Dave threw himself to the ground. Turning his head toward the office door, He watched as the general lifted himself from his large red-leather chair, still pointing the pistol toward the doorway. Dave scrambled to his feet and out of the line of fire. He was reaching the end of the hallway but couldn’t stop. His socks simply sliding on the wooden floor. He slammed into the wall. The general came out of the office and looked toward Dave. He raised the pistol and fired.
A cry of pain preceded the sound of footsteps running down the hallway, echoing off the solid wood floor. The jangle of keys was followed by a door slamming. A few seconds later a car door opened and was quickly closed again.
Silence was suddenly filled by the roar of a 3.8 litre, V8, Ferrari F154 engine. Thomas was making his escape in the Maserati. Tyres spun and shrieked, trying to gain purchase on the ground. It found traction and sped out of the grounds into the Berkshire countryside.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sam was getting anxious. He had received a positive identification of William Thomas, but the only links he had were between Thomas, Saunders and Raynor. He still had no motive. He was certain Thomas didn’t have the desire to perpetrate such atrocities against his own country, even if he had the means to do so. Yes, he failed in his application to join the SAS, but he’d still had an outstanding military career. He’d invested his savings well and achieved some great returns on those investments.
Sam wondered what vital link was missing, hoping Jenkins would have some more information, obtained from Saunders.
He was also getting restless. There was very little he could do. He was waiting. Waiting for Mickey. Waiting for Dave. Waiting for Jenkins. Waiting for Lucy Green, whoever she was. He left the small office he’d been using and went for a walk around the building. He stopped at a window and looked out over the Thames. He could see The Shard in the distance, smoke pouring from its wound, into the summer sky. The traffic on the street below kept moving. The wheels of commerce never stopping.
Sam turned and leaned against the wall. Shoulders resting on the cool window pane. He looked through the glass panels of the double doors that led back to the main office. He watched the people frantically trying to solve the puzzle. Sam knew he had the best chance of tracking Raynor. What he didn’t know was when that would be. For the moment though, he was just happy to have a brief respite from the madness just metres away. His short period of solitude was ended by the muffled ring of his mobile phone in his pocket. He gave a sigh and removed the offending item from its temporary abode. It was Jenkins.
‘JJ, what’s happening? Any news?’
‘He’s dead Sam. Bloody idiot, tried to run for it. Got an MP’s gun, shot the poor bastard, twice. Second time was through the head at point blank range. Would have shot me too, if I hadn’t tried to be the hero. I made a dive for him and missed. That fuck-up saved my life, Sam. Another MP shot him in the end.’
Sam took a deep breath.
‘Shit. JJ, I’m sorry to have to ask this after what you’ve been through, but did he give anything up?’
Jenkins told Sam about the bizarre confession the brigadier had made prior to his suicidal escape attempt. Sam patiently listened, not gaining anything new from Jenkins’ monologue. Then something caught his attention.
‘Some arms company wanting to stir things up a bit.’
‘Hang on a minute, JJ.’ Sam Said. ‘An arms company hired William Thomas in order to sub-contract a mercenary? That’s ridiculous.’
‘Sounds it Sam, I know, but that’s what he said. They also used him to hire the late Andrew Bush.’
Just the name caused Sam to shudder.
‘Your doing, I presume?’ Jenkins asked.
‘Yeah, and not something I’m in any hurry to do again.’ replied Sam.
Sam thanked Jenkins for all his help and they said their goodbyes, an empty promise to meet for a drink made by both men.
Sam paused for a second, letting the information sink in. At least now he knew that Raynor hadn’t sent the hit man. He made a call to Mickey.
‘Hello Mick, I’ve got a bit of info. Worth looking into I think.
‘Thomas was hired by an arms company to recruit a couple of hired guns. I need you to cross reference everything you have on Thomas with every arms company in Britain, extend to Europe, then globally if nothing comes up.’
‘Will do mate. Interestingly, I’ve found a bank account nestled deep in many layers of shell companies. It received thirty million quid last month and made a six million quid payment after the Knightsbridge incident. Could be something in it.’
‘Nice one Mick, do you know who paid the cash into the account?’
‘Not yet, but I reckon it’s our arms company. I’ll start the cross referencing, then try and trace the cash back to its original owner.’
‘Thanks mate, I’ll speak to you later.’
At last, progress was being made and things were starting to come together. But Sam still didn’t have a fix on Raynor. Time for another phone call. He found Dave’s office number in his contacts and tapped the call button.
‘Lucy Green speaking, how can I help you?’
‘Hello Lucy, It’s Sam Edwards. Dave’s mate. He said you’d call if you had anything for me, but I’m a little impatient. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Not at all, Sam. Umm. I’m just trying to complete the scripts to trace Raynor’s phone. We last had it at the Shard, and I think it’s just been to the London Eye. It’s now stationary…’
‘Whoa, hold on. London Eye?’
‘Yes, about forty minutes ago. He seems to have been there for a while before heading north. He’s been stationary for a while at the top of Belvedere Road.’
‘I’ll call you back.’
Sam burst through the doors into the main office. ‘Jay! Get Bomb Disposal and an Armed Response Unit to the London Eye. Raynor’s been there.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
‘Up Millbank, over the bridge, then Belvedere.’ Virani shouted at Storry.
The Audi sped up Millbank, lights flashing, Siren blaring.
‘I can’t believe the cheeky bastard has dared come so close to MI5.’ She said to nobody in particular.
‘Lucy, it’s Sam again, do you have a fix?’
‘Top of Belvedere road. He’s just sat there. Been like it for about ten minutes.’
‘Thanks Lucy.’
Sam ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He fished his Bluetooth earpiece from his pocket, switched it on and slotted it into his ear while running to the underground parking garage.
A few metres from the little Lotus, he clicked a button on his key-fob, turning off the car’s alarm. He climbed into the car, started the engine and sped up the ramp onto Thorney Street.
He tapped a button on the side of his earpiece and instructed ‘Call Jayshree Virani.’ A computerised voice replied. ‘Dialling.’ The call was almost immediately answered.
‘Virani.’
‘Jay, It’s Sam, I’m on my way to the top of Belvedere Road. Raynor’s there, stationary. Maybe he’s waiting to watch his handiwork.’
‘Okay Sam. Do you have back up?’
Sam felt a little foolish. He hadn’t thought it through, simply ran to his car as quickly as he could. He was putting himself in great danger, but he couldn’t turn back, not when he was so close.
‘Umm. Kind of forgot about that Jay. I just jumped in my car and set off. I’m heading up Millbank.’
‘You’re in the Lotus? I don’t like this, Sam, I’ll be honest with you, but we can’t let this opportunity slip through our fingers. I’m at the Eye, we’re calmly encouraging the public to leave, but it could be another thirty minutes before everybody’s off the wheel. I’ll divert the armed unit to back you up. As Raynor’s obviously not here, there’s no point them being here making Joe Public nervous. Be careful.’