MERCENARY a gripping, action-packed thriller (Johnny Silver Thriller Book 1)

by PAUL BENNETT

  ‘I’m sure you’ll put it to better use than Roberto and won’t squander it like Carlo.’

  ‘I’m a changed man,’ said Carlo indignantly.

  ‘But for how long?’ I asked.

  He grinned at me. ‘You could be right. It’ll take time to change the habits of a lifetime, but I’ll have Natasha to keep me on the straight and narrow.’

  He looked at her with dreamy eyes and I saw there was someone who might be able to change him. It was a strange match, but one that might work. And who was I to talk? Anna was sitting beside me, her hand on mine and it felt right. It would be good to get to know her better and to see if the feelings we felt grew or withered with familiarity.

  ‘What will you do with the money?’ I asked Scout’s father.

  ‘Start the biggest detective agency in the Netherlands,’ he said. ‘Put some aside for my old age and some for Scout’s wedding. How is Arnie by the way?’ he said to her.

  Scout blushed. ‘Dad,’ she said. ‘Really!’

  So it wasn’t an act. The dressing up, the little incidents of body contact, the kisses, were all for real, not just to extract information. It seemed a case of odd matches all round.

  ‘If there’s to be a wedding, I want an invite,’ I said. ‘At last I would find out your real name.’

  She blushed again.

  ‘That makes me want to hear it even more.’

  Scout’s father yawned and it became infectious. It was a signal that we had done enough talking for one evening and it was time for bed. I escorted Anna to her room and watched her open the door and look up at me.

  ‘You can come in, you know,’ she said. ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘Best not to get too close too soon. There’s one more dangerous act to do. I don’t want you getting attached if I get killed in a couple of days’ time.’

  ‘If that happens, think what we would have missed out on.’

  ‘Are all Russian girls as sensible as you?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but not as in love as I am.’

  ‘Hell,’ I said. ‘Then the damage is already done.’

  I put my arm around her, drew her close to me and kissed her tenderly. Together we walked into her room.

  My mother was due in ten minutes. I went around the lounge plumping up the cushions on the chairs, emptying ashtrays and generally tidying up.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Carlo said. ‘Do you really think any of that will make any difference. It’s a shabby room. You’re not going to change that. And, anyway, it isn’t what Mother has come here for: she’s come to see you, not to write an article for Ideal Home magazine.’

  ‘Leave him alone,’ Natasha said. ‘Right now he needs to be busy. You could even help him.’

  Carlo sighed, saw that resistance was useless and started to gather up the hot chocolate mugs from the night before. When he had as many as he could carry he left the room to take them to the kitchen.

  ‘How do you feel about meeting Mother?’ I said to Natasha.

  ‘Scared,’ she said. ‘I doubt whether I’m anything close to her ideal daughter-in law.’

  ‘She’s always spoilt Carlo,’ I said. ‘This time won’t be any different. She may even be relieved that he’s settling down at last.’

  ‘Maybe,’ she said, unconvinced. ‘Anna likes you a lot, loves you even. She’s a strong woman – you have to be to cope with the life she’s been forced to live – but she has a heart like the rest of us. Don’t hurt her.’

  ‘I don’t intend to,’ I said.

  The door opened and in stepped Gus and my mother.

  She had aged, her black hair, streaked in places with grey, still in her preferred bun, her skin a little saggy around the neck, deeper lines under her eyes, but she was still a beautiful woman. Something about the bone structure perhaps. Whatever it was, it was undeniable – a classic Jewish woman; how Rebecca in Ivanhoe would have looked twenty years after meeting the knight.

  She came across to me and a tear came to her eye. She wrapped her arms around me.

  ‘Gianni,’ she said, ‘it’s been too long.’ She stepped back a pace to get a better look at me. ‘How you’ve changed. You are a handsome man now. And the muscles and the tan. Life must have treated you well over the last ten years.’

  ‘I can’t complain,’ I said.

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘You never did.’

  Carlo entered the room and rushed across to Mother. He put his arms on her shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks.

  ‘Carlo,’ she said. ‘You are safe. We were all worried about you, but Gianni found you, just as I thought he would. He always keeps his promises.’

  ‘Mother,’ he said, ‘you must meet Natasha. We are going to be married.’

  She didn’t show any shock – maybe Gus had already broken the news to her.

  ‘Delighted to meet you, Natasha,’ she said. ‘You must have great courage to marry someone like Carlo. Not to mention fortitude too. You will be welcome in my house.’

  She sat down in one of the better armchairs and motioned to us to do the same.

  ‘Carlo,’ she said, ‘Gus tells me you’ve been a naughty boy. What do you have to say for yourself?’

  ‘I’m in love, Mother.’

  ‘And love is supposed to cover a multitude of sins?’

  He looked at her blankly. Wasn’t that what always happened?

  ‘Carlo has agreed that he will step down from Silvers,’ I said. ‘There’s still some of the stolen money outstanding. I’ve said he could keep that to get him started in a new life.’

  ‘You’re a strange one, Gianni. From what I’ve heard of your exploits over the last ten years there must be a hardness within you and yet there is still the soft streak. I’m glad of it. I am proud of you, Gianni. You’re a good man.’ She paused and turned to Carlo. ‘Now you and Natasha run along. I need to talk with Gianni alone.’

  Carlo and Natasha got up from their chairs and began to walk to the door. Carlo turned back.

  ‘I’ve got an admission to make,’ he said.

  ‘If it is about that business with the loan and shares in the computer company and the loss Silvers suffered, I know all about it. Have done all along. I read the folder that Roberto threw in the bin. I think we can say that I have indulged you enough for one lifetime. From now on, Carlo, I expect more of you, especially if you have a wife to look after. Now go, the pair of you. We will celebrate your engagement another time.’

  Carlo and Natasha left the room. Gus looked settled in his chair – it seemed he would be privy to our discussions. I was glad of it. Any advice that Gus could give would be valuable.

  ‘You knew?’ I said to my mother. ‘All this time you’ve known?’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I knew that as soon as Alfredo was better he would get rid of you. I didn’t want to lose Carlo, too. As I said, I’ve indulged him too much. I thought it might make a man of him and that he would learn by his mistakes. But it was you, Gianni, who was the responsible one.’

  I looked at Gus and shrugged.

  ‘Best to move on from the past,’ he said. ‘I have contacted Roberto and he has agreed that the balance of your fee should be paid.’

  ‘Through gritted teeth, I imagine.’ I turned to look at my mother. ‘That still leaves one part of the bargain to be settled – the question of my father.’

  ‘Like you, I do not break my promises. Gus will tell you what you want to know as soon as this business is finished. Now tell me what you plan to do and what is my part in it.’

  27

  Almas had a different receptionist this time. Presumably the last one thought the handling of guns was beyond the call of duty. Still, what can you expect if you share office space with a bunch of gorillas? Free bananas? No, trouble.

  The new woman was younger, thirty at the most, and had chestnut hair. She was pretty in that heavily made-up beautician way, but looked like one large grin would cause an avalanche of foundation to break off and fall to the desk.
She didn’t like it when we said we didn’t have an appointment.

  ‘Mr Garanov doesn’t see anyone without an appointment,’ she said, hoping we’d turn on our heels and meekly exit the offices.

  ‘Tell him Mr Glock is here,’ I said.

  ‘And Mr Browning,’ Bull added.

  She picked up the phone and swivelled round in her chair so that her back was towards us in the mistaken supposition that we wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation.

  ‘Are you sure yet?’ I said to Bull. ‘Is this Garanov the same Russian as in Angola?’

  ‘I need another look,’ he said. ‘My view was pretty restricted last time, remember.’

  One of the gorillas poked his head round the door and motioned us inside Garanov’s office. Garanov was seated at his black desk, running his hand through the stubble on his head. He looked up as we walked in and from the furrowed expression on his face wasn’t exactly delighted to see us. The gorillas took up pre-prepared positions either side of their boss and the third had his back to the door.

  ‘You’re back,’ Garanov said.

  ‘Reckon so,’ I replied.

  ‘What do you want this time? To offer your apologies for what you’ve been doing to my organization? It was you, wasn’t it? The compound, the hospital?’

  ‘Reckon so,’ I repeated.

  ‘Reckon so? Is that all you’re going to say?’

  I resisted the temptation to say ‘reckon so’ again and instead said, ‘I bring greetings from Mr Bellini. You do know who Mr Bellini is, I take it?’

  ‘Of course,’ he said. Then he looked at Bull. ‘Why do I get the feeling I’ve seen you before?’

  ‘Maybe you’ve seen me hanging around someplace,’ Bull said. Then he turned his back and concentrated on the gorilla by the door.

  Garanov shook his head as if trying to dislodge the memory from his unconscious mind and send it up to Brain Central.

  ‘What has Mr Bellini got to do with anything?’ he asked, giving up on trying to place Bull.

  ‘Mr Bellini feels that you have been disrespectful,’ I said. ‘You have stepped on his toes, invaded his territory. Mr Bellini regards Silvers as his domain and you have encroached. He has shown his power, what he can do to your organization. He hopes you are impressed and will give him the respect he deserves.’

  ‘So Bellini—’ he started.

  ‘Mister Bellini,’ I corrected. ‘Respect, remember?’

  ‘OK. So Mr Bellini is trying to put me out of business, is that what all this is about?’

  ‘Mr Bellini feels that it would do neither side any good to fight over control of Silvers,’ I said. ‘He is willing to make an accommodation. Come to some agreement on how to divide control of the European operation. This is a big gesture on Mr Bellini’s part and you would do well to listen to what he has to say.’

  ‘Or else? Is that what you are saying?’

  I shrugged. ‘Do you need another demonstration of what he can do?’

  ‘And what does Mr Bellini propose?’

  ‘What is good for Silvers could be good for both sides. Mr Bellini is willing to recognize your interests by apportioning your involvement.’

  ‘Giving me a share of Europe when I already have a hundred per cent?’ Garanov laughed. ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘Mr Bellini has asked me to point out to you that operating a casino can be a very high-risk venture. He could provide some insurance for you.’

  ‘Is that a threat?’

  ‘Reckon so,’ I said.

  Garanov paused to think. We’d hurt him badly twice and he would be assessing the likelihood of further damage. The casino would be an easy target – it wouldn’t take much to give the clients reason to take their custom elsewhere. A brawl breaking out maybe. An accusation of cheating. Revelations about the prostitution business.

  ‘And what does Mr Bellini have in mind?’

  Wise man.

  ‘He proposes that there should be talks held between the two of you to reach an amicable agreement – one where the hatchet could be buried and business return to normal. I am to issue you with an invitation. A meeting is to be held in three days’ time at the zoo. You know it?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Good. Nine o’clock on Friday evening. You may bring ten men only. Mr Bellini will bring the same number. You and your men may be armed, as will Mr Bellini and his men. You should also bring a gift to cement the new relationship – something appropriate for Almas. To the value of one million dollars. Mr Bellini will do likewise. He will extend his hospitality to you and your men – canapés and vodka for your side, Italian red wine and antipasto for his side. He advises you to accept his hospitality and to be prepared to discuss the future. He asks me to inform you that a hundred per cent of nothing is still nothing.’

  ‘And if I don’t agree?’

  ‘You will be out of business within a week,’ I said. ‘Oh, and dead within two.’

  Garanov frowned as he considered his options. None, would be a good summary.

  ‘I agree,’ he said. ‘Nine o’clock on Friday then. And no tricks.’

  As if we would.

  Stan came with me to Silvers. I needed someone who would pass as a Russian to add a texture of reality and I was banking on Ms Oakley not being able to tell the difference between a Pole and a Russian.

  We walked past Arnie with no hint of recognition and into Carlo’s ex-office. Ms Oakley was sitting at the head of the conference table and indicated that we should sit at the side. I sat at the other end opposite her so that I could stare her straight in the face.

  ‘Coffee would be good,’ I said.

  ‘Da,’ Stan said in agreement.

  Ms Oakley frowned, but went to the partner’s desk, pressed a button and issued instructions. I was after all the son of a Silver – it had to count for something.

  ‘I don’t think you’ve been totally honest with me,’ I said to Ms Oakley.

  She was wearing a light-grey power suit of straight-cut jacket and a skirt that reached just above the knee. Her heels were high and she had obviously given up on the deception of the last time we had met. Or maybe I’d just caught her on a good day.

  ‘In what way?’ she said with feigned innocence.

  ‘You’re either an inept compliance officer, or a bad liar. What is it to be?’

  The coffee arrived, giving her time to think. Stan and I sipped. Stan said something that was supposed to be Russian and I said, ‘Yes, it is good’, as if I understood.

  ‘You’ve found Carlo, I understand,’ she said.

  ‘And he spilled the beans,’ I said. ‘We could save a lot of time if you admit to what you know. You’ve been through the books. You’ve seen the involvement Silvers has in Almas. You’ve heard the alarm bells ring. And presumably have reached the only possible conclusion. Silvers here in Amsterdam is up to its neck in drug-running, prostitution, people smuggling and carving people up for organ donations.’

  ‘And what do you want me to do about it?’ she said, adding a sweetener to her coffee and stirring it round. Got to watch that figure.

  ‘Turn a blind eye,’ I said.

  ‘That wasn’t the answer I was expecting from a member of the Silvers dynasty.’

  ‘I have a message for Mr Bellini,’ I said.

  She nearly choked on her coffee.

  ‘Bellini?’ she spluttered.

  ‘As a member of that family I want you to make sure that the message gets straight to Mr Bellini. I bring greetings from Garanov at Almas.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ she said.

  I said the only Russian phrase I know to Stan – I love you.

  He got up from his chair, walked across to the desk, picked up Ms Oakley’s handbag, rummaged inside, took out her passport and threw it across the room to me. I caught it skilfully. I hoped Ms Oakley was impressed.

  I flicked through the passport, examining it.

  ‘The picture doesn’t do you justice, Mrs Bellini,’ I
said. ‘Now about this message. I have been asked by Almas to open up a dialogue with Mr Bellini. It does no one any good to squabble over Silvers. Mr Garanov is willing to make some accommodation – an arrangement with Mr Bellini – so that the profits of our endeavours can be shared in some fashion. In that way everyone can go about their business unhampered by the other side.’

  ‘And what is Garanov proposing?’

  ‘A meeting to discuss how the cake can be cut so that both sides are happy with their slice. The meeting will be at nine o’clock on Friday evening at the zoo. Garanov will lay on some refreshments so that the atmosphere can be conducive to talks. Mr Bellini must attend personally and may bring ten men.’

  ‘Armed?’

  ‘If it makes him feel safer, which I assume it would. And you should bring a gift – something appropriate – for Garanov. To the value of one million dollars. Garanov will be doing the same.’

  ‘And what if Mr Bellini does not want to come?’

  ‘Then Garanov will assume that there can be no deal and that he will be free to move on Silvers in New York. The gloves will be off.’ I let the threat hang in the air for a moment. ‘But why should Bellini turn the offer down? If he comes and reaches an agreement with Garanov, he can have a slice of the Amsterdam pie. He’ll be better off than he is now and his future will be secure.’

  Stan said something to me in Russian, or whatever language he was speaking. Could have been Swahili for all I knew. Then he patted his coat where a gun would have been.

  ‘Garanov’s representative here wants to know what you would recommend Mr Bellini to do. And whether he will listen to you. Something about monkeys and organ grinders, too.’

  ‘Tell him,’ she said, leaning forward in her chair and staring at Stan while she spoke. ‘Tell him Mr Bellini will listen to his daughter-in-law who has the ear of his favourite son. He will be there on Friday.’

  I made a sort of grunting noise at Stan and he nodded his head. He got up from his chair and extended his hand towards Mrs Bellini. She took it and he smiled. She didn’t. I got up and we left her sitting there with her fingers steepled and touching her lips. She had a lot of persuading to do.