Chapter 12
"I told you that John's last mission was to infiltrate SCORPIA and that he trained Yassen." Vixen said, accepting the cup of tea she had asked Jack to make while she, Volk, Yassen and Alex sat, or in Alex case, lay down on the floor. The whole thing felt surreal, and at the same time, strangely British.
Volk nodded, taking his from Jack.
"You also told me SCORPIA found out he betrayed them and killed him, so forgive I don't see his motive."
Vixen sighed.
"Most SCORPIA agents believe that British Intelligence killed him. You remember the Adair kidnapping?"
Volk nodded.
"British minister. They said they'd kill the son if the father didn't cooperate. British intelligence got him back, though they were rather cagey on the subject."
Vixen nodded.
"We offered, what SCORPIA thought, was a straight forward trade. The boy, who we knew they had, for John Rider, who they thought we'd captured in the mission that lamed Ash." She said. "What SCORPIA didn't know, was that we had no intention of giving them John." She sipped her tea. "The trade was conducted over a bridge. We were on one side, SCORPIA were on the other. The hostages were released and walked across the bridge. Just as the kid crossed over in our side, a shot rang out and John Rider fell down dead."
"But…" Volk began, thinking of the little Vixen had told him about John and Helen's death. Then he shook his head. "Blanks and a squib, right?"
Vixen smiled.
"First time we'd used it in a long time. I'll admit I was surprised at how well it worked." She sighed. "SCORPIA thought John was dead, but we knew we could never use him again. So we arranged to send him to France.
"Somehow or other SCORPIA discovered the trick. I don't think Ash told them, but I can't be sure. You know what happened next."
"Ash killed them both with a bomb SCORPIA Gave him." Yassen said, softly.
"But you only found that out…" she put her head to one side as she looked at him. "About four months ago."
Yassen nodded. Volk slapped his knee.
"The French hacking!" He said.
Five months ago, the French intelligence services had been horrified to discover that someone had hacked into their files. What had surprised them was that the hacker had apparently had no interest in their files on terrorism, or organised crime. No. the file which had been disturbed had lain unopened for nearly 16 years.
"What gave you the idea?" Vixen asked.
Yassen snarled
"Nile."
Nile. SCORPIA's new rising star. An assassin of great skill, but afflicted with a disease that would turn the black born man white before his death.
Vixen nodded.
"Makes sense. He knows he'll never be your equal, always be in your shadow. Unless he destroyed you." She took a sip of tea. "So he tells you. Like John taught you, you went looking for evidence, and at the same time, Sarov offers Alex to SCORPIA to train. You couldn't let that happen. You know, like I do, what this life, our life does to children."
"Hang on." Volk interrupted. "If he idolised John so much, why kill his brother?"
Both Vixen and Yassen fixed him with an expression of contempt.
"The sniper in the window above the bridge." Vixen said softly. "It was Ian."
Volk sighed.
"So what are we going to do?" He asked, quietly. "He can't go back to them. And Alex…" he gazed at the child. He couldn't suggest that he went back. The damage done was too great.
Vixen blinked.
"What is there to suggest?" she demanded. There were footsteps in the corridor and suddenly K unit was there.
"Acting on information receives from a defector from SCORPIA, you and I removed a mole, which regrettably killed himself before we could bring him. The defector also offered us Alex Rider, who is in no fit state to continue." She paused. "Times have changed. Child agents are too risky currently."
She reached and took from a confused Wolf a pile of papers.
"There is a plane leaving for the United States in hour. These men will make sure you get on it. Here." She said, extracting a card from within her coat. "There's about three grand in there. Take it and disappear. Don't tell where going."
Jack took the card.
"Why?" she asked and Volk agreed with her.
Vixen turned to face her.
"Because I know you'll keep him safe. Something I can't do. He'll protect you both."
Volk caught her, holding her as tears held in for a long time streamed down her cheeks.
"Go." He whispered. "Go now."
Yassen lifted Alex, like a sleeping babe, and held out his hand to Jack. After a moment, she took it.
Volk stood, gazing at Unit's retreating backs, as he held the sobbing Vixen against it.
"The money." He said softly. "It's the five hundred you tried to give Helen."
"With interest." Vixen muttered.
"Why let him go, after he killed Ian?" Volk asked. He'd always thought Vixen would kill the man who killed her love.
Vixen lifted red eyes up to his.
"The sniper in the window. It should have been me."
Fini
Author's note: Well that's it. If people want, I am planning a presequel to this, but you have to hit the button and let me know.