The Phoenix Series Box Set 2

by Ted Tayler

  Later, Athena drove back to Larcombe, avoiding as much of the New Forest as possible. That stretch of the road held dark memories. Phoenix noticed a popular country pub, and the food was worth the wait. They arrived home at around eight o’clock in the evening.

  Hope was shattered and soon put to bed. Phoenix poured a large glass of Erebus’s favourite brandy, for him and Geoffrey; a white wine for the two ladies was his next order. The room fell silent, as the effects of the day caught up with them.

  “It’s the ozone, Geoffrey,” said Phoenix, “not the alcohol that’s produced this lethargy.”

  “And the advancing years, Phoenix. Particularly, for Grace and me. We’ve packed a lot into this weekend. Thank you. It’s been most enjoyable. We’ll take home happy memories of our time with you two, and Hope.”

  “We’re together again in a matter of weeks,” said Grace, “and the wedding will give us even greater memories on which to reflect. I realise now, darling, seeing the three of you together in your lovely home, that it’s not important to have the big, expensive wedding I always dreamt of for you. The declaration of your love for one another, before God and those closest to you, will make it far more significant. Nothing else matters.”

  “I couldn’t have expressed it better, my dear. I think this is as good a time as any to call it a night,” said Geoffrey.

  Athena went to her mother and clung to her.

  “Thank you, Mummy, I knew you would understand.”

  She kissed her parents, and Phoenix promised to accompany them to the station in the morning.

  “I’ll drive us into the city,” said Phoenix, “we’ve got a meeting at nine. Your train will have arrived in London by then. We’ll see you in here for an early breakfast; I’m sure Hope will be awake. You can say your goodbyes to her properly.”

  When they were alone, Athena took Phoenix by the hand and led him through to the bedroom.

  “Time to demonstrate the love we have for another, Phoenix,” she whispered, “try not to wake the neighbours.”

  “Considering the speed with which Geoffrey rushed your mother away, after her emotional little speech, I think he had the same thing on his mind.”

  Athena gave him a playful punch, but nothing changed her plans for him tonight.

  Monday, 10th March 2014

  Little Hope slept through until dawn. By the time she had been changed and fed, Athena decided she may as well get herself up and dressed. Phoenix lay in their bed alone for a few minutes longer until he joined them in the kitchen. Hope sat happily bouncing in her rocker, watching her mother making breakfast.

  “Coffee, darling?” asked Athena.

  “Hot and strong, please,” he replied, pulling her towards him.

  “Easy tiger,” said Athena, “Hope is watching and Mummy and Daddy will be here soon.”

  The Foxes tapped on the door at just before seven. Soon they were in the Olympus limousine and heading for Bath Spa. There were the expected tearful goodbyes, as Athena waved her parents off on the train. Phoenix stood with Hope on the arms, watched and then gave a brief wave.

  “A successful mission,” he said as they motored back to Larcombe.

  “Yes, it was,” said Athena. “Just one thing I must remember to do when we get home. I must call Sarah Gough; we were at university together. She worked in marketing in London at first, and our paths crossed often in our twenties. When Sarah reached thirty, she felt she had received a calling, and entered the church. I’m sure she will officiate for us if she’s free, and I know I can trust her. She was one of only a handful of my friends who knew where I had gone to work after I quit the publishing business.”

  “We’re pretty much sorted then?” asked Phoenix, as the Manor loomed in the distance, “apart from me deciding what on earth I’m wearing.”

  “Daddy’s a comedian, Hope, isn’t he?” said Athena.

  An hour later, at the offices of HSS, Phil Hounsell was staring at the computer screen, with a smile on his face, when Wayne arrived for work,

  “Something’s brightened you up since Friday, boss,” said Wayne.

  Phil was looking at the HSS bank account. A ten-thousand-pound credit from a Cayman Islands account had boosted the balance significantly. Perhaps Jake and Dusty could stay on the books for a little longer.

  “Oh, we got paid for a job I’d forgotten about,” he lied.

  Phil realised the timing of the phone call on Friday had been more than a coincidence. Olympus had followed through on his information. There had been nothing reported in the media. Nevertheless, Dwight Thacker wouldn’t ruin any more lives.

  If this was the measure of compensation HSS could expect to receive for passing on tips, it would prove lucrative.

  Taking the money tugged at his conscience. Over the years that he had upheld the rule of law, things had moved so far away from the principles he had joined up to defend. This path guaranteed the criminal paid the full price for his crime. He could live with it.

  “Do you want to speak with the others when they drop by later?” asked Wayne.

  “No rush,” said Phil, “let’s see how things go for the next three months; we can review the situation then.”

  At Larcombe, and in the security business, days ticked by, tasks were carried out, and March flipped over on the calendar into April.

  As their wedding day approached, Athena heard from her friend, the Reverend Sarah Gough; she was only too happy to oblige. The banns were read for the first time on the last Sunday in March, both on the estate and in Annabelle Fox’s parish church in Pimlico. Decisions had been taken on the outfits to be worn. Phoenix and Rusty would wear dark suits, with buttonholes from the Larcombe gardens.

  Athena elected for a long gold dress, Artemis had chosen turquoise. Erebus would have smiled. These colours had been associated with the two goddesses since the mists of time.

  The array of spring flowers in the bouquet Athena was to carry would be cut fresh, on the day. Maria Elena Urbano would carry the arrangement, still sprinkled with morning dew, to the church, to hand them to her mistress as she passed through the porch.

  Monday, 31st March 2014

  At the start of the week of the Curzon Street meeting, the focus at Larcombe was firmly on Olympus matters. Minos had an update on his earlier report on the deaths of several women following cosmetic surgery procedures.

  “In January, a dancer Candy Jacobs, 21, died of heart failure. This occurred in a Birmingham hotel after silicone fillers leaked into her bloodstream. In February, Daphne Richards, 29, died in Wolverhampton from medical complications. She was married, with two sons, aged seven and five. Daphne Richards had been undergoing liposuction and buttocks augmentation procedures at a private clinic on the outskirts of the city when she was taken ill. She was rushed to the hospital but died in the ambulance. In addition to these deaths, I have examples of cosmetic procedures that have been botched, leading to patients being in the hospital for treatment. Doctors have had to deal with blood clots, and to carry out corrective surgery.”

  “What drives these women to take risks with these procedures?” asked Giles Burke.

  “Many of them desperately want to look younger, I suppose,” said Alastor.

  “Are these doctors licenced?” asked Phoenix.

  “It’s big business, that’s for sure,” said Minos, “and we know big money will attract rogues. The so-called interventions industry is worth three billion pounds a year in the UK. Demand has expanded so fast, existing regulations are inadequate. On the surgical side, namely facelifts, liposuction, or breast implants, expert cosmetic surgeons carry out the work. But when you’re talking about fillers or Botox, then staff in beauty clinics often carry out these procedures, even if they are not medically trained.”

  “Are the authorities aware of the problem?” asked Athena.

  “Legislation is on its way. There will be a great deal of tightening up in the regulations,” Minos explained, “one of the main areas of risk is a lack of inform
ed consent.”

  “Many treatments are advertised as special offers, buy one get one free,” said Henry Case. “The customer is pressured into making a decision. It’s akin to the double-glazing salesman’s spiel.”

  “Were you thinking of having a ‘nip and tuck’ Henry?” asked Phoenix, “you seem to know a lot about it.”

  “It’s no laughing matter, Phoenix,” said Henry, “people are dying. Sometimes the expectation the customer has is unrealistic. They need to be aware of the risks involved.”

  “Have we identified the person responsible for the two deaths in the Midlands?” asked Phoenix.

  “Not so far,” replied Minos, “the first victim booked the hotel room in her own name. The private clinic had closed, and cleared out, by the time the local police followed up on Daphne Richards’s husband’s complaints. Tracking the person who had rented the premises proved to be beyond them.”

  “We’re working on that aspect, Phoenix,” said Giles, “we’re confident we’ll have a name for you by the end of the week.”

  “Good,” said Phoenix. “I look forward to meeting them.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Thursday, 3rd April 2014

  Maria Elena raised Hope against her shoulder, so she could see her parents, as the car taking them to London moved away from the main building. She lifted the infant’s pudgy little hand in a wave.

  “They’ll be back tonight, Hope,” she said, “if their day goes well, they’ll be home before bath time.”

  The pouting bottom lip, as Hope fought back the tears, told she wasn’t convinced by this statement.

  In the car, Athena and Phoenix were discussing the forthcoming meeting in Curzon Street. Zeus, Hera and the other Olympians would gather for an important meeting.

  “What was on the agenda you received, Athena?” asked Phoenix.

  “The initial items concern finances, ongoing missions, and the announcement of a recruitment drive. This meeting has a greater focus on home matters, rather than abroad. The threats may originate abroad at first, whether from Russia, China, or from terrorist organisations throughout the Middle East; but it’s the potential impact on the UK that is causing Olympus concern. The final item will be the unmasking of our new Olympians.”

  “Will they be present?” asked Phoenix.

  “Not on this occasion. Because of the unsuccessful coup by the Titans, Zeus is being ultra-cautious. He has selected four names for approval. The final vetting process will be passed over to us. Any flaw in these candidates’ personality has to be exposed.”

  “That’s fair enough; you did a good job on Demeter and the others. With the help of Minos and Alastor, you can dig into their closets and find their skeletons.”

  The driver dropped them at the London Executive Offices building in Curzon Street at eleven o’clock.

  “There’s time to freshen up, get ourselves a coffee, and wait for the others to arrive,” said Athena, as they glided to the first floor in the lift.

  The venue was as professional as they remembered. Phoenix and Athena followed the signs to the room Olympus occupied on these occasions. The eight high-backed comfortable chairs were spaced evenly around the long light-coloured wooden table. Four chairs on either side.

  “No doubt the security sweep has been done,” said Phoenix, taking the opportunity to switch off his mobile phone. He knew the protocol at these meetings well.

  “The name cards have altered,” Athena remarked. “We’re sat opposite Zeus and Hera.

  “Two united fronts,” shrugged Phoenix. “Zeus is keen to consign the Titans to history.

  The two colleagues sat together and drank their coffees and waited.

  As the clock on the wall clicked around to half-past eleven, their fellow Olympians arrived. Hera and Zeus, the elderly married couple, arrived together. The reserve they had shown at earlier meetings was gone. Their greetings were warm and sincere. They were soon seated with their own refreshments, keen to hear news from Larcombe. Not on Olympus affairs; just how little Hope was.

  They were soon joined by Sir Malcolm Dunseith, the Privy Counsellor. Dionysus had a few problems with his vines and was worried last year’s vintage wouldn’t be as sought after as his previous crops. Zeus and Hera were sympathetic.

  Phoenix listened; farming folk always have problems. The weather’s too dry; it’s too wet, it’s too hot, or too cold. The door opened and in breezed Aphrodite.

  Elizabeth, the Duchess of Lochalsh, looked flushed.

  “What on earth’s the matter dear,” said Hera, rushing to her side.

  “Never again,” she said, “Sir James offered me a lift from Scotland today. He said it seemed silly for me to travel south alone when he was flying south. I thought it was an excellent suggestion, but being buffeted by high winds, sat in a two-seater plane no bigger than a baked bean can is horrendous. I think I’d prefer to suffer a train journey, despite how rotten the service is these days. I’m only just recovering. I wish we had a drop of scotch to liven up this coffee.”

  Heracles arrived a minute later, with Apollo. Sir James Grant-Nicholls had spotted Troy Gardner, the former boxer downstairs and waited for him. Although they were not normally close companions, Athena imagined Heracles had used the tactic to keep his distance from Aphrodite until she had calmed.

  Elizabeth had recovered enough to ask after Hope. As Athena was repeating the update she had given Zeus and Hera, the Duchess was scrabbling around in her bag.

  “Wonderful, Athena. I know I brought something for her, it’s in here somewhere. Ah, here we are.”

  She handed over a beautifully knitted cardigan.

  “I made it myself, dear, I enjoy knitting. It keeps my hands warm in the winters. My castle is so difficult to keep warm, you know. I pray it will fit her.”

  “She’ll grow into it,” whispered Phoenix, which caused Athena to stifle a giggle.

  Minutes later, Zeus called the meeting to order. He outlined the agenda and suggested they broke for refreshments after the first three items. His first report concerned the Olympus finances. Despite legal hurdles that had had to be overcome, Olympus finally acquired significant sums from the estates of Demeter, Poseidon, Hermes, and Nemesis. As for properties they owned; the infamous mews cottage and Poseidon’s house in Elmbridge had been altered and refurbished. They were to be added to the safe-houses available to Olympus. New funds were necessary, to meet the increased threats at home and abroad.

  Phoenix listened intently to the accounts of successful missions on the continent of Europe, and in North Africa. At least, he had the recent trip to London to remember; it brought home to him how much he’d missed the intensity of their direct actions, in the months since Hope was born. Athena noticed him leaning forwards more in his chair, his brow furrowed in concentration. It was good to see the fire was still burning. The risks were high, but the vigilante killer she loved, needed the thrill of the chase, and the ultimate kill at the end. Olympus needed many others like Phoenix.

  Zeus outlined his solution to that problem. New recruits were being sourced from servicemen returning from action in Afghanistan, and from postings in Germany, now that bases were being abandoned in that arena. There could be no poster campaign, or recruiting vehicle visiting various town centres. It was a stealthy process where existing agents used their contacts, still serving, to ask them to ‘flag up’ men and women with the right qualities.

  “What numbers are you looking for, Zeus?” asked Heracles.

  “A minimum of fifty; we would prefer one hundred,” said Zeus. “They will be trained at Larcombe Manor.”

  “Our senior trainers will be in place in a few weeks,” said Athena. “We will be ready for the first intake by the first of June.”

  “Excellent,” said Dionysus, “the more the merrier.”

  “Let’s break there, for the moment,” Zeus said. The Olympians moved over to the side tables where the buffet lunch was waiting. As they ate, drank, and chatted, Hera moved over to Athena.

/>   “The atmosphere is so much improved, don’t you think?” she whispered. “That tension, and malice, that one could sense around the room, has gone. I still have nightmares over what happened to Demeter and the others. Zeus keeps telling me, it had to be done, but we were working together, side by side, for years. No one had a clue they were thinking along different lines to the rest of us. Erebus would have spotted it, I’m sure. He saw everything.”

  Athena didn’t wish to dwell on the past. The Titans had paid the price for their treachery. There could be no regrets. It was important to keep moving forward.

  “Phoenix and I have more news,” she said to Hera, to change the subject. Phoenix heard his name mentioned and paused, with a salmon sandwich halfway between his plate and his mouth. The noise of chatter dulled until you could have heard a pin drop.

  “Phoenix and I are getting married, later this month,” Athena said. Her announcement echoed around the room.

  The noise level rose again as their fellow Olympians congratulated them both. Everyone wanted to know when, and where it was being held. Phoenix put his sandwich back on his plate.

  “Thank you for your good wishes. It’s later this month, and it will be a quiet ceremony; with a dozen family and friends present. That’s enough about us, let’s finish lunch and get back to that agenda.”

  Zeus took the hint, and the meeting reconvened around the main table. He had one major item to outline before he revealed the names of the four candidates he’d selected. The topic ahead of them was organised crime and the growth of the super gang.

  “Organised crime has traditionally been governed by homegrown organised groups involved in a multitude of illegitimate businesses. We are a multi-ethnic society; therefore, criminal enterprises come from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. They might originate on these shores and still be dominated by White British groups. Outside the indigenous British syndicates, foreign gangs from Eastern Europe, Asia, the Indian sub-continent, and the Caribbean operate here too. In total, seven thousand organised criminal groups costing the country £3.5 billion pounds per annum.”