BLOOD DRAGON by Freddie Peters (books to get back into reading .TXT) 📕

The full-length mirror that sat in pride of place in the bedroom sent back a sad picture. Her spiky hair had lost its edginess and the dark purple dye looked laughable. The clothes she was wearing were too baggy, too trendy. The fire had left nothing of her old wardrobe … If not destroyed by the flames, the smoke had left an acrid smell that had penetrated everything. There was nothing familiar to cling to.

The only person she trusted who would believe in Cora’s instinct and give Ollie a chance was not there. Nancy was back home with Pole. Yet, she was the only hope she had to help shed light on what had happened and why.

Against mounting evidence Cora believed in the one word that Ollie had uttered.

Innocent.

Chapter Twelve

The apartment hotel he had chosen had not changed much since his last visit. The Citadines, Trafalgar Square was ideally positioned … Central London, close to a number of tube lines and railway stations. St James’s Park was around the corner, ideal for an early morning jog. As importantly, it was near enough to MI6 Vauxhall Cross and yet not close enough to be on their doorstep. He was on holiday after all.

Jack had repeated the sentence several times on the flight and again this morning, when he congratulated himself on securing the best apartment in this neat four-star hotel.

He was on holiday … but …

He walked around the room checking its layout. The inspection for any possible unwanted devices would come later. The safety deposit box was working but would not resist a professional. Still, it would do for the time being.

Jack yawned whilst unpacking his suitcase and with difficulty resisted the temptation to collapse into the crisp white bed sheets for a couple of hours’ sleep.

But he was due to meet Harris a little later in Soho. An old pub Harris was raving about and Jack was certainly game for it.

Jack took a reviving shower. He brewed a cup of coffee, from a surprisingly good range of coffee pods, using the small Nespresso machine that had been fitted into the kitchenette adjacent to the small lounge.

He made himself comfortable on the sofa and spread out the newspapers he had picked up on leaving the aircraft, The Financial Times, The Times and The Guardian.

An article about the UN Security Council passing a raft of new sanctions against North Korea attracted his attention. China had been actively involved in drafting the sanctions. As a result, a few days later, North Korea had withdrawn from the 60-year-old armistice that had been signed with South Korea. A truce that had ended the 1953 Korean War.

Jack poured himself another cup of coffee. The aroma filled the room, making it homely and welcoming. China seemed to be playing its part, did this signal a complete change in attitude towards North Korea? Did the Sleeping Giant suddenly feel confident enough of its power to no longer have need of the proxy war North Korea helped to wield against the US?

He moved over to the floor-to-ceiling window and pulled open the net curtain. He had a full view of Northumberland Avenue and, from the far righthand corner of the window, Trafalgar Square. Despite the traffic, the double glazing made the room quiet and comfortable. Jack finished his coffee.

Looking at his watch he decided he had some time before he needed to make his way to meet Harris. He opened his laptop and started the lengthy log in process. His smartphone had indicated Laurie had forwarded more documents, including a new report on China’s latest confidential conversation with the US about their proposed collaboration.

* * *

Pole had agreed she could join the Ollie Wilson case in her formal role as consultant. Nancy would now be able to investigate whether he liked it or not, as he well knew.

They had woken up early and shared a quick breakfast. Pole had a meeting he was not looking forward to, she could tell, and yet he had been silent about it. She would find out what was troubling him even if it meant coaxing young Andy into telling her a little more than he should. Just enough for her to put the pieces of this conundrum together, but not enough to get him into trouble.

Her short list of names to call was lying on the desk. Her mug of tea was almost full and still warm. At the top of her list came the name of the woman she had befriended in the first investigation she had been involved in as a Met consultant … Yvonne Butler. Her lab was involved in the Ollie Wilson case but the favour she had to ask had little to do with it. Nancy checked her watch … Only 8.45am. Although she started early at the lab, Yvonne would not yet be in the middle of an post mortem.

“Nancy …” She greeted her cheerfully. “It has been ages. Does DCI Pole keep you that busy? Day and night?” Yvonne’s naughtiness made her chuckle.

“Well, yes … night and day.” Nancy chuckled in return.

“Anything I can do for you? Some new demanding case to sink my teeth into?” Yvonne’s voice was eager. She enjoyed being involved in anything challenging and Nancy had provided her with plenty of perplexing puzzles since she’d known her.

“I hope you don’t mind me calling to ask for a favour?”

“A favour … how intriguing … can’t wait to hear what you need from me. How about 11.30am this morning? My coffee break, which I take religiously as you know, unless DCI Pole needs something urgent that is.”

“Usual café, Borough Market?”

“The very same.”

Nancy thanked Yvonne and returned to her list. She decided against calling another contact. One step at a time.

Nancy moved from the office back to her lounge. She moved the large book that sat on her coffee table, the latest publication by one of her artist friends who was retracing his career in sculpture.

She was