The Last Enemy(13)

‘Lauren knows a lot more about them than I do,’ said Jake.

‘Then perhaps you’d both like to join me for a spot of lunch.’ He jerked his thumb at the man in the dark suit, who was still talking to the desk sergeant. ‘My new solicitors appear happy to pay my bill for the moment, so we might as well take advantage of it.’

‘Actually, Pierce Randall also know a great deal about the hidden library of Malichea,’ said Lauren.

‘Yes, but they’ll only tell me what they want me to know,’ said Guy, dropping his voice to a whisper. ‘Whereas you two, you’ve been there, from what Jake tells me. So, how about it? Lunch on me?’

‘Great!’ Jake nodded. ‘Twelve o’clock?’

‘Twelve it is. The Belvedere in the Strand. Just ask for me. I’ll reserve us a table in the restaurant.’

‘That’s everything ready, Lord de Courcey,’ said a voice.

They turned to see the solicitor from Pierce Randall standing beside them.

He looked tough. Slimly built and tall, with piercing eyes, up close Jake could see that his clothes were the best. As always, with everyone involved with Pierce Randall, money spoke.

‘Excellent!’ Guy smiled.

‘I have a car waiting outside for you,’ added the solicitor.

‘Good.’ Turning back to Jake and Lauren, Guy asked, ‘In case I need to get in touch with you, let me have your phone number.’

‘Sure,’ said Jake. ‘When I pick up my mobile and my other stuff from the desk sergeant, I’ll phone mine through to you. What’s your number?’

‘Small problem,’ sighed Guy. ‘I haven’t got myself sorted out with a UK mobile yet.’ Gesturing towards the solicitor, he said, ‘These guys are going to do that for me. But I can always use the hotel phone till then.’

‘OK,’ said Jake hesitantly. He wrote his mobile number down on a piece of paper, and gave it to Guy.

‘Great!’ said Guy. ‘See you two later.’

With that, he followed his solicitor out of the police station.

Jake went over to the desk.

‘So, is that everything for me too?’ he asked. ‘Can I take my things and go?’

‘Not quite,’ said the desk sergeant. ‘There are some forms to sign, and you have to make an appointment to bring in your passport.’

‘Fine,’ said Jake. ‘Let’s have the forms.’



The young man watched from across the street as Jake Wells and Lauren Graham got into their car.

The sniper rifle he’d used to kill Alex Munro was safe, destroyed. There was no chance of that ever being used as evidence leading to him.

The next stage in his plan was Jake Wells and his girlfriend.

It was all about The Index. The Holy Grail. That one book with an untold worth. And it was going to be his. But to get his hands on it he had to be careful, and clever. Put the right amount of pressure on the right people. Tighten the screws. Cause some pain.

As he watched Jake and Lauren drive off, he smiled to himself.

Wait till you get back to your flat, he thought. You’re in for a big surprise. A very unpleasant surprise.





Chapter 5




As Lauren drove them back to their flat, Jake filled her in on Guy de Courcey.

‘If Pierce Randall are to be believed, his family had The Index and the Journal of the Order of Malichea in their library at their stately home until very recently.’

‘You’re joking!’ exclaimed Lauren. ‘The Index!’

‘That’s what Guy said Alex Munro told him.’

‘And then someone shot Alex Munro and framed you for it.’

‘Me and Guy,’ said Jake.

‘Why?’ asked Lauren.

Jake shrugged.

‘Who knows? To divert attention away from the real murderer and get away with it, I suppose.’

‘Yes, but why you, particularly? And why this Guy character?’

‘I’ve no idea,’ said Jake. He frowned. ‘Tell me again about Gareth. About not being able to get hold of him.’

‘That’s all there is to tell,’ said Lauren. ‘I phoned his house, and I spoke to his wife, who hung up on me. At least, I assume it was his wife. I’ll tell you one thing, she sounded really frightened.’

‘I’m still a bit puzzled as to why the police let me go so easily,’ said Jake. ‘Even with your friend Bex and all that stuff about bail regulations.’

‘Maybe they didn’t,’ said Lauren.

‘They had enough to hold me,’ pointed out Jake. ‘The entry in Munro’s diary. The CCTV footage of me in our car in Crouch End at the right time. But they let me go. And without a high-powered solicitor, or Gareth, to threaten them on my behalf.’