Shadow Creatures by Andrew Lane

“we
recommend
that you don’t put your entire arm inside a crocodile’s mouth”?’
    Tara shook her head. ‘No,’ she said, ‘that’s “
strongly
recommended”. Different category entirely. There are no “
strongly
recommended” inoculations for Hong Kong.’
    ‘Great,’ Calum said, clapping his hands together. ‘Go and start packing. Let’s meet back here tomorrow, and hopefully Rhino can be here as well.’
    The coffee shop was on the edge of a small unfenced area of trees and grass – more of a village green than a park, Rhino Gillis thought to himself. He was moving around
casually, as if looking for something in particular. There was a pet shop on one side and an extreme sports shop on the other. There were also a lot of restaurants and wine bars – more than
one might expect for an area like this.
    He was in Poole – a seaside town a stone’s throw away from Bournemouth. He was on business, and hadn’t chosen the location, but he was familiar with the area. The Royal Marines
and the Special Boat Service – the SAS’s aquatic sibling – were both based in Hamworthy Barracks, just a walk away.
    That knowledge was going to give him an edge, and often having an edge was what saved his life.
    He could smell the distant sea, and more closely the bitter odour of roasting coffee beans. Seagulls wheeled overhead in a bright blue sky. Men and women were lying out on the grass, soaking up
the sunshine, probably realizing that this was likely to be the only summer’s day that year. Dogs were being walked by relaxed owners in shorts or cargo pants. One of the dogs – a big
black Labrador – was playing in the fountain in the centre of the park.
    With a practised gaze he checked out the various people around him. None of them seemed to be paying him undue attention. None of them looked as though they were poised to spring into action if
anything suddenly happened. To all intents and purposes, everyone was what they seemed: local people relaxing in the hot weather.
    He walked into the cafe. It was small, wood-floored, with hand-painted cartoons on the walls.
    Rhino scanned the tables. Only two of them were occupied: one by an elderly woman and the other by two blond surfer types who were talking in low voices. His contact had not yet arrived.
    He put his jacket down on a chair close to the door and went up to the counter. A small blonde girl with a tattooed arm smiled at him. ‘What can I get you?’
    ‘A double espresso,’ he replied, smiling back.
    ‘Anything to eat?’
    ‘Too hot,’ he said. ‘I completely lose my appetite in the summer.’
    ‘I know what you mean. Take a seat and I’ll bring the coffee over.’
    He sat at the table he had already reserved with his jacket, making sure that his back was against the wall and that he could see the entire cafe.
    He checked his watch. One minute to go.
    The blonde girl brought his coffee across and placed it in front of him. He smiled a ‘thank you’ and took a sip of the bitter liquid.
    On the dot of one o’clock a man walked into the cafe. He was tall, black, with close-cropped black hair. He was wearing suit trousers, but had the jacket slung over his arm. His white
shirt was crisp despite the heat. He had the sleeves rolled up. His tie was pulled loose.
    He saw Rhino, nodded, and came across to stand over the table.
    ‘Mr Gillis?’
    Rhino nodded.
    ‘My name is Tzuke.’ His voice was deep and almost theatrical. ‘Forgive me, but given the circumstances I won’t shake hands.’
    ‘Worried that I might be able to trace you through DNA transfer?’ Rhino asked, smiling.
    Tzuke smiled back, but didn’t say anything.
    ‘Can I get you a drink?’ Rhino asked.
    ‘Let me pay for
your
drink, and get one for myself.’ He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. ‘It’s the least I can do.’
    He turned and went up to the counter. Rhino glanced outside the cafe. Nobody else was standing there. Either Tzuke had come alone or his bodyguards