Brady winced at the reference to the two occasions when he had ‘bottled’ it in London whilst rescuing Chloe.
‘I've learned my lesson Ross,’ he replied firmly.
‘I bloody well hope so – there's three hundred and ten tonnes of gold at stake!’
Brady grimaced and stepped forward to grasp Ross’s hand.
‘I've grown up a lot since the snow, Ross. You can rely on me.’
Ross smiled at Brady’s discomfort.
‘Will you be at Patric’s tomorrow evening?’
‘Probably, as I’ll be in the same block. I’ll bring you up to date then.’
Bryant frowned.
‘Don’t put it about who you're working for, Andy, or what the job is. Mum’s the word – careless talk costs lives and all that!’
‘Fair enough,’ agreed Brady, ‘but what do I tell Chloe?’
‘As little as possible – and certainly say nothing to her boyfriend. Just say you’ve been posted away for a month. She's a big girl and will have her hands more than full dealing with Dame Ann.’
‘Okay. I'd better be going now – I've a lot to do and precious little time to do it. Thanks again, Ross. Will I see you in Guernsey?’
‘ Maybe, …. probably.’
Brady nodded, stepped out of the office and made his way down to the firing range via the admin section.
He was also allocated a pool car and on the drive back to the hotel wondered how he was going to break the news to his daughter.
She didn’t take it that well.
***
‘What! What in God’s name have you agreed to?’
Brady took a deep breath.
‘I've agreed to nothing, Chloe. I've been assigned to a new post and will be away for a month at least. I would be a lot happier if I knew that you were safe. I know that the bloody woman is a monster, but at least you would be comfortable and secure. Our money is running out and I really don’t want you hiding out in this area without me around.’
‘But dad,’ she’d taken to calling him that since the fact was confirmed, ‘dad, she's a nightmare and I know that she hates Chris.’
‘But Chloe, it's for the best – and truthfully – the only sensible option. If you give in to her on this, she might just get out of your face and let you live a little. She's monumentally busy and I would be surprised if you saw very much of her at all.’
Chris chimed in with support for Brady.
‘Come on Clo, you know it makes sense. Only this morning you were bemoaning your fate and complaining about the claustrophobia in this hotel Let's go and live in the lap of luxury for a few weeks and then we can just ‘fuck off’ when it suits us!’
Chloe conceded the point and her feeble resistance was broken.
‘Alright, I’ll do it. But if that woman gives me any grief – I’ll swing for her!’
They all laughed and Brady slumped down into an easy chair with relief.
‘Best you two get packed,’ he suggested tactfully, ‘we've got to move over to the new apartments in the morning.’
Chloe looked puzzled.
‘Apartments – plural?’ she questioned.
‘Yes, I'm in Patric Silver’s block. It makes no difference, as I won't be there for at least a month. I couldn’t stand being near that woman anyway.’
Chloe looked disappointed but appreciated the impossible position her father was in.
‘Okay dad, I’ll play her games for now, but when we’re ready – it's ‘offski’ for Chris and me – probably to San Diego.’
‘Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I understand that she’s organised a job for Chris in the UKRA building, and wants to see you tonight – for a peace pow-wow! 8pm at the CSC in central Brussels – without Chris, I'm afraid, it's part of the deal.’
Chloe stared hard at her father.
‘It's a lot to ask of me, dad, but I’ll do it. I'm on my guard now, so she won't be able to manipulate me so easily. I’ll play the ‘good, co-operative little’ daughter’ and bide my time. With any luck, in a month we’ll be able to escape her clutches once and for all.’
Brady smiled with pride.
‘That's my girl. But be careful – she's an evil, scheming bitch and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Chris is vulnerable – so take care.’
‘Don’t worry, dad, we’ll be fine. Just go and do your own thing and we’ll be back together again in a month.’
Brady smiled and hugged his newfound daughter.
However, he wasn’t at all confident that they were smart enough to outwit Dame Ann Fletcher.
Day 38
Tuesday 21st January – 0700
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Brussels
Ann Fletcher was becoming slightly uneasy.
She hadn’t heard from her South African paramour for several days, and was waiting impatiently for confirmation that he had kept his end of their agreement.
Without the absolute confirmation that he had completed the outstanding transaction, then the Operation was off! She would not allow the transfer of gold to the freighter until she was certain that he was being straight with her.
Consequently, she was becoming very concerned. She considered ringing his office in Cape Town, but rejected the idea as any contact with that source may come back to bite her in the future.
So all she could do was sit and wait.
However, there had been better news the previous day.
The Pretoria Queen was fully loaded and ready to sail. How Koopman had arranged for the manufacture and delivery of the load was beyond belief – but he had a tremendous amount to gain, so it was clear that he'd pulled out all of the stops to achieve their aims.
What Ann didn’t know was that only about seventy percent of the load had been delivered, and Koopman was relying on the transfer of the remainder during the three week gold extraction period. He didn’t feel the need to alert Ann to this fact, as she’d only cause unnecessary trouble. He had everything under control.
His control.
Ann turned her attention to her daughter, Chloe, and her pain of a boyfriend. It was a great pity that her plot to dispose of the Townsends in that German forest had been thwarted. If they were dead, they wouldn't be in bloody America, and Ann’s control over Chloe would be considerably strengthened.
They had met at the CSC in Brussels the previous evening, where Dame Ann was lauded by all and sundry. A huge bunch of flowers was presented by the new deputy manager, a Bryan Wester, and it seemed that the loss of four key staff in a car crash had had no ill effects on the running of the club. If anything, service had improved.
Chloe had arrived, without Chris, at 8.15pm which gave Dame Ann enough time to meet and greet her subordinates and local dignitaries. When the manager saw Chloe to her seat in a secluded corner of the restaurant, Ann rose and greeted her daughter with a kiss and a hug.
‘Thank you so much for coming, Chloe, dahling! It means so much to me,’ gushed Ann, a small, fake tear forming in the corner of one eye.
‘Waiter, champagne for my daughter!’ she announced for all to hear.
Bryan Wester had been hovering and immediately fetched a bottle of Mumm’s, which he uncorked and poured, much to Dame Ann’s delight.
‘Thank you, Mr …….?’
‘Wester, ma'am,’ replied Bryan obsequiously. There was no other way with this woman.
Chloe grasped her wine and gulped it down in one. She needed the Dutch courage it would provide.
‘Mother, you can cut out all of the bullshit. It's me you’re with, not one of your sycophantic minions!’
Ann took on a look of false mortification.
‘Chloe, please! We are in public. Behave – or leave!’
Chloe made as if to depart, and Ann instantly checked herself.
‘Sorry, darling, sorry. Please – sit down. I only want to make amends. How do you like the idea of moving in to the floor above me tomorrow? It's a lovely block.’
Chloe sat down again, revelling in the fact that she had successfully called her mother’s bluff.
‘I'm only coming if Chris can stay too. Otherwise, it's no deal.’
Ann was sugary as she replied:
‘Of course, darling. Why shouldn’t he be with you. After all, it was his lovely family that protected you from the snow. Oh, and did you see them on TV in America. How well they have done. I helped a little bit, you know – a quick call to the President and it was all fixed.’
Chloe was aghast.
‘Mother, you can't use your power to do stuff like that! It's immoral.’
Ann was unrepentant.
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Chloe. If I can't pull a few strings for my own family’s benefit, it's a poor do!’
Chloe was exasperated by her mother, but remembered her father’s words and held her tongue.
‘Alright, mother. Thank you anyway. Talking about relatives – what you did to poor Andrew Brady was despicable. How can you live with yourself?’
Ann ignored her naivety:
‘Chloe, darling, what else could I do. Andy appeared as if by magic and I gave him the motive and impetus to get you out. Otherwise, you would all probably be dead by now. Do you know what it's like back home. Floodwaters have devastated the entire country. Millions have died and God knows what is going to happen to our nation. Many of those who survived the snow have been drowned and we are starting to lose rescue workers and troops sent in to search for survivors – but keep that under your hat – it's a sensitive issue.’
The waiter took their order for dinner and as they waited and chatted idly, a steady flow of fellow diners interrupted their own little tête-à-tête. Dame Ann introduced Chloe as her daughter – almost as if she were a trophy, boosting her own ego and prestige.
Chloe took it all in her stride and dropped the subject of her father. Her mother clearly believed that Brady had conceded his paternity, and that fact suited everybody concerned. It put Ann off her guard – it also proved that she was fallible and not dominantly all-powerful.
She endured the meal, making small-talk and agreed to move into the new apartment the following morning.
‘It's fully furnished,’ purred Ann, ‘but if you want to change anything just ask.’
She handed over a business card with her office and personal mobile numbers.
‘My PA will sort out any problems you may encounter. You know Eleanor, she's still with me and is very fond of you. You’ll find a lap top, two i-phones and some cash in the flat. They are in the safe and the combination is on the back of the card. We’ll sort out bank accounts later. Now, what about work? Do you want to get back into Graphic Design?’
Chloe hadn’t really thought about future employment, but now that Ann had mentioned it, a job would keep her occupied.
‘I hadn’t given it much thought, mother, but if I could I suppose I'd give it a try.’
‘Excellent,’ enthused Ann, ‘I’ll get Eleanor to put you in touch with the employment exchange at UKRA. I'm sure they’ll come up with something – especially when they become aware of your pedigree.’
Chloe smiled thinly and said only one word:
‘Mother!’
‘Ok, Ok I won't say anything,’ granted Ann, lying through her teeth.
Chloe had had about enough by now and asked if she could go back to the hotel. Ann baulked at this, but Chloe insisted, so as they left the restaurant, a car was already waiting outside, and Patric Silver was in attendance.
Both he and Chloe were exceptionally cool and feigned any knowledge of each other. The ride home was uneventful and Ann introduced Chloe to Patric. Mother and daughter embraced awkwardly as the car dropped Chloe at the hotel entrance.
‘Don’t forget, darling. Moving day tomorrow. Please give me a ring when you're settled. I’ll send Patric here to give you a hand. Let's say 10am. Goodnight.’
Chloe smiled at Patric, embarrassed and walked into the scruffy hotel.
Ann sat back and enjoyed the journey to her apartment.
‘How about that nightcap, Patric?’ quipped Ann.
‘Early start tomorrow, ma'am.’
Ann was stifling a giggle.
‘Don’t worry Commander; there will always be another day for us. Now get yourself off home to that little Jennie of yours.’
***
On the next morning, Patric set about choosing the ‘double’ for Dame Ann. When he arrived at work, he re-checked that each flight into Brussels was still scheduled, and then prepared a small office in which to interview each candidate. He also spoke to the senior administrative officer and informed him that he may have two new job applicants, who would be available from tomorrow, the twenty-second. The administrator was mildly irritated by Patric’s assumption that he could magically produce work for all and sundry, but soon changed his tune when Patric revealed whom he worked for – and who had personally requested that work and accommodation be found for these two women.
The girl from Dortmund arrived first, Suzanne Abbott. Patric met her at the main entrance and escorted her upstairs. After fetching coffee, Patric engaged her in conversation, and it didn’t take long for him to realise that she was unsuitable. She just wasn’t very bright at all. She was totally bemused by the situation and could not comprehend the smallest detail.
After twenty minutes, Patric thanked her and despatched Suzanne to the senior admin officer with instructions to find her the agreed work and accommodation. The woman believed she had acquired the job she had travelled to Brussels for.
The second applicant arrived at 11:30am and Patric proceeded as before. Susan Roberts had been a successful solicitor in Manchester before the snow and was just far too clever for her own good. She asked dozens of irrelevant questions, and Patric soon concluded that she would be a complete pain in the arse. Therefore, she quickly went the same way as Suzanne, and Patric pitied the unfortunate bunch of solicitors she ended up working with.
The final candidate, and Patric’s last chance, arrived at 1230. Carol Leslie was a personable, intelligent and quiet spoken woman who saw much but said little. Patric immediately took to this candidate and within ten minutes had made his decision.
It was time to lay his cards on the table.
‘Carol, I won't beat about the bush, so I can let you know that you have passed the interview and have the job.’
Ms Leslie was non-plussed.
‘That's all very well Mr Silver, but just exactly what is the job and what are my prospects?’
Patric admired the way in which Carol had reacted – not just rushing in and immediately accepting without reservation.
‘Well, firstly, I need you to sign some paperwork. This is a copy of the Official Secrets Act, and you will have to read and sign the appropriate sections. It's a formality – but I should warn you now that you will be working with some very high ranking politicians and even royalty at times, so absolute discretion and loyalty are an essential requirement of the job.’
‘Mr Silver,’ she relied without emotion, ‘if I sign these documents you will be able to rely upon my absolute discretion in all matters.’
Patric smiled. He had made the right choice.
He spent the rest of the day briefing Ms Leslie on the job and her duties. She showed no surprise and commented that it seemed a sensible precaution in the circumstances. She was happy with the salary and accommodation offered, and indicated that she was relieved to be off the hospital ship.
After lunch, Patric took her to the hairdressers, where her natural blond locks were styled to match Dame Ann. They then went shopping and over five thousand Euros were spent on clothing, shoes, jewellery and make-up.
By the time Patric had hauled the shopping up to the woman’s new flat he was exhausted. However, when he stopped to look at Carol, he was startled at just how similar she was to Dame Ann.
‘She wants to meet you briefly this evening, and will call round at 6pm. I will be with her. Don’t be intimidated by
her, but do not antagonise her. Be warned. It is probably the only time you will ever meet, so take the time to observe her mannerisms. I have brought a video of a speech she gave at a charity function last year – so study and learn. I will be your liaison throughout your employment, so you can contact me on this number at any time. Now, before I go to fetch Dame Ann, do you have any questions? I know it's been rushed, but needs must.’
Carol Leslie was again unperturbed.
‘I look forward to meeting the great lady. I’ll be ready at 6pm.’
Patric grinned, wished her good luck, and returned to the UKRA building where he picked up Dame Ann at 1740.
***
Ann Fletcher had a Burberry suitcase with her, and Patric carried it up in the lift.
Ms Leslie greeted her with due deference and they shook hands.
‘Patric, you have done well. She’s almost my exact double – down to the clothes and hairstyle. How did you know what to wear Ms Leslie?
‘I'm a great fan, Dame Ann. I remembered this outfit from an episode of ‘Newsnight’ last year.’
‘Well, you’ve got me off to a tee. It's perfect. Now, I have some other items for your use. Clothing, shoes – oh what size are you – ah….. a six, just like me – excellent. Also, there is some jewellery, mainly costume but a couple of genuine pieces for special events. You won't need to talk to anyone, but appearances are everything and I have a reputation to maintain.’
Patric smirked from his position behind Dame Ann, but Carol Leslie maintained her poise beautifully. She was a real actress. A diamond!
Dame Ann was clearly completely satisfied and departed the flat with a smile and a flounce.
It was another piece in the jigsaw puzzle – perfectly in place.
***
The next evening, Tuesday the twenty-first, Patric and Joanie held their small party in the new apartment. Brady travelled down two flights of stairs, John Stubbins came down three, Ross Bryant drove himself across town and Chloe caught a taxi with Chris.
The seven new friends settled down in the smart sitting room whilst Patric served Gin and Tonics. Joanie had prepared some canapés, warm and cold, which everyone enjoyed with their drinks.
Snow! The Series [Books 1-4] Page 90
