Free Urban Assassin by Jim Eldridge

tunnel on to the platform and spotted Lavall further along. The train was visible now. Mitch decided to let Lavall make the move; see if he got on the train. It was a risk: if Lavall got on and Mitch followed, Lavall might step off again just before the doors closed.If that happened, Mitch was sunk – he would lose Lavall. And if he rushed off the train, Lavall would spot him as a tail.
    There were always the MI6 agents – they’d take over, but Mitch’s cover would be blown.
    The train doors opened. Lavall got on. Mitch did the same, entering the next carriage. Mitch sat down. If Lavall was going to jump off, Mitch would have to stay on the train anyway, and by sitting down he looked less conspicuous – like a normal guy going about his business. If Lavall had any suspicions, hopefully this would put him off the scent.
    The train doors slid shut. Lavall stayed in the carriage.
    ‘Target One on train. I’m in the next carriage,’ Mitch reported.
    ‘Copy that,’ said Benny. ‘I’m at London Bridge station. Getting off now.’
    ‘Target Two on Northern line train, City Branch,’ reported Tug.
    The same line as us, thought Mitch. He felt astirring of excitement. Were the two men going to meet up?
    Mitch picked up a discarded newspaper and pretended to read it, while sneaking a glance into the next carriage. Lavall had sat down. The train stopped at Borough station. Lavall stayed where he was. The next stop was London Bridge.
    As the train slid into London Bridge station, Mitch spotted Benny on the platform among the crowd. Benny disappeared from sight as the train passed him.
    ‘Stay on the platform,’ Mitch advised, ‘in case he jumps off.’
    ‘Copy that,’ agreed Benny.
    Mitch kept his eye on Lavall. The Frenchman stayed in his seat. The doors slid shut and the train moved off.
    ‘I’ll follow you on the next train,’ said Benny.
    ‘Copy that,’ murmured Mitch.
    In his ear, he heard Tug say, ‘Target Two getting off at Angel.’
    ‘Where’s Gaz?’ asked Mitch.
    ‘Picking up the train behind this one,’ said Tug. ‘I’m on Target Two.’
    Mitch cast another glance at the tube map. Angel station was just four stops further along the line.
    ‘I’ve got a feeling our man will get off at the same place,’ he said. ‘This could be our meeting point.’
    ‘That’s how it looks to me, too,’ agreed Tug. ‘He’s heading for the lift. I think we’re leaving the station.’
    ‘Copy that,’ said Gaz, his voice coming in for the first time. ‘I’ll be with you in about one minute.’
    Mitch kept watch on Lavall in the next carriage as the train stopped at Bank, then Moorgate, then Old Street. As the train approached Angel, Lavall stood up.
    ‘Jackpot,’ said Mitch. ‘Angel station, confirmed.’
    ‘I’m on the next train,’ said Benny. ‘I’ll be there shortly.’
    The train pulled into Angel and Mitch followed Lavall. He kept well back, letting the Frenchman get halfway up the escalator before stepping onhimself. Tug was already above ground watching Smitt. Mitch was sure that Smitt and Lavall would meet somewhere near here.
    Mitch emerged from the station into the bustling streets. He scanned the area, looking for Lavall. Yes, there he was! The Frenchman was on the other side of the road, heading towards the maze of side streets that backed on to Pentonville Road.
    ‘Come in, Tug,’ he said. ‘Where are you?’
    ‘Heading towards Chapel Street,’ said Tug. ‘Target Two in view. You?’
    ‘Same direction, just a few streets behind you.’
    ‘Chapel Street,’ said Benny. ‘Got that.’
    ‘Me, too,’ came in Gaz’s voice.
    Mitch now slipped off his jacket and reversed it again so the black side was showing. Less noticeable than the red. He saw Tug, standing looking in a shop window. Lavall walked past Tug and continued along Chapel Street. Tug waited until Lavall was out of earshot, then murmured, ‘Target One went into Mott & Co warehouse on Chapel Street.’
    ‘Target