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

messages, Sean Costello as well. We’re monitoring all the phones both at Irlam and now the apartment.’

‘I think what the Prime Minister needs is some sort of end plan. Do you have one, do you have an idea of how this will end, what about the people out there who know what your team have been doing?’

There it was again, the famous Sir Martyn Bryant ass covering, thought Fraser. What are you going to do never mind what was agreed, I’m not letting you wriggle out this time, thought Fraser?

‘As you know, Prime Minister, from the very start, SG9 was set up for such a scenario and at the very start of all this they were given the heads up to track these people down and deal with them, to work ever in the shadows. Now is not the time to second guess us but to be determined in completing what we set out to do, not just for this operation but for the original idea of opposing this very kind of threat to our country and to our people. The SG9 team have completed the first part of their task by tracking these terrorists, for that’s what they are, terrorists, down to a location where, with a little more work we can finish the task. I believe we have to send a message. We have to let the people out there know we’ll protect them no matter what. The real people out there don’t care how we deal with the likes of Costello and Lyndsey as long as we protect them. Fail and they’ll crucify us. Fuck the media. A week down the road and it’s another story they’re chasing.’

He knew by mentioning the people out there that Brookfield would as a politician convert the word people to votes in his head and there was nothing the voters loved more than a strong leader.

‘Of course, Sir Ian, I totally agree so let’s get this out of the way as soon as possible. As things stand it’s going to get more coverage than my speech tomorrow. It’s just the timing and how we’re going to deal with it.’

Bryant had said nothing, just nodding his head in silent agreement.

‘Of course, Prime Minister, so if you don’t mind, I’ll get it out of the way as you put it.’ Sir Ian finished his whisky and left the room.

‘I want you to keep a close watch on things, Martyn. No mistakes and no comebacks.’

The politician was determined to cover his back.

 

 

Chapter Fifty-eight

April Grey had fallen asleep almost as soon as she sat inside the car. Cousins continued to watch the front door of the Great Northern Apartment building, he let her sleep. A few people entered and left the building but not his target. The rain had stopped, and the evening light had faded into darkness, the street lighting lit up the square and its buildings making identification of the people coming and going easier. Grey had been sleeping for an hour and a half when he saw him come out the main apartment door.

‘I have Tourist One leaving the building and turning down Watson Street.’

April Grey woke immediately as the reply came over the radio from Reece.

‘Roger, Alpha Two can you follow on foot, Alpha Three stay with the vehicle, we’ll come to your location.’

‘Roger, Alpha One, will do,’ replied Cousins, he was out of the car and walking at speed in the direction Tourist One had taken.

Grey watched the door of the apartments to see if anyone else was watching or looking for surveillance, there was no one.

Cousins kept fifty yards behind closing the gap when his target turned a corner out of sight only to reacquire him once more. Target One didn’t go far, he passed the front of the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate and walked towards the train station before turning left and into an Indian Restaurant, The Raj. Cousins kept the team updated with every twist and turn. Cousins passed the restaurant and saw Tourist One standing at the counter with a menu in his hand. He found a safe place across the road where he could see the front door.

‘Surely he’s not eating again?’ said Reece over the radio.

‘No, he is still standing at the counter. He may be ordering a carryout,’ replied Cousins.

‘Feeding his friends in the apartment no doubt. Stay with him Alpha Two we’ll meet with Alpha Three in the car.’

Twenty minutes later, Cousins reported Tourist One on his way back to the apartments. Reece, now sitting with Grey and Mary in the BMW watched as Tourist One pressed the door button and the apartment number he wanted to be buzzed into the building. Seconds later Joe Cousins joined the rest of the team in the car sitting in the back seat behind Reece.

‘It looks like they might be settling down for the night, so we should try to run a sleep pattern for ourselves. I’m sorry but we’re going to have to use the cars, it won’t be comfortable, but we need to stay close to the targets. Mary, I’ll drop you back at your hotel,’ said Reece.

‘I can sleep in a car.’

‘No, you need to get some sleep we need you fresh in the morning to help us spot Costello if he’s about, I’ll pick you up at six. Joe and April can stay here, Steve, you come with me. No risks, if you see anything, let everyone know.’

‘This might be a long shot, but apartment buildings of that size usually have a warden or security man. Do you think I should go and check at least if there is one, he might be able to tell us where in the building our friends might be?’ asked April Grey.

‘It’s worth a try, April, but that building has 257 apartments, I googled it, so we