“Mine as well,” Harry agreed.
“Then it’s unanimous,” Dugan said. “But damned if I can figure his next move.”
They fell into frustrated silence, but soon Anna smiled.
“I’ve seen that look,” Harry said. “What are you on to, Anna?”
“We can assume the next attack will be by a Phoenix-owned or -chartered tanker, right?”
“So what?” Dugan said. “We can’t check them all without alerting Braun.”
“Bear with me,” Anna said. “Targets?”
Dugan shrugged. “Suez, the straits of Hormuz and the Bosphorus, maybe the Cape of Good Ho—” He stopped and looked at her.
“Exactly,” she said.
Harry and Reyes looked confused.
“Would you two mind sharing?” Harry asked.
“We concentrate on tankers near choke points,” Anna said. “That’s the short list.”
“Braun will only manipulate communications for attack ships,” Dugan added. “It’d be noticed if he tried that for every ship in the fleet.”
“Tom can call the short-listed ships on a pretext,” Anna continued. “Alex can’t do it because Braun is watching him closely, and a call from me would seem strange. The captains might call back to see what’s going on and alert Braun in the process. But no one in the fleet knows Tom’s not in the office.”
“And if Tom senses something amiss,” Harry finished, understanding, “that’s the ship. Bloody brilliant.”
“One problem,” Anna said. “My computer crashed again, as did Tom’s. And Sutton was his usual helpful self. I can’t access the position report. Tom, you have a hard copy?”
“Not a current one,” Dugan said. “Get word to Alex. He can slip it to you somehow. By the way, does he know I’m here?”
“He thinks you’re in custody in Panama. And let’s keep it that way. He’s reacting as Braun would anticipate. Knowing you’re here could change his demeanor and alert Braun.”
“But he—”
“You have to trust me on this, Tom,” Anna said, ending discussion of the issue.
“Now,” she continued, “I have to see him out of the office. I’ll call and say I’m worried about Tom and want to talk. I’ll suggest we meet tomorrow morning for coffee.”
“Wrong motive,” Harry said. “Braun thinks you’re a tart. Come on to Kairouz—imply you’re worried about your position with Dugan gone. Offer to discuss ‘serving his needs.’”
“Won’t that shock him?”
“He’ll get it,” Dugan said. “And if he’s initially shocked, so much the better.”
Anna nodded and called. As predicted, Alex played along and agreed to meet Anna at eight thirty the next morning.
She snapped the phone shut. “My reputation as a slut is secure. Now what?”
Harry yawned. “I’ll update Lou and Ward and piss off home to the little woman.”
“Do that,” Anna said. “Let’s all get some sleep.”
Harry stood up. “I’ll let myself out,” he said.
Reyes kept his seat, and Anna shot Harry a surprised look.
Harry shrugged. “Lieutenant Reyes is quite diligent in his custodial duties,” Harry said and moved to the door.
The door clicked shut behind Harry, followed by a few seconds of awkward silence.
“Well then,” Anna said. “I guess I’ll just pop off to bed.”
She gave Dugan a rueful look and moved through the kitchen and out the back door to her own apartment.
Dugan glared at Reyes.
“Looks like you’re my new roommate, so let’s get something straight. There’s only one bed, and it’s mine. You got the sofa.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Dugan stepped out of the bathroom in his boxer shorts, showered and ready for bed. Reyes waited in the bedroom with handcuffs.
“I’m not into that, Reyes,” Dugan said, “and you’re not really my type.”
The Panamanian controlled his temper. “I intend to cuff you to the bed.”
“Seriously?” Dugan asked.
“Your colleagues’ faith in you is touching, Señor Dugan, but I am not a believer just yet. Do you think I would risk waking with my own gun in my face?”
“What if there’s a fire?” Dugan asked.
“Unlikely,” Reyes said.
“What if I have to piss?”
Reyes shrugged. “Then you will be uncomfortable.”
“What if—”
“What if you shut up and extend your hand before I am forced to become unpleasant?”
***
Just before dawn, Reyes rose from the lumpy sofa and moved to a chair by the window. Sleep had been a disjointed series of catnaps, separated mostly by hours of thoughts of Maria and the boys. When he could bear the pain no longer, he had forced his thoughts to the situation at hand.
That was equally troubling. He could hardly contain his disdain for the methods being employed. He had learned enough to be convinced this Braun was key, and yet the hijo de puta was being handled with kid gloves while Ward and the Walsh woman’s team gathered “hard evidence.”
Where, he wondered, were the secret CIA planes standing by to whisk this Braun to some accommodating country where he could be questioned “aggressively”? Perhaps he should offer the services of his agency? He was sure that after a few hours in the Hole, El Señor Braun would be most cooperative.
He sighed. The gringos needed him to keep Dugan at large, just as he needed to remain close to the investigation. He would play their game, as they played his, until he learned who was really behind the death of his Maria and so many others. Then things would be different.
Offices of Phoenix Shipping Ltd.
2315 Hours Local Time
5 July
“That’s it. Kairouz’s was the last.” Sutton looked up from Alex Kairouz’s desk.
“Thank you, Sutton,” Braun said as he pulled a silenced pistol and shot his surprised underling in the head.
He returned the gun to his waistband and moved to his office, where he opened a small fireproof lockbox and checked the contents: cash, several false passports with Sutton’s photo, and the CD of conversations between Rodriguez, Kairouz, and Dugan. He locked the box and carried it to Sutton’s office, hiding it in a drawer just as Farley entered.
“All done,” Farley said. “I wedged open the stairwell fire doors and set incendiary charges on both the Phoenix Shipping floors. The main sprinkler supply valve is jammed shut. The place will go up in seconds.”
“It’s all concealed? I want no slipups.”
Farley shrugged. “Someone might close the fire doors, but it won’t matter. I’ve rigged both floors. The charges are out of sight.”
“And you’re sure Sutton’s and Kairouz’s offices will survive?”
“They should. They’re on the outer wall, away from the charges. The fire trucks will pump water through the windows first.” He looked around. “Sutton done?”
“Mr. Sutton has, and is, finished,” Braun said, “and as promised, his bonus money is now available to augment your own.”
Farley smiled. “Right then,” he said. “That leaves the timer. When you want to pop?”
Braun had struggled with timing until the Walsh slut’s call to Kairouz. Cassie had to be in their control to ensure Kairouz’s cooperation, but snatching her at home involved too many witnesses to silence. Authorities might believe Kairouz had the girl snatched, but not that he’d sanctioned the murder of his entire domestic staff. They had to grab the girl at school, and timing was key. It wouldn’t do for Kairouz to die in the office fire, but he normally arrived at the office about when Cassie reached school. Kairouz’s eight-thirty meeting with the slut was perfect. He’d even have a ringside seat to the destruction of his life’s work.
“Set it for eight forty,” Braun said.
Sterling Academy
Westminster, London
6 July
Farley accelerated. The retard w
ould dawdle, this of all mornings. If the old bitch had to sign her in as tardy, it would cock things up proper.
“SLOW DOWN, FARLEY,” demanded Gillian Farnsworth as he rocketed around a corner. He ignored her, lurching to a stop moments later before Sterling Academy, relieved to see the headmistress still atop of the steps. He leaped out, opening Cassie’s door. He grabbed her arm as she scrambled out.
“I gotta use the loo,” he said through the open door.
“Get back in this car at once,” Gillian Farnsworth said.
“I’ll be a while,” he grinned. “Don’t get your knickers in a knot, luv.”
He slammed the door and moved up the long steps, still gripping Cassie’s arm. He bobbed his head politely to the surprised headmistress, looking embarrassed as he whispered his need and brushed past before she could object. Inside, he feigned ignorance.
“Where’s the loo?”
“Down there,” Cassie pointed. “Now let me go. I’ll be late.”
“Show me first.”
“Oh, all right. But hurry.” She led him down an empty side hall.
At the toilet door, he clamped a hand over her mouth and pushed her in, her jerks exciting him as he pressed against her. He pinned her head against his chest, fished out a syringe, removed the cap with his teeth, and jabbed her neck. She went limp, and he lowered her to the floor to open the window.
“Right on time,” Braun said, framed in the window. Farley passed her out and then grabbed the top of the window frame to swing through the small opening feetfirst. He landed atop a panel truck painted in the livery of the International Parcel Service, backed up to the wall beneath the high window in the deserted alley. Braun was already scrambling to the ground, clad in an IPS uniform. Farley closed the window and lowered Cassie into Braun’s waiting arms, then jumped down beside them.
“I’ll put her in back,” Braun said. “Change and get behind the wheel.”
At 8:36, the truck turned onto Victoria Street.
Castle Lane
500 yards from Sterling Academy
“Nanny. Control. Over,” squawked the radio.
“We copy, Control. Over.”
“Nanny, be advised subject is moving east on Victoria. Over.”
The driver pulled around the corner. The two men in the car shared a look of relief at spotting the stationary Kairouz car.
“Negative, Control. Subject’s vehicle has not moved. Over.”
“I show the subject in motion, Nanny. Eastbound on Victoria. Over.”
“Control, I say again. Subject’s vehicle is stationary. Check your equipment. Over.”
“Nanny, DO YOU HAVE A VISUAL ON SUBJECT? Over.”
“Negative, Control. But the vehi—”
The operator abandoned protocol. “The bloody CAR may be there, but the SUBJECT is in motion, now southbound on Artillery Row and getting farther away by the minute. DO YOU COPY?”
“Bloody hell,” the driver said.
“Control. We’re on it,” said the second agent as the driver whipped the car onto Victoria, heading east.
Starbucks Coffee
Vauxhall, London
Anna and Alex both arrived early and sat now in the Starbucks near the office, empty cups between them. She studied Alex. Panama and Dugan’s arrest had taken its toll.
“All those deaths. Thomas arrested,” he said. “If I’d just alerted you sooner… maybe you could’ve prevented it. I was just so afraid for Cassie.” His voice broke. “I am still.”
Anna took his hand. “She’s safe now. I promise.”
He sat, eyes downcast, and squeezed her hand before looking up.
“Right then,” he said. “Back to business. I’ll get you a position report, but how can you contact ships without alerting Braun?”
“We’re working on that,” Anna said vaguely.
“Well, you’re the expert. I’ll have Mrs. Coutts slip you a copy.”
Anna looked through the window. “You can tell her now.”
Alice Coutts was emerging from Vauxhall tube station. They went out to intercept her.
“Why good morning,” Mrs. Coutts said. “What a pleasant surp—”
A blast slapped them, followed so closely by a second it seemed like an echo. Shock waves cracked windows. They turned to see smoke billow above a familiar building, and the blood drained from Alex’s face as he watched the enterprise he’d built with years of blood, sweat, and tears go up in smoke.
Horseferry Road
Braun heard the explosions as they neared Lambeth Bridge. He’d chosen to cross the Thames at Lambeth for visual confirmation of the fire. Once on the bridge, he saw smoke billow on the far bank and heard the distant wail of fire engines. Gawkers jammed the walk south of the burning building.
He jumped at the sound of a horn. Farley was gawking too and almost hit a taxi.
“Keep your eyes on the bloody road,” Braun barked.
Farley muttered under his breath as Braun ignored him and dialed his cell phone. Alex Kairouz answered.
“Ah, Kairouz. Enjoying the bonfire?”
“You bastard. I’ll see you hang.”
Braun laughed. “I think not, Kairouz. But I’ll forgive that outburst. I’m sure you’ll be more respectful since I’m entertaining Cassie. Remember the videos?”
“Liar! She’s at school,” Alex said as the “call waiting” tone buzzed.
“Do take that, Kairouz. No doubt it’s the Farnsworth bitch. You have ten seconds to deal with her before I disconnect and Cassie disappears. Ready? Go.”
“Look, Braun—”
“Nine seconds, Kairouz. Tick. Tick. Tick.”
Alex switched calls.
***
“Mr. Kairouz! Thank God!” Gillian Farnsworth said. “That brute Farley has somehow taken Cassie fr—”
“I know. I’ll call back,” Alex blurted, reconnecting with Braun.
***
“What do you want?” he asked, shaken.
“Much better,” Braun said. “Speak to no one. Take the tube to Sudsbury and Smythe on Lombard Street. Do you know the firm?”
“I know of it.”
“Ask for Mr. Carrington-Smythe, the managing director. You’re expected. He’ll give you a case with cash and bearer bonds. Take receipt quickly and leave. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“Take a cab to Heathrow, the Global Air Charter counter. There’s a jet waiting to take you and Cassie to Beirut, your old home. Board and wait.”
Alex’s hopes rose. To be dashed.
“Cassie, of course, will never arrive,” Braun said.
“But, what—”
“Shut up and listen!” Braun said. “When the police arrive, confess you and Dugan conspired to blow up China Star and Asian Trader to manipulate freight rates, but that when Dugan was arrested in Panama, you panicked and fled. When Sutton discovered your plan to leave him as scapegoat, you killed him and torched the office to cover the murder. You arranged for Farley and me, mere cogs in your evil plan, to collect Cassie as you couldn’t trust the upright Mrs. Farnsworth. You will speculate we saw police and, fearing arrest, disappeared with her.”
“And if I refuse?” Alex asked.
“Surely you can guess, Kairouz. We’ve reviewed the video often enough.”
A strangled sob told Braun he’d won.
“One more thing, Kairouz,” Braun said. “While in custody, kill yourself.”
Alex gasped.
“Oh, don’t carry on,” Braun said. “It’s a trade, Kairouz. Your pathetic life in exchange for sparing Cassie.”
“You think I trust you?”
“I appeal not to your trust, you fool, but your logic. If Cassie reappears unharmed, it supports what I want believed: that we panicked, dumped the girl, and escaped. They won’t waste resources on minor players after they’ve captured you, the ringleader. But if she disappears or is found dead, she becomes a sympathetic victim and the authorities will keep looking. And if you confess and die, I
can release her without fear you’ll recant. It’s in my interests to do so.”
“But how am I supposed to… to…”
“Inmates manage to kill themselves daily, Kairouz. I have every confidence in you. But don’t think a halfhearted effort will satisfy me. I need commitment, old boy. Clear?”
“Yes,” Alex said, barely audible.
“Excellent. On with it then. And remember, contact no one. In fact, remove your phone battery. I’ll know if you don’t and might allow Farley a go at darling Cassie.”
Braun hung up and smiled. “That went well.”
“How are you bugging his phone from here?” Farley asked.
“I’m not, obviously,” Braun said with forced patience. “But he’s too frightened to do anything but follow orders.”
“You think he’ll off himself?”
“Of course,” Braun said. “But just as importantly, he’ll implicate Dugan now. He’ll unconsciously compare his own noble sacrifice against a prison term for Dugan. Dugan’s fate will seem acceptable.” Braun smiled. “Kairouz’s suicide will make his confession irrevocable and dovetail nicely with the evidence found in Sutton’s desk.”
Farley frowned. “So we let the girl go?”
Braun laughed. “Of course not, you idiot. You think I care if some bumbling oafs are looking for me? By the time they suspect anything we’ll be long gone.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Bloody hell,” Anna said into the phone. “What about the protective detail?”
“On his tail,” Lou said, “but quite a ways behind.”
She sighed. “All right. Air support?”
“A chopper’s en route. Control has Cassie eastbound on Lambeth Bridge, near you. Vehicle unknown.”
“I need transport,” Anna said.
“It looks like the chase car will be coming right by you,” Lou said. “Can you be at the corner of Lambeth Road and Pratt Walk in ten minutes?”
“Affirmative.”
“All right,” Lou said. “I’ll have the chase car call when they near the intersection and start another car en route from HQ as a backup in case the chase moves abruptly in another direction. Harry, Dugan, Reyes, and I are leaving from Askew Road. I’ll call Ward, but we’ve no time to collect him. We’ll get her back, Anna.”
Deadly Straits (Tom Dugan 1) Page 21