The Collectors Book Five (The Collectors Series 5)

by Sewell, Ron

  “I’ll drop you and Andreas at the registry office and drive on to Mayfair. Should be back in less than fifteen minutes.

  “Have you got the rings? Where are they?”

  “For the tenth time, I have and they’re in my jacket pocket. Get your arse into gear and go sit in the car. Andreas, you’re with me inside the registry office directing the guests. I’m the groom’s side and you’re Jocelyn’s.”

  “How do I know who they are?”

  Petros gave a half smile. “You could ask them.”

  Andreas shrugged, opened the door, and walked to the car.

  Wearing a hired morning suit, Bear glanced in the mirror. “I’ve scrubbed up okay.” He touched his shaven head as he turned and examined the tailoring, which covered his large frame. “She’s a lucky woman.”

  “Dog,” said Petros.

  Charlie lifted his head from his pillow.

  “Look after the house.”

  As if to say I always do he closed his eyes and gave a little yelp.

  Petros lifted the mail from the mat, shoved it into his jacket pocket, and slammed the door.

  With forty minutes to spare, Andreas and Bear climbed the steps of Marylebone registry office, located the room, and entered.

  “Take a seat, Bear, the man who does the business will want a few words.”

  Andreas checked the time and glanced around.

  Petros returned and ran up the steps.

  Andreas commented, ”If more guests arrive, it’s standing room only.”

  Petros swept his gaze along the rows of unknown faces. Jack, Zena and his brothers arrived and Phoebe, Andreas’ wife.

  Jack nudged his stepson. “I see Jocelyn’s boss has arrived.”

  Petros acknowledged Derek Fisher, Captain of HMS President and his team all dressed in their best uniforms with medals glistening, at the rear of the room.

  Andreas directed Bear’s army pals and their wives to seats near the front.

  When Amadou, along with his wife Durrah, ZZ and Scarlet strolled through the door, Petros almost fell over. “No one told me you were coming.”

  “Maria contacted me when we were in Sicily but asked me not to tell.”

  Petros turned to ZZ. “Nice to see you two back together.”

  “She couldn’t live without her man from the desert.”

  Scarlet, wearing a low cut dark green dress slit up to her thigh, nudged him in the ribs. “I thought I’d have a holiday in Libya and bumped into Amadou.” She lifted her left hand where a large diamond sparkled. “I intend to make an honest man out of ZZ.”

  “Talk later. Find some seats if you can.” Petros checked the time, motioned to the registrar and left the room.

  On the top of the stone steps at the entrance, he waited underneath the carved architrave with Derek Fisher.

  The approaching white Rolls Royce flashed its headlights and stopped.

  Petros descended the steps as Maria, matron of honour, wearing a sleeveless burgundy, full-length silk dress with straight skirt, exited the car. Jocelyn followed wearing the same style but in ivory with a long train over one arm. Her two bridesmaids, in yellow and white dresses jumped out and waited.

  The driver removed from the boot, one large bouquet of lily of the valley, three posies of yellow and burgundy carnations. When ready he gave Jocelyn a kiss on the cheek, wished her good luck and handed the flowers over.

  “Papa, I’m a big girl. I’m five and a quarter.”

  He chuckled. “Can you two promise me something?”

  Alysa and Lucy looked at each other and nodded.

  “When we are in the room full of people can you stop talking for ten minutes?”

  “Yes papa, mama has already told us.”

  Maria adjusted Jocelyn’s dress as they climbed the steps.

  At the top, Derek took Jocelyn’s right arm and they walked inside and waited until Petros gave them the nod and vanished.

  The doors opened and Jocelyn with Derek walked towards the table where the registrar waited. She nodded to those she knew and smiled at the others.

  The ceremony was short but delightful.

  When it came to the vows, Bear said in a clear and loud voice, “I, William Montgomery Morris, take Jocelyn Linda Scott to be my lawfully wedded wife.”

  Everyone giggled when Jocelyn stuttered with William Montgomery Morris.

  Petros contacted the cab company to be ready to pick up. “Maria, you and the girls are in the first cab. I’ll be in the last.”

  With the register, signed the bride and groom hurried out to the waiting Rolls Royce.

  As the bride’s car drew away from the kerb, six black cabs formed a line. Petros directed the guests, five or six to a cab. When one pulled away, another joined the queue until he jumped into the last one.

  The Savile club in Mayfair opened its doors as Bear and Jocelyn arrived.

  The event manager directed them to the old staircase where the photographer and twelve Royal Naval Reserve Officers, six either side, waited as the guard of honour.

  Bear and Jocelyn fixed the smiles on their faces as the photographer snapped away.

  “I’m starving,” said Bear. “If we don’t eat soon your new husband will fade away.”

  “Be quiet and smile,” whispered Jocelyn. “Remember you asked me, so this is your fault.”

  “You could have said no.”

  “Thank you,” said Rodney the photographer. “I’ll glide around during the meal and speeches, taking random shots for your album. As requested, I have positioned three cameras in the building filming the complete event.”

  “Do whatever you do,” said Bear. “I’m sure they’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t do okay. Every one of my pictures is a masterpiece of creation.”

  Jocelyn grabbed his arm. “Go and do what you do best. My husband is not favoured with an artistic disposition.”

  “I understand,” said Rodney. “At least I know who the better half is.”

  “Ready?” asked Petros.

  “For what?”

  Jocelyn nodded and grabbed Bear’s hand. “For you the best part of being married. Dinner is served.”

  Petros stood by the dining room door and announced Bear and Jocelyn.

  “Smells good,” said Bear as they paraded in.

  At the head of the table Bear waited for grace to finish before he seated Jocelyn. “Now that’s what I call a steak,” On the platter placed in front of him was the largest T bone steak he’d seen outside of a ranch in the USA.

  In between each of the four courses, the required speeches came and went, a decision made by Jocelyn.

  “Time you and your wife changed into your travelling clothes,” said Petros. “Here’s the key to my bedroom. Your cases are by the bed. You have thirty-five minutes.”

  Bear nodded, beaming.

  “You still haven’t told me where we’re going,” said Jocelyn.

  “We’re going to lie on a beach on the island of Montserrat. Drink the local plonk and watch the sunset over the Caribbean.”

  “And when the sun sets?”

  “Do you need to ask?”

  “Come on, we’d better change or we’ll miss our flight.”

  The envelopes in Petros’ jacket pocket dug through his silk shirt and into his chest. He glanced into the bar where the guests either drank or danced. One by one, he scanned the envelopes, the last, postmarked Malta. He sat in the nearest chair, ripped it open, and read James Eden’s account.

  “The bastards.”

  “Papa said a naughty word.”

  In front of him stood Alysa, Lucy and Maria. “Now I suppose she’ll be telling all her school friends your naughty word. I’m taking these two up to their room.”

  “Fair enough but read this first. My gold has been taxed? After expenses they’ve charged forty percent.”

  “But there’s millions of people out there who would love to earn what you pay in taxes.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not t
he point. They stole twenty million.”

  “Say goodnight to the girls. Oh, by the way, Lucy will be living with us until Bear and Jocelyn return from honeymoon and she attends her new school. ”

  “Whatever.”

  “Kiss the girls goodnight.”

  “Which school is Lucy attending?”

  “She’ll be a boarder at Woldingham.”

  Petros shrugged. He kissed Lucy on the cheek. “I don’t envy you, you’re sharing with Alysa.” He kissed Alysa. “No talking when the lights are out.”

  Alysa grabbed Lucy’s hand.

  Maria led them away passing Bear and Jocelyn descending the main stairs. She stopped. “Have a great time. See you when you get back. PK’s complaining because the tax man just stole twenty million.”

  Bear beamed. “Amazing. Where is he?”

  “In the dining room.”

  At the bottom of the stairs, Bear said to Jocelyn. “The laugh is, ten million belongs to me. Ah, here’s PK. Great party. Pity we have to miss it.”

  “I’m glad you’re married and on your way.”

  “I hear we lost twenty mill to the revenue.”

  “Still have thirty-two. Sixteen apiece.”

  “I bowed out remember.”

  “Not entirely. You did save my wife from being murdered and you’re a fifty percent partner in the company.”

  “True.” He glanced at his watch. “Our carriage awaits. See you when we get back.”

  Petros watched them disappear via a side door.

  Maria returned, stood next to him and said, “Time we had a dance.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  As they danced, his eyes scanned the room. With full glasses the babbling groups of two, three and four, meandered around. “You did a great job.”

  She lifted her head. “Combined effort. You didn’t do so bad yourself but you need to have a word with your mama and papa before they leave.”

  “We can chat at breakfast.”

  “True.”

  The dance music increased in tempo. Couples danced and congregated around Petros and Maria.

  “Great party,” said one.

  “Splendid venue,” said another.

  Andreas danced with Phoebe and winked when they circled by.

  “He was rather the worse for wear the other night. Bear virtually carried him and put him to bed.”

  Maria went to say something as an almighty crash reverberated across the room. Two figures could be seen attempting to lift each other up.

  “Zack and Brian appear to be rat-arsed. Better go and sort them out.” Petros strolled across the floor, grabbed their collars and hauled them to their feet. “What happened?”

  Brian leant on Petros’ shoulder. “Time to go home, PK. Sorry about the mess.”

  James appeared. “There ends the free booze lesson. Brian, Zack, we’re out of here before you do more damage.”

  The three men nodded to the guests surrounding them and headed for the exit. Petros caught up with them. “Thanks for coming. Bear appreciated it.”

  “Send us the bill for the damage, PK,” slurred Zack.

  He watched them negotiate the steps as James flagged a taxi.

  The music started with a Status Quo number. The floor filled with dancers many with air guitars.

  Midnight approached, the bar closed and the last dance of the evening played.

  Petros and Maria stood at the entrance until the last couple departed. Jack, Zena and his brothers along with their families had gone to their rooms earlier. Amadou and Durrah sat with ZZ and Scarlet, chatted and sipped their drinks in a far corner.

  Phoebe waved as she helped Andreas up the stairs.

  Petros gazed at the bar and dance floor. It appeared a shambles at the end of a wonderful day but he was aware the dining room was clean and ready for breakfast.

  ***

  Showered, Maria and Petros entered the dining room together.

  “From what I can see we’re the last to arrive. Even Lucy and Alysa are eating,” said Maria.

  As they joined the two girls Alysa raised her head. “Lucy dressed me.”

  Petros kissed both girls and sat next to Lucy.

  “I’ll get fruit juice and toast for two,” said Maria.

  “More toast,” said Alysa.

  “Coming right up, madam.”

  Amadou wandered across and stopped by Petros. “Great night. Thanks for the bonus. Can we have a chat?”

  “No problem. I’ll meet you in the bar in, let’s say thirty minutes.”

  “He placed his hand on Petros’ shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “Thirty minutes.”

  Maria gave him a strange look.

  “He’s one of the good guys, brave and down-to-earth. Without his help Libya might have been rather difficult.”

  “He has a beautiful wife. American from her accent.”

  “Worships the ground she walks on.”

  Petros refilled his glass with fresh orange juice and wandered around the dining room saying good morning to his family and the others who stayed the night.

  Returning to his table he said, “I need to chat with Amadou and after we can go home.”

  “I’ll take the girls and get packed but you collect our cases.”

  He chuckled. “Take note, girls, mama’s the boss.” He wandered towards the bar that looked soulless without people.

  Amadou and ZZ waited in the sumptuous red leather armchairs. “Right on time,” said Amadou.

  “One of my plus points,” said Petros. “Okay, what do you want to discuss?”

  Amadou churched his fingers. “I’ve been approached by a Syrian refugee who informs me a fortune in gold coins and diamonds are hidden in a vault under his shop in Aleppo.”

  “No way. In Syria you’re up shit creek, with no paddles and your canoe’s sinking. It’s gun law, back to the wild west with no sheriff to shoot the bad guy. Out of interest, who is the bad guy? There are so many different factions fighting each other. The vault is more than likely under a ton of rubble. Being sarcastic, operating a JCB in those conditions might interest others. If either side catches you, you’ll be shot. The last news item I heard stated the government troops were demolishing the city with barrel bombs. My best guesstimate is wait until it calms down.”

  “I understand,” said Amadou, “But I know the risks.”

  Petros laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re going ahead with this?”

  “It’s a challenge,” said Amadou. It’s dangerous and there’re no easy options.”

  “You need someone who knows the city.”

  Amadou raised his bushy eyebrows. “The truth is I, we, don’t know enough to start planning a collection. You’re right, PK, but I might go in and have a scout around when I have business in the area. To be fair if we can’t get out in one piece, I’ll give it a miss.”

  “Let me know how you get on?” said Petros.

  Maria entered the bar with Durrah and Scarlet. “Told you, and they say women talk. If we stay much longer we’ll be charged another day for our room.”

  The men laughed, stood and gave Petros a hug

  “I’ll get the cases,” said Petros.

  “They’re at the entrance,” said Maria. “A member of staff brought collected them.”

  “I’ll get the car, five minutes.” He returned, loaded the cases in the boot and made sure Alysa and Lucy were correctly strapped in.

  As soon as Maria fastened her seat belt, the rain started.

  “Papa, play songs,” said Alysa.

  He pressed the play button. Maria and Alysa started to sing. Lucy remained hesitant until the second time of playing.

  “Damn, I’ve taken the wrong turn,” muttered Petros.

  “Slow down, if you take the next left it takes you home.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “When we first moved, I took the wrong turn off a few times,” said Maria above the noise of the rain and two girls singing.

  The road
appeared empty. In these conditions, no one was out driving.

  “The rain’s heavier than when we left London,” said Petros as Maria wiped the windscreen with a chamois.

  “You should have used my car.”

  He glanced at her, concentrated on the road, and drove on. At the base of a hill, fast flowing water streamed across the road. Petros drove through; muddy water plastered the windscreen and ran down the windows. Then he saw an animal in the centre of the road. “Shit,” he shouted as his foot hit the brake pedal.

  The car slid as if on ice. Petros pumped the brake pedal as he attempted to correct its erratic course. The huge bull eyed the car, raised its head and bellowed. Out of control, the vehicle bounced off its haunches, slithered sideways across the road, and destroyed a hedge. Screams filled the car as it rolled onto its roof. For what seemed an age the vehicle slid like a toboggan, descending the steep field, stopping when it struck the trunk of a pine tree.

  On its roof, steam spiralled from the engine compartment. The drumming of rain on the underside drowned any other sound.

  Petros opened his eyes and instinct warned him time was his enemy. His voice shook as he stared up the slope. He turned his head. Maria, held by her seat belt, had her eyes closed. “Speak to me, girls.”

  “Papa hit a cow,” said Alysa.

  “I’m upside down,” said Lucy.

  “My head hurts,” said Maria.

  Petros pressed against his door, it remained solid. He released his seat belt and twisted his body until he could place his feet on the crazed windscreen. Drawing his knees up to his chest, he kicked out. The screen shattered into a thousand pieces. “Maria, you crawl out and I’ll help the girls. Ready?” He released her belt and lowered her to the roof.

  She crawled through the gap and stood, wary of broken bones. Her legs ached but supported her. Back on her knees, she peered into the car. “Ready when you are.”

  He supported Alysa and released her belt. “Crawl towards the window and mama will help you.” He waited until she was clear.

  Lucy followed.

  He grabbed Maria’s handbag and crawled out.

  As they stood on the sloping ground, the wind and driving rain stung their faces.

  With care, Petros checked the girls for broken bones and cuts. “The seat belts saved us but there’ll be a few nasty bruises tomorrow. He glanced at Maria and then up the slope. “We walk up there and into the village. I’ll come back for our cases later.”