Page 126 of Tell No One
Ahsan tapped in the number. He managed one word—Hobi,then burst into tears. He pushed the phone towards Tag who winced as he lifted it to his mouth. “Rafiq, it’s Tag. Ahsan is safe. Everything’s over—I hope.”
“Where is he?” Rafiq was crying.
“Scotland. I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you where.”
“I need to be with him.”
“When things are sorted, he can phone you again. Here, I’ll let you talk to him. He’s calmer now.”
He wasn’t really, but Tag was finding it hard to talk. He passed the phone over and lay back again. He eventually found a way to settle on the couch that didn’t hurt too much and closed his eyes. Was that it then? Everyone arrested? The danger gone? If there was no need for Delaney to look after him anymore, then… Tag pressed his lips together. He had the horrible suspicion he was going to get dumped back in London. Delaney would probably give him some money if no one else did, but that would be it. Tag would be looking for a job again and life would restart.
Shit.That wasn’t what he wanted. He didn’t think it was what Delaney wanted either. Not deep down. But he was so determined to stay unattached—detached, that Tag wasn’t sure he could break through Delaney’s protective shell.
He pushed himself to his feet, just managing not to cry out, and staggered out of the room. He could hear voices coming from somewhere and one of them was Delaney’s, but Tag slowly made his way upstairs to find the bedroom he’d slept in. He packed his stuff, not that there was much of it, but he wanted to keep his jacket. Though maybe he’d just lie down for a while first. He definitely couldn’t put on a T-shirt yet. He crawled onto the bed and went out like a light.
19
Delaney was pissed off about leaving Tag. Henry and Barker should have been able to handle things without him but apparently Barker hadn’t done a very good job pacifying the Scottish police, who clearly felt they should have been involved from the start. That had never been going to happen.And now the chief superintendent wanted to speak to Delaney.Fucking perfect.
Apart from Tag getting hurt, the results were as good as they could have hoped for. Two hunters unhurt, and three injured who were—or soon would be—under armed guard in hospital. The injuries weren’t life-threatening, though their lives were effectively over. They’d be put on trial and undoubtedly spend the rest of their existence behind bars. Lincoln was the only one who’d been killed. Shot by the Frenchman, who’d been greedy for more and followed them up the mountain, then shot Tag in the back. Delaney was livid with himself for writing off the two who’d gone after Lincoln—a mistake that could have led to Tag’s death. Jeremy had been picked up making his way back to the castle, apparently protesting that he was there for grouse.
Norbury, Kareem and the rest had been arrested, as had a number at Harborne House. Henry wanted all those involved in Scotland to be taken back to London. The Scottish police thought otherwise. They wanted to charge them up here. The Met was insisting it was their call, as it was part of much larger operation.
The special ops group of which Delaney was part sat between the police and MI5.He was an NOC, an operative working under non-official cover. There were no official ties to the government or the police, though unofficially, the ties were there. Delaney didn’t much care who took charge of what. He’d had enough. It was time to disappear. He wanted to take Tag somewhere and look after him. But he needed a medic to check him out first.
He finally smoothed things over with the chief superintendent and signalled to Henry that he was leaving.He sidled out of the room and found Ahsan coming through the front door.
“Where is he?” Delaney asked.
“Don’t know. I’ve been outside talking to Rafiq.”
Delaney eventually found Tag lying on the bed next to his bag. He’d not even taken off his running shoes. When a gentle shake didn’t wake him, nor did a harder one, Delaney ran back downstairs. If the medics had all gone, he’d have Henry call for another helicopter. But he found a paramedic packing equipment into a vehicle.
“I need you to come and look at someone,” Delaney said. “He was shot in the chest through body armour and also in his shoulder. I can’t wake him.”
The paramedic grabbed his bag and hurried into the castle with Delaney.
“The bullet in his chest broke the skin but the other didn’t,” Delaney said as they ran up the stairs.
Tag moaned and woke when his chest wound was examined, but he looked dazed, his eyes unfocused.
The medic checked his blood pressure and heart. “His heart is beating too fast. His blood pressure’s far too low. He needs to go to hospital. It’s possible there are internal injuries.”
I should have thought. Fuck! My fault.
At least the air ambulance came quickly. Delaney had intended to go with Tag but Henry wouldn’t let him. The Scottish police had more questions for them all, apparently. He had to be physically restrained until they’d taken off. He was furious and done with everything. And this time he meant it.
Delaney stormed off and brought Tag’s bag downstairs to the hall along with his, then disassembled his rifle and put it in the case.
“You steal a car and you’re done,” Barker said behind him.
Delaney ignored him and went to find Henry.
Barker stepped in his path. “He’s busy. And you’re not getting past me.”
“Get the fuck out of my way.”
“You’ll have to wait. This isn’t your show anymore.”
