Finders Keepers

by Kris Lillyman

  He now guessed what Sawyer and Barnes had done with the body. Stupid, he thought, when there was so much undergrowth on the island where a body could be hidden and never be discovered - or a perfectly good ocean in which to discard it. What sentimental fools.

  But Król dare not go further and knew, for the time being at least, that his pursuit was over. He felt certain, however, that he, Sawyer and Barnes would meet up again very soon and when they did there would be no more escape for them.

  For now though, he considered it best to make a hasty departure from Nassau and catch the first available flight back to the UK.

  He had much to report, although little that would lead his employers to the diamonds and they would not be pleased.

  Failure was not something Fabian Król was used to or would accept lightly.

  Chapter 37

  Zurich, Switzerland. The Park Hyatt Hotel.

  Lizzie was lying on her king-sized bed in the plush surroundings of her five-star hotel suite. She had just enjoyed a lovely long bubble bath in the huge marble tub, washing away all the grime of the last forty-eight hours. Fortunately, the bruising on her face was not severe and the split lip was healing nicely. It turned out she was made of strong stuff.

  Lizzie’s heart ached though for the loss of Aaron, her beloved foster brother and since arriving in Zurich the awful circumstances of his death had truly sunk in. Jake had given her some space to grieve and she had used it well. She had cried a whole lot and then cried some more. She now felt better - not about Aaron’s passing as that was still extremely raw, but about how she was going to go on from here. Jake was a good man and together they would avenge Aaron and Jonathan and her father as well as Jake’s wife and children. Knowing that fuelled her resolve and that helped heal her grieving heart.

  As Lizzie lay on the bed, she was going through the cell phone she took off Fabian Król, checking through the caller log and the name that came up repeatedly was Arthur Khan’s. The Wallace Bearing number came up several times too - either Khan or Bearing calling Król from the very building Lizzie’s grandfather had built, trying to arrange her death.

  Lizzie picked up the complimentary phone next to the bed and buzzed Jake’s suite, down the hall.

  “Hello?” He said, warily, trying to remember the name he’d booked the suite under just in case he was asked.

  “Hey, there, Limey.” Lizzie said.

  Jake smiled with relief. Pleased to hear Lizzie’s voice. They had not had much time together since arriving in Zurich the night before as they had both been feeling bruised, jet-lagged and in need of sleep. They had talked a little on the flight but Lizzie had been somewhat withdrawn. Jake fully understood though and was content to give her as much time as she needed. She had been through a horrifying ordeal - her brother had been brutally murdered and she certainly had his sympathy. He understood her emotions better than most having suffered a similar loss himself.

  Jake had slept intermittently on the flight and had watched several movies, but his mind was awash with this new information about who killed his family and about how he, with Lizzie at his side, was going to make them pay.

  Now, here in his hotel suite in Zurich, he could think of little else.

  “Hey, yourself. You okay?” He said.

  “Yeah. I am,” she said. “Thanks for giving me some space - I just needed to, you know–”

  “Hey, it’s okay, I understand, no problem.”

  “And the two room thing, that was very impressive. Very gallant,” she teased. “You’re a good guy, Mister Sawyer, you know that?”

  “What can I say,” Jake said. “I try, that’s all - and I think my name’s ‘Saunders’ at the moment, isn’t it?”

  “Beats me. I was half asleep when we arrived so it could be Mickey Mouse for all I know.”

  Jake laughed. “You might be right, that does sound familiar now you mention it.”

  Lizzie smiled, then changed the subject. “I’ve just been looking through the cell phone that I took off that guy back at the farm house.”

  “And?” Jake said, immediately interested.

  “And it turns out he was definitely working for Bearing and Khan. That son of a bitch. There are dozens of calls logged.”

  “You were right then. But I guessed you were. Don’t worry, we’ll get them, I promise. Aaron won’t have died in vain.”

  “I know. And I know we will.”

  “How about we talk about it later, at dinner?” Jake asked.

  “Dinner?”

  “Yeah, why not. Go buy yourself something expensive to wear and we’ll have dinner in the finest restaurant in Zurich - let’s spend a bit more of the money I got for a few of Peter Bearing’s precious diamonds.”

  “Sure, why not.” Lizzie said. “Shopping on somebody else’s money sounds like my idea of heaven.”

  “Good. Seven o’clock okay?”

  “Sounds great. Can’t wait.”

  * * *

  The money was well spent as Lizzie looked sensational in a black, Vera Wang cocktail dress with patent Louboutin’s and a string of pearls. Her bruises and split lip made invisible by make-up and lipstick.

  Jake wore an Armani tux and looked every bit as dashing as James Bond.

  The Von der Flüe restaurant had a fabulous reputation for both its cuisine and wine cellar and did not disappoint. Lizzie and Jake spent the evening eating and chatting, getting to know each other properly now their respective histories had been revealed. Even though Lizzie had come from a much more privileged background and was now wealthy in her own right as the only living heir of Wendel Wallace, she and Jake had much in common - their likes and dislikes, their sense of humour and their delight in being in the other’s company.

  However, at last the conversation came around to Peter Bearing and Arthur Khan and how best to implement Aaron’s plan to incriminate them.

  First, of course, was the retrieval of the evidence from Sumpter’s house which Lizzie was certain was backed up on a main computer there, as Aaron had told her.

  Secondly, was to get the police on their side, so when Lizzie and Jake met with Bearing and Khan to hand over the diamonds, the authorities would be there to arrest them. This could prove to be tricky, but Aaron had already told Lizzie about a detective at the Met called Roper Coyle who, he suspected, may be willing to help. Jake decided that he would phone him before arriving back in England, to gauge for himself whether Coyle would be amenable to working with them.

  * * *

  After a wonderful dinner and several glasses of excellent wine, Jake and Lizzie strolled hand in hand along the banks of the River Limmat, the lights of the old city sparkling prettily in the calm water, making for a very romantic backdrop. They strolled in contented silence, only chatting sporadically, but both very much aware of the other’s presence and relishing the closeness. Jake’s hand brushed briefly against Lizzie’s thigh and the feeling was electric.

  They paused for a while, taking a seat on a bench in the moonlight, the evening warm and calm. They sat close together and Lizzie casually rested her head on Jake’s shoulder.

  Jake turned his head to look at her and saw her deep brown eyes staring longingly into his. Her lips parted invitingly and he needed no further encouragement. He covered her mouth with his and kissed her for a long time, her tongue hot and eager as their passion intensified.

  But then Jake broke away, suddenly awash with guilt. Lizzie’s foster brother was not yet cold and here he was trying to take advantage of her.

  “Sorry,” he said. “That was clumsy of me. I couldn’t help it, you’re so beautiful.”

  “Don’t,” she replied, putting a finger to his lips, knowing only too well the guilt he was now feeling as she felt it also. “It’s not just you. I’m here too. I made it pretty clear that I wanted to be kissed and boy, I can’t complain.”

 
Jake smiled. “Guess we should take it slow, huh?”

  “Yeah,” she replied. “I guess we probably should.”

  They sat in silence for a few minutes longer, still close together with her head on his shoulder but the heat between them had subsided a little as each of them tried to compose themselves.

  “Ready?” Jake asked.

  “Sure, why not?” Lizzie replied as they both stood and resumed their stroll. But as they wandered, Lizzie’s thoughts kept returning to what had just happened. She loved Jake, she knew it. And she was certain that he loved her. So why should there be guilt? Aaron would not deny her love, in fact he would positively encourage it - and had done so just shortly before his death when he had told Lizzie to go to Jake. She wanted to be with Jake and he wanted to be with her and what could be more normal than two people in love finding solace in each other?

  The cobbled streets led, eventually, back to the hotel and, inevitably, they arrived all too soon at the door to Lizzie’s suite.

  “Well, here we are again.” Jake said, as her big brown eyes once again stared alluringly up into his. But Jake did not want to push. Lizzie had been through much over the last couple of days and he did not want to make matters worse by being selfish.

  “Yep. Guess so.” She replied softly.

  “We’re picking the diamonds up tomorrow morning.” He said.

  “Uh-huh.” Lizzie replied, standing so close that he could feel her breath on his mouth, “Early start then, right?”

  “Right.” Jake answered as he bent to kiss her. Her lips were soft and sweet, delicious. But he pulled away, conscious of losing control again, conscious of her grief and not wanting to intrude upon it.

  “I’ll let you get to bed then.” He said. “Goodnight, Lizzie. See you in the morning.” He made to move away but she caught hold of his arm.

  “Don’t you dare go anywhere, Jake Sawyer,” she breathed, “Don’t you dare.”

  Unable to control himself any longer, Jake pulled her to him and their lips locked together with unrestrained passion.

  Still locked together, Lizzie somehow found the card in her bag that opened the door to her suite. The door swung inwards and they spilled into the darkness, pulling madly at each other’s clothes with unbridled passion. All his previous restraint was now gone and Jake kicked the door shut with his foot and lifted Lizzie into his arms.

  “You sure about this?” He asked softly.

  Lizzie stopped for a moment and looked directly into his eyes. “Honey, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life - now shut up and take me to bed!”

  Jake smiled. “Great. Understood. Me too!” Then, as ordered, he carried her hastily to the soft, king-sized bed where they made love for the very first time.

  * * *

  Later, when finally it was over, as they lay contented in each others arms, Lizzie kissed him tenderly. “I love you, Jake Sawyer, with all my heart,” she said.

  “And I love you, too, Lizzie Barnes,” he replied.

  Then her lips covered his once more and they made love again long into the night.

  Chapter 38

  The next morning, they awoke in a blissful afterglow, the sun streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows, bathing them in the glory of a new day.

  Jake felt fresh, alive, new. And it was great. Like the first day of the rest of his life, although, deep down, he knew that would not truly begin until Bearing and Khan had paid for their crimes. But it was close and he revelled in the pleasure of just being there, in that bed, with Lizzie beside him, for just a few moments longer.

  Lizzie, felt the same, and she rolled over and kissed Jake on the cheek. “Hi there, Limey,” she said, a contented smile on her face.

  “Hi yourself. You want breakfast? I could eat a horse.”

  “Me, too. I’m starved. Must be all the exercise you gave me last night.”

  It was Jake’s turn to smile, “Yeah, although you didn’t do too badly yourself there, Yank. I think I might have pulled something.”

  “I didn’t hear you complaining.” Lizzie said.

  “Who says I’m complaining? In fact I think I could do with some more exercise right now - work up a bit more of an appetite.”

  “You could huh?”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Well, I guess you’re in luck then,” she giggled and pulled the sheet over them once more.

  * * *

  They breakfasted like kings; croissants, fruit, orange juice - after a good old-fashioned English fry-up which was prepared especially for them at Jake’s request. They sat and ate it all hungrily dressed only in the hotel’s complimentary dressing gowns. They chatted and giggled and kissed like any young couple in love. Afterwards they shared a shower and made love yet again, they just could not get enough of each other and were eager not to be parted for one second. When they had finished and were just standing together under the hot stream of cleansing, revitalising, water, Lizzie said, “Would you mind very much if we didn’t go the bank today?”

  “Of course not,” Jake replied. “Why, what have you got in mind?”

  “Oh, nothing really. It would just be nice to spend the day together without thinking about diamonds or Peter Bearing or Arthur Khan, that’s all. Just you and me. We could take a walk, have some lunch, maybe a little afternoon delight,” she added cheekily. “Then perhaps dinner and a stroll tonight. Last night was so lovely, so perfect, but it was all about anticipation - which I absolutely loved, don’t get me wrong - but tonight we could just take it easy, relax. Enjoy the city and each other.”

  Jake smiled. “I couldn’t think of anything better. I’ll call Drescher at the bank and re-schedule for tomorrow. We’ve got plenty of time so let’s live a little.”

  * * *

  It was a beautiful day in Zurich, warm and cloudless with just a gentle breeze to cancel out the intense heat. Jake wore a light T-shirt and chinos and Lizzie had on a crisp cotton blouse, a pair of vintage jeans, turned up to her ankles and a pair of white lace-up pumps. Her hair was tied back in a long, glossy pony tail.

  They casually strolled around the city, stopping for coffee in one of the many bars along the way for a lazy chat and to watch the passers-by. They took in a couple of museums and climbed the tower of the old Romanesque church to admire the view from the top. Later on they meandered by the lake hand-in-hand along the boardwalk, until they came to an open meadow where hundreds of other young couples had come to picnic and canoodle and play. Lizzie and Jake found a space apart from the others and made the most of the sunshine. They, too, kissed and cuddled and revelled in the closeness they had found. As the idyllic afternoon drew to a close they went back to the hotel and made love yet again. At dinner, they found a secluded table in a small, candlelit restaurant, tucked away from the vibrant centre of nightlife - which for a city with such an austere reputation was surprisingly young and carefree.

  As midnight beckoned, they once more found themselves wandering along the banks of the River Limmat but the feeling was more relaxed now, less urgent and far more content. Everything about their relationship seemed absolutely right, as if they were meant to be together - to find each other on this long, hazardous and tragic road they had both been travelling.

  Lizzie felt it and told Jake so. Never had she felt this way about another person, certainly not Roger, the man she had married when she was far too young to recognise the difference between love and lust. “I know it’s only been a short time,” she said, “But I know it in my heart to be true. I love you Jake.”

  Jake felt it as deeply as her, maybe more so if that were possible. She had changed his life, rescued him from an emotionless, hollow abyss and restored his faith in love. She had given him back the will to live, the will to fight and, above all, the will to carry on, not just purely to exist as he had been doing since that terrible day in New York when he had learned
the horrific fate of his family.

  “I love you, too, Lizzie and I never want to be apart from you. I agree, it has only been a short time and I know our emotions have probably been heightened by grief. But I am more certain than I have ever been of anything when I say I want you to be my wife.”

  Lizzie looked temporarily shocked. “You do?” She said.

  “I do.” He replied. Then looked directly at her, his face earnest and sincere. “Will you marry me Lizzie?”

  Her eyes brimmed with tears as the shock vanished from her face and a wide smile appeared. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you. I will.” She spluttered with joy, before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him hard on the lips. “Of course I’ll marry you!” She said again.

  They embraced for a long time before she pulled away and looked at him sternly with only the slightest hint of mischief, “I take it you’ve got a diamond to put in the ring, right, Limey?”

  “Hey, Yank, don’t laugh,” he replied, only half-joking, “Because if our plans don’t work out you could be spending our honeymoon visiting your husband in prison.”

  * * *

  The following afternoon, Jake and Lizzie were standing in the imposing foyer of the Zeiss Schiller bank looking every inch the affluent power couple; he in a dark, beautifully tailored business suit and her in a navy Chanel dress and high, black Louboutin’s. Stylish, sleek, successful.

  As Otto Drescher approached, marching upright in his very military way, Jake held out his hand, “Herr Drescher, thank you for meeting us, my apologies for yesterday but something unavoidably came up.”

  Lizzie very nearly added, “Several times from what I remember,” but thought much better of it.