Lethal Credentials

By John Lock

Kane Rhodes and Brian Jones, having recently left the services of MI6, have set up a private close-protection company, partly funded by their former bosses in the Secret Intelligence Service, in return for the odd favour. Their potential clients were mainly the rich and famous, including film and music stars, high profile CEOs and the occasional government contract for visiting dignitaries.
They are approached by the daughter of a deceased massage parlour owner to help find her murderer but Kane explains that they are in the close-protection business and not private eyes and turns her down. The following day the offices are visited by four ‘heavies’. Kane and Brian were both out on appointments and the only people left were Kane and Brian’s P.A. Susan and Mike, one of their operatives. The thugs wanted to speak to Kane but they threatened Susan saying that Kane should not get involved with the death of a madam and when Mike intervened, a short and one-sided fight ended up with Mike taking a beating. Susan was also man-handled and slapped before the four men eventually left, having delivered their message.
An enraged Kane and Brian take up the case as they want to track down the villains who visited their offices. The case goes far deeper than the investigation of a murder, protecting the client or revenge, as Kane and Brian soon uncover a drugs and terrorist network worth billions of pounds on the black market.
As their investigations take them deeper into the realms of organised crime, they are contacted by their previous employers and told to back off as they were getting into a case which MI5 were investigating in the UK and MI6 were following up in Bulgaria and Afghanistan. The belief was that ISIS or the Taliban were selling drugs to the Bulgarian Mafia who in turn sold them, via the Zagreb Import & Export company, to the Dubrika Group. These are primarily Albanians, mostly former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the ring leaders of organised crime in London and the UK. However, the tide turns and they find themselves going from the hunters to the hunted.
To eliminate the potential threat to their lives, they have to find the ringleader and with the help of MI6 their inquiries take them to Afghanistan and Bulgaria. After several twists and turns they uncover the reason why the massage parlour owner was murdered, who did it, and more importantly the name of the overall ringleader. This resulted in Kane and Brian forming an unlikely alliance between an organised crime lord, a Bulgarian Mafia boss, and a CIA agent. They combine together to take out an ISIS group intent on infiltrating drug distributors throughout Europe; and the British ringleader who set the whole thing up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Lock
• Release date: Dec 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463946725

John Lock

John Lock was born in Swansea but now lives in Barry, South Wales. He is an extremely effective thriller writer whose novels you just cannot put down. He is married to wife Lindsey with whom they have a grown up daughter Kelly and John also has four other children Catherine, Mark, Daniel, and David.To date, John has written four novels in the Kane Rhodes/Brian Jones series, Presidential Trail, The Shir Khan Prophecy, Treacherous Assignment and Lethal Credentials. Each book has a 'stand alone' story but they do follow on in time. He has the ability to mix fast paced action with diversified story lines but still captivating the reader to find out 'what happens next?'His story lines are well researched and the accurate descriptions of places and content bring a sense of reality to a genre which could sometimes go beyond belief but is definitely not the case in his highly acclaimed novels.

Book preview

Lethal Credentials

By

John Lock

Copyright © John Lock 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Lethal Credentials is a fictional series and as such, all events, story lines and characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance, similarities or portrayals relating to people alive or dead are entirely coincidental.

Table Of Contents

1. New Start

2. Improving Security

3. Change of Direction

4. The Set Up

5. Positive ID

6. First Contact

7. On the Trail

8. Making Progress

9. Upping the Anti

10. Process of Elimination

11. Stirring Up a Hornets Nest

12. Joining the Dots

13. Narrowing Down the Options

14. The Final Showdown

Dedication

Dedicated to my entire family, wherever you may be in this world. We may not see each other on a regular basis but you are always in my thoughts.

Chapter 1

New Start

The still, early evening air was punctuated by the booming, bass beat emulating from within the wooden shack as Kane Rhodes peered in through the dusty, cracked window. The dimly lit room was sparsely furnished with makeshift furniture; a broken chair, a large wooden box which served as a table, and what looked like the back seat of an old Cadillac. Two young men were sprawled lazily across the seat, one playing with a hand gun, the other grinning at the floor-show unfolding in front of him.

A young woman, in her early twenties, stood uneasily in the middle of the room, visibly shaking. A third young man was standing to the side of her shouting and waving a six inch blade in front of her fear-racked face.

The woman began to slowly undo the front of her blouse, her trembling fingers making hard work of pushing the thick, plastic buttons through the hand-sewn button holes. Blood trickled down from a gash on her right cheek, seeping on to her quivering lips turning her teeth red. The knife-wielding thug shouted even louder and moved menacingly closer as the frightened woman pulled at her blouse, ripping apart the remaining two buttons before frantically yanking off the torn garment and letting it drop to the floor.

The girl folded her arms across her chest and stared down at the ground, cowering under the continuous verbal assault from her very agitated aggressor. Reluctantly she unfolded her arms and put them behind her back to unclasp her bra, but it was not quick enough for the knife-wielding thug as he slashed her face once more.

Kane had seen the damage inflicted on the other hostage prior to her being killed and did not want this petrified prisoner to be subjected to the same horrific torture. He was powerless to intervene until he knew the whereabouts of the fourth member of the gang. He was the one person whom he could not afford to let get away. It would be difficult enough to eliminate the three in the room as it was, but his mind was already setting in motion a plan to take out the guy on the bench seat playing with the hand gun, then the knife wielding thug and finally the grinning sicko whose obvious enjoyment was getting heightened as the thug became more aggressive. The feeling of a cold gun barrel in the back of his neck suddenly brought Kane back to reality.

Make any sort of move and I will kill you. The raspy, gravelled voice left Kane in no doubt he would carry out his threat. Raise your hands, slowly. Now get up and walk to the door.

Kane walked slowly towards the front of the wooden shack. If he could get his captor to press the gun against him again, then maybe he could spin around, grabbing the gun hand at the same time. However, he had no idea how far away the gun was being held behind his back or even which hand it was held in. So any attempt to disarm his abductor would give him ample time to fire his weapon. A muffled groan behind him made Kane tense up ready to react. He did not know whether his captor had stumbled or was simply expressing his feelings. Once inside he would have very little chance against four armed adversaries, and his time to attempt an escape was fast running out. He decided to try and work out roughly where the gun might be from the sound of his captor’s voice.

I will have to lower my arm to open the door, is that okay? Kane spoke quietly, even though music was blasting from inside the cabin.

Well you look pretty bloody stupid with your hands up in the air. Brian answered softly.

Shit Brian, am I glad to see you. I thought you were still on the junction keeping a look-out. Kane sighed in relief, then noticed the prone body of his former abductor stretched out on the floor, a tell-tale blood-stained knife wound clearly visible in the centre of his back.

We’ve got company. They’re about a mile away travelling on foot, so whatever we are going to do, we had better do it now. Brian responded.

There are two yobs sitting on the settee and another one in the centre of the room. I’ll go in the back door and take care of the two sitting down while you come in the front and take care of the guy standing up. Wait until my first shot. Kane whispered before disappearing around the back of the shack.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Kane burst into the room and fired two quick shots at the youth with the hand gun before turning the gun on the other thug. As Kane fired a second volley of two shots he could hear Brian’s gun silencing the dishevelled captive’s tormentor.

Brian took off his coat and placed it around the screaming girl’s shoulders, trying to comfort her and quieten her at the same time, but to no avail. We have to go Kane. They will have heard those shots and can’t be that far away.

We won’t get far with these two, so we need to make a stand here, but not in this shack. How long do you reckon we have?

Maybe ten minutes at most Brian replied. There are three maybe four of them.

Take your girl as far into the bushes as you can, I’ll catch up in a minute. Here, you’ll need this Kane stated, handing Brian a discarded AK47.

Brian guided the now calming girl through the sparse bushes into the more heavily condensed thicket beyond, whilst Kane wrapped a tattered blanket around the deceased hostage and hoisted the body over his shoulder. Adjusting the body weight on his shoulder, Kane quickly exited the cabin and placed the body, out of sight, behind some nearby bushes. Satisfied the torso could not be easily seen, Kane returned to the shack and yanked off one of the dead thug’s trainers before quickly unthreading the laces. Then he picked up one of the two grenades lying on the table and firmly tied it with one of the laces, to the side of the door. Taking the second lace he carefully threaded it through the pin on the grenade and tied it securely to the door handle. Satisfied with his work Kane placed the second grenade in his jacket pocket and left through the back door to work his way around to the front and join Brian. He had just begun to cover the clearing in front of the cabin when three figures emerged and jerked their weapons in Kane’s direction to commence firing. Kane instinctively dived back to the side of the cabin as a hail of bullets splintered the wood inches from his head. Excited voices filled the air as he tried to work out where the intruders were situated. One voice was obviously working his way around the back of the shack and at least one making his way along the front of the building. Kane lay flat on the ground quickly glancing from the front to the back of the cabin to see where his first assailant would come from.

A short burst of automatic fire from Brian’s AK47 took care of one of the newcomers as another appeared from the rear of the cabin and fired a volley over Kane’s prostrate body. Kane fired two shots back with deadly accuracy and the intruder fell to the ground, dead. Kane jumped to his feet as an exchange of gunfire echoed from the front of the building. He resisted the immediate urge to help Brian and continued towards the rear of the cabin, quickly glancing behind and in front for any unwanted intruders. With one brief look over his shoulder, Kane leant forward and peered around the back of the shack but the way was clear. He turned and began making his way back to the front of the building when one of the rebels burst through the front door into the empty room. Kane had just reached the dusty, cracked window when the grenade went off. His last memory was of flying through the air as a veil of darkness slowly engulfed him.

The cold, white walls of the hospital ward gave Brian little comfort as he twisted uneasily in the worn, bedside chair. The smell of cheap disinfectant filled his nostrils as he glanced around the ward at some of the other patients.

What time is it? Kane asked groggily.

Strewth! You’re awake at last. It’s nine-thirty in the morning. You’ve been here all night. How are you feeling?

My head is pounding. What happened?

Grenade, gave you concussion. Didn’t anyone tell you that if you set traps with grenades, the idea is that you are not there when it goes off.

Which one was the diplomat’s daughter? Kane asked sensitively.

The one you carried out. Brian replied. But the other one is responding to treatment physically and the doctor reckons her facial injuries were not too deep, and with a bit of surgery, the scarring will be minimal. But it will take a lot of counselling to get her through the mental anguish of her ordeal.

Well let’s hope she recovers quickly. I suppose we could say that we were fifty per cent successful in our objective, but it doesn’t feel that way. This last assignment, does it remind you of anything?

Somalia. One of the first operations we did together. Almost a carbon copy except I didn’t get shot this time. Why do you ask?

We’ve been talking about leaving the service for ages and after this job, well, I’m of a mind that maybe the time is right.

If we did, are you still thinking of setting up in the protection business?

We have done all of the research, and between us we have enough funds to set it up. What do you reckon?

Brian looked around the ward at the bandaged bodies; most of which were as a result of overzealous rebels. You know, I think you’re right. If you are serious about giving up the service, then I’m with you all the way. We will resign as soon as we get back, but we have to give three months’ notice at least. Still, that will give us plenty of time to get the ball rolling on our new venture. Now get some rest so we can get you discharged and be on our way home. I’m looking forward to seeing Bill’s face when we give him our resignation letters.

It took two more days to get back to the U.K. and a further six weeks of interviews and debriefs before MI6 finally accepted their resignations. Bill Johnson eventually agreed to let them go but had a proposition for them which, on the face of it, would suit both parties.

*****

Distant voices rose and fell with each different topic of conversation, interspersed with the occasional muted ring from one of the several telephones spread throughout the large, open plan office.

Kane sat back in his executive chair, peering over his crossed feet which were tentatively perched on the edge of his oak-veneered desk. Through the glass panelled front of his basic, but satisfactory office, he could see several of his staff performing their routine, day to day duties. Routine, day to day… The thoughts awoke in him a feeling of loss, a void in his life that he was struggling to come to terms with.

It had been nearly six months since he and Brian Jones had left the services of MI6 and set up their own private, close protection company for the rich and famous. The intelligence agencies had been very helpful, both financially and in supplying various contract works offering their security services to some of the visiting dignitaries. But this came at a price. MI6 could call on their special services anytime during the next three years.

Kane missed the ‘buzz’; the uncertainty, instant decision making and sometimes the fear that kept his adrenaline pumped, but he also realised that he was not getting any younger. Now was probably the best time to start a new, less energetic episode in his life. He stared at the phone, wishing their special services would be requested by Bill Johnson, head of MI6 and Department X, a combination of MI6, MI5 and other British security forces, set up to share information and resources with other secret service agencies throughout the world. Kane and Brian had been seconded to Department X and had worked closely with other countries’ agents on several covert operations in various continents. However, little did he know that his mundane routine was about to be turned on its head by the new owner of a string of massage parlours.

His thoughts were interrupted by his P.A. Susan, tapping on the open office door and frowning her disapproval of Kane’s size 10 feet, crossed precariously on the edge of the desk.

I see you’re hard at it then she smiled, as he dutifully removed his feet from the desk and sat upright in his chair. I have a rather persistent woman who insists on seeing you. I have tried to take some details from her but she insists on seeing you, as apparently, you have been highly recommended by a mutual friend.

Kane lifted his head and stared through the partially tinted glass, focusing on the back of the tall, slender figure standing prominently at the edge of Susan’s desk. As if on cue, the figure turned and smiled back at Kane before walking towards the office door.

Well do I let her in or dump her on her arse? Susan asked moving to block the doorway.

No it’s okay I’ll see her. He smiled back at Susan, confident in the fact that she would have put the visitor on her backside if he had requested it. Susan was probably in her early fifties, fit, feisty and not one to be taken lightly.

She had been invaluable in helping him and Brian set up and administer their new venture, and they both relied on her to keep things ticking over. The business was already expanding and Susan had the skills and qualities to absorb and control the prolific early growth rate.

Mr. Rhodes this is Karen Kalev Susan continued, as she ushered the woman into Kane’s office before exiting and closing the door behind her.

Right Ms. Kalev, how can we help you? Kane asked rather abruptly.

I’ll come straight to the point Mr. Rhodes, my mother was murdered three months ago and the police still have no idea who did it. I want to hire you to find out who killed her and why.

Hold on a second Ms. Kalev, we’re a security company specialising in close protection services. We are definitely not private eyes, so I’m afraid you have come to the wrong place.

I’m aware of what you do Mr. Rhodes, and please call me Karen. I have tried two detective agencies already and they have both come up with nothing. You were recommended as someone who could obtain results given the minimum amount of information.

Well Ms. Kalev, you were told wrong. There’s not much point in carrying on this conversation and I have some important matters to attend to Kane rose to his feet as he spoke. If you need security then we could look at ways of helping you and determine a cost, but we are definitely not in the investigation game – sorry. Kane walked to the office door and opened it wide.

The lady, realising her tact was not working on this occasion, placed her business card on Kane’s desk, stood upright and paused momentarily before sauntering over to the doorway. I don’t give up that easily Mr. Rhodes. I know you are the man for the job. Could we at least discuss it, over dinner maybe?

The answer would still be the same Ms. Kalev. Enjoy the rest of your day. Kane replied, as he held open the door.

Goodbye Mr. Rhodes Karen smiled as she turned and walked out of his office. Kane summed her up as being around thirty-five, probably single and whilst she was not unattractive, there was something about her that made him feel wary.

That was quick. Do I need to open a new case file? Susan asked, as she walked slowly towards Kane whilst still keeping an eye on the slender figure leaving the office.

No, she needed a gumshoe not security.

Anything juicy?

Her mother was apparently murdered a few months ago and she feels the boys in blue are not being very productive.

Murdered! What happened?

I don’t know, I didn’t ask.

Didn’t you get any details?

No point, we’re not getting involved so there’s no need.

I wish I’d made her fill in a detailed request form now before passing her over to you Susan muttered as she walked back to her desk.

Kane glanced out of his office window just as Karen Kalev climbed into a green Mercedes next to her grey-haired driver.

Brian Jones stood by the check-in desk as the Palestinian ambassador and his personal bodyguard disappeared into the departure area. Another baby-sitting job completed, another file to close. Although grateful that their new joint venture was already giving them an income they had not expected so soon, Brian was of the same frame of mind as Kane. He yearned for the excitement and danger that made them both feel alive and in peak, mental condition. Their daily trips to the gym and close combat workouts took care of their physical condition, but the routine and boredom of waiting around whilst their clients were in meetings or discussions, and then the brief alertness as they were transported from A to B, dulled their mental outlook. Brian took out his phone and contacted the office whilst confirming the time on his Sekonda wrist watch.

Hi Susan, it’s me, Brian.

I’d never have guessed Susan replied sarcastically, looking at the number and name displayed on her phone.

"That’s another one wrapped up. The ambassador is waiting to board the plane back

to Palestine. I’m going to hang around here until it takes off then I’m going to head home and put my feet up."

Your partner’s been doing that all day Susan joked, as she checked through Brian’s messages. You need to call the garage about delivery of your new car and you and Kane are meeting in the office tomorrow morning, before going up to Manchester, for your consultation with Nina Cole’s management team, regarding security for her forthcoming tour. Apart from that, there’s nothing that won’t wait until tomorrow but I’ve emailed you a transcript of all your messages anyway.

Okay Susan, I’ll see you in the morning. Have a good night.

Brian found a seat with a clear view of the departure board and settled down for yet another tedious wait.

Kane read through his diary for the next couple of days and noticed that nothing had been booked in for Friday. This might be an opportunity to take a long weekend and do something entirely different.

Have you got your keys to lock up or do you want me to wait for you? Susan shouted from the other end of the office.

No you’re okay. I’ve got my keys and I won’t be long behind you. Goodnight. Kane watched Susan disappear through the doorway and surveyed the large, empty office. Including Brian and himself, they had seven permanent staff and would soon need to employ more. Two of the staff are full time, close protection officers, personally hand-picked by him and Brian. The office staff had been selected by the very capable Susan, P.A., office manager, Human Resources and general dog’s body, but an invaluable asset.

Kane sat back in his seat and lifted up his legs to place his feet firmly on the desk, whilst he mulled over the day’s events. The proposals for providing additional security for the Nina Cole tour had been completed and would be run through with Brian the following morning. Confirmation of the Israeli delegation requirements should be received by mid-day. Kane expected this to be minimal as the Israeli’s always had their own formidable security and their role would be more location advisory than anything else, but none the less very profitable. Then there was Karen Kalev. Obviously successful, determined, and confident yet there was something about her that left Kane feeling a little uneasy and it wasn’t her charm.

The early morning sun flickered through the partially opened, vertical blinds as Kane swung his legs out of bed and ruffled his short-cropped hair. ‘Another day, another dollar’ he thought to himself as he rummaged through the bottom drawer of his bedside cabinet and selected a pair of dark blue running shorts. Kane liked his routine and looked forward to his morning jog – once he had started! Today was no exception and he was soon ‘blowing the cobwebs away’ as he gently increased his speed to run down the pathway and along the river bank.

Kingston-upon-Thames had been his home base for the last five years and this was probably the best part of his day. He enjoyed the freedom, fresh cool air and the adrenaline that pumped through his body as he gradually increased his speed to finish with a thirty second sprint. Having reduced his speed to a gentle jog Kane carried on past the boat house and along the river bank, before taking the well-trodden path back to the road side and his return journey home. A cup of coffee, piece of toast and a long, lingering shower later, Kane was dressed and sitting behind the wheel of his BMW M Sport heading towards his office in Chessington. The start of another routine day, or was it?

Brian was already at the office when Kane arrived and gave Kane an acknowledging nod as he walked through the door.

What’s the matter? Couldn’t you sleep? Kane joked as he strode across to Susan’s filing cabinets and selecting a key from his key-ring, opened the second drawer down and picked out the file marked Nina Cole.

I’ll have you know I was running around Epsom at five o’clock this morning.

What, the police chasing you?

What makes you so bright and cheerful this morning? Brian quipped Do you know something I don’t?

Yep Kane quickly replied, I’m taking Friday off and going to have a long weekend away, unless you have arranged anything for us?

"No you’re good. I’ve not much on Friday