Chapter 17
You have 1 new mail, the screen on Mark's laptop declared, clicking onto email he read the message.
'Short notice I know ' South ' this evening ' can you do it?'
Tonight? That was short notice.
Quickly he typed in the reply.
'How risky?'
They were all risky, but some more so than others.
'I wouldn't jeopardize.'
His watch said ten o'clock, it was a long drive, a journey made longer since technology allowed car registration plates to be logged on the main routes. The short notice was also off-putting, Mark didn't like taking risks.
There was no way he was spending the rest of his life behind bars with common criminals.
Maybe someone had to pull out at the last minute, or it was an urgent job, there was no way he'd get any of those answers though. After weighing it up for a few more minutes he made his decision, after all, the outfit was organised, they'd never lost anyone.
'Okay, send me the details.'
After joining the parachute regiment at sixteen Mark had found the introduction a breeze, the tough love he'd been shown throughout his life had served him well.
As a Para everyone knew it was only a matter of time until he was approached by the SAS, he was perfect fodder for the elite force.
The next eight years were spent in Northern Ireland, The Gulf and finally the Balkans. In the Balkans he'd bumped into an old friend who'd left the force a few years earlier. He was there as a mercenary, a soldier of fortune, an apt name considering the amount of money he was making. It seemed there was plenty of work out there for the right people.
The next few years were spent in Africa and Asia, fighting for corrupt governments or safe-guarding drug lords.
On one of his few trips back to England he'd met Maureen.
A few months later he'd given up working as a soldier and tried settling down.
Life on civvy-street had been difficult, unable to settle he'd approached old mercenary friends who'd also retired to find out how they were coping. That was how he'd become aware of the organisation he now worked for.
He didn't meet the customers, just carried out the killings.
He neither knew nor cared the reasons and from what he could make out it consisted of criminals killing criminals. The way he saw it he was doing the country a favour and it was the easiest money he'd ever made.
No battles nothing, just two bullets to the head, one behind the ear and one to the side once they hit the floor.
His wife had no idea, believing he was hired to give conference talks or debrief the security forces.
The information he was waiting for came through as the door burst open.
"Daddy, what are you doing?
Bella, his seven-year old daughter, was stood in the doorway, a mass of dark brown curls, a miniature version of her mother.
"Working honey. He told her with a smile.
Her large brown eyes looked serious,
"Working, I didn't think you had any work to do.
"Something important's come up baby
The disappointment was evident,
"That means you'll be going away?
"Yes, but I'll be back tomorrow Bell.
"But you said you'd be there for my play.
"I know darling and I honestly thought I would, but I have to go¦. it's important.
"Can't someone else do it?
"No baby, they can't.
"It's not fair, everyone else's Dad will be there.
"I'm sorry hun¦.
The words fell into empty space, the little girl had already turned and stormed out the room.
Mark shrugged, knowing he'd make it up with her later and turned back to the paperwork.
A couple of photos, a map and a few details of execution points, all written to mean nothing to anyone else.
After reading the brief he pulled on his sports blazer and headed downstairs.
In the kitchen Marion was stood holding their ten-month-old son, as he entered she threw him a disapproving look.
"What?
"You know what Mark, you promised.
"But something's come up, I need to give a briefing to some important people, there's a situation.
"Surely there's other experts other than you.
"If there was I'd have tried to sort it, but there's not.
Shrugging she tried to smile,
"Okay baby.
"I only try to do what's best for you all, I'm only trying my best.
"I know.
Walking over he leant in to kiss her,
"See you tomorrow, he mumbled, "I'll call you when I get there okay.
"What you have to leave right now?
"Sorry Marion, but it's urgent.
"Okay, but make sure you make it up to her, she's gutted you're not going to be there.
"I know she is, and you know I'll make it up.
Kissing the baby's head he headed out, stopping only at the lounge door,
"I'm sorry Bella, really I am and I'll see you tomorrow.
The young girl didn't take her eyes off the screen.
Scooping up his briefcase he was out the front door heading for his silver Vauxhall Vectra.
Shortly after he pulled into a yard and drove towards a double garage. Getting out he checked round before opening the door and driving in.
Once inside he walked over to the clean looking blue Ford Escort parked inside and opened the boot pulling out a holdall.
Unzipping the bag he reached inside for the berretta pistol tucked inside, a quick inspection confirmed it was in good working order with a full clip.
The rest of the contents he checked to make sure it was all there.
Baggy trousers held together by velcro strips like those worn by strippers, a similarly designed jacket, a black woollen hat, tub of Vaseline and the small pot containing trimmings of pubic hair.
Getting into the car Mark reversed out and within minutes was leaving town.
