Payback. Part 22

Adult t.i.tles by Andy McNab

BRAVO TWO ZERO

IMMEDIATE ACTION

AGGRESSOR

CRISIS FOUR

DARK WINTER

DEEP BLACK

FIREWALL

LAST LIGHT

LIBERATION DAY

RECOIL

REMOTE CONTROL

Also by Robert Rigby

GOAL!

The official tie-in novelization of the movie

Some time later...

It was a small, family-run hotel just outside Oxford. The attractive ivy-walled building stood in its own neat grounds, but as Danny and Elena helped Fergus from the MPV into his wheelchair, the last thing on their minds was the look of the place. They were exhausted after a hard day of tradecraft training, and all they were thinking of was a quick bite to eat and an early night.

With so much to learn, absorb and remember, the time had pa.s.sed swiftly. Even from his hospital bed, Fergus had insisted he be fully involved in their preparation. He was worried; there was too much for them to take in, too quickly.

He was just about fit enough now to be pushed around in a wheelchair, but as they waited in the reception area, he could see that both Danny and Elena looked worn out. It was yet another worry; tiredness could mean a lack of focus and concentration.

A smiling woman of around fifty emerged from the room behind the reception desk. 'Good evening.'

'We have rooms booked,' said Fergus.

'Yes, we've been expecting you. Could you fill in these cards for me, please? One each.' She pa.s.sed one to Danny. 'Thank you, sir.'

Danny smiled as he picked up the only pen on the desktop and began filling in the card; he wasn't used to being called 'sir.'

The woman watched him and chatted on in a friendly way. 'Been a lovely day, hasn't it? I hope the traffic wasn't too awful for you; they say we'll have to wait another ten years for the by-pa.s.s. It takes me so so long to get into Oxford. All those lorries, and the parking! It drives me mad.' long to get into Oxford. All those lorries, and the parking! It drives me mad.'

Danny finished filling in the card, slid it across the desktop and handed the pen to Elena as the woman picked up the card. She took one quick look at it and held it up to Fergus. Her smile had disappeared.

'Stop!' shouted Fergus at Elena before she could start filling in her card. 'What did he do wrong? And what have you just done wrong?'

'I... I don't know.'

Fergus moved the wheelchair forward and grabbed the card his grandson had completed. 'Look at the signature!' he bawled at Danny. You signed Watts! What's your name now!'

'Wilkins. Danny Wilkins. But I thought-'

'You didn't think! You just picked up the pen and started writing. And you forgot everything I've told you.' He nodded towards the woman behind the reception desk, who was shaking her head disapprovingly. 'Laura didn't even give you the full works. You made it easy for her.'

'But I'm knackered and I wasn't thinking,' said Danny.

'Well, start thinking. Until this is over, you are no longer Danny Watts. You're Danny Wilkins, wherever you are and whoever you're with.'

'Look, I'm sorry.'

'Sorry won't be good enough if you make the same mistake on the outside.' He turned to Elena. 'And what did I tell you about pens?'

'Always take it or pick it up with my left hand. I know I didn't, but it was Danny and-'

Fergus wasn't interested in excuses. 'Why? Why are you meant to do that?'

Elena sighed. 'Because it gives me time to think as I put it into my right hand. It's a reminder that I'm not Elena Omolodon any more.'

'It's just one one of your reminders. The clothes you wouldn't normally wear, your watch on the opposite wrist they're all reminders. You both of your reminders. The clothes you wouldn't normally wear, your watch on the opposite wrist they're all reminders. You both have have to remember your tradecraft: it's vital.' to remember your tradecraft: it's vital.'

Danny and Elena exchanged a look. They knew they had messed up, but before they could offer any further lame excuses, Marcie Deveraux walked through the entrance door carrying the keys to the MPV.

Fergus glared at Danny. 'Her name? What is it?'

'Marcie Davenport,' said Danny.

Fergus nodded and turned to Elena. 'And she is?'

'My aunt. My mum's sister.'

'Good. Remember it. And get to know this place, and Laura and her husband. This is your new home, your alias cover address. And no more mistakes. Because the next one could be the last one you ever make.'

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