“His fury peaked in that moment. He refused to die because of something so random, without cause or purpose. He had to know the reason. There had to be an answer to it. He would not die now, ended by… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“From out of the shadows, the British agent swung the yellow-and-black pole of a work light rig like a two-handed sword, striking the gunman squarely in the chest with the cluster of lamps at the upper end. Glass and plastic… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“There was no movement around the discoloured walls, and Lucy turned the Land Rover about in a slow crawl, the tires crunching on the… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“The short-barrel MP9 submachine gun released a cluster of silenced rounds that ran up Novakovich’s body, some of the bullets sparking off the case… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“With a grunt, the gunman ripped off the goggles and fumbled for the hilt of a wicked-looking combat knife, swearing under his breath. Marc… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“In his hand, Marc still had the Glock semi-automatic. Both of them knew what should happen next. The right choice, the expedient choice, was… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“Marc walked down the jet way, blinking into the rising sun. He dug in the bag for the USAF-issue sunglasses that he habitually carried… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“It is a regrettable fact that no government can ever be fully trusted to make the truly right choice when confronted by an impossible… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“MI6 aren’t supposed to operate inside the UK. They’re external security.’ ‘Yes. That gives you an idea of the exigency of the situation.’ ‘What’s… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“The 40mm high explosive shells he had fired into the truck were enough to hobble a military APC. He had not seriously considered that… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“So,’ Lucy said to the air, ‘not lucky, then.’ Through the PSG-1’s scope, she could see the Brit standing stock still, and a sliver… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“I built Rubicon from ashes,’ said the other man. ‘Ashes of war. I have worked hard to raise myself up from the poverty I… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“So you’re ex-Royal Navy, right?’ He tensed. ‘How do you know that?’ Lucy pointed at his arm. ‘Cabot wristwatch. It’s a dead giveaway.’ Marc… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
“What Marc did next came from nowhere; later he would think back to this moment and search his recollection for the impulse that made… — James Swallow Copy Share Image
