Silent Warpath (Sean Quinlan Book 1)

by Dominic Conlon

  He found a sash window which had some remaining chips of paint sticking to the rotten wood. Cautiously he tried to lift it up but it was obvious that it had not been opened for many years.

  Lomax removed a penknife and ran the sharp blade around the sill and sides of the window. He tried moving it again but it refused to budge. He put his shoulder behind the effort and heaved one more time. The sill came unstuck and lifted slightly and the sound of yelling became suddenly louder. Lomax put both hands underneath and quietly forced the window upwards until there was enough space for him to slip through. That was one good aspect of the screams, thought Lomax. At least it masked the sound of his entry.

  He found himself in a dark corner of a barn. A wooden lattice was still in place indicating that this had been a stable at one time. As he listened the shrieking stopped, replaced by the sounds of sobbing. Lomax stood back in the dark shadows and squinted through a gap in the wooden lattice.

  There were three people in the room including the seated figure of DD. The light from the bare bulbs made the blood appear garish and Lomax noted how DD’s head had slumped forward onto his bloodied chest.

  Lomax removed his gun and found a silencer in his pocket. Carefully he screwed it into place.

  DD blinked back his tears. The pain overtook all other sensations. But for a few seconds the pain receded as he looked into the face of the man behind the desk. It was slack with shock.

  The second interrogator came into view, twisting around to look towards the darkened corner of the barn. Just for a split second everything seemed to stand still as if in a photograph. The second man slumped slowly to the floor. The man behind the desk began to reach across the desk for his gun but he never completed the action. His hand was blown away by the force of the bullet and the wall behind him sprayed red with blood.

  It seemed so surreal. There was no loud gunshot noise and his interrogators did not have time to utter a sound. DD could not see behind him but when Lomax eventually came into view his heart raced and he felt faint with relief.

  DD looked down at his trousers. He had wet himself and he was disgusted that Lomax should find him in such a state. He was also covered in blood from wounds on his face and mouth. During the brief interrogation they had broken a front tooth and his body was aching all over.

  DD watched Lomax step over the fallen man and quickly search the rest of the room. Lomax examined the man behind the desk. Blood was pooling out from his right arm. Lomax fashioned a temporary tourniquet from a handkerchief to staunch the loss of blood. He then swivelled the man around and produced some plasti-cuffs. Lomax first cuffed his hands behind his back then tied his ankles together.

  At last Lomax came over to DD and undid the tape holding his arms and legs to the chair. DD felt a rising tide of nausea engulf him. His stomach heaved and he was violently sick over Lomax.

  Lomax seemed unperturbed, as though nothing DD could do would surprise him any longer.

  DD came round slowly. The relief from terror coupled with the improved circulation after Lomax undid his bonds, was followed by a brief period of unconsciousness.

  What woke him was the sound of a bellow. In his fuzzy state he thought the sound was coming from himself. But when he looked around he saw Lomax leaning over the man behind the desk. The man was tied to his chair just as DD had been only minutes before. This time however Lomax was conducting the interrogation and he wasn’t as gentle about it as they had been.

  DD heard the groans of disbelief and pain and saw blood streaming down the man’s face. ‘No!’ he shouted. ‘That’s enough!’

  Lomax turned to see what the fuss was about.

  ‘Jesus, please go easy on him!’ DD pleaded. He hated violence, especially when he was forced to watch it meted out to others - even to his own tormentors.

  Lomax turned back to the man on the chair. ‘I need to know now’ he said in a quiet voice.

  ‘OK, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know’ said the man listlessly.

  DD slumped back in his chair. If the man had refused he had no doubt that Lomax would finish him off.

  Lomax made sure that his live prisoner was tied up securely before searching him thoroughly. He didn’t expect to find much. None of the men had any form of ID and their wallets contained only cash: no credit cards or driver’s licence. Lomax collected the guns, ejected all the cartridges and threw the pistols out of a window. Next he went to DD to check he was comfortable before going over to the main house. He wanted to find out if the men had occupied any other rooms, even if only on a temporary basis.

  He found two ground floor rooms side by side that were locked. He broke in. One room was a living area where the interrogators cooked and ate while the other was kitted out with camp-style beds. He made a thorough search and found only a short-wave two-way radio, a pile of porno mags and some mouldy cheese and dry bread. Lomax took time to look on the first floor but there was no evidence any of the rooms were occupied.

  Natasha felt tired. She passed a sign for a motel and decided to pull in. After registering she made her way to the diner where she ordered tea and a burger.

  ‘Make that two burgers and a coffee’ said a voice behind her.

  She turned around to see Sean coming towards her. She was so shocked she could hardly speak.

  ‘Why are you following me?’ Natasha asked indignantly.

  ‘You need a guardian angel. I’m it.’ Sean responded evenly as he took the seat opposite.

  ‘Look Sean I really appreciate what you did yesterday. But all I want is some peace and quiet.’

  ‘The trouble is’ said Sean ‘violence tends to follow you around.’

  The food arrived and they stopped talking.

  Sean glanced at Natasha. ‘We’ve spoken before about what our respective governments allow us to say. I’m going to tell you as much as I can without breaking confidence. Will you do the same?’

  Natasha was too tired to argue. They began to eat.

  ‘I’ve been sent to find out what happened to Ben. I have a personal interest too because we were good friends. We didn’t see each other very often but when you’re in the forces you come to rely on your friends a lot.’

  ‘Ben was in the forces?’ asked Natasha.

  Sean shook his head. ‘No - I’m referring to me.’

  ‘You didn’t have a family?’

  ‘Not for a long time - but you come to rely on your friends.’

  ‘Comrades in arms?’

  ‘Something like that.’

  Natasha looked at him. ‘What do you want from me?’ she asked.

  ‘I think you and Ben shared a secret.’

  A brief look flickered over her face.

  ‘Something happened, probably at work. Perhaps a project that you and Ben were involved in - or even something you and Ben discovered about a project?’

  ‘You’re fishing.’

  ‘You’re right, I am. I’m determined to know why Ben was killed and who is responsible.’

  ‘Why would you think I know?’

  Sean drank the rest of the coffee. ‘Because of the connection between you and Ben.’

  They finished the meal.

  ‘Come on, we have things to discuss’ said Sean as they walked out. He stopped outside his room and opened the door for Natasha.

  She hesitated. ‘I’m really tired Sean.’

  ‘I haven’t told you everything yet’ Sean replied. ‘And then you’re going to tell me what you know too.’

  Reluctantly Natasha entered the room.

  ‘Nightcap?’ Sean showed Natasha a bottle of Southern Comfort he had brought from the restaurant.

  ‘No thanks, I don’t drink strong liqueur.’ She sat in the chair. ‘Sean, I know you have been very protective towards me. But how do I know I can trust you? I only met you a few days ago.’

  Sean took a sip of the bourbon. ‘You’re right not to trust me. Trust needs time and I haven’t got much of that left.’

  ‘I haven’t much time
left either.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘They’re closing down the company until the investigation is completed. Some of the staff have left already and it’s only a matter of time before I go too.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that. What will you do?’

  ‘I planned to get away for a while and think things through.’

  Sean swirled the bourbon in his glass. ‘Is there anything you can tell me about Ben that could help me?’

  Natasha got up and walked around to stretch her legs. ‘I think I will have a drink after all.’

  Sean found a second glass. For a moment there was an awkward silence, then Sean raised his drink. ‘To absent friends.’

  ‘To absent friends’ she echoed. She sat on the bed keeping a distance between them. ‘How did you two meet?’

  ‘He was very bright. We met after he’d completed a masters degree at Cambridge. We got on like long lost brothers. Similar interests, young, crazy.’ Sean finished his drink.

  ‘He always wanted to work in the States and he went out there looking for work. He wasn’t able to get the job he wanted even after getting his citizen papers. I spoke to one of my superiors back home and they wangled him a job working in the defence industry.’

  Sean poured himself another shot. ‘I think there was some quid pro quo. He got the job and occasionally he would report back on any interesting developments.’ Sean looked at Natasha. ‘He didn’t like it but there’s no other way to dress it up - he became a spy.’

  Natasha looked surprised. ‘I never thought he could do that.’

  ‘Don’t get me wrong’ Sean began. ‘I don’t think he was passing on any detailed information - plans, maps, documents, or anything like that. Just general information about the projects he was involved on.’

  He topped up her drink. ‘Still, it doesn’t make it any more comfortable.’ Sean glanced at Natasha. ‘Would you be comfortable in that position?’

  Natasha gulped her drink and put it down. ‘No’ she said at last. ‘I don’t think I would be comfortable.’ She looked straight at Sean. ‘I know because I am doing something similar.’

  Sean looked curious. ‘What’s that?’

  Natasha looked away. ‘I’m not sure I should say anything more.’

  ‘You have another role at SeaTek?’

  Natasha turned to face Sean. ‘I’m not very good at it. I report to the National Security Agency every now and again. The NSA is supposed to protect national security systems, and our company is classified as being a security system. I’m just supposed to let them know if there’s anything going on that might compromise security.’ She held her glass up for a refill.

  ‘Isn’t that Jack Langham’s job?’

  Natasha looked at him curiously. ‘What do you know about Jack?’

  Sean shrugged. ‘He left a message on Ben’s answer phone. Said he could see Ben at the weekend.’

  ‘You’ve been to Ben’s apartment?’ she said, surprised.

  ‘I went to see if there was anything of Ben’s that his parents might want to keep.’

  ‘Oh. I’m sorry.’

  Sean filled her glass. ‘So your role is separate to Jack’s?’

  ‘Yes.’ Natasha sipped her drink. ‘Only the Directors know about my NSA involvement. They wanted it that way.’

  ‘I see. Do the NSA know about Ben?’

  ‘Only what I know.’

  ‘I suppose you’ve told them about me?’

  Natasha nodded. ‘Why did you arrive when you did - just after Ben was involved in the motorcycle accident?’

  ‘I got a message from him out of the blue. It didn’t say much just that he had come across a problem which he couldn’t discuss with anyone else. It wasn’t like Ben at all. It felt like he couldn’t confide in anyone at work.’

  Natasha thought she knew the reason. Ben couldn’t talk to anyone at work because he didn’t know who he could trust.

  ‘So you came out to bring him back’ she said simply.

  ‘Ben wanted to come back to the UK for a period and I was asked to bring him back safely.’

  Natasha attempted a brave smile. ‘I’m sorry - I’m just tired.’

  Sean took her glass and put it down. ‘I know. Why don’t you go to bed?’

  ‘There is something else. I’m wondering why you have been following me. Oh – I know you have been protecting me, but what is it you want from me?’

  Sean poured them both another stiff drink. ‘Just information. I think you must know something and someone wants your silence – one way or another.’

  Natasha took a sip. ‘Something did happen at work’ she said tentatively. Several people lost their lives as a result. But it happened after Ben was killed.’

  ‘Could it be that Ben discovered something before? Maybe the list he was working on was related to it?’

  Natasha shook her head. ‘I don’t think so’ she said slowly. At first I thought that it was an accident on the project - that people had lost their lives because of some kind of communications problem - and the rescue people weren’t able to reach them in time.’

  ‘And what do you think now?’

  ‘It wasn’t an accident. I found… some evidence that proved the project was sabotaged. Since then I’ve been hounded to death.’

  Natasha took a deep breath. ‘Listen I need to ask you for a really big favour.’ She looked directly at Sean. ‘I’m bushed but I don’t want to go to bed in my own room. I won’t sleep at all if I do.’

  Sean turned. ‘You’re welcome to the bed. I’ll take the chair - no funny business, I promise.’

  ‘It’s no problem if you want to share the bed, honest.’

  Sean thought for a moment. ‘It’s not that I don’t like you Natasha.’

  ‘Sean, I’m just talking about somewhere to sleep - not about making love.’

  ‘I might not be able to resist’ Sean said with a mischievous grin.

  ‘Well I certainly can.’

  The words hung in the air. She made a big effort and smiled. ‘I’m sorry, I’m tired. If you want to sleep on the chair that’s fine with me.’

  Sean visited the bathroom first. While Natasha was in the bathroom Sean went outside to call Lomax.

  ‘Someone’s on to Natasha. Oh, she also confirmed she reports back to the NSA. I have an idea about that.’

  ‘Yes?’ queried Lomax.

  ‘Well we might be able to use her reporting channel to our advantage.’

  Lomax thought about that for a minute. ‘OK, when can I expect you?’

  ‘No idea. I’m planning to stick with Natasha.’

  ‘Think they will try again?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘Make sure you use the opportunity wisely.’

  Sean closed the call abruptly.

  Instinct and training required one more patrol before he could rest and he made his way back out to the parking lot. He walked over to the hire car and looked around casually. The car park was nearly deserted – the few guests staying the night were already in their rooms.

  Sean bent down and felt behind the chrome bumpers with his finger tips. He moved on to feel underneath the sills. Pulling a small flashlight from an inner pocket he lay down on the tarmac to inspect underneath the car. He could not find any kind of tracking device attached.

  He walked over to Natasha’s car, brushing the dust off his clothes. Pulling out a spare mobile, he punched in a code and bent down once more. This time he fixed the spare up under one of the sills. The mobile had a strong magnet that would keep it in place however bumpy the ride.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Natasha called from the doorway.

  ‘Just checking your exhaust - I noticed it blowing on the way here.’

  When he returned Natasha was already in bed. He slipped off his shirt and trousers but before he could make himself comfortable on the chair she flipped the covers back on his side of the bed.

  Sean got in. Natasha was turned on her side facing him. It se
emed like the most natural thing in the world for Sean to put his arm around her. But he resisted, past memories preventing him. Finally she turned away.

  Chapter 18

  ‘Ow!’ DD yelped as Lomax prodded his chest. DD was laid out on the bed at Lomax’s safe house, doing his best to relax as Lomax tried to find the extent of his injuries.

  ‘No broken bones - so far’ said Lomax cheerfully. Now let’s have a look at your eyes. Lomax produced a flashlight and shone it into each eye, noting the rate of contraction of the pupils. ‘Mmm. They’ll probably do.’ Lomax took DD’s pulse. For fifteen seconds there was quiet. ‘Your pulse is a little high but that’s only to be expected. I can’t find anything wrong with you – nothing that a rest won’t cure.’ He gave DD some tablets. ‘These will reduce the pain and the swelling and help you get a good night’s sleep.’ Lomax watched as DD swallowed them with a glass of water. He was relieved DD had not suffered any major physical injuries.

  Now it was time for Lomax to get tough. ‘What happened?’

  DD struggled to sit up. ‘I gave London two names. London found they were being paid by the same corporation.’

  ‘You mean Advanced Marine Agency?’

  ‘Yes. I thought I might be able to hack into their wireless network, but two goons grabbed me before I managed to get in.’

  Lomax shook his head. ‘I saw it happen. How often have you been told that everything you do, you check with me first?’

  DD looked shame faced. ‘I know - I just forgot. I’m sorry. Believe me it won’t happen again.’ DD’s voice was noticeably drowsier as the drugs began to take effect.

  ‘You’re damn right about that’ said Lomax. ‘It won’t happen again’.

  Outside the room Lomax listened as DD’s breathing settled into a rhythm. Lomax took out his cell phone and called Sean. ‘OK I have DD back, safe and sound. He won’t be going off on a jaunt again. He’s a bit roughed up but sleeping it off now.’ Lomax listened briefly. ‘You remember the company where DD was snatched - the Advanced Marine Agency – well I know for definite they’re involved. I’ve also got a name for you: Christopher Schaeffer. He’s the guy DD’s snatch squad reported to. I’ll work on his background.’