Why were these four non-nationals in Independence Square, at the same time? What, if any, would be their roles in the situations that were soon set to start unfolding in Barbados over the next few days?
***
Alfred ‘Fred’ George, BIB team leader, ended his call with JJ. As a senior two-Dan Back Belt Sensei at Marine Garden Judo Club in Hastings, Christ Church, he was scheduled to take tonight’s senior class between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Within his class were two excellent prospects who were clear potential candidates to qualify for and represent Barbados at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Fred had started to spend an extra half an hour working with these two judokas after each Tuesday night session from the start of the year, his BIB work permitting, of course. Tonight’s extra session would certainly take place as he had the next couple of days off. He knew of the ECC project arrangements that were in place for the five-day Test Match set to start in three days’ time would prohibit him from taking his class on Saturday morning, so he had arranged for another sensei to cover it for him.
Now aged thirty-four, Fred was a Barbadian-born ex-British paratrooper. Besides judo, Fred had a passion for baking. A BIB operative now for six years, he had previously spent one year with the BDF’s Special Task Force unit. Once known as a lady’s man, he was now a one-woman man. Since he had first set eyes on Charlotte ‘Charlee’ Piggott at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on the night of Motby’s attempted assassination, he had fallen for her. There was a rumour around BIB that Charlee had tamed Fred’s wild ways. He now professed to being monogamous, something only he knew for sure, for he still admired attractive women, though only from a distance, especially when Charlee was around.
Charlee was someone Fred could consistently call and rely on. Her presence was reassuring to him. Not a big music lover by any stretch, but he had gradually and grudgingly come around to accepting the kind of music she loved. His propensity to gamble on local race horses had also diminished under Charlee’s influence, given that she considered it a waste of money.
Fred’s visits to BIB’s gym were now four days a week, down from six pre-Charlee. He used these visits to keep himself in excellent physical condition. Tonight, after his judo session but before they went to P’s Disco, Fred would present the small box now in his pocket to Charlee. Hopefully, on opening the box and seeing what was inside of it, she would say one word, ‘Yes’. He might even go down on one knee to pop the question on this special occasion.
***
James ‘JJ’ Johnson reflected on his conversation with Fred, one of his two fellow team leaders after he had hung up. Yes, I know you. Don’t get too sossled. Charlee better be your designated driver.
JJ had become known throughout BIB as the boss since his strong, incisive but inclusive leadership style had come to the fore some eighteen months earlier when he had led the investigation into the attempted assassination of the Prime Minister.
Shortly after that incident, JJ found himself seeking a form of relaxation outside of BIB and family life activities. It took him a while, but eventually he found what he was looking for. He accepted a long-standing offer from Pierre ‘Double P’ Pilgrim, a friend from schooldays to DJ in Pilgrim’s nightclub, P’s Disco. JJ’s long-time hobby of playing music to himself at home had at last found a public outlet. The arrangement was that JJ would play two four-hour sets per week, on Monday and Tuesday nights. Though the agreement had been signed six weeks earlier, JJ had only started DJing at P’s Disco three weeks ago, with tonight being his sixth four-hour show. The music which JJ played at P’s Disco was that which he loved and played at home. Timeless vibes (from upbeat dance tracks to mellow jams), where words meant something and excellent musicianship were the order of the day and what he appreciated. Music primarily from the ’70s through to the ’90s relaxed and made him feel good. JJ wanted P’s Disco patrons to experience what he felt, forget their worries and enjoy themselves at his shows.
JJ retuned his mind to completing his preparations for tonight’s show. His audience would be the pre-midnight crowd who came to P’s Disco to relax, enjoy a meal and a drink while listening to his mix of back in time (BIT) R&B, Disco, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Smooth Jazz and famed Calypso/Soca tunes. Most patrons hit the dance floor at some point during their stay but tended to leave P’s Disco anywhere between 11:30 p.m. and midnight when the club’s younger patrons would start to arrive. This suited JJ who would normally return to his Christ Church home by 12:30 a.m.
***
Despite it being well past their normal working hours, the four individuals had returned to their respective offices to record what had just transpired at their central Bridgetown rendezvous. Their collaboration had resulted on a consensus of what activities the six-known major, locally-based criminal entities had been recently pursuing. They had also collected specific views, based on findings from their lines of work, on what local criminals’ activities were in the pipeline and so might occur.
It all made sense. One thing was clear. Criminal entities were upping their game. Indications were that they were developing new and possibly extensive links with international criminal syndicates. What this would lead to was unclear, but an alarming trend had been identified which concerned the four individuals. Their afternoon meeting had confirmed that there were no perceived imminent threats or last-minute updates to the preliminary position they had reached at the previous weekend meeting at their American colleague’s residence. All that now remained for the four individuals to do was to formally sign-off on and dispatch their reports to their respective headquarters in overseas capitals.
As for the security activities that were being put in place by local law enforcement agencies to cover the public activities that were set to take place in Barbados over the next nine days, they believed that things were under control. The ECC security screen project for sure, was well thought out and resourced, as local law enforcement and security agencies had ensured that all potentially appropriate response mechanisms were in place to deal with any imaginable situation at any of the announced public events. As a result, their input had not been necessary, although they had been briefed on the main points related to the ECC. Nothing unusual was anticipated to affect the soccer match, concert or Sports Ministers Conference. However, should any requests be received from the Barbados authorities for assistance, their response would be a joint, rapid and collective one. Yes, each mission had its standard and potential ‘off the shelf’ response mechanism, but these could be easily adapted if situations warranted. Collaboration between them was taken for granted, so first thing tomorrow (Wednesday), each of them would separately review their standard security response mechanisms to be ready, just in case unexpected trouble arose.
Barbados had retained an overall low security threat level, despite the earlier attempt to assassinate Motby and so the diplomatic missions the four individuals belonged to remained confident that there would be no need for them to have to collaborate over the next nine days. No sudden spike in local criminal activity was anticipated and their ‘ear to the ground’ investigations had not suggested there were any plans to attempt an overthrow of the Barbados Government, nor harm locals or visitors alike over this period.
***
Chapter Six
Night Moves
Having reached his destination, Dr Lewis spent the time he had promised to himself, thinking and endeavouring to find an immediate solution to his problem.
After sitting on the bench for some time, he returned to his car. There, he retrieved his locked briefcase from the boot of the car and placed it in the front seat beside him. Unlocking it, he felt inside and found what he knew was there under his papers. Why not end everything, right here and now on this beautiful evening? I’d save myself a lot of embarrassment, he thought. Dr Lewis gripped and withdrew the firearm from his briefcase. He examined it, knowing from the weapon’s weight that it was loaded. Should I or shouldn’t I, he wondered to himself as he caressed the barrel.
/> After a couple of minutes, he stopped his action, ashamed of what he was considering.
He realised that he lacked the courage to do harm to himself. Suicide was not his thing, even under current circumstances. I don’t deserve such an end. My kids might understand, eventually but Betty never would. I can’t do this to her, the kids or the Bank. I can’t shed further shame on them because of what I have. I want the chance to contribute to this world and help make it a better place than when I entered it before I go. These thoughts and realisation dragged Dr Lewis from his emotional imbalance and suicidal thinking. Treatment for what his test results indicated was available. He could afford the best treatment and receive it for as long as it took. Hs effort would be treated confidentially and that would buy him some time. Honesty might yet save his marriage, his family, his job and himself.
Carefully, he unloaded the firearm. No need to shoot himself by accident. He exited his vehicle and looked around. There was no one in sight, that he could see, so he quickly dug a hole in the sand and dropped the bullets in it before covering up the hole. On his return to his vehicle, he returned the firearm to his briefcase, locked it and returned it to the boot. Look how close I came to killing myself, he thought. He turned on the engine to leave but suddenly broke down, sobbing gently at first with trembling hands, before crying more audibly with his head in both hands.
It took him a while to gather himself and start thinking clearly. Thankfully, he had not found the courage to go through with the action that had briefly appealed to him. He also felt exhausted.
He recalled a Bajan phrase he had heard last week from a Central Bank of Barbados colleague along the lines of ‘dead men can’t run from their coffins’, meaning that it is impossible to run away from one’s responsibilities, or destination.
Dr Lewis could not run away from his now.
***
The magnificent sounds of the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels’ organ in the near two-hundred and fifty-year-old building on St Michael’s Row in central Bridgetown was a sound to hearken. The accomplished organist and musical director of an experienced choir were on parade, so to speak. They were about to sing for one of their own, before a congregation comprised of distinguished persons in Barbados who would appreciate their efforts.
The 6:00 p.m. Service of Thanksgiving for Petra Carmichael’s three and a half decades of public service to Barbados was scheduled to last no more than ninety minutes. The service was put together by Carmichael and the Very Reverend Dr Boyd Mercer, Dean and Rector of the Cathedral Church where she had previously served for many years as Sunday School Superintendent and, for the past ten years, as an eucharistic minister. Carmichael had been a member of the Cathedral since childhood. Her move to the north of the island following her marriage had not stopped her from continuing to worship and serve at her beloved Cathedral. The congregation had been invited to join her on this special night and a good crowd had turned out, along with most of the seventy-five specially invited guests. Carmichael’s former work colleagues present included the Governor General and his wife, Prime Minister and his wife, Chief Justice, most Cabinet ministers, some members of both Houses of Parliament, senior Government officials, members of the judiciary, family and some of her closest friends.
The Service of Thanksgiving was beautiful. The choir sung lustily and well, delivering a special anthem of the Lord’s Prayer. Hymns and Bible readings were celebration-themed, as was the Sermon delivered by Dean Mercer. He held up his end of the bargain by preaching for only fifteen minutes. It was clear that he wanted to go on longer, but there might have been consequences in doing so. This enabled Carmichael’s specially invited guests to be able to get away from the Cathedral by 7:40 p.m. The short drive to BDF HQ enabled the second part of her Prime Minister-hosted retirement function to commence at 7:55 p.m. after parking, an acceptable scenario given all that was happening that evening.
***
It was just near to the end of Carmichael’s Service of Thanksgiving that Dr Lewis awoke. He had fallen asleep and had only been awoken by a knocking on his car-window by a concerned young man who was walking home from his job as a waiter at a local hotel. It was dark now, which meant that he had missed seeing the sunset off the west coast that he’d badly wanted to view earlier.
Winding down his window, he thanked the young man.
“Time to go and face the music,” he said to himself before realising that he was very hungry. This hunger could not wait the forty minutes it would take him to get home. He remembered a nice place where he could grab something to eat before heading home.
***
P’s Disco opened its doors promptly at 8:00 p.m. Located on the famous St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church entertainment strip, JJ got to work on his DJing duties for the evening. He initiated his eight thru twelve (ETT) show by introducing himself over his signature tune. P’s Disco staff and the early patrons who had entered the club at opening time were his audience.
JJ had searched long and hard for what he felt was the ‘right’ signature track for his four-hour show on Monday and Tuesday nights. The criteria for his choice were that it had to be joyous, up-tempo, exciting and funky. He wanted the chosen track to demonstrate the BIT era of music he loved and musicianship, something audiences do not always appreciate in the second decade of the twenty-first century. Ideally, he wanted his selection to be an instrumental so that he could use it as a backdrop when relating to patrons during the show.
JJ shortlisted George Duke Brazilian Love Affair. While he felt this was a great song, it did not quite have the groovy feeling he wanted, no disrespect to the late brother George. JJ also considered Mezzoforte Garden Party among other tracks when he had a lightbulb moment!
Sharon Redd Can You Handle It! Perfect. The near-instrumental specially remixed version. JJ had played it three times to be sure some three weeks earlier and found it had everything he wanted. Solid enthusiastic drumming, strikingly funky guitars, a simple but driving bassline, riveting brass (sax) sounds, groovy piano solo and an exciting orchestra overlay. It was a classic floor-filler, especially when Sharon’s sultry voice kicked in late on, mischievously asking, “Can you handle…it?” Simple, suggestive, sexy. JJ’s signature track simply kicked ass and was suitable for his BIT audiences. They must be able to handle my groovy musical selections, he thought.
In Hour 1, JJ sought to create ‘the mood’ he wanted to sustain. Known as H1C (the ‘chillin’ hour), he played some of his favourite and smooth jazz, funk, instrumentals and mellow cuts until 8:45 p.m. Tonight, tracks featured would be Shiva Never Gonna Give You Up, Donald Byrd Love Has Come Around, Sun Palace Rude Movements, Sea Level Sneakers, Fourplay 101 Eastbound, Sumy Funkin’ In Your Mind, Surface Noise The Scratch, The Crusaders Put It Where You Want It, Chicago Street Player, Steely Dan Hey Nineteen, The Isley Brothers Here We Go Again, One Way Shine on Me, People’s Choice Do It Anyway You Wanna.
***
Around 8:15 p.m., a middle-aged man entered P’s Disco and sat himself down at a corner table in the dining section.
Zelda Hughes, a young waitress approached him to take his order, thinking first dinner customer for the night. Wonder if he’ll tip me.
“No. 7 on your menu please Miss, that’s the steak fish and chips with a side order of salad and a rum and coke.”
“Any particular rum, sir?” asked Hughes.
“Cockspur,” the man replied.
“Okay. Ten minutes to delivery of your meal. I’ll be right back with your drink,” stated Hughes.
“Fine, and thank you, miss,” was the man’s response.
Looks like he had a long or bad day at work. Probably no big tip coming my way, she thought.
***
Caribbean Airlines flight BW 415 arrived from Kingston, Jamaica carrying the West Indies and England cricket teams, their support staff, local, regional and international media. On disembarkation, both teams and their support staff were led to the Grace Lady Adams Suite (a.k.a. the VIP l
ounge) by airport security officers. There, the Hon. Preston Grant MP, Minister of Tourism, International Transport & Sport, Neal Butler, President of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) who was also a Director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Brathwaite, CEO of the Barbados Tourism Hospitality Inc. (BTHI) met, welcomed and hosted them at a small reception.
***
At BDF HQ, there were only two speeches to be made at Petra Carmichael’s reception. One was by Prime Minister Motby, with the other being a reply by Carmichael. She had earlier indicated to him that this was what she wanted. At 8:30 p.m., a bell was rung to gain her guests attention in the Officers’ Quarters where the reception was being held.
He took the microphone that was handed to him by Sharon Evans. The room fell silent as he started to address the reception’s guests.
"Good evening. Sir Livingstone and Lady Murray, Madam Chief Justice, Cabinet, Parliamentary, Diplomatic and Consular colleagues, senior Government officials, Petra and the Carmichael family, Dean Mercer, other specially invited guests and of course our friends from the media.
“Tonight is a very special occasion. It is also a sad one for me. We are gathered here to celebrate the work of an exceptional Barbadian public servant, Petra Carmichael. You all know Petra retired a couple of weeks ago after giving three and a half decades of stellar and selfless service to our country. Government records will show that numerous Barbadians have served our country well and for long periods of time in the past. Few though, in my humble opinion, have made a greater contribution to Barbados’ development or been more highly valued by people like myself, for the continued high standard of work they have done for our Government, than Petra. And she’s done it all generally – well, most of the time, with a smile…and perhaps the occasional grimace.”
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