Trafficking (Powell Book 1)

by Bill Ward

  “Dimitry will hurt your family if you don’t come back,” Stefan warned. “You don’t want him fucking your little sister.”

  “And if I do come back you will hurt me. Anyway, my family has moved. You won’t find them.”

  “Afina, you are making more trouble for yourself. You were making good money with me…”

  “And so were you,” Afina interrupted sharply. “I am not coming back. Just forget about me.” She pressed the end call button.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Stefan turned to Mara and handed back her phone.

  “Afina says she is not coming back. I need to find her and I need to find Victor. Dimitry will be here in a couple of days and you know how close he is to Victor.”

  “What did Afina say happened to Victor?”

  “She says she ran away from him and doesn’t know where he is but I don’t believe her.”

  “Perhaps he has had an accident and is in hospital? Afina is good at running away so she is probably telling the truth.”

  “Maybe but I need to ask her in person before I know for certain.”

  “You mean you want to hurt her. Afina is a nice girl, just leave her alone. You have plenty more girls.”

  “Mara, where is she?”

  “I told you, I don’t know,” Mara retorted angrily. “I went to the bar last night but she never appeared. She’s probably in hiding if she’s got any sense and I hope you never find her.”

  “The first part of my call with Afina was interesting. She thought I was you and said something about you calling to tell her how you fucked her friends. Which friends was she referring to?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps she meant Danny?”

  “That’s what she said but she wouldn’t call Danny a friend. He was a customer not a friend. I’m thinking you did see Afina in the bar and she was with some friends. I know you like girls so perhaps you went home with them? I don’t know what happened but something in your version of events isn’t right. So how about you tell me the truth, otherwise it will be Dimitry asking the questions.”

  “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not one of your stupid girls, I’m your cousin. Fuck you and fuck Dimitry.” Mara turned and stormed out of Stefan’s apartment.

  Afina was relieved when Powell returned. She felt more secure when he was close to hand. She had been shocked when he took the gun from his safe and confidently dealt with Victor but when he explained he used to work for the government she was very happy. This was a man who was not afraid of Victor or Dimitry or anyone else she suspected.

  She immediately told Powell about her call from Stefan and the fact Mara knew where she was staying. He was concerned about Mara because even if she would not volunteer information to Stefan, it would be a completely different matter if Dimitry started applying painful pressure.

  “You like Mara?” Powell asked.

  “Yes and although I am not one hundred per cent sure I can trust her, I am worried I have caused her trouble with Stefan. It was stupid of me how I answered my phone.”

  “Dimitry is coming to England the day after tomorrow and will be in Brighton. He is going to be looking for Victor. If he suspects Mara knows something, I am sure he will get it out of her.”

  “But she is Stefan’s cousin.”

  “I don’t think that will matter. Look are you sure Mara doesn’t know your family are here or that I own this place.”

  “I am sure.”

  “So the most she can do is point him here because she thinks you work here.”

  “Can’t the police arrest him as soon as he arrives?”

  “Possibly but I don’t know for sure how he plans to get here. I offered to collect him from the airport but he said it wasn’t necessary. Maybe he’s not flying. I’ve arranged to spend Wednesday with him so that was when I was going to arrange for him to be arrested.”

  “What should we do?”

  “For a start I think you need to stay out of sight until Wednesday. I’m going to talk to a friend about the welcoming arrangements for Dimitry.”

  “Once Dimitry is arrested, can we try and find Lia?”

  “Once Dimitry is in custody the police will close down Stefan’s business and try to track the girls like Lia.”

  “What are the chances of finding her?”

  “Average at best but don’t give up, I’ll see what I can do as well.”

  “Thanks, Powell, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  Dinner had been excellent. They had all chosen from the menu and the food had been delivered upstairs to the apartment. Powell had announced he was going to be sleeping in the bar for the next forty eight hours as he didn’t want to leave Afina and her family by themselves. Mama and Adriana went to bed early leaving Afina and Powell sitting next to each other on the sofa in the living room. They were sharing a bottle of wine and Afina had been telling Powell about her childhood.

  Emboldened by the wine, Afina decided to ask something that she had been wondering about for some time, “What happened to Bella’s mother?”

  Powell didn’t rush to answer. Afina could see the sadness in his eyes as he remembered the past and begun to wish she hadn’t asked.

  “She was killed by terrorists when Bella was just a baby,” Powell finally answered.

  “I’m so sorry, I had no idea.”

  “Life has a way of dealing us unexpected blows. You know that yourself.”

  “I guess I do. One month ago I was living a very quiet, normal life in Bucharest.”

  Afina was thoughtful for a minute as she sipped her wine. She turned to Powell and kissed him on the lips, gently and then probing with her tongue. He responded but not overly passionately.

  “Don’t you want to kiss me?” she asked after a minute. “Is it because of what I did, selling my body?”

  “Of course not. I find you incredibly attractive but you’re very vulnerable… and young.”

  “This isn’t me working. I want you and I don’t give a damn about the age difference.” She leaned in and kissed him again. This time he responded more passionately. “That’s better,” she smiled.

  “I’m afraid you’re doing this for the wrong reasons. You don’t owe me anything.”

  “Actually, I owe you everything but that isn’t why I want to sleep with you. I like you and I like your body.”

  “I’ll tell you what,” Powell said. “If you still want me after we’ve dealt with Dimitry, then you won’t have to ask twice.” He kissed her passionately on the lips for a final time. “I’m going to bed,” he announced.

  As Powell walked off to sleep alone he was impressed with his restraint. He really did find Afina very attractive and he felt a definite connection but he was worried it was brought on by his loss of Bella. He was sure they both needed some time to pass so they could see if their feelings were real or just the result of recent events.

  In his office, which was also going to be where he slept for the next couple of nights, he decided it was time to call Brian Cooper. He didn’t yet exactly need the cavalry but he did need some help. He couldn’t be in a dozen places all at once.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Mara thought about it all morning and finally decided to send Afina a text message warning her Dimitry would be returning to Brighton the next day. Then she hurriedly deleted all trace of the text. Stefan had avoided her since their argument the previous afternoon but she knew she needed to be cautious.

  She had enjoyed having sex with Becky and Emma but it was Afina she had really wanted to spend the night with. There was just something indefinable about Afina that she couldn’t resist. Now Mara was wishing she didn’t know where Afina was staying. She wouldn’t ever tell Stefan but he wouldn’t dare hurt her. Dimitry was a completely different proposition, especially as he was desperate to find Victor.

  Mara wondered if she should do the same as Afina and simply run away but that wasn’t really practical as she couldn’t avoid Stefan and her family forever. It would also mak
e her appear guilty and so she decided she would keep to her story, deny any knowledge of where Afina was living and wait for things to go back to normal. Hopefully Stefan would stop Dimitry getting out of order if the need arose.

  Mara had to spend the evening working as there were already three bookings and there would also be a number of others who would call at the last minute so for a Monday it looked like being busy. She was getting fed up of sucking and fucking random strangers. She’d done two years and had enough money put away to soon go back home and buy her own apartment. If she gave up working maybe she would have a chance with Afina, though she was going to take some convincing. Mara thought Afina had some bisexual tendencies but she certainly wasn’t a full blown lesbian.

  The doorbell rang announcing her first appointment and she went to answer. She was surprised and pleased when she found Danny standing on the doorstep.

  “Hello Danny, Stefan didn’t tell me it was you coming.”

  “It’s good to see you again, Mara.”

  She led the way to her bedroom. “So how long do you want to stay? I’m afraid Afina isn’t here so we can’t have a threesum. Then again you probably know Afina isn’t here and that’s the only reason you’re seeing me,” she said teasing.

  “Actually I came just to see you, Mara.” He passed over one hundred pounds.

  Mara counted the money and smiled. “An hour, sure you are up to it?”

  She left the room for a minute but was quickly back again. She was obviously surprised he had made no attempt to start getting undressed. “Still fully clothed?”

  “There’s no hurry. Stefan tells me you are his cousin.”

  “And he tells me you are his new business partner.”

  “That’s true. So tell me, where’s Afina?”

  “No idea so tell Stefan the answer is the same whether he asks or you ask for him!”

  “Actually, I’m asking purely for myself. I’m glad to hear you haven’t told Stefan where she is because I get the impression she’s in trouble and I don’t want her to come to any harm as I really like her.”

  “Sorry, I thought Stefan was using you to find out where she is, not that I know where she is anyway.”

  Powell decided to risk everything, “I know you know where to find Afina. What worries me is that you might be persuaded to tell Stefan or Dimitry.”

  “And why do you think I know where to find Afina?”

  “Because the night before last you were with Afina, Becky and Emma drinking in a bar in Hove.”

  Mara looked shocked, “How do you know that?”

  “Because she told me. Just like she told me Stefan called her yesterday on your phone.”

  “I don’t understand. Why haven’t you told Stefan?”

  “I wish to protect Afina. She also wants me to protect you. She felt she put you in danger the way she answered your phone call yesterday.”

  “She didn’t know it was Stefan calling.”

  “She is still feeling bad. She is desperate to ensure you come to no harm.”

  Mara couldn’t help but smile. It was good to hear that Afina was so concerned for her safety but she was confused by Danny. “Why is Afina so important to you?” she asked.

  “My reasons for protecting Afina are personal.” He didn’t plan to share more than he had to with Mara.

  “Is she going to be working for you?”

  “Not in the sense you mean. Anyway, I actually did have a purpose for coming here and it isn’t to have sex with you.”

  “So why did you come?”

  Powell took two miniature but powerful transmitters from inside his coat pocket. Each looked like and was the size of a cigarette lighter with a range of about three hundred metres. They had been a gift from Brian Cooper. “If we put one of these in your room and another in Stefan’s living room, then I will be able to hear what is happening and help will come running if necessary.”

  Powell glanced around the room before placing the transmitter behind a picture on the mantelpiece. “I’m going to see Stefan shortly and I’ll place this second one somewhere in his living room.”

  “Who are you, Danny?”

  “A friend, Mara.”

  “You are not really going into business with Stefan, are you?”

  “My organisation is happy to work with Stefan but I have a particular interest in Dimitry. It is a personal matter.”

  “Like with Afina?”

  “Yes, like with Afina.”

  “Stefan is my cousin. He can be a shit sometimes but I wouldn’t want him to get hurt.”

  Powell knew he had to tread carefully. “Stefan is my new business partner,” he assured Mara. “With Victor and Dimitry out of the way, I believe Stefan and I can have a more fruitful partnership in the future.”

  “So you have killed Victor,” Mara exclaimed. “And you plan to kill Dimitry?”

  “I’ve told you too much already. I will help you if you promise not to tell Dimitry how to find Afina.”

  “I have no love for Victor or Dimitry. They can both rot in hell but Afina is a different matter. I really like Afina.”

  “And she likes you. So I will go see Stefan now and tell him we had great sex. Once Dimitry is out of the way, Afina will be able to see you again.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  Powell had rented a small but clean hotel room on Regency Square, just a short walk from Stefan’s building and well within the range of the transmitter. He had moved Afina and her family out of the bar and into his house. After seeing Mara, he had been able to plant the second transmitter in Stefan’s living room and in the first few hours he had heard nothing of great interest, though there had been the sounds of Mara having sex with various men, which had made him smile at first and then feel decidedly uncomfortable.

  It did occur to Powell that if men didn’t pay for sex then girls like Afina wouldn’t end up being trafficked. It was all a case of supply and demand but realistically there would always be the demand. What he didn’t understand was why the police weren’t doing more to stop the trade. He had quite quickly found and infiltrated Stefan’s business. No doubt the police would claim they were undermanned and underfunded but surely the misery caused by trafficking girls should place the crime very high on the list for focus and resources.

  Sitting alone with time to spare was something Powell normally tried to avoid. His thoughts would inevitably turn to what might have been. He was continually haunted by the events of the past but now there was a more recent past trying to invade his mind with doubts and blame. He wasn’t a religious man but often prayed for forgiveness. Exactly who he was praying to he wasn’t sure.

  It was now almost midnight and Dimitry was due to arrive the next day. Powell needed to sleep to be sharp for the next couple of days. Normally, he worked out at least every other day but had attended only two kickboxing classes in ten days. He had heard Stefan leave the room at about eight and return about eleven, after which everything went quiet in his room and Powell assumed he had gone to bed. Powell set his alarm for six and turned down the receiver so he could sleep without listening to any more grunts and groans coming from Mara’s room.

  When Powell awoke, he turned up the receiver but there was only silence at the other end, so he grabbed a quick shower and turned on the kettle provided to make some tea. He was reminded of many hours in the past spent on stakeouts but in those days he nearly always had a partner for company, which made getting something to eat a great deal easier.

  As the hours dragged by, Powell realised neither Stefan or Mara were early risers. It was eleven when reception phoned to let him know Brian Cooper was on the way up to his room.

  “Just like the old days,” Brian said, as he entered the room laden with sandwiches and coffees. “This is Marius,” he said, indicating the man who had followed him into the room.

  “Good to see you, Brian, I’m starving.”

  Powell shook Marius’s hand. “Nice to meet you Marius. I assume you’re our translator?”


  Marius was skinny and young, probably in his late twenties and wearing an ill-fitting brown suit. “Pleased to meet you,” he replied. He spoke good English with only a little accent.

  “I’m not sure exactly how much we might need you so I hope you’ve brought something to read.”

  “I have my kindle, thank you.”

  Brian put the food and coffees down on the table. “So what’s happening?” he asked.

  “Nothing much. Stefan is up and about but Mara hasn’t stirred.”

  “And it was Mara you were telling me is in danger because she knows Afina is at your bar?”

  Powell was quickly devouring the ham and cheese sandwich, and just nodded with a full mouth. He removed the plastic lid from the coffee and washed down the food. “I’ve moved Afina and her family to my place so they should be safe for the time being.”

  “Afina’s family?”

  “It’s a long story but I had to get Afina’s mother and sister out of Romania, as their lives were in danger and there really wasn’t anywhere else for them to go.”

  “Well you’ve certainly been busy. I am a bit worried we have Dimitry in the house and don’t arrest him immediately. A feeling shared by the local police.”

  “He is going to be just with me tomorrow and it will be easier to arrest him. If the police go in mob handed today, he won’t surrender and more officers could be killed. I don’t want that to happen and I don’t want Mara or Stefan hurt either. We need to find out from Stefan where the other girls have been trafficked and who else is involved. That won’t happen if he gets killed in a shootout.

  Powell noticed Marius had stopped reading and was giving them his full attention. What he was hearing had probably come as something of a shock.

  “I understand where you’re coming from but we need to get this right,” Brian warned. “Still, I haven’t had as much fun in years, beats the hell out of training!”

  Powell had been surprised his friend ended up behind a desk and wondered just how much he was to blame for that or perhaps he should be saying how much credit should he take. He may have saved his friend’s life by his own misfortunes at least partly leading to Brian deciding to take a safe job.