Assassins Hunted

by Rachel Amphlett

  ‘All right,’ said Knox. ‘Let me talk to her. Set some ground rules. We’ll go from there. Come on – both of you.’

  Miles caught the surprised expression on Nathan’s face, then hurried after Knox, who had already opened the door to the interview room.

  ‘Eva,’ said the Section chief, offering her his hand. ‘I’m Gerald Knox. I believe you knew my predecessor, Philip Petersen.’

  Eva stood, and Knox seemed surprised at her height. She shook his hand, then raised an eyebrow as Nathan followed Miles through the door.

  ‘Ah, so the man behind the mirror makes an appearance?’

  Miles ignored the faint blush that crossed Nathan’s face. ‘Gerald is our Section chief,’ he explained. ‘He’d like to ask you a few more questions. Nathan here is the analyst assigned to your operation. I hope you don’t mind?’

  ‘Not at all.’

  Her mouth quirked as she gestured to the seat in front of her.

  Miles leaned against the wall behind his boss, and folded his arms over his chest as Gerald eased himself into the plastic chair and crossed one socked ankle over the other.

  Nathan appeared flustered, then copied Miles’s stance and tried to look relaxed.

  ‘It seems you’ve attracted the attention of some rather nasty people,’ Knox began. ‘I’m glad to see you and Alex are none the worse for wear.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Eva. ‘What are you doing about finding out who tried to kill us?’

  Knox held up his hand. ‘Bear with me,’ he said. ‘First of all, are you absolutely sure you had no idea the attack was imminent?’

  From where he stood, Miles noticed the dangerous flash in Eva’s eyes, and silently willed her to keep her cool.

  ‘No, nothing,’ she said eventually. She checked her watch, then glared at Knox. ‘We’ve been through it at every angle for the past eight hours.’

  ‘Newcombe here has suggested that we move you to a hotel for a few days, under guard of course, so that you can recover,’ said Knox. ‘Given your track record, however, I’m presuming that you would rather take on a more active role in the investigation, would that be correct?’

  Eva leaned forward and folded her arms on the desk. ‘Yes. Yes, I would.’

  ‘I thought so.’ Knox leaned back, and Miles could imagine the smug look that had crossed his face. ‘Then I suggest the following course of action. Newcombe here will be assigned as your case officer. You will report to him while the investigation is ongoing. The boy can stay with you, of course.’

  Knox turned in his seat to face Miles. ‘The pair of you will work together to find out how the hell the house in Cyprus was compromised, and who attacked you. Newcombe, you’ll report direct to me. The usual lock-down protocols apply – understood?’

  Miles nodded. ‘Understood.’

  ‘Good.’ Knox pointed at Nathan. ‘The pair of you can work through the camera feed from the hotel, correct?’

  Miles heard Nathan swallow before he answered.

  ‘Er, yes – that’s correct. Sir.’

  ‘Good. Go and grab whatever you need. You’re going with her.’

  Nathan’s eyes widened. ‘I am?’

  ‘You are,’ confirmed Knox. ‘So, if you’re ready, we’ll adjourn to my office and work out the detail, shall we?’

  He rose and offered his hand to Eva. ‘No doubt we’ll talk soon. In the meantime, try to get some rest, and then work with Nathan to see what you can find out. I need to know how badly the rest of your mission has been compromised, understand?’

  ‘He can’t be serious,’ said Eva as Nathan followed Knox from the room. She left her seat and approached Miles. ‘I’ve got enough on my hands looking after Alex. You can’t expect me to babysit your computer guru as well.’

  ‘You won’t be babysitting. He’s been out in the field before.’

  ‘Not like this, I’ll bet.’

  ‘You don’t have a choice. He’s going with you.’

  ‘He’s an analyst, for goodness’ sake!’

  Miles spun on his heel and glared at her. ‘You don’t get it, do you? When Douglas was shot, the programme got removed from the active operations system. Mothballed. No-one else knows about it.’

  ‘So, why does Nathan know about it?’

  ‘He was tasked with making sure it didn’t fail. That no-one ever found you. Call it a watching brief, if you like.’

  ‘Can we trust him, given what’s happened in the last twenty-four hours?’

  Miles sighed, threw the manila folder onto the table, and sank into one of the chairs. ‘Eva, he’s the one that tried to tell us a week ago that someone had found you.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Miles, holding up his hands. ‘We didn’t believe him.’

  ‘You bastards.’

  Chapter Six

  Eva followed Nathan into the hotel lobby, her fingers wrapping around Alex’s small hand as her gaze roamed their surroundings.

  For government-sponsored accommodation, it was opulent, and she wondered what UK taxpayers would think; then she realised that Knox had placed them here because the very nature of the establishment ensured a better degree of privacy.

  The staff would be used to VIPs, and wouldn’t bat an eyelid at some of the Section’s demands that would have had to have been made to assure her and Alex’s safety.

  She shifted the canvas holdall in her right hand containing the selection of clothing and toiletries one of the Section’s enterprising admin staff had put together, and checked her watch.

  She needed sleep, to recharge.

  She couldn’t concentrate without rest, and she desperately wanted to soak in a bath and ease the past twenty-four hours out of her pores.

  Movement at the top of a marble staircase to her right caught her attention.

  A black-suited man stood at the top of the stairs on the landing, trying to blend in as a member of staff. The tell-tale bulge under his jacket spoilt the effect, but a normal person wouldn’t notice.

  Eva exhaled, trying to loosen the tension in her body, and realised Nathan had spoken.

  ‘I’m sorry, what?’

  ‘I said I’ll get our room keys, shall I?’

  ‘Okay. Thanks.’

  Alex tugged at her sleeve and pointed at him as he walked away. ‘Who’s he?’

  Eva turned, then sighed as Nathan jogged over the marble tiled hotel lobby towards the reception desk. ‘A computer nerd.’

  Alex giggled. ‘Nerd,’ he repeated.

  ‘Shh,’ said Eva, fighting the urge to smile, despite her frustration. Instead, she concentrated on finding her bearings, noting the staff exit behind the reception area and the double doors leading to a bar, and counting the fire exits.

  Her eyes drifted over the people that milled about the lobby, consigning each into a mental filing system; potential Section personnel, hotel staff, hotel guests, and—

  She swallowed, and kept her gaze sweeping the lobby, while her mind worked overtime.

  A man was sitting at the bar, his body angled so that he could lean against the ornate brass rail that surrounded the serving area, whilst watching the lobby.

  She calculated the distance, and then lowered her gaze to Alex. The boy was staring open-mouthed at the large chandelier hanging above their heads, his eyes sparkling in wonder.

  Out the corner of her eye, Nathan was in the final throes of obtaining their room keys, and she hurried towards him, studiously ignoring the double doors through to the bar area, keeping her body between Alex and the man that sat there.

  ‘Nathan, move!’ Eva ignored the startled exclamation from the reception desk, grabbed the room keys, then took Alex by the sleeve and hurried towards the elevators.

  ‘Wait!’

  She hitched her bag up her arm. ‘Press the button, Alex. Hurry.’

  Alex did as he was told, then looked over his shoulder. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Never mind. Turn around.’

  The elevator emitted a lo
w ping as Nathan hurried towards them.

  ‘Can you believe this place?’ exclaimed Nathan. He raised his gaze to the ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling that had held Alex spellbound. ‘I could get used to this.’

  ‘Here’s a hint,’ she said. ‘Don’t.’

  ‘What’s the rush?’

  ‘I’ll tell you in a minute.’

  They rode the elevator car in silence, until it stopped on the sixth floor and the doors opened.

  ‘Hold on,’ said Eva.

  She handed her bag to Nathan, then pushed Alex towards him and eased herself from the elevator.

  As she stepped into the hallway, she looked left, then right. Her breath caught in her throat as she made out two dark-clothed figures halfway along.

  They faced the elevators, one with a finger to his ear, the other with his hand behind his back, as if to pull a weapon from his belt.

  The first dropped his hand, and moved towards her, gesturing to the two doors to her left. ‘We managed to find adjoining rooms,’ he said. ‘There’s a kitchenette and diner, and the refrigerator has been fully stocked. You should make yourselves comfortable.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Eva, then turned back to the elevator and beckoned Nathan and Alex forward. ‘Come on,’ she said, and led them along the hallway to the first door.

  They waited while the second security guard opened it for them and conducted a brief search, before he stepped aside.

  ‘We’ll wait in here while you check the other room,’ said Eva, and brushed past, knocking his arm. ‘Sorry.’

  The agent shrugged. ‘Both rooms were checked only twenty minutes ago.’

  Eva peered over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. ‘All the more reason to check it again.’

  She waited until Nathan and Alex had stepped over the threshold, then slammed the door shut and locked it.

  ‘Right,’ she said, keeping her voice low. ‘I don’t care what those two say. Be alert, and keep your voice down. I’d imagine the Section has installed listening devices.’

  ‘Why would they do that?’ Nathan said, spinning on his heel to face her and dropping the bags to the floor.

  Eva held up her hand to silence him, then put a finger to her lips. ‘Be careful what you say,’ she murmured. She turned her attention to Alex. ‘Go and put the television on,’ she said. ‘Find a cartoon channel. Turn up the volume.’

  Alex nodded and hurried across the room, pulled out the television remote control, and began flicking through channels. Soon, the sound of a familiar cartoon theme song filled the room, the volume increasing within seconds.

  ‘What are you doing?’ hissed Nathan.

  Eva pointed at the door to the suite. ‘How long have you worked with the two men that are standing out in that corridor?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘How long?’

  ‘I’ve never seen them before in my life,’ he said, confusion in his eyes.

  ‘So, how do you know you can trust them?’

  ‘They’re from the Section,’ he said.

  ‘But how do you know you can trust them?’ persisted Eva. ‘Have you seen their credentials? Did Miles tell you their names, or who had organised them to be here with us?’

  Nathan lowered his gaze, and ran his hand along the kitchen worktop that separated the space from the living area. ‘No.’

  ‘How long have you worked with Miles?’

  ‘A few months.’

  In the background, the noise from the cartoon grew louder until Alex dropped the remote onto one of the plush lounge chairs and made his way back towards the kitchenette.

  ‘That’s what I thought,’ said Eva.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ he asked.

  Eva peered across to the closed door to the hallway, then leaned forward so she could murmur into his ear without being easily overheard. ‘We’re leaving. Now.’

  Chapter Seven

  Samuel Parkes drained the glass of sparkling mineral water, swung away from his bar stool, and strode towards the lobby.

  He’d already noticed the four agents milling about the staircase and reception area, so kept his gait relaxed as he exited the bar. Instead, he adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his tie, then checked his watch.

  Plenty of time.

  He was sure Eva had seen him, which was a shame. He preferred the element of surprise, but the hunt always excited him, no matter the circumstances.

  He’d been surprised to hear that she’d escaped unscathed with the boy after the assault on her home in Cyprus, but revelled in the challenge that lay ahead.

  He ignored the agent he passed as he made his way towards the elevator. The man was young, probably inexperienced, and like his colleagues had most likely underestimated the woman they’d been sent to guard.

  And her enemies.

  When he’d first received the phone call, he’d sat down at the kitchen counter of his two-bedroom apartment. He’d never admit it to his contact, but his legs had started shaking. He still wasn’t sure if had been from shock, or excitement. The one hit he’d hoped for, dreamt of, prayed for, was his.

  And he owed her.

  He adjusted the sleeves of his black suit jacket, smoothed a hand over close-cropped sandy coloured hair, and then reached to the open collar of his crisp white shirt and ran his finger and thumb over the thin gold chain around his neck.

  It had belonged to his grandmother, a devout Christian, and when the chain slipped between his finger and thumb and found the engraved crucifix, he closed his eyes for a brief moment and murmured a silent prayer.

  Vengeance would be his.

  He pressed the button between the two elevator doors nearest to him, and waited, whistling under his breath as the numbers counted down from the upper levels. He’d already worked out which floor she’d be staying on – it was a simple case of waiting and watching the agents as they prepared for her arrival. From his perch at the bar, he could observe the bank of elevators with ease. Without fail, each agent had punched the button for the sixth floor at some point or other over the past hour.

  A soft ping preceded the left-hand elevator’s arrival, and Parkes stood to one side as an elderly couple stepped into the lobby. The old man nodded his thanks, and Parkes smiled politely before stepping into the elevator.

  His senses picked up movement behind him before he heard the footfall, and his eyes found the mirrored wall at the back of the elevator.

  One of the agents had reached out to stop the doors closing.

  Parkes held his breath, keeping his face calm and his shoulders relaxed. By his count, there were already two agents outside Eva’s hotel room, so this guy was either following him, or checking on his colleagues. He favoured the latter.

  He turned and reached out for the panel, pressing the button for the floor below Eva’s room, figuring the obviously inexperienced agent would relax once he could write off Parkes as a non-threat.

  Sure enough, the agent leaned across with an apologetic smile, and pressed the button for the sixth floor.

  Parkes moved to one side, linked his hands in front of his crotch, and waited.

  The elevator slowed as it approached the fifth floor, before the familiar ping announcing its arrival filled the car. The doors opened, revealing an empty hallway. No guests waited to enter the elevator.

  Parkes spun around, the heel of his open hand slamming underneath the agent’s nose, driving the cartilage upwards.

  The man slumped to the ground, his body convulsing as bone fragments entered his brain.

  Parkes punched the button to keep the doors open a little longer, checked the hallway was still deserted, then crouched and dragged the now lifeless agent from the elevator.

  Dumping the body on the ornate carpet, he then brushed off his suit, straightened his tie, and stepped back into the elevator.

  Now he only had to deal with the two agents outside Eva’s door, and the hunt could begin in earnest.

  Chapter Eight

  ‘Why? How
?’

  Eva jutted her chin towards the window. ‘We’ve been compromised. When the car pulled up, I noticed this side of the building has a fire escape. That window will open out onto it.’

  ‘You want us to climb out there?’

  ‘Grab what you need from your bag,’ she said. ‘You’ll need your passport, cash, and anything that identifies you. Leave everything else behind.’

  She watched as he moved across the room to where they’d dumped their bags and began to rifle through the outer pocket until he withdrew his passport.

  ‘Is that everything?’ she asked, craning her neck to see around his body.

  ‘Yes,’ he scowled over his shoulder, and then stood. He patted the pockets of his jeans as he walked towards her. ‘Everything else is here.’

  ‘Good.’ She moved away from counter, lifted one of the ornate chairs that had been placed against the wall next to the television, and carried it to the door that led to the hallway.

  She moved slowly, grateful for the plush carpet that silenced her footsteps. Once next to the door, she lowered the chair, and rested her ear against the door’s surface, blocking out the sound from the television with her hand over her other ear.

  She held her breath, straining to hear through the health-and-safety specified fireproofed woodwork. A faint murmur of voices carried briefly from the other side, but appeared to be several paces away down the hallway, not right outside.

  Satisfied, she dragged the chair towards her until it touched her toes, then moved and wedged it firmly under the door handle before returning to the main living area.

  ‘Why are you doing this?’ Nathan leaned forward on the kitchen bench, his eyes troubled.

  ‘I don’t trust the Section,’ she whispered.

  Nathan’s eyebrows shot upwards. ‘Why ever not?’ he hissed.

  ‘Gut feeling,’ she said, then sighed. ‘Helped along by the fact that you told them over a week ago that mine and Alex’s life could be in danger, and they did absolutely nothing about it.’