The exchange was scheduled for midday in a less desirable part of the city. It needed to be kept low key to avoid the unnecessary attention of onlookers and so the two men now seated in a car waiting at the agreed rendezvous found themselves idly chatting about nothing in particular. If a passer-by had spotted them they would have been fooled in thinking that they were father and son but that would of been a grave mistake as that once tenuous relationship the two men had had was now lost to a different place in time.
Harry had continually tried in the last five days since Lucas had so dramatically made his intentions clear to get his section chief to change his mind but Lucas just argued the fact that without any new leads what other choice did he have. After seeing his sister in the video message he couldn't just leave her in that filthy prison and in those short few minutes upon watching her she had sealed his fate, so Harry had now become resigned to the fact that Lucas was again going to be thrown to the lions and he knew there was nothing he could do about it.
Noon was approaching at break neck speed as Harry and Lucas continued their small talk. Glancing across from the drivers side Harry was aware that Lucas was becoming more and more agitated as the dreaded hour crept ever closer.
Trying to ease the tension that had now descended on the two men, Harry foolishly asked Lucas if he had packed a bag. Lucas looked at Harry astonished, rolled his eyes and told Harry that he wasn't going to need any clothes where he was going. Ashamed for his crass comment Harry had immediately apologized but with the tactless remark spoken the gulf between the two men now grew ever wider.
An awkward silence followed and Lucas became lost in his own thoughts, going over and over the details of the meeting that had taken place that morning on the grid where he had been reassured by everyone that the plan that had been put in place to assist his quick release from his soon to be Russian captors would go without a hitch.
Lucas had smiled bravely at them, but he had been in this position before and that had resulted in him being damaged beyond repair. Now he was voluntary putting himself back there and the sinking feeling he was experiencing was ever more evident.
Harry nudged Lucas, indicating to him that they now had company. Lucas looked out from the car interior to be confronted with the sight of a black van parked some hundred feet in front of them.
Lucas sighed deeply and slowly got out from the car and walked around to join Harry who was standing outside the drivers door.
As agreed previously with the Russians Harry placed a hood over Lucas' head and began to slowly lead him forwards towards the van. Lucas' sister had also had a hood put over her head and she too was now being led forward.
Lucas asked Harry if he could see her and to confirm that she was alright. Harry told him that she was fine and that there was nothing to worry about. As they walked on, Lucas suddenly stopped and said with menacing intent "Harry…just one thing….if you leave me to rot in that shit hole like you did last time…I'll find a way to escape and I will come after you and kill you."
Harry said nothing but led Lucas on until they had reached the other party, quickly exchanging their precious cargos and with Harry now in possession of Lucas' sister, he led her back to the safety of his car. Briefly looking back, Harry watched Lucas being bundled into the back of the van.
Harry took the hood off the woman now stood before him and immediately realised the mistake, this woman wasn't Lucas' s sister but an imposter.
He spun around in the direction of the van only to be confronted with it speeding away….it was too late…Lucas was gone.