The Ringer

by Greg Hunt

  Chapter 58

  Archie stood tall and gazed around the room. His black tie meant he appeared dapper. He certainly did not stand out like a pompous penguin. He was handsome anyway, so there was more than one look in his direction from the ladies. All the guys had scrubbed up and it certainly made for a change to see the rugby, football, cricket, athletics and water sports teams in smart clothing.

  Many of the men could not resist the urge to gawp at the ladies. The girls they played mixed hockey with, or who they had good banter with once they had finished their netball matches appeared as completely different, stunning people.

  David was in his element for a couple of reasons. One, he thought he had the most beautiful girl at the university standing by his side and two, he was now able to do business in a big way and this was just the start. His calculations had confirmed that he would make a large amount of money by the end of this one evening. More than he had previously made all year.

  Archie walked around the main hall of the union which had been entirely transformed for this surprisingly grand annual event. There was a bucking bronco mechanical bull in the corner surrounded by inflatable bouncy castle material. The bull was sited next to a miniature casino, which was adjacent to a game Archie had never seen before. It looked fun.

  Down three inflatable alleyways contestants would run forward, pulling against a bungee cord strapped around their waists that attempted to bounce them back to where they had started. The object was to run as far down the alleyway with as much speed and momentum as possible, propelling yourself forward to reach one of the cowboy hats placed at the end of the alleyways. It was hilarious to see all of these sportspeople giving it their all, just to be bounced all the way back to where they had started from without having grabbed the prized cowboy hat. Coming back down the alleyway with a cowboy hat would win a prize and there were some attractive prizes on offer. These included a meal for two at a top restaurant, a speedboat ride in the Solent, or a free trip round one of the Premiership football stadiums. There was a good sized queue to have a go and Archie could not resist joining it.

  Meanwhile, David enjoyed Emma’s company, although her mind seemed to be elsewhere. All of David’s friends had commented how lucky he was to be there with Emma. He could only agree. Emma’s simple yet sophisticated style just enhanced her natural beauty.

  Normally she did not dress up, and now she had she could not help but turn heads. She was wearing a short purple dress with matching shoes, a neck ribbon of similar colour and a pendant that had been given to her by her mother when they had been shopping in Wimbledon, for doing well in her A-Levels. She wore a minimal amount of make-up, just enough to highlight her main facial features, and her hair was off her shoulders and elaborately braided to one side of her head.

  Whilst Emma appeared radiant in what she was wearing, she was experiencing inner turmoil. She had found David not the most exciting company, and whilst he was easy enough to talk to, she just considered him a good friend.

  She wanted to find and talk to Archie Malcolm and David had mentioned in the pub the previous day that he was to be at the ball. She needed to find out more about him. Emma had only played hockey occasionally with Archie and chatted to him in passing at other student’s houses, so they had had a limited friendship.

  He always came across as a slightly closed book, but that was what was so intriguing about him. He was so polite and always asked her how she was doing and what she was up to. What about him? She told David that she needed to pop to the ladies and they arranged to meet each other at the casino in ten minutes.

  The Student Union was busy now and any moving about was a slow process. There was a photographer set up to snap away at the various groups and many of the teams were having photographs together, a serious one and others that should never be printed, let alone sold.

  David pushed past a few of his colleagues to reach the gents. He went in and headed for the fourth cubical in the corner. He locked the door and tapped his foot on the ground discreetly twice. The man in the neighbouring cubical slid a large packet of a white substance under the partitioning. This had already been split into small sachets. David immediately placed the packet in the top of the toilet cistern whilst the man in the neighbouring cubicle whispered through to David, “I’ll be back for our controller’s cut tomorrow night, don’t be late,”

  David just said, “Thanks, Betts,” before he heard the ‘Out of Order’ sticker being applied to his fourth cubicle door.

  Chapter 59

  Archie flew in mid-air as the bungee cord pulled him with all its might back where he had stood moments before.

  In line with the two other lads who were running down the alleys to his left and right he had confidently eyed up his inflated alleyway corridor. Archie had directly faced the cowboy hat which was just out of reach. It was only ten metres from his grasp. He had thought it would have been easy, but now he was not so sure. A different approach was required.

  Archie crouched low. He would grab the cowboy hat if it was the last item on earth that required saving. In itself it was not a special hat. Made of a standard, dark-brown leather with a woven light and dark brown edging it did not shout out, but it was what the hat represented.

  Archie took a deep intake of breath, put his weight forward and his legs were suddenly working overtime, as if he had been put in an ever faster spinning, hamster wheel. The blown up inflatable structure had not provided much grip. Archie had realised that to make any progress up the aisle he had needed to remove his socks so that he was bare footed. The once civilized naval officer and PhD student was nearing the cowboy hat like a ferocious pit-bull.

  Archie was serious. He would not be denied his prize. He felt the pull of the elastic bungee cord around his waist and it was beginning to strain against the direction that Archie was taking. His legs were now working even faster, he felt the heat of his exertion all over him; from his forehead to his arms and legs and around the cord of the bungee line which was desperately seeking to bring him back to the mother ship of the start-line.

  Archie dived forward using the momentum he had built up and flew through the air to land a couple of metres further forward and within grasp of the cowboy hat. He outstretched his hand and reached with all his might with his fingers. His arm felt as though it was going to dislocate, such was the force with which he stretched himself out.

  The brown leather cowboy hat remained out of reach. The expression on Archie’s face was comical. He really could not believe it. The bungee cord now had Archie in its power. There was no running away from the elastic bouncing him back whence he had come. There were quite a few giggles as Archie flew backwards through the air, away from the prized cowboy hat and back to his starting position. He landed in a heap on the ground of his inflatable corridor. He no longer presented the dapper image he had just a few moments ago, as Lieutenant Archie Malcolm in his military pose, oozing sophistication.

  Never to be outdone, Archie sprung to his feet. He had been within a hair’s breath, and maybe, maybe if he just moved the waist harness of the bungee a little further down and stretched a little more, the prize would be his.

  His legs whirled even faster than before, his slim pit-bull pose attacking every inch of the blown up inflatable corridor. The onlookers changed their tune and willed him on. There was the start of a handclap which began to pick up pace. Archie seized the moment. He felt his audience willing him on and this spurred him to work even harder. Down the inflatable corridor he went, perspiring even harder, launching himself for the hat with such force that it seemed to flinch on its pedestal.

  Archie stretched his fingers to their full extent and brushed the leather material. He was not letting this one escape. He reached up with his other arm. The hat was in the grip of his hand. He was victorious. His admirers began to clap. The cowboy hat had found its way to his head. He was asked to choose a card from the five in the man’s hand.

  Archie was thinking that
he had never won anything in his life. The last few moments had changed all of that. He was being hoisted against his will onto many of the students’ shoulders. He was still attempting to draw the card. Lifting it up to his eyes he read:

  “You have won a romantic evening for two at Yves restaurant, Cropston, Nr. Winchester, Hampshire. This card entitles the bearer to £200 worth of spending for a wonderful, memorable occasion.”

  Wow, what an evening that will be, thought Archie. He knew exactly who he wanted to spend it with.

  Chapter 60

  Emma had spied Archie on her return from the ladies room. He had been running vigorously to grab the cowboy hat. She was impressed with the sense of fun about him, as well as his fine figure. Athletically throwing himself for the prize, he just did not give up and the commitment to the task was remarkable. She made herself part of the handclap, and clapped louder and louder until he was victorious.

  Archie was being carried now by a hoard of spectators and had ripped open the card upon which was written his prize. His face lit up with glee and Emma could not help herself from thinking that it made him more attractive, pronouncing his slight dimples and crinkling his forehead above the eyebrows.

  Emma walked round to find David at the casino table. David seemed to be gambling away as much money as he could. It certainly was not going his way as Emma heard him curse quietly and then more obviously; loud enough for the dealer and his fellow gamblers to raise their heads and sigh or tut, or even appear to show expressions of sympathy. David was having horrendous luck. Where was all his money coming from? Emma urged David to stop throwing his money away as he appeared to have little left. David ignored her protestations. He was in his own little world and oblivious to what was going on around him.

  Previously bored, and now irritated by being ignored, Emma went to find Archie. Archie, oh… she needed some courage and had to go to the bar first.

  Whilst at the bar Emma noticed that David had walked through the union to the outside area, presumably for some fresh air. She would catch up with her date later, for now there were more important people to be with.

  Archie Malcolm had seen Emma head for the bar as he was being put down onto terra firma. She was looking lovely and he so needed to speak to her. This was just his moment and no-one was going to stop him.

  “I’m buying,” he shouted to the barman from a few metres away, tapping Emma on the far shoulder so that she turned her head in the wrong direction. He nodded a pint of the local to be added to the large glass of wine that Emma was drinking. She turned the right way, gazing deeply into his eyes and smiled,

  “I’ve been wanting to talk to you,” she started…

  It was difficult for Archie to hear as the music was coming alive and everyone seemed to have headed over to the large student bar adjacent to the dance floor. The rodeo bull, the casino and the inflatable alleyways had come to an end so all the people who had been energetically part of the activities or gambling their small fortunes away were now heading for drinks.

  “Same here,” Archie shouted back. “Can we go outside?” He pointed at his ears as he really could not hear and grabbed one of her hands and led her outside. Her hand was warm, and a tingly sensation rose up the whole of his arm. It felt good.

  The cool air was in stark contrast to the heat of the union and as Emma was only wearing her purple shift, she suddenly appeared a little cold.

  Archie pointed to his prize and read the words aloud again to Emma.

  “Emma, I want you to be my dinner date for the evening. Can I take you to the restaurant?”

  “I would love to go with you,” Emma responded without hesitation.

  Emma quickly thought of her time in the Alps, and apart from the scary night on the mountain in a survival bag, it had been a wonderful break with her family. She also now thought of the voice in the night, she was sure it had been Archie Malcolm. She innocently asked what he had been up to over the last couple of weeks as she had not seen him around the campus or any of the usual student haunts.

  Archie sensed the alarm bells and skillfully avoided the question, referring to the wonderful walks he had had along the seafront, how his ringing was going, and his plans to pop over to the Isle of Wight in the near future.

  Meanwhile, a white van had reversed into the rear car park of the Student Union and stopped, with its engine still running, five metres away from where Archie and Emma were standing. The driver’s door swung open and a man in a skull cap got out and opened up the rear doors.

  David appeared from nowhere and went to speak to the man. The rear doors opened again to briefly reveal packages. All were neatly and individually wrapped. The rusty old doors were slammed closed. Archie was intrigued and distracted. He hugged Emma so that she was facing the Student Union building and he was hidden by this beautiful girl, who was definitely hugging him back. The skullcap man went back to the driver’s door and there was something very familiar about him.

  The muscular frame and the movement were unique and very memorable. Skullcap man was now in the van and revving the engine. It was Betts. Archie finally clicked and belatedly glared at the van as it took off out of the back of the Student Union car park.

  Chapter 61

  Betts made his exit in the white Ford Transit van that he had picked up from the self-hire van garage on the approach road into Portsmouth.

  Fidgeting in his driver’s seat and very aware of the value of the goods contained in the rear of his vehicle, he headed to the rendezvous with Natalia, the leader of the South American supply operation. Together they would meet the UK controller. The time had come. It sent shivers down his spine.

  Having pointed a loaded pistol at the pilot of the helicopter back in the Alpine wilderness in order to facilitate his escape from the clutches of Lieutenant Archie Malcolm’s naval squad, Betts needed to ensure that he remained invisible until the end of his own operation.

  He only received his entire fee when the crack team set up to hunt them all down was called off. Having disposed of Kevin, James and Nick, he was determined to do what was required to receive the remainder of his money.

  The roads were a little icy at this time of night, the weather having been cold over the last few days. It was only a short hop to the small freighter terminal but Betts wanted to ensure that he did not have a tail. He therefore wove the van around the edge of Southsea from the Student Union, carrying out a quick loop into the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth.

  If there was anyone following him, they would not be able to hide away from this manoeuvre. A tail would still have to know which direction he was taking, and have to show himself somewhere within the small cobbled streets of the Old Town. All appeared quiet and Betts relaxed a little.

  He turned onto the main dock road which led to the temporarily constructed freighter port. He could not shake off his excitement. It was truly momentous for him. An ordinary Navy man who had been dedicated to his country and his current employers, the Royal Navy, but now to have woken up to an alternative and much larger source of income. Yes, few would be prepared to have carried out what he had done. Murder, yes, he would always have to live with that, but then his morals had left him many moons ago.

  Single for most of his adult life, Betts had travelled the world, visiting most of the great sea faring ports and sampling everything that they had to offer. Whilst being single, it did not mean that he had not enjoyed the company of the fairer sex. His life on board meant that he had plenty of time to speculate over his next conquest. Too much time, it had turned out. His appetite for sex had become an obsession, a compulsion to sow his wild oats across the globe, and his own black book grew and grew until he was rarely concentrating on the real work that he undertook.

  Even now, his mind wandered back to the much talked about Natalia. She was a phenomenon. Betts had been on a frigate many years ago that had called in at Lima, Peru. He had been given shore leave and what an episode it had been. He vividly recalled t
he excitement of the bars and nightlife in this South American capital. He also remembered every moment because, in one of the seedier centrally located bars, he had been introduced to the Morales brothers. He had met these young wolves and kept up with their drinking. They had been impressed.

  For Betts, it was a routine evening away from work until they asked him for a favour. The favour had seemed fairly innocent and easy at the time. It was to smuggle some of their goods back to the UK and pass them on to be sold at a profit. The Morales gave him the contact to meet up with and to deliver the necessary cut into the Morales bank account.

  Over the years, the Morales had helped to keep Petty Officer Betts going, and fuel his expensive taste for women. That one occasion he had met the Morales brothers, had been the only time. The Morales had been careful to distance themselves and contact was always made thereafter using their chain system.

  He had dreamt and fantasised about the legendary Natalia, and at last he was to be meeting her. His heart skipped a beat and he instinctively put his right foot further down on the accelerator.

  Chapter 62

  Natalia gazed at the city of Portsmouth from the bridge of the freighter. The light breeze rustled wisps of her dark hair across her face. She tucked them behind her right ear and pulled down her warm hat so it entirely covered the back of her head.

  The Captain had sensed that she needed support after her ordeal. He could not comprehend the thought of losing two brothers. It was enough to make anyone feel compassionate for the sole sibling remaining.

  Captain Sharkey had been hugely sympathetic. Normally brimming with life, enthusiasm and extremely gregarious, the effect of the presumed loss of life on his ship had had a profound impact. The Captain had treated Natalia as a daughter. Like all of his family members and crew, he cared for Natalia as best he could. In a not dissimilar fashion to the Morales way, the Captain tried to help Natalia come to terms with her immediate shock over the first forty-eight hours of her loss. He saw to her meals, her drinks and that she had a comfortable cabin to sleep in. Her own cabin had been affected by the fire so it was important that she moved and took up quarters near the Captain’s cabin.