Free Avenger by Andy McNab Page A

perfectly: it would allow him precious time to finalize some of his own arrangements. Arrangements Deveraux would never know about as they involved their escape route after the job was done.
    Danny had been booked into the Pennsylvania, where Elena was staying, but the two friends had to avoid giving any indication that they knew each other. His role was to relay information from Elena once Black Star re-established contact in New York.
    'Our plane is due to land at sixteen forty hours,' said Deveraux to Danny and Elena. 'You will carry out a brush contact in the hotel reception area at exactly nineteen forty. You must both adjust your watches by the arrivals display in baggage reclaim. You should have ample time to clear the airport and check into the hotel. Understood?'
    Elena was gazing vacantly through the window towards the garden and the blue, cloudless sky, as she had been for most of the meeting.
    'Elena!' said Deveraux sharply.
    'Yes, I understand what you want me to do,' said Elena, still looking out at the garden.
    Deveraux sighed; there wasn't time for teenage angst. 'The purpose of the contact is for Elena to pass on the location of her chosen DLB and to inform us if Black Star has made initial contact.' She directed her next comment directly at Elena. 'But at no time, Elena, must you prepare anything for Danny while you are inside your hotel room.'
    Elena didn't reply, but Danny had worked out why the need for caution was essential. 'You mean Black Star might have set up some sort of bugging or surveillance device in the room?'
    'It's highly probable.' Deveraux nodded. 'He's taken the trouble to reserve a room for her.'
    Fergus was trying not to show his increasing feelings of concern. 'We have to realize what this guy is capable of at all times. Remember everything I've taught you.'
    'That's all I have to say for now,' said Deveraux. 'Questions?'
    Fergus shook his head. There were plenty of questions he could have asked. Questions about Danny and Elena's safety. Questions about what exactly would happen when and if they did track down Black Star. But those questions were best left unasked; he had a pretty good idea of what Deveraux was planning at the end of the operation.
    Danny as usual, had no reservations about asking questions. 'So, we're there to locate Black Star, right?'
    Deveraux nodded.
    'Well, who does the destroying? You?'
    'You concentrate on your part of the mission,' said Deveraux coldly.
    Danny sat back in his chair. The answers had been more or less what he had expected, but it had been worth a shot.
    'Elena?' said Deveraux.
    Elena had gone back to window-gazing.
    'Elena!' Deveraux repeated impatiently.
    Slowly Elena looked back at her. 'What?' she said quietly.
    'Have you any questions?'
    'No, I haven't got any questions.'
    'I'm surprised. You don't appear to have listened to a word I've said.'
    'I was listening.'
    Deveraux sighed with irritation as she gathered her papers together. 'Very well.' She turned to Fergus. 'We will liaise on my return from London. Now, I have something to do before I leave.'
    The meeting broke up and Danny and Elena were left alone after Fergus told them he was going to listen to some music on his iPod.
    'You all right?' said Danny, seeing Elena's troubled look.
    She shrugged. 'I was thinking about my dad. Wondering when I'll see him again. If I'll see him again.'
    Danny nodded. 'Are you scared?'
    'Of course. Aren't you?'
    Danny nodded. 'But my granddad says—'
    'Yeah, I know, it's good to be scared. Well, he doesn't look scared. He's always wandering around with that iPod. I didn't even know he liked music.'
    'He likes old music. Pink Floyd – something like that. Look, do you wanna watch a DVD? I hate this waiting around – makes me nervous.'
    Elena shook her head and stood up. 'No. Sorry, Danny, there's
    something I want to do too.'
     
    Deveraux was taking personal responsibility for ensuring that Black Star's instruction to destroy the hard drive of Elena's