Angel and the Assassin 3: Sins of the Father

“And you were being a snotty
    little wanker. You were always a snotty little wanker.”
    Rubbing his throat with one hand, Conran looked up at him. “I was. I agree. And
    you were always capable of killing. I simply helped you channel it into a profession
    where you would get very well paid. Do you know how many men and women apply
    every year to MI6? They’ve all been raised on Bond films. They think people don’t
    Fyn Alexander | Sins of the Father
    149

    really die, that it’s all a big adventure. You were never like that. You were utterly
    matter-of-fact about killing right from the start. Misha was the same. People like you are
    rare in everyday life. Put them in a war situation and convince them they are under
    attack and most people will do all kinds of heinous acts and be shocked at themselves
    later. But you are cold-blooded. That’s what makes you exceptional.”
    “I’m not like him. I’m not like Romodanovsky,” he said.
    “Actually you are.”
    If he were so evil, how could Angel love him? Because, perhaps, Angel didn’t
    know who Kael truly was. They only send you after bad dudes. Right, Daddy?
    Placing his hand gently on Kael’s upper arm, Conran said, “Let me go back in
    there and assure the home secretary that you will keep quiet about this matter. The
    woman will be given counseling and she will be compensated financially, but this
    cannot get out. Do you understand? This is about the big picture.”
    Looking into Conran’s eyes, Kael said, “You said that when a little girl was being
    raped.”
    Grasping onto his words, Conran said, “And look at what you did there. You
    helped her. You can help this woman by keeping quiet. Can you imagine if
    Romodanovsky was prosecuted? The defending barrister would rip her to shreds, and
    the tabloids would do the rest. Journalists would be hacking into her mobile. Her life
    would be hell.”
    “But what about what’s right? I know right from wrong, and this is wrong.” Was
    he trying to convince himself or Conran?
    “You’ve never questioned yourself before like this. What’s going on? Is it because
    of Angel?”
    No. It wasn’t Angel. It was Romodanovsky’s suggesting Kael could be his son. It
    was the Russian saying Kael was like him. “Angel is the only honest thing in my life.”
    Fyn Alexander | Sins of the Father
    150

    Very gently Conran squeezed Kael’s arm. “Russia needs Romodanovsky. Believe
    it or not, there is a great sentimentality in that country for the old days, and that’s what
    he represents. The majesty of the old, the promise of a new economy, and a return to
    traditional values.”
    “That man does not represent any values.”
    “No, not in the true sense, but he will do as he says and wipe out organized crime,
    and he will run that country in the very near future. There’s no one else for the job. The
    wheels are already grinding to put him into power. The US supports him, and the
    prime minister. You know perfectly well the kind of politics we deal in every day. The
    kind of work you do doesn’t give you the right to hold the high moral ground over
    anyone. You know what kind of man you are. I know what kind of man I am. We both
    work for the common good. Let’s not pretend that justice is always done or that the rich
    and powerful do not get special treatment. They do.”
    Of course they did. That was why he’d wanted a high-ranking politician to write
    that letter of recommendation for Angel. He was as bad as the rest of them.
    For long minutes, they stood without speaking until Conran, who had not put his
    overcoat on to go outdoors, began to shiver. “Saunders?” he said. “I know you
    understand, so what is it about this particular case that has you so angry?”
    He knew exactly what it was, but he had no intention of sharing it with Conran.
    Shaking Conran’s hand off, he said, “I’m going to get Angel, and I’m going home. The
    rest of the team can guard Romodanovsky until he leaves tomorrow. I don’t give a shit
    if he gets killed.”
    “About the attempt on his life. You were right on point, as always.”
    “I wish I’d let him die.”
    “Promise me you’ll keep this quiet. You know I’m right, don’t you?”
    Yes , he knew. He began to stride toward the house with Conran running to keep
    up.
    Fyn Alexander | Sins of the Father
    151

    Conran didn’t follow Kael but headed back in the direction of the drawing room.
    Two at a time, Kael ran up the stairs. The team fell silent