[African Diamonds 01.0] The Angolan Clan

by Christopher Lowery

  Laurent sent a message from his BlackBerry to Nick, in Miami, to confirm the successful delivery of the stones from Brazil and their agreement on the contract.

  At Ramseyer, Haldemann, the man who had been following them all morning introduced himself to Monsieur Jolidon as a potential client. The directeur showed him their pamphlet with the photographs of the safety doors and the circular room and extolled the virtues of the double key and access code security. The visitor was duly impressed and promised to return to initiate a relationship. He caught a taxi at the corner and was driven to Cointrin airport.

  Back at the hotel, Charlie and Laurent met with Adam again in the conference facility. “You wanted sight of the diamonds. We’ve brought about half of them, the rest are just as good.” Laurent opened the case and removed the five pouches and the leather mat. He carefully poured the diamonds into five separate groups on the mat. “Take a look.”

  Adam was entranced by the sight. He had never seen such a quantity of unique, perfect diamonds in his life. The reflected light from them hurt his eyes. They measured between two carats and a half carat. He breathed deeply and fingered the stones, cascading them from hand to hand to see them glitter and sparkle. He took out his jewellers lens and examined the larger stones. They were perfect, he had to have them.

  He said, “Put them away before I hit you over the head and steal them.” He was almost tempted to try it.

  Laurent laughed. “No chance. I’m a black belt in martial arts. I’d break your neck.”

  Adam suspected that he might be telling the truth, so he didn’t reply.

  He went to his room and fetched a tan leather presentation case, like an ultra slim briefcase. He chose twenty stones of various sizes, which he placed lovingly in the case. He left the case in Laurent’s care until the contract was signed and the escrow funds transferred.

  That afternoon, Adam left for London, and the two partners took a bus to the Place du Molard, then a taxi to Ramseyer, Haldemann & Company’s offices. The directeur took them downstairs again, where they replaced the briefcase in box no. 72. Once again he jotted down some notes on his pad after they had left the building. They took a cab back to Klein, Fellay, replaced the key in the vault, then went to Cointrin airport to catch their flights to Malaga and Monaco. It was now up to Adam Peterson to fulfil his promise.

  SIXTY-NINE

  December, 2007

  Durban, South Africa

  It was less than two weeks to Christmas and Adam had invited his parents out for dinner. They went to a Japanese restaurant near the harbour. They were all fond of sushi, although Rachel believed it could be harmful if eaten to excess. She was still slim and hyperactive and tended to dictate her own dietary preferences to the rest of her family. They pretty much ignored her, but she continued to do it anyway.

  Hanny was in a fine mood. He was with his adorable wife and his only son, who had an important transaction in hand. He was waiting to hear all about it tonight. He also suspected that he might be asked to lend a hand, since it sounded like a very substantial deal.

  Once they’d ordered and the Japanese waitress had poured the wine, Hanny raised his glass. “To my favourite wife and my favourite youngest son.”

  “To you and mom,” Adam responded. Despite Greg’s death, as usual, his father had said “youngest son,” not just “son.” I’m going to make him so proud of me, he thought.

  “So, how was your trip to Europe, successful?”

  “It was terrific. Geneva was good for business. Then I spent a few days in the UK. It was just like being back in school or college. Rubbish weather, but good pubs and restaurants. England still rocks. It’s a fun place, especially London.”

  Rachel was impatient to hear his news. “Your father says that you’re on the verge of an important business deal. Do you want to tell us about it?”

  Adam went through his relationship with IDD and explained the main details of the transaction. He showed them his calculation of his expected profit, it was very substantial.

  “How can anyone have a thousand fabulous Angolan diamonds? Rachel responded. The Angolans have hardly recovered from their civil war and the rebels have had control of the mines for over twenty-five years.” The Angolan war was still a very recent memory to South Africans.

  “Mom, I asked Laurent Bonneville, he’s the guy I’m dealing with, about the diamonds before I started doing any business. He swore to me that they are not blood diamonds. He told me that they came from a source that IDD has had for twenty-five years. That was in 2002, so if it’s true, that source is now over thirty years old. I’ve sold hundreds of them over the past few years and they’re always the same, magnificent.”

  “I’ve seen them, Rachel, and I don’t believe they’re blood diamonds. They’re too perfect. I’m sure these diamonds were mined and processed by a professional mining company.”

  “That’s right, dad. They showed me another five hundred in Geneva. I took them in my hand, looked at them through my lens. They’re superb, the best I’ve seen in any market. If the world doesn’t end next week, I’ll finish this deal in a couple of months and make a fortune.”

  “I suppose it’s the million dollars in escrow that you want to talk to us about, son.”

  “That’s it, mom. I can put together a half a million and I could easily raise the other half from outside sources but I wouldn’t do it without talking to you first.” Adam was gilding the lilly. Borrowing half a million dollars these days wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

  “Listen, Adam, it seems to me that the only real danger here is that you fail to complete the deal and IDD decides not to sell, or they sell to someone who isn’t your customer. Then you forfeit the million dollars. That’s the real risk.” Hanny had done a lot of deals in his life.

  In his desire to obtain the diamonds at any cost, Adam had overlooked this possibility He blamed it on Charlie’ negotiating ability. “I’m sure I can solve that,” he said, “But first, take a look at these copies of the commitment letters from my buyers. What do you think?”

  Hanny knew all four of the companies concerned, two in the UK and two in the US. They were all solid businesses and he would bet on them completing. He showed them to Rachel, “These customers are as good as they come. We’ve worked with two of them ourselves.”

  His wife glanced at the letters. “They’re certainly very reassuring.”

  Adam knew this to be true. They were much more concrete and reassuring than the fairly vague originals that he’d used to fake up these copies. Well, fake up is a big word. Improve, let’s say. If they fooled his father then they should certainly fool the IDD partners.

  Rachel said, “We need to be sure the million dollars is safe. It’s an awful lot of money for the family.”

  “What if I can make the million refundable if they decide not to sell to my customers?”

  “Then,” his father looked at Rachel, who nodded her assent, “I think we can help you.”

  Adam begged his parents not to tell the family about this transaction. He wanted to show what he was capable of, landing a big fish and getting a trophy for it. In reality he was terrified that someone, maybe one of his brothers-in-law, who might know the buyers, would check out the commitment letters and find out that they were forgeries. He knew his father wouldn’t think of doing this, but he didn’t want to risk anything at this stage.

  Hanny and Rachel agreed. “This is not money from the business, it’s from our savings. If anything goes wrong, we don’t want the family to feel that we were foolhardy. Let’s keep it to ourselves until you complete everything and we can share the news. Then we’ll open a bottle of Krugers with them all. They’ll be happy for you. We all will.”

  They raised their glasses again. “To Adam, and his Angolan diamond business. Success.”

  Adam received Charlie’s draft contract by email the next day. His message said he would step out of the transaction as soon as the terms were agreed. Laurent and Nick would close this ou
t.

  He printed out the contract and showed it to his parents. “This is from Charlie Bishop, one of Laurent’s partners I met in Geneva. He’s an Englishman, very smart and very straight. That’s who we have to convince to change the conditions for the escrow money.”

  He and Hanny drafted a new clause, specifying that IDD would reimburse the escrow money if they refused to sell to him or his customers at his contract price or better. He returned it to Charlie, confirming that he had the million dollars ready to deposit. The next day he received a new draft, including the proposed change. Charlie had also sent a copy to Laurent and Nick, handing the deal over to them, for execution.

  “The final contract’s back already!” He printed out and checked the whole document once more. It was exactly as he had corrected it.

  “These guys are the most honest businessmen I’ve ever met, dad.”

  “Either that, or they’ve thought of a way around this clause that we haven’t. Anyway, son, your mother and I are backing you, not them. Just get out and do the deal.”

  Adam didn’t tell his parents that he had to pass another hurdle before he was home and dry. The meeting with Nick Martinez, in Florida. They might have second thoughts about the half million dollars. He decided not to mention his Miami trip at all, only that he would meet IDD and get the contract signed in the US while he was visiting his two American customers. He checked the flights and arranged to meet his buyers on Tuesday, January 8th, in New York.

  “That gives me three months to complete by March 31st. That’s more than enough time.” Then he emailed Laurent that he could get to Miami to meet Nick on Wednesday the 9th.

  Hanny and Rachel urged him to get firm delivery commitments from his buyers. They were as excited as he was at the prospect of doing this deal.

  SEVENTY

  January, 2008

  South Beach, Miami, Florida

  An attractive blonde woman in a pink sweater and shorts opened the door to Nick Martinez’s penthouse apartment on Ocean Drive. It was half past four on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 9th. “Hi,” she said, “you must be Adam. Come in. Welcome. I’m Suzie.”

  He left his travel bag in the hall and followed her into an enormous living room with full length windows looking straight out over the sea. She was wearing a delicate perfume. He tried to identify it, but couldn’t.

  A tall, tanned man with a Latin look got up from the couch. He appeared to be in his mid-sixties. He put out his hand. “Nick Martinez. Nice to meet you, Adam. How was the trip?”

  Nick tried to appear calm and aloof, but inside he was shaking with emotion. He wanted to take Adam in his arms and hug him, tell him everything. I’m your father, you’re my son. Our son, mine and Rachel’s. He tried to formulate the words. But where do I start? What do I say without screwing it up and scaring him off? He remained silent and appraised the younger man with a long stare, taking him in from head to toe. He’s a good looking kid. Got Rachel’s colouring and looks. I’ll have to wait for a while. Time to get to know each other. No hurry.

  Adam was saying, “I decided to blow the budget and fly first class, so the trip was fine. And the limo you sent to pick me up, that was a nice touch. Thanks for inviting me to stay with you, instead of a hotel.” Nick nodded and said nothing. “Anyway, I’m happy to meet you too.” He looked around. “Marvellous place you’ve got here.”

  The warm sunlight was streaming into the living room. It was furnished with comfortable chairs and sofas and tasteful pieces of antique furniture. The floor was littered with oriental rugs and there were several very abstract, modern paintings on the eggshell painted walls. Interesting, probably expensive, but not my style, thought Adam. Through an archway he could see a dining room, then another arch led into a kitchen, spotless white, with a huge island in the centre. The apartment must have been about thirty metres long.

  The overall ambiance was relaxing; pastel shades and lots of flowers. Woman’s touch, he decided. A circular staircase went from the hall to the floor below. He supposed there were bedrooms on that floor. A couple of doors led off from the other side of the entrance hall.

  “What can I get you, Adam? Coffee, martini, soft drink?” Suzie went over to a fully equipped bar built against the wall.

  “To tell you the truth, I’d kill for a cup of tea,” he replied.

  “Fortnum and Mason’s English Breakfast? Digestive biscuit?” He smiled his thanks, it seemed that Suzie was prepared for anything. She went through the dining room to the kitchen.

  “It’s too cool to sit outside, but come see the view.” Martinez slid open a pair of French windows and they stepped out onto a wide wrap-around terrace, full of recliners, sunbeds and teak furniture, with flower boxes running along the front and sides. Beyond the display of flowers and plants, the ocean shimmered in a slight haze. Speedboats and yachts moved across the flat surface of the water. Dog walkers were trekking across the beach and some folk were skating up the sidewalks and the road on roller blades. Adam could see why Nick had decided to live there.

  “Absolutely breathtaking! How long have you been here?”

  “In Florida, over twenty years now, but only twelve years here. I used to rent a house near Doral golf club, but it was too complicated, having a house just for me, so I bought this place off plan during the construction. Previously, I lived in Geneva for a long while.”

  Adam could detect a slight accent in his speech. It could have been American, but it was so faint that he couldn’t place it. He put it aside. “Quite a change. Geneva, where everything closes at nine at night, then Miami, that’s when places start to open up.”

  Nick laughed. “Geneva is quiet, but it’s very civilised. Everything works, so if you have a good reason to be there, it’s a great place to live. Especially if you can afford to travel and get away from time to time. How about you? Have you always been in Durban?”

  “Apart from school and college in the UK, yes. But I travel a lot, so I can’t complain.”

  “I don’t suppose you can spot my accent?” Nick asked nonchalantly.

  “I was wondering about that. It’s so faint it sounds like several accents all mixed together and cancelling each other out.”

  “That’s pretty much what happened. I’ve lived here and there, but originally I’m from your neck of the woods.”

  “You’re not South African?”

  “Joburg, no less. I’m a Wits scholar, mining engineering. I even worked for those bastards at Imperial Diamond for a few years.” He waited to see if this news would provoke a reaction, find out if Rachel had spoken about him.

  Adam replied, “My God, I would never have guessed. I would have said US West Coast, very faint. You must have left quite young.”

  “It’s so long ago I can’t even remember.”

  “And you’ve never been back?”

  “Never. I guess it didn’t figure in my itinerary.”

  “Do you have any family over there?”

  “Not any more. My mom went to the UK twenty years ago, but she passed away soon after. Nobody else around, I’m afraid.”

  The two men chatted as they watched the activity on the beach and the sea. Martinez had divulged all he wanted, or dared to, and despite Adam’s prodding he didn’t talk any more about his past, nor did he mention the diamonds. After a while standing on the terrace, he shivered. “Getting chilly, let’s get inside.”

  Suzie had placed a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits on a low table in front of a deep sofa. Adam put three spoons of sugar in the cup, “Thanks, just what I need.”

  Nick declined her offer. “Adam and I have a couple of things to discuss, Suzie. Have you got something to do?”

  “I’ll find something, darling, don’t worry.” She kissed him on the forehead, left the men and went through a door at the far end of the hall.

  “Lovely girl.” Adam sipped his tea. It was hot, sweet and refreshing after his long trip.

  “We’ve been together ten years, that’s pretty good
for me. I’m not great at relationships.”

  “I know what you mean. Women are still outside my comprehension zone. I guess I’m not old enough to figure them out yet.”

  “The sad thing is when you get to my age and you still can’t figure them out.”

  Adam studied the man opposite. His hair must once have been black. It remained thick, but it was predominently grey. And his complexion wasn’t as dark as it had first appeared, under the tan, he looked a little pasty and he had dark shadows under his eyes. He was also slimmer than at first glance. Although heavy-boned, he must have lost some weight recently, his long sleeved shirt was quite loose around the collar.

  “Laurent tells me that you’ve been a good customer of IDD for several years,” Martinez said, trying to move onto safer ground.

  “Not as good as I’d have liked. He only let me have about a hundred stones per year. Can’t make a fortune with those quantities.”

  “So that’s why you want to buy the rest, to make a fortune?”

  “Right! I’m not in business for altruistic reasons. I’ve already sold them.”

  “That’s good news. This is strictly an end game for me and my partners, Charlie says cash is king and that’s good enough for us. So, where’s the cash?”

  Adam extracted the revised contract from his briefcase. “I suppose you’ve seen this?”

  Nick took it from him. “I have, but I don’t understand why you want three months to pay. We’ve never had that problem before.”

  “You’ve never sold a thousand stones before, it’s a whole different ball game. That’s what I explained to Charlie and Laurent. And at this time of year it’s difficult to get people to make a move. They’re still wrapping up last year’s business and are not ready for this year’s.”

  “Laurent says that you’ve got firm commitments though?”