Page 26 of Close Protection

I turn to leave, but stop short at the door. ‘Sir, your daughter loves you. It’s obvious she loves you very much, but if you continue down this path you will lose her. My advice? Stop lying to her and blaming her for everything. None of this is her fault. Just take the time and explain things to her. You’ll be surprised to see how empathetic she can be.’

He hangs his head. ‘You’re right.’

I watch him for a moment. ‘Sir, I know you told us that youdon’t know anything about what Daveeno wants from you, but have you had any more ideas of what it could be?’ He’s not telling me something. I don’t know why but every time I’ve brought up Daveeno he’s shut the conversation down, as if that’s not the sole reason I’m here.

He glances back up at me, an odd, unreadable emotion crossing his face. ‘I’ve been thinking about it and perhaps I know what they’re after.’

I walk back over and take a seat before he continues.

‘Around nine years ago, I was working with MI6 on an antidote formula for a toxin called serum 627. Me and my lab assistant were working tirelessly trying to create it, but we failed. We made the situation even worse. Somehow we managed to concentrate the effects of the serum so that it would not just kill spies painfully and slowly but also leave no sign of foul play. The new serum we created made it look like the agent died of natural causes rather than poison. Not only that, but once they took the serum they would be more susceptible to interrogation as it removed inhibitions, which means that no one had to torture their victim, they could just feed them the serum, get all the information they needed and leave them to die and no one would suspect a thing.’

I take my time and fully process everything George just said before asking, ‘What happened to the formula?’

‘I destroyed it. I was there to make antidotes, notweapons. And with MI6 having a big double agent problem I couldn’t trust anyone, so I got rid of it and all the evidence that went along with it. I don’t know how but I think Daveeno have found out what I created and want the serum for themselves, but I don’t have it.’

‘All these years later? When you haven’t worked with MI6 for nearly nine years? Why would they want it now? How would they even know?’ I’m asking these questions out loud to myself, but George answers.

‘I’m wondering the same things. It doesn’t make sense but that’s the only plausible explanation as to why they’re after me.’

I sigh, my brain mulling through all the possibilities. ‘All right, I’ll inform Major Davis and we’ll see what he says. With this intel he may be able to get something out of Stefan Mikelson. He’s still in their custody after the home attack.’

‘Okay, that’s a good plan. Thank you, Milosh.’

I nod, rising out of my chair and pulling my phone out of my pocket. ‘Sir?’ I turn back at the door.

‘Yeah?’

‘I know this is a very stressful situation but don’t take it out on Daphne. Maybe you should tell her the truth about all of this?’

‘Thank you for your opinion but I’ll deal with my daughter the way I see fit.’

I walk out of George’s office to find Daphne waltzing down the stairs in a pretty floral dress, bag in hand.

‘Miss Green.’ She turns at my voice, her previously relaxed expression now becoming tight and constricted.

‘I’m going shopping, Mr Petrov,’ she says, though I really didn’t ask. ‘You’re welcome to come with me, but I’m going whether you like it or not.’

Oh joy.

13Daphne

‘No.’

‘Yes.’

‘No.’

‘Yes.’

‘No.’

‘I’ve really got all day, Mr Petrov,’ I sigh, opening the cupboard door and taking my car keys off the hook.

‘You’re not going,’ he replies, finality in his tone as he snatches the keys from my hand and walks towards the kitchen.

‘I need an outfit for the charity gala in a few weeks, and you definitely need to be fitted for a suit if you insist on joining me.’ I pout, following him into the kitchen. ‘Plus, I haven’t left this house in an age.’

I’m not normally a whiner but, hey, desperate times.

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