And that was exactly what Ryker chose to do too.
Less than two minutes later, Ryker was sat back in his car, air-conditioning on full blast as he headed away from Ronda, back towards the coast.
CHAPTER 40
Ryker kept his senses on alert as he drove along the mountainous roads toward the Costa del Sol. Eva’s car had still been parked opposite Ryker’s when he’d left Ronda. He’d seen nothing more of either her or the two men. And there was no sign now in his rear-view mirror of Eva’s car or any others on the quiet roads. No police chasing him either, which could only be a good thing.
He’d gotten away. He was unscathed. But he was left feeling frustrated and bitter. Frustrated that his trip had taught him little about what was happening in Andalusia, except for some useless details about bullfighting. And bitter because people out there were trying to hurt him. Eva, Kozlov, Walker; one or a combination of them had conspired to hurt Ryker, possibly kill him. That was something Ryker wouldn’t stand for.
Ryker made another call to Winter.
‘You find anything?’ the JIA commander asked.
‘I’ll tell you this: that’s twice now that my liaisons with the Kozlov family have led to armed men chasing me down.’
‘Please don’t tell me you’ve got yourself locked up again?’
‘No. This time I got away.’
‘And the armed men.’
‘I didn’t kill any of them.’
‘That doesn’t exactly fill me with much confidence. So what did you find on your little excursion?’
Ryker filled Winter in. On the meeting with Eva, the men with the guns, how Ryker had shot at Buzzcut and the Slav before escaping from the other men. Winter took it all in without saying a word.
‘The Russian mafia are somehow linked to Kim Walker’s murder,’ Ryker added.
‘Why?’
‘I still don’t know. But they’re in a panic now that one of their most trusted bent cops has been taken out.’
‘Cardo?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Does the mafia know about the Red Cobra?’
‘I don’t know. What about at your end?’
‘The hack attack. We traced it. You’re not going to believe this but the attack was masterminded by one Miguel Ramos.’
‘Spanish? Not what I was expecting.’
‘No. I guessed you wouldn’t be, but that’s not all. He’s only fifteen. A school kid who lives with his mother and grandma in central Malaga.’
Ryker raised an eyebrow.
‘You said the hacker was a pro, that the trail was as complex as you’d seen?’
‘It’s true. These kids... that’s what it’s like these days.’
‘Who knows about this?’
‘Just us.’
‘Good. Can you keep it that way? Cardo was bent. I don’t know who else out here is.’
‘I’ve no reason to pass the intel to anyone else. You’re my eyes and ears on the ground.’
‘Thanks. If you send me an address, I’ll pay him a visit.’
‘Go easy on him, Ryker. He’s just a teenager. Part of a hacker group. He’s not a criminal kingpin. Someone’s using him.’
‘I’ll go easy on him. I promise. But you’d better prepare yourself for some more hassle at your end.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘It’s time to stop playing nice. The gloves are coming off.’
Ryker ended the call before Winter could ask any more questions or raise any protests.
It was nearly dark by the time Ryker pulled up outside the gates to Casa de las Rosas. A police car was stationed outside. Two officers stood guard, guns on hips, torches in their hands. One came over to Ryker’s window, and Ryker wound it down.
‘James Ryker. I’m with Detective Green.’
The policeman said nothing, just moved to the intercom on the wall where he began talking while his friend stood watch.
Moments later, the gates swung open and the officers stood to the side. Ryker drove through and parked up next to Green’s car. Another officer stood outside the house. The door opened as Ryker approached. Green was on the other side. The officer moved out of the way.
‘You get pretty good protection when you’re mega rich,’ Ryker said to Green.
‘Money really can buy you anything.’
‘Not quite anything. Where are they?’
‘Sitting room.’
A further two officers stood guard by the closed doors to the sitting room.
‘Open the door,’ Ryker said to the policemen. They looked at each other quizzically.
‘It’s locked,’ Green said. He moved forward, past Ryker, creating another barrier. ‘Cool it a bit, yeah? There’re six armed policemen here. Don’t go making any rash moves.’
‘I’m cool.’
‘Good.’
‘Get us into that room.’
Green hesitated then turned round. One of the officers moved out of the way and Green went up to the sitting room door and knocked loudly.
‘Munroe. It’s Green. Ryker too. We need to come in.’
A few moments later, Ryker heard the lock being released on the inside and the door swung open. On the other side was a policeman. Green had said six, so this was the final one. And he couldn’t have been better placed.
Green walked into the room. Ryker followed. As soon as he stepped through the doorway, he calmly closed and locked the door behind him and took a second to fully scope out the space ahead.
Then he sprang into action before anyone even had an inkling of what was to come.
Ryker reached out and grabbed the holstered gun from the policeman’s waist. He slammed the edge of his other hand onto the back of the officer’s neck, hitting a pressure point of nerves that sent the officer keeling down onto the floor. Ryker then leaped forward, past Green and Munroe who had barely reacted, and rushed up behind Walker, grabbing him around his neck. Ryker kicked out Walker’s legs and eased him down onto his knees before pulling the policeman’s gun up and pushing the barrel into the back of Walker’s head.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ Munroe screamed.
‘Ryker, think about this,’ Green said, trying his best to sound calm.
Walker said nothing, just whimpered.
‘Get out of the room,’ Ryker said. ‘I need to speak to him. I won’t hurt him unless you make me.’
‘You’re going to fry for this,’ Munroe said.
‘No, I’m not. Green, take Munroe out. Explain it to him. Do what you need to do. I have to speak to Walker.’
The policeman was stirring. He opened his eyes and lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Ryker.
‘There’re six armed policemen in this house,’ Munroe said. ‘You can’t get away with this.’
‘You want to end up like Cardo?’ Ryker said. ‘Because that’s what’s going to happen. I’m trying to save you. Save these policemen too. But I need to speak to Walker. Now.’
‘Okay.’ Green held out his hands, trying to show he was calm in the charged room. ‘Come on, Graham. Trust me on this.’
Green looked over at Munroe. For a few seconds, Munroe did nothing, just stared at Ryker. Then he looked back at Green.
‘I won’t hurt him,’ Ryker said. ‘I won’t hurt any of you. Not if I don’t have to.’