Chapters (79)
- Cover
- Also by Anthony Riches
- NEMESIS
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- Acknowledgements
- Read on for an exclusive preview of the next Mickey Bale thriller Target Zero
- Prologue
- 1
- About the Author
- An Invitation from the Publisher
She shook her head. ‘We have no idea. The best guess the forensics guys have come up with so far is Chechen. Perhaps we’ll know more once their DNA’s been properly analysed. Their clothing and equipment had been sanitised. No labels, no extraneous DNA, no nothing. There are no serial numbers on their weapons and the ammunition is probably untraceable as well. Probably imported illegally. No fingerprint or DNA matches in the Interpol database, nothing from face recognition. Nothing to link them to any cause or country. And of course the government will be scrupulous in seeking proof before accusing any third party. Although I think it’s fairly clear who they’re looking at as being their paymasters, behind the smoke and mirrors. Although if MI5 have any clue who it was, they’re not sharing them with us mere mortals.’
Mickey looked up at her. Already pretty much knowing the answer to the question he had to ask. Unable to put it off any longer.
‘Wade?’
‘Constable Harris was declared dead on arrival at Charing Cross Hospital. He was hit three times.’ Her expression softened, just for a moment. ‘My commiserations, Sergeant. I know how hard it is to lose a partner.’
Mickey closed his eyes, seeing his friend’s face. Opened them again. ‘Kev?’
‘Sergeant Smalls suffered multiple shrapnel wounds. One of them a sucking lung perforation. He should pull through. And he’s already telling anyone who’ll listen that you saved his life.’
Kev was alive then. Small mercies.
‘Cavendish?’
‘He’s still in surgery. Reconstructing his shoulder. Seems from what the bystanders told the investigating officers that he saved your bacon.’
‘No doubt of that. Sir Patrick?’
‘Not a scratch. At which point it would be easy to be cynical, given he lived because of several brave officers’ actions. But to be fair he insisted on continuing to the embassy immediately, once the situation was under control. Whatever it was that was so important, he carried it through. And he’s suitably grateful to you and your colleagues. I believe he’s already decided what decorations he’s putting you all in for. Constables Maisie Blake and Wade Harris will both be awarded a posthumous George Cross.’
Mickey nodded. ‘Justified. They went down shooting, both of them. Maisie delayed the shooters long enough for us to get deployed.’
The assistant commissioner nodded.