‘Are we staying here or have you somewhere else more private we can talk?’
‘We should stay here as long as possible, once parishioners don’t come in and disturb us,’ replied Obolensky with a slight tremble in his voice.
‘Very well’ said Parker anxiously looking around the dark church.
‘Are you sure nobody followed you?’
‘Yes. I took a taxi here. I instructed the driver to circle the area a few times to shake off any unwanted company.’
‘Thank you. You see, I’m already in hiding. My family were eventually forced to go into hiding as well. They’re staying at a secret location until it's safe to come out, whenever that might be,’ added Obolensky with a wistful stare.
‘So, Dmitri you want to talk to me. What’s all this about? ‘
‘I am a member of a secret society of medical professionals, the Knights of Octavian. The society originated over twenty years ago, around the time the Soviet Union broke up. It takes its name from the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar.
‘What is this organization all about, Dmitri?’
‘The KOO is made up of medical professionals representing some twenty or more countries from around the world. The organization has completely legitimate, philanthropic origins. It was originally established to foster unanimity and co-operation within the medical profession between the main western and eastern bloc countries. Rapid advances in medical science during the second half of the twentieth century, especially in America and the Soviet Union, often produced diverging opinions on important matters about public health, in treatment of the two big killer diseases, cancer and heart disease and opinions on a whole raft of other global medical issues. The KOO was set up as a well-intentioned global organization. Karl was a prominent member. It was only decided at its inception to keep the organization secret as its members felt the standing of the local GP in his respective community would be undermined if it became known some large global ‘Think Tank’ was calling the shots and formulating opinions about how certain diseases should be treated.’
‘All very commendable, Dmitri. So why are we both sitting, here whispering to one another in a dark church at this late hour?’
‘I announced to the KOO at our last meeting that I no longer trusted the integrity of the organization especially since Professor Lehman was killed, along with four other high profile medical professionals murdered in similar circumstances in the last eighteen months. These men were all members of the KOO.’
‘So, what’s going on?’ asked Parker with raised eyebrows.
‘Well I have felt over the last eighteen months that things were changing inside the organization. I became suspicious that highly confidential information was being leaked outside for commercial exploitation. You must understand highly sensitive matters are discussed at these meetings like health spending budgets of numerous governments around the world, efficacy of new drug therapies, imminent breakthroughs in medical procedures not to mention the launch of secret new drug substances, are all confidentially discussed. All this information is obviously commercially sensitive and is handled with the utmost professionalism. However uncontrolled leaking of this information has the potential to impact markets around the world’
‘What about Karl’s murder?’
‘I know the details about Karl’s iDrug were leaked outside the KOO. Whoever was on the receiving end, had Karl murdered. This I know for certain. I’m still in the dark however, as to what threat Karl’s iDrug posed.’
‘How can you be so certain iDrug details were leaked?’
‘After Karl’s death, I found out we had a mole in our midst feeding information to some large mysterious criminal conglomerate in Russia.’
‘How did you discover this?’
‘About two months ago, I set a trap. I invented a fictitious ‘new cutting edge’ medical procedure and revealed details of it at our regular quarterly meeting in the KOO. I followed up by carrying out an on-line search of patent applications. After a few weeks I found what I was looking for. A patent application had been lodged with the Russian National Patents Office for the same bogus technology by someone living in a former Soviet State.’
‘Interesting!’
‘They registered the patent application through a shell company, using this as a cover to hide the identity of the patent applicants. Believe me! I have contacts in high places here in Moscow. I told the authorities that the applicants were a criminal organization and I needed to get the ID of the company as quickly as possible.’
‘Very Interesting! Dmitri. Carry on.’
‘In the meantime, reports got back to the mole that someone was digging deep into the background of the organization that filed the patent application. The mole obviously suspected me, being the one who made the original disclosure at the quarterly meeting. Whoever it is has remained silent and have not acted yet. I reported the evidence to the KOO’s top brass, men I know and can trust. They’re taking what I disclosed to them extremely seriously. Discreet internal investigations started at once. They have suspended all further open discussions on medical developments until the mole is found.’
‘That’s not much help to you and your family in the short term, is it Dmitri?’
‘No indeed Dr. Parker. We have been left exposed to whatever these dark forces decide to do. I’m certain it’s the same people that murdered Professor Lehman and more than likely Dr. Philips as well. It has all become too much for me. I was finally forced to go into hiding. These people are afraid I might make public disclosures about their organization. This puts my life in danger and puts you in danger too when they connect you with me.’
Obolensky reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a brown envelope.
‘Here is the list of names connected with this secret Russian conglomerate. These are the men behind the patent application. Most of them are highly successful international businessmen. One is a former Russian Oligarch. You may be surprised with the list of names. Some are well known business people.’
The envelope was sealed. Parker did not open it. Protocol dictated the list was for top brass MI6 eyes only.
‘What is the name of the organizat…..?’
Before he could complete his question, the front door of the church made a creaking sound. Parker signaled to Obolensky and both men slid across the Pew and hid behind a column in the side aisle of the church, just in case.
Two men appeared at the back of the church and the first one leading the way, could be seen by Parker carrying a torch and a pistol.
‘One of them has a gun, ‘whispered Parker.
‘I know another way out,’ murmured Obolensky looking at him with widened eyes.
‘I'll follow you. Lead the way.’
Both men quickly moved along the side wall of the church towards the altar in semi obscurity. They stopped near the altar to see where the two gunmen were. So far, they had not been spotted.
‘I think we should make a break for it before they spot us,’ whispered Obolensky. ‘I know this church very well. I was married here. There’s a door at this side of the altar that leads to the Vestry. For certain, there’s another door in the Vestry leading directly outside.’
‘Ok! Ready when you are Dmitri. You lead the way.’
Obolensky made a sudden dart from behind a column and ran towards the altar with Parker following close behind. The two gunmen quickly spotted them. They started shouting in Russian and shots rang out from a semi-automatic pistol. Bullets ricocheted around the fleeing duo but missed. Obolensky reaching the Vestry first, with Parker close behind, pushed open the door and disappeared inside. The pair ran to the second door leading outside. Dmitri pushed the handle down, but to his unimaginable horror, found it was locked. Obolensky swung round trembling and glared at Parker.
‘What do we do now?’ cried Obolensky, almost demented with fear when he heard the gunmen's footsteps approaching, realizing they would both be dead in about five seconds time. The two gunmen came bursting through the d
oor to pick off their easy prey.
‘Ha ha! A Doctor and a Professor mixed up in a business that was way over their heads’’ mused one of the gunmen smugly.
Obolensky closed his eyes and started blessing himself.
It was the look of utter surprise on the two attackers’ faces Parker would never forget when the sound of two shots rang out. A .45 caliber bullet entered each of their foreheads as they came storming through the door, immediately falling forward dead onto the cold marble floor. Parker stood there in full combat stance, his right arm outstretched in front of him supported by the left with his Beretta in hand. Just two bullets had been enough.
Obolensky opened his eyes, pinched himself to see if he was dreaming, blessed himself again and stood there in total awe of Parker standing over the two bodies lying on the floor in front of him.
Shaking like a leaf, he stood close to Parker. ‘They could have killed us both. I was sure we were both going to die. Where did you get the gun, Parker?’
‘It’s a long story, Dmitri. Now more to the point, how did these guys find us?’
‘Let me see. Turn around until I quickly examine you.’
The Professor frisked Parker’s shoulders, arms, back and legs.
‘Take off your jacket’
Parker thought Dmitri had gone mad but took off his jacket all the same.
‘Ah yes here we are,’ observed Obolensky quickly. He held up a tiny microchip device that had been stuck to the back of Parker’s shirt just between his shoulder blades.
‘This is the world’s smallest ‘homing’ device. Somebody stuck this on you here in Moscow, so they could track you. I know this because recently a newspaper reported a local crime boss was followed to his Golf Club using one of these devices before being shot dead. Where were you relaxing in your shirt sleeves in the last twelve hours?’
‘Maria!!’ exclaimed Parker.
‘Who is she?’
‘Let's get out of here before anybody else arrives. I’ll explain later.’
Parker walked back through the door of the Vestry followed by the Russian. They left the church by the front door and walked briskly up to the end of the street before hailing a taxi.
‘Stay in my apartment for the night Dr. Parker. It might be safer than the Hotel you're staying in.’
Soon they were back in the safety of Obolensky’s apartment sipping coffee and reliving what they had just gone through. Obolensky was now looking a few shades less pale after his traumatic ordeal.
‘Thank you for saving my life Dr. Parker. I never thought we were going to get out of there alive.’
‘Well it was the least I could do considering I led the two hit men to the church.’
‘Do not blame yourself for this. You can never be prepared all the time for all eventualities.’
‘This lady I met at the bar, Maria. She was probably working for this Russian conglomerate.’
‘Yes! They are a very large and secretive organization, Dr. Parker. They have many circles within circles.’
‘Dmitri, you said you are a member of the KOO, named after the Roman Emperor Augustus? Have I got that right?’
‘Yes. It was he who gave the medical profession its first leg-up in Roman society by increasing the status of medical practitioners. He gave property and lands to its members and bestowed knighthoods on some of them. Caesar Augustus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, was originally christened Octavius.
‘I see. The Russian conglomerate preying on the KOO, you never told me their name?’
‘It was described to me as a highly secretive operation. My diplomatic contacts could only give me the intelligence services’ code name for them.’
‘Which is?’
‘Python’
‘What’s behind this name?’
‘My sources couldn’t offer any further information’
‘Don’t worry Dmitri, I’ll check them out when I get back to London.’
They sat and chatted into the small hours swopping war stories before Parker retired to the couch for the night, quite pleased with progress. He had a top-secret list of people in Python and a good insider understanding of the KOO’s structure. ‘Wing Commander Hadley should be pleased.’
68
Meyer was sitting in his hired car when his mobile phone buzzed.
‘Chief Inspector? Police Superintendent Trevor Burke here. I believe you were trying to contact with me earlier.’
‘Yes Burke, I’m travelling to Cornwall tomorrow morning to question Parker and try to get a lead on the whereabouts of Nicole Lehman. Can British police provide me with some backup?’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘I was hoping you might be available to travel yourself to meet the Doctor?’
‘I’m afraid I am on another case in the morning.’
‘Very well,’ replied Meyer with some frustration. ‘It’s not easy getting to grips with this case.’
Sensing his growing dissatisfaction, Burke asked, ‘how many people do you require?’
‘One plain clothes policeman and a uniformed police-woman.’
‘No problem. I’ll contact Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and ask them to provide a DC and a WPC.’
‘Much appreciated,’ said Meyer before hanging up.
In Montpellier, France, Jacques Bonnet sat on his large patio sipping a glass of wine with a laptop on his knee. He picked up his mobile phone and called Gaston.
‘How are the plans for tomorrow going?’
‘Going quite well. The helicopter company tell me the aircraft is being serviced. It will take another two days before it’s ready.’
‘Bullshit Gaston. We must make our move tomorrow morning at first light. I gave Lazare a personal commitment we would perform on this without any fuck ups.
‘But Jacques, the helicopter company ….
‘Get any fucking chopper you like, Gaston. Just have it here ready for tomorrow morning. Comprenez Vous?’
‘Oui, of course boss. Whatever you say, consider it done.’
69
A police car pulled up outside Grasmere cottage just after nine o'clock in the morning. Meyer and two police officers sat and discussed tactics, hidden from the house by a Cornish hedge built from stone and earth.
The Swiss CI issued instructions to the two officers, directing the DC to go around and secure the rear of the house while he and the police woman would approach the house from the front. ‘Ok. Let’s go in.’
Nicole was sitting in the kitchen having breakfast and reading a magazine when she heard the distant sound of a helicopter. She stood up and rushed to a window to see if she could spot it. It was nowhere to be seen. Her heart started pounding while the noise got louder. She was becoming ‘allergic’ to these sounds.
Meyer and the two police constables, now approaching the front gates, also heard a helicopter approaching
‘Quick! Take cover under that tree.’
The Swiss CI immediately identified the craft as a Mil Mi-24 Hind military attack helicopter. The craft flew in and started hovering over the roof of Grasmere cottage. The whole space around the grounds felt like it was vibrating from the noise of the engines. It descended rapidly landing on the lawn at the front of the cottage. Three heavily armed men in black military style battle fatigues quickly emerged from the gunship carrying AK47 assault rifles.
‘We’re sitting ducks against such fire power,’ shouted the Swiss policeman crouching down behind a wall.
The marauders ran to the front of the cottage, smashed open the hall door and rushed inside. Meanwhile, Nicole had grabbed her mobile phone before running upstairs to ring Parker.
‘Harry, ‘she screamed.
‘What's happening?’ shouted Parker on the other end of the line.
‘There’s a helicopter outside’ she cried. ‘They have broken in to the house and are coming up the stairs.’
‘Stay calm Nicole.’ It was all he could say. The next thing he heard were screams and banging noises
. Then the line went dead.
Meyer, from his position under the tree, phoned for assistance, quickly explaining the unfolding drama in front of him.
‘The nearest aircraft we have is a police Search and Rescue helicopter,’ sounded a voice on the other end.’
‘Tell your boys to be careful. We're up against a full military attack gunship. It looks like it has air to air missile capability from where I'm standing.’
‘Copy,’ confirmed the voice on the phone. I'll alert them to the perils. We may need to scramble Typhoon Fighter Jets from RAF St. Mawgan. I'll put them on standby.’
Meanwhile back in the house, Nicole was grabbed from behind and dragged out of the bedroom and down the stairs by one of the marauders who maintained a tight grip on her. They held up in the hall until they checked all was clear outside. The sound of a second helicopter suddenly could be heard. The chopper came from a southerly direction and circled Grasmere cottage at an altitude of about a hundred and fifty feet. Inside were Jacques Bonnet’s men. The Mil Mi-24 gunship was still on the ground, its rotors turning. It quickly lifted off vertically and flew off in a straight line before starting to bank into a tight turn to double back and engage the second helicopter. This latest arrival was no match for the Mil Mi-24. The pilot, to avoid canon fire or worse still, an air to air missile strike, dropped the craft on to the ground behind a large oak tree as quickly as possible. Two marauders inside the house ran outside and opened up with assault rifles on Bonnets men when they attempted to exit their aircraft. The first of Bonnet’s men to get out was hit in the shoulder and was immediately dragged back inside by his comrade. Armed only with semi-automatic hand guns, the kidnap attempt by Bonnet’s men was futile. Gaston gave the order to abort. The chopper immediately jolted upwards under full power and gained some altitude before banking away in a southerly direction. The Mil Mi-24 hovering above gave chase and was soon on its tail. Bonnet’s men were easy pickings.
‘Oh my God,’ shouted Gaston to the pilot. ‘We’re going to be torched.’
The pilot of the Mil Mi-24, under instructions, abruptly broke away banking right, now certain the second aircraft was running away and wouldn't be back. The gunship returned to the cottage and landed back at the same spot on the front lawn. Meyer and the two Police officers could only look on and watch the unfolding drama as the marauders, with a gun to Nicole’s head, ran from the house to board the aircraft. He vainly attempted to intercede by using a loud hailer, calling on them to release their captive. One of the gunmen looked up and sprayed bullets in the general direction of the police officers. All three dived onto the ground for cover when bullets started ricocheting around them. The gang quickly boarded the helicopter using Nicole as a human shield. As they were about to take off, a police Search and Rescue helicopter swooped in over the cottage. The Mil Mi-24 rose quickly and powered off in a straight line in an easterly direction. The police chopper turned left and attempted to follow the fleeing craft. The gunship was vastly superior and more maneuverable. It easily outran the S&R aircraft, disappearing out of sight very quickly.
The Karl Lehman Affair Page 21