Gregory turned to greet the rest of the team. ‘John, Tiny. Good to see a couple of old Hereford faces.’
‘Likewise,’ said Mallet. He introduced Webb and Casey, the major. Gregory smiled at them with evident relief.
‘I was starting to think you guys wouldn’t make it,’ he said. ‘How the devil did you know where to find us, anyway?’
Bowman told him about the dying guard at the palace. The dismembered bodies. Gregory listened impassively.
‘That’s General Kakuba for you. His men are a bunch of cold-blooded killers. They’re not interested in politics or ideology, whatever he might say on the radio. Those scum just want to murder people.’
‘Looks like you made it out just in time,’ Mallet said, tipping his head at the family.
‘We very nearly didn’t,’ Gregory replied with a grimace. ‘The rebels took us by complete surprise. Another two or three minutes and we would have been trapped inside with the rest of those poor buggers.’
‘They were directed by the Russians,’ said Bowman. ‘Their guys were calling the shots on the assault.’
Gregory nodded. ‘I’d figured as much.’
‘Have you spoken with Vauxhall?’ Mallet said.
‘Not since before the rebels attacked the palace. I tried raising them on the way over, but coverage is patchy in the jungle.’
‘We noticed.’
‘Signal is better here, at least.’ Gregory scratched his beard. ‘There’s a cell tower in the local village. Installed on Mr Seguma’s orders a couple of years ago. I left a message for Six shortly after we got here. But I haven’t heard back.’
‘Same for us. They’re not answering.’
‘Any idea why?’
‘Not a fucking clue. Trying to second-guess that lot is a pointless exercise. May as well gaze into a crystal ball.’
Gregory pursed his lips. ‘Perhaps they’re working out how to respond to the latest developments.’
Loader’s face worked itself into a heavy frown.
‘What developments?’ he asked.
‘Haven’t you heard? The KUF have seized control of Marafeni airport.’
Mavinda’s eyes went so wide they looked as if they might tumble out of their sockets. ‘That can’t be. We were there a few hours ago. I’ve got two platoons guarding it.’
‘You did, Major. Not now.’
‘Are you sure about this?’ asked Mallet.
‘I’m afraid so, John.’ Gregory held up his clamshell phone. ‘I’ve just been speaking with Brigadier Ikouma. Commander of the Karatandan Army. He’s received several reports from one of the garrisons near Marafeni. The rebels captured the airport an hour ago.’
‘But that means they must have taken full control of the capital,’ Bowman said.
‘Worse than that, I’m afraid. According to the brigadier, General Kakuba’s forces have closed off the borders and taken over the major crossing points. No one is allowed in or out. Which means the KUF have assumed de facto control of the country.’
Loader’s eyes bulged with shock. ‘Those bastards have been busy. They’re moving fast. A few more hours and they’ll have the coup wrapped up.’
‘It’s the Russians,’ Mallet said. ‘They’re a game changer. The smart money says they were the ones directing the attack on the airport.’
‘We should notify Six,’ said Casey. ‘Tell them about the airport. The teams coming in will have to find an alternative place to land.’
Gregory said, ‘There’s a private airfield twenty miles up the road. President Seguma had it built for his family, to make it easier to jet in and out of here. Some of the guys could land there.’
‘I’ll let Vauxhall know,’ said Mallet. ‘Where’s the brigadier now?’
‘Holed up in an army base in the north. With a few of his loyal men.’
‘And the rest of his troops?’
‘Scattered around the country. Some of them have dispersed or surrendered to the rebels. The rest are barricaded up inside their bases.’
‘Why aren’t they out taking the fight to the rebels?’ Loader asked.
‘They’re waiting to see which way the wind blows. They won’t want to risk their lives if they think it’s a lost cause.’
‘Fucking great,’ said Loader. ‘The local squaddies are worried about getting clipped, so they’re leaving us to deal with the mess instead. It’s nice to know they’re up for a scrap.’
‘It is what it is.’
Casey said, ‘Have you had any trouble from the rebels?’
‘Not a sniff,’ replied Gregory.
‘They’ll come,’ Mallet said. ‘They have to. General Kakuba won’t rest as long as Seguma’s wife and kids are still at large. They’re too much of a threat to his credibility.’
His phone suddenly hummed into life. He wandered off to take the call, talking in a low voice to Six while the others waited near the bar. The infant was still crying despite his mother’s best attempts to calm him down. The two boys were engrossed in their iPad game. The president’s brother drank from a plastic bottle of water and touched a graze on his head. His wife, the president’s sister-in-law, stared off into nowhere, lost in her thoughts.
Gregory planted a hand on Bowman’s shoulder and smiled.
‘It’s bloody good to see you, Josh. You look well.’
‘You too,’ said Bowman. ‘Shame it’s not under happier circumstances.’
‘Yes.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘Still, I’m glad you’re here. Nothing like the sight of one of my old B Squadron hands to warm the heart. How is your sister these days? Hayley, isn’t it? And your niece?’
Bowman stared at him in amazement. But he shouldn’t have been surprised. Gregory had always taken a keen interest in the lives of his men, Bowman reflected. Unlike some of the Ruperts, he’d displayed a genuine fondness for the soldiers under his command.
‘Fine, thanks,’ he said. ‘They’re just fine.’
‘So you’re with the Cell these days,’ Gregory said. ‘John’s unit.’ Bowman nodded. ‘I’m pleased for you. I always rated you as an operator. One of the toughest guys I ever had the privilege to fight alongside.’
‘Thanks, Mike.’
Gregory attempted a slight smile. ‘Perhaps once this is over, I can convince you to come and work for me. I could use a good man to help run this show. And the money’s good. Very good.’
‘We’ve got to survive the next few hours first.’
‘This rebellion won’t last,’ Gregory replied darkly. ‘The rebels
