Free Noble Intentions: Season Three by L.T. Ryan Page A

and
domestic. You were working with them as recently as a week ago. A Russian
General was assassinated in a theater just north of Moscow. You were there. Ask
me how I know that?”
    Jack said nothing, focused on the
road ahead.
    “Look, mate, I’ll find out what
you’re doing here one way or another. You can tell me here. Or you can tell me
in a cell, if that’s what you prefer.”
    Jack turned away, looked out the
side window, sighed.
    “Or if you really don’t like
yourself, I can find people that you do like and start questioning them. How
‘bouts I start with my old boss? Reckon she’ll be more cooperative.”
    Jack whipped his head around,
studied the guy for a moment. Would he really go after Dottie? He decided to
buy some time and try to figure out what the guy really wanted. “Got ID?”
    The guy produced a badge and ID
card. Both had the name Mason Sutton printed on them. He worked for British
Intelligence, Security Service, MI5. The address on the badge said Thames
House. Jack knew that was across the river from Vauxhall Cross, MI6
headquarters. Jack had spent time there in the past when working for Dottie on
sanctioned hits. He recalled what the badges looked like then. If Mason had
faked his credentials, he’d done a pretty good job. His badge looked the same
as the ones Jack saw in his head. He figured the design hadn’t changed much in
the past ten years. Didn’t have a reason to. British Intelligence didn’t
succumb to a version two-point-oh.
    At this point, Jack’s options were
limited. Give Mason what he wanted or fall between the bureaucratic cracks and
become indefinitely incarcerated.
    “What do you want to know?”
    “Like I said, why’d you travel
under your real name?”
    “Quit jerking me around.”
    Mason smiled, leaned in, placed a
hand on Jack’s forearm. Said, “Humor me.”
    “I’m retired,” Jack told him. “My
name’s good. I’m free and clear in the U.S. and all friendly nations. I’m not
wanted in connection with any crimes. I’m not wanted for questioning in regards
to any crimes. I can travel without restrictions. Why would my name flag in
your system? Maybe you’re looking for another Jack Noble. Ever think of that?”
    Mason let go of Jack’s arm, began
laughing. “Oh, Jackie boy, you are something else. You know that, right?”
    Jack didn’t reply.
    “You are who we think you are,
mate. Yeah, you’re right, you’re not wanted for anything. Now. But you better
be certain that when your name pops up, governments are going to worry about
what you’re doing in their country. Hell, Carnival Cruise Lines would worry if
you showed up on their itinerary. A guy like you doesn’t travel for pleasure.
And don’t you bother feeding me a bullshit story. I’m not a stupid customs
agent pushing through the day until it’s time to punch the clock.”
    “I told you, I’m retired.”
    “Yeah, so you said.” Mason steered
with his knees while he lit a cigarette. He took a deep drag, exhaled in Jack’s
direction. “Men like you don’t retire, Jack. Not until someone puts a bullet in
your fucking brain.”
    “Is that what you’re here to do?”
    Mason shrugged, puffed out his
cheeks and forced air through loosely sealed lips, creating a flapping sound.
“Give me a reason, and yeah, I’ll terminate you.”
    “Have I given you a reason?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Then what do you want from me? You
didn’t stop me in the middle of the street and drive me out of town to ask me
why I got on a plane using my real name. And I don’t know of any popular shops
that a cross dresser like yourself might visit. So, what is it?”
    Mason smiled, nodded, said, “Right,
I’ll get to the point, mate. What’d you want with Thornton Walloway?”
    “Who?”
    “It is not in your best interest
to—how did you say it—jerk me around, Jack. As of this moment, I’m your friend.
Got that? Friend. You don’t want me as an enemy.” Mason paused. His eyes
flitted between