Agent 21 by Chris Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

supplies – we don’t want you starving, after all. If you see anyone else, it’s time to worry. Is that clear?’
    Zak blinked. This was all going so fast.
Too
fast. He didn’t know who these people were. He didn’t know if he could trust them. He was beginning to think he’d made a terrible mistake. ‘I want to go home,’ he said.
    The other three exchanged a long look. ‘People in your position always say that at first,’ Michael said quietly. ‘It’s quite impossible, of course, but you knew that all along, didn’t you?’
    Zak didn’t answer, so Michael continued as if nothing had happened.
    ‘Good. Pay attention to Raf and Gabs, Zak.Everything they teach you will have the potential to save your life.’ He fixed Zak with a steely glare. ‘I just hope you’re as fast a learner as they say.’
    Zak looked at the three of them in turn. They all looked deadly serious as they returned his gaze.
    Me too
, thought Zak.
Me too
. But he didn’t say it. He stuffed the documents back into their envelope. ‘Isn’t there something you’ve forgotten?’ he asked.
    Michael raised an eyebrow.
    ‘When we met in the park, you said you’d tell me about my parents.’
    A silence descended on the room. He was aware of Raf and Gabs glancing briefly at each other. Michael turned and walked over to the window, where he looked out towards the sea.
    ‘As time goes on, Zak,’ he said, ‘you’ll learn that too much information can be a dangerous thing.’
    Zak felt himself flaring up. ‘No way,’ he said. ‘You told me—’
    Michael turned and held up one palm. ‘Please, Zak, let me finish. Too much information can be a dangerous thing. So can too little. What is important is that you know what you
need
to know.’
    ‘I
need
to know about my parents.’
    ‘And you will,’ said Michael, his voice calm, ‘when the time is right.’
    ‘
No!
’ Zak shouted. ‘We had a deal. You said you’dtell me. You better had, otherwise I’m leaving. I don’t care
what
you say.’
    ‘Leaving?’ Michael said. ‘And how exactly do you propose to do that, Zak? I know you’re a clever lad, but I’d be surprised if your skills extended to the flying of helicopters just yet. And the water really is rather choppy for swimming.’
    Zak felt a twist in his stomach.
    ‘And even if you do make it back,’ Michael continued, ‘what will you tell people? They certainly won’t believe you about us, and if you can’t come up with anything convincing, I’m afraid the only conclusion they’re likely to come to is that you were in some way involved in the robbery of your uncle and aunt’s house.’
    Zak stared at him in disbelief; Michael avoided his gaze.
    ‘Of course, I doubt your relatives would want to extend their hospitality to you if that were the case. You could always be fostered, and it’s true that there are some excellent care homes, but I’m not sure that’s a better option than 63 Acacia Drive, is it?’
    Zak continued to stare. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Michael had trapped him, and there was no way he could get away . . .
    Michael continued talking as mildly as if he was discussing the weather. ‘I have instructed Raphael and Gabriella to identify your weaknesses and build onyour strengths. We have everything here that we need to do this. I might as well tell you now that you will only be able to gain access to those rooms in this house for which you have clearance.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Well,’ said Michael, ‘it’s perhaps a little melodramatic to say that this house has secrets but . . . it does. Any rooms for which you have not been cleared will be impossible for you to enter, much like the two doors you just tried outside your own room.’
    Zak shot him a quick look and Michael smiled. ‘All the door knobs have fingerprint recognition technology,’ he said. ‘Only people with pre-approved fingerprints can gain access to certain rooms. In addition, the technology will check the