The Lethal Target (21 page)

His driver, Gerald, closed the rear passenger door and shot Munro a questioning look that asked:
Do you need me with you?
Munro shook his head. No, he didn’t need Gerald with him, everything seemed safe. His security people had checked the café out — the owners, the clientele. Five of his bodyguards, all ex-military, were inside posing as customers and ready to spring into action if needed. If there was any hint of trouble, they’d have sorted it out before Munro even entered the place.

He looked at his watch and checked it against the giant clock on the imposing brick monument in the centre of the Broadway. Two p.m. That was the time agreed. He wondered if the person he was due to meet was already inside the café, waiting for him, or whether they’d be late. He hoped they’d be on time; he couldn’t stand unpunctuality.

He nodded at Gerald, who got back into the car. Then Munro moved across the pavement towards the café.

He never made it.

As he took his second step, the bullet smashed into the back of his head and ripped through his brain, sending blood erupting out from the exit wound. He was dead before he hit the ground.

The figure high up on the roof of the old building overlooking the Broadway began to take apart the sniper rifle and put it into its case. When he reappeared on the street below in a few moments, he would just be carrying an ordinary attaché case. He’d disappear into the crowd, just another passer-by going about his business.

The first part of the plan had been carried out. Alex Munro was dead. Now to concentrate on his next target: Jake Wells.

Also by Jim Eldridge

The Invisible Assassin

The Deadly Game

Bloomsbury Publishing, London, New Delhi, New York and Sydney

First published in Great Britain in April 2013 by

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP

This electronic edition published in April 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Copyright © Jim Eldridge 2013

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

eISBN 978 1 4088 2685 0

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