The UnTied Kingdom Read Online Free PDF Page A

then. ‘Haven’t seen her yet this morning, sir,’ Harker said, giving the clock a pointed glance which was ignored by Wheeler. ‘Although I think her worst injury was a sprained ankle, so I can’t imagine she’s dropped dead overnight.’
    The General gave a crisp nod. ‘What have you found out from her?’
    Harker sighed. ‘Either she’s a very bad spy, or a very, very good one. Or she’s mad. I’m not sure.’
    Wheeler raised her eyebrows, and Harker told her what Tallulah had discovered. ‘There’s no record of anyone with her name, date and place of birth at HMRC. She says she was born and raised here, but we can’t find her. The other thing is that she says she lives in Mitcham.’
    ‘No Man’s Land,’ Wheeler said. ‘Perhaps she’s been away.’
    ‘Well, she does seem to have travelled a lot, sir. All over Europe. I wondered if she was from a very wealthy family.’
    ‘Then I’m sure you would have socialised with her,’ Wheeler said. ‘You were, after all, married to the daughter of one of our wealthiest families.’
    Harker scowled. ‘You want me to ask Saskia if she knows her?’
    ‘I want you to find out what she was doing flying over the Tower last night,’ Wheeler said. ‘Try as I might, Harker, I am having trouble finding an innocent explanation for that.’
    ‘Me too, sir,’ Harker said, which was a shame, because he rather liked Eve. Even if she was mad. Or a spy.
    ‘You have until the end of today to find one, Major,’ Wheeler said, picking up a sheaf of paper and directing her attention to it. ‘Otherwise, she may reside in St James’s.’
    ‘Sir,’ Harker protested. ‘A day?’
    ‘We do not have time to waste on proving innocence, Major,’ Wheeler said. ‘We are at war, in case you hadn’t noticed.’
    Harker ground his teeth. ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘The Coalitionists–’ Wheeler took off her spectacles and rubbed the bridge of her nose. ‘I’m sending out troops this afternoon to clear No Man’s Land again,’ she said. ‘Closing the theatres, too. Doubling the patrols on the Bridge. We’ve suffered too many losses recently, and the Coalitionists are getting closer.’
    ‘How much closer?’ Harker said, alarmed.
    ‘Peterborough, Oxford, and most worryingly, Southend. We’re still counting the casualties. They know where we are, Harker. These were organised attacks.’
    Stunned by how close the enemy had come, Harker only nodded.
    ‘Find out who this girl is. Unless you can prove to me, conclusively, that she is innocent, I want her in St James’s by tonight.’ Wheeler put her spectacles back on. ‘That is all, Major.’
    Harker saluted, Wheeler ignored him, and he left.
    Southend! That was close, and more frighteningly, it was coastal. If they took the coast – if they let the French in – the whole army might as well disarm now.
    If the French got involved, as they were constantly threatening to, it would be the end of independence in Britain. And Harker would rather burn England than see it annexed to France.
    Frowning, worried, he made his way back to the mess, where he started towards Charlie, only to be waylaid by Saskia. She looked tense as hell.
    ‘Sask, that alien from last night. Do you know her?’
    She frowned, annoyed. ‘For heaven’s sake, Harker, why would I know her?’
    ‘She’s not someone you’ve socialised with? Eve Carpenter. She mentioned some stuff that made me think she might come from a rich family, and I thought …’ He trailed off as Saskia shook her head, looking impatient. ‘You don’t socialise with aliens. Okay. Never mind.’
    ‘Wheeler thinks she’s a spy.’
    ‘I know. Wants her in St James’s by tonight if I can’t prove she’s innocent.’
    ‘Well, at least she’s letting you investigate.’ Saskia looked peeved. ‘Do you think she is innocent?’
    Harker raised his palms. ‘How the hell should I know?’
    ‘Well, find out. These attacks have got Wheeler worried. Very worried. She’s scheduled a