Page 86 of Savage Reckoning

Sokolov has made it easy for us, to be fair. Instead of staggering his approach and attack routes, sending his forces in in unpredictable waves, the enemy are flying in formation, making them an easy target. Any choppers that slip past our surface-to-air missiles can be picked off by a decent shot from a rifle or handgun, provided they hit the rear rotor or the pilot. Jed’s men aren’t missing many.

According to our surveillance, Sokolov himself is not aboard any of the helicopters. He prefers to direct operations from his base on the mainland, a disused holiday camp which he has commandeered on the west coast of Scotland. We have eyes on that, too, ready to mount an attack as soon as we are sure Caraksay is safe.

Just one helicopter makes it as far as Caraksay. It circles low, spraying bullets at us but with no obvious strategic intent. It’s more a scattergun approach, delivered by two men leaning out of each side of the aircraft.

I watch Tony, installed on a turret just below mine, line up the missile launcher. He waits for the chopper to glide in on its second destructive sweep, then takes it out. The missile finds its target. The aircraft spins in the air, whirling crazily before coming down in flames at the top of the cliffs.

There are no survivors, just as we planned. The airborne assault is over.

“Reports?” The voice is clipped, Ethan demanding to know the state of play now. “What are our losses?”

Rome answers. “One boat hit, with seven men. Effecting rescue now. Will update as soon as casualties are known.”

It sounds like minimal damage to us, and our enemy decimated. I don’t trust this. It’s too easy.

I scan the horizon for any sign of approaching boats, though how they would have evaded our blockade is difficult to imagine. Even so, if Sokolov is prepared to throw enough money at it, there’s always a way.

I decide to do a quick reconnaissance of my explosives installations. In the unlikely event the attack is over, they will need to remain in place as a security measure until we’ve eradicated any remaining threat from Sokolov himself. I need to now make sure the safety devices are activated to prevent any of them being triggered accidentally. I report my intentions over the radio, then make my way to the ground.

I jog down to the harbour first, passing several groups or our own armed men on the way. I check and satisfy myself that our own vessels can safely dock, then move on to the defence systems in place on the beaches and coves, and the foot of the cliffs. Wreckage from the downed chopper litters the rocks, and I have to pick my way over it to reach my detonators. I daresay Ethan will have the mess shifted by tomorrow. He hates pollution on his island.

I wade through knee-high waves to reach the spot where I installed the equipment. Behind me, the seabed drops away sharply, so I’m careful where I put my feet. I can swim well enough, but now’s not the time for a dip. I trace the cables back to the source and crouch to adjust the connections.

There’s a sound behind me. I whirl around, reaching for my gun.

What the fuck?

A periscope is rising from the water. I take a shot at it, at the same time grabbing for the radio. I’m not fast enough. Ethan’s voice crackles over the airwaves, but not before my world goes dark.

CHAPTER 19

Megan

My clinic took a direct hit from the single helicopter that reached us. The roof was sprayed with bullets. Several windows are broken, and I’ll be needing a new ventilator to replace the one now peppered with bullet holes.

Still, could have been worse. I have no casualties to deal with, as far as I know.

It’s now almost an hour since the attack was repelled. Caraksay is still on high alert, but no further reports of damage or injuries have come in. I emerge from my bolthole in my cottage and venture to peer outside.

All is quiet. There’s no one around, which is not surprising, I suppose. Everyone has their role to play, a job to do. I’m no exception. I weigh up whether to make a run for the castle or my surgery.

I drag out my phone and try Gabriel’s number. It rings out, then eventually the call drops.

Puzzled, I try again. It goes straight to voicemail. He must be somewhere with no signal, the dungeons most likely.

That settles it as far as I’m concerned. I take one final look around to be sure there’s no enemy in sight, no Russian gangster who somehow slipped past our defences, then I sprint around the building and make for the cobbled courtyard in front of the castle.

Tony and Jack are there when I arrive, panting. Both are heavily armed, conferring in the castle entrance.

“Everything okay with you, Doc?” Tony calls out as I approach.

“Yes. Fine. Some structural damage to the clinic, but that can be fixed. Is Gabriel down in the cells?”

Tony shakes his head. “Don’t think so. Why would he be? There are no prisoners.”

“Oh. I just thought… I’ve been trying to reach him on his phone.”

“He went to check the coastal explosives. There’s good signal down there. Shouldn’t be in a dead spot.” Jack pulls out his own phone and taps in Gabe’s number. It rings out, just as it did for me.

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