

Chasing Shadows

Time to Run

B T Coll

# Table of Contents

Author's Note

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five
Chapter Six

Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

# Author's Note

Time to Run is a work of fiction. Names, character and incidents are entirely fictitious.

Copyright @ B T Coll 2017

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

# Chapter One

Susan Watson kicked the front door shut, before running into the kitchen and dropping her bags of groceries onto the floor. Her whole body was shaking, so she pulled out a chair and sat down trying to catch her breath. Her imagination was not running riot and she knew that now. She had first noticed the black car after she dropped the boys off at school but had thought nothing of it, although it did look strange with its tinted windows. But when she came out of the store and saw it parked not far from her car, she panicked and drove like a maniac all the way home. "Damn." she cursed when she realised that she had forgotten to lock the car doors. She suddenly heard her husband moving about upstairs and rushed out to the hallway to call on him. "Mike." she shouted and waited on his reply. "Mike. I need to tell you something." she yelled upstairs but when he didn't answer, she began to feel scared again. What if it wasn't him upstairs? What if someone else was in her house?

Wondering on what to do, she ran back into the kitchen and pulled out her mobile phone from her handbag and immediately called her husband. As usual he didn't answer and she left a frantic message telling him to call her back immediately. She heard movement upstairs again and decided to make a dash for the door but before she could even open the door, she felt two strong hands digging into her shoulders and opened her mouth to scream. A hand clamped around her mouth and she instinctively began to struggle before being spun around and came face to face with the intruder. "If I let you go, you must promise not to scream." he whispered to her in a gruff voice and she stared at him. "Your life and the lives of your children depend on it. I am here to help you." he told her, this time in a softer voice and she tried to process what he had told her. Eventually she nodded and he let go of her. "Who are you?" she asked and watched as he shrugged his shoulders. "What do you want?" she asked him, as he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back into the kitchen. "Close those." he told her, pointing towards the kitchen blinds. She did as she was told, all the time wondering how she was going to get out of the house and away from this stranger, who had invaded her home and put his hands on her.

"Sit.' he demanded, pulling out one of the kitchen chairs. She stared at him for a few seconds before complying with his wishes. He pulled out another chair and sat beside her, before turning the chair so that they were facing each other, with barely a foot between them. "Don't be worried. As I said, I am here to help." he told her, with what appeared to be a slight sneer. "We don't need your help. Who the hell are you?" she asked, suddenly finding her voice. "I'm a friend of Mike's. We go way back." he replied but somehow she just knew that he was lying. The intruder laughed. "I see you don't believe me. Well I may have exaggerated a little but we do know each other." he told her, staring deeper into her eyes. "What kind of accent do you have?" she asked the fair-haired man in front of her, who seemed to be in his late forties and to her, was putting on a false accent.

Being married to a detective for so many years gave her an instinct to detect when things were not as they appeared. And she just felt that this man was somehow putting on an act for her benefit and she was determined to discover the truth about this stranger, who invaded her home and wanted her to believe that he was a friend of her husband's. "That's a weird questions but I can tell you are confused. Let's just say that I am putting on an Irish accent, just for you." he replied, giving her a wink. "Why would you do that?" she asked him. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well it's really a little joke between me and Mike." he replied. "Well your accent is rubbish. You're American, aren't you?" she asked him. "Best we keep that between us." he replied with a snigger. "What is so funny? You break into my house and hold me hostage and you laugh." she said, now finding herself being more angry than scared. "Now that is simply not true. I came into you house through an open bedroom window upstairs. You are not held hostage. Go if you wish." he replied.

On hearing those words, Susan immediately jumped to her feet and began to run towards the door. "Wait." he shouted after her. "But you did say I could go." she replied suddenly feeling panic rise within her. "Of course. You can go if you don't care about the lives of your husband and children. If you want them to die, then by all means carry on walking out the door." he told her and she found herself rooted to the spot. "What the hell do you mean?" she asked, rushing back towards where he sat. "Just what I told you. I am here to help." he replied, rather too smugly for her liking. "Now please sit down so we can talk this over." he told her, patting the chair to indicate that she was to sit down beside him again. Reluctantly Susan sat back down on the chair but wondered what kind of game he was playing.

"Tell me what you mean. Are my family in danger?" she asked him, with anguish in her voice. "Who are you and how do you know my husband? And why are we in danger?" she asked, staring into his eyes. He wasn't going to intimidate her and she could put on an act, just as she was sure he was. "Mike and I do know each other. It's just that he thinks I'm dead." he told her and she immediately knew who he was. "You're The Chameleon. Mike said you were dead." she replied with a gasp. He nodded his head. "Of course, he thinks that I'm dead. That it what they wanted him to think. Now they are coming after him and possibly your whole family." he told her. Susan shook her head. "What are you talking about? Who are they? My husband is a police officer or have you forgotten." she told him. "I know all about Mike. I like and respect your husband, believe me. We sort of have a connection of sorts." he told her, now gazing at the floor, as if he was deep in thought. "Look this has to stay between us. Mike must not know for the time being." he said, now staring into her eyes again.

"What do you mean?" she asked confused. "Mike must go about his business as usual. I will contact you again when I iron out all the details." he said, rising from his chair. "You are talking rubbish. Your mad." she told him, as she raised herself from her chair to face him. "Did you or did you not get followed home from the store by a black car? Did you or did you not immediately rush inside and lock the door and call your husband?" he asked her. "Well I may have been mistaken." she replied. "You were followed. They are stalking you to try and establish a routine, so that they can come up with a plan to get rid of you, without raising any suspicions." he told her. "But why?" she asked him. "And who are they?" He moved towards the back door. "They are the people I work for. They are the people who are going to kill you, Mike and your family. They are the C.I.A." he announced, as he moved quickly towards the door and grabbed the door nob. "Why are you helping us? What is to happen now?" she asked him. "Look keep everything normal and don't change your routine or act out of character until I get back to you. And the answer to why I am helping you. I don't really know. I like your husband and I don't know why but we have some sort of weird connection." he replied, before disappearing quickly out of the back door.

Susan took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, which wasn't easy as her heart was racing nine to the dozen. What was going on? Why couldn't she tell Mike all about it and how would she be able to keep any of this from him? She was no good at keeping secrets. Are their lives really in danger? And why would this assassin, that Mike thought he had killed, want to help them?

# Chapter Two

Susan picked up the children from school and tried to remain calm and go about her business as usual, so as not to arouse any suspicion from whomever it was that was following her in the black car. She had seen the same black car that had followed her in the morning, driving by the school and tried not to stare at it but casually looked over her shoulder every now and then. He told her not to act out of character, so she took the boys to the nearby shops, as she usually did every day after school, before heading home.

Returning home, she told the boys to do their homework before supper and her two youngest ran upstairs, a bit too eagerly for her liking and she had a feeling that instead of starting their homework as instructed, they would be straight onto playing their computer games. David her 16 years old came barging through the door, which gave her a fright. He was in his last year of Secondary School and was due to sit his final exams in a few months, with the intention of starting college after the summer. He wanted to work with computers and had already secured himself a place in college, even before he received his exam results. David was the brains of the family. Her middle son Daniel at 13 years of age was what she would call a lazy student, who was just biding his time until he was old enough to leave school and find a job. College was not on his radar but Susan knew that every child was different, so she would not stand in his way, if he wanted to find a job and not continue his education then so be it.

Her youngest son Aaron, was 6 years old and had only started school a few months ago. He had his own problems to contend with and could often be disruptive and down right aggressive, when he didn't get his own way. Being autistic, she had wanted to send him to their local primary school and treat him like any other child his age but was advised that it would be too much for him to cope with. As a compromise, he now spent his mornings at their local school and his afternoons at a different specialist school, 10 miles away that catered for his needs. She was informed that several pupils at the school had additional support needs and needed specialist education, so a bus picked him and the others up after lunch and he was dropped back at his local primary school, at home time. So far that arrangement had worked out perfectly, for the most part. There were days that he wouldn't get out of bed and no amount of persuasion or insistence would make him go to school. On those days, the dark days as she called them, she needed help with him but there was no help offered and she had to cope the best way she could. Thankfully those days were not as often as they used to be and she hoped that his behavior would improve with age.

Before starting supper, she went over to the window and noticed the black car was parked a little down the street. Whomever it was that was following her, they were not doing a good job of hiding that fact and she wondered why. David disappeared up to his bedroom mumbling something about some project that he had to make a start on and she went into the kitchen to start the supper.

After supper, the boys disappeared to their bedrooms again and she found herself sitting in front of the television all by herself. She wanted to call Mike again and wondered why he had not called her about the message she had left him. Had something happened to him? She shook her head to dispel such fears and settled down to watch her favourite soaps, while opening a bottle of red wine.

It was now 9pm and the younger boys had been in bed for over an hour. David was out with his girlfriend but was due back within the hour. She had thought of keeping him in but knew that he would go ballistic. This girl seemed to mean a lot to him, even though he had yet to bring her home to meet them.

An hour later, true to his word, David returned home and with a quick goodnight, had disappeared up to his room. Susan sighed. Daniel had grown very secretive and hardly spoke to her anymore but she knew that teenagers were really a different species and was sure, that as soon as he had grown out of these teenage years, they would be able to mend their fractured relationship. Once again Mike was late home from work. Usually she didn't worry but tonight all she could do was worry. Could something have happened to him? And if it did would they come after her and the boys next? Why was this happening to her family and how the hell was she supposed to act normally, with all of this hanging over her head?

Pouring herself her third glass of red wine, she settled down to watch the news but found herself unable to concentrate. All she could think of was the man she found in her house and what he told her. The Chameleon was an assassin, a trained killer, Mike had told her all about him. He was dead, or was he? Mike told her he was dead and that everything was done and dusted, so why was she now feeling confused about that fact? The CIA wouldn't be after them. Why would they?

Another hour passed before she heard Mike's key in the door and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Hi honey. I'm home." he shouted, as he locked the door behind him. Walking into the living room, he took off his jacket and threw it over the sofa. "Sorry I'm late. What kind of day did you have?" he asked, walking past her and into the kitchen to get his supper.

She sat on the sofa sipping her wine and heard the beeping of the microwave, as he heated up his supper. "Spag balls. Thanks honey. That's just what I feel like tonight. Can I have a glass of that wine?" he asked, sitting down on the sofa with his supper plate on his knee. "Mike. You know I don't like anyone eating in the living room. There is a large table in the kitchen." she said, scolding him. "Oh honey. Let me sit here. It's been a bitch of a day." he said, kicking off his shoes. "Well it has been a bitch of a day for me too." she told him, tutting as she lifted his shoes from the floor and his jacket from the sofa. "I'll put them away later." he said, in the way of an apology. "Don't bother. I'll clean up after you as always." she replied angrily. "Anyway, I'm off to bed." Mike raised his eyebrows wondering why his wife seemed to be in a foul mood. "Hey, I want to talk honey. Come, sit beside me and tell me all about your day." he said patting the sofa, indicating that she was to sit down beside him. "No, I'm tired. Goodnight." she replied, before disappearing out of the room.

Mike Watson was confused by the way his wife was acting. She was angry for some reason and he thought that perhaps he had forgotten some sort of important date. He thought hard. No, it wasn't their wedding anniversary and no, it wasn't his wife's birthday. Not thinking of anything that he had done wrong, he came to the conclusion that it must be her time of the month. Pre-menstrual tension they called it and he dismissed any other reason from his wife's foul mood and settled down to watch the news update on the television while eating his supper.

Detective Inspector Mike Watson was stationed at Pitt Street Police Station in Glasgow. A few years back it was suggested and rumoured that he would make DCI but that proved to be a pipe dream, when the forces were joined together to become Police Scotland. The coveted job of DCI went to Robert Kerr as he had already been acting DCI up north somewhere and Mike was disappointed but deep down he was rather relieved. The last thing he needed these days was extra work and with it extra pressure, that would keep him away from his family. His family was his world and many of his colleagues were divorced, with the pressure of work being one of the top reasons for their marriages crumbling.

DCI Kerr was tough but fair and although not long in the job, had made his own stamp on the station. He, like other DCI's before him was ex-army and Mike had heard that his son had been killed in Iraq a few months before he took up the new position at Pitt Street. The DCI never talked about his family and kept everything on a purely professional level. The station had changed so much that he barely recognised the place any more. Not so much the building itself but the new personnel that were now employed there. DS Peterson was now working in Govan, DI Williams was sent to Stirling and DC Thomson was waiting to be moved. Things had changed and the detectives he was working with now were really not his cup of tea. The one person he really missed was his old friend and colleague George Wilson, who had emigrated to Australia with his wife and daughter.

Thinking of George, he wondered if he had any messages from him and decided to check his emails before going to bed. No, George had not replied to his many emails and he wondered why. It had been over six weeks since he had received an email from him and he hoped that he had not forgotten him, with his new life in Australia. Perhaps his computer had broken down or maybe his work schedule was too hectic.

An hour later, he closed down his laptop and dragged himself off to bed. He had an early start in the morning and hoped that he would get home earlier tomorrow night. He undressed and jumped into bed beside Susan, who he was sure was feigning sleep. "Hey honey. You want to talk?" he asked, gently nudging at her shoulder but she ignored him and he settled down to sleep.

Susan found herself tossing and turning. Her mind was in turmoil and she couldn't get to sleep. How could she? "Why are you tossing around so much?" he asked, now becoming slightly annoyed with his wife. It was well past midnight and he had an early shift in the morning. "Things on my mind." she replied. "Well tell me and maybe then we can both get some sleep." he told her, trying to feign interest. "I can't." she replied, which suddenly made him curious.

"You're not pregnant, again are you?" he asked, now finding himself getting rather frightened by the prospect. Their youngest son had been a surprise and had problems but now that he was at school, the last thing he needed was to begin all over again with new baby. "No." she replied and she could here him sighing with relief. She sat upright in bed. "I have to tell you. It's too big a problem to keep to myself and I don't care what he said." she announced and Mike found himself intrigued. "What problem and who is he?" he asked her, now sitting upright in bed himself. "I think I was followed back from the shops today. In fact, I think I was followed from the house to the school, to the shops and home again." she told him. "What do you mean you think you were followed?" he asked, confused by her statement.

"It was a black car and don't ask me what make it was. You know I don't know much about cars but this car was black and had tinted windows. I couldn't make out if it was a man or a woman driving but I am sure the car was following me, I think." she told him, now trying to stop herself from bursting into tears. He reached out and pulled her to him. "Hey, you are, really shaken up by this honey." he said. She pulled herself away from his arms. "That's not all." she told him. " I came home from the shops to find a man in the house." Mike was shocked. "What! A burglar was in our house. What did he take?" he asked and was surprised to see her shaking her head. "He wasn't a burglar. He had another agenda." she replied, with tears in her eyes. "Oh my God. Did he attack you?" he asked, suddenly feeling his blood beginning to boil with the mere thought of someone laying a finger on his wife. Susan shook her head. "It seems that you know him. That man that you were supposed to have shot dead in America, came through our bedroom window and entered our house to speak to me. You know who I mean? The Chameleon, I think you called him." Mike immediately jumped from his bed. "That man is dead. He died nearly four years ago Susan. Whoever this man was, it wasn't him. Why didn't you call the station?" he asked, now becoming more than a little worried about the whole situation. "He told me not to." she replied sobbing. "Are you telling me a stranger came into our house and you didn't even call the station to report it? Never mind the station, you never told me when I came home. What is wrong with you Susan? Has something happened that you don't want to tell me?" he asked, practically shouting at her. She shook her head. "Tell me everything." he demanded, in a very angry and authoritarian voice. "Mike don't be angry with me and I'm not going to tell you anything with you standing towering over me, with such an angry face." she sobbed. Mike chastised himself for being so abrupt with his wife, who he could see was really upset.

He sat down beside her in the bed and held her hands. "Sorry honey. I'm just a bit frazzled with the whole thing." he told her. "You're frazzled. What about me? Don't you think I am going off my head with worry?" she replied, trying hard to stop the tears from falling. "Yes honey. Now start from the beginning and don't leave anything out." he told her, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his hand.

Susan took a deep breath before she began. "As I said, I thought I was being followed everywhere I went today and when I reached home, I called you but you didn't answer, so I left a message." she told him. "God. I'm so sorry. My bloody mobile ran out of battery. I never got your message." he explained to her her, with regret in his voice. "When I heard footsteps upstairs, I thought you had come home early. Anyway, this man came down the stairs and said he was an old friend of yours and had come to warn us that we were all in danger. I told him that he was supposed to be dead and he laughed Mike, he laughed." She paused to catch her breath. "Go on. I want to know everything." he told her. "He told me that we were in danger but he didn't know why. He didn't want you to know in case you changed your routine and he wanted us to act normally until he had figured it all out."

Mike started pacing up and down the bedroom. "How did you say he got in?" he asked out loud and then saw the open bedroom window. Closing the window, he turned to his wife. "That damned window Susan. You forgot to close it this morning." Susan hung her head. Mike had always hated her leaving the bedroom window open at night but she couldn't sleep properly if it was closed. Now it would always be closed because she couldn't trust that this man wouldn't climb through it again. She found herself sobbing again.

"I'm sorry honey." he said, rushing to her side again and sitting on the bed beside her. "Who did he say was after us?" he asked. "The CIA." she replied and immediately he jumped to his feet again. "Don't be ridiculous." he shouted. "Well you were in the USA working with the CIA, a while back." she reminded him. "Yeh to catch him. Look Susan. I don't know who was in this house today but it wasn't the man I shot dead. Someone is playing mind games with you." he told her. Susan jumped out of bed to face him. "Look I don't care who he was. He came to warn us that we, your family, are in danger. What did he mean?" she asked him. Mike thought about it. "How should I know." he replied, once again feeling himself getting angry. "Did you do something?" she asked, now becoming frightened at the prospect of her husband telling her something really awful. "What the hell do you mean?" he shouted, pacing up and down the bedroom floor again. "Your always up to something. Ever since you came back from America you have been acting strangely." she told him and he immediately went on the defensive. "You're talking rubbish Susan. There is nothing going on and I am not acting strangely. Sometimes I wonder about you and your flights of fancy. You have too much imagination for your own good." he replied and seeing the look on his wife's face, immediately regretted his outburst. "Are you telling me that I have imagined all of this? Are you saying that I was not followed today and that a man was not sitting at my kitchen table telling me that our lives are in danger? Is that what you are saying? Because if it is, then we are finished. Do you hear me?" she screamed at him.

Mike was dumbstruck by her outburst. She was acting very out of character. "I'm going to pack some bags and go and stay with mother for a while." she told him. Going over to the wardrobe she pulled open the doors and began throwing clothes onto the floor. He immediately rushed to her side. "Look honey. I don't know what I'm saying. Of course, I believe you. I just can't understand it, that's all. Now come back to bed.' he said, taking her by the elbow and walking her back towards the bed. "I will sort all of this. In fact, I will call my boss right this minute." he told her, trying to quell her fears. Susan grabbed hold of his arm. "Mike, listen to me. He said I was to keep this all to myself, tell no-one and go about acting normally. He said our lives depended on us keeping quiet and that he would contact us when he had more information." she told him. "Look Susan. I must tell my Gov, any threat against a police officer or members of his family must be reported. The Chameleon is dead and whoever this man is, he is trying to intimidate you. He is messing with your head and I'm not having it. Now let me deal with it." he told her, as he kissed her on her cheek. "Now go back to bed and try and get some sleep. I'll be back shortly, after I have spoken to my Gov and I will request a squad car to sit outside the house, just for a day of two." Susan jumped back into bed and hoped that Mike was right.

He opened the bedroom door and before walking out, turned to his wife and said. "I will be back in a few minutes. Now try and get some sleep honey. I'm going to call in sick tomorrow, so everything will be fine. Ok." Susan nodded and turned her head on the pillow to try to get some sleep.

On leaving his bedroom, he crept past his son's bedrooms and made his way downstairs. It was a wonder that the boys had slept through all the shouting that had been going on between him and Susan but miraculously they did. As he entered the living room, he cursed when he realised that he had left his mobile phone upstairs. He thought of running up to get it but changed his mind, as he didn't want to disturb Susan again or take the chance of waking the boys, who all had school in the morning.

The home telephone was out in the hall and as it was cordless, he took it into the living room and closed the door quietly behind him. Now sitting on the sofa, he was just about to call the station, to be put through to DCI Kerr, when the telephone rang. He could see on the caller display that the call was from a mobile and wondered who would be calling his home, at this time of night. He looked at his watch and saw that it was nearly 1am and for a moment thought of not answering it, as he had an important call of his own to make.

The telephone kept ringing. Whoever it was at the other end of the line was determined to get an answer. "Hello." Mike said, eventually answering. "Mikey Boy." the caller said and Mike was stunned when he recognised the voice at the other end of the line. It couldn't be him, he thought. "Who is this?" he asked and immediately heard laughter. "I think you know who I am. Anyway, we haven't got long until they trace this call, so I will make it brief and to the point." the caller said in a strong American accent. "What do you want you swine? How dare you come into my house and scare my wife half to death." Mike said, quietly but with much anger in his voice. "She told you then." the caller said, once again laughing. "Woman. They can never keep their mouths shut, not even if their lives depended on it."

Mike was now seething with anger. "Go to hell." he practically shouted down the telephone, before remembering to keep his voice down, so as not to wake his sleeping sons. "Did you think I was in hell Mike? No, I am alive and well and not far from where you are standing right now. You shot someone Mike but it wasn't me." he told him with more than a hint of glee in his voice. "Of course, your dead. I mean of course the Chameleon is dead. Who are you and what do you want?" Mike asked, hoping that he was mistaken with recognising the American accent of someone who he thought was long dead. "Mikey Boy, don't you recognise my voice. Now if I were dead, would I be speaking to you right now? Look Mike, time is running out. I have only a few seconds. Listen. Meet me in Victoria Park tomorrow morning at 8am sharp." he told him. "I will not." Mike replied. "You will Mike, as I have a story to tell you." he said but Mike was adamant. "Stick your fucking story mate. I'm calling the station right now and every police office in the country will be out looking for you." Mike replied, with a stern voice. "Threats Mike? Really. You know better than that." he replied. "Go to Hell." Mike told him, through gritted teeth. The man whoever he was, was really annoying him now. "You said that before. I'm trying to help you Mike. You and your family are in grave danger. Meet me at 8am Victoria Park and don't be late. Don't for the love of God tell anyone about this, before we meet. After we talk you can do whatever you want." he told him but before Mike had a chance to reply, the line went dead.

Mike sat on the sofa with the telephone in his hand, not knowing quite what to do. Should he ignore what this stranger said or should he wait until after they have met, before reporting him to DCI Kerr. He wondered what on Earth this man could tell him that would be of any importance to him. His mind was in turmoil but he eventually decided to meet this man but decided that Susan would shadow him, with her camera. He was a detective after all, so he would put some of his skills into practice. There was no way on Earth that this man was The Chameleon. No way on Earth, he kept saying to himself over and over again.

Susan came downstairs at 7am, quickly followed by her three sons and found her husband sprawled across the sofa, fast asleep with the telephone still in his hands. "Hey sleepy head. If you don't get a move on you will be late for work." she told him, pulling his feet from the sofa. He rubbed his eyes and tried to focus. "I told you I'm calling in sick today." he said yawning. "Do you want some breakfast?" Susan shouted from the kitchen. "No honey. I'm just going upstairs to call the station and then jump into the shower." he shouted back to her, before dragging his weary bones from the sofa and rubbing his neck that was now stiff and painful with falling asleep on the sofa.

After showering, he began to get dressed and heard Susan shout that she was dropping the boys off at school and that she would be right back. He had called his station and told him that he wouldn't be in for a few days, as he was ill in bed with the flu. He hoped that they would believe him as it really wasn't flu season yet but it sounded better than saying he had a virus, as that would make him sound like a wimp. A big strong man like him wouldn't be struck down and bedridden by a virus but the flu was a different kettle of fish. The flu could strike down the strongest of men and turn them into quivering wrecks.

# Chapter Three

#

Driving to Victoria Park in the car, Susan noticed that Mike was very quiet and seemed to be deep in thought. "Now you know what to do Susan?" he asked her. She nodded. She hadn't been very agreeable with his plans but had to concede that if they were together, then they would be a stronger force against this man. Well, she hoped that anyway. "Yes. I will follow you but keep well back. I will hide among the bushes and take photographs. Oh Mike. I feel like a real detective myself. Is this what you do every day?" she asked him. "Not quite Susan. Now if anything goes wrong......" he started to tell her but was quickly interrupted. "What do you mean?" she asked, confused as she had not even thought of things going wrong. "I mean if anything happens, get out of there straight away and call the station." he explained to a not too happy Susan. "What could go wrong?" she asked, with fear in her voice. "Any number of things but I want you to be safe, so do you promise that you will run if anything happens?" Susan didn't answer straight away but eventually she agreed.

They parked the car and Mike walked to the front entrance of the park, while Susan went around the corner and entered the park through the rear entrance. At that time in the morning, it was fairly quiet. A few people were walking their dogs and Susan saw at least three people jogging. She shuddered with the cold air that engulfed her and cursed that she didn't put on her winter coat that morning. She saw Mike in the distance. He was sitting alone on a bench and a horrible thought ran through her mind. He was a sitting duck. A target for the mad man and her heart beat so fast, she thought it would jump out of her chest. She wanted to run to him and was just about to do just that, when out of the corner of her eye, she saw him. She moved closer to where her husband was sitting and stayed hidden in the dense bushes. She positioned herself and got out her camera, ready in preparation of taking some photographs.

He sat down beside Mike on the bench and Mike gasped as soon as he saw him. He looked like the man they called The Chameleon but he seemed slightly taller and thinner. How could this be? he wondered. "You alone Mike?" he asked, as he continually scanned the area. "Sure." Mike replied. "Stop lying." he laughed. "Tell your wife to come out from the bushes and join us." he told him. "I don't know what you mean?" Mike replied, trying to pretend that he was surprised with such an accusation. "Susan, come out, come out wherever you are." The Chameleon shouted. Susan became alarmed and couldn't decide what to do, so she ignored him. "Susan come and join us. I know you're there. Come on. Don't be afraid, I promise not to eat you." The Chameleon shouted over to where she was hiding. Mike couldn't stand it any longer, so he called for his wife. "Susan. Just come out." On hearing her husband's voice, she tentatively emerged from the bushes and made her way towards them. When she reached the bench, he ordered her to sit, just like someone would order a dog to sit and Susan glanced over at her husband. Mike nodded to indicate that she should do what this stranger told her, so she sat down as instructed. "We haven't got long. Where you followed?" The Chameleon asked and Mike shook his head.

"Are you sure about that because there's a black car with tinted windows, parked along the street." The Chameleon replied. Mike started to turn his head to have a look. "Don't look. Susan get up and walk around us and quickly glance over at that black car." The Chameleon told her. Susan looked over at Mike, who nodded to her. After circling the bench, she sat back down again. "Same car that followed you yesterday?" The Chameleon asked and she nodded her head but wondered how he knew about that, as she hadn't told him anything about being followed or had she?

"Damn it." he said. "Now they know I have contacted you. I'm sorry Mike but you will need to move fast if you want to save your life and those of your family. My car, a grey Peugeot, is parked in the street at the back entrance to the park. I'll walk away first. After a few minutes, you two walk around the park arm in arm, as if you are going for a romantic stroll and meet me at the back gate." The Chameleon told him, looking rather nervous. Mike stared at him. "Then what?" The Chameleon got up from the bench before answering. "I will take you to a place of safety." he replied. "Oh yeh? Like the last time when you took me to the cabin in the woods. Taking me to safety you said but you really wanted to kill me." Mike reminded him. "That was different and your life was never in danger." The Chameleon replied. "Yeh sure. I think I will take my chances with them. CIA, you told my wife." Mike replied. "Well not exactly CIA." he told him. "Thought so. You're a lying scumbag." Mike said, as he jumped to his feet. "Now Mike. Why are you being so hostile with me? I'm just trying to look out for you." The Chameleon replied and Mike shook his head. "When I said not exactly the CIA, what I meant was that they are more of a secret undercover umbrella faction of the CIA." The Chameleon told him and Mike laughed. "What the hell are you saying and why would they be after me?" Mike asked. "I'm not exactly sure at this moment Mike but I plan to find out." The Chameleon explained but Mike was having none of it. "You're talking absolute shit and I'm calling the station right now." Mike told him, reaching into his jacket pocket to retrieve his mobile phone. "Don't antagonise him. He may have a gun." Susan whispered into her husband's ear. "Yeh Mikey Boy. I may and I do have a gun but I'm also telling you the truth." The Chameleon told him, with a grin on his face. "How do I know that?" Mike asked him. "For the simple fact that they hired me to kill you and your family, including your little boys." When he heard this, Mike wanted to punch the man standing right in front of him. He wanted to punch him so hard that the occupants of the black car, would have to run in to stop him from actually killing him. "Have you heard from George lately?" That question shocked Mike to the core. "You remember your pal George Wilson and his wife Melissa and let me see they had a daughter, didn't they? I believe they emigrated to Australia a few years ago. Heard from them lately Mike?" The Chameleon asked him and Mike felt confused. "I had an email a few weeks ago." Mike replied, not understanding what this evil, murdering, scumbag was trying to get at. "Six weeks ago, by any chance Mike?" he asked and Mike nodded his head. "How do you know that?" he asked him, wondering what he was getting at and Susan wondered the same thing. "What is he trying to say Mike?" she asked, confused by this new direction in their conversation.

"I'm saying that you won't be hearing from him any time soon. In fact, you won't be hearing from him ever again." The Chameleon told them and Susan gasped. "Are you trying to insinuate that he is dead?" Mike asked him, suddenly finding himself unconsciously making fists with his hands. "I'm not insinuating Mike, I'm stating a fact. George Wilson and his family are missing and the authorities may not know it yet but they are dead. Their bodies will never be found." As soon as he told them that, Mike lashed out and punched him straight in the face and he staggered backwards with blood pouring from his mouth. "You bastard!" Mike screamed, with hatred in his eyes. "I'll let that one go Mike but just this once. I didn't kill them. I was hired to kill you and your family and to dispose of your bodies." he said, wiping the blood from his busted lip. "Now I said I accepted the contract because I know if I declined, then someone else would be sent. Don't you see Mike, I am here to warn you. I want to help you. I'm putting my neck on the line to help you and your family." Susan put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

"I don't trust you. Why would you help us? There is no reason for you to help any of us, especially me. I shot you." Mike asked. "No, you didn't Mike. You thought you did but you didn't. That night in the woods. You remember, I went outside for some wood and you followed me?" The Chameleon asked, as he spat blood out from his mouth. Mike nodded. "When you ran off into the woods I exchanged with a stand in." Mike was confused. "What the hell do you mean a stand in?" he asked him. "It was a set up Mike. Everything was worked out in advance. Come now think about it. They got someone, a stand in, who looked like me to chase you through the woods that night. The poor sucker was given a job to do but I'm sure he didn't think that he would end up dead." he told him and immediately Mike went on the defensive. "We struggled. It was an accident." Mike said, staring over at Susan and seeing the shocked expression on her face. "I told you at the time, Susan. It was an accident." She nodded her head to indicate that she believed him and he was relieved. There was no way that he wanted her to think that he killed someone in cold blood. "You don't have to explain anything to me Mike. You were fighting for your life but to tell you the truth, your life was never in danger. I had to appear to be killed and I mean appear, as you can see I am standing right here beside you. Anyway, we are getting away from the point. I'm leaving now and if you don't want to follow me and don't trust me, or need my help, then by all means do as you wish. It's your last chance to listen to me Mike and I do hope that you do for your family's sake." The Chameleon told him before turning on his heels and walking away. Susan grabbed Mike by the arm. "Hey." Mike shouted after him. "Why the hell would you help me? I don't understand." He stopped and turned to face him again. "That's a good question Mikey Boy and to tell you the absolute truth, I don't bloody well know." he replied, suddenly bursting into laughter. "Here I am in Scotland again and instead of carrying out the assignment that I was paid for, I find myself trying to help the target. Maybe it's because I got to know you as a person. Maybe it's because you have a young family, just like me. I don't know. But somehow, I see you as a person and not a target anymore. That has never happened to me before." The Chameleon told him shaking his head, before turning again and quickly walking off towards the rear entrance to the park.

Mike and Susan stared after him, unsure on whether or not to believe what he told them. "Let's walk around the park, as he told us to do." Susan suggested but Mike was reluctant and she had to tug at his arm and pull him along with her. "I don't trust him." he told her. "Neither do I." she replied, tightening her grip on his arm. "Could he be telling the truth about George?" she asked and watched as he shrugged his shoulders with a pained look on his face. "I haven't heard from George for nearly two months, which isn't like him." he told her, suddenly becoming worried for his old friend. "Perhaps these people in the black car are protecting us from him Susan." he suggested. "Perhaps but what if he is right about them and we put ourselves in danger by not believing him? Can you think of any reason they would kill George and come after you?" she asked him. "No." he replied, a little to quickly for her liking. "Think hard Mike. Did you meet someone or saw something that could now be of consequence to someone important?" she asked him and watched as he shook his head. "What about cases that you and George worked on? Does anything unusual come to mind?" she asked him but again he shook his head. "It's no good honey. I have no idea what is going on." he told her. "What are we going to do Mike? We are nearly at the rear entrance. It's make your mind up time." she told him but he just stared at her with a blank look on his face.

As they neared the rear entrance to the park, he knew that his wife was right and he had to make a decision on whom to trust. Should he go with this assassin? Should he run up to the black car and ask for help or should he call the station and report all of this to his DCI? He didn't know what he was going to do but he did know that something wasn't right. Something about this whole situation niggled at him and for the life of him, he couldn't figure it all out. Just then his mobile phone rang in his jacket pocket. "Who could that be?" Susan asked him. Mike took the mobile from his jacket pocket and saw that it was Pitt Street Police station. "It's the station." he told her. "Why would they be calling you? You did remember to call in sick, didn't you?" she asked him. "Sure I did." he replied, pressing the button and taking the call. "Hello." There were a few seconds of silence. "DI Watson?" the deep male voice asked. "Yes. Who is this?" he asked, as he didn't recognise the voice on the other end of the line. "You are to come to the station right away. It is a matter of great urgency." the man told him. "I'm off sick. I'm in my sick bed as we speak." he said feigning a cough. "Is that why you are in Victoria Park speaking to the most prolific assassin of our time?" the man asked and Mike was shocked by this statement. Susan saw his expression and asked what was wrong. He covered the mouthpiece of his mobile with his hand. "They know I'm here." he told her. "How?" she asked him and they both glanced over at the black car with the tinted windows and knew exactly how they knew. "Who is this?" Mike asked again, determined to find out to whom he was speaking to. "You must come into the station." the man told him, once again evading Mike's question. "Ok. On my way." Mike replied, slipping his mobile back into his jacket pocket. "What are we going to do? Who was it that called you?" Susan asked him. Mike shook his head. "He wouldn't tell me his name." he told her. "Strange. Look. It's up to you. We either go with this murdering assassin or go to the station and see what is going on. I know which I would chose." she told him. "The station?" he asked, knowing fine well that that was what she meant. Susan nodded.

"But there is so much you don't understand." he told her. "Well tell me. Make me understand." she replied, wanting to know more. She needed to know more. "This Chameleon guy could have killed me in the cabin or in the woods, when we first met but he didn't. He even saved my life in the hotel room when Agent Jones, or whoever he was, came to kill me. He shot him dead in front of my eyes. He actually saved my life." Susan stared at her husband's troubled expression. "Do you trust him more than those people in the black car? Do you trust him more than whoever was on the mobile? If you do then I think it's time to run." she told him and with that, he held on tightly to her hand and they ran the last few yards, out of the gate and towards the grey Peugeot and jumped inside. The car immediately sped away and Mike stared out of the back window and saw that the black car with the tinted windows was now driving off too. "They are following us." Mike said. "Of course they are. Don't worry I have it all planned out. Now around this corner, I want you both to jump out and hide behind the building over there." The Chameleon told them. "What about you?" Mike asked. "I'm going to change cars of course. Now stay hidden until I return for you. Your lives depend on it." he replied, before he slowed down as the car turned the corner. They both jumped out and immediately ran towards a red sandstone building and watched as the grey Peugeot drive off at speed.

Within a few minutes, the black car came racing around the corner and Mike and Susan crouched down and kept themselves hidden from view. Ten minutes passed. "What if he doesn't come back?" Susan asked but Mike didn't reply because he had no answer. He hadn't made any back-up plan, in fact he hadn't made any plan at all. Suddenly a white van came speeding up to where they were and a familiar face smiled out at them. "Get into the back." The Chameleon told them and Mike opened the back door and he and Susan climbed inside, closing the door quickly behind them. They both sat down on the floor of the van. "You lost them then? Mike asked. "Of course. I am a professional Mike." he replied with a laugh. "Look I can't keep calling you The Chameleon. What's your name?" Mike asked him. "Oh Mikey Boy, have have forgotten the real me already? Peter Anderson or have you forgotten?" he replied, shaking his head. "First things first Mike. Who called you in the park?" he asked and Mike was surprised by his question. "You saw that?" he asked. "I see everything." Peter Anderson replied. "It was the station. They wanted me to come in and they somehow knew that I was at the park with you. Whoever called me wouldn't give me his name, which was very odd." Mike told him. "Murdering hypocrites." Peter Anderson suddenly announced, with venom in his voice. "What do you mean?" Mike asked confused. "Nothing. Suffice to say I have left them behind." he told him. "Flying solo now?" Mike asked sarcastically. "Going straight Mike. I'm bloody sick of it all and I now I want a normal life." Peter Anderson replied. "How can you have a normal life?" Mike asked him. "I like you, must now disappear with my wife and children and live a different life in a different county." he replied. "What the hell does that mean Mike?" Susan asked, not liking what she heard. "He's just ranting." Mike told her, trying to dispel her fears. "Mike these people can find you anywhere. Trust me. You have to disappear but before you do, we must find out why they are after you and why they killed your friend George." Peter Anderson told him. "I tried to think of a connection between me and George and the cases we have worked on in the past but nothing comes out at me. I don't know what the hell is going on." Mike told him. "Well think harder Mikey Boy. There must be a connection." he told him.

"Where are we heading?" Mike asked. "Perth." Peter Anderson replied. "No we can't go. What about the boys?" Susan asked, feeling herself beginning to panic. "I do believe your eldest is off on a school trip to France for a couple of weeks, with his school. He's going to his friend's house after school today and leaving from there. Am I correct?" Peter Anderson asked and Susan's mouth fell open. "Thought that was next month." Mike asked her and saw her shake her head. "God. I never even said goodbye to him." Mike told her. "Neither did I." Susan informed him with a tear in her eye. "I was going to call him tonight. I need to call him Mike." Peter Anderson interrupted them. "I'm sure we can call him don't worry." But Susan wasn't convinced by his sudden concern with her family. He had his own Agenda and she wondered what it was. "My youngest boys are in school." Mike told him. "Taken care of." Peter Anderson replied. "What the hell does that mean?" Mike asked, not even attempting to hide his worry. "Calm down Mike. Not in that way. I mean they will be waiting for you at the safe house." Peter Anderson replied, as he turned onto the A9 and continued the journey to Perth. They would arrive at their destination in less than two hours and he hoped that everything was in place, as he had instructed. "Where are my sons?" Susan demanded. "You can't just stroll into school and take them out." There were a few seconds of silence before he replied. "They never got to school. I intercepted them and now my associate is driving them to the safe house." Peter Anderson replied, crushing the gear stick and cursing to himself.

He hadn't driven a stick shift, that they called gear stick over here, for over a decade and had mostly driven automatics. "Associate?" Mike practically screamed from the back of the van. "All in good time Mike. All in good time. Too many questions Mikey boy. It's not questions we need now its answers, remember? That's what this is all about, finding answers." Peter Anderson told him. "I want to know. No! I demand to know who your associate is. I don't want my children with some murdering scumbag." Mike said threw gritted teeth. "You mean like me?" Peter Anderson asked him. "Yeh like you. I want to know who has got my boys." Mike repeated. "They are with a friend." Peter Anderson replied, trying to concentrate on the road ahead of him. "Friend, associate, I don't care what you call him. I want to know all about him." Mike insisted. "Not really a friend. More like my wife and children." Peter Anderson replied. Mike was stunned and wondered why he would bring his wife and children over to Scotland with him. What was going on? "I told you Mike but you didn't listen. It's not just you and your family that have to disappear. I have to disappear with my family too. We are all in danger. Now you can calm down Susan. My wife is a good woman. Your children are safe and will be having fun playing with mine." Peter Anderson told them, as he listened to the frantic crying from Mike's wife in the back of the van.

They drove for over two hours and Mike calculated that they could have gone to Perth and back again with the amount of travelling they had done. "Look. We should have reached Perth by now." Mike told him. "Yes, I know but we have to go the long way, just in case we are being followed again." Peter Anderson told him, as they reached an old dirt road. "We are here anyway. Just a few more minutes."

As they reached the top of the dirt road, Mike saw an old farmhouse in the distance, which was surrounded by trees and practically invisible to the naked eye, which was probably why they were being brought there. The van was driven around the back of the farmhouse before coming to a stop. Peter Anderson jumped out of the van and swung open the back doors "Sorry about that but I had to make a few detours to shrug off anyone tailing us. Here we are, all safe and sound." he told them, just as Susan pushed past him and ran into the farmhouse. "She can run when she wants to." Peter Anderson said, with a grin on his face. "If a hair on my boy's head has been touched..." Mike began. "Now, now Mike. Calm down. You really have to keep control of that temper of yours." Peter Anderson told him wagging his finger in jest.

The farmhouse was a bungalow style building made of sandstone and looked very old from the outside but as soon as Mike stepped through the front door he could see that it had all the mod cons and was decorated to modern taste. The hallway was large and led into the living room, which then led into a large kitchen. He saw that Susan was sitting by an open fire with a dark-haired woman of around her own age. Was this Peter Anderson's wife? "Let me introduce you Mike. This is my wife Helena and those two children over there, are mine also." Peter Anderson said pointing towards the sofa where four children were sitting chatting to each other. Mike looked over at Daniel and Aaron as they chatted to a boy and girl of around the same age as themselves. "And your son and daughter are called?" Mike asked him. "I can't really remember their names." Peter Anderson replied with a laugh. "Really Mike. The less you know, the less they can extract from you if they ever catch up with us. I think the children really should be left out of all this. Us as the adults, have to make all the decisions so mums the word." Mike glared at him. "Don't trust me then Peter?" he asked. "Well I have news for you. Guess what? I don't trust you either." Mike replied and saw the startled look on the woman's face. Peter Anderson saw it too. "It's all right love. Mike here is a bit of a comedian." Peter Anderson told his wife.

"The children have already eaten but I have made some sandwiches for you. You can find them in the kitchen." Helena Anderson told them with a smile on her face albeit a false smile, Mike thought. "Ok love. Come on Mike, let's make us some coffee." Peter Anderson announced indicating with a nod of the head that Susan too was to follow them to the kitchen. Mike watched him put the kettle on and stared longingly at the freshly prepared ham sandwiches sitting on a large plate on the worktop. "Tuck in boy. We are all friends here." Peter Anderson said but Mike ignored him and turning to Susan asked how the boys were. She told him that they were fine considering but that she had to speak to their eldest son David, as he was leaving for France in the morning. Mike took out his mobile phone from his jacket pocket. "No signal Mike." Peter Anderson said and Mike glared at him. "I need to call my son." he told him in a no uncertain manner and Peter Anderson shook his head. "Sorry Mike but if there is no signal here, then there is nothing we can do about it." he told him but Mike Watson was not about to give in. "Well take me somewhere where there is damn signal. We must be just a few miles from Perth, so take me into the city and I will give him a quick call." Mike told him with determination in his eyes.

"Sorry Mike. No can do. Maybe in the morning you can make that call but not tonight." Peter Anderson told him as he poured them all some coffee. "How can I get a signal in the morning? I don't understand." Mike asked confused. "Because Mike we are on the move tomorrow to another safe house and we will stop off long enough for you and your good wife here to make that call." Peter Anderson replied, as he handed him a hot cup of steaming coffee. "Any tea?" Mike asked but was informed that they only drank coffee. He was glad of the hot liquid even though he much preferred a cup of tea. "That will be fine won't it Susan? We can call him in the morning." Mike asked her. " I suppose. He isn't leaving until early afternoon but what are we going to say to him? He will know that something is wrong." Susan told him. "We will say that we had to go away to see your Aunt Betty in Stirling, as she's ill. He will believe that." Mike replied, as he ate the sandwiches that he had been craving for, ever since he first set eyes on them.

When they were finished Peter Anderson advised everyone to have an early night as they were setting off early in the morning. "I'm afraid there are only two bedrooms so one for each family." Peter Anderson told them. "Fine." Was all that Mike replied. Not wanting to sit and chat with them all, Mike and Susan went into the bedroom to talk. "What are you thinking Mike?" Susan asked him. "My mind is completely blank. I mean I'm just stunned about everything, especially George. He can't be dead Susan. I just will not believe it even for a second." he told her. "Maybe he is lying?" she said but Mike didn't know whether or not he was, as George hadn't been in contact for weeks now. "How will we pass the time Susan, because I sure as hell don't want to sit having cozy chats around the fireplace with those two?" he asked her. Susan got up and called the boys into the room. "Do you two want to stay in here with us or are you happy to watch television?" she asked them and by the looks they gave her, she knew that television had won the battle. They were getting too old for sitting and chatting with their parents and within seconds had disappeared again leaving the bedroom door opened.

Peter Anderson knocked on the bedroom door. "Sorry to interrupt your little chat but you and I Mike have some business to discuss." he said. "Business?" Mike asked him. "Well you know what I mean. Can we talk?" he asked and reluctantly Mike pulled himself up from the bed and shaking his head, followed him back to the fire.

Peter Anderson nodded to his wife to indicate that she was to make herself scarce and she went into the kitchen to busy herself until she could return to the warm fire that she so reluctantly had to leave. "Come Mike let's sit by the fire. It's dying down a bit but there is still a fare amount of heat from it." Peter Anderson told him. Reluctantly but feeling he had no choice, Mike sat in the armchair by the fireplace and watched as he threw more coal onto the fire. Soon the fire was blazing again. "Forget everything the CIA or FBI told you about me. It's all a pack of lies but on saying that, I am rather curious about what they said." Peter Anderson said staring into the fire.

"They knew your name and where you were brought up. I just cannot understand how they haven't managed to catch you, with all the information they had on you, they should have been able to track you down." Mike told him and he laughed. "Now Mike. If they had really wanted to catch me, as you say, they would have. Don't believe a word those people tell you. If you do, then you are not the man I think you are." Peter Anderson told him. "And what kind of man would that be?" Mike asked. "Are you fishing for complements Detective Inspector Watson?" he asked laughing. Mike found his laughter very off putting, as it always seemed to be phony and not sincere by any stretch of the imagination.

"Does your wife approve of your lifestyle? Does she know that you are a paid assassin?" Mike asked him and could see by his expression that he had hit a nerve. "I didn't know about what he did." Mike heard Helena speak. She seemed to have sneaked up behind him without him noticing, which unnerved him quite a bit. She was a strange kind woman, who dressed as if she was some sort of throwback hippy with her long ankle length brown suede skirt and her flowery blouse. Her curly chestnut hair hung over her shoulders and she wore a silk type scarf around her neck. This was not a woman that would typically be the wife of a paid assassin. His thoughts were interrupted when she spoke again. "He eventually confessed. I think it was around the last time you met. Wasn't it darling?" she said and Peter Anderson nodded without looking up at her. "By that time he had had enough. They pulled him into all of this by recruiting him when he was in the armed forces. A special squad they called it, attached to a secret group, attached to the CIA and Peter believed them. Didn't you darling?" she said, now crouching down beside his armchair. "He was told that he was a hero and protecting his country from terrorists, which in hindsight he shouldn't have got involved in. He was given targets but soon discovered that some of those targets where more to do with money, rather than any kind of terrorism." she said, now holding onto his hands. Mike stopped her. "Perhaps he could explain all of this himself." he said, looking at the couple and thinking that something was not quite right with them. They were to demonstrative in their love for each other and behaving as if they were newlyweds. Mike took a deep breath and chastised himself for being so cynical. Americans always displayed their emotions far quicker and easier than other nationalities and Scottish like the English, always kept their emotions in check. However, there was something not quite right about this woman. Her accent was completely different from her husbands but then again, each American state has a different accent, he told himself. Helena kissed her husband on the cheek before disappearing into the bedroom. "I'm not gullible you know. By the way your wife is telling this sad story, I'm beginning to feel quite sorry for you." Mike said sarcastically. "One day you will trust me Mike Watson." Peter Anderson told him but Mike knew that it would be a cold day in hell, before that day came.

Later on that night, when Mike was just about to fall asleep, he heard his mobile phone ring and immediately jumped out of bed to answer it. Staring at the caller display he saw that it was Pitt Street Police Station again. Susan immediately sat upright in bed. "It's the station. What do I do?" he asked her. They looked at each other. "Ignore it." she told him "and come back to bed." Mike thought about it. "If I don't answer, they may think we have been kidnapped and our names might be splattered all over the newspaper." he told her. "Answer it then and see what they want." she replied thinking that it would probably be best if he did. "Hello." Mike whispered, not wanting Peter Anderson to hear that he was on the mobile phone. "DI Watson. Is that you?" the familiar voice of DCI Kerr echoed down the line. "Of course. Who else would it be?" Mike replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Where are you? We were worried when you didn't turn up at the station." the DCI asked. "Sorry about that Gov, I was called away suddenly." Mike replied, looking to Susan and waving his arm as if to tell her to think of an excuse that would be plausible. "Why?" DCI Kerr asked him. "My aunt is gravely ill so I'm up in Stirling with her." Mike told him, hoping that his DCI would believe him. "I see. And why didn't you pop into the station before you went?" DCI Kerr asked, in his usual gruff manner. "Sorry Gov but he hasn't got long to go and I had to go immediately." Mike replied. "And you can drive to Inverness when you are ill?" the DCI asked him. Mike had to think quickly. "No Gov. Susan, my wife, drove us all up." he replied. There was a few seconds of silence before the DCI told him that it was imperative that he kept in close contact with the station, as something important was going on that he was not privy to but that he had a feeling that M15 were directly involved. "Sorry Gov. I have to go but I will check in with you in the morning." Mike told him. "You had better detective or there will be hell to pay." DCI Kerr told him and the line went dead.

"What was that all about?" Susan whispered to him, as she didn't want to wake the boys up. "It was the Gov asking why I didn't turn up to the station as instructed. He seemed more than a little angry and rather agitated. He's not an easy person to read at the best of times, so it's hard to know really what kind of mood he's in from one moment to the next. Anyway, he did mention that something was going on at the station and thinks M15 are involved." he told her. Susan was curious. "Did he say anything else?" she asked. Mike shook his head. "No but I told him that I would check in with the station in the morning." he replied. The DCI was warning him that something was going on and what that was, Mike wasn't quite sure but knew that it probably had something to do with The Chameleon, Peter Anderson. "At least he knows we haven't been kidnapped." Susan told him and Mike nodded his head, before slipping into bed beside her again.

He didn't sleep all night and lay awake trying to think of any cases that he and George had worked on that would warrant all of this subterfuge, deception and ducking and diving with a renowned assassin. George Watson and his wife and daughter emigrated to Australia a few years ago, so whatever this was about could not have involved him. He suddenly had a thought and turned his mobile on again to check for Internet connection. He was able to connect to his emails and like a miracle low and behold George had sent him a message. Before he could read it, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

Jumping out of bed, Mike opened the door and saw Peter Anderson standing outside. "We're leaving in a few hours. Just to let you know that Helena will have breakfast ready at 5am." Peter Anderson told him, staring down at the mobile phone in Mike's hand. "You making some calls? I hope not. You know they can trace your mobile signal in only a few minutes. You wouldn't be that stupid, would you?" Peter Anderson asked and Mike shook his head. "I see. You're about to make a call, are you?" he asked him and once again Mike shook his head. "If you must know I was checking my emails and I see that I have Internet connection after all. I received an email from my friend George Watson. You know the man you said was dead?" Mike told him and immediately his demeanor changed. "You're an idiot. They can still trace you when you're on the Internet. Where were you Mike when they were giving out brains?" he told him through gritted teeth. "Turn that bloody mobile off or I will have to confiscate it." Mike was shocked at the anger that was being displayed. "I will." Mike told him. "After I have read what George's message." Peter Anderson could see the sheer determination in his eyes, so he took a deep breath and decided to try a different approach with this stubborn detective. "I can see that you are determined, so make it quick, then turn off that damn phone." Peter Anderson told him. Mike quickly opened George's email. "What does he say?" Peter Anderson asked. "Just that he's sorry for not being in contact. He's busy at work and how they are all fine and asking how we are and if there was any news." Mike told him. "Can you be sure that it is George Watson?" Peter Anderson asked him. Mike thought about it. No, he couldn't be sure. Someone else could have hacked into his emails and sent this message. "Don't you think that it's kind of funny that you haven't heard from your friend for so long and suddenly on the day you run off, he emails you?" Peter Anderson asked with raised eyebrows. "I was thinking that myself. And to tell you the truth whoever this was that sent the message, I don't think it was George." Mike told him. "Why?" Peter Anderson asked him. "There is something not quite right. I can't really put my finger on it but the whole message seems rather formal for George. It's straight to the point and doesn't give any reason for his lack of communication. He just says he's sorry for not being in touch but doesn't really give an answer. Saying I have been busy at work, is just not like him at all. I think you are right they are trying to find me by sending this email and hoping that I reply." Mike told him and immediately Peter Anderson told him to turn off his phone before they were all traced. "Have you thought anymore about why they would be after you?" Peter Anderson asked him. "I don't even know who they are and no, I can't find any reason for any of this. Even if I take into account that you are nuts, I still don't understand why." Mike replied, trying to close the door on him. Peter Anderson stuck his foot out to keep the door opened. "You are a funny man Mikey Boy." he said laughing. "I'm not trying to be believe me. I'm trying to put on my detective head and come up with the answers that I so desperately need. Look, I need to get to bed so goodnight." Mike told him and with that Peter Anderson removed his foot from the door and Mike closed the door in his face.

"What was all that about?" Susan asked him as he climbed back into bed. "Don't ask. Let's get some sleep honey. God only knows what he has planned for us tomorrow." Mike replied and she snuggled up beside him. "We have to have a plan of our own. Don't you agree?" she suggested. "I'm making a plan as we speak. Just move when I tell you to and don't question my motives. I don't know how we are going to do it but we are going to get away from him. I don't trust a words that man says." he replied, kissing her on her forehead. "My detective. I should have known you would have plans of your own." she told him closing her eyes.

Mike lay awake all night. Susan thought he had a plan but the truth was he did not, so he had to come up with one and quick. Peter Anderson was moving them all tomorrow, so he would need to compile some sort of escape plan and when the opportunity arose they would run. He would take care of his family on his own, with no help from this murderous assassin, even if he swears blind that he has changed his ways. The CIA did not nickname him The Chameleon for nothing. He could change and adapt to new situations and Mike was sure that the man he was had been speaking to just a few seconds ago, had many facets to his personality and that made him nervous and determined to get as far away from him as possible. He, Susan and the boys would hide out somewhere until he could figure all of this out.

# Chapter Four

#

"Rise and shine everyone." Helena shouted from the kitchen. "What time is it?" Susan asked Mike, with a nudge to his back. He sleepily glanced at his watch. "For goodness sake, it's only 5am." he replied, closing his eyes again. "Better get up." she told him. "Why, just because they want us to?" Mike asked. "Now don't start. You know we have to keep them sweet until we can put your plan into action." Susan told him, as she threw her legs out onto the floor. Mike had really just about fallen asleep when his wife woke him up. He had tried to think of some escape plan but his mind was in turmoil and he knew that he would just have to make it up as he went along. Although he would let Susan believe that he had concocted some daring plan of escape.

"I was speaking to Helena. She is quite nice really." Susan told him. "What did you find out?" Mike asked, now sitting up in bed and yawning. "Nothing much. She's a very closed person and keeps everything close to her chest. But she did tell me that when he came home from his last assignment, he seemed to have changed. She threatened to leave him and as a consequence of that threat, he spilled his guts to her and somehow, they are all lovey dovey again. Sounds strange don't you think?" she told him, throwing his trousers onto his bare chest. "Everything about them sounds strange. Don't get too involved with the wife Susan. She might be as nuts as him." Mike told her, jumping out of bed. The boys were still fast asleep and Mike didn't like to wake them. He knew that Aaron didn't like to be wakened so early in the morning and wondered how he was coping with all of this, as he liked his routine. Mike knew that for the next few days they would be no routine, as he was sure that Peter Anderson would move them about every day to avoid detection.

"Susan, just keep away from the wife. There is something not quite right with her either." Mike told her again, now pulling on his rather grubby shirt. They were all wearing the same clothes as yesterday. "I don't know Mike, she seems genuine enough." she replied. "They could be working together." he told her. "Who is being paranoid now? They have children for goodness sake." she replied, shaking her head at the absurd things coming out of her husband's mouth. "Yes, but are they really their children or borrowed from a friend to fool us?" Mike said aloud and immediately chastised himself for voicing his thoughts so vocally. "I think you're the one going nuts." she told him, as she gently tried to waken up her sleeping sons. "Maybe I am but all I'm saying is, keep your wits about you. Listen in on their conversations. Let me know if they do, say or act strangely. We Susan, have to look after each other and especially our boys." Mike told her. "That reminds me. How did you get Internet connection and get through to your emails last night? I thought there was no connection." Susan asked and Mike gasped. "And he told us there was no signal and the DCI called me last night. I'm not surprised, I don't trust a word that comes out of that man's mouth.

Susan rushed over to his jacked and rummaged through his pockets to find his mobile phone. "He lied to us Mike. I have to call David." she told him. Finding the mobile, she immediately dialed her son, who always kept his mobile by his side no matter what. It rang and rang but her son didn't answer. "Why is he not answering?" she asked, now beginning to panic. "Well maybe because it's 5am in the morning and he is still fast asleep." he replied and received a thump in the arm for his comment. "Ok then. I suppose I can call him later. Right boys up you get." she shouted to her still fast asleep sons and Mike put his mobile back into his jacket pocket. He noticed that it didn't have much battery life left, so thought it best to switch it off and conserve power. The last thing he needed was his mobile to die on him.

"I'm stinking." he told Susan as he sniffed his armpits. "Well you could have a shower." she suggested. "At this time in the bleeding morning. I will later on in the day but I have to buy some new clothes for first." he replied. "If he lets you." Susan whispered. "Hey what are you two whispering about?" Peter Anderson asked as he opened the bedroom door. "Not heard of knocking?" Mike asked him angrily. Peter Anderson rubbed his back with his hands, while ignoring Mike's comment. "That bed is a bleeding nightmare. Anyway, you were saying?" Mike glanced at Susan. "Susan here was just telling me that I stink to high heavens." Mike replied. "Is that so? I think you can go a day or two without showering or changing your clothes." Peter Anderson told them. "Our lives are more important than a change of clothes." he whispered into Mike's ear, before heading to the breakfast table. "Ok everyone, sit yourselves down." Helena told them. Peter Anderson tucked into bacon, egg and beans with plenty of bread and hot coffee. When he was finished he rubbed his stomach, to show his appreciation of such a lovely breakfast. Mike, Susan and the children selected the healthier option of cereal and toast. "You missed that Mike. That's what I call a real man's breakfast." Peter Anderson said laughing but also not missing a chance of giving him a dig. Mike was going to ignore his comment but he felt the need to reply. "That is what I call a heart attack breakfast." Peter Anderson threw his head back and laughed before taking his dirty dishes over to the sink, where his wife was standing. Mike watched them as they talked and tried hard to hear what was being discussed but the children, who by this time had finished their breakfast, were making too much noise chasing each other around the kitchen.

As Peter Anderson came towards him, Mike asked the same question to him as he had asked. "What you two whispering about then?" Peter Anderson laughed but didn't reply, as he walked passed him and made his way into the living room. "Right then everyone ready for our next adventure." Peter Anderson shouted and the children screamed with delight. "Mike, you are with me. Susan, you and the boys go with Helena and the kids." he told them. Susan glanced over at Mike who had a knowing look on his face. It was clear to both of them that being kept apart like this would make an escape impossible, for the moment. They would have to bide their time until the right opportunity arose.

Susan went over to the sink to offer Helena help with the dishes. "Nearly done." Helena told her. "Will we all fit in the car?" Susan asked. "Sure, it's a people carrier. That is what you call them over here?" she asked and Susan nodded. "I hate all this cloak and dagger stuff." Susan said, putting some of the plates away. Helena didn't answer her and Susan wondered how she was going to get her to open up to her and divulge information that could help Mike. "How long have you and Peter been married then." she asked but Helena ignored her question. "Right that's me finished. We had better hurry before they leave us behind." Helena told her before rushing out of the room. Susan had a distinct feeling that she was being very evasive but was determined to carry on with the questioning until she could piece together a picture of the couple. There was something not quite right about them but she couldn't put her finger on it. Female intuition told her to find out more about them, as they were not what they portrayed themselves to be.

As they sat in the car Mike asked where they were going to next. "You will find out when we get there." Peter Anderson told him. "I hate all the cloak and dagger stuff." Mike replied. "I know you do. You're a detective and always look for answers everywhere. This must be driving you absolutely crazy Mikey Boy." he replied with a grin on his face. Mike shook his head. This man was driving him nuts and he wished he could wipe his stupid grin off his face. When the time came, he may just do that very thing. "Right love, you follow us and for goodness sake don't get lost." Peter Anderson shouted from the van window. "Does she know where we are going?" Mike asked him. "Nope." he replied. "Why not, don't you trust your own wife either?" Mike asked. "Very funny." he replied, as he started the van and crunched the gears, making a horrible sound that grated on Mike's teeth. "Why don't I drive?" he suggested but received a glare from him, as he put the van into gear and drove off down the country track leading to the main road. Peter Anderson slammed on his breaks before moving into the side. "Sorry Mike. Forgot something. I'll just be a minute." he said, rushing over to the car to tell them that he had to nip back to the house for a minute.

Instead of a minute, Mike calculated that he was at least twenty and wondered why he was taking so long. When he did return he looked rather flustered. "Everything `ok." Mike asked him. "Sure is. Sorry it took so long but we are all set to go again." Peter Anderson told him, before turning on the engine again. When he had left the van to run back to the house, he had left the keys in the ignition and Mike had half a mind to grab Susan and the boys and drive off but decided not to. Leaving the keys in the ignition would not have bee a mistake and was probably some sort of test so Mike ignored the temptation and waited patiently for him to return. He was a professional after all, so nothing was by mistake. Perhaps he had been hiding among the bushes ready to pounce if Mike had made a move or maybe just maybe, Mike thought to himself, he was now more paranoid than ever. There was no point in asking him why he had to return to the house because he knew that Peter Anderson would not tell him anyway, so he didn't bother asking even though he was more than a little curious.

As they drove along the countryside, Mike stared out of the window. If he saw some road signs, then he would have a fare idea of where they were going. "I know what you are doing Mikey Boy." Peter Anderson told him. "Look will you stop calling me that. It is getting on my bloody nerves." Mike told him and he laughed. "I know it is." he replied. "So, you are just calling me that stupid name to annoy me then. Why does that not surprise me in the least." he replied turning from him and looking out of the van window again. Mike kept silent not wishing to speak to the man that was driving him insane and after fifteen minutes of silence it was Peter Anderson who broke the silence. "Is this the way it is going to be?" he asked. "What do you mean?" Mike replied. "Giving me the silent treatment to get me to talk and tell you where we are going." Peter Anderson told him. "I couldn't care less if you talked or not. In fact, I would much prefer it if you kept your bleeding mouth shut." Mike answered angrily.

After another ten minutes of silence, Peter Anderson spoke again. "I will let you into a secret and only because I hate silences. We are on our way to Aberdeen. I have a contact up there that is going to help us." Now it was Mike's turn to laugh. "Aberdeen. Well to tell you the truth, I would have figured that out all by myself." Mike replied. "I know you would. That's why I told you." Peter Anderson replied. "You think you are a funny man don't you. Well you are not." Mike said, through gritted teeth. "I'll put the radio on, then we won't have to talk to each other." Mike told him as he reached out to switch on the radio. It was jazz and as Mike detested that style of music, he switched to another station. "Hey I like that." Peter Anderson told him. "Well I don't." Mike replied turning the stations. They settled on Radio 4 and listened to what Mike could only describe, as easy listening music but after an hour he switched the radio off, as it was now giving him a headache.

"We have to pull over Mike." he told him, pulling into a layby. "What is it?" Mike asked him. "The wife flashed me. Probably one of the kids needs the toilet." he replied, turning off the engine and they both jumped out and ran back to the car to see what was wrong. "What's up love." Peter Anderson asked his wife. "One of the boys has just thrown up all over the car. The smell is making me sick." she replied. "Right everyone out." Peter Anderson shouted, pulling open the back door of the car. Susan and the boys ran to Mike's side. "It was Aaron. He threw up everywhere." Susan told him, trying hard not to be sick herself. "I can't sit in that car any longer." Mike pulled Aaron's trousers off that were covered in sick and threw them into the bushes. "Have you any water Susan." he asked and she nodded and ran back to the car, holding her nose, as she rifled around and returned seconds later with a bottle of water. "Right give it here." Mike told her. "Come over here Aaron. Now put your hands out." he told his son, who immediately obeyed. Mike poured the water over his hands and told him to splash some of the water on his face. "You feeling sick then. Poor boy." Mike told him tussling his hair. "I want to go home dad." Daniel told him. "Susan deal with him. Explain that we will be going home soon. I have to find something for Aaron to wear, as his jumper is covered in sick too." Mike told her. "I really can't take any more of this. I want to go home too." she told him with anguish in her voice. Mike pulled off his son's jumper and once again threw it in the bushes. Now he was standing with just his underwear, sock and shoes. "Here wrap him up in that." Peter Anderson told him, throwing him a rug from the boot of the car.

Mike wrapped the rug around his son. Susan looked over at Peter Anderson and his wife cleaning out the car. "There is no way in hell I'm getting back into that car. It is stinking. Mike why don't we do it?" Susan whispered to him. "Do what?" Mike asked confused. "Why don't we just go home? Make a run for it. We can jump in the van when his back is turned and just drive off. What about it?" she explained. "For a start, he has the van keys in his trouser pocket. Look Susan, I have a plan and when it is time we will make a run for it." he replied. "Do you promise Mike?" she asked, with a pained expression on her face. "Trust me honey. Just let's bide our time for now." Susan nodded. "Look I will distract them and you call the station and talk this over with DCI." she suggested. "You think I should?" he asked, alarmed at her sudden bravado. "Yes, what harm will it do? Just make it quick so they can't trace the call. Maybe the DCI can tell us what is going on and who we can trust. It's worth a try." she told him. "Ok Susan." he agreed.

Mike looked over at Peter Anderson and his wife who were busy with their own children. "I'm just nipping into the woods. Call of nature I'm afraid." he shouted over to them. "Ok but don't be long. We have to get moving." Peter Anderson told him.

As he ran into the woods, Susan and the boys went back to the car to make sure that the couple were distracted enough not to notice that Mike was taking longer than usual. Once behind the trees he quickly retrieved his mobile phone from his jacket pocket and switched it on before calling Pitt Street Police Station. "Hello can you put me through to DCI Kerr?" he asked. "It's DI Watson." A few seconds later a flustered sounding DCI, came on the line. "DI Watson where the hell are you?" DCI Kerr asked. "I can't say Gov. Not just at the moment." he replied. "What is going on? We have all sorts of suits at the station, going through all your stuff. What have you been up to?" DCI Kerr asked him. "These suits, as you call them, do they have American accents?" Mike asked. "Why the hell would they have American accents? They are from MI5 or M16 or something." The DCI informed him. "Are you sure about that Gov." Mike asked. "The Chief Constables himself brought them into the station." DCI Kerr informed him. "Gov I don't know what is going on but I have been told that there is a contract out on my life and the lives of my wife and family." Mike told him. "What!" DCI Kerr exclaimed. "I need some help here. Can you find out what is really going on? I've been told that an old colleague of mine George Watson and his family have been murdered in Australia." Mike told him. "DI Watson. Don't be silly." The DCI replied. "It's true he disappeared and I've been told that he and his family are dead. Killed by an unknown assassin." Mike told him, trying to whisper so he wouldn't be overheard. "Well that's funny because I was speaking to him just 10 minutes ago. He was sitting in my office telling me things didn't work out in Australia and he was asking about finding a job back here at the station." DC Kerr told him. Mike was astounded by this information. "Are you sure it was him? I mean you never met him and it could be someone pretending to be him." Mike asked. "DI Watson. I may have not known him but the Chief Constable, Superintendent and all your work colleagues know him and they were all speaking to him. Why are you being so paranoid? Are you well?" DCI Kerr replied. Mike didn't know how to answer that question. Was he paranoid or was his mind being manipulated by this assassin, who says that he is trying to help protect him and his family? What was going on?

"Why are the suites interested in me?" Mike asked. "Something to do with someone called The Chameleon. They know he is back in the country and they followed him straight to your house the other day." The DCI replied and Mike heard the concern in his voice. Mike thought about it. Yes, he must have gone straight form the airport to his house and spoken to Susan. "What about his wife and children?" Mike asked him. "Whose wife and children?" DCI Kerr asked. "The Chameleon." Mike replied. "Sorry DI Watson you have lost me. As far as I know he came into this country himself and went straight to your house. The suits want to know why. There were no discussions about him having a family and the suits should know as they followed him straight from the airport. He came into the country by himself DI Watson." DCI Kerr told him.

"Mike are you finished? We have to go." Peter Anderson shouted. "Coming." Mike shouted back. "Who is that you are talking to?" DCI Kerr asked him. "Sorry Gov, got to go." Mike replied, before hanging up and switching his mobile off again to conserve the battery power.

Walking out of the woods, he waved to Susan, who by the look on her face was far from happy that she had to go back into the smelly car again. Mike jumped back into the front seat of the van. "Everything ok?" Peter Anderson asked him and Mike nodded. "You just look a bit odd and you were rather a long time." Peter Anderson said. "I don't look a bit odd. I feel a bit sick and had the runs if you must know everything about me, including my bowel movements." Mike replied feigning anger. "Keep your hair on Mike. Just concerned about you that's all." he replied, putting on his indicator and driving back onto the main road. Mike looked behind him and saw Susan sitting in the passenger seat of the car. He wanted to tell her everything that DCI Kerr had told him but had to wait for God knows how many hours before he would have a chance to speak to her in private.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence. Neither of the men talked and Mike was glad of that, as he had a lot to think about. George was not dead. His Gov told him that he had actually been at the station. What was going on? He was running for his life but from whom? The men in the suits, or the man that was sitting beside him driving the van and who seemingly had their lives in his hands. Somehow, he had to take control of his life again and not let Peter Anderson dictate how he was to deal with this situation. He, Susan and the boys would be better off on their own and the time to run, as far as he was concerned, could not come quick enough.

# Chapter Five

#

It was getting dark by the time they arrived in Aberdeen. Mike knew that they had travelled far more than they should have and surmised that once again Peter Anderson was driving around for hours in case he was being followed.

Peter Anderson drove the van up a dark lane and the car behind them followed them. He stopped the van and told Mike to stay inside until he came back for him, before he walked back towards the car to speak to his wife. He and his wife, Helena spoke for a few minutes before walking over to an old red stoned bungalow that was sitting on its own, at the top of the lane. Mike watched them. Where they really a couple? Or was it all some elaborate ploy to get him to trust them.

He suddenly jumped, when he heard a knock at the side window of the van, it was Susan. He opened the van door. "Well did you talk to the DCI?" she whispered. "Did you explain what was happening? What did he say?' Mike could tell that she was nervous and anxious for the answers to her questions. "I will tell you later. You better get back to the car before they come back." he told her "Look the door is opening, they are coming back. Quick. Get back into the car." Mike whispered. "Why? Are we suddenly not allowed to speak to each other?" Susan asked. "Susan please, do as I say. I'll explain everything later when we are alone." Mike pleaded. Susan shook her head and headed back towards the car.

Mike shut the van door just as Peter and Helena came back down the lane. "Right we are hiding the van and car behind the house." Peter Anderson told him. Mike didn't say anything, as he started the van and drove up to the rear of the house. When his wife pulled the car up behind the van, Peter Anderson jumped out and reaching into the back of the van pulled out a green tarpaulin. "Help me cover up the van." he shouted to Mike, who immediately jumped out of the van. "What about the car?" he asked. "No need." Peter Anderson replied, without giving any kind of explanation.

When they were finished Mike glanced over at the front door of the house and was startled to see an old grey-haired man standing staring at them. "This is Bob." Peter Anderson told him and the old man nodded to him. "Right everyone inside." the old man shouted and as they all walked into the house, Mike glanced over at Susan who seemed to be more than a little anxious. "You and your family can sleep in there." the old man told Mike, pointing to an open door. "And you and your family can sleep in this room." the old man told Peter Anderson, who nodded in agreement. Mike was gutted that they were just across the hall from them.

Helena ran out to the car and returned a few seconds later with a large red plastic box in her hand filled with books, toys and jigsaws. "Put them in our room love. The one across from Mikey Boy and will you and Susan stay with the children as we have some business to discuss? Helena nodded. Susan was less willing to comply with his orders but once Mike whispered into her ear and told her not to rock the boat, as tonight was the night they would run, she did as she was told.

"Right come in here and let's get talking." the old man said. "But first I want my money." Peter Anderson took a brown envelope that Mike guessed was full of money and handed it to him. The old man, who must have been in his 70's or 80's, stuffed the envelope deep into his trouser pocket. "Anyone want tea or I can offer you all coffee?" the old man asked. Mike opened his mouth to say that he would love something to drink but Peter Anderson told the old man that they would discuss business and get that out of the road first.

The old man, who Peter Anderson called Bob, walked over to the fireplace. "Take a seat." he told them and they all sat around the fire in three very uncomfortable wooden chairs. "Have you got the passports?" Peter Anderson asked him and the old man nodded. Mike was confused. "What passports?" he asked. The old man stared at him, as if he came from another planet before reaching out and grabbing a large brown envelope off the mantelpiece. "Here." he said, handing the envelope to Peter Anderson. "Again. What passports?" Mike asked more forcefully. "Have a look." Peter Anderson replied, opening the envelope and handing Mike four passports. "What are these? They are Canadian passports." Mike asked, now more confused than ever. "Look inside Mike?" Peter Anderson told him and he opened the passports to find his, his wife's and two of his son's photographs. "What the hell!" he exclaimed. "They have our photos in them but we have different names." Mike exclaimed. "You are now Martin Collins and Susan, is Patricia Collins. I left your boys with their own first names, as children can get confused sometimes and cause problems." Peter Anderson told him. "What does all of this mean?" Mike asked. "It means we will be flying into Canada with false passports. Everyone does it these days." Peter Anderson told him. "Do they now. Well that is news to me and why exactly are we going to Canada?" Mike asked. "You know why Mike. We all have to start a new life somewhere and Canada is lovely or so I have heard." Peter Anderson told him with one of his legendary grins that made Mike want to punch him in the face.

Mike took a deep breath. He didn't want to create a fuss, as he and Susan and the boys would be going off themselves somewhere tonight when Peter Anderson and his family were asleep, so he just nodded. "I know what you are thinking Mike." Peter Anderson said and Mike was surprised by his statement. "You are wondering about your eldest son. Don't worry about him. I will arrange for him to fly out and join you as soon as he comes back from his trip to Paris." Peter Anderson told him and Mike nodded acting as if he was going along with everything he said. "When are we going?" Mike asked him. "First thing in the morning." Peter Anderson replied. "The flights are all booked. We fly to Heathrow Airport in London from Aberdeen Airport, then off to Newark Airport, then off to Houston before flying into Toronto." Peter Anderson informed him. "Everything is taken care of Mike. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking about wearing the same damn clothes every day but you needn't worry. I have cases in the boot of the car and I'm sure you and your family will find something to wear. Mind you I had to guess the sizes, so some of the clothes may be rather on the large size. You have lost weight since I saw you last Mike." Peter Anderson told him. Mike did not reply. He had a lot of planning to do tonight because as sure as hell, he was not going to Canada or anywhere else with this man who is clearly used to living a double life. "Oh, by the way. It's just me flying with your family tomorrow. Helena and the kids will be staying with a friend for a week or two and will join us later." Peter Anderson told him and Mike found this fact very strange.

Susan came out of the bedroom to join them. "We have to call David before he leaves for the airport. I hope there is a signal here?" she asked and the old man nodded. "Just be careful Mike. Remember don't be on the phone for more than a minute or so." Peter Anderson reminded him. Mike got up from his seat and leading Susan by the elbow, went to the room that was to be their bedroom for the night.

"What is that you're holding?" she asked Mike, when she saw a bundle of passports in his hands. "Canadian passports for us and guess what, he will be travelling with us but not his wife and kids." Mike told her closing the bedroom door behind him. "I'm not going to Canada. Mike have you lost your bleeding mind." she practically screamed at him. "Pipe down Susan. Of course we are not going to Canada but we need him to believe that we are." he replied. Susan paced up and down the bedroom floor and looked as if she was about to explode. This whole situation, Mike thought, was too much for her to handle. "Well on the plus side, Aaron is behaving very well." Mike told her and she glared at him with so much disdain, that he took a step backward. "You better do something Mike or I swear I will blow a gasket." she told him and Mike knew that she meant it. "Look Susan, just appear as if you are going along with all of this. I will sort everything out. I promise." Mike told her. "Now come on take a deep breath and put those acting skills to use." he said. "What acting skills?" she asked confused by his statement. "All women have acting skills." he told her laughing and she mockingly lifted her hand to slap him. "This is no joking matter Mike." she told him. "I know honey. Now how about calling David." he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his mobile phone.

David was just about to leave for the airport when they called. "Have a lovely time and we will see you when you get back. Dad says enjoy yourself. Bye love. Love you." she said and Mike took the mobile from her hand just as she burst into tears. "Good job love. He never asked any awkward questions?" Mike asked. "He never said anything just grunted yes a few times." she replied, drying the tears from her face. "That's teenagers for you." he replied, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her. "By the time he returns we will be looking back at this and laughing. Well perhaps not laughing but believe me this nightmare will soon be over." he told her. "Yes but how will it end?" she asked, not really expecting an answer.

Peter Anderson knocked on the door and told them that food was out on the table for them. "Just coming." Mike shouted. "Now Susan put on a brave face and let's see this out to the finish. By tonight, when they are sleeping, we will be hundreds of miles away. I promise." he told her. She nodded and he kissed her on her cheek. "I must look a mess." she said. "You look lovely." he told her, taking her by the hand and opening the bedroom door. "Right then. Deep breath and let's join the others for some food. I am ravenous." he told her. Susan took a deep breath and tried to put on a brave face.

After eating they all sat around the fire. Daniel sat on the floor beside his father's chair, while Aaron cuddled up with his mother. Peter Anderson's children went off to play in their bedroom and Helena went with them. Which all seemed a bit strange to Mike, as their first display of affection was never shown again in all the time they spent together. The old man regaled them with tales of when he was a young boy, which although somewhat interesting, bored Mike to tears. He just wanted the time to pass quickly and for them all to go to bed, so that he could put his plan into action.

As if reading his thoughts, Susan suddenly announced that she was tired and would take the boys to bed. "It's a bit on the early side for bed." Peter Anderson told her. "I think it's all this travelling or it could be all the stress I have been under lately but I feel really tired. Goodnight everyone." she said dragging the reluctant boys to the bedroom. Aaron was tired but Daniel protested that he was too old to go to bed early but with a promise of buying him a new computer game, he too went off to bed. This left just the three men sitting around the fire, in virtual silence.

The old man jumped from his chair and disappeared, before returning with a bottle of whisky and three glasses. "I think we all need a drink." he told them, pouring out rather a large dram in each glass and handing it to them. "I don't like this stuff." Peter Anderson announced, as he watched Mike down the dram in one go. "Just drink it." Mike told him. "It will warm you up on a cold night like this." Peter Anderson shook his head. The old man poured out another dram for Mike and laughed when he saw Peter Anderson holding his nose and trying to drink some of the whisky. "Nope. Can't do it. Sorry." he said, putting his glass on the floor. "Well you're American, so why the hell would you like our whisky. Cheers." the old man said, hitting his glass off Mikes. "Cheers." Mike told him, now sipping the whisky instead of knocking it back. He wanted to keep a clear head tonight, so getting drunk with this old man was not something he was prepared to do.

"Right I'm off. Goodnight." Mike suddenly announced and jumped from his chair. As he made his way to the bedroom, he heard what seemed like an argument between Peter and the old man. He stopped in his tracks to try to listen into their conversation but when Peter Anderson cursed and turned to walk towards him, he opened the bedroom door quickly and disappeared inside. "Hey. What's up?" Susan asked, when she saw the worried expression on his face. "Nothing really but they seemed to be arguing." Mike told her. "Who?" Susan asked. "Peter Anderson and the old man." Mike replied, putting his ear up to the door. "Never mind them what about us?" Susan asked him. "Keep your voice down. I spoke to the DCI. Guess what George is not dead at all." Mike told her, sitting down on the bed beside her. The two boys were already asleep. "What!" she exclaimed, confused by what he had just told her. "Shhhh Susan." he told her. "George has returned to Glasgow and has visited the station." Susan for once was lost for words. "I don't know what is going on but we are making a run for it tonight, when they are all asleep. We will climb out that window, run to the car and get the hell out of here before anyone notices we are gone." he told her. "Just like that Mike. What if he catches us?" she asked, with fear in her voice. "Oh Mike I am so scared for the boys." Mike put his arms around her. "Listen to me. I have it all figured out. When they are asleep, I will sneak out of the window, hotwire the car and come back for you and the boys. We will disappear somewhere until we can figure all of this out." he told her but by the expression on her face, she was less than impressed with his plan. "When have you ever hotwired a car?" she asked him. "I have done so in the past, before we met each other. Don't worry honey, I can do this." Mike told her. "The boys have their clothes on in bed?" he asked her and she nodded. "It's bloody cold." she replied. "Well that's good. Now let's lie here and keep quiet and wait until you know who fall asleep." he told her lying down on the bed beside her. "I hope it works, for all of our sakes." she whispered. "I know honey. It will." Mike replied as he said a little prayer.

For hours they lay in complete quietness and when Mike thought the time was right, he quietly moved from the bed and made his way to the window. "Don't waken the boys until I return." he whispered to her. Susan slid out of the bed and tiptoed towards him. "Be careful love." she whispered. "I will." he replied, quietly opening the window.

Susan thought her heart would stop with fright, as she listened for her husband's return. After a few moments, she heard the car being pushed over the gravel outside the window. What if Peter Anderson heard it too? What would happen then? Mike left the car and came to the window. "Wake Daniel up and bring him over." he whispered to her. "Leave Aaron until last, as he can be quite contrary if wakened from his sleep. See if you can keep him asleep." he told her. Susan tutted. "I bloody well know that. I'm his mother after all." she whispered back, with an angry voice. "Just hurry." he told her. Susan woke up Daniel and guided him half asleep towards Mike, who quickly helped him out of the window and into the back seat of the car. She quickly returned to the bed and picked up Aaron in her arms and hoped and prayed that he would not suddenly wake up, or all hell would brake loose. Mike took a sleeping Aaron from her arms and placed him into the back seat of the car. "There is a rug over there." he told Daniel. "Place it over both of you. It will keep you warm and for goodness sake don't wake your brother up."

Mike rushed back towards the window. "Right you next. Climb out." Mike told Susan, who by this time was half out of the window. "I'm stuck." she told him. "What's stuck? Come on now Susan we don't have much time." he whispered to her, hoping that Peter Anderson wouldn't hear them making more noise, than he had wanted them to. "My shoe is stuck." she told him. "Can you kick it off?" he asked. "You want me to go about with one shoe?" she asked him. "Susan for the love of God, kick your damn shoe off and let's get out of here. I'll buy you other damn shoes. Hurry." he whispered, but in reality, he wanted to scream at her. Seconds later she fell from the window into his arms, with one shoeless foot flying through the air and Mike dragged her towards the car.

He pushed her into the passenger seat and ran over to the driver side and jumped into the car. "This is the moment of truth." Mike said, pulling at the wires. "What do you mean?" Susan asked. "It's been a long time since I hot rodded a car." he reminded her. "Stop talking and get it going will you. I'm just about to have a bloody heart attack." she snarled at him. Mike fiddled with the wires and at long last he knew he had done it. The car started straight away and he drove off as fast as he could. "He's going to follow us." Susan told him. "I don't think so. Not with the van anyway. Let's just say I performed a few minor adjustments and it won't be drivable, for a while at least." he told her triumphantly. "Clever boy." she said. "Yup. Now hold on tight we have to go as fast as we can." he told her. "Where are we going?" she asked. "I'm not quite sure. All I know is that we have to get as far away as we can from that psychopath." he replied.

"What's happening?" Daniel asked, as he rubbed his eyes. "Shhh Daniel, don't waken up your brother." she told him. "But I'm cold." Daniel told her shivering. "Here hold this wheel." Mike told her. "What the hell!" she exclaimed, taking hold of the wheel and hoping that she didn't run them into a ditch. Mike took off his jacket and threw it to Daniel before quickly grabbing the wheel again. "Put that on you son." he told him. Daniel put on his father's jacked and settled down in the back seat again and closed his still tired eyes. "What about Aaron? He will waken with the cold?" Susan asked. "He has a rug over him." he told her. "Yes and so did Daniel and he was still cold." she reminded him. "Well take off your sweater and put it over him." Mike told her, wondering why she hadn't thought of that herself. Susan covered a sleeping Aaron with her sweater and now sat in the car, with a short-sleeved t-shirt and found herself shivering. "Now I'm freezing." she told him. "You're a strong woman Susan. You can cope." Mike told her and she playfully slapped him on the arm. "I'm just saying. That's all." she told him.

"Where will we go?" she asked. "Wherever you want my dear but I think that we will need do a bit of zig zagging around for a day or two, just to be on the safe side. I think he will presume that we are heading back to Glasgow, so we will go the opposite direction and fool him." Mike told her. "Can he be fooled Mike?" she asked. "He's only human Susan." he replied, trying to quell her fears.

Mike joined the A9 Motorway and travelled to Inverness. "Hey that signpost says Inverness. Is that where we are going to hideout?" Susan asked him. "No we'll be in Inverness in a couple of hours but then off to Aviemore and we can book into a hotel there and stay low for the day. Tomorrow I am thinking of doubling back and going to Elgin and then my dear Susan I am going to call DCI Kerr and ask for his help." he replied, pleased with himself that he had come up with what he thought was a cunning plan. "I leave all of this to you. After all you are a detective." she said, leaning back on the seat and closing her eyes. She was tired, not just physically but mentally and longed to be tucked up in her own bed again.

# Chapter Six

#

Mike woke up in the morning somehow feeling free. It was a weird feeling but it was one that he appreciated after all the trauma he and his family had been put through. He leaned over to Susan, who was still fast asleep in the bed and smiled. For the moment, they were safe at least.

He heard his sons begin to stir and knew that he had to rise and get them something sorted for breakfast. "Where are we dad?" Daniel asked, finding himself waking in a strange hotel room and not really remembering how he got there. "At our new hotel, on a little holiday" Mike told him." Are we on holiday?" Aaron asked as he rubbed his eyes. "Are you ready to go down for breakfast?" Mike asked them. "Yeh. I'm starving." Aaron said, before jumping out of bed. "Well I think we have to waken your mother first." Mike told them, shaking a sleeping Susan. Aaron jumped on top of the bed and began using it as a trampoline. "Ok I'm awake. For pity sake." she shouted. "Just give me a minute until I can focus my eyes."

"Can you all stay in the room for a minute. I'm just nipping out to get some new clothes for us and then we can all go down to breakfast." he told them. "Susan do you hear me?" he asked her, as she turned in the bed and looked as if she was going to sleep again. "I'm nipping out to buy some new clothes and will be back in a minute." he repeated. She sat up in bed. "Ok." she replied sleepily. Mike got dressed in the same clothes he had been wearing for the past few days and left to pick them up some new clothes. Aaron had been wearing some of Peter Anderson's son's clothes, after he had been sick on his own clothes, which Mike had thrown away. The trousers and jumper were far too big for him for Aaron and truth be told, Mike didn't want anything to do with Peter Anderson and that included handed down second-hand clothes.

In less than an hour later he returned with an assortment of t-shirts, jumpers and jogging bottoms for the boys and some t-shirts for himself and Susan. "Now get these on boys and let's go down for some breakfast. I'm starving." he told them, trying to sound enthusiastic "Hey dad these trousers are too big." Daniel told him. "Well pull them up then." Mike replied. "Hey dad this t-shirt is miles too big." Aaron told him, screwing up his face. "Well put that new jumper on over it." Mike told him, running out of patience. Susan came out of the bathroom dressed in her new t-shirt, which was rather on the small side. "Now are you going to moan." he asked her. "Not at all." she said laughing. "I like your t-shirt." Mike looked in the mirror and by the look of it needed to loosen quite a bit of weight. "Well it's a bit small, I suppose." he told her. "A bit small. I can see your nipples through it." she told him. "Ok perhaps I shouldn't have bought a white t-shirt and perhaps I should have got a bigger size. Really Susan in the scheme of things, does it bloody matter." he replied. "Suppose not but we could dress normally. You should have let me go and by the clothes." she told him. "You, my dear, were too busy snoring your head off." he told her laughing. "I don't snore." she replied. "Oh yes you do mum." Daniel told her. "Mum snores." Aaron said, as he jumped up and down on the bed. "Get off there or you'll hurt yourself." she told him but as usually he ignored her and did exactly what he wanted to do.

"Now are we all ready for breakfast because my stomach thinks my throat has been cut?" Mike said and Susan chastised him. "What a thing to say in front of the boys." Mike apologised for his choice of words. "Anyway you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. Now come on let's eat." he replied.

Mike was glad to see that the place was practically empty apart from a young couple sitting near the window. "I hope we aren't too late for breakfast." he asked a young red-haired waitress. "No but you are cutting it fine. Please take a seat and I'll be with you shortly." she told him, in a tone of voice that could only be described as one of annoyance. "Right boys pick a table." Mike told them and the boys ran to a table and sat down. Mike and Susan joined them, just as the waitress came to get their order. "I'm having the full English. I'm starving." Mike said but was quickly informed by the waitress that all the hot food was gone. "Right then, we have no choice but to go for some cornflakes, toast and some fresh orang juice. Thank you." he told the waitress. "Dad I want sausages." Aaron screamed. "Well they don't have any." Mike told him. "Don't say that to him. Listen Aaron, this is just a snack and then we can go and have some sausages." she told him. "You have to handle him with kid gloves or he will make a scene and attract attention to us." she said and he suddenly realised that he didn't know as much about his youngest, than he thought he did. "I don't think it's a good idea to pander to his every wish. He has to learn that he can't get his own way all the time Susan." he told her. She glared at him. "Don't you dare tell me how to deal with my own son." she said, through gritted teeth. "You are never at home with us. You know damn all about him or his condition or how to cope with his tantrums. So don't you dare give me any of your useless suggestions or words of advice. You know nothing." Mike was dumbfounded by her outburst. "Sorry honey." he replied sheepishly and saw that she was about to burst into tears. "I promise that from now on, I will be there for you and the boys. If this experience has taught me anything, it's that my family is the most important thing in my life. I would be nothing without you and the boys and I'm sorry honey that my work keeps me away from home so much but I will sort it out. We will definitely have more family time from now on. You wait and see. Things will change." he told her, gripping her by the hand. Susan sighed. She had heard all of this before. She knew that he meant every word of what he had told her but in reality, his work always seemed to pull him away from them and she couldn't see this changing any time soon.

She looked out of the large window beside them. Right there in front of her was what she could only think of as the most beautiful scenery she had ever seen. But she suddenly became aware that she was scanning the view not for its beauty but for the man that they had all run away from. Could he find them here in Aviemore? Were they as safe as her husband thought they were? She could only pray.

"What we doing after breakfast?" Daniel asked, with his mouth full of cereal. "Don't speak with your mouth full. How many times to I have to tell you?" Susan chastised him and then Aaron began copying his brother and soon corn flakes were flying all over the table.

"Right then if you're quite finished let's go, before the waitress comes back and gives you both a row." Mike told them, trying to scare them but seeing the defiance in their eyes, he needed to do more than scare them with the waitress. "I see the police. Right we better run." he said and the two boys jumped from their chairs with fright. "Good one Mike." Susan told him. "Wait till their older and the police won't frighten them this way." Mike laughed. "Right let's get out of here. They may not be scared of the waitress but I am." he said laughing and when she looked at the mess on the table, she too decided it was time to leave.

"What are we going to do today to entertain the boys?" Susan asked. "There are lots to do in Aviemore." he replied, picking up a leaflet from the reception desk. "Let me see. There is The Rothiemurchus Estate, which has loads of outdoor activities including an adventure playground. We could hire bikes and travel the cycle trails of the Cairngorms National Park." he told her and watched as she screwed up her nose. "Well what about Treezone. It says here its got zip wire, tight-ropes, balance beams and the like. Oh no we can't, as Aaron is too young. Let me see." he said turning the pages of the leaflet to find something suitable for them all to participate in. "Here we are. The Fun House. It has adventure golf, 10 pin bowling and even a Diner. We could have lunch there. And then we can visit the Cairngorms Reindeer Centre and feed the reindeers or visit Cairngorms Sleddog Centre and take a Sleddog trip and then we could round it all off by visiting Loch Garten Osprey Centre. What do you think Susan?" he asked, feeling himself getting as excited as a child. "I'm glad you have such a great bank balance to fund all of these activities." she said laughing. "Never mind money. We can deal with all that later. Today is a family day and I intend for all of us to have fun." he told her, rushing off to tell the boys of his plans for the day. Susan smiled at his exuberance

# Chapter Seven

#

As he drove along the road, whistling to himself, his cell phone rang. "How is everything progressing." The familiar voice asked him. "Well he has made a run for it, just as I thought he would." Peter Anderson said, with a lilt in his voice. He liked it when things ran to plan. "You can track him?" the man asked. "Sure, I am tracking him right now." Peter Anderson replied. "Good call me when everything is done." the man told him. "Have you taken care of things at your end?" Peter Anderson asked him. "Need to know basis." The voice replied before hanging up on him.

Peter Anderson didn't like his new boss. He never much trusted the English and when he was permantly assigned to this new man and his team, he had protested. But his old boss had insisted and he had no choice but to obey. He was supposed to do what he was told, when he was told, with just enough information to get the job done. But he was cleverer or perhaps more curious than the others and always seeked out more information, as he always wanted a clear picture as to why someone was to die.

He soon discovered that DCI Kerr had been poking his nose into business that he shouldn't have concerned himself with and was compiling a dossier on undercover secret groups, working outside the remit of the government. Why he decided to be so conscientious was unknown but he knew it was something to do with his son dying in Iraq, which pushed him over the edge. His son's death was reported as being from an unknown rebel sniper but the DCI had made enquiries and found his death to be from friendly fire. Something the government was not aware of and something that this secret agency wanted to be kept quiet. Whatever happened to his son was not to be traceable and he wondered why and had tried to delve more into it. But knowing that his own life would be in danger if he found out something that he shouldn't know, made him stop digging and he covered his tracks the best he could. Was it enough? He hoped so.

As an ex- soldier himself, he knew that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were not all legal and above board, to say the least. People unknown or perhaps overlooked by the government and secret service agencies, were operating in those countries. Perhaps the DCI's son had happened upon one of these operations and uncovered something quite disturbing, which resulted in his death. He knew fine well that not all of the reports of atrocities in these countries were to do with rebels. Some of these atrocities would have been committed by others, unknowns but acting under orders, to make it appear as if the rebels or insurgents had committed them. Everyone had an agenda but for once he had done the right thing and kept his nose out of these goings on, that didn't directly concern him. Sometimes things were best left alone. He put his foot down on the accelerator, as he had a long journey ahead of him to catch up with DI Mike Watson. It had taken him well over an hour to fix the van after Mikey Boy had tried to disable it but he wasn't angry with him, as he had done the same thing many a time.

# Chapter Eight

#

"I wonder if you should call your DCI now? Susan asked as she told the boys to go to bed. For once they didn't, as they had such a fun packed day and were both tuckered out. "I've not got much battery life left." he told her, checking his mobile phone. "Well use the time wisely and ask for his help." she said and he nodded in agreement. "I'm doing the right thing by telling him where we are?" he asked unsure of what the right thing was. "It's the only thing that you can do Mike. We have been through all of this before. What else can we do? We can't keep running forever. What about the boys and what about David?" Susan told him. "Right I'll call him. When I'm gone don't open the door to anyone." he told her but she wasn't that stupid. "Remember my special knock. Three soft raps, two hard raps and then four soft raps again?" he asked and she assured him that she remembered and would not open the door to anyone but him.

Mike went outside to a quiet area, beyond the hotel to make the call to the station. "Hello. Yes, can you put me through to DCI Kerr?" he asked the Desk Sergeant. "Who will I say is calling?" he was asked and had to think for a moment. "Just tell him a friend, that he is expecting a call from." Mike replied, not wanting to let anyone else know that he was calling his DCI. The line went silent for a few seconds. "Hello." the brusque voice of DCI Kerr bellowed down the telephone line. "It's me Gov. DI Watson." Mike told him. "Where are you my boy?" The DCI asked, with a concerned tone to his voice. "Can't say at the moment but I need your help." Mike told him. "Sure. Sure. How can I help?" DCI Kerr asked. "Can you meet me at the Osprey Reserve on Loch Garten?" Mike told him. "Where?" the DCI asked. "Loch Garten near Aviemore. I'll be waiting for you at the Osprey Reserve." Mike told him again. "That's over two hours away." DCI Kerr replied in astonishment. "Yes, I know but I'm running for my life and not just my life, the lives of my wife and children. I can't do this on my own and I desperately need your help." Mike pleaded. "Ok DI Watson. Calm down. I will meet you there, as you wish." the DCI said, hearing the desperation in his voice. "Listen I think there is more to this than meets the eye." the DCI told him. "What do you mean?" Mike asked. "I have been digging about for over a year now and I think I may have found some evidence that should be reported to the media." DCI Kerr told him. "Evidence of what?" Mike asked him. "Can't say much but it is huge DI Watson. Absolutely huge." the DCI replied. Mike was curious. "Do you think that it has something to do with why I find myself in this predicament?" Mike asked him. "I'm not sure but we definitely have to talk." The DCI told him. "I will help you if you help me."

Mike didn't have a clue what DCI Kerr was trying to tell him. "Help you with what?" Mike asked him. "Just like you, I can't say much at the moment. I will tell you when we meet." The DCI replied. "Listen meet me at around 9pm my phone is about to run out and I don't want to give anyone the chance of tracing this call." Mike told him. "Oh my God you're right, I forgot about that. They can trace this call. Right DI Watson, I will meet you at 9pm. We have a lot to discuss." DCI Kerr told him. "Bring some back up." Mike replied, just as his mobile cut out "Damn it." he shouted, wondering if the DCI had heard the last part of their conversation. He hoped to hell that he wouldn't even think of coming on his own. He looked at his watch, just over two hours to go until they meet and hopefully everything will be sorted once and for all.

Mike returned to his hotel room and knocked on the door, with his secret set of knocks. Susan opened the door, dressed in a white toweling bathrobe, as she had just come out of the shower. He couldn't help but stare at her and this didn't go unnoticed. "Don't you even think about it Detective Mike Watson. I am warning you." she told him. "I don't know what you mean Susan Watson." he replied laughing. "I know that look." she told him. "Well sorry to disappoint you my lovely wife but I have other things on my mind at the moment. I'm not saying that you're not tempting me, standing there in your nudity, barely covered by that bathrobe. But I am meeting DCI Kerr soon and I really don't think I have the time." he told her. She slapped him with the towel. "Hey that hurt." he said feigning injury. "When are you meeting him?" she asked, as she threw the sodden towel into the bath and began brushing her wet hair. "In two hours." he told her, taking off his jacket and throwing it onto the bed. "Two hours eh and the boys are fast asleep." she said, making her way towards him. "Now Mrs Watson, are you trying to seduce me? Because if you are, you are a very good temptress and I don't know if I can stop myself from falling under your spell." he told her, pulling her towards him by the belt of her bathrobe. She wrapped her arms around his neck and before anything else was said, she kissed him passionately.

Now standing waiting for the DCI, Mike was filled with trepidation or was it the cold night air that was making him feel this way? He wasn't quite sure. What if all this planning had been for nothing? What if this Peter Anderson knew where they were? And how on Earth could DCI Kerr be expected to help him anyway? He looked at his watch and realised that he had less than ten minutes to wait, if the DCI got away from the station after they had spoken then he would be here soon. He wondered what DCI Kerr had meant about gathering evidence. And was this evidence anything that could help him and his family escape the clutches of this Peter Anderson once and for all? He hoped it would as he wanted rid of that man so much, that he was now becoming obsessed with the thought of getting rid of him.

# Chapter Nine

#

"Got you Mikey boy." he said laughing, when he realised that they were just less than thirty minutes away. Things were falling into place and the plan was about to be put into action. Driving into Aviemore, he scoured the area looking for the car that they had stolen, a black Peugeot Expert Tepee. It was a large car so it shouldn't be too difficult to find, he told himself over and over again. The tracker showed him that Mike was in the vicinity but couldn't exactly pin point exactly where he was which, was frustrating.

Suddenly he heard his cell phone ring and pulled over to answer it. "Hi." he said, as he continued to scan the area in front of him. "Listen carefully. DCI Kerr is driving out to meet him. He will be driving a white Toyota and I will text you the number plate details. He'll be travelling on the A9 motorway and is to meet DI Watson at 9pm at Loch Garten. Get to him before he reaches his destination and bring me the dossier that will be in the car with him. Do not, repeat do not, leave without that dossier and as usual destroy the sim card your using. I don't want anything traced back to this office, understand?" the man at the other end of the phone told him. "Ok. Sure, thing boss." Peter Anderson replied and the line went dead. "Asshole." he shouted down the cell phone and wished he had the guts to shout it right into the face of the arrogant swine, that was now his employer. "Where the hell is Loch Garten?" he found himself saying aloud.

Taking out his cell phone, he began to search for maps on how to get to Loch Garten and then searched for a suitable place to hide, until his target came into sight. He wrote down the white Toyota's car plate details from the text that he received and set off down the road again. He knew exactly where he was going and where he could hide his car, until it was time to put his plan into action. If things went well tonight and he expected that they would, he would soon be on a plane heading for home.

# Chapter Ten

DCI Kerr drove his white Toyota along the A9 motorway before turning off onto the country road, for the rest of his journey. It was getting dark now and he put on his headlights to light the road up in front of him. He glanced over at the passenger seat at the dossier that he intended to show Mike. Between the two of them they would bring these people to justice and inform the world of their barbaric atrocities and have them convicted of the murder of his son. His brave son Edward was only 22 years of age and had only been in the army for less than two years, before being sent off to Iraq for his first term of duty. The day his son left for Iraq, was the day that DCI Kerr thought his world had ended.

Barely three months later, he received the news of his son's death. Oh yes, the bringers of the bad news were very sympathetic but couldn't give him any kind of explanation, that would explain his son's death. That was when he started digging around and what he found made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and his blood boil. Soon they will be exposed and DI Watson would help him, he was sure of that.

Suddenly he braked when he saw a body on the road ahead. It appeared from the distance, that the person was either dead or unconscious. A white van sat at a tree with the driver door lying open but it didn't seem to have crashed. Perhaps the driver felt unwell and had left his car to run onto the road to look for help when he collapsed.

He pulled over to the side of the road, before getting out and running towards where the man lay. As he reached out to him, he felt a blow to his forehead and fell forward. As he lay unconscious, the man he had been trying to help, dragged him back towards his car and sat him in the passenger seat before jumping into the drivers seat himself.

Peter Anderson made sure that he was wearing gloves, so not to leave any fingerprints before putting the car into gear, switching off the headlights and driving off. With every bump in the road DCI Kerr's body fell forward. He knew exactly what do, as it had been all planned out in advance. He had devised a few plans, as he didn't exactly know how this would all pan out, so he had to plan for every eventuality. He saw when he drove down that a few miles up the road was a very sharp bend, which overlooked a river. He now knew that it was in fact Loch Garten.

He kept his hand on the driver's door and at just the right moment, pulled DCI Kerr's body over on to him, before putting his foot down on the accelerator. As he neared the bend he grabbed the brown Manila folder and quickly opened the driver's door and jumped out onto the road, tumbling as he fell. Quickly glancing up, he saw that when he moved, DCI Kerr's body ended up sprawled over the driver seat, which was exactly what he wanted and he jumped to his feet. He watched the car go over the edge and listened as it fell into the deep water below.

Looking around to see if there were any cars on the road, he was pleased that the road was quiet and taking a small torch from his pocket, he climbed down the embankment to get a better look. Shining the torch on the loch, he saw the car submerging beneath the water and knew that he had to wait to see if the DCI was able to make it out. He set his stopwatch. A human being could only survive around six minutes under water before becoming brain dead but if they were unconscious, then they could possibly last longer. So it was a dilemma for him, as to how long the man could survive and how long he would have to wait to make sure that he was dead.

The minutes went by slowly and after the six minutes and with no sign of the DCI coming to the surface, he decided to return to his van and drive it to a more secure location, so that it wouldn't be seen. After hiding the van among some trees he ran back to stand vigil until he was absolutely sure that there was no way that this man could possibly survive. With just a bump to the head being the only injury when his car went off the road, he was sure that this would appear as a tragic accident.

Another twenty minutes went by and with no sign of movement in the waters, he climbed back onto the road again, just as he saw car headlights in the distance and rushed back to his van. Checking that the dossier was on the passenger seat, he drove off before the other car could catch up with him. He felt satisfied that everything had gone to plan and now he could fly home to his wife and children. All the loose ends had been dealt with and his mission was complete. His cell phone rang and he immediately answered, knowing that his boss would be calling him. "Hi." he said. "Is it done?" his boss asked him. "Of course it's done." he answered and the line went dead. This new boss he had, was a man of very few words.

# Chapter Eleven

#

Mike stood in the park waiting for DCI Kerr to appear and after an hour he began to wonder why he was so late. It was now 10pm and he was an hour late but shrugged off his concerns as, perhaps he couldn't get away from the station on time. But by 11pm he knew that something must have happened, to stop him from meeting him and he began to worry. He pulled out his mobile to call him, before remembering that the battery was dead and that there was no way of charging it up again. He waited another hour before deciding that it was time to call it a day and returned to the hotel ensuring that he parked the car several streets away as he knew that Peter Anderson would come after him.

"How did it go?" Susan asked, as soon as he returned. "Are the boys still asleep?" he asked her pacing up and down the floor. Susan began to worry. "How did it go?" she asked him, hoping that everything had gone well. "It didn't." he simply replied. "What do you mean?" she asked, with a worried expression on her face. "He didn't turn up. I waited and waited but he didn't show." he told her. "Why? I don't understand. Why would he not show up?" she asked him. "How the hell do I know." he bluntly replied. "Don't take that tone of voice with me, Mike Watson." she replied angrily. "Something must have happened. Call him." she told him. "What the hell with. My mobile is bloody dead." he replied, taking the mobile from his jacket pocket and throwing it across the room. "There is no need for that. Should we leave right now or wait until the morning. You can always call him from downstairs. I'm sure that they will allow you to use their phone or maybe there is a payphone downstairs." she suggested. "I would make a run for it if it was only me to think of but the boys have been messed about too much. I think we will sleep on it and tomorrow I'll call the station and then my dear wife we will go home." he announced, proud that he had made a decision at last. "Are you sure?" she asked him. "I'm not sure of anything but I have made a decision. Are you with me?" he asked her. "Of course I am." she replied, walking towards him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Right then, let's try and get some sleep because tomorrow is a big day." he told her pulling off his jacket.

Mike tossed and turned all night, with very little sleep to talk of. In the morning after breakfast he left Susan and the boys at the breakfast room and headed to the reception to use the telephone. "Hello, can you put me through to DCI Kerr?" he asked. "Sorry, you are?" the Desk Sergeant asked him "A friend." Mike told him. The line went silent for a few minutes, as he waited to be put through to his DCI. He would have a few choice words for him. Why would he say he was going to meet him and then not turn up? He heard the telephone line click. "Hello DCI Kerr?" he said but was stunned when it another voice answered. "No this is Chief Superintendent McKinnon."

Mike was shocked. In all the years he had worked at Pitt Street Police station, he had never had a conversation with the Chief Superintendent. "Hello Sir. This is DI Watson. Can I speak to DCI Kerr?" he asked. "I'm afraid not detective. Now you can speak to me and yes you will speak to me. "the Chief Superintendent told him. "What the hell is going on?" Mike was shocked at how forceful he sounded and couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to speak to DCI Kerr. "Where is the DCI Kerr?" he asked. After a few moments of silence Chief Superintendent McKinnon answered his question. "I'm afraid he is dead." Mike was shocked. How could this be?

"There has been an accident." Chief Superintendent McKinnon told him. "The DCI was in an accident?" Mike asked stunned. "Yes I'm afraid so. His car went off the road. He seemed to be travelling to Aviemore for some reason and his car went off the road just a few miles outside of town. Why was he travelling there last night? Do you have any answers for me DI Watson?" the Chief Superintendent asked. "He was coming to meet me." Mike confessed. Again there were a few moments of silence. "I want you to come to the station immediately. Do you understand?" Chief Superintendent McKinnon told him. Mike did not reply. "Are you sure it was an accident?" he asked and he could hear the Chief Superintendent gasp at the mere suggestion of any foul play. "We are looking into it detective and at the moment it appears to be an accident, unless you can enlighten me on why you think that it may not. Why was DCI Kerr travelling up to Aviemore to meet with you?" the Chief Superintendent asked. "It was personal Sir." Mike told him. "Well it's not personal anymore. Get back to this station, we have a lot to discuss." the Chief Superintendent ordered. "I will come to the station as soon as I can." Mike replied. "Of course you damn well will. Now get your butt in here, ASAP." Chief Superintendent McKinnon practically shouted down the phone to him. "Yes Sir." Mike replied. The line went dead and Mike was left standing in the hotel lobby with a shocked expression on his face. DCI Kerr was dead.

"What is it?" Susan asked him when he returned to the hotel room. Mike sat down beside her and whispered in her ear, so as not to frighten the boys. "DCI Kerr is dead." he told her. Susan gasped. "How? When?" she asked. "Car accident last night." he replied, still shocked by the news. "Oh my God." she practically screamed. "What is it mum?" Daniel asked, noticing the worried look on her face. "Nothing, honey. I just forgot something." she replied, trying to appear calm. "We're going home today." Mike told them. "But I like it here." Aaron said, screwing up his face. "Where did it happen?" Susan whispered to him. "Not far from here. He was on his way to meet me. His car went off the road. It's all very sketchy at the moment." Mike whispered back to her. Do you think it really was an accident?" Susan asked and Mike shrugged his shoulders. "What the hell do we do now?" Susan whispered. "We have to go back to the station." he told her. "What! Are you kidding?" she asked, shocked at his answer. "No. My Chief Super has ordered me to return to the station immediately. Mike told her. "I'm scared Mike. What if you know who finds us?" she whispered. "We'll be safe at the station, I promise." he told her, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "Are you boys ready? Would you like to come to the police station to see where your old dad works? Wouldn't that be fun?" Mike asked David and Aaron, who now seemed excited.

Two hours later Mike, Susan and their two sons entered Pitt Street Police Station in Glasgow. The Desk Sergeant gasped when he saw them. There had been rumours going around the station that Mike Watson had been killed. "We're just going through." Mike told him, pushing open the swinging doors. "Yes, of course. Go on through DI Watson." the Desk Sergeant replied, picking up the phone to tell the rest of the detectives that DI Watson had returned.

Turning the corner, Mike walked straight into George Wilson. "Mike good to see you. You look a bloody state though." George said, looking at the grubby white t-shirt his friend was wearing underneath his black suit. "Did you know you can see your nipples through that?" George said laughing. "Good to see you again too Susan." Susan smiled. "Is this a bring your family to work day?" George asked, seeing that Mike had brought his wife and children to the station with him.

"Susan can to take the boys to the canteen? It's just through the swing doors when you turn right. I just have to have a word with George here." he asked her and she nodded, before walking down the corridor. "I thought you were dead George." Mike told him, still shocked seeing him in the flesh, alive and well and standing in front of him. "Who me? No it's DCI Kerr who is dead." George told him. "No, I mean before that. I was told you were dead." Mike said. "Who told you that?" George asked, confused by his friend's statement. "Oh never mind, he was obviously mistaken. Are you working back here now?" Mike asked him. "Not yet but I'm working on it. I was in speaking to the Chief Super and I think I may have persuaded him that it would be to his benefit to give me my old job back." George told him, with a grin on his face. Mike looked at him. He was so glad that his old friend was alive and well and his cheerful disposition always made him happy to come to work in the morning. "How are Melissa and baby Lisa?" Mike asked. "They are fine. Lisa is no baby Mike. She is the same age as your Aaron and has picked up an Australian accent now, which I hope she loses quickly." George replied laughing. Then Mike noticed his face turn more serious. "Australia didn't work out for us, so here we are back in Glasgow." George explained. "Why? What happened?" Mike asked him. "It's a long story Mike. Some other time, if you don't mind." George replied. He was fed up having to explain to everyone why he was back. It was no great mystery. He didn't earn enough money and Melissa couldn't find a job, so they struggled with their bills every month. But telling that to everyone was now tedious and he would much prefer to forget all about it. "Could you do me a favour George?" Mike asked. "Sure Mike. What is it?" George asked him. "I have to speak to the Chief Super. Could you look after Susan and the boys for me?" George nodded. "Thanks mate." Mike told him, giving him a thankful pat on the back. "Just don't call me mate. It sounds Australian." George told him and the two men burst into laughter.

As George walked off to the canteen, Mike made his way to the Superintendent's office and knocked on his door. "Enter." Chief Superintendent McKinnon shouted with an angry voice and Mike turned the door handle and went inside. His stomach was in knots and he wasn't quite sure how he was going to explain everything. "Well if it's not the elusive DI Watson. You have decided to join us then." Chief Superintendent McKinnon said, with a flash of anger in his eyes. "Please take a seat." The Chief Superintendent was a large than life character. With just a few years until he was due to retire, he wanted to keep things running smoothly and did not like any of his police officers stepping out of line or going off on a tangent without his authorisation.

He had heard of Mike Watson before, many times and he wasn't quite sure whether he admired the detective or downright disliked him. He was one of their best detectives but there was something about him that just annoyed him immensely. Maybe it was because he was so liked by his colleagues and the fact that no-one had a bad word to say about him. Or maybe it was the fact that he was involved with every disturbing situation that the station found itself embroiled in. It annoyed him immensely that he had been kept in the dark about whatever was going on between this detective and DCI Kerr.

Mike sat down and stared at the desk in front of him. "Now DI Watson. I want you to start at the beginning and tell me everything and I mean everything." Chief Superintendent McKinnon told him, with a tone in his voice that inferred that he had better not leave any information out or he would be in big trouble. Mike spent the next 30 minutes telling him about The Chameleon and what he said and how he and his family ran away from him and how their lives were in danger but he didn't know why. "So this man, The Chameleon, told you that a contract was out on you and your family's lives and that you would have to go with him. Is that what you are telling me DI Watson? A bit far fetched if you ask me." The Chief Superintendent said, staring straight into Mike's eyes. "Yes Sir." Mike replied, knowing fine well that it all sounded too unbelievable to be true. "And you believed him?" Chief Superintendent McKinnon asked, shaking his head. "He is very convincing and Susan, my wife, had been followed all day by a black car with tinted windows. Something was going on and to tell you the truth Peter Anderson, The Chameleon is a trained assassin." Mike told him. "You had dealings with this man before, I believe." The Chief Superintendent asked and Mike nodded his head.

Just then there was a knock on the door. "Later." Chief Superintendent McKinnon shouted, annoyed that he was being disturbed but the door handle opened and three men, dressed in black suites, white shirts and ties walked into the room. "And you are?" the Chief Superintendent asked, as he eyed the men up and down. They pulled out their wallets that showed that they were Secret Service. "I see and what can I do for you?" the Chief Superintendent asked. "We would like to speak to DI Watson." One of the men told him. "You can talk to him but only when I have finished talking to him. You can wait outside." The Chief Superintendent said, with anger in his voice. The men glanced at each other with surprise in their eyes, as Mike stifled a snigger. These agents were probably used to getting their own way and had never came across such a formidable figure as his Chief Super. "Did you not hear what I just said? Close the door on your way out." the Chief Superintendent told them more forcefully. "But." One of the men said. "But nothing. Get the hell out of my room. I'm speaking to one of my detectives and it's a private conversation, so you can all leave." Chief Superintendent McKinnon told them, with determination in his voice. He too was used to getting his own way and Mike watched the standoff wondering who would actually win. "Well Ok but we will be outside." One of the men said and they all filed out of the room closing the door quietly behind him. Mike was not surprised that his Chief Super won the battle.

Chief Superintendent McKinnon walked towards the door and quickly pulled it open. Seeing that the men were standing directly outside he growled at them. "Stay at least three feet away from my door. Do you understand?" Mike heard a mumbled 'yes' from the group of men before his Chief Super slammed the door shut with such force, that Mike thought it would fall from its hinges. "Can't stand those damn people." His Chief Super said, shaking his head. "Why do these damn people want to talk to you?" Mike thought about it for a few seconds. "Probably about Peter Anderson. They have been trying to catch him for years now." Mike told him, watching as his Chief Super began pacing up and down the room, with his hands behind his back. "I suppose we will eventually get all of this sorted out and I hate to say it but those little shits outside are probably the best people to deal with this situation." Chief Superintendent McKinnon told him. Mike hoped that he was right. Mike watched as his Chief Super walked towards the door and pulled it open. "Right you have ten minutes. I'm going to make a few telephone calls and I'll be back shortly. When I return I want my room cleared." He told them. Again Mike heard a mumbled acknowledgment and as Chief Superintendent McKinnon left the room, the three secret service agents entered, closing the door behind them.

"Detective Inspector Mike Watson?" The taller of the men asked. "Yes." Mike replied. "I am agent Smith. This is Agents Brown and Jones." he said, introducing himself and his colleagues. Mike immediately burst into hysterical laughter and soon the tears were running down his face, which by the expressions on their faces confused the men. "Something funny Detective Inspector Watson?" Agent Smith asked, confused by his reaction. "No. Nothing funny. Sorry just nerves I think." Mike replied, trying to compose himself. "But one thing is puzzling me." Mike told him. "Which is?" Agent Smith asked. "How many of you agents are called Smith, Brown, and Jones. I have met agents called Smith and Jones before and I wondered why on Earth you use those names. Can you not be original when choosing false names?" Mike asked. Agent Smith laughed. "I don't know who you met before but I assure you that these are our real names. I am Andrew Smith, this is Douglas Brown and then we have Martin Jones. These are our real names DI Watson, even if you think it is absolutely hilarious." Agent Smith told him.

Mike felt embarrassed. "Sorry about that. As I said I think it is just nerves." he told them and the agents nodded as if to indicate that they believed him. "Now let's get down to business before your Chief Superintendent returns. You met The Chameleon, Peter Anderson, I take it?" Agent Smith asked. "Yes." Mike replied, not really wanting to remember that man. "What did he say?" Agent Smith asked as Agent Brown took down notes in his notepad. "Don't mind him. We have to document all replies." Agent Smith told him, noticing that Mike was staring over at Agent Brown and grimacing. "Now let's get back to what we were discussing. What did this man tell you?" Agent Smith asked again. "Just that you lot were trying to kill me and my family." Mike replied, staring straight into his eyes to see if he could tell if this was in fact the case. But Agent Smith remained stony faced and gave nothing away. "Well you have been following my wife and frightening the life out of her. Why couldn't you have come to me and asked me to help you, if you were trying to catch this man?" Mike asked him. "That is not how we operate. We do not put civilian life at risk and yes, we were following your wife and that is because The Chameleon was following her too. Believe it or not we are trying to help you and your family, so can you tell us from the beginning what has been happening? We are the good guys DI Watson." Agent Smith told him, with such conviction that Mike had to concede that he was probably telling him the truth.

Mike told them how they travelled to Perth and then onto Aberdeen and how the Chameleon, Peter Anderson, had a woman and two children with him, which he introduced as his family. He explained how Peter Anderson had organised false passports and plane tickets to Canada and how he and his family escaped during the night and ran off to Aviemore. He told them that he had contacted DCI Kerr and asked for his help but on travelling up to meet him, the DCI was involved in a fatal car accident, which he only found out about when he called the station and spoke to his Chief Super, who ordered him to return to the station. "I see." Agent Smith said, when Mike had finished relaying his story. "I want to know where you were staying and who you met." Agent Smith told him and Mike explained that the only people he me was Peter Anderson's family and an old man that he introduced as Bob, in a house in Aberdeen. "I can tell you that we found the farmhouse you were staying at in Perth and it has been burnt to the ground." Agent Smith told him. Mike was shocked, then he remembered that when they were leaving, Peter Anderson had returned to that house saying he forgot something. Why would he burn it to the ground? Then he suddenly realised that it was probably to ensure that forensics would have nothing to work with. He was a professional after all and wouldn't leave any clues behind.

"I want you to come with us to Aberdeen to find the house you were staying at and to have a little chat with this old man you met. We have a car outside." Agent Smith told him. "But my family." Mike said, not wanting to leave Susan and the boys alone without any protection. "Don't worry we will get someone to look after them." Agent Jones, who hadn't said a word before, piped up. "No!" Mike exclaimed. The men looked at each other. "My friend George will take care of them. I trust George." Mike told them not caring what they thought. "George Wilson? So he hasn't disappeared under strange circumstances." Agent Smith asked no-one in particular. Mike thought it odd that these agents had heard the same rumours as him but presumed that they had been listening in to the discussions that they had in Victoria Park but he decided to put that very question to him. "You thought George had disappeared. Why did you think that? Had you been listening in to our conversations by any chance?" Mike asked. "That DI Watson is classified." Agent Smith told him. "Right we had better set of for Aberdeen now because it will take a couple of hours and we must get there immediately." Agent Smith announced. "Can't we take a helicopter? I have always wanted to go up in one of those and it would take less time." Mike asked him. Agent Smith laughed before replying. "This is not the movies DI Watson. We will drive up to Aberdeen."

Mike left his Chief Super's office, with the three men following closely behind. He went straight to the canteen to speak to George and Susan. "Who the hell are they?" George asked, staring at the three men. "Suits from London." Mike told him. "I can see that but why are they with you?" George asked him, finding himself becoming very curious indeed. "Susan will fill him in with what has been happening. I have to go to Aberdeen with them." Mike told her. "Listen can you look after Susan and the boys for me? I'm sorry to ask but it is really a matter of life or death. You can take them home but stay with them George until I return. And don't let anyone else into the house." Mike told him and George nodded, not quite knowing what was going on but trusting his old friend that it was something very important. "Of course I will look after them Mike. You can trust me." George replied smiling and Mike indeed knew that he could trust his old friend. He was about the only one that he would trust his family with. "See you soon Susan." Mike said, kissing his wife on the forehead and attempting to do the same with his sons but being rebuked. He ruffled their hair and Susan saw the worry in his eyes. "Please take care and don't do anything risky." she told him, before he turned and walked towards the three men in suits.

George and Susan watched the men as the walked out of the canteen. "Right Susan spill the beans." George told her. "Here boys. Take this money and go and buy something nice." she told Daniel and Aaron, giving them a handful of money. As soon as they had rushed off Susan turned to George. "Right then George, let me began..........."

# Chapter Twelve

#

Mike and the secret service agents arrived in Aberdeen and immediately went straight to the old mans house. "What's his name?" Agent Smith asked Mike, who was perplexed at this question, as he had already told him that he was called Bob. Was he trying to catch him out, he wondered? "I have already told you. Peter Anderson introduced him as Bob but I don't know if that is in face his real name, I doubt it. We just called him the old man but I did hear an argument between Peter Anderson and the old man the night we stayed here but don't ask me what it was about because I don't know." Mike informed Agent Smith.

Walking up the driveway. Agent Brown knocked politely on the front door of the house but there was no answer. "Probably long gone. This is probably not even his house." Mike said, looking at Agent Brown pulling some sort of metal device from his inside jacket pocket. He put the device in the lock of the door and the door swung open. "Is that legal." Mike asked him. Agent Brown's face broke into a smile. "Don't ask Detective Inspector Watson and I will tell you no lies." he replied, before they all bundled into the hallway. "This is the house you were all staying at?" Agent Smith asked him. "Yes. I told you this already." Mike replied, getting quite annoyed at being asked the same question over and over again. "Anyone home." Agent Brown shouted at the top of his lungs. Silence engulfed them like an unwelcome visitor. "Right.You stay here, DI Watson. We will search the house." Agent Smith told him.

Mike stood in the hallway remembering the last time they were all there. Somehow the palace seemed eerie. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard one of the agents shouting that he had found something. Mike was intrigued. "Where are you?" Agent Smith shouted from the living room. "Out in the back garden. In the shed." the agent replied. Everyone including Mike ran outside. In the shed on the ground, lay the body of the old man. A rope was tied around his neck and for all intents and purposed he seemed to have hanged himself. "Did you cut him down Agent Jones?" Agent Smith asked him with anger in his voice. "Yes. I thought I could get his heart started again." Agent Jones explained. "And did you?" Agent Smith asked him but Agent Jones shook his head. The old man was dead. "Right Agent Brown. Get on to the local police station. I want this place cordoned off. No-one comes in until forensics get here. Agent Jones call forensics and get them here ASAP." Agent Smith said, now beginning to look about the shed trying to find clues, Mike presumed. Agents Jones and Brown disappeared which left just Mike and Agent Smith in the garden shed. "Is this the old man that you were talking about?" Agent Smith asked him. Mike nodded. For some reason looking down at the blue and swollen face of the old man upset him and he didn't know why. He had seen many a dead body before, so he couldn't quite understand why this old man's body upset him so much. "Looks like he has been dead for quite some time." Agent Smith told him. "Do you think it was suicide?" Mike asked him and Agent Smith shrugged his shoulders. "Suicide or made to look like suicide. We don't know and truthfully we may never know." Agent Smith replied. "Well it looks like Peter Anderson and his family are long gone." Mike said out loud, expressing his thoughts. "Family. No DI Watson. I do not believe for one minute that he brought his family over here." Agent Smith said and Mike was confused.

"Why do you think this?" he asked the agent. "We know for a fact he came into the country alone." Agent Smith told him. "Yes but that doesn't mean that his family were not already here waiting for him." Mike told him but Agent Smith shook his head. "Why are you so sure that this woman and her two children were not his family? I don't understand." Mike asked, feeling himself becoming confused as each second past. "Because DI Watson the burnt remains of a woman and two children were found this morning in a burnt out white van near Aviemore." Agent Smith told him. Mike was shocked to the core and staggered out of the garden shed for some fresh air. With his hand clasped firmly across his mouth, he ran to the side of the building and threw the contents of his breakfast up against the wall.

Agents Jones and Brown came out of the back door of the house and walked towards Agent Smith. "Is he ok?" Agent Brown asked. "He will be fine but he has a very weak stomach for a Detective Inspector." Agent Smith replied, shaking his head. "We wouldn't last long in our job if we were so squeamish about the things that we have to deal with." Agent Jones piped up and the other agents nodded in agreement. Mike wiped the sickness from his mouth and turned to face the agents, who were all standing staring at him, with dismay in their faces. "I think I have a stomach bug." Mike announced but none of them believed him.

When the local police arrived, Mike and the agents drove back to Glasgow. "Forensics will be with them soon, so we had better return and report all of this." Agent Smith told them. "Sorry about that." Mike said, trying to explain his apparent weakness of character. "It's just that I feel so sorry for that woman and her children and can't understand how he could kill them. Did he kill them and then set fire to the van or did he burn them alive." Mike asked, not really wanting to hear the answer but feeling that he had to find out for his peace of mind. "We believe that they were poisoned, dumped in the back of the van and then the van was set alight." Agent Smith told him. "Is that of some comfort to you DI Watson." Agent Jones asked him. Mike was enraged. "Comfort. There is no damn comfort. That monster killed four people, which included two innocent children. All I can say is if I run into that bastard again, he will be the one that ends up dead." Mike told them. The agents looked at each other. "I will pretend I have not heard that DI Watson." Agent Smith told him. "Murder is against the law. You should know that you being a detective."

The rest of the journey was spent in silence. Neither Mike nor the agents were in the right frame of mind for making conversation. Mike shuddered when he thought of Peter Anderson being so near Susan and the boys. They could all have been murdered themselves, if they hadn't made a run for it that night. He swore that if he ever saw that murdering swine of an excuse for a man ever again, he would not be having a conversation with him, he would kill him with his bare hands, if need be. He decided that he would spare Susan from finding out about the deaths of the old man, Helena and the children. He knew that none of this would ever appear in the newspapers, so she would be blissfully unaware of these horrific murders.

"Penny for your thoughts DI Watson." Agent Smith said breaking the silence and Mike stared at him. "How could someone do this? I mean being a paid assassin is one thing but murdering a woman and her children. I cannot get my head around it. I can't believe that he could do such a thing." Mike said, shaking his head. "You haven't lived in the world we live in. We have seen many things and believe me this assassin and others like him, are capable of many atrocities." Agent Smith told him. But something about this felt wrong to Mike. He may be a paid assassin, he thought, but he didn't seem to be a cold, calculating monster. Could he really have committed these heinous crimes that he was suspected of being responsible for?

Mike's thoughts turned to DCI Kerr's funeral and the thought of going, filled him with trepidation, as like it or not, he was partly responsible for his death. If he hadn't asked the DCI to drive up and meet him, then he wouldn't have been involved in the accident that took his life. His funeral was in two days time and then he would return to work and try and put all of this behind him but he knew that it wouldn't be easy. His life had been turned upside down by Peter Anderson, The Chameleon, who was a murderous monster and was still out there somewhere skulking in the shadows. He knew that he would be forever looking over his shoulder until this man was caught or killed.

# Chapter Thirteen

#

"Are you really going back to work today." Susan asked, stunned by her husband's wish to return to work so soon after all that they had endured. "How did the DCI's funeral go, you never said." she asked him. "Just a funeral Susan. Nothing much to say, other than I do still feel guilty about his death." he replied. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. It was a tragic accident but I still think it's too soon for you to return to work." she told him. "It has been nearly two weeks Susan. It's time to get back to normal. Anyway, David is returning from his school trip today and I don't want him finding out or suspecting that anything has been going on in his absence." he said, reaching out and pulling his wife closer to him. "Look honey. I don't want you worrying. There are undercover police in several cars around our house. No-one, not even that swine of a madman can get to us." he told her, seeing the worry in her eyes. Susan nodded. "Now get the children off to school as normal. If you're followed, it will be by our lot. I'll be back in time to collect David from the school. What time did you say he would be back at?" he asked her. "Around 11pm or thereabouts. He will be so tired when he returns but I do hope he has had a good time." she replied. "Right I'm off, see you later." he told her, as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Mike?" she said. "Yes." he replied. "Please take care of yourself." she told him. He smiled at her and she watched as he turned and walked out of the front door, with a lump in her throat. This whole situation had made them closer than they had ever been and now she didn't want to be away from him for even one second.

"Right boys. Are you ready for school? I'm leaving in five minutes." she shouted to Daniel and Aaron, who were upstairs brushing their teeth. Five minutes later there was a knock on the front door and Susan was surprised to see Melissa Wilson and her daughter Lisa. "This is a surprise Melissa and so early in the morning. Is anything wrong?" she asked her, opening the front door wider and indicating that they were to come in. "No Susan. Everything's fine. It's just that we are moving down the road from you, next week and I thought it a good idea to check out the local primary school. Do you mind if we tag along with you this morning?" she asked. "Of course not. Now if I can get those boys of mine rounded up, we can get off. Daniel, Aaron. I'm leaving right now." Susan shouted and the boys came running downstairs. "Right, have got your homework and your dinner money?" Susan asked and the boys nodded in unison.

As they all left the house Susan double-checked, several times, that the front door was locked, before walking down the path. This was something that did not go unnoticed by Melissa. "You still seem a bit nervous." Melissa said. "A bit nervous. I'm a nervous wreck Melissa. I can't sleep at night, thinking he's going to come through my bedroom window. I'm too scared to open the front door in case it's him and I worry that I don't lock the door properly and he sneaks into the house." she told her. "Have you spoken to Mike about this?" Melissa asked. "No. He has enough on his plate. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. I just need a bit of time to pull myself together. In another week or two, I'm sure I will be back to normal." Susan told her, hoping but not quite believing that she would indeed return to normal in a few weeks.

Susan saw the black car with tinted windows, parked a few yards from her front gate. "I see you have bodyguards Susan." Melissa said, nodding towards the black car. The shock of seeing the car nearly sent Susan into a panic, as this was how the whole situation had started. Melissa sensed her fear and linked arms with her. "Come on now. Let's get these children to school." she told her, as they walked down the pavement. "You don't mind that we walk Melissa. It's just that I don't feel I am calm enough to drive at the moment?" Susan asked. "Of course not. Listen walking is good for you and more people should walk instead of driving." she replied with a smile. "When are you moving into your new home Melissa?" Susan asked. "Next week." Melissa replied. "That's right you told me that already. You will like it around here. It's a good area for the children." Susan told her. "Do You miss Australia?" she asked Melissa. "Not one bit Susan. It was a lovely pipedream but reality was not as pretty. Do you know at one point we had to sleep on the beach?" Melissa told her. Susan was shocked at this bit of information. "You did. George never said a thing about that." Susan replied. "Oh, you know what men are like with their male pride and all that rubbish. George called his father and he wired us money so we could get back to Glasgow. This is all strictly confidential Susan. Please don't tell Mike or George will find out that I have told you and he will go mental." Melissa begged. Susan nodded. "My lips are sealed. Anyway, I hear from Mike that George is getting his old job back. He will be earning a good wage again very soon." Susan told her. "Yes, that's great. We are leasing the house at the moment but maybe when things get better financially, we can by our own home." Melissa replied. "Of course you will. You are back home now and the only way is up." Susan said, trying to lighten the mood of their conversation. "What about you. Are you looking for work now that Lisa will be going to school?" Susan asked her, as they neared the school gates. "I'm thinking about it." Melissa replied. "You're a psychologist, aren't you? It will be easy for you to find a job." Susan told her and saw an odd expression in her eyes. "Yes but I am also a pregnant wife." Melissa confessed. "You're kidding!" Susan exclaimed. "No and don't breathe a word to anyone, not even Mike. I haven't told George yet." Melissa told her. "Congratulations. I'm really pleased for you both." Susan told her. "Thanks Susan. I only hope George is as pleased with starting all over again with nappies and night feeds." Melissa replied. She knew she had to tell George tonight and hoped that he would be pleased with a new addition to the family. "Don't worry. I'm sure George will feel ecstatic with your good news." Susan replied, as the two women walked through the school gates.

# Epilogue

#

"I don't believe he's really dead." Mike told Agent Smith, when he came to the station to inform him that they had found the burned out remains of Peter Anderson, "Believe me he is dead DI Watson." Agent Smith told him, looking over at the Chief Superintendent McKinnon, to somehow confirm this. "They found his body late last night." his Chief Super told him. "I want fingerprints, DNA, the works. If his body is burnt beyond recognition, then there is absolutely no guarantee that this is his body that you found." Mike announced, not believing for a minute that he could possibly be dead. "We have confirmed his identity, so let that be the end of the matter." Agent Smith told him. "I want to see the forensic report and I want to see his body." Mike told him, with determination in his voice. "That's a bit extreme. Can you not trust us to do our job? As far as the forensic and pathology reports, I'm afraid they are classified. However, I will allow you to see his body or what's left of his body, if you wish." Agent Smith told him. "Look I thought this bastard was dead before, remember? I thought I had killed him, so if I'm not allowed to see the reports I demand to see his body for myself. I'm not taking any chances that this isn't a decoy like the last time." Mike told him. Chief Superintendent McKinnon was surprised by his detective's statement. "What do you mean a decoy?" he asked. "The last time I thought I shot him dead, accidentally of course, but then he pops up again and tells me that another man was put in his place and that it was this other man who had died. Now the CIA, FBI or whoever they were, told me at the time that it was definitely him. So, I will not believe what anyone tells me until I see clear evidence. Do you hear me Agent Smith? I'm not taking you or anyone else's word that he is dead. I will make my own mind up to whether or not this body you found is actually his." Mike told him. "Ok if you insist." Agent Smith replied, feeling that this detective was not going to take no for an answer. "Leave it with me and I will arrange for you to see his body but as I said before the forensic and pathology reports are classified." Agent Smith told him and Mike shook his head. He hated all this classified rubbish and he knew that he may never get to the bottom of whether Peter Anderson is dead or not.

The next day Mike received a call asking him to meet Agent Smith at the local mortuary. Mike decided not to go alone but to take his old friend and colleague, George Wilson with him as back up. Agent Smith was surprised to see the other detective. "This is Detective Wilson." Mike said, introducing George to Agent Smith. "And this George, is Agent Smith. Don't ask me which secret service he belongs to because I don't know and frankly I don't bleeding care." Mike said and George and Agent Smith nodded to each other, as a way of introduction.

Agent Smith took Mike and George to see the burned out remains of Peter Anderson. As the white sheet was pulled from his body, Mike stared at the corpse in front of him but it was too badly burnt to be of any use with identification. "As you can see DI Watson. He cannot be identified other than by DNA. His fingerprints were burnt off in the fire but the DNA does match Peter Anderson." Agent Smith told him but Mike was still skeptical. "You have nothing to worry about DI Watson he is not likely to pop up again any time soon. He is definitely dead this time." Agent Smith told him. "I was told that last time. Excuse me for being skeptical." Mike told him, as he pulled the white sheet back over the dead man's charred and unrecognisable face.

"Why were dental records not used for identification purposes?" Mike asked, slightly confused. Agent Smith shrugged his shoulders before answering "There are no dental records for Peter Anderson." Mike felt that he was being very evasive with his answer. "A bit unusual, isn't it?" Mike asked. "That's the nature of the beast I'm afraid, all we have is DNA. Is that not good enough for you DI Watson?" Agent Smith asked him. "You know as well as I do, that DNA can be planted on a body. So, you know as well as I do, that this may not be Peter Anderson." Mike told him. "Look we are satisfied that this is his body so I am afraid DI Watson you will have to take our word on that. Now is there anything else because I am running rather late for an important meeting?" Agent Smith asked him. "I want to know where the body was found and what you think could have happened to him." Mike asked him, as he crossed his arms to show that he wasn't going anywhere until he had some answers. Agent Smith looked at his watch and sighed. He was late for an important meeting and had to get rid of this detective quickly. "We don't have all the facts. We do know that he had been shot in the chest and probably died immediately. His body was dumped in the white van before it was set alight by an unknown assailant. I'm sure DI Watson that this man had plenty of enemies." Agent Smith told him. "Now can I walk you both to the door, as I'm really rather late and need to go?" Agent Smith asked.

The three men stood at the front door of the mortuary but Mike still had a few questions to be answered. "Where was the van found?" Mike asked. "Along the side of the road on the A9 motorway, on the way to Inverness." Agent Smith told him. "Was it near where DCI Kerr came off the road?" Mike asked him. "Not far from there but the two deaths are not connected DI Watson, so please let it go. Get back to normal and help your family recover from this ordeal." Agent Smith told him. "And now that you and your family are now longer in danger, we will be pulling back our surveillance from your home. If you need me all you need to do is call me." Agent Smith told him. "How do I call you? I don't even know how to get in touch." Mike asked him. "Ask your Chief Superintendent. He has my number. Now goodbye DI Watson and good luck." Agent Smith said, holding out his hand. Mike reluctantly shook his hand and watched George do the same.

As Mike and George left the mortuary, snow was beginning to fall. "Nearly Christmas Mike. You know it's good to be back in Scotland for Christmas and especially Hogmanay. I think this year I will celebrate with more joy than ever before." George told him. "Is that right." Mike replied. "Yes, Melissa is pregnant again, which is absolutely fantastic." George told him. "Well good for you." Mike replied feigning surprise, as he didn't want George to know that he already knew all about Melissa's pregnancy. Susan had told him but only under strict orders that he wasn't to breath a word about it and when George eventually told him he was to act surprised. "Everything is falling into place Mike. I have at last got my life back together again." George said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Me too George. Me Too." Mike replied, knowing that Susan would be over the moon to know that the family was safe again and life at last could return to normal. He had doubts about all of this but he would keep them to himself. Susan's nerves were shattered and it didn't go unnoticed that she tossed and turned every night in bed, unable to sleep. Perhaps now she would be calmer and more relaxed in her own home, instead of constantly thinking that Peter Anderson would climb through her bedroom window.

As they entered Pitt Street Police Station, George asked him if he believed what the agent had told him. "No reason not to George. No reason not to." Mike replied and the two men entered the station laughing and joking as they always did. "You want to get something to eat from the canteen?" George asked him. Mike nodded. "But first I have to call Susan and put her mind at rest." he replied. "Ok Mikey Boy, I will keep you a seat." George shouted, as he rushed down the corridor towards the canteen. Mike could not believe what his friend had called him. The name Mikey Boy was not a name he ever wanted to hear again. He, The Chameleon called him by that name and he knew that he would have to tell George never, ever, to call him that again.

Meanwhile on a plane heading for Houston, the businessman slipped off his shoes, in an attempt to get himself more comfortable. It was a long journey and he was glad he was at last going home. DI Mike Watson had proved himself to be a worthy adversary but once again, he had the last laugh. DCI Kerr was dead and so he should be, with the amount of money he was paid to complete the contract. Poor Mikey Boy was used as a decoy to lure DCI Kerr out into the open. Without DI Mike Watson, his target would have been difficult to reach, as he was always surrounded by suits, from London.

His boss had been very specific in his instructions, whatever his plans were, he was to make sure that his death was seen as nothing other than a tragic accident. Mike Watson thought he had one over on him by escaping in Aberdeen but the truth was that the whole thing was staged from day one. Good old Mike, he laughed he helped to complete the mission and doesn't even know it.

This job had cost him a fare amount of money, with his contact supplying the dutiful wife and children in exchange for an extortionate amount of money but the old man had wanted more money and he had first agreed to and this had angered him. When the old man had suggested that he could call the police after they had left, he knew that he would have to be silenced. The old man had sealed his fate with his greed. If he had kept his mouth shut and took the money, he would be alive today but he knew that these kind of people, that he had to deal with, were always wanting more.

It was a pity about Helena and the children. The old man had his granddaughter and grandchildren play the parts of his dutiful wife and children. So, when he knew that he had to get rid of him, he knew that he had to get rid of everyone involved. He had slipped poison into their drinks before they had gone to bed, so they died peacefully in their sleep. The old man, he had strangled and hung from a rope to make it look like suicide. Moving the bodies of Helena and the children was hard but it had to be done and he moved them one by one into the back of the white van. Before leaving he had poured petrol all over them and set the van on fire.

As he drove off, in his newly hired Toyota, towards the main road he had seen the van go up in flames and had felt somewhat sad but had quickly chastised himself. He was no monster. He was a man doing a job he was paid to do. The old man had brought all of this on by being so greedy so, really he was the one to blame. Next time would work alone.

Now as far as the authorities knew Peter Anderson, the Chameleon was now dead. Finding someone who was the same height and build as him was not as hard as he first thought. A trip to the local pub put him in touch with the man who would change places with him. A quick bump over the head, a shot to the chest and a bit of petrol and a match and The Chameleon was dead. He burnt off the man's fingerprints and planted some of his own DNA deep within his body, so that it would be found at the autopsy. He had the equipment and the know how to do all of this and he hoped it was enough to fool the authorities and of course Detective Inspector Mike Watson. Somehow he had a feeling that their paths may just pass again one day but for now he was returning home to his wife and family

The End

