The information took Hannah aback. “You’re talking conflict diamonds. Mined and sold to fund a war or resurgence, right?”
Lukas nodded. “We found that they slip the diamonds in with foods that need special handling. Elias has been through customs so many times, he knew the best way to slip them through with his truffles. Or what he called his truffles. Most of the time, they were fakes, but the average custom agent has no clue. A mushroom’s a mushroom.”
“He’d never risk ruining the real thing,” Hannah added. “Makes sense that he’d use fakes.”
Gran patted the table. “Wait, I don’t get it. Elias was dealing in illegal diamonds via the illegal truffle trade?”
Lukas shook his head. “About nine months ago, my government approached me. They knew my connections to the food industry and wanted to use them to look into the food black market. Someone was using my country’s banking system to harbor money from the trade. As you know, our laws on banking have been, I admit, questionable at times. Now there is an ongoing effort to clean up such matters. Being a patriot and a former investigator, I am suited for the matter. I agreed. My partner and I approached Elias about helping us. He’s a decent enough man and fit the profile of someone who would help.”
“Wait,” Hannah intervened, “you have a partner?”
Lukas’s sudden change in expression caught Hannah’s attention. Nervousness became repressed anger. “Had.”
Hannah recognized this state. She had seen and heard it before. His partner is dead, she inferred.
“Do you know who did it?”
Lukas gestured no, adding, “Not for certain.” His voice became low and again, he glanced all around, “but I have an idea. She went in first. It didn’t take long. She made the right connections. Then set it up so Elias would do the transport, but he made a mistake. He found the diamonds among the truffles and told us. Someone found out, but the exchange was already set in motion. Elias already had the diamonds. That changed everything. Bess no longer had any use…” Lukas’ voice faded.
“When did they find her?”
“The day Elias met with his ‘accident’.”
“Why didn’t they move on this before?”
Lukas shrugged. “I imagine they had to regroup first. They just found out someone compromised their organization. It is likely they balanced the loss against the profit, but given the amount of diamonds, that was never an actual question.”
“How much are we talking about?” Hymn inquired.
“Approximately twenty million US in uncut stones from Africa. They transported them through Europe into Canada and were moving them onto US soil through Gresham.”
The number caused Hannah, Gran, and Hymn to gasp or take a breath. Gran tugged at her ear. “Seems like a lot of steps. Why not just bring them in the straight way?”
“It is, but the amount started out much greater. Rather than risk everything in one country, or one continent, they spread them out. Some borders are easier to access. This particular operation favors following the food industry, in part because it is a disregarded crime by the public. A few pounds of cheese, fish, or truffles, do not catch the public imagination. So, while there are issues with customs, no one thinks to cut open the block of cheese to find what’s inside. Or to see what’s stuffed in the fish’s belly. Or to turn up such an expensive item as truffles. As long as the paperwork looks good, agents wave them through. A more established individual, such as Elias, passes through customs often. As much as we like to think those agents are scrutinizing everyone that is not the case. Beyond that, the largest part came here because the US has the largest market for uncut diamonds. They claim otherwise, but the truth is out there.”
“So who do you think is behind this?” Hannah asked.
Lukas glared at the sleuth. “It is someone you are familiar with.”
Hannah drew her eyes narrow and her face tightened. She half expected to hear the name Serizawa Kamo, or Madeline Doyle, or even Jonathan Wexler. Instead, she found herself going numb.
“The Ambassador for Côte d’Ivoire.”
Felix Salomon. Lukas’ words hit Hannah hard. Disbelief rolled across her face. Lukas continued.
“That country is one of the major suppliers of the diamonds. There’s always an ongoing political struggle of some kind. For years, he’s been readying himself for any eventuality. According to my superiors, he has almost one billion dollars in our banks.”
Hymn studied Lukas. “Eventuality? As in a coup?”
“No. I doubt it. The ambassador has lived out of the country for years.” Lukas looked to Hannah. “In Mexico, where you saved his life. France before that. Now in Canada. He’s had a taste of the Western world if you will. His home country no longer holds any appeal. Within a year, he plans on leaving his post and moving to my country on a permanent basis. He doesn’t plan on living the life of a retired politician from Côte d’Ivoire.”
While Lukas explained, Hannah’s mind was hard at work. She tried again to make the pieces of the puzzle fit. Everything Lukas said or was saying fit well, but the picture did not make sense. She knew the ambassador to be a good man. What she was unsure of was Lukas. Then it hit her. Or his nephew. She knew little about Samori. She never met him in Mexico though she recalled now Salomon mentioned a nephew who lived with his wife and him. At the time, he was away at school. Culinary school, I suppose. She considered the possibility if he moved with his uncle, he could have been a transporter. She also considered that he was too young to have amassed such a fortune on his own. The ambassador could have though, she reconsidered.
The touch of Hymn squeezing her hand brought her back to the present conversation. He waved a finger at Grimm.
“All right, so you want justice for your friend. That I get. How does Elias sent flying… tie into all this? It’s obvious that something went wrong. Otherwise, they would have just shot him. Does he have evidence that this Salomon is the head of this operation?”
“No, the ambassador keeps his hands clean and operates through intermediaries. Elias does have a file, but I am assuming that would just be a bonus to attain. What kept Elias alive is the fact that he has a large cache of uncut diamonds somewhere.” Lukas turned to Hannah. “You got there just after someone was looking for them and went too far. Now, they want him to give them up.”
Hymn glanced over to Hannah. “I was right. Tell me, did Johnny hear what the delivery man said .”
Hannah agreed. “The problem is, he isn’t waking up fast enough for them. I’d imagine the responsible party is pretty nervous at this point.”
“So nervous in fact…” Lukas took a drink of his beer. “They have you on twenty-four-hour surveillance.”
Gran put her hand to her chest and laid the other one across Hannah’s free hand. “Heavens.”
“Elias always called his truffles--”
“The diamonds of the kitchen,” Hannah interrupted.
“Correct. You were there right after he fell, and you followed through to the hospital. You being a chef, you working in a kitchen…”
“They assume since she’s a woman…” Hymn added.
“And a chef…” Hannah sighed, and then added, “It’s a reference to me.”
Lukas affirmed with a point of the finger to Hannah. He relaxed enough to lean back. “They assume Elias and you were…” He glanced over to Hymn and paused before he added, “together.”
Hymn’s face drew in tight, but he said nothing.
“Do you think they’ll come after her?” Gran asked. She swallowed hard before adding, “Come to think of it. Why haven’t they tried already?”
Lukas rose and turned to look out at the water. “I have a few connections in Gresham. I know about the incident earlier with the engineer. Regrettable. Such a talent.” He spun around to stare at Hannah. “But given what has occurred, I think the period of them waiting for you to lead them to the Elias’ truffles is at an end. Either they’ll have them or have you. Again, if you know anything�
�”
Before Hannah could answer, Gran leaned forward. Her voice was strong and steady as she addressed her host. “If Salomon did this, he’s bought into the police for sure. Two officers came looking for Hannah.”
Lukas nodded. “The brothers, I know about them. They came to Gresham police at the same time Salomon took his new post across the border. I’m sure that is not a coincidence.”
Hannah pulled her hands up to either side of her cheeks and stared forward. For the moment, everything Lukas said fit her puzzle. Pieces were coming together. Though she resisted the idea, it appeared behind everything was Felix Salomon. Confirmation was still needed for her, but for the moment, she considered the possibility. “So what do you need from me?”
“Do you have any idea where Elias took his case? The diamonds are the evidence that links Salomon to the black market via the food trade. Elias kept a file in it. Everything we need is within. It is obvious that Salomon does not have them yet. If he gets his hands on them before I can establish the connection, then our case becomes nullified. Everyone who died collecting them, all the victims, Bess, Elias, it will all be for nothing.”
Unsure how to answer, Hannah ran everything related through her mind. She was certain that the case was at the storage facility. Her initial response was to answer him as such, but her gut instinct told her to keep that information close until she could confirm it for herself. Though everything fit, some questions remained. Given that no one yet found his case, she determined all the answers she needed lie within it. So, she lied, telling herself that for the time, it was for the greater good.
“Sorry, but when he wakes up, it will be the first thing I ask him. In the meantime, is there anything else I can do to help?”
Lukas pulled his brow down. “Mr. Starvling is watching over the wife. If you could continue to do so, I believe that a presence is enough to keep trouble at bay. The officers guarding Elias through Detective Betts are clear. We have found that she is honest and is working to clean out the department. For now, all is secure, but I ask you to keep every word of this meeting to yourselves.”
From the corner of her eyes, Hannah watched Gran. The elder Starvling’s body tightened. Though her grandmother agreed, Hannah could tell the seasoned gumshoe did not buy the story as presented. When Hannah shifted her eyes to Hymn, she knew he too found everything problematic. She thought again about the puzzle at hand. The pieces fit. The picture doesn’t line up.
“Well, I suggest that I get you back to shore. Mr. Starvling will want an update. Tell him that I just wanted to secure your services for a new chain that I plan on buying. I will release this information at the festival, saying that you have agreed to work for my company. No one will suspect otherwise. This has put you good people in enough danger as is.”
Lukas moved back toward the cockpit. Hannah stopped him.
“One other thing, is Madeline Doyle working with you?”
Lukas’ eyes narrowed and his nose flared. Hannah watched as his expression shifted from taken aback to intense and then calm in an instant.
“Yes, but in a...” Lukas gestured with hand quotes before finishing, “real world capacity.” Through his fake, toothy grin, he added, “Her restaurants are struggling. Rather than me take them over, we are negotiating. She’s quite persuasive as you can imagine. We are doing a joint venture. At some point, this present adventure will conclude and I will return to the real world. Madeline’s restaurants will be part of it.” He paused and scanned Hannah over. Another smile and he turned to the cockpit, starting the engine.
Hannah went back and sat beside Hymn. In a near whisper, not taking her eyes off Lukas, she said, “We’ll compare notes when we get back. Until then, let’s just enjoy the ride back.”
A short time later, the yacht pulled next to the pier and docked. As they were disembarking, Lukas stopped Hannah.
“Please, if you find out anything, let me know first. I am prepared to move on this on a moment’s notice.” He glanced over at Gran and Hymn, then back to the sleuth. “It would be in your family’s best interest to do so.”
His last words echoing through her mind, Hannah summed up a mock smile and agreed. Then, with Gran and Hymn, she made her way up the pier. She called Ducky for a pick up. He suggested they wait at a local pastry and coffee shop, a place called Nevin's. He explained he would be a few minutes as he was on another shuttle run for the moment.
After finding a table, Gran made a call to Papa Jay and said she would explain everything when they got back to the hospital. Hanging up, she said, “Grumpus is edgy. Nothing’s happened, but he mentioned those pearl handles of his again. I just agreed to go to the range when we get back.” She rolled her eyes. “What can you do?”
The conversation turned to Lukas’ story when a familiar voice called out.
“Hello there.”
Everyone smiled as Vera and Marquette approached. The latter held Critic on a leash. Though he attempted to run to Hannah, Marquette ordered him back in broken English laced with her heavy French accent. He obeyed with some reluctance, once she picked up the pace of their approach. Reaching the table, he jumped on Hannah. He gave all the licks he could manage, before the ladies and Hannah made a combined effort to halt the love. After all was settled, the women joined the group.
“Dad and I have been trying to get you all morning. He had to go to an interview, but we wanted to tell you we did a search last night of the galley. There was nothing there but food. Nothing that looked suspicious.”
Marquette tapped on the tabletop. “I too did help. And Louis and Vera did a look at everything there. Pots. Pans. Dishes. Cabinets. All complete. I am not sure what it was we were to find, but find it we did not.”
Hannah rolled her tongue. “We’re missing something still.” She issues a quick recap of the day’s events as Marquette and Vera listened. The conversation veered off course when Critic issued an “I wuv you” howl long enough to draw everyone’s attention. It was just enough of a distraction for him to reach over and steal Hymn’s cinnamon sugar doughnut, which he consumed in one quick gulp. Marquette scolded him.
“Un si mauvais chien, vous êtes,” she declared. “Such a bad doggy you are.”
Her harsh words caused him to lie down and cover his face with a paw, much to the amusement of all.
Returning to the conversation, Vera questioned Hannah.
“You say this man’s story fits the events, but you do not see it playing out this way? Why?”
“I think I can answer that,” Gran suggested. “Sometimes, dear, there is such a thing as knowing too much. Mr. Grimm knows too much.”
Vera produced a confused look.
“He knew about the attack. He knows about Gresham police and is familiar with some of the officers who appear corrupt. He knows Papa Jay is with Janine,” Hannah confirmed.
Hymn reached toward his plate, but remembering it was empty, he looked down at Critic and shook his head. “He seemed adamant about finding the case, though.” He scratched his chin. “I don’t know, Hannah. Maybe he is what he says he is. Cate found nothing to suggest otherwise.”
“I know and that’s what bothers me. He has a perfect cover story that rings true, but there’s no real way to check it out in full. Seems too good to be true.”
“There is one way to find out,” Gran said. She reached over and squeezed her granddaughter’s forearm.
Again, Hannah gave her tell-tell sign of contemplation.
“Yeah, that is what I am fixing to do. I know you want to go, Gran, but you won’t be able to live with Papa Jay if you do. You need to go back to the hospital.”
Although her face showed disappointment, Gran agreed.
Hannah turned to Hymn. “If I’m watched, I need to get there without anyone knowing. That means getting there fast and getting out fast.”
Hymn twisted his face into a frown. “Ditching me already.”
Hannah gave him a kiss. “You’re just too slow for me at the moment, Watson. S
o here’s what we are going to do.”
With that, Hannah explained her plan.
Chapter Nineteen
When Ducky showed up, Hannah introduced him to Vera, Marquette, and Critic. After stating his admiration for her father, Vera assured him she would arrange a meeting between the two. He thanked her and asked if it was possible to up that meeting to get a picture of Critic and his ‘pawtograph’.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s for me,” he said.
Vera agreed. Marquette and she made their goodbyes and headed down the pier to the waiting transport boat to the Dahlia. Everyone else headed back to the shuttle. Once inside, Ducky also thanked Hannah for the introduction and asked if there were anything he could do to return the favor.
“There is one thing.”
Hannah did not care to lie though she used the tactic when she felt it warranted. She needed the use of Ducky’s key access to the staff elevator once again. The cover story she produced was simple. The journalist was still hounding her and she and Hymn wanted to get out without being spotted. Ducky produced it without question. Taking it, she looked to Hymn and Gran with a knowing grin.
Once back at the hotel, Gran requested Ducky take her to the hospital to meet up with Papa Jay. This was per her granddaughter’s orders. Though he did not try to escape the request, Hannah noted he was not enthusiastic about it.
After the shuttle pulled away, Hannah and Hymn made their way inside. She made enough of a commotion to ensure that people saw them heading up. She even commented in a loud voice how tired she was and how she just wanted to get to her bed and take a nap.
After making it to Hannah’s room, she changed her clothes, putting on jeans and a black tee shirt. She donned the ball cap Hymn brought along, and tucked her hair under it as much as possible. Within ten minutes, she was ready to leave again. Before leaving, she spun around for Hymn.
“Well?”
“I’m sorry, miss, but I was looking for the most beautiful woman in the world. She was standing here a minute ago, but then she just vanished right before me when she put on a ball cap.”
The Billionaire Chef Page 19