Retribution - Michael Bates (the mitten read aloud .TXT) 📗

keep a clear head, because I remembered how overpowering he could get, if he's allowed to. I would need to take the initiative right from the start, and not let up on the reins at all; otherwise, he would be in there like a shot, trying to take over the whole operation.

Turning on the TV I flicked from station to station, trying hard to pay attention to what was being shown, but I my mind just wouldn't switch off. I found my brain inadvertently going through an imaginary checklist, trying its best to wheedle out any discrepancies I may have overlooked. I shook my head, as if trying to dislodge an unwanted water blockage in my ear.

For God's sake, can’t I get any rest from this shit. I thought. I made myself a cup of coffee; hoping a caffeine injection might relax my brain. If that failed, I decided I would take a sleeping pill and to hell with it, even if it was only 6pm. I knew a couple of whiskeys would do it, but I needed a clear head in the morning, not a hangover.


CHAPTER SIX
Week Two

I tossed and turned for what seemed likes hours. I had no idea what time I eventually fell asleep, but I when I woke it was still dark, I looked at the clock thinking it was probably still night, but the clock said 6:40. I decided to get up, head down to the restaurant, and see if I could get some breakfast.

As I’m not usually up at this time of the morning, I wasn’t even sure if the restaurant would be open. The door was locked and a sign said breakfast starts at 07:30 am. Shit! I turned and headed for the street, I guessed there must be a cafe open somewhere in town.
Walking down the lamp lit street my mind began simmering over the days coming events. It suddenly struck me that a week of my deadline had already gone, and I was no closer to finding Clair. I had to step up my efforts or before I knew it, there would be no more time left. In the distance I could see a bright light coming from a window, I made my way towards it, hoping it would be a cafe. As I got closer I could see a sign saying, Toney’s Greasy Spoon. Just what I needed. I opened the door and stepped inside, the smell of sizzling bacon hit me like a freight train. There was only a couple of people sat inside. I made my way to the counter, a stout man wearing a white apron stood behind.

“God, that smells great.” I said.

“How can I help you?”

“I would love a full English, if you don’t mind?”

“One full English coming up; and to drink?”

“A nice big mug of coffee, please.”

“Certainly, please take a seat.”

I sat at a table near the window, ready to see the sun rising over the tops of the city buildings. I watched as the darkness slowly began to give way to the light, and the sky quickly started to transcend from white to red. Another nice day. I thought.

Slowly the feelings of contentment began to fade, pushed out as the thoughts of Clair rose to the top of the pile. Where could she be? My heart started sinking as reality rapidly began to set in.

I’d set the meeting for 10 am, so I still had some time to get my thoughts together before I’d have to face Spud. I had to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I’m not used to working with someone else, especially someone as over bearing as Spud. I just knew he was going to be a pain in the arse, and make my life hell for the next few weeks, but I had no choice in the matter. Just then the owner arrived with my coffee. “Breakfast won’t be long.”

“Thanks.” Pouring some milk into the mug, I watched as the streets outside got busier with people making their way to work. In the past I would have looked at these people thinking how mundane their daily lives must be. However, right now I would give anything to swap my life for one of theirs.

The coffee felt good as it warmed me up from the inside out, sweeping away the initial chill of the early morning. I could feel my stomach rumbling as it reacted to the smell of the bacon frying in the background. A man got up and walked out, as he opened the door behind me the morning chill wisped over me again. Cupping the mug in both hands, I quickly took another swig of coffee to help drown the shiver that suddenly run the full length of my spine. Just then, a large plate was thrust in front of me.

“Your full English. Enjoy.”

I looked down to see two large eggs, a heap of bacon and beans, topped off with two big sausages. Next to that was a small plate stacked with slices of toast. Now that’s what
I call a breakfast.

“That looks great, thanks.”

********

Back at my hotel room, I started getting my shit together ready for the arrival of Spud. My plan was to take him through the Op’s board, make sure he had the plan imbedded in his head, and send him on his way for the rest of the day. Then I wanted to go in search of a second hand van, so I would have plenty of time to get it ready for the Op.

As in the old days Spud was bang on time. “Good to see you’re still on the ball.”

“One thing I can’t stand is tardiness. I won’t stand for it in my organisation, so I have to lead by example.”

“ Glad to hear it. Well sit down and we’ll get down to it.”

“Nice Op’s board, takes me back to the old days.”

“Well, forget the old days, this is now, and I need you to pay full attention to what I’m about to tell you, okay?”

“What ever, just get on with it.”

I gave him a look of discontent. “Look Spud if you’re not prepared to take this seriously, we can call it quits right now.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Okay, keep your hair on.”

Pointing at the board. “Okay, as you can see I’ve laid the board out in the usual fashion. The photos you can see are pictures of the target area, and the key locations to be used throughout the Op. There is a timetable, and a list of tasks to be carried out before the Op starts, happy so far?”

“He gave me a look of contempt. “Are you taking the piss?”

“Okay, sorry.”

I went through the whole plan with him, and I had to admit I was surprised to see he didn’t disagree once. He even liked my plan, which gave me a slightly uneasy feeling. This had to be the first time he’d ever agreed with me on anything. Still I wasn’t going to complain. I asked him to set up some shooting practice for us both, to which he agreed. He said he would call me once he had the range set up, then left.

I searched the internet to find a second hand van for the Op. All I needed was a small van that was in reasonable condition. I found a nice white Ford escort van that was going quite cheap, and it was a private sale, which made it better for me. That way I could pay cash, and as I did not intend to register the vehicle, there would be no paper trail to follow later on.

I had some magnetic signs made up to place on the side of the van, and produced some false number plates that were at least registered to a white Ford escort van. Then if a cop does decide to run the plates, he won’t have any reason to suspect anything.

********

After finishing with the van I left my lock up and headed back to my hotel. As I opened the door to my room I saw a business card on the floor. I picked it up, on the back was written, Need to know where your daughter is? Try room 26. I turned the card over to see it was a business card for the Strand Palace Hotel. I didn’t have the first clue as to who had left the card, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I quickly took my pistol out from where I had taped it under the bedside table, placed it down the back of my trousers and went to grab a taxi.

When I reached the hotel I didn’t bother going to reception, but headed straight for room 26. As I approached the door I began contemplating on whether to knock, or to just kick the door in. I decided to knock, and turn to face away from the spy hole. I knocked a few times, but got no answer. I decided to pick the lock, which was very easy.

I quickly looked around, took out my pistol lowered my breathing and slowly opened the door. As I entered, the first room I came across was the bathroom to my left. I slowly crept up until I was next to the open door. I swung round quickly at the same time bringing my pistol to bear. Empty. I turned and placing my back against the wall moved slowly down the short corridor to the main room. On reaching the end, I again swung into action ready to pump a bullet into anyone who moved, only to find that this room was also empty. Shit! I put my pistol away and started searching around; looking for any clue that could help me.

After a few minutes I became very disheartened, I couldn’t find a thing that showed any signs Clair had ever been there at all. I was just about to leave, when something on the other side of the room caught my eye. I slowly walked over to the object, and as I got closer I began to make out it was an hairclip, not just an hairclip, but one you would only expect a very young girl to be wearing. I picked it up off the floor. It looks like she may have been here after all. I thought.

I went down to reception, to see if I could gain any information that could help me. There was a young woman behind the desk, shuffling through some papers.

“Hi there, I wonder if you could help me?”

“In what way sir.”

“I was suppose to have a meeting with the person who was staying here in room 26. However, it appears he has left, could you possibly tell me when he left?”

“One moment sir._ It appears that room became vacant in the early hours of this morning.”

“I don’t suppose you could tell me when he arrived, or if he was alone?”

“I’m sorry sir, but I’m not sure I can give out that sort of information.”

I took out my wallet, and pulled out a note of money. “Look if you could see your way to helping me, this fifty pound note can be yours.”

She looked around to see if anyone was