the flat. James figured that they were all busy making the webcast and looking after their hostage ?and besides, why would they need to contact three people sitting in a safe house watching TV?
As the kettle rumbled, James realised that a couple of factors were working in his favour. First, there was no landline in the house and because mobiles can be unreliable, the crew up at Hummingbird Farm probably wouldn't be suspicious if they couldn't get in touch with Mark or Adelaide. Second, Kyle was a top agent. Her given James the location of the farm and would surely be taking steps to protect himself in the event that things went wrong.
By the time James had poured the water in the teapot and grabbed the cups, her decided to move on Mark and Adelaide. The biggest problem was their guns. He knew Markt gun was still zipped up in the bag of tennis equipment, which now sat beside the nest of tables in the living-room. This meant James couldn't get hold of it, but Mark wouldn't be able to get his hands on it quickly either.
Adelaidet gun was trickier. James had no clue where it was, or even if sher taken it out the back of the motorbike. He decided to deal with her first.
As the tea brewed, James searched through the kitchen drawers and found scissors and a ball of chunky nylon string. He gave it a good tug to make sure it was strong, before slicing off half a dozen two-metre lengths. He made each length into two loops and formed a noose at the top. Next, he grabbed the tea towel off its hook and soaked it under the tap, before wringing it out, folding it into quarters and leaving it on the countertop next to the string.
The living-room curtains were pulled to stop the afternoon sun bleaching out the TV picture. James strolled into the gloomy space and handed over the hot mugs.
Cheers, James,?Adelaide said.
Anything happening??he asked.
Mark shook his head. They're not showing any live footage. Just old farts sitting in the studio speculating over what we're gonna do next.?
Adelaide,?James said, T think Ire got this rash on my head, from the hair dye or something. Would you mind having a look at it??
Eure,?Adelaide said, as she stood up.
James headed through to the kitchen.
There are you going??
Ttt lighter in the kitchen,?James explained.
Adelaide huffed reluctantly, but followed after him. Tf your skint reacting to the hair dye, itt probably easiest just to dive in the shower and wash it out.?
Adelaide was exactly the same height as James and he didn't think sher be difficult to take down. The tricky part was doing it without Mark overhearing.
Eit in the chair or something then,?Adelaide said. T can't see your head from all the way up there.?
That happened to your gun, by the way??James asked. Did you leave it in the bike??
Adelaide looked surprised at the abrupt change in subject matter. Ttt here,?she said, lifting up her shirt to reveal it tucked into the waistband of her sweat pants.
As soon as James saw the gun, he grabbed the sodden tea towel off the cabinet top. He snatched Adelaidet wrist and twisted her arm up behind her back with one hand, while bundling her forward and clamping the wet cloth over her mouth with the other.
She ended up pressed against the wall with James holding her in an arm lock. A sharp backwards kick hit James in the knee, but it wasn't enough to knock him back.
T can snap your arm like a twig,?James whispered nastily, tightening the painful lock to make his point clear. Mpen your mouth.?
As Adelaide opened up, James forced the cloth into her mouth until it was completely crammed. Once he was sure the cloth wasn't coming out, he let go and pulled the gun out of Adelaidet waistband.
But your wrists together.?
James tucked the gun in the pocket of his shorts as he grabbed one of the loops of string off the countertop. He hooked a loop over each of Adelaidet hands, before pulling the nooses tight and securing it with a constrictor knot. He glanced out into the corridor to make sure that Mark wasn't on the move before whispering in Adelaidet ear.
T won't hurt you if you do what you're told, OK??
Mfff,?Adelaide nodded.
Talk into the living-room with me, sit your arse in the armchair and stay still.?
James grabbed the remaining loops of string off the countertop before shoving Adelaide towards the door.
That the hell,?Mark