The Shackleton Affair (A Raymond Armstrong Novel Book 2)

by Michael Gill

  “Wait - two more, four more. Boss,” Crean said after a long moment. “Twenty two - all the crew are on the beach.”

  “Get me in closer. Chippy you’re with me. We can fit seven or eight on this thing. Three trips will do it.” The boat got into a hundred feet and then swayed violently against the waves. Shackleton dived in the water, grabbed the rope and started to tug. Chippy and Crean did likewise.

  “The first group go in the boat. Crean go with them, we will stay here with the lads.” Shackleton hugged all of them. “Right, wait here, Chippy and I are going to retrieve something I had hidden for such an occasion.”

  “What is it boss?” asked one of the crew.

  “A bottle of special whisky I was saving until we completed our journey.”

  They left towards the steep cliffs. “Now you said we could do this quickly. I can’t leave the men long.”

  “It’s in a small cave, follow me,” said Chippy. They entered and at the end was a ledge ten feet high. Chippy led the way with Shackleton behind him. Chippy placed his hand inside, moving his arm around to no avail.

  “They’re not here!”

  Shackleton pulled out a flash light from his pocket.

  “Get out of the way,” he said. Shackleton put his head inside the crevice. “Where was the ledge?”

  “To the right.”

  A few moments later Shackleton was looking into Chippy’s eyes in fury.

  “The ledge looks like it’s broken. The crevice looks like it drops down to the centre of this island. My flashlight couldn’t see the bottom, you blithering idiot.”

  “I am sincerely sorry boss. Do we still have a deal? Please don’t hurt my family.”

  “You read the letter from the Queen Mother didn’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Yes you did. The ribbon around it was in the bottom of the cask.”

  “Well, I read it quickly and heard you all coming back and so I can’t remember.”

  “You can and if you repeat a single word that would be regarded as an act of treason. If I didn’t kill you, they would have you hanged.”

  “I would never say a word. She was a wonderful queen. The Queen of Hearts they call her right? Her husband the King, he was a different matter entirely. All I had time to read was the message to all of us. Godspeed this will keep you and the men safe.”

  “Right let’s get back to the men,” ordered Shackleton.

  Chippy had read every word. In fact, it made him realise the boss was considered almost part of the royal family. From that moment on, he hadn’t argued with Sir Ernest Shackleton. Not once. He recited the message in his mind. Ernest I will always value and respect your services to King and country. The two items you brought me must now be lost for ever. Godspeed and safe return. Queen Alexandra.

  What that was all about he would probably never know.

  They got back to the beach just as the last of the crew were boarding the boat. “Sorry chaps the whisky fell off a ledge. Never mind. When we get into Santiago, I am taking you all out for a steak dinner, wine and as much whisky as one can consume.”

  They all cheered to the boss.

  Chapter 25

  Raymond opened the door to the house to be met by Anne. She flung herself into his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs round his waist. “Give me a kiss you hunk.” He did.

  “What is all this?”

  “Hey, we’ve only been married six months and you go away and leave me.”

  “It was only two nights,” he laughed. “Besides you went swanning off to the coast.”

  “I’ll put a brew on while you tell me everything.”

  “No, get your coat on. Let’s have a quick one or two at the George.”

  “What is the weather going to do?” Anne said looking for her jacket.

  “Showers like every day,” he laughed. They walked through Stamford town; the weather was wonderful. He held her hand now feeling more relaxed. He realised after retiring he liked his home comforts.

  They ordered drinks sitting down in a quiet corner.

  “So, why the pub?”

  “I have just had three interesting days. A pint helps.”

  “How was the trip to Nova Scotia?”

  “Interesting but first I have some disturbing news for you. I met with Richard from MI6 this morning. His request on behalf of my past employers.”

  “Please tell me they don’t want you back.”

  “No quite the opposite. If we don’t stop poking around in the jewels and Shackleton we will be in danger.”

  “Of what? That is really silly.”

  “I would have agreed until Richard explained it all to me. We run a risk of exposing sensitive historic facts that would embarrass our government. They don’t tolerate embarrassment. They will stop us by any force deemed necessary.”

  “God this is a joke for goodness sake.”

  “Afraid not. Top of the agenda were two main topics. My wife pissing off the staff at our Queen’s residence and the Irish Crown Jewels theft.”

  “Let talk about the theft,” she said looking embarrassed.

  “It shouldn’t be a cold case. Do you know how much the British government invests in our cold case departments across the country? The forensics section at Scotland Yard is huge these days. In fact, it seems ever since the theft nobody seems to care. I think back in 1907 with everything going on, it should have been top priority. They had their man and couldn’t find enough proof. After that, enquiries seemed to just fizzle away.”

  “So, you think they had their man and couldn’t convict?”

  “Yes his brother, like you mentioned.”

  “And how could this theft have something to do with my paper, the love angle?”

  “One of those mistresses or admirers could have known, if he and his brother had anything to do with it. Pillow talk even. He was excitable and liked to tell stories. That is why your paper could be important.”

  “Well I think it was important anyway. He may be your hero, a prolific explorer, but he was also a first class cad. What do we do next?”

  “No idea. You have my juices flowing on this and yet I have an elaborate whisky thief to find. Funny how something so insignificant can turn to a significant historic series of events full of mystery and intrigue.”

  “Right, we need to think hard about our next move.”

  “Anne, I don’t see a next move unless it’s directly linked to the whisky theft.”

  “Let’s chat more at home. I bought a lovely cabernet today from the supermarket.”

  They were greeted by a downfall of rain as they slipped out of the pub.

  “Do you want to go for it?”

  “Sure, race you,” said Anne with a grin.

  They sprinted back through town, through a small set of houses into the station yard. The shower had let up now diminishing to a fine drizzle. They both slowed to almost a stop, walking side by side. Raymond paused as they were almost at the front door. He saw a shadow dart across their bedroom window, sure of it. He grabbed Anne pulling her to the side.

  “What’s up?”

  “An intruder I think.” The small commuter train was leaving the station. “Wait here.” The diesel engines kicked into full gear, the noise would increase for just a few seconds. He moved to the front door slotting the key into the door just when the train was at its loudest.

  He climbed up the stairs, slowly two at time. They figure dressed all in black was moving from one bedroom to the next. “Hey,” shouted Raymond. The tall man turned for a moment. Ran in the spare bedroom lifting the window open wide. He jumped without hesitation. Raymond looked down. It was only maybe ten feet. He followed landing clumsily. He checked himself quickly to make sure no bones were broken. “Bollocks, he’s getting away,” he said now back in a full sprint.

  He ran after the man towards the station yard. In the distance behind him he could hear Anne screaming. The noise from a freight train was looming, getting closer, closer.
The man sprinted across the railway lines. Raymond in pursuit. The train almost on him. “Raymond” came the scream.

  He stopped as the train brushed past him. The power of the train shaking the ground beneath his feet. Anne ran into his arms, her whole body shaking with tears in her eyes. They stood frozen to the spot. Raymond was hugging her for dear life, while the endless series of wagons flashed by them, within inches, the air blowing through Anne’s hair. She squeezed him harder until the train was gone, the immense noise and power fading into the distance.

  “What the hell was all that about?” Anne was panting, looking pale. He hugged her tight.

  “Are you okay?” Raymond asked looking at her with concern.

  “I will be fine. I hope they realise I don’t respond well to scare tactics.”

  “Let’s get back to the house,” Raymond said. He gave her a kiss on the check.

  Back inside, Anne made a brew of tea while Raymond checked all around the house.

  “What did you find?” Anne asked, a tray of tea in her hands.

  “These.” He opened his hand which revealed a handful of small gadgets. “He was bugging our phones.”

  “Who?”

  “One of Richard’s cronies.”

  “What are you going to do, call the police?”

  “Why it was MI6 for sure. I’ll deal with this later.”

  “Look,” said at Anne at the TV. She found the remote and pressed the volume button.

  Brazilian scientists on Elephant Island have found a lost piece of treasure along with two rare bottles of whisky. The jewels are said to be from the Irish Crown Jewels stolen over one hundred years ago. Speculation is ongoing that this must have been from the Sir Ernest Shackleton – Endurance expedition of 1915. The piece was found inside one of the whisky boxes which are made of expensive mahogany wood which has kept the contents in pristine condition. They were found approximately six feet under the sand on the very beach where the Endurance expedition spent all those months waiting for a rescue.

  The Brazilian government will arrange to send the whisky back to Scotland for further examination while the Irish Ambassador for Brazil is taking the jewels back to Dublin. New Zealand is demanding the whisky be sent directly to them since they are the crown entity for the Antarctic Research Institute.

  As yet there is no theory as to why the expedition would have had the jewels. Shackleton did love his whisky as was the case on his earlier expedition when they found cases of whisky from 1907. Elephant Island is uninhabited except for the Brazilian research centre which houses up to forty people in the summer only. It is part of the Proantar program with the Brazilian navy in Antarctica.

  More news on this in our later news edition.

  “Okay I mention it for the very last time,” yelled Anne. “Synchronicity.”

  “You have me. Three mentions of his name in one week is more than a coincidence. One or both of us were right with our initial premise. It was the King all along or the Queen. The King, I am sure of it.”

  “Look at all the letters she wrote to him and the gifts bestowed on him by the Queen before he made an expedition.”

  “Anne, he wasn’t that daft. He would be hanged regardless of whether the King committed adultery at least fifty times that we know were documented.”

  “No silly. But, they were …

  “The very best of friends?”offered Raymond.

  “Something like that,” Anne whispered.

  Chapter 26

  Ian and Trace had watched the news after completing a round of golf. They had just ordered drinks at the bar when the news was announced.

  “Trace I have an idea. Let’s move to that corner table,” he pointed. There was nobody in the bar except the waiter. Ian kept his voice down. “We both fly to London now. You will have a few days to steal the whisky from the Russian.”

  “Why so soon?”

  “We have a small window for you to steal the two whiskies they just found on Elephant Island. Shackleton’s proud possessions. Once you have all three whiskies, rendezvous with me on the Isle of Arran. I have an idea on how to get them back here safely.”

  “How?”

  “Private Jet courtesy of the Nova Scotia government. I am due to appear at a charity event in Scotland along with a business meeting between Nova Scotia and Scotland. Where Old Scotland meets the New Scotland. We can hitch a ride back and be clear of customs.”

  “Not sure about this Ian. It’s all too fast.”

  “What do you want exactly?”

  “Did you have your people check Raymond Armstrong yet?”

  “Yes, I told you the family tree business is legitimate.”

  “What about before that company?”

  “His history is sketchy. I asked my top analyst to continue looking.”

  “Well, he gave me the creeps.”

  “I thought you liked him?”

  “Physically of course. Nice on the eyes. But he asked awkward questions. I found him to be too probing for a complete stranger. Twice he subtly mentioned the Dalmore 1962 I had just stolen. Something felt odd about him.”

  “What about the collar I took by mistake? It was all quiet until the last robbery. And yet, I left no clues. Is it that damn collar?”

  “I had it checked. Initially, they have said its Masonic, without any real value. I asked them to keep looking. We have to move Trace. What will it take?”

  “One million pounds, not dollars. Five hundred up front paid into my Swiss bank account.”

  “Is this it Trace? The end of a great relationship?”

  “Yes it is. I’ll retire to a location to be decided shortly.”

  “Okay I’ll make a transfer tonight and a further one on Arran. If you like, don’t come back to Chester with me. Go straight to your dream location.”

  “Okay deal.”

  Chapter 27

  London, England

  Trace looked at the tall apartment building with a private glass elevator lifting up each building. They stopped at each balcony door giving access to the residents. The community was all gated with an access code to enter. Basically if you didn’t reside in the community you would need special permission to be allowed in.

  She watched intensely as each window reflected a light being switched on. It was dawn and commuters into London started getting ready early. She loved London but not to live and work, for sure. She had a friend now back in Nova Scotia that once told her an average commuter working in London spend three hours going to and from work.

  Now this area was technically in London but would still be a hassle to get into the centre. Five more lights came on clustered all around his, but still the window that had her attention was dark. She literally willed the light to go on. Get up, this is my last day. Tomorrow she had to be in Scotland and if she didn’t complete the task today, she would only get half a million. Could that be enough to retire she wondered. Finally, after ten more agonising minutes had passed it came on. Okay she sighed, phase one complete. All I need now is to follow him and find the right moment to snatch his key just for a short while. She would be in and out like a flash. On the train to Scotland.

  Trace had spent two days touring London. She did the Tower, the London Eye and lots of shopping on Oxford Street the first day. On the second day she had gone out to Hampton Court and spent half of the day in the gardens plotting this theft. By a stroke of luck, she asked a London cabbie if he could show her Canary Wharf. “All those wonderful condos I’ve heard about. I’m thinking about buying one.”

  “Well madam I can show you the outside but you need permission from security to actually get in the community.”

  They had gone and the security guy had known the cabbie and gave him permission to drive Trace around but had to be back out of the exit in ten minutes. That was enough to give her an idea. She spotted the address and made a mental note of its location as they passed by. “Would you just pull up here for a second Harry?” She had been making conversation and found out
his name. Been a London cabbie for twenty years, two kids and three grand kids, they lived in Clapham. “Yes madam but only for a minute.”

  She looked at all the angles and worked out a vantage spot on the other side of the fencing where she could watch. Outside the community she noticed a tube station and was quite sure the mark wouldn’t use a car to get into the centre of London.

  This morning she had been in a secluded spot since five-thirty in the morning. He appeared dressed in a track suit with expensive Nike shoes and looked like he was going for a run. Except he had a holdall bag in his right hand. She followed him for about a half mile where he walked into a gym. This could be the moment. She walked into the gym and explained to the girl on reception: “I’m here for six months from the USA with my job. Thinking of joining - may I have a look around?”

  “It’s very expensive love. I can only do one year minimum.”

  “My company will pay for it. I have to stay in shape with my position in the company. Lots of stress you know.”

  “Okay, I will take you myself.”

  Trace was hoping she could have a look around the gym on her own. I will just have to improvise, she decided.

  They walked through, passing the men’s locker room. The guy was just putting his bag in the locker and she made a mental note of which it was. Third from the left, top locker. The young lady got a call on her cell phone and apologized. “I have to go back to reception, will you be okay?”

  “Of course.”

  With that she had gone into the men’s locker, picked the lock quickly and taken his pass and wallet. Quickly now she legged back to the apartments hoping she would be able to work out the code to the door. She swiped the card for the gate and entered the glass elevator to find the access code was required. She took out his wallet and found a business card. Typed in the last four digits of his business phone, denied. She tried his mobile same thing. After two more denials she stopped, took out the card and placed it back in the slot. What would I do she thought. Okay last four mobile digits are 5552. She pressed 6663, the elevator moved slowly up the side of the condo building. Lucky girl we think alike she mused.