His train of thought led him to the person who had set up this ‘race’ to London. They had got themselves a team of top assassins, got them onto a British Navy Submarine and inserted them at the other end of the country. Mason ran through the facts he knew. They’d been picked up pretty soon after entry which meant someone had been watching out, either waiting for them or just out of habit. Security services had either been alerted or there was a system he was unaware of for tracking people through CCTV. Certainly it smacked of out and out government dirty tricks. Whoever wanted this job done knew the risks. He knew he’d have to watch himself. The buyer wasn’t one to get themselves exposed by the likes of him and though once in the ‘pipeline’ for the job he knew he’d still be regarded as dispensable. He tried to lighten his thoughts. He was a man of action and too much thought dulled the reactions and the willingness to act.
Another glance at the girl saw her catch his gaze, she frowned and pulled out her cell phone. Spencer taken aback a moment by such an adverse reaction to what he knew to be his reasonable good looks recalled his mode of disguise. He was going to have to polish up if he was going to get himself a girl tonight that was for sure and he was shocked at how unattractive his disguise had made him when his reflection became apparent through the train entering the tunnel around Borehamwood. Behind the tinted glasses his eyes creased at the edges and below them a tight smile appeared, stretching the carefully arranged and, if he did say so himself, expertly created moustache. He hadn’t recognised himself for a moment.
Mason spent the rest of the journey planning his night out. The card he had still worked and a hotel, haircut and new clothes could easily be bought with it. It was cash he needed. He decided that a couple of neat swift hotel thefts would rack up enough ready cash to have a good night out.
His planning passed the time and when the train stopped at West Hampstead he decided to get out and take the Jubilee line. He picked Baker Street as a good place to stop. It was for the most part a journey spent wistfully sizing up and measuring the merits of most of the young women, broken by one cold sweat moment when looking at a national tabloid over the shoulder of a well groomed man to his right he saw his own image along with Cobb’s, Wheeler’s and Stanton’s. Spencer’s image was in a separate inset describing his death. Only by catching his reflection dragged over the tunnel walls was Mason relieved from his sudden panicky thoughts. He glanced back at the paper and realised that he could not be in any way thought to be the man in the photo, but the awareness that St Alban’s CCTV would link him to Glasgow station CCTV which in turn flag him up as having murdered the police officers gave fresh and more realistic reasons for him to smarten up and change his look. He shrugged off the fears knowing that he was close to his goal and the potentially protective wings of whoever was funding this kill and he finally stepped up onto Baker Street with the thrill of a carefree man in a city full of promise on a warm spring day.
He set off for a walking tour of the area, with the particular aim of choosing a hotel and noting the location of others in order to gather some needed cash. He finally opted for The Bickenhall Hotel in Gloucester Place, it was the kind of small hotel he liked. It was easy to place each face and easier to be aware of any atmosphere changes brought about by the arrival of officialdom in the form of police or security services.
He had a shower, a brunch on room service and lay down for a nap. He booked an alarm call for three pm so that he could get a haircut, shop for clothes and get ready for his night out.
Chapter 55
Perth Airport
9 – 35 a.m.
April 18th
DIC’s powerful machine and immense influence enabled them to get helicopters chartered and ready when they needed them, but sometimes even that was a slow process; the Liverpool team had been in the air quickly earlier in the day, but David and Beaumont had a wait. The Helicopter had been chartered from Aberdeen and had landed, but had to refuel enough for a return flight. By the time David and Beaumont took off it was near nine forty am. The pilot promised a short flight, around twenty minutes.
Inside the Bell 407 with their headphones on David and Beaumont sat watching the landscape speed by below.
“You were a bodyguard?”
Beaumont gave him a glance, David’s voice sounding less conversational through the headphones.
“Yes.”
“How does a man with a philosophy degree get into that?”
“When I graduated I couldn’t decide what to do so I talked my way into a job as a security guard. I thought I’d make the money and needed the job. I got married in my third year at university and our first child was born just after I graduated. So I worked at garden centres and shops for a security firm. I liked it, but London houses are expensive and Ella’s job and mine didn’t bring in enough for a bigger house and she was pregnant with our second, my son Jacob. So I did a course on body guard work. Defensive driving, unarmed combat and small arms techniques. I switched to body guard work, my trainer and I got on and he got me the job. It was guarding rich business men in foreign countries. Turns out I was away from home a lot. I did that for near enough ten years.”
“Why did you stop? Were you head hunted?”
“I was head hunted after I stopped.”
There was a silence. David looked at him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No it’s a good story, if it is a sad one. I’d been working for a rich business man, diamond business, South Africa. A good friend, by the name of Greenwell, Bob Greenwell, and I were driving our client to a dinner do one night and were attacked by roadside bandits. They had semi-automatic weapons. Bob told me to stay with vehicle, rolled out of the car and opened fire. He killed the four men, but they returned fire as he shot them and Bob was shot dead. I had to go out and get him, he died in my arms as I carried him back to the car and then I got the client away safely.
David whistled. “My god sounds really heavy.”
“Well I went back to the UK with his body and at the funeral I saw his wife and children, no older than my two. Ella was scared it’d be me next. The incident was in the papers and I resigned, but a couple of days later I got a call from DIC. I figured this had to be safer work.”
“Doesn’t look much like it now does it?”
“No, but if we’re careful we can ride it out. You didn’t seem shocked at the sight of Spencer’s dead body I note. That indicates either stupidity or experience and I know it’s not the former.”
“We opened a truck at Dover as we had a tip on for illegal immigrants. Inside there were fifteen dead Afghanis. The smell was terrible. The lorry had been sealed on the French side, but the driver hadn’t calculated the air supply properly as the ferry was delayed. They avoided leaving air gaps as they knew it alerted us in customs. He hadn’t let them out on the ferry. There were dents on the metal walls of the container where they’d been beating the walls, but the sea was bad, hence the delay, so no-one was on the car decks during the crossing. It was awful.”
“It’s a bad old world sure enough David.”
The pilot interrupted their chatter.
“Ten minutes to Glasgow airport. Do you want to me to arrange transport to your hotel for you?”
“No thanks our firm has a car waiting for us.”
David and Beaumont smiled at each other.
“Still you get the VIP treatment when you travel so there are compensations.” David said.
“Do you feel more like Brie when that happens?” Beaumont answered.
“Trust you to have food on your mind it’s been over an hour since your bacon butties.”
The helicopter began a circle descent into Glasgow airport. It was closing on ten a.m. when they landed.
Chapter 56
Manchester
10 a.m.
April 18th
Cobb had a ten minute start on the chasing DIC. Once he was outside the Arndale Centre Cobb made his way two hundred metres up the High Street
to the cash machine and stole one hundred pounds from the account using the card and pin. After he binned the card he walked two streets to the taxi rank. He was worried, but knew they didn’t have a description matching the way he looked. Cobb took the lead cab in the line and flopped in the back.
“The airport please.”
“Sure enough what time’s your flight?”
“Ten thirty.”
“Blimey you’ll just make that. Minimum check in time’s ten minutes.”
“An extra twenty pounds if you get me there in the next twenty minutes.” Cobb said breezily. The adrenalin of his close escape was beginning to give him a buzz.
“You’re on lad. Buckle up eh?”
The big white saloon pulled away with the direct power of all automatics and Cobb leaned back and relaxed for a moment. It wasn’t over yet but he’d been in tighter scrapes than this.
Outside the Manchester Arndale centre it was mayhem, fire engines, armed police and press were all over the place. The DIC three exited the building and they all stopped and looked at the chief inspector in a huddle with armed police and men in suits. All the men in the power huddle turned to look at them. The chief inspector gave them the darkest of looks.
“Let’s get our own car shall we.” Tony said suddenly.
“Let’s.” Shadz said and opened his cell phone and dialled the local DIC watcher.
It was ten past ten when they drove away to the airport with the local DIC watcher telling them that the next London flight was at ten thirty. He floored the accelerator and headed for the airport.
In the car, buffeted by the turns, Shadz had the laptop running. The satellite phone setting gave him clear signal, even on the road. Tony was on his phone and Jaz on hers.
“Yes. We’re civil service. Can you hold the London flight until one of our people gets to you?” Jaz said and she paused waiting for an answer from Manchester airport security.
“Yes his name please” Tony asked the police man on the other end of the line, looking at Shadz who’s hands hovered over the laptop which was showing the airport booking system, which they had been able to access with DIC technical help.
Tony looked at his watch. Ten past ten. He prayed they’d get the name, hold the flight and get there in time.
“Talk to Chief Inspector Phelan. He’s been working with our team…” A pause. “We’re national Security.. top level… name…” Jaz looked desperately at Tony. He looked back and nodded gravely. “We’re called DIC. Our members are elite, armed and carry a diplomatic pass.” She paused and waited for an answer.
“The name is Joe Milton…” Tony exclaimed.
Shadz began scrolling the names, there it was.
“He’s booked on the ten thirty flight!” Shadz exclaimed.
“You will. Brilliant! DIC personnel will be there in about twenty minutes. Can you call the airport security and armed police to get to the plane… Okay then put me through please.” Jaz said smiling at the other two.
Cobb’s taxi driver had broken the speed limit getting to the airport, it was near enough twenty miles, but they were there by twenty past ten. Cobb overpaid the taxi driver, entered near the W H Smiths and took the lift to check in. This was the tricky bit, but he knew these pass holders were on his trail and he had a badge and plan.
Jaz stared at the un-scrolling road ahead talking to the chief of airport security.
“Yes please go to check in and wait, yes go armed and wait for one of our people to get there. We carry diplomatic passes with the right to bear arms. Yes. Thank you.”
“Better get ready.” Tony took his Sig out and checked the action.
“How many times do you have to whip that thing out and cock it?” Jaz asked. Shadz looked at Tony and laughed.
“Just checking and you’d better check yours too, both of you.” Shadz stopped laughing.
“Sorry Tony. Just nervous, you know.” Shadz said a little embarrassed.
Cobb approached the check in desk just in time. There was a smiling well manicured girl at the desk.
“The seat’s booked in the name of Joe Milton” Cobb said smiling.
She looked at her booking terminal and keyed in the name. The confirmed booking in for the flight was flagged up in security who radioed the men who were already on their way to the desk. They had been watching the screens, but no-one matching Cobb’s description, with or without glasses had been spotted.
The girl gave Cobb a suspicious look as he handed her Wally’s DIC pass as Identity.
“It’s my boss’ name he booked it early this morning for me.”
The girl looked at the official government pass and then looked past him. Cobb turned to the direction of her gaze and noted airport security and armed police heading his way from the left. He was ready for this. He held onto the badge. He felt the silent PSS 6 shot pistol hard against his stomach, tucked into his wait band. He had two left in the magazine and a full six shot clip in his pocket.
The armed police drew and pointed their weapons at him. The girl slid beneath the level of the desk and crawled away. People around ducked behind seats and moved away, though still watching with horrid fascination. Terrorism was all over the news.
“Hands in the air no sudden movements!” One of the policemen loudly commanded.
Cobb turned around holding the pass up.
“Are you armed?”
“Yes and you’re meant to be helping me.” Cobb said calmly watching their eyes.
The policeman approached, two circled Cobb still pointing MP5’s at him.
The officer asked “Where’s the weapon.”
Cobb nodded down with his head. The policeman took the PSS pistol. Cobb waved the pass slowly raising his eyebrows. The policeman took it. He flipped it open and looked it over, noted the right to be armed, looked at Cobb’s face, the hair, the general look.
“Wait a minute you the DIC man?”
“Yes!” Cobb smiled. He had a feeling this would happen. So that’s what they were called. He’d never heard of them before, perhaps they were new like the U. S homeland security.
“Why didn’t you say?”
“Waiting for the right moment, you know, always tricky with these gun situations you know.”
“Right.” The policeman said seeing the sense of Cobb’s calm compliance.
The airport security chief came running up, he had seen the pass and gun handed back from a distance.”
“You the DIC man?” the security chief asked. Cobb nodded “Your man checked in and he’s on the plane do you want it stopped?” The security chief added.
“No not now. I’ll get on with him and follow him. He may lead us to his cell.”
“Good thinking. There’s just time to get you on the flight. I’ll make sure there’s a seat.”
Cobb tasted DIC’s VIP treatment as he was rushed through the security control and made it to the door of the plane which was being held for him. He noted its closing and the jet engines firing up as the Easyjet A320 Airbus began to taxi. He was shown to his allotted seat and passed his booked seat on the way. He couldn’t help but smile, but as he sat down he knew that in an hour they’d be waiting for him in London. He had an hour to find a plan to get off the plane at Gatwick and get away.
After the plane had taken off the DIC team had arrived and Tony had been in the middle of an angry ‘why couldn’t you have done as we asked’ rant at the security chief when he was told in a slow controlled voice that a DIC man had got onto the plane. After some confusion the truth emerged and red faced the DIC team were taken to the security centre. In the security office Jaz was staring at the CCTV screen looking for all intents and purposes at the figure of Wally at the check in desk surrounded by security.
“He had the badge you described. He was armed as described and he wasn’t in any way ruffled or troublesome.” The security chief, a big man with a close shaved head and sharp focussed pale blue eyes stood arms folded, a look of self satisfied confidence on his face.
“We didn’t know that. When we got to the gate he was there. When we drew weapons the check in girl ducked and got out of the way. As far as we were able to tell the one who booked in the name of Milton had got on the plane already and the man with badge was following”
Tony laughed harshly.
“My god these guys are good. Some front he’s got using Wally’s pass. He must have got a wig.”
“Wigs Up North is best. My uncle got his there.” They all looked at a big build armed policeman at the back of the room.
“I bet it’s near Gun Street right.”
“That’s right Reddenhill Road.”
Tony shook his head again and again. Shadz walked in looking grim.
“Jack is not happy. We’re booked on the next flight to Gatwick, which by the way is on full alert. The pilot knows he has an armed assassin on the plane and they’re ready for anything.”
“When’s our flight?”
“Half an hour and we have to check in early. Weapons and technical stuff to go in the hold by the way”
“Okay let’s go.”
When they had left the security chief looked at the policeman.
“Who the hell are DIC?”
“I’ve never heard of them?”
“I checked with the home office and they said they’re top level secret wouldn’t say any more about it.”
“Well they aren’t that good I mean they cocked this right up.”
“You certain they did?”
“Well they didn’t check to see if their dead operative’s pass was missing did they?”
“Good thinking. Hopefully that puts us in the clear if he hijacks the plane.”
“You think he will?”
“Well he must know they’ll be waiting at Gatwick for him. What’s he going to do jump out over the Midlands?”
Chapter 57
Glasgow
10-30 a.m.
April 18th
To Kill Or Be Killed Page 14
