by Tony Jenkins
Big savings would be made if an industrial rail line could be built to carry larger quantities of bulk ore from the mine to the Pusztai refinery near the River Danube. From the riverside dock, the aluminium ingots would then be shipped to customers throughout Europe. Unfortunately, the direct route from the mine to the refinery passed straight through the middle of a Roma village.
Although the village was on Pusztai land, it had grown to accommodate more than two hundred people since it began with just half a dozen caravans some fifty years previously. The next Hun-Al board meeting would have to decide whether the rail link should be built, as well as its route. Demeter Pusztai was chairman of the company and owned the land, but the mining operation was financed by the Hungarian government, which had appointed most of the board members. Jack Randil had been nominated by Demeter, because of his business experience, European contacts and foreign language fluency. The men were also close friends and Jack was the only non-Hungarian appointed. The board meeting was scheduled to take place in Budapest, the following morning.
There was Roma blood in Demeter’s veins and in spite of this, his family had suffered imprisonment and deaths in the long battle as to who should inherit the Pusztai land and businesses. Demeter’s life was twice saved by Jack Randil, who now looked after Paul, the young son of Demeter’s sister, Arianne, who was killed on a French farm by two Roma assassins. Her husband, Pat Mears, who had previously been married to Jack’s sister Mary, was murdered at the same time.
“I know you are not happy about building the rail line through the village, Demeter, but surely the Roma people will just have to move on to a new site, which has always been their way of life. If it eases your conscience, you could even offer them alternative land to set up their new homes. I am sure the government will insist that you reduce your costs and since they control most of the votes, their view will dominate.”
“I know you are right Jack, but these people have always been exploited, exterminated or ignored and considered as second-class citizens. During the war, 28,000 Hungarian Roma were taken to Auschwitz concentration camp by the Germans and very few survived. They have become nomads because they are frequently forced to move by the locals. They really want to make permanent homes so that they can get work and their children get an education. For them, the Dunakeszi site is their permanent home and if they are now forced to move, who could blame them for doing everything they can to stay.”
“I know how you feel about these people, Demeter, but during the past few years you have had nothing but trouble from the Roma, so you should be well prepared. You know that the rail line is essential and is certainly going to be built as quickly and as cheaply as possible, with or without your agreement.”
The two men left the Pusztai mansion early the following morning, for the drive to Budapest and their route took them past the steep hill alongside the Danube where Demeter’s car had been forced off the road by men hired by Renko Veres to kill him. He shivered as he remembered the cold waters of the Danube closing over his head and appreciated just how lucky he had been to survive. He loved his country, but from the time he had attained his teens, his life had always been in danger.
Commissar Radics had been appointed to the Hun-Al board by the government as security and manpower director and Dorika Biro had been chosen because she was an experienced geologist. She had worked for a number of foreign mining companies and was determined to build her own country’s mining industry. The remaining four directors were also government appointments and covered transport, engineering, administration and procurement. Jack was the commercial and export director. Although the land and deposits were legally his, the government was financing the project and in spite of his position as chairman, Demeter would be forced to follow Hungarian government policies.
Extraction figures for the bauxite ore were on target and the refined ingots exported via the River Danube were already bringing much needed foreign exchange earnings. World demand was strong and Hungary should be able to gain a small share of a big market. It was in competition with the giant companies in Australia and India, but by operating on slim profit margins and supplying the surrounding countries, it was slowly building its turnover. The Government’s top priority was to make more profit and it was Radics who proposed that an industrial rail line be built, linking the mine with the refinery. He had already located both the rails and a small steam engine at a defunct arms factory used by their German allies during the Second World War. He explained that coal was readily available to fuel it and was cheaper than the imported diesel oil currently being used by the giant lorries moving the ore.
Demeter suggested curving the rail track around the Roma settlement, but Radics insisted that he had insufficient track to do this and it would also take too much time and money. Put to the vote there was a clear majority to build directly through the settlement. Demeter proposed compensating those Roma whose homes were bulldozed, but this was also rejected. Radics suggested that Demeter should contact his ‘non-paying Roma tenants’ and tell them about the impending rail construction and offer them any alternative land he had in mind.
During their return car journey, Jack advised Demeter to avoid going into the Roma settlement to tell the people about the rail construction. He urged him instead to invite their leader Boldo to meet him at the Pusztai mansion and then explain about the rail line and offer of a new site. The construction work and house clearance would badly disrupt the Roma community and once completed, the railway would dominate the area and operate for eighteen hours every day. By meeting Boldo alone, he would avoid possible violence against him as the owner of the mine and land, when the Roma learned that they would have to leave their homes.
After receiving the meeting invitation from Demeter, Boldo arrived at the Pusztai mansion in a very old Dacia car, which belched out clouds of black smoke from its battered exhaust pipe. He had not come alone to the meeting, but was accompanied by a tall, bearded-Roma who was introduced as a family member from Romania, who spoke no Hungarian. The man had alert but deep-set eyes and although he neither spoke, nor smiled, his eyes moved constantly around the room and Jack could tell that both he and Demeter were being assessed. Although the man was some inches shorter than him, Jack sensed that the Roma would nevertheless be a dangerous opponent.
Boldo showed no surprise when told about the rail line construction and wasted no time in making his response.
“Many of our people have found work in your big mine and that is a good thing. They have heard that the special earth you dig up must be taken in big lorries to be mixed with water from the river. There has already been much talk about a rail line to replace the lorries. We know our village stands in your way and Roma people have no rights and must move, unless you build around our village. We have been happy on your land for many years and have made it our home, which is why we ask that you do not force us to leave.”
“I am genuinely sorry, Boldo, but the company has to build a rail line and unfortunately, there is not enough rail track to build around your people. You know my land well and I would like you to choose where you want to move and build new homes.”
“Many of my people do not like the dust and the noise after the quiet and good air which we knew before the mine opened. Some will leave and others will not give up where they were born. We are poor people and if you force us to move to the north of your land, we will be further away from Dunakeszi town where we have our regular customers, as well as the work in the mine. Since the government wants us to move, will they also give us money to help us to build new homes?”
“The government has very little money, Boldo, and what there is they need to build up our industries. We can use our lorries to help your people to move and to take your men to the mine. I have little money myself and I am working to repair this house after the new government gave it back to me, but I will help as much as I can.”
Boldo asked when the rail construction would begin. Demeter explained that the rail
track had first to be delivered to the dock near the refinery and work would then start to build towards the mine, using completed rail line to move materials. His guess was that work would begin within a month.
“Must I speak with you if there are any troubles?”
“I will not be involved with building the railway, but you can come to me whenever you need my help and I will speak with Larjos Farkas, who will be the man in charge of the railway.”
The meeting ended and Boldo shook hands with Demeter and Jack. His companion had already turned away and begun walking to the car. The two Roma men drove away leaving behind them a cloud of oily black smoke floating in the morning air. Demeter was surprised that news of the possible rail-link had already been leaked, but Jack knew how quick workers were to piece together chance comments and guess possible outcomes.
“Do you think we can build this line and move the Roma without trouble, Jack?”
“I doubt it and whatever happens, I feel sure that our silent bearded Romanian visitor will be involved. I was watching the body language and it was clear that Boldo was very nervous of his friend. If there is going to be trouble, it will probably happen when the track building gets near their village and they have to start clearing out their houses. I am flying back to Liverpool in two days to look after my business, but keep in touch and if you need me, I can be here within hours. Although I have only been here a week, I am already missing my family, just as you must be missing Theresa. When are you two getting together again?”
“The house still needs a lot of work, but we are going to meet for a few days in Budapest and then I am hoping to bring her to see the Pusztai mansion and try to describe how it was and how it will be again when I have finished the restoration. The stables were magnificent, but I can’t afford to rebuild them, or buy horses. I know I am lucky that the arsonists didn’t burn down the house instead.”
His fiancée, Theresa was studying marketing at Durham University and was the daughter of Jack’s sister Mary, who had divorced her father, Pat Mears. Her father had later married Arianne Pusztai and both were murdered in their French farmhouse. Demeter had met Theresa during a visit to Liverpool to see his sister. The two had recently become engaged and planned to marry after she had taken her degree in marketing at Durham University. They both hoped that they would be able to live at Dunakeszi and work together to restore the mansion to its old splendour.
Chapter 4
Competition
After surviving a horrific car crash on the M5 Motorway, Jack Randil lay in a coma for two weeks before waking to find that his memory and senses had become far sharper. Somehow, the blows to his head had allowed his conscious and more powerful subconscious mind to form a link. Using his extra sensory abilities and his natural commercial flair, he had built a small family business into a major company in Liverpool. As well as owning Randil Building Services, he had become a city councillor and chaired the Planning Committee, as well as the Liverpool Trades Council. He also had a seat on the board of a local engineering company.
When Demeter’s sister, Arianne, and her husband were murdered on a French farm, Jack and Demeter had followed their killer, Renko Veres, to Romania to bring him back for justice. Instead, they had been forced to watch as the man was crucified and then killed. The communist regime in Hungary had confiscated the Pusztai lands and properties, but when freed from Russian dominance, the new government had returned them and was now financing the bauxite mine.
After agreeing to work with Demeter on the mine, Jack had drastically reduced his business commitments by resigning from Liverpool Council and giving up his seat on the engineering company board. His company Randil Building Services had a competent management structure and by chairing the Liverpool Trades Council with its strong European connections, he planned to make use of his time and contacts to develop aluminium exports from the Hun-Al mine. He was also learning to speak Hungarian.
Arriving at his home late on Friday evening, it was almost like another honeymoon being greeted by his wife, Judy, when he came through the front door and they wrapped their arms around each other. He had spent the past week in Hungary and with the children asleep in their beds, the young couple were able to show how much each had missed the other. Jack was pleased to hear how Arianne’s four-year-old son, Paul, was getting along with his own four-year-old boy, Leighton, so that they were like brothers. Paul was entitled to a half-share in the Pusztai lands and businesses, as well as full ownership of the French farmhouse and land. He was also a half-brother to Theresa.
As he drifted off to sleep with Judy in his arms, Jack wondered if one day Demeter would ask Paul to move to Hungary so that he could learn the Hungarian language and customs and eventually become involved in the family business. Until then Jack wanted to give Paul a loving family background and a good education to prepare him, whatever his future might be.
Jack was at his desk before 7 am on Monday morning to work through the neat piles of papers set out by his staff, so that he could catch up on company activities. There were reports that two of their security guards had been attacked as they checked buildings where Randil provided security cover. There had been no attacks previously and now two had taken place within a week. Jack sent for his brother-in-law, Greg Ridd, who was in charge of his security operations.
“Hi Jack and welcome back. I can guess what you want to talk about.”
Greg explained that two of his men, who worked alone had been attacked and beaten by a group of men who had lain in wait for them at each of the premises. Both men were ex-military and were trained in unarmed combat, but wooden pick handles were used on them and the attacks were well planned and sudden. Both men had been taken to hospital when they were able to use their mobile phones and summon help. The company had very good relations with Liverpool police and they could rely on their cooperation and information.
“So Greg, there was no damage to property, or to customer’s staff and the attack was entirely directed at our men. Do you think it was intended to be severe enough to make them worried about doing their job alone in unoccupied premises at night?”
“That is just how I am seeing it, Jack. We look after a lot of properties and have a big reputation in the city. I’m checking if there are any new companies in the area, which want to expand their security business at our expense. I also checked with our best customers to ask if anyone had offered similar cover at lower prices and none of them had been approached.”
“Good thinking, Greg. Whoever is behind this is moving carefully. Our men carry batons and phones as well as press-button remotes for use in emergencies, so they must have been taken by surprise. Perhaps, we should have them wear helmets with visors to save them from dangerous head injuries.”
“Good idea Jack, and why not send our men out in pairs so that they can protect each other.”
“Yes, do that Greg. I believe we are providing a service to the city and since we know the police don’t have the staff to help us, I wonder if we can make use of their equipment. Perhaps, we could get hold of pepper sprays for all our men. I know they are illegal, but if they use them only when attacked, the attackers are not going to complain and admit they were involved. Perhaps, we can capture a couple of these men, whoever they are, and try to find out who controls them.”
“Great Jack, but until we get the sprays, can I fix them up with helmets and double-up on patrols by taking on extra men through our big friend, Joe Devine.”
“Yes, and give the big man my regards. We must arrange a reunion of the Town Hall group. I can’t believe that it was only last year that we were trapped in those old tunnels, or how lucky we were to survive those fanatics.”
The business was doing well and after his meeting with Greg, he wandered around the building to chat with staff and maintain his personal links. There were sixty people working in the office and warehouse, but his mind kept returning to the team of security men facing an unknown attacker. He was concerned that his men had been injured
and decided he must get more involved. He called in on Greg to make arrangements to join one of the security men on his rounds that night.
Greg was not happy to have his boss putting himself at risk, but was unable to make Jack change his mind, especially when Jack guessed that Greg himself had already arranged to accompany one of his men. After telling Judy that he wanted to find out how his security men performed in the evening, he and Greg met up with two security men covering the Fazakerley area of industrial units. Jack paired up with an ex-marine called Graham as he began his regular journey, but he suggested varying the call sequence to avoid arriving at the usual time. If there were intruders waiting for them, they could be caught off guard when their victim did not arrive at his usual time. Graham drove the van and Jack sat out of sight at the back.
After making four regular checks without problems, they let themselves in to a large technical laboratory owned by a multi-national group. Jack let Graham lead and followed behind with his hand on a metal baton he had bought in Singapore. As they approached a right-hand-turn in a corridor, Jack’s sharp senses picked up the smell of body odour. He tapped Graham on the shoulder and waved him back so that they could go forward together. Jack took left and Graham right. There were men waiting around the corner for them, but they did not expect two security men in helmets to appear and strike them with batons. Two men were immediately knocked to the ground, but two more were waiting behind, who charged at their intended victims.