Hunted by James Patterson Page B

wouldn’t want any harm comingto their players. Not after Lord Oakleigh. It was like Claire said: they wanted to provide risk but, more importantly, the illusion of risk.
    There was something missing from the scene.
    ‘Where are all the guns?’ he asked Claire, as their transport reached the end of the approach road.
    ‘Not sure,’ she said airily. ‘Maybe they haven’t distributed them yet.’
    Their arrival had caused a ripple of interest to run through the men on the lawn. One by one, they turned to look at the car as it reached a gravel parking area and came to a halt.
    ‘I love this bit,’ grinned Claire.
    Shelley soon found out why as, with everybody on the lawn now looking at the car, she stepped out to be greeted by a raucous cheer. She milked it, calling, ‘I still have to get dressed yet,’ provoking an even more boisterous greeting. ‘More girls arriving later,’ she winked, and the cheering reached fever pitch.
    She waited for it to die down, then gestured to Shelley, who stepped out of the people carrier with his arms handcuffed before him like a convict. The men on the lawn hushed, as though suddenly respectful. At the same time they were approached by three men: one was Tremain, who wore what looked like a Sig Mosquito in a shoulder holster, under his usual tan leather jacket. The other two were the same pair who had met Kenneth Farmer at the lawyer’s office on Chancery Lane.
    They thanked Claire and she gave them kisses in return, reserving a more intimate kiss for Tremain, before trotting off inthe direction of the house. Now he stood with Tremain and the two Quarry Company bosses, one of whom carried a briefcase.
    ‘I’m Mr Curtis,’ said the other one, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ‘This is Mr Boyd.’ They all shook hands. ‘You’re familiar with the rules of the game?’
    ‘Go over them again, if you would,’ asked Shelley.
    Curtis pursed his lips. ‘It’s simple. You’ll be taken by Land Rover to a spot in the woods, a secret spot known only to Mr Tremain. You see our operations van over there? From there we’ll detonate the cuffs. I trust Claire has told you all about our ingenious exploding handcuffs?’
    Shelley nodded.
    ‘It’ll hurt. I’m sorry about that.’ His wonky smile indicated that nothing could be further from the truth. ‘But it’s a minor burn. I’m sure you’ll consider it worth it.’
    ‘And on that subject, where’s my money?’
    ‘Oh, of course. Money.’ He pointed to Boyd’s suitcase. ‘In there are two envelopes. The first is for ten thousand pounds. You get that whatever happens. There’s also another ten thousand pounds, if you’re able to reach the perimeter. You won’t be getting that, though.’
    ‘Oh yes? Why’s that?’
    ‘Because you won’t be winning. If you manage to evade us for too long, we deploy drones to look for you. Callous as it may seem, we – like our clients – like to win.’
    ‘By stacking the odds in their favour?’
    ‘Now he gets it.’
    ‘And they’re stopping me with paintball guns?’
    ‘Something like that.’
    ‘Where are they, these guns? I’d be interested to see them.’
    Curtis wore a strained smile. ‘Not something you need to worry about. Now, why don’t we go over and meet the players?’
    They turned to depart from the parking area. At the same time an extraordinary thing took place on the lawn: the players arranged themselves into a line, like subjects about to meet the Queen. Some even removed their hats. For a moment, Shelley really did think he might be led along the line in order to shake each one by the hand. Instead, Curtis, Boyd and Tremain took him to stand in front of the men.
    ‘Quarry, show your handcuffs, please,’ ordered Curtis, and Shelley did as he was asked, trying to keep the contempt off his face. His eyes raked the line of men who stared at him with naked fascination. Among them was Kenneth Farmer, as well as a government minister he recognised.