My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  Jim nodded then thought; what does he know and what doesn’t he know? What a fucking game, it just gets worse as he mentally talked to him-self. Jim then said ‘what about the import export place has anyone looked at that yet?’ ‘No, apart from the normal enquiries you would expect from the teams doing the background on all the names associated with those at the party. Most have gone to ground and shut up shop and keeping their heads down. I don’t think we will get much further other than rattling a few cages here and there.’

  Jim then knew that Yvonne had spoken with him so left it there, other than to say as a test, ‘why are the spooks interested and why did I have to meet Yvonne this morning, she has told me no more than you just have?’ ‘Look Jim, the arms stockpiled in the UK have serious implications to our shores she needs you to get Sands and try to get him to name those involved, especially where and who he delivers his shipments to.’

  Jim then shook his head as he stood up, he smiled at Langton thinking what a game, I don’t know what he knows, and I don’t know if he knows what I know, what a twisted web.

  Jim then went out with the file. He went to find Vicky confirming she was okay.

  Vicky nodded and said ‘I need some help Jim, can you spare me some time.’ ‘Give me an hour then I’ll be there.’

  Jim found a spare office then sat down and began reading the file on Sands. The file consisted of lots of intelligence from many agencies regarding their suspicions, but not much in the way of evidence or action to gain evidence.

  Jim then read a report from Customs who suspected Sands of importing drugs, but never undertook any kind of operation on him. Jim sat thinking as he talked to himself saying why? Surely the spooks would have monitored his movements, and got customs to inspect his containers, or put surveillance on him, but nothing. This made Jim even more suspicious; perhaps someone was in Sands’ pocket over here as well as in Spain. That is why nothing was being recorded by the spooks, the tendrils of corruption had been suspected in the corridors of power which is why there was a cloak of secrecy and paranoia on behalf of Yvonne and Ricky.

  Jim then sat back and thought, this is like a massive game of chess, move some pieces to make it look like a wing-side attack then move in for the kill on the other wing having made the opposition think the opposite was true.

  He was just a pawn, a distraction to the real work that was being undertaken, the focus would be on him whilst Ricky was coming in for a wing-side attack unnoticed. Now it began to make sense, Ricky had gathered enough credence and contacts from the Taliban to be accepted, having had his face seen and to get known in the right circles. This gave him the credentials for his winged attack on the target. Ricky had now been given a free hand as the Spanish targets link to the Talban had been presumed killed in Afghanistan by an IED.

  Then Jim thought that’s what Ricky was doing in Afghanistan, he was sent to assassinate the link, so he could arrange a back door introduction to the target in Spain; he could ease in on the references obtained from the contacts made in Afghanistan after he had disposed of the link. He now had a checkable history that would stand up to scrutiny even his voice would match as he had sent voice messages over the airwaves to various people in the Taliban.

  Jim sat wondering what was going to happen next; was he really going to get anywhere with Sands and have a chance to interview him, or would he be taken out before he had the opportunity, or would the spooks take him and do a deal to expose those he had paid off. Jim’s head again was whizzing around from one scenario to another, with nothing making sense to him, only his theories.

  Then he picked up the file and locked it in his drawer and then gave Vicky some of his time to help her out with the mass of paperwork for the court case. Jim also knew that once CPS and Queens Counsel received the file there would be mountains of further work to do, so getting it right now would reduce the amount of further enquiries. Although no matter the work undertaken now, a QC would want more.

  Jim’s phone rang, it was Yvonne, as he thought what now, ‘yes Yvonne; how can I help you?’ ‘Change of plan Jim things are moving on faster than thought we need you in Spain ASAP. So the interview with Masterson is off, I will sort it; take care bye.’

  45

  Jim sat in Langton’s office having received the go ahead and the permission from the Spanish to fly to Malaga where he would be able to undertake an investigation alongside the local police. He knew he would be under scrutiny from the time he got there till the time he left, so had to be squeaky clean.

  Jim wondered if Ricky had already gone and was waiting for him to arrive, but also knew not to call him. He was instructed to leave any communication between Yvonne and Langton.

  Jim sat with Jackie the night before he left eating one of her meals which as always was filling and tasty. Jackie asked how long he would be. Jim as per his instructions never mentioned the involvement of the spooks, so to Jackie this was just another part of the child abuse and trafficking investigation which Jim was undertaking. Jim gave a non-committal answer to her question of how long he would be, as he didn’t really know himself.

  Jackie made her feelings known as she dragged Jim towards the bedroom and almost killed him before they both collapsed exhausted. Jim drifted to sleep, but was awoken by his alarm after what only seemed to be a couple of hours; he threw himself out of bed then showered leaving Jackie snoring her head off as she turned over curling the duvet around her into a tight ball.

  Jim’s pre-arranged lift arrived then he was whisked off to Birmingham airport where he caught his plane to Malaga. No comfort of business class this time, he was travelling with loads of holiday makers, even at that time in the morning the smell of stale beer on the breath of some of the passengers was heavy in the air. Jim shook his head at the kiss me quick brigade as he took his seat. His only consolation was it was only a two and half hour flight, but even so he had little elbow or leg room.

  He sat next to a couple who were on their second visit to look at a villa they were intending to buy and were looking at brochures showing Jim the pictures, Jim was tired and just wanted to sleep, but he tried to look interested. Finally they changed the subject and stopped talking to him.

  The flight arrived on time. Jim eventually reached the carousel where he collected his case then into arrivals, there he was met by Jose` who would be his driver and contact throughout his stay. Jim had practiced some Spanish so was able to make him-self understood a little bit; also Jose` spoke fairly good English so they were able to make each other understood as they laughed at each other’s pronunciation of certain words and phrases.

  Jose` took Jim to the police HQ’s where he went through a procedure of signing a couple of documents, but nothing like the previous occasions where reams of official documents had to be signed and be rubber stamped; this time it was more of a formality.

  Once the document signing was over Jim was taken to the hotel he stayed at before; the hotel where he had spent so much time with Sonja. He shook Jose`s hand and arranged to meet him in the morning. Then he walked to the reception counter, his eyes lit up when he saw that Sonja was on duty. His heart pumped not knowing the reception he would receive. The last time it was very cold when he had to leave so abruptly; he had to get out quick before too many questions were asked of him.

  Sonja was serving another customer as Jim waited for her attention. She smiled at the customer after resolving the minor problem; then she looked up at Jim. At first there was no recognition then all of a sudden the penny dropped. She gave half a smile as she picked up the registration document and handed it to Jim to fill in then she said ‘how long will you be staying Mr Broadbent?’ Jim scribbled the information required on the registration form as he said ‘I’m not sure, I hope at least a week to take advantage of the sun and the Spanish hospitality.’

  Sonja photocopied his passport then handed it back. Jim said softly ‘it’s so nice to see you again Sonja.’ Then coldly she handed over the electronic key as she gave him his room
number as she smiled, not a soft smile just the normal customer smile, then said ‘I hope you have a good stay with us Mr Broadbent;’ then she moved onto the next customer.

  Jim walked to the lift as he entered he turned as he saw Sonja glancing away from him as the doors closed. He entered his room which was similar to the one before.

  Jim lay on the bed and drifted for an hour then woke up showered and changed into something befitting the climate, calf length shorts and a colourful shirt. He went downstairs where he nodded to Sonja, but she just turned and continued with her work. He then knew there was no chance of continuing where he left off, not that he expected there would be.

  Jim walked out of the hotel, as soon as he was outside of the air conditioned hotel the heat of the day was like a blast furnace hitting his face. He wandered down the road and sat in one of the many café’s where he ordered a coffee which was served with a good creamy head. He sat undertaking his favourite occupation which was watching women as they walked by. He was drifting away on the task in hand still wondering what the hell he was doing here, none of it made any sense to him.

  His daydreaming took him back to the states; another passing thought caused a frown across his brow; had he been used by Yvonne and Barney to create a smoke screen, if so for what reason? He wasn’t quite sure but it must have been something to do with Ricky’s involvement in Afghanistan, but then again he could be barking up the wrong tree; he was never sure what the hell he was doing and why?

  Then he had another thought, it was Ricky who had taken out the Afghan link to create a vacuum for him to fill knowing he was going to be in the right place at the right time. Well that was his theory; right or wrong, it would never be confirmed or denied.

  Jim then walked to a restaurant he had eaten in before with Sonja. He ordered a nice meal and sat eating whilst consuming a nice bottle of red wine. The food and wine was just as he had remembered, tasty and pleasing to the palate.

  His attention was then drawn to loud laughter at the entrance; he glanced over and saw it was Sonja joking with one of the waiters. Then she glanced over to his table and walked over to him, her eyes and demeanour were like thunder. Jim stood up to greet her, but he knew from her look that she was not happy. Then she let rip at him ‘what are you doing here? Don’t you think you can see me again because it is over?’ Then she about turned and marched out of the restaurant, tossing her head back in an arrogant way as she went. The waiter looked at Jim and shrugged his shoulders then blew on his fingers as if to she was mad hot. Jim just smiled and shrugged his shoulders and outstretched his palms.

  Jim finished his meal as he sat drinking his wine when in walked Sonja again, she spoke with owner who was none too pleased at her outburst in front of other customers. Then there was a shake of hands as he kissed her on both cheeks. Sonja then went outside.

  Jim paid for the meal and tipped the waiter then walked out into the warmth of the sun; he stretched and was just about to leave when he saw Sonja sat at one of the outside tables under a parasol. He took the bull by the horns then sat opposite her. She gave half a smile, but not a full welcoming one.

  Jim coughed as he said ‘Sonja none of what I say will ease or explain the situation that I was in when I had to go. Also there is little I can say because of my job, so anything will just sound wrong so I won’t try. I tried to explain the last time and I know how it must have sounded to you at the time and I cannot blame you for reacting the way you did. If it helps in any way all I can say is, I’m sorry.’

  Sonja looked at him as a tear welled up in her eyes then she said ‘you hurt me Jim, you really hurt me.’ ‘I know I did, but I had to get out of Spain due to a situation beyond my control and that is the truth, I tried to explain it to you, but you wouldn’t allow me to, then you told me to never call you again so I never did, out of respect to you.’ ‘I loved you Jim and swore never to fall in love like that again and I never have.’ Jim sat looking at Sonja then put his hand over hers, but she pulled her hand away and said ‘sorry Jim I can’t, I will only get hurt again, because I know you will go back home leaving me to grieve once more.’ Jim nodded ‘I can’t deny it and won’t deny it, when I have finished here, I will be going back. But I would like to take you out one night for dinner or perhaps just a drink, your choice.’ ‘Let me think about Jim.’ Then she up and walked off dropping a few coins on the table.

  46

  Jim woke up after a goodnights sleep, he stretched had a shower then went for breakfast. Sonja was on duty at reception he smiled as she beckoned him over, saying ‘you have a message Mr Broadbent’ as she handed over an envelope. Jim thanked Sonja as he made his way to the restaurant where he opened the envelope. The message was from Sonja which read, ‘against my better judgement a meal tonight would be fine, meet me in the restaurant you were in last night at 8pm.’ Jim finished his breakfast as he handed her the envelope back, he had put his mobile number on it and asked her to call it so he had her number as well. He would call her if there was a problem or he was running late. She smiled and nodded as she entered the number into her phone.

  Jim waited for Jose` in the reception area of the hotel just watching the other residents. Then just before Jose` arrived Sonja rang his mobile he looked at her as she nodded. Jim then added her name. Jim looked up to see Jose` so he called for more coffee.

  Jose` then informed Jim of the way the first day would go and the plan for observations on the premises of Sands. Jim nodded as they finished their coffee then he followed Jose` to his car. Jose` drove into the hills; he drove slowly as he pointed out the celebrity owned villas and mansions. Then they came to a high walled villa with electric gates. The name plate read Casa MS.

  There was nowhere to set up any meaningful observations as all the villas had CCTV pointing inside and out; also security patrols were seen driving randomly through the hills looking at various villas; some had electronic gate openers and were seen entering, then emerging sometime later. There was no doubt a vehicle parked up for any length of time would look out of place; also with the intense heat an observation van was out of the question.

  Jim enquired how he intended to conduct any meaningful observations on the premises. Jose` just shrugged and said ‘we will find somewhere, but not sure where.’ Then he looked further into the hills and muttered something in Spanish; then they were off driving up into the mountains. Jim knew the whole reason for the exercise was to get Sands worried about being watched so opened the window just before they sped off he dropped a police headed piece of paper with Sands name on. He hoped it would be picked up by someone and handed to Sands who would assume he was being watched. Jim hoped that Sands would go out to meet someone allowing the rest of the plan to take place, providing he was in residence.

  Once his part of the plan had taken place it would allow Ricky to make contact with his target via the back door so to speak as the focus would be on Sands. The chess game would then carry on with Ricky’s winged attack.

  Over the next few days the jungle drums were beating at full speed as the conversation hit a crescendo with Sands panicking about being watched, he couldn’t be arrested and extradited he knew too much, he had to get out or he would be taken out by the police or worse snuffed out.

  Jose` found a place to sit in the hills, where they spent a few days baking in the sun. They took up the same spot on the fourth day. After about two hours they saw the gates open as a big black Merc emerged it had smoke glass windows so Jim couldn’t see inside; then the driver got out and opened the mail box. That was his mistake as there was no doubt it was Sands. Jim looked through Jose’s high powered binoculars then checked the photo, he confirmed it was him. Jose` undertook a hairy drive down the hill, where he managed to pick up the Merc on the main road as Jose` emerged from a dusty hillside track.

  Jose` followed from a distance as he spoke on the radio in Spanish. All of a sudden the Merc stopped on a dusty car park of a café. Sands emerged from the Merc with dark glasses on, the frames were coat
ed in semi- precious stones which glinted in the sunlight, the diamonds or stones caught the sun’s rays as he took them off. Sands stood still for a moment then did a 360 turn just before he entered a roadside café.

  There were a couple of old cars in the car park also a brand new Range Rover parked outside the entrance to the cafe. Jim needed to see who Sands was meeting; also if the opportunity arose to take pictures of the other person or persons. Jose` was gabbling away on the phone at a hundred to the dozen in Spanish.

  Jim left Jose` talking as he entered the café and sat at a table pretending to read the paper; he ordered coffee then sat back. He took out a small camera which he pointed underneath the paper at Sands and the person he was meeting; they were in huddled at a table. They looked at Jim when he came in, but then carried on when Jim sat some distance away.

  Jim didn’t recognise the other guy with Sands but he had villain written all over him, he was dripping with gold necklaces and bracelets also gold sovereigns adorned his fingers. Jim snapped away covertly with his camera as Sands and the other guy were in deep conversation.

  Jim was just finishing his coffee, when the doors of the café burst open as what looked like an anti-terrorist team burst in they were all dressed in black with their faces covered with balaclava’s. Sands and the other guy were arrested. It was over in a second, the owner was bemused as he stood drying the same cup in amazement at what had just occurred.

  The officers looked at Jim as one of them said ‘papers!’ Jim handed him his passport, the officer opened it checked it, smiled then handed it back; he nodded to the owner then walked out. Jim was equally bemused by what hat had just happened. Then after some 10 minutes in walked Jose` he sat with Jim, as he said ‘the other man Sands met is also wanted in many countries for arms and drugs smuggling. This is good senor Jim, you can relax now, nothing for you to do until tomorrow; I will drop you off and pick you up in the morning.’