Red Dragons

by K W Frost

  Child was finished none too soon, as Snake was pulling into the Mount Eden jail parking lot. When the car stopped, Child repeated the procedure with Snake. Placing the knife beside him on the back seat, Child grabbed a roll of industrial insulation tape from his bag and quickly covered their mouths. With this complete, Child felt almost relaxed.

  ‘Great thing about blacked-out car windows is that you can see out at the world but no one can see you inside,’ Child said. ‘Now, I’m going to ask you a series of questions. You will either nod or shake your head. One dumb answer and I’ll carve a bit of flesh off your face with this.’

  Child waved the thin stiletto knife between them.

  ‘You first, Snake,’ Child continued. ‘The money — do you have it?’

  Snake nodded.

  ‘Good. Seeing as it’s not on the back seat, I presume it’s in the boot, right?’

  Again, Snake nodded.

  ‘And the cocaine?’

  Snake nodded slowly, glancing over at Jake.

  ‘Good. It’s not booby trapped is it?’

  Child slide the point of the knife down Snake’s left cheek. Snake started to sweat and shook his head violently.

  ‘I thought so,’ Child muttered to himself.

  Child slid over to be behind Jake next.

  ‘Now, Jake, the deal was just you, Snake and myself. You didn’t stick to our deal though, and that’s going to cost you.’

  Child slid the knife up behind Jake’s left ear and with a quick flick of the wrist sliced half of it off.

  Jake arched his body in pain as blood spurted out and onto the passenger window.

  The plastic loops dug into the flesh around his thumbs, but they still held tight. Child moved the knife back to the other side of Jake’s neck, stopping any more movement from him.

  Next, Child gripped the end of the tape covering Jake’s mouth and yanked it off.

  ‘I only have a couple more questions for you, Jake,’ Child said coldly. ‘Who is Wolfman?’

  ‘Shit, I don’t know,’ Jake spat.

  ‘Bullshit. Tell me or it’ll be your nose that goes next.’

  Child moved the knife around to rest under Jake’s nose.

  ‘Tell me, Jake.’

  ‘No, no!’ Jake yelped. ‘Look, we only have contact over the phone. I have a number for him, and he can ring me. We’ve done a few deals over the past five years.

  The words tumbled out of Jake’s mouth in a panic. Child reached over and picked up Jake’s cell phone. He scrolled through the recently called numbers until he found a contact named Wolfman.

  ‘Okay, I think I might just keep this,’ Child said, placing the phone into his belt bag. He grabbed Jake’s head and pulled it backwards, placing the knife under Jake’s nose again.

  ‘I don’t believe you, Jake,’ Child snarled. ‘I bet you did some research on this guy, or else it could’ve been a set up. Tell me who Wolfman is.’

  Child started to slice up into Jake’s nose.

  ‘Shit… alright!’ Jake yelped again. ‘I’ll tell you.’

  Jake’s word’s tumbled out in fear, as blood began to drip onto the font of his black leather jacket.

  ‘Wolfman’s real name is Whittingham. He lives in St Heliers. He’s the top man at Hauraki Investments. That’s all I know, and it was enough.’

  ‘You’re right, it’s enough.’

  Child recognised the fear in Jake’s voice and believed him this time. He removed the knife and re-taped Jake’s mouth shut.

  ‘Now, I’ve got a problem — a bit of a dilemma,’ Child said calmly. ‘You see, you two are the only ones who will recognise me. If I let you go now, you’ll just come after me again, won’t you?’

  Both men shook their heads side to side, but their eyes told different. Snake’s were scared and glassy, but Jakes were filled with anger at the realisation of the implications from what Child had just said.

  ‘Good, good, I believe you,’ lied Child. ‘Don’t worry Jake, you’re not going to bleed to death.’

  Child reached forward and grabbed Snake’s car keys.

  ‘Well, I’ve got to be going. See you around, or you better hope not.’

  Child climbed out of the car and opened the boot. After a quick check to see if the money was in there, he took the sports bag out. Checking a second bag, Child found the crack cocaine. He didn’t think they would fall for that part, but they had.

  Child then retrieved a small package from his bag and placed the incendiary device on top of the cocaine. Not only did he not believe the two men, but they were scum who preyed on fear and the drug trade to live. Child had already linked a timer to the device. It only needed to be set.

  Child quickly scanned the car park. No one was in sight. He removed the overalls he was wearing and placed them in the boot. Child set the timer to one minute before walking out of the car park and down the road, whistling ‘On Top of Old Smoky’ as he went. He didn’t look back at the car. He knew there were security cameras operating from the jail.

  Child was about a hundred metres down the road when the car exploded into a ball of flames.

  He turned back briefly to check the destruction the device had caused. He was satisfied that it was a job well done. He had no regrets about the men or the cocaine.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Child walked away from the rising smoke and quickly lost himself in the midday rush of office workers and shoppers. He was now wearing a smart business suit with a silk tie, which he had been wearing under his overalls. His trousers fell to meet his dark shoes, and the designer sunglasses made him look like every other businessman going about their day. Even his backpack wasn’t totally out of place here.

  As he strode up Mount Eden Road towards Symonds Street, he rang Samantha on his cellphone.

  ‘Hi Sam, how are things going?’

  ‘Oh!’ exclaimed Samantha. ‘It’s you. Thank God you’re safe. Are you alright?’

  Her sense of relief at hearing Child’s voice was obvious.

  ‘I’m fine — nothing happened to me this time,’ Child reassured her. ‘Look, where are you now? I’ve found out who our man is.’

  Child wanted to move the conversation on, away from himself.

  Samantha paused, stepping out onto the curb away from the human traffic, trying to distance her herself from its endless flow.

  ‘I’m just outside the Price-Waterhouse building. Who’s the target?’ Samantha asked with an edge to her voice.

  ‘A guy called Whittingham. He lives in St Heliers. He’s the top guy at Hauraki

  Investments.’

  Samantha paused for a moment, taking this new information in.

  ‘Simon, he’s the next person I was going to visit. I’m almost outside his office now.’

  ‘Okay,’ Child replied, a plan formulating in his mind already. ‘There are a few things I want you to do. First, can you get a visual of him without him seeing you?’

  ‘I don’t know Simon. I could try.’

  ‘Okay but don’t risk him seeing you — this guy has some nasty connections. I’m going to dig around and see if I can get more info on him in the meantime. This guy owes me, so I want to stitch him up for good.’

  ‘When and where shall I meet you?’

  ‘Give me a ring in an hour and let me know how you’re getting on.’

  ‘Okay, Simon.’

  ‘Wait, Sam, there’s another thing… ’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’d like to know what his movements are for today and tomorrow, and even for the rest of the week if possible.’

  ‘And how am supposed to do that?’ Samantha asked sarcastically.

  ‘You’re a resourceful girl, you’ll think of something,’ Child replied with confidence. ‘One last thing — please be careful, Sam. I don’t want anything happening to you,’ he added, before ending the call.

  Samantha looked down at her phone, her mind whirring.

  ‘Hello.’

  ‘Kiwi C34.’


  ‘Eagle One.’

  ‘Target is Whittingham. Head of Hauraki Investments. Lives in St Heliers. I need all possible information as soon as possible.’

  ‘Will access what we can and set up surveillance.’

  ‘Will contact tonight. Kiwi C34 out.’

  Child headed down Karangahape Road towards upper Queen Street, through the red-light district of town. Only a few of the strip clubs were open at this time, as this area only came alive after dark. Today, there were plenty of people milling around the shops and cafes, and offices intermingled with nightclubs.

  Child strolled along at his own pace, not paying much attention to where he was going or who was around him as his mind focused on the job ahead. When he started to notice some odd looks from other people, he paused to take in his reflection in a shop window. Blood was seeping down his face from the gash on his head.

  Sitting down in a cafe for a coffee and a quick bite to eat, Child considered his next move. Eating when he could, planning ahead: Child felt the old skills on engagement were coming back.

  Before he left the cafe, he went to the bathroom and removed the seeping bandage. He then spent the next fifteen minutes on the phone before taking some time to think hard and weigh up his options. The game had moved up another level now, and there would be no room for mistakes.

  Child headed back to the motel to collect some electronic surveillance gear from his pack. He was just applying new bandages to his head when Samantha rang back.

  Samantha explained to Child that although she was yet to see Whittingham in the flesh, she had spoken at length to one of the secretaries at Hauraki Investments. The secretary had revealed to her that Whittingham had his arm in a sling today, and that he had arrived at work an hour later than normal after a doctor’s appointment that morning.

  Child thanked Samantha for the information, and asked her to stay put so that he could meet her in town.

  Half an hour later, Child met Samantha in front of the office block. She looked stunning in her tailored suit. Child took her in his arms and kissed her before leading her back into the foyer of the office building. Child was still in his suit and looked like one of the thousands middle-to-upper management workers there. His hair was neatly greased back and a standard lockable briefcase completed the picture.

  They had barely sat down in the chrome and plastic lounge chairs that faced the lifts when Child lowered his face down to study a magazine.

  Whittingham marched out of the lift and strode through the foyer, clutching a briefcase in his left hand, his right arm held up in a sling.

  ‘Don’t turn around, its’ got to be him,’ Child whispered to Samantha.

  Samantha kept her gaze steady on Child before looking down at a magazine.

  ‘What do we do now?’ she asked in a low voice.

  Child didn’t reply as he watched Whittingham’s reflection in the glass-topped coffee table, trying to secure a clear image of the man. Child noted that he appeared confident but his hurried walk show that he was anxious too. His usual walk combined with the inconvenience of the sling created a slightly off-balance figure.

  Whittingham headed out of the front doors and turned without seeing Child and Samantha.

  ‘You follow him,’ instructed Child. ‘He’s headed somewhere on foot in a hurry, so he can’t be going far. I’ll call you when I’m finished here.’

  Child stood up and gave Sam another quick kiss.

  ‘Remember to be careful, Sam. No chances.’

  Samantha smiled before heading off in pursuit of Whittingham.

  Higher up in the building, the Hauraki Investments offices were an extension of the front foyer: new, modern and shiny. A small coffee table sat opposite the efficient looking, blonde receptionist. Two potted ferns added a bit of green in contrast to the light blue paint.

  Child walked purposefully into the reception area. The blonde beauty’s eyes followed Child as he approached her desk. Her nametag read Raewyn.

  ‘Hi, Raewyn, My name is Hardaway. Mr Whittingham is expecting me.’

  Informality was now a key word in Western business practice.

  ‘Hello Mr Hardaway, are you sure that Mr Whittingham was expecting you?’ Raewyn asked her brow furrowed in annoyance, as there was nothing on Mr Whittingham’s calendar regarding a Mr Hardaway. ‘Unfortunately, he’s just left for another appointment.’

  ‘Are you sure? He was expecting me,’ Child pushed on.

  ‘I’m sorry Mr Hardaway but there is nothing on today’s calendar and Mr Whittingham is definitely unavailable right now.’

  ‘Blast. I can’t wait too long as I need to get to another meeting…’

  Child paused for a moment, apparently deep in thought.

  ‘Could you just check to see if Mr Whittingham has put me down for another time?’

  ‘I’ll check Mr Whittingham’s calendar for tomorrow,’ said Raewyn, sounding perplexed, ‘but I don’t recall anyone with your name.’

  Raewyn opened a large diary and slid a finger down the list of appointments. Child leant over the desk to glance down at the page himself. The page was unusual if only for the complete lack of appointments booked in for tomorrow.

  ‘No, I’m sorry Mr Hardaway but you name doesn’t appear to be here,’ Raewyn said firmly.

  ‘Okay, look, is there any chance of me seeing him tomorrow? He did stress that it was urgent.’

  Raewyn turned the pages over again. At the top of the page there was a small notation stating that Mr Whittingham would be unavailable for the next three days due to APEC meetings.

  ‘No, it looks like you’re out of luck this time. Mr Whittingham won’t available until Wednesday. I recall him being quite excited about some new business coming out of

  APEC, so I’m sure he’ll be busy for the next few days.’

  Child nodded and thanked Raewyn before turning to leave. He had only taken four steps when he stopped mid-stride and returned to the desk.

  ‘Raewyn, I’m a consultant for Superior Securities. Mr Whittingham wanted us to do a sweep through his office. I’m thinking that this might have something to do with his business in APEC? The thing is, if I don’t do it now then I probably won’t get another chance this week, and then it’ll be too late. I’d much prefer to have my client with me when I do the check, but as Mr Whittingham is away at the moment, I could still do my job without him.’

  As he explained the situation, Child pointedly looked at his watch to emphasise the time factor.

  Raewyn felt unsure about what she was hearing, but she decided it was in the best interests of Mr Whittingham to let Mr Hardaway do his job. After all, she had noticed an increase in Mr Whittingham’s security precautions recently.

  ‘Well, all right then. I’m sure that Mr Whittingham would want you to proceed,’ Raewyn agreed, leading Child to the office door.

  ‘Thank you, Raewyn. The sweep shouldn’t take too long.’

  Raewyn left the door ajar and Child began to scan the office, taking in everything around him.

  There was an informal meeting area on one side, and double doors leading off to the right. The wide desk sat three quarters of the way across the room, dominating the interior space. A computer workstation was set up on the desk, with a pattern whirling continuously on the screen. Three phones were lined up neatly beside the computer. In the middle of the desk sat a large ink blotter pad that was spotless. There was also a picture frame showing a photograph of a woman with two small children.

  Child took his electronic sweeper from his briefcase and moved it along the wall for Raewyn to see. He shot a reassuring smile her way as he moved through the office, sweeping high and low as he went.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Samantha followed Whittingham along the road at a clear distance. At first, she was nervous and hesitant, but she soon realised that Whittingham was on his way to a definite destination. He didn’t give any thought to be possibility of being followed, and when he turned into the foyer of the Regent Hotel,
she followed him closely up to the front desk.

  Samantha arrived at the desk just in time to hear Whittingham inquire about the suite number of a man called Mr Kioki. She was waiting her turn when an attentive clerk turned to her and asked if she could be of service. Samantha put on her best American accent for the interaction.

  ‘Could you tell me the suite number for the McCartney’s, please?’

  ‘Certainly, mam,’ the clerk nodded. She quickly scanned the guest list.

  ‘My apologies but it doesn’t appear that we have anyone of that name staying with us today.’

  Whittingham moved away from the desk and headed towards the main elevator.

  ‘Are you sure? I’m sure that they were going to check in today…’ Samantha said, her eyes fixed on Whittingham’s back.

  ‘I’ll just double check for you, mam,’ the clerk smiled.

  Samantha watched as the elevator doors closed on Whittingham.

  ‘I’m sorry but there are no guests staying here under that name.’

  ‘I must have made a mistake,’ Samantha said with a broad smile. ‘Perhaps they checked in elsewhere!’

  Samantha paused, fighting with herself to ask the next question.

  ‘I’m sorry for all my questions, but did the man just before me say that Mr Kioki is staying here? Our family had some business dealings with a Japanese co-operation, and a Mr Kioki was one of their representatives. I’m wondering if he’s the same man?’

  ‘I’m sure you would recognise Mr. Kioki if you saw him,’ the clerk smiled.

  ‘Oh, yes?’

  ‘The Mr Kioki staying here is an intimidating man,’ the clerk explained. ‘Tall and… how should I say this… well built.’

  ‘You mean he’s overweight?’

  ‘If you say so, mam. Someone in my position can’t confirm either way.’

  ‘That’s okay — it must be someone else! The Mr Kioki we knew was short and slim. Thank you for your help.’

  Samantha turned away from the desk, exited the foyer and crossed the road to a small cafe. She ordered a cappuccino and sat down at a table with a clear view of the hotel’s main entrance.