Fightback Read Online Free Page A

jacket and expensive haircut, and for a moment he wondered if she was some kind of nut-job. But she’d known about his dad, hadn’t she? And despite her innocent appearance, she could fight like a tiger. He watched her fold up her napkin and lay her cutlery neatly on top of it.
    â€˜So what is your world, Saskia? And where exactly do you fit into all this?’
    â€˜Let’s just say I work for one of the good guys.’
    â€˜Oh yeah, and who’s that? Batman?’
    â€˜No, just someone who doesn’t like the way the world’s turning out. Someone with enough time and money to do something about it.’
    â€˜Which is how my father got killed?’
    â€˜Standing up for what you believe in is a high-risk business, Kier.’
    â€˜Is that why you do it? Risk your life because you believe it’s right?’
    â€˜Partly.’ Saskia smiled and patted her pocket. ‘And partly because the pay’s pretty good.’
    â€˜I don’t get it. What are you saying, exactly?’
    â€˜I’m saying that you need to have all this properly explained. And here is not the place to talk about it. Besides, we really need to get your passport.’
    Kier frowned.
    â€˜My passport? Why?’
    â€˜Because we’re going on a trip. You do have a passport, right?’
    â€˜You mean like this?’ As they walked out of the dining room, Kier reached into his pocket and pulled out a little red booklet. Noticing Saskia’s puzzled look he added, ‘I needed it to prove my identity for the British Karate Tournament.’
    Saskia smiled and pressed the button for the lift.
    â€˜I think you’re going to like your new job,’ she said. ‘It’s got your name written all over it.’

SIX
    It was nine-thirty by the time they took the Piccadilly Line westbound from Russell Square, heading for Victoria. Their carriage was unusually empty: Kier assumed the rush hour must be over, while tourists were still eating their breakfast.
    â€˜Is it far?’ he asked. ‘I haven’t even got a toothbrush.’
    â€˜Relax,’ said Saskia. ‘We’ll sort everything out once we get there.’
    â€˜Get where?’
    â€˜Crete.’
    â€˜ Crete? What are we going to Crete for?’
    â€˜You’ll like it. It’s sunny.’
    â€˜It’s sunny here.’
    â€˜Not as sunny as Crete. Besides, there’s no one there who wants to kill you. At least, not as far as I know.’
    â€˜Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better.’
    The train stopped at Holborn and three mengot on. They were all in their late teens or early twenties, all wearing red football shirts, tracksuit bottoms and trainers. Although the carriage was empty, the largest of the three came and sat directly opposite Saskia. Kier noticed he had the flattened nose of a boxer and Union Jack flags tattooed on both fists. The other two sat next to him, staring at Kier without a word. As the train pulled out of the station, Tattoo Man folded his arms, grinned and winked at Saskia.
    â€˜Hello, darling,’ he said. ‘You all right?’
    â€˜I’m fine, thank you,’ said Saskia. ‘And just so as you know – I’m not your darling.’
    â€˜Aww,’ said Tattoo Man, still smiling. ‘And there was me gonna ask you out on a date.’
    â€˜No offence,’ replied Saskia coolly, ‘but I think I’d rather chew my arm off.’
    The man’s smile vanished and the other two guys stared at him, waiting to see what he would do next.
    â€˜You think you’re pretty smart, don’t you?’
    Saskia didn’t say anything.
    Good , thought Kier. Maybe if she shuts up we’ll get out of here in one piece .
    The man leaned forward and put his hand on Saskia’s leg.
    â€˜This is nice,’ he said, stroking the material. ‘Did your daddy buy it for you?’
    â€˜Look,’ said Kier, ‘why don’t