Page 353 of The Black Trilogy

“He’s turning around. Uh, he’s got long hair and a beard. His clothes look really tatty. No... It can’t be...”

Carmen fell silent.

“Can’t be what? Who?”

“Well, I’d say it’s either Black or his evil twin.” There was a pause. “And from the way he just high-fived Emmy, like Black always used to, I don’t think it’s the evil twin.”

“Carmen, now isn’t the time for joking.”

“Nate, I’m not joking, I swear. Get down here and see for yourself.”

Luke heard the sound of running feet, muffled over the radio.

“Next time, we need to get a video feed as well as audio,” Mack said.

“Next time?” Luke muttered faintly.

Mack ignored him. “Guys, what’s happening? Is it really Black?”

“It sure looks that way,” Nate said, incredulity in his voice.

Luke shook his head in disbelief too. “Well, no wonder she stayed behind.”

CHAPTER 20

BLACK WALKED AROUND the helicopter on his way to help Jane, pausing to give me a high-five in the way he always used to whenever we came back from a successful job. But why did he do it just then? Today hadn’t exactly gone smoothly, had it? Habit, maybe.

He’d barely uttered a word on the way back. It wasn’t that we used to talk all the time, because we didn’t, but the silences between us had always been comfortable. Today, the words unspoken formed a gulf, one I had no idea how to cross.

What should I say to him? Flying an unfamiliar helicopter, keeping low to avoid detection in a country where I wasn’t supposed to be, meant thinking about it had been impossible. I’d needed every ounce of concentration not to crash and kill us all. Wouldn’t that have been ironic? Black surviving more than eight months as a prisoner having goodness knows what done to him only to die in a rescue attempt.

Over at the house, tiny figures emerged onto the terrace, staring in our direction. I saw the moment when the team recognised Black. The stampede wasn’t instantaneous, but then again, he didn’t exactly look like his old self. When Bradley saw the length of his hair, he’d have a fit, and don’t get me started on the beard.

I snuck another glance. Where the soot covering Black had rubbed away, his skin was as pale as the puffs of cloud hovering far above us. Had he spent any time above ground since he left? I looked for longer as he guided Jane onto the lawn. Muscles rippled through the grime, his six-pack sharply defined due to the amount of weight he’d lost. He was nowhere near as stacked as he used to be, but he didn’t seem in bad shape, all things considered.

Nate reached us first, grabbing Black in a man-hug and thumping him on the back.

“Hey! Be careful,” I warned. “Don’t break him.”

“I’m fine, Diamond.” He lifted Nate clean off the ground as he hugged him in return. “Good to see you, buddy.”

Everyone else crowded around, offering hugs, kisses, handshakes, and pats on the back. Dan hopped madly about before flinging her arms around his neck and hooking her good leg behind his waist.

“You’re back!” she shrieked. “Now all we have to do is find Diego Ramos and we’re golden.”

I pulled my rucksack out of the helicopter and slung it over my shoulder. “We don’t. I shot him.”

Oh, sugar. I should have put earplugs in, her screech was that loud. “Party! Champagne!”

“Not on duty, shrimp,” Nick reminded her. “And it’s not a good idea with the pills you’ve just taken.”

“Yes, Dad.”

I felt like a spare part. Not wanting to spoil the celebration, I backed out of the huddle of people and went to help Jane get her ridiculous pet out of the cabin. What were we supposed to do with him?

“Will Kitty be okay? I mean if we just let him out? Won’t he run off? Should I try to find a leash or something?”

She reached a hand out and he rubbed against it. “I don’t think so. He’s quite timid. Diego and his men used to kick him around when he was small, and he’d come to me when he got scared. I used to hide him from them and make sure he ate.”

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