Solomon's Secrets - Chapter 13

I've enjoyed posting chapters here over the past couple of weeks and finding appropriate images to share with you, so for

Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author 

I'm continuing to serialize chapters from Solomon's Secrets. 

Today I'm sharing Chapter 13. In this chapter we meet the enigmatic Milton Harkett and for the first time get a glimpse into his covert organisation, The Agency...

A Secret Location

Somewhere in London,

He couldn’t wait, this was important. Milton would want to know this as soon as possible. He knocked once, halfheartedly, then burst in.

“You have to see this!”

“Agent Sheridan,” said the man in an armour of pinstripe. He stood, and walked to the front of the desk. He leaned on it and fold his arms, glaring at him.

“Although I applaud your enthusiasm, I’d appreciate a little consideration first. What is it?”

“Milton, look!” Tom thrust a print out in front of him and jabbed at the image.

“What am I looking at?” Milton hunched over to look closely and squinted.

“The ring. He’s wearing one of the rings.”

“Well I never, you’re right. Who’s hand is this?”

Tom pulled another image from the manila folder tucked under his arm, a triumphant smile on his face.

“Ah. This could be an issue.”

“Why?” Tom couldn’t hide his frustration from his boss, Milton sighed, unfolded his arms and propped himself against the desk.

“That’s Dr Assim Hadad.”

“Yes, and?” said Tom, failing to see the problem.

Milton pinched and rubbed his chin, pursed his lips.

“Special Agent Sheridan, Tom. I’m going to go against protocol here and tell you something. This is strictly between us. It’s not to leave this office understood?”

“Sure, what is it?” he nodded, resting his hands on his hips.

“Assim is the client.”

“Jesus Christ. And what the fuck?”

Milton raised a disapproving eyebrow.

“Sorry,” he said, knowing how Milton hated foul language.

“But it makes no sense,” he continued, folding his arms, the file crumpling against his shirt, “Why would he hire The Agency to find the rings and the manuscript if he already has one of them himself?”

“Yes. It is concerning.”

“Concerning? That’s one way of putting it!” he tightened his arms around his chest, anger rising.

“You do remember last year right? When a client double crossed us and nearly got me and my team killed! Jesus, Milton”

“You don’t need to spell it out to me, Agent. I am more than aware. It was the biggest cock up we’ve had since I’ve run this organisation.”

He pushed himself away from the desk and paced on the spot for a moment, “One that ended up with us having to arrange for the client to disappear. We still haven’t recovered.”

It was as if he were having the conversation with himself, looking at his feet as he tracked back and forth across the expensive rug in the middle of his office, “The Turkish government are still asking questions about what happened to Osman Elmas and MI6 can only cover our backsides for so long. No. We’ll do it differently this time. We’ll make sure we’re one step ahead.”

Tom watched him, his mind racing.

“What are you thinking?”

Milton stopped pacing, and looked at him. His face set in a serious frown.

“We need his ring. And we need her ring. Maybe they can lead us to the other rings and then the manuscript? Take a team, your orders are to find Assim and get his ring– willingly or otherwise – but we need him alive if he’s going to pay us what he owes us. And bring Sasha Blake to me. She and The Agency have some unfinished business.”

Anthony Stewart Head as Milton Harkett (Image from: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com)

 

Clive Owen as Tom Sheridan (image from: http://masguau.com)

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