LATENT HAZARD: On the Edge

by Piers Venmore-Rowland

  David appeared at the colonel’s shoulder and suggested he might like to meet Ewan. Emma, meanwhile, took Kristina under her wing and together they went off to find Aidan.

  Rafi walked over to chat to his grandfather, but saw he was in deep conversation with Colonel Gray. He stopped and moved over to be with Kate, who was standing watching the party. Within moments he and Kate were joined by the two commissioners.

  ‘We are most grateful to you for all you’ve done,’ said Len. ‘I always knew Giles had a good team at Wood Street.’

  ‘I understand that we’ll be meeting you again tomorrow,’ said Giles.

  ‘At the Garden Party?’ enquired Kate.

  ‘No, before that,’ said Giles.

  Kate and Rafi looked puzzled.

  ‘Has anyone told you why you’re to see the Queen beforehand?’

  ‘No,’ said Kate blankly.

  ‘Well, Kate, you’re to be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal and Rafi is to be given the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. The police force is very proud of you.

  They both looked at Giles in amazement and Rafi gave Kate a hug.

  Ewan joined them. ‘Thank you for the invite; Jeremy tells me that you’re keeping him busy. Oh, by the way, did you see the photos of Maryam in the newspapers a couple of months ago?’

  Rafi nodded. ‘I recall reading an article which described her as: Helping the police with their enquiries and intimated that she had done a deal - is that true?’ asked Rafi.

  ‘You shouldn’t believe everything you read,’ said Ewan. ‘In reality she’s being totally uncooperative. The photo was a setup. She’d thought she was about to be released on a technicality and was meeting a European human rights judge. The sheikh, Basel and Jameel, who are locked away in separate high security prisons, just happened to see the papers that day. They’re furious! As the saying goes, Divide and rule.’ Ewan gave Rafi a friendly pat on the shoulder. ‘Great party; if you’ll excuse me there are a couple more people I should like to chat to. Do keep in touch.’

  ‘Time to mix with family?’ suggested Kate.

  ‘Good idea,’ agreed Rafi.

  They walked over to speak to Kate’s parents. They were sitting with their backs to the wall, taking in all that was going on in the room. Kate sat down next to her mother and gave her a hug, then got up and did the same to her father.

  ‘I’m so pleased that you could come.’

  ‘We almost didn’t. But Rafi’s sister sounded so very charming on the phone and said how much it would mean to you,’ said her father.

  ‘We’ve been chumps haven’t we?’ said her mother. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t understand how important your job was to you and what you’d make of it. The commissioner tells us you’re one of the – if not the – youngest chief inspector in Europe and are doing more good work in Luxembourg.’

  ‘I think he’s exaggerating a bit!’ said Kate.

  ‘He’s not the only one who says that we should be very proud of you,’ said her father. ‘We are proud – very proud.’ He paused then went on, ‘With Marcus’s help we have done up the attic studio in the main house. Do please use it as your home whenever you have time.’

  Kate gave a beaming smile to her parents. ‘That would be lovely, thank you.’

  Out of the corner of his eye, Rafi noticed Saara talking with her grandfather. He smiled; they looked very happy together.

  The conversation between Kate and her parents turned to small talk.

  ‘Have I told you,’ began Kate’s mother, ‘that we’ve got your postcards stuck all round our kitchen cupboards? It was so nice of you to start up that family tradition again.’

  Kate gave Rafi’s hand a squeeze.

  ‘You do seem to get around a bit these days,’ continued her mother. ‘Some weeks we seem to get a card every other day!’

  Rafi sensed that the hurts and wounds of previous years were forgotten.

  The sound of a wine glass being tapped echoed across the room and was followed by the raised voice of Rafi’s little sister. She was standing at the side of the restaurant next to the Prime Minister, the Air Chief Marshal and Commissioner Giles Meynell. She had a champagne glass in her hand and was tapping it with a spoon. Silence fell over the room.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I am so pleased you could all make it to Rafi’s surprise party. I should like to thank the Chancellor, my boss, whose idea it was to convene such a gathering and I would ask you to raise your glasses, please, in a toast: To Rafi and determination!’

  The Prime Minister moved to Saara’s side. With a beaming face he looked around the room. ‘For once I shall be brief.’ He paused as he noticed a wry smile on many of the faces in front of him. ‘If I were to pay my thanks to each of you here, who selflessly gave so much, it would take a very long time. I am tempted… But not tonight!’

  The PM reached for his glass. ‘I would ask you all to raise your glasses and toast: To all those who lost their lives or their good health.’

  The PM waited for his audience to finish sipping their champagne and for their attention to focus back on him. ‘I would especially like to thank two people who have travelled a long distance to be with us this evening. Generaal Wilm Van Dijk and Colonel Hendrik Matlik: thank you for your help in our hour of need. I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast: To our distinguished foreign guests.’

  Silence returned. The PM raised his glass and looked around the room making eye contact with as many people as possible: ‘ To you all! You are a very special group of people and I praise you for all you have done.’

  He moved to one side during the applause that followed. His place was taken by the Air Chief Marshal. ‘I, too, will follow the precedent set by the Prime Minister and keep my speech brief. I should like to convey my personal thanks to the team I had with me on that fateful night. Their response and clear headedness was beyond anything I could have reasonably expected. I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast: To all those who risked everything in countering the recent terrorist attacks and to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, Ewan Thorn, Brigadier Sparkman and Colonels Turner and Gray for their leadership.’

  There was further clapping and a shuffling around, as glasses were sipped and recharged. The Air Chief Marshal’s place was taken by Commissioner Giles Meynell. He looked across at Kate and John. ‘During the investigation leading up to the snaring of the terrorists, we were truly fortunate to have the unerring resolve and meticulous help of a large number of people. I should like to pay my sincere thanks to all of you who made it possible for us to latch on to the terrorists’ plot. In particular: Steve and Roger from the Immigration team, Jeremy and Neil from MI5 and Rick and Phil from Manchester; they all deserve special mention. We salute you.’

  Giles paused and turned to David. ‘Your team did you proud. Thank you.’ He paused and added, with a glint in his eye, ‘But another time perhaps we shouldn’t have to rely on someone locked up in a police cell and then get him to provide us with the services of his friends! Aidan, Bob, Alex, Donald, Matthew, Saara and, of course, Rafi – thank you. We owe you all a great debt of gratitude. I should like to ask you all to raise your glasses and toast: To tenacity and all those who helped in our time of need.’

  Rafi caught sight of Kate’s parents sitting holding hands. Beside them were Marcus and Susannah. He wished he could have captured their expressions and given the picture as a present to Kate. He looked round and saw Kate smiling at him; she too had spotted her family’s proud faces.

  Saara waited for silence to return. ‘That is the end of the formalities; there’s no closing time and Mr Cheung assures me that he has more than enough food and drink to satisfy your appetites and quench your thirst. Thank you all for making this the most memorable and enjoyable of evenings.’

  Saara seemed taken aback by the spontaneous applause and for the first time in ages looked a little self-conscious.

  She came over and gave Rafi a hug. ‘So how’s the party boy?’

 
; ‘Very contented, it’s been a wonderful evening. Thank you for everything.’

  They were joined by Kate and made their way across to her parents, who looked extremely happy.

  Her mother started the conversation. ‘Kate, dear, this has been such fun, what an evening to remember! But now that we’ve had a chance to talk with you and have seen your friends perhaps we should be getting off; it’s well past our bedtime.’

  ‘Pardon?’ interjected Kate’s father. ‘But we’re having fun! Our hotel is not far, so why don’t we stay for another drink or two and then head off?’

  Kate’s mother smiled. ‘As you say, dear.’

  ‘Rafi, might there be any Scotch on the premises?’ asked Kate’s father.

  ‘I’ll see what I can find,’ replied Rafi. ‘And then there is someone I’d like you to meet.’

  Kate’s father raised his eyebrows as if to say, ‘Who could be more important than the PM?’

  Rafi found Mr Cheung and asked for a bottle of his very best Scotch.

  ‘Blended or single malt?’

  ‘Would you bring both, please?’

  Then Rafi went over and extracted his grandfather from the conversation he was having.

  ‘Grandfather, do you like Scotch?’

  He beamed. ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’

  ‘There are a couple of people I’d like you to meet.’

  As they walked across to the table where Kate’s parents were sitting, Rafi added Marcus, Susannah, Saara and Steve to his entourage.

  Rafi approached the table. Kate’s father was trying to decide which Scotch he preferred. He looked up and smiled.

  ‘Major Sir Percy and Lady Yvonne,’ Rafi said. ‘It is my pleasure to introduce to you my long lost grandfather, Major Charlie Staveley, my little sister, Saara, and her partner Dr Steve Morris.’

  Introductions complete, their conversation started slowly, then the two majors found that they had several interests in common.

  Rafi noticed Kate standing hand in hand with her brother, Marcus, who caught his eye and beckoned him over. ‘Rafi, you’re so elusive. I’ve been meaning to thank you all evening; I’ve never seen Kate look this happy. You’re a real tonic for her.’

  Rafi smiled. ‘I think it is I who should be thanking her. Without her I’d be languishing in some grubby cell, whilst the country had next to no electricity!’

  Marcus looked carefully at Rafi. ‘I’m glad you’re looking after each other. Make the most of the time when happiness is in abundance. It’s such a precious gift, which few people ever get to fully appreciate. Please, for me, don’t lose it.’ The conversation changed as Saara, Steve and Susannah, came across to join them.

  In a short time it was agreed that they would all meet for a Sunday lunch at Leverthorne Hall and inspect Kate’s new studio flat in the attic.

  To Rafi, the next forty-five minutes flew past as lots of people came over to say their hellos.

  Roger from the Immigration team made Rafi smile. ‘I did as you said, plucked up courage, and went over and talked to the Home Secretary. I apologised before I started telling him the system was run by data junkies. You know what? He’s asked me to explain my concerns to one of his ministers next week!’

  After saying goodbye to Roger, Rafi at last had a moment to himself. He took a step back to look around the room and see if he had missed someone he really should have talked to, and, in that moment, literally bumped into a stunning blonde. Rafi smiled weakly. His senses picked up her evocative perfume. Then it hit him: he knew this woman. What a transformation!

  ‘Great party! It was so kind of your sister to invite me.’

  It was the first time that Rafi had seen SJ outside her office environment.

  She looked up at him from under her lashes and then casually said to Kristina, who was standing next to her, ‘I’m sorry, have you been introduced to Rafi?’

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ replied Kristina. Then, smiling at Rafi, she added, ‘My father tells me that you and your friends are very remarkable.’

  At that moment the little group was joined by Kate.

  ‘Hi, SJ,’ said Kate. ‘Hello again, Kristina. I’ve been talking to David and he tells me you’re at university. Is that right?’

  ‘Almost finished – I have my finals next month.’

  ‘What are you reading?’

  ‘Environmental sciences with biology.’

  ‘Excellent - have you meet Rafi’s sister, Saara?’ enquired Kate. ‘Her contacts are fantastic.’

  Kristina shook her head.

  ‘Let’s find her, and I’ll introduce you. We’ll be back in a moment. Rafi you’ll be OK with SJ, won’t you?’

  Kate and Kristina moved off. There was an embarrassed silence. ‘You look very different…’ stuttered Rafi, realising he’d been staring at her shapely body. He was starting to blush. ‘What with your hair down and in that amazing dress.’

  ‘You approve?’ SJ asked with her head tipped slightly to one side.

  ‘I’m surprised that all the red-blooded men in the room aren’t queuing up to get your phone number. I still can’t get over the transformation.’ Rafi cast his approving eyes from head to toe. ‘You look stunning.’

  SJ felt the hairs on her bare arms stand up. The visit to her friend, who was a professional hairdresser and make-up artist, had been worth the hassle.

  She hesitated. ‘Forgive me if it’s private, but is it true that you turned down a six or seven figure sum from the newspapers and gave it to charity?’

  ‘Sort of – yes,’ Rafi replied. He sensed she was hoping for more. ‘It seemed that the money would be better used helping those suffering from radiation exposure. Hospices survive thanks to donations and at the moment they desperately need money.’

  ‘Have you ever visited a hospice?’

  Rafi shook his head.

  ‘If you and Kate have a spare moment sometime, perhaps you should visit one? I’m sure we could get you good press coverage, which would help boost their donations. I could even see if the PM had a spare slot in his diary so he could be there with you.’

  ‘Sounds like a good idea,’ agreed Rafi. ‘Unfortunately though,’ he quickly added, ‘Kate and I aren’t in the UK very much these days.’

  ‘No problem, I’m not going anywhere,’ said SJ casually, hoping that this wasn’t going to be the end of the conversation.

  There was a pause. ‘I’m sure I should know, but is Sandy Jane your Christian name or your full name?’ enquired Rafi.

  ‘Jane is my surname. I know, it sounds silly.’

  ‘It’s a nice name, better than Smith or Khan; there are hundreds of thousands of us,’ said Rafi with a grin.

  Kate returned to Rafi’s side. ‘Sorry, we had to wait a bit before I could introduce Kristina to Saara,’ she said with a smile. ‘What have you two been chatting about?’

  ‘I was suggesting to Rafi that the PM might be able to help you in your efforts to raise money for the hospices.’

  ‘That sounds like a great idea,’ replied Kate enthusiastically. ‘Rafi’s sister works next door to you; she tends to know when we’re over in London. If you come up with a plan perhaps you could liaise with Saara, so we can find a convenient time to meet up.’

  SJ couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Surely Kate must sense that she was attracted to her boyfriend? It wasn’t fair that the man she thought was gorgeous just happened to have a charming, self-assured girlfriend – who she even liked.

  ‘I’ll speak with Saara and line something up. Nice chatting to you both,’ said SJ. She turned and made eye contact with Kate. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask… Wherever did you find your dress? You look absolutely gorgeous. Rafi is very lucky.’ Before Kate could reply, SJ had left and was on her way to the bar.

  ‘SJ seemed particularly pleased to see you this evening,’ commented Kate. Then she added, while smiling to herself, ‘She’s taken a fancy to you! She’s stunning, isn’t she?’

  ‘Yes, but she isn’t you!’

/>   Kate lent forward and kissed him.

  Over in a corner, Emma and Aidan were deep in conversation.

  Kate squeezed Rafi’s hand. He followed her look. ‘They enjoy each other’s company, don’t they? From all Emma tells me, she’s having a great time being wooed by Aidan.’

  ‘I can’t say I’m surprised. Emma would be a great catch for any man with a half-decent IQ,’ Rafi replied.

  Kate was about to comment, when the last of the politicians came by to say thank you and goodnight. It was almost 1.30 a.m. Only a few guests remained.

  A beaming Pete Lockyer came over to thank Kate and Rafi for the great party. ‘It’s been an exceptional evening. The boys at the office will never believe who I’ve met tonight!’

  Kate grimaced.

  ‘Don’t worry! I know this was a social; the evening is all off the record. Thanks again. You know where to find me if there’s anything I can do to help.’ And with that Pete left with a broad grin.

  Kate left Rafi’s side to chat to Emma, who was preparing to leave.

  It had been the best party Rafi could remember. Standing thinking to himself, he felt the presence of someone behind him. A deep, quiet voice started talking to him from behind, so that no one else could hear. It was the unmistakable voice of Colonel Matlik. ‘Rafi, my friend, thank you for this evening; Kristina and I very much enjoyed ourselves. By the way, I’m keeping track of all the work you, Kate and Jörg’s unit are doing in Luxembourg. You have an impressive team around you. I know your colleague Bernhard Michalak – he is a good Pole.’

  The colonel’s whisper became quieter. ‘Some shadowy figures are coming out of the woodwork. My sources inform me that a number of racketeers and other undesirables from Russia and Central Europe were caught up in Maryam Vynckt’s investments and suffered massive losses. Rafi, dear boy, a hornets’ nest has been stirred up. Several of the large criminal organisations are seriously short of cash. They are furious, and intent not only on replenishing their coffers but also on revenge. To complicate matters, their competitors have noticed this weakness. A new playing field is being created. Former allegiances have been shattered and a war of attrition has started.’