Read Online Rogue Elements by Hector Macdonald - Free Book Online
Authors: Hector Macdonald
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allegedly working on behalf of Israel’s enemies. Three were declared to be natural deaths, one a road accident and one a suicide.’
‘He’s versatile. Comfortable with gore, but also adept at hiding his tracks.’
‘His methods are tailored to the ultimate objective, and that gives us our first clue about the Think Again murder. A straightforward shooting would have made Anneke van der Velde a martyr to the drug-legalization cause. A premature natural death, on the other hand, makes her look unhealthy in body and, perhaps, in mind. If you were religiously inclined you might even conclude that God had taken a view on her politics.’
‘So whoever’s contracted Yadin wants to derail Think Again,’ nodded Arkell. ‘A cartel looking to keep prices high? A trafficking syndicate? A conservative or religious group even?’
‘All strong possibilities, but let’s not forget the countless government and commercial entities that owe their existence to Prohibition, particularly in the US. The DEA has 10,000 employees dependent for their livelihoods on drug laws that also keep an army of prosecutors, judges, attorneys and specialist law-enforcement units employed. There’s an entire industry constructing and servicing all those prisons that won’t be needed if drug offences disappear. A lot of interested parties must be getting very anxious right now about the way the world is going. Portugal decriminalized all drugs and cut abuse by fifty per cent, an outcome that has impressed a lot of people in Washington. Two American states have legalized marijuana, with more likely to follow. Beneficiaries of Prohibition can see the world’s biggest narcotics consumer teetering at the top of a very slippery slope indeed.’
‘Perhaps Andrade and Mayhew will take the hint and shut up.’
‘On the contrary, they’re scheduled to make a joint address to the European Parliament in eight days. Provisional title: “Why Europe Must Lead the Way in Drug Law Reform”.’
Arkell looked up sharply. ‘It’ll be cancelled, it has to be. Their protection units won’t allow it.’
Wraye sighed. ‘Much to the frustration of my Canadian clients and their Brazilian counterparts, both men are determined to go to Strasbourg. “In memory of Anneke van der Velde”.’
‘Eight days . . . Eight days ? Are you serious? How am I supposed to find a professional assassin in eight days?’
‘You found Petrov when everyone said he was dead. You tracked down Deuterium Dmytro in the most godforsaken corner of Jizzakh province. Four of the most dangerous proliferators you bagged with no help from the Increment.’
‘They were civilians. Scientists. They made basic errors. Yadin isn’t going to leave the same traces. The only way to catch him in eight days is to put out an international alert.’
‘We do that, Yadin will see it instantly. At the moment he doesn’t realize we know who he is. That’s your one big advantage.’
‘I’m not taking the job.’
‘The contract is half a million dollars. Unlimited expenses.’
‘Doesn’t matter. It’s not feasible. Tell your clients to keep Mayhew in Canada.’
‘Gavriel Yadin can just as easily –’
‘No more about Yadin.’ Arkell held up a warning hand. ‘The bomber, Madeleine, the man who killed Emily. Who is he?’
Wraye spread her hands apologetically. ‘I can’t tell you.’
‘You promised me his name.’
‘Yes, but –’
‘No buts. I’ve fulfilled my side of the bargain. I heard you out,’ he thundered. ‘Tell me his name!’
She flinched minutely at his anger. ‘I can no longer discuss him.’
‘Why the hell not?’
‘Because you’ve just forbidden it.’
Arkell stared at her. Slowly, disbelievingly, he sank back into his chair.
‘Now you understand why it has to be you.’
‘Bullshit,’ he growled.
‘You never saw the Special Branch report on the bombing at 43 Dault Street. “All the hallmarks of an Al-Qaeda attack”. Right explosive
‘He’s versatile. Comfortable with gore, but also adept at hiding his tracks.’
‘His methods are tailored to the ultimate objective, and that gives us our first clue about the Think Again murder. A straightforward shooting would have made Anneke van der Velde a martyr to the drug-legalization cause. A premature natural death, on the other hand, makes her look unhealthy in body and, perhaps, in mind. If you were religiously inclined you might even conclude that God had taken a view on her politics.’
‘So whoever’s contracted Yadin wants to derail Think Again,’ nodded Arkell. ‘A cartel looking to keep prices high? A trafficking syndicate? A conservative or religious group even?’
‘All strong possibilities, but let’s not forget the countless government and commercial entities that owe their existence to Prohibition, particularly in the US. The DEA has 10,000 employees dependent for their livelihoods on drug laws that also keep an army of prosecutors, judges, attorneys and specialist law-enforcement units employed. There’s an entire industry constructing and servicing all those prisons that won’t be needed if drug offences disappear. A lot of interested parties must be getting very anxious right now about the way the world is going. Portugal decriminalized all drugs and cut abuse by fifty per cent, an outcome that has impressed a lot of people in Washington. Two American states have legalized marijuana, with more likely to follow. Beneficiaries of Prohibition can see the world’s biggest narcotics consumer teetering at the top of a very slippery slope indeed.’
‘Perhaps Andrade and Mayhew will take the hint and shut up.’
‘On the contrary, they’re scheduled to make a joint address to the European Parliament in eight days. Provisional title: “Why Europe Must Lead the Way in Drug Law Reform”.’
Arkell looked up sharply. ‘It’ll be cancelled, it has to be. Their protection units won’t allow it.’
Wraye sighed. ‘Much to the frustration of my Canadian clients and their Brazilian counterparts, both men are determined to go to Strasbourg. “In memory of Anneke van der Velde”.’
‘Eight days . . . Eight days ? Are you serious? How am I supposed to find a professional assassin in eight days?’
‘You found Petrov when everyone said he was dead. You tracked down Deuterium Dmytro in the most godforsaken corner of Jizzakh province. Four of the most dangerous proliferators you bagged with no help from the Increment.’
‘They were civilians. Scientists. They made basic errors. Yadin isn’t going to leave the same traces. The only way to catch him in eight days is to put out an international alert.’
‘We do that, Yadin will see it instantly. At the moment he doesn’t realize we know who he is. That’s your one big advantage.’
‘I’m not taking the job.’
‘The contract is half a million dollars. Unlimited expenses.’
‘Doesn’t matter. It’s not feasible. Tell your clients to keep Mayhew in Canada.’
‘Gavriel Yadin can just as easily –’
‘No more about Yadin.’ Arkell held up a warning hand. ‘The bomber, Madeleine, the man who killed Emily. Who is he?’
Wraye spread her hands apologetically. ‘I can’t tell you.’
‘You promised me his name.’
‘Yes, but –’
‘No buts. I’ve fulfilled my side of the bargain. I heard you out,’ he thundered. ‘Tell me his name!’
She flinched minutely at his anger. ‘I can no longer discuss him.’
‘Why the hell not?’
‘Because you’ve just forbidden it.’
Arkell stared at her. Slowly, disbelievingly, he sank back into his chair.
‘Now you understand why it has to be you.’
‘Bullshit,’ he growled.
‘You never saw the Special Branch report on the bombing at 43 Dault Street. “All the hallmarks of an Al-Qaeda attack”. Right explosive
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