barn is off limits—’
‘It doesn’t bother me who does it,’ Victor interrupted. ‘But you need to hide this vehicle. It’ll have been picked up on CCTV and witnesses don’t forget seeing a Rolls-Royce limousine. It’s a bull’s-eye to any aerial surveillance. And you don’t want another visit from your Georgian friends, do you?’
‘Why not?’ Leeson asked with raised eyebrows. ‘We dealt with the last lot easy enough.’
We. Easy.
‘And what about the authorities? Are we going to easily deal with a police helicopter spotting the Phantom and a tactical team knocking down the farmhouse door?’
Leeson nodded. ‘Okay, you win. Sensible as always. I’ll have Mr Dietrich do it.’
Victor nodded too, wondering why Dietrich was allowed to take the limousine into the barn and he wasn’t.
Inside the farmhouse kitchen Francesca, Dietrich, Jaeger and Coughlin were waiting. Jaeger sat eating a sandwich, the rest stood around the table – Francesca closest to the door, the other two men at the far side, leaning against the countertop next to the sink. Dietrich’s arms were folded in front of his chest, defensive. Coughlin looked bored.
Francesca smiled. ‘The warriors return. All hail.’
She spoke while looking at Leeson, whose back instantly straightened in a rush of pride and arrogance. Francesca knew exactly how to play him.
‘My dear,’ he said, and embraced her.
Victor made sure not to make eye contact as she glanced his way.
‘Well?’ Dietrich spat.
Leeson released Francesca. ‘Do you want to tell the story, Mr Kooi, or shall I?’
‘Be my guest.’
‘Though first, Mr Dietrich, would you be so kind as to house the car in the barn?’ Dietrich nodded and Leeson handed him the keys as he passed. ‘And I think before I begin, a glass of vino is appropriate.’ Leeson motioned to Francesca. ‘Pop down to the cellar and fetch a bottle, there’s a good girl.’
Francesca nodded and smiled and left the kitchen. Victor got himself a glass of water. She returned after a minute and poured everyone a drink. Victor shook his head when she came to him.
Leeson waited until Dietrich had also returned before he recounted the events of the last few hours. He was a good natural orator, who did an excellent job of underplaying his own role just enough to encourage clarifications and enquiries for more details. Details he was only too happy to embellish under the veneer of false modesty.
Francesca gasped and exhaled at every chance and when Leeson had finished, said, ‘I didn’t know you had it in you, Robert,’ with wide-eyed rapture and a little excited clap of her hands. Leeson was a good orator, but Francesca was his perfect audience.
Jaeger nodded with raised eyebrows, reserved but impressed.
Dietrich and Coughlin were not.
‘So, His Majesty here pinged five of this crew, right?’ Dietrich asked, doubt creasing his forehead.
Leeson nodded. ‘That’s correct. Mr Kooi was truly formidable.’
‘He kills a bunch of amateurs and I’m supposed to be awed? Don’t think so.’
‘Your evaluation of the quality of the opposition is immaterial here. Had Mr Kooi not been present I would now be a corpse and you, Mr Dietrich, would be without an employer.’
Dietrich scowled. ‘There’s nothing this guy could have done that I couldn’t have myself. And easier. I wouldn’t have needed a civilian to help me get the job done over a bunch of amateurs.’
Victor tried – badly – to hide a laugh.
‘Got something to say, Your Majesty?’
Victor remained silent. But he smiled at Dietrich. Just a little smirk, but enough to further antagonise the man. There was nothing Victor could do to make Dietrich reverse his opinion of him, and there was a good chance they would eventually find themselves as enemies. Victor was happy to let Dietrich go into that potential future encounter with the disadvantage of genuine dislike and hatred.
Dietrich stared. ‘Too afraid to talk, are you?’
‘I’m afraid if I do I might use words you don’t understand.’
Dietrich took a step forward. ‘You won’t be talking so tough when I gut you and leave you in the basement for the rats to gnaw on.’
‘Good luck with that.’
Francesca laughed. ‘Such pathetic displays of testosterone-fuelled arrogance. Who are you both trying to impress besides each other? Because it’s not working.’
‘Don’t flatter yourself,’ Dietrich said.
She laughed again. ‘Do you think anyone cares who could have killed more or done so easier? Is that the only way you can measure yourself against him?’
‘Why don’t you shut the fuck up?’
Her eyes widened.
‘Don’t talk to her like that,’ Victor said.
‘I’ll talk to her however I wish.’
‘Try again.’
Dietrich stared at him. ‘Mind your own