The Grey Man by Andy McNab Read Free Book Online

do.'
    Kevin worked through the lunch-hour and Gary brought him a sandwich. All morning he'd been waiting for a chance to get to Symington's key. Symington had gone for lunch but must have taken his keys with him. Kevin had
checked the man's office after he had left.
    Now it was early afternoon. He started to panic. What if he never got them? If he did, what if he was caught making the copy? He was starting to have second thoughts about the whole idea. Planning the job was one thing, but doing it was something else.
    Symington came back from lunch and headed for his office. Ten minutes later, Kevin saw him come out and go downstairs to the toilets. Now was his chance. He grabbed the compact from his drawer and walked quickly, but not too quickly, into Symington's office.
    The keys were where he'd thought they would be. He took them out of the drawer and, with trembling hands, opened the compact. He pressed the safe key into the clay, exactly in the centre. He squeezed the two halves of the compact together, slowly but firmly, just as the website had said.
    'Gary! Your tie is loose.' Symington's voice was getting louder. He was heading for his office. Kevin's hands shook harder. The compact and the keys clattered on to the carpet. Shit. Shit. SHIT.
    'Yes, a lovely day, Mrs Wright.' The office
door burst open. 'What are you doing in here?'
    Kevin stood by the desk and kicked the compact and keys under it. 'I – I – well, I just wanted to say I was sorry for being late this morning. It won't happen again.'
    'Well, make sure of it. Now leave me to get on with my work. There's a lot to do.'
    Kevin went to the door.
    'Dodds, get me a coffee, would you?'

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    K EVIN WENT TO MAKE the coffee. He could feel the blood pumping in his neck. His chest felt tight. It was hard to breathe. Cold sweat had broken out all over his body.
    He could hardly control his shaking hands as he held the kettle under the tap. He didn't know what to do. He was terrified. He paced up and down the small kitchen while he waited for the water to boil. Any minute now Symington would be screaming his name when he found what lay under his desk. 'Shit, shit, shit'
    Alice came in to hang up her coat after lunch. 'You OK, Kev?' The kettle clicked off. 'You don't look too good. He giving you a hard time again?'
    Kevin made Symington's coffee. 'I'm just a bit tired. Got a lot on my mind.'
    Alice nodded as she left him. 'Know the feeling.'
    He had to stop panicking, and work out how
to get the compact back before Symington spotted it.
    Symington was on the far side of his office when Kevin went in with the coffee. He was delving into his filing cabinet. Kevin went towards him. 'Here you are, Mr Symington. I hope it's strong enough for you – whoa!' He tripped over the bin again.
    The coffee splashed down the back of the bank manager's jacket. 'You damned fool! What's wrong with you?' Symington tore it off as Kevin dropped to his knees to pick up the mug, which had rolled across the floor. 'I'm so sorry – I didn't see the bin again. So sorry Mr Symington. Are you OK? I'll pay for the cleaning.'
    'You should open an account at the dry-cleaners.'
    Kevin reached over to the box of tissues on Symington's desk and pulled out a wad. 'Here, let me help you.'
    Symington snatched it from him, and started to dab at his jacket. Kevin grabbed another handful of tissues and began to mop the carpet, the desktop and drawers. 'I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry. I'll clear it all up for you.'
    'Get out of my sight. Send Alice in. She'll make a better job of it.'
    'Yes, sir.' Kevin stuffed the tissues into his pocket and left the room.
    Gary and Alice had heard the whole thing. Alice smiled at Kevin as he mouthed, 'Sorry.' She went into Symington's office. Gary swivelled on his stool at the counter and gave Kevin a thumbs-up. Kevin shrugged and went back into his office.
    He closed the door and leaned against it. Then he allowed himself a slight smile. It