The Alicia Myles Series Boxset 1 by David Leadbeater

Author:David Leadbeater [Leadbeater, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-16T22:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

Crouch beckoned Alicia into the tunnel. “Hurry up! I’ve carried out my fair share of missions in Venice. I know just where to go.”

Alicia ran, following the team onto Calle Frezzeria, still only a few street changes away from St. Mark’s Square. Within minutes they were passing a vaporetto stop. Crouch slowed drastically for the water bus.

“Rio del Mancanton,” he said. “Other side of the Grand Canal, and hurry!”

Money flashed, changed hands quickly. Russo didn’t even try to explain Healey’s situation, just laid the young soldier onto the bottom of the boat and hunched over him. Alicia analyzed their perimeter, as sure as she could be that they hadn’t been spotted. How far did Riley’s nasty little feelers reach?

Guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Caitlyn was on her hands and knees beside Russo. “Zack! Can you hear me?”

Alicia dropped down. Healey’s face was ashen and, oddly, even more boyish than usual. Alicia had heard reports of soldiers looking peaceful in death, fresher, but had never seen one until now.

“Oh, no.”

Coming on the back of Komodo’s shocking death this was almost enough to tip her over. Black spots started to fill her vision. Her breath shortened and a sense of rage began to take control.

Then Russo said, “He’s alive.”

Alicia felt a rush of hope. “Get down there, Caitlyn,” she breathed. “Just snog that little bastard back to life if you have to. Whatever it takes.”

Russo gently turned Healey’s face away from the darkening skies. Alicia observed the tender gesture and fought down a surge of affection for the rough soldier. Now wasn’t the time.

Their craft was cutting swiftly through the waters, closing in on its destination. Rio del Malcanton was situated in one of the seedier parts of Venice, not entirely safe during the nocturnal hours, but even that was not without its benefits. Crouch directed their gondolier where to dock and urged them all into the shadows as quickly as possible.

“It would be easier if all our phones and equipment hadn’t just drowned,” he said. “But I think I can still find my way around.” After a moment he added, “Hopefully this place is still functioning.”

Russo hefted Healey. Crouch led the way, threading through an ever-darkening series of streets before pausing outside a dilapidated bakery. Alicia could hear footfalls behind them, and smell the ever-present scent of decay in the air. The bakery stood at the top of a short flight of steps, its windows barred and its door strengthened with metal strapping. When Crouch knocked Alicia saw a face momentarily loom at the window. The footfalls at their backs had paused for now, but she sensed a presence, more than one, watching and waiting.

Not Riley’s boys, she thought. They’d have nuked the place by now.

A voice enquired about their business. Crouch replied quietly, mentioning his name and what sounded like a password. Alicia suddenly knew where they were—one of the many MI5 safe houses around the world, most maintained with fully equipped dorms, cells, medical facilities, surveillance and interrogation rooms, and unmarked vehicles.

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.