As they drove into London, Jason considered what he would tell his father and was already planning his workout routines. It wasn’t long before Jason’s attention was drawn outside the window; the scenery became familiar as they drew closer to his home.
The van stopped at the large black iron gates to the Steed residence. It sat back on six acres of well-manicured lawns and horse chestnut trees. Jason’s grandparents once owned the large stately home and it looked just as impressive now as it did the first time Jason saw it when he was five.
“Wow who lives in that posh place?” The young bodyguard asked.
“This is the Steed residence and the home you will be watching. Anything suspicious I want it reported,” Dexter said.
Jason slid the door open and picked up his bags; he could no longer suppress his grin. He was looking forward to seeing his father and training for the competition.
“So what now?” Jason asked.
“Just do one thing for us Jason,” Dexter said.
“Sure, what?”
Dexter held out his hand shook Jason’s and held onto to his hand firmly. His eyes met Jason’s. “Win.”
Jason nodded he lifted his bag over his shoulder and walked towards his home. As he got close to the front door it opened, and his father ran out to greet him. Jason was picked up and hugged like a toddler before his father placed him down again.
Without asking any questions Raymond Steed picked up Jason’s bag and took Jason’s hand and walked him into the home.
“Dad I’m a bit old to be holding hands with you now,” Jason blushed.
“Nonsense,” his father replied before calling Brenda.
Brenda smiled and trotted down the stairs. Jason panicked not knowing if she was going to kiss him again; it always felt awkward when she got too close.
It was too late; she hugged him and kissed his forehead. “Jason, what are you doing home? Why didn’t you call?” Brenda asked looking at both Jason and Ray for an explanation.
His father looked serious, raising his eyebrows. “Did you get suspended? What was it this time or shall I guess? Fighting again?”
Jason frowned at his father and folded his arms. “Gee thanks for the faith you have in me. No I’m not suspended. I’m on sports leave. I’m allowed to enter the under sixteen karate championship.”
“Oh really, then I’m sorry. It’s just you have been suspended from two schools before for fighting and I’m sorry I assumed wrongly. Forgive me Jason. But why didn’t you call. How did you get here?” His father asked.
They walked into the kitchen and Jason poured himself a glass of milk. “I wanted to surprise you. The school paid for my return trip; my friend Connor who is from New Zealand has also gone home. He’s playing with the All Blacks under Sixteen rugby team.”
Jason drank back the milk and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. It was nice being home again.
*
Chapter Eleven
Jason’s alarm went off at five thirty the following morning. By six he was outside on the lawn warming up and performing various forms of karate kata. He performed the numerous moves, stepping, turning, twisting kicks and strikes in perfect form. He was still training at seven when his father came out for his morning run. Jason joined him and they ran around the grounds six times before going in for breakfast.
By nine Jason was outside again and had set up the automatic tennis machines. Set on high speed, he would stand alarmingly close in the direction of the serve and block the balls as they fired at him. He was concentrating too hard to notice the green car drive past the front gates for a fourth time.
Infinity agents on the other hand had noticed it and had immediately started to follow it. They later lost it in the London traffic; the license plate was stolen from a truck. It was obvious someone was watching Jason. For now Infinity chose to keep the information from Jason and let him train. They did however increase the security.
The South London Karate dojo was busy at six in the evening. Jason had gone against Infinity’s instruction and left his home and taken the short bus ride to the dojo alone. He sat at the top of the double decker bus and glanced out the back window. A grin ran across his face when he noticed the Infinity van and more agents in two black London cabs giving chase.
To anyone else it would appear to be just a van and two London taxis. Jason knew the van and both the taxicabs were not for hire and had no passengers. He correctly guessed they were agents following him for his protection.
Jason bowed as he entered the dojo; a group of students with ages ranging from six to fifteen were finishing up. A few stared at Jason not knowing who he was. As they changed back into street clothing Jason changed into his karate Gi.
“Our session has finished. It’s adults now,” a boy said.
Jason looked at him and smiled. He looked about eleven his unbroken voice still high pitched;, he was wearing a blue belt.
“Yes I know thanks. Is Mike here?” Jason asked.
“Yeah, but he will be coaching the adult class now. Are you new?” The boy asked before his eyes almost popped out of his head when he noticed Jason wrapping a black belt around his waist with three red lines at the tip indicating a third dan ranking. “Holy dragons poop. Are you a third dan black belt?”
“Yes,” Jason said feeling confident. He left the changing room with many sets of eyes following him into the training area. Immediately he noticed Mike, the instructor. It had been nearly two years since Jason had worked out at this dojo. Many times before he had spared with Mike who was once a contender in the Adult British Karate Championship and who came in third place.
Jason bowed when he approached. Mike smiled and held out his hand. Mike was just how Jason remembered him. His black curly hair had a slight tinge of grey now but his eyes that seemed too close together were just as friendly.
“Jason Steed, well I never. And you think you can just waltz back in here?” Mike said.
“Is it okay if I join in tonight’s session?” Jason asked.
“Are you going to join up and pay like everyone else?” Mike asked looking serious for a change.
Jason frowned. “Um. I only have my bus fare tonight but I can bring it next time.”
“This is my business Jason. I have rent to pay on this building. Don’t give me that look like I’m a criminal.”
Jason nodded. “Yeah sorry I forgot that’s all. Is it okay for tonight? I’ll bring some money next time.”
“Of course.”
The next hour Jason followed instruction from Mike; he was taking a class of twelve adults. When it came time to spar at the end Jason was beckoned into the center of the dojo against Mike. Jason suspected Mike would want to spar with him and see how good he was.
For over twenty minutes Mike and Jason fought. Mike’s power, longer reach and height advantage was still no match for Jason’s speed and precision. Jason pulled his punches and kicks as did Mike, but inevitably now and again they would get hurt.
When Mike had had enough he raised his hand and bowed in surrender. The rest of the class applauded Jason; never before had they seen Mike beaten so easily and by such a small opponent.
Jason stood in the shower checking the bruises on his shins and forearms, mostly from the blocks he had used to protect himself from Mikes attacks. Mike joined him.
“Ah so you are human after all. If anyone sees you like that they will think you are an abused child,” Mike said. “Probably take you into care.”
“Yeah my arms and legs always bruise easily. Why did you take it so easy on me?” Jason asked.
“I wasn’t taking it easy Jason. I gave it everything I had; you are impossible to hit and I think you’ve got faster.”
“Good. I want to enter the British under sixteen championships next month. I need to be entered from a dojo so I was hoping you would put me through?” Jason said as if it was a question.
“Competition. You?” Mike asked.
“Yes.?
??
“I thought you were against competitions. You told me that your old karate master, what was he called? Fu Manchu? He said karate was for defense and life, not sport.”
Jason roared with laughter as he stepped out the shower and grabbed his towel. “He’s called Wong Tong, yes he did say that, but I want to enter the competition.”
“Okay consider it done. I’ll enter you and hopefully we’ll have a British champion in our dojo.”
Jason smiled and went to get dressed. He never mentioned entering the World championship yet. He thought he would wait and see how he did in the British first.
The following month Jason followed a strict routine of training. He wanted to see Princess Catherine but because of the threat from Boudicea, Infinity ordered him to stay away. It was hard enough protecting Jason around the clock, and adding a member of the royal family was a risk they didn’t want to take.
He took the news hard and argued with Dexter but got nowhere so he ignored him and called Catherine and arranged to meet her Saturday regardless. He told Catherine he would see her at the palace very early Saturday morning despite his orders from Dexter.
At just after three in the morning Jason’s swift fingers wrapped around his alarm clock and shut off the ring. He waited a few minutes to make sure his father and Brenda hadn’t woken before getting dressed in his black tracksuit. He wore his black pumps and socks and completed the look by tucking his blond hair under a black woolen hat.
He stuffed clean jeans, a shirt and trainers in his backpack before creeping down the stairs. After a quick swig of milk from the fridge he crept out the back door.
The stunning skyline of London was flickering in the November moonlight. The sleepy winks of dawn still a few hours away, Jason made his way down to the wrought iron wall that surrounded his property. Across the street he could see the Infinity van that looked empty. But an orange glow of ember from a cigarette gave away its occupants.
As he approached the iron fence, he ran the last few steps and leapt up catching hold of the top. He pulled himself up and swung his legs over. It was an effortless silent maneuver and something he thanked the ballerina training for. He gently dropped to the other side, bending his knees fully as he landed to ensure a silent drop.
The run to Buckingham Palace would normally take half an hour; this morning it would take a little longer. Jason hid in the shadows. Despite the early hour, London was still a bustling city full of thousands of people travelling to a destination in a hurry. A few late night partygoers were making their way home.
He snaked his way to Kensington Gardens. Each time he noticed car lights coming he skulked down behind a parked car or hid behind bushes. When he had to cross roads, he stood upright and walked as if with a purpose so if he was seen he would not look suspicious. It was times like this when he wished he was taller. Being a thirteen-year-old at this time of the morning was very unusual and could raise suspicion.
Kensington Gardens was a large park. During the day it was used by dog walkers, runners and children playing football and other games. Apart from a few homeless people sleeping on park benches it was deserted. It wasn’t the safest place to be. The park at night with its tall trees casting eerie shadows amongst the mist was quite spooky.
Jason wasn’t afraid of the dark or anyone else for that matter. It was the police or Infinity that concerned him. The scariest thought would be his father finding out he was out on his own. Both his father and Brenda had no idea that Infinity was watching the family home or that Boudicea was after him. Jason didn’t want to worry them and chose to keep the information to himself and Scott.
Getting to the Palace was thrilling. He crept behind the dark shadows of shrubs and parked rows of cars, continually running in a low crouching position when he was in the open.
After he crossed into Hyde Park he slowed down and became very alert. He crossed the busy Hyde Park traffic and walked on the opposite side of the road to Buckingham Palace gardens. He stopped and pretended to be tying his shoelace. Jason’s eyes darted up and down the street as a few cars and trucks drove up and down.
Further ahead on the other side of the road two policemen walked together towards him. He knew that the police patrolled the walls as well as a camera on each corner. Jason kept his head down and started walking forward. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the police had spotted him.
One made a gesture with his head to the other in Jason’s direction. Jason was sure they would be talking about him, wondering why a young teen was out at such an early hour. Maybe they will think I’m a runaway and they’ll leave me alone. Jason thought.
They stayed on the other side of the road and kept walking. Jason could feel their eyes burning into him. He ignored it, held his breath and kept going. After he passed them he risked a quick glance back at them. He was delighted to see they were still going in the opposite direction and neither of them had looked back.
He noticed a large oak tree overhanging the wall to the palace gardens. It was now or never. A bus had just passed him; another was coming but if he was quick he could run across.
He sprinted across the road and made it safely to the other side. He carried on walking but as soon as the bus past he ran at the wall. With a spring in his step he jumped up, stepping on the wall to get higher, grabbing the top of the brickwork.
Jason pulled himself up, being careful not to get cut by the barbed wire. He often wondered why places fitted barbed wire. It was easy to get over. Between each set of barbs was about four inches, just enough space for a boy’s hand to hold on tightly without getting cut.
He swung his legs over and lowered himself down the other side.
A grin ran across his face when he noticed the koi fishpond. This was where at the age of five he had jumped in and saved Princess Catherine. It seemed smaller than he remembered; the willow trees with long sweeping branches that tease the ground made a perfect place for Jason to stop and take in his bearings.
A few lights were on at the back of the palace to the right. Jason guessed these were rooms occupied by the police and security. Most of the staff would still be asleep. Jason counted the rooms from the left side on the second floor.
Catherine’s room was dark he imagined her sleeping.
He pondered if he should wait a few hours before going further or carry on and actually break into the palace. A cold breeze reminded him that the British November cold weather was becoming more aggressive. He wasn’t dressed for the cold so he made his move. When you are out alone sneaking around at night you realize how loud small sounds became.
His eyes had adjusted to the darkness so he was able to see well enough to plan his route to the back of the palace. He crouched down a few feet away checking no one was watching. In a sudden burst of speed Jason sprinted towards the massive building and up the grand stone steps.
The large patios led to the back of the building. Jason chose the left corner. The large limestone bricks on the corner had under an inch gap between them, too small for adult to get a foot or handhold, but perfect for a fit thirteen- year-old.
Effortlessly Jason climbed the building to the first floor. A balcony ran across the entire length of the first floor. He swung his legs onto it and moved to the main wall.
There were no bricks to climb from here. The walls were rendered smooth. Searching for another way in he crept along the balcony and heard a noise up ahead. A patio door was being opened. Jason darted to the window nearest him and lay as flat as he could up against it, shielded by a few inches of recess.
A man stepped out and slowly wandered to the brick railing on the balcony and looked out at the palace gardens while fumbling in his pocket. He retrieved a pack of cigarettes, lit one and exhaled loudly.
Jason was motionless watching the man who seemed to be enjoying his cigarette while looking out at the darkness of the gardens. Slowly Jason slipped his hand into his pocket and caught hold of the coins he had. He squeezed them t
ightly so they would not chink and pulled them out.
Just as the man inhaled deeply on his beloved cigarette, Jason threw the coins high and over the smoking man’s head. Seconds later they chinked on the ground floor patio. The smoker leaned over the balcony looking down at the patio at the noise.
Jason made his move towards the open patio door. He silently crept along the balcony and slipped inside. He found himself in a formal meeting room; a large table was at one end with eight chairs positioned around it.
Under the table was a perfect place to hide. He took off his backpack and crawled under the chairs. A rattle of the patio doors and a wheezing cough informed Jason the smoker was back in the room with him. He heard footsteps going towards the door it opened and closed again.
After a minute’s silence Jason popped his head up. He was alone. The man must have just been a palace employee who took an extra break. It was still five in the morning so the man probably did the same thing every night Jason thought.
He walked towards the door and placed his ear against the wood panel. After hearing nothing he gently opened the door and eased himself into the corridor.
Buckingham Palace was the shape of a quadrangle. It was basically a large courtyard surrounded by four large buildings all connected around the outside in a large square. Each section was used for various functions; in total it had over seven hundred and seventy rooms. Jason had only been in two of the nineteen staterooms and had of course been to the royal quarters but only certain rooms.
It surprised him just how easily he had broken into the palace. He didn’t encounter anyone as he made his way to the private quarters. He took a flight of stairs and found himself in the main corridor. If he was correct he had just passed Prince Cuthbert’s room. Catherine’s room was the next one.
Jason caught hold of the door handle and started to twist before he stopped. He froze and suddenly was concerned that he had gone too far. What if she’s up and getting dressed? What if he scares her and she screams and calls security? Or worse still, if he is found in her room?