Page 82 - double revenge 3.

LONDON

TH
FRIDAY JANUARY 30 1998

Mex left the Bricklayers and headed towards the NCP car park. As usual, he glanced at the wall
behind the dustbin area. Written in chalk was the pi sign and although covert operations were his
lifeblood, his heart missed just a beat as he realised a message was waiting for him. He made his
excuses to his colleagues and turned towards the Edgware Road. He glanced at his watch and
calculated there was time to lose any tail and still pick up his message.

At Edgware Road station, he played the old trick of letting the first train go and observing who was
still stood on the platform. He boarded the second train and alighted just as the doors were closing.
No other passenger alighted but of course, if he did have a tail then such a move might have been
anticipated. Even if there was a tail, then they would not be overly suspicious, it would not be out
of place for someone in his position to be vigilant wherever he was headed.

By a long and wary circuitous route, he eventually arrived at Richmond Station, the last stop on the
district line, which enabled him to observe his fellow passengers. Extensive training and practice
had taught him to recognise faces but none of those who exited the station was familiar.

A meandering instead of direct route led him eventually to the Little Green and the Richmond
Lending Library.

The Green was quite. A couple of kids messing around on their way home from school, an old
woman having difficulty controlling two Afghan Hounds and a tramp rifling through a waste bin.

Satisfied, he checked who was staffing the desk and entered the library. He began to peruse the
bookshelves but was really watching the girl at the desk. The queue had reduced to one when Mex
made his way there.

‘Do you have The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz af n ?’ He asked,’ I cannot find it on the
shelves. I am looking for the original Spanish version.’ he added.

‘Just one moment and I will check.’ With hands she could barely stop shaking, Svetlana tapped on
her computer. ‘Yes we do have it but it has been out on loan and has only just been returned. If you
would care to wait I will fetch it for you.’

She returned very quickly.

Mex made a mental note that this woman had to be instructed to take her time finding the book,
anyone observing would have thought the book was too easily at hand.

Mex thanked her and returned to the shelves. When he was sure he was out of sight, he rifled
through the pages and removed a white envelope, which he placed in his jacket inside pocket.
Replacing the book on a shelf he exited and made his way back to Richmond Station, this time by
the direct route and certain that he was not being followed, took a cab back to the Embassy.

It was only when he was in the privacy of his own office did Mex open the envelope and read his
instructions. He had learnt a long time ago not to question his superiors but this looked like the
start to a whole host of repercussions, just as long as any blowback did not reach him.