Private London - James Patterson [0]
SOMETIMES WHEN THE NIGHTMARE ENDS – THE TERROR IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING
FRONT LINE…
For Hannah Shapiro, a beautiful young American student, this particular nightmare began eight years ago in Los Angeles, when Jack Morgan, owner of Private – the world’s most exclusive detective agency – saved her from a horrific death. She has fled her country, but can’t flee her past. The terror has followed her to London, and now it is down to former Royal Military Police Sergeant Dan Carter, head of Private London, to save her all over again.
HARD LINE…
In central London, young women are being abducted off the street. When the bodies are found, some days later, they have been mutilated in a particularly mysterious way. Dan Carter’s ex-wife, DI Kirsty Webb, is involved in the investigation and it looks likely that the two cases are gruesomely linked.
DEADLINE
Dan Carter draws on the whole resources of Private International in a desperate race against the odds. But the clock is ticking… Private may be the largest and most technologically advanced detection agency in the world, but the only thing they don’t have is the one thing they need – time.
James Patterson’s white-knuckle rollercoaster has just reached London. Buckle up, it’s one hell of a ride!
Part One
Chapter 1
9 April 2003 – Los Angeles, USA
The day everything changed.
Morning
HANNAH SHAPIRO WAS having a wonderful day.
Presents and mimosas at breakfast. Just the one glass – but a twelfth birthday needed marking, didn’t it? She would become bat mitzvah – a Daughter of the Commandments – this coming Shabbat. But Saturday was three days away!
‘Come on, darling, take a sip …’ Jessica, her mother, said, her southern accent sweet and musical. ‘You’ll love it. It tastes just like an angel’s tears in a glass.’
And so she had. Even though she didn’t like the taste of alcohol, Hannah loved her mom more than anything in the world and wouldn’t think of disappointing her. She sipped, then half spluttered, half laughed. ‘I’ve got bubbles in my nose.’
‘That’s what you pay the good money for, sweetheart!’
Hannah laughed with her.
It was a perfect morning. The only thing missing was her father. ‘It’s a shame Daddy couldn’t make it back last night,’ she said.
‘It’s government business. He’d have been here if he could, darling.’
‘I know.’
‘And he promised he’ll try to make the three o’clock flight. Even if he has to fight the chief of staff to do it!’ her mother said, hugging Hannah and ruffling her hair.
Hannah giggled again. She couldn’t imagine her father fighting with anyone.
‘Come on, honey. Make a birthday wish on your first champagne.’
Hannah thought about it. Her best friends from school, Sally Hunt and Tiffany Wells, had already turned thirteen. Sally had been given a polo pony and Tiffany a diamond watch from Cartier. Both their parents had been divorced more than once.
Hannah looked at the family portrait hanging over the fireplace. Her father and mother so much in love, Hannah in the middle.
She gazed up at her mother, couldn’t believe how heartbreakingly beautiful she was. Couldn’t believe that her father could bear to spend so much time away from her.
So Hannah took another sip of her mimosa, looked again at the family portrait and made her wish: Catch that plane, Daddy!
Afternoon
Crossing Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Hannah took her mother’s hand.
They were both laden with packages, bags from all the best stores hanging off their shoulders.
‘We have done very well with the shopping,’ said Hannah, grinning broadly.
‘Daddy said to make it up to you for missing breakfast.’
‘He’s doing a very good job.’
‘So far. But the day is young.’
‘Yes.’
‘And it’s good we have the time to ourselves. Daddy doesn’t do shopping.’
Hannah chuckled. ‘I know.’
Jessica Shapiro winked at her. ‘But your mother, darling … is a professional!’
Moments later, she fetched out the keys to the Mercedes convertible they were approaching in the underground car park.
She looked up, startled as two men suddenly appeared. They wore black hoods.
Hannah’s scream