Bad Soldier: Danny Black Thriller 4 Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.’
    ‘Maybe,’ Spud said. He glanced at his shoes. ‘Just watch my back, alright? When Tony’s around, watch my back.’
    He turned to climb up the stairs, but now it was Danny’s turn to hold him back. ‘What are you talking about?’
    Tony looked up the staircase, clearly checking that they weren’t overheard. ‘Tony’s missus,’ he said quietly.
    ‘Frances?’
    Spud nodded.
    ‘Mate, tell me you didn’t—’
    ‘Tony was out of town. One thing led to another.’ He flashed Danny a quick grin. ‘She’s only human, after all.’
    ‘Fuck’s sake, Spud. There’s a thousand squaddie mattresses in Hereford queuing up to put a Regiment notch on their bedstead. Why choose her of all people? Tony’s a psycho. Do you think he knows?’
    Spud’s grin had disappeared. ‘You’ve seen the state of Frances’s face. I’m guessing she didn’t get those bruises for not cleaning the toilet pan properly.’ A shadow fell across his face. ‘I should have a word with him about that. I bumped into her a couple of days ago. She couldn’t get away fast enough. Started sweating like a blind lesbian in a fish factory . . .’
    Danny swore under his breath. This should be a simple job, but there was already something going on that he didn’t understand, too much tension among the team – and now this. ‘Let’s get moving,’ he said. ‘Get the op over and done with and get back to the UK. We can sort this shit out then.’
    Spud nodded a bit sheepishly. He started to climb, but then looked back over his shoulder. ‘Just watch my back, mucker,’ he said quietly. And without waiting for an answer, he started clattering up the stairs.

Two
    The Marines were waiting for them up on deck. One of them – cropped hair and a flat nose – approached. ‘Intercept in fifteen minutes,’ he said.
    Tony nodded curtly. ‘I want two RIBs in the water, three-man Marine units in each. Any migrants try to jump ship, scoop them up and throw them straight back on. Once you’ve surrounded the Ocean Star , the four of us will board, subdue the passengers and manoeuvre the boat alongside the Enterprise so we can cross-deck them.’ He turned to Danny and Caitlin. ‘Get to the bridge,’ he said. ‘Tell the captain to lay down warning fire as we approach. I want the migrants to know we’re not fucking around. Then get whatever joker’s i/c of the Ocean Star to kill the engines and drop anchor. Spud, you stay with me.’
    Spud and Danny exchanged a glance, but nobody argued. Danny and Caitlin turned their backs on the others and headed towards another metal staircase that Danny knew would take them to the bridge. Over his shoulder, he was aware of the two RIBs, each one manned by three Marines, being winched from the deck and lowered on to the rough sea.
    ‘What’s Tony got in his backpack?’ Danny asked Caitlin as they hurried up the staircase.
    ‘What am I?’ Caitlin asked, her Aussie drawl very pronounced. ‘His fucking mum?’
    ‘No,’ Danny shot back. ‘Just his favourite sheila.’
    Caitlin grabbed him by the arm. Her eyes were fiery, and for a moment Danny thought she was going to go for him. But a couple of seconds later she let go, made a noise of disgust and turned her back on him.
    ‘Hey,’ Danny said.
    ‘What?’
    ‘I don’t care about you and Tony. Just so long as you keep your mind on the job.’
    ‘Keep giving out orders like that, you’re going to make yourself as popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip. Let’s get to the bridge.’
    Caitlin strode away. Danny followed.
    The bridge was occupied by four naval personnel, plus the captain. They gave Danny and Caitlin a respectful nod as they approached. ‘How long till we make contact?’ Danny asked.
    ‘Approximately nine minutes. We’ll have a visual in two. We’ve got an open line to the MoD operations room. Sounds like quite a party there. Reps from the Home Office, Five, Six, Hereford.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘Someone really wants