Page 86 - double revenge 3.

THE BRICKLAYERS

TH
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11 1998

Mick Hagley was not a trained agent; nevertheless, his range of operations in America on behalf of
MI6 had given him wariness far beyond that which he had exhibited as a burglar.

He walked past the Bricklayers without casting a glance in its direction; however, the sound of
chatter indicated quite clearly the pub was very busy just as Alladyce had predicted. The street was
quiet, very few pedestrians but many parked cars on meters. He walked to the top of the street
checking, as he did so, whether any of the cars were being used for surveillance and turned left. In
the doorway of a shop, he stopped and took his time lighting a cigarette. Satisfied there were no
observers in the cars and no tail following him, he took another left that eventually brought him to
the rear of the pub.

In the alley that ran alongside was a door marked “snug”. He looked in but the bar was empty. No
lights were on and nobody stood behind the counter waiting to serve. He walked round to the front
and quickly stepped inside.

The noise was understandable the pub was seething. He approached the good-looking girl behind
the bar and as soon as he caught her eye he asked, ‘Is Edward Alladyce here?’

The girl shook her head and mouthed, ‘Don’t know him.’ but shouted as loud as she could, ‘Is

Edward Alladyce here?’

Mex looked across at the girl with a puzzled frown on his face and she indicated Hagley. He got up
and approached the bar.

‘Are you looking for Alladyce?’ he asked in a helpful manner although his mind was racing trying to

work out who would know that name.

Hagley nodded. ‘Yes.’

Mex called to Sylvie, ‘Is the snug open?’ She replied that it was but there was never any service in
there at lunchtimes.

‘We can’t talk in here, it’s far too noisy. Follow me.’ Mex commanded.

Hagley followed him down some steps to the snug all the while wondering why an American was
helping him. The bar was clearly full of Americans as well.

‘You can’t hear yourself think up there.’ Mex laughed. ‘So you are looking for Edward are you?’

‘Yes, is that you?’

‘No, I wish. Alladyce is top man and would not be seen dead in a dive like this. What do you want
with him?’