Boy Soldier Read Online Free PDF Page B

back
    up the road, he was directly in his line of sight. It was time to shift.
    He started up the Golf, drove off and took the first turning right.
    Danny reached the bus stop. Fran hit her pressel again.
    'Stop. Stop. Stop. Bravo One static at the bus stop on the left.'
    Fran kept walking, making sure she didn't catch Danny's eye. There was nothing unusual about the way she moved or looked. Everything was natural. Normal. Ordinary. The whole team were experts at being ordinary. It was all part of the training. Avoid causing suspicion. Make sure there's a reason for every action. Be third party aware.
    On this job, 'third party' meant anyone but Danny. The last thing the team wanted was some do-gooder spotting that he was being watched or followed and then phoning the police. That would compromise the whole operation.
    Fran still had her finger on the radio pressel as she neared the bus stop.
    'I see bus number thirty-six, I've got to keep foxtrot, I'm gonna lose him.'
    The team had to keep the target in sight at all times. Brian, in the Nissan, and Jimmy on the TDM were both about to move when Mick came onto the net.
    'Mick's going for the trigger.'
    Mick had taken the first right and two quick left turns. He was driving back towards the main street looking for a parking space with a sight line to the bus stop. He had to find a space quickly; Fran was too near to Danny to continue. She turned left at the side road close to the bus stop, spotted a shop and headed towards it.
    'Fran no longer has Bravo One.'
    Mick pulled on the handbrake and switched off the Golf's engine.
    'Mick has the trigger, Mick has the trigger.'
    He'd made it.
    'Bravo One still static at the bus stop. Reading bus times . . . now checking his watch. That's hands in pockets, he looks unaware.'
    While Mick had been racing to get into position, Brian had gone online with his Nokia and had found the information the team needed.
    The thirty-six goes from Camberwell to Victoria, Marble Arch, Paddington and ending at Queen's Park. That's along—'
    Mick cut in on the net.
    'Stand by! Stand by! That's a thirty-six towards Bravo One. He's getting money ready. Last three on the plate romeo bravo alpha and the back of it has a dark green Nikon advert. Here we go.'
    The bus pulled into the kerbside. The air pumps hissed and the doors opened.
    'That's Bravo One cash in hand. Stepping on the bus, now unsighted in the bus. Wait . . . wait . . . that's doors closed and indicators on. Stand by. Stand by . . . that's the bus mobile.'
    Jimmy, the TDM rider, cut in on the radio net by pressing a button that was part of the motorbike's light selection console.
    'Jimmy has the bus, mobile towards the first set of lights.'
    Jimmy had taken control of the surveillance. Brian, in the
    silver Nissan, was also on the move as Mick drove off to collect Fran. The
    operation was going smoothly: the target was correctly triggered away.
     
    The bus was crowded but Danny managed to find a seat downstairs. He glanced around at the other passengers. Most were gazing zombie-like at the television monitor at the front as it relentlessly repeated adverts for W H Smith and Woolworths.
    But Danny had other things on his mind. He reached into an inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out the old photograph of his grandfather with his two army friends. Elena had carefully joined the two halves together with clear sellotape so that the tear was barely visible.
    Danny looked at the bright-eyed young man smiling back at him and saw for the first time that it was almost like staring into a mirror. Fergus would have been in his early twenties when the photograph was taken, not many years older than Danny was now.
    They were so alike in looks, if nothing else. Fergus was a little taller than average, just like Danny. He looked strong, but wiry rather than muscular, just like Danny. His face was lean, his smile was wide and his eyes were clear and piercing, just like Danny's.
    As Danny studied the