Sofi stepped behind him. ‘Just going to use the loo,’ she said, turning to Wheeler.
Wheeler gestured upwards with his thumb.
Helix nodded, returning to the drinks cabinet. If Wheeler’s spirit collection was anything to go by, his contacts were good. Well, they were good until Finch and Ormandy had wiped them out. He wrung his hands in silent contemplation. ‘Finch!’ he snapped, spinning back from the drinks. ‘Your turn. What was your plan. Assuming you had one.’
Finch cowered, knocking his head on the carved oak panel against which he was leaning. ‘There’s a team on standby in Bristol at Filton. Two quad-copters, eight guys. They’re waiting for my signal.’
‘Does Ormandy know you’ve located us?’
Finch shook his head.
Helix strode across the room. ‘You better not be lying to me, Finch. Who made the satellite call? Was it you?’
Finch glanced at Wheeler.
‘It was Wheeler. There are a number of calls to the same number,’ Sofi reported into Helix’s ear. ‘Jesus. You should see this place and I don’t just mean the gold-plated toilet. Well-connected is an understatement.’
Helix put his hands on his hips. ‘Who were you calling, Wheeler?’ he said.
‘It was Ormandy’s residence.’Sofi replied.
‘Call recordings?’
‘Quantum encryption. Going to take a while.’
‘The call didn’t connect, Major,’ Wheeler said, glancing at the window. ‘I was distracted.’
‘I didn’t ask if the call connected,’ he said, turning as Sofi came back in. ‘I asked who you were calling.’
‘As a concerned citizen—’
‘Ormandy.’ He smoothed a wrinkle in his jacket sleeve. ‘Don’t look so disappointed. You’re not likely to call it in to the local nick. Whatever. It makes no difference now. It just gives me one more reason to shoot you when the time comes. OK. Here’s what we’re going to do.’
26
22 Hours
Sofi’s recce of the upper floor had revealed a study in addition to the bathroom. The steps continued to the roof which was littered with plant that serviced Wheeler’s accommodation, including a military-grade satellite array. There were no other means of access.
The Glock quivered in Sofi’s hand as Wheeler and Finch made their way up the stairs towards her. Helix followed from behind, taking a moment to glance into the bathroom. The AI hadn’t been joking about the luxury. He snorted and followed the men into the study. Bookcases lined half of the curving wall. He made a mental note to ensure the collection made it to the village once this was all over. He’d already earmarked the bed for Gabrielle. A wing-backed reading chair with a small table alongside stood next to the library.
Wheeler sat in his office chair, his hands folded in his lap. ‘Sorry. Were you waiting for me, Major?’
‘Your handprint,’ Helix said, the blade springing from between his knuckles.
Wheeler’s free hand slapped to the surface of the smoked-glass table that sat incongruously amongst the antique wooden furniture and fittings. Three wide holographic screens materialised above the desk, the cursor moving as it tracked Wheeler’s eye movements. He adjusted the camera angle as Helix instructed to ensure they were all visible on screen. Sofi sat in the reading chair; Finch was handcuffed to the door handle.
‘Call her,’ Helix said, glancing over his shoulder at Sofi.
She nodded back. She was ready.
Ormandy’s PA, the same one who walked Helix to the Home Secretary’s office in the MoHD building, answered the call without eye contact. ‘Julia Ormandy’s office,’ she said, boredom dripping from her glossed lips.
‘Hello, Gemma. May I speak with the Home Secretary, please?’ Wheeler said.
She stopped filing her fingernails, the multi-tasking of speech and nailcare a skill she’d yet to master. ‘She’s not to be disturbed.’ The filing recommenced.
‘Open your fucking eyes, Gemma-ginger-bun or whatever your name is and get Ormandy. Now!’ Helix barked.
The PA flinched, her eyes springing to the screen. ‘You,’ she gasped. ‘Please hold.’
‘Thank you, Major,’ Wheeler said. ‘I should try that approach myself.’
Julia Ormandy appeared on screen. Charcoal grey suit, cream silk blouse, hair tied tight. ‘Justin,’ she said. ‘And Major Helix, Doctor Stepper, oh and Finch,’ she sneered. ‘Goodness. What are you wearing, Justin?’
‘Never mind what he’s wearing, Home Secretary, you should smell him,’ Helix interrupted. ‘We’d love to chat about wardrobe choices and personal hygiene, but we have more pressing matters.’
‘I’m listening, Major,’ Ormandy said, folding her arms.
‘They’re scrambling the quads,’ Sofi said into Helix’s implant.
‘OK. Let’s not waste any of each other’s time. You need to ground those quads. If they cross the Severn you won’t be getting them or the men on board back. Do it now.’
‘They are mostly women, Major.’
‘Congratulations, you’ve achieved your diversity quota. But I don’t care. They all look the same in a body bag.’ He unzipped his jacket. ‘You need to cancel all orders to have myself and Doctor Stepper arrested.’
‘Don’t be preposterous.’ Ormandy laughed. ‘Doctor Stepper has confessed to murder and you—’
‘Yes, yes, I’ve disobeyed orders and withheld evidence. There you go. Another confession. I’m so glad I got that off my chest.’
‘Quads turning back,’ Sofi said.
‘Anything else?’ Ormandy said. ‘Request a Royal pardon for Justin? If you are considering taking him on your little odyssey you must know the consequences if he attempts to enter a cardinal city.’
‘I have control of his dog collar, so no need to worry, your secret is safe. For now.’
Ormandy’s makeup did nothing to hide the flexing of the masseter muscles towards the back of her cheeks.
‘Good. Now I have your attention, do I need to repeat my demands?’ Helix pulled his P226 from its holster. He stepped back and placed the muzzle on the back of Wheeler’s head. ‘Or I could just shoot him right here. Save ourselves the trip.’
Fear elbowed arrogance from Ormandy’s face. He’d struck a nerve.
He swung the gun away and fired twice. Finch’s head snapped back. He slumped, his cuffed left hand suspending him in mid-air somewhere between sprawled and standing.
Sofi screamed and clutched her hands to her face. ‘Was that really necessary, Helix,’ she demanded.
Helix’s brow furrowed as
