Private London

Chapter 105

Outside I could just about feel the cold night air on my face.

I was vaguely aware of uniformed men running past me, weapons raised. United States Air Force by the looks of them. They were shouting but I couldn’t hear them. I was in a bubble.

I was remembering the unblemished beauty of Mary Angela Al-Massri’s face. Her wide, brown, mesmerising eyes. I remembered the sound that the pistol made, and I remembered the beauty of that face I’d wrecked. The life behind it snuffed out in an instant.

And then I leaned against a tree in the garden and threw up.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I dragged my hand across my lips and looked up. It was Del Rio.

‘You okay?’

‘I will be.’

He nodded, working his jaw.

‘Something I need to take care of first,’ I said. ‘Close this case.’

He nodded again. ‘You need some backup?’

I shook my head. ‘Things are going to get complicated here. I need to make a move.’

Del Rio shook his head. ‘It’s all taken care of. We can sort out the details later.’

‘How so?’

‘Jack Morgan has reach.’

I nodded gratefully. It was true.

‘So. Like I said, you need some backup?’

I shook my head again. ‘I’ll be good.’

Del Rio slapped me on the shoulder. ‘You got some, anyway. And your man who don’t handle guns wouldn’t be much use in this, I’m guessing.’

I nodded gratefully. He was guessing right.