“What a lovely spot,” Sarah said when he returned.
“And total privacy.” He sat beside her.
“And privacy is so important.” She smiled, her eyes aglow.
Sean held out his hand and she passed him the brooch. He nearly voiced what circled his mind, then though better of it. Giving full attention to the brooch he turned it slowly until realising a minute division lay immediately behind the glass. Holding it flat between both hands, he twisted. Nothing.
“This might take science,” he said and went into the cottage returning with a bottle of olive oil and a cloth. “OK.” He looked at her while making to pour oil around the crack. She nodded and he carefully poured a little, turning the brooch while doing so. “I can try prising it apart but that might damage something if the back’s screwed and I think it is.”
“Be careful, please.”
“We’ll just leave it a little, let the oil penetrate.” He looked up and found her staring at him with come hither eyes.
“Good men are hard to find,” she said. “They’re precious. Of course I would never take advantage.”
“Not even if you were encouraged?” Sean stood and took a step to her chair, lifting her hand to gently kiss it.
“This island is so romantic, anything could happen.”
“Then let the magic begin.” He bent slowly to kiss her lips when his mobile rang, noisily and insistent. “Shit, I hate these things. “Hallo,” he said into the instrument as he moved away.
“Hi, Joe here. Just reporting in on info received.”
“Great, perfect timing.”
“The girl you were chatting up last night is very possibly Sarah Harrington, Silverman’s illegitimate daughter. We need to get all the info we can. She could be a prime suspect.”
“Thanks for that, Joe.” Sean huffed breath. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good. I’m working on Laura.”
Sean closed the phone aware that any investigating officer was forbidden personal relationships with a suspect. He turned back to Sarah who sat examining the brooch.
“Business call,” he said. “Nothing important.”
“Then let’s get back to work.” She passed him the brooch. “Might be looser now.”
Sean accepted the brooch and thought it better to say nothing. Once more he held it between fingers and palms and twisted. The joint stayed firm.
“Maybe we should leave it longer.”
She smiled. “The moment’s gone but maybe another will come.”
“Maybe.” He smiled and twisted the brooch again, then again. This time he detected movement. “Yes.” Trapping the sliver between his two strong hands he twisted and twisted. The back moved and slowly unscrewed. Sean sat and looked at her. “Shall I take it all the way?”
She nodded. “Please. Just be very careful.”
Sean screwed more and lifted the back cover away from the front. A single scrap of folded paper lay inside.
“Please,” she held out her hand for the paper, unfolded and read the contents.
Sean watched her eyes, watched her frown in puzzlement. He wanted her to be innocent, without guilt or Mafia involvement. She shook her head and handed him the scrap. The contents were brief, SV 9368. He shrugged. “Some sort of code maybe?”
“Can you find out?”
“I have a friend who might.”
“Give me back the brooch, keep the paper.”
Sean screwed the brooch back together and gave it to her before slipping the paper into his shirt pocket.
“I must return to my friends,” she said and stood. “I’m afraid the mood has passed.”
“I understand.”
“Join us for a drink if you wish.”
“I’ll send this to Head Office first, see what they come up with.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’ll find my own way, see you later.” She threw a kiss.
Sean watched her leave. She did not behave like a suspect. She appeared totally open, but engrained instinct warned him to be wary. Returning to the hut, he sent both numbers from the interior and back of the brooch to Coburn, Alice and Victoria.
From a waterfront seat Victoria had watched Sean and Sarah leave the restaurant. She felt anger at her own stupidity in treating him in the manner she had. In her heart she felt pain and realised anger only acted as a cover for her loss. She wanted him, longed for him. No way did she need a relationship with another woman.
“Denise,” she turned to her companion who immediately placed a hand on her naked thigh. Victoria knocked it off again. “Listen to me. What happened last night must never happen again. I don’t want it, understand?”
“Certainly, my dear. You’re scared of the wonderful road you have found. Don’t resist, accept the truth of your desires. Now I have the essence of your passion inside of me, I hunger for more. I will be back and you will welcome me.”
“Never.” Victoria stood and walked away. She walked the whole waterfront plus the squares and back lanes of Lakka before returning. As she neared her mobile bleeped a message from Sean. Some sort of code, definitely not a communication of love. She returned to Denise and ordered a glass of wine.
“Feel better now?” Denise asked, but kept hands to herself.
“I was weak, don’t take advantage.” She watched Sarah walk in and return to her friends. At least they were not making love, Victoria thought. But then maybe they already had.
Denise held up a ticket.
“While you were out stamping your feet, a pretty blonde girl chatted me up and gave us an invitation to another gathering. Judith Holmes is giving a talk on funding for the police, followed by drinks and who knows what. You might have competition.”
“Good!”
Joe sat outside his hut waiting. Laura turned up within ten minutes of her phone call. She sat beside him and clasped his hand.
“We’re both single again Joe, just like times of old. Do you want to make love first or shall we get on with the day?”
“You always did make an offer I couldn’t refuse.” He stood and led her into the hut. By the time he stripped off his tee shirt she had removed her top clothes and stood for moments in bra and knickers as if awaiting his approval. He felt himself go instantly hard. “Just as slim, just as shapely.”
“Thank you.” She dropped her underwear to the floor and lay on the bed. “You still look pretty good yourself and ready for the off.”
“Laura, it’s been a long time. I think this is just bluff.” He pointed down.
“Let’s see.” She held out her arms and he lay over her, easing himself inside. She felt moist, welcoming, lifting herself against him.
“Magic,” he murmured, moving with a gently rhythm.
“Wonderful, beautiful.” She clasped hard, then felt him quicken.
He knew he stood no chance, knew his reaction would be almost instantaneous. Two years of abstinence caused immediate pleasure to engulf his body, leaving him to shudder uncontrollably.
“Like a little boy.” She stroked his head. “We must give you lots of practise.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be, I’m here to help. And soon you’ll be the lion the way you were before.”
“You think?” He rolled off and looked at her.
“I know so, enough of you hiding away on this island, I have a fulltime job for you.”
“Making love?”
“One aspect, if you fancy it. The main object will be to penetrate Vasco Aguzzi’s organisation, find out what he knows about Silverman’s twenty billion and more important, take over the running of his British casinos for the DJP once they are established. At the moment we need his money but soon as we get our own funds, we want shot of him. If necessary by termination.”
“Aguzzi is not the guy you walk up to and ask for a job. I don’t know him, have no connections.”
“Don’t worry, I’m about to introduce you and I want you to have him believe you’ll work for him, spying on us. We’ll feed you
the sort of information we want to give him.”
“And in the end I kill him?”
“If needed.”
“Sounds highly dangerous.”
“It is. But that depends on your skills. Skills I believe you have. It will also be very, very lucrative, like anything you want. And you’ll not only be working for the DJP but for Parliament and country. What do you say? Start date is immediate.”
“When do I meet this guy?”
“In an hour or so. He will test you. He may ask you to find and remove a few people.”
“Who?”
“Any who are trying for Silverman’s twenty billion. He wants that for himself. Except it belongs to me. I helped Silverman embezzle it. He’s dead, so the money is mine. With it I’ll help the DJP. Aid me in this matter Joe, and you have a glorious future ahead, not to mention me.” She lifted his limp penis on one finger. “And I’ll look after this little fellow.”
“Most interesting. Wealth or death.”
“You’re too skilled to allow yourself to be killed.”
“OK, let’s go for it.” Joe laid back and smiled, thinking, well, that’s it. Looks like I’ll be dead by Christmas. He rested a hand on her flat stomach.
“Want to go now?”
Joe stood and began to dress, putting on chinos and his best short sleeved shirt. Had to look smart for a job interview. By the time he had finished Laura had also dressed and was outside on her mobile.
“Aguzzi will send a boat to the harbour front,” she said.
Joe walked beside her turning over the possibilities that faced him. He had definitely made good contact with Laura which would please Sean. He was about to be offered inside connections to enemy number one, help the DJP, plus Crown and country. Best of all, in the process, he could get himself killed.
Sure enough a smart speedboat waited on the dockside. Five minute later they walked across the deck to Vasco Aguzzi.
“Vasco.” Laura kissed him on both cheeks. “Allow me to introduce you to Joe Carver, a long and trusted friend of mine.”
Joe shook hands, his smile business-like. Judging by his expression at this point, Aguzzi did not trust him.
“Joe is going to be the liaison and help within your organisation for the DJP. With your approval, of course.”
“Of course.” Aguzzi waved them to a seat. “A drink?”
“Business first,” Joe said. “Maybe a celebratory drink after.”
“Maybe. You know my business?” Aguzzi asked.
“Banking, merchandising, politics and the helping of displaced persons into suitable employment.”
“Excellently put. And what was your previous employment?”
“I’m an ex-policeman.”
Aguzzi nodded approval. “Some of my closest business contacts are policemen. Tell me, you don’t look old enough to retire. Why did you leave?”
Joe shrugged. “A little misunderstanding over a financial settlement. Jealousy on the part of a senior officer.”
Again Aguzzi nodded. “Understood. And how far do you wish to involve yourself?”
“All the way, or at least, so far as you wish me to go.”
“OK. I think we can talk. Laura, at this point I must ask you to leave. Joe and I will discuss certain projects it would be best you knew nothing about.”
“Men talk, I understand. Call when you’ve finished then if necessary we’ll talk again.” She rose and walked off towards the speedboat.
“You understand women?” Vasco asked Joe.
“I’ve had my encounters, most pleasant, some not. They’re queer cattle, as my father used to say.”
“And devious. I joined with them to find Silverman’s twenty billion. But I also want some control of British politics and law making, that means control of the DJP and the twenty billion. I am happy to bring you in, providing you work to my instructions.”
“Understood.” Joe laced hands and stared Vasco in the eyes. “But you must understand. These women are clever, very clever. Cross them and there will be consequences.”
“For all concerned, no doubt. For us the objective is not to let them know they have lost power until too late. But first,” he raised a finger. “A trial for you. Silverman had two illegitimate children, a boy and a girl. The boy, Jerak, helped him hide the twenty billion. Jerak believes the money is rightfully his. Therefore I want you to terminate him. The problem is, I don’t know either identity. You must find out. The female might be unaware and innocently bearing information Silverman has passed to her without her knowledge. I would never trust a woman. Silverman the same. So no one would believe he gave such information to a woman. Which is why they may unknowingly have it. Find that information. Do you understand?”
Joe nodded. “Jerak first, then the girl?”
“Both. Also you must report any information regarding activities of the DJP. You work for me one hundred percent. Betray me in anyway and you will die. I give no mercy. As of now you belong to me. Belong or suffer. You will receive handsome rewards in return.”
“It’s as I expected,” Joe smiled. “So be it.” He shook hands and stood. “Let me know what you wish to pass on to Laura.”
Aguzzi flicked his hand in dismissal and laced his fingers. Joe strode across the deck to where the returned speedboat waited. He felt pleased, able to aid parliament and country but best of all, to choose his time of death.
CHAPTER 20
Jerak pulled out his phone on the third ring.
“Nothing, boss,” his man said. “I searched very carefully, her room, clothes, case. Found her passport, some money, airline ticket, but no documents. I also searched her friend’s room. Nothing.”
“You disturbed nothing?”
“Clean, boss. I’m the best in the business.”
“OK, so here we just keep watch.” Jerak switched off then dialled this time for England.
“Paulo, search her house. Do it when they are out. Look everywhere. If you find nothing, then take the child.”
“OK boss, no problem.” The line went dead.
Jerak smiled, time to get serious.
Sean churned the numbers and letters round in his head as he tried to make sense of them. He recognised they were probably codes for bank accounts, but what bank and where? As he approached the waterfront more people filled the cafes and pavements. Amongst them he saw John stroll towards him.
“Hi,” John waved. “I’m going to a lecture by Judith Holmes on the necessity of giving proper funding to the police. You want to come?”
“Er,” Sean scratched his chin. This could lead to embarrassment. Then he stretched his mouth with indecision, his brief was to infiltrate the party. “OK,” he said. “Is it now?”
“Starts in about ten minutes. Come on, time to get politically serious. Without law and order and a safe land to live in, society will collapse.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Where is it?”
“Same place as last night. I doubt it will be long, twenty, thirty minutes at the most. Then we can have a drink.” They started to walk.
Oh well, it’s a brave new world, Sean thought. “You known Sarah for long?”
“Since she moved to Harpenden. Like me, she is very keen on the DJP. That,” he said, looking sideways at Sean, “is our mutual interest. I notice you’ve taken an interest in her also.”
“Just friends,” Sean shrugged. “Only met her last night. She’s also an attractive woman.”
“So several have said. I watch out for her you know. In a brotherly way.”
“Then I’ll be careful to mind my step.”
“Please do, I’m very fond of her. I’m also a boxer. Just so you’re informed.” He squared his shoulders.
Sean smiled. “Would never have taken you for a fighter.”
“Well I don’t box in the ring, far too brutal, but I do all the training and wallop the punch bags on the odd occasion. I’ve even walloped a nose. You’d be surprised how a brisk punch to the hooter can shut up some yob whe
n he’s shouting abuse. They think all gay men are weak, not true.”
“You’re right, I’ve known some gay men in the force who are very, very tough.”
John splayed his hands, palm upwards. “Knew it,” he cried as they reached the gate of the house. The large courtyard had been laid out with rows of chairs, most of which were filled by women. Men were scattered amongst them, mostly husbands and partners taking a rest from the tavernas. Some were sat as same gender couples or loners. As Sean looked over the heads he saw Denise sniggering behind her hand and Victoria staring with open mouth. Sean smiled and put a hand to John’s back as they were led to seats. Good, he thought, two can play at her game.
Minutes later Judith Holmes came onto the stage amidst enthusiastic clapping. She waved for silence then started to speak in a loud, strident voice.
“The streets of Britain are plagued by evil little scum. Mainly young men who want to steal, who want to stab those they don’t like. To murder and maim. Sell drugs, burgle houses, beat up old people who try to protect their property, to vandalise, terrorise. They mock the police and all forms of law and order. And where are the police?” Holmes raised her finger. “Nowhere. Nowhere to be seen, nowhere to be heard and nowhere to stop crime. Why?” she shouted the word. “Because the police are so few in numbers they are almost invisible. Criminals laugh at them and create havoc on our streets, knowing they will not be caught. Their crimes will go uninvestigated. Why?” she shouted again. “Because there are no police to investigate, no police to protect the public. Our streets are protected by voluntary groups of vigilantes. Dads, brothers, neighbours, risking their own safety to look after their communities. And why are there no police?”
“Because governments don’t give them proper funding,” John shouted.
“Absolutely right.” Judith pointed to him. “Well said, sir. Successive governments have continually cut police budgets until their numbers and resources are completely inadequate for the job.”
“Give them more money,” John shouted.
The Black Rose Conspiracy Page 14
