The People Traders (25 page)

He looked her up and down, surprised at the array of weapons she carried. "You're going home, Karen, not to war," he commented.

She sighed. "I need to protect myself, anyway due north, is that the way I go?" she persisted.

"Yes."

Leaning over, Karen kissed him on the lips. "Good luck, Garry, I'm sorry it's got to end this way but I did my best."

He grasped her hand. "Here, you'll need a watch and a compass," he said pushing both into her hand. "Look after yourself, Karen. You deserve to go home; I've never met a girl as brave as you."

She smiled. "You and Mark did it all really; I've just been a nuisance. Although it is nice of you to say so," she replied softly.

He squeezed her hand. "Karen, will you go out with me when I get home? I'd like to get to know you a lot better, without all this hanging over us."

She grinned. "I might, if when we meet again and you ask me nicely. After all, I'm between boyfriends at the moment and you do have an advantage."

"I do... what's that?" he asked.

She laughed, trying to make light in a serious situation. "You've slept with me and at least I know you don't snore. I'd hate to sleep with a man for the rest of my life who snores."

He began to laugh. "So we're not just talking a date here, Karen, but something a little more permanent perhaps?"

She suddenly looked very shy. "I told you, I'm a one man girl. Let's see how it goes, shall we?"

"I'll hold you to that, Karen, besides we've got to meet again."

"Why do you say that?" she asked.

He grinned. "I want my watch back."

"Oh! Yes of course. I'll look after it then until you come to collect, shall I?"

"You do that. But now it's time you were gone, good luck, love."

He closed his eyes and Karen took one last look before walking away. She knew he was, without some immediate help, close to death. He'd helped her and it did no harm to flirt a little. After all, she'd probably never see him again.

Turning off the road after half a mile, she made her way across the fields following the compass as Garry had shown her. She was full of confidence she could defend herself, with the handgun for her own suicide, if things weren't going her way. As it was getting lighter she decided to lie low for the rest of the day. She was less than a mile from the meeting place. Garry had told her the Commander would only move at night, so even if they were there already, she'd have plenty of time to get there before night fall and they moved on. She dropped off the narrow path and moved further into a field. It was full of a cereal crop standing some three feet high. Well inside, she settled down, completely hidden from any person passing along the path. It was getting hot and she rifled through the bag, finding a half eaten piece of chocolate and two biscuits. Karen felt better after the food but the day was warming up, so, removing the jumper and changing into shorts, she rolled the jeans and jumper up, using them as a pillow then lay down and was soon asleep.

Karen awoke with a start! What it was that woke her she wasn't sure, but sitting up she could just about peep above the cereal crop. She could see nothing and after gathering her clothes and pushing them into the bag and taking a last look round, she began making her way towards the far end of the field. At that moment at the bottom of the field, directly in line to where she was heading, a man climbed over the fence. He didn't seem to see her at first but when he did he started waving his arms and shouting at the top of his voice. Then he began running towards her.

Karen panicked, not knowing what to do, certain in her own mind this man posed a threat and she'd no intention of allowing him too close. She dropped the bag and swung the machine-gun round. Switching to single shot, she raised the gun, looking carefully through the sight for the telltale red spot of the laser. Karen didn't want to kill him, only dissuade him from coming close, so she squeezed the trigger gently, allowing the bullet to whistle close to his head. The gun jerked a little as it fired, then she waited. Still he came. Still he waved his arms, shouting at her. His language seemed strange and the gestures towards her frightening.

She sighed and this time raised the gun, squeezing gently again. The man seemed to stop in mid-air then disappeared from view. Karen lowered the gun, her heart pounding. Grabbing her bag, she began to run. Then, seconds later, she stumbled, rolled and fell headlong into a ditch. She lay there for a moment before standing gingerly, the front of her caked in mud from head to toe. A slow realisation came to her. Had the man been warning her of the hidden ditch? Had she shot him for nothing? She would never know.

Dragging herself out and following the edge of the ditch, she found a crossing some distance down. Once across Karen was undecided if she should go and look for the man. She'd aimed to stop him, not to kill him, but wasn't used to the gun's recoil and couldn't be sure how accurate she'd been. Finally, deciding against finding him, she picked her way slowly to the edge of the field. Another ditch ran along this boundary this time with water running, not mud. Quickly pulling her muddy clothes off, then using the t-shirt as a cloth, she wiped herself down before dressing in jeans and jumper. Then, after rinsing the shorts and t-shirt, she stuffed them in the bag. Studying the compass, she moved on, crossing two more fields, diverting round a building that looked occupied and finally stopping close to where the Commander and his men should be.

Starving and desperately wanting a drink, Karen settled down among some shrubs, chewing at the remaining biscuit, her thoughts going back to Garry, wondering if he'd been taken to hospital. She hoped they'd take him; after all, he was only defending her and didn't deserve to die. She looked at Garry's watch he'd given her for the twentieth time, soon they should be here and she'd hear the call. However, before that, she decided she should take time to study the area, make sure she was in a position to see who came and perhaps have a chance to escape, in case it was a trap.

CHAPTER 15

Commander Farrow watched the warehouses explode with satisfaction. They'd initially had a difficult time getting close but Farrow had not been discouraged. He'd already decided in his own mind that, with such a high value of goods and the warehouse at capacity, the owners would double the guards. This was, he found, precisely what had happened. He'd spent some time studying the surrounding area before finding a way to create a diversion. The fire he'd started on parched scrubland had the desired effect. With a helpful hand from nature, drifting dense smoke soon engulfed the warehouse. Many guards scattered, unable to breathe without choking, leaving only a few security staff. Then it had been relatively easy to breach the perimeter fencing and set the charges. His major task now was to join up with the other two groups and return to the pickup point as soon as possible.

Hitchen was making notes after having radio communication from the other groups, when Farrow asked for an update.

"We've had contact with Group Two, Sir. They've encountered heavy resistance in the area and managed only partial destruction of the target. Since the explosion, local army militia has been mobilised. They are waiting new orders from you as to what you want them to do. We've also had one contact from Group Three. They've collected successfully and are at this moment returning at speed to the meeting point."

Farrow looked at his maps, Group Two was nearly fifty miles due south. If they'd only been partially successful, he would need an assessment of the damage before deciding if it warranted a return to destroy completely. This possibility had been envisaged as the initial planned pickup time could be delayed a further three days if necessary.

"Get Group Two back on the radio," he said to Hitchen.

Within five minutes Farrow was talking to the officer in charge. "Are you saying we should join up and try again, or is the destruction enough?" Farrow asked.

"We still have one warehouse intact, Sir. The cable to the charges failed. Activity's very high at the moment but we're holding position. We've a feeling they might begin movement within forty-eight hours. Trucks have been queuing down the road waiting for the all clear from the fire teams for some hours now. We estimate twenty to thirty trucks are already in the queue."

Farrow made notes then switched the radio mike to transmit. "I can't see any other option. We'll delay pickup for three days. I'll join you with all haste after meeting up with Group Three."

The link broke and Farrow called Control. They agreed with his assessment, telling him they'd inform the submarine to reschedule for three days' time.

Farrow called the team together, explaining the new orders. Then, glancing at his watch, he told them to pack. Within ten minutes they were on the move. Two hours later they had arrived, a short distance from the meeting place with Group Three. Farrow moved closer to Chapman, his Second in Command. "Set up a perimeter surveillance operation, just in case. I'll go with Cook and Hitchen to meet Group Three."

Chapman nodded his understanding, taking two other soldiers. Farrow moved quickly to the arranged meeting place, then raised his radio. "Group Three, come in," he listened on the free channel of his radio.

"This is Three; I am receiving you, over," came a girl's voice.

Farrow stared for a second at the radio, why would a girl be calling, he wondered? He moved closer to Hitchen, his voice low. "We may have a problem. Fall back in defensive position with Cook. I'll acknowledge the call and ask them to come in. Also inform Chapman we may need back up."

Hitchen moved off without a sound. Farrow gave him thirty seconds then raised the radio to his mouth. "Group Three, show yourself. This is Leader One, all is clear, over."

Nothing happened, so Farrow called again. This time there was a response. "You came with two others. You're already in my sights; I need to be sure you are who you claim. Tell your men to stand at your side, place your weapons on the ground, then back away three feet, over."

Farrow glanced round but he could see no one. Then he looked down to switch the radio over again and saw the telltale red laser spot steady on his chest. Now he knew the direction but was unable to move for fear of the person firing. Farrow raised his radio again. "Hitchen, Cook, cancel the last order and join me, over."

They did as he commanded and soon they stood alongside him. "Delay two minutes, Chapman's on his way. He'll be in position soon," Hitchen muttered under his breath.

Farrow didn't acknowledge but asked the two of them to place their weapons on the ground and, like him, step away. Then he raised his radio again. "Group Three, you can come in now, we've done as you've asked, over."

Farrow strained his eyes into the gloom, expecting the person to appear from the direction he'd decided they must be, after catching site of the laser beam.

"Don't turn round. If you're who you claim you are, there's a password known to Garry and Mark. Can you give it now?" a voice came from behind them.

Farrow gave a hint of a smile; the lads had done well, one at the front and the other behind, without giving their positions away. "The sun is shining late tonight," Farrow recited.

He waited and then heard the click of a safety going on. "Thank you. I've lowered my gun now, you may turn round," Karen said quietly.

Turning round, Farrow found himself looking at a girl. He'd seen photos but they did nothing for her. The girl stood watching him was taller and far more attractive than he'd imagined. "I presume I'm talking to Karen Marshall? The name's Farrow, Commander Farrow. Perhaps, Karen, you could tell me where Mark and Garry are hiding? I would also very much like to know why you're carrying such an arsenal of weapons?" he asked.

She remained still, just looking at the three of them. "Mark died in my arms yesterday. We were being chased by three people in a car. There was a gunfight and Mark was at the rear, protecting. He never knew what hit him and didn't regain consciousness," she stopped and pulled out two dog tags. "These are his, Garry asked me to bring them."

Farrow took them from her hand. "And Garry, where's he?"

Karen shook her head. "I don't really know. This morning we were overcome by two men dressed in army uniforms. Garry seemed to think they were mercenaries but I'm not sure. Anyway Garry, after a fight, shot them and we took their Land Rover. We thought after that we were home and dry but three more Land Rovers began chasing us. It was very frightening. I was hidden behind the tailgate but at least it gave me some protection. I got one with the machine-gun, two others with grenades. Garry was driving, bullets were flying everywhere and he was hit. It was a bad injury; he lost a lot of blood and couldn't move so he told me to leave him. He was afraid if I stayed they'd kill us both. Alone, he thought he'd have a chance. I suppose he was right to think they'd probably take him to hospital rather than kill him there."

Farrow moved to her side and grasped her arm gently. "That was a very good report, Karen. It couldn't have been easy for a young girl to go through such an ordeal; we'll look after you from now."

She gave a weak smile. Garry had said the same, now she'd only believe it when they arrived on English soil. "You've not got any water and something to eat, have you?" she asked. "I've had nothing since yesterday and I'm starving. I've had to avoid places I might have found food, in case I was seen."