Intervention: Deathly Mist

By James Hanford

MI5 agent Laura Harding has too many concerns swirling around her mind.

As she waits for news of Rob Krane, the man she secretly loves, all hell breaks loose across Britain and Europe and she is called upon to investigate. Rob is alone in Mexico and has been caught up in the assassination of a drug lord. During the attackers’ murderous spree Rob escapes into a forest with the dead Capo’s young son and the boy’s nanny. Fearful of going to the local police, he desperately needs help.

Toxic chemicals only used for chemical warfare have been found in an abandoned Southampton building and Laura is sent to investigate. How and why did they come to be in Southampton and what or who are the intended targets? Convinced that the entire chemical stockpile has not been found Laura needs answers if she is to stand a chance of determining how the chemicals are to be used. A tip-off meanwhile suggests that a pan-European smuggling ring has been infiltrated by yet more criminals and people are dying in northeast England and in Hungary as a result. At the same time, intelligence indicates that a drugs war threatens between a Liverpudlian drugs baron and an Afghan warlord. The former has expanded his operations in London disrupting the Afghan’s money supply intended for his own nefarious and deadly vengeful schemes.

Most perplexing of all, somehow Nikki Williamson, a long-time nemesis, has materialised and appears to be involved. But how can she be in so many places at the same time? To join the dots and thwart whatever evil is about to befall, Laura and friends race across Europe and Britain but there is no certainty that they will be fast enough.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Jan 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781800469365

James Hanford

James Hanford lives in London and has been writing since 2012 alongside his day job in corporate property, which takes him to many different places, meeting many interesting people. At times this has provided frightening (real and perceived) experiences that James draws upon as he writes.

Book preview

Contents

Also by James Hanford

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

About the author

1

Rob Krane desperately wanted to relax, but he couldn’t. Something felt wrong.

Ever since his arrival at the plush resort, deep in the forested mountains of the Oaxaca region of Mexico, the staff had been on edge – and so had he. For four days now he had suitably filled his time exploring, but had not been able to relax. Okay, he was by himself, which hadn’t been the plan, but that wasn’t it.

Relationships are so bloody difficult! he thought bitterly as he lazed in the late afternoon sunshine beside the swimming pool. The guidebook for his planned visit to Monte Albán remained untouched beside him as he toyed with his iPhone.

Only a few weeks ago he had invited Laura Harding to join him on holiday. They, and some others, had been celebrating their success of preventing an attack on Canary Wharf in London when he made the suggestion. At the time, amidst hugs, kisses and tears, Laura had declined to join him because of previous commitments, promising that once back home, they would agree on dates to go away together. However, that did not happen; work had got in the way.

A year ago, while in Slovenia, Rob had unwittingly become involved in a power struggle between the billionaire kingpin of an international criminal network, Burak Demir, and one of his henchmen, Emilio Arroz. Laura, an MI5 agent, had coordinated Rob’s rescue, and he had been assisting the domestic British intelligence service ever since.

Now, the two of them had departed on separate holidays. Laura had replied to his texts but only briefly to acknowledge them. Keeping me dangling, he thought sadly. Maybe it was the alcohol that made her so positive. What is life about? I now have so much, but still cannot find a meaningful relationship!

Rob’s deep, gloomy contemplation was interrupted by some new arrivals. A family of three with an accompanying entourage of a nanny, four personal assistants, two each for the husband and wife, and six bodyguards, all of whom were evidently armed. The husband’s swagger was enough to say that he was both immensely rich and most likely crooked.

Curious, as always, Rob was pleased to have his iPhone already raised. Switching applications without drawing attention to himself, he was able to fire off a few photographs, intending to use his Media Face Recognition app. Rob had used the app to great effect a year earlier, identifying Burak only to realise that he needed help if he were to live. Now, Rob wanted to know who his new companions were. Just then, however, a waiter arrived with his drink and Rob hurriedly closed his apps and settled back once more, appraising the attractive nanny who was busy with the young boy.

Hotel porters followed the entourage with an enormous range of luggage as all except the nanny and boy disappeared into their respective chalets. These guys clearly know the place, Rob thought as he looked around at his surroundings once again. So why come here? Service is good, as is the location and the chalet concept. But they are so cheaply and poorly constructed!

Rob relaxed as he watched the nanny and young boy. Both stripped off their outer clothes to reveal some pre-planning – they were already wearing their swimming costumes. As the nanny collected the clothes to place them carefully on one of the sun loungers, the boy started skipping about happily. Rob smiled at the scene, happy to watch such innocent pleasure.

Suddenly, there was a yelp as the boy slipped in a puddle of water and crashed to the stone floor, bashing a knee and elbow. He then toppled over into the pool. The nanny, on the other side of the pool, yelled in horror. Rob was up and moving instantly. Moments later he had leaned over to fish the scared, spluttering child out of the water.

As Rob crouched in front of the boy, holding him gently, he heard the wailing mother dashing along the stone path. Within moments the mother and nanny had wrapped the sniffling boy in their arms. Seconds later the father arrived and started yelling at the nanny, raising a threatening hand.

No! Rob thought horrified. He readied himself for an intervention at the prospect that the young woman could be hit, but was relieved when the mother stepped-in.

"No, Henrique! It was not her fault, I was watching! It was an accident. We should thank our fellow guest instead."

Rob relaxed slightly as the husband backed-off, but noted that he did so only after a confirmatory nod from a bodyguard; the man had been stationed nearby keeping watch, so had seen the event unfold. Profuse praise and thanks began to flow with an invite to join them for dinner, an invite he knew he had to accept.

* * *

Dinner was a lively, loud, and lavish but strained affair in a private, heavily-guarded room. The food was excellent and wine flowed. Henrique was in high spirits and conversation was predominantly between Henrique and his two henchmen. Instead of being personal assistants, as Rob had assumed, he was informed they were Henrique’s close business associates, but what business was not clear. There was little opportunity for the others to converse; Henrique expected everyone to listen to him.

The few words he grabbed with the nanny were cordial, but guarded from her perspective. All he gleaned was that she was Swedish. She was not even forthcoming with her name, preferring to be referred to as ‘nanny’, which was how his hosts referred to her. He did, however, work out that the boy was called Alvaro.

Finding this very curious, Rob determined that he would also take a photograph of her at the first available opportunity. There was something very strange going on, and his relationship with MI5 had given him the desire to investigate matters.

2

Late that night, Rob woke up thirsty. To avoid being dazzled, he left the light off and fetched a glass of water. As he returned to bed, a shadow passed his window. Curious, Rob peered through a crack between the curtains. Immediately his heart started to pound and alarm bells rang in his head. Eight black-clad men were moving through the shadows, each with some sort of gun. The direction of travel was clear – Henrique’s chalet.

Shi-it! What now! He stood watching the slow advance for a few seconds, noting that the intruders had a long way to go and would still have to face Henrique’s bodyguards.

Nanny and the boy! They don’t deserve to get caught up in this. I’ve got to help! With a sinking feeling he knew his intervention was required. Rob moved quickly; he got dressed in his trekking gear, grabbed his valuables, a selection of survival items that he always carried for walking holidays, and all forms of identification. Standing outside his wardrobe he shook his head briefly. There was no going back once he stepped through. Crazy. Absolutely crazy! I’m going to help some people I don’t know – again – and could well get killed in the process!

Opening the door, Rob lifted the wardrobe floor. On his first day he had discovered how cheap the resort’s construction had been and, upon inspection, had realised that the walls did not extend below floor level and the decking that linked all of the chalets. Beneath the wardrobe floor was a short drop down to bare earth. Having dropped through the hole, Rob lowered the wardrobe floor back down behind him and started crawling.

He knew exactly where he was going. How ironic is this? There I was concerned for my security because of how poorly built this place is and now I’m using that for my own purposes!

Henrique’s chalet, and those of his business associates’, was in the furthest cluster from Rob’s. However, Rob had noticed that the nanny and Alvaro shared a chalet in the same cluster as his own. Banking on the intruders wanting to target Henrique and his associates first, Rob braved the scurrying rats and other creepy crawlies to make his way to the nanny’s chalet. Eventually, by running a hand through hundreds of spider webs, he found the floor of their wardrobe.

Heart thumping, Rob waited a full minute, to listen for possible threats, before quietly contorting himself up into their wardrobe. Getting his head covered with the fabric of dresses and skirts and smelling the nanny’s feminine scents reminded him of Laura. What would she think of me climbing into another woman’s wardrobe!

He pushed the door open a fraction. All was dark. He listened and heard the steady breathing of one, then two people, one clearly a child. Content that there was no one else, Rob moved into the room. His eyes had now adjusted to the dark and he could easily make out the two beds. Should I really be doing this? he pondered, standing over the sleeping nanny when he heard the distinctive phuut sound of a silenced gun shot, followed by another.

There was no time to lose. Rob placed one hand over the woman’s mouth and another over the back of her head to maintain the pressure. She was instantly awake, eyes wide in terror, writhing about trying to escape.

Shhh! It’s me Rob. I won’t hurt you. Rob’s mind froze. Damn! Why didn’t I plan what to say! "There are bad guys outside killing Henrique’s men. We need to get out of here – now! No lights."

The woman eventually lay still. Rob waited a moment longer before adding Please, keep quiet.

Rob lifted his hands. The woman immediately tried to roll off the bed to escape, but Rob was too quick and grabbed her, covering her mouth once more. Please! he entreated. "I’m serious… Look, let me take you to the window, but whatever you do, do not touch the curtains; these guys are professionals!"

Wondering whether they would see anything at all, Rob guided the nanny to the window, half expecting her to try and run for it, or signal for help, particularly if they saw nothing. However, there, outside the window, was the body of one of Henrique’s body guards. The intruders were still clear to see in the bright moonlight as they converged on Henrique’s chalet. No further explanation was required.

What can we do? she asked in a horrified whisper.

Get dressed, pack clothes, all identification and other essentials for you and the boy. I’ve left a backpack on your bed, only then wake the boy… And be silent! Make sure you turn your phones off.

Nanny disappeared into the bathroom and emerged a few minutes later, fully dressed. Having packed, she gently caressed Alvaro awake. Alvaro, come on. We’re going to play an adventure game.

Rob was amazed at how wonderfully she managed and encouraged the boy. Very quickly she had his enthusiasm. Ssh. Quietly. We need to be silent to creep about and surprise people. Whatever you do, no peeking through the curtains, otherwise people will see you and we will lose the element of surprise.

The last comment really engaged Alvaro who willingly got dressed without question, a wide grin on his enthusiastic young face, tiredness forgotten. Rob was grateful for the dark, sure that nanny’s face painted the opposite picture of the boy’s.

Once Alvaro was dressed, Rob directed them to the wardrobe and stepped down into the gap, much to nanny and Alvaro’s surprise. Alvaro tugged on nanny’s clothes before whispering, Why aren’t we using the door?

It’s part of the surprise, she replied cautiously, lifting Alvaro into Rob’s waiting hands.

Rob disappeared, carrying Alvaro though the hole. Wait here, don’t do or touch anything. If you hear any noises, it’s okay, even if it sounds nearby, it won’t be. Rob dreaded this bit. There’s no alternative, but a young boy and woman creeping around in the dark with rats and creepy crawlies is not a great combination for willingness and silence! He popped his head back through the gap, Nanny, your turn.

Just then there was a loud burst of gunfire. The chalet windows disintegrated from a combination of bullets and the dead body of an intruder being flung through the glass. Nanny screamed and took Rob’s hand to be hurriedly guided down into the black. Rob popped back up, collected a few items, disappeared back down once again and lowered the base of the wardrobe. Just before closing it, he reached back through and placed the various items on top of the surface, hoping to give the appearance that it had not been disturbed.

Alvaro was whimpering now, uncomfortable and very scared.

Okay, I know this next part won’t be great, Rob whispered urgently, But we need to move. Hold on to my clothes so you know where I am. Please do not make a sound.

They crawled for what felt like ages before Rob stopped at the edge of the decking. Okay, here’s the plan. Rob had given up any pretence that this was some sort of game. They had heard the repeated gunshots and knew what that meant. From here we will need to run across the lawn into the forest. Once there, we will find a path and take it as far away as we can. There are plenty of paths, I’ve been exploring since arriving here. You ready?

He only received the necessary, but restrained and muted confirmatory noises – both were way too scared.

Poking his head out Rob could see no lights, but the sound of a continuing gun battle was a constant reminder of their predicament. They crawled out from under the decking and waited in a crouch.

Okay. Stay low and hold my hands. Let’s go!

Rob led the way, dragging them by their hands as he started to run across the lawn towards the forest.

Halfway across, the ugly clatter of gunfire revealed that they were not alone, and bullets suddenly whined passed their heads. The boy slipped and fell, terrified at what was happening and nanny screeched involuntarily, concerned for Alvaro. Rob’s stomach churned with the realisation that this could be the end.

3

Laura, meanwhile, was sitting with her three girl friends under an awning waiting for lunch. She was in Cyprus, looking out over the Mediterranean and only partially listening to her friends’ chit chat. Her mind was on Rob.

Laura, one of them was saying. Laura?

Huh, oh sorry. What was that?

I think you should check-in with your man. Have you looked at the TV over there?

No. Why?

Read the breaking news banner. There’s a gun battle going on in Mexico and photos of the location look like those your man sent you. If it’s the same place, I will retract my comments that you should have gone with him! I would not want you caught up in that! Laura’s friends, as with her parents, had no idea what her job was, nor that she had frequently been in deadly peril.

One glance at the TV was enough. Laura immediately sent Rob a text before checking various news websites. All confirmed her worst fears – it was where Rob was staying. Tears started to flow and she dashed off to her room, followed rapidly by her closest friend.

Laura’s emotions were running wild. She cursed at not being with Rob. She cursed internally that she could not tell her friend why, more than ever, she wanted to be with Rob, nor why she desperately wanted to be alone to telephone her boss, Steven Gurning, a senior director and Inspector at MI5 who reported to the Director General, or DG.

She felt dreadful for doing it, but after sobbing for a short time, Laura curled up on her bed and pretended to sleep – a consequence of emotional exhaustion and general tiredness from late night girlie chats and drinking. Once her friend had crept quietly from the room, Laura was up and alert. Still no text from Rob. Oh Lord, if you exist, look after him, she prayed. Laura then flicked on the television to a 24-hour news service and within no time the report was coming through.

… our reporter in Mexico City has sent this update…

"Thank you, Andy. A gun battle apparently broke out shortly after midnight, local time, at this well-known luxury resort. There is very little detail at the moment. We expect to learn the full extent of the battle in the next few hours. Early reports suggest that there’s been a massacre of guests and staff. Some were gunned down as they slept, others as they fled towards the surrounding forest. Women and children are included among the dead. The total number of casualties is unknown, but it has been reported that at least one Briton was staying there at the time.

This resort has been controversial for a number of years, known for its links to organised crime, quite possibly the drug cartels. However, nothing has ever been proven and, with its location, spectacular views and tight security, has become a magnet for the rich and famous. How the security was compromised will be one of the many questions to be answered. With that, back to the studio.

Tears flowing, Laura clicked the off button. She had no desire to hear from whichever supposed security expert the channel had disturbed to pontificate on what had happened and why. She tried to compose herself to call Gurning, but knew that at the mention of Rob she would collapse into an emotional wreck. A text would have to suffice.

Steven. Have you seen the news from Mexico? I’ve been sending Rob loads of texts but haven’t had a response – I hope I can say ‘yet’. Can we do anything? Laura

Gurning was in the office and replied almost immediately, sending Laura’s heart leaping hoping that it was Rob. Gurning liked Rob and, like Laura, was very concerned for his safety. However, he, along with many colleagues, understood that Laura would feel differently. For a long time, many had been wondering why the two of them were not a couple.

Yes, I have seen the news. Horrific. I have already asked for enquiries to be made and will let you know as soon as I hear anything. Stay where you are with friends. You have a few more days and if you want to extend for whatever reason, I will understand. S

Laura rattled off another quick text to Rob, debating whether to use the ‘L’ word at the end, but decided against it. Now was not the time. She then settled back on the bed, lying on her side and quietly weeping at the uselessness that she felt in just having to wait, unable to do anything.

4

Meanwhile, another deep and concerned conversation was mid-flow. Burak Demir had been woken with the news from one of his many henchmen, Jim Siggerty, who had no idea who Rob Krane was. Instead he was concerned that Henrique Estes had been assassinated, which would massively and adversely impact his supply of drugs. Estes had opened up numerous supply routes into Britain for Siggerty, enabling him to control Liverpool and have influence across London and elsewhere. While Siggerty unloaded his concerns, Demir searched the web to read the news reports.

So, Jim, what I don’t understand is why you think Henrique could be dead, let alone that he was there in the first place. Reading the reports, there is no mention of any names.

I was speaking to him only last night discussing the next shipments. He mentioned they were going there, mainly because he owns it – not directly of course.

Ah. So you think that the visit was known and that he was targeted?

Precisely.

Okay. Look, here’s what I will do. I will make enquiries to see who would take over, whether he is friendly and how we can maintain your business.

Thank you, Burak, Much appreciated.

A few minutes later Demir was speaking to Gurning. Laura, supported by Gurning, had been involved with the extraction of Rob, Demir and Demir’s daughter, Anja, from Slovenia. One of Demir’s henchmen, Emilio Arroz, had murdered Demir’s lover in front of Demir and Anja and then kidnapped them. Rob’s intervention had saved their lives. Through that experience, Demir had come to respect and like Rob, agreeing to hand over his wealth and assist the authorities to dismantle his vast criminal empire. However, as recent experience had demonstrated, Demir wasn’t totally committed to being completely open and cooperative with MI5.

Morning, Burak. Is this quick? I’m sorry, but an urgent matter has arisen. Gurning had become guarded when talking to Demir as a result of the man’s recent escapades and didn’t want to mention his concerns for Rob.

Err, possibly not, but you will want to know. I’ll give you the overview and we can then discuss when convenient.

Okay, sounds reasonable.

"I’ve heard from Siggerty, you will recall he’s one of my men and a large supplier of drugs in the UK. He has genuine reason to believe that one of his primary suppliers, Henrique Estes, was gunned down last night at a hotel resort in Mexico that Estes owned. If that proves to be the case, drug violence could escalate on the streets where Siggerty operates. Much as I now abhor the drugs trade, as you know, I agreed to help out and reestablish some routes for him to prevent a turf war breaking