“Did you see him?” Melanie asked excitedly.
“Not sure,” Tom answered uncertainly. “I saw someone. It could have been him but I don’t know. I only saw him for an instant.”
“Where the hell is Miller?” Melanie asked.
“No idea.” Tom had been thinking the same thing.
“Oh well don’t worry if he isn’t on here,” Melanie beamed. “I always wanted to ride your underground system.”
Tom laughed at the thought someone would take such pleasure from riding the tube. As far as he was concerned it was a dirty, hot, cramped means of travel to be avoided if at all possible, especially in the rush hour.
The couple standing close by them were still smiling and the man was whispering in his partner’s ear and then looking in their direction. Tom realized they must have recognized Melanie. With everything that had happened, he had completely forgotten about her superstar status. He pulled her closer to him so she had her back to most of the carriage. The last thing they needed was all her fans asking for autographs.
The train was coming to a halt at the next station. As the doors slid open he leaned out and could see that very few people were getting off, so he was able to be sure that Simpson wasn’t one of them. Then again he probably wasn’t even on the train. However, someone he did recognize had got off the train and then got back on again.
Miller was walking fast in the direction of the Piccadilly line. He had given up any further attempt at running. He was halfway along the pedestrian tunnel when he could hear the train arriving up ahead. He swore to himself and broke into a trot. He emerged onto the platform just as the electronic doors were closing and swore again out loud. Then suddenly the doors reopened and he knew he had a few seconds to make the train, before they would shut again. He threw himself through the nearest doors just in time. He was on the train but was Simpson?
He hated not being able to communicate with anyone above ground. He had no idea what was going on. The sooner they invented a way you could use your mobile underground the better.
Miller worked his way along the carriage looking at the passengers to make sure Simpson wasn’t among them. At the end, he looked through the glass window into the next carriage but there was no sign of Simpson.
As the train pulled into the next station he descended onto the platform and looked at the few others getting off. Not seeing Simpson, he moved quickly to the next carriage and got back on the train. He walked the length of the carriage looking for Simpson but again without success.
He was feeling quite despondent. If Simpson escaped them now, he would be very difficult to ever find. His experience in the security service would have taught him how to prepare for just such an eventuality as this and he could have fake passports, money and everything else he needed stashed away.
The train pulled into Knightsbridge station. Miller moved quicker this time. He jumped from the train and walked quickly along the platform. He was able to check both that Simpson hadn’t left the train and that he wasn’t in either of the next two carriages.
He looked at the tube map over the doors of the carriage as they closed, which reminded him that the next stop was Hyde Park Corner. That would probably be quiet but then it would be Green Park, which connects with a couple of other lines. After that it was a succession of further stations all normally very busy and connecting to other lines. Damn he could do with some help.
Tom’s spirits had soared at the sight of Miller. He still didn’t know if Simpson was on the train but was very pleased to know they weren’t alone. He had been giving thought to what they would do if they spotted Simpson leaving the train at one of the earlier stations. In theory they would have followed him but what if Simpson had seen them. He realized the idea of the two of them following an armed and very dangerous man was actually sheer madness.
Tom had been clear with Melanie that they had to hang back if they did see Simpson and once above ground they could call Miller to let him know. That was the best result they could achieve. He had to believe that Simpson wouldn’t start shooting at them with numerous witnesses around but he didn’t want to put the theory to the test.
The train pulled into Green Park station. Tom was keen to let Miller know they were on the train but not in any way that would attract everyone’s attention. He put his arm through Melanie’s and they stepped onto the platform. Miller was still half a dozen carriages away but he should be able to see them.
Melanie gasped as she spotted Simpson hurrying from a carriage halfway down the train. Tom had also seen him and immediately turned into Melanie and kissed her, hiding them from Simpson’s view if he should happen to glance in their direction. For an instant he thought to just keep kissing and forget the idiocy they were embarked upon but he couldn’t resist checking on Simpson.
Quite a large group of people had left the train and most were headed in the direction of the Victoria Line exit from the platform. The passengers were funnelling through a narrow exit at no great pace and patiently waiting their turn.
Tom considered it safe to follow and joined the back of the now quite small queue. There was no sign of Miller and he wondered whether he was up ahead or still on the train. As they emerged on the
