Sam heard a few sniggers from fellow passengers who also enjoyed the light-hearted comment, and he looked around the aircraft. A multitude of people were sitting in their seats, entertaining themselves with a myriad of activities. Tablets were rested on tray tables; books were being read, and many passengers had taken the opportunity to grab some sleep. With roughly twenty minutes until landing, the dedicated cabin crew were making their way back through the aisle, holding open a plastic rubbish bag and encouraging their passengers to deposit. Sam looked down at his own tray table, picked up the bottle of water he’d purchased, and finished the last few gulps. It had been just over seven and a half hours since they’d departed London Gatwick Airport, and Sam had already helped himself to a hearty meal on the plane. Beside him, a young man named Eric was sleeping, a few empty crisp packets strewn on the table along with an iPad he’d switched off a few hours before. Sam kindly reached across, picked up the wrappers and, with a smile, dropped them along with the bottle into the bag.

The young air stewardess smiled at Sam, not for the first time on the flight, before she continued her way through the plane.

Her name was Emily, and she’d spoken with Sam as she’d served him pizza, questioning him about the light bruising that still littered his face.

Sam had lied, telling her he’d been in a minor traffic collision. Somehow, he didn’t think telling her had fought his way out of a maximum-security prison and then faced off with a crazed soldier would have been the best idea.

Not since he was high on the UK’s most wanted list.

But to Emily, Sam was Jonathan Cooper. The passport, a perfect replica sourced by Paul Etheridge, allowed Sam to leave the country undetected and was just another reason Sam was indebted to the man. There were few things in life that surprised Sam. Having seen the worst of humanity during his assault on organised crime, and having to say goodbye to his own son, Sam expected the worst.

But Etheridge had caught him off guard.

When they were comrades in the army many years ago, Etheridge was certainly a smart man, but he wasn’t a soldier. A near fatal accident which broke his leg, almost cost him his life were it not for Sam’s expert intervention. Lying prone at the bottom of a sharp incline, Etheridge was at the mercy of the approaching Taliban forces.

Sam dispatched them with ease.

After leaving the army, Etheridge had become a successful entrepreneur, developing a digital security platform used the world over. He had it all.

Money.

Mansion.

Trophy wife.

But he had no purpose. Despite his best efforts, the materialistic stop gaps only went so far.

Etheridge may not have had the skills of a soldier, but he certainly had the heart.