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

Nancy’s name had been added to the list of visitors. She presented her passport for the officer to scrutinise. He took his time to do so thoroughly and instructed someone in the control room to open the gates. Movable bollards started to slide into the ground to give her access, and she parked her car in the space which had been allocated. As she approached the building the heavy metal doors slid open. Ten minutes later, Nancy was walking into Superintendent Marsh’s office.

Predictably he was standing at his favourite spot in the corner of his office. He turned around with a broad smile to welcome her.

“Ms Wu, how good of you to make the time.”

“Always delighted to be of assistance, Superintendent.” Nancy extended a slim hand, elegant in the black Dior suit she had chosen for the meeting. “The Ollie Wilson case deserves all our attention.”

She walked over to the corner where she could see lunch had been laid out.

Marsh caught up with her and courteously moved a seat for her.

“I’m sure it does, but the reason I have asked you to meet is a little more …” Marsh sat down as she did. “… sensitive.”

Nancy sat down, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

“The counter-terrorist squad commander and I have decided to conduct an informal investigation into what we presume is a leak of key information in the Mark Phelps case.”

“A leak?” Nancy’s voice managed to remain neutral. “To whom do you think the information was leaked?”

Marsh settled, and almost hesitated. “MI6.”

“Don’t the agency and the Met usually work together?”

“It is sometimes a little more complex …”

“Then I assume you have made a list of all the people who were involved in the case and I am one of them … hence the meeting.”

Marsh’s body jotted forward. “I would not want to imply we are in any doubt about your integrity.”

Nancy gave him an affable smile. “But you need to do the right thing, Superintendent Marsh … I would not want to be treated in any other way.”

The Super looked much relieved, extending a hand towards a brewing pot. “Of course, every person who has been involved in the case will be questioned … tea?”

Nancy managed an agreeable nod.

She now knew the trouble Pole was in.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The tedious lunch meeting with Marsh had yielded results. Nancy had patiently answered all his questions. Despite his arrogance, the Super was not a stupid man … The combination of intellect and ambition was a potent and dangerous one. There was a rationale behind the diligent interrogation … Timeline, contacts with the victim and the SFO prosecutor, contacts with Pole. Whether Marsh was aware of their relationship, he didn’t say.

Marsh seemed to be content with her answers. It was time for Nancy to turn the tables a little.

A fresh pot of tea had arrived, with a clean set of cups. He poured without asking. Nancy smiled encouragingly, eyes focused. “Commander Ferguson is a very thorough officer. It is worrying that he himself has concerns.”

Marsh nodded whilst selecting one of the small pastries that had been brought with the tea, after offering them to Nancy.

“Indeed, one of the most successful officers in the counter-terrorist squad … It is good that he and Inspector Pole know each other.”

“It must certainly help when it comes to discussing difficult situations.”

Marsh settled back into the sofa he had chosen to sit on. He chewed thoughtfully on the chocolate brownie he had just put into his mouth, an expression of pleasure on his face. “It helped contain the burner phone issue … the calls made in and around Scotland Yard.”

“And I’m sure Inspector Pole came up with a plausible answer about its presence.”

Marsh raised his eyes from his plate, as Nancy looked down at her own. “Not as convincing as we had hoped.”

“How unfortunate … but sometimes the explanation can be … complex.”

“In this instance, though, there is nothing complex about the questionable locations of the burner phone.” Marsh gave Nancy a condescending smile. Pole had not come up with any plausible explanation.

“But I presume Commander Ferguson has found a possible explanation?” Nancy forced herself to nibble at the madeleine she had chosen.

“A hypothesis …” Marsh’s rapacious finger hovered over the table and then chose a new victim in the form of a chocolate eclair.

“May I be frank with you, Superintendent?”

“You needn’t ask.” Marsh gave Nancy a surprised look.

“Would I be right in thinking that the phone was detected close to my home? It would explain the in-depth questioning.” Nancy’s face remained smooth … a single question coming from a consummate criminal QC.

“An excellent question, of course, that might have to remain unanswered for the time being.” Marsh was enjoying the forwardness of the question.

Nancy noted the compliment, her fist clenched over her napkin. She had her own theory about who owned the mobile and there was no time to lose.

* * *

“Let’s cross the river.” Harris slapped Jack on the shoulder.

Jack winced as he got up and Harris shook his head.

“Man, you’ve got through quite a few tight spots unscathed, and now you come all the way to London to get beaten to a pulp.”

“Don’t rub it in, Steve,” Jack grumbled through his swollen lips.

Despite the sun that made the River Thames look almost inviting, a cold wind was pushing against them as they crossed Vauxhall Bridge. Harris raised the collar of his short winter coat and drew his neck into his shoulders. Jack wrapped his scarf over his face, the icy gusts cut into his wounds and made every step a struggle.

They crossed the road as they arrived on the other side of the bridge and turned left.

“Just a few yards and we are there.”

“Another of your favourite pubs?”

“Not this time … a bit of culture my dear fellow, yerse … a bit of culture.” Harris’s imitation of the English upper class accent always made