by John Gubert
“Hopefully we can just stand back and watch the whole thing self destruct. The Empire will have lost a billion. The non-drug side will revolt. After all, they already tried to split off a few months ago.”
They walked back up to the hotel. The evening was peaceful and they all had plenty on their minds. There was something awesome about the events that were about to unravel. There was the death of Di Maglio. Then there was the fall of the Empire. Then there would be the spectacular collapse of the bank.
And then Charles would go into exile until they managed to find a way to make a comeback. But an exile helped by their tens of billions. They all had everything to play for. And, still, they had to be careful. Everything was not won yet.
Charles sent Douglas back to England with key papers. The main one was the indemnity from prosecution in the US. He also took a copy of the tape Charles had made of the talk with the US agent. He would give both to Jacqui who would keep them safely with some other useful mementoes they had. They were all incriminating and all would be useful, later, for blackmail or worse. In time he would put the originals in their Swiss bank vault and only keep copies in London. It always paid to keep these in duplicate and he trusted the Swiss for one thing above all; their commitment to banking secrecy and security.
They went to the coffee shop and had a light meal. They talked through what would happen once they had finished the scam. Maria knew she would be worth several hundred million. Charles asked Maddy what she’d do. She couldn’t say if she would go back to her old job because Maria didn’t know that she was a double agent in more senses than one. So she spun a yarn about always wanting a ranch and loving South America. She talked of Buenos Aires and yearned for its splendour. She reminisced about the restaurants she knew there. She remembered the late night dancing and the singing in the Tango district. She talked of the plains and riding on fiery horses.
Charles thought she was serious and wondered if Delaney knew of the millions she had transferred to her accounts in bribes and wondered if they would stay there. He was amazed at her innocence. She had always seemed oblivious to the dangers facing her when the Mafia knew her true identity. She seemed unaware of the risk of letting him have a hold on her through any embezzlement on her part.
Money corrupts; her millions were big money. Charles had a feeling that Miss Maddy Brown would never be a government employee again. He even wondered if she had salted away some money from the Empire. After all, she was a money laundering expert. Perhaps their gamekeeper had turned her hand to a bit of discreet poaching too?
They turned in early and they stayed apart for another night. Charles and Maria knew the game was coming to an end. Their paths would soon diverge and there was no going back. There would be no reminiscences. They had had their pleasure and now they would have to find other opportunities to satisfy their needs. Charles knew that he would never love Maria. He had not really loved Claire. Claire was for a fleeting moment when their lives were in unison. Those women needed him as a man rather than as a person. They served each other. That was all.
It was with these thoughts in mind that they headed for California. Maria dressed in her office outfit sat demurely beside him in the first class cabin of the plane. They breakfasted from paper bags and drank coffee from plastic cups as their carrier fought to prove it could cut costs and price more than the next man could. It was difficult to understand the selling of airline seats. A nation in love with the oil guzzling stretched limousine offered the most cramped flying conditions. And nobody complained. The plane equalled the bus and the bus didn’t have to be comfortable. So people accepted the tedium of discomfort.
In California, they did the official visit and saw the regulators once again. As they went back to the hotel in the evening, they saw the office had booked them rooms that were well apart. This did not worry them. They doubted they were in any danger there.
Charles called home and Jacqui told him the news he had waited for, “My father’s had a massive heart attack. He died a couple of hours ago.”
“How do you feel? Can you handle it all?”
“I’ve asked the lawyers to find the will. Aldo will organise the funeral with the family. It’ll be early next week. We’ll have to go to New York for it. I’ll tell you when. There should be quite a bit of money in the estate. I wonder who he left it to. I hope there’s not going to be a family row.”
Charles knew that was shorthand for her concern that the eventual loss of all the estate as it bailed out the bank in America could cause problems. For that reason, he hoped she was the beneficiary. But he could not be sure. In any event, it was ironic, if that were the case, they would themselves bail out the bank. That hadn’t been the aim in the beginning, but the bail-out would cost them much less than the gains they had made.
Jacqui seemed quite calm and assured him that she was well, “I suppose the attack tripped it off. He lived a pretty rough life. He drank too much. He was always stressed. He whored around. His body must have been in pretty bad shape. I can’t feel too sorry for him. I’m sad we rowed, but that was inevitable. We need to finish the job and make sure that the Empire doesn’t exist for any of our children. It caused enough misery for me.”
She then changed the subject and surprised him when she said, “I’ve bought our beach. It’s in the Maldives. It’s close to the main island and therefore easily accessible. It’s not a place for all-year. But it’s beautiful. I bought it unseen. If we don’t like it we can sell it. But we have a place for later in the year. It has a small airstrip that will take our plane. It has one house with a cottage in the grounds. I’ll send Douglas and his wife over once you’re back to look at it. Then we’ll get an interior designer in. We could spend a week or so there in September if we want.”
Charles understood the shorthand again. The place would be ready by then. He couldn’t see them getting away before then. But it meant that, at long last, they had a place. They would get a boat there, so they could sail as well as spend time on the beach. The Maldives would be humid in the summer months but would be an ideal winter location. They could spend several months there and then, perhaps, get a place in California for the summer. At least he hoped they could, as long as they did not become persona non grata in the US.
Charles rang Aldo and Giovanni. He couldn’t say he was sorry but he asked how it happened. They explained. If they felt any suspicion, they didn’t say a word. He then called Maria and told her. She seemed to accept it as normal, even ironic.
“I suspect that saves you from wondering whether to kill him,” she commented. “I always thought you had that truly on your mind. Get rid of the Empire and get rid of Di Maglio as an insurance policy.”
That insight surprised him, but he had the presence to laugh, “You know me too well. But it looks as if Mother Nature has let me off that decision. I wonder who’ll inherit. It would be ironic if it were Jacqui.” Maria savoured the irony, “You can pull back even now you know.”
“No. We go ahead. Just relax and soon you’ll be seriously rich. I’m going to crash out early tonight. I’ll have a meal in my room. We have a busy day till we get the flight home tomorrow evening. So let’s take it quietly. I’ll see you in the morning.”
The next day went smoothly and by evening they were heading back to London. Then on Friday they would really put the Empire into play. They had the centre seats in the first class cabin.
They drank champagne and ate their evening meal. They looked at each other nervously. For the first time, Maria seemed unsure, “Will it all work?” she whispered over to him.
He laughed away her doubts, “It’ll work. You’ll see. The money side is already in play. That’s just a matter of time. The Empire had to go. And the beginning of the end is Friday. I just don’t know how fast or slow it will be.”
She shook her head, “It’ll be fast. You can bet your bottom dollar that they’ll jump at the opportunity. The boss is gone. The bimbo is in command. The major hi
t happens. The Empire is bust. The Di Maglio private money is not there to fuel it. You’ll be seen as an unwilling owner when you don’t put up more cash. No, it’ll go and quickly.”
“What’ll happen, in your opinion?” Charles queried.
“The other rats will all seek to leave the sinking ship. They may even offer you money to get out. It will be either something front end or a share over the years. That’s the usual stuff. There will be new alliances. There will be new deals. Another Empire will arise from the ashes of the old.”
She was mocking him as well as answering the question. They might have purged themselves of guilt but not the world of evil. Charles knew that well enough. He had no regrets about the Empire. He disliked the people who ran large parts of it. He hated the death and destruction that it bought. He didn’t want it as part of Jacqui’s inheritance. He knew that it was now theirs, but he wanted to be rid of it.
Yet, others would sell the drugs to the addicts on the streets. Others would tempt new candidates through soft and into hard drugs. First, they would drag on some cannabis. Then they would sniff cocaine. And then, before they knew it, they would be hooked on heroin. They would look to finance their ugly habit and prostitution or crime would beckon for those who were pretty or tough enough; at least for as long as they were still pretty or able. The others would be destroyed by it all. Destroyed; other than the few who would break their habit before their habit broke them.
“But you will be far away,” he said to her.
“And so will you. We’ll have our memories. Mine start well. Then I stray. But then you saved me. You’re like a missionary. You plucked me from a life of sin and showed me a life of pretty rampant crime. And you showed me more. But soon I’m going to be a model citizen. As model as someone who is filthy rich can be.” She grinned, “And I’m looking forward to it.”
He lent over and whispered to her, “Will I have your address? I’d want to send you the odd Christmas card.”
She laughed, “Not just a Christmas card.”
“Maybe there will be more. But I’ll have to see who you’re living with. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble.”
Charles then called Jacqui on the phone. She had news. “Giovanni called. He knows all about the will. He believes that my father has left his entire estate to my mother. Apparently I get nothing. That doesn’t bother me. But it’s amusing that he left all to my mother. She’ll be overjoyed. Funny, isn’t it?”
Charles laughed. They had never had contact with Jacqui’s mother. Indeed, she had had no contact with her former husband. Now she would think that she had inherited billions. She would undoubtedly be at the funeral. She would never see a penny of the inheritance and she didn’t deserve to. Charles thought long live page thirty-three as he reminded himself of the added page to the sale agreement. Undoubtedly, their salvation would be her mother’s misfortune.
They slept through the flight and soon landed at Heathrow. Douglas was there. He whisked them to the house where, for the first time, Charles saw the new baby. Little Claire Jacqueline was asleep and looking peaceful in her pink crib. He held Jacqui’s hand as he got the first sight of his second daughter. They then walked over to the other bedroom and kissed the sleeping Juliet. They then kissed until a little voice said “What are you doing?” and they saw Juliet sitting up in her bed.
Charles picked her up again and kissed her on her forehead. “I was just saying hello, to you, the baby and your mother. Now sleep little one. It’s late.”
They left the room as their daughter fell asleep. On Friday they would need to be in the office. Jacqui had some final work to do on the share register for the last part of the big scam and Charles had to put everything into play.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Late that Friday morning, Maddy called. Her voice was breathless, “The Russians and the Italian Group have both bought it. I have the seventy five million in the account and it is moving through the web I set up. It’ll be in my Cayman account by this evening.”
“Don’t give details over the phone unless it’s needed,” Charles snapped back. “They have the area and are just waiting for the co-ordinates and the time?”
“Yes,” she replied. She sounded abashed at the reprimand.
“Have you got your exit route?”
“I’m flying to London tonight.”
“OK, you know the routine. See you then.” Charles said curtly.
Charles called Delaney, “Put your Toronto men on standby. I’ll give you the co-ordinates in a few hours. If I’m late, then it’s because we’re delaying the flight. You’ll be facing twenty people on my side and at least fifty or sixty other attackers plus a billion dollars of drugs at cost.”
“I’ll be waiting,” he said. “And, Charles, we owe you if we pull this off. The US owes you also. They’re sorry. The tape was not authorised.”
“Nor was mine of their agent, but, if they do anything, they’ll hear it on CNN. And it makes fun listening.”
“You taped the conversation. I can’t believe it,” he gasped. “He didn’t frisk you?”
“They were amateurs. Only amateurs would have tried to pull that stunt. That’s why I’m being secretive. But don’t worry, with a jet you’ll be able to make it with an hour or so to spare. Just keep everyone on standby.”
Once he had finished with Delaney, he joined Jacqui. She looked incredible for someone who had given birth just six days ago. She had organised the childcare. They had two nannies now. And, although they didn’t know it, both had been vetted by the British Secret Service as well. Charles explained what he had done.
“I’ll tell Delaney the co-ordinates about an hour or two before they land. He has jets and helicopters standing by and expects he will have to parachute his people into the region. In reality, he’s close enough to bus them in from Toronto. And it may be safer if he does.”
Jacqui agreed, “But what are you doing about Maddy? She’ll be in danger after the attack.”
“Yes. I’d realised that from the start. But she seemed unaware until the other day. Delaney has realised that, though. He has a safe house and will make arrangements for an identity change. She’ll meet us tonight.”
Charles had an operations centre in the basement. It had full international radio and satellite communications and sleeping quarters for three or four people. At the moment it would only house Maddy and Maria. He could need them both to be there 24/7. Charles couldn’t afford to be cut off from the office that long in case something went wrong there.
“You think Maddy will tell all to Delaney?” asked Jacqui.
“I doubt it. She’ll hold back on the payments; it’s her one chance. They’ll have a huddle and he’ll authorise an official payment and give her a new ID. At least, once we have finished. He knows I need her with me, if only to brief me on the men I’ll have to deal with from your father’s operation. I think they’ll contact me soon after the hit. The funeral will be the ideal place to complete the deal.”
Douglas drove them to the office. In the car, Charles explained their plans for the island. Then he added, “Douglas, we’d like you to work for us as long as you want. And I’ll give you a half a million-dollar bonus for each year you work. That starts today and is in addition to the rest of your salary. It’s joint with your wife.”
They were at the top of Fleet Street when that announcement was made. Douglas swerved, then quickly corrected, “You often surprise me Mr Charles. What’s that for?”
“It’s your pension fund. You’ll need it one day. You earn it. Both of you do.”
“Thank you sir, I appreciate that. If I may say so, you’re a gentleman. A bit like Raffles.”
“Thanks Douglas, I like the analogy.”
He then looked over at Jacqui who had an enigmatic smile on her lips. She was wearing a loose black dress. Without a hair out of place and perfect make-up on her flawless skin, she looked desirable in the extreme. She saw his look and laughed happily
.
She leant over and whispered, “I’m not superwoman you know. You’ll have to wait a few weeks. But I’ll make it worth your while.”
Charles grinned at her and muttered, “A few weeks, I don’t believe it. And you haven’t organised a stand-in?”
She looked at him; eyes flashing. “She’d make the mistake of her life. One she’d regret. After all, I’m a gangster’s moll.”
“But you’re not a gangster’s moll. You’re his daughter.”
“Wrong. You’re as much as a gangster as he was. You’re just a zillion times more gorgeous. And a billion times smarter. And a million times nicer. And several times richer. Almost perfect you know.”
“You deal in big numbers. I’ve trained you well.”
She laughed. Douglas opened the door and showed them out. They both walked into the office, greeting some of the staff as they went in. They noticed a sign at the entrance. It was the share price in neon lights. He noticed the price was twenty-seven dollars, which was a couple of dollars up on their average sale price. But he was hardly worried. He knew it couldn’t last. They had sold more shares as the market had risen. And Jacqui was to rig the records during that morning. She planned to leave after lunch in the office.
Charles called Maddy‘s number as planned. The office told him she had not been in that morning. He knew she was either in London or on her way. But he left a message all the same, “Tell her I called, and I’ll be in the office till after lunch.” Once again this was part of the plan to cover up his knowledge of Maddy‘s impending disappearance.
He saw his fellow directors. He noticed that the Honourable James looked pale. He had shadows under his eyes. His face looked gaunt. He had lost his usual sleek look. He knew the gravity of the banks’ financial position. At last.
Charles pretended to be concerned and asked if he was well.