The Principal's Daughter Page 8

  Richard’s breathing began to labour as Hank picked up the pace. The conversation that had normally flowed between them on their morning runs was somewhat muted. Richard hoped to hell that Hank had not discovered what had happened with Clarissa and Pandora the night before. He could picture the image of his cock gliding in and out of his wife’s cute pussy, his hands gripping her hips as he slammed into her, then the pair of them hungrily licking the semen from his dripping shaft.

  “You seem a little preoccupied,” Richard tried to engage in conversation in the hope that Hank might slow the pace.

  “Yeah it’s just this meeting I have this morning with some Syrian delegates and the British Prime Minister at Downing Street” Hank responded, looking at his feet as he pounded the pavement.

  Richard breathed an inward sigh of relief when he heard this. It explained his client’s quiet demeanour that morning. Not saying anything else on the subject, he continued to face forward and concentrate in regulating his breathing.

  The run that morning was longer than normal, Hank obviously needing the extra time to think how he was going to approach the lunchtime meeting. It wasn’t long until they had arrived back at the house, both of them sweating profusely. Hank, as usual, patted Richard on the back and thanked him for his company on their morning workout.

  On arriving in the hallway. they were met by Rob with a serious look on his face. This doesn’t look good, thought Richard to himself. Taking Hank to one side Rob had a brief whispered conversation with him. Hank nodded his head in acknowledgement of what Rob had to say. Without another word, Hank jogged up the staircase.

  Beckoning Richard over to him, Rob stood with his arms folded across his chest. Richard felt his stomach drop. Had last night’s activities been noticed or overheard by the night time security? That would explain the rushed departure of his principal with speaking a word. This is it, he assumed, bracing himself for the axe to fall. My first job in the industry and I’m getting the chop.

  “Richard, I have had word from the anti-terrorist group at Scotland Yard. They have lost the suspects. The tail they had on them dropped the ball. At this moment, they could be anywhere in the city. We are going to have to tighten up our security for this morning meeting. Full briefing in half an hour, okay?” Rob paused, waiting for the information he had delivered to sink in.

  Richard gave a silent prayer of thanks that he had not been discovered, but the news he had just been given caused his pulse to race.

  “No problem at all Rob, I will have a quick shower and see you there” he responded, taking on the same concerned attitude as his team leader. This was serious now, his primary focus must be on Hank, all else was insignificant.

  Just as he was about to leave to go to his room Pandora swept into the hallway dressed in her skimpy white tennis clothing. She gave him that wry smile that she always did, and asked him if he was joining them for breakfast. Richard explained that he had things to do, and would have to forego the offer that morning. A disappointed look spread across her face, conveying that she was genuinely sorry he wouldn’t be joining them. Maybe, over time, she formed a deeper attachment to him than he imagined, he considered. Putting these thoughts to the back of his mind, he rushed off to shower and change.

  The briefing room was full that morning, every member of the security detail present. Rob had sourced a blown-up scale drawing of the building in Downing Street where the meeting was taking place. It couldn’t be held at the Prime Minsters residence at number 10, as other things were scheduled for that time. Rob went through the building schematic in fine detail, ensuring everyone was familiar with its layout. He pointed out the entry and exit points as well as any areas of safety that could be used if needed. At times, if under attack, if they could not exit a building, they might need to move the client to another location in the building, which ideally could be defended until backup arrived.

  The movement from the house would employ all three cars. The security advance party would check the route as usual, then return. All three cars would escort Hank to his meeting, with the advance party car leading, then Richard’s, then Rob’s, as team leader bring up the rear. Asking if anyone had any questions and receiving none, Rob fell them out until a half hour before the move.

  It was already 11 am and Richard was feeling restless, they would be congregating in half an hour so he decided to grab himself a coffee. Making his way to the kitchen area he observed Pandora leaving the house still dressed in her tennis kit and carrying her racket. She would be attending her daily tennis practice, and one of the reasons her figure was as sexy as it was.

  The convoy left exactly at 12 noon, the three cars pulling away from the kerb as one into the heavy midday traffic. It was an art in itself trying to keep the vehicles in convoy without being cut off from one another. The drivers had all passed advanced driving courses of one form or another. They were just about a mile from Downing Street when Richard heard Rob’s voice in his earpiece.

  “Brutus, Brutus, now!” Richard paled and turned to Carl the driver.

  “Brutus mate!” Carl gave him a look of shock as he slowed the vehicle.

  Brutus had been one of the code words they had assigned for part of the move. This particular one was of top priority and cancelled any other. It meant they were to return to the house without any questions. Turning around in his seat he quickly explained to his client.

  “Hank there is a problem. We need to turn back immediately.”

  Hank could tell by his tone and the earnest look on his face that he was not to question Richard or his motives. He simply nodded his agreement, and Richard turned to Carl.

  “Get us back as fast as you can, mate.”

  With that Carl swung the vehicle one hundred and eighty degrees, put his foot to the floor and sped away back to Belgravia. Pulling up to the kerb, Richard rapidly jumped out opened his principal’s door, and rushed him inside. Everyone assembled in the hallway.

  “Mr. Rogers, I have some bad news I’m afraid, Sir,” Rob paused waiting for his words to be taken in. “It’s your daughter she has been kidnapped by Hezbollah militants.

  The look on Hank’s face told its own story and his legs gave way as he collapsed to his knees. Richard helped him to one of the sofas in the hallway.

  “When and how did it happen?” Hank asked after regaining his composure.

  “Details are sketchy at the moment, but it appears she was taken when she was on the way to her tennis lesson,” Rob explained.

  Clarissa joined them, absorbing the awful news, and was beside herself with worry. Hank embraced her, trying to stifle her sobs. He led her away to an adjoining room for a bit of privacy.

  The news also hit Richard hard. He had actually grown feelings for the girl without realising it. His thoughts were racing. How could he have not seen this as a possibility? They had all, including himself, been obsessed with the protection of their client. Blinded to any other consideration of threat, they had not factored in threats to a family member. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. Tori on his course had been a member of SO19, the police firearms group. Maybe if he called, he could get in on any rescue attempt.

  Excusing himself, Richard went to find a quiet room. Stepping inside a room of the main halfway, he took his mobile phone from his jogging pants. He quickly searched his contact list for Tori’s number. He had gotten it before she had left after completing the executive phase of the course. He hadn’t expected to be calling her so soon, and not for anything work-related. The phone rang six times and Richard was about to hit the cancel button.

  “Hello Richard what you doing calling? You after a repeat performance of the other week” her voice was light and joking.

  “Hi Tori, I was wondering if you are back on duty?” Richard asked, hoping that she would say yes.

  “Yeah I returned to work last week, straight after the course. Is there something I can help you with?” she responded, a natural inquisitive note to her voice.

  Richard wen
t on to explain what had happened since finishing the course, his future contract in the Middle East, and the current job he was on. After he went on to tell her the events of that morning the phone went silent.

  “Are you still there?” he asked thinking they had been cut off.

  There was a moment’s silence before her voice came back on the line.

  “Yes I’m here. We just had a call an hour ago from anti-terrorism placing us on standby for any attempt of a rescue.” Her answer was like music to Richards ears.

  “Is there any chance you could get me on your team?” he asked and after another uncomfortable silence, she replied.

  “Okay let me see what I can do. I will explain your background, the course your military service, and your familiarity with the family. I will get back to you as soon as I know.” With that the phone went dead.

  Richard put the mobile back into his pocket, and headed off back to Rob to explain the situation. They did not know at that point what the full details of the kidnapping were, so it was just going to be a waiting game.

  Richard stood in the office of SO19 in their headquarters, which is part of the Scotland Yard building. Tori had called him an hour later saying she had spoken to her boss, explained the situation, and he had agreed to allow Richard to join them. They had received a demand from the hostage takers, that they wanted three key Hezbollah militants, being held in Guantanamo Bay to be released. Failing this, Pandora would be executed the next day. This had put the wheels in motion and the SO19 team were considering their options. A team from 22 Special Air Service (SAS) was placed on standby. They were only to be employed as a last resort. The anti-terrorism branch had struck lucky. They had placed a tracker on one of the group's vehicles earlier in the week, and it had been activated. The three militants were holed up in a house in the Battersea area of London. A surveillance team was assigned to gather any information.

  The SO19 Commander outlined what had happened over the past six hours. The atmosphere in the room was tense; it was a rare occasion for someone of significance to be kidnapped in the capitol. The Prime Minister had taken a personal interest in the case, and had called the head of anti-terrorism as soon as the news broke. All efforts were ordered to bring a speedy and satisfactory resolution to the matter. With this added pressure, the SO19 Commander explained the map of the area where the tracker had stopped.

  He went through the various scenarios that they might come across, and as he did so, one of the team entered the room. He marched directly to the front and whispered something in the commander's ear. It must have been good news, as a grin spread across his face.

  "Ladies and gents, our surveillance team have confirmed the address where Ms.. Rogers is being held. It is number 32 Lurline Gardens, just south of Battersea Park. They have also established that there are three hostiles at that address. Now Ms.. Rogers is confined in the front bedroom of the house, on the first floor. Ted, I want you to put an immediate action plan together for a dynamic entry." He directed the order to a tall man with dark hair and greying temples, standing to his right.

  Ted looked lean, with a cragged face. His arms were folded across his chest. He did not reply, but simply nodded. Richard could tell from his demeanour he had a wealth of experience, since the sudden request had not phased him at all. The commander, having finished his briefing, left the room.

  Richard felt his stomach turn as Ted went through his plan for the forced entry of the property. Richard’s thoughts went to Pandora, and what she was undergoing. Although she was brash and spoilt, the situation must have been terrifying for her. She had been used to taking charge in any situation, and now was powerless and captured. Although she had seduced him, he felt a desire to keep her from harm. Never get emotionally attached, was the sound of Steve’s voice ringing in his ears. That advice given in the Ajax training facility had gone unheeded on his first job.

  As he looked around the room, the professionalism of all those involved impressed him. He felt like he was back in the military preparing for an operation in hostile territory. The team was split into different groups. Each was assigned a specific role during the entry. Richard found himself attached to the group assigned to move directly to the bedroom after entry. Tori would accompany him, and he looked across at her. Her long blonde hair, in a ponytail, was pulled through the hole of the baseball cap she was wearing. Her shapely ass, was accentuated by the black assault pants she and the rest of the team were wearing. Her back was to him and the word "Police" was emblazoned on rear of the vest she was wearing over her ballistic body armour. He imagined that moment in the forest when he had stripped her of all those outer garments, and fucked the shit out of her against the oak tree. He smiled to himself as he felt himself stir once again at the mere memory.

  This reverie came to an abrupt end as a young girl wearing a headset rushed into the room. All eyes turned towards her as she tried to catch her breath before speaking.

  "We've had a call from the surveillance unit. The militants are moving the hostage!" she managed to get the words out.

  The mood in the room quickly changed. What had happened, thought Richard, for this change in tactics? Had the team providing surveillance caused suspicion? None of this really mattered, only that they would have to act quickly.

  "Right, people, equipment check and mount up in five minutes ready to move!" the tall man who Richard had found out was referred to as "Silver Commander" barked the order. "I need an update of the progress of the vehicle from the tracker, relayed to us." He looked at the young girl who had entered the room. She nodded her head and left the room, to return to the operations centre.

  The team were busy checking their equipment and weapons. Richard withdrew the Glock 19 issued to him on his arrival. He released the magazine from its housing, inspecting to ensure that the fifteen rounds were all correctly seated. Satisfied, he returned it into the butt of the pistol, and placed it in the holster strapped to his right thigh.

  Tori turned to face him, and winked and grinned at him. It was just like weeks earlier when they had been on the course. They had worked well together and had been an effective team. Richard had no reservations about how she would act under the current situation. Slapping his arse then giving his butt cheek a playful squeeze, she addressed him.

  "You up for this soldier boy?"

  Richard enjoyed the touch of her hand on his ass, smiled back at her and replied.

  "You're feckin’ right I am, let's get it on!" With that they headed for the waiting cars, parked directly out the rear of the building.

  There were six vehicles in all, four members of the team in each one. This would be more than enough for the operation, outnumbering the militants eight to one. They still did not know if the militants were armed, and if they were, what weapon systems they possessed. The car radio was alive with the sound of a female voice giving updates to the car’s progress across the city. The surveillance unit managed to get behind them at a safe distance. The “Silver Commander" gave the order for them to move, and with a screech of tyres they careered out of the gates of Scotland Yard.

  Heading south across the city, they were on a direct intercept course with the target vehicle. The Silver Commander was assessing a way of surrounding the vehicle so that they could apprehend the suspects either passively or offensively, as the situation might indicate. The passive option was an unlikely outcome, but he needed to consider it anyway.

  "Target vehicle has cross Waterloo Bridge and has turned left, now heading west along the embankment," the voice of the girl in the control room filled the car.

  With Richard's limited knowledge of the city, even he knew that this could take the car and Pandora out of the city. If the tailing vehicle was to lose sight of her, or the tracker fail, Pandora might be lost forever. The Silver Commander must have been thinking the same, as he gave instructions for Richard's vehicle to place itself on Lambeth Bridge only two minutes away from their current position. They were to face north, and drive into
the side of the car as it headed west. The remainder of the team were to confront it head on from an easterly direction. They would fan out across the road creating a natural barrier. The surveillance unit behind would then prevent any escape back the way it had come.

  Tori and Richard sat nervously on Lambeth Bridge with the car engine running. The driver and front seat passenger were engaged in conversation. Richard was gazing across to his right in the direction the car would be coming from. The continued update from the control room, told him that they should soon be coming into sight.

  "There they are!" he exclaimed, tapping Tori on the shoulder.

  The other occupants of the car swivelled their heads in the direction he was pointing. The blue Nissan four-wheel drive vehicle could be seen making steady progress towards them. The person in the passenger seat immediately got on his radio and informed the Silver Commander. All radio traffic stopped, until a voice broke the silence.

  "Standby. Standby...move to blocking positions now!"

  The driver of Richard’s vehicle threw the car into first gear, floored the accelerator, let out the clutch, and sped towards the Nissan approaching rapidly from their right. As it crossed the intersection with the bridge, he drove headlong into its left hand side. Richard had just enough time to see the horrified look on Pandora's face, just before their vehicle collided with the bonnet of the Nissan. She was thrown to her right on top of one of the militants in the rear seat.

  At the same time, the cars belonging to the Silver Commander’s group had screeched to a halt sideways to block any further progress for the vehicle. The surveillance unit slammed into the rear, throwing the occupants in the front forward. This had all happened in seconds. Richard and Tori, already out of the car, drew their weapons, and trained them on the left hand side of the Nissan.

  The voice of the Silver Commander rose, projected with the aid of a public address system fitted to his car.

  "Armed Police, please leave the vehicle with your arms raised or we will open fire!"