by Alan Wade
“That seems feasible, I’ll drink to that,” Alan waved to a waiter who seeing him wave approached their table and in perfect English asked for their order.
“Do you have any champagne?”
“We have Freixenet Sir, but not champagne.”
“That’ll do then, and two more teas please, he turned to his colleagues and asked, “do you gentlemen want anything to eat?”
They both declined and Shan watched the waiter retreat to the bar before he enquired, “I know I’m not a technical man, I just wonder if one cylinder per 50 tons will give you the coverage you need.”
Alan looked around to confirm he would not be overheard then responded, “It won’t give a lot of cover in any one area, it will be totally random, which is the beauty of the plot and with people dying all over the country panic will set in. Even if they get to know why they are dying they may still not know how they came in contact with the anthrax and that is why it may continue until our ultimate goal is met; which is the massive use of perhaps thousands of tons of LOLTS products in one single event.”
He then toasted his companions with Freixenet and turned to the banker. “you mentioned that we have access to other containers should we need them, how will we be able to gain access? Who do we ask?”
“Me initially,” whispered Shan, “I will need to make some enquiries and within days the location of further containers will be supplied and moved to where you want them; once it has been agreed on their purpose.”
Onar turned to Shan and asserted, “I may need one more container for this operation but after it is completed I was hoping to take my money and the second identity and leave Turkey.”
“There is no reason why you cannot do that but I may wish you to do other things, especially in the United States. Because as you know, the people who funded this operation see the US as the ultimate goal,” whispered Shan.
“What about you Alan, what will you do after August?” asked Onar.
“Wait and see the outcome of our plans, get myself inoculated and watch.”
“That seems macabre.”
“I won’t be waiting for dead bodies to fall, because as you know my battle is not with the people, it’s against the government and its bloody smug civil service. I want to watch those institutions crumble.”
Shan nodded and smiled but Alan noticed a certain menace in his face and began to reassess the man he called his friend, “He could always get money, but he could also get people, contacts, access it seemed to anybody and now WMD,” he thought.
“Alan, Alan,” Shan was looking intently at him. “Whatever the outcome of this operation I have some people who wish to meet you at the end of this year. They are already aware of what you are doing and think you may bring to them certain Western expertise and ways of thinking which will greatly help their cause.”
He nodded acceptance and replied, “You know I hate meetings, they are the one thing that may help give us away.”
“I know and therefore you will decide how, when and where, but it must happen.”
His emphasis on must left Alan in no doubt he was now in this for life and he knew he would have to reassess his choices, if any, of what to do.
It was now 1.30 pm and Alan found himself fighting his way through the crowds of people shopping on Socratous Street. The meeting had been successful and would be the last for the three. Production of both clean and WMD product had been agreed. All the financial requirements would be met by Shan and Onar would disappear into his new identity later in the year.
However his thoughts turned uneasily to Shan and the comments made by him. For the first time he had the feeling he was not the leader of the group and that Shan was not just a friend but an extremely powerful, politically motivated, unscrupulous Muslim. They had agreed to meet again on September the 1st at York Races by which time everything either would or would not be in place.
He passed back through the Mariners Gate set in the wall between two round castellated towers and set off back to board the Costa Victoria which looked magnificent in the distance, easily towering over all the other vessels and surrounding buildings. He would go directly to his cabin for a sleep and concentrate the rest of the short cruise on another ambition. Tomorrow the ship would enter the port of Dubrovnik and then sail back to Venice for Saturday morning, giving him only two more nights with Jacky.
16.30, Port of Rhodes.
Major Rock’s flight to Rhodes had been uneventful; he was met at the airport and driven to the port to board the Costa Victoria. Clearance had been gained to board the ship and Steve was now in a meeting with Captain Vernon and his chief security officer Ifan Berlio.
Ifan had the records of Alan and Jacky’s booking, their cabin number and their shore excursions. It seemed that they were a quiet couple, who had caused no problems and had acted as any couple might on a cruise, disembarking the ship together at each destination and arriving back in plenty of time for embarkation. Ifan gave Steve a print out of the dates, destinations and times when they had left the ship to tour each port of call, along with the times of their return. It seemed they had left together and returned together on all occasions but one. The one exception being Rhodes, where they had left the ship together at 10.40 but returned at different times.
“May I have these printouts, gentlemen?
“Of course you can,” said the Captain, “do you think they will help?”
“I don’t know, but perhaps I can use them to help when interviewing the couple.”
“You don’t want to interview them on this ship do you?” enquired the Captain.
“No, of course not, that will wait until my return to England. Then it may help to know that in Rhodes they returned to the ship at different times.”
Ifan interrupted, “many couples and families do that, Major, they disembark together but return separately, I don’t think it will tell you very much.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but they don’t know I know do they, so it may just help to put some pressure on Jacky at least.”
“I need you to realise that this is a holiday cruise and all our guests are to be treated with the utmost respect and given the best service we can offer,” said the Captain, “so I do not want any disturbances on ship or even ashore between these two guests and you.”
“I will make no contact with them at all on the ship; however I do ask that with Ifan we search their cabin, and that I am able to follow them on and off ship, obviously without contact.”
“I do not even like you searching their cabin sir.”
“Captain, it is of the utmost importance we gain all the knowledge we can about these two people. I do understand your dilemma but these two may be amongst the worst terrorists we know and therefore I need to act and I need your co-operation.”
The Captain begrudgingly accepted the cabin search and it was decided it would be done while Alan and Jacky were at dinner that evening.
At 6.45 pm Alan sat on the balcony of his cabin drinking G & T, another full glass of which still lay on the table, as yet untouched by Jacky.
“What the hell do women get up to in the bathroom, he thought, “she’s been in there for nearly an hour, surely you could paint every toe nail, finger nail and the bloody porthole in that time. But there are legs to shave and make up to apply; oh leave the poor woman alone can’t you, at least she’s trying and it just may be for you,” he curtailed his thoughts, took another swig of his G & T and concluded, “so you’d better try to stay sober tonight to at least give your old man a chance should the need arise.”
He heard the bathroom door open and saw her approach. She opened the cabin door onto the balcony and looked ravishing, wearing the minimum of make up but to good effect, with an off the shoulder white dress which accentuated her sun tan. She gave him a twirl and the dress, cut slightly above the knee, ballooned out.
“Bloody good
legs,” he thought.
“Can you see through my dress? I need to know because I don’t want people to see my underwear.”
“No, but why be concerned about that tonight?” He smiled.
“Because I’m wearing stockings and a teddy and it’s a long time since I’ve dressed like this.”
His hand stretched out to touch her thigh and found the bump of the suspender which held her stockings, “Wow, maybe it’s my lucky night!”
She pulled away and sat down, “How do you know all this is for you, cheeky sod?”
“Sorry love, I might have guessed, it’s the captain’s party tonight and you do like a man in uniform don’t you?”
“And out of one,” she laughed.
He finished his G & T then turned to her and said, “Let’s go down to dinner, it’s well past seven.”
“Can we book a table in the private restaurant tonight, just for a change, it’s so romantic and we can dance between courses.”
“Wow, I never know where you’re coming from, are you making a play for me?”
“Alan, one of your biggest problems is subtlety, if I am making a play for you, you don’t have to throw it back in my face. Just get on with it and see what happens, give the lady her chance at some dignity, do you understand thicko?” she growled.
“Sorry love, maybe I spent too long in the army.”
They both ate spaghetti carbonara washed down with Veuve Cliquot, non vintage. She followed with chicken stuffed with spaghetti, he with hake in a white wine sauce. The piano music was slow and romantic which made Jacky want to dance and as they glided across the floor he thought, “This is the first time I’ve actually held her since Turkey.”
The meat course was declined and they finished their meal with fresh fruit and a little cheese. The second bottle of Veuve Cliquot was opened but after one glass, they decided to take the rest back to their cabin.
“Just put on the side lights and some music,” she asked as she stood on the cabin balcony looking out to sea.
“Do you want another glass of champagne?”
“Not just yet love.”
She turned to look at him and took hold of both his hands. “You’ve been very nice to me on this holiday, never too pushy, attentive and patient. I like that in a man and I wondered if there was anything in me that you would like?” she pulled herself into his arms and put a finger across his mouth, “Remember, don’t make the smart remark, use your mouth for other things.”
He gently kissed her neck and more firmly her lips. His hands pulled her body close to his, their mouths opened and tongues flicked into and out of their mouths. He found the zip on the back of her dress and surprised himself with how agile his hands were in opening it to her buttocks. His hands gently caressed the straps from her shoulders and, still kissing her he slipped the dress from her body onto the floor.
He moved his mouth from hers to kiss her neck and shoulders and looked across at the ceiling to floor mirror the wardrobe doors offered and sighed, “Oh my god, you’re gorgeous.”
Her straight slim legs were covered in nylons to half way up her thighs, they were held in place by white silk suspenders hanging from a pure white silk teddy. Her bottom was so small, her waist incredibly thin and her back arched in, then out to her slim shoulders.
“Gorgeous love, absolutely gorgeous,” he whispered as he opened the top three buttons of her teddy to expose her breasts. Their mouths met again as his hands caressed her firm small breasts, moving his fingers in circles and then lifting them to stroke her nipples, which firmed to his touch.
Her hands were running up and down his back feeling the strength of muscle in his neck and pulling her body to his, she could feel his erect penis wanting to escape its captive clothing. His hands were on her buttocks and at the top of her thighs between her stockings and the teddy. He picked her up and laid her gently on the bed, smiling down at her as he opened the four buttons that restrained the bottom of her teddy. His right hand went back to her breasts as his left caressed her crotch and found her vagina.
“I’d like to lick you down there,” he whispered and slid his body down the bed as she closed her eyes and moaned acceptance.
“Turn around and lick me this way.”
He turned his body until he felt her hands running up and down his erection. Her hands found his zip and gently eased out his penis and he grunted as her hands squeezed him firmly.
Now the talking stopped as his tongue flicked across her clitoris and entered her vagina to lick inside her. She tried to concentrate on sucking his penis but found she was pushing her vagina and buttocks more and more into his face. She pulled her mouth away and gasped. “I’m going to come soon, oh god don’t stop now, don’t ever stop this. I’m there, I’m there!” She sat up slightly and placed both her hands on his head trying to force more and more of his mouth and tongue into her, then moments later fell back. “Oh stop now, please stop, just for a minute.”
He pulled himself away and lay on his back, looking at his erect penis.
She sat up on the bed, smiled at him and took hold of the base of his penis which she straddled and slowly lowered herself onto. “Oh that’s good, that’s good,” he moaned.
She rolled back and forth on her knees and heels and he watched her breasts wobble with each motion then looked down to see his penis appear and disappear deep into her body.
“Tell me when you’re nearly there.”
“Now, I’m nearly there now,” he moaned.
She pulled her body off his penis, took hold of it in her right hand and lowering her head down took him in her mouth.
“Oh that’s good, that’s bloody marvellous,” he gasped.
.She lifted her head off his penis then scrambled up the bed to lie with him and cooed, “was that OK for you sir?”
“Bloody gorgeous,” he said as he grabbed her and kissed her then laid back and looked at her while caressing her shoulders and right breast, “not many girls will do that love.”
“If the moment’s right then it’s right to do it,” she sighed and snuggled closer to him.
They lay there together for some time saying very little, just happy to be in each others company, but eventually decided to take a stroll down to the wine bar for one last drink before retiring.
They made love again the following morning, not one of those quick shags that so many men want first thing, but a slow, measured and mutually satisfying experience. Afterward she sat up in bed drinking coffee and asked, “What do you actually do for a living; because money seems no object to you, but how do you earn it?”
“I do nothing special you nosey lady,” he responded and moved his arm around her back to caress her right breast.
“I’m not being nosey, I just want to know if we have anything in common I suppose; I mean apart from me serving you in the Brown Cow and serving you here,” she teased as she squeezed his limp penis, “I don’t know where we’re going.”
“We’re going to Dubrovnik love, but if you don’t stop squeezing me down there you’ll see nothing but the ceiling and four cabin walls.”
“No, I’m serious,” she retorted. “I mean do we have anything together or are we just using each other?”
“I don’t know love, I don’t know, maybe it’s just nice to be used sometimes.”
“Well maybe we could use each other more often,” she responded, “for no other devious reason than we get on and like each other’s company.”
“At this precise moment in time that sounds good to me and I certainly don’t want you being driven back to the airport by some Croat you meet in a bar in Dubrovnik.”
She jumped out of bed and angrily turned to him pointing her finger, her face snarling, “You bloody well abandoned me in Turkey, what the hell did you want me to do, stay in my room all day and await your bloody pleasure, should you deem it right to
bloody well turn up once in a while?”
“God you look gorgeous when you’re angry!”
She stared at him, her breathing still coming in short deep gasps, raising and lowering her breasts.
“Our first argument, it must mean we’re getting to like each other!” he blurted.
“Like each other! How the hell can I like you when you keep insinuating that I’m a bloody tart who’ll get laid by any guy I meet in a bar? I’ve worked for years in the damned Brown Cow and half the male population of Stockport have tried to get into my knickers some time or other, usually when they’re half pissed and “wifey” at home doesn’t understand them. But you’re still the only one with any success from that side of the bar,” she exploded.
“OK, OK love I apologise, I was out of line. I suppose I was jealous of that Turkish guy, he seemed to get all the fun and I got all the bills.”
“Well, you didn’t exactly go to Turkey to be with me did you?”
“No I didn’t and I’m sorry, you probably think I used you.”
She sat on the bed, seemed to calm down and then began to cry softly, “I haven’t been with another man since then and you’re the only one I’ve been with from the Brown Cow, the only one. I’m not a tart but I’m not a nun either.”
He smiled at her, stroked a tear from her cheek, then pulled her body into his.
“Maybe we should begin to use each other more often love, by the way, the last time I made love was to you in Turkey.”
She snuggled into him and looked up into his face. “My, my, aren’t you a slowy. I thought you were doing it with that woman who gives you the come on in the Brown Cow.”
“Not on your life, with women like that you wonder who she was giving it to the night before in the car park; I don’t like that sort of woman.”
“Well, well, then maybe we can keep this going when we return to England.”
“Let’s wait and see, eh?”
She pulled away again and bent down looking for her knickers.
“God you’re beautiful, you have the perfect arse and diamond shape at the top of your thighs.”