The Unexpected Coincidence by Amelia Price

back.
    Mycroft nodded and
took the spare heat-vision goggles, before finding a fourth spot of
his own to keep watch. Just like Herbert had said, the Russian was
sitting, and from the tilting back and forth of his head, appeared
to be reading something.
    After ten minutes
the man stood up, fiddled with some items, moving them about within
some kind of container or bag. When he straightened again, he took
a look in several directions and then loped slowly towards the
waterfront.
    For a few seconds
Mycroft only watched, giving him time to get far enough ahead
Mycroft wouldn't be heard following. It didn't take that long with
the long strides of the tall Russian, and then he was up on his
feet and hurrying after.
    The Russian
continued a meandering pace, evidently confident he wouldn't be
seen and making it easy for Mycroft to keep up. With the goggles,
Mycroft could see the small animals hidden within the undergrowth,
but it made it harder to see the rushes and reeds that rustled when
he brushed past them.
    The odd breeze or
two helped to hide his movements, so he made use of them when they
happened, moving faster when it blew and slowing when it didn't.
With this strange method, he managed to keep a reasonable distance
behind his quarry.
    When the Russian
reached the edge of the marshland and the bank of the Thames, he
stopped. Coming down river was a boat-shaped patch of warmer
colour. It was smaller than the yacht that Mycroft had been taken
on only a few weeks earlier, but another person steered it towards
the bank and threw what was logically a rope over to the Russian,
who caught it easily.
    Mycroft moved
closer and removed the goggles. It would give his eyes time to
adjust again before he made the last dash and got onto the boat as
well. The men took a few more minutes to bring the boat in close
enough that the Russian could step aboard, but as soon as his foot
touched the edge of the boat, Mycroft leapt up and hurried
after.
    It was important
they didn't spot him so he kept low and didn't sprint, but he made
sure he was fast enough not to lose sight of the boat. While
jogging, off to one side, he spotted another of his agents, but she
sensibly remained crouched in the undergrowth. Their job was
done.
    By the time he
reached the bank, the boat was several metres away but not
travelling fast. He couldn't make the jump, but the boat moved
slowly enough a quick swim would get him to the back. He put down
the goggles and yanked off his shoes. Hopefully, one of his agents
would have the sense to come fetch them when it wouldn't endanger
the operation to do so.
    The water brought
goosebumps out on his skin as it seeped through his clothes. He
frowned despite knowing his car always had an entire spare set of
clothing. The current set would be ruined by the time his little
adventure was over.
    Once in the water,
Mycroft could only see the back of the boat. The rungs of the
little ladder glinted in the low light and gave him something to
aim for. Stroke after powerful stroke, he closed the gap and
latched onto the bottom rung. Pausing, he took several deep breaths
to calm his heart rate. It was important to be slow and
careful.
    Using the strength
in his arms, Mycroft lifted himself inch by inch out of the water.
If he did it any quicker, the water draining from his clothing
would make too much noise.
    Minutes ticked by
as the boat took him farther away from London and left his agents
behind. His arms soon ached from the strain of holding his weight
and that of his water-logged clothes, reminding him why he liked to
leave this sort of thing to other people. Eventually, the majority
of his body was out of the water and it was time to lift his head
above the edge of the boat.
    His eyes widened.
There was no one there. No longer trying to be quiet, he hauled
himself onto the deck and rushed towards the helm. A large piece of
wood held the steering wheel in place. He swore as he put the boat
in neutral. Somehow, both passengers had