The Spying Game

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Lucas observed the woman opposite him. Her face was scrubbed clean of makeup and she was wearing oversized clothes, both of which served to make her look younger than she had at their previous meetings.

"You wanted to see me, didn't you?" he asked, smiling at her surprise.

"Well yes but aren't you worried about... you know?"

"You aren't being watched. You are still bugged, that's how I found you, but no one has eyeballs on you."

"How do you know?"

"It's my job to know stuff like that."

"Okay."

The shop owner, Mrs Wilson came over then, curious about Ronni's companion.

"Can I get you a tea or coffee?" she asked Lucas.

"A pot of tea would be lovely, thank you." Lucas smiled at her.

"Me too," Ronnie added, and since Mrs Wilson was clearly angling for a introduction, Ronni did so. "This is Lucas, a friend of mine. He's the only who cut my cheek bone a few months ago, remember?" She flashed Lucas a pointed look, letting him know how easily she could dispel the charming façade he was putting on for her friend.

Mrs Wilson tutted. "You must be more careful," she chided Lucas. "Tennis racquets are dangerous things and it'd be a shame to ruin such pretty face like Ronni's."

"Yes, how clumsy of me." He smiled but it was tight.

Mrs Wilson left to make their tea and Lucas turned back to Ronni.

"So why did you want to see me?" he asked.

"Can we talk here?"

"If you keep your voice low."

"Great, so have you been getting Harry's messages?"

"I have," he sounded guarded.

"Well they have a real problem, one they need your help with."

"I'm sure. Or, of course, it could just be a ruse to catch me."

"I'm fairly sure it isn't. Have they told you what they want you to do?"

"Basically, and even if I was inclined to help, I can't go back there."

"I know." She saw the pain cross his features and she reached out to place her hand over his. "But this is serious. The asset they have is... Well, the equivalent of M from James Bond."

His eyes widened.

"The director general?"

She nodded.

"Of five or six?"

"Five."

"Jesus!" He ran a hand over his face. "And Harry told you this?"

"No, he just said an asset but putting the dates together, I remembered hearing that he was taken ill."

"Did Harry confirm your suspicion?"

"He said he couldn't confirm or deny it."

"Shit! How long have they had him?"

"Almost three weeks."

"He won't last, they'll break him, assuming they haven't already."

"That's what Harry's worried about. He said to tell you that they'll reinstate you, give you all the help you need, and he gave me his word that you wouldn't be charged over... what happened at the embassy."