Mitch had to get out of the apartment; the walls were closing in on him. He took the stairs, merging on the footpath into the swell of workers heading home. He shivered; walking until he reached the waterline at Fisherman’s Walk and sat down away from the coffee-drinking set. He rang Charlotte, she answered right away.
“Charlie!” He felt his heart rate increase when she answered.
“Mitch, are you alright?”
“Fine, I wanted to call, but I haven’t had a chance before this.”
“I’m glad you called. Where are you?”
Mitch ignored the question. “Is everything OK with you?”
“Everything’s fine,” she said. “When are you coming home?”
“Hopefully, this weekend. I’m looking forward to having some space, sleeping in my own bed and doing a few other things.”
“Uh-huh. Like what?” Charlotte teased.
“Like sleep in your bed!”
“What!” Charlotte laughed surprised. “And where will I be sleeping if you’re in my bed?”
“I’m teasing you.”
“That’s a pity. Is your team with you?”
“Yep.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Nah, we’re all a bit tired and over it. It’s just work. How’s Sally?”
“Good. You know Sally.”
“Watched any good movies without me?”
“You bet. I’ve had a huge social life while you’ve been away … I drop into bed exhausted every night.”
Mitch felt an anxious knot in his stomach.
“I’ll talk to you before the weekend, and confirm when I’ll be home.”
“OK. I’m out the next two nights … work functions and a bit of social too, but you can always leave a message.”
“Try and remember me,” he said.
“Let’s see … Mitchell Parker … six-foot something … dark hair, um … blue eyes?”
Mitch bit his tongue. He looked into the distance.
“Hey, I’m joking. I do miss you, hurry home.”
“Thanks. See you soon.”
“Hope so,” Charlotte hung up.
Mitch disconnected and sat staring at the phone, conscious of the ache in his chest and his desire to ring her straight back. He closed his eyes and pictured her amongst the white duvet; her hair tussled, wearing one of her singlet and short sets, eyes sleepy, and smelling of scented talcum powder. He put his head between his hands annoyed at his feelings of needing to see her.
What I really need is a cold shower. I shouldn’t have called; made me feel worse.
“I’ve got to get out of here too,” Nick rose. “I’m going for a walk to Jubilee Park. Any takers?”
“I’m in,” Ellen grabbed her coat, “I need to expel some energy before tonight.”
“Uh, I’m fine here,” Adam glanced at Samantha.
“I bet you are,” Nick said in a hushed voice.
Adam held the door open for them and Nick punched him on the arm on the way out. Closing it behind them, Adam looked over at Samantha and smiled.
“I’ve been dying to get you alone,” Samantha said her voice frosty.
“Me too, it’s been torture.”
“Adam! I’ve wanted to get you alone to kick your butt. How could you say that in front of everyone?”
“What?” he asked surprised.
She imitated his voice. “She can sleep with me, we’re all adults.”
Adam laughed. “Well, we are.”
“You know I’m not in Mitch’s good books at the moment. I could hit you.”
“Yeah, but you’re a girl. I don’t think you’re fast enough to get me, baby.” He grinned.
Samantha rolled her eyes and to his surprise, ran at him, knocking him clean over. When she had him pinned down on the ground, she looked him in the eyes and said, “Take it back.”
“Never, you’re a girl,” he said again with emphasis. He flipped her, rolling her over and rising above her to standing position, he threw Samantha over his shoulder in a fireman pose.
“Not just any girl – my girl,” he said to annoy her.
Samantha tried to hit him between laughing, while he carried her straight to the bedroom, closed the door and locked it.
Thursday six p.m. London
Mitch was sitting on the bench at Fisherman’s Walk when his phone rang. He looked at the number. Man! Is that guy psychic?
“Hi, John.”
“Mitch, I thought I would check up on you. How’s things?”
“Good, we’re all OK,” he said.
“Sure? You sound flat.”
“Nah, everything’s fine.”
“You’d tell me if it wasn’t?” John pushed.
“What?” Mitch asked.
“Fine. You’d tell me if something was eating at you?”
“Sure.”
There was a silence on the line, while Mitch waited for the conversation to change.
“I have some interesting news,” John eventually said. “Maria Diaz has escaped maximum security.”
Mitch’s instincts went on full alert. “How? When?”
John continued. “Several hours ago. She had a trip to the prison’s medical wing and hasn’t been seen since.”
“Do we know who’s involved? Is Johan …”
John cut him off. “Johan’s still under lock and key, and according to the images from the security cameras, Maria’s in no danger. The body language from her and her captor on the tape is pretty chummy.”
Mitch exhaled. “Hmm, if Nick is somehow involved, I don’t want to know.”
“Then don’t look at his phone records.”
Mitch buried his head in his hands again. “Great! Leave it with me.”
“Anyway, are you all set for tonight?”
“As ready as we can be.”
“Are you confident of the back-up team?”
“Absolutely,” Mitch assured him. “Adam’s got us some good agents from the SO19 squad, plus our team.”
“Who’s in sniper positions?”
“One of the SO19 guys and Sam. I’d rather have Ellen there, she’s a better shot; but Sam’s been seen by Lawrence, so I’ve got to stick her out of view. Hopefully, her shooting’s up to par.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“No, it’ll be fine.”
“Do you need anything?” John asked.
Mitch hesitated.
“Could you book us on return flights on Friday afternoon? We’ll be done by then and I’m keen to get home and wind this one up … we’ve all got cabin fever.”
There was a silence on the line.
Mitch filled the silence. “We’ve worn a track in the carpet from pacing.”
“That’s pretty out of character for you, Mitch.”
“What do you mean?” Mitch reacted too quickly.
“To be thinking of coming home with all that other pressure on and to be defensive about it.”
“I’m not,” Mitch took a deep breath realizing he was being defensive. “John, don’t analyze me, you know I hate that,” he added. “Forget it, forget I mentioned it.”
Again there was a silence.
Great! Why did I say anything?
“What’s her name?” John asked.
Mitch froze, struggling for something to say. “What do you mean?”
“I’m putting it all together … your restlessness, short fuse, desire to come home early – must be someone new in your life?”
Mitch laughed uneasily. “Give me a break.”
“Mitch, why didn’t you tell me this when we talked at the laundromat?”
Shit! I should have known better than to start this.
“There is nothing to tell.”
John didn’t say anything.
Damn, damn, damn.
“John, we’ve all been in the one room for close on five days, day-in and day-out. We’re going stir-crazy.”
Again the silence.
“Was there really a kid called Anthony Jenkins?”
“Of course, he’s real,” Mitch snapped. He stood up and walked to the edge of the water. “Come on John, cut me some slack here.”
He could hear John laughing on the other end of the line.
“Are you laughing?” Mitch felt the relief running through him. “Do you need to take the piss out of me now, with the pressure already on?”
“Oh, keep your shirt on. I’m just keeping you on your toes. Listen, Mitch, be careful. I’ve got full confidence in you. As for the flights …”
Mitch cut him off. “Forget it … no big deal … book the flights whenever.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you home the minute it’s done, Romeo.”
John hung up.
Great, Mitch sighed.