IMPOSTURE: Hunters become the hunted in this gripping murder mystery by Ray Clark (good romance books to read txt) 📗

“So do we,” said Reilly.

Briggs continued, “I asked him if I could talk to someone who did know more about it. After all, if it’s been used once it might be used again and we need to know what to expect and how to deal with it. He said there was only one man we could speak to, who knew the stuff inside and out, because he had a hand in developing it. But apparently he’s been on compassionate leave for three months, since the death of his brother.”

“Pardon?” said Gardener, his skin prickling.

“I think you know where I’m going,” said Briggs. “It’s David Hunter’s brother, Roger.”

Gardener rolled his eyes. “That figures. He told us he had a position within government,” said Gardener.

“Wasn’t joking, was he?” added Reilly.

“So where do they think Roger Hunter is now?” asked Gardener.

“They don’t know,” said Briggs, “because they haven’t heard anything from him. Every time they call him the phone goes to voicemail.”

“It’s all falling into place,” said Gardener. “David’s brother. Given the type of man he is, he’s obviously going to want some kind of revenge and he’s not prepared to leave it to us.”

“So what type of an animal are we dealing with here?” asked Reilly.

“One who likes to mess around with chemical warfare, and shouldn’t be crossed by the sound of it,” said Briggs, holding up the thick file. “And that’s only the start of it, I have his records here.”

“Those are his records?” asked Gardener. “What the hell is he?”

“Pretty bloody dangerous,” replied Briggs. He opened the file. “He doesn’t take prisoners. What we’re dealing with here is Robocop on steroids. Started out as a Marine Commando, 45 CDO RM at Lympstone. He underwent six months Commando training, completing the All Arms Commando Course. When he had passed his fitness and CDO tests he was only awarded the infamous Green Beret.

“He was then posted to the Falklands where he picked up a Distinguished Service Order, and a George Cross, the first British medal to be created for bravery, equal to the Victoria Cross as the nation’s highest award for gallantry, for the night attack on Two Sisters.”

Gardener shook his head and ran his hands down his face. “Looks like they’ve picked the wrong man to mess with here.”

“So have we,” added Reilly.

Briggs rattled more paper around.

“During 1985 he was stationed to keep the peace in Killean, County Down.”

“Bet that was no problem to him,” said Reilly.

“In December of the same year, the Provisional IRA launched an assault on the RUC barracks in Ballygawley, County Tyrone. Two RUC officers were killed and the barracks was completely destroyed by the subsequent explosion. Roger Hunter received another campaign medal, to match the one he’d received for serving in the Falklands.

“Then in 1991, The Commando unit was deployed to Northern Iraq on Operation Haven at the end of the Gulf War. By that time he’d reached the rank of Corporal, but sustained a serious injury, resulting in a broken ankle. He was pensioned out of the Royal Marines, but not before he received The Distinguished Service Medal.”

Briggs glanced at the pair of them. “The list is endless. The man is a war hero.”

“With all due respect, sir,” said Gardener, “he might be a war hero, and I appreciate his family have been killed but it doesn’t give him the right to take the law into his own hands.”

“That is impressive, though,” said Reilly. “What was it he said to us when we spoke to him? He operated better on his own.” Reilly turned to Briggs. “What did he do then?”

“Went to Porton Down and studied a whole load of nasty shit in the chemical warfare department. Since he’s been with them he’s been decorated twice, and I think he was one of the team responsible for developing this HN-3 crap. I know he’s capable of doing what’s been done. I mean, to be honest there’s probably only him that could wipe this lot out with such precision.”

Gardener stood up and told Briggs what Williams had told the team before they were dragged into his office.

“Oh Jesus,” said Briggs, “so he has the unit in Harrogate and he’s there now?”

“Yes,” said Gardener, “and we’re on our way.”

Gardener turned but his partner had already disappeared. As he shot out the door after him he heard Briggs shouting something about backup and being careful and not to let the Irishman start World War Three.

Chapter Fifty-seven

Covertly scurrying through the compound, dodging in and out of vehicles, Anthony approached the main entrance. He noticed the roller shutter door and the small metal door to the side were both shut, so he had no option but to go through the front door. He didn’t think darting around was doing much to conceal him anyway. He figured Roger would be watching his every move.

With little need for a reception area – because they rarely received visitors – the four of them had decided to go basic when designing the unit. No point spending money unless you had to. Three glass panels with a door made up their entrance. Once you were through that door you entered a small lobby, with magnolia painted walls, and a waist-high wooden counter with a false computer monitor and keyboard for effect. A chair stood behind, and four more were positioned around the room, with a door leading into the warehouse.

Anthony glanced behind him. He wasn’t happy about what he was going to do. He was completely outclassed but he had little or no choice. He’d never been a violent man. Most of the kids at school had picked on him because of his brains. He couldn’t fight back because no one had taught him how, and he lacked the killer instinct.

He checked the carrier bag