Lazare drew his revolver and fired four bullets into the muscleman’s head before he could say another word. Colgo slowly slumped forward dead onto the desk.
96
Parker and Nicole sat in a pub about two blocks from where Mary lived. He wanted to stay close-by in case the woman didn’t play ball. He would not be slow in getting police back-up if he had to.
They sat and drank cup after cup of coffee. Parker eventually stood up and was about to return to Mary’s house when his cellular phone buzzed.
‘Mary here! I contacted the girl and told her what you said. I mentioned the reward and everything.’
‘Yes! Go on!’
Well I’m afraid Dr. Parker the girl was using the box as a make-up holder.
‘Go on,’ urged Parker thinking about the vial inside the box.
‘Her bag got stolen about two weeks ago in a night club in Soho. Everything inside the bag is still missing.
‘What do you mean ‘still missing’?’ demanded Parker despairingly.
‘Police found her stolen bag. But everything inside it was gone, including the box.’
97
Lazare and Larchet ran down the stairs and exited the parcel depot through the front door of the building. As soon as they came out onto the street they heard a voice on a Loudhailer.
‘Put your hands up, both of you. This is the NYPD.’
The street was full of cops appearing from behind hoardings in front of the Warehouse and from an alleyway at the side. Both men raised their hands behind their head and knew the game was up.
‘I am detective Sergeant Reilly from the NYPD. I’m arresting you Henri Lazare for the murder of Bill Johnson. An eye witness has come forward and identified you being present in the room with another individual when Mr. Johnson died. You were seen man-handling the deceased and throwing him out through a 40th storey window.
I should never have removed the balaclava. Lazare’s sadistic impulse had been too strong. Now he was going to pay the price for this behind bars, for life.
Reilly turned to one of the police officers. ‘Check out the warehouse. See what those shots were all about.’
He turned and addressed Lazare while two other police officers were handcuffing the pair.
‘I’m now going to read you your Miranda rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say ………..’
98
Parker and Nicole immediately left the pub and made a
Bee-line to Mary’s front door, two blocks away.
Standing on the door step, the pair apologized to Mary for this further intrusion.
‘Ok Mary, the bag was stolen,’ recounted Nicole. ‘The box is lost.’
‘Yes. I’m afraid so.’
‘Now this is important. It’s not the box we’re interested in. It’s the item that was originally inside it,’ asserted Parker.
‘Oh! I see.’
‘So, the girl used the box to hold her make-up?’
‘That’s what she said.’
‘She would have had to remove whatever was originally inside the box?’
‘Yes, presumably!’
‘We must talk to her at once.’
‘I told her nobody would be contacting her, only me!’
‘I suggest you ring her here, right now Mary,’ insisted Parker slightly raising his voice.
‘But I said I would….’
‘Contact her right now. Here! You can use my phone,’ insisted Parker handing Mary his phone.
Mary reluctantly took the device and phoned the girl.
‘Press the speaker button please, so we can all listen in.’
‘Hello m’ dear. It’s me again.’
‘Yeah,’ said the girl sullenly.
‘What was inside the box when you found it?’
‘The box had a beautiful blue velvet cushioned interior with a little glass bottle ‘thing’ resting on it. The little bottle had liquid inside it, I think.’
‘What did you do with the little bottle?’ asked Mary.
Parker was wincing, waiting for the answer. Nicole just stared blankly at the cellular phone in silence.
‘I threw it….’
‘Oh no,’ agonized Nicole. ‘She’s going to say ‘away’.’
‘I threw it into a drawer in the Vestry. I thought it was holy water.’
The pair, nearly turning blue holding their breath in anticipation, were now breathing again.
‘When can we retrieve the little bottle,’ demanded Nicole a little impatiently.
‘The church is all locked up now, my dear. It will have to be first think in the morning.’
The pair with some relief quickly arranged with Mary to meet in the cathedral at 10:00am the following morning to collect the vial before heading back to their car.
They drove across London towards Earls Court hugely uplifted, unaware they were being followed by the same shadowy figure in a dark colored automobile.
Back in the penthouse, Parker decided to update Durand on developments and called him on his cellular phone.
When he finished the call with Parker, Durand immediately phoned Meyer. ‘We'll meet you in the cathedral at ten o'clock in the morning, Dieter. Parker will explain everything when you arrive. As I suggested earlier today, it would do no harm to have Police back-up at the ready just in case we have uninvited company.’
‘I’ll have police on standby,’ replied the Swiss CI and hung up.
99
Nicole, looking stylish in her pale blue textured suit jacket, matching skirt and tall stiletto heels, arrived by taxi with Parker outside St Gregory’s Cathedral near Westminster Bridge Road just before 10:00 a.m. Meyer was standing in front of the cathedral talking to Durand. This would be the first meeting between Nicole and the Swiss policeman. Fully confident in developments happening behind the scene, the intrepid Doctor was still a little wary of the Chief Inspector as he walked towards them.
‘Good morning Chief Inspector. Meet Nicole Lehman.’
‘Good morning Ms. Lehman. I have waited a long time for the pleasure of your company.’
Parker studied Meyer's body language, half expecting him to snap a pair of hand-cuffs on the lady.
Durand, noticing Parker's unease, intervened, ‘Dieter has some wonderful news he would like to share with both of you.’
‘Yes, indeed,’ replied the Swiss CI with a pleasant smile starting to ripple across his face much to the relief of Parker and Nicole. ‘My dear lady, you have been fully cleared of having any involvement in your late husband’s death. The confirmation came through earlier this morning from Zurich. Two men, twins in fact, were found dead in Montpellier in France outside the home of a Gangland boss. Items found on their body, their finger prints, and other DNA evidence puts them at the scene of both Professor Lehman and Dr. Philips’ murders.
‘I am extremely relieved to hear this news, Superintendent Meyer. Merci Monsieur.’
Parker put his arms around Nicole and gave her a gentle squeeze.
Meyer smiling at her said, ‘We’ll go through all of this with you in greater detail later. However, first things first. Why are we all standing here this morning outside St Gregory's Cathedral, Harry?’
‘We received word yesterday through a letter Dr. Philips wrote before he died, that the only surviving vial containing iDrug was hidden inside this church.’
‘A cleaner inadvertently found the box with the vial inside it. Luckily, she left the vial in the vestry. We’re here this morning to collect it from her supervisor,’ explained Nicole.
‘Excellent! Who else could know about its whereabouts?’ asked Meyer looking a little concerned.
‘We're not sure. The sacristan said some Russian guy dressed in dark clothes was sniffing around the cathedral looking for a similar box a few weeks ago.’
‘In that case I must put some police resources on standby.’
The Swiss policeman abruptly walked away to call his contacts.
‘How are you feeling
after your first good night’s sleep?’
‘I feel wonderful this morning, Raoul. I’m confident things will run smoothly from here on in.’
When Meyer returned from his call, the four of them entered the cathedral together.
They walked along the center aisle, turned left and walked towards the chantry. Mary was already standing there looking nervous. She took the vial out of her pocket and handed it carefully to Parker.
He in turn handed it across to Nicole. The vial was full and contained a dark colored liquid. She cautiously placed it inside a small silver container lined with cotton wool and put it inside her pocket. All breathed a sigh of relief while exiting the chantry and walking back to the ‘crossing’ at the central aisle where Meyer stood waiting.
Parker thanked Mary for her help and handed her an envelope with money inside before she quickly departed through the vestry behind the main altar.
The foursome briefly chatted for a moment and started to walk towards the main front door. Without warning, six men in dark clothing appeared from behind the main pillars in the central aisle. They stood there expressionless, blocking-off the main aisle and any chance of escape.
The lead person moved forward from the group, holding out his hand in front of him and shouting, ‘Give.’ All could now see the gun the man was pointing directly at Nicole.
‘Who the hell are you?’ demanded Meyer.
‘Well if it isn’t Blackbeard. I see you live to fight another day,’ shouted Nicole scornfully, looking at the man with the dark beard and blond hair holding a gun. ‘This is the Sea Captain I told you about, Harry.’
‘Philips must have told them where the vial was hidden before they murdered him in his apartment,’ declared Parker glaring at Blackbeard.
‘Not exactly,’ bragged the Sea Captain. ‘Dr. Philips’ diary was invaluable. It contained a reference to a visit he made to St Gregory’s Cathedral about a month ago. Now we have Ms. Lehman, the vial and Dr. Parker all together in one place. Most convenient.’
‘We are now looking at the living embodiment of Python or is it Zoran Industries?’ cried Nicole provocatively.
‘You will not have to look at us for long. All of you are going to be shot,’ assured the Sea Captain with a cold sinister smile. Now hand over the vial Ms. Lehman and don’t waste any more time.’
Nicole went to put her hand in her pocket.
‘Stop’ shouted ‘Blackbeard’. ‘Do not put your hand in your pocket. Walk over here to me and I will remove it myself. ‘
Nicole started to move.
‘Wait! Give them the vial and we’re all dead’ shouted Parker. ‘Pass it to me,’ he quietly muttered to her.
Before the gun man could move, Nicole quickly grabbed the small silver container out of her pocket and handed it to Parker.
He in turn opened it and took out the glass vial all the time staring defiantly at the gunman. He lifted his left arm over his head with the glass vial in his palm. All six gunmen followed the vial with their eyes as it rose upwards. Meyer took his chance. He had his cellular phone set to text a distress call to Police Headquarters. While all eyes were looking elsewhere, he slowly put his hand inside his pocket and pressed the keypad on his phone.
‘You want this vial as much as we do,’ shouted Parker. ‘Put down your guns or I’ll smash it.’
Parker beckoned the others with his other hand to retreat backwards away from the gunmen towards the main altar. The six gunmen slowly started to follow them.
‘Our priority is to kill you. We don’t care too much about the vial.’
‘Well go on then. What’s keeping you,’ taunted Parker, bravely calling their bluff. ‘Shoot me and you’re guaranteed never to take the last remaining iDrug sample out of this church. When the vial smashes on the floor, iDrug will instantly oxidize and be destroyed in seconds.’
‘Give me the vial now or I will start shooting your friends. Let me see. Ah yes! Ms. Lehman. You will be shot first.’
The Sea Captain standing some ten feet away pointed his gun straight at Nicole’s head and was preparing to fire.
Parker desperate to avert the situation shouted out, ‘Wait! What use is the vial on its own? You’ll need the CDs as well to recreate iDrug?’
‘Grasmere cottage in Cornwall is being ransacked as we speak. My orders are to burn the cottage to the ground after they find Lehman’s CDs, ’asserted the Sea Captain never diverting his gaze from his target, Nicole.’
Parker never flinched. He remained expressionless, continuing to stare defiantly at the blond-haired Sea Captain.
“The CD’s are not there. I moved them somewhere else.”
‘Blackbeard’ appeared to become momentarily mesmerized as he deflected his gaze away from Nicole to stare at Parker.
Impelled by years of experience of tight situations, the Swiss policeman instinctively made his move. He rushed forward and got between the gunman and Nicole. Blackbeard iimmediately opened fire hitting the Chief Inspector twice in the chest and knocking him backwards onto the floor. Parker instantly pulled his Beretta from inside his jacket and started spraying automatic rounds at the gunmen. He struck the Sea Captain with three bullets to the head. Blackbeard fell to the ground mortally wounded with jets of blood spurting from his head.
With bullets ricocheting around her, Nicole bent down and yelled into the Sea Captain’s ear with total disdain while he lay dying on the floor. ‘I told you on the ship not to fuck with us.’
Parker grabbed hold of Nicole and quickly pulled her towards a side exit door while Durand grabbed his pistol from his holster and started firing at the remaining five-gang-members now looking completely disorientated without their leader. They dived for cover behind the church pillars with pistols drawn. Durand continued firing his automatic weapon while moving backwards towards the side exit of the cathedral. He quickly caught up with the fleeing pair before they reached a door that led out onto the street. The French woman pulled off her stiletto heels before the three sprinted towards Westminster Bridge with five gunmen hot on their heels, firing at them as they fled. The trio ran along the A302 through a railway underpass and onto Westminster Bridge road. When they got close to the bridge, police cars with blue flashing lights started to come towards them.
More police cars and vans came from the opposite direction, cutting-off the gunmen’s escape route. Traffic all around the vicinity of Westminster Bridge came to a complete stop as Parker and Nicole ran to a police car forming a police cordon on the bridge and crouched down behind it.
‘Watch out we’re being pursued by five gunmen,’ shouted Parker in through the open window of the police car to two policemen inside. One was talking on the radio. ‘Chief Inspector Meyer has been shot and is inside the cathedral. Please ring for an ambulance,’ demanded Parker.
‘Will do,’ responded the officer quickly.
Three of the gunmen sprinted down Belvedere Road with two police cars chasing after them.
Determined to get Lehman’s story out in the open, Parker pulled out his phone and contacted Simon Hadley.
‘Hadley, I’m at the….’
‘Yes. You’re at St. Gregory’s Cathedral. I’m watching things unfold on live TV,’ declared Hadley.
‘I need to go public on Lehman’s story.’
‘Fine. The arrest of key people is on-going in six countries. There must be no mention of MI6 involvement’
‘Copy! Over and out for now.’
Still crouched down beside the police car, Parker phoned his good friend at Parliament Buildings.
‘Allister! I need to ask you a favor. We’re down the road from Parliament Buildings. ‘I need ....’
‘Harry! I’m in the MP’s Strangers’ bar watching all this live on television. Are you Ok? I heard shots were fired, old boy?’
‘Yes, I’m fine I’m more worried about a very brave Swiss policeman, Dieter Meyer. He saved Nicole Lehman’s life. He took two bullets in the chest.’
‘Ah! That’s the char
acter they have just interviewed on TV. He’s fine. He was wearing a bullet -proof vest.’
‘Thank God for that! Allister, I need a loan of a Press room. I need to go public immediately on Dr. Lehman’s findings. It’s actually very good world news!’
‘Come in to Parliament Buildings and I’ll meet you at once.’
While sirens were sounding all around them, press photographers and TV cameras closing in on them, Parker asked the two policemen in the patrol car if they could transport the three of them across to Parliament Buildings.
‘Yes Sir,’ responded the policeman without a moment’s hesitation. ‘Jump in.’
Nicole and Parker got into the back of the police car. Parker called out to Durand who was fifty meters away, standing talking to a TV news reporter. He immediately broke off his conversation and ran towards the police vehicle and climbed inside. A procession of vehicles followed their car while they travelled across Westminster Bridge towards Parliament buildings, police cars, jeeps and media vans.
Their police car was immediately waived through security when it arrived at Old Palace Yard. Allister was already standing at the Peers entrance to the House of Lords when the trio arrived. He ushered them straight inside the building and headed for a committee room. Parker now felt the heavy weight of responsibility starting to lift from his shoulders. At last they were in the safe confines of The House of Commons, minutes away from going public on Karl Lehman’s great discovery. Just as they were about to enter one of the Committee rooms, a colleague of Allister’s confronted them.
‘I'm afraid Allister, members may no longer hold press conferences in committee rooms in the Palace of Westminster; they may do so in the meeting room in Fielden House, booked through the Black Rod’s office.’
Allister turned to Parker with an impatient expression. ‘It looks like we’ll have to go across to Fielden House. It’s not very far away. We can walk there. I’m ringing the Black Rod’s office now and organizing the room,’ declared Allister holding his phone to his ear. ‘I’ll brief the TV news reporters, so they can get set up over there as quickly as possible. It would be really nice to get live coverage on the one o’clock lunchtime news slot.’
The Karl Lehman Affair Page 30