The Black Rose Conspiracy

by James McKenna

  “And that is exactly what the DJP intend to do, immediately we’re in power. We must make our streets safe. But more, we must educate our young to respect law and order. Respect the lives and safety of others, respect property, their communities and nation. The majority of our young are decent, respectable members of society but it is the few who have no purpose, who grow into thugs and thieves. We must help them.”

  “More youth clubs, scouts, cadets and constructive activities,” someone shouted.

  “Exactly,” Judith replied. “And that’s what the DJP intend. We will have an official budget for the promotion of youth activities. We will have education in prisons which will turn the criminals from destructive to constructive persons. Show them that involvement in the law-abiding elements of their society has far great happiness to offer than theft and violence.”

  The gathering stood and clapped as one, shouting their agreement. Sean stood alongside John and joined in the enthusiasm.

  “When you go home, tell your MPs to give the police proper funding, give your youth and probation services money to do the job. But, mark my word, when the DJP control parliament, we will certainly give them the money.”

  Again renewed applause.

  “Go forth my friends, let all men and women who value their country vote for the party which will care for our society. Vote for the DJP. Thank you, friends, thank you.” Judith collected her notes then came down amongst her audience. Young blondes circulated, handing out party pamphlets and enrolment forms to recruit new members. Sean surreptitiously looked at them as they moved. They did not appear murderers, did not appear anything but sweet young girls. It warned him to stay vigilant. He saw Sarah across the courtyard chatting to friends.

  “Want to go and talk with Sarah?” he said to John, thinking it a good excuse to slip away.

  “Sure,” John agreed, dipping one shoulder. “Have to keep an eye on her. See those two rough looking guys over there?” He nodded towards two surely looking young men. “I’ve been watching and twice I caught them following her. Not in an obvious way but sneaky.”

  “They did?” Sean said, seeing connection with his suspicions of Mafia involvement. “So let’s watch out for her.” He moved towards Sarah, John behind him.

  “Yo babes,” John said and kissed her cheek.

  “Hi.” She looked at John, looked at Sean and raised her eyebrows.

  “It’s OK, we’re just good friends,” John pouted a kiss at Sean.

  “Too late, he’s already spoken for.” She grabbed Sean’s hand.

  “Oh to be in such demand.” Sean slipped his arm around Sarah’s waist in a friendly, protective gesture, while glancing at the two thugs. Both looked away, as if any observation had only been coincidental. It made Sean even more suspicious.

  “Last evening and it’s still young. Party time I think.”

  “So let’s go,” Sarah said.

  The three walked down towards the waterfront. Sean glanced once behind to find Victoria and Denise following at a discreet distance. Very delicately he patted Sarah’s bottom and received a warm smile in return. He hoped Victoria gave full attention. The tavernas on the front were busy. Laura was holding forth on police funding to an attentive group of disciples. Joe stood at the bar looking disgruntled. He nodded as Sean approached.

  “Got lots to report,” he whispered, then in a loud voice. “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “There’re three of us,” Sean answered. “Let me buy you one.” He called the barman.

  “Won’t say no.”

  “Excuse me,” John said. “But I see some friends.” He crossed to a group of men and was immediately embraced.

  “Think I’ve had my chances there,” Sean said.

  “I see some guys I want to talk to.” Sarah lifted a finger. “But get me that drink please, because I’ll be back.” She moved to join a close circle of ladies.

  “And then there were two,” Joe said.

  “Not for long.” Sean watched Victoria and Denise stroll over.

  “Well, fancy meeting you here.” Victoria gave an exaggerated smile.

  “It’s OK,” Sean said to Joe. “They’re on our side.”

  “Have all your transmissions,” Victoria spoke to Sean. “Most interesting.”

  “And more to come. Joe here is responsible for some info. He’s old school and firmly on our side.”

  “Welcome aboard.” She shook hands. “The lady you were talking to is definitely Sarah Harrington. The witch trolled her address and records. She was married to a soldier, George Anderson, deceased. One daughter, Grace, granddaughter of Silverman.”

  “She also has possible connections through a brooch,” Sean informed them.

  “The witch and team are checking on it now. Well done for securing that info.”

  “Men have their uses.” He fell silent as Sarah returned.

  She smiled at Victoria as if they were long lost sisters. “Hi, did we meet at the party?”

  “Passed in the crowd a few times. Sean and I are both on the job. This is my friend, Denise.” The two women shook hands.

  “You worked with Sean long?”

  “Years and years.” She looked at him, smiling.

  Sean smiled back in a spontaneous manner which happened before he realised.

  “Enter the dragon,” Victoria said as Aguzzi, his minders and two glamourous young ladies strolled into the bar.

  Aguzzi nodded to the owner who immediately cleared the principal table of young guys by bribing them with drinks. While the new arrivals settled, the owner rushed to bring them Champagne. Aguzzi spent moments looking at Sarah, absently nodding his head.

  “Well, now the heavy mob are here, we’ll continue to circulate.” Victoria smiled once again at Sean then walked way, Denise following.

  “Can I have a word?” Sarah said and moved a few steps off. “Do you know that girl loves you,” she whispered to Sean when at a discreet distance from Joe.

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I’ve been in love myself. Most women who have, immediately recognise that far away, dreamy look, a look of longing, of need, of joy. Sean, you’re spoken for and I’m afraid that means we’re non-starters because I would never flippantly jostle in where love is in full blossom.” She touched his arm. “But I did enjoy the encounter.”

  “Me too.” He smiled down at her. “I know Victoria and believe me, it’s reciprocal. But can we still be friends, can I still help?”

  “Of course, I’d appreciate it. And if she’s on the team, also the help of Victoria.”

  “We will be there, all the way ’til this is sorted.”

  “Great. See you soon.” She carried her wine away.

  “And then there were two.”

  “That girl, Sarah Harrington, I believe to be Silverman’s illegitimate daughter,” Sean said.

  “I figured. Along with his son Jerak. I’ve been ordered by Aguzzi to kill them both.”

  “Order from Headquarters is you protect Sarah.”

  “That’s what I intended. Also, Laura Manning is still deep in Mafia business. I’ve been ordered by her to penetrate Aguzzi’s UK set up and at an opportune time, kill him also.”

  “She and Eleanor Baxter are on the same side. The other three I’m unsure about. I think Holmes, Portland and Norton are just being used. If they have links, it’s only on the edges, drawn into silence by the promise of twenty billion for the party, and, no doubt, themselves.”

  “You got your ticket home?” Sean asked.

  “Laura gave me one, on the same flight as you, plus the promise of money.”

  “Stay close.”

  “Don’t think I’ll have much choice, but you’ll need to feed me occasional info that you want me to pass on.”

  “No problem. So, let’s mingle. See you later.” He finished his beer and moved away. Staying clear of both John and Sarah, Sean walked in the direction Victoria had taken. With the hours ahead looking empty, he stopped at the next bar fo
r another beer. Victoria in love, he thought. Now that stirred possibilities for the future.

  Joe considered another beer, looked across at Sarah chatting with her friends and then Aguzzi, who beckoned him with one finger.

  Joe bought the beer then moved to the man’s table.

  “Who were those women?” Aguzzi asked.

  “Old colleagues, the DJP is very popular with the police on account they want to increase their funding.”

  Aguzzi nodded. “And the man?”

  “Same. We worked together.”

  “OK, keep an eye on Laura.”

  “Shall do, boss.” Joe moved off, finished his beer and placed the glass on the end counter. He felt hesitant about staying to watch over Sarah. Giving her too much attention might stir Aguzzi’s suspicions. Instead he eased in amongst the passing people, all clearly out for a good night. Amongst them he noticed two of the blonde angels who might have been following. Four bars along he found Laura and two of her fellow MPs holding court. Sitting up on a bar stool he bought himself yet another beer. New life starting, hopefully short and sweet. He figured he might as well make the most of it.

  Sean found his target within fifteen minutes, bought a drink and contemplated his options. Agent following agent did not exactly fit the prime objective of the mission. Still, he shrugged, with most objectives achieved, so what? Being the last night what better time to exchange reports. Drink in hand, he walked over to where Victoria and Denise shared a table, luckily with a spare seat.

  “Mind if I join you?” he said.

  “We’re on an operation,” Victoria said, looking away.

  “So am I. I got something important to report.”

  “Sit. What is it?”

  “I love you.”

  Victoria knocked over her wine as she turned, her mouth open, her eyes wide.

  “Sean, Sean. Oh my God, how I’ve longed to hear those words.” She grabbed his hand, kissed it and held it to her cheek.

  “Think I’ll go,” Denise said, standing up.

  Sean felt Victoria’s tears on his hand. “I’ve wanted to tell you for ages. Just didn’t know how you’d react.”

  “Like a silly schoolgirl.”

  “Like a beautiful lady. Will you have dinner with me?”

  “Yes, oh yes.”

  “I know a great restaurant a little bit inland. Not so busy and with music you can dance to.” Both stood and holding hands, walked away. Ten minutes later they were eating, an hour later dancing. Three hours later, in bed together.

  Sean felt her firm body, heard the whispers of her love, then eased gently into the creamy depths of her passion. Heaven had been re-found and he hoped never again to be lost.

  Joe kept a vigil on his DJP ladies until Laura slipped away with some party officials. He looked down at his sixth beer and thought he’d just try one for the craic. Lord knew when he’d be back to Paxos, if at all. The seventh beer tasted good and he savoured the warm, still air, the background of bouzouki music and the voices of a thousand people having fun. He would miss the island but not the torment of his guilt and grief. How would England seem, waiting with the promise of death? End of beer, he made his way home where his case lay ready packed, his passport and tickets on top. What he did not expect and which came as a shock, was Laura snuggled up in his bed.

  CHAPTER 21

  Sarah woke at 7.30am, showered, dressed and ate breakfast with her friends. By 9.00am they were on the ferry to Corfu. Being Sunday, Sarah knew Grace would not wake early so left it until 9.30 am before phoning. Libby answered and passed the phone to Grace.

  “Hello my darling, how are you?”

  “Just fine, can’t wait ’til you get back.”

  “I’ll be there about 9 this evening.”

  “And I’ll be waiting, waiting. We’re off for a walk again this morning, Rothampstead Park. I love the swings there and Scamp can run for miles and miles.”

  “Oh, I wish I was with you but I am on my way.”

  “I want you home, Mummy. I’ve got hundreds and thousands of cuddles to give you.”

  “And me to give you, my darling. Kiss, kisses and more kisses. See you later.”

  “Bye Mummy, bye.”

  Libby took back the phone. “All is well,” she said. “But Grace has missed you. Shall I save you some supper?”

  “Please and thank you for everything.”

  “It’s been my pleasure. Grace is beautiful. Bye.”

  When the line went dead Sarah buried face in hands, then looked out across the ocean. In twelve hours, maybe less, she would be there.

  “You two be alright on your own?” Sean turned to the women who stood with him by the ship’s rail.

  “Better with a cup of coffee,” Denise replied.

  Victoria smiled up at him. “Why? You off adventuring?”

  “Going to find Sarah and check she’s OK. Also want to look the passengers over, check if any of Aguzzi’s mob are following. I’ll see you in the deck restaurant in the next half hour.”

  “OK, we’ll mingle too, see if we can spot anyone.” She smiled and moved away, Denise by her side but not holding hands.

  Sean strolled slowly both sides of the deck, feeling the roll of the ship and knew he’d never make a sailor. He saw John, saw a couple of his shifty looking friends, but none of Aguzzi’s mob. He found Sarah sitting on the sundeck chatting to friends. He waved and walked across.

  “Can I have a word?” he asked and noticed the flash of her thighs as she stood.

  “Sure.” She smiled and walked with him to the rail.

  “Just wanted to thank you for saying what you did yesterday. The result has brought Victoria and me back together in the start of a new dawn.”

  “Oh Sean, I’m so glad for you both.” She touched his arm.

  Jerak watched the encounter and went on his mobile.

  “Have the woman and child gone out yet?”

  “Just left.”

  “OK, search the house. If you find nothing, take the child. The mother will then give us everything.”

  Sean found Victoria and Denise sitting in the coffee lounge.

  “Thank Christ we didn’t go on the hydrofoil,” he said looking to the waves rolling by. “I hate bouncing on water/”

  “Not nautical then?” Denise said.

  “No way.”

  Denise smiled at his discomfort, Victoria held his hand.

  “Make sure you wipe your feet,” Libby told Grace as she opened the front door. The two dogs streaked inside and immediately began barking, reaching a loud crescendo as Grace followed them into the living room. Libby frowned, closed the front door then ran down the corridor when Grace screamed.

  On entering the living room she found the dogs going frantic. Libby screamed too when she saw a hooded figure clasping the child to his chest, while placing a cloth over her mouth. Momentarily she became aware of the figure behind the door, then felt the steel bar crack down over her skull, followed by darkness.

  Sarah came out of Passport Control and with her friends headed for the taxi rank, John and his two buddies close behind.

  “See you this evening,” he called.

  “No chance,” she answered. “I’ll be with my daughter.”

  He waved, as they all climbed into taxis. She couldn’t wait, couldn’t wait to give hugs and kisses. Outside the house she gave her share for the ride then almost ran up the garden path, surprised Grace was not at the front window. She fumbled with the key then opened the door.

  “Grace, where are you? It’s Mummy.”

  No answer. She slammed the door, calling all the time, then fell silent before screaming. Micky lay on the hall floor, his body slashed open from throat to tail, entrails splayed out between his legs.

  “Grace, Grace.” She dropped her case, ran to the front room then to the living room. The scream became a long continuous wail as she saw Libby stretched on the floor, her head in a pool of blood. Sarah knelt, turned the body and screamed again, screamed aga
in until the sound trailed into a croaking gargle. Then she leapt to her feet, running from room to room, continually shouting Grace’s name. She ran into the garden, shouting, shouting, then to the garden shed. The neighbours came out the same time as she ran back into the house, looking under the beds, in all the cupboards. No sign of Grace, no sign of Scamp. She knelt by her friend wailing and shaking, spluttering into her phone when she spoke to the Emergency Services. Only after did she discover the note.

  Sean arrived at the safe house the same time his mobile rang.

  The Witch’s voice sounded firm and demanding. “Get to Sarah Harrington’s house in Harpenden immediately. I’ve sent a car. There’s been a serious incident. Victoria’s on her way. And to keep you up updated, Sarah’s brooch and the codes definitely relate to Silverman’s banking fraud. Well done. Will brief you both later.”

  Outside Sarah’s house, Forensics were in full force, observed by a small group of spectators including Joe Carver amongst them. Sean’s ID and badge allowed him inside.

  “Where’s Sarah Harrington?” he asked the officer in charge,

  “At Harpenden, we actually have a station open for once. She’s being consoled and questioned. She left here in a terrible state. Her child missing and her friend at the point of death.”

  “Will she survive?”

  The woman shrugged. “Severe head injuries, who knows?”

  Sean left the house and whilst crossing to the car, observed two of Aguzzi’s men amongst the onlookers, which gave the reason Joe stayed close. John came running across the road.

  “Sean, Sean,” he called. “What’s going on, what happened?”

  “Sarah’s daughter has been abducted, her friend badly injured.” Sean watched his face and saw the shock in his reaction.

  “Oh my God, is there anything I can do? I want to help.”

  “At this point you can do nothing but give me your phone number. I’ll keep you updated.”

  John showed his mobile and number. “How, why?”

  “That’s what we have to find out. Our immediate concern is the child.”

  “Please, please keep me informed.” John touched his arm, watching him climb into the car.

  On the way to the District HQ Sean phoned the Witch. “Need you to check an individual,” he said to her. “John Kirkwell.”