Pursuit of the Patriarchs

Chapter 3

Maggie made a brief stop to either check to see if she was being followed or meet with someone at an abandoned shop before making her way to the marina. Johnathon was told it was an abandoned shop by William that would be checked later once it was safe, but no one believed they'd find anything.

The drone had been sent once whatever ship she was on left the marina. Like the car, the image of the ship was a blur of white. It was impossible to tell anything more, including how many were on board.

There was thick clouds making it was a dark night off the coast of Brighton, but the drone made it appear as if it was a clear day as it hugged the water and made its way around the Isle of Wight. He had never seen the drone in action, but was told it was quiet and no one would hear anything.

It sped along the water that almost glowed blue on the monitor and began a slow circle around the white ship that could only be a yacht. Just because the satellites couldn't spot another boat, doesn't mean there weren't others close by.

The name of the ship, Gallows, could be read clearly, but no one had any recognition. Keys were clicking away to find out who owned the yacht.

Reports started to come in of an abandoned car that had been set on fire close to where Maggie had stopped, which would explain the delay. Whatever evidence it held was gone and suspected another car would be found close to the marina in much the same condition.

They held their collective breaths with the hopes that lack of rain would have people on the deck. It was a cruelly slow process before they saw two men and a woman talking without being aware anyone was watching.

Maggie's voice was recognized by the others, but he recognized her face. The drone was too far away to hear anything clearly. Their conversation was being recorded and would be filtered to listen to later.

Donna pointed to a monitor to a man with gray streaks in his brown hair and glasses. "Is that..."

She was cut off by William. "Lord Arthur Mosely, leader of the Labour Party and vocal critic of anti-Semites within his own party."

Johnathon was more interested in the man with short, red hair and green eyes. He knew that face, but couldn't place it.

It was like a strike to the gut when it hit him. He was staring at a man who was supposed to be dead. A Romanian spy called Simeon, and just like Maggie, had no idea what his real name was.

The SRI had a deserved reputation for their nasty streak and Simeon was considered one of the worst they ever produced. It was believed they had him killed due to just how brutal his methods were, but there he was. The world was a little less safe with that monster still in it.

He didn't need to hear his voice to know it had been Simeon watching among the homeless, since he always did enjoy his work and liked to see the results.

Johnathon didn't wait to be prompted. "I'll take your word for it that he's Lord Mosely." His finger pointed to the other man. "This one is Simeon of the SRI and supposed to be dead."