around asking questions Kuznetsov’s people had tried to kill him. One of the three British agents was working with Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov’s second-in-command appeared astonished to discover that Fallon was ex-Service.
A snarl of ends, tangled like weeds and choking out coherent thought. All he had at the moment that seemed to hold out some promise was the address on the satnav. If it was a base of some sort then he might have a way in.
It took a frustratingly long time to find a car rental place and by the time he did it was a quarter to six. Once more he used the Hughes ID. It was a risk, but not a great one. There was one risk he wasn’t going to take, however. Once behind the wheel of the car, a year-old Fiat, he slipped out his phone.
‘Change of plan, Abby. Tell Kendrick to meet us at the hotel. The opposition might be watching the airport, so I need to keep well away.’
*
The Jacobin normally preferred being outdoors, finding the confines of a room, however large, unpleasantly claustrophobic after too long. This evening, though, the sky had a smothering aspect, pressing down like a cold shroud. There was no stillness on the streets. Even the tourists seemed to be affected by the sense of anticipation, even of awe, that the events of the next morning were kindling.
A quick stroll to calm the mind and stretch the legs. As if on cue the Jacobin’s phone rang. Kuznetsov.
‘You lied to me about this other man. Fallon.’
‘I didn’t lie. I just didn’t give you the full facts. In any case, you’ve been lying to me all along. You know where he is.’
‘No, I don’t.’ Kuznetsov’s voice was thick with something – fury? ‘But given what we’ve learned this afternoon, don’t you think it might have been relevant to tell me earlier about his background?’
‘As I say. I’ll give you full disclosure when you afford me the same courtesy.’
This time the anger was unmistakeable. ‘Don’t fuck me on this. It’s worked out well so far –’
‘Agreed.’
‘But I owe you nothing, beyond the protection we owe each other.’
‘I have no quibble with you there. But remember this isn’t over yet. Fourteen hours. A lot could go wrong.’
‘Purkiss could destroy everything.’
‘Yes.’
‘He’s killed two of my men.’
‘I know.’
‘Give him to me, damn it.’
‘As soon as you give me Fallon.’
‘I’ve told you, I don’t know –’
‘Then we’ve nothing more to talk about for the moment.’
The Jacobin folded away the phone and idled back down the street, expecting it to start ringing again. It didn’t.
Purkiss’s latest disappearance might be his last. Perhaps it was time to do as Kuznetsov asked, to hand Purkiss over or get rid of him. The longer he remained active, the likelier it was that he’d get lucky and find a way in.
And yet… and yet. Purkiss’s fanatical need to find Fallon was driving the man, and he wouldn’t stop until he was successful. Since Kuznetsov was being uncooperative there was no better way to locate Fallon than to follow where Purkiss led. After that and only after that would it be safe to dispose of Purkiss.
No; not only after that. There was another circumstance in which Purkiss would need to be got rid of, and that was if he was in imminent danger of exposing and stopping the operation. Then he’d have to be despatched, and quickly.
TWENTY
Abby had turned the cramped hotel room into a home from home. Two laptops sat opened on the writing desk, flanking an enormous flat-screen monitor. Across the carpet were arrayed a printer, scanner and shredder.
‘Where did you get all the gear?’ said Purkiss, seating himself in the room’s only armchair.
‘Some fantastic shops down the road. I told you it’s one of the most wired cities on earth.’ She gazed at the equipment with a mother’s joy. ‘Cheapish, as well. The expenses bill won’t hurt you too badly.’
She’d been unusually downbeat when she opened the door to him. When he asked why, she said it was because she hadn’t yet cracked the memory stick he’d found in Seppo’s flat.
‘It’s the most diabolical protection system I’ve ever come across,’ she said, staring at the tiny piece of plastic. ‘Five hours, and a couple of promising-looking results, but still nothing.’
‘I can give it to someone else,’ he offered. She gave him a look that would have stopped a tank in its tracks.
Her phone went and she listened and said, ‘Kendrick. He’s coming up, says not to attack him when he