The African Diamond Trilogy Box Set

by Christopher Lowery

  “Thank you.” Schneider called his assistant in again and handed him the paper. “This is for value today, without fail.” The man took it and walked quickly out of the room.

  “Is there anything more I can do for you today, Monsieur?”

  “One last thing. Please let me have twenty-five thousand dollars in cash.”

  “Certainly. I’ll call the cashier immediately.”

  Fifteen minutes later Bensouda walked from the bank to his limousine and stepped into the back seat. “Divonne Casino,” he said to his driver.

  Marbella, Spain

  They managed to get through lunch without further upset, thanks to a lot of hard work from Leticia and Emilio. Fuente the cat also made an appearance which helped to lighten the tension. Jenny knew it was her fault, but she was struggling to cope with all the thoughts that were invading her mind.

  Espinoza’s last remark reverberated in her head. ‘Someone called Lord Dudley has been tracking phones from London.’ That can only mean the abduction was planned there. And now those people, whoever they are, have certainly murdered Nwosu. So what’s happened to Coetzee and Leo? Where are they and are they still together?

  Her mind continued onto a different track, as the others struggled to make small talk. There were now too many coincidences involving Leticia. I have to face the facts, she realised. Leticia could be the link. Probably unknowingly, because she would never do anything to hurt anyone, especially my sister, but it’s the only connection we have between Emma’s trip and my money. Why did I see her face in my dream? It could only be the money. She doesn’t want to talk to me about it because of Patrice. What is she afraid of? And Patrice keeps flying to England. Is that what the aeroplane is about in my dream? Is that the connection? Is it Patrice we should be worried about?

  “What do you think, Jenny?”

  She started. Emma was speaking to her, trying to bring her into the conversation. “Sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. What did you say?”

  “I asked you if you preferred the life in Spain to Ipswich, although I think I know the answer.”

  Jenny managed to get through the rest of the meal but she filed away two vital points from her reverie; I have to get Leticia to show me those papers and I must talk to Pedro again.

  Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa

  “I’ve been thinking, Abby.” Leo and the girl were watching a school of flying fish leaping out of the river, their silver scales flashing in the sunlight. They had walked for miles along the riverbank to give Coetzee and Karen time on their own. From Coetzee’s story he’d learned that his mother was with his Aunt Jenny, in Marbella, so he knew she was safe. The South African had also absolved him from any responsibility for the events in Polokwane, blaming everything on a fight between Blethin and Nwosu. A fight between two criminals which ended in an injury and a death.

  He felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Coetzee had attached no blame on him. It was just something that happened as a result of their criminal activities. He had said, ‘They went into this abduction with their eyes open and they were prepared to hand Leo over in Zimbabwe to whoever was there to take him, not caring what might happen to him. Just for money. They deserved everything they got.’

  Now, Leo had carefully considered the whole episode and had come to a decision. An unusual decision, but he instinctively knew it was the right one.

  He went on, “Besides Coetzee, only Nwosu is left alive from the kidnappers and I don’t think he’s about to make a fuss. He ended up in hospital by messing with Marius and he’s terrified of what might happen next time after seeing him destroy those two gunmen. He’s better off to keep his mouth shut about this whole business.”

  “And Jamie?”

  “Even less chance of him talking. He’s a complete wimp and totally devoted to Nwosu, for some strange reason.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “What about the two gunmen?”

  “Did either of them call anyone from the house?”

  Reluctantly she thought back to the tense period of waiting she and Karen had endured. “No. We all just sat there until you turned up.”

  “So the answer’s the same. Even better, if you think about it. Nobody except Nwosu saw anything and he would just implicate himself if he talked about the fight. Whoever was following us via the mobile phones has no idea what happened to those two. They just disappeared and they’ll never be found. Coetzee’s too professional to have messed it up. The phones are in Jamie’s car, so they can’t follow us anymore.”

  “So what’s your point?”

  “My point is that I’m the only one who could get Marius into trouble. I mean if I made a report to the police or something. Otherwise we could just forget about the whole thing. There’s been no ransom paid and I’m sure your mom won’t let that happen and I haven’t been harmed. In fact he saved my life a couple of times and looked after me pretty well, so I figure we’re more or less quits.”

  “And you’d just let it go like that?”

  “What would be the point of getting the police involved? It would just mess up his life and probably yours and Karen’s as well. You saw how they feel about each other. You could be a family again and you’d have a dad. I know what it’s like not to have one. I think Marius would make a good dad, he’s a great guy when he’s not killing people and he knows an awful lot of really interesting stuff.”

  “So what’s your idea?”

  “If I can manage to get a ticket I could just go home now. Then we all behave as if nothing has happened and get on with our lives again. I’m not keen on staying here and being interrogated by the police like a criminal. I just want to get home and put the whole thing behind me for good.”

  “That’s very smart, Leo. That’s a very mature, adult attitude.”

  “Says you! Thanks anyway. Can you lend me your mobile? I haven’t got one at the minute. ”

  “Here. Who’re you calling, Marius?”

  “No fear. I’m calling my mum to tell her she can come for me. I’m going back to Newcastle.”

  London, England

  Simon Pickford called at two o’clock. “I just thought you’d like to know that both phones are on the N1 going north towards Polokwane again.”

  Dudley smiled to himself. “That’s kind of you Simon. As a matter of fact I was already aware of the move. We now have contact with the people involved and the affair is being sorted out. There is no need to continue the surveillance I’m happy to say, so please thank your technicians for me and tell them they can switch off whatever machine you’re using with such impressive efficiency. Your help has been most invaluable and I shall be forever grateful.”

  “You’re welcome, Master. Please call me whenever I can be of assistance.” Pickford gave instructions to suspend the tracking operations. He thought for a moment then he called DI Dewar.

  Marbella, Spain

  Lunch was finally over and Encarni had served coffee when Emma’s mobile rang. A shiver ran up her spine when she saw it was a 027 prefix, a South African code.

  She excused herself and walked to the other end of the terrace. “Hello, this is Emma.”

  “Hello Mum, it’s me.”

  It was one hundred and fifteen hours since Leo had been taken.

  SIXTY

  Johannesburg, South Africa

  Espinoza was having a well-deserved early evening nap when his mobile rang. It was CS Hendricks. He was so excited that the Spaniard couldn’t understand anything he said.

  “Please slow down Johannes, my English isn’t so good. Tell me again so I can understand exactly.”

  “I said we’ve just received the DNA report back from France, from the St Christopher Clinic in Nice.”

  “And?”

  “It’s unbelievable. It matches with a sample from a doctor who used to work there until earlier this year. A Doctor Antoine Constance.”

  “Estaba en lo cierto! I was certain of it!” Espinoza mentally doffed his hat to h
imself, his hunch had paid off. “Blethin and Constance were one and the same person, there was no other reasonable explanation. Thank you Johannes, this is of the utmost help in my European investigation. I can go back and put this business to bed. I am deeply indebted to you.”

  Hendricks didn’t ask for any further explanation. He had what he wanted, closure on three murders. Espinoza’s problems were, fortunately, nothing to do with him. The two men exchanged a few more words then rang off.

  Espinoza took his jigsaw puzzle and drew another square on it, ticking off an item on the list. He was making further notes when his phone rang again. “I was just about to call you, Jenny. For once I believe it was a coincidence. What news do you have?”

  “Leo’s free, Pedro. He’s free!”

  She breathlessly explained the chaos that had ensued at the end of their lunch when Emma had received the call. Somehow she had managed to get her upstairs and then blamed her hysteria to the others on too much sun and wine. Leticia was relieved to remove Patrice from Jenny’s questioning and they decided to take Emilio to Marbella. They drove off in rather a hurry, Patrice looking suspiciously back over his shoulder as they went out the gates.

  After his initial reactions of surprise and relief, Espinoza listened calmly, waiting for Jenny to get it all off her chest. He knew how much this revelation meant to her. The money had never been her main preoccupation, it had always been the safety of her nephew and the mental anguish of his mother.

  When she finally stopped for breath, he asked, “Do you know where he and Coetzee are now?”

  “Actually, Coetzee’s wife and daughter are with them, but as we suspected they’re not in Phalaborwa.”

  “As you suspected, not we. Your dreams could replace old fashioned detective work if they were less random. Is he close enough for me to take a car and bring him to my hotel?”

  “He’s apparently at a hotel a couple of hours south of Joburg, but Coetzee is going to drive him to meet you this evening, at about eight o’clock if that’s OK?”

  Espinoza considered for a moment, it now seemed that Leo would be returned safely, but he remembered Jenny’s second instruction; ‘bring the culprits to justice’. “Do you want me to arrange for the police to be here when Coetzee arrives? I could ask CS Hendricks to send someone over. Although the explanations would certainly complicate matters, especially for Leo.”

  “I was about to tell you. Leo himself has decided on that. He told Emma that he’s convinced Coetzee became involved only because he was lost and broke after his divorce from his wife. He never had any intention of hurting him and when he saw that might happen he took him away from harm. He says he’s been well treated and Coetzee just wants to get him back to us without any further delay. He also says, and I must admit I believe he’s right, that it would only complicate everyone’s life if the police got involved now. What do you think?”

  “He’s right. Making this public would prevent him from leaving here for some time while investigations were in course. And we have no idea where they might lead. The best thing we can do is to get him safely back to Emma as quickly as possible.”

  “I agree. I’ll confirm to Coetzee that he should bring Leo to the Packard at eight. Now, why were you going to call me?”

  The Spaniard quickly relayed the results of the DNA tests. “I suspected they might be the same person. They were both French and there were too many coincidences in their backgrounds and careers not to be the case. Aesthetic Procedures and Reconstructive Surgery are the same, what we laymen would call plastic surgery.”

  “And they both worked at that French hospital. I never put the two together. So this explains the transfer of knowledge between Constance and the South Africans. Blethin knew about Leo’s birth because he was there. This business is so complicated that I suppose nothing should surprise me any longer.”

  The line went quiet for a moment. “Hello, Jenny, are you still there?”

  “Yes. I was just thinking about Emma. She had a high regard for Constance. How is she going to react to this?”

  “I think we’d better not inform her yet. When she has Leo back these unpleasant facts will be of much less importance.”

  “You’re right, better wait until you get back. I suppose this news ties up our business in Johannesburg?”

  “I believe so but the trail doesn’t end here. Don’t forget we’re still missing the other links; how did they find out about your wealth and how did they know about the football trip. Constance couldn’t have known that without help.”

  “Do you think that’s where Esther Rousseau comes into the picture?” Jenny was praying that her previous experience with the French woman had not been the cause of Leo’s abduction.

  “It’s possible, but I don’t think she sent Constance down here to help with the abduction. There’s still a connection somewhere that we haven’t found and that means there are other culprits involved, but not here in South Africa. It has to be nearer to home. We still have a lot of work to do when I get back.”

  “We can start with that tracking business in London. There must be a way we can find out about this Lord Dudley person and EzeTracker.” Jenny was also thinking about Leticia and Patrice but she decided not to mention it. She needed to find out more.

  “I believe Nice is also an important focus but we can discuss it when I’m back in Spain.”

  “Then you’ll want to come back right away with Leo?”

  “Exactly. I’ve got Leo’s passport with me, so can you please arrange flights for us as soon as possible and email the details to me?”

  “I’ll get onto it now. Congratulations Pedro and all our thanks for your help. We can’t wait to see you and Leo here in Spain.” Jenny closed the call and went to give the news to Emma. Leo should be home tomorrow!

  Espinoza reflected on the consequences of the news. Leo was free, which could mean that Jamie had been mistakenly taken to Zimbabwe in his stead. The possibility had been preying on his mind but now it seemed most likely. His sympathy went out to the young man. Another victim in this dreadful adventure, he thought, but there was nothing he nor anyone else could do about it.

  Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa

  “I suppose you’ve talked with your mother?” Coetzee and Karen were still on the deck when Leo and Abby got back. “I hope she forgives me. I’m giving up a million dollar reward just to curry favour with you three.”

  “That’s enough of that! Remember our deal.” Karen interrupted. “Right, Abby and Leo. Mr Coetzee has made me a proposal. He is begging to come back to a peaceful, loving and civilised existence with us and I’ve set the conditions. On his side, the requirements are; no booze, no cheroots, no kidnapping and no murdering people.”

  “And on our side?” Abby caught on quickly. “We promise to be loving, understanding and provide three square meals a day. What do you think, Guys? Should we take him back?”

  Abby ran across and threw her arms around Coetzee. “Please come back. We’ve missed you every single day since we left.”

  “I’ve got one more condition, if you don’t mind,” Leo said. “Can we get something to eat before you take me back? I’m starving.”

  London, England

  Lord Arthur Selwyn Savage Dudley was in a maudlin mood. Even the call from his bank in the Bahamas, confirming that one hundred thousand US dollars had been received on his account that afternoon hadn’t cheered him up. Prince Sam Bensouda obviously has too much money, he reflected. I should have asked for more.

  He was sitting in front of the TV with a glass of Gevrey Chambertin. In the light from the screen it shone with a deep ruby hue. This was his third glass, on an empty stomach. A performance of Verdi’s La Traviata, with Anna Netrebko, was playing but his attention kept wandering off. He was thinking about Esther. He was jealous. Dudley had never had a relationship with a mature person, male or female and had never previously been tempted to embark on one. But being in close proximity to Esther for the last week had stimula
ted his desires more than he could ever have imagined. Her flattering remark to him that morning, her kiss and the fragrant beauty of her form had gone completely to his head. He was in love. At the age of fifty-nine, Lord Arthur Selwyn Savage Dudley was in love with a woman half his age about whom he knew virtually nothing, except that she was as corrupt as he.

  He took another sip of his wine. It was just after six o’clock, another hour before he could expect news from Harare. He’d asked for a photo of Leo to be sent as soon as they arrived in Beitbridge. He’d spent the afternoon imagining the worst possible events, not concerning Leo Stewart, but Esther and her friend from Paris. In his experience Frenchmen were arrogant, ignorant bullies with no civility or even common manners. He shuddered at the thought of him having dinner with such a beautiful creature. Other thoughts, much more intimate, crowded his mind but he refused to countenance them. Esther wouldn’t be attracted by a person of that ilk, she was too refined, too lady-like, too … perfect.

  Marbella, Spain

  “When’s the earliest flight they can get?” Emma was impatiently watching her sister looking for flights from Johannesburg.

  Jenny was trawling through a series of cost comparison websites, looking for single stopovers and the shortest transit time. “They can’t fly direct, and so far I’ve only found one-stop flights tomorrow evening. There don’t seem to be any in the morning, so they wouldn’t get back until Sunday.”

  She saw Emma’s disappointed expression. “Wait. What about tonight? It’s only just after six over there. If there’s a flight late enough, they could make it. See, there’s a departure with Swiss at ten fifteen this evening to Zurich. It gets in at nine in the morning, and then they’ve got a connection for Malaga at ten twenty, getting in at ten past one. What do you think?”

  “I think we should call Pedro right away and get him moving.”

  Johannesburg, South Africa

  Espinoza looked at his watch. “It’s six twenty now. We should be able to make it if Leo arrives within an hour or so. It all depends on the traffic between Vereeniging and here. We only have carry-on luggage so we have should time for the transfer in Zurich.”