Angel and the Assassin 3: Sins of the Father

runway.
    “Go ahead.”
    Angel punched in the number. Daddy had told him not to program numbers into
    his phone and had spent hours teaching him mnemonic techniques to remember his
    numbers. No answer. He punched in a text. You know where I am, Daddy. See you soon.

    * * * *
    At a quarter past seven, Kael began to feel irritated. At half past seven, he went

    into the spare bedroom where Sharon was turning down her bed for later. “Mum,
    Angel’s late.”
    “I suppose you’re annoyed with him,” she said.
    “Actually I’m getting worried.”
    “Has he sent you a text?”
    “Shit!” he said under his breath and hurried back to the hall cupboard. He kept his
    secure line phone on his belt at all times, but his mobile he had left in the pocket of his
    leather jacket. Flipping open the cheap disposable phone, he saw the envelope icon at
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    once. “You know where I am?” You’re supposed to be here . He punched in Angel’s
    number and listened while it rang and rang. Then he texted. Where are you?
    For long moments, he stood absolutely still while his thoughts came together. If he
    believed in intuition, he would say he was tuning into it, but he was far too practical to
    believe in such things.
    “Kael?” His mum was standing in the hall looking at him.
    “I’ve got to go out. If Angel comes home, tell him to phone me at once.”
    “All right, luv. I’ll see what’s in the fridge and make some dinner. We don’t have
    to go out. It’s getting late.” Pulling on his jacket, Kael headed for the lift.
    Jack McCarron’s family lived on a well-heeled street in Chelsea not far from
    Freddie and Adam. The man who answered was tall and thin, balding and older than
    Kael expected. “I’m Kael Saunders. Is Jack home?”
    “Ahh, Angel’s…” His words trailed off.
    “Angel is my partner. He lives with me. Is Jack home?”
    “I’m Dr. McCarron.” The man opened the door wider. “You’d better come in. Go
    right through.” He pointed down a long hall to the back of the house.
    The family was gathered around a large kitchen table finishing their meal. Jack
    rose at once when he saw Kael. He was always respectful after the time Kael had scared
    the shit out of him when he caught him and Angel messing about in the dungeon last
    year.
    “This is my wife and daughter.” Dr. McCarron indicated a chair, but Kael shook
    his head. He wanted information, not a conversation. Kael nodded briefly at them
    before focusing on Jack.
    “Hello, Jack. Where’s Angel? Did you meet him after the chess club?”
    “Yes, sir. We were going to go to Starbucks, and then he got a phone call and got
    in a Rolls. He said he had to work.”
    “Back up a minute. What do you mean, got in a rolls?”
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    “A Rolls-Royce car. He got a call on his mobile, and then the car pulled up and he
    said he had to go. He said it was work.”
    “Work?”
    “Would you like some coffee, Mr. Saunders?” Jack’s mother was an attractive,
    dark-haired woman who looked considerably younger than her rumpled, balding
    husband.
    “No, thank you,” he replied without looking at her. “Who phoned? Did he say?”
    Jack shrugged and squinted, obviously trying to remember. “I think he said, ‘Hi,
    Mr. Conran.’”
    Surprised, Kael repeated, “Conran? Are you sure?”
    “I think so. Yes, sir.”
    “What time was it?”
    “A bit after five.”
    Jack’s sister, a mischievous-looking teenage girl with long, curly dark hair and
    glasses, had been eying him up from the moment he entered the kitchen. “Are you
    Angel’s boyfriend?”
    “Lavinia!” her mother said.
    “I’m just asking,” the girl said.
    “It’s all right, Mrs. McCarron. Yes, I am,” Kael said to the girl.
    “It’s Doctor McCarron,” the woman pointed out.
    “Is it?” Kael said without expecting a response. “Jack, can you tell me anything
    else? Who was in the car?”
    “I couldn’t see. The windows were tinted. Is everything okay? He’s not in any
    danger, is he, Mr. Saunders?”
    “I hope not. Thanks, Jack.” Kael walked down the hall to the front door, followed
    by the boy. At the door, he stopped and put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “You’re a
    good friend to him. Can you remember anything else? Anything at all?”
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    After a small pause, Jack said, “He said, ‘Will I get paid?’”
    “Right. Thanks.” Kael walked quickly