Chapter 12

March 2004

Jim sits under an arch in London wearing scraggy clothes watching all the people walking past. He spots the person he's looking for. He pulls himself up and follows the man. The man pauses for a split second and speeds up slightly. Jim grins and adjusts his pace accordingly. The man darts into an alley and Jim strolls after him periodically hoisting the baggy trousers to keep himself from tripping over the bottoms. Jim enters the alley and walks down it. As he passes the halfway point a figure steps out behind him and whacks him over the back of the head.

Irene sits up in her bed and rubs the back of her head wincing. Kate walks in carrying a pile of freshly laundered clothes. 'Are you okay?' Irene frowns still rubbing the back of her head. Kate carefully places the pile of clothes on the top of a chest of drawers. She climbs onto the bed and gently probes the back of Irene's skull. 'There's nothing there. No bump, no broken skin, no blood.' Kate shuffles back and Irene leans against the headboard.

'So why does it hurt?'

'I don't know Miss Rene.' Irene smiles weakly and sighs.

'I think I may as well get up.' Irene shuffles herself off of the bed and stands reaching for her favourite dressing gown.

Jim wakes up slowly tied to a chair. He keeps his eyes closed and uses his other senses to work out where he is. He flexes his wrist working out that its rope binding his wrists to the arms of the chairs. He rotates his ankles confirming that his legs are also bound to the chair. He attempts to breathe deeply but feels that his chest is restricted by rope in addition to his arms and legs. 'I know you are awake.' A voice reverberates in his head. Jim opens his eyes and looks at his captor. He grins.

'Worth a shot.' Jim makes eye contact with the ex-soldier. 'One time it worked for three days straight. I was so bored. It was far too easy. Got all the information I needed and got out.'

'You won't get past me.'

'You sure about that?' The Soldier leans forward to glare at Jim.

'Positive.' Jim snorts with derision. 'Problem?'

'Yeah, I need to stretch.' Jim stands up all of the ropes just falling away. The eyes of the soldier bulge as he watches Jim rise.

'How? What?' The soldier is lost for words. Jim sighs.

'Oh please… don't be predictable.' Jim steps out of his rope bindings. 'Captain Sebastian Moran, a first class sniper serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, dishonourable discharge from the army six months ago.' Jim fishes a piece of paper out of his pocket and reads from it. 'For failing to obey orders it says here. Been on the streets for three weeks now for failing to keep up with rent. Estranged from your family, only mother and younger sister living. Money-'

'Who are you?' Sebastian Moran growls

'The name's Moriarty.'

'You are Jared Moriarty?' Sebastian looks at Jim. 'No, you're Jim.' Jim smiles.

'Yup.' He looks around at the room. 'Is this where you live?'

'What about it?' Sebastian growls. 'Its secluded, dry and free.'

'But it's filthy.' Jim makes eye contact with Sebastian. 'Can we relocate to my flat. We can talk in comfort then.' Jim smiles a smile that sits somewhere between evil and kind. Sebastian stands and opens the door. He gestures for Jim to walk through.

'I want you in front of me. I don't trust you.'

Forty minutes later, Sebastian is reclining on a very expensive sofa, watching a large screen TV in Jim's living room. Jim enters the room having changed into his favourite suit and settles himself into his armchair. He reclines it and settles. Sebastian glances at him before fully looking at him. Jim watches him out of the corner of his eye. 'I know I look completely different. Does it worry you?'

'Why would it worry me?' Sebastian attempts nonchalance. Jim smiles 'Ok, yes it did unnerve me.'

'This is the real me.' Jim pauses 'or rather the me you will get to see. I'm the commanding officer, the boss of England, the emperor of Europe. Well, nearly for the latter. That's where you come in. if you want the job.'

'What job?'

'I need a platinum-class sniper. A sniper that's better than first class.' Jim leans forward and makes eye contact with Sebastian 'Are you that sniper?' Sebastian smirks.

'Yes I am.'

'Good. I like you, Sebastian. I didn't want to kill you.' Jim rises and walks over in front of Sebastian. He reaches behind Sebastian's head. Sebastian flinches. 'Relax.' Jim gingerly pulls a small needle from the lining of the sofa. Sebastian glares at him. Jim smirks.

Irene walks into her closet and runs her hand along the hangers. She reaches the back of the wardrobe. She turns and faces her current and former maids with a forlorn expression. 'I need more clothes.' Kate looks slightly bewildered but Bex smirks.

'Which kind, every day or slinky?' she asks. Irene purses her lips.

'Both.' She looks at her clothes. 'I'm getting out of fashion.' Bex bursts out laughing. 'I have none of this season's fashions.' She pouts. 'But I don't.'

'I'm not laughing at you chuck.' Bex walks forwards and grabs hold of Irene's arms and hands. 'I'm really not. It strange how much you really are like Sophia the two of you could have been blood relatives.' Irene smiles and Bex embraces her. 'Come on Chuck, lets go shopping.'

'What's the budget?' Kate asks. Irene ponders for a matter of seconds.

'Ten.'

'Ten thousand, okay. Let's go and hit the shops.' Irene and Bex link arms and walk out of the closet. They pause for Irene to link her other arm in Kate's and together they head out to the car and off to the very expensive specialist clothing shops. All three of them grin like maniacs.