Snatched by Dreda Say Mitchell Read Free Book Online

guarded and as a result I’m afraid some of our men and some of hers unfortunately lost their lives . . . There’s no need to look like that Mac – the baby was completely unharmed.’
    Just thinking of his son being kidnapped and possibly witnessing violence at such a young age made Mac shiver. Didn’t psychiatrists say that no matter how young or old a child was, those were the type of things they remembered?
    ‘As you can imagine,’ the money launderer continued, ‘the deaths meant that each side in this dispute were no longer inclined to reach a compromise. And of course, you know how mothers are with their children. Elena was determined to get her son back. As you will know also, this mother is a woman of considerable resources. My company decided that in the circumstances, it might be a good idea to get the boy out of the United States to a place where our opponent would have more difficulty finding him. As I had business in London, I was asked to look after him after he was brought to the UK on a false passport. So I hired a nanny and had some adaptations made to the house I was renting and took charge of the young man.’ Garcia smiled, showcasing two crooked side teeth. ‘Charming child.’
    Mac took the information in. If Garcia was telling the truth that would explain how John Mac came to be in London. But it left one important question. ‘And Elena Romanov, where is she now?’
    ‘Is that her real name?’ Mac just stared the other man down. ‘The answer to your question is that I don’t know. But the obvious answer would be back in the US, hunting for the boy. However, one of the tactics that Ms Romanov has employed to great effect in the past is to give information to law enforcement in the USA that they can use to arrest her enemies. In return they pass information back to her. I’m sure you’ll agree that’s unprofessional behaviour, but there’s no doubt that it’s effective. I’m afraid it wouldn’t surprise me if one of her friends in the FBI had already tipped her off that the boy was now in the custody of the British authorities. Nor would it surprise me to discover that she was already in London under a false name looking for him.’
    Mac nodded; he’d already come to that conclusion himself. ‘Have you heard of an FBI agent called Tom Bracken?’
    Garcia smiled as if an old friend had been mentioned. ‘Ah yes, Mr Bracken—’
    ‘Do you think he would tip Elena off that the baby was in London?’
    Garcia’s fingers started rubbing together again. ‘He’s a very unscrupulous individual. I’m afraid that wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Although, of course, Ms Romanov would have to help him catch someone in return – which no doubt she would be delighted to do.’
    The two men sat in silence. Mac studied the prisoner carefully as he’d done so many times in the past. Garcia had every reason to lie but the story about Elena rang true. It also explained why John Mac would be in London. In the minutes that followed, Mac devised a plan. He also noticed that Garcia seemed very pleased with himself, which pissed the hell out of him. ‘OK Mr Garcia, that’s all I need to know. If I require any more information, I’ll be in touch.’
    ‘Delighted to help you my friend and I’m sure you’ll help me in due course.’
    Mac rose from his chair but then sank back down again. Something wasn’t right.
    ‘You seem very confident that I’ll be able to help you.’
    Garcia had his malicious grin on again. ‘Yes, I’m very confident about that.’
    When Mac got back to his car, he was in a panic about John Mac’s safety. With his suspicions about Elena confirmed, he decided to check straight away that his son was safely hidden. He rang Stephen Foster who was happy to put his mind at rest. ‘Yes, of course I’ve ensured the child is safely tucked away. A colleague of mine has taken the baby to his place in the country. He’s perfectly secure.’
    Mac leaned back in his seat