Tested by Fire by David Costa (the little red hen read aloud TXT) 📗

six tables behind Tourist One. As he ate, he watched his target. Dressed like many here, a navy pin striped suit and shiny black shoes. His hair was short and neatly trimmed, a short-trimmed beard, and a round face with square thick framed black glasses.

He looked calm and relaxed, but Reece knew he was at work here, on a mission of his own.  Watching the world go by was just a part of his reason for being here and Reece now knew he was assessing the security surrounding the Conference.

Good, he thought, you’re in my playing area now.

As he watched, Tourist One folded his paper and leaving it on the table, he got up and started walking towards the main Hall. Reece took another bite from his sandwich then left half of it on his plate. His phone buzzed. It was Jones to tell him his target was on the move.

‘Yes, thanks, Jonesy. Stay with him I’m not far behind. Can you print up some close-up photos of him from what you’ve been seeing?’

‘I already have, David, they’re here waiting for you and I have just sent one to your phone.’

‘Good man.’

Reece followed Tourist One into the main hall staying about five rows behind him. On the main stage, the Conference Chairman was holding a three-way discussion on education with two company directors. This was followed with a speech by the Education Secretary.

Tourist One clapped at the appropriate places but he continued to move his head around making it obvious to Reece that he was also looking for CCTV and security but also checking for anyone watching him.

Near the end of the education speech, Tourist One left his seat and began to make his way back into the main area. Reece remained a safe distance away and watched as he circulated the stalls and displays, taking some of the freebies, one a bag to carry his goodies, before going back to the café and resuming his position with a pot of tea and a different newspaper.

Grey text him to say she’d arrived, so instead of resuming his position in the café, Reece went back to monitor Tourist One from the safety of the security room.

On entering the security suite Reece felt his spirits lift when he saw Mary sitting at the back of the room. Smiling he went and sat beside her.

‘Well, how are you today?’

‘I’m fine, Joseph, all the better for seeing you. Are you OK, you look tired?’

‘I haven’t had much sleep in the last twenty-four hours, but, it’s always the same when you get to the end game in these things, and we’re definitely nearing the end. I hope you’ve had a good night’s sleep because it might be a long day.’

‘Slept like a baby, with some nice dreams involving you.’

April, who had been watching the screen from behind Jonesy, joined them.

‘He’s still enjoying his paper. Here are the stills, they’re good,’ she said handing over the pictures.

They were very good, thought Reece. Almost as good as a passport photo showing Tourist One’s face looking directly at the security camera.

‘Get these emailed to the hanger, the troop, and the rest of the team. We can hang on to these.’

‘David,’ called Jonesy from across the room.

Reece went over to look at the screen to see what Jonesy wanted.

‘He’s on the move again, heading towards the front door.’

‘Keep on him. Can you access into the CCTV outside the Conference in the general area around it?’

‘Yes, no problem.’

‘Good. Keep on him wherever he goes and record it if you can. If you see him make contact with anyone, record it or get a picture of them. If you need me call me.’

‘Will do.’

Turning, Reece spoke loud making sure everyone heard him.

‘As ACC Lockwood knows we are involved in a very important operation here which is protected under the articles of the Official Secrets Act, which means, as I’m sure you know, that what we’ve been doing here is of the utmost secrecy and is to be kept within these four walls.’

Reece could see Lockwood smile at the praise of his name, even though Reece had now specifically dropped him into the same well they were all swimming in.

‘OK, let’s go.’

Grey and Mary followed Reece down the stairs and towards the exit to find Tourist One. He wasn’t hard to find; he was slow and deliberate…the pace of a man taking everything in as he walked. He’d turned left out of the main entrance and left the secure zone through the revolving gate onto the outside street.

Speaking into his body mike, Reece brought the hanger and the rest of the team up to date with what was happening.

‘Tourist One on the move, now in the streets outside the conference zone, we’ll stay with him.’

‘Roger, Alpha One,’ Broad replied.

‘Let’s break up,’ said Reece as they walked. ‘I’ll cover him from the rear. April, you try to get ahead of him and cover from the front. Mary, you stay with me; a couple walking together is less conspicuous. April, where did you park the car?’

‘On the other side of the Town Hall.’

‘It doesn’t look like he has a car, but we need to be ready just in case he gets one or is picked up. He’s heading in the direction you’ve parked so we should be OK for the minute and Jonesy is keeping a watch on him too.’

April crossed the street and increased her step to get ahead of Tourist One. Reece and Mary stayed on the same side and about fifty yards behind.

‘If he turns to look our way, Mary, I might have to grab you for a quick kiss.’

‘I hope he does, then.’

Thanks be to God it wasn’t raining, thought Reece.

There was nothing worse than having to follow