Sam Harris Adventure Box Set

by P J Skinner

  ‘That must have been terrible.’

  ‘Not so much. I was young and for me the whole thing was an adventure. I didn’t understand what was going on until the day when both my parents vanished. They must have been picked up by the Gestapo. The people who lived in our house were risking their lives to save us. The rationing was ferocious, and we were eating from their share. We were starving by degrees. Then one day the wall concealing us was torn down, and we were dragged out to the street over the bodies of the people who had hidden us. It was April 1943. People hissed and spat at us as the Germans took us through the streets to the railway station.’

  ‘How old were you?’

  ‘Nine years old, and my sister was fifteen.’

  ‘Christ wept. You must’ve been terrified.’

  ‘Yes, I think it was then that it became real. People were taken away all the time, but we did not know where, only that they were never seen again. The same as my parents.’

  Saul drained his glass and asked for a refill. He seemed to gather himself.

  ‘Anyway, they put us all into a freight car with about fifty or sixty other people and one bucket in the middle of the floor. It was frightening, but we managed to get to the corner where it was safer and received some air from the crack in the door. The freight car contained some desperate people and there were whispers about a place called Auschwitz. A man told us that this was the twentieth convoy of Jews to be taken to the camp. The train moved off after standing for a couple of hours in the station heading for Poland. It crawled along the track. There was no food or water and almost no air. People were fainting.

  During the night, three members of the Belgian Resistance stopped the train using a red light made from a lantern covered in tissue paper. It caused the train driver to brake. This was the only time during the war that any Nazi transport carrying Jewish people was intercepted. While his friends created a diversion by shooting at the train drivers, one of the resistance fighters opened the door of our freight car by cutting the wire binding it shut with pliers. He slid it open right opposite to me and my sister. He shouted at people to jump. They were unsure and hesitated but my sister pushed me through the crowd and I jumped down into his arms. She came to the door, but she was afraid, she wouldn’t, couldn’t, jump. I begged her to leap, but she was pulled backwards as other people leapt to freedom. The train began moving again. I screamed and screamed, but she had disappeared into the wagon and I never saw her again.

  ‘The men took me back to town with them and put me in a safe house where I stayed until the end of the war. The Red Cross sent me to New York by ship in 1945 because I had an aunt who lived there. I have since found out that my parents and sister died at Auschwitz within a couple of days of their arrival.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say. It’s too awful to contemplate. What a harrowing experience for a child. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever got over it. I still prefer to sit with my back to the wall if I can.’

  ‘I’m surprised you’ve managed. What a terrible tragedy.’

  ‘I’m not finished yet. There was a Gestapo officer in charge of the searches in Brussels. A real sadistic monster. He was a medical doctor who ended up going to look after Hitler in his last days in the bunker. When the Russians took Berlin, he fled to South America and came to Sierramar.’

  ‘What was his name?’

  ‘His name was Doctor Kurt Becker.’

  ‘Becker? Isn’t that the name of the man we are searching for?’

  ‘The same. So now you know. You’re not the only person who’s looking for revenge.’

  ‘Hence the gun? Jesus! I forgot the gun. You have it with you, don’t you?’

  CHAPTER XIII

  Sam and Gloria, September 1988

  Sam decided that it was time she alerted Simon to their predicament. It was possible that she had made a mistake and that she wasn’t pregnant. She didn’t feel different. But she didn’t want to leave it too long and reduce her options for action. She couldn’t imagine his reaction although she had fantasised about telling him numerous times and he was always thrilled in her daydreams. They had been through a lot together and come through it as a pair. He was the one who had asked her to try again, so she assumed that he was now serious about them. Serious enough to have a baby? She sighed.

  ‘Speak to him,’ said Gloria.

  ‘Okay, wish me luck.’

  Sam went out into the hall and took a few deep breaths. The enormity of the situation had hit her now that she had to share it with Simon. Perhaps this wasn’t the best time? But in her heart, she knew that she had to tell him sooner or later. It was his baby, too. She rang the operator and asked for a call to England. Five minutes later the phone rang.

  ‘Hello, you are connected to England.’

  ‘Thank you, operator. Hello?’

  ‘Hello? Sam, is that you?’

  ‘Yes, hi darling, how are you?’

  ‘Oh, I’m fine. Missing you.’

  ‘I’ve just got here. You’ll have to be a bit braver than that.’

  ‘Missing you in general. How’s Gloria? Still bonkers?’

  ‘Yes, she hasn’t changed. Still driving as fast as Santa on Christmas eve.’

  ‘And Alfredo? Any sign of him?’

  ‘No, he’s disappeared. It’s odd.’

  ‘You don’t think he’s gone on a bender? It’s common for alcoholics.’

  ‘It may be more sinister than that. Gloria told me that his friend Ramon was killed in a fire the day after Alfredo went to get some information from him about some fugitive Nazis.’

  ‘Wow, that’s a nasty coincidence. Did you say Nazis? The line’s quite bad.’

  ‘Alfredo didn’t disappear alone. He was with an investigative journalist from New York. They went to look for a village in the mountains and haven’t come back.’

  ‘That sounds as if it should be a job for the police.’

  ‘Well, that’s the problem. The police are not a lot of use.’

  ‘Sam, this doesn’t sound safe. Are you positive you should be mixed up in it?’

  ‘Don’t worry about me. Gloria has a lot of powerful contacts. We’ll be safe enough. I promise not to be reckless.’

  ‘Well, you’d better not because I was thinking that we should move in together when you get back. Maybe, share a flat.’

  ‘Wow! You have been missing me. Are you convinced that’s what you want? It’s a big step.’

  ‘I want us to make more permanent arrangements.’

  It’s now or never,’ thought Sam. ‘Say it, woman.’

  ‘I’m glad you feel that way, because the fact is, I think I might be pregnant.’

  Simon went quiet. Sam couldn’t hear him breathing. Was he shocked or thrilled? His reaction was neither.

  ‘Is it mine?’

  It was Sam’s turn to be silent. Stunned, she couldn’t think of a retort. How could he? How could anyone be so callous at such a moment? Was there anyone on earth as self-centred as Simon?

  ‘I’m not as free with my favours as you, Simon,’ she said in a whisper, ‘I know it’s yours.’

  She put the receiver back on the telephone and slid down to the floor, trying not to cry.

  After about five minutes of silence, Gloria came to look for her.

  ‘I hate him.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘He asked me if it was his.’

  ‘What? The bastard. Oh my God, I’m so sorry. How could he even ask that? He’s the one with the wandering dick.’

  Sam smiled despite her distress.

  ‘Yes, he is a complete bastard. But he always has been. I don’t understand why I keep going back for more. Am I some sort of masochist?’

  ‘It’s love, I’m afraid.’

  ‘It’s not love, it’s something far more addictive. Drugs would be a relief compared to this. And what am I going to do about this baby?’

 
; ‘We can share it.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘We can share it. I can have it while you work and you can have it when you are not working. It could be the perfect solution.’

  Sam was so astonished she was rendered speechless. Gloria was serious. Her forehead furrowed in concentration as she imagined the mechanics of her plan. ‘I need a cigarette,’ she said.

  ***

  Simon was horrified at Sam’s news. The fact that she had only suggested she might be pregnant had gone right over his head. He took it as read that he was going to be a father. A horrible chill crept up his back as it sunk in. Of all the scenarios that he had imagined, being a parent was not one of them. He was not ready. Panic set in and he felt trapped. It was Sam’s fault. It had to be. She was the one taking the pill. The silly fool must have forgotten to take it. She should get rid of it. She was pragmatic about most things but he knew that if he told her what to do, she would react badly. What could he do with her so far away? There was no one he could turn to for advice. But then he knew.

  The door opened on her sulky face. She didn’t look pleased to see him but it was not going to change his mind.

  ‘Hi, it’s me again.’

  ‘Simon, you are becoming like a bad penny.’

  ‘Please Hannah, I need to speak to you about Sam. You may be the only person on the planet who can help me right now.’

  She looked at him with doubt in her eyes.

  ‘It’s obvious that you have no idea who you're dealing with. You can come in, but only for a short while. Do you want a glass of wine?’

  Simon was not sure whether she was referring to her sister or herself. He was disoriented by the strong feelings of lust she engendered in him as he followed her shapely figure into the cosy sitting room. Her flat was decorated in conventional beige and pink colours with tasteful cushions and fresh flowers on the table. A framed poster of Moulin Rouge hung on the wall. She indicated that he should sit on the sofa and she passed him a glass of red wine before sitting cross-legged on a floral armchair.

  ‘Cheers,’ she said raising the glass to her lips and spilling some of it down her t-shirt. She didn’t wipe it off. He realised that she was drunk.

  ‘Cheers.’

  ‘So, Mr Lonely Hearts. What can I do for you?’

  CHAPTER XIV

  The gates to the Geographical Institute were shut and the security guards refused to let them drive up the hill and park outside. They even turned down Gloria’s offer of a cigarette. Gloria parked the car as near as she could to the entrance and they started up the hill on foot. Sam was wearing a pair of heels that felt as if they had been designed by the Marquis de Sade. Blisters were erupting over her feet as she tottered into the entrance.

  ‘How can you bear to wear these bloody things? I’m crippled already.’

  ‘Stop fussing. Compared to childbirth it’s nothing.’

  ‘A comparison I may soon be able to make,’ snapped Sam, who regretted it.

  Gloria was already storming up the staircase towards the Colonel’s office and didn’t appear to hear her. As usual, the Colonel’s assistant made them wait in the anteroom where Gloria gave Sam some fresh lipstick and enhanced her own cleavage by shifting her bosoms forward in her bra.

  ‘This is important, Sam. Don’t forget the sauce.’

  ‘I won’t. I’m good at this. I’m not incompetent.’

  Gloria sniffed and rolled her eyes to heaven in a manner that conveyed her scepticism. This annoyed Sam who was convinced that she could flirt with the best of them.

  After a twenty-minute wait, the secretary came out and beckoned them in. Sam’s shoes almost made her cry, but she thrust her chest out and sashayed into the Colonel’s office behind Gloria. The Colonel was signing some documents and took a minute to look up. When he did, he stood up and gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk.

  ‘Please ladies, sit down. I am so sorry to keep you waiting.’

  ‘Oh, that’s no problem sir, we know how busy you are.’

  ‘Miss Sanchez, we meet again.’ He came around the desk and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘And the gringa, Sam, isn’t it? Welcome back to Sierramar.’ He kissed her, too, gazing down her cleavage with undisguised lust. She forced her breasts a little higher with a deep intake of breath.

  ‘Yes sir, that’s right.’

  ‘I can hear that your Spanish is much improved. Have you married a man from Calderon yet?’

  ‘No, not yet.’ Batting her eyelashes, she asked; ‘Are you single, Colonel?’

  Gloria squeaked in delight. The Colonel blushed to the roots of his hair and returned to his chair. Sam was stranded by her courage, having no follow up line with which to strike. The Colonel recovered first.

  ‘So, what can I do for you today, ladies?’

  ‘We have a problem that only a man in your position can solve,’ said Gloria, swinging into heavy flattery mode. ‘We need some aerial photographs of Lago Verde as soon as possible.’

  ‘Is this an emergency?’

  ‘It’s not clear yet. A friend of ours is missing and we want to narrow down the places we have to search. That is why we need the photographs now, to check for farm houses and outbuildings in the area. We need your help to speed up the process.’

  ‘This is irregular but then nothing with you ladies is straightforward. At least it’s not a restricted area. If it were, I wouldn’t be able to help you. As it is, I don’t think there is any harm in skipping a couple of steps in the protocol. You mustn’t tell anyone though, and you must promise to ask the police for help if you need it.’

  ‘We can have them?’ said Sam.

  ‘Don’t sound so surprised. Every man has his price and I prefer tight dresses.’ He winked. Bureaucracy was a random system, thought Sam. You never knew when it would block you but sometimes it worked in your favour.

  The Colonel picked up his phone and dialled a number.

  ‘Mr Chiriboga, I am sending two ladies to see you. Can you please make up an order for the aerial photographs of the Lago Verde region? What scale have you got? Okay, that’s fine. They are on their way.’

  ‘Thank you, Colonel,’ said Gloria, ‘we are so grateful.’

  ‘It will take a couple of days to print if they are not in stock. I will sign the order straight away if you send it up to me when you have paid for it. Now get out of here. Your outfits are distracting me, which I’m confident was the plan in the first place. Next time, just ask.’

  The photographs were not in stock but Mr Chiriboga promised to have them ready in forty-eight hours. They paid the cashier and left the order form with the Colonel’s secretary. Then they walked down the hill with the receipt tucked into Gloria’s ample bosom for safety. Sam could not bear her shoes any longer and risked the walk in her bare feet, swinging her heels by the straps.

  ‘Amazing what a tight dress or two will do.’

  ‘It made our Colonel jump to attention.’

  ‘You’re so rude.’

  ‘Yes, so you noticed, too, huh?’

  Gloria laughed. ‘Yes, he had to hide it under the desk.’

  ***

  Holger Ponce arrived at Hernan Sanchez’ condominium in a ministerial car, ensuring that he got a parking space and obsequious attention from the security guard at the entrance.

  ‘Minister, what an honour. Who are you visiting today?’

  ‘Senor Sanchez and be quick about it. I don’t have all day.’

  ‘Of course, Minister. Is he expecting you?’

  ‘No, he is not.’

  ‘One moment please and I will check that he is in. Hello? Can you please tell Senor Sanchez that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is here to see him? Thank you.’

  Holger Ponce lit a cigarette and puffed on it but the guard would not be rushed. The Minister was important but Senor Sanchez was a lot more intimidating. The buzzer sounded.

  ‘Rosita? Okay, I’ll send him up. Thank you. Minister, pleas
e go up to the fifth floor. Mr Sanchez is waiting for you there.’

  He opened the door of the lift and pressed the button with as much ceremony as he could muster. Holger Ponce stalked into the elevator, dropping his cigarette on the floor of the lobby. He was not anticipating a difficult chat. Hernan Sanchez always had the best scotch in town, with which he was always generous.

  ‘Minister, you are welcome. Come on through to the sitting room. Senor Sanchez is waiting.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Hernan Sanchez was waiting beside the drinks cabinet in anticipation. A big welcoming smile creased his features but was not reflected in his eyes. He was not used to unannounced visits by government ministers.

  ‘Thank you, Rosa. I’ll do the drinks. Good afternoon, Minister Ponce.’

  ‘Holger, for heaven’s sake, Hernan. Do we need to be so formal?’

  Holger crossed the room in a couple of long strides and extended his bony fingers which he withdrew almost as soon as Sanchez tried to grasp them. Sanchez hated wimpy handshakes. He felt robbed of the big shake and the mutual grasping of elbows favoured by the menfolk in Calderon. It made him more uneasy.

  ‘Do you want a whisky, Holger? It’s a nice triple malt.’

  ‘Yes please. Two fingers with a little ice.’

  To avoid a long meeting, Hernan directed Holger to the hard-backed sofa instead of the armchairs. They sat down and swung around to face each other.

  ‘To whom or what do I owe the honour of your visit?’ asked Hernan.

  ‘It’s about your daughter.’

  ‘My daughter? What on earth has she been up to this time?’ He found it hard to believe that Gloria had attracted the cabinet’s attention. She had been on her best behaviour since Sam had arrived.

  ‘Well, not so much your daughter as the company she has been keeping.’

  ‘I don’t follow you.’

  ‘Dr Alfredo Vargas, to be precise.’

  ‘Alfredo? But she is not going out with him anymore. They broke up.’

  ‘Not according to my sources.’ He rubbed his nose and chin, playing for time. ‘The thing is, Hernan, that Dr Vargas has been associating with a man named Ramon Vega, who is investigating the collaboration of our government with certain fugitive German officers after the second world war. Many of the people involved are still connected to the government and as you can imagine, it is a sensitive subject.’