Bodyguard: Ransom (Book 2) (37 page)

The assassin gazed out of his hotel window at the dusty, war-torn streets of Mogadishu. The building opposite, once the glamorous al-Uruba Hotel, was now a crumbling shell, pockmarked with the scars of gunfire. The bullet holes always held such fascination for the assassin. He could never understand why so many missed their target. He only ever needed one bullet.

He put on a fresh shirt, glad to be rid of all the lingering soot and reek of burnt chemicals following his escape from the flaming tanker. He held his fingers up to the light and picked at some residual grime. He hated dirt under his fingernails.

His phone rang. He answered it.

‘Status report,’ the caller demanded, the voice distorted by the encrypted line.

‘Mission parameters were met. Mr Gibb is dead. Files wiped.
Australian Daily
editor silenced. All evidence destroyed.’

‘But what about the ransom negotiations? Those came to a rather
unexpected
and premature end.’

The assassin continued to pick at his fingernails. ‘Nothing to be concerned about. The hijacking accomplished what it set out to do. Mr Sterling is no longer a threat to the organization. The story is buried.’

‘And the pirates?’

‘Dead men tell no tales.’

‘The Sterling girl lives. Is that a problem for us?’

A trace of a thin smile cut across the assassin’s lips. ‘My little sparrow served her purpose, so I wiped her memory of our encounter before freeing her. She knows nothing that could unbalance Equilibrium.’

The caller seemed to weigh up his answer, then said, ‘We lost significant investment and risked unnecessary exposure as a result of Mr Gibb. Ensure our next investment is secure.’

‘Of course.’

‘And, Mr Grey, don’t leave any loose ends.’

‘I never do.’

‘Nice suntan,’ smirked Jason as Connor entered Buddyguard’s briefing room with Charley.

Where his fire-retardant clothing hadn’t protected him, Connor had suffered first-degree burns escaping the blazing tanker. The skin on his face, arms and hands was still red and sore a week later, but healing well. ‘Very funny. I must have used the wrong oil,’ he replied.

Jason laughed. ‘Welcome back, Connor. Sorry for the dropbear prank. I honestly didn’t think you’d fall for it.’

After the turmoil of the past few weeks, Connor had forgotten all about that incident. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get you back one day,’ he grinned.

Ling walked over. At first Connor thought she might hug him. Instead she bumped fists with him.

‘I can’t believe you blew up a tanker!’ she exclaimed. ‘Why am I never there for all the action?’

‘I wish you had been,’ replied Connor. ‘I could’ve seriously done with your help.’

‘I doubt that,’ said Marc. ‘I heard the fire was seen over twenty miles out at sea!’

Connor gave a sheepish grin. ‘I needed a distraction to rescue the girls.’

‘Some distraction!’ Marc replied, holding up his hand and high-fiving him.

‘So who’s picking up the bill?’ asked Amir, patting his friend gently on the shoulder.

Charley produced a letter headed with the official logo of Sempaku Shipping. ‘Connor will be glad to learn the shipping company’s insurance covers that little firework display.’

Amir frowned. ‘I meant for all the gear I loaned Connor and he managed to destroy.’

‘Hey, it wasn’t my fault your smartphones aren’t bulletproof,’ pleaded Connor.

Amir sighed in exasperation. ‘You’re making a habit of getting shot. Perhaps we should just wrap you in a bulletproof bag?’

‘Good idea,’ said Richie. ‘Then you could cover his ugly head!’

‘Make sure Richie’s bag is double-layered,’ shot back Connor. ‘Seriously though, Amir, your tech kit was a lifesaver. I couldn’t have succeeded without it.’

‘Connor’s right,’ said Colonel Black, striding into the briefing room. ‘The success of an operation doesn’t rely on a single bodyguard. It’s the work of a whole team. Without the SART in his Go-bag, Connor and his Principals would have been recaptured by the pirates and most likely dead.’

‘Well, I’m sure glad I stayed in wet and windy Wales then,’ said Amir.

As Alpha team took their seats for the debrief, Connor asked, ‘Have you had any news about Emily?’

The colonel nodded. ‘I just received the report. It appears her somewhat
unusual
behaviour was the result of brainwashing, carried out during her captivity last year. The perpetrators of that kidnapping and this hijack must be linked – possibly as a way to extort money from Mr Sterling, or to gain control over him or his media companies, or both. But all this is speculation.’

‘Has Emily been able to shed any light on it?’ asked Charley.

The colonel shook his head. ‘Even though we have proof of her communications from the photos she posted on her social network site, she doesn’t remember anything about contacting the pirates. Nor does she recall locking Connor up. The knock to her head may have caused amnesia. But the doctor thinks she may never have been fully conscious of her actions in the first place.’

‘How can that be?’ asked Ling.

‘Her captor could have programmed subliminal suggestions into her mind, hypnotism being the most likely method.’

‘That’s freaky,’ muttered Richie. ‘I hope nobody ever plays with my brain like that.’

‘No chance,’ said Ling. ‘They’d have to find it first!’

Colonel Black silenced her with a stern look. ‘The good news is that Emily is on the mend. Her doctor says she’s responding well to treatment.’

‘So who do you think is behind all this?’ asked Jason.

‘It has to be an international crime syndicate. There are several possibilities, but no firm leads.’

‘What about the man I saw on the tanker?’ asked Connor. ‘Cali said he was the one ordering the handover to Seven Sabres.’

The colonel sighed. ‘Your description of him was pretty vague. There’s been no trace of him. We can only assume he died in the blaze.’

Connor wasn’t so sure. The man struck him as a snake who could slip any net.

‘Anyway, the Australian Federal Police are investigating the hijacking, so it’s out of our hands now,’ announced the colonel. ‘But Mr Sterling is deeply grateful to us for rescuing his family, and the crew,
especially
without the need to pay a ransom.’ Colonel Black raised an eyebrow and gave a wry smile. ‘As a gesture of his appreciation, he’s invited Alpha team to a private party to celebrate his marriage to Ms Ryder and his daughters’ safe return.’

‘Where’s the party?’ asked Ling eagerly. ‘Not on a yacht, I hope.’

‘Sydney. And we’re flying first class all the way.’

Mr Sterling had hired an entire island for the party.

Named after its shape rather than its marine life, Shark Island was a unique location for a celebration. Located at the eastern end of Sydney Harbour, it boasted spectacular views of the harbour bridge, opera house and Rose Bay. Connor couldn’t think of a more ideal setting for a party brimming with famous film stars, musicians, supermodels and high-level politicians. Nor could a location be more secure. Being encircled by water, no one could approach the island undetected. And Mr Sterling hadn’t spared any expense on security measures. Besides the high-profile close protection team patrolling the island, Connor’s trained eye had spotted numerous covert bodyguards mingling among the guests.

‘Is that who I think it is?’ said Ling, nodding towards a suave, dark-haired man in a tailored suit.

Jason nodded. ‘But he looks a lot shorter than he does in the movies.’

‘I don’t know where to look,’ sighed Marc as his eyes bounced between all the fashion models sashaying past.

‘Don’t trip over your tongue, Marc,’ said Charley, sipping from a glass of sparkling fruit juice.

Chloe and Emily walked towards them, dressed respectively in coral-pink and straw-yellow summer frocks.

‘How are you enjoying the party?’ asked Chloe.

‘It’s amazing. Never seen so many famous people,’ Connor replied. ‘Thanks for inviting us.’

‘It’s the least we could do.’ Chloe turned to Ling with a repentant expression. ‘I hope you can forgive our little disagreement. I realize now you were just doing your job.’

‘Live and learn, eh?’ said Ling coolly.

‘We almost
didn’t
live,’ said Emily. ‘That’s why we’re so grateful to Connor.’

The two sisters exchanged a glance, nodded at some unsaid agreement, then leant forward and kissed him on either cheek. Connor felt himself blush at the unexpected affection and noticed Charley glance over then quickly look away. He hoped he wouldn’t be in trouble again.

‘Hey, I supplied the equipment!’ piped up Amir.

The girls laughed and kissed him too. Amir was momentarily lost for words.

Connor studied Emily’s face. It seemed like a shadow had been lifted. ‘You’re looking well.’

‘Thank you, I feel much better,’ she replied, smiling freely. ‘My head was so clouded before, always getting migraines. I thought it was the medication I was on. But that clearly wasn’t the case. Now it’s like sunshine has broken through. I can think … my own thoughts.’

Connor returned her smile. ‘I’m glad you’ve found yourself again.’

He heard his name being called and turned to see a slim African boy among the partygoers. His white silk shirt looked a size too big for him, but he was no longer skin and bones. ‘Cali! What are you doing here?’

Cali greeted him with a beaming smile. ‘Mr Sterling arrange a visa for me.’

‘I thought you wanted to go to South Africa.’

‘Yes! Maybe on holiday. I live in Oz now,’ he replied proudly.

The party went on all afternoon, taking full advantage of the glorious summer sunshine.

Connor and Ling were reunited with the
Orchid
’s crew, Captain Locke even greeting Connor with a salute. The crew members were relaxed and carefree, a world away from the trauma of the hijacking. But Connor noticed they all bore their scars, Jordan’s being the most obvious, although he was more than happy to show a glamorous model his ‘war wounds’. The rest of the crew’s scars weren’t so visible, just the occasional nervous twitch at the sound of a cork popping or Sophie’s sad gaze as she looked across the water at the harbour bridge, no doubt thinking of Brad.

As dusk approached, Mr Sterling and Amanda – his new wife outdoing all the models in an ivory chiffon slit-gown – eventually broke from their socializing to thank Connor and the others in Alpha team.

‘I always had faith in you, Connor,’ said Mr Sterling,
warmly shaking his hand and beaming a silvery smile. ‘Never once doubted that you’d deliver the goods and bring my Amanda and daughters safely home.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ replied Connor, although he caught the incredulous look on Charley’s face.

Amanda graced him with a kiss, her heady perfume enveloping him as she leant into his cheek.

‘You’re one brave boy,’ she said, ruffling his hair. ‘If we have a son, I hope he grows up to be like you.’

She laid a protective hand over her belly, Mr Sterling beside her beaming with pride. Chloe and Emily exchanged surprised looks.

‘You’re
pregnant
?’ asked Chloe.

Amanda nodded. ‘Twelve weeks.’

‘Congratulations,’ said Emily. ‘That’s wonderful news.’

As word spread and guests clustered round to toast the new baby, Chloe leant close to Connor’s ear.

‘Fancy taking a trip in our speedboat?’ she whispered, pointing at a sleek red boat moored at the end of the island’s jetty.

‘Shouldn’t we ask your father first?’ said Connor.

Chloe glanced at the crowd of well-wishers and shook her head. ‘No, he’s busy celebrating. And he won’t mind.’

‘But what about security?’ asked Connor.

‘Hey, I have you!’ she said, taking his hand. ‘And Ling can come too.’

‘Now that sounds like my sort of fun,’ said Ling, setting aside her glass of fresh lemonade.

‘Emily, are you going to join us?’ asked Connor.

‘Sure. Why not?’ she replied, clearly still trying to take in the news of their pregnant stepmother.

Chloe led the way down to the jetty.

‘Want to drive, Ling? It’s way faster than a jet ski.’

Ling grinned. ‘Definitely. As long as this one doesn’t explode!’

Jumping in, Ling settled into the pilot’s seat, pressed the ignition and took them out into the harbour. She headed in the direction of the bridge, where the sun was beginning to dip through its arch.

‘I can’t believe Amanda’s having a baby,’ exclaimed Chloe. ‘It’s the first I knew about it.’

Emily glanced at Connor, then smiled at her sister. ‘Do you know what? I’d actually quite like a brother.’

‘Hey, let’s see how fast
this
baby goes,’ said Ling, driving the throttle forward.

The speedboat surged across the harbour, cutting through the water like an arrow. As they zoomed past another boat, Connor did a double take. The boat was being piloted by a bald-headed black man. And in the stern, removing his scuba gear and wetsuit, was a white man with a lion tattoo on his arm.

Todd Logan
and
Doug Carter.

The two men watched the Sterlings’ speedboat pass by with an unsettling intensity.

Connor’s sixth sense went into overdrive. He hunted round the boat.

‘What’s the matter?’ said Emily. ‘What are you looking for?’

Connor didn’t really know until he glanced over the side and found it. On the speedboat’s hull, just below the waterline, was a small black box with a transmitter. It could only be one thing.

‘Bomb on board!’ cried Connor.

The girls stared at him in shock and horror. But Ling reacted with a bodyguard’s instinct. She threw the speedboat’s throttle to its max, grabbed Chloe and dived over the side. Connor was a split second behind with Emily in his arms. They hit the water hard, plunging beneath the surface.

A moment later, the speedboat exploded.