Page 124 of Tell No One
“Is it over?” Tag asked.
Delaney nodded.
“Is Ahsan okay?”
“Yes. Everyone’s in custody. Or dead.”
“Who’s dead?”
“Lincoln.”
“I’m not going to pretend to be sorry.”
“Can you make it over to the injured guy?”
“Yes.”
Delaney helped him to his feet and they walked across to where the Frenchman was lying. Tag took his white T-shirt out of his backpack and pressed it on the guy’s bloody shoulder.
He groaned, opened his eyes and gave a short laugh. “Bang. You’re dead.”
“Get away from him,” Delaney said.
Tag stood and backed away.
“How could I miss?” the French guy asked.
“You didn’t,” Tag said.
“You were wearing body armour?Merde!”
The sound of an approaching helicopter filled the air and Tag shaded his eyes as dust began to swirl. The injured guy was taken up first, then a crewman came down for Tag. Even though he was in a harness, it was still scary and it hurt. Tag was glad when he was in the body of the helicopter and even more relieved when Delaney was sitting next to him.
“You did really well,” Delaney said to him.
Tag started the third Mars Bar. He offered Delaney a bite, then glared when he took one.
Delaney smiled. “I’ve got three in my backpack. You can have all of them.”
Tag rested his head against him, relieved when Delaney let him. “This has been the longest day of my life and I think that bullet broke my ribs.”
“You took a risk with your lover,” the Frenchman said to Delaney from the stretcher. “Not one I’d have taken.”
“Yeah, well he’s worth it,” Tag said and felt Delaney laugh.
Tag and Delaney were dropped at the castle, then the helicopter took off again.
“Wow, look at all the police cars,” Tag said. “So do you work for the police?”
“Not exactly.”
He’ll never tell me.The gulf between them seemed to be getting wider and wider.
As they walked into the building, Tag felt so light-headed, he almost fell. “Can this body armour come off now? Not sure I have the energy to lift my arms. Maybe you could cut off the T-shirt?”
“Come and sit in the drawing room.”
Delaney took out a knife and sliced down the front, then peeled away the material. When he removed the vest, Tag bit his lip against the pain.
