Dead Men Don't Bite (Jake Dillon Adventure Thriller Series)

by Andrew Towning

  “So, do you think that he was deliberately run over because of the U-boat?”

  “I really don’t know, my dear. But please trust me when I say to you, that if Nathan is laying there in hospital, fighting for his life because he inadvertently discovered that U-boat. Then I will do everything in my power to find out the truth and to bring whoever is involved to justice. Of that you can be assured.”

  * * * Hugo Malakoff was sat in his private office at the château, watching aerial footage of the rugged Jersey coastline that was being sent back in real-time and displayed on a large wall mounted plasma screen, when the man who called himself Slater phoned through from London.

  “I’m very sorry Mr Malakoff, but we found nothing at the Belgrave Mews address.”

  “I’m not surprised, but it was worth checking,” Malakoff said. “There were no problems I trust?”

  “No, none at all, sir” Slater lied easily. “But I did bug the place, not that anyone would notice. It was just in case the girl says anything to Levenson-Jones while she’s staying there.”

  “You imbecile, you were told not to bug that apartment.” Malakoff suppressed his anger with icy coldness. “I told you, that this man is a former MI5 controller. Employed at the highest level, and is still involved with the intelligence community, he’s someone, Slater, who checks everything, twice, even in his sleep.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr Malakoff, I thought that I was doing the right thing, I used the new equipment that you sent to us.”

  “Never mind, the damage is already done. But I hope for your sake Slater, that Levenson-Jones does not discover those cameras. But all the same, it would be wise for you and Black to stay out of sight for a few days. That bizarre blond hair you both have, it makes you stand out like a couple of belisha beacons, and is far too distinctive. Change it straight away. Also, if you have any other little jobs that you are currently working on, drop them immediately. Do I make myself clear, Slater?”

  “Yes Mr Malakoff, very clear.”

  “Good, because I’m going to require both of you, and your special talents very soon. So keep your phone switched on, and wait for my call.” Malakoff put down the phone and continued to watch the dark Jersey coastline flash by the lenses of the high-definition video camera that was attached to one of his private helicopters.

  * * * It was just after six-thirty that evening. Annabelle Cunningham was sat opposite LJ on the sofa in his office, the aluminium Kriegsmarine briefcase was on the coffee table in front of them.

  “How is your father today?”

  “Pretty much the same, thank you for asking. They’ve told me to expect no change in him, until he regains consciousness. And only Pop himself knows when that will be. But the consultant did say he was extremely pleased that his condition had stabilised.”

  “Good, I’m sure he’ll pull through. He’s a tough one your father.” LJ got up and walked over to the drinks cabinet. Without asking Annabelle, he poured them both a good measure of single malt whisky into crystal tumblers before returning to his seat, and snapping open the catches of the briefcase.

  “Have you seen this before, my dear?” She leant forward, a puzzled look on her face. “No, never.”

  Gently picking up the leather bound diary of Korvettenkapitan Otto Sternberg, he asked. “Or this?” He opened it, and handed it across to her.

  “No, I’ve never seen this book before, why?”

  LJ said, “Because, this is the reason why Nathan came to see me. He discovered this briefcase and its contents inside the wreck of a German submarine somewhere off the coast of Jersey, Annabelle. Did he tell you anything about that before leaving to come to London?”

  Annabelle took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering. “Yes, he did tell me that he’d been diving that morning and that he’d discovered a Nazi submarine. He also said that it was still tied up inside a large cave, and that it was a mystery how or why it was there.”

  “Is that all he told you about it, Annabelle. It really is vital that you tell me everything that you can remember. However trivial you may think it is.”

  “Well, he did mention something about Heinrich Himmler. He was very excited, about how it appeared that he was involved in some way. But that really is all he told me about the matter. He made me promise not to tell anyone on the island. I think it was the press that he was most concerned about, turning Jersey into a media circus as well as attracting relic hunters, and the like. But I know for certain that once he’d spoken to you, he felt much happier about the situation. He told me that if anyone knew what to do, you would.”

  “He did, did he. Well, my dear I do know what to do, but first I need to find out where that U-boat is. I don’t suppose for one minute that Nathan mentioned the place where he’d dived that morning, did he?” LJ tried to make the question sound as casual as he could.

  “I’m afraid that he wouldn’t tell me where he’d been that morning. But if I know Pops, it would have been somewhere off the northern coast and more than likely in a place where it was very dangerous.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “Because he’s still an adrenaline junky. Surely you remember what he was like when he was in the Navy? Always trying something new, and that would usually involve extreme height or speed. Well since taking up diving he’s forever searching for deeper and more interesting cave formations. Jersey’s northern coastline is ideal for this, but it is also the most fearsome of places, because of the rocks just below the surface of the water, and the severe tidal movements.”

  There was a moment of silence while LJ pondered on what had just been revealed. “You are positive that Nathan never referred to a particular place or area?”

  “Absolutely positive. Pop said that it was better if I didn’t know where the submarine was. Just in case I accidentally let it slip in front of someone.”

  “Unfortunate that, Annabelle. It’s a real shame that Nathan didn’t confide in you of all people. Only it really would have been extremely useful to know the location. But there you are, never mind.” LJ paused briefly before saying, “However, that doesn’t stop you from making an educated guess, though, does it?”

  “What? I’ve really no idea, except that it would more than likely be somewhere between Ronez and Greve De Lecq. That is a stretch of the coast that Pops had been visiting for some months. He’s been using some sort of equipment on board the Nautical Lady that maps out the seabed or something like that. But I have to tell you that it’s also one of the most inhospitable coastal areas that we have in Jersey. But I’m only guessing.”

  “Why this stretch of coastline? What makes it so special?”

  “Jersey has many interesting dive sites that the tourists are taken to see and this is because they are in fairly safe waters, and are easy to get out to. Obviously there are plenty of wrecks that have been discovered over the years. But this U-boat is a bit weird. How is it possible, that no one has ever found this cave before?”

  “You mean that this place could be somewhere that nobody ever dives in, the professionals included, I suppose?”

  “I’d say that was just about it. But I’m not a diver, so what would I know?”

  “You may not be a diver, Annabelle, but you do know your coastline.”

  “The man you should talk to is Rob Chapman, he’s lived in Jersey all of his life. If anybody would know, he would.”

  LJ, wrote the name into his notepad. “And what does Mr Chapman do?”

  “Rob Chapman, is an archaeologist, but also takes dive charters in his spare time to earn extra income. Poor soul, lost his wife and daughter in a car crash a little while back, the diving keeps him busy you see.”

  “Archaeologist, how interesting.” LJ said absent mindedly to a corner of the room.

  “Yes, it was Rob who taught Pops to dive, and also got him hooked on the archaeology thing. I believe that he’s currently working on the war tunnels project at the German Underground Hospital in St Lawrence. He persuaded Pops t
o sign up and join the team who are attempting to map out a number of deep tunnels that apparently go on for miles under the island and which have remained sealed up since the end of the last war.”

  “And what role does this Chapman fellow play in the project?”

  “Assistant project co-ordinator. Why?”

  “Oh, no reason, just curious.” LJ said, standing up.

  “Well, I’d say that we’ve covered just about as much as we can, my dear. You’ve been most helpful, and now I’ve got a number of telephone calls to make, before my day is over. If you like, I’ll get Roberts to take you back to the hospital.”

  “If it’s all the same with you, I’d rather like to take a walk by the river.”

  “Of course, blow the cobwebs out, what. But I’ll still have someone go with you.” LJ saw the alarm on Annabelle’s face at this suggestion. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll tell them to stay out of sight. It’s only for your own protection. Your father would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”

  “LJ, Thank you, you are sweet.” Annabelle stood up and kissed the special projects director on the cheek, making him flush with embarrassment. “But, I really will be fine,” she said over her shoulder as she left.

  Half and hour later, he was having a strong black coffee, and smoking a cigar when Vince Sharp lumbered into his office. “I was bloody well right you know? Whoever planted those three bugs in your apartment was a clever bastard. Also the phone in your study is unsafe.” He said triumphantly.

  “Why is it unsafe?” LJ asked, looking at the slim cigar that he was rolling between his forefinger and thumb.

  “Because the line there is being intercepted and before you ask. It’s definitely not by anyone we know.”

  “So,” LJ said stabbing the butt of his cigar into the glass ashtray on his desk. “A dark pit opens.”

  “I figure it’s like this boss. Nathan Cunningham knew about the briefcase and its contents because he was the one who discovered it. You knew because he told you, and his daughter knew only the bare facts because that’s all he told her. The only other people to know anything about the U-boat or the contents of that briefcase, apart from myself that is, are Sir Lucius Stagg and Lord Asquith. Oh, and of course the Partners of Ferran & Cardini.” He paused.

  “So what exactly are you saying Vince?”

  “That someone is leaking information, boss.”

  LJ sighed, got up, and started to pace around the office. “Um, well that may be the case, Vince. But, the question is who and to what end?”

  “Well whoever it is, needs to be found and bloody quick. I mean, with all this cloak and dagger stuff going on. I’d say, that whoever they are, they’re well organised, and very well funded. But they definitely don’t know where that U-boat is, and that’s why your apartment has been bugged.”

  “You could be right, Vince, this whole mystery is taking on a totally new dimension.”

  “Do you think we should inform MI5, boss?”

  “No, I think it would be better not to involve them at this stage. After all what is there to tell, we don’t even know where this dammed German submarine is.” LJ’s telephone came alive on his desk. He answered it after the second ring, attentively listened to the voice at the other end of the line, and a moment later gently replaced the handset back on its cradle. “That was the police. They found the body of old Mrs Marsden, early this morning.”

  “Mrs Marsden?” Vince asked quizzically.

  “The woman across the road from my apartment. She was the one who informed the police of my visitors yesterday. Apparently she’s been dead since late last evening. They’ve taken her off to the morgue for an autopsy. They said they’d call if anything irregular shows up, but it looks like she had a heart attack. Poor old soul.”

  “But you don’t think so, do you boss?”

  “I’m not sure. She was quite old, and these things do happen, I suppose. But one thing, I’m very sure of though. Is that we’ll have to send someone down to Jersey to find out where that U-boat is.”

  “Obviously, that someone would have to be able to handle himself if things got tough and be an extraordinarily experienced diver of course.” Vince said.

  “I agree on both counts. Especially, with an unknown foe running around, so it’s got to be someone who thinks like a criminal and has no regard for protocol whatsoever.” LJ continued to pace around the office.

  “Of course, that someone will be a wild card. Maverick in style, and have a total disregard for personal safety as well as operational procedure.”

  “You know, life can be so extremely perverse on occasions, Vince. I must have been very naïve to think that I wouldn’t have to endure that temperamental and capricious character ever again, let alone his flagrant contempt for authority. But I have to concede to the fact that he’s undeniably perfect for this assignment.”

  “Is he still on indefinite leave?”

  “Yes, the Partners thought it best after that episode in Dorset. But he appears to have redeemed himself in the eyes of the FBI. Which I suppose is something to his credit.”

  “Do we know where he is?”

  “Oh I know exactly where he is. Ever been to California, Vince?”

  “Never, boss.”

  “Well, in that case this will be a new experience for you then. I’ll get young Roberts to book us business class seats on the next available flight to Los Angeles. You get off home, and pack a few things. Roberts will phone you later with the flight time. As for me, I’m off to have dinner with Miss Cunningham. Oh and Vince, before you leave, contact that FBI fellow, Dan Parker in Florida, and make sure that our friend is still staying at the Beverly Hills Hilton. If he is there, and I’ve no reason to suppose that he’s not, then please book two rooms in my name.”

  “It’ll be a pleasure, boss.”

  Chapter Five

  Dillon was enjoying a glass of the hotel’s finest vintage Champagne, when a knock came at the door of the penthouse suite. Ignoring this intrusion, he continued to stroke the naked back of his beautiful female companion; asleep next to him on the enormous bed. Five minutes later the bedside phone started to ring. He reached over and picked up the handset, listening to the voice at the other end of the line. It was the hotel manager, informing him that there were two gentlemen from London to see him, and that they were waiting downstairs at the bar by the swimming pool. He put on a pair of linen trousers and short-sleeved shirt. Went back to the bed, leaned over and lightly kissed the attractive blonde-haired woman on the back of her neck. She stirred sleepily, rolling over, and stretching her elegant and sensuous body underneath the silk sheet that partially covered her. On seeing him, she said in a sleepy voice. “Hello, Jake Dillon. Why are you dressed?”

  “Because we’ve got company from London.” “Come back to bed, I’m not finished with you yet.” “Well, as much as I’d love too comply with a woman

  of such persuasion, Tatiana. I’m afraid that I’m going to have to go downstairs, and talk with our two unannounced guests.”

  “Who are they, do we know them?”

  “No idea, but I’ve got a feeling who it might be. And if I’m right, I should only be fifteen minutes at most. So why don’t you put another bottle of bubbly on ice?” As Dillon turned to leave, Tats reached up and pulled the Englishman back down onto the bed. When they kissed it was hot and passionate, her expensive perfume filled his nostrils. She made his head spin, and his heart pound, as she’d done from the moment they’d met in the corridor of Ferran & Cardini, where they both worked. That was well over a year ago, and the time that they’d started to see each other seriously.

  * * * At his Château on the outskirts of Paris, Hugo Malakoff was about to take a mid-morning ride on one of his prized horses, when his butler came out and informed him that there was a telephone call from England. It was Oliver Asquith.

  “Hugo, I’m so sorry to trouble you, but I’ve been trying to get you all morning.”

  “I lead a very busy
life, Oliver. Now what news have you got for me?”

  “Levenson-Jones telephoned me late last evening. He’s spoken to the Cunningham girl who has informed him that she doesn’t know the location of the cavern. Apparently her father had told her about the cavern and the U-boat before he flew up to London, but deliberately kept the location a secret.”

  “How does Levenson-Jones know that she is not lying about this?”

  “Because he has over twenty five years of interrogation experience, that’s how.”

  “What of Commander Cunningham’s condition?”

  “Still in a coma I’m afraid, Hugo. Doctors say he could come out of it at anytime. It may be weeks even months before he regains consciousness.”

  “That is very unfortunate, Oliver. However, Cunningham is not the threat. Levenson-Jones is. Do you know what he’s up to?”

  “No, all he said to me was that he’d keep me posted if anything turned up.”

  “And what of the girl? Is she still staying with Levenson-Jones?”

  “Yes, she’s still at the Belgrave Mews apartment.”

  “Good.” said Malakoff.

  “So what’s our next move, Hugo?”

  “What do you mean, Oliver? Our next move, you will continue to do nothing. After all it is what you do best, isn’t it? I’m still not convinced though that the girl is telling the truth. So I think that we will pay Miss Cunningham a little visit.”

  “What do you mean a visit?”

  “A visit, Oliver. It will simply be two police officers, or that is what she will think, and they will simply be asking her a few simple questions to assist them with their enquiries into her father’s hit and run accident, if that’s not successful. Well, my people in London will just have to think of some other way to approach her.”

  “You can’t expect to get away with that, surely, Hugo. I mean she’ll see straight through it. She’s not stupid or naïve you know.”