Under Fire: (A Dan Taylor thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page A

his lap. Flicking the two brass catches, he opened the case and reached in, taking out two manila files.
    ‘Okay, what have you got?’ asked Dan. He stifled a yawn, and rubbed the rough stubble which covered his face after the long journey.
    ‘We’ve got two problems,’ began David. ‘First, you and Mitch are joining me at a Committee hearing with the Prime Minister behind closed doors tomorrow morning to explain what happened last time we worked together.’
    ‘Committee hearing? Sounds serious.’
    ‘It is. Both the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Defence are demanding reassurances from me that I know what I’m doing and why we didn’t alert them there was a bomb heading their way.’
    ‘Would they have believed us?’
    David shrugged. ‘Notwithstanding the fact we had to move fast and couldn’t afford to wait for them to make up their minds whether to believe us, or sign however many pieces of paper to get us the sort of back-up we’d have needed for an assault on a ship at sea, we are accountable for our actions.’
    ‘Hell of a thing to come home to.’
    ‘I realise that, but you’re going to have to help me explain why a civilian – you – became involved in the first place. Otherwise, I’m not going to be able to use you to help me investigate the other issues I’m dealing with.’
    Dan stared out the window. Sleet dashed the glass surface. Pedestrians hurried along wet footpaths, their umbrellas buffeted in the bitter wind that whipped through the city streets. Grey clouds cast a darkness over the capital, and Dan immediately wished he was back under the winter sun in Arizona. He blinked and turned his head to stare at the tinted glass that separated them from the vehicle’s driver. ‘What’s the second problem?’
    David was silent as he looked out the car window. He drummed his fingers on the leather upholstery, lost in thought, before he spoke. ‘One of the Government’s key advisors on the latest North Kent coast LNG expansion project has gone missing.’
    ‘When?’
    ‘Last night. The man’s a genius apparently, and forgetful at the best of times according to his wife, but the fact she spoke with him less than two hours before he was due to meet her at a restaurant for their wedding anniversary raised concerns.’
    ‘She reported it to the police?’
    David nodded. ‘This morning. The news filtered through a couple of Government agencies before it reached us. It’s recorded as low priority as a matter of precedent in the event he does turn up based on his past habits, but we’re keeping an eye on the situation just in case.’
    Dan looked across at the other man. ‘If you’re going to be put out of action by a Government Committee tomorrow, why are you pursuing this? Don’t you want to wait and see what happens? You could end up having to hand your investigation over to someone else.’
    ‘I’m well aware of that – but my concern is the longer the investigation isn’t pursued, any potential adversary of ours is further ahead. I’d rather carry on regardless, as they say.’
    ‘Has anyone seen a ransom note?’
    David shook his head. ‘Not yet, which is why I want you to attend a gala tomorrow night that the British Trade Commission is throwing to coincide with this week’s energy conference, in case the engineer’s disappearance is linked to the project. I want you to keep your ears open, find facts and give me some leads. I’ve got a team of analysts who are geniuses when it comes to looking at financial records, intelligence communiqués and the rest, but I need someone on the ground who can read people and quickly assess situations. You’ll be there in a support role to the security detail for one of the Qatari Sheiks who’s in talks with the British Government, so it’ll give you a chance to wander around the place. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Just watch and listen, then report back to me.’
    ‘What’s the energy conference