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

about?’
      ‘It’s the annual World Petroleum Conference – last year’s was held in Houston. Given this country’s own gas fields are nearly extinguished, the Government felt that it would be a good idea to put together a bid to hold this year’s event here in London. We’re already buying a lot of gas from places like Qatar so it’s an opportunity to strengthen those ties with a view to signing a new gas contract within the next two weeks.’
      ‘Who are we watching?’
    ‘A Qatari national by the name of Sheik Masoud Al-Shahiri. Iran is trying to muscle in on some of Qatar’s long-standing gas contracts and the Qataris are politely trying to ignore them. It’s really a case of making sure the Qataris aren’t bullied out of continuing their supply contracts with the UK. It’d be an absolute disaster for foreign policy if we lost them and had to start from scratch with Iran. Can you imagine what the Americans would say?’
    Dan laughed, despite the seriousness of what David was saying. ‘That’d be an interesting phone call.’ Pausing, he glanced out the window. ‘What are you expecting the Iranians to do?’
    ‘Since their embassy in London was closed down a few years ago, they’ve been relegated to a section of the Omani embassy. The Government here limits how long each delegation can stay, but the Iranians are always looking for opportunities to ruffle some feathers while they’re here.’ He pointed to the briefcase. ‘In there is a briefing paper about the Sheik’s background, as well as some photographs.’
    Dan opened the case, fanning through the pages of information inside. ‘Are the delegates expected at the conference?’
    ‘No. We’ve banned them from attending the gala but I’m sure they’ll find a way to use it to whine about the latest UN sanctions against them.’
    “So, if you’ve got a security detail crawling over the place, why do you need me?’
    David sighed. ‘Because it’s the same old story,’ he said. ‘The firm in charge tomorrow night was the cheapest bidder, so it won the contract. None of its personnel have ever done any proper close protection training or have any of your expertise. There’s one bloke who spent some time working for a news team in Libya, but that’s it. The rest have done so-called training courses and think they know the job.’
    Dan shook his head. ‘And of course their clients think they’re in safe hands.’
    David nodded. ‘That’s why I want you there. The Sheik has brought some of his own security people but the contractors will be running the show. The guy they’ve put in charge is an idiot but I can’t shift him. I can however put someone in there to keep an eye on him.’
    ‘You mean I’m babysitting the operation?’
    David frowned. ‘You’re babysitting their client. Anything that happens to the contractor’s team isn’t our concern.’ He peered out of the car window, and used the sleeve of his woollen coat to rub the condensation off the glass.
    ‘What about transport?’
    ‘It will depend on the outcome of the Committee hearing. If we’re still operational after tomorrow morning, we’ll give you a car. If you need to travel out of the country, let my assistant Philippa know so she can organise passports and make the necessary arrangements. You need to phone me daily to keep me updated on your progress as the Prime Minister expects the same from me.’
    David leaned forward in his seat and banged his fist on the glass between them and the driver. The driver nodded and steered the car to the left, pulling up at the kerb.
    ‘This is where you get out,’ he said. ‘Your accommodation is about half a mile from here.’
    Dan looked out of the window. The road was a four-lane street with avenues leading from it, lined with three-storey Georgian terraced houses, their doors opening directly onto the footpath. He turned to David, who held out a set of keys.
    ‘Number thirty-four Eaton Terrace is a safe house we