Page 12 of End Game
They both reported back to their ambassadors in London and told them even less than they told each other.
Sun Anqi and Petrov only met at all because their ambassadors had insisted they should, in the spirit of collaboration between their two great nations. Ambassador Mikailov reminded everyone that Sun Anqi was an invaluable ally, while Ambassador Wei Ming confirmed that Petrov must be kept close, if for no other reason than to please President Putin.
That morning, they met at London Bridge station on a bench near the departure boards. Sun Anqi eyed every passing commuter suspiciously until Petrov joined her.
‘Ten weeks to go,’ murmured Sun Anqi.
‘Ten weeks until your services will no longer be required,’ Petrov hissed. ‘In fact, you’ll be able to return home before the starter’s pistol is even fired – because it won’t be.’
She didn’t ask why – she never did – but he still told her.
‘If everything goes to plan,’ he said quietly, ‘the Queen won’t be attending the opening ceremony of the Thirtieth Olympiad, but will be escorted back to Buckingham Palace having failed to reach the stadium.’
‘Your trivial plans are of little concern to me,’ responded Sun Anqi. ‘You’re nothing more than a distraction, if I recall my leader’s words. My closing ceremony will be the main event.’
Sun Anqi knew that her plan mustn’t fail. It had, after all, received the blessing of her President. In fact, Hu Jintao had thanked her on behalf of a grateful nation, not least because, in order to carry out such an audacious coup, Sun Anqi would have to sacrifice her own life.
President Hu Jintao had assured her that if she succeeded, she would become part of Chinese folklore.
Reward enough to serve my leader – the only God she believed in.
Her own life was of little importance; she was driven by higher ideals. Petrov, on the other hand, was only interested in promotion and the illusionary bubble of fame, which was one of the many reasons she despised him.
‘But if my plan succeeds, we won’t be calling on your expertise,’ Petrov reminded her.
‘Commander Warwick and his team will be up againstus,’ Sun Anqi said, keeping her voice low, her eyes fixed on the departure boards. Anybody glancing at the two figures on the bench would not have even noticed they were having a conversation. ‘I have been watching him closely for the past four years and he is a worthy adversary. Never underestimate your enemy,’ she said pointedly.
Petrov couldn’t be certain which enemy she was referring to, but simply said, ‘I intend to keep the Commander and his team well occupied, so neither he nor his flatfoots will work out my end game.’ He paused, smiled, and got to his feet, glancing down only to add, ‘Until it’s too late.’
•••
In another London venue, on the far side of the city, another covert meeting was taking place. Ross and William sat in the corner of a café, talking about Ross’s assignment during the next few weeks.
‘So, I’m officially on your team once again?’
‘Unofficially,’ William clarified, ‘but the Hawk did get Commander Sinclair’s agreement, not that he knows what you’ll be up to.’
‘And what did Sinclair have to say about that?’ was Ross’s next question.
‘He wasn’t exactly pleased,’ admitted William. ‘But, as we both know, the Hawk is not someone to pick a quarrel with.’
‘When do I start?’ asked Ross.
William checked his watch: 7.03. ‘You started three minutes ago,’ he replied.
‘And what are my responsibilities?’
‘To think of anything we might have missed that could compromise the Games and then make sure it never happens.Whether it’s a terrorist threat or a crook trying to make money on the side. I’ve had my eye on Bernie Longe for some time. He will have found dodgy land deals and fake ticket scams irresistible, so I want you to be two steps ahead of him. If a problem arises that you can’t deal with, you report back to me immediately.’
‘Understood.’
‘And at all times keep your head below the parapet,’ William added. ‘I don’t want the rest of the team to be aware of your presence, at least not yet. In fact, I don’t want anyone to know we’re working together again. As head of Public Order and Operational Support, I’m conspicuous – anyone planning any kind of disruption knows who I am. But they mustn’t even know you exist.’
‘They won’t,’ said Ross, who stood up and left as if the meeting had never taken place.
CHAPTER 4
7 June 2012 – 50 days to go
