Assassin Flame Read online

  I hope you enjoy Assassin Flame.

  It’s Part Two of the new Jago Hale Trilogy and follows Sakura Spark, which has been released and reached Number 1 on the Amazon download chart. It introduced Jago and the other characters in the story which you can find here:

  getbook.at/Sakura

  In Assassin Flame, Jago, an investigative journalist who also works for MI6, continues his campaign against the criminal organisation known as Chetwynd and his search to find the killer of his wife. It brings him up against a formidable female adversary who works for the traitor operating within the UK government, but can he get to the truth before the assassin completes her mission?

  Before you read on, I would like to invite you to join The Tomson Cobb Readers Club. There you will receive exclusive information from me, details of any price promotions, and also the latest chapters of a FREE prequel to this story which follows Jago, his friend Sammy and his battle hardened troop of SAS soldiers as they attempt to release a kidnapped boy from a drug gang in the jungles of Colombia.

  It’s called The Colombian Contract. It’s available now, completely FREE to Download and is being released in in a serial format, each part delivered FREE to your inbox as soon as each group of chapters is complete.

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  ASSASSIN FLAME

  Copyright © 2019 Tomson Cobb

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the writer.

  Chapter 1

  She loved the final act of the kill, but it was anticipation of the event that provided real ecstasy.

  Detailed preparation was imperative in order to have respect for her future victim, although she hated the word. ‘Client’ was her preferred description. After all, it was a privilege to be able to end a life just as it was to start one, so the stratagem was important. It also needed to feed the insatiable appetite that her hormones required. Only this work could satisfy that need, although in reality she had experienced no other since her induction into the family business as a child. She knew she’d been created for this career. It was not a job, it was a calling.

  She had carved out a position as the best in her profession, in a literal way on many occasions. It was a very limited niche sector that she now controlled, at least on a temporary basis, although that hadn’t always been the case. When she’d first started to train under the tutelage of her father years ago, there were many that had considered themselves competitors, although most had been limited by their imagination.

  The first lesson he’d taught her was that selection by a customer should not rely on price alone. For her it would become a seller’s market, yet only if she remained independent. Nor did it just depend on efficiency, although he always added, that was the main criteria for swift payment and repeat commissions. No, he had told her, if she could not differentiate herself from the rest, the customers would not call. It was a lesson that had proved invaluable over the years that followed, and one she would never allow herself to forget.

  The second was the need to close the deal by close contact with her prey. There were many other ex-military killers available for hire, mostly male, and with much better weapon skills that she would ever be able to acquire, so she needed to specialise. The lesson had proved useful for her first contract when, as a fourteen-year-old, she had been able to penetrate the security team that surrounded a paedophile drug lord in Colombia. The memory still amused her. She was beautiful even at that age, so her first attempt at prostituting herself had allowed her to enjoy the foreplay that she would become the arch exponent of in later years. The fat deviant who had viewed her with ingenuous eyes had been far too complacent in his own self-importance, so when she had satisfied her own needs, it was a simple matter to complete the contract with the tiny knife she had concealed in her shoe. The look of surprise on his face as she employed the coup de grace – with the throat slash that would, for a while, become her signature – was worth more than the new clothes that her father had bought as a reward for her first success.

  Her father’s third lesson, however, would prove to be the most important as her reputation spread to an international marketplace: the need to obtain information in advance on the customer that wanted to employ her. It was essential for her own personal insurance in case the terms of the contract were disputed after the job was done.

  The face that had practised different mannerisms, pouts and poses in the hotel room mirror was now satisfied. The make-up she’d applied had been light, as she knew her natural beauty did not need too much enhancement. The first part of the transformation was complete, the second was about to commence.

  She adjusted the blond wig made from real hair. It was the most expensive that the long-established theatrical costumier company in New York produced, though a girl in her position always had to maintain standards. She had the same twenty styles in each of her properties around the world, all in different colours to mix with the hundreds of eyewear options, scarves and shoes that provided the base platform for each new creation. The hotel hairdryer, together with the large brush she had brought with her, had been used in conjunction to bring life to the previously inanimate prosthetic. The appearance was natural as it flowed over the shoulders before it reached the top of her bare breasts. This one had cost her over $8,000, however she considered it worth the extra expense. She loathed anything synthetic.

  The small, well situated boutique hotel had proved to be a good choice by her future client. She could understand why he had chosen this place to practise his predatory skills on those overconfident professional women who had a weakness for attractive, dangerous men, particularly when these women were at their most susceptible, away from their business colleagues or family, while attending the exclusive seminars or trade conferences that the hotel specialised in.

  The woman admired the taut body shown in two dimensions by the twin mirrors at the foot of the bed. She was naked apart from a pair of flimsy briefs with a side tie that she’d bought that day in a sex shop in Soho. Now she needed a dress to pair them with.

  The wardrobe provided a limited choice but she knew she’d chosen her innocent partner-in-crime well when she’d picked her out in the lobby. The woman was in her middle thirties like her, the same height and shape, in full theatre-mode attire when she’d left the elevator. It had been a simple task to follow her to the reception desk to pick up the room key. The woman had thrown it casually onto the counter before she strode out of the revolving doors into the arms of her patient date waiting outside. The reception team had been busy so they hadn’t noticed her light fingered theft. The acquisition had proved no problem for someone with her experience, so if all went to plan she had at least four hours to complete her task and leave the hotel before the woman returned from the theatre. If it didn’t, then she could always adapt as she often had to do. She preferred not to leave collateral damage during her contracts if at all possible, however sometimes they could be woven into a new narrative if required.

  She decided on the plain black dress. It fitted her like a glove, so rather than draw attention to the line they created, she returned the briefs to the bag. The feeling of freedom between her thighs now added to her excitement, the tight outline the result of many hours of gym work under the firm control of the pretty young instructor from Lucerne. For someone who liked to dominate her clients, it was a fetish-like enjoyment for her to allow the girl to believe she was the one with the power. Even during the equally strenuous sexual exercises they enjoyed together in her house by the lake after each workout was completed, she always allowed the girl to take the lead. The reversal of roles was also a necessary routine in order to put herself i
nto the position of her victims, so that she could perceive the psychology needed to dominate a client.

  The next decision was accessories.

  Chapter 2

  The freedom of the beach was like a magnet for the dog.

  The pattern was a sprint at high velocity away from them for a hundred yards, before the claws dug into the soft sand with a wide 180-degree turn to follow. As the dog galloped back to her two holiday companions, she would change direction at the last moment a yard in front of them, just as they attempted to reach down to touch her. The game was repeated multiple times for yet another attempt at a sand speed record.

  ‘How long can she keep this up, Jago?’

  ‘My guess is another three, or maybe four runs before she gets tired or bored. Then it’ll be tongue out, with the decision to make her own way back towards the cottage whether we want to follow or not. She takes charge when we visit the coast. That hasn’t been often this last couple of years, I have to admit, so I think she’s making up for lost time now.’

  ‘She loves the beach doesn’t she?’

  ‘She sure does. The first time she met the sea was when I took her to a beach on the south coast the day after Frankie’s funeral. She wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. I remember she didn’t want to step off the edge of the concrete embankment. Then she pushed a tentative paw onto the sand. That was it. Love at first touch.’

  ‘Like us then? Oh no, don’t answer that Jago. I’m sorry I said it now. It’s too soon for you to take in, after all that’s happened recently. That’s my fault,’ Natsuko said.

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. If I hadn’t met you… well, I don’t know where I’d be now. My life was in a real mess before you decided to introduce yourself to me in Tokyo in that unusual way.’ He said it with a smile. They both laughed at the memory.

  The couple continued along their own route, arm in arm while enjoying the simple pleasures of the clean salty air. There was no wind, so the raucous noise of the seabirds which populated the edge of the receding tide provided the only sounds on the deserted beach so early in the day. They had just enjoyed their first night together since she had arrived on the JAL flight to Heathrow the day before. Sleep was the last activity on their minds after they’d checked into the guest house, so after a long night of renewed passion, they had decided on a walk as soon as dawn arrived, by way of a gradual prompt through the curtains of the cottage. It was situated away from the small family-run, dog-friendly guest house that Jago had booked for them near the village of Talybont on the coast of west Wales.

  They both stopped to watch as a black oystercatcher plucked invisible shellfish from under the surface as the tide retreated. Its long, pointed beak was the ideal tool for its twice-daily ritual, which provided the necessary fuel for the wading seabird.

  ‘It’s a beautiful place. Have you been here before?’ asked Natsuko.

  ‘Many times. I prefer this time of day before anyone else arrives. The beach is pristine now after the water recedes with no people about, so no footprints to spoil the effect. It’s a bit like a Japanese stone garden except brushed by the sea rather than a gardener. My parents used to bring me here when I was young. They had a cottage near Harlech just along the coast north of here. We didn’t have a dog then though. My parents had one before I was born. When he died, it was a big loss, so they couldn’t face the loss of another even though I pleaded for one. What about you? Did you have any pets when you were young?’

  ‘No. After my mother died, Dad threw himself into work so he made sure Akiko and I studied hard at school. He was very strict in those days, although he has mellowed of late. We often like to make fun…’ She started to cry. ‘I’m sorry Jago. I still feel that my sister is here with us. I can’t…’

  ‘Of course. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I know it’s still too soon for you. We both need some time to adapt to a new world.’ Jago held her head in both hands and raised her eyes to his. ‘It’s natural to cry at this time you know.’

  ‘Not for Japanese, Jago. We are taught discipline. Hide our feelings. Not show emotion. Maybe I spent too much time outside of Japan.’ She started to cry again as she pressed her face into his jacket.

  Neither had noticed the arrival of the dog alongside them. She had padded up in silence and had now positioned herself to nuzzle the girl’s leg until she looked down at the animal. She raised a tentative paw upwards and Natsuko took it with a tearful smile. That broke the sombre mood.

  ‘Well, Chobi. You seem to have emotions. You look as if you have known me for more than just twenty-four hours. How is that I wonder?’ said the girl, with a curious look at her male companion.

  ‘Okay. I admit I’ve talked to her about you. She’s very smart. I’ve no idea how much she understands, though I’ve mentioned your name to her all the time since I got back from Tokyo.’

  ‘That’s very sweet of you. And you also Chobi. You are very wise to listen to him.’ Natsuko bent one leg with her arms outstretched. The dog approached to rest her large head on the girl’s knee.

  ‘I think you’ve made a good impression. She doesn’t normally take to people that easy, or so quickly,’ Jago said.

  ‘I’m so glad. I was afraid she wouldn’t allow me to fill the space in your life that Frankie left, Jago.’

  ‘So was I, if I’m honest. It’s a big relief to me that she likes you so much.’

  They covered the next mile along the wide beach in silence. Even the dog sensed the mood. Instead of running ahead, she walked alongside them with an occasional concerned glance upwards at Natsuko.

  As they turned back towards the guest house, Jago broke the silence.

  ‘Frank wants me to join the business. He was a bit melancholic the last time I saw him. He talked about the problems of old age. He felt he’d lost some of his usefulness.’

  ‘He must miss his daughter so much Jago. It would have devastated him to lose her in that terrible way. It must have for you as well, of course. Oh, my English is so bad today. Forgive me,’ said Natsuko with a concerned look of her own at her companion as they continued their ramble. She grasped his arm tighter. ‘What do you want to do?’

  ‘I still don’t know. When we saw the last of Chomsky and that maniac Petrov, I suppose I thought I could go back to my old job of journalism, but after all that happened I don’t think I can without some part of me still being pulled towards that other world. The government has also asked me to continue with them as well. Toye called me again yesterday. Nik emailed me as well to suggest a meet-up in the West End, so I suppose it’s his task to entice me into another operation. I’m sure it will involve Chetwynd again.’

  ‘Do you want to?’

  ‘I think I have to more than want to. There’s unfinished business there for me. The traitor in the UK government is still around. More importantly, I have to find out if the Organisation was involved in Frankie’s death. I can’t do that without the support of SIS, so I’ll have to work with them again I suppose. Whether to run Frank’s operation as well though, I don’t know. I’m not sure if that makes sense.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Sir Frank thinks that the mole doesn’t know about the undercover work done by Chiltern University Press. I’m not so sure, although even if he’s right, how long that can last must be questionable. I’m sure the Organisation had got close to linking me with MI6 and his own little spy operation before we took out Petrov’s team. Even though Chomsky had put out the contract on me for his own personal reasons, it may be just a matter of time before the traitor crosses the t’s, dots the i’s and realises I don’t just work for the media. What about you? Have you had any further thoughts on what you want to do?’

  ‘Oh Jago san. That’s difficult for me also. I want to stay here with you, at the same time I’m also worried about my father. When Akiko and I were there to help him with the business, as well as run the intelligence operations for Frankie in South-East Asia, he could rely on two people at least. Now he only has
me to support him. He’s told me to stay here as long as I want, but I can’t just abandon him to fight them on his own. Besides, I also have an interest. I want to help destroy this organisation. As a twin, Akiko was a part of me you must remember.’

  ‘I realise that. Of course I do. You must decide what’s best. I can’t move to Japan at this time, but I don’t want to pressure you to stay here with me either, Natsu.’

  There was no more conversation between them for the next five minutes. The mutual awareness of different responsibilities made them both contemplate the options. The walk continued in silence, each with their head down as they retreated into their own inner worlds.

  ‘It seems we both have the same dilemma, Jago,’ said Natsuko finally to change the sombre mood. ‘Let’s just enjoy the next week here before we decide what to do. You promised to show me lots of places in your country that I’ve never been to, you know. This beautiful place is a good start. Still, I look forward to the others you have in mind as well. I’m a tourist this week don’t forget, so if you want a good review on Tripadvisor you’ll have to keep up the good work.’ She laughed.

  ‘You’re right. Don’t worry, I have some other great places to show you. We go to York tomorrow then Scotland for a few days. After that I’ve booked a hotel in Cornwall, so if the weather forecast is right, we might chase some waves there.’

  ‘I love surfing. How did you know?’

  ‘Just guessed. When I saw you practise Kendo with your sister, I sensed you’d be a skier and as you went to college in the States, you must have tried the rollers over there. Was I right?’

  ‘You were. I started as a quimby at Huntington Beach. Do you know it?’

  ‘I do. I’ve been there once or twice although I’ve never surfed. I love Orange County though. What’s a quimby anyway?’

  ‘A beginner that gets in the way of more experienced dudes.’