The Persona Protocol - By Andy McDermott Page 0,80

and when the bodyguards turn up I’ll say he slipped on it and hit his head.’

‘Good thinking. Help me turn him over.’ They rolled Zykov on to his front. Adam regarded him for a moment – then took hold of him by the hair and slammed him face first against the tiles.

Bianca gasped in shock. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Making it convincing.’ He lifted Zykov’s head to reveal a bloodied mark on his forehead. The Russian moaned softly. ‘He’ll believe that headache. Now, give him the injection.’

She had at least remembered what Albion had told her about the dosages and effects of this particular drug. ‘This should be enough to wipe everything as far back as coming into the bathroom.’

‘If he loses more, it doesn’t matter. As long as he doesn’t remember seeing me.’

Bianca administered the drug. She passed the injector to Adam. ‘Probably not a good idea to leave this lying around.’

‘I’ll put it in the case.’ He went back into the bedroom.

‘How are you going to get out?’

‘I’ll hide on the balcony. As soon as they’re both in here dealing with you and Zykov, I’ll go into the lounge through the other door and just walk out.’

‘Easy as that, eh?’

‘Hopefully.’ He picked up both pieces of baggage and went to the balcony door. ‘Okay. Get out as soon as you can.’

She gave him a pained smile. ‘Oh, I will!’

He grinned back, the almost lustful way he bared his teeth unsettlingly redolent of Zykov, then went out on to the balcony. Bianca turned her attention back to the unconscious man, watching him intently for signs of recovery.

Adam crouched with his back against the glass at the corner of the bedroom. ‘The lounge is clear, Adam,’ Holly Jo told him. ‘You could get to the front door now.’

‘I don’t want to risk it,’ he replied. ‘Not until I know where Bragin and Konev are.’

‘Who? Oh, the bodyguards.’

‘If we’d upgraded the UAV with a microwave radar like I suggested,’ added Kyle, ‘we could see right through the walls and know exactly where they are. Be useful, huh?’

‘I’ll bear it in mind at the next procurement meeting,’ said Tony drily. ‘Adam, are you sure you want to wait?’

‘If they see me, I’ll have to kill them. Not good for our cover.’ He already had the gun in his hand, ready for the worst-case scenario.

‘Point taken. Just be careful, then.’

Adam listened for sounds of activity through the glass. When Bianca raised the alarm, the bodyguards would run to the bathroom to help their boss – leaving the way clear for him to head for the exit.

In theory. He squeezed the gun’s grip more tightly . . .

Bianca’s heels clattered on the tiled floor. He tensed, ready to move. A shrill cry from the bathroom, then: ‘Oh my God! Hey, help! Help me!’

‘They’re coming,’ warned Holly Jo. ‘One guy – no, they’re both coming. Hold on.’

Bianca was still putting on a performance. ‘It’s Ruslan, in the bathroom! We were in there, and – he slipped and hit his head! He’s hurt, you’ve got to help him!’

He heard the bedroom door open, hurried footsteps. ‘They’re both going into the bathroom,’ Holly Jo continued. ‘Wait, wait . . . okay, their backs are to you. Go!’

Adam rose to his feet and strode along the balcony. He opened the glass door and slipped through into the lounge, silently closing it behind him. Without looking back, he headed for the exit. He emerged in the lobby. The concierge gave him a strange look, not recognising him . . .

‘Privet, kak pozhivaeteg?’ Adam said cheerily. The concierge blinked, uncomprehending. ‘The boss’s date, she is leaving.’ He held up his baggage. ‘I take these downstairs for her, yeah?’

The man nodded. ‘Would you like me to order a taxi?’

‘No, no, is fine.’ He went to the elevators, pushing the call button. One of the sets of doors opened. He entered. ‘Okay, I’m in the elevator,’ he announced as it started to descend. ‘Where’s Bianca?’

She was helping the two bodyguards carry their boss to his bed. ‘Ruslan, are you okay?’

Zykov put a hand to his head, wincing. ‘What happened?’

‘You slipped on the champagne,’ she said. ‘You hit the floor really hard – I was worried, I think you were knocked out. You should go to hospital.’

‘No, no, I . . .’ He sat on the bed and looked at his hand, seeing a small amount of blood. ‘Oh. I don’t . . . I went into the bathroom, I gave you a drink,