The Dark Web: The stunning new thriller from the author of The Angolan Clan (African Diamonds Book 3)

by Christopher Lowery

  ‘Maybe he’s sitting with her in the café?’

  ‘OK. I’m a little nervous, I’ve had a very stressful morning. But I managed to get everyone to agree to send the package to Shanghai this weekend.’ He paused, waiting to hear some praise.

  Elodie knew him well. ‘That’s fabulous, darling, well done. So why are you nervous?’

  ‘I don’t know. Just a feeling something’s wrong. Can you check on Angela again?’

  ‘I’ll give her a quick call.’ She rang Angela’s mobile again. It switched to the message service immediately.

  ‘Merde.’ Elodie ran out to the car park and drove to Dubai Marina in record time, vainly calling Angela’s number twice more. There was no answer from Angela’s intercom, and she had to wait impatiently for ten minutes for someone to exit through the door of the building before she could get inside and go up to the third floor. She rang the doorbell and knocked for a full minutes, but no one answered.

  Elodie rang Shen back. ‘She’s not here. The scheming bitch must be with Ed. But where are they?’

  Washington DC, USA

  For the sixth week in a row, General William ‘Billy’ Chillicott was working on a Sunday. He’d woken up to a flurry of FYEO messages from Homeland Security, the US NATO Mission office in Brussels and one of his close friends at the Defence Department. They all said the same thing: satellite surveillance showed massive movements of Russian troops and naval vessels that had started three days ago and were continuing apace. His day off would be consumed by examining and analysing satellite images and related reports from various intelligence services, and participating in the several conference calls he had already been invited to attend.

  Since he’d lost his beloved Madelene after a three-year fight against cancer, working weekends was sometimes a welcome option to fill in the time and keep his mind occupied. Teenage sweethearts from high school days, in 2015 they’d just celebrated forty happy and fulfilling years when she finally lost her last battle.

  Billy’s father had been a military ‘lifer’ and he had followed in his footsteps, going to the Air Academy High School El Paso, Colorado, where he first met Maddie. He spent four years at the Air Force Academy, the last two involved as a research scholar at the Institute for National Security Studies, his chosen major. They were married shortly after he emerged from the academy as a second lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science degree, and moved immediately to San Antonio, Texas, where he started his career with the 25th Air Force, part of the US Intelligence Community, USIC.

  For the next twenty years, as he progressed to ever more senior roles with various parts of the huge USIC machine, eventually becoming one of their key senior representatives at NATO, Maddie was always at his side. They moved all over the US and then around the world, bringing up two sons and a daughter on the journey. Raising small children on the move wasn’t easy, but it never fazed Maddie, she loved the life and she loved Billy and she just adapted. He missed her more than he could bear.

  General Chillicott’s present official title was Special Projects Director for the National Protection and Programs Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. This custom-made role meant he could do pretty much what he wanted, so long as he was always available to bring his enviable knowledge and experience to bear on whatever new threat presented itself, both inside and outside the borders of the North American continent. What he wanted to do today was watch his grandson’s Sunday softball game, but it wasn’t going to be possible. When Mother Russia made a move, the world took notice, and usually experts like Billy Chillicott were asked to find out why.

  He called his eldest son and made his excuses, then prepared a large pot of coffee. It looked like being a long day.

  THIRTY-SIX

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  Sunday, 11 July 2017

  Mr Kapoor was a tall, slim, dapper Indian gentleman with a gleaming smile and a firm handshake. He invited Coetzee and Angela into his office, where he had several documents already prepared. His solicitous manner confirmed Jenny Bishop’s standing in the bank’s clientele and he quickly went through the identity checks, ticking numerous boxes as Marius answered his questions and showed his passport.

  ‘And how much cash do you require, Mr Coetzee? My instructions were to have available up to $50,000.’

  ‘Actually, Angela will be travelling, and cash is too cumbersome and too risky. What we would prefer is a transfer to Banco Santander Brasil. She has the details for her account at the branch in Sao Paulo. Will that be acceptable?’

  ‘Perfectly. It will take a few minutes more, but I agree it is much safer. I’ll arrange it right away. For what amount?’

  He seemed disappointed when the South African replied, ‘Twenty thousand is the agreed amount. Is that right, Angela?’

  ‘

  Sim, Marius. That’s exactly the right amount. Please say thank you so much to Mrs Bishop, I will never forget the two of you. And Leo, of course,’ she added.

  Ed drove around the terminal while Coetzee walked Angela through to the check-in desk. She was crying again. ‘I can’t believe these last few days. First I do a terrible thing to Leo to get some money, then I find out I’ve been lied to and I’ll be in trouble, and now all my problems are solved. It’s like a dream come true.’

  ‘Just make sure it stays that way. I’d be surprised if Shen and his girlfriend don’t try to contact you again today. You’re still a hot property as far as they’re concerned, and they’ll want to protect their investment.’ He checked his watch. ‘It’s three-thirty, so you should be through security by four. Your flight’s at six-fifteen, so you have about an hour and a half to wait. Have you got any money?’

  She nodded, ‘A little. Enough for the trip expenses.’

  He gave her a fifty-dollar bill. ‘I’m taking no chances. When you get through security, go and sit in a busy café near your departure gate and have a coffee or something to eat, and read a book or a magazine. Switch off your mobile. Don’t look at anyone, don’t talk to anyone, just sit quietly and wait until your flight’s called, then go straight to the gate and get on your plane. Understood?’

  ‘Sim, I understand. Obrigada, Marius. I promise not to get in trouble and spoil everything you’ve arranged.’

  There was a long line at security control, and Coetzee left her there with her carry-on luggage. ‘Adeus e boa sorte, goodbye and good luck, Angela. It’s been interesting.’

  This time she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on both cheeks. ‘Come and see me in Sao Paulo, Marius.’ As he walked away he heard, ‘And bring Leo.’

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  It was after four when Ed got back to the office, after dropping Coetzee off at his flat with Leo’s laptop. The South African’s words were ringing in his ears, ‘I don’t know what these people are doing, but they’re not playing tennis. Watch what you do and say, and stay out of trouble. If there’s any sign of problems, call me.’

  He went down to the lab and found Sharif running tests. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Same old, same old. Everything seems to be perfect. I like the clean-up you did on Leo’s patches, it’s made my final design really easy. To tell you the truth, I’m like, just spinning my wheels now, it’s as good as it’s ever going to be.’

  ‘Cool. We’ve got plenty of time to spare now.’

  ‘Too much. I was talking to Shen about moving the deadline up. If we don’t need the time, let’s sign off asap.’

  Ed’s antennae were alerted. Leo was right. Shen was pushing to release the package early for some reason. ‘What did you have in mind?’

  ‘Why not Wednesday? We can run everything by Tom and Shen tomorrow and get their buy-in, then sign off the package.’

  ‘I was thinking of looking for ways to improve efficiency, it’s a bloody big bundle. I’m sure we can tighten it and slim it down a little, if we use a week or so of our extra time.’

  Sharif looked disappointed. ‘I think you
should talk to Shen about that, he’s pretty keen to wrap it up. Oh, I forgot, he was looking for you at lunchtime.’

  ‘I’ll go up and see him now.’ Ed went back upstairs, preparing himself for a difficult discussion. Shen’s office door was closed, and he knocked and went in. ‘Sorry, Sharif said you wanted to see me?’

  ‘Hi, Ed. That’s OK. He told me you went to see Lynne, no hassle.’

  Ed was immediately suspicious. Shen was never this friendly. ‘I forgot she was working today, so I waited around and we had a drink and a chat. I guess I missed the time, sorry.’

  ‘Not a problem, you haven’t had much time off and the results are there to see.’

  ‘Thanks. What was it you wanted?’

  ‘Sharif says he’s ready to sign off this week. What do you think?’

  ‘He just told me, and personally, I’d like a little more time. The debugging is complete, so we know the package is stable and won’t fall over, it’s solid. But because we were under the cosh I cut a few corners and it’s not as tight and efficient as I’d like. If I have another week or so, I think I can tighten up some areas and slim it down. Daniel says we can test all day and night if we want, so I’d like to take advantage of the time. I’m all in favour of beating the deadline, but I’d like to produce the best possible solution.’

  ‘We seem to have a divergence of opinion. No problem. I’ll speak to Tom and we’ll get together tomorrow to take a final decision. OK?’

  The Liverpudlian left the office, and Shen immediately made a call on his mobile. ‘Ed just got back. He says he went to see his girlfriend, but I don’t buy it, I’m sure he was with Angela and we don’t know where. Now he says he’s not keen on releasing the package this week, and that makes me suspicious. There’s no reason to delay any longer, it’s already wrapped up.’

  ‘OK. Let’s think here.’ Elodie was tired of Shen’s ability to think without any apparent result. ‘Angela’s not at her apartment and Ed was gone for three hours, right? And you think someone might be influencing him to hold back. There’s also this US general in the picture somewhere.’ She racked her brain for a moment. ‘Has anyone from the office visited Leo in prison?’

  ‘No one. Hatim told us nobody would be allowed to see him until after the trial, and that hasn’t even been fixed yet.’

  ‘When did you last hear from him, the lawyer?’

  ‘I’ve seen him only once, after Leo was arrested, but he called Tom two days ago, on Friday, after the plea hearing.’

  ‘Get him on the phone. Put him on the speaker and keep your mobile on. Ask him if there’ve been any developments.’

  Hatim answered immediately. ‘Good afternoon, Shen. What can I do for you?’

  ‘I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days, and I wondered if there were any new developments in this crappy business with poor Leo.’

  ‘I intended to call this afternoon. I’ll be coming over there tomorrow to give you an update. Could you fix an appointment for me with Tom, at two-thirty?’

  ‘So, there are some developments?’

  ‘Nothing I can discuss today, I’m sorry. I’ll be there tomorrow and bring everyone up-to-date. I have to run now, see you then.’ Hatim put away his mobile and walked to his car in the prison car park. He had just left a note for Leo, confirming Angela’s departure and the appointment he’d made with the prosecutor for eight-thirty the next morning. He was confident Leo would be freed by lunchtime, but he was sticking to his word with Coetzee and saying nothing. Or so he thought.

  Elodie had heard the conversation. ‘Something’s happened. If he’s going to update you tomorrow, he knows today. Angela must have recanted and Leo’s going to be freed. Merde. That little putain, she’s screwing everything up.’

  ‘But it makes no sense, she knows she’ll be in deep shit with the police.’

  ‘Not if she’s leaving tonight. That’s where Ed’s been, he must have bought her a ticket and taken her to the airport, and she’s written a retraction to give to Hatim when she’s gone.’

  ‘Now it’s you who’s being paranoid. I don’t see how…’

  ‘We’ve got to find out what’s going on. I’m calling the airport, if she’s there she’ll speak to me. I’ll call you back later.’

  Ipswich, England

  ‘How did things go with the Dubai bank?’

  Jenny Bishop had prepared lunch at home for Bill Redman. He had been visiting his family in Bury St Edmonds and arrived in a taxi. It was pouring with rain, and she’d laid the table in the conservatory at the side of the house, surrounded by her immaculate little garden. They were enjoying a glass of chilled Moët & Chandon.

  ‘Perfectly. Mr Kapoor handed the funds to Marius this morning and everything seems to be sorted out. It only cost 20,000, which is good news. Thanks, Bill, that was really important to me.’

  ‘I’m happy to hear it. So the family problem is resolved?’

  ‘It should be by tomorrow. I might tell you about it afterwards, it’s been a bit of a worry, that’s why I didn’t want to discuss it much. Anyway, thanks again, you really helped me out.’

  He let the matter drop, and they spent a pleasant few hours together before he left to take the train to London. Jenny still wasn’t ready to share her house with anyone, not yet. She wondered when that might change, if ever.

  Dubai International Airport

  ‘Airport central enquiries, this is Mahmud speaking. How can I help you?’ The man had a pleasant and considerate tone.

  ‘Good afternoon. This is Doctor Charpentier from the Deira Private Hospital in Sharjah. I’m trying to trace a patient of mine who is travelling to Sao Paulo this afternoon or this evening. It’s very urgent.’

  ‘What’s the passenger’s name and flight number, please?’

  Elodie gave Angela’s name and said, ‘I’m not sure which flight she’s on, only that she’s travelling today. Can you please look it up?’

  ‘I’m sorry, doctor, I’m not allowed to give any information about a passenger’s flight arrangements. You’ll understand it’s for security reasons.’

  ‘I need to speak to the patient urgently. She needs to take some medicinal treatment before she takes off, or she’ll be in danger.’

  He was silent for a moment, then, ‘May I ask what the problem is?’

  ‘She has a heart condition which is affected by changing air pressure. I just found out she’s flying today, and she must take a specific combination of medications I prescribed for her. I’m worried she won’t remember to do so and it could be fatal.’

  Mahmud’s sympathy was immediately aroused, he was on medication himself. ‘The problem is, terminals one and three both have flights to Brazil and we don’t know which airline she’s with.’ He decided to bend the rules a little. ‘What I can do is make a general public announcement to all terminals that she’s wanted on the phone. She may not hear it, but that’s all I can suggest. Please hold for a moment.’

  * * *

  Angela was reading a magazine and nursing a second latté in the coffee bar nearest her departure gate in terminal one. It was almost five o’clock, just another half hour before her flight was due to be called. She was shocked when she heard her name called on the public address system, looking around her in the café like a fugitive. The man didn’t say who was calling, but she guessed it could only be Coetzee. Apart from Ed, he was the only person who knew where she was, and she didn’t think Ed would call. She gathered her hand luggage and walked over to the information desk on the other side of the hall. Both assistants were occupied and she waited at the side, wondering why Coetzee would be calling.

  She remembered his last instructions to her. He said I should sit and wait and do nothing. ‘Don’t look at anyone, don’t talk to anyone,’ he told me. Why would he call? He knows my mobile number, he could have texted. She switched on her mobile and suddenly felt afraid. There were three missed calls from Elodie at around one-forty.

  The woman at the desk said, ‘Can I help you?
’

  ‘No thanks,’ she replied. ‘I just found what I was looking for.’ Angela switched her phone off again and went back to the coffee bar.

  Elodie heard Mahmud say, ‘I’m sorry, doctor. There’s been no response to my announcement. Is there anything else I can do for you?’

  ‘Unfortunately not. Thanks for your assistance.’ Elodie closed the call and pressed Shen’s number. ‘We have to move quickly, the cat’s going to be out of the bag very soon.’

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Washington DC, USA

  Sunday, 11 July 2017

  ‘Can you connect me with General Chillicott? My name is Marius Coetzee.’ The South African had obtained Billy’s number from Ed. He was hoping to find out more about what was going on at XPC.

  ‘What’s your clearance code, please?’ The man’s voice was polite but brisk.

  ‘I don’t have one, but you can tell him it’s to do with Leo Stewart and XPC.’

  ‘Sorry, Mr Coetzee, the general isn’t here, it’s Sunday and I can’t call his mobile number unless you have a clearance code.’

  ‘Please tell him I have news about Leo Stewart’s release from prison. That’s sure to get his attention.’

  ‘OK, I’ll try but I don’t promise.’

  A moment later he heard an irritable voice, obviously used to giving orders. ‘General Chillicott here. Who’s this? It better be important, it’s a Sunday and I’m busier than I’ve been all week.’

  Coetzee introduced himself and apologised for calling on a Sunday. He quickly updated him on what he’d arranged since he’d arrived in Dubai, adding, ‘We expect Leo to be freed tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s great news, Mr Coetzee. Sounds like you haven’t wasted any time since you got down there, congratulations. Sorry I was a little brusque earlier, but there’s stuff happening all over right now, and we seem to be running round in circles. I’m relieved to hear Leo’s out of that mess, how do you know him?’