The Final Hour (Victor The Assassin 7)

by Tom Wood

  ‘Take it how you wish, but don’t forget what’s at stake here. There is an odious gentleman in Aberdeenshire right now, awaiting my call. It’s up to you what he does next. He’s the one who managed to track down Ben and Suzanne. He’s dependable. He’s efficient. He’s not as refined an operator as yourself, but his enthusiasm for such tasks makes up for his lack of finesse. You would be sent to assassinate a warlord, for example, while he would be sent to massacre the village. He has assembled a team of similarly unpleasant gentlemen. They’re waiting for my call. Or… not my call. Right now, they’re on a leash, and it’s a tight one. But I can release them at any time if you don’t work for me exactly as instructed.’

  ‘Work,’ she echoed. ‘You make it sound so ordinary, when you want me to be an assassin again.’

  ‘That’s who you were, who you trained to be, who you still are. It’s all you’ll ever be.’

  She was silent.

  ‘In return,’ he continued, ‘Ben will be safe. Suzanne will be safe. They’ll continue with their lives and you’ll be able to thank yourself for that.’

  ‘And live with the ghost of who I killed for you.’

  ‘He’s no innocent. No one is in our world. The only innocents in this are Ben and Suzanne. Your family. Wouldn’t it be nice to be an aunt some day? Work for me and you can have your life back. You might one day even be able to go home. You do remember your life, don’t you?’

  ‘I remember how you people took it away from me.’

  ‘You didn’t have to go rogue. You didn’t have to betray your country.’

  ‘I killed innocent people for you. I was made to believe I was doing the right thing. I thought I was doing good.’

  ‘The right thing for the people I represent is the right thing for America.’

  She laughed. ‘Do you know how ridiculous you sound?’

  ‘What’s ridiculous is that you still don’t understand you have no choice.’

  Raven said, ‘Oh, I’ve got that. But, answer me this: are you in the Consensus for life? Do you stay a member in retirement?’

  ‘What are you asking?’

  ‘Because after I’ve done this, after I’m long forgotten, after Ben is long forgotten, I’m going to kill you. And it won’t be quick.’

  He smiled. ‘Even if this absurd fantasy ever came to fruition, I didn’t make this decision. I’m merely a messenger.’

  ‘But you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’

  ‘I take a certain satisfaction in a job well done.’

  ‘I’ll remind you of that when I’m peeling the flesh from your face.’

  ‘Careful, Miss Stone. I don’t have as much at stake in this as you do. I cancel this mission with no comeback, no fallout, and no regrets. I can ensure neither Ben nor Suzanne come to a pleasant end. There is a flight to Prague at seven p.m. You can make it, but not if you delay.’

  Raven thought.

  The old man said, ‘What is your decision?’

  FORTY-ONE

  The drive back to Rome was pleasant and uneventful. Victor didn’t drive often. He didn’t like being boxed inside a small vehicle with his attention distracted by driving. The Jaguar was a joy to drive, however, and he was sad to leave it unlocked in a bad part of the city. He could only hope the thief who stole it next would treat it with some respect. Two buses, a taxi and a long walk to draw out any surveillance brought him back to his hotel. It was approaching dawn, but he wasn’t tired. For his current sleep pattern, it was about midday.

  Victor liked the hotel. It was a grand old building with uneven walls and skewed floors that made him feel drunk as he walked along them. He didn’t remember the last time he had been drunk. The room was perfect. The room’s sash window was stiff and required plenty of upward force to shift. There would be no sliding it up from the outside even without the catch fixed. The door was big and old and heavy, and the handle didn’t turn as it should; the door required a good heave to open inwards. There was no way anyone could do so without making noise. A heavy desk was positioned on the wall next to it, which was simple enough to drag, but formed an excellent barricade when Victor positioned it before the door. The thick carpet and uneven floor combined to ensure that even the strongest and most determined assailant would struggle to get the door open far enough to enter with the barricade in place.

  It wasn’t, of course, because he hadn’t been in the room. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, knowing he had an uninvited visitor before he checked any of his indicators because she was standing waiting in the centre of the room.

  Raven said, ‘Where have you been?’

  He recognised the distress in her voice. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Is there any reason you can’t leave this moment?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then let’s move.’

  He heard the urgency in her words, and respected her opinion enough to do as she requested without argument. She handed him his attaché case – already packed because he always had his things ready to go at a moment’s notice – and led him out of the room and through the hotel. He didn’t ask any questions. Now wasn’t the time. She would explain when she could.

  She had a car parked a few streets away. He climbed into the passenger seat.

  She told him what had happened at Totti’s villa and then in the old man’s apartment. She explained about Ben and Suzanne and the flight she needed to be on as she drove to the airport.

  ‘There’s more,’ Raven said. ‘This old man knows about you. He doesn’t know that you’re here in Rome. I didn’t tip him off, but he told me you were being taken care of.’

  Victor thought about this. ‘So, he knows about the open contract. About Phoenix.’

  ‘He didn’t say any more. I don’t know if he’s the one who put the contract out there.’

  ‘If he knows about it, then either he’s the client, or he knows who the client is.’

  Raven nodded. ‘Probably.’

  ‘The guy running the crew in Aberdeen,’ Victor began. ‘Did you get a feel for how close he is to the old man?’

  ‘He used words like dependable and efficient.’

  ‘So, they’ve worked together before. There’s a connection there. He’s more than just a contractor.’

  Raven said, ‘That’s my take on it.’

  ‘Then he could lead me to the old man, who could lead me to Phoenix.’

  ‘You know what I’m going to ask, don’t you?’

  He did. He had known early. He said, ‘I’m not a bodyguard, Constance. I’ve done that exactly one time and I made a mess of it. That’s not who I am.’

  ‘I’m not asking you to be a bodyguard. I want you to intervene. I wouldn’t ask you if I could do it myself. But there’s just no way. They’ve got me in a corner. If I try and get to Ben, it won’t work because in a few hours I need to be in Prague to answer a phone call. If I try and get to Scotland myself, I’m going to be sat on my ass at 31,000 feet when that phone rings. I’m going to be somewhere in the clouds when the old man hangs up and calls his guy in Aberdeenshire. I’m going to be hundreds of miles away when my baby brother and his wife are butchered. But you can go for me.’

  ‘And I’ll still be unable to help because I’ll be just as far away as you would have been.’

  ‘He said there would be another location, another phone call to answer. Think about it, whatever they’re planning can’t be ready yet. This is the plan, but they didn’t know when they would be able to put it into motion. He said the crew is waiting to go into action. That means when everything is in place, that crew is going to go in and take Ben and Suzanne hostage to make sure I kill the target. But I’m not where I need to be yet, so the crew is still waiting.’

  ‘The target could be in Prague.’

  ‘No way,’ Raven said. ‘They’re not going to show their hand so readily to their worst enemy. They’re not going to reveal anything until they know for sure I’m going to comply. That’s only going to happen when Ben and Suzanne are
at their mercy. They want me hopping from city to city, answering these phone calls to keep me out of the way, not only so I can’t get to Ben but so they have time to put things together. You know how a hit works. You can’t just have a plan and expect it’ll work whenever you choose. You have to wait until the timing is right. That’s not always up to you.’

  ‘You’re making a lot of assumptions.’

  ‘What choice do I have?’

  Victor didn’t answer because he didn’t have one.

  Raven said, ‘Will you help me?’

  ‘It’s already you who owes me.’

  ‘You only care about yourself. I get that. I don’t care. So do this for yourself, because this is a chance to get one step closer to Phoenix, and the only way I can help you is if you help me first. You want to die and be reborn, well I’m your minister. If anything happens to Ben or his wife then I’ll be no good to you, because I’ll be dead too. Whoever is out there watching Ben and Suzanne, deal with them. There’s a crew. I’m asking you to do exactly what you’re good at. Nothing more. I’ll pay you, if that’s what it takes. Think of it as a job. This is a business transaction. I’m hiring you to kill whoever is planning to kill my brother.’

  Victor said, ‘There’s no guarantee I can get there in time.’

  ‘Try.’

  ‘I’m rushing in blind. That’s not what I do.’

  ‘No, you’ve got it the wrong way around. You’re not rushing in blind. They are. They have no idea you’re coming.’

  She was right. Whoever was in this crew had been hired to kidnap and murder two civilians. They weren’t expecting exterior threats. There was no time to prepare, but the element of surprise was perhaps the best advantage he could have.

  Raven said, ‘They don’t know we’re still working together. You’re my ace in the hole.’

  ‘What are you asking me to do exactly?’

  ‘Keep Ben safe, temporarily. The old man told me the guy running the crew is waiting for a call. Stop him. I want you to buy me some time.’

  ‘For what purpose?’

  ‘I want to find out who the target is, and I want to keep him alive. If he’s a threat to the Consensus, then he’s an ally of mine.’

  ‘You can’t keep Ben safe forever.’

  ‘Maybe not, but I don’t have much choice right now. The old man kept talking about his predecessor – he never spoke about a superior. I don’t believe anyone else knows about Ben. These cells operate largely independently from one another. If we can get rid of this particular cell, the others might never find out I have a brother. Which is why I need you and I need you now. Do this for me and I’ll do whatever it takes, whatever you need.’

  ‘You have Ben’s address?’

  She nodded. ‘Of course. He runs a farm in Aberdeenshire.’

  ‘It’s going to take time to reach him.’

  ‘You can be there by the afternoon.’

  Victor spent a minute thinking it through. He said, ‘We know you’ll arrive first, but they’re going to keep you busy because, as you said, however much you’ve played into their hands, they couldn’t have known when you would show up. And you’re right that even if they have a whole crew watching Ben, they can’t just move on him instantly. He could be at the store. He could be hosting a braai for the whole neighbourhood.’

  ‘What’s a braai?’

  ‘South African for barbecue. Anyway, they’re sending you to Prague, where you’ll receive more instructions, which may or may not take you to your final destination. When you do, there’ll be someone waiting for you. Someone who will be keeping an eye on you until everything else is in place, and then to make sure you actually follow through.’

  ‘A babysitter.’

  He nodded. ‘Even when they have Ben and Suzanne hostage – they can’t control you otherwise. He’ll make sure you stay put while they do whatever else they need to do. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that even with the most meticulous planning, this is something that is going to take at least a couple of days to put into motion. There are too many moving parts to fall into line.’

  ‘That gives us more time. That gives you more time to get to Ben.’

  ‘Just because they’ll need to hold your brother and his wife for two days, it doesn’t mean I can get to them before the crew does.’

  She knew this too. ‘And what if you don’t?’

  ‘Then I’ll need to improvise.’

  ‘Be careful. He’s my brother.’

  ‘If they get to him before I do, he’s dead anyway. You need to accept that now.’

  She took a huge inhale and nodded.

  ‘I’ll do what I can,’ Victor said. ‘But whatever happens, they’re not letting him go. If you do exactly what they want, Ben and Suzanne are loose ends they won’t leave alone.’

  ‘I know you’ll do what you can. I won’t blame you if you can’t save them.’

  Victor was silent.

  Raven said, ‘This is my fault and mine alone.’

  He said, ‘You need to concentrate on your own task. Don’t get yourself killed because you’re distracted by what’s happening in Scotland.’

  ‘Since when do you care if I get myself killed?’

  ‘Because you still owe me that favour. I need you alive.’

  ‘Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?’

  ‘Now really isn’t the right time to bait me, Constance.’

  ‘You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m freaking out here.’

  ‘And that’s precisely what will get you killed, and probably Ben and Suzanne too. You can’t help them if you’re dead.’

  ‘What if I am? What if they send me on a suicide job before you can rescue them? Will you still help them if I’m not around to pay my debt?’

  ‘Keep yourself alive and the answer is irrelevant.’

  ‘Tell me you’ll still help them.’

  ‘Stay alive, Constance, for me, for Ben and Suzanne, and for yourself too.’

  FORTY-TWO

  Boxing had two benefits: it kept Leyland fit and kept her calm. It was impossible to feel anything beyond the physical when exercising above 70 per cent of maximum heart rate and trying not to get hit in the face. Her dad had got her into it, and though he was long gone, she carried on his obsession like a good daughter. She didn’t train every week – work could be hell – but sometimes she trained more than once per day. Today was one of those days. She had managed to get an hour at the boxing gym before heading to the office, but hadn’t felt like going home at the end of the working day. Which for Leyland often ended closer to midnight than not. Her gym was open twenty-four hours and was accessible only through a key-card entry system, which was why Alvarez was waiting in the car park instead of inside.

  She recognised him from her research. He looked older in person. More weary.

  ‘It’s late,’ she said as she approached.

  He was sitting on the bonnet of his hire car, which was parked next to hers. A street lamp made his scalp glow.

  ‘Plane landed a couple hours ago,’ he explained. ‘Didn’t much fancy tossing and turning in a crappy hotel bed. Thought it would be good to say hello.’

  Leyland said, ‘Hello.’

  ‘Would you like to know why I’m here?’

  She used a key fob to unlock the boot and dropped her gym bag inside. ‘I’m guessing you’re going to tell me.’

  ‘How was the embassy party last week?’ Alvarez asked. ‘Have a nice time?’

  ‘I love an official party. They’re always good value, even when they’re not. If you know what I mean.’

  ‘I’m not sure I do, Miss Leyland. But I’m sure you would be good company.’

  ‘If this is your way of asking me out on a date, you’re going about it in the worst possible way.’

  ‘Forgive me.’

  ‘What can I do for you that couldn’t wait until tomorrow?’

  Alvarez said, ‘I’m not going to be here tomorrow. This is just a pit stop. I�
�m in the air again first thing.’

  ‘Terrible shame,’ she said, stony-faced.

  ‘Look,’ he said. ‘I’m sure you and Muir were acquainted at the party. I’m sure you’ve been in contact since. Thick as thieves, I bet.’

  ‘We swapped numbers.’

  ‘So you’re all up to speed,’ he said. ‘And I’m guessing that you’re of the opinion that this is nothing to do with you and you can stay out of it. Am I close?’

  ‘You may continue.’

  ‘This is a CIA problem,’ he continued. ‘An American problem. But I would appreciate the cooperation of our very close allies.’

  ‘Funny word, allies,’ Leyland said. ‘It’s kind of friends, isn’t it? Except an ally is only a friend while they’re useful.’

  Alvarez shrugged. ‘We can be useful to each other, sure.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Because when Tesseract – or Cleric as you call him – is brought down, everyone who has used him is going to have to answer for that. Heads will roll, as they say.’

  ‘I see,’ Leyland said. ‘And you’ll be grateful to those who helped sharpen the axe.’

  Alvarez nodded. ‘Something like that.’

  Leyland leaned against her car. ‘And what, pray tell, might I receive in return?’

  ‘You’ll have a close personal friend in the upper echelons of the US intelligence community.’

  ‘I’m overwhelmed with Christmas cards as it is.’

  Alvarez folded his arms in front of his chest. He was frustrated, but trying to hide it. In doing so it was only more apparent. ‘I’m sensing you’re not going to cooperate with me on this.’

  ‘As you said before, this is a CIA problem. It’s not my business what has transpired before my time. This Tesseract you speak of – even if I did know him, whatever he did beforehand is irrelevant to me. A useful asset is a useful asset.’

  ‘You’re going to lose that asset, Miss Leyland. That’s going to happen with or without your help. It’ll take a little longer without, granted, but this is only ever going to end one way. When it does, your asset is gone and you’ve had the chance to make a new friend and chosen not to. That doesn’t seem like the smartest play to me, does it to you?’