by Leo James
'Does that mean it will delay you getting any money?' Trish enquired.
'Please sit down for a minute. I don't know. It's going well, but I've found a serious fraud.' He felt a little rush of butterflies in his stomach.
Trish sat down opposite David. 'Fraud?' Her eyes widened.
'Yes, we could get pulled into it.' David stroked his beard.
'How serious is it?'
'I'm worried. I have to go back to Malaysia.' His forehead creased with concern.
'You've only just got back. You said the other directors would take over the project. Isn't that what you said?'
'But there's something going on.'
'Let the others sort it out.'
Lola jumped onto the couch beside David. 'There's a good girl.' He rubbed his hand across her head. 'Let's get ready, Lola.' He stood up.
'Don't change the subject. Wait. You promised.'
‘The other directors will need my help.'
'When are you going?' She questioned.
'In the next couple of weeks.'
'You said this was the last time. I hate it when you go away.' She pulled at the threads on the sofa arm.
'This situation is serious. I need to go back.’ He stroked his beard.
'You don't have to do anything. You're a director for God's sake. Delegate. Get someone else to do the work and manage them from here.' A groan accompanied the roll of her eyes.
'I asked you to come with me, but you don't like Asia.'
'We can't leave Lola. Someone has to look after her.'
'You don't understand. It's important. And anyway, it doesn't help matters if you keep moaning. I'll be back as soon as I can.'
‘You know I don’t like you to go away.’ She looked away.
‘I don’t want to go back. Do you think I need this? Come on, we'll be late.’ David left the room and went upstairs to get ready.
######
The unprotected driveway offered zero cover as hard rain bounced off David's car. He yanked the collar of his three-quarter length coat over his head. His backside was getting wet. Lola, reluctantly traipsed behind. She hated rainwater and once sheltered behind the vehicle, gave a hearty shake. David opened the tailgate of the Renault Estate and the pooch jumped in.
'Good girl.' David smiled as Lola settled on her blanket. He threw his coat onto the back of the car and slid quickly into the driver's seat.
Trish emerged from the house carrying a bow-wrapped box. She closed the front door, tested it with a push and a pull, then rushed towards the car in a futile attempt to dodge the rainfall. Once seated, it took a while to wipe her blinking eyes and dry her glasses.
'I'm bloody soaking.' Trish twisted and stretched to place the present on the rear seat.
'Let's get moving… party’ll be over.' He looked in the mirror. 'Good girl. Lie down now.' David pulled the estate off the drive and headed to the party.
'Spend time with me tonight. Don't leave me talking to your sister, or Tim.’ Trish wagged her index finger. 'Focus on me for a change. Most of the time you're absent. If you’re not working, you're thinking about work.'
’Tim’s all right. He's harmless.' David glanced at Trish and smirked.
'All arms more like. Bloody octopus. Any chance to grab my backside or have a fondle.'
'He's no Harvey Weinstein—just friendly.'
The Renault's headlights pierced the cloudburst as the traffic slowed.
'Yes, too friendly. I'm sure June must know.'
'She'd defend him to the hilt.'
'Letch. Any chance to grope, especially when he's had a few drinks.'
‘If he does anything that makes you uncomfortable, let me know and I’ll speak to him about it,’ David briefly turned his head. 'You're beautiful. My lovely Trish. Are you surprised?'
'Ah. You realise it. Funny. You married me remember, not your job.' She pushed his shoulder.
'You are so funny and so lovely.' He looked at her again and smiled.
'If I'm so delectable… why do I always have to grab you for a hug or a kiss? You're married to your phone and that company. You should be careful. I'm a great catch. If you're away I don't see you, and when you're here, you have your head down looking at your phone or your bloody laptop.'
'Don't go on. It's a difficult time. You know I need to keep things going.'
'Let the other directors take some pressure. It's not all down to you. Have some home life.'
'For God's sake. Let's have a good evening.'
'You've just got back and you're off again. How does that make me feel?' She bowed her head, letting her hair screen her face.
'It won't be for long…Steady.’ David felt the car slide a little, so he straightened it and gripped the steering wheel tighter. 'Christ, these tyres are wearing thin already!' The wipers were at full velocity yet were struggling to keep the deluge off the screen; he kept his speed well below the limit.
'I'm not going on the M25 in this… we'll take the A10.'
'OK. You know best as always.' Trish looked away.
'Let's just have a nice evening. It’s Dad's seventieth.'
Trish did not respond.
The shower was easing.
'You're a good girl Lola.' Trish turned around in her seat, she nudged her glasses with a fingertip, and smiled. 'Not far to go. Treatie time when we get there.' Lola wagged her tail expectantly.
The downpour reduced to a drizzle.
A black Audi pulled alongside them and slowed instead of overtaking. David looked across at the two men in the car. The passenger stared back and surveyed the pair with a half-smile.
'What's he want?' David glanced several times whilst trying to focus on the road ahead. 'He's driving too close. Nutter.'
The Audi hovered a little longer. David checked again. The passenger averted his stare and looked down. The Audi’s engine revved and it sped away. David stroked his beard and shrugged. 'Strange—.'
The explosion caught him mid-thought. It was deafening and quick. He felt numbness and tingling but didn't know the detail - Good job. Both of his eardrums had burst in the blast. The Renault's airbags activated with twin bangs and filled the car with acrid smoke. He lost his grip on the steering wheel as the bag forced him backwards before jolting him forward again into the cushion. His seat belt locked up to reverse the action. Trish's head lurched forward, causing her spectacles to propel into the air, before her skull cracked against the passenger window. The car slid sideways along the wet road, narrowly missing a van as a white minibus braked hard behind it. The Renault finally lost all traction on the sodden surface and began spinning. Lola yelped in her rear compartment prison. The poor thing was being thrown around like washing on a full spin cycle.
The car crossed a grass verge, and smashed into a street light, its doors buckling inwards. The momentum carried it still further into a tailspin, then a flip, before propelling it backwards into some bushes. Upturned and stationary, a further explosion punctuated its demise as flames consumed the chassis, tyres, and all.
Traffic ground to a standstill and onlookers spilled out of their vehicles. They did it in freeze-frame. There was little point in rushing to this one.
######
The Audi continued into the distance as the passenger sat upright, stared back out of the window and made a call. 'It’s done.'
The driver reached across and switched on the radio. 'I'm starving.'
PART THREE
Present Day
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Monday 13th April
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, STEVE woke to the sound of his iPhone ringing. Blurry-eyed, he looked over at the digital clock on his bedside cabinet and answered the call. 'Hi Roger, it's just after three AM here.'
'Steve, I have bad news.’ Roger coughed. ’I got a call this evening from David's dad and the police.’
'David?'
'I'm sorry to tell you David died in a road accident. He and his wife Trish passed away at the scene.' Roger's voice cracked.<
br />
'No! What happened?' Steve's heart stuttered, and he experienced a falling, spinning down feeling. He jumped out of bed and covered his mouth with his hand.
‘On Saturday evening, David and Trish were travelling along a dual carriageway on the outskirts of London. They were heading to David's mum and dad's house for his dad's birthday. They never arrived.'
'Oh no, I'm so sorry. His poor mum and dad. Devastating! And Trish, David loved her so much.’ A dull headache formed behind his brow.
'No mother wants to bury their child,‘ Roger said, ‘And also Trish’s mother, devastating. There's nothing we can say to them other than we will help them in any way we can with arrangements. No other cars or people involved. There's a police investigation. The petrol tank exploded as they drove along the dual carriageway.'
'Explosion? How could that happen? David only bought the car two years ago, brand-new. I'm devastated.' A million thoughts rushed into Steve’s mind, though he couldn't snatch and hold on to any single one.
'There will be an inquest. The police need to establish what happened. So, his dad has no idea when they will release David’s and Trish's body for their funerals. It's devastating for the families.'
'I can't believe it. We talked the other day. I can't fucking believe he's dead.'
'Leave it with me to tell the team over here,’ Roger said.
'OK,’ Steve said, ‘I’ll talk to Glen and Mark later this morning. I'll let Q7 know.'
'OK.'
'I'll fly back to the UK in the next few days.' Steve’s shoulders dropped with a sigh.
'Take care.'
######
Even though Steve had taken another Valium, he could not get any sleep after Roger's call. So many thoughts going around in his head. He was feeling even more anxious.
Did I push him too hard?
Have I caused it?
How did the car explode?
Too focused on the dark net?
I can't understand.
I'm devastated.
Is Farid involved?
Surely not.
Not in the UK.
As soon as he had pulled himself together he called home, 'Look, Beth.' He cleared his throat. 'Sad news. David and Trish died in a car crash on their way to David's mum and dad’s house near London. Lola was in the car too. It's just dreadful.’
'Oh no. Not David. David's poor parents. And Trish. Oh her mom.' Beth sobbed. 'Very sad. David and Trish were devoted to each other.’
‘Roger sent flowers and a card from us all to David’s parents and Trish’s mom. I'll really miss David,’ Steve said.
'I know. And poor Trish, I’ll miss them both.’ Beth sobbed and Steve did his best to console her.
As soon as eight AM arrived, he called and asked Mark and Glen to meet him.
######
Steve was already in the lobby area when Mark and Glen arrived together. They ordered coffee and sat down.
Steve told them the devastating news. He shuffled on his chair and coughed. 'I was sitting here in the lounge with David less than two weeks ago and talked to him on the phone just the other day. Can't believe he's dead.'
Mark's face turned pale.
Glen leaned forward and bowed his head. 'It's mad. He was a great guy. A waste of his talents, and a loss to the industry. Mad, eh? We should raise a toast to David.'
'David.' They said in unison. Mark motioned the words, but nothing came out.
Steve put his hand on Mark's shoulder. 'I'm gonna go back to the UK in the next few days. Sort a few things out.'
Glen raised his stare from the floor. 'You going to David's funeral?'
'David's dad is not sure when his funeral will take place. The police are investigating the crash. There was an explosion. It makes little sense. David's car was new. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I've got a bad feeling about this.'
'About what? What do you mean?' Glen looked puzzled.
'David's crash. I could be wrong. It's just… What do you think of Farid?'
‘Farid?’
Steve sipped his drink and paused for a moment before he answered. 'Could he get involved in illegal dealings?'
Glen shook his head. ‘Illegal dealings? What dodgy dealings?'
'Look you've been selling in Asia for years. Do you know much about Farid beyond Q7?'
‘He is a character. He likes women, the liqueur, and goes out most nights to the Cuban Club or his Gentlemen's Club. Women and booze on tap. I got to know him well during the time I was trying to close the deal with Q7. I guess he likes me.'
Steve widened his questions. 'You met Prem Jothi?'
'Prem Jothi, yes. Seen him around town, with Farid lots of times. He is into services and other stuff. He must be rich as he always has a minder with him. Mai knows him, but I’m not sure if there have been any goings on between her and Prem before I got onto the scene. Just like Farid, he loves the women and the booze.'
'Mai knows him?'
Glen's phoned pinged. He ignored it. 'Yes, she is in awe of him. Not Farid. Just Prem. Mai and I have seen them a few times at the Cuban bar. Looking for a bit of hanky panky.'
'Poor David,' Mark said as the words emerged.
Glen continued, ’Farid gave me a Maybank prepaid card to put stuff on the tab, and I used it for other stuff. It's got thousands of ringgit on it.'
'You shouldn't take money, Glen. It might compromise you and Seguro.' Steve said.
'Chill. No probs. He’s rich Steve. It's only a few drinks. What's David's death got to do with him?’
Chill. I'll give you chill. You don’t understand Glen! Steve raised his shoulders and held his palms upwards. 'Oh no. Nothing Glen. Don't worry.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Thursday 16th April
STEVE PREPARED TO GO back to the UK. Although he tried to focus on the project, he had spent the last few days trying to figure out David's death. It was going well at Q7, but he could not get the news of the crash out of his mind. The thought of an explosion weighed heavily on him.
He had spoken to Roger several times during the week. David's dad had given the police, Roger’s number and they contacted him. Steve was trying to make sense of it all. Seemed that the police were taking no chances, they assigned the Metropolitan police under the counter-terrorism command. He was astonished to hear the words terrorism and explosion. The police had sent in a bomb disposal unit to the crash scene and they searched David’s home for trigger bombs.
Roger had instructed staff to work from home until further notice. The police searched the Seguro offices, looking for anything. They said they don't know what they’re looking for necessarily when they go in, other than treading carefully in case the home and offices are compromised. They took everything of David and Trish’s that may provide evidence, including his black leather briefcase, iPad and MacBook.
The police were also disappointed that the press had caught wind of the explosion and reported the incident. The Metropolitan Police had reluctantly setup a press briefing schedule.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Monday 20th April
STEVE RETURNED TO THE UK to help find the reason for David and Trish's death. Once he arrived back, he went straight to Roger's house.
Roger opened his front door. 'Come in. You must be exhausted. Was the flight OK?'
Steve followed him and took off his overcoat. 'Not too bad. I'll be shattered later.’
Roger led him through the hall and into the dining room. They sat next to each other at the table. 'Great work by the team. Very proud of them.'
'Yes.' Steve nodded.
'How are Mark and Glen?' Roger said.
'They're OK. Both very quiet but you know lads, they don't show their emotions. Mark was close to David. We need to watch him.'
'I talked to the guys in the office. They're shocked.' Roger looked down.
'Yes, I'm going tomorrow to meet the rest of the team…. Any further update from David's dad or the police?’
'I went
to see Mr and Mrs Morris yesterday. They have no news on when they'll release the remains for their funeral. They're very anxious. The police are still investigating the explosion, but not giving away any information. A frustrating and difficult time for his family.'
'Did you arrange for me to meet with the investigating officer?' Steve said.
‘Yes. He is available this afternoon. Is that too early?' He copied down the contact information and handed the note to Steve.
Steve took the note and put it in his wallet. 'No, I'm fine. I’ll see them today.’
‘You need some rest, but if you think it's worth it, hope it helps.’ Roger said.
'I'm worried.’ Steve paused. ‘Not sure if I'm putting two and two together and making five. David found dodgy information on the Q7 network and odd transactions going on.'
'What do you mean? It's going well, isn't it? I even received a payment today. Over eighty grand this month. At this rate, we'll get back pay and inland revenue up to date. Might even pay your expenses.' Roger looked anxious.
'No, nothing to do with us. We're not doing anything wrong. David was investigating and found our payment solution is being used for illegal, anonymous transactions and odd payments to a Malaysian company owned offshore. He found dodgy network servers using something called the onion router and a dark net.'
'How are we involved?' Roger looked confused.
'Well, if we are processing payments it could be for illegal stuff; moving money or bitcoins.'
'OK, I think I understand. Have you spoken to anyone at Q7?' Roger asked.
'Yes, we met with Farid. He brought in a guy called Prem Jothi. They are investigating. They even took me to talk with the head of the local police in Kuala Lumpur.' Steve stared at Roger. 'Crazy, eh?'
'OK, so we should leave it with Farid.'
'But my head's in a spin. Over-thinking as I'm prone to do. They knew David was an expert in this field and told us to keep this to ourselves and not investigate further. David was pushing me to go to the police, but there’s no hard evidence. I told him not to, but he insisted on digging deeper. Now, this crash has put me in a tailspin. There was an explosion! His car blew up! They could have bumped him off!’ Steve shook his head.
