CAUSE & EFFECT (27 page)
Authors: DEREK THOMPSON
It hadn’t occurred to Thomas that Miranda would hardly have been given directions to the safe house. Ann drove, and he listened.
“Bob asked me to give you this, recovered from the site. He said he hasn’t watched it.”
Thomas held the DVD between his fingertips, as if it might contaminate him. Someone had written his initials on it in permanent marker.
“Karl has his own and Bob gave him the others, as a show of good faith.”
“Others?” he felt a knot in his stomach.
Ann glanced over earnestly. “Charlie Stokes kept meticulous records. Apart from you and Karl there were at least a dozen more victims.”
“And the chemist?”
“Arrested and detained.”
Thomas fell silent, thinking about a suitable punishment for Roland Dolan and Paulette Villers. They’d each played their part.
Miranda told Ann where to pull over.
“We’ll call you in a few days, unless you’re fit for duty before then.”
“Understood. The sooner I get back to normality the better.” Even he smiled at that; this
was
normality.
* * *
There were five messages at the flat, but there was something he had to do first. Miranda assured him she understood when he disappeared into his darkroom with a laptop and some headphones. There were fragments of memory floating around in his head and it wasn’t enough. He needed to make sense of everything and the only way to do that was to face his demons.
The footage was grainy with sound — a typical CCTV rig. Ray and Charlie were difficult to decipher unless they got close to the radiator; there must have been a mic on the light fitting. That also explained the constant low hum in the background.
He felt a twinge in his guts when the two figures approached on-screen and force-fed him the poison — the ‘medicine.’ The body remembered. As the sweat prickled his forehead he got up from the laptop to catch his breath. He fast-forwarded until he saw the prisoner straining to get free, screaming about the darkness, the contours of his face briefly visible as he strained forward against the hood.
Ray asked the questions. Sometimes Charlie observed. He seemed to like doing that. He’d prompt Ray in a whisper then stand to one side to watch the whole thing at close quarters, studying the prisoner.
Thomas made notes of the questions and any keywords in his responses. Those he could understand, anyway. He worked through the interrogations methodically, searching for confirmation of a half-remembered dream.
Charlie and Ray, facing off. “I warned you not to get involved with Natalie. Just like I warned you not to pick on the kid.”
Ray had stood his ground, a pit bull to Charlie’s mastiff. “Jacob was a happy accident. Now Jack’s wound tighter than a spring and I’m in his bed.”
Charlie had stormed off, but Ray stayed, squatting down next to Thomas. “Absolute power — that’s the drug, Thomas. I can do
anything
. I could cut you now and you wouldn’t even remember — or choke you.” He grabbed him in a stranglehold and all Thomas could hear was himself choking. Then a gasp of breath as Ray released him. “I own you.” He leaned back and head-butted him, the
crack
smashing Thomas against the radiator.
Ray turned around for the camera and stared back from the grave. Thomas clicked the mouse to pause the footage, matching the gaze of a dead man. It wasn’t justice, but it would have to do.
He watched the rest of the recording with a clinical eye, writing down details as if it were another SSU job. His detachment only faltered again when Charlie had come to see him alone. Once the hood was raised, on-screen, Thomas had a fleeting flashback.
“Ray doesn’t understand, but I do.” Charlie waved the bug in front of Thomas’s face. “I would have picked you up anyway after your interest in Paulette and young Roland. You’re more than a Benefits snooper, though. Karl, I already knew about, but you . . . the Cartel will be very interested in what you’ve got to say.”
Thomas noted, to his shame, that he answered all Charlie’s questions about Karl and their counter-intelligence work. He didn’t reveal much, thank God, because he still didn’t know a great deal — full marks to Karl on that front. He slipped the headphones off again and rubbed his eyes.
Miranda rapped on the door lightly. “Thomas? I didn’t want to disturb you but Karl just rang — I didn’t answer it. I’m popping out for some food. I’ll be back in half an hour.”
He let her know he was okay and checked the time. He’d been in there nearly two hours. When he heard the front door click behind her he ventured out into daylight and rang Karl back.
“How are you holding up, Thomas?”
“I’m fine.” He actually meant it. “How’s the arm?”
“Sprained, I think. It seems I put up more resistance than was good for me.” Karl sighed like a carthorse. “I should never have got you in so deep.”
“I’m fine,” he repeated, a little sharper than before. “Occupational hazard.” He read the silence and knew there was more to be said.
“It’s been decided that Ray Daniels is officially only missing. It’s useful to have a phantom out there — it’ll keep Jack Langton on his toes as well.”
Once again, expediency over the truth. Thomas gripped the phone.
“Ray was responsible . . . for Jacob.”
“Ah well, justice has been served on that account. He was a dead man walking — Charlie too. Once they’d interrogated us I couldn’t have risked compromising other operatives. If it hadn’t been Ken, or you, I would have killed them myself.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
Karl didn’t answer. It didn’t matter; Thomas understood. You could never really negotiate with monsters. Maybe Eva Fairfield saw that as well. Silver bullet, wooden stake, Browning pistol, or counter-intelligence — choose your weapon.
“I’ll get my DVD to you. I’ve made notes as well but it’s best to be thorough.”
“Your notes will suffice, Thomas; I trust you.” He said it like he meant it. “Destroy the DVD — you might find it therapeutic! Be seeing ya.”
Thomas smiled. “Soon, I hope.”
Time for one more call. He kept it brief and Natalie Langton never knew what hit her.
“It’s Thomas. Charlie Stokes is dead and Ray’s gone. I’m seeing Jack in a few days to give him the news, so you have time to pack if you want to leave.”
He didn’t have to spell it out for her. She begged and pleaded, said that Ray had used her and that Jack didn’t need to know. Both were probably true.
“Please — I can pay you, Thomas; I’ve got money here.”
“I’m not for sale.”
No, but she was. Maybe Karl could use her as a spy on the inside, to keep tabs on Jack when he got out of prison. She took the deal; it was the best offer on the table. He’d text Karl about it later.
By the time Miranda returned with a curry he had plates on the table and
An Inspector Calls
cued up in the player — an old-fashioned morality tale. His hand smarted from snapping his DVD into shards. Karl was right — it felt good.
Although John had offered to accompany him to Wormwood Scrubs Thomas decided to go alone. Better to say his piece in relative privacy. He watched the swarm of commuters moving through the network, untroubled by the myriad of cameras — overt and covert — or the electronic footprint they were leaving. Maybe the populace was better off living in ignorance; give him the unadorned truth any day.
He picked up a tabloid as he left East Acton Tube and browsed the first few pages while a bus thundered by. Home Office minister Eva Fairfield had decided to step down from her role and seek out new opportunities. He smiled skyward: how noble of her. The article reported that the Home Secretary was saddened by her departure and felt she had made a unique contribution. That was one way of putting it.
His Surveillance Support Unit ID card won him the hands-on treatment again from the prison officers’ welcoming committee. He didn’t make a fuss; it wasn’t like he planned on coming back. He followed procedure and then did the slow shuffle to the visitors’ hall to await an audience.
Jack Langton had the same swagger as the late Mr Stokes. Thomas smiled and offered his hand.
“Any news?” Jack blinked a couple of times, as though seeing something different.
Thomas stared, keeping his voice monotone. “Charlie Stokes is dead — there’ll be no more trouble . . .”
Jack grinned from ear to ear.
“ . . . I haven’t finished. Ray Daniels has disappeared.”
The tip of Jack’s tongue poked out of his mouth, tasting the future. “If Ray’s not around, there’s a vacancy — if you’re interested?”
Thomas’s face hardened. “No. I know what he’s capable of.”
“Well, look.” Jack leaned back, fingers laced behind his head like he owned the place. “I owe you, and I’m a man who keeps his word. Name your price.”
“Really?”
“Within reason, yeah!” Jack was grinning again.
“Stay away from the Wrights in future, and Sheryl. Not even a postcard. Your word, remember?” Thomas got up to leave. “Because I know everything about you now, Jack —
everything
.”
THE END
This is the third book in the series featuring Thomas Bladen
Get the first two now!
BOOK 1: STANDPOINT
The woman he's always loved is in danger
Thomas Bladen works in surveillance for a shadowy unit of the British government. During a routine operation, he sees a shooting which exposes a world of corruption and danger. When his on-again, off-again girlfriend Miranda is drawn into the conspiracy, Thomas must decide who he can trust to help him save her life
http://www.amazon.co.uk/STANDPOINT-gripping-thriller-full-suspense-ebook/dp/B00UVQBVVU/
http://www.amazon.com/STANDPOINT-gripping-thriller-full-suspense-ebook/dp/B00UVQBVVU/
BOOK 2: LINE OF SIGHT
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINE-SIGHT-gripping-thriller-suspense-ebook/dp/B00XIOAOBK/
http://www.amazon.com/LINE-SIGHT-gripping-thriller-suspense-ebook/dp/B00XIOAOBK/
A young woman lies dead at an army base. Was it really an accident?
When Amy Johanson is killed during a weapons test, Thomas and his partner Karl are determined to get to the bottom of it. They must protect Amy's friend Jess, the only witness they have, who plays a dangerous game of seduction and lies. Meanwhile, Thomas’s girlfriend Miranda and her family are once again put in the firing line.
Can Thomas get justice for Amy, solve the mystery of Karl’s past, and decide who he can really trust?
The UK Surveillance Support Unit loans out specialist and support teams to other government departments, including law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Those other departments refer to SSU staff as 'floaters' — it's not a term of endearment.
The Shadow State is a European infrastructure outside of the legal and political process. It functions as an alliance of corporations, politicians, the military and business leaders, operating as a clandestine United States of Europe. It is also known as 'the cartel' and trades in various commodities, including drugs, technology, information and weapons.
Main Characters
Thomas Bladen
is a Yorkshire-born photographer, who brought runaway Miranda back to her family on London when they met in their teens. He has been with the SSU for nearly three years. He has five numbers stored in his phone and that's probably two more than he needs.
While always at peace on his native and elemental Yorkshire moors, Thomas's home is now London, where the East End and the north-east of the capital are inextricably linked with Miranda.
London is a city of contrasts — 2000 years of history and culture layered like rock strata and shaped by subterranean forces. As a photographer he sees the hidden beauty in the ancient streets of a modern, thriving city; as a surveillance officer he sees everything other people don't want him to.
Karl McNeill
left Northern Ireland in his teens and joined the SSU after leaving the British army in circumstances he has never revealed. He is part of the intelligence war against the Shadow State. His closest SSU ally is Thomas, but he is not above using him, if the ends justify the means.
Miranda Wright
is Thomas's lover and his Achilles heel. She owns Caliban's, a bar in London's East End. She also has secrets to hide, even from Thomas.
John Wright
and
Diane Wright
are parents to Miranda and her two brothers. They met in a casino and have an ambiguous relationship with the tax office. Their motto is
family comes first
and they treat Thomas as one of their own.
Ken Treavey
served in the British army with Karl, who owes him a debt that Ken wants to collect.
Sir Peter Carroll
is the Director General of the SSU. He is also under the control of Karl's people, following his exposure as a member the Shadow State.
Jack Langton
is a small-time drug dealer and crook with aspirations, buying his way into respectability by investing in the modern art scene. Currently in prison, he has no idea that Thomas and Karl helped put him there.
Charlie Stokes
is Jack's business rival with big ambitions and a penchant for cruelty. With Jack in prison, Charlie thinks it's an opportunity to expand his empire.
Ray Daniels
is Jack Langton's associate and takes care of things while Jack's in prison, those
things
include Jack's wife.