The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) (25 page)
Read The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) Online
Authors: Ron Sewell
She gave a weak smile. “Ask away.”
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“The door bell rang and a man in a dark suit informed me Linda no longer owned the penthouse. That’s all I remember.”
“Linda who?”
“Linda Liu, my partner. I live with her and take care of her apartment when she’s away on business.”
“Not that it matters but what is her business?”
Frankie coughed, leant over and lifted the glass of water beside her bed and took a sip. “She has a master’s certificate in shipping. That’s all I know and she’s a great fuck.”
Johnston grinned. “I know you’re a lesbian and work in a gay night club. None of that’s important. Am I shocked? Not at all. In my business people’s sexual preferences are their concern unless they make them mine.”
. Frankie thought for a moment, cocked her head and smiled. “Do you know what’s happened to my friend?”
He hesitated. “I can’t answer that question because I don’t know.”
Her nostrils flared. “I’m not stupid, something smells. I don’t believe I’ll ever see her again.”
“As I told you, I don’t know.”
“How long must I stay in hospital?”
Johnston shook his head. “It’s a bit complicated because you have no fixed address. Have you somewhere you could stay?”
Frankie wavered before she said anything. “I could stay with my mum in JB. We don’t get on because I’m gay but she’s still my mum.”
“Give me her address and I’ll have the police contact her.”
“Thank you. I can’t remember the number but its Angelica Avenue, near the Leap Frog Shopping Centre, Johannesburg.”
“Do we have a first name?”
“Laura Austin.”
“I hope it works out. The next time we’ll see each other will be in court. Those two men have been charged with attempted murder and the killing of a police officer. You’re my prime witness along with the officers who found you. Anyway, I’m off to feed the ducks. Take care.”
Puzzled, she watched him leave, and the police officer return.
@@@
Johnston stopped at the hospital shop, purchased a large loaf of bread and in fifteen minutes stood at the edge of the duck pond.
While he tossed the bread into the water he spent a long time mulling over his day.
The inhabitants of the Golden Palm complex would never know of his investigations. Good police work uncovered the one property where neither the rich nor famous lived. He had played the waiting game.
Two ducks squabbled over a whole slice which fell from his hand into the pond. He laughed. “I’ve had a good day, arrested and charged a police officer’s murderers. Saved a young woman being murdered and for once I’ll arrive home before the dog has my dinner. I might be able to say goodnight to my children. I could even believe there’s a God.” He shook the crumbs from the packet. “That’s it, my friends. Thanks for your help.”
He removed his mobile and contacted his wife.
Chapter Twenty Three
“Picture postcard,” said Petros.
“I’m happy to see it again.”
“I never doubted we would.”
“We took a gamble and it came in at good odds. It could have gone pear-shaped. Dumping those RPGs and grenades overboard was a good idea. Barry and his team retained their weapons as they should. I understand you paid Amadou for his contribution.”
“Charles will make sure we’re reimbursed. Amadou needs ready cash when he arrives in the States.”
“Without him and ZZ it might have turned out different.”
Petros glanced at his watch. “But it didn’t.”
Bear sighed. “It’s time I retired.”
“This time you’re right. And I can’t play Peter Pan forever.”
“What?” Bear cleared his throat. “You’ll be bored in five minutes.”
He shook his head. “I’m going to buy a racing yacht and compete with the professionals. You never know I might even win a race or two.”
Bear smiled. “Yes, you’ll buy the boat and you might even enter a few races. But is that the rest of your life?”
Andy stepped out onto the deck. “Petros, Bear, your boat’s on its way. You have half an hour, give or take a few minutes.”
“Better say our goodbyes,” said Petros.
“Everyone but the Captain is in the officers’ mess. He wants to see you in his cabin.”
“Rank has its privileges,” said Bear. “Lead on.”
Andy rapped on the cabin door and waited.
“Come,” commanded Richard. The three men entered.
Richard spoke to Andy. “Thank you.” He waited for him to leave.
“All I can say is thanks a million.” He held out his hand which both men shook. “It’s a strange scenario. We did a bloody good job eliminating one of the biggest groups in the pirate world and we can’t tell a soul.”
“Such is life,” said Petros.
“And I’ve retired, again,” said Bear.
“Your friends are waiting in the officers’ mess. Have a safe journey. I’ll wave from the bridge. You never know I may need your expertise again.”
Bear was halfway out the door when he turned. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Richard, but this
IS
my last cruise.”
“You’ve said that before,” said Petros as he followed him to the mess.
Durrah, Scarlet and their husbands hugged and kissed the two men as soon as they entered.
“Where next?” asked Amadou.
A smile flickered on Bear’s face. “Home.”
“Cyprus,” said Petros. “Maria and the girls are there. What about you four and Abraham?”
“The American dream and a new life,” said Amadou as he held Durrah’s hand. “I have enough money to keep us going for a few years. Maybe Libya will one day become a democracy, although I doubt it. Something will turn up.”
Bear knelt on the deck. “Abraham, are you looking forward to America?”
The boy hugged Scarlet’s leg. “Abraham, say goodbye to uncle Bear. He won’t bite you.”
The boy ran, kissed Bear and raced back to his mother.
“You must visit us,” said ZZ. “My new son will be an American.”
“How do you know it’s a boy?” asked Bear.
ZZ laughed. “Am I not a man of the desert who needs sons to carry his name?”
“A man’s not a man until he produces a daughter,” said Petros. “I promise we’ll visit you when you’ve found somewhere to live.”
Andy thumped the bulkhead to draw attention. “Excuse me, I hate to break up the party but your transport’s on its way.”
Petros and Bear moved to descend the companionway to the main deck.
“This way. A helicopter’s going to land on the bridge roof. Complements of the South African police.”
They collected their bags on the way and waited inside the bridge.
“Just received the message,” said Richard.
In the distance a
Eurocopter
approached the vessel. In minutes it hovered over the bridge, descending until its wheels touched.
“Who arranged this?” Petros shouted.
Richard shrugged. “As it’s a police helicopter, I’ll give you one guess.”
They shook hands with Richard before they clambered up the steel ladder to the bridge roof. The
Eurocopter
marked POLICE in large white letters waited. They ran towards the open door lowering their heads under the spinning rotor.
The pilot and co-pilot wore police uniforms. Spare helmets were on the rear bench seat.
Bear and Petros jumped in and closed the door. In seconds they belted up and pulled the helmets on.
“Good day, gentlemen,” said newly promoted Major Johnston.
“
I thought I’d give you a lift to the airport.”
“We meet again and congratulations Major,” said Petros. “Do you give such service to every visitor?”
“For services rendered, and I need to make sure you’ve gone. Trouble seems to follow you and I’d prefer if you were somewhere else.”
Bear laughed loudly. “Good to know we have friends.”
“Time to go.”
The engine noise increased and the
Eurocopter
rose into the air, turned and headed inland.
“Did you find your pirates?” asked Johnston.
“Not a trace,” said Bear. “Waste of time.”
“I heard a British warship found a few half eaten bodies as it transited the area off Mombasa.”
“Nothing to do with us,” said Petros.
“Henry Wood seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. You haven’t seen him. Have you?”
“Didn’t we meet him once?” said Bear.
The pilot began his approach and descent to the airport. The craft landed in the allocated bay for police helicopters.
“By the way,” said Johnston. “The woman Linda Liu has also vanished.”
Bear grinned. “We had a great time here. I might even bring my wife next time. Thanks for the lift.”
Johnston shook both their hands and clambered back into the helicopter. “You’re first rate liars,” he muttered as he watched the two men stroll towards the departure building.
@@@
Bear waited while Petros purchased a ticket to Larnaca via Dubai. “I hope you’re going to claim that against expenses.”
“Of course.”
My flight’s this way in an hour. When do you get back home?”
“Two days before the girls go back to school. Why?”
“We need to have a chat with Charles. Our trip cost us a pretty penny and most of it ended at the bottom of the Indian Ocean.”
“Make the arrangement and I’ll meet you there but Charles will cough up the money. He always has.”
Bear shrugged. “I hope you’re right.”
They shook hands, Bear disappearing to the British Airways lounge and Petros to the Emirates. In a far corner he found an empty chair and phoned Maria.
“Hallo, Papa.”
“How’s my big girl?”
“Lucy and me have been playing hide and seek.”
Can you give the phone to Mama, please.”
“Mama has been sick every morning, but when I ask what’s the matter she tells me it’s nothing.”
“Did you say every morning?”
“And sometimes at night.”
“Can I speak to Mama?”
“She’s sleeping. Aunt Eleni is working in the kitchen. Do you want to speak to her?”
“Yes please and I’ll see you tonight. Love you.”
Petros listened as Alysa explained to Eleni who was on the phone.
“Hello, Petros. Maria needs you here.”
“Aunt Eleni, I’ll be there tonight. I’ll grab a taxi from the airport.”
“I’m frightened she might lose this baby. She won’t listen to me.”
“Don’t worry. If needs must we’ll return to London and see a specialist.”
“Petros, take care.” The line went dead.
He ordered a coffee and a salad sandwich. Not once had she mentioned the baby while he was away. Why?
His flight was called and he dashed to the waiting aircraft. He smiled to himself, his charge made no difference to the take-off time.