Hey guys! Started a new series today, written some of it already but I will try and keep you posted at least once a week, maybe twice, depending on how I can keep pace. Enjoy!
Bzzzt. Bzzzt. The phone vibrated angrily against the wooden night stand, the screen lighting up. Jason groaned and rolled onto his side in his bed, facing his phone. He picked it up, squinting at the screen, trying not to blind himself and so he could focus on the caller ID. He swung his legs out of bed and sat up, slowly opening his eyes. Behind him, on the bed, he could feel movement.
"Who is it, baby?" Melanie, Jason's girlfriend, murmured, still half-asleep.
Finally Jason's eyes managed to focus on the screen and his stomach dropped slightly. The number was unknown, which meant it was either a cold-caller who failed to grasp the concept of sleep, or it was Whitehall and things never went well when they called him direct.
"Nothing Mel, just go back to sleep. I'll be done in a minute."
Jason unplugged the phone from the wall charger and got up from the bed. When he had left the bedroom, he accepted the call.
"Jason Sharp."
"Good morning Sharp."
Jason's stomach dropped even more. The dull Scottish tone of Colonel MacMillan reverberated through Jason's left ear.
"Good… is it really morning, sir?"
"Aye, lad, judging by my watch, it's three minutes past four. You're needed in Whitehall. A black Jaguar will be outside your house momentarily. The driver will know where to take you. I'll see you in half an hour. And dress smart. I assume that you lot at Hereford are still trying to compete in who can go the longest without washing or changing."
"I used to sir, but Melanie banned me from sleeping in the same bed as her."
"Speaking of which, Sharp. No need to tell her anything about this op. Say it's a training exercise."
With that he hung up and Jason went back into the bedroom. He showered and changed into a pair of chinos and a dark green polo shirt bearing the crest of the Royal Marines, Sharp's old unit.
When he was ready, he went over to Melanie, who was still sleeping and kissed her cheek.
"I'm just going up for a briefing. I'll be back by lunchtime."
"See you then," she said, eyes still closed.
Jason went downstairs just as he heard a car pulling up. He stuffed a water bottle and a packet of crisps into a backpack along with a notepad and opened the door.
The black Jag was waiting for him, the burly driver holding the door open for him.
"Never got this treatment before," Sharp commented as he got in.
"Never been a mission like this before," the driver replied, slamming the door shut.
The journey to Whitehall seemed to take no time at all in the back of the Jag. The V8 ate up the miles readily and the leather seats seemed too inviting for a quick nap, especially after being woken so early. Sharp woke up again just as the car stopped, outside one of the many Victorian buildings in Whitehall. The car door was once again opened for Sharp and he got out. It was only six o'clock but already the sun was up. The driver beckoned Sharp forward.
"This way," he said, "I have strict orders to deliver you personally to the office." They walked through the door, dumping bags on the x-ray machine and being subjected to metal detectors. Once they were through, the driver strode purposefully forward, turning left and right as if he memorised the entire layout of this building. Sharp was barely breaking into a run just to keep pace with the guy.
Eventually they reached the office. The driver stopped, checked Sharp was still with him and knocked twice on the door. It opened and the driver stepped back and let Sharp through.