The Enemy by Tom Wood

Author:Tom Wood
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Thrillers, Suspense, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 1847444504
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2012-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 34

Victor checked the kill team leader's cell phone as he walked among the consumers and travellers. It had the marks of a well-used personal phone, not a sterile item purchased for a specific job. That confirmed what he already knew - these guys weren't elite operators. But there were still four of them and a bullet that found its mark still killed regardless of the shooter's qualifications. Victor opened up the call history on the tall man's cell and dialled the most recent number.

A man he took to be Petrenko answered in Russian after the second ring. In a cautious tone he said, 'Yes?'

Victor didn't speak. He listened to the background noise. He could hear Petrenko's breathing, the echoing sound of a public address system, the hustle of commuters. There was no public address system currently sounding in the mall area but he could just about make one out as it drifted through the air from the main concourse. Victor headed towards the escalators. He kept his eyes moving, checking ahead, his flanks, reflections, anyone looking his way.

'It's you,' Petrenko said.

He sounded surprised but controlled. Intrigued and scared at the same time. His voice carried the accent of a well-spoken Minsk resident, an educated man, wealthy. Victor heard the click of fingers close to Petrenko's phone. He pictured the Belarusian gesturing and mouthing to the freelancer not in the mall. In the background the public address system continued to broadcast its message. Someone had parked their car in the wrong place and it needed moving. Victor heard the clatter of cutlery or coffee cups - he guessed from someone clearing a table near to Petrenko.

'That's right,' Victor said back.

He walked briskly, always looking for signs of his enemies but seeing no one.

'How did you get this number?' Petrenko asked.

'How do you think?'

A pause, then, 'What do you want?'

'To ask you some questions.'

'Go ahead.'

'Face to face.'

Petrenko laughed briefly. 'I'm sure you do. Why don't you meet me in the parking lot? We can go for a drive and talk in my car, about whatever you'd like.'

Victor reached the escalators. He gazed down at the concourse to where a number of cafes and eateries were clustered together. Dozens of people sat at tables drinking, dozens more walked past in an ever-moving mass. No sign of Petrenko.

Victor held the phone at arm's length in the direction of the concourse for the count of five. At four, the announcement through the public address system stopped its broadcast. He heard Petrenko click his fingers again, this time faster, more urgently. Victor turned away from the escalators and followed the sign for the stairs.

'I'd prefer somewhere a little further away,' Victor said into the phone.

'Why?'

Behind Petrenko's voice Victor heard the dull clank of something metal. Then a few seconds later he heard the exact same sound again. Victor began descending the stairs. He wrapped his fingers around the phone's microphone to muffle his voice and disguise the echo of the stairwell.

'Because,' he answered, 'in the last ten minutes I've killed three of your men and it won't be long before someone notices.

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