Alex Rider 1 - Stormbreaker

8/13/2019 Alex Rider 1 - Stormbreaker

1/113

STORMBREAKER

Anthony Horowitz

FUNERAL VOICES

, ' .WHEN THE DOORBELL rings at thr in th !orning it s n"r goo# nws A$% Ri#r was wo&n

. , ,'y th (irst )hi! His ys ($i)&r# o*n '+t (or a !o!nt h stay# )o!*$t$y sti$$ in his '#

.$ying on his 'a)& with his ha# rsting on th *i$$ow H har# a '#roo! #oor o*n an# a )ra& o(

. ,woo# as so!'o#y wnt #ownstairs Th '$$ rang a s)on# ti! an# h $oo at th a$ar! )$o)&

. .g$owing 'si# hi! Thr was a ratt$ as so!on s$i# th s)+rity )hain o(( th (ront #oor

,H ro$$# o+t o( '# an# wa$ o"r to th o*n win#ow his 'ar (t *rssing #own th )ar*t

. . , ,*i$ Th !oon$ight s*i$$# onto his )hst an# sho+$#rs A$% was (o+rtn a$ra#y w$$ '+i$t with

. , ,th 'o#y o( an ath$t His hair )+t short a*art (ro! two thi)& stran#s hanging o"r his (orha#

. . ,was (air His ys wr 'rown an# srio+s For a !o!nt h stoo# si$nt$y ha$( hi##n in th

, . . -sha#ow $oo&ing o+t Thr was a *o$i) )ar *ar o+tsi# Fro! his s)on# ($oor win#ow A$%

)o+$# s th '$a)& ID n+!'r on th roo( an# th )a*s o( th two !n who wr stan#ing in (ront

. , , .o( th #oor Th *or)h $ight wnt on an# at th sa! ti! th #oor o*n#

" . ?"Mrs Ri#r

" . ' . ? ' ?"No I! th ho+s&*r What is it What s ha**n#

" . ?"This is th ho! o( Mr Ian Ri#r

" .,s -

" . . .I won#r i( w )o+$# )o! in -

. , .An# A$% a$ra#y &nw H &nw (ro! th way th *o$i) stoo# thr aw&war# an# +nha**y B+t

. ...h a$so &nw (ro! th ton o( thir "oi)s F+nra$ "oi)s that was how h wo+$# #s)ri' th!

. .$atr Th sort o( "oi)s *o*$ +s whn thy )o! to t$$ yo+ that so!on )$os to yo+ has #i#

. ,H wnt to his #oor an# o*n# it H )o+$# har th two *o$i)!n ta$&ing #own in th ha$$ '+t

.on$y so! o( th wor#s ra)h# hi!

... ... ... ... .... a )ar a))i#nt )a$$# th a!'+$an) intnsi" )ar nothing anyon )o+$# #o so

."sorry


2/113

, ,It was on$y ho+rs $atr sitting in th &it)hn wat)hing as th gray $ight o( !orning '$# s$ow$y

, .thro+gh th Wst Lon#on strts that A$% )o+$# try to !a& sns o( what ha# ha**n# His

- - . ,+n)$ Ian Ri#r was #a# Dri"ing ho! his )ar ha# 'n hit 'y a tr+)& at O$# Strt ro+n#a'o+t

. ' , .an# h ha# 'n &i$$# a$!ost instant$y H ha#n t 'n waring a sat '$t th *o$i) sai#

, .Othrwis h !ight ha" ha# a )han)

.A$% tho+ght o( th !an who ha# 'n his on$y r$ation (or as $ong as h )o+$# r!!'r H ha#

. , ,n"r &nown his own *arnts Thy ha# 'oth #i# in anothr a))i#nt this on a *$an )rash a

. ' ( " "-(w w&s a(tr h ha# 'n 'orn H ha# 'n 'ro+ght +* 'y his (athr s 'rothr n"r +n)$

)Ian Ri#r ha# hat# that wor# an# ha# s*nt (o+rtn yars in th sa! trra)# ho+s in

, , ' . .Ch$sa Lon#on 'twn th King s Roa# an# th ri"r Th two o( th! ha# a$ways 'n )$os

' , ' ,A$% r!!'r# th "a)ations thy # ta&n togthr th !any s*orts thy # *$ay# th !o"is

' . ' , ' .thy # sn Thy ha#n t /+st 'n r$ations thy # 'n (rin#s It was a$!ost i!*ossi'$ to

, ,i!agin that h wo+$# n"r again s th !an har his $a+ghtr or twist his ar! to gt h$* with

.his s)in) ho!wor&

, .A$% sigh# (ighting against th sns o( gri( that was s+##n$y o"rwh$!ing B+t what

- - ,sa##n# hi! th !ost was th ra$ization too $at now that #s*it "rything h ha# har#$y

.&nown his +n)$ at a$$

. . . ,H was a 'an&r 0o*$ sai# A$% $oo a $itt$ $i& hi! Ian Ri#r was a$ways tra"$ing A 1+it

, , . '*ri"at !an who $i goo# win )$assi)a$ !+si) an# 'oo&s Who #i#n t s! to ha" any... , ' . , ,gir$(rin#s in (a)t h #i#n t ha" any (rin#s at a$$ H ha# &*t hi!s$( (it ha# n"r s!o

. ' . ' .an# ha# #rss# %*nsi"$y B+t that wasn t no+gh It wasn t a *i)t+r o( a $i( It was on$y a

.th+!'nai$ s&t)h

" , ?" .Ar yo+ a$$ right A$% A yo+ng wo!an ha# )o! into th roo! Sh was in hr $at twntis with

, . .a s*raw$ o( r# hair an# a ro+n# 'oyish (a) 2a)& Star'right was A!ri)an Sh ha# )o! to

,Lon#on as a st+#nt s"n yars ago rnt# a roo! in th ho+s in rt+rn (or $ight ho+swor& an#

- ''a'y sitting #+tis an# ha# stay# on to ')o! ho+s&*r an# on o( A$%s )$osst

. . ? ?)o!*anions So!ti!s h won#r# what th $a)& was short (or 2a)&i 2a)1+$in Nithr o(

, .th! s+it# hr an# a$tho+gh h ha# on) as sh ha# n"r sai#

. " ?" .A$% no### What #o yo+ thin& wi$$ ha**n h as

" ?What #o yo+ !an


3/113

" . . ."To th ho+s To ! To yo+

" ' ." . " ," . " 'I #ont &now Sh shr+gg# I g+ss Ian wo+$# ha" !a# a wi$$ sh sai# H $$ ha" $(t

."instr+)tions

" ."May' w sho+$# $oo& in his o((i)

" . , . ' .",ah B+t not to#ay A$% Lt s ta& it on st* at a ti!

' , -Ian s o((i) was a roo! r+nning th (+$$ $ngth o( th ho+s high +* on th to* It was th on$y

- ,roo! that was a$ways $o) A$% ha# on$y 'n in thr thr or (o+r ti!s an# n"r on his

. , ...own Whn h was yo+ngr h ha# (antasiz# that thr !ight ' so!thing strang +* thr a

. , ,ti! !a)hin or a UFO B+t it was !r$y an o((i) with a #s& a )o+*$ o( (i$ing )a'ints sh$"s

. - ' . , .(+$$ o( *a*rs an# 'oo&s Ban& st+(( thats what Ian sai# E"n so A$% want# to go +* thr now

" ' ." .Th *o$i) sai# h wasnt waring his sat '$t A$% t+rn# to $oo& at 2a)&

. " . ' ."Sh no### ,ah That s what thy sai#

" ' ? . .Dosn t that s! strang to yo+ ,o+ &now how )ar(+$ h was H a$ways wor his sat '$t H

' .wo+$#n t "n #ri" ! aro+n# th )ornr witho+t !a&ing ! *+t !in on

, . " , ," . "2a)& tho+ght (or a !o!nt thn shr+gg# ,ah it is strang sh sai# B+t that !+st ha" 'n. ?"th way it was Why wo+$# th *o$i) ha" $i#

. ' , , .Th #ay #ragg# on A$% ha#n t gon to s)hoo$ "n tho+gh s)rt$y h want# to H wo+$#

, , ,ha" *r(rr# to s)a* 'a)& into nor!a$ $i( th )$ang o( th '$$ th )row#s o( (a!i$iar (a)s

, .insta# o( sitting hr tra**# insi# th ho+s B+t h ha# to ' thr (or th "isitors who )a!

.thro+gho+t th !orning an# th rst o( th a(trnoon

.Thr wr (i" o( th! A $awyr who &nw nothing a'o+t any wi$$ '+t s!# to ha" 'n

. .)harg# with organizing th (+nra$ A (+nra$ #ir)tor who ha# 'n r)o!!n## 'y th $awyr

- , - .A "i)ar ta$$ $#r$y who s!# #isa**oint# that A$% r(+s# to )ry A nigh'or (ro! a)ross th

- ? .roa# how #i# sh "n &now that anyon ha# #i# An# (ina$$y a !an (ro! th 'an&

" ," . ,A$$ o( +s at th Roya$ an# 3nra$ ar #*$y sho) h sai# H $oo a'o+t thirty waring a

& . '*o$ystr s+it with a Mar&s S*n)r ti H ha# th sort o( (a) yo+ (orgt "n whi$ yo+ r

, . " '$oo&ing at it an# ha# intro#+)# hi!s$( as Craw$y (ro! *rsonn$ B+t i( thr s anything w )an


4/113

. . ."#o

" ?" .What wi$$ ha**n A$% as (or th s)on# ti! that #ay

" ' ," . " . ' .,o+ #on t ha" to worry Craw$y sai# Th 'an& wi$$ ta& )ar o( "rything That s !y /o' ,o+

."$a" "rything to !

. 'Th #ay *ass# A$% &i$$# a )o+*$ o( ho+rs &no)&ing a (w 'a$$s aro+n# on his +n)$ s snoo&r

. ?ta'$ an# thn ($t "ag+$y g+i$ty whn 2a)& )a+ght hi! at it B+t what $s was h to #o Latr on

. ,sh too& hi! to a B+rgr King H was g$a# to gt o+t o( th ho+s '+t th two o( th! 'ar$y

. . 's*o& A$% ass+!# $a)& wo+$# ha" to go 'a)& to A!ri)a Sh )rtain$y )o+$#n t stay in Lon#on

. ? , .(or"r So who wo+$# $oo& a(tr hi! At (o+rtn h was sti$$ too yo+ng to $oo& a(tr hi!s$( His

.who$ (+t+r $oo so +n)rtain that h *r(rr# not to ta$& a'o+t it H *r(rr# not to ta$& at

.a$$

,An# thn th #ay o( th (+nra$ arri"# an# A$% (o+n# hi!s$( #rss# in a #ar& /a)&t an# )or#s

*r*aring to $a" in a '$a)& )ar that ha# )o! (ro! nowhr s+rro+n## 'y *o*$ h ha# n"r

. ,!t Ian Ri#r was '+ri# in Bro!*ton C!try on th F+$ha! Roa# /+st in th sha#ow o( th

,Ch$sa so))r (i$# an# A$% &nw whr h wo+$# ha" *r(rr# to ' on that war! W#ns#ay

. , .a(trnoon A'o+t thirty *o*$ ha# t+rn# +* '+t h har#$y r)ogniz# any o( th! A gra" ha#

, ,'n #+g )$os to th $an that ran th $ngth o( th )!try an# as th sr"i) 'gan a '$a)&

- , , .Ro$$s Roy) #rw +* th 'a)& #oor o*n# an# a !an got o+t A$% wat)h# hi! as h wa$

. .(orwar# an# sto**# A$% shi"r# Thr was so!thing a'o+t th nw arri"a$ that !a# his s&in.)raw$

. , , , .An# yt th !an was or#inary to $oo& at 3ray s+it gray hair gray $i*s an# gray ys His (a) was

, , , .%*rssion$ss th ys 'hin# th s1+ar g+n!ta$ s*)ta)$s )o!*$t$y !*ty 0rha*s that

. ,was what ha# #ist+r'# A$% Who"r this !an was h s!# to ha" $ss $i( than anyon in

. .th )!try A'o" or '$ow gro+n#

. .So!on ta**# A$% on th sho+$#r an# h t+rn# aro+n# to s Mr Craw$y $aning o"r hi!

" ' . ," . " ' ."That s Mr B$+nt th *rsonn$ !anagr whis*r# H s th )hair!an o( th 'an&

' . ,A$% s ys tra"$# *ast B$+nt an# o"r to th Ro$$s Roy) Two !or !n ha# )o! with hi! on

. , ' ,o( th! #ri"ing Thy wr waring i#nti)a$ s+its an# a$tho+gh it wasnt a *arti)+$ar$y 'right #ay

. .s+ng$asss Both o( th! wr wat)hing th (+nra$ with th sa! gri! (a)s A$% $oo (ro!

.th! to B$+nt an# thn to th othr *o*$ who ha# )o! to th )!try Ha# thy ra$$y &nown

? ?Ian Ri#r Why ha# h n"r !t any o( th! '(or An# why #i# h (in# it so #i((i)+$t to '$i"


5/113

?that thy ra$$y wor (or a 'an&

, . .". a goo# !an a *atrioti) !an H wi$$ ' !iss#

. . ?Th "i)ar ha# (inish# his gra"si# a##rss His )hoi) o( wor#s str+)& A$% as o## 0atrioti) That

. , .!ant h $o"# his )o+ntry B+t as (ar as A$% &nw Ian Ri#r ha# 'ar$y s*nt any ti! in it

. , ,Crtain$y h ha# n"r 'n on (or wa"ing th Union $a)& H $oo aro+n# ho*ing to (in# $a)&

, .'+t saw insta# that B$+nt was !a&ing his way towar# hi! st**ing )ar(+$$y aro+n# th gra"

" ." . ,,o+ !+st ' A$% Th )hair!an was on$y a $itt$ ta$$r than hi! U* )$os his s&in was strang$y

. . " ," . "+nra$ It )o+$# ha" 'n !a# o( *$asti) My na! is A$an B$+nt h sai# ,o+r +n)$ o(tn

."s*o& a'o+t yo+

" ' ," . " ."That s (+nny A$% sai# H n"r !ntion# yo+

. " ' . ."Th gray $i*s twit)h# 'ri($y W $$ !iss hi! H was a goo# !an

" ?" . " ."What was h goo# at A$% as H n"r ta$ a'o+t his wor&

. " , ," . "S+##n$y Craw$y was thr ,o+r +n)$ was o"rsas (inan) !anagr A$% h sai# H was

. ."rs*onsi'$ (or o+r (orign 'ran)hs ,o+ !+st ha" &nown that

," . " . .".I &now h tra"$# a $ot A$% sai# An# I &now h was "ry )ar(+$ A'o+t things $i& sat '$ts

" , , ' ." ' , ,W$$ sa#$y h wasn t )ar(+$ no+gh B$+nts ys !agni(i# 'y th thi)& $nss o( his s*)ta)$s

, , ,$asr# into his own an# (or a !o!nt A$% ($t hi!s$( *inn# #own $i& an ins)t +n#r a

. ' ," .!i)ros)o* I ho* w $$ !t again B$+nt wnt on H ta**# th si# o( his (a) with a sing$

. " . . ." .gray (ingr ,s Thn h t+rn# an# wnt 'a)& to his )ar

. - ,That was whn it ha**n# As B$+nt was gtting into th Ro$$s Roy) th #ri"r $an# #own to

, .o*n th 'a)& #oor an# his /a)&t ($$ o*n r"a$ing a star& whit shirt +n#rnath Thr was a

' .'$a)& sha* $ying against it an# that was what )a+ght A$%s y Th !an was waring a $athr

. ,ho$str with an a+to!ati) *isto$ stra**# insi# Ra$izing what ha# ha**n# th #ri"r 1+i)&$y

. .straightn# +* an# *+$$# th /a)&t a)ross B$+nt ha# sn it too H t+rn# 'a)& an# $oo

. . ,again at A$% So!thing "ry )$os to an !otion s$ithr# o"r his (a) Thn h got into th )ar

, .th #oor )$os# an# h was gon

, . ? ?A g+n at a (+nra$ A$% tho+ght Why Why sho+$# 'an& !anagrs )arry g+ns


6/113

" ' ." . " ."Lts gt o+t o( hr S+##n$y 2a)& was at his si# C!tris gi" ! th )r*s

" . ," .,s An# 1+it a (w )r*s ha" t+rn# +* A$% !+ttr#

.Thy s$i**# away 1+it$y an# wnt ho! Th )ar that ha# ta&n th! to th (+nra$ was sti$$

, .waiting '+t thy *r(rr# th o*n air Th wa$& too& th! (i(tn !in+ts an# as thy t+rn# th

, ,)ornr onto thir strt A$% noti)# a !o"ing "an *ar in (ront o( th ho+s th wor#s

& .STR,KER SON *aint# on its si#

" ' ...?" .What s that #oing h 'gan

, , .At th sa! !o!nt th "an shot o(( th wh$s s&i##ing o"r th s+r(a) o( th roa#

,A$% sai# nothing as 2a)& +n$o) th #oor an# $t th! in '+t whi$ sh wnt into th &it)hn to

, .!a& so! ta h 1+i)&$y $oo aro+n# th ho+s A $ttr that ha# 'n on th ha$$ ta'$ now

. . , '$ay on th )ar*t A #oor that ha# 'n ha$( o*n was now )$os# Tiny #tai$s '+t A$%s ys

. . .!iss# nothing So!'o#y ha# 'n in th ho+s H was a$!ost s+r o( it

' . , ,B+t h wasn t )rtain +nti$ h got to th to* ($oor Th #oor to th o((i) whi)h ha# a$ways a$ways

, . . .'n $o) was now +n$o) A$% o*n# it an# wnt in Th roo! was !*ty Ian Ri#r ha#

. , , ...gon an# so ha# "rything $s Th #s& #rawrs th )$osts th sh$"s anything )onn)t#

' . ' ,to th #a# !an s wor& ha# 'n ta&n What"r th tr+th was a'o+t his +n)$ s *ast so!on

.ha# /+st wi*# it o+t

HEAVEN FOR CARS

,WITH HAMMERSMITH BRID3E /+st aha# o( hi! A$% $(t th ri"r an# sw+ng his 'i& thro+gh th

. ,$ ights an# #own th hi$$ towar# Broo&$an# S)hoo$ Th 'i& was a Con#or 2+nior Roa#ra)r )+sto!

. ' , 531 ,'+i$t (or hi! on his tw$(th 'irth#ay It was a tnagrs 'i& with a )+t #own Ryno$#s (ra!

.'+t th wh$s wr (+$$siz so h )o+$# ri# at s*# with har#$y any ro$$ing rsistan) H s*+n

.*ast a #$i"ry "an an# *ass# thro+gh th s)hoo$ gats H wo+$# ' sorry whn h grw o+t o(

. .th 'i& For two yars now it ha# a$!ost 'n *art o( hi!

. ,H #o+'$ $o) it in th sh# an# wnt into th yar# Broo&$an# was a !o#rn s)hoo$ a$$ r#'ri)&

, ' , .an# to A$% s y rathr +g$y H )o+$# ha" gon to any o( th %)$+si" *ri"at s)hoo$s aro+n#

, . .Ch$sa '+t Ian Ri#r ha# #)i## to sn# hi! hr H ha# sai# it wo+$# ' !or o( a )ha$$ng

. , , .Th (irst *rio# o( th #ay was a$g'ra Whn A$% )a! into th )$assroo! th ta)hr Mr


7/113

, . ,Dono"an was a$ra#y )ha$&ing +* a )o!*$i)at# 1+ation on th 'oar# It was hot in th roo! th

- - ,s+n stra!ing in thro+gh th ($oor to )i$ing win#ows *+t in 'y ar)hit)ts who sho+$# ha"

. ,&nown 'ttr As A$% too& his *$a) nar th 'a)& h won#r# how h was going to gt thro+gh

.th $sson How )o+$# h *ossi'$y thin& a'o+t a$g'ra whn thr wr so !any othr 1+stions

?)h+rning thro+gh his !in#

. . &Th g+n at th (+nra$ Th way B$+nt ha# $oo at hi! Th "an with STR,KER SON writtn on

. . , .th si# Th !*ty o((i) An# th 'iggst !ystry o( a$$ th on #tai$ that r(+s# to go away

. ' .Th sat '$t Ian Ri#r ha#n t 'n waring a sat '$t

. .B+t o( )o+rs h ha# Ian Ri#r ha# n"r 'n on to gi" $)t+rs H ha# a$ways sai# A$%

. ' .sho+$# !a& +* his own !in# a'o+t things B+t h# ha# this thing a'o+t sat '$ts Th !or A$%

, . .tho+ght a'o+t it th $ss h '$i"# it A )o$$ision in th !i##$ o( th )ity S+##n$y h wish# h

. ,)o+$# s th )ar At $ast th wr)&ag wo+$# t$$ hi! that th a))i#nt ha# ra$$y ha**n# that

.Ian Ri#r ha# ra$$y #i# that way

" ?A$% -

. .A$% $oo +* an# ra$iz# that "ryon was staring at hi! Mr Dono"an ha# /+st as hi!

. , . " , ," . "so!thing H 1+i)&$y s)ann# th '$a)&'oar# ta&ing in th (ig+rs ,s Sir h sai# 4 1+a$s

."s"n an# , is (i(tn

. " , . ' .Th !ath ta)hr sigh# ,s A$% ,o+ r a'so$+t$y right B+t a)t+a$$y I was /+st as&ing yo+ to. . . "o*n th win#ow

, ,So!how h !anag# to gt thro+gh th rst o( th #ay '+t 'y th ti! th (ina$ '$$ rang his

. , '!in# was !a# +* Whi$ "ryon $s stra!# o+t h !a# his way to th s)rtary s o((i)

.an# 'orrow# a )o*y o( th ,$$ow 0ags

" ?" .What ar yo+ $oo&ing (or th s)rtary as Miss B#(or#shir ha# a$ways ha# a so(t s*ot (or

.A$%

" . . ." . " ,A+to /+n&yar#s A$% ($i) thro+gh th *ags I( a )ar got s!ash# +* nar O$# Strt

' , ' ?"thy # ta& it so!whr nar wo+$#n t thy

" ."I s+**os so

" . . ." " ."Hr A$% ha# (o+n# th yar#s $ist# +n#r A+to Wr)&rs B+t thr wr #ozns o( th!


8/113

.(ighting (or attntion o"r (o+r *ags

" ?" . , .Is this (or a s)hoo$ *ro/)t th s)rtary as Sh &nw A$% ha# $ost a r$ati" '+t not how

" . . ." , .Sort o( A$% was ra#ing th a##rsss '+t thy to$# hi! nothing

" ' ." .This on s 1+it nar O$# Strt Miss B#(or#shir *oint# at th )ornr o( th *ag

" !"Wait A$% t+gg# th 'oo& towar# hi! an# $oo at th ntry +n#rnath th on th s)rtary

:ha# )hosn

. . .2 B STR,KER AUTO WRECKERS

Ha"n (or Cars

CALL US TODA,

" ' ," . " ."That s in Va+%ha$$ Miss B#(or#shir sai# Not too (ar (ro! hr

" ." . . . .I &now B+t A$% ha# r)ogniz# th na! 2 B Stry&r H tho+ght 'a)& to th "an h ha# sn

. & . ,o+tsi# his ho+s on th #ay o( th (+nra$ Stry&r Son O( )o+rs it !ight /+st ' a )oin)i#n)

. . " ' , ."'+t it was sti$$ so!whr to start H )$os# th 'oo& I $$ s yo+ Miss B#(or#shir

" ." , .B )ar(+$ Th s)rtary wat)h# A$% $a" won#ring why sh ha# sai# that May' it was his

. , .ys Dar& an# srio+s thr was so!thing #angro+s thr Thn th t$*hon rang an# sh.(orgot hi! as sh wnt 'a)& to wor&

. . ' .2 B Stry&rs was a s1+ar o( wast$an# 'hin# th rai$way tra)&s r+nning o+t o( Watr$oo Station

.Th ara was n)$os# 'y a high 'ri)& wa$$ to**# with 'ro&n g$ass an# razor wir Two woo#n

, ,gats h+ng o*n an# (ro! th othr si# o( th roa# A$% )o+$# s a sh# with a s)+rity

.win#ow an# 'yon# it th tottring *i$s o( #a# an# 'ro&n )ars E"rything o( any "a$+ ha#

, ,'n stri**# away an# on$y th r+sting )ar)asss r!ain# ha*# on on to* o( th othr

. , .waiting to ' (# into th )r+shr Thr was a g+ar# sitting in th sh# ra#ing a nws*a*r In

, ,th #istan) a '+$$#ozr )o+gh# into $i( thn roar# #own on a 'attr# For# Ta+r+s its !ta$

.)$aw s!ashing thro+gh th win#ow to s)oo* +* th "hi)$ an# )arry it away A t$*hon rang

. .so!whr in th sh# an# th g+ar# t+rn# aro+n# to answr it That was no+gh (or A$%

, .Ho$#ing his 'i& an# wh$ing it a$ong 'si# hi! h s*rint# thro+gh th gats

.H (o+n# hi!s$( s+rro+n## 'y #irt an# #'ris Th s!$$ o( #is$ was thi)& in th air an# th

. ,roar o( th ngins was #a(ning A$% wat)h# as a )ran swoo*# #own on on o( th )ars


9/113

, .siz# it in a !ta$$i) gri* an# #ro**# it into a )r+shr For a !o!nt th )ar rst# on a *air o(

. , . -sh$"s Thn th sh$"s $i(t# +* to**$ing th )ar o"r an# #own into a tro+gh Th o*rator

sitting in a g$ass )a'in at on n# o( th )r+shr *rss# a '+tton an# thr was a grat '$)h o(

. .'$a)& s!o& Th sh$"s )$os# in on th )ar $i& a !onstr ins)t (o$#ing in its wings Thr was

- .a grin#ing so+n# as th )ar was )r+sh# +nti$ it was no 'iggr than a ro$$# +* )ar*t Thn th

,o*rator thrw a gar an# th )ar was s1+z# o+t !ta$$i) tooth*ast 'ing )ho**# +* 'y a

. .hi##n '$a# Th s$i)s t+!'$# to th gro+n#

, ,La"ing his 'i& *ro**# against th wa$$ A$% ran (arthr into th yar# )ro+)hing #own 'hin#

. , ,th wr)&s With th #in (ro! th !a)hins thr was no )han) that anyon wo+$# har hi! '+t

. ,h was sti$$ a(rai# o( 'ing sn H sto**# to )at)h his 'rath #rawing a gri!y han# a)ross his

. .(a) His ys wr watring (ro! th #is$ (+!s Th air was as (i$thy as th gro+n# 'nath

.hi!

- . 'H was 'ginning to rgrt )o!ing '+t thn h saw it His +n)$ s BMW was *ar a (w yar#s

, . ,away s*arat# (ro! th othr )ars At (irst g$an) it $oo a'so$+t$y (in th !ta$$i) si$"r

.'o#ywor& not "n s)rat)h# Crtain$y thr was no way that this )ar )o+$# ha" 'n in"o$"# in

. ' .a (ata$ )o$$ision with a tr+)& or with anything $s B+t it was #(init$y his +n)$ s )ar A$%

.r)ogniz# th $i)ns *$at H h+rri# )$osr an# it was now that h saw that th )ar was

. , '#a!ag# a(tr a$$ Th win#shi$# ha# 'n s!ash# a$ong with a$$ th win#ows on th #ri"rs

. . .si# A$% !a# his way aro+n# to th othr si# An# (roz

' . -Ian Ri#r ha#n t #i# in any a))i#nt What ha# &i$$# hi! was *$ain to s "n to so!on who. ' ,ha# n"r sn s+)h a thing '(or A s*ray o( '+$$ts ha# )a+ght th )ar (+$$ on th #ri"r s si#

, ,shattring th (ront tir s!ashing th win#shi$# an# si# win#ows an# *+n)hing into th si#

. . .*an$s A$% ran his (ingrs o"r th ho$s Th !ta$ ($t )o$# against his ($sh H o*n# th #oor

. ,an# $oo insi# Th (ront sats *a$ gray $athr wr strwn with (rag!nts o( 'ro&n g$ass

. ' .an# stain# with *at)hs o( #ar& 'rown H #i#n t n# to as& what th stain was H )o+$# s

. , ,"rything Th ($ash o( th !a)hin g+n th '+$$ts ri**ing into th )ar Ian Ri#r /r&ing in th

' ...#ri"rs sat

? ? ?B+t why Why &i$$ a 'an& !anagr An# why ha# th !+r#r 'n )o"r# +* It was th *o$i)

, . ?who ha# #$i"r# th nws that night so thy !+st ' *art o( it Ha# thy $i# #$i'rat$y Non

.o( it !a# sns

" . . . .",o+ sho+$# ha" gottn ri# o( it two #ays ago Do it now

. ' ,Th !a)hins !+st ha" sto**# (or a !o!nt I( thr ha#n t 'n a s+##n $+$$ A$% wo+$#


10/113

.n"r ha" har# th !n )o!ing 5+i)&$y h $oo a)ross th string wh$ an# o+t th othr

. , - . 'si# Thr wr two o( th! 'oth #rss# in $oos (itting o"ra$$s A$% ha# a ($ing h # sn

. . , .th! '(or At th (+nra$ On o( th! was th #ri"r th !an h ha# sn with th g+n H

.was s+r o( it

, , .Who"r thy wr thy wr on$y a (w *a)s away (ro! th )ar ta$&ing in $ow "oi)s Anothr

. ,(w st*s an# thy wo+$# ' thr Witho+t thin&ing A$% thrw hi!s$( into th on$y hi#ing *$a)

: . , . ,a"ai$a'$ insi# th )ar its$( Using his (oot h hoo th #oor an# )$os# it At th sa! ti!

.h ')a! awar that th !a)hins ha# start# again an# h )o+$# no $ongr har th !n H

' . .#i#n t #ar $oo& +* A sha#ow ($$ a)ross th win#ow as th two !n *ass# B+t thn thy wr

. .gon H was sa(

,An# thn so!thing hit th BMW with s+)h (or) that A$% )ri# o+t his who$ 'o#y )a+ght in a

!assi" sho)& wa" that tor hi! away (ro! th string wh$ an# thrw hi! h$*$ss$y into th

.'a)& Th roo( '+)&$# an# thr h+g !ta$ (ingrs tor thro+gh th s&in o( th )ar $i& a (or&

, . ...thro+gh an ggsh$$ trai$ing #+st an# s+n$ight On o( th (ingrs graz# th si# o( his ha#

. .any )$osr an# it wo+$# ha" )ra) his s&+$$ A$% y$$# as '$oo# tri)&$# o"r his y H tri# to

,!o" thn was /r 'a)& a s)on# ti! as th )ar was yan o(( th gro+n# an# ti$t# high +*

.in th air

' . ' . ,H )o+$#nt s H )o+$#n t !o" B+t his sto!a)h $+r)h# as th )ar sw+ng in an ar) th !ta$

. .grin#ing an# th $ight s*inning Th BMW ha# 'n *i) +* 'y th )ran It was going to ' *+t

. .insi# th )r+shr With hi! insi#

, .H tri# to rais hi!s$( +* to wa" thro+gh th win#ows B+t th )$aw o( th )ran ha# a$ra#y

, , . .($attn# th roo( *inning his $(t $g *rha*s "n 'ra&ing it H )o+$# ($ nothing H $i(t# a

, ' .han# an# !anag# to *o+n# on th 'a)& win#ow '+t h )o+$#n t 'ra& th g$ass E"n i( th

, .wor&!n wr staring at th BMW thy wo+$# n"r s anything !o"ing insi#

-His short ($ight a)ross th /+n&yar# n## with a 'on shattring )rash as th )ran #*osit# th

.)ar on th iron sh$"s o( th )r+shr A$% tri# to (ight 'a)& his si)&nss an# #s*air an# thin& o(

. -what to #o Any !o!nt now th o*rator wo+$# sn# th )ar ti**ing into th )o((in sha*#

. , - . ,tro+gh Th !a)hin was a L(ort Shar a s$ow !otion g+i$$otin At th *rss o( a '+tton th two

. , ,wings wo+$# )$os on th )ar with a /oint *rss+r o( (i" h+n#r# tons Th )ar with A$% insi# it

. - -wo+$# ' )r+sh# 'yon# r)ognition An# th 'ro&n !ta$ an# ($sh wo+$# thn ' )ho**# into

. .s)tions No'o#y wo+$# "r &now what ha# ha**n#

. . .H tri# with a$$ his strngth to (r hi!s$( B+t th roo( was too $ow His $g was tra**# Thn


11/113

. .his who$ wor$# ti$t# an# h ($t hi!s$( (a$$ing into #ar&nss Th sh$"s ha# $i(t# Th BMW s$i#

. .to on si# an# ($$ th (w yar#s into th tro+gh A$% ($t th !ta$wor& )o$$a*sing a$$ aro+n# hi!

,Th 'a)& win#ow %*$o## an# g$ass showr# aro+n# his ha# #+st an# #is$ (+!s *+n)hing

. , ,into his nos an# ys Thr was har#$y any #ay$ight now '+t $oo&ing o+t o( th 'a)& h )o+$#

s th h+g st$ ha# o( th *iston that wo+$# *+sh what was $(t o( th )ar thro+gh th %it

.ho$ on th othr si#

.Th ngin ton o( th L(ort Shar )hang# as it *r*ar# (or th (ina$ a)t Th !ta$ wings

. ' ,sh+##r# In a (w s)on#s ti! th two o( th! wo+$# !t )r+!*$ing th BMW $i& a *a*r

.'ag

.A$% *+$$# with a$$ his strngth an# was astonish# whn his $g )a! (r It too& hi! *rha*s a

- .s)on# on *r)io+s s)on# to wor& o+t what ha# ha**n# Whn th )ar ha# (a$$n into th

, . .tro+gh it ha# $an## on its si# Th roo( ha# '+)&$# again /+st no+gh to (r hi! His han#

- , , . .s)ra''$# (or th #oor '+t o( )o+rs that was +s$ss Th #oors wr too 'nt Thy wo+$# n"r

. ! , ,o*n Th 'a)& win#ow With th g$ass gon h )o+$# )raw$ thro+gh th (ra! '+t on$y i( h

.!o"# (ast

. .Th wings 'gan to !o" Th BMW s)ra!# as two wa$$s o( so$i# st$ r$nt$ss$y )r+sh# it

. .Mor g$ass shattr# On o( th wh$ a%$s sna**# with th so+n# o( a th+n#r'o$t Dar&nss

.'gan to )$os in

.A$% gra''# ho$# o( what was $(t o( th 'a)&sat Aha# o( hi! h )o+$# s a sing$ triang$ o(, . .$ ight shrin&ing (astr an# (astr H )o+$# ($ th wight o( th two wa$$s *rssing #own on hi!

-Th )ar was no $ongr a )ar '+t th (ist o( so! hi#o+s !onstr snat)hing at th ins)t that

.A$% ha# ')o!

, . ,With a$$ his strngth h s+rg# (orwar# His sho+$#rs *ass# thro+gh th triang$ o+t into th

. , .$ight N%t )a! his $gs '+t at th $ast !o!nt his sho )a+ght on a *i) o( /agg# !ta$ H

, ./r an# th sho was *+$$# o(( (a$$ing 'a)& into th )ar A$% har# th so+n# o( th $athr

. , ,'ing s1+ash# Fina$$y )$inging to th '$a)& oi$y s+r(a) o( th o'sr"ation *$at(or! at th 'a)& o(

, .th )r+shr h #ragg# hi!s$( )$ar an# !anag# to stan# +*

- -H (o+n# hi!s$( (a) to (a) with a !an so (at that h )o+$# 'ar$y (it into th s!a$$ )a'in o( th

. ' ,)r+shr Th !an s sto!a)h was *rss# against th g$ass his sho+$#rs s1+z# into th

. .)ornrs A )igartt #ang$# on his $owr $i* as his !o+th ($$ o*n an# his ys star# What h

.saw was a 'oy in th rags o( what ha# on) 'n a s)hoo$ +ni(or! A who$ s$" ha# 'n torn

, , .o(( an# his ar! stra with '$oo# an# oi$ h+ng $i!*$y 'y his si# By th ti! th o*rator ha#


12/113

, , , .ta&n this a$$ in )o! to his snss an# t+rn# th !a)hin o(( th 'oy ha# gon

, .A$% )$a!'r# #own th si# o( th )r+shr $an#ing on th on (oot that sti$$ ha# a sho H was

. ' ,awar now o( th *i)s o( /agg# !ta$ $ying "rywhr I( h wasn t )ar(+$ h wo+$# )+t o*n

. , , ,th othr (oot His 'i)y)$ was whr h ha# $(t it $aning against th wa$$ an# gingr$y ha$(

, . 'ho**ing h !a# (or it Bhin# hi! h har# th )a'in o( th )r+shr o*n an# a !an s "oi)

, . ,)a$$# o+t raising th a$ar! At th sa! ti! a s)on# !an ran (orwar# sto**ing 'twn A$%

. , . ,an# his 'i& It was th #ri"r th !an h ha# sn at th (+nra$ His (a) twist# into a hosti$

, : , , , .(rown was )+rio+s$y +g$y grasy hair watry ys *a$ $i($ss s&in

" . . ." . . ,What #o yo+ thin& h 'gan His han# s$i# into his /a)&t A$% r!!'r# th g+n an#

, , .instant$y witho+t "n thin&ing sw+ng into a)tion

. , ,H ha# start# $arning &arat whn h was si% yars o$# On a(trnoon with no %*$anation Ian

, ,Ri#r ha# ta&n hi! to a $o)a$ )$+' (or his (irst $sson an# h ha# 'n going thr on) a w&

. - ."r sin) O"r th yars h ha# *ass# thro+gh th "ario+s Ky+ st+#nt gra#s B+t it was on$y

- , .th yar '(or that h ha# ')o! a (irst gra# Dan a '$a)& '$t Whn h ha# arri"# at

,Broo&$an# S)hoo$ his gnt$ $oo&s an# a))nt ha# 1+i)&$y 'ro+ght hi! to th attntion o( th

; - . .s)hoo$ '+$$is thr h+$&ing si%tn yar o$#s Thy ha# )ornr# hi! on) 'hin# th 'i& sh#

. ,Th n)o+ntr $ast# $ss than a !in+t Th n%t #ay on o( th '+$$is ha# $(t Broo&$an# an#

.th othr two ha# n"r tro+'$# anyon again

, , . -Now A$% 'ro+ght +* on $g twist# his 'o#y aro+n# an# $ash# o+t Th 'a)& &i)& Ushiro . 'gri is sai# to ' th !ost $tha$ in &arat His (oot *owr# into th !an s a'#o!n with s+)h

' .(or) that th !an #i#n t "n ha" ti! to )ry o+t His ys '+$g# an# his !o+th ha$( o*n# in

. , , .s+r*ris Thn with his han# sti$$ ha$(way into his /a)&t h )r+!*$# to th gro+n#

, , .A$% /+!*# o"r hi! snat)h# +* his 'i& an# sw+ng hi!s$( onto it In th #istan) a thir# !an

. " !" .was r+nning towar# hi! H har# th sing$ wor# Sto* )a$$# o+t Thn thr was a )ra)& an# a

. .'+$$t whi**# *ast A$% gri**# th han#$'ars an# *#a$# as har# as h )o+$# Th 'i& shot

, . .(orwar# o"r th r+''$ an# o+t thro+gh th gats H too& on $oo& o"r his sho+$#r No'o#y

.ha# (o$$ow# hi!

, , ,With on sho on an# on sho o(( his )$oths in rags an# his 'o#y stra with oi$ A$% &nw

.h !+st $oo& a strang sight B+t thn h tho+ght 'a)& to his $ast s)on#s insi# th )r+shr an#

. .sigh# with r$i( H )o+$# ' $oo&ing a $ot wors


13/113

&RO,AL 3ENERAL

.THE BANK CALLED th (o$$owing #ay

" . ? .This is 2ohn Craw$y Do yo+ r!!'r ! 0rsonn$ !anagr at th Roya$ an# 3nra$ W

."wr won#ring i( yo+ )o+$# )o! in

" ?" , .Co! in A$% was ha$( #rss# a$ra#y $at (or s)hoo$

" . ' . ...This a(trnoon W (o+n# so! *a*rs o( yo+r +n)$ s W n# to ta$& to yo+ a'o+t yo+r own

."*osition

' ? " ?"Was thr so!thing (aint$y thratning in th !an s "oi) What ti! this a(trnoon A$%

.as

" ? ' . -"Co+$# yo+ !anag ha$( *ast (o+r W r on Li"r*oo$ Strt W )an sn# a )a'

" ' ," . " ' ."I $$ ' thr A$% sai# An# I $$ ta& th t+'

.H h+ng +*

" ?" . ,Who was that $a)& )a$$# o+t o( th &it)hn Sh was )oo&ing 'ra&(ast (or th two o( th!

. ' .a$tho+gh how $ong sh )o+$# r!ain with A$% was a growing worry Hr wags ha#nt 'n *ai# . ,Sh ha# on$y hr own !ony to '+y (oo# an# *ay (or th r+nning o( th ho+s Wors sti$$ hr "isa

. ' .was a'o+t to %*ir Soon sh wo+$#n t "n ' a$$ow# to stay in th )o+ntry

" ." , . 'That was th 'an& A$% )a! into th roo! waring his s*ar +ni(or! H ha#n t to$# hr what

. . " ' ,"ha# ha**n# at th /+n& yar# 2a)& ha# no+gh on hr !in# I! going thr this a(trnoon h

.sai#

" ?"Do yo+ want ! to )o!

" . ' ."No I $$ ' (in

- ,H )a! o+t o( Li"r*oo$ Strt t+' station /+st a(tr (o+r (i(tn that a(trnoon sti$$ waring his

: , , . .s)hoo$ )$oths #ar& '$+ /a)&t gray tro+srs stri*# ti H (o+n# th 'an& asi$y no+gh Th

& , -Roya$ 3nra$ o))+*i# a ta$$ anti1+ $oo&ing '+i$#ing with a Union 2a)& ($+ttring (ro! a *o$

.a'o+t (i(tn ($oors +* Thr was a 'rass *$a1+ with th na! n%t to th !ain #oor an# a


14/113

.s)+rity )a!ra swi"$ing s$ow$y o"r th *a"!nt

. , .A$% sto**# in (ront o( it For a !o!nt h won#r# i( h was !a&ing a !ista& going in I( th

' ,'an& ha# 'n rs*onsi'$ in so! way (or Ian Ri#rs #ath it was a$ways *ossi'$ thy ha#

. ?as hi! hr to arrang his own B+t why wo+$# anyon (ro! th 'an& want to &i$$ hi! H

' . .#i#n t "n ha" an a))o+nt thr H wnt insi#

,An# in an o((i) on th s"ntnth ($oor th i!ag on th t$"ision !onitor ($i)&r#

#1 #2 #3.an# )hang# as Strt Ca!ra s!ooth$y )+t a)ross to R)*tion )a!ras an# E"rything

. .was #ar& an# sha#owy insi# A !an sitting 'hin# a #s& saw A$% )o! in an# *rss# a '+tton

#2 ' .Ca!ra zoo!# in +nti$ A$%s (a) (i$$# th s)rn

" ," .So h )a! th )hair!an o( th 'an& !+ttr#

" ' ?" - . , -That s th 'oy Th s*a&r was a !i##$ ag# wo!an Sh ha# a strang *otato sha*# ha#

.an# hr '$a)& hair $oo as i( it ha# 'n )+t +sing a *air o( '$+nt s)issors an# an +*t+rn# 'ow$

.Hr ys wr a$!ost as '$a)& as hr hair Sh was #rss# in a s"r gray s+it an# was s+)&ing a

. " , ?" .***r!int Ar yo+ s+r a'o+t this A$an sh as

. " . . ?"A$an B$+nt no### Oh ys 5+it s+r ,o+ &now what to #o This $ast 1+stion was a##rss# to

, .his #ri"r who was a$so in th roo!

, . .Th #ri"r was stan#ing +n)o!(orta'$y s$ight$y h+n)h# o"r His (a) was a )ha$&y whit H ha#. '" , ," .'n $i& that "r sin) h ha# tri# to sto* A$% in th a+to /+n&yar# ,s sir h sai#

" ," . .Thn #o it B$+nt sai# His ys n"r $(t th s)rn

, ,In th $o''y A$% ha# as (or 2ohn Craw$y an# was sitting on a $athr so(a "ag+$y won#ring

. ,why so (w *o*$ wr going in or o+t Th r)*tion ara was 1+it an# )$a+stro*ho'i) with a

, , ,'rown !ar'$ ($oor thr $"ators to on si# an# a'o" th #s& a row o( )$o)&s showing th

. . .ti! in "ry !a/or wor$# )ity B+t it )o+$# ha" 'n th ntran) to anywhr A hos*ita$ A

. . .)on)rt ha$$ E"n a )r+is $inr Th *$a) ha# no i#ntity o( its own

On o( th $"ators s$i# o*n an# Craw$y a**ar# in th sa! s+it h ha# worn at th (+nra$

. " ' , ," . "'+t with a #i((rnt ti I! sorry to ha" &*t yo+ waiting A$% h sai# Ha" yo+ )o! straight

?"(ro! s)hoo$

, ' . " 'A$% stoo# +* '+t sai# nothing a$$owing his +ni(or! to answr th !an s 1+stion Lt s go +* to


15/113

," . . " ' ."!y o((i) Craw$y sai# H gst+r# W $$ ta& th $"ator

' , ,A$% #i#n t noti) th (o+rth )a!ra insi# th $"ator '+t thn it was )on)a$# on th othr

.si# o( th onway !irror that )o"r# th 'a)& wa$$ Nor #i# h s th thr!a$ intnsi(ir n%t to

. ,th )a!ra B+t this s)on# !a)hin 'oth $oo at hi! an# thro+gh hi! as h stoo# thr

,t+rning hi! into a *+$sating !ass o( #i((rnt )o$ors non o( whi)h trans$at# into th )o$# st$ o(

. ,a hi##n g+n or &ni( In $ss than th ti! it too& A$% to '$in& th !a)hin ha# *ass# its

in(or!ation #own to a )o!*+tr that ha# instant$y "a$+at# an# thn snt its own signa$ 'a)& to

.th )ir)+its that )ontro$$# th $"ator ' ' . .Its OK Hs +nar!# Contin+ to th (i(tnth ($oor

" !" ,Hr w ar Craw$y s!i$# an# +shr# A$% o+t into a $ong )orri#or with an +n)ar*t#

.woo#n ($oor an# !o#rn $ighting A sris o( #oors wr *+n)t+at# 'y 'right$y )o$or# a'stra)t

. " ." .*aintings My o((i) is /+st a$ong hr Craw$y *oint# th way

.Thy ha# *ass# thr #oors whn A$% sto**# Ea)h #oor ha# a na!*$at an# this on h

. 1504: . .&nw Ian Ri#r Whit $ttrs on '$a)& *$asti)

. " . . ' ."Craw$y no### sa#$y ,s This was whr yo+r +n)$ wor H$$ ' !+)h !iss#

" ?" .Can I go insi# A$% as

. " ?"Craw$y s!# s+r*ris# Why #o yo+ want to #o that

" ' ."I # ' intrst# to s whr h wor

" ' ." . " ' .I! sorry Craw$y sigh# Th #oor wi$$ ha" 'n $o) an# I #on t ha" th &y Anothr ti!

." . ,*r ha*s H gst+r# again H +s# his han#s $i& a !agi)ian as i( h wr a'o+t to *ro#+) a

. " . . . ."(an o( )ar#s I ha" th o((i) n%t #oor 2+st hr

1505. , .Thy wnt into It was a $arg s1+ar roo! with thr win#ows $oo&ing o+t o"r th station

.Thr was a ($+ttr o( r# an# '$+ o+tsi# an# A$% r!!'r# th ($ag h ha# sn Th

. , ,($ag*o$ was right n%t to th o((i) Insi# thr was a #s& an# )hair a )o+*$ o( so(as in th

, . ' .)ornr a (ri#g on th wa$$ a )o+*$ o( *rints A 'oring %)+ti" s o((i) 0r()t (or a 'oring

.%)+ti"

" , . ," . . "0$as A$% Sit #own Craw$y sai# H wnt o"r to th (ri#g Can I gt yo+ a

?"#rin&


16/113

" ?"Do yo+ ha" Co&

" ." , . " ?",s Craw$y o*n# a )an an# (i$$# a g$ass thn han## it to A$% I)

" , ." . ' . ' . ,No than&s A$% too& a si* It wasn t Co& It wasnt "n 0*si H r)ogniz# th o"rswt

' . "s$ight$y )$oying tast o( s+*r!ar&t )o$a an# wish# h # as (or watr So what #o yo+ want to

?"ta$& to ! a'o+t

" ' . . .,o+r +n)$ s wi$$

, " ," .Th t$*hon rang an# with anothr han# sign this on (or %)+s ! Craw$y answr# it H

, . " ' , .s*o& (or a (w !o!nts thn h+ng +* again I! "ry sorry A$% I ha" to go 'a)& #own to th

. ?"$o''y Do yo+ !in#

" ." .3o aha# A$% stt$# hi!s$( on th so(a

" ' ." , .I $$ ' a'o+t (i" !in+ts With a (ina$ no# o( a*o$ogy Craw$y $(t

. .A$% wait# a (w s)on#s Thn h *o+r# th )o$a into a *ott# *$ant an# stoo# +* H wnt o"r

.to th #oor an# 'a)& into th )orri#or At th (ar n# a wo!an )arrying a '+n)h o( *a*rs

. . ,a**ar# an# #isa**ar# thro+gh a #oor Thr was no sign o( Craw$y 5+i)&$y A$% !o"# 'a)&

1504 . . .to th #oor o( an# tri# th han#$ B+t Craw$y ha# 'n t$$ing th tr+th It was $o)

' .A$% wnt 'a)& into Craw$y s o((i) H wo+$# ha" gi"n anything to s*n# a (w !in+ts a$on

' . 'in Ian Ri#rs o((i) So!'o#y tho+ght th #a# !an s wor& was i!*ortant no+gh to &* hi##n

. '(ro! hi! Thy ha# 'ro&n into his ho+s an# )$an# o+t "rything thy # (o+n# in th o((i)

. . ?thr 0rha*s th o((i) n%t #oor !ight t$$ hi! why What %a)t$y was Ian Ri#r in"o$"# in An#

?was it th rason why h ha# 'n &i$$#

, , .Th ($ag ($+ttr# again an# sing it A$% wnt o"r to th win#ow Th *o$ /+tt# o+t o( th

1504 1505. ,'+i$#ing %a)t$y ha$(way 'twn roo!s an# I( h )o+$# so!how ra)h it h sho+$# '

1504. ,a'$ to /+!* onto th $#g that ran a$ong th si# o( th '+i$#ing o+tsi# roo! O( )o+rs h

. , .was (i(tn ($oors +* I( h /+!*# an# !iss# thr wo+$# ' a )o+*$ o( h+n#r# (t to (a$$ It

. ' .was a st+*i# i#a It wasn t "n worth thin&ing a'o+t

. .A$% o*n# th win#ow an# )$i!'# o+t It was 'ttr not to thin& a'o+t it at a$$ H wo+$# /+st #o

. , , , ' .it A(tr a$$ i( this was th gro+n# ($oor or a /+ng$ gy! in th s)hoo$ yar# it wo+$# ' )hi$# s *$ay

,It was on$y th shr 'ri)& wa$$ strt)hing #own to th *a"!nt th )ars an# '+ss !o"ing $i&


17/113

, . 'toys so (ar '$ow an# th '$ast o( th win# against his (a) that !a# it trri(ying Don t thin&

. .a'o+t it Do it

' . ,A$% $owr# hi!s$( onto th $#g o+tsi# Craw$ys o((i) His han#s wr 'hin# hi! )$+t)hing

. . .onto th win#owsi$$ H too& a #* 'rath An# /+!*#

.A )a!ra in th o((i) a)ross th roa# )a+ght A$% as h $a+n)h# hi!s$( into s*a) Two ($oors

, . . . "a'o" A$an B$+nt was sti$$ sitting in (ront o( th s)rn H )h+)&$# It was a h+!or$ss so+n# I

," . " ' ."to$# yo+ h sai# Th 'oy s %traor#inary

" ' ," .Th 'oy s 1+it !a# th wo!an rtort#

" , ' ."W$$ !ay' that s what w n#

" ' ?",o+ r /+st going to sit hr an# wat)h hi! &i$$ hi!s$(

" ' ."I! going to sit hr an# ho* that h s+r"i"s

.A$% ha# !is)a$)+$at# th /+!* H ha# !iss# th ($ag*o$ 'y an in)h an# wo+$# ha" *$+ng#

' .#own to th *a"!nt i( his han#s ha#n t )a+ght ho$# o( th Union 2a)& its$( H was hanging now

. , , ,with his (t in !i#air S$ow$y with h+g ((ort h *+$$# hi!s$( +* his (ingrs hoo&ing into th

. . ' .!atria$ So!how h !anag# to )$i!' 'a)& +* onto th *o$ H sti$$ #i#n t $oo& #own H /+st

.ho*# that no *assrs'y $oo +*

. ,It was asir a(tr that H s1+att# on th *o$ thn thrw hi!s$( si#ways an# a)ross to th

' . .$#g o+tsi# Ian Ri#r s o((i) H ha# to ' )ar(+$ Too (ar to th $(t an# h wo+$# )rash into

, . , ,th si# o( th '+i$#ing '+t too (ar th othr way an# h wo+$# (a$$ In (a)t h $an## *r()t$y

gra''ing ho$# o( th $#g with 'oth han#s an# thn *+$$ing hi!s$( +* +nti$ h was $"$ with th

. . , 'win#ow It was on$y now that h won#r# i( th win#ow wo+$# ' $o) I( so h# /+st ha" to

.go 'a)&

' . ,It wasn t A$% s$i# th win#ow o*n an# hoist# hi! s$( into th s)on# o((i) whi)h was in !any

. , ,ways a )ar'on )o*y o( th (irst It ha# th sa! (+rnit+r th sa! )ar*t "n a si!i$ar *ainting

. .on th wa$$ H wnt o"r to th #s& an# sat #own Th (irst thing h saw was a *hotogra*h o(

, ,hi!s$( ta&n th s+!!r '(or on th Cari''an is$an# o( 3+a#$o+* whr h ha# gon

. . .#i"ing Thr was a s)on# *i)t+r t+) into th )ornr o( th (ra! A$% ag# (i" or si% H

.was s+r*ris# an# a $itt$ sa##n# 'y th *hotogra*hs Ian Ri#r ha# 'n !or snti!nta$ than

.h ha# *rtn##


18/113

.A$% g$an)# at his wat)h A'o+t thr !in+ts ha# *ass# sin) Craw$y ha# $(t th o((i) an# h

. , .ha# sai# h wo+$# ' 'a)& in (i" I( h was going to (in# anything hr h ha# to (in# it 1+i)&$y

. .H *+$$# o*n a #rawr in th #s& It )ontain# (o+r or (i" thi)& (i$s A$% too& th! an#

. .o*n# th! H saw at on) that thy ha# nothing to #o with 'an&ing

: .Th (irst was !ar NERVE 0OISONS NEW METHODS OF CONCEALMENT

. . :AND DISSEMINATION A$% *+t it asi# an# $oo at th s)on# ASSASSINATIONS FOUR CASE

. , ,STUDIES 3rowing "r !or *+zz$# h 1+i)&$y ($i) thro+gh th rst o( th (i$s whi)h )o"r#

, , .)o+ntrtrroris! th !o"!nt o( +rani+! a)ross E+ro* an# intrrogation t)hni1+s Th $ast

: .(i$ was si!*$y $a'$# STORMBREAKER

.A$% was a'o+t to ra# it whn th #oor s+##n$y o*n# an# two !n wa$ in On o( th!

. .was Craw$y Th othr was th #ri"r (ro! th /+n&yar# A$% &nw that thr was no *oint trying

.to %*$ain what h was #oing H was sitting 'hin# th #s& with th Stor!'ra&r (i$ o*n in his

. ' .han#s B+t at th sa! ti! h ra$iz# that th two !n wrn t s+r*ris# to s hi! thr Fro!

, .th way thy ha# )o! into th roo! thy ha# %*)t# to (in# hi!

" ' ," . " ? ? ?"This isnt a 'an& A$% sai# Who ar yo+ Was !y +n)$ wor&ing (or yo+ Di# yo+ &i$$ hi!

" ," . " ' 'So !any 1+stions Craw$y !+ttr# B+t I! a(rai# w r not a+thoriz# to gi" yo+ th

."answrs

.Th s)on# !an $i(t# his han# an# A$% saw that h was ho$#ing a g+n H stoo# +* 'hin# th, . " . . ." .#s& ho$#ing th (i$ as i( to *rot)t hi!s$( No h 'gan

. .Th !an (ir# Thr was no %*$osion Th g+n s*at at A$% an# h ($t so!thing s$a! into his

. . ,hart His han# o*n# an# th (i$ t+!'$# to th gro+n# Thn his $gs '+)&$# th roo!

, .twist# an# h ($$ 'a)& into nothing

" ?"SO WHAT DO ,OU SA,

. ! .ALE4 O0ENED HIS E,ES So h was sti$$ a$i" That was a ni) s+r*ris

, . ,H was $ying on a '# in a $arg )o!(orta'$ roo! Th '# was !o#rn '+t th roo! was o$#

, ,with 'a!s r+nning a)ross th )i$ing a ston (ir*$a) an# narrow win#ows in an ornat woo#n

. .(ra! H ha# sn roo!s $i& this in 'oo&s whn h was st+#ying Sha&s*ar H wo+$# ha"

. .sai# th '+i$#ing was E$iza'than It ha# to ' so!whr in th )o+ntry Thr was no so+n# o(


19/113

. .tra((i) O+tsi# h )o+$# s trs

. . ,So!on ha# +n#rss# hi! His s)hoo$ +ni(or! was gon Insta# h was waring $oos *a/a!as

. .si$& (ro! th ($ o( th! Fro! th $ight o+tsi# h wo+$# ha" g+ss# it was !i#!orning H

.(o+n# his wat)h $ying on th ta'$ 'si# th '# an# h ra)h# o+t (or it Th ti! was tw$"

' .o )$o)& It ha# 'n aro+n# ha$( *ast (o+r whn h ha# 'n shot with what !+st ha" 'n a

. .#r+gg# #art H ha# $ost a who$ night an# ha$( a #ay

Thr was a 'athroo! $a#ing o(( (ro! th '#roo! 'right whit ti$s an# a h+g showr 'hin# a

.)y$in#r o( g$ass an# )hro! A$% stri**# o(( th *a/a!as an# stoo# (or (i" !in+ts +n#r a /t

. .o( sta!ing watr H ($t 'ttr a(tr that

. .H wnt 'a)& into th '#roo! an# o*n# th )$ost So!on ha# 'n to his ho+s in Ch$sa

, . .A$$ his )$oths wr hr nat$y h+ng +* H won#r# what Craw$y ha# to$# $a)& 0rs+!a'$y h

' .wo+$# ha" !a# +* so! story to %*$ain A$%s s+##n #isa**aran) H too& o+t a *air o( 3a*

, , , .)o!'at tro+srs Ni& swatshirt an# sna&rs got #rss# thn sat on th '# an# wait#

.A'o+t (i(tn !in+ts $atr thr was a &no)& an# th #oor o*n# A yo+ng Asian wo!an in a

' , .n+rss +ni(or! )a! in 'a!ing

" , ' . . ? , .Oh yo+ r awa& An# #rss# How ar yo+ ($ing Not too groggy I ho* 0$as )o! this

. . ."way Mr B$+nt is %*)ting yo+ (or $+n)h

' . ,A$% ha#n t s*o&n a wor# to hr H (o$$ow# hr o+t o( th roo! a$ong a )orri#or an# #own a

. , ,($ight o( stairs Th ho+s was in## E$iza'than with woo#n *an$s a$ong th )orri#ors ornat

, .)han#$irs an# oi$ *aintings o( o$# 'ar## !n in t+ni)s an# r+((s Th stairs $# #own into a ta$$

.ga$$ri# roo! with a r+g s*ra# o+t o"r ($agstons an# a (ir*$a) 'ig no+gh to *ar& a )ar in A

, . ,$ong *o$ish# woo#n ta'$ ha# 'n st (or thr A$an B$+nt an# a #ar& rathr !as)+$in wo!an

. . ?s+)&ing a ***r!int wr a$ra#y sitting #own Mrs B$+nt

" ." ' . " ' ."A$% B$+nt s!i$# 'ri($y as i( it was so!thing h #i#n t n/oy #oing It s goo# o( yo+ to /oin +s

. " ' ."A$% sat #own ,o+ #i#n t gi" ! a $ot o( )hoi)

" . ' , ,,s I #on t 1+it &now what Craw$y was thin&ing o( ha"ing yo+ shot $i& that '+t I s+**os it

. , . ."was th asist way May I intro#+) !y )o$$ag+ Mrs 2ons

. , .Th wo!an no### at A$% Hr ys s!# to %a!in hi! !in+t$y '+t sh sai# nothing


20/113

" ?" . " ?"Who ar yo+ A$% as What #o yo+ want with !

" ' . , ' . . ."I! s+r yo+ ha" a grat !any 1+stions B+t (irst $t s at B$+nt !+st ha" *rss# a

,hi##n '+tton or $s h was 'ing o"rhar# (or at that *r)is !o!nt a #oor o*n# an# a

- . " ,"waitr in whit /a)&t an# '$a)& tro+srs a**ar# )arrying thr *$ats I ho* yo+ $i& !at

. " ' ' ' . "B$+nt )ontin+# To#ay its )arr # agn+

" , .",o+ !an roast $a!'

" ."Th )h( is Frn)h

. . .A$% wait# +nti$ th (oo# ha# 'n sr"# B$+nt an# Mrs 2ons #ran& r# win H st+)& to

. , .watr Fina$$y B$+nt 'gan

" ' ' ," , " . , 'As I! s+r yo+ " gathr# h sai# th Roya$ an# 3nra$ is not a 'an& In (a)t it #osn t

... ' . , ,%ist its nothing !or than a )o"r An# it (o$$ows o( )o+rs that yo+r +n)$ ha# nothing to #o

. . , , .with 'an&ing H wor (or ! My na! as I to$# yo+ at th (+nra$ is B$+nt I a! th )hi(

6. , ,%)+ti" o( th S*)ia$ O*rations Di"ision o( MI An# yo+r +n)$ was (or want o( a 'ttr wor#

."a s*y

' . " ... ?"A$% )o+$#n t h$* s!i$ing ,o+ !an $i& 2a!s Bon#

" , ' . 0 .Si!i$ar a$tho+gh w #on t go in (or n+!'rs Do+'$ an# a$$ th rst o( it ,o+r +n)$ was a (i$#

, . ,agnt high$y train# an# "ry )o+rago+s H s+))ss(+$$y )o!*$t# assign!nts in Iran

, , ... .Washington Hong Kong an# Ha"ana to na! '+t a (w I i!agin this !+st )o! as a 'it o( a

."sho)& (or yo+

, . .A$% tho+ght a'o+t th #a# !an what h ha# &nown o( hi! His *ri"a)y His $ong a'sn)s

. . .a'roa# An# th ti!s h ha# )o! ho! in/+r# A 'an#ag# ar! on ti! A 'r+is# (a)

. , . . " ' ," .anothr Litt$ a))i#nts A$% ha# 'n to$# B+t now it a$$ !a# sns I! not sho) h sai#

. " ' ," . "B$+nt )+t a nat s$i) o(( his !at Ian Ri#rs $+)& ran o+t on his $ast !ission h wnt on H

, ,ha# 'n wor&ing +n#r)o"r hr in Eng$an# in Cornwa$$ an# was #ri"ing 'a)& to Lon#on to

. -"!a& a r*ort whn h was &i$$# ,o+ saw his )ar at th yar#

" ," . " ?"Stry&r an# Son A$% !+ttr# Who ar thy


21/113

" . . .2+st *o*$ w +s W ha" '+#gt rstraints W ha" to )ontra)t so! o( o+r wor& o+t W

. . .hir# th! to )$an things +* Mrs 2ons hr is o+r ha# o( o*rations It was sh who ga" yo+r

."+n)$ his $ast assign!nt

" ' , ." . 'W r "ry sorry to ha" $ost hi! A$% Th wo!an s*o& (or th (irst ti! Sh #i#n t so+n# "ry

.sorry at a$$

" ?"Do yo+ &now who &i$$# hi!

" .,s

" ?"Ar yo+ going to t$$ !

" . ."No Not now

" ?"Why not

" ' . ."B)a+s yo+ #on t n# to &now Not at this stag

" ." . " . ' .A$$ right A$% )onsi#r# what h #i# &now My +n)$ was a s*y Than&s to yo+ h s #a# I

. , ?"(o+n# o+t too !+)h so yo+ &no) ! o+t an# 'ro+ght ! hr Whr a! I 'y th way

" ," . .This is on o( o+r training )ntrs Mrs 2ons sai#

" ' ' .,o+ " 'ro+ght ! hr ')a+s yo+ #on t want ! to t$$ anyon what I &now Is that what this

? , ' ,is a$$ a'o+t B)a+s i( it is I $ $ sign th O((i)ia$ S)rts A)t or what"r it is yo+ want ! to #o '+t

' . , . ' . ' ."thn I# $i& to go ho! This is a$$ )razy anyway An# I" ha# no+gh I! o+t o( hr

. " ' ," .B$+nt )o+gh# 1+it$y Its not 1+it as asy as that h sai#

" ?"Why not

" 'Its )rtain$y tr+ that yo+ #i# #raw attntion to yo+rs$( 'oth at th /+n&yar# an# thn at o+r

. ' 'o((i)s on Li"r*oo$ Strt An# it s a$so tr+ that what yo+ &now an# what I! a'o+t to t$$ yo+

. , , ."!+st go no (+rthr B+t th (a)t o( th !attr is A$% that w n# yo+r h$*

" ?"My h$*


22/113

" ." . " ?'',s H *a+s# Ha" yo+ har# o( a !an )a$$# Hro# Say$

. " ' . 'A$% tho+ght (or a !o!nt I " sn his na! in th nws*a*rs H s so!thing to #o with

. . ' ?")o!*+trs An# h owns ra)horss Dosn t h )o! (ro! so!whr in Egy*t

" . ." . " , . ' ',s Fro! Cairo B$+nt too& a si* o( win Lt ! t$$ yo+ his story A$% I! s+r yo+ $$ (in# it o(

.intrst

" .Hro# Say$ was 'orn in )o!*$t *o"rty in th 'a)&strts o( Cairo His (athr was a (ai$# ora$

. . ,hyginist His !othr too& in washing H ha# nin 'rothrs an# (o+r sistrs a$$ $i"ing togthr in

.thr s!a$$ roo!s a$ong with th (a!i$y goat ,o+ng Hro# n"r wnt to s)hoo$ an# h sho+$#

, , .ha" n## +* +n!*$oy# +na'$ to ra# or writ $i& th rst o( th!

" , .B+t whn h was s"n so!thing o))+rr# that )hang# his $i( H was wa$&ing #own Fz

- - -Strt in th !i##$ o( Cairo whn h ha**n# to s an +*right *iano (a$$ o+t o( a (o+rtnth

. . ,story win#ow A**arnt$y it was 'ing !o"# an# it so!how o"rt+rn# Anyway thr wr a

)o+*$ o( Eng$ish to+rists wa$&ing a$ong th *a"!nt +n#rnath an# thy wo+$# 'oth ha" 'n

-)r+sh# no #o+'t a'o+t it %)*t at th $ast !in+t Hro# thrw hi!s$( at th! an# *+sh# th!

. .o+t o( th way Th *iano !iss# th! 'y an in)h

" ,O( )o+rs th to+rists wr nor!o+s$y grat(+$ to th yo+ng Egy*tian wai( an# it now t+rn# o+t

. ...that thy wr "ry ri)h Thy !a# in1+iris a'o+t hi! an# #is)o"r# how *oor h was th

. ,"ry )$oths h was waring ha# 'n *ass# #own 'y a$$ nin o( his 'rothrs An# so o+t o(, .gratit+# thy !or or $ss a#o*t# hi! F$w hi! o+t o( Cairo an# *+t hi! into a s)hoo$ o"r

, . - 'hr whr h !a# astonishing *rogrss H got %)$$nt %a! rs+$ts an# hr s an a!azing

-)oin)i#n) at th ag o( (i(tn h a)t+a$$y (o+n# hi!s$( sitting n%t to a 'oy who wo+$# grow +*

. , .to ')o! *ri! !inistr o( 3rat Britain O+r *rsnt *ri! !inistr in (a)t Th two o( th!

.wr at s)hoo$ togthr

" ' . , ,I $$ !o" 1+i)&$y (orwar# A(tr s)hoo$ Say$ wnt to Ca!'ri#g whr h got a #gr in

. . ,)ono!i)s H thn st o+t on a )arr that wnt (ro! s+))ss to s+))ss His own ra#io station

... , , ,)o!*+tr so(twar an# ys h "n (o+n# ti! to '+y a string o( ra)horss a$tho+gh I '$i"

. .thy s$#o! win B+t what #rw hi! to o+r attntion was his !ost r)nt in"ntion A 1+it

."r"o$+tionary )o!*+tr that h )a$$s th Stor!'ra&r

. ' .Stor!'ra&r A$% r!!'r# th (i$ h ha# (o+n# in Ian Ri#r s o((i) Things wr 'ginning

.to )o! togthr


23/113

" ," . . " 'Th Stor!'ra&r is 'ing !an+(a)t+r# 'y Say$ Entr*riss Mrs 2ons sai# Thr s 'n a $ot

. "o( ta$& a'o+t th #sign It has a '$a)& &y'oar# an# '$a)& )asing

" ," . .With a $ightning 'o$t going #own th si# A$% sai# H ha# sn a *i)t+r o( it in 0CR"iw

" ' ," . " ' .It #osn t on$y $oo& #i((rnt B$+nt )+t in It s 'as# on a )o!*$t$y nw t)hno$ogy It +ss

. ' ."so!thing )a$$# th ro+n# *ro)ssor I #on t s+**os that wi$$ !an anything to yo+

" ' ," . " 'It s an intgrat# )ir)+it on a s*hr o( si$i)on a'o+t on !i$$i!tr in #ia!tr A$% sai# It s

ninty *r)nt )ha*r to *ro#+) than an or#inary )hi* ')a+s th who$ thing is sa$# in so

' ."yo+ #on t n# )$an roo!s (or *ro#+)tion

" . . . ." . " ' ."Oh ,s B$+nt )o+gh# I! s+r*ris# yo+ &now so !+)h a'o+t it

" ," .It !+st ' !y ag A$% sai#

" ," , " , ,W$$ B$+nt )ontin+# th *oint is $atr to#ay Say$ Entr*riss ar going to !a& a 1+it

. .r!ar&a'$ anno+n)!nt Thy ar *$anning to gi" away tns o( tho+san#s o( ths )o!*+trs

,In (a)t it is thir intntion to ns+r that "ry s)on#ary s)hoo$ in Eng$an# gts its own

. ' , 'Stor!'ra&r Its an +n*ara$$$# a)t o( gnrosity Say$ s way o( than&ing th )o+ntry that ga"

."hi! a ho!

" ' ."So th !ans a hro

" . : ' .So it wo+$# s! H wrot to Downing Strt a (w !onths ago My #ar 0ri! Ministr ,o+

.!ay r!!'r ! (ro! o+r s)hoo$ #ays togthr For a$!ost (orty yars I ha" $i"# in Eng$an#

, ,an# I wish to !a& a gst+r so!thing that wi$$ n"r ' (orgottn to %*rss !y tr+ ($ings

.' ,' ,'towar# yo+r )o+ntry Th $ttr wnt on to #s)ri' th gi(t an# was sign# ,o+rs h+!'$y 'y th

. , .!an hi!s$( O( )o+rs th who$ go"rn!nt was %)it# Th )o!*+trs ar 'ing ass!'$# at

, . 'th Say$ *$ant #own in 0ort Ta$$on Cornwa$$ Thy $$ ' shi**# a)ross th )o+ntry at th n# o(

, ' .this !onth an# on A*ri$ (irst thr s to ' a s*)ia$ )r!ony at th S)in) M+s+! in Lon#on

- ...Th *ri! !inistr is going to *rss th '+tton that wi$$ 'ring a$$ th )o!*+trs on $in th

. , - .who$ $ot o( th! An#this is to* s)rt 'y th way Mr Say$ is to ' rwar## with British

, .")itiznshi* whi)h is so!thing h has a**arnt$y a$ways want#

" , ' ," . " 'W$$ I! "ry ha**y (or hi! A$% sai# B+t yo+ sti$$ ha"nt to$# ! what this has got to #o with

."!


24/113

. , .B$+nt g$an)# at Mrs 2ons who ha# (inish# hr !a$ whi$ h was ta$&ing Sh +nwra**#

. " , - -anothr ***r!int an# too& o"r For so! ti! now this #*art!nt S*)ia$ O*rations has

. . , ' ''n )on)rn# a'o+t Mr Say$ Th (a)t o( th !attr is w " 'n won#ring i( h isn t too

. ' , , 'goo# to ' tr+ I won t go into a$$ th #tai$s A$% '+t w" 'n $oo&ing at his '+sinss

- ,#a$ings h has )onta)ts in China an# th (or!r So"it Union )o+ntris that ha" n"r 'n o+r

. ' , ' .(rin#s Th go"rn!nt !ay thin& h s a saint '+t thr s a r+th$ss si# to hi! too An# th

. 's)+rity arrang!nts #own at 0ort Ta$$on worry +s Hs !or or $ss (or!# his own *ri"at

. ' ' ."ar!y Hs a)ting as i( h s got so!thing to hi#

" ," .Not that anyon wi$$ $istn to +s B$+nt !+ttr#

" . ' .E%a)t$y Th go"rn!nt s too &n to gt thir han#s on ths )o!*+trs to $istn to +s That

. . ,was why w #)i## to sn# o+r own !an #own to th *$ant S+**os#$y to )h)& on s)+rity B+t

, ."in (a)t his /o' was to &* an y on Hro# Say$

" ' ," .,o+ r ta$&ing a'o+t !y +n)$ A$% sai# Ian Ri#r ha# to$# hi! that h was going to

. .an ins+ran) )on"ntion Anothr $i in a $i( that ha# 'n nothing '+t $is

" . , , ' . .,s H was thr (or thr w&s an# $i& +s h #i#n t %a)t$y ta& to Mr Say$ In his (irst

- . ,r*orts h #s)ri'# hi! as short t!*r# an# +n*$asant B+t at th sa! ti! h ha# to a#!it

. .that "rything s!# to ' (in 0ro#+)tion was on s)h#+$ Th Stor!'ra&rs wr )o!ing

. .o(( th $in An# "ryon s!# to ' ha**y

" . ' ,B+t thn w got a !ssag Ri#r )o+$#n t say "ry !+)h ')a+s it was an o*n $in '+t h to$#

. ' .+s that so!thing ha# ha**n# H sai# h# #is)o"r# so!thing That th Stor!'ra&rs

' .!+stn t $a" th *$ant an# that h was )o!ing +* to Lon#on at on) H $(t 0ort Ta$$on at (o+r

' . . .o )$o)& H n"r "n got to th (rway H was a!'+sh# in a 1+it )o+ntry $an Th $o)a$

. ."*o$i) (o+n# th )ar W arrang# (or it to ' 'ro+ght +* hr

. . .A$% sat in si$n) H )o+$# i!agin it A twisting $an with th trs /+st in '$osso! Th si$"r

. , , . . . "BMW g$a!ing as it ra)# *ast An# aro+n# a )ornr a s)on# )ar waiting Why ar yo+

?" .t$$ing ! a$$ this h as

" ," . "It *ro"s what w wr saying B$+nt r*$i# W ha" o+r #o+'ts a'o+t Say$ so w sn# a !an

. . .#own O+r 'st !an H (in#s o+t so!thing an# h n#s +* #a# May' Ri#r #is)o"r# th

-"tr+th

" ' !" . " . 'B+t I #on t +n#rstan# A$% intrr+*t# Say$ is gi"ing away th )o!*+trs H s not !a&ing


25/113

. , ' . - 'any !ony o+t o( th! In rt+rn h s gtting a !#a$ an# British )itiznshi* Fin what s h got

?"to hi#

" ' ," . " ' . . .W #on t &now B$+nt sai# W /+st #ont &now B+t w want to (in# o+t An# soon B(or ths

.")o!*+trs $a" th *$ant

" ' - ," . . " ."Thy r 'ing shi**# o+t on Mar)h thirty (irst Mrs 2ons a### On$y thr w&s (ro! now

. . " ' 'Sh g$an)# at B$+nt H no### Thats why its ssntia$ (or +s to sn# so!on $s to 0ort

. ."Ta$$on So!on to )ontin+ whr yo+r +n)$ $(t o((

. " ' ."A$% s!i$# 1+asi$y I ho* yo+ r not $oo&ing at !

" ' ," . . " . 'W )an t /+st sn# in anothr agnt Mrs 2ons sai# Th n!y has shown his han# Hs &i$$#

. ' . ."Ri#r H$$ ' %*)ting a r*$a)!nt So!how w ha" to tri)& hi!

" ' ," . "W ha" to sn# so!on in who won t ' noti)# B$+nt )ontin+# So!on who )an $oo&

. .aro+n# an# r*ort 'a)& witho+t 'ing sn W wr )onsi#ring sn#ing #own a wo!an Sh

. .!ight ' a'$ to s$i* in as a )$anr or a &it)hn h$*r B+t thn I ha# a 'ttr i#a

' , .'A (w !onths ago on o( ths )o!*+tr !agazins ran a )o!*tition B th (irst 'oy or gir$ to

' -+s th Stor!'ra&r Tra"$ to 0ort Ta$$on an# !t Hro# Say$ hi!s$( That was th (irst *riz

'an# it was won 'y so! yo+ng )ha* who s a**arnt$y a 'it o( a whiz &i# whn it )o!s to

. . . .)o!*+trs Na! o( F$i% Lstr Fo+rtn yars o$# Th sa! ag as yo+rs$( H $oo&s a 'it $i&. ' ."yo+ too H s %*)t# #own at 0ort Ta$$on two w&s (ro! now

" -"Wait a !in+t

" ' ," . ",o+ " a$ra#y shown yo+rs$( to ' %traor#inari$y 'ra" an# rso+r)(+$ B$+nt sai# First at th

... , ' ? ?" '/+n&yar# that was a &arat &i)& wasn t it How $ong ha" yo+ 'n $arning &arat A$% #i#n t

. ' .answr so B$+nt wnt on An# thn thr was that $itt$ tst w arrang# (or yo+ at th 'an& Any

'oy who wo+$# )$i!' o+t o( a (i(tnth ($oor win#ow /+st to satis(y his own )+riosity has to '

, ."rathr s*)ia$ an# it s!s to ! that yo+ ar "ry s*)ia$ in##

" ' ," . . "What w r s+ggsting is that yo+ )o! an# wor& (or +s Mrs 2ons sai# W ha" no+gh ti!

- ' -to gi" yo+ so! 'asi) training not that yo+ $$ *ro'a'$y n# it an# w )an 1+i* yo+ with a (w

. 'it!s that !ay h$* yo+ with what w ha" in !in# Thn w $$ arrang (or yo+ to ta& th *$a) o(

. ' ...this othr 'oy W $$ *a)& hi! o(( to F$ori#a or so!whr gi" hi! a ho$i#ay as a )onso$ation

. ' - . ' .*riz ,o+ $$ go to Say$ Entr*riss on Mar)h twnty ninth Thats whn th Lstr 'oy is %*)t#


26/113

' , . ' .,o+ $$ stay thr +nti$ A*ri$ (irst whi)h is th #ay o( th )r!ony Th ti!ing )o+$#n t ' 'ttr

' , , . ',o+ $$ ' a'$ to !t Hro# Say$ &* an y on hi! t$$ +s what yo+ thin& 0rha*s yo+ $$ a$so

. '(in# o+t what it was that yo+r +n)$ #is)o"r# an# why h ha# to #i (or it ,o+ sho+$#n t '

. , ?"in any #angr A(tr a$$ who wo+$# s+s*)t a (o+rtn yar o$# 'oy o( 'ing a s*y

" ' ," . "A$$ w r as&ing yo+ to #o is to r*ort 'a)& to +s B$+nt sai# A*ri$ (irst is /+st thr w&s (ro!

. ' ' . .now That s a$$ w r as&ing Thr w&s o( yo+r ti! A )han) to !a& s+r ths )o!*+trs ar

' . .""rything thyr )ra) +* to ' A )han) to sr" yo+r )o+ntry

. ,B$+nt ha# (inish# his $+n)h His *$at was )o!*$t$y )$an as i( thr ha# n"r 'n any (oo# on

. , . " , ," .it at a$$ H *+t #own his &ni( an# (or& $aying th! *r)is$y si# 'y si# A$$ right A$% h sai#

" ?"So what #o yo+ say

.Thr was a $ong *a+s

. ' .A$% *+t #own his own &ni( an# (or& H ha#n t atn anything B$+nt was wat)hing hi! with *o$it

. . ,intrst Mrs 2ons was +nwra**ing yt anothr ***r!int hr '$a)& ys s!ing$y (i%# on th

.twist o( *a*r in hr han#s

" ," .No A$% sai#

" ' ?"I! sorry

" ' . ' . . , ."It s a #+!' i#a I #ont want to ' a s*y I want to *$ay so))r Anyway I ha" a $i( o( !y own

.H (o+n# it #i((i)+$t to )hoos th right wor#s Th who$ thing was so *r*ostro+s h a$!ost

. " ' ?"want# to $a+gh Why #on t yo+ as& this F$i% Lstr to snoo* aro+n# (or yo+

" ' ' ," .W #on t '$i" h# ' as rso+r)(+$ as yo+ B$+nt sai#

" ' ." . " ' . ' .H s *ro'a'$y 'ttr at )o!*+tr ga!s A$% shoo& his ha# I! sorry I! /+st not intrst# I

' ."#on t want to gt in"o$"#

" ' ," . ' , ,That s a *ity B$+nt sai# His ton o( "oi) ha#n t )hang# '+t thr was a ha"y #a# 1+a$ity to

. . -th wor#s An# thr was so!thing #i((rnt a'o+t hi! Thro+gho+t th !a$ h ha# 'n *o$it

. .not (rin#$y '+t at $ast h+!an In an instant that ha# #isa**ar# A$% tho+ght o( a toi$t )hain

. .'ing *+$$# Th h+!an *art o( hi! ha# /+st 'n ($+sh# away

" ' ," . " , ,W# 'ttr !o" on thn to #is)+ss yo+r (+t+r h )ontin+# Li& it or not A$% th Roya$ an#


27/113

."3nra$ is now yo+r $ga$ g+ar#ian

" ' ."I tho+ght yo+ sai# th Roya$ an# 3nra$ #i#n t %ist

. " , , . ,B$+nt ignor# hi! Ian Ri#r has o( )o+rs $(t th ho+s an# a$$ his !ony to yo+ How"r h

- . . , ' ,$(t it in tr+st +nti$ yo+ ar twnty on An# w )ontro$ that tr+st So thr wi$$ I! a(rai# ha" to

. -"' so! )hangs Th A!ri)an gir$ who $i"s with yo+

" ?"2a)&

" . . ' .Miss Star'right Hr "isa has %*ir# Sh $$ ' rt+rn# to A!ri)a W *ro*os to *+t th ho+s

. , ,on th !ar&t Un(ort+nat$y yo+ ha" no r$ati"s who wo+$# ' *r*ar# to $oo& a(tr yo+ so

' ' . ' . 'I! a(rai# that a$so !ans yo+ $$ ha" to $a" Broo&$an# ,o+ $$ ' snt to an instit+tion Thr s

. . ,on I &now /+st o+tsi# Bir!ingha! Th Saint E$iza'th in So+r'ri#g Not a "ry *$asant *$a)

' ' ."'+t I! a(rai# thr s no a$trnati"

" ' !" .,o+ r '$a)&!ai$ing ! A$% %)$ai!#

" ."Not at a$$

" ... ?"B+t i( I agr# to #o what yo+ as

. . " ' ," .B$+nt g$an)# at Mrs 2ons H$* +s an# w$ $ h$* yo+ sh sai#

, . .A$% )onsi#r# '+t not (or "ry $ong H ha# no )hoi) an# h &nw it Not whn ths *o*$

, , . " ," .)ontro$$# his !ony his *rsnt $i( his ntir (+t+r ,o+ ta$ a'o+t training h sai#

. . " ," . " 'Mrs 2ons no### F$i% Lstr is %*)t# at 0ort Ta$$on in two w&s sh sai# That #osnt

. ' , . .gi" +s "ry !+)h ti! B+t its a$so why w 'ro+ght yo+ hr A$% This is a training )ntr I( yo+

, ."agr to what w want w )an start at on)

" ." . .Start at on) A$% s*o& th thr wor#s witho+t $i&ing th so+n# o( th! B$+nt an# Mrs 2ons

. . " . . ' 'wr waiting (or his answr H sigh# ,ah A$$ right It #osn t $oo& $i& I " got "ry !+)h

.")hoi)

. . .H g$an)# at th s$i)s o( )o$# $a!' on his *$at Da# !at S+##n$y h &nw how it ($t


28/113

0DOUBLE NOTHIN3

, , 'FOR THE HUNDREDTH ti! A$% )+rs# A$an B$+nt +sing $ang+ag h ha#nt "n ra$iz# h

. ' , '&nw It was a$!ost (i" o )$o)& in th "ning a$tho+gh it )o+$# ha" 'n (i" o )$o)& in th

; . , , .!orning th s&y ha# 'ar$y )hang# at a$$ thro+gho+t th #ay It was gray )o$# +n(orgi"ing Th

, ,rain was sti$$ (a$$ing a thin #rizz$ that tra"$# horizonta$$y in th win# soa&ing thro+gh his

, , .s+**os#$y watr*roo( )$othing !i%ing with his swat an# his #irt )hi$$ing hi! to th 'on

.H +n(o$## his !a* an# )h) his *osition on) again H ha# to ' )$os to th $ast RV o( th

- - .#ay th $ast rn#z"o+s *oint '+t h )o+$# s nothing H was stan#ing on a narrow tra)& !a#

.+* o( $oos gray *''$s that )r+n)h# +n#r his )o!'at 'oots whn h wa$ Th tra)& sna

.aro+n# th si# o( a !o+ntain with a shr #ro* to th right H was so!whr in th Br)on

,Ba)ons an# thr sho+$# ha" 'n a "iw '+t it ha# 'n wi*# o+t 'y th rain an# th (a#ing

. . ,$ight A (w trs twist# o+t o( th si# o( th hi$$ with $a"s as har# as thorns Bhin# hi!

, , . .'$ow hi! aha# o( hi! it was a$$ th sa! Nowhr Lan#

. 22-A$% h+rt Th *o+n# 'rgn 'a)&*a)& that h ha# 'n (or)# to war )+t into his sho+$#rs

. , ,an# ha# r+''# '$istrs into his 'a)& His right &n whr h ha# (a$$n ar$ir in th #ay was no

.$ongr '$#ing '+t sti$$ st+ng His sho+$#r was 'r+is# an# thr was a gash a$ong th si# o( his

. - -n)& His )a!o+($ag o+t(it h ha# swa**# his 3a* )o!'at tro+srs (or th ra$ thing (itt# hi!

, .'a#$y )+tting in 'twn his $gs an# +n#r his ar!s '+t hanging $oos "rywhr $s H was

, , .)$os to %ha+stion h &nw a$!ost too tir# to &now how !+)h *ain h was in B+t (or th

, .g$+)os an# )a((in ta'$ts in his s+r"i"a$ *a)& h wo+$# ha" gro+n# to a ha$t ho+rs ago H' , .&nw that i( h #i#n t (in# th RV soon h wo+$# ' *hysi)a$$y +na'$ to )ontin+ Thn h wo+$#

. " " . .' thrown o(( th )o+rs Binn# as thy )a$$# it Thy wo+$# $i& that Swa$$owing #own

, .th tast o( #(at A$% (o$## th !a* an# (or)# hi!s$( on

- - . ,It was his ninth or !ay' his tnth #ay o( training Ti! ha# 'g+n to #isso$" into its$( as

. . ,sha*$ss as th rain A(tr his $+n)h with A$an B$+nt an# Mrs 2ons h ha# 'n !o"# o+t o( th

. ,!anor ho+s an# into a )r+# woo#n h+t a (w !i$s away Thr wr nin h+ts in tota$ a)h

.1+i**# with (o+r !ta$ '#s an# (o+r !ta$ $o)&rs A (i(th ha# 'n s1+z# into on o( th!

. , , .to a))o!!o#at A$% Two !or h+ts *aint# a #i((rnt )o$or stoo# si# 'y si# On o( ths

. , ,was a &it)hn an# !ss ha$$ Th othr )ontain# toi$ts sin&s an# showrs with not a sing$ hot

.(a+)t in sight

, ,On his (irst #ay thr A$% ha# 'n intro#+)# to his training o((i)r an in)r#i'$y (it '$a)&

. ' . .srgant H was th sort o( !an who tho+ght h # sn "rything Unti$ h saw A$% An# h ha#

. " '%a!in# th nw arri"a$ (or a $ong !in+t '(or h ha# s*o&n It s not !y /o' to as&


29/113

," . " , ' ' ,1+stions h ha# sai# B+t i( it was I# want to &now what thyr thin&ing o( sn#ing !

. , ? ' . ')hi$#rn Do yo+ ha" any i#a whr yo+ ar 'oy This isn t a ho$i#ay )a!* This isn t

." . "Disny$an# H )+t th wor# into its thr sy$$a'$s an# s*at th! o+t I ha" yo+ (or tw$" #ays

. 'an# thy %*)t ! to gi" yo+ th sort o( training that sho+$# ta& (o+rtn w&s Thats not /+st

. ' ."!a# Thats s+i)i#a$

" ' ," .I #i#nt as& to ' hr A$% sai#

. " ' ,"S+##n$y th srgant was (+rio+s ,o+ #on t s*a& to ! +n$ss I gi" yo+ *r!ission h

. " , ' .' ?"sho+t# An# whn yo+ s*a& to ! yo+ a##rss ! as sir Do yo+ +n#rstan#

" , ." .,s sir A$% ha# a$ra#y #)i## that th !an was "n wors than his gogra*hy ta)hr

" ," . " ' .Thr ar (i" +nits o*rationa$ hr at th !o!nt th o((i)r wnt on ,o+ $$ /oin K Unit W

' . . . ' ,#on t +s na!s I ha" no na! ,o+ ha" no na! I( anyon as&s yo+ what yo+ r #oing yo+

. . .t$$ th! nothing So! o( th !n !ay ' har# on yo+ So! o( th! !ay rsnt yo+ 'ing hr

' . ' . ' .That s too 'a# ,o+$ $ /+st ha" to $i" with it An# thrs so!thing $s yo+ n# to &now I )an

. ' , . , ' . ,!a& a$$owan)s (or yo+ ,o+r a 'oy not a !an B+t i( yo+ )o!*$ain yo+ $$ ' 'inn# I( yo+ )ry

' . ' , ' . , ,yo+$ $ ' 'inn# I( yo+ )an t &* +* yo+$ $ ' 'inn# Btwn yo+ an# ! 'oy this is a !ista&

."an# I want to 'in yo+

, . , 'A(tr that A$% /oin# K Unit As th srgant ha# *r#i)t# thy wrn t %a)t$y o"r/oy# to s

.hi!

. , 16Thr wr (o+r o( th! As A$% was soon to #is)o"r th S*)ia$ O*rations Di"ision o( M snt

- .its agnts to th sa! training )ntr +s# 'y th S*)ia$ Air Sr"i) th SAS M+)h o( th training

.was 'as# on SAS !tho#s an# this in)$+## th n+!'rs an# !a&+* o( a)h ta! So thr

, . , .wr (o+r !n a)h with thir own s*)ia$ s&i$$s An# on 'oy s!ing$y with non

- , .Thy wr a$$ in thir !i# twntis s*ra# o+t o"r th '+n&s in )o!*aniona'$ si$n) Two o(

. - 9th! wr s!o&ing On was #is!ant$ing an# rass!'$ing his g+n a !! Browning High 0owr

. . : , , , . ,*isto$ Ea)h o( th! ha# 'n gi"n a )o# na! Wo$( Fo% Eag$ an# Sna& Fro! now on A$%

. , , .wo+$# ' &nown as C+' Th $a#r Wo$( was th on with th g+n H was short an# !+s)+$ar

, - . ,with s1+ar sho+$#rs an# '$a)& )$os )ro**# hair H ha# a han#so! (a) !a# s$ight$y

, .+n"n 'y his nos whi)h ha# 'n 'ro&n at so! ti! in th *ast

. , . "H was th (irst to s*a& 0+tting th g+n #own h %a!in# A$% with )o$# #ar& 'rown ys So

?" .who th h$$ #o yo+ thin& yo+ ar h #!an##


30/113

" ," .C+' A$% r*$i#

" !" , . " ' .A '$oo#y s)hoo$'oy Wo$( s*o& with a strang s$ight$y (orign a))nt I #on t '$i" it Ar yo+

?"with S*)ia$ O*rations

" ' ." .I! not a$$ow# to t$$ yo+ that A$% wnt o"r to his '+n& an# sat #own Th !attrss ($t as

. , .so$i# as th (ra! Ds*it th )o$# thr was on$y on '$an&t

. " ' ," . " 0Wo$( shoo& his ha# an# s!i$# h+!or$ss$y Loo& what thy " snt +s h !+ttr# Do+'$

? 0 ' ."S"n Do+'$ Nothings !or $i& it

, . 0 .A(tr that th na! st+)& Do+'$ Nothing was what thy )a$$# hi!

, , .In th #ays that (o$$ow# A$% sha#ow# th gro+* not 1+it *art o( it '+t n"r (ar away A$!ost

, . , , ."rything thy #i# h #i# H $arn# !a* ra#ing ra#io )o!!+ni)ation an# (irst ai# H too&

*art in an +nar!# )o!'at )$ass an# was &no) to th gro+n# so o(tn that it too& a$$ his nr"

.to *rs+a# hi!s$( to gt +* again

.An# thn thr was th assa+$t )o+rs Fi" ti!s h was sho+t# an# '+$$i# a)ross th night!ar

, ,o( nts an# $a##rs t+nn$s an# #it)hs towring wa$$s an# swinging tightro*s that strt)h# o+t

, , .(or a$!ost a 1+artr o( a !i$ in an# o"r th woo#$an# 'si# th h+ts A$% tho+ght o( it as th

. ,a#"nt+r *$aygro+n# (ro! h$$ Th (irst ti! h tri# it h ($$ o(( a ro* an# into a *it (i$$# with. , .(rzing s$i! Ha$( #rown# an# (i$thy h ha# 'n snt 'a)& to th start 'y th srgant A$%

, - ,tho+ght h wo+$# n"r gt to th n# '+t th s)on# ti! h (inish# it in twnty (i" !in+ts

.whi)h h ha# )+t to s"ntn !in+ts 'y th n# o( th w& Br+is# an# %ha+st# tho+gh h

, . .was h was 1+it$y *$as# with hi!s$( E"n Wo$( on$y !anag# it in tw$"

. ,Wo$( r!ain# a)ti"$y hosti$ towar# A$% Th othr thr !n si!*$y ignor# hi! '+t Wo$( #i#

."rything to ta+nt or h+!i$iat hi! It was as i( A$% ha# so!how ins+$t# hi! 'y 'ing *$a)# in

. , , , 'th gro+* On) )raw$ing +n#r th nts Wo$( $ash# o+t with his (oot !issing A$% s (a) 'y an

. .in)h O( )o+rs h wo+$# ha" sai# it was an a))i#nt i( th 'oot ha# )onn)t# Anothr ti! h

, , ,was !or s+))ss(+$ tri**ing A$% +* in th !ss ha$$ an# sn#ing hi! ($ying a$ong with his tray

, . ,)+t$ry an# sta!ing *$at o( stw An# "ry ti! h s*o& to A$% h +s# th sa! snring

.ton o( "oi)

" , 0 . ' ."3oo# night Do+'$ Nothing Dont wt th '#


31/113

. 'A$% 'it his $i* an# sai# nothing B+t h was g$a# whn th (o+r !n wr snt o(( (or a #ay s

- ' ./+ng$ s+r"i"a$ )o+rs this wasn t *art o( his own training E"n tho+gh th srgant wor hi!

, .twi) as har# on) thy wr gon A$% *r(rr# to ' on his own

, .B+t on th tnth #ay Wo$( #i# )o! )$os to (inishing hi! a$togthr It ha**n# in th Ki$$ing

.Ho+s

- -Th Ki$$ing Ho+s was a (a& a !o)& +* o( an !'assy +s# to train th SAS in th art o( hostag

. ,r$as A$% ha# twi) wat)h# K Unit go into th ho+s th (irst ti! swinging #own (ro! th

, - . .roo( an# ha# (o$$ow# thir *rogrss on )$os# )ir)+it TV A$$ (o+r !n wr ar!# A$% hi!s$(

' ' .#i#n t ta& *art ')a+s so!on so!whr ha# #)i## h sho+$#n t )arry a g+n Insi# th

, .Ki$$ing Ho+s !ann1+ins ha# 'n arrang# as trrorists an# hostags S!ashing #own th #oors

, , , , ,an# +sing st+n grna#s to )$ar th roo!s with #a(ning !+$ti*$ '$asts Wo$( Fo% Eag$ an#

.Sna& ha# s+))ss(+$$y )o!*$t# thir !ission 'oth ti!s

. - . ' .This ti! A$% ha# /oin# th! Th Ki$$ing Ho+s ha# 'n 'oo'y tra**# Thy wrn t to$# how

.A$$ (i" o( th! wr +nar!# Thir /o' was si!*$y to gt (ro! on n# o( th ho+s to th othr

" ."witho+t 'ing &i$$#

. , ,Thy a$!ost !a# it In th (irst roo! !a# +* to $oo& $i& a h+g #ining roo! thy (o+n# th

.*rss+r *a#s +n#r th )ar*t an# th in(rar# 'a!s a)ross th #oors For A$% it was an ri

, , ,%*rin) ti*toing 'hin# th othr (o+r !n wat)hing as thy #is!ant$# th two #"i)s

.+sing )igartt s!o& to %*os th othrwis in"isi'$ 'a! It was strang to ' a(rai# o(. ,"rything an# yt to s nothing In th ha$$way thr was a !otion #t)tor whi)h wo+$# ha"

( ) .a)ti"at# a !a)hin g+n A$% ass+!# it was $oa## with '$an&s 'hin# a 2a*ans s)rn Th

. , ,thir# roo! was !*ty Th (o+rth was a $i"ing roo! with th %it a *air o( Frn)h win#ows on th

. , ,othr si# Thr was a tri* wir 'ar$y thi)&r than a h+!an hair r+nning th ntir wi#th o( th

, . ,roo! an# th Frn)h win#ows wr a$ar!# Whi$ Sna& #a$t with th a$ar! Fo% an# Eag$

,*r*ar# to n+tra$iz th tri* wir +n)$i**ing an $)troni) )ir)+it 'oar# an# a "arity o(

.too$s (ro! thir '$ts

. " . ' ." , .Wo$( sto**# th! La" it W r o+t o( hr At th sa! !o!nt Sna& signa$#

. .H ha# #a)ti"at# th a$ar! Th Frn)h win#ows wr o*n

. . ,Sna& was th (irst o+t Thn Fo% an# Eag$ A$% wo+$# ha" 'n th $ast to $a" th roo! '+t

, ./+st as h ra)h# th %it h (o+n# Wo$( '$o)&ing his way


32/113

" , 0 ," . , .To+gh $+)& Do+'$ Nothing Wo$( sai# His "oi) was so(t a$!ost &in#

, ' ,Th n%t thing A$% &nw th h$ o( Wo$( s *a$! ha# ra!!# into his )hst *+shing hi! 'a)&

. , , ,with astonishing (or) Ta&n 'y s+r*ris h $ost his 'a$an) an# ($$ r!!'r# th tri* wir

. . .an# tri# to twist his 'o#y to a"oi# it B+t it was ho*$ss His ($ai$ing $(t han# )a+ght th wir H

. , .a)t+a$$y ($t it against his wrist H hit th ($oor *+$$ing th wir with hi!

-Th tri* wir a)ti"at# a st+n grna# a s!a$$ #"i) (i$$# with a !i%t+r o( !agnsi+! *ow#r

. ' ,an# !r)+ry (+$!inat Th '$ast #i#n t /+st #a(n A$% it sh+##r# right thro+gh hi! as i( trying

. .to ri* o+t his hart Th $ight (ro! th ignit# !r)+ry '+rn# (or a (+$$ (i" s)on#s It was so

.'$in#ing that "n )$osing his ys !a# no #i((rn) A$% $ay thr with his (a) against th har#

, , , .woo#n ($oor his han#s s)ra''$ing against his ha# +na'$ to !o" waiting (or it to n#

' . ,B+t "n thn it wasn t o"r Whn th ($ar (ina$$y #i# #own it was as i( a$$ th $ight in th roo!

. , ,ha# '+rn# o+t with it A$% st+!'$# to his (t +na'$ to s or har not "n s+r any!or

. . .whr h was H ($t si)& to his sto!a)h Th roo! sway# aro+n# hi! Th ha"y s!$$ o(

.)h!i)a$s h+ng in th air

. ,Tn !in+ts $atr h staggr# o+t into th o*n Wo$( was waiting (or hi! with th othrs his

. . '(a) '$an& H ha# s$i**# o+t '(or A$% hit th gro+n# Th +nits training o((i)r wa$ angri$y

. ' ' 'o"r to hi! A$% ha#n t %*)t# to s a shr# o( )on)rn in th !an s (a) an# h wasn t

.#isa**oint#

" , ?" . ' ,Do yo+ want to t$$ ! what ha**n# in thr C+' h #!an## Whn A$% #i#n t answr h

. " . . . 'wnt on ,o+ r+in# th %r)is ,o+ (o+$# +* ,o+ )o+$# gt th who$ +nit 'inn# So yo+ #

."'ttr start t$$ing ! what wnt wrong

. . ?A$% g$an)# at Wo$( Wo$( $oo th othr way What sho+$# h say Sho+$# h "n try to t$$

?th tr+th

" ?" .W$$ Th srgant was waiting

" , ," . " ' .Nothing ha**n# sir A$% sai# I /+st wasn t $oo&ing whr I was going I st**# on so!thing

."an# thr was an %*$osion

" , ' ," . " ?I( that was ra$ $i( yo+# ' #a# th srgant sai# What #i# I t$$ yo+ Sn#ing ! a )hi$#

. , ' ' ... ' ! "was a !ista& An# a st+*i# )$+!sy )hi$# who #osn t $oo& whr hs going thats "n wors


33/113

. . ,A$% stoo# whr h was H &nw h was '$+shing Ha$( o( hi! want# to answr 'a)& '+t h 'it

. , .his tong+ O+t o( th )ornr o( his y h )o+$# s Wo$( ha$( s!i$ing

. " ' , ? .Th srgant ha# sn it too ,o+ thin& its so (+nny Wo$( ,o+ )an go )$an +* in thr An#

' . . ' - .tonight yo+ # 'ttr gt so! rst A$$ o( yo+ B)a+s to!orrow yo+ " got a thirty !i$ hi& No

. . . . , 'rations No $ightrs No (ir This is a s+r"i"a$ )o+rs An# i( yo+ #o s+r"i" thn !ay' yo+ $$ ha"

."a rason to s!i$

, - .A$% r!!'r# th wor#s now %a)t$y twnty (o+r ho+rs $atr H ha# s*nt th $ast $"n o(

, .th! on his (t (o$$owing th trai$ that th srgant ha# st o+t (or hi! on th !a* Th %r)is

' - .ha# 'g+n at si% o )$o)& in th !orning a(tr a gray $it 'ra&(ast o( sa+sags an# 'ans Wo$( an#

,th othrs ha# #isa**ar# into th #istan) aha# o( hi! a $ong ti! ago "n tho+gh thy ha#

55- .'n gi"n *o+n# 'a)&*a)&s to )arry Thy ha# a$so 'n gi"n on$y ight ho+rs to )o!*$t

. , .th )o+rs A$$owing (or his ag A$% ha# 'n gi"n tw$"

, . .H ro+n## a )ornr his (t s)r+n)hing on th gra"$ Thr was so!on stan#ing aha# o( hi!

.It was th srgant H ha# /+st $it a )igartt an# A$% wat)h# hi! s$i# th !at)hs 'a)& into

.his *o)&t Sing hi! thr 'ro+ght 'a)& th sha! an# th angr o( th #ay '(or an# at th

. , , . ,sa! ti! sa**# th $ast o( his strngth S+##n$y A$% ha# ha# no+gh o( B$+nt Mrs 2ons

. . . .Wo$( th who$ st+*i# thing With a (ina$ ((ort h st+!'$# (orwar# th $ast h+n#r# yar#s an#

. . , ,)a! to a ha$t Rain an# swat tri)&$# #own th si# o( his (a) His hair #ar& now with gri!

.was g$+# a)ross his (orha#

. " , . ' , .Th srgant $oo at his wat)h E$"n ho+rs (i" !in+ts Thats not 'a# C+' B+t th othrs

."wr hr thr ho+rs ago

, . ' .B+$$y (or th! A$% tho+ght H #i#n t say anything

" , ," . " ' ."Anyway yo+ sho+$# /+st !a& it to th (irst RV th srgant wnt on It s +* thr

. . .H *oint# to a wa$$ Not a s$o*ing wa$$ A shr on So$i# ro)& rising two or thr h+n#r# (t +*

. , .witho+t a han#ho$# or a (ootho$# in sight E"n $oo&ing at it A$% ($t his sto!a)h shrin& Ian Ri#r

... , , .ha# ta&n hi! )$i!'ing in S)ot$an# in Fran) a$$ o"r E+ro* B+t h ha# n"r att!*t#

. . .anything as #i((i)+$t as this Not on his own Not whn h was so tir#

" ' ," . .I )an t h sai# In th n# th two wor#s )a! o+t asi$y

" ' ," .I #i#n t har that th srgant sai#


34/113

" , ' , ."I sai# I )an t #o it sir

" ' ' ."Can t isn t a wor# w +s aro+n# hr

" ' . ' . ' . ' . ' .I #on t )ar I " ha# no+gh I " /+st ha# - A$% s "oi) )ra) H #i#nt tr+st hi!s$( to go on

, , .H stoo# thr )o$# an# !*ty waiting (or th a% to (a$$

' . . . "B+t it #i#n t Th srgant gaz# at hi! (or a $ong !in+t H no### his ha# s$ow$y Listn to

, ," . " ."! C+' h sai# I &now what ha**n# in th Ki$$ing Ho+s

.A$% g$an)# +*

" - ' ."Wo$( (orgot a'o+t th )$os# )ir)+it TV W " got it a$$ on (i$!

" -?" .Thn why A$% 'gan

" , ?"Di# yo+ !a& a )o!*$aint against hi! C+'

" , ."No sir

" , ?"Do yo+ want to !a& a )o!*$aint against hi! C+'

. . . . " , ."A *a+s Thn No sir

" ." , . " '3oo# Th srgant *oint# at th ro)& (a) s+ggsting a *ath +* with his (ingr Its not as

," . " ' . '#i((i)+$t as it $oo&s h sai# An# thy r waiting (or yo+ /+st o"r th to* ,o+ " got a ni) )o$#

. . ' ."#innr S+r"i"a$ rations ,o+ #on t want to !iss that

. ,A$% #rw a #* 'rath an# start# (orwar# As h *ass# th srgant h st+!'$# an# *+t o+t

, . " , . . .a han# to sta#y hi!s$( 'r+shing against hi! Sorry sir - h sai#

,It too& hi! twnty !in+ts to ra)h th to* an# s+r no+gh K Unit was a$ra#y thr )ro+)hing

.aro+n# thr s!a$$ tnts that thy !+st ha" *it)h# ar$ir in th a(trnoon Two /+st $arg

. , , .no+gh (or sharing On th s!a$$st (or A$%

, , - , .Sna& a thin (air hair# !an who s*o& with a S)ottish a))nt $oo +* at A$% H ha# a tin o(

, . " ' ' ," . ')o$# stw in on han# a tas*oon in th othr I #i#nt thin& yo+# !a& it h sai# A$% )o+$#n t


35/113

' . 'h$* '+t noti) a )rtain war!th in th !an s "oi) An# (or th (irst ti! h ha#n t )a$$# hi!

0 .Do+'$ Nothing

" ," .Nor #i# I A$% sai#

,Wo$( was s1+atting o"r what h ho*# wo+$# ')o! a )a!*(ir trying to gt it start# with two

. .($int stons whi$ Fo% an# Eag$ wat)h# H was gtting nowhr Th stons on$y *ro#+)# th

s!a$$st o( s*ar&s an# th s)ra*s o( nws*a*r an# $a"s that h ha# )o$$)t# wr a$ra#y (ar

. . , .too wt Wo$( str+)& at th stons again an# again Th othrs wat)h# thir (a)s g$+!

A$% h$# o+t th 'o% o( !at)hs that h ha# *i)&*o)&t# (ro! th srgant whn h ha#

. " ," .*rtn## to st+!'$ at th (oot o( th ro)& (a) Ths !ight h$* h sai# H thrw th

, .!at)hs #own thn wnt into his tnt

'TO,S AREN T US

, . .IN THE LONDON OFFICE Mrs 2ons sat waiting whi$ A$an B$+nt ra# th r*ort Th s+n was

. .shining A *igon was str+tting 'a)& an# (orth a$ong th $#g o+tsi# as i( it wr &*ing g+ar#

" ' ," . " , ." . "Hs #oing "ry w$$ B$+nt sai# at $ast R!ar&a'$y w$$ in (a)t H t+rn# a *ag I s h

."!iss# targt *ra)ti)

" ?" . .Wr yo+ *$anning to gi" hi! a g+n Mrs 2ons as

" . ' ."No I #on t thin& that wo+$# ' a goo# i#a

" ?"Thn why #os h n# targt *ra)ti)

. " ' ," . " , 'B$+nt rais# an y'row W )ant gi" a tnagr a g+n h sai# On th othr han# I #ont

- . ' ."thin& w )an sn# hi! to 0ort Ta$$on !*ty han## ,o+ # 'ttr ha" a wor# with S!ithrs

" . ' ."I a$ra#y ha" Hs wor&ing on it now

. . . " 'Mrs 2ons stoo# +* as i( to $a" B+t at th #oor sh hsitat# I won#r i( its o))+rr# to yo+

?" .that Ri#r !ay ha" 'n *r*aring hi! (or this a$$ a$ong sh sai#

" ?"What #o yo+ !an


36/113

" . , '0r*aring A$% to r*$a) hi! E"r sin) th 'oy was o$# no+gh to wa$& hs 'n 'ing train#

... . , ' ,(or int$$ign) wor& '+t witho+t &nowing it I !an h s $i"# a'roa# so h now s*a&s Frn)h

, . ' , , . ' .3r!an an# S*anish H s 'n !o+ntain )$i!'ing #i"ing an# s&iing H s $arn# &arat

' ." . " ."0hysi)a$$y h s in *r()t sha* Sh shr+gg# I thin& Ri#r want# A$% to ')o! a s*y

" ," .B+t not so soon B$+nt sai#

" . , - ' . ,I agr ,o+ &now as w$$ as I #o A$an hs not ra#y yt I( w sn# hi! into Say$ Entr*riss

' ."hs going to gt hi!s$( &i$$#

" ." , - - .0rha*s Th sing$ wor# was )o$# !attr o( (a)t

" ' ! ' ."H s (o+rtn yars o$# W )an t #o it

" ." , .W ha" to B$+nt stoo# +* an# o*n# th win#ow $tting in th air an# th so+n# o( th tra((i)

, . " ," . "Th *igon h+r$# its$( o(( th $#g a(rai# o( hi! This who$ '+sinss worris ! h sai# Th

... .*ri! !inistr ss th Stor!'ra&rs as a !a/or )o+* (or hi!s$( an# (or his go"rn!nt B+t

' ' .thr s sti$$ so!thing a'o+t Hro# Say$ that I #ont $i& Di# yo+ t$$ th 'oy a'o+t ,assn

?"3rgoro"i)h

" ." . .No Mrs 2ons shoo& hr ha#

" ' . . ' .Thn its ti! yo+ #i# It was ,assn who &i$$# his +n)$ I! s+r o( it An# i( ,assn . . ."was wor&ing (or Say$

" ?"What wi$$ yo+ #o i( ,assn &i$$s A$% Ri#r

" ' , . . ,That s not o+r *ro'$! Mrs 2ons I( th 'oy gts hi!s$( &i$$# at $ast it wi$$ ' th (ina$ *roo(

. 'that thr is so!thing wrong At th "ry $ast it$$ a$$ow ! to *ost*on th Stor!'ra&r *ro/)t

' . ,an# ta& a goo# har# $oo& at whats going on at 0ort Ta$$on In a way it wo+$# a$!ost h$* +s i( h

."was &i$$#

" ' . ' . ' ." .Th 'oys not ra#y yt H$ $ !a& !ista&s It wont ta& th! $ong to (in# o+t who h is Mrs

. " ' ."2ons sigh# I #on t thin& A$% has got !+)h )han) at a$$

" ." . .I agr B$+nt t+rn# 'a)& (ro! th win#ow Th s+n s$ant# o"r his sho+$#r A sing$ sha#ow

. " ' ," . " .($$ a)ross his (a) B+t its too $at to worry a'o+t that now h sai# W ha" no !or ti!

. ."Sto* th training now Sn# hi! in


37/113

- -130 ,A$% sat h+n)h# +* in th 'a)& o( th $ow ($ying C !i$itary air)ra(t his sto!a)h )h+rning

. .'hin# his &ns Thr wr $"n !n sitting in two $ins aro+n# hi! His own +nit an# two

. , ,othrs For an ho+r now th *$an ha# 'n ($ying at /+st thr h+n#r# (t (o$$owing th W$sh

, ."a$$ys #i**ing an# swr"ing to a"oi# th !o+ntain *a&s A sing$ '+$' g$ow# r# 'hin# a wir

, . .!sh a##ing to th hat in th )ra!*# )a'in A$% )o+$# ($ th ngins "i'rating thro+gh hi!

.It was $i& tra"$ing in a s*in #ryr an# !i)rowa" o"n )o!'in#

Th tho+ght o( /+!*ing o+t o( a *$an with an o"rsiz si$& +!'r$$a wo+$# ha" !a# A$% si)&

- ' ' .with (ar '+t on$y that !orning h # 'n to$# that h wo+$#n t in (a)t ' /+!*ing A !ssag (ro!

. ' , ,Lon#on Thy )o+$#n t ris& hi! 'ra&ing a $g it sai# an# A$% g+ss# that th n# o( his training

. , ' , ,was nar E"n so h# 'n ta+ght how to *a)& a *ara)h+t how to )ontro$ it how to %it a

, .*$an an# how to $an# An# at th n# o( th #ay th srgant ha# instr+)t# hi! to /oin th

- . , , . '($ight /+st (or th %*rin) Now )$os to th #ro* zon A$% ($t a$!ost #isa**oint# H #

' .wat)h "ryon $s /+!* an# thn h# ' $(t a$on

" . . ."0 !in+s (i"

, . .Th "oi) o( th *i$ot )a! o"r th s*a&r syst! #istant an# !ta$$i) A$% gritt# his tth

. , ,Fi" !in+ts +nti$ th /+!* H $oo at th othr !n sh+(($ing into *osition )h)&ing th )or#s

. . ,that )onn)t# th! to th stati) $in H was sitting n%t to Wo$( To his s+r*ris th !an was

, . ,)o!*$t$y 1+it +n!o"ing It was har# to t$$ in th ha$( #ar&nss '+t th $oo& on his (a) )o+$#

.a$!ost ha" 'n (ar

.Thr was a $o+# '+zz an# th r# $ight t+rn# grn Th assistant *i$ot ha# )$i!'# thro+gh (ro!

. ,th )o)&*it H ra)h# (or a han#$ an# *+$$# o*n a #oor st in th 'a)& o( th air)ra(t a$$owing

. . . .th )o$# air to r+sh in A$% )o+$# s a sing$ s1+ar o( night It was raining Th rain how$# *ast

.Th grn $ight 'gan to ($ash Th assistant *i$ot ta**# th (irst *air on thir sho+$#rs an# A$%

.wat)h# th! sh+(($ o"r to th si# an# thn throw th!s$"s o+t For a !o!nt thy wr

, .thr (rozn in th #oorway Thn thy wr gon $i& a *hotogra*h )r+!*$# an# s*+n away 'y

. . . -th win# Two !or !n (o$$ow# Thn anothr two Wo$( wo+$# ' th $ast to $a" an# with

.A$% not /+!*ing h wo+$# ' on his own

. .It too& $ss than a !in+t S+##n$y A$% was awar that on$y h an# Wo$( wr $(t

" !" .Mo" it th assistant *i$ot sho+t# a'o" th roar o( th ngins


38/113

. ' .Wo$( *i) hi!s$( +* His ys 'ri($y !t A$% s an# in that !o!nt A$% &nw Wo$( was a

. - -*o*+$ar $a#r H was to+gh an# h was (ast )o!*$ting a thirty !i$ hi& as i( it wr /+st a stro$$

Alex Rider 1 - Stormbreaker

Documents

Transcript of Alex Rider 1 - Stormbreaker