Heaven's Door (38 page)
Authors: Michael Knaggs
The story continues inâ¦
Prologue
“Just like in the movies.”
The young man seated on the bench spoke the words out loud to himself. He was of medium height and average build, with longish dark hair; and casually dressed in designer jeans, tee shirt and a short, tan leather jacket.
He looked around the nearly-deserted park and across to the shining lake where a mother and her small child pitched lumps of bread at a squabbling group of ducks in front of them. Until now, except for one elderly lady walking her border terrier a hundred yards or so away to his right, they had been the only visible signs of humanity in the tranquil grassy oasis close to the town centre. He wondered how many times he'd watched this scene play out in spy films and TV dramas. The only thing that was missing was a rolled-up newspaper under the arm of the man who was approaching him. Instead, he was carrying a small day-pack, which he removed from his back and placed between them on the bench as he sat down.
The new arrival was tall, in his early thirties, with handsome chiselled features and dark, close-cropped hair. He was formally dressed in an immaculate charcoal grey lounge suit, pale blue shirt and navy-and-grey striped tie. He also wore a pair of soft leather gloves.
“Sorry,” said the first man, with a smile which was close to a sneer. “I've forgotten the password.”
The newcomer said nothing but fixed him with an intense stare from behind his dark-tinted glasses. The first man broke the uneasy silence.
“I mean, this is a bit John le Carre, isn't it?”
The stranger raised his eyebrows in surprise, still remaining silent.
“Yes, some of us do read things other than the back page of
The Sun
in case you're wondering. Anyway, why didn't the big guy come himself?”
His companion looked momentarily confused, and then smiled thinly.
“You needn't concern yourself with the chain of command.”
He nodded towards the bag. The first man unbuckled the single strap, lifted the flap and peered inside. He let out his breath loudly.
“What if I say no?”
“Then there'll be five instead of four.”
He closed the flap again, fastening the strap and slumping back on the bench, legs out-stretched in front of him.
The stranger raised his eyebrows again; this time with a question.
“Okay?”
The first man nodded, nervous now. It was a long time before he spoke again.
“When?”
“Down to you. But a week today I'll expect to have read all about it. Then we meet again. I'll let you know when and where.”
He got up from the bench, leaving the day-pack and walking away without another word.
Once again thanks are due to the many people who contributed in different ways to the production of this book.
To those who provided me with factual information for the first book and especially David Monks and Alan Isherwood who have answered more of my queries for
Heaven's Door
. In particular, I thank Richard Latham for giving up his time to provide me with an invaluable insight into the home of the British parliament. In addition to the essential information it yielded, the experience itself was such a memorable one.
To all the people â friends, acquaintances and strangers â who have purchased
Catalyst
and provided me with such encouraging feedback, which has spurred me on to complete this second volume.
To my publisher, Matador, for making the whole experience of creating these books such an enjoyable one, and in particular to Rosie Grindrod and Amy Statham, not only for their assistance with each step along the way, but also for their patience, both in responding to what must have been the most basic and obvious questions, and in watching deadlines pass by like ships in the night when I failed to get materials to them on time.
To Gary Smailes of Bubblecow â again â for his detailed editorial critique and invaluable advice following on from this.
To my family for their ongoing interest and encouragement, and above all to my wife, Carol, for her unstinting support and for continuing to endure my feeling sorry for myself when things were not going as planned â which happened quite a lot.
MICHAEL KNAGGS was born in Hull in 1944. He moved to Thurso, Caithness, in 1966 to work as an Experimental Officer at Dounreay Atomic Power Station, and relocated to Salford in 1968 to complete a degree in Chemistry. From 1970 up to his retirement in 2005, Michael worked for Kellogg Company â the global breakfast cereal manufacturer â latterly as Human Resources Director with responsibility for pay and benefit policy across the company's European organisation.
He lives in Prestwich, Manchester, with his wife, Carol. Their passion is hill-walking and they undertake at least one long distance walk each year. They have two children and two grand-children.
Draws you in and doesn't let go until the final page
A stunning debut. The plot line is intriguing and the characters are believable and easy to identify with. If crime with political machinations is your thing then Catalyst ticks all the right boxes. Knaggs can certainly hold his own among his peers in this genre.
Devious thriller
Just when you think the book is reaching a conclusion it takes a devious twist that keeps you guessing to the end.
Great read
A great read with lots of twists and turns. Excellent descriptions that bring it to life. Could not put it down.
Interesting and enjoyable tale from a new author
A great read and an excellent debut novel. I found it to be well written and I look forward to more from this new writer. If you like thrillers with a political edge you will find this a good read.
Captured my interest early on
I really enjoyed reading this debut novel⦠I was captured immediately and found the book to have a thought-provoking theme. It kept me interested throughout⦠Now I am looking forward to a sequel⦠or there will be a riot!