Chapter One
Jack Meadows tapped the electronic white board and frowned at his officers as their eyes drifted over the photo of a man in his late thirties, thick black hair framed his chubby face, dark brown eyes and two day old stubble made the features of a fairly good looking man. His dark blue suit matched with a crisp white shirt made the man a smart looking business man. The Sunhill team couldn't be more wrong. "Marco Celani" he began before looking over his colleagues "Is wanted for four counts of murder, fraud and deception, armed robbery and rape. Intelligence says he has upped sticks and has moved back to Spain, Torremolinos to be exact, his home town" the man leant against the table next to the board and let out a sigh "I have been in talks with the local police and they are unsure what move to make next"
"Sir I don't follow, how does this involve us?" Nate Roberts asked glancing at the four other officers before to the man in front of them
"Well PC Roberts my intentions is to loan officers to the Spanish police, in fact you willing it is you five offices I want to loan"
"How long are we talking here Sir?" Ben Gayle asked running his hand over his smooth head
"Six weeks initially, could be longer, depends on how quickly we get it wrapped up"
Stevie Moss brushed her fingers through her soft blonde hair as she sat forward "So its undercover Sir?"
"Yes Stevie, you should be used to that" he laughed "A hotel, La Grande Marce, we believe is the source for most drugs and violence in the area"
"So its a free holiday?" the blonde quipped
"No Stevie" the older man scowled "This is a serious job, you have all been hand selected because of your abilities"
"Sorry Sir"
"Inspector Smith flew out last week to secure our positions and has set up two apartments for you all. You will be due to start work Tuesday morning, so I need a decision ASAP from you all"
"Well I am in Sir, I am not a stranger to undercover" Stevie spoke
"Excellent, anyone else?"
"Count me in" Mickey Webb spoke from where he sat at the far end of the room "So long as you are sure you can afford to lose me Sir?"
"I think we will survive, thanks, DC Webb. Jo?"
The sergeant frowned "Its a long time Sir. I don't know, I have been undercover before Sir but nothing to this extreme"
"Absolutely Jo, its a big ask of any officer" he flicked through some paper work "Your role upon arrival is the easiest Sergeant Masters" he passed a file to her "You will be a feed back to the UK"
"So I won't be required to work once out there?"
"Your role is to keep surveillance and feed any info to myself or Sergeant Stone here in the UK and act as a go between for us and the Spanish force, as well as top up your tan"
"Even so Sir"
"There is also the opportunity for you to fly home as and when required, you will also have your own apartment "
"OK count me in Sir"
PC Roberts, Gayle?". The man glanced over each other before nodding in turn with a synchronised yes. "Excellent, you fly out this evening" he smiled passing the officers files with the key to their new identity's "Jo, you will follow out on Friday" he packed the rest of the files away before heading to the door.
"Lifeguard, could be worse" Ben grinned to his friend opposite
"Barman" Nate replied with a nod
Mickey snatched the folder from the man's hands and frowned "I am a bloody luggage boy"
"Could be worse" Stevie giggled "I am head of entertainment" she looked towards Jo as she pulled the door open "Think you got the best deal Sergeant Masters"
"Can't complain" she grinned as she left.
Meanwhile
Leaning on the brick wall the man lifted his sunglasses and glanced out over the swimming pool. It was approaching 11am on a Sunday morning and the heat was already unbearable. Today was his first day of work and had so far gone well. He replaced the sunglasses before glancing after three young women who passed him. "Look but never touch"
"When they look like that it's hard not to look"
"Man after my own heart" Marco replied "how is your first day?"
"Good, the heat is a bit overwhelming "
"You English people come out here, you have no idea" he laughed "When do your friends arrive?"
"Tomorrow and I wouldn't call them friends, more of acquaintances"
"So long as they work and know when to keep their mouths shut" he headed down the steps and Smithy straightened himself up as the man approached a tall dark haired man the other side, they shook hands before Marco pointed inside and the men disappeared. Smithy took one final glance of the hotel before heading into the bar area.
The following morning
"Phrrroahhh" Stevie panted as she headed from the Malaga airport a few steps behind the three men "Don't mind me, I can manage" she panted. The men all glanced at the taxi drivers holding boards and frowned between themselves "Its not like I am a tiny woman and you are three big strong men who have half the amount of luggage as me" she watched as the men scanned for a name on a board "Do we have a taxi booked?"
"Meadows said we did but can't see any names" Nate spoke
"Do we know where we are going?" Mickey asked
"Nope" he replied
"Well this is a great bloody start, now what?" Ben asked
"I will phone Meadows" Nate answered
"You lot look right dodgy loitering around here" they all turned to the man behind them "Sunhill's most wanted eh?" they all exchanged pleasantries before Smithy grinned "Let's get going".