Overthrow (A James Winchester Thriller Book 2) (James Winchester Series) by James Samuel (the gingerbread man read aloud .TXT) 📕

Sinclair’s smile stretched from cheek to cheek. “In a land as corrupt as this one, it isn’t as difficult as you might think.”

He shuddered to touch the RPG-7V2. The shoulder-launched grenade launcher had become almost as widely used as the AK-47 on modern battlefields. Manufactured by the Soviets in the 1960s, it still packed a punch today. James noted the UP-7V sighting attached to it.

“Just make sure you’re in range. Don’t try to fire it over 200 metres. We only have three rounds. Even at 200 metres, the chances of hitting your target are about fifty percent.”

“Thanks.”

“The Mujahideen in Afghanistan wouldn’t fire it until they were within 80 metres of their target.” Sinclair paused. “Don’t worry, though, you won’t be fighting any tanks up there. It’s just as effective against ordinary troops. Just don’t make a mess by blowing up the temple or it might attract the attention of the people in Siem Reap.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll take that into consideration during my last few moments.”

Sinclair shrugged. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Got any grenades?”

“A few. Three RGD offensive grenades.” Sinclair picked them out of the box. Their thick bodies came to a short handle at the top. “From North Korea, although they’re pretty much the same as the Russian F1 grenade. Still, the mechanism is the same as any other grenade. Just pull and throw.”

James nodded. He was ready, or as ready as he ever would be. Without any reliable intelligence on their enemy, he would have to adapt. Now he had everything he could possibly need to face any situation.

“Let’s get these in the tuk-tuk. It’s our guide from before. He won’t ask any questions. He’ll think it’s for our archaeological work. Just put on a coat to hide the Kevlar.”

James sighed and did as bidden. His mind had been transported wholly to the mission at hand now. As he helped Sinclair transport the various crates down to the waiting tuk-tuk, he thought of nothing but the bloodbath about to be conducted atop an Angkor Wat temple.

The ride to the temple took them through the blackness of night. Only the stray dogs gathered in packs wandered the empty streets of Siem Reap. They would scatter at the sight of the tuk-tuk bearing down upon them and reply with subdued barks. The night began to lift like a theatre curtain as they rounded the main Angkor Wat temple. They had just over an hour to prepare before their scheduled meeting.

When James got out at the bottom of Phnom Bakheng the half-light that came before sunrise shined enough to light their way. He sniffed the air and smelt the stench of death fresh on the tail of the morning freshness.

“Let’s go,” said Sinclair.

The route to the top took a little under 30 minutes when taken at pace. For once, Sinclair didn’t bellyache about the trip to the temple. He had to get away from the scene before the army arrived. Together, they transported the weapons to the top of the temple. It would be up to James to manage himself from there.

“You know,” said Sinclair as they crested the top. “This is actually a temple to Shiva, the Hindu deity. They built it in the 9th century.”

James put the crate on the ground with a thud. “Sinclair, I truly couldn’t give a shit.”

Sinclair shrugged. “That’s everything, then. You remember what I told you about the chokepoints and vantage points?”

“Yes.”

“When you’ve taken enough of them, counterattack and start making your way down. I doubt that Narith is going to come up here personally until he knows you’re dead. The fight down will be harder as there’s no cover.”

“I remember everything.”

“Good.”

An awkward silence passed between them at the bottom of the steps leading to the highest point of the temple. Like men of honour, they shook hands and without a word, Sinclair left. Even that simple action had a profundity to James. They never said goodbye or showed any affection before a mission. It shook him and he watched Sinclair until he disappeared behind the trees.

James sighed and went to work. He affixed his weapons and made careful hiding places for spare ammunition. He kept the RPG hidden well away from the fighting. Ideally, he wouldn’t have to use it at all. High explosives never led to good things.

As the sun rose behind him, he felt its orange glow on his back. From his position atop the temple, he had a clear view through his iron sights at the only way up. Every engine he heard roaring below made him tighten his grip on the weapon. As the minutes passed, he willed Narith and his forces to come to him.

He wanted the shooting to start.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh Province, Cambodia

Dylan felt lost in the streets of the capital. Little time had passed but every minute he left his post abandoned expanded the bitterness inside him. Sir Richard had barely mentioned Adam’s sacrifice at all. Tossed aside like so many others in the history of Xiphos, his mighty leader grew fat from the bones of his underlings.

Now, walking the dirty streets of Phnom Penh, his newfound freedom came with vibrations of fear jolting him to his very core. Years spent doing the bidding of others in the military, and now with Xiphos, had robbed him of what it was like to have free will.

Dylan didn’t want to dwell on what abandoning his posting would mean. He knew he had now become a marked man, targeted for death by Shao Fen and by his former employer. Organisations like Xiphos didn’t let a man go easily. They knew too much and could easily switch sides and become a threat.

He sighed as he made his way towards the Riverside Guesthouse. With nowhere else to go, it seemed appropriate. James