Gray Vengeance (24 page)

Chapter 33

19 December 2014

A weary Tom Gray reached the Hilton in Abuja just after seven in the morning. He hadn’t managed any sleep on the two flights from Italy, and he wanted nothing more than to crash in a comfortable hotel bed for the next twenty-four hours.

As he entered the expansive reception, that dream was dashed as Sonny crept up behind him and slapped him on the shoulder.

‘Morning, Tom! Ready to go?’

Gray turned, and over Sonny’s shoulder he saw Smart,
Mackenzie
and Kyle Ackerman walking down the stairs, their
luggage
in tow.

‘You have to be kidding.’

‘Sorry, mate. The plane’s booked for nine thirty. Kyle checked the arrival time of your flight and got us on the first one available.’

Ackerman approached and ran a hand through his short brown hair before shaking hands with Gray.

‘Good to see you again, Tom.’

They stood the same height, though Ackerman was a good twenty pounds leaner than Gray.

‘Likewise. I hear we’re heading out now.’

‘Harvey’s orders,’ Ackerman said, then dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Once we leave the hotel, keep your eyes peeled. It seems someone knows we’re here and where we’re going.’

Gray was instantly alert, and his first thoughts were for Melissa. If someone knew about their travel arrangements, they must surely know where she was, which meant she was in danger.

‘My daughter . . . .’

‘Andrew didn’t mention that,’ Ackerman said, pulling out a mobile phone. ‘I’ll let him know, and—’

Gray stopped him with a hand on his arm, glaring over at Sonny. ‘Didn’t the guys warn you not to use one of those?’

‘They did, but it’s for emergencies only. Andrew told me to get a clean cell in case we had urgent news. I’d say this was critical.’

Gray removed his hand and let Ackerman dial. ‘Just keep it brief and to the point.’

‘There’s an issue with our friend’s youngest,’ Ackerman said when the call connected, and Gray leaned in closer to hear the conversation from both ends. ‘We might need child protective services to pay her a visit. Just precautionary.’

‘I’ll need details,’ the tinny voice said, and Ackerman looked to Gray for inspiration.

‘Just tell him the lawyer knows where the relatives live,’ Gray whispered, and Ackerman passed on the message.

‘I’m on it,’ said Harvey’s distant voice, and the call ended.

‘That good enough for you?’ Ackerman asked, and Gray
nodded
, though he knew he wouldn’t be able to shake this new feeling of dread.

‘She’ll be fine,’ Sonny said. ‘Let’s get this done so we can go and pick her up.’

‘Speaking of which,’ Ackerman said, ‘what’s the mission? Andrew was vague, to say the least.’

‘I’ll fill you in when we get to Kano,’ Gray said, looking round for signs of anyone taking an interest in the group.

They filed out of the hotel and into a waiting taxi, and
Mackenzie
climbed into the back next to Gray.

‘What’s the problem with your daughter?’

‘It’s probably nothing,’ Gray told him. ‘I just worry about her too much.’

‘Sonny told me you’ve had an incident-packed few days,’ Mackenzie said. ‘Doesn’t sound like nothing to me.’

‘Well, she’s safe for now, and this will soon be over.’

‘Sonny said you don’t like leaving her with others. It must be a wrench being away from her.’

‘Sonny talks too much,’ Gray snapped, then instantly regretted it. Mackenzie wasn’t the focus of his anger at the moment, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on him. ‘Sorry. She . . . she’s with her grandparents in Italy. It’s only for a few days, just until this mission’s over.’

‘Still, it must be hard, for both of you.’

You have no idea
, Gray thought.

No idea at all
.

When they finally arrived at the airport, Mackenzie was the first out of the taxi. He hauled his bag from the boot and stood with a pained expression while the others grabbed their belongings and paid the driver.

‘What’s up?’ Gray asked.

‘I really need a dump,’ Mackenzie said, as they set off in a rush towards the check-in gates. They arrived with a couple of minutes to spare, and after exchanging their tickets for boarding passes, Mackenzie asked them to hang around while he went to the toilet.

‘Sorry, but I hate shitting on planes.’

‘Be quick,’ Gray warned. ‘We’ve only got a few minutes before boarding closes.’

Mackenzie dropped his bag at Gray’s feet and jogged to the toilet, which gave off an unwelcoming odour as he opened the door. Inside he found a row of cubicles, two of which were unoccupied, and after dismissing the first with its overflowing bowl, he entered the second and locked the door.

He pulled down his trousers and retrieved the mobile phone that was strapped to his inner thigh, then quickly typed out a message and hit the Send button. Once the text had been sent, he quickly removed the battery and SIM card from the phone and dropped them into the cistern. He opened the cubicle door, and after checking that none of his party was around, he stepped out and dumped the rest of the phone in the waste paper bin. Ideally he would have taken it onto the plane, but there was always the chance it would be detected as he we
nt thr
ough security, and he’d have a hard time explaining it away to the others.

As he made his way back, he felt just the slightest trace of guilt at the thought of betraying Gray. He was a fine man, according to Smart and Baines, and in the little time he’d spent with the man, he’d found nothing to contradict those sentiments.

Getting close to Gray hadn’t been that hard, given his training. He knew he stood out among the other Minotaur contractors, so securing a training position with Gray’s company had been a doddle. The only uncertain part had been getting into Gray’s inner circle, but spending his days working as an instructor alongside Sonny, as well as the socialising, had done the trick.

While he hadn’t had a real chance to get to know Gray personally, he knew plenty about him. He’d used the internet to glean most of the information he’d needed, with his bosses and Gray’s friends providing the rest.

Gray was indeed a remarkable man, who’d been through a hell of a lot in the last few years, but business was business, and
Mackenzie
was being paid handsomely to stick close to him. T
o wh
at end, he didn’t yet know, but he felt the moment was
drawing
closer.

Back at the check-in gates, he joined up with the others and they made their way through security and to the boarding gates. His little diversion meant they were the last to board, and he once again took a seat next to Gray in order to find out even more about his boss’s past.

Andrew Harvey knocked on Ellis’s door and walked in, dragging Small after him.

‘Sorry, Veronica, but Gerald’s got something.’

The technician placed his open laptop on her table and showed her some text on the screen.

‘This was intercepted from Thompson’s phone a few minutes ago,’ he explained.

Ellis read the short message and the colour began to drain from her cheeks.

Gray’s kid in Italy with grandparents.

‘When did this come in?’ she asked.

‘A couple of minutes ago,’ Small said. ‘I tried to track the sender, but the phone is off.’

Ellis stood and paced the room. ‘Did you warn Gray that someone was following them?’

Harvey nodded. ‘I was told that his daughter was with relatives, and Gray’s accountant confirmed that Melissa’s grandparents have a place in southern Italy. Someone must have overheard my conversation with Kyle.’

‘Or they’re monitoring all of your calls,’ Small suggested.

‘Unlikely. I used a burner cell and didn’t even buy it myself. No-one could possibly know about it.’

‘Well, from what Veronica’s told me about Brigandicuum, it’s possible that they have voice-matching capabilities, too. Once you speak to someone over the phone, your voice could trigger a
download
.’

There were so many possibilities, yet none of them struck Harvey as the obvious choice. Could someone with a directional microphone have overheard Ackerman’s side of the conversation? Or was Brigandicuum more powerful than Manello had let on?

‘However they did it, our priority is to make sure Gray’s
daughter
is safe,’ Ellis said. ‘God knows what he’ll do if anything
happens
to her.’

‘I’ve already got two assets watching the place,’ Harvey said.

‘Something tells me that’s not going to be enough. Ask them to collect the grandparents and the girl and take them to a safe house until this is over. They may or may not be targets, but I’m taking no chances. I don’t have to remind you that we wouldn’t have to do this if Gray was still at home.’

Harvey took the jibe on the chin, his mind suddenly focused on the message on the screen. There was something about it that cried out to him, but he couldn’t quite make the connection. He leaned in and read it again, but frustratingly nothing jumped out at him.

‘What is it?’ Ellis asked.

‘I’m not sure,’ Harvey said, and explained the feeling he had about the text. ‘I’m sure it’ll come to me.’

‘If it does, let me know. Now, go and get those assets moving.’

‘I’m guessing you don’t want me to tell Gray about this latest message,’ Harvey said, as he walked to the door.

‘No, just let him focus on the mission. You can explain when he’s on his way back.’

Harvey and Small left Ellis’s office, with the technician heading back to his own little kingdom. Harvey picked a brand new cell phone from his drawer and dialled the number of the operative who was keeping a watch over the Hatcher place.

‘I need you to move in, identify yourself to the three occupants and take them somewhere safe. Tell them I ordered this on behalf of a friend.’

With the instructions relayed, he tried to concentrate on the message on Gerald’s laptop, but the answer remained tantalisingly out of reach.

Chapter 34

19 December 2014

Tom Gray had to be shaken awake as the plane made its final approach to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. His watch told him he’d managed just over an hour, and he felt worse for
having
had the short nap.

A headache threatened to add to his misery as he trudged off the plane with the others, and he was pleased to discover that their first port of call was the hotel Ackerman had booked.

After a thirty-minute taxi ride they pulled up outside the building, and Gray didn’t care that it looked two-star at best; he just wanted to get his head down for a while.

‘What’s the plan?’ Ackerman asked, as they waited for the receptionist to book them in.

‘I’ll tell you once we get into the rooms,’ Gray said quietly, conscious of two strangers in the lobby.

The party walked up the stairs and piled into the small room assigned to Gray and Ackerman. Smart opened a window to let out the musty smell while the others took a seat on the two wooden-framed single beds. The room was functional at best, with a side table and chair, and an en-suite with toilet and shower.

‘Andrew identified a phone signal believed to have been used by the leaders of the attack,’ Gray said. ‘It’s coming from a hospital, so he’s assuming someone managed to escape the blast that killed their hierarchy. He wants us to go and speak to the survivor, if there is one.’

‘What if he’s already been discharged?’ Ackerman asked.

‘Assuming it’s a male, Sonny will use his charms on a nurse and find out where he lives.’

Sonny folded his arms, acting humble but clearly flattered at being chosen for the role.

‘He could also be dead,’ Mackenzie pointed out.

‘Andrew realises that, but he wants us to at least try. If we can get someone to give us a description of their leader Takasa, it will help in tracking him down.’

‘So what else do you have in mind?’ Ackerman asked.

‘We go through the passenger lists for the three days either side of the explosion. Hamad Farsi tried, but the data is held on a closed network at the airline.’

‘All right,’ said Ackerman. ‘I already know about that. Sonny told me while we were waiting for you to arrive from Italy. I’ve already called ahead and made arrangements. It could be tens of thousands of names to go through, though.’

‘According to Andrew, the airport has seen record-low
numbers
of passengers this year, apparently due to DSA’s presence in the area. Hopefully it won’t be that big a job.’

‘I suggest we hit the hospital first,’ Smart said. ‘If we can get a description, it’ll be easier to filter the passenger records.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Ackerman said. ‘Let’s get going.’

Gray yawned and fell backwards onto the bed.

‘Do you guys need me to be there?’ he asked.

‘Not at all,’ Smart said. ‘Grab a couple of hours. We’ll be b
ack soon.’

Ackerman led the way through the bustling market towards the hospital, ignoring the vendors as they clamoured for a sale. It was heavy going, as each stall owner wanted to offload something
on th
e tourists, and by the time they managed to battle their way to the far end, the journey had taken longer than expected. They’d assumed they could manage the one-kilometre walk in less than twenty
minutes
but had already spent that long fighting off spice
salesmen
. They also drew stares from a few of their fellow
shoppers
, making the team wary and alert.

When they eventually arrived at the hospital, Ackerman found the reception desk and introduced himself.

‘Hi. My name’s Kyle and I’m from the British High
Commission
in Pretoria.’

The nurse looked distinctly unimpressed and waited for him to continue.

‘We are looking for a white male, aged twenty-seven, who went missing at around the time of an explosion just off Kufar Mata Road near the old city. Did you hear about it?’

The nurse nodded but clearly wasn’t about to offer up any further information.

‘The man I’m looking for is called Michael Andrews. Has anyone by that name been brought here in the last few days?’

The nurse rifled through a pile of papers, then shook her head. ‘Perhaps he was taken to City Hospital.’

‘We’ve already tried there,’ Ackerman lied. ‘They said he was most likely here. Was anyone involved in the explosion admitted to this hospital?’

‘Yes, but he wasn’t a white male.’

‘It would really help if I could speak to him, to ask if he saw Michael in the area just before the blast.’

The nurse picked up a phone and spoke in her native
language
, then pointed to some chairs and asked the group to wait.

‘What do you think?’ Sonny asked the others as they took th
eir seats.

‘She called a doctor and asked him to come and deal with us,’ Mackenzie said.

‘You speak Hausa?’ Ackerman asked.

Mackenzie nodded. ‘My father spoke it when I was g
rowing up.’

Ackerman rose as a doctor wearing a stereotypical white gown approached them, the mandatory stethoscope around the neck completing the ensemble.

‘I’m Doctor Akulna,’ he said, shaking Ackerman’s hand. ‘I understand you were enquiring about one of my patients.’

Ackerman once again went through the cover story, glad to find the doctor slightly more receptive to his request.

‘Beke Anwo was seriously injured in the blast, though we have managed to stabilise him. I’m not sure he would be up to any questioning, though.’

‘I’d like to at least try,’ Ackerman said. ‘Michael’s family are most concerned, and if we can establish that he wasn’t in the area, it would be a great comfort to them.’

‘Very well, but I can’t allow you all into his room. Two of you can remain here.’

‘Okay, I’ll take Len,’ Ackerman said.

‘You’d be better off taking Mack,’ Smart said. ‘His Hausa might come in handy.’

Ackerman agreed, and the pair followed the doctor up the stairs and along the corridor to Anwo’s room. Inside, they found him lying in the bed, both legs and his left arm encased in plaster. An oxygen tube was taped under his nose, and a drip fed clear liquid into his right arm.

A nurse was spoon-feeding him a clear broth, and she looked up when they entered.

‘How’s our patient doing?’ the doctor asked.

‘Very hungry,’ the nurse told him, as she emptied the last morsel from the bowl. ‘I’ll go and get some more.’

She left the room, and Akulna pulled down the bed covers and examined the bandages wrapped tightly around Anwo’s chest. His hands then moved up to the swollen face.

‘You’re a very lucky man,’ the doctor told him, but got no response. Anwo appeared to be focused on the other two men in the room. The doctor made way for them, and Ackerman was the first to approach the bed.

‘Hello, Beke. My name is Kyle. I’d like to ask you a few
questions
about the explosion, if that’s okay.’

Anwo gave him a puzzled look, and the doctor explained why. ‘The explosion perforated his eardrums, so you’ll have to speak slowly and clearly.’

Ackerman repeated his request, and Anwo nodded his head.

‘Thank you,’ Ackerman said, pulling a chair up to the bed and sitting down. ‘First of all, what were you doing in the area when the bomb went off ?’

‘I was just walking past,’ Anwo replied, his voice hoarse, and Ackerman could see broken teeth as he spoke. ‘Luckily there was a big car between me and the building. It must have saved me.’

Ackerman nodded and began describing the fictional Michael Andrews. ‘Did you see anyone in the area who looked like that?’

The doctor excused himself, and once he’d left the room, Ackerman’s manner changed instantly. ‘Where’s your phone?’ he asked, leaning over Anwo.

Mackenzie was already at work, rummaging through a plastic bag containing shredded, bloodied clothes. When he stumbled across the handset, he pulled it out and held it up.

‘Explain to me how you came to own a phone that was used to plan the recent attacks on Britain,’ Ackerman said.

‘I don’t know anything.’

But Anwo’s face betrayed him, as did the machine monitoring his heart rate.

‘Let me try,’ Mackenzie said. He placed the phone on the bed stand and stood over Anwo, pressing down on his bandaged chest just hard enough to cause discomfort. ‘
Kake jin Hausa?’
Do you speak Hausa?

Anwo nodded slightly, and Mackenzie continued.
‘Kada ka damu, ni a nan ya taimake ka.’
Do not worry, I am here to help you.

The injured man looked confused, but Mackenzie continued in Hausa. ‘I was sent by your master. This man wants to track him down and kill him, but I will not let that happen. You must refuse to answer any more of his questions. Do you understand?’

Anwo nodded again.

‘Good. Now, talk to me as if you were angry. Do it quickly.’

The bed-ridden man began shouting in Hausa, all the time glaring into Mackenzie’s eyes.

‘Excellent. Now, I want you to start screaming for the nurse, as loud as you can. When she comes, just tell her you need to go to the toilet.’

Anwo tried to shout, but the bandages restricted his diaphragm, and it came out more of a yelp.

‘Louder,’ Mackenzie urged, ‘and once we leave, phone someone to pick you up and take you to a safe house. They’ll be back for you.’

He gestured for the man to be quiet, solely for Ackerman’s benefit, then moved quickly towards the door as Anwo released a more powerful cry.

‘He refuses to talk,’ Mackenzie said to Ackerman. ‘He’s calling for the police. We’d better leave.’

They walked quickly away from the room and hurried back down the stairs, whispering a quick ‘Time to go’ when they passed Smart and Sonny in the reception area. Once out of the building, they jogged along for half a kilometre before slowing to a walk.

‘What did you get out of him?’ Sonny asked, as they made their way back to the hotel.

‘Nothing,’ Mackenzie said. ‘We tried to question him, but he started screaming for the police. We couldn’t hang around after that.’

‘Do you think he was involved?’

‘Definitely,’ Ackerman said.

‘So what now?’

‘We’ll have to rely on the airport records,’ Ackerman told Sonny. ‘Unless you’ve got any better ideas?’

‘How about paying him a late-night visit?’

‘Risky,’ Ackerman said, ‘and we’re not here to draw attention to ourselves.’

‘It shouldn’t be too difficult,’ Sonny pressed. ‘Up the drainpipe, pop the window and have a quick, aggressive chat.’

‘Let’s call that plan B, shall we?’

Five minutes into the slog through the market, Mackenzie spotted a stall offering a vast selection of mobile phones and, knowing that he’d need one to pass on the latest developments, he formed a quick and simple plan.

He waited until they’d managed to cover another fifty yards, then tapped Ackerman on the shoulder.

‘I saw a shawl back there that my girl would love. You guys go ahead. I’ll catch you up.’

Ackerman was about to protest, but Mackenzie offered a quick smile and a pat on the shoulder, then jogged into the crowd.