Ballantyne At Bay - Paul Purnell

Homecoming is no hero's welcome. He has no address; his assets are just six blood diamonds he stole from Gebral and he is aware of interest from MI5. He holes up in central London and takes work driving loads for an unidentified employer, no questions asked. After a few tasks to test him, he discovers his boss is Diabla, the Spanish drug dealer who runs a transcontinental trade. She invites him to join a new enterprise-replacing the current illegal immigrant traffickers across the Channel, now that Brexit has completed. He agrees to help destroy the smugglers even though he realises she will replace the traffickers. By now, he faces up to the fact his values are slipping and his attraction for her has not diminished. They attack and destroy two smugglers craft, but reprisals include the torture and killing of two innocent people. Ballantyne organises an operation to obliterate the smugglers and an attack on their headquarters is mounted. Bloodshed and chaos occur with loss of life on both sides.

The aftermath brings unexpected consequences for him and he faces new challenges. Can he survive?