by Peter Kozmar
“Why do you need to know?” Dr Chesterfield asked guardedly.
“Mr Chousov is being threatened and I need to look at all angles to identify who’s causing trouble. It could be someone who’s been here as a guest or a member of the crew.”
“I see,” she didn’t look totally convinced, but Andy pressed on hoping for a quick break.
“It may be nothing. It could lead to a dead end. But in my line of work, I gather information and look for patterns or coincidences. The more information I have, the better the chances of finding what I’m searching for. Mr Chousov has asked me to investigate and I have his full cooperation, you can check with Hampton if you need, I’m sure he will be able to confirm my request,” he watched her expression change, on mentioning Hampton, and she relaxed a bit more.
“Okay, I’ll help, however, it will take a while to pull together all the records. If you don’t mind coming back tomorrow, I’ll have the information for you,” she said, “You’ll have to accept that I’ll not be able to give details of any treatment they’ve received.”
“Okay, whatever you can give me would be a great.”
Andy turned and left the Medical Centre with his tube of sunscreen and almost body-checked Hampton in the corridor. Hampton spoke first. “I’m sorry Mr Flint. I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Just came to get some sunscreen. I don’t want to burn in this sun.” Andy held up the tube of sunscreen.
“Good idea, will you be heading out on a jet-ski today or joining Ms Gamzova and Ms Bentley-York while they snorkel?”
“I might just have a dip in the spa pool.”
“The guest spa pool is on the stern of level two, and not to be confused with Mr Chousov’s private spa pool, where you were yesterday, which is by invitation only.”
“Of course, level two spa pool,” Andy repeated to demonstrate he understood the instruction. “No doubt I’ll see you later,” Andy smiled and walked down the corridor towards his cabin glancing briefly over his shoulder to see Hampton entering the Medical Centre.
In his cabin, Andy unlocked his computer and saw the Insights logo slowly moving across the screen; it hadn’t finished its analysis. The dot in the ‘i’ of logo had the added appearance of the head of a flashlight emitting a continuously sweeping beam which moving slowly across the dark screen. Andy looked out of one of the portholes and saw Gamzova and Jasmine in the water. They looked to be having a good time, he didn’t want to join them and change the group dynamics, it would probably spoil the opportunity for Gamzova to ask the questions he’d had problems asking at breakfast because of Alexi’s presence.
The unexpected ringing and vibration of his cell phone brought him back into the present. He looked at the display. Dortman. What does he want? He answered the call and held the phone to his ear rather than put it on speaker phone where anybody could listen in on his conversation. At least this way they would only hear what he wanted them to hear in the way he wanted them to hear it.
“Hi Tomas,” Andy answered trying to keep the tone light and upbeat.
“Hello, Mr Flint. Where are you?” Tomas spoke slowly emphasising each word. He isn’t happy, this call isn’t going to be a good conversation
“What do you mean? I’m fine,” Andy deflected.
“I didn’t ask, how, you are. I asked, where, you are.” Came the terse response in his clipped intonation.
Andy looked out of the porthole at the tropical island a short distance away. “Oh. Sorry. It’s a bad line. I didn’t hear you properly,” Andy lied while smiling to himself.
“I know you’re not in Moscow or Washington. Have you made progress and gone to Saint Petersburg?” he asked.
“No, Tomas, I’m not. I’m following up a line of enquiry. We must be getting closer as someone tried to kill us again in Portugal.” The line fell silent for several seconds. Andy continued, not waiting for Dortman to respond. “I’ll be heading to Washington tomorrow. I need to deal with the issue there first and then I can be completely focussed.”
“Mr Flint, do I need to remind you that Mr Martirossian’s life is on the line and it appears you have found time to have a vacation. Time is of the essence. God only knows why Mr Martirossian trusts you because, at the moment, I certainly don’t. Mrs Martirossian is at the end of her tether, she’s just holding it together and you appear to be letting her down.”
“Well, I am working on that. He’ll be okay. Just trust me,” Andy replied as he watched Gamzova snorkel further away from the yacht with Jasmine shadowing slightly behind.
“That is the problem Mr Flint. I don’t trust you. I will phone you again after the court case is resolved and by then I will expect you to be on the first plane to Saint Petersburg. Goodbye!” Dortman ended the call.
“Okay, talk soon, bye,” Andy spoke into the ether. He placed his cell phone on the writing desk. He needed Insights to finish its search quickly so he could see if there was anything that could provide a clue to his next move. He couldn’t sit in his cabin twiddling his thumbs willing the AI to work faster, however his lack of appearance would soon raise suspicions, so he changed into the swim shorts he’d worn the previous day and covered every inch of his exposed pale white skin with the sunscreen. He grabbed a towel and headed to the spa pool on level two.
Andy enjoyed his time alone in the spa pool. With no need to make polite conversation for almost two hours, he took his time to take in the stunning views of the tropical coastline. An attentive steward made sure that Andy had shade and a regular supply of ice-cold bottled sparkling water. The feeling of the warm sun on his body, the gentle rocking motion of the yacht and the foaming water washed over him by powerful water-jets helped him relax.
He kept a close eye on the time and decided to return to see how the search was going. As Andy stood to leave, the steward handed him a large white bath towel which he used to dry himself before wrapping himself in his bathrobe and making his way back to his cabin. Andy felt light on his feet, his skin felt smooth and his head clear. Life felt pretty good. The call from Dortman was the only fly in the ointment as it seemed to play over again in the back of his mind.
Once inside his cabin, Andy unlocked his laptop and looked at the screen. The display had changed. A large pair of animated eyes were displayed in the top right corner of the screen. Andy knew this meant the search had turned up some for him to review. He sat at the desk and accessed Insights, cursing the slowness of his computer. Once he was ‘in’ he could see the completed reports on his details, and the fifteen-digit number queries, but the AI was still working on the data related to the first query.
Andy clicked on the report relating to the fifteen-digit number first. As predicted, the number was for a private Swiss bank account, the bank’s main office was listed in Geneva. The account had been opened two years earlier and was now closed. The account holder’s name and details were not recorded. Damn! Over the two years there were regular payments of one hundred and fifty-thousand dollars. Andy let out a soft whistle. The payments came from an equally opaque source: an off-shore Trust Fund identified simply as ‘Zero’. A few weeks earlier all of the funds, totalling nearly three million US dollars, were withdrawn in cash and the account closed.
Andy leaned back in his chair, questions racing through his mind: Was that Amanda’s account? What had she been up to? Was she being framed? Apart from the suspicious funds, what else did Bruce know? Was this why he went on the mission with Amanda, so he could keep a closer watch over her?
Now he was curious to know how accurate Insights was, it was time to find out what it had sourced regarding himself. Like a teenage boy about to look at an adult website, he instinctively turned to check no one was behind him, then stood to check his door had been firmly closed and the privacy enabled, before returning to his seat and clicking on the second report: about him.
CHAPTER 24
Andy had been expecting Gamzova when she knocked on his cabin door to head down to the reception room for pre-dinner d
rinks. Chousov had organised another dinner night, with guests from other super yachts visiting the island and several of the island’s influential dignitaries, who had been absent from the previous evening.
Andy opened the door, stepped back and invited Gamzova into his cabin. She was wearing an electric-blue cocktail dress with a plunging neck line partially covered by a stunning sapphire and diamond necklace. Matching sapphire and diamond earrings dangled from her ears. She wore black high-heeled shoes and, finally, a small electric-blue handbag. I see you’re making the most of the wardrobe!
Before he could say anything Gamzova started, “I’ve had Jasmine telling me all day, I needed the yacht’s beautician to help with my make-up and hair! Chousov heard about this and insisted I wear this blue outfit and offered the loan of the jewellery. He wants to show me off like a prize!” She didn’t look happy, but all Andy could do was stand and admire the woman in front of him. Sure, he understood that this life of luxury was way outside her comfort zone, but she looked amazing.
“You look stunning!” was all he found himself saying.
Gamzova gave a forced smile not sure how to react to a compliment about her looks, “Don’t get any funny ideas. Remember, we’re here to work. What did you find out today?”
“I’ve arranged to get the details of everyone who’s been on this yacht over the last year. We should get that information tomorrow and it might throw something up. I’ve also read the files the Agency has on me.”
“What did you learn from your files?” Gamzova enquired.
“I’m divorced, I’m broke, I’m an alcoholic, unemployed, have no friends and not to be trusted.” Also, I learnt that Boston wrote annual reports about me, for Hobbs, in which he stated I was unsuitable for re-employment with the Agency. Bastard!
“That’s pretty accurate don’t you think?” came the short reply.
Her comment stung. It was one thing to read it in a report but another to hear if being confirmed by someone who’d only known him a few days. Andy moved the conversation away from him.
“What did you learn today?” he asked.
“I spent time with Jasmine and tried to explore the yacht. She’s nice. I don’t believe she’s tied up with the Makarov Corporation. As for the yacht, there are parts which are out of bounds to guests, which is no surprise. However, there are also areas that appear out of bounds to both guests and the general crew. I counted four armed security guards patrolling as a co-ordinated team. They rotate posts every quarter past the hour and I made out three different teams of four during the day. Chousov has quite a team protecting him.”
“Yeah, I saw them too, on one of the upper decks, while I was in the guest spa pool. I also had a chance to go through some other stuff and it would appear that, the week before he disappeared, Mr Martirossian received two calls from the same Russian mobile burner phone. A few hours after each call, he’d phone the number and speak for only a few minutes. I noticed a similar pattern with the other oligarchs who have been threatened.”
“Do you need to know about the burner number?” Gamzova asked.
“Already done, it’s discontinued.”
“Give me the numbers and I’ll find the area where the calls were made and received.” Andy went to the writing desk and wrote the numbers down and handed them to Gamzova.
“I think we’ve seen and learnt as much as we can here. I need to be back in Washington for a personal matter, then we should head to Saint Petersburg. I’ll let Hampton know and he can make the arrangements for us to leave in the morning once I’ve got the details on who’s been staying on the ‘Babushka’. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the evening and get to the party, we don’t want to be late.”
Gamzova put the paper with the phone numbers in the small handbag she was carrying. Andy opened the cabin door and they both made their way to the pre-dinner drinks that would just be starting. Andy wasn’t looking forward to another night of temptation.
CHAPTER 25
After an early breakfast, Andy headed to the medical centre to meet with Dr Chesterfield to collect the data. The medical centre was empty so he decided to wait. After a few minutes his thoughts were disturbed by the sounds of approaching footsteps. Hampton walked in and raised his eyebrows at seeing Andy.
“Mr Flint, are you here for more sunscreen in readiness for your journey to Washington?” Hampton asked.
“I’m here to meet with Dr Chesterfield, she agreed to provide assistance with my enquiries.”
Hampton folded his arms, “I didn’t know that you needed to seek a medical opinion on the murder and intimidation of our staff. How can she help you?”
“Just seeking background data on a line of enquiry. Nothing critical.” Andy deflected.
“That’s good to know it wasn’t critical.” Hampton looked concerned, scratched his head and continued, “I’m afraid Dr Chesterfield is no longer on board, she’s been transferred to the estate near Queenstown in New Zealand. Mr Chousov has a large residency in a high-country sheep station. We routinely rotate our medical staff at this time of year so that they don’t get bored.”
“I didn’t know Mr Chousov was into sheep?” Andy teased Hampton.
Hampton smiled, but didn’t bite, “Mr Chousov has many interests. He wants to build his luxury twenty bed lodge with geothermal spa pools on the pristine estate, but he had to agree to keep the sheep station in operation and the staff employed. We viewed it as a small compromise for the locals.”
“Has Dr Chesterfield already left, if not, maybe I could speak briefly with her?” Andy pressed.
“No, sorry, she left the boat late yesterday afternoon.”
“Did she leave anything for me?”
“Nothing I am aware of Mr Flint. On being reminded of her imminent transfer she became very excited and occupied her limited time with packing. She flew out yesterday evening.” Hampton looked at his watch, “She’ll be somewhere over the Pacific.”
I didn’t see that coming. I’ve been played by a pro. I bet Chesterfield checked with Hampton if it was okay for her to provide the information, he probably arranged for her to be taken out of the equation with the minimum of fuss, hence the ‘speed’ of her departure.
“If there is nothing for me, I might as well pack my things for the journey back to Washington.”
“I’ll arrange for a steward to collect your bags. You need to be on the flight deck at ten for your short helicopter ride to the airport. I’ve already informed Ms Gamzova.”
“Thanks.” Andy left the medical centre and headed back to his cabin feeling deflated at missing the opportunity to see the doctor again or receiving the information he sought.
Shortly after ten-to-ten, a steward knocked on Andy’s door and collected his overnight bag. He kept hold of his backpack; he didn’t want that going astray between his cabin and the flight deck. A few minutes later there was another knock at the door and before Andy could answer, Gamzova stepped inside.
“You ready?” she asked.
“It’s time to go?”
Andy looked out of his porthole for the last time, then walked towards the door grabbing his bulky backpack and headed to the flight deck. When they arrived, Hampton was waiting for them. “Mr Chousov can’t join us, however, he has asked me to pass on his warm regards as he really enjoyed your company. He looks forward to receiving progress reports from you and meeting you both again.”
“That’s nice, it’s been an interesting and varied experience, please give Mr Chousov our thanks for being such a generous host. Thank you for all your help too. I’m sure our paths will cross again.” Andy replied holding out his hand for Hampton to shake.
“Oh, you’ll have to put up with me for a little while longer, as I’ll be accompanying you to the airport. I’ve been instructed to make sure you get away without any hitches, so I can wave you safely off.” Hampton smiled. And make sure we leave!
CHAPTER 26
Andy took his seat in the Citation and selected a newspaper. He’
d chosen The Times again. Its front page screamed, ‘HE’S GONE!’. Andy remembered he’d read about the British Cabinet Minister and his unfortunate personal life, which had now become very public. He read the article, which detailed how the Prime Minister had lost confidence in the Minister and dropped him from front bench to the relative obscurity of the backbenches. It had been a spectacular fall from grace for a man, the article said, had been tipped as a future Prime Minister.
Andy read more on page two where it was reported that the Minister had survived his sexual exposés and the loss of Cabinet papers, but had been caught on video, in an unguarded moment, kicking a dog when walking to his constituency office. The video once uploaded to social media quickly went viral. A campaign led by animal welfare activists and pet lovers formed with the aim to have him removed from office. With over twenty million views of the video, a million signatures on a petition, and most of the day time television and international news networks devoted to the Minister’s apparent hatred of animals, the Prime Minister needed to act quickly; the Minister was quickly despatched to the backbenches.
Further in the paper was an interesting report covering a UN vote, which went through, regarding the formation of a permanent peacekeeping force with its headquarters in Geneva. Andy felt fatigue creeping across him and the need for a short sleep, which came surprisingly easily, and he only woke when the Captain announced their approach into Ronald Reagan Washington Airport.
Andy opened his eyes, yawned and checked his watch, they’d been flying for almost six hours. He felt his ears pop as the Citation made its rapid descent. He gazed out of the window as the aircraft broke free of the clouds to reveal the sprawling cityscape below. As the ground grew closer, he could make out the shapes of highways, trucks, cars and industrial units.
The airport came into view as the aircraft banked sharply and, just as quickly, it disappeared as the aircraft straightened out and lined up for its final approach. The landing was rapid, smooth and uneventful. The Citation braked and turned off the main runway moving quickly across the tarmac to the Executive Terminal where ground crew were already waiting. Andy watched as they dragged the chocks into place and could hear the engines start to shut down. The Captain’s voice came over the intercom, “We hope you had a pleasant flight with us today. To assist with your onward journey, Mr Hampton has arranged a car to take you both into the city. We look forward to seeing you again.”