‘No problems,’ Jack said.
‘Well done. In that case . . .’ he reached under his jacket, pulled out a yellow envelope and placed it on the desk in front of them, ‘your payment.’ With an index finger, he slid the envelope towards Jack.
Jack opened it and frowned. ‘Where are the tickets?’
‘Tickets?’ The Shepherd leant back in his chair. ‘No tickets, dear boy. You’re children. And you have no passports. How else did you expect to get to New York?’
Jack glanced at Charlie – she too looked puzzled. He reached into the envelope and pulled out a napkin. It had a map scrawled on one side in black felt-tip. It seemed to be of some buildings surrounded by a fence. A green pen line wove in and out of them.
In the top right corner of the napkin was written a time: 9 p.m.
‘Can you explain what this is?’ Jack asked.
The Shepherd adjusted his cufflinks. ‘That is a – crude, I grant you – map of RAF Hillgate: a military airport. You need to be there tonight, at the time indicated.’ He leant forward and gestured to the envelope. ‘You will also need all the items in there to help you gain entry.’ The Shepherd took a breath. ‘There is a sheet with instructions, explaining what you have to do. I suggest you follow them extremely carefully.’ He leant back again. ‘Lastly, at the top of that sheet is the time and address where your contact in America can pick you up.’
Jack slid the napkin back into the envelope and had the distinct feeling that any more questions wouldn’t be answered.
The Shepherd held out his hand. ‘Now, the other thing I asked for . . .’
Jack pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. He had written each of the Urban Outlaw’s body weights on it. Obi had almost refused to get on the scales and only did so when Charlie asked him nicely.
Jack handed the note to the Shepherd, who examined it, then nodded. ‘You are not to take anything else with you. No bags, no electronic devices, not so much as a chocolate bar, understood?’
‘Why not?’ Charlie said.
The Shepherd straightened his tie. ‘Let’s just say that any extra weight will be noticed.’
Jack stuffed the envelope into his jacket pocket. ‘How do we get home again?’
‘Ah, yes,’ the Shepherd said, ‘the return flight.’ He didn’t produce another envelope, but stared back at them. ‘Notify me when you want to come home, and your contact in America can simply drop you back at the same address they picked you up from.’
‘Someone will sneak us in?’ Jack said.
The Shepherd gave him a curt nod.
‘This looks too dangerous,’ Charlie said, folding her arms. ‘We’re taking all the risk again.’
The Shepherd’s eyebrows rose. ‘What?’ he said, looking at them both. ‘You think I could just give you a set of plane tickets and you’d be on your merry way?’ He played with his cufflinks and looked bored with their company. ‘Follow the instructions. There are no guarantees. Like I said – you are children. The chances of your being caught are high.’
‘If you really thought that,’ Charlie said, interrupting him, ‘you wouldn’t have got us to steal that diamond.’
The Shepherd fixed them with an icy stare and interlaced his fingers. ‘So, all clear?’
‘Yeah,’ Jack muttered. ‘Clear.’
Besides, he thought, what choice do we have?
The Shepherd gestured to the door. ‘You may go.’
Jack and Charlie stood up.
‘Oh, one other thing.’ The Shepherd’s expression looked stern now, leaving no doubt that he was serious. ‘If you get caught, I will have you killed before it leads back to me, understood?’
Nothing new there, Jack thought. Someone was always threatening them. Just another normal day for the Urban Outlaws.
• • •
Back at the bunker, Jack sat at the dining table. He upended the envelope the Shepherd had given them and shook it. Apart from the map drawn on the napkin and the instructions, there was a receipt with a four-digit number written in biro, a picture of a shipping container and a rusty key.
Jack sighed. ‘Brilliant.’
He copied the address at the top of the sheet of instructions to his phone and hit Send.
Finally he sat back and considered that this could be some kind of stupid joke by the Shepherd. After all, now he had the diamond, he could just vanish.
They had to be on guard from here on in, looking out for any sign that they’d been duped.
Noble – their mentor – had offered to get the Outlaws a set of fake passports, but it would’ve taken weeks. They simply didn’t have that much time.
The airlock door hissed open and Charlie, Obi and Wren walked through.
Jack had been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed they were gone. ‘Where’ve you lot been?’
‘Fitting cameras,’ Obi said.
‘What’s wrong with the one in the airlock corridor?’
‘Nothing. We just needed more.’
Jack frowned at him. ‘But we’re the only ones who ever come down here. No one else knows about the bunker.’
‘I’m not leaving this place without an extra layer of security.’
Jack nodded. ‘OK. Fair point.’
Obi walked over to his chair, climbed into it and checked the images on the screens.
Charlie sat opposite Jack at the dining table. ‘We’ve fitted two more cameras in each corridor leading to the airlock,’ she said.
‘I’m setting the security to lock down the doors if the cameras detect any movement,’ Obi said.
‘What about rats?’ Wren handed round lemonade. ‘Won’t they trigger it?’
‘It’s all right.’ Obi clicked the trackerball in his armrest. ‘I’m adjusting the sensitivity.’
‘Right,’ Jack said. ‘And how do we disarm it again once we’re home?’
Obi held up a small tablet computer. ‘With this.’ It showed the views from the three cameras guarding the bunker. Obi clicked the tablet screen and brought up a custom application. ‘I can access our entire security system through this.’
‘We can’t take that with us,’ Jack said. ‘The Shepherd told us not to carry anything.’
Obi stared at him for a moment, incredulous. ‘Well, that’s that.’ He turned off the tablet and slid it down the side of his chair. ‘I’m not going.’
Jack let out a slow breath. ‘Come on, Obi. We need you. Just set the automatic detection, like you said. We’ll find a way to access the bunker’s systems once we’re back.’ He refocused on the objects in front of him.
Charlie frowned. ‘Well?’ she said. ‘What’s the verdict?’
Jack slid the sheet of instructions over to her.
Charlie stared at the paper for over a minute, then looked up at him. ‘Is this for real?’
Jack shrugged. ‘Guess so. I’ve passed our arrival details on to Noble.’
‘We’re really gonna do it his way? Isn’t that a little risky?’
‘Right now it’s our only option,’ Jack said. ‘We don’t have time to do our own recon of RAF Hillgate.’
‘Can we trust the Shepherd though?’ Wren said.
Jack glanced at her. ‘We don’t have much choice.’
Charlie raised an eyebrow. ‘We always have a choice, Jack. Life’s full of them.’ She sighed and looked at the objects laid out in front of them. ‘This has got to be the weirdest deal we’ve ever done.’
Jack had to agree with that.
‘Guys, there’s a message from Slink on the system.’ Obi pointed at one of the displays.
Jack said to Charlie, ‘Where is he?’
‘I don’t know. I thought he was in his room.’
They stood and went over to Obi’s chair.
Jack quickly scanned the message. ‘Oh, no.’
‘What’s wrong?’ Wren said.
Jack squeezed his eyes closed. ‘Slink’s not coming to America with us.’
CHAPTER THREE
&
nbsp; Jack and Charlie stood outside Taylor House in Edmonton – a care home for the disabled and elderly. A sign on the front gate said it was due to be demolished to make way for a new housing development.
Jack turned slowly to Charlie, his eyes wide.
She had the same worried expression on her face. ‘Demolition?’ she said in a quiet voice. ‘Why didn’t Slink tell us?’
Jack shrugged. ‘Didn’t want to worry us.’
Slink’s mum had multiple sclerosis and had been in this particular care home for just over a year.
‘Come on.’ Jack opened the gate and followed Charlie up the path and round the side of the house.
The back garden was at least thirty metres long and full of apple trees, winding paths and various benches scattered about. Jack and Charlie sat on the nearest one, under the shade of an immense oak.
Charlie pulled a phone from her pocket and sent a text.
‘Slink?’ Jack asked.
She nodded.
Jack held out a hand. ‘Can I borrow that for a second? I have an idea.’
Charlie handed him the phone and Jack sent another text message. As he passed it back to Charlie, the phone beeped.
She glanced at the display. ‘Slink says he’ll be down in a bit.’
Five minutes later the back door opened and Slink strode over to them. ‘What are you two doing here?’ he said. ‘You can’t make me change my mind. I’m not going.’ He glanced back at a window on the second floor. ‘You’ll have to do without me this time. I’m sorry.’
Jack gestured to the bench next to him. ‘What’s going on? We saw the sign out front.’
Slink sighed and sat down. ‘They’re on about moving her to another home because they’re tearing this place down.’
‘I’m sorry, Slink,’ Charlie said. ‘She’s only just started to feel settled here, right?’
He nodded.
‘Where are they moving her to?’
Slink shrugged. ‘I don’t know yet. That’s why I have to be here. I can’t let them send her to some grotty place. It has to be nice, like this one.’
He visited his mum every couple of days and made sure she was well looked after by the nurses and carers.
Every time one of the Outlaws’ missions made money, they set some aside for Slink to give her.
After a few moments of silence, Jack said, ‘Why didn’t you tell us earlier? We could’ve tried to help.’
Mind you, they were almost out of funds. They couldn’t even afford to do any RAKing.
‘We’ve got other problems right now,’ Slink said in a quiet voice. ‘I didn’t want to add to them.’
Jack glanced at Charlie. Hector, he thought.
‘It’s OK, Jack,’ Slink said, seeming to notice his expression. ‘I know we’ve got more important missions to do.’
Jack stared at him. ‘No. No, we haven’t. Other things, yeah, but you’re far more important. You’re part of our family, Slink. And so is your mum.’
‘There’s nothing more important than that,’ Charlie added.
Jack gazed up at the window that Slink had been watching. ‘When are they planning to move her?’
‘I dunno,’ Slink said, sounding deflated. ‘The nurses reckon it’ll be this month. They’re finding new homes for everyone. It’s chaos in there.’ He sighed. ‘They can’t guarantee anything at the moment.’
‘I’m sorry, Slink.’ Jack rested a hand on his shoulder. ‘We’ll do everything we can to help.’
Slink looked up at the window again. ‘She doesn’t have any other visitors, and we don’t know how long we’ll be away for. I’m not sure I can take that risk, you know?’
Jack nodded. ‘I understand. I’ve arranged for some extra help too.’
Slink frowned. ‘Who from?’
Jack pointed down the side of the house as a figure approached.
Noble walked across the lawn towards them. He had dark skin, silver hair tied back into a ponytail and his long grey coat billowed in the breeze. ‘Good afternoon.’ He smiled at the three of them in turn. ‘Glorious day.’
‘Hey, Noble,’ Charlie said, smiling back at him.
‘Are you OK?’ Noble asked Slink. ‘I see they’re demolishing this place. Such a shame.’ He glanced around. ‘It’s peaceful here.’ He looked at Slink. ‘So, Jack said that you might need my help?’
‘Mum’s got nowhere to go.’
Noble bowed his head at Slink. ‘I will do what I can to ease the process of finding a new home for your mother, if you’d like me to?’
‘She doesn’t have any money,’ Slink said. ‘She can’t afford to go anywhere nice. Gotta be all on the Health Service thing.’
Noble nodded. ‘Yes, I understand. I’m sure we can find somewhere suitable. Leave it with me.’
Slink glanced up at the window, then at Jack. ‘If I came to America and something happened here, could you promise that I’d be able to come home again straight away?’
‘I would do everything I could. If you needed to come back, we’d find a way.’
Slink looked at Noble. ‘And you’ll keep me updated if anything changes?’
Noble nodded. ‘Of course.’
Slink sighed. ‘OK.’
‘Wait,’ Charlie said. ‘You’re coming with us?’
‘Yeah, I’m coming. You lot would probably mess it all up if I’m not there. I’ve bailed you out so many times I’ve lost count.’
‘All right,’ Charlie said, laughing. ‘Don’t overdo it.’
Jack smiled.
‘Let me say goodbye to her.’ Slink went back into the building.
As they watched him go, Jack said, ‘We need to help his mum in whatever ways we can.’
Noble sat on the bench next to them. ‘I’ll see if I can come up with a few options while you’re gone. Besides, help often comes from the most unexpected places.’ He winked, then said, ‘By the way, I’ve informed my American contact of your arrival time.’
Jack and Charlie grinned at him.
Noble tipped his head back, making sure his face was in the sun, sighed and closed his eyes. ‘Glorious day.’
‘Hey, Jack?’ It was Obi.
Jack adjusted his earpiece. ‘What’s up?’
‘I’ve just received a message from the Shepherd.’
‘What does he want?’
‘He found the tracker you put in the briefcase, and he’s not happy about it.’
Jack’s stomach sank and he looked at Charlie. ‘But you hid it really well.’
‘I did,’ she said.
‘That’s not all,’ Obi continued. ‘He also says that because of what you’ve done, he’s no longer helping us get to America.’
• • •
Jack marched across the bunker with Charlie and Slink hard on his heels. ‘Can you show me the message?’ he said.
Obi brought it up and Jack leant in to read it.
He was right – the Shepherd had rescinded his offer to help them get to America.
‘What do we do?’ Charlie said.
Jack straightened. ‘Obi, can I borrow that tablet?’
Obi reached down by his chair and handed it to him.
Jack hurried down the corridor.
‘Where are you going?’ Slink called.
‘To try to sort this out.’
• • •
Jack’s bedroom was simply furnished – with a single bed and a wardrobe. On the wall he had an Einstein clock and a picture of Bournemouth beach and pier – Jack’s birthplace, though he didn’t remember it.
He sat on the edge of his bed, clicked on the Cerberus chat app and dialled.
As the app rang, Jack took deep breaths, calming his racing heart. Somehow he had to convince the Shepherd to change his mind.
The app continued to ring.
Jack was about to give up and think of another way when the Shepherd suddenly answered.
The man stared, looking annoyed. He was in an office with a window behind him. Blinds obscured the view. ‘W
hat do you want?’ he said in a cold yet measured voice.
‘First of all,’ Jack said, ‘I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have planted a tracker in that briefcase.’
The Shepherd considered him a moment. ‘No, you should not. It was unwise.’ He interlaced his fingers. ‘I assume your plan was to retrieve the diamond once you returned from America?’
Jack thought about lying, but knew this man would likely see straight through it. He swallowed. ‘Perhaps, but we didn’t do it just to get the diamond back. We put it there to trace you. I wanted to know who we’re dealing with.’
‘It’s a little too late for that.’ The Shepherd lifted a small Japanese teacup to his mouth, sipped and set it down again. ‘You’re playing a dangerous game, Achilles.’
‘I know.’ Jack softened his voice and tried to look sincere. ‘How do I put this right?’
The Shepherd eyed him. ‘Don’t think for one moment that I trust you.’
Jack nodded.
The feeling’s mutual.
‘Why is it so important you go to America?’ the Shepherd asked.
Jack hesitated. He didn’t want to share that piece of information, but then again, he didn’t see what choice he had. He decided to pick his next words carefully. ‘We want to find someone.’
The Shepherd sipped his tea and rested the cup in the palm of his hand. ‘Go on.’
‘I – Well, that’s it.’
‘Right.’ The Shepherd’s eyes narrowed. ‘This conversation is over.’ He reached for the keyboard.
‘Wait,’ Jack said.
The Shepherd paused and looked at him.
‘We’re after someone. Someone who hurt one of our friends. Someone –’
The Shepherd leant back. ‘Quentin Del Sarto.’
Jack froze.
The Shepherd fixed him with a level gaze.
‘How . . . ? How do you know that?’ Jack said.
The Shepherd took a long sip of his tea, then set the cup down. ‘I too wanted to know with whom I was dealing. I did some digging, and a fascinating story emerged.’
‘How much do you know?’ Jack said with a deepening sense of dread.
‘Everything. I know what you did to his father. And I know about the virus. You think he’s going to use it somehow, don’t you?’
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