First Storm by E.G. Ellory

Author:E.G. Ellory [Ellory, E.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-10T22:00:00+00:00

7

Shadow Surveillance

The spacious, third-floor bedroom offers a welcome respite, a feeling of temporary solace helped by the attention given to my leg wound by one of the many nameless presences inhabiting this sprawling country estate. The bedroom, like the other rooms I’ve been privy to, works hard at establishing authenticity from the original sash windows to the exposed stone walls - all of which gives the impression of rustic comfort.

Comfort is something to be welcomed, if only temporarily, for now there are new targets in play … an elite trio who use their power and wealth to destabilise their own country for financial gain. Ingram has limited the intelligence on them beyond what was offered in the library earlier: in essence, a small pool of power causing various levels of fear and destruction across England. Destruction comes in many forms, however, as each of them will soon find out.

The southern climate is temperate, a cold breeze finding the familiar vulnerabilities in the sash windows whilst banks of clouds hover over the Cotswold landscape, providing a picturesque view of the English countryside. As I inspect the selection of shirts, blazers and trousers inside the wardrobe, I cast my mind back to Ariel Drummer, the red-headed agent I was assigned to bring in.

Her irreverent nature interests me, particularly the way in which she made light of Ingram’s detachment and display of authority in Cheltenham. If she’s back in the field, she’s clean, having passed the organisation’s debriefing from the fallout of Alexander Rowe’s intelligence-for-sale operation.

Drummer is unlike the other shadow agents in the field; there’s a warmth and conviviality which is typically frowned upon - a desire to develop a level of intimacy or, at least, this is my impression.

Maybe this is one of the many guises she adopts with men - the mild flirtation and pretence of interest creating a perception of chemistry which doesn’t actually exist. Ingram is the master of suggestion, and if Drummer was a student of his, she will also have the same ability to create platforms that people willingly step onto.

A ruse or not, I’m interested to see her in the field, tracking one of the trio whilst my fake credentials are created to get me into Dominic Hass’ security detail. With us both in play, it won’t take long to find out if she’s going to make a good dance partner.

This dance will be more intricate than Alexander Rowe or Sennel, agents who mirror my training. Instead, it will be a matter of moving with the enemy until the green light is given to strike: ‘a gradual dismantling’ as Ingram likes to put it, seemingly relishing the forthcoming reminder to the mighty of how far they can fall.

Resting on the double bed, I listen to the sound of wildlife beyond the window whilst preparing myself to re-enter the field as the ghost no-one sees coming, ready to disrupt their best laid plans.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.