The Black Rose Conspiracy

by James McKenna

  “This is Joe.” Laura turned to her nearest friend. She was dark-haired, sleek, in a short cream dress. Her lips were full and glistening blood red. A second friend stepped closer, the third, the dark-skinned Amazonian, moved in from the flank, the fourth from the rear.

  Joe gave his best smile. “We knew each other a lifetime ago. We’ve not met since.”

  “A lot can happen in a lifetime, people change,” Full Lips said. “Especially men.”

  “He used to be a sweetie.”

  She might as well have called him a paedophile.

  “Table’s waiting, drinks are ordered. Villa Maria and our party in one hour. I don’t want to cramp you style Laura, but we’re here on DJP business.”

  “Maybe we could meet tomorrow?”

  “Sure. I have a dingy. I could pick you up from Loggos quayside. We could have a picnic.”

  The four never flinched. “Laura might care to take coffee with you first. Then we’ll talk about a picnic. Unless, of course, we all come.”

  “Laura can vouch for me, I was in the Cubs.”

  “He was in Special Services. I’ll be in safe hands, honest. Ten-thirty, I’ll be waiting. Better still, come to the party tonight. Villa Maria up the hill. Then everyone can get to know you.”

  She kissed his cheek and left him with a glow he’d not experienced since being with his wife.

  Sean sat people watching when he heard Pug’s voice directly behind. “I found Joe Carver, follow me.” He walked past.

  Sean followed. Twenty metres up the street Pug crouched to tie his shoelace.

  “See the guy chatting up the blonde? That’s Joe Carver. The blonde is Laura Manning. So, good contact. We need him on our side. But watch out, he’s unstable.” Pug stood and moved on.

  Sean passed into Tikki’s bar and bought a beer. He allowed plenty of time for the man to look him over before he strolled across.

  “Hi, my name’s Fagan, Sean Fagan. I might be wrong but weren’t we on an operation together with CAT?

  Joe looked at him, his face screwed with uncertainty. “Possible, not many know of CAT. What was the op?”

  Sean thought back to the only op he had been on with CAT involvement.

  “I was on surveillance, as usual we were getting rid of the unwanted, Freddy Fox in charge.”

  Joe’s face changed to partial acceptance. “What did it concern?”

  “Directus Iurisdictio, Final Justice and the unwanted was a terrorist named Salem.”

  Joe smiled. “Right all the way, but I don’t remember you.”

  “Only met once during the debrief. Mind if I join you, share a beer?”

  Joe shrugged. “Be my guest.” He pointed to a spare chair. “We seem to have some connections but I was a copper for a long time and I still have the nose.” He tapped it with a finger. “Strange that I just met someone I hadn’t seen for thirty odd years, now you turn up. A coincidence? I think not. So what’s going on?”

  “Mafia business,” Sean said. “Serious Mafia business which poses a threat to Nation, Crown and civilisation.”

  “Then it has to be Laura Manning and the DJP. She left me for a Mafia king and money.”

  “Spot on. We need you on our side.”

  “I never left, they threw me out and rightly so.”

  “Now they want you back. But I warn you, it could be dangerous.”

  Joe grimaced. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a piss head, ain’t no good to anyone.”

  Sean felt a head-on approach the best solution.

  “I’m sorry for your loss and the suffering it caused but knowing this meeting would happen, I read the report. That biker was travelling in excess of a hundred miles per hour in a speed restricted zone. You stood no chance. You are not to blame.” He watched the other sneer in dismissal.

  “So how dangerous is this job?”

  “Very. With a chance of being shot at any time.”

  “Good, that would be an end to my suffering. So what does it entail?”

  “Hooking up with Laura Manning and finding what connections there are between the DJP and the Mafia. Also any info on what happened to Silverman’s missing twenty billion.”

  “That is seriously dangerous money,” Joe nodded then queried, “And this will help

  Crown and country?”

  “In a very positive manner.” Sean watched the other sip his beer and smile, not in a pleasant way but with evil intent.

  “And I might get shot. Sounds too good to be true, but I don’t want to hurt Laura.”

  “You won’t, least not unless she breaks the law and the decision there would come from others. All you do is pass on information.”

  “OK I’m in but you’ll need to brief me.”

  “From information received, when Laura lived with Silverman she either helped him or knew about him stealing twenty billion from his own bank. If that money gets into the wrong hands, either Mafia or terrorist, it could do a lot of harm. We need to find it, we need all the info we can get. It was Laura who persuaded the DJP to hold this jamboree here on Paxos. I believe she knew you were here and had planned to accidentally bump into you. She clearly has a use for your field skills. She, and possibly the DJP, want that twenty billion. But so do two Mafia bosses, Gjon Krata and Vasco Aguzzi; also Silverman’s son, Jerak. We don’t know who he is or what he looks like. But between them they carry a lot of heavies and a lot of guns. You will need to tread with care.”

  Joe nodded. “Or get shot.”

  “Could be CAT will re-employ you on Special Ops. You’ll certainly get a rise in pension.”

  “And get shot, end of story. OK, count me in.”

  “You got an invite to the party at Villa Maria?”

  Joe nodded. “Laura asked me.”

  “I’m there too, so maybe we’ll meet up. Welcome back.” Sean finished his beer and stood.

  Sarah came down the stairs and saw John and friends waiting at the bottom. She had carefully buttoned her mother’s brooch in the key pocket of her trousers. She was happy to feel it against her stomach, safe and sound.

  “OK, let’s party,” John said. “Villa Maria here we come.”

  Sarah thought the villa impressive. Security stood at the gate with a male member of the DJP who introduced himself as Allsop. Beside him stood a blonde girl called Sammy, her smile to Sarah both welcoming and suggestive. Sarah felt glad John stood by as protection. Small groups clustered round the walled garden. Two men played guitar and sang in gentle voices. Several couples danced while blonde girls with the DJP logo on their tee shirts carried trays of wine to the new arrivals.

  “I’m Jennifer. You need anything let me know,” one said and smiled sweetly at Sarah.

  “It’s a brave new world,” John said knowingly. “Mind if I mingle?”

  “Please do, but don’t leave me defenceless.”

  “I’m always on hand.” He walked off towards a group of young guys.

  The woman who approached looked beyond middle age but remained trim and good looking.

  “Hi,” she extended her hand, staring into Sarah’s face as if finding some recognition. “I’m Laura Manning. I hear you guys are from Harpenden.”

  “Arrived today,” Sarah said. “Go back day after tomorrow.”

  “Well, welcome to the DJP. It’s great you’re here. I heard Harpenden is doing very well. Membership up by one hundred percent in the last two years.”

  “People want change on the home front and women want more equality in all walks of life.”

  “Yes, you’re one of us,” Laura laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

  “Mrs Sarah Anderson, but I mainly use my maiden name now, Harrington.”

  “Divorced, like myself?”

  “Widowed. My husband was killed in Afghanistan.”

  “Oh,” Laura shook her head. “Sorry to hear that.” Her face changed as if sudden recognition had dawned.

  Sarah gave a tight smile and watched a young, dark-skinned Amazonian girl move
up behind Laura. She said nothing, just stood hovering like a bird of prey.

  “This is Marilyn,” Laura said, “my minder. Now we can’t have you partying out here on your own. Let me introduce you to some guys.” She led the way across the garden where two men watched their approach.

  For Sarah, the largest looked interestingly handsome, the smaller one less so. She shook hands.

  “This is Sean Fagan and Joe Carver,” Laura said. “You’ll be safe, they’re both policemen. Sarah’s from Harpenden.”

  “Know it well,” Sean smiled. “Used to live and work in St Albans.”

  “Joe, can I have a word,” Laura said, leading him away.

  “So what’s wrong?” Joe asked.

  “At this moment in time nothing, but I believe that’s all about to change. I made a big mistake when I left you, probably the biggest mistake of my life. I was young, ambitious and stupid, dazzled by the glitter of wealth and adventure used to entice me. Silviano Silverstroni was a master at it. I left you to become his mistress and when he discovered I had a brain, his wife. I was married to him for seven years until I discovered he constantly had affairs with other women. During that time I helped him defraud his own banks of twenty billion pounds. Later he divorced me to marry a younger model. So how would you like to earn a few million pounds?”

  “You’re talking serious money on all sides.” Joe looked at her. “But what can I do?”

  “Help me find the twenty billion for the DJP and other things.”

  “What other things?”

  “Like hold me. But let me warn you, the task may involve some considerable danger from the Mafia, the authorities and others wishing to grow rich.”

  “Twenty billion?” He watched her nod and thought this the luckiest day of his life. Sean, now Laura, both giving him more or less the same job but best of all, they both gave the chance of being shot. “When do I start?”

  “Now. The girl your new friend is talking to has the name Harrington. That was the name of the only mistress I believe Silverman loved. She also lives in Harpenden where Ruth Harrington lived. In a feminine way she has similar facial features to Silverman. It could be his daughter. His illegitimate child was also called Sarah. I need you to check her out. Find her address, her friends and why she’s here.”

  “OK. How do we contact?”

  Laura took out her smartphone. “What’s your number?”

  Joe did the same and brought it on screen. Moments later it rang.

  “Right, now we have each other’s contact details. Phone me in the morning.” She turned to the Amazonian. “It’s OK sweetie, I’m safe. As you know, Joe is an old friend.” She turned back towards Sean and Sarah.

  Sean watched them approach and judged by Joe’s wide-eyed expression that something significant had passed between them.

  “You here on a jolly or are you seriously interested in politics?” Sean asked Sarah.

  “Both. First lone holiday I’ve had since my husband died. But I’m glad it’s only a few days. I miss my daughter Grace. Normally she’d be with me. She’s only seven.”

  Sean nodded. “Know the feeling. I have two daughters and though their teenagers, I do miss them. And Grace will definitely be missing you.”

  “She’s with a good friend, Libby. Also a policewoman. I’m surrounded.”

  Sean looked across at Victoria standing with Denise the other side of the garden. When Denise made to put an arm around the other’s waist, Victoria knocked it away in agitation while staring at Sean with narrow eyes. Sean smiled, glad she appeared jealous. So, not a real lesbian, he thought and slipped an arm around Sarah’s waist. “Well, as you’re surrounded you might as well surrender. Care to dance?”

  “Why not, the night is young and full of blossom.” She nudged against him.

  Sean guided her amongst the other couples while watching Victoria compress her lips, her eyes now narrow slits. It had been a long time since he’d last danced with a young, good looking woman, not in fact since he had danced with Victoria. He pulled Sarah closer and enjoyed the contact.

  “So, what do you do as a policeman?” Sarah asked him.

  “Take out the bad guys, those who threaten the Nation.”

  “Does that mean you send them to the great beyond?”

  Sean grinned. “I’d like to, but not allowed. Normally they end up in prison.”

  “But then they let them out again, free to commit the same crimes. Rape women, burgle house, molest children.”

  “So,” Sean said. “We need the DJP to change all that.”

  “And they will. Just give us the chance. Being a policeman are you good at solving mysteries, investigating suspicions?”

  “Now that depends what it is.”

  “That’s part of the mystery. I don’t know what it is. Something to do with a brooch and my father who I never met.”

  “So, you want to give me a try?”

  “Let’s meet tomorrow and I’ll explain.”

  Sean thought of the bunker Pug had dug, then shook his head. “Tomorrow day time I’m busy but tomorrow evening after dark, that’s fine.”

  “Nicola’s bar seven-thirty.”

  “You’re on. I love a mystery.”

  Jerak stayed in the shadows but watched the party and his targets.

  “OK,” he said to the man beside him. “Go search her apartment. Get in climbing the balconies but be careful, leave no trace of your presence, we may have to go back a second time and we don’t want her suspicious or nervous.”

  The man nodded and slipped away as if a shadow.

  Sean grew acutely aware of Sarah’s breasts occasionally brushing his chest as they waltzed arm in arm. He pulled her slightly closer while staring across at Victoria who now stood with arms folded. Denise gave her attention to a blonde girl with a drinks tray. The music stopped and Sean reluctantly let Sarah go, following her back to where they had previously stood. The space now occupied by a good looking young guy with mystical smile.

  “This is John,” Sarah said. “My friend from the DJP, Harpenden.”

  “Hi,” John drew out the greeting, his hip thrust sideways, his head to one side as he offered his hand. “So pleased to meet you.”

  Sean shook the hand but received no grip in return. Gay, or play-acting, he thought.

  “So,” John waved his hands. “What a great party, pity it’s only a few days.”

  “Work calls,” Sean shrugged.

  “Unfortunately, I’m a banker. What do you do?”

  “A policeman.”

  “So good to know we’re safe.”

  John clasped hands in what Sean judged an exaggerated, feminine manner. Then all eyes turned to Sammy now hurrying towards the other MPs who stood holding court with various guests. Moments later, six solid, smartly dressed young men entered. For a minute they formed a silent semi-circle, observing the guests with unsmiling eyes, hand clasped before them.

  “Looks like the heavy mob,” Sean said as Joe and Laura re-joined them.

  “Minders,” Joe whispered, when two more entered in front of a distinguished looking gentleman, hands held sedately behind his back. For moments he examined the gathering as if judging it worthy of his presence.

  “My God, it’s Vasco Aguzzi. What’s he doing here?” Laura turned to Sean. “A friend of my ex-husband.” She immediately crossed to him. At the same time Eleanor Baxter hurried forward, followed more sedately by Judith, Margo and Lisa.

  “Vasco Aguzzi, that’s the bloody Mafia,” Sean said.

  “Top player, even in my day,” Joe nodded.

  Eleanor and Laura kissed him on both cheeks before Aguzzi smiled.

  “What’s the Mafia doing here?” Sarah asked.

  “Money,” Joe answered. “Must be, it’s the only thing they’re interested in.”

  Sean watched the other ladies greet Aguzzi before Eleanor led him to a table in a more secluded part of the garden, the minders followed, the four MPs stood talking all at once, raising their h
ands in question. Clearly Aguzzi was unexpected and unwanted. No contact in a public place, he thought. The music restarted and the party settled down.

  “Maybe he wants to donate money to the DJP, restore order to Britain,” John sneered.

  “You’re joking.” Sarah shook her head.

  Sammy reappeared, this time hurrying across the garden to the huddle of MPs. More minders came through the gates. The man behind them did not appear to be a gentleman, more the mock-up of a Hollywood gangster. Eleanor Page strode back into the arena.

  “Enter the next player,” Joe said.

  “So who’s this one?” Sarah asked.

  “Al Capone, mark two.” John spoke with contempt.

  They watched Sammy move forward with a dozen of her blonde angels. All gathered around him twittering like a flock of birds, each vying for the new arrival’s attention.

  “I would say another unwanted,” Sean said, thinking Krata was not supposed to arrive until morning. He watched Marilyn begin to circle, staying clear while observing both the man and his minders. Sean grimaced, it had to be Krata, that made it imperative he entered the dugout before daybreak. His watch read ten past midnight, so time to depart.

  Victoria and Denise remained on the opposite side of the garden, Victoria still appearing disgruntled. While watching Krata manoeuvred by the angels back towards the gates, Sean figured the two girls could report on the remaining events.

  “So, now the excitement’s over it’s time for my bed.” He smiled at Sarah.

  “Me too,” she answered. “Can I walk with you?”

  “Sure.” He squeezed her arm,

  Victoria observed him leave, her nose wrinkled. At the gate Sean eased Sarah around Krata’s bodyguards and took the path to town.

  “Come to my yacht tomorrow,” Krata shouted to the girls. “All of you. We will have a party, lots of fun.”

  “We will, we will,” a dozen voices answered.

  “I think maybe he got his invitation wrong,” Sarah said and clasped Sean’s hand.

  “John doesn’t mind us walking back together?”

  “S’OK, he’s gay. He’ll probably find himself a nice boy to cuddle up with.”