‘We’ve done it. Don’t look surprised or give yourself away, but we’ve found a way to shut down the virtual machines. A new one has just started, so I’m working on that one now, so be careful, there’s a chance somebody will reply and detonate it. My advice, get out of there Sam, just walk away. He won’t get far.’
Sam hung up. He threw his hands into the air as if accepting defeat.
‘You know what?’ he said ‘I really don’t care. If you want to go around blowing things up, then who am I to stand in your way? My family are safe, my mates are safe. Who am I trying to fool? I can’t beat you one-on-one, and by the time back up gets here you’ll be long gone.’
Raynor visibly relaxed, sensing a victory, but still cautious. He knew that Sam was an expert when it came to unarmed combat, he’d just experienced it first-hand, but he couldn’t help noticing how genuine Sam sounded. Sam continued.
’After all, I’m just a data analyst, not a spy. So fuck it, I’m going home. But you know they’ll find you.’
‘If you say so Sam.’ replied Rayner, sarcasm ever present.
‘You realise there are more of us? Let down by the country we fought so hard to defend. We were all killed, resurrected, and then abandoned.’ Raynor looked genuinely upset, remorseful even, as he held eye contact with Sam.
’Most would be only too pleased to take the money to do shit like this when it’s available. I’ve done a lot of bad things for my country, I can’t change that. But my country didn’t have to abandon me when they didn’t need me. So when a nice payday like this comes along, I’m going to take it. A man’s got to live.’
He paused. Head bowed in thought.
‘You won’t find us all.’ He continued, looking up at Sam.
‘And there will be more like me, I guarantee it. So long Sam. It’s been a blast.’
Raynor grinned and watched, waiting for Sam to make one final attempt to get the upper hand.
Sam turned and started to walk away. He made his way up to the deck of the ship and crossed the seemingly endless walkway back to the bank of the Thames. He kept looking back, making sure that Raynor didn’t follow him.
Once clear of HMS Belfast he took his phone out of his pocket, opened his text messages and scrolled down the list looking for one message in particular.
You've been selected at random for a chance to win £1000. Reply YES to be entered into a free prize draw, or reply STOP to stop future texts.
Sam typed three letters. Y-E-S and hit the Send button.
Epilogue
The log fire in Sam’s living-room popped and crackled as Jack played with his new wooden train set. The floor was littered with wrapping paper and boxes. Sam and Julia sat opposite each other at the dining-room table, holding hands, both wearing expressions which were far too serious for this supposedly joyous day. They were watching Jack play through the open double-doors that separated the living and dining spaces.
‘It happened again last night, Sam.’ Said Julia.
‘The same nightmare. A man going into Jack’s room and picking him up. Then coming in to our room and shooting you.’
‘Yeah, okay, I know the dream, Jules. It will pass. Give it time.’
Julia let go of Sam’s hand and leaned back.
‘I’ve made up my mind, Sam.’
‘But it’s Christmas Day, Sweetheart. Do we really have to discuss this now? Let’s just get today over with, then talk about it rationally.’
Julia watched Jack push his train around the wooden track. He was making “choo-choo” sounds as he did so. She smiled lovingly. Jack stood and went to his toy-box to retrieve a car.
‘Doesn’t matter what we buy him, he always goes back to that blue plastic car. Loves it as much as you love that bloody Lotus of yours. Like father like son, I suppose.’
Their eyes met again. The love they shared was obvious. What was also obvious was how much Julia was hurting. They smiled at each other, but the smile was laced with sadness.
Sam sipped his tea.
‘It’s a good car.’ He said, trying to lift the mood.
‘Seriously though, Sam. It’s been four months. They still haven’t found a body. You’re still not sleeping, I’m having nightmares.’
Sam placed his mug back on the table and took her hands once more.
‘He’s dead Jules. There’s no way anyone could have survived that explosion.’
‘But I just don’t feel safe here. Then there’s the fact that a man died in our garden.’
‘We’ll sell the house. It doesn’t matter. It’s just a house.’
Jack waddled into the room. He was holding his car in the air, making whooshing noises.
‘Dadda play cars.’ He said as he tried to climb up onto Sam’s lap.
‘In a minute mate.’ said Sam, tousling his son’s hair and giving him a big smile.
‘Why not try playing with one of your new toys?’
Feeling a little dissatisfied with his Dad’s answer, Jack walked to the other side of the table and handed Julia his favourite car.
‘Mummy play cars?’ He asked, hopefully.
‘Yes Darling, Mummy will play cars in a minute. Once I’ve finished my tea.’
Jack gave a heavy sigh and trotted off back into the living-room. Sam and Julia watched as he investigated the stack of new toys he’d received that morning. After careful consideration, he opted for an empty cardboard box which he sat in and pretended to drive.
‘Typical. Always more interested in the boxes than the toys.’ Sam said. He turned back to Julia and noticed a tear had formed in her eye.
‘He’s going to miss you, Sam. We both are.’
‘Then don’t go.’
‘But we can’t stay here. We just can’t. Mum’s coming tomorrow, so we’re going back with her on New Year’s Day. If it’s ever proven that Raynor was killed, we’ll come back. But if there’s a chance he’s still alive, you’re a target. He’ll come for you. Jack can’t be here when that happens.’
Sam sighed. He sat back and wiped his eyes, trying his best to keep it together.
‘And what if they never find a body, Jules? Are we just going to live apart? How will that work?’
‘I don’t know, Sam.’ She was fully crying now.
Sam stood and walked into the living-room. He left Julia with her head in her hands crying at the dining-room table. He knew if he stayed in the room with her that he’d soon be in the same state.
‘Cars now?’ asked an ever-hopeful Jack.
‘Daddy’s just going to clear up some of this paper.’ Sam replied. He left the room and came back in, moments later, with a roll of brown polythene recycling bags.
A few minutes later, Sam had put the last scrap of wrapping paper into a bag and tied the bag closed at its top. He picked it up, along with the other four full bags and headed to the kitchen where he unlocked the patio doors.
‘I’ll just leave these outside for now, Babe.’ He called to Julia as if the previous conversation had never taken place.
When he didn’t receive an answer he added,
‘I’ll put them in the garage later, and then take them down to the recycling centre sometime during the week.’
He opened the door and the cold stabbed him like a knife. He shivered involuntarily. His breath was misty and wisped into the frigid air. After putting the bags down he looked around his garden. A layer of frost covered everything and glistened in the hazy morning sunlight. His gaze found his summerhouse and he walked across the lawn toward it, fumbling with the bunch of keys he held, trying to find the right key for the padlock.
He hadn’t been into his dojo since the summer. The police had searched it and Sam was never really sure what they were looking for, but procedure had dictated their actions. They weren’t best pleased with the array of weapons in Sam’s possession, but as he was a licensed martial artist, and had licenses for all those that required it, there wasn’t anything they could do.