Sabre Six : File 51 (2 page)

“This sounds a little too big for me mate, don’t you think?”

“No
, Michael, you’ll be ok. All we want you to do is follow him back to London, see what he does, where he goes. You know what we want, Michael!”

“Ten grand you say?”

“Yes, ten grand, Michael.”

“Make it £15,000 and you have a fucking deal!”

“Go on then, you shit! And that’s only because you saved my arse once, or I’d tell you to sod off you cheeky bastard!”

“I fucking l
ove you Stanley, you ugly git! Where’s the target then?”

“Come – can you see here on the camera, the man in the jean jacket with the red Adidas bag over his shoulder?”

“Yeah, he looks like a right wanker.”

“Well
, that’s our man. You up for it or not, Michael?”

“Yeah
, let’s do it! What intelligence you got on him then?”

“That is a need to know Michael, and you don’t need to know. Just follow him, log everything, and report back to me by tomorrow evening at 19:00hrs!”

“Ok, buddy! I’d better ring the wife. Hold on.” I redialled the wife; she was going to fucking love me for this!

“Hello bab
y, you ok? Baby, I’m going LIVE. Do you understand darling?”

“Yes, I
understand Michael! Why for God’s sake? You’ve only just got back!”

“I’m working for Stan darling! You know how it is
, beautiful!”

“Ok, just promise me one thing!”

“What’s that, baby?”

“Keep safe, and get home soon!”

I love my family so much. They’ve been through so much the last couple of years, since I left the Regiment (SAS). My family is my world, and I will do anything I can to put a meal on the table.

“I
’ll be back in a couple of days – promise, baby!” I put the phone down to see Stan looking anxiously over.

“Keep safe
, Michael, and don’t do anything fucking stupid will you. I know what you’re like, you sarcastic little shit!”

“
Love you, Stan, you ugly fucker. Now fuck off! I got a job to do for British Intelligence.” I laughed as I went through the door.

“Stan! Do you think he’s fit for the job?” One of Stan’s team was standing next to him as they watched Michael walk along the platform.

“Yes! He was the best. Plus he saved me arse more than once. Th
is is his life!” Stan reminisced.

“Michael is one of the kindest men I
know; he has a heart of gold. He only has one down side!”

“Yeah, what’s that then?” asked the officer. Stan turned
around.

“He’ll cut you down for £20. He likes the smell of cash!” Stan was laughing at the young rookie.

I walk
ed casually, showing my passport once more to the officer. He nodded to me and I strolled forward onto the platform. I could see my target about twenty metres away. I held my mobile phone in my hand and prepared to make a call while moving closer to Killeen. He wouldn’t have any idea it was a false one.

“Hello, it’s me!
”

What the hell do you mean
, you’re going! Who’s got the kids? You’re joking! I can’t just leave, can I! Be realistic!” I put down the phone, placing it inside my coat, and shook my head from side to side, gritting my teeth. Killeen noticed my anguish, but continued facing ahead.

The guard ushered us forward
, showing us the way to the train. I kept close to Killeen, still acting as I went.

My inner consciousness was telling me to hold back, but I felt
I should be pushing the boundaries: I may have found a way in! The carriage started filling rather quickly, so I went in for the kill. Why not? I was only a passenger wanting to go home. I placed my bag carefully in the overhead compartment, and then once I’d squared myself away I sat down and took a deep breath.

I was sitting at
the same table as Killeen and right opposite. I felt quite proud of my efforts: not bad, Michael, not bad! If I had another hand, I’d pat myself on the back. He looked less of a threat than I’d thought, more of a wimp, and as if he could do with a few dinners inside him.

I start
ed to fumble around in my belongings, pulling out a book on ghosts. Killeen looked over at the book and smiled. I could feel my mobile vibrating in my jacket pocket and pulled it out. It was my mate Pete.

“Hello! What the hell do you want now? You can’t just kick me out
, I haven’t done anything wrong. Are you mad woman?” I yelled down the phone.

“Michael, you’re LIVE aren’t you! O
k, carry it on, I’m here.” Pete was playing along.

Glancing over at Killeen,
I banged the phone down on the small table which divided us. He looked sympathetic.

“It looks like you’ll be sleeping in a hotel tonight then
, my friend?” Killeen had made contact!

“Yeah, darn bloody woman! Unbelievable!
– and I haven’t even done anything wrong for Christ sake!”

“
Women will always win, my friend. That’s just the law!”

“Yeah, I think you’re
right, mate.” I let out a little snigger.

“Anyway, I’m being
very rude! My name’s Michael. Pleased to meet you, Sir. Oh! And sorry for the aggro!” I reached over and shook his hand with a firm grip. He returned the gesture!

“So then, you been on holiday Michael, or anywhere nice?”

“No, work! I work for a building firm in Paris. It pays far better than in the UK. I got a daughter to support see, and I desperately need the cash. At the moment I’m just doing odd jobs on site.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you
, Michael. My name’s Ryan, I’m from Northern Ireland.”

“Likewise. So
what do you do for work then, Ryan?”

“Ah, now that’s
the question, Michael. That is a great question my friend! I’m a busy man; I work all over the world. I’m a builder by trade. I own a large building firm in Belfast and Paris.” 

“That sounds fantastic
, mate. Good for you! I always wanted to travel the world when I was younger. I was going to join the Army, but decided against.” Killeen’s face was a fucking picture!

I heard the
sliding door open behind me, and turned round to see a camp-looking fella pushing a trolley full of sweets and hot drinks.

“Hello
, Sir! Can I offer you anything from the trolley?” The camp bastard! I looked towards Killeen.

“Fancy a coffee
, mate?” I was quite surprised really when he took me up on my offer.

“Yeah, I’ll have two coffees and a packet of salted nuts
, fella.”

“That’s 10
Euros, please!” I couldn’t believe the bloody prices!

I took a massive swig of the
hot coffee, burning my lips as I did so, I felt a right prick.
Killeen
just laughed at me.

“So what time are we arriving in London
then, Michael?”

“Uh...
sorry! ... I don’t remember. It doesn’t really matter to me; I’ll have to find a place to stay tonight anyway now the wench has kicked me out for the time being. Ha-ha!”

Killeen
looked out the window into the outer suburbs of Paris as the train gathered speed.

“A
ah lad, you don’t want to worry about things like that, you’ll give yourself a hernia!”

I
smiled, sat back and finished off my coffee. I was wondering how my wife and daughter were, and hoping that Griffer was behaving himself. I felt sure this wouldn’t take too long, (crossing all my fingers, twice). There was no way I could’ve turned down that cash: no fucking way! That would sort me right out for the next few months.

Without batting an eyelid, a hot blonde came and sat
down next to Killeen. I was gobsmacked! He kissed her on the lips and slid his hand under the table. I looked away as best I could, it didn’t take much effort to look round again, though, as she was fucking superb! She looked over at me with a pair of inquisitive eyes.

I winked and caught my breath. Killeen
passed her a memory stick, which she very quickly tucked inside her bra. She kissed him on the lips, brushed her hand under the table, obviously on his cock and walked off into the opposite carriage
.

“W
omen, they fucking love it, Michael! Ha-ha!” Killeen said, wiping his lips.

“How the hell do you know that girl? She was gorgeous!”

“Aah, she’s an old friend. I knew she was on the train, I just didn’t want to sit next to her, that’s all. We’ve been working with each other all the time. I get to work with lots of people, Michael. It’s great having power, you know: it’s fucking fantastic!” I was gobsmacked. I didn’t mention the data stick. I knew it was dodgy. I’d just have to watch and observe. He must have felt fucking comfortable to have done that in front of me, I had a good chance of gaining some valuable information tonight, if all went well.

“After
all that excitement Michael, I think I need a power nap!” I totally agreed with him. It wasn’t long before we were both fast asleep, and about an hour passed before we woke. My mouth felt like something had died inside it. The first thing I thought of was my family.

Before I knew it, we arrived in London. The place is never empty, and the platforms were buzzing. I walked alongside
Killeen
as we left the carriage and along the platform towards the exit. We both took the stairs to the top floor.

“Well
, I suppose this is goodbye, my friend! Thanks for the company – it was nice to meet you.” I needed to think fucking fast. Pulling out my phone from my jacket pocket, I exaggerated a further phone call to my wife. I made sure I was very vocal and that Killeen could hear me. It worked. I fucking knew it would. Killeen stopped and turned around.

“Uuh
, if you’re in the shit, mate, I know a little hotel around the block that I always use, if you fancy it? It’s better than sleeping rough, mate, ‘cause I don’t think you’re going back home tonight?”

It took some thinking about!
“Yeah, go on then, mate! Fuck her!” The plan had worked.

“I’m very thankful for this
, Ryan. It’s very kind of you mate.”

“No worries
, Michael.”

“What’s the hotel called
, mate? Is it nice, or a fucking shit hole? Ha-ha!” I used a bit of humour to settle myself: I was getting in deep now.

“It’s average. Very
cheap for around here, mate, anyway. They take the piss in London.”

“Yeah, tell me about it
, buddy, tell me about it!”

When the taxi pulled up outside the hotel
I grabbed my bag and looked at the name. The Paddington: it looked alright from the outside.

“Come on! G
rab your stuff and let’s get inside for last orders.” Killeen dragged me inside. The hotel carpet was bright red; it was rather grand actually, and very swish as my mother would say.

“Good evening
, gentlemen! May I help you?” Killeen handed over a paper print-out to the woman behind the desk.

“Ok, and are you booked
too, Sir?”

I looked at
her. “Um, no I’m not. Sorry. I’d like a single room for the night please.”

“Let me see if we have one free ......
yes, we do! ...... and will you be wanting a continental breakfast with the room, Sir?”

“Oh, yes please
, without a doubt!” She and Killeen smiled.

“There you go
, Mr Killeen; and there you are Mr Fox.” I had a large key ring with the number 21 painted on it. Killeen had number 20.

“What time does the bar close
, please?”

“It clo
ses when the last person leaves, Sir. We have an all-night licence.” Fantastic!

“Come on
, Michael, let’s get up to the rooms and dump this lot off. The quicker we do it, the quicker we get in the bar!” He did have the right idea, even if he was a wanker!

Five minutes later he met me outside my room.

“Come on
tosser,
hurry up! I’m dying of thirst here, Michael.”

“Hold your horses
, Ryan! Bloody hell! I’m right behind you, mate.”

“S
hit! Give me two seconds, I’ve forgotten my wallet. What a prick!”

“Ok Michael, I’ll meet you down there. I’ll get you a drink in.”

“Yeah, cool.”

I open
ed the door to my room, grabbed my wallet and texted my wife that I loved her, and to give Fran a big kiss from me.

He
had the first round in: two pints of lager. He was propped up against the bar looking rather smart with a clean jumper and shirt on.