A Time To Pay

by David Woods

“I don’t know.”

  Anna was silent for a moment, and whispered.

  “I can help you sell them if you want me to.”

  “Really? That would be wonderful.”

  “I will be going to college tomorrow and I’ll ride my scooter. We could meet and visit the diamond merchants.”

  “A marvellous idea. I hope those men will give up now they think they have all the stones.”

  “I doubt they are in any condition to chase after us, after the beating you gave them.”

  That evening Brian removed the rear number plate assembly and put the remaining small bag of diamonds in his pocket. Just as he had finished fitting it back and was testing the lights Anna came into the barn.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Checking over the bike. Look at these.”

  He handed her a bag. She sat on a hay bale and placed the bag in her lap, taking out the stones carefully.

  “Not very impressive are they?”

  Anna said nothing, but quickly put the diamonds back into the bag and handed them back to Brian.

  “I’ll share the money with you if you help me.”

  “There is no need. I will be pleased to help, but I don’t want any money.”

  “I quite understand.”

  They looked at each other and he sat beside her, putting his arm around her shoulder. She looked nervously at the door and got up, looking outside and then coming back in. Brian met her, hugging her tightly. She responded and they kissed deeply and passionately. Brian felt her skin as her jumper lifted and he gently rubbed her back. It was silkily smooth, her lips were hot and moist, but suddenly she broke away and whispered.

  “We must go in or they will wonder what is going on.”

  She held his hand as they walked towards the barn door.

  They spent a happy evening together, chatting about the different farming methods used in their respective countries, and developments in the future. Lucy had washed the mud caked jeans and Anna ironed them. After a while Lucy Van Meer went into the sitting room, leaving them alone and Brian wondered if she had guessed that they had become more than friendly.

  Anna and Brian left the next morning, as planned, and Lucy refused any payment for the extra night. Brian insisted he should go first, but there was no sign of the car. The only evidence of the previous day’s activities was the skid marks across the grass verge. He waited until the scooter appeared, waved it on and then followed behind.

  Riding at a sedate pace gave Brian plenty of time to think about Anna. He thought how different she was compared to Laura, whom he realised only wanted him for her own selfish reasons. Anna was unselfish and caring, but would she want to see him again? After all, she must have her own friends at college. The longer he thought about it, the more certain he became that she would not want to see him again. Then he remembered she had refused his offer of what amounted to stolen money. It made him feel guilty and depressed and absolutely certain their imminent parting would be permanent.

  Chapter Six

  Twenty minutes after the young couple left, Venk arrived at the old cottage and wondered what had happened to Van Hagen. He walked towards the stairs and noticed the gun, which he picked up before walking cautiously up the stairs. As he neared the top he heard the groans of his accomplice, who was sitting on the bed clutching his side and seemed to have several broken ribs. He untied the other man and examined his nose which was broken and in quite a mess.

  Venk’s first words were. “Where are the diamonds?”

  The two bags were handed over and Venk spread them out on the floor.

  “Small industrial stones. Not worth much.”

  He sounded disappointed. He put them back into the bags and turned to the two men, who looked pathetic.

  “What exactly happened?”

  The story was soon related.

  “The man was a maniac and as strong as a lion.” Van Hagen added.

  “We’d better find the car before the police do.” Venk said and added. “The boy is out of it now. He won’t go to the police and neither will the girl if she is as soft on him as you say.”

  They found the car, Van Hagen managed to drive it with one arm back to the house and hid it around the back. They collected de Vere and Venk drove the two of them to an Antwerp hospital.

  The next morning, after selling the diamonds, Venk picked up Van Hagen from his flat. They drove to a secluded spot outside of town and Venk counted out a thin wedge of folding money.

  “Is that all, it really wasn’t worth it.”

  “Afraid so. The stones were very small.”

  The ride to Antwerp was slow, the Vespa only managing forty miles an hour on the level roads. Brian and Anna parked in the college car park and went into the cafeteria for coffee.

  Brian felt good when he was introduced to Anna’s friends. He noticed a couple of the boys eye him with suspicion, but apart from that they were very friendly, and asked many questions about the bike and life in England. Eventually Anna had to point out that she had lessons in the afternoon, that they had to go to the shops first and they must get away. They walked the short distance into the centre of town and on to the business area. It had already been agreed that it would be sensible to ask for payment in Swiss francs. Brian would deposit the currency in a Swiss bank in order to draw on it gradually, and most important of all it would be secret.

  They were both very nervous as they stopped in front of a four story building, which had a highly polished plate by the front door. Anna pressed the button and replied to the voice audible on the intercom. After being led into an office a guard looked at them closely, said something to Anna and proceeded to show them into a larger office where a plump man in spectacles and a dark suit sat behind a large desk. The guard stood behind them and Brian presented the diamonds. The fat man examined them carefully through his special lens, without uttering a word, and after ten minutes spoke in English.

  “I will need to examine these further. Can you give me an hour?”

  “Of course. We’ll come back at midday.”

  After being handed a receipt they left the building, crossed the road to the park and sat on a bench to discuss their next move. Suddenly Brian said.

  “Come with me to Switzerland.”

  “I would like to, but my parents would be very angry. They would worry, too.”

  “Please Anna”

  “I wish I could.” She kissed him briefly and cuddled up close.

  They returned to diamond merchant’s office at the appointed time. The fat gentleman requested they be seated.

  “I am able to offer you £200,000 sterling for these stones.”

  Brian was staggered and speechless. The man must have thought his offer was about to be refused.

  “If you think you can get a higher price, please feel free to approach another dealer.”

  “Oh no! We are satisfied, but would like payment in Swiss francs.”

  “Of course.”

  The man pressed a button on his desk, and a younger man appeared with a small case.

  “I anticipated your requirements.” He said in an obliging tone.

  The large amount of money was counted out and Anna put it in her rucksack.

  Van Hagen walked through the park slowly, on his way back from the centre of town. He felt very weak, his sides ached and he decided to sit down for a rest. When he looked across the park he saw a pair of lovers cuddling on a bench. They had a familiar look about them and he continued to stare in their direction. When they got up, he was convinced they were the couple on the bike, so he followed at a distance and watched as they entered the diamond merchant’s office. He walked as fast as his injuries would allow to the nearest telephone and rang Venk.

  “They must have stones hidden, which you didn’t find.”

  “I searched the
bike and their bags.”

  “Not well enough it seems” Venk said angrily. “Just follow them and I’ll meet you in the usual place.”

  Van Hagen was used to following people without being detected, and had no trouble in keeping the couple in sight on their way back to the college.

  Anna suggested lunch in the college cafeteria because of it being cheaper, to which Brian agreed, happy to delay the parting for another hour. After lunch they laid out a map on the café table and wrote down a list of towns and road numbers needed to get to Basle. They walked to the car park and quickly transferred the money to Brian’s canvas holdall. After a long embrace and kiss Anna was in tears.

  “You can still come with me.” Brian said hopefully.

  “I will.”

  Her change of mind both surprised and delighted Brian. She already had her rucksack full of clothes and other essentials, so they quickly put on their helmets and started the bike. Anna put her arms around Brian’s waist and cuddled up as close as possible, which made him so happy he felt he would burst.

  Venk and companion watched as the motorcycle left the car park. He had purchased his big, heavy and comfortable new black Opel six months ago and was very pleased with its performance, but as he watched the bike accelerate away from the traffic lights doubts began to form in his mind as to its ability to keep up. He decided to keep a safe distance away so as not to arouse suspicion. Van Hagen had already explained how fast the machine would go and warned against getting too close until they were ready to act.

  Just after leaving the town, Brian pulled into a large filling station and received the same excellent service as before. As they were waiting Brian asked. “Am I going too fast for you?”

  “No, just right. I am enjoying myself.”

  “Good.”

  “The bike is very powerful and I will have to hang on.”

  “I’ll enjoy that.”

  As they left the filling station, Brian looked up the road and felt somewhat uneasy when he saw a black car parked almost two hundred yards away with two men inside. He travelled the next two miles at a steady seventy miles per hour, but when he looked behind the car was only a hundred yards away, so he increased his speed to eighty. Three miles on he checked again, but it was still there further back. He had to slow down for a small town, but when he left the outskirts and looked behind there was no sign of the vehicle. Another two miles on with no other vehicles in sight, Brian looked behind him and to his horror saw the car speeding at him and only a few yards away. He suddenly swerved to the right and mounted the grass verge, and as the car sped by he pulled back on to the road behind it. The car braked hard and Brian just about managed to swerve again and miss its rear bumper, but went over the wrong side of the road and on to the other verge. Fortunately the road was still clear of traffic, and feeling Anna’s grip tighten, he eased off the verge to get ahead of the car. He glanced quickly at the vehicle and saw a man leaning out of a window with a pistol pointing at him. His mind was turmoil. Would it be better to brake hard or go faster? Suddenly he heard a thud and realised the fairing had been hit. There is only one answer, we should get moving. He wound the throttle fully open and held it against the stop, waiting for another bullet to find its mark and hoping Anna would be all right. He glanced at the dial in front of him showing one hundred and five miles an hour! The road was good, and after another couple of minutes he quickly looked behind to see the car a good distance back so he dropped his speed to ninety, worried about the effect on the engine at the higher speed. He swept around the fast curves in the road, and looking behind noticed the car was not in sight. Anna was still gripping him tight, and he desperately tried to think what to do next. He rode on keeping as high a speed as possible for the next hour, overtaking many cars and lorries. They arrived in Liege.

  They rode into a crowded car park. He looked at Anna, who was pale and obviously very frightened.

  “Are you all right.” He asked nervously.

  “Yes I think so. How did they find us?”

  “I think we should find a hotel with a well hidden car park.”

  “I agree. As soon as possible.”

  They rode down a wide street, discovering a hotel with a rear car park and stopped.

  “I will reserve a room for us.” Anna said.

  Brian, feeling relieved, unstrapped the holdall and went in, Anna asked for one double room with bathroom, which turned out to be front facing and had thick lace curtains. They climbed wearily up the stairs, feeling shaky, and sat on the bed in a state of shock.

  “I’m exhausted.” Said Anna. “Me, too.” Brian cuddled her. “I’m sorry. You must have been frightened to death?”

  “I was very scared. But think what would have happened if you had not looked behind when you did.” She shuddered.

  Anna had a bath whist Brian checked the bike and pushed it into a secluded corner, completely hidden from the road. He found the bullet had gone through the fairing and hit the frame, narrowly missing his leg and the petrol tank. After cleaning off the oil, he checked the rear chain tension and found it loose. All that hard riding had stretched the chain, so after tightening it and topping up with oil from the small can which he carried in the fairing pocket, he went back to the hotel room. He suddenly felt tired.

  Anna was dressed in a pretty dressing gown. “Why not have a bath. It will make you feel more relaxed.”

  “Yes. A good idea. And then we must eat.”

  They had a pleasant dinner with a glass of wine chosen by Anna. “I think we can afford it.” She added.

  “I think so too. I’m so glad you decided to come.”

  “So am I.”

  Dinner went on for ages. Brian remained nervous and constantly looking towards the door. When they went back to their room he looked out of the window, feeling relieved when he saw no one about. He smiled. “All clear.”

  “Do you think they will find us.”

  “No. I’ve hidden the bike and I don’t think they’ll risk breaking into our hotel room.”

  “I hope not.” She whispered, looking frightened again.

  He kissed her gently. Let’s consult the map.”

  They laid the map on the bed in order to plan the route for the next day, but after much discussion decided to stick to the original schedule and make for Luxembourg.

  Brian had another quick glance out of the window and walked across to the bed. He kissed Anna first on her neck and then her lips. She responded and soon they were in an unstoppable fervour, Brian quickly removed her dress and slip. He was overwhelmed by the sight of this beautiful woman, and all thoughts of the potential danger they were in were banished from his mind. There was no room for other thoughts, only his desire for her. He trembled with emotion as he held her, to him she was the most precious gem in the world and he wanted to possess her completely. They stood savouring each second, and as her perfume seemed to pervade his senses, he was totally overcome with emotion. She helped him remove his clothes and when they were both naked he lifted her up and laid her gently on the bed. They kissed each other all over until they could wait no longer.

  It was not the first time for either of them, and when at last they came together it was ecstasy. After they lay together, both delighted to have given the other so much pleasure. Brian was speechless with happiness and eventually tiredness overtook them. They cuddled up together and slept soundly.

  After eating the traditional continental breakfast of rolls and jam they set off nervously, with Anna looking out for the big black car. Brian soon located the road to Luxembourg and headed out of town.

  Venk and Van Hagen had spent the evening driving around the town and checking hotel car parks to no avail, so they booked into an hotel on the road which Venk thought the couple would take. He was sure they would take the quickest route to Switzerland, although his companion thought they would go straight through the
town and find a hotel further on. Venk disagreed because he believed they would consider it easier to hide in a town. Van Hagen wanted to be left out of the chase due to his injuries, which were feeling worse after the lurching about he had to endure whilst trying to catch up with the bike. Besides he was not at all happy about the prospect of killing the couple, which he had nearly succeeded in doing. He was pleased that he had been too shaky to shoot accurately. Venk agreed to let him rest, as he knew a man in town who would be pleased to take his place. In the circumstances VanHagen had been given the job of lookout, as he had a good view of the road from his bedroom window.

  Venk rang his local associate, who agreed to be picked up the next morning. He was a quiet spoken Frenchman of medium build, who specialised in providing the local criminal fraternity with firearms, but as things were quiet at present he was pleased to have something to do. Venk explained the position, stressing the couple were carrying a great deal of cash. The arrangement was to meet at his hotel early the next day.

  Venk put the receiver down and began to think deeply about the situation. He was a man with considerable experience in all aspects of crime, having carried out numerous armed robberies in the past, but here he was having great difficulty extracting money from an inexperienced boy and girl on an unprotected and vulnerable motorcycle. It hurt his pride, especially as Van Hagen seemed to doubt his ability to pull it off. Maybe I am getting too old, but I should not have to retire at forty- one, should I? He thought. All this self-doubt began to make him depressed. I just hope they are still in town, he muttered to himself.

  Venk and Van Hagen spent that evening drinking and talking over old times. When they agreed the future did not look so good, they decided it was time to turn in. “With any luck it’ll be a busy day tomorrow.” Venk said hopefully.

  He awoke early and walked out to the car before breakfast, checked the oil and water and sat in the driver’s seat to consider his plans for trapping the couple. He was beginning to get desperate for success because this boy was making a fool of him and it had to stop. Van Hagen remained at his post of lookout whilst Venk and his new accomplice, Vautrin, ate breakfast and discussed the situation.