NINE
CHAMBERSTAPLE MANOR, DEVON, 2023 AD
“Jake, come and take a look down there,” called Alice, who had been peering through a slit in the bedroom curtains. Her agent training had alerted her.
“You’re right. They have us under surveillance. Classic black saloon and shaded windows.”
“Yes, and I watched one of them earlier get out for a smoke. He kept glancing up at this window, but I didn’t let him see me peeking, nor did I move the curtains. He looked as you’d expect, broad-shouldered, muscular but in a grey suit. So, who’s watching us, Jake?”
“Not the Ministry. Sir Clive wouldn’t allow that. No, these must be from North Hill.”
“But why?”
“Probably because Lorimer can’t get past Cochrane’s stone wall and the only way to know what I’m doing is to put his hounds onto me.”
She did not
