Chapter Twenty-Four
Cade and Petrova were through into the baggage hall picking up their luggage quickly, orange tags saw to it that their bags were first off. With typical Emirates efficiency, they were soon going to be together with Daniel, who had flown from Auckland to London, almost mirroring their journey.
All three got through passport control quickly and without encumbrance. Even Petrova.
She smiled curiously at Cade. “I always get stopped at international borders, Jack.”
“That’s because you are an attractive woman, and in my experience…” He stopped, realising that it was just such a situation that had led him to this point – he had met her mother, back in 2004 at a smaller airport and both of their lives had permanently changed.
“…And in my experience that means that men will find an excuse to detain you and ask lots of searching questions.”
“But not today?”
“Clearly, El. Not today.” Cade had no idea why she had not been stopped. He’d allowed an extra hour for just such an event. The discreet alert on her passport, viewed on a screen in the glasshouse of the UK Border Force control room, had seen to it that she was not stopped.
Someone, somewhere, liked her.
A Bulgarian female travelling on recently issued tickets was a certainty for a referral to the search area. But not today.
“Welcome back to England, Elena.”
“Jack, this is my first time in your country.”
He’d done it again. Confusing her with her mother, equally radiant and life changing.
“Sorry. Let’s go, Elena.” He pointed to the exit, dragging his suitcase and allowing her to catch up from the carousel. He had seen a distinguished-looking man walking towards them from Carousel Five, also pulling a quality suitcase behind him, his raincoat over his arm, well dressed, fit for his age. Who were they kidding? He was fit and well and as always had a less-than-subtle twinkle in his eye.
They stopped before they exited the airside area of Heathrow.
“Shake hands outside, JD?”
“Sounds like a plan.” John Daniel, Cade’s friend, former colleague and mentor smiled broadly, then almost got bowled over by Elena who ran and jumped up and into his arms, oblivious to the enhanced security measures at Heathrow and the myriad cameras that instantly swung in their direction.
“Wow, and I’ve missed you too!” He lowered her to the floor, allowing her feet to touchdown with the skill of a dancer. He held the hug just a little too long, kissing her on both cheeks and winking at Cade over her shoulder.
“I never thought I’d see you again, John Daniel. I am so happy.” She turned to Cade. “You don’t want to hug JD?”
“Not yet, El.”
They walked through the frosted automatic doors and were landside in London. England’s green and pleasant land.
Roberts was leaning against a polished steel barrier, with a handmade sign held up for all to see.
CROSS DRESSING ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2015
Cade spotted it first. “Seen that?”
JD could only smile. “You have to agree, it’s good to be back, Jack. Fancy that hug now?”
The two men embraced, with Daniel whispering, “sorry” into the younger man’s ear.
Cade replied, “I’ve got a few questions, but I’m sure I can forgive you John. How’s Lynne?”
“She’s fine, says to kick your arse. Been too long since you were back home in New Zealand, Jack. By the way, I think your Samoan friend emptied your drinks cupboard over Christmas.”
“I told him too. Did he bend the Audi?”
“No. Said it was a hairdresser’s car.”
Elena laughed. “See? I told you. Girlie car for girl!” She was so attractive when she was being mischievous. Thank God it was winter, forcing her to dress for the occasion, covering that enchanting body.
They reached Roberts, who had carefully folded the sign in half and then again and put it into a nearby bin.
“Team! How are we all?” He smiled and emphasised the word all.
“I didn’t know you were coming back, Elena. Jack didn’t say anything.”
“I thought Michael would have told someone?”
“Michael?” Roberts had a puzzled expression.
Cade replied, “It’s a rather long story, Jason. I’ll fill you in on the way.”
They took it in turns to hug and shake hands.
“Do we have time for a coffee?”
“Sadly not, Jack. Grab some for the journey?”
“Indeed. What are you two having?” He took their orders and diverted to a café. “I’ll see you at the car park Jason?”
“You think Jason Roberts, Detective Chief Inspector and local hero is going to pay to park on his own patch?”
“Fair point well made. Where then?”
“Rental car spaces, fifty feet away. And I’ll have a long black with a Kit Kat. A chunky one. Don’t be too long I don’t want to get towed.”
JD and Elena walked together. “I never thought we would see each other again, JD. That day…”
He held her hand, a true English gent. “No, me neither. I sent help, you know. But I understand that help arrived in the guise of a guardian angel.”
“You know about that?”
“Well, put it this way: I made a career out of gathering intelligence. It took a few calls until I got to speak to the Westpac Rescue team. They told me that another helicopter landed nearby, a military one, deployed a few of their medics and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“Military? So he was a soldier?”
“Yes. Did you see him?”
“For a brief moment. He spoke to me John, calmed me down. I watched him through my eyelashes, for a few seconds, then I was gone. He had a beautiful voice. So kind. Like you.”
“Thank you. You mean like Jack?”
“Yes, him too!”
“I’ll tell him.”
“He knows. But you can. I am not afraid of him. We had a fight in Australia. I punched him, then kicked him. He tried to drown me.”
“My goodness, it must be love.”
“Yes. I think so. I couldn’t let him win though, so I punched him in the liver. I could have killed him.”
“I can see what he sees in you. Such charm.” He smiled at her, causing her to slap him across the backside. “You are a naughty man, JD.”
“And old enough to be your father. Come on, let’s get to the city and find out what has been happening.”
“Do you think Alex is going to cause more harm to us? To the team? To Jack?”
“I have no idea but the word is that something is building, a storm, ready to cause chaos to Britain, and apparently we are part of the team that the government of this delightful country has appointed to stop who or whatever that is.”
They met at the car, loaded the luggage into the boot and took their places. JD up front with Roberts – deliberately, and Cade and Petrova in the back.
“To London, Jason and do not spare the horses!”
“Yes, my lady. Would be my honour. Now, talking of ladies, when we get to Scotland Yard we have a meeting with some pretty powerful people. Having met a few of them already, my advice is watch and learn, say nothing, nod at the right time and worst case, laugh at their jokes.”
“But what if they are not funny?” Elena’s question was naïve but fair.
“Laugh anyway.” Cade replied. “If they are men, smile at them, but don’t raise the hem of your dress like you did with me when we first met.”
“It worked with you, Jack.”
The two front seat occupants stifled a laugh, sipped at their coffee and considered what the meeting would bring, who would make the cut and who ultimately might survive. The heat had been turned up, fingers and reputations were preparing to be burned.
“Shits just got real team. Our government is pouring resources into this that frankly they don’t have. The potential loss of reputation, harm to the economy, and even loss of
life is tangible. I’m leading the operation with a direct line to an assistant commissioner and the Home Secretary, Jack is my tactical advisor. JD, I need you to be my liaison please, it’s what you do best. I need to know what is happening up, down and sideways. If we get this wrong…”
“All points noted I’m sure Jason.” JD was thoughtful but as ever, able to juggle his thoughts. “Timescale?”
“Now that’s the billion dollar question.”
“Billion?” Elena was quick to pick up on the amount.
“Minimum Elena. Minimum.”
“Do we have anything new to support all of this?” Cade wanted answers, he also knew the difficult question about Roberts’ staff had to come soon.
“GCHQ. The Service. Special Branch. Interpol. Doesn’t get much more interesting, Jack.”
“And?”
“And in the words of the Prophet – we’ve got sweet Fanny Adams.”
“Great. We are happy that is all still linked to a few pieces of lousy paper?”
“Ecstatic Jack.” He wasn’t. He was so far removed from ecstasy it wasn’t funny.
“Pieces of paper? It seems that Alex is risking a lot for a few pieces of paper.” She knew the answer.
“Elena. Somebody is coming to my city to remove its heart, its lifeblood, drop by drop. I cannot allow that to happen. And I won’t. And if anyone gets in my way, they will be dealt with.”
It was a newly fired up Roberts. Sick and tired of his beloved streets being claimed by malicious intent.
“We are losing control, Jack. You’ve got a hell of a job on your hands.”
Cade was pensive, he knew that she knew. They both understood that what she carried with her, when they had first met, was worth more than any jewel – it had a currency that was unique.
He was calculating the cost in terms of financial and political fallout. She was looking at it from an entirely different angle.
If she had just given him the bloody thing when they first met instead of flirting, and falling for him, then perhaps the entire episode would have been filed away in the corner of a discreet office in Whitehall, or wherever it was that the British kept their secrets and lies.
“Do I get paid?” Cade asked, optimistically.
Roberts laughed. “Bloody good question. I guess you do if the Home Secretary requested your pleasure. Goes for you too John.”
“And me, Jason?” Petrova looked at him in the rear-view mirror, causing him to look away. Those eyes.
“Oh, fear not fair lady. I have plans for you too.”
“I’m sure you do. But what do I get for helping you?”
“Have you tried my world famous tea in the morning?”
“No. And I won’t be doing. You love your wife too much.”
A flustered Roberts replied, “I meant…”
She smiled, pulled a face that was somewhere between amusing and mocking.
“So what’s the ultimate goal Jason?” Cade interrupted. He was pushing for some answers, ground-movingly tired from jetlag.
“Find them all. Lock them all up. Shut down their op. Save a few red faces, home in time for tea and the proverbial medal. End of.”
“By fair means only I assume?”
“Another good question, my friend. I guess for the police officers involved, yes.”
“And for those that are no longer bound by the rules?”
“There are always rules, Jack. We both know that.”
“Then I will be seeking some parliamentary approval to overlook them. Starting today.”
They had covered only a mile in the endless traffic, JD nodding against the passenger window when Cade spoke.
“Did you find us a decent hotel?”
Roberts replied, “Did I?”
Cade followed with, “Well, did you?”
“Did I!”
“You’ve done it again. Did you or didn’t you?”
“Yes, I said did I? Didn’t I?”
Petrova joined in.
“Do you answer all of his questions with a question?”
“Do I?” Roberts was having fun now.
“Does he?” Cade was also having fun at her expense.
A slurred response came from the front passenger.
“Do you two ever shut up?”
“Do we?”
It was a moment of levity ahead of a tense and life-altering day.
Roberts indicated right, veered across the road and then left, left again and into the car park. Ten minutes to go.
Cade pulled his old team mate to one side whilst Daniel and Petrova were signed in, security had taken a marked step upwards after the UK threat level had once more risen from Substantial to Severe – the Prime Minister holding back from initiating Operation Temperer – the presence of military personnel on the streets of London – but he was close.
“I said I would tell you about Michael Blake.”
“You did.” Roberts’ eyebrows raised. “Good or bad. You know I don’t trust that bastard, don’t you?”
“I do. But seriously Jas, there was something about him last week that said we have both misjudged him. Can’t put my finger on it yet but he cares for Elena, looks out for her, for that reason alone he gets my vote.”
“OK. And Elena? Did you manage to get that finger put on her at all?”
“You know I hate you, don’t you?”
“One hundred and one percent Jack. Look, mate, before we head upstairs to the briefing.” He cleared his throat, genuine concern.
“Cynthia is missing.”
“I know, you told me. No news?”
“Nothing. Sorry to sound callous, if it was just her I would still be worried, but Harrier has also failed to answer any of my calls.”
“You telling me you are worried about a bi-curious prostitute? You going soft in your old age, DCI Roberts?”
“Was that an unintentional pun?”
“No. But now you mention it.” Cade couldn’t help smiling, recalling the fight during which part of Thomas’ anatomy had been seen, smelt and almost tasted by Roberts. Happy days indeed.
“Off the radar. We’ve been to the address. Nothing. Not even a false eyelash out of place. Local bloke said Thomas left with two men.”
“Fair enough, he, she can look after him herself.”
“That was the comparatively good news, Jack.”
Cade could almost sense what was coming.
“Carrie has failed to show for work too. No replies, flat’s all quiet. No one has a clue where, or why. She’s gone. And that worries us all.”
“Worries me too. Can we get all local units in the city and north and south of the river to be on the lookout? We cannot allow her to come to harm. Not again, Jason. It cannot happen. Clear?”
“Crystal. I’m with you. Two steps ahead, I’ve already circulated her.”
“Good man. Seriously, this is no longer mildly worrying – I have a horrible feeling about this.” His knuckles were tense and his temples pulsed. It was a bad sign.
The fact that Roberts hadn’t circulated O’Shea as missing would have worried Cade even more.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The temperature had risen slightly and the streets surrounding the Medical District of Bucharest had been thankfully quiet during the night, both positive elements in the few precious hours that Scott McCall had grabbed, in his bland rental car, in a side street half a mile from Byzantin.
He unwrapped three high protein muesli bars and ate them in succession, washing them down with a bottle of water.
He pulled the mirror down a notch and stared back at the drawn, unshaven face. He looked tired, but the spark in his eyes said otherwise.
He ran through his own op once more, checked his weapon and equipment, switched off his phone.
“Time to get your game face on Scottie boy. Who fucking dares and all that.”
Alex Stefanescu woke with a start, his heart beating so fast it surprised him.
He couldn’t stand for a second
. He looked around the lounge of his substantial apartment, above the epicentre of his considerable business world – or at least the front for it. He owned mainly commercial properties, cars of all types, so many he’d forgotten the total. His money was elsewhere. And as far as he was concerned, he owned the government of Britain, or soon would do.
For now, he was just like any other man who had consumed a little too much alcohol the night before. A heavy head with hair that hurt, dry mouth and a bank account that had lessened overnight. He had lost money on a bet, on something irrelevant. He’d get the money back tenfold. One day.
He looked across the room. His brother was already awake, drinking coffee and feeling great. Smug bastard was better off financially too.
“Ah, look at you. To the victor, the spoils. Where have you been since you failed me brother? Be honest. One chance.” Straight for the throat. There was an edge to him this morning. Worse than normal. The pretty girls had been dismissed before the night had even begun. He was slipping into his favoured darkened state: Unstable.
“We discussed this last night. Why can’t you let it go Alex?”
“Trust. That is why. A simple word, Stefan. You have betrayed me and our people. And that dear brother is against all of our laws. I hoped that some drinks last night might remind you of your loyalty and honour.”
“This is not true, my brother. Not true at all. I have been more than loyal. I put my life on the line for you, time and time again. And yet you challenge me. How dare you?”
“How dare I?” He was shouting now. Probably still drunk. No one spoke to him in this way, not even his sibling. “How dare I speak to my little brother? How dare I tell him that I no longer trust him? For letting me down, for letting the team and his people down? Should I continue?”
“Oh, please do Alex. I can’t wait to hear where I went wrong.” He was clenching his jaw, his mismatched eyes starting to narrow, fists balling, stomach tightening. They were chalk and chalk in that respect.
Alex continued, he felt that he had his brother on the ropes. “Apart from being born?” That hurt. “You went wrong when you lied for the first time. I gave you everything.”
Seven of Swords (The Seventh Wave Trilogy Book 3) Page 24