Head hunters, p.33
Head Hunters,
p.33
It was raining hard, but Jacko was glad of it after his stint in Helmand. He didn’t want to see sand or sun for a while. And he didn’t much want to see a member of 22 SAS. Some character by the name of Ray Hammond had summoned him here, however, and although Jacko was under no obligation to respond, he was curious. Holroyd had been right about the Regiment. They were out of control and Jacko felt he had enough to continue his predecessor’s work and bring these liabilities down. In his view, there was no place for them in the modern military. But if they had something to say, he wanted to hear it.
He was led into the main building by a broad-shouldered, bearded guy in civvies who had done no more than ask his name. He emanated disdain as he took Jacko along a network of corridors into a section at the heart of the building that was guarded by two armed men in camouflage gear. They stopped outside a plain, wooden door. Jacko’s guide knocked three times then opened the door and indicated that he should enter. Jacko did. The door closed behind him.
It was a plain room with one desk and one chair. A man in fatigues sat behind the desk. He had a mournful expression, and very dark rings around his eyes, almost as if they’d been painted on. He uttered no word of welcome. He just stared at Jacko.
‘Hammond?’ Jacko said, making his voice as authoritative as possible.
No reply.
Jacko wondered whether to stand or sit. He decided to sit and instantly regretted it. Standing, he could look down on this man. Sitting, they appeared to be equals.
The man behind the desk still said nothing. The silence ballooned. Jacko felt uncomfortable.
‘Your men are out of control,’ he said finally.
Silence.
‘I saw their handiwork in Helmand Province. I’ve been making my inquiries. You can expect arrests very soon, starting with Danny Black.’
Silence.
‘The word is that Spearpoint’s been dismantled. Cadogan’s gone to ground, surrounded by a protective barrier ten lawyers thick – hardly a sign of innocence, to my mind.’
Silence.
‘God damn it, man, you invited me here. Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?’
Silence.
Jacko felt his anger rising. ‘I’ve had enough of this. I’m a busy man.’ He stood up. ‘I don’t have time for your games.’ He made for the door, but then turned again. ‘As for Tony Wiseman . . . We haven’t found him yet, but we will. And I should tell you that the rumours aren’t pretty. I have several sources stating that he had a direct association with a known Taliban militant.’ He narrowed his eyes and circled one forefinger. ‘All this,’ he said, ‘is going the way of the dodo. There’s no place for it. Mark my words.’
He headed for the door again and was just about to open it when –
‘You’re right.’
Jacko inhaled slowly as he turned. ‘What?’
‘Well,’ Hammond said. ‘You’re half right. You won’t find Tony Wiseman. But yeah, he got together with Al-Zafawi. He also killed two Regiment men, and frankly that’s just the beginning.’
Jacko moved back towards the desk. He knew he had to play this carefully. It sounded like a confession. Like Hammond was blowing the whistle, just like Wiseman had before him. No wonder he had been reluctant to speak at first. ‘Go on,’ he said.
‘Tony Wiseman was a bad apple.’ Hammond sniffed. ‘He’s been removed from the barrel. End of story.’
Jacko smiled. ‘I’m afraid,’ he said, ‘that’s nowhere near the end of the—’
‘Shut the fuck up, McGuigan, and look at this.’ He passed a sealed A4 envelope across the table. McGuigan stared at it for a moment, then picked it up and opened it.
It contained a photograph. CCTV maybe, or taken from a smartphone. It showed a Land Rover, front on. Through the windscreen two faces were visible: driver and passenger. The image was blurred, but there was no doubt who the people in the photograph were. Tony Wiseman and Mike Holroyd.
‘You’ve been making inquiries? We’ve been making inquiries.’
‘What is this?’ Jacko said.
‘That photograph was taken about half an hour before Wiseman and Holroyd were reported missing. We have an interview with an ANA guard at Shorabak who recalls both men leaving the camp together. They appeared to be working side by side. That’s certainly the impression most people would have, looking at the evidence.’
Now it was Jacko’s turn to be silent. He looked from the picture to Hammond and back again. ‘Are you trying to suggest—’
‘You were working directly for Holroyd, isn’t that right? It’s a terrible thing, really, but I can’t guarantee you won’t be dragged into all this, if it’s made public. Embarrassing for you, and your family. A boy and a girl, isn’t it? Seven and nine?’
Jacko stared at him.
Hammond got up, walked round the desk and stood right by him, looking down at him with his hangdog expression. He took the photo back. ‘Probably best if I look after that,’ he said. He bent down so that they were at eye level and continued to talk in a very quiet, very calm voice. ‘If I hear that Danny Black, or any of my men, are getting any kind of hassle from you or anyone else at Fareham, I will drag you through the shit. Am I clear?’
Jacko clenched his jaw.
‘Am I clear?’
‘Clear,’ Jacko said.
‘Good. Now get the hell out of my office and get the hell out of Hereford. Now.’
Jacko stood up. His pulse was racing. He headed for the door for a third time.
‘And McGuigan.’
‘What?’
‘The Regiment sorts out its own problems. Tell your mates. Don’t fuck with the SAS.’
McGuigan felt his nostrils flaring. He locked eyes with Hammond, but he couldn’t withstand that black-ringed stare for long. He bowed his head and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Fact: in recent years, a large quantity of American gold bullion has found its way into the pockets of warlords and militants in Afghanistan.
Fact: the Royal Military Police have been investigating the activities of British special forces in Helmand Province and elsewhere.
Fact: at the time of writing, the Taliban are on the rise.
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Table of Contents
Also by Chris Ryan
Title Page
Imprint Page
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Author’s note
Table of Contents
Also by Chris Ryan
Title Page
Imprint Page
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Author’s note
Chris Ryan, Head Hunters
