Read Online Out of the Shadows (Akira and Deane Thriller Series Book 1) by Tim Jopling - Free Book Online

doors
parted as the basement presented itself. Burton stumbled out in the
direction of his parked car, some metres away. Upon reaching the
vehicle, he threw his briefcase and jacket angrily onto the back
seat. He had no idea how to explain everything to his wife, let
alone find a long-term solution to the financial problems he faced.
Any feelings of anger towards Ramsey or the service were now fading
away, being replaced by guilt of that of a failed father and
husband. What sort of a future am I
providing for little Oscar? Kate deserves better…
     
    Olsen’s second
workout of the day had done nothing to help his frame of mind. If
anything, he felt even more wound up than yesterday. He was still
coming to terms with the nightmare and its terrifying realism. One
question continued to linger. Why didn’t
Tom tell me the truth? As the lift opened,
he still hadn’t come up with a plausible answer. Olsen made his way
to the large double doors that led to Operations Command, the hive
of MI6. His ID card gave a green light and the large doors slowly
parted.
    The soon to be
S.U.C.O. team leader had spent many hours in ‘Ops’ as it was
commonly known. The place was teeming with technicians, other
agents and people from all walks of life; all working around the
clock to keep the peace as best they could.
    Olsen caught
sight of Agent Carter, who was leant over a laptop computer. ‘Hard
at it, Dan?’ Feeling like he was getting better at repressing
everything, he managed a smile of sorts.
    Carter turned
around, clutching several printouts. ‘Nothing of interest. I’m
surprised you’re still here, thought you had a lunch date with
Rachel?’
    Olsen smiled at
the mention of his fiancée and remembered her concern surfacing
again when they had spoken earlier. Her voice had sounded so soft
on the phone. Olsen had worked hard to reassure her that it would
all be ok. ‘Had to postpone. We’ll see each other nearer the end of
the week, before I head out to Oman.’
    ‘Bet she loved
that. Won’t be like that when you’re married, you know.’ Carter
said sarcastically.
    The thought of
having a wife didn’t bother him at all; he couldn’t wait for the
day. Will you still be a Government
agent? asked a voice inside him. ‘Thought
I’d stick around tonight and do some research. Have you seen
Burton? I wanted to go over the schedule.’
    Carter checked
his screen. ‘Says here that he’s not online, so it might have to
wait.’
    Olsen found a
workstation of his own and began to log on. Several screens flashed
by as clearance was given to different parts of the main server.
Olsen was heading for one area; his secure email connection. He
drummed his fingers on the nearby mouse as a connection was made,
glancing up from his terminal to the main ‘Ops’ display screen,
ahead of him. A vast digital wall of screens was at the far end,
currently detailing a map of the Middle East. Surrounding it were
numerous clocks, all displaying different time zones from around
the world. Technicians were pointing out areas on the map to other
workers. Olsen’s attention drifted back to his terminal as the
email screen displayed no reply from Deane, otherwise known as OMA1
in Muscat, Oman. Olsen clicked on the ‘refresh’ icon but there was
still no reply. He sighed to himself and went in search of some hot
coffee.
     
    Burton turned
the car into Draycott Avenue, South Kensington and pulled into the
driveway. Several trees lined the path of the large detached house.
Burton reached the white door and tried to make out any movement
through the frosted glass as his key turned in the lock. In the
hallway, he stopped and listened for any sounds. Silence filled the
entire house. Not even 15-month-old Oscar could be heard crying, a
common occurrence after a recent bout of colic. Burton kicked off
his shoes, passed the staircase and dining room and entered the
living room. His wife, Kate, was sitting at the far end of the sofa
with her left hand