Retribution by Michael Bates (read more books .TXT) 📕

some important information with reference to your up and coming press conference."

"In what way?" she asked .

"Well, let me just say, it could be life threatening."
“In my business it usually is Mr Spader.”
“Yes I know, but the life I’m talking about is yours.”
The security guard gave me a look of amazement.

"In that case you better come up. Can you please hand me back over to the security guard?"

"Certainly, and thank you." I handed the phone back over. "She wants to speak with you."

"I understand, of course Ma’am, no problem," he said and put the phone down. "Okay, if you can please take a seat, another security officer will be here in a moment to take you up."

"That's great thanks."

I sat down and let out a deep breath. So far, so good. I thought.

The security guard turned up, he called me forward, and asked me to pass through a metal detector situated to the side of the reception desk. Once through the guard gave me a quick pat down, handed me a temporary pass to attach to my jacket, and told me to follow him. We headed towards some lifts; we waited for the doors to open, and then stepped inside. He pressed a button marked D and the lift started slowly moving up.

From the entrance to the lift, it soon became apparent that there was no part of this building that wasn't covered by CCTV. It took a couple of minutes to reach the floor we wanted, so I figured we must be very near, if not at the top of the building. The doors opened, and again the guard told me to follow him. Once out of the lift, I found myself in a long corridor, looking to the left, the corridor led to a dead end, nothing but a wall. To the right it leads to a wooden door; as we walked toward the door I see there is one more door off to the side, I figured that would lead to the stairs in the case of an emergency.

When we reached the end of the corridor, the guard knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

"Come in," said a voice from within.

The guard opened the door and stepped inside. "This is
Mr. Spader, Ma’am."

Still standing in the corridor, I heard the voice again. "Okay, can you show him in please?"

"Certainly, Ma’am," he said. He pushed the door fully open and gestured me inside, "You can go in now sir."

"Thank you," I said, and moved into the office. At the same time the guard left the room and closed the door behind me.

The office was enormous, it had large floor to ceiling plate glass windows covering all one side of the office, with a fantastic view of the Thames River below. The remaining walls consist of polished wood panelling, and adorned with a number of large pieces of what looks like very expensive artwork. Rebecca is sitting in a big leather swivel chair, behind a very large mahogany desk, wearing a black jacket and skirt, with a white open necked blouse. Her light brown hair is pulled up into a small bun, and the metal-rimmed glasses she is wearing completes the ensemble.

"Please, take a seat Mr. Spader, I must inform you I am a busy women, so if you wouldn't mind getting to the point please."

I sat down in one of the two leather armchairs in front of her desk. I rubbed the arms of the chair whilst scanning around the office. "Yes sure, you have to excuse me for a moment, I just can't believe I'm sitting in an office with the head of MI6."

"Please Mr. Spader, we haven't gone by that designation since the second world war."

I looked at her surprised. "Oh! Really, so what do you call yourselves these days?"

We are known as the SIS, which before you ask, stands for Secret Intelligence Service."

I leant forward. "Okay, so, if you are known as the SIS, what do they call MI5 now?"

"They are called the Security Service. I'm surprised you are not up to date on all this, I mean we have our own websites now; we even actively advertise and recruit agents through our websites."

I leaned back and smiled. "You're kidding me; really, recruiting on the Internet. Well, I've heard it all now."

"Like I said Mr. Spader I'm a very busy woman, so, if you wouldn't mind telling me what this is all about."

I sat up straight. Well, is it Miss or Mrs. Sykes?"

“ You can call me Miss Sykes."

"Okay, Miss Sykes, it's like this."

I rattled off my story which she swallowed hook line and sinker, hoping this would convince her to cancel, or at least postpone the conference and give me some added precious time. However, she was not in the least bit concerned that someone was out to kill her, which left me completely stunned. The conference is to go ahead as planned. This leaves me with no alternative now. Find Clair soon or do the job. She did impart some information to me though, which put a whole new light on the situation. However, I was sworn to secrecy so had to play it very close to my chest. In a daze, I must have asked the security guard to order me a taxi, because there was one waiting for me when I got outside. I gave him my address then sank back into my seat, and watch as the city buildings flash by the side window in a hazy blur.

Once back in my hotel room I threw my jacket onto the bed, and immediately opened a small bottle of Jack Daniels, poured it into a glass, sat on the end of my bed and
swigged it back in one gulp. I laid back and let the glass drop to the floor.


CHAPTER FIVE

After the meeting with Rebecca Sykes, I was even more convinced that the contract would go as planned. However, now, I decided I would try to employ the help of Spud. I know he was always prepared to kill in our army days, but I have no idea if he has the stomach for my line of work. Still, it wasn't as if I was going to ask him to pull the trigger, I just want him to give me an extra pair of hands, to make the task a little easier. I gave Spud a call and arranged a meeting in my local pub. I didn't say what it was about, I want to ask him face to face.

******

I made sure I was at the pub a good half hour before, to ensure I got us an empty table in a quiet area of the beer garden. It’s a sunny morning, so the cold lager I have tastes good. By the time Spud arrives, I am on my second pint, and when I see him, I tell him to grab a pint before he sits down. He comes back with what looks like a pint of Guinness, and sits opposite me.

'God, do you like that shit?' I ask.

'Too right, you can't beat it.'

'Each to their own, I suppose.'

'So, what's this all about then?'

I quickly looked around to ensure no one was listening; I then leant forward towards him. 'Well, it's about this job I have to do.' I gave another quick look around. 'I was wondering if you would be prepared to help me out?'

He sat up straight with a confused look on his face. 'Help you out? In what way?'

'I have it all planned out, the problem is, in order for my escape to go smoothly, I need a second pair of hands.'

He leant forward. 'Let me get this straight; you want me to assassinate someone, yes?'

'No, you won't need to kill anyone. I will be doing the killing; all you need to do is press a button, that's all.' I smiled and took a big swig of my lager.
Spud quickly looked around. 'And what exactly will happen, when I press this button?'

'All you will be doing is setting off a small incendiary device. This will provide us with a small diversion, allowing us a few extra valuable seconds for our escape.'

'And that's all?'

'That's it; so, are you up for it, or what?' I straightened up and took another swig.

'I don't know; let me think about it for a while.' He picked up his Guinness and took his first swig, since he'd sat down.

'No problem.' I gulped back the last of my lager; and let out a huge belch. 'Ah, that's better; you sit and think about it while I go and get another pint.'

Spud picked up his glass and took a swig, and then sat staring into nothingness. I smiled, stood up, and made my way to the bar. This would go one of two ways, I thought. He will either shit himself, and back out; or get excited by the idea of being involved in an assassination. I was hoping the latter. The bar was quite empty; I got my pint and made my way back to the table, where Spud was sitting with his arms crossed looking at the sky.

I sat down. 'Still contemplating are we?' I asked.
He dropped his head to look at me. 'Look, if I agree to this, I want us to be able to go through it step by step; you know; like the old days, with a rehearsal, and everything?'

I smirked. 'Hay, I intend to do a lot more than just rehearsals. I mean, you've been out of the game for a long time, and I need to know that you're still up to it.'

He frowned. 'Now hang on a minute Jack; I'm not totally out of touch you know. I still have to ensure the guys at my security firm are trained correctly, which includes firearms.'

I let out a little laugh. 'Come on Spud; you can't compare security work, to killing someone in cold blood. Someone who means nothing to you, and has done you no harm; now can you?'

He shrugged his shoulders. 'Well, when you put it like that; I suppose not.'

'So, can I say you're in, or what?'

'Fine, I could use a little excitement in my life round about now; so yes I'm in.'

'Oh, I can certainly guarantee you that. I picked up my pint. 'Okay, now that's settled, let's drink to it.' Spud lifted his Guinness, we touched glasses in a toast, and both gulped our drinks back.

'Look Spud, I'm going to finish my drink and then go for some lunch. I'll be in touch with you in a couple of days, okay?'

'Okay, I think I'm going to stay for a while longer, and have another drink.'

I stood up and shook his hand. 'Fine, I'll see you later.'

I left the bar and decided to