Red Alert by Alistair MacLean Read Free Book Online Page B

snatching the wrong man. One of them, Dave Humphries, is on our payroll. It was him who tipped us off about Young in the first place.'
    'But if they both know what Alexander looks like, where does that leave me?'
    'It's all been taken care of, don't worry. Humphries has agreed to identify you as Alexander in exchange for a small financial incentive.'
    'What about the other man?'
    'He won't be there. In fact, he's sitting in a police cell right now. And he'll remain there on suspicion of some trumped-up charge until after the breakout in the morning. It's too late for Young to draft in a new accomplice so it will just be the two of them.' Lonsdale removed a silver cigarette case from his inside jacket pocket and offered it to Whitlock, who declined with a raised hand. Lonsdale lit one for himself and pocketed the case again. 'Our original idea was to change vans en route to the Old Bailey but the problem is, we don't know where Young intends to spring you. It could be at any point along the way. We're going to have to be there from the start.'
    'How many men in the van?'
    'Two of us up front. We're also using our own men to l act as your fellow prisoners. The last thing we need is a j mass breakout.'
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    'What time are we due out of the police station?' 'The hearing's scheduled for two. I haven't finalized I the exact time of departure with the station commander [yet but it should be around eleven-thirty.' 'What about Alexander?'
    'He'll be our guest for a few days. We'll hand him back to the prison authorities when we get the nod from your chaps.'
    'How have they taken it?'
    Lonsdale chuckled. 'They're well pissed off, because it's going to look like they lost Alexander. Too bad, it's something they'll have to accept.'
    Whitlock pointed to the folder. 'Has anything come f through on Young?'
    Lonsdale nodded. 'I read it while I was waiting for you. ome partner you've got there. Seems he ran with a New |York gang until he was eighteen when he was drafted into /ietnam. He turned out to be an exceptional soldier, and er the US pulled out in '75 he joined the French Foreign ;ion. Spent eight years with them, then deserted and vent to Central America to fight against the Sandinistas. it now works with the death squads in El Salvador.' He nded the fax from the Command Centre to Whitlock, ben stood up and moved to the window. He turned back > Whitlock. 'Married?'
    Whitlock's fingers instinctively tightened around his ass. He put it down on the table, hoping Lonsdale hadn't ticed. 'For six years.' 'What does your wife do?" 'She's a paediatrician. How about you?' 'I've been married for eleven years. Cathy used to be a cher, but now she's a full-time mother. Jill's nine, ally's five. Cathy's expecting again in October. We ady know it's going to be a boy this time. Quite a
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    relief, I'm beginning to get outvoted on everything at home. At least we men will be able to stick together. Have you any children?'
    Whitlock shook his head. Just as well, he thought to himself. 'What time will you be here?' he asked.
    'About ten. That will give us plenty of time to get tol the police station.' Lonsdale drank down the rest of hisl Scotch in one gulp. Til leave the folder with you and pickj it up in the morning. I'll see myself out. Good night.'
    Whitlock returned to the bedroom after Lonsdale hadl left the house. He thought about Carmen as he got ready! for bed. He had an insane impulse to ring her but hel quickly talked himself out of it. He switched off the light! and climbed into bed, pulling the sheets up to his chin. I What was going to happen to them? He knew he would! lose her if he stayed with UNACO. It was inevitable.] She was always worried about him when he was on I assignment: worry which was affecting her work. Or sol she claimed. But what was the alternative? Leave UNACOl to set up some security consultancy that advised Fifth] Avenue boutique owners how best to protect their premJ ises? That wasn't for him. He loved the challenge of