***
Hunter would have to miss the first ball on Day 1 of a Barbados Test Match. So convinced was he that what he had learned and needed to convey to Colonel Burke was important, that he was prepared to forego a practice he’d undertaken since his retirement. There were always the other days. Given the mood of the current West Indies cricket team which was again playing well and the strength of the England team, the game was expected to go well into the last day.
As a two-decade-long life member of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), Hunter’s seat was secure at the New Kensington Ova, even if the ground was sold out, as it usually was once England was the visiting team. The Balmy Army crew would have helped to ensure the ground being sold-out for at least the first three days. Hunter hoped that his meeting with Colonel Burke would help lead to the three situations being ‘cleaned up’ before the Test Match’s scheduled end on Tuesday.
***
Chief Superintendent Vickers’ had spent the first part of the morning seeking to reach Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States of America, HE Meredith Carter. An old friend from primary school, he finally managed to speak with her around 9:30 a.m. She had been chairing a staff meeting to finalise arrangements for a high-level reception that evening at her official residence for Caribbean Ambassadors to meet with senior US officials from the State Department.
“Hi, Johnny, you called for me earlier?” asked the Barbados Ambassador.
“I did Ambassador. How you doing? Getting any warm weather yet up there in Washington D.C.?” asked Vickers.
“Come on Johnny, you know and have been to this place. We had a few warm days back in late-March, but its’ since been cold like mid-winter. No snow though. Summer seems a long way off! What can I do for you, and what’s all this Ambassador stuff? I’m plain old Meredith, remember?”
Indeed. Vickers remembered! They had once been an ‘item’, but her unwillingness to get married at the time, preferring to take an overseas posting to Brussels as a Foreign Services officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade (as it then was). This had up-ended their relationship. As Vickers was not willing to give up his police career to follow her around the world, they had unfortunately called it quits, but had remained good friends since.
“Just following protocol. My call’s official. Guess you’ve heard that Dr Albert Lewis, Deputy Governor at our Central Bank, has gone missing.”
“Of course. It was mentioned by my deputy in our just-concluded meeting. His old friends in Washington were surprised to learn of his disappearance.”
“Well then, you’ll know Dr Lewis lived in the US for many years before returning to Barbados in 2015 on two-year secondment from the World Bank to work with our CBOB. Thereafter, he was offered a two-year contract by CBOB which he accepted. I understand that there’ll be an option for him to extend for a further two years and he’s likely to accept. That was, until he went missing as of late-Tuesday afternoon,” explained Vickers.
“Shame.”
“Yes. Can you please enquire of your ‘in-house’ team, or your US sources how he was viewed during the time he spent at the World Bank, indeed over the two decades or so he spent in the USA? I’m trying hard to pull together and build up some background on him prior to his return to Barbados. May not be important – will probably come to nothing, but it might help with our current investigation.”
“Who’s leading the investigation there?” Ambassador Carter asked.
“I am,” replied Vickers.
“Of course. I should have known! I’ll ask around…and also put out some feelers to see what I get back. The in-house trawl might turn up something quickly but the US one might take me a while longer. I’ll try to get back to you by day’s-end. Good enough for you?”
“Guess so…if you get anything firm from your team, please advise me of your findings ASAP.”
“Got it. Speak to you later.”
“Roger that.”
With that, Ambassador Carter hung up the phone and called in her secretary. Brief memories of the nice times she and Vickers had spent together flooded back, before she returned to the task immediately at hand. If she could help him from this distance, she would.
Vickers started to work on his next task for the morning. Once completed, he would make his way to RBPF HQ.
***
By 9:50 a.m., New Kensington Oval was indeed heaving. West Indies had won the toss and decided to bat. First blood to West Indies!
New Kensington Oval’s capacity of twelve thousand spectators were there to see the two standing umpires, an Australian and a Sri Lankan, stride out from the Garfield Sobers Pavilion at 9:58 a.m. towards the centre of the cricket field. They were closely followed by the England team, led by Brent Norbury, their captain. He assembled his team for the customary huddle to give them some final words of inspiration before they ventured onto the field to take up their positions on the outfield. The two West Indies’ opening batsmen followed them, crossing the boundary line on their way out to the ‘middle’.
The five-day cricket match was about to start.
Promptly at 10:00 a.m., with the standing umpire having called ‘Play’, the first ball of the second Test Match between West Indies and England was bowled. Needless to say, the Balmy Army were in fine voice and full of energy. Ticket sales suggested around one third of the spectators present for Day 1 of this Test Match were English or rather British, as Scottish and Irish supporters were also ‘in the house’.
Would the West Indian batsmen be able to quieten them down with a good start and throughout Day 1? If they did, they might just be at the start of their journey to go two-nil up in the three-match series, having won the first Test Match in Jamaica at Sabina Park earlier in the week.
***
Magnus Hunter was sitting in the rocking chair he always chose that was situated on the veranda of Colonel Burke’s house. Diane had finally managed to get hold of her husband, insisting that he come home urgently to deal with a developing family issue. When Colonel Burke had asked her what the family issue was, Diane had refused to say, only urging that he came home as soon as he could get away.
Colonel Burke drove past the front of his house and proceeded to park his BIB vehicle in the double garage at the side of the house. Hunter saw Colonel Burke as he drove by – he thought to himself that his protégé and friend looked unusually concerned. On his entry, he rose to his feet to greet Colonel Burke who was barely able to mask his surprise at seeing Hunter at his home at this time of day. Was something wrong with Hunter? Was that why Diane had called him home urgently because to Colonel Burke, Hunter was family. But his mentor looked fine, his usual upbeat self so it could not be illness. He was sure of this because Diane was not fussing over Hunter.
“I’ve not known you not to be at New Kensington Oval to see the first ball of a Test Match since your retirement, Magnus,” said Colonel Burke.
“You’re right, Six out of six, Trevor. Six years, six Test Matches. Until today. The game’s underway now, so let’s get down to why I’ve come over to see you.”
Colonel Burke was grateful that there was no urgent or developing family issue for him to attend to, and so they sat down on the veranda. Pleasantries over, he started to listen to why Hunter had gotten him summoned home.
Over the next hour or so, Colonel Burke heard Hunter out. The exercise proved yet again that his old boss still had ‘it’, the reach, the savviness of having once been the senior public servant to hold overall responsibility for national security issues in Barbados while also being aware of the main security issues facing neighbouring countries too. Colonel Burke gleaned three nuggets of information that could be of great importance to BIB’s investigations. Hunter offered up the first two. Colonel Burke had to push him for the third.
First, Colonel Burke received word on what the better known locally-based foreign Embassies and High Commissions security personnel had recently been working on. It was news to him…he would need to get on to
p of that situation by speaking with Ryan Appleton at MFA to confirm that the persons he understood to be each facility’s security officers had not changed. Then he would do some ‘digging’ on those persons.
Second, escaped prisoner Power had left Barbados for another country late yesterday by either a private speedboat or an ice fishing boat, most likely from somewhere on the west coast. The exact location was not yet verifiable, but might become clear by mid-afternoon after a few more calls.
“You’re kidding me!” exclaimed Colonel Burke.
“I don’t joke, Trevor. Have I ever been wrong?” asked Hunter.
“No –”
“Please allow me to continue. I got word early this morning that Power left yesterday between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. His destination? Either St Vincent and the Grenadines or St Lucia, but more likely the former. My sources indicate that he was, get this, not so much escaping from our law enforcement agencies and the wonderfully hospitable HMP Dodds offers, but was running away from an overseas group that even I do not have much information on. Ever heard of The Organisation? Has its US-based headquarters in Florida – Miami to be precise. It has links, tentacles might be a better word, in North, Central and South America. The entity started out selling vehicle parts and accessories, but expanded a few years ago into computers and related ‘merchandise’. My sources say that’s all mainly a cover for selling more serious stuff like drugs and guns. Recalibration of activities to engage with country-resident criminal groups, gangs etc. are also in-play, with some of these operating not only in Barbados, but in our closest neighbouring countries,” stated Hunter.
“Which ones, Magnus?” asked Colonel Burke instinctively.
“St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Slightly further afield too, in Antigua and Barbuda.”
“Funny you should list those four countries! I recently met someone who told me that there has been increased activity by criminal elements operating here, with international entities endeavouring to break into the region via partnerships in these same countries.”
“Who’d you meet?” asked Hunter.
“Can’t tell you, but something like that never happened in your time, at least I don’t think it did. I’m sure you’ll work it out, especially if the words ‘Brits’ and ‘intelligence’ are mentioned.”
“Trevor, Barbados really is a small place. There’s word’s already out on the street that some ‘top intelligence dog’ is currently on-island under cover of being a tourist. Is his visit more than a holiday, my friend?” asked Hunter.
“Magnus, you know I can’t confirm anything that you’ve just stated. Correction, have intimated, but as usual, your ‘ear’ about most things going on around here is pretty solid. You keep telling me that you’ve retired? No way! Perhaps you’re an undercover BIB operative that even I don’t know about.”
“Trevor, retired for sure but dumb I am not…my ears still work and my contacts remain in sync. That’s one thing I can confirm. I’m not BIB’s thirteenth employee, undercover or otherwise. Simply call me your ‘invisible’ man.”
“And that you are, Magnus, so I remain grateful. You’ve long been my mentor and very good friend. Is there anything else that you want to tell me before I get back to the office? The third nugget? There’s a lot on my plate, as you probably suspect.”
“Well, yes, and here it is. Two of the alleged biggest underworld kingpins in Barbados might have had something to do with the disappearance of Dr Lewis. I got this information directly as I was taking my daily walk at Miami Beach this morning.”
“Really?”
“Look, Trevor, I’ll be honest with you. I’m not even thirty percent sure about this last tip, but it’s what I’ve been told, okay? So, let me be clear. Of the three pieces of information I’ve just given you, this last one is by far the least reliable. Use it carefully, if at all, just in case my source is completely wrong. Proceed with caution on that tip. Approaching the wrong person on this matter could get BIB, even you, hurt. Not necessarily physically, more career-wise. I wouldn’t want to see you land yourself in hot water with people you and I would rather not meet or mess with in broad daylight, let alone at night.”
“Gotcha! Have any names for me?”
“Here.” Hunter pulled a small piece of paper from his pants pocket and placed it in Colonel Burke’s hand.
“Thanks for the ‘heads up’, Magnus.”
Nodding, Colonel Burke stood up. He shook Hunter’s hand before giving him a bear hug.
“Thanks, BIB 13! See you again soon…after the Test Match of course. Can I make it up to you in any way?”
“Not necessary. Trevor, you know I’m always here for you, so no need to put yourself out. My doing this helps keep an old man’s mind active. I’ll go home now and watch the rest of Day 1 on television. I never go to the Oval after a Test Match day’s play has started. I’ll be in my usual seat bright and early tomorrow morning though for sure, right behind the bowler’s arm.”
“Of course. I understand –”
“Trevor on second thought, was your offer of ‘making it up to me’ real?”
“Yes, it was, that is if I can afford it,” said Colonel Burke with a chuckle.
“Good. Then please invite Anna and me over for one of Diane’s seafood dinners. We haven’t had one of those since we celebrated my last birthday in January.”
“That’s a done deal. Let Diane know when you’re both free to come over.”
“Good man… I will. Now, you’d better get going…”
“Right. Later, old friend.”
With a final nod, Colonel Burke left Hunter to find Diane. They spoke briefly and he kissed her on her forehead before leaving to return to BIB HQ. He knew that she would take good care of Hunter until he was ready to head home.
Before he set off on the return journey to BIB HQ, Colonel Burke unfolded the small piece of paper he’d been given by Hunter to see if he recognised either of the two names written there.
He didn’t, at least not at first. Neither name had any criminal-like connection that immediately jumped out at him. Colonel Burke could not recall BIB having any evidence on either person, even of an anecdotal nature suggesting any involvement in criminality.
Once he got moving, Colonel Burke thought some more. While the two persons may not have been knowingly involved in any confirmed local, regional or international criminal activity, he vaguely recalled that both names had been mentioned during the margins of a P.A.A.N.I. meeting eighteen months earlier, around Barbados’ celebration of its fiftieth anniversary of Independence. The talk back then had been whether or not consideration should be given to rewarding either person with any of the special national honours then available. They had not made it to the serious consideration stage because Jeremie had mentioned that they were on a list of ‘other Barbadians’ who had also been under consideration for one of the fifty Barbados Jubilee Honour awards, but were found to be involved in one or two fishy things, though nothing of a criminal nature. What these things were never got mentioned. One of the names listed had also surfaced again at the Christmas party he and Diane had hosted four months earlier.
Colonel Burke decided that, once back in his office, he would ask his SIR team to check out the two persons and anything on their known legal (or otherwise) activities over the past three years or so to see what, if anything was there that could be looked at more closely. So far, the ECC security project had not kept his two operatives in BIB’s SIR, Dr Samuel Atkins (code number V70) and Margaret Pearson (code number A18) busy, so he knew that they had capacity to run the checks he needed. They both loved having a ‘license to poke around’ from their Director.
***
Chapter Sixteen
Suspension
While Magnus Hunter and Colonel Burke were having their discussion at the latter’s home, a messenger arrived at BIB HQ in a Cabinet Office vehicle.
“Good day. I’m looking for Mr James Johnson,” he said.
Riley Morris, BIB operative (code number C16) was on front desk duty that morning, so he called JJ down to BIB’s reception area to see the messenger.
“Hello, I’m Johnson?”
“Mr James Johnson, senior team leader here at BIB?”
“Yes, I’m he.”
Without answering, the Cabinet Office messenger presented him with an ON-SERVICE envelope and asked him to sign the book he was carrying to confirm delivery and receipt.
“My friend, what’s this all about?” asked JJ.
“Not sure, sir. I’m just the messenger. Guess you’ll know what’s in there once you open it. Good day, sir.”
The messenger also handed a second ON-SRVICE envelope to Riley, requesting that he also sign for and would pass that envelope onto the person to whom it was addressed as soon as possible.
With that, the messenger turned away and headed back to his vehicle.
Strange, JJ thought. He started to walk back down the corridor.
On reaching his work station, JJ opened the envelope.
What he read made him instantly sit down in the chair behind his desk. The contents completely surprised him, so much so that he had to read the letter’s contents a second time.
Is this some kind of a joke? he thought.
Fred, passing by on his way back from the conference room to his work station which was across from JJ, noticed JJ’s posture and stopped in his tracks.
“What’s up, buddy?” he asked softly.
JJ looked up and showed him the letter he had just received.
While Fred was reading, JJ made a quick phone call to Vanessa. In a low but calm voice, he told her to come and pick him up from BIB HQ as quickly as she could.
Before she could ask him why, or what was wrong, JJ had hung up the phone.
Something was wrong. She did not know what it was, but would find out shortly. This was not normal.
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