CHERUB: The Fall - Robert Muchamore Page 0,26
the smaller Russian airlines use that excuse all the time.’
‘What’s the latest on the arrival time for our jet?’ Ewart asked, as Irene grabbed the blanket out of the car and wrapped it over James like a shawl.
Craig looked at his watch. ‘There’s enough time for a brew, I reckon. Then you’d better head out towards the runway.’
The hangar was mainly used by British mechanics doing repairs on airliner engines, and the walls were adorned with page three girls and football posters. James felt a touch homesick as he dunked fruit shortcakes in his mug of tea. By the time he’d drunk half, he could hear the distant roar of his ride home.
‘Better get our skates on.’ Ewart said, as he grabbed a small briefcase and laid it across James’ lap.
James shook the Edwards’ hands and thanked them for their help, before Ewart wheeled him towards the gap in the hangar doors. They stepped into the night air and a gentle drizzle dusted James’ face as he spotted the flashing wing lights of a corporate jet amidst the stars.
‘Oh Christ,’ Ewart spat, as he looked towards the gate.
James snapped his head around and spotted a Japanese pickup truck with blue lights on the top. ‘It’s not my week,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘You reckon that guard tipped them off?’
He didn’t get an answer because Ewart had run back inside the hangar. He re-emerged with Craig and Irene, as James popped the catches of the briefcase on his lap.
‘I could try holding them off,’ Craig said uncertainly.
Ewart shook his head. ‘We’ve got an eight-seat jet, you two will have to come with us.’
‘We live here,’ Irene protested. ‘We haven’t got our passports or anything.’
‘If me and James get away, they’ll arrest, torture and quite possibly kill you,’ Ewart explained bluntly. ‘Start wheeling James towards the runway, I’ll deal with these guys.’
The security barrier went up as Ewart opened the briefcase. He pulled out a Glock 9mm automatic pistol and a stun gun.
Craig looked at Ewart. ‘You want help? I was SBS1 before I was MI5.’
Ewart smiled as he handed Craig the Glock and a spare ammunition clip. ‘Navy man, eh? That’s nice to hear. I’ll go for the subtle approach. If things mess up, start shooting, head for the plane and don’t worry about me.’
Irene snorted involuntarily, close to tears.
‘We’ll be OK, love,’ Craig said firmly. ‘You start pushing James. We’ll be half a minute behind.’
As Irene began the tricky task of wheeling the chair across the icy taxiway, James tried to reassure her. ‘Your husband’s ex-SBS and Ewart has done similar training. Street cops will be totally outclassed.’
Irene shook her head as the wheelchair gathered momentum. ‘I knew he was in the Navy, but I only found out that he had links with MI5 when Ewart turned up on our doorstep at lunchtime. Now I’m wheeling a fugitive towards a runway and Craig’s waving a gun around …’
1 SBS – Special Boat Service, a British special forces unit similar to US Navy SEALs.
James smiled. ‘Not what you expected when you got out of bed this morning.’
‘Too bloody right. So how come you’re all tangled up in this mess? Doesn’t look like you’re even shaving yet.’
‘I don’t mean to be rude, Irene, but my brain’s not up to spinning a lie and it’s better for both of us if I don’t tell the truth.’
As the jet skimmed the chain-link fence at the airfield’s perimeter, Ewart strode confidently towards the pickup. He spoke to the driver in his dreadful Russian. ‘Good evening officers, is there a problem?’
‘I think there is,’ the driver smiled, pointing up towards the jet. ‘I’ve never seen a flight come down here at this time of night before and my friend on the gate says he’s never seen you either.’
Ewart heard a second police car pulling up at the barrier as he tried to reassure the two policemen. ‘Hilton Aerospace. It’s our regular cargo flight.’
‘No flight plan, no runway lights,’ the cop said, raising a single eyebrow to show that he didn’t believe a word. ‘Maybe I’m Clint Eastwood and you’re the Easter bunny.’
‘Evening, boys!’ Craig boomed, surprising Ewart and the cops as he grabbed the door handle on the passenger side of the pickup. He ripped the door open and punched the cop out with his massive fist before dragging him into the snow.
Ewart realised that Craig had made a smart move: they had to take out the cops in the first vehicle before they were