Deadlock by Mark Walden Read Free Book Online Page A

away with this,’ Ronson said.
    ‘You’d be surprised how often I hear that,’ Otto replied with a sly smile. ‘Now, let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I’m sure you know who we both are since you’re a senior member of the Disciples, so I’m equally sure that you’re aware that my friend here is really unbelievably good at hurting people. All we want to know is where Furan is and where she’s keeping the H.I.V.E. students she captured. If you tell us with a minimum of fuss there’ll be no need for them to hose down the interior of this plane after we land, if you catch my drift.’
    Ronson glanced at Raven. They had all heard the horror stories that were told about her amongst the massed ranks of global villainy. The way she was looking at him gave him no reason to doubt that those stories were true.
    ‘I don’t know where the Glasshouse is,’ Ronson replied, shaking his head. ‘No one does.’
    Otto noticed Raven’s eyes widen very slightly. He knew by now that was about as close as she normally came to being shocked by anything.
    ‘The Glasshouse is gone,’ Raven said, a dangerous edge to her voice. ‘I watched it burn.’
    ‘The original Glasshouse, yes,’ Ronson said, ‘but she had a new facility built in a hidden location. No one knows where it is except Furan and a handful of her most trusted people. She has not shared its location with any of the rest of us.’
    ‘And you expect me to believe that?’ Raven asked, lowering her pistol and pointing it at Ronson’s knee. ‘I read that you enjoy running to keep fit. Such a shame.’ She cocked the hammer.
    ‘Wait, please,’ Ronson begged. ‘I swear it’s the truth. Furan’s paranoid about security – we don’t even know what country the Glasshouse is in, let alone its precise location.’
    His pupil dilation and cardio-pulmonary activity indicate an honest response , H.I.V.E.mind said inside Otto’s head.
    ‘I think our friend here might be telling the truth,’ Otto said.
    ‘I agree,’ Raven said, ‘and unfortunately for you that means that you’re no use to us,’ Raven said, levelling the pistol at his forehead.
    ‘Wait, wait,’ Ronson said frantically. ‘There is one person who might know where Furan is.’
    ‘Talk,’ Raven replied.
    ‘The only person who might be able to tell you is the man who designed the facility,’ Ronson said quickly. ‘Furan let it slip that her new facility had been designed by the Architect.’
    ‘The Architect is a myth,’ Raven said, shaking her head slightly.
    ‘No, he’s real, I swear,’ Ronson said, sweat beading on his forehead. ‘He’s the only person who Furan would have trusted to have designed it. Think about it – who else could she be sure would never talk?’
    ‘Supposing I believe you,’ Raven said with a frown, ‘and the Architect did build a new Glasshouse for Furan? Where would I find him?’
    ‘I have no idea,’ Ronson replied. ‘You’ve heard the same rumours I have, no doubt. You don’t find the Architect unless he wants you to find him. I’ve never met anyone who has ever seen the man, much less talked to him.’
    Raven stared at Ronson for a few seconds and then reached into her handbag and produced a pair of handcuffs.
    ‘Cuff yourself to the seat,’ Raven said, ‘I need to have a private conversation with my associate and I don’t want you going anywhere.’
    Raven watched as Ronson did as he was instructed. She checked that he was firmly shackled to his seat before she gestured with a nod for Otto to join her in the plane’s rear compartment. He followed her into the conspicuously less comfortable area that provided seating for Ronson’s staff, who in this case were the two unconscious secret service agents slumped in their seats.
    ‘Find us somewhere to land,’ Raven said, ‘if what he’s telling us is true, then we have a considerably more difficult job ahead of us than we had anticipated.’
    ‘I’ll try to find somewhere quiet,’ Otto