Armageddon Heights (a thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page A

have special work for you.’
    ‘Special work, Mr Napier? What kind of work?’
    Napier did a rare thing and smiled thinly. It vanished like the sun behind a cloud and the room became decidedly chillier with it. ‘I’ll let you know.’ He dismissed Levoir with a peremptory flick of his hand and the young man, bemused, turned and made his way to the door. ‘Pack a bag, we’re flying to London.’
    Adrian Levoir stopped, not sure he’d heard right. ‘London?’
    ‘You’ve got five minutes to grab a few things. Meet me in the lobby.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘And keep this quiet. You don’t tell a soul where you’re headed.’ Levoir nodded quickly and left the office. Napier hit the button on his phone. ‘Lucy, run me a background check on Adrian Levoir.’
    ‘We already have his details on file from the last check, Mr Napier. Shall I send them through?’
    ‘I want it done afresh. Dig deeper. Level Three check. He needs to be as clean as a newborn’s first thought.’
    ‘Right away, Mr Napier. I’ll see to that at once.’
    Yeah, the young guy was good. Too damn good for his comfort. He’d been keeping a close eye on him. The man had skills that far outstripped many he had working for him, Napier thought, his abilities gradually, inexorably, pushing him up through the ranks.
    ‘Remember, Level Three – I want to know if there’s any dirt I should be aware of, no matter how tiny the speck, you got that?’
    ‘Yes, Mr Napier. I understand.’

4
 
Once Upon a Time
     
    He carried out a head count. Twenty people sitting in the coach, the same amount that had been standing in line, including the partner of the woman who stood reading the newspaper. All accounted for. A young guy, pushing twenty at the most, slumped down into a seat directly opposite him, cast him an unfriendly glance and stuffed a pair of silver headphones over his ears, flicking through his phone’s menu. He sat back with his eyes closed, the irritating beat of drums and scratchy guitar chords leaking out.
    Samuel Wade watched as the bus driver clambered up into his cab and closed the door. The main twin doors of the coach snapped shut on the chilly world outside with a loud hiss and the engine rumbled into life, the vehicle shuddering as if it were a beast shrugging off slumber. Wade peered outside. No signs of any commotion. No one attempting to hinder the coach as it reversed out of the bay in the bus station and made for the exit and the open road.
    The rain pounded on the roof of the coach as it left the cover of the bus station, the windows being instantly beaten by rain thrown at them by the wind. Night had fallen fully now, as fully as it ever could in the city. Car headlight and street lamps cast squirming, flashing psychedelic patterns on the smeared glass, the coach threading into the evening traffic, joining the mad exodus home.
    Home.
    How warm the sound. How cruel.
    Wade felt a painful twinge in the pit of his stomach. He unconsciously rubbed the place to ease it, but it was a pain he could never wipe away so easily.
    God, he was so tired. His eyes were twin pieces of smouldering coal. When was the last time he’d slept? He couldn’t remember. But he couldn’t allow himself the luxury either. He had to stay awake, stay vigilant.
    Stay vigilant…
    It felt like yesterday. That tragic day.
    The insurgents had captured a guy from his battalion. His name was John Travers. Not just any guy. Wade and Travers had become fast friends in an occupation in which it wasn’t wise to have close friendships. But he was young and naïve back then. They both were. They sought each other out as kindred spirits, needed each other in those first few months as they were inducted into the regiment and army life, endured the arduous training regime before being shipped abroad. Sure, they heard the lurid stories, watched broadcasts, listened to their commanding officers and the grunts who’d been over there. But nothing prepares you for the real