Sharp Shot by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

he drew back. Beside him Jade mirrored his
movement. But McCain stayed exactly where he was, as if daring the man to
see him.
    The man was wearing an expensive-looking dark suit with a white shirt
and modest tie. His hair was black, slicked back and oiled. His face was
pale brown, and weathered like old stone. One of his eyebrows ended
abruptly above the eye, continuing as a pale scar that curled down his
left cheek.
    For several moments he stared up at the hay loft. Rich was sure he
could see McCain, but abruptly theman turned away and continued his
search of the barn below.
    After what seemed an age, the man left the barn. Rich could hear
voices outside, then the distant sound of a car.
    â€œThink we’re OK?” asked Jade.
    â€œThink we had a lucky escape,” Rich told her. “But
we should get out of here.”
    â€œAgreed,” said McCain. “And despite what Rich
thinks, I don’t fancy making a break for it on a combine harvester, so
let’s see what the alternatives are.”
    There was a garage behind the farmhouse. Rich thought it would
probably be filled with more farm machinery, but instead there as a dirty
green Range Rover. They all climbed inside. Rich and Jade got in the back,
leaving McCain alone in the front.
    â€œYou still haven’t told us who these people are and what they
want,” said Jade to McCain as he got the engine started. She was
leaning forward, over the back of the passenger seat.
    â€œNot much to tell,” he admitted. “They’re not nice
people, as you’ve probably gathered. And they want money. Simple as
that.”
    â€œWhat did you do to upset them?” Rich wondered.
    â€œThey paid me to do a job. I was unable to complete it, through
no fault of my own. They want their money back.”
    He put the Range Rover into gear and reversed it out of the garage on
to the courtyard.
    â€œMaybe you should just pay them their money,” said Jade
as they started down the track to the lane.
    â€œMaybe I should. But I’ve spent it. They’re not very happy
about that.”
    â€œWe could tell,” said Rich. “So why come to
Dad?”
    â€œHe’s a useful guy when you’re in a tight spot. And he has
connections that might help. I was hoping he could bargain for me, get me
more time.”
    â€œArdman might help,” said Rich.
    â€œDad’s boss,” said Jade quickly, glaring at Rich.
“He has connections too.”
    They turned out on to the lane, heading the same way as they had the
night before.
    â€œBest not go back to your cottage. They might be watching
it.”
    â€œI’ll call Ardman,” said Rich. “As soon as I can
get a signal. Hey—have you got a mobile?” If McCain’s was with a
different operator he might have a signal.
    But McCain shook his head. “I left home in a bit of a hurry.
Didn’t have time to pick it up.”
    â€œTell me about it,” said Jade.
    Rich checked his mobile again. His text message was no longer in the
outbox, so he hoped that meant it had been sent. But he didn’t say
anything. Best not to raise their hopes until he was sure there was a good
reason.
    They drove for over half an hour before they saw another vehicle. It
was still very early in the morning and the country lanes were empty. A
silver Mercedes pulled out of a side road behind them. It kept its
distance. The car was still with them as they reached the outskirts of a
village.
    â€œWe should stop and borrow a phone or something,” said
Jade.
    McCain checked the rearview mirror. “I’d rather keep
going,” he said. “I think that car’s following us.”
    Rich twisted round to see. The car was still keeping its distance.
“How can you tell?”
    â€œLet’s find out.”
    McCain slowed as they entered a 30mph limit. Another sign said: Welcome to Boscombe . The Mercedes drew closer. Rich could
see the driver clearly now,