Read Online The Need for Fear by Oisin McGann - Free Book Online Page B

harmless—or even useful. And we can use that now.”
    Robert started walking again and Chi scuttled along after him.
    â€œMake no mistake; that’s the only part of this you have any control over, Chi. Play your part and you can save lives today. That’s the only decision you have to make.” Robert looked at his watch, swore, and ran a hand through his hair. “Jesus, look at the time. Twenty past three. Listen, I’m on a bloody deadline here. We both are.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Chi demanded.
    â€œI told you; Sharon’s leaving at three-thirty for a meeting with that editor, Goldbloom, at The Chronicle at four o’clock. She’s got a cab booked.”
    â€œCan’t we just catch a cab, too—to her flat?”
    â€œDon’t think it would be good idea to get into a car with any strangers at the moment,” Robert snorted, throwing the young man a bitter smirk. “Just in case my ‘puppet masters’ decide to wrap things up early. They carry out a lot more abductions with taxis than they do with UFOs.”
    â€œSo this editor, Goldbloom,” Chi asked, breathing hard now as he kept up the brisk pace. “Sharon’s going to show him what she’s got on the Scalps?”
    â€œYeah. Goldbloom could put it on the front page if he thinks it has legs—he could put a team of reporters on it to dig deeper. You have to be photographed talking to her before that happens.”
    â€œSo they’re still watching us now?”
    â€œThey’ve been watching the whole time, lad,” Robert explained, shrugging him off. He tilted his head at a young man with a hipster’s beard and seventies-style sunglasses on the other side of the street, who appeared to be polishing with his pair of Google glasses. “They’ve watched every step you’ve taken. I’ve cut a deal with them. I was loyal to the service for years and in return, they’re giving me one chance. This is nothing personal, just damage control. They’ll photograph you and Sharon together and I’ll send the photos to you. You’ll post them on your blog, talking about the story and how you and Sharon are working on it together, making it sound like you’re partners. When Goldbloom goes online to follow up on her story, he’ll find your blog with all the other mad crap you write about.
    â€œIf we can discredit Sharon thoroughly enough, these bastards will leave her and Harriet alone. I’ve got one chance at this and you’re it , Chi. You can save my daughter’s life.”
    â€œBut I have to sink the story to do it?”
    â€œThat’s what it’ll take.”
    Chi was about to retort, still outraged at how he was being manipulated, when they emerged onto Shoreditch High Street. Even as they did, Robert swore and shoved Chi into a shop doorway.
    â€œWill you stop pushing me around!” Chi protested.
    â€œShut up, you fool! Look!”
    The street was busy, but Chi was able to see Harriet and Sharon’s building. He didn’t understand what Robert was getting at until he noticed the blue roof lights on the car parked across the street from the building, directly opposite the front door.
    â€œThat’s Harriet’s doing—it’s got to be,” Robert exclaimed in frustration. “How the hell did she swing a protective detail so fast? Christ on a bike! This is because of you, Sandwith. You’ve screwed this up good and proper!”
    â€œOh, bite my arse, you old fart!” Chi scowled, feeling cornered and utterly impotent. He looked around, trying to see where the watchers were, but knew he’d be unlikely to spot them. They were experts at this, after all. Unlike him. After years of reading Machiavellian plots, after all his role-playing, he had been completely unprepared for the real thing and the realization was profoundly depressing. Robert glanced at him, saw the cloud coming