punitive.
The crafty copper conveniently forgot the other young girls he sweet-talked into giving him favours to stop him telling their parents tales about what they’d been doing.
“If I turn up at your house, in my police car, and say you were smoking and drinking lager in the park. Who do you think your mammy’s going to believe, eh? Right then, darling, there’s a way we can make this problem go away.”
That slippery slope led to more and more material being downloaded from the internet. Even more so after his father had gone into the home. Somehow Donald kept that fact quiet. A factor behind the leniency of his sentence had been his invalid father’s care. Donald’s brief painted a sad and sorry picture of the effects on his father’s life if Donald, his sole support, was given a custodial sentence.
With his father out of the way and Donald’s ‘sole carer’ role discarded without a backwards look, there was no one to see what he did. Donald was free to watch what he liked when he liked. The more he watched, the more he wanted to act out his fantasies. Somewhere deep inside him was a ‘good angel’ telling him it was wrong and that he should get help. The
whisky helped to drown out that voice.
He needed larger and larger amounts to keep the angel quiet these days. Donald couldn’t function without a drink inside him as soon as he awoke. The devil angel on his other shoulder won the battle and Donald’s visits to the school now became a daily occurrence during term time. To begin with, he had just been looking. In the last couple of weeks, he had been taking photographs of the prettiest girls. The surveillance section at Larcombe Manor identified most of them from Donald’s computer.
Donald was only a day or two away from selecting his target. He had driven around this part of town so often over the last twenty-odd years. He knew the streets like the back of his hand. The nights were drawing in now too. A few of the children he watched attended after-school clubs and a couple of his favourites walked home alone after four o’clock in the afternoon. He planned to follow them and choose his spot. Once they were in his car, his fantasies could become a reality.
The final late arrivals ran through the school gates before they were locked and Donald drove his car back home. He planned to spend the next few hours looking at his picture collection. Maybe today he would decide on which girl to abduct.
Colin checked out of his room and walked around the town. He knew where his target lived, but he didn’t plan to go anywhere near there. The dossier he studied in such detail at Larcombe suggested where Donald was to be found later that afternoon. Colin pulled his coat closer to him and leant into the bitter wind. The rucksack on his shoulder contained the few necessities he selected for this mission. The inclement weather kept most of the town’s folk indoors. So, only a few people saw a stranger wandering past the shops and heading out towards one of the town’s bigger schools.
