Marvik watched Strathen descend from his position on the cliff with an awkward gait that he knew he was exaggerating.
Killbeck had come here with the same intention as he had in 1979: to kill the man in the bay and retrieve the evidence of his acts of barbarism in Malaya. Only this time Strathen was not Redburn and would not allow himself to be killed, and Marvik was not Cotleigh and would not look on while a man committed murder. There was a chance that Killbeck, or the burly bastard with him, would shoot Strathen as soon as they were within range – Marvik was certain they would be carrying weapons – and then would search his body for the package, but Marvik was gambling on the fact that Shale or Killbeck had made the mistake of shooting first and had then spent the next thirty-six years regretting it, not knowing where the package was. Killbeck was unlikely to make the same mistake again.
The powerful light on the RIB lit the bay and both men were carrying flashlights. They caught Strathen in their beams as he clumsily made his way towards them. Marvik thought he caught the sound of movement above and behind him. He swivelled his eyes to the clifftop but there was no one. Perhaps it had been a rabbit or a bird. Or perhaps not.
He emerged from the crevasse and, crouching low, eased his way closer to where he could get a clear view of the three men and hear the conversation. They wouldn’t see him in the dark; their light was focused on Strathen. Marvik’s body was primed for action; the adrenaline was coursing through him just as it must be with Strathen, and yet Strathen looked on his audience calmly and confidently.
Killbeck walked purposefully up to Strathen, his hand in his jacket pocket where Marvik knew there must be a gun.
‘Bryony gave you my message,’ Strathen said.
‘That you have the package, yes. Where did you find it?’
‘Does that matter?’
‘No. I was just curious after all these years.’
‘How long has she been working for you?’
‘She doesn’t work for me. She just trusts me.’
‘Then she’s a fool.’
Killbeck smiled. ‘Yes, but then so are a lot of people. And Bryony is very fond of her little brother. You and Marvik taking him on the boat and him falling ill with severe sea sickness and heroin withdrawal was a godsend. I told her I’d ensure Ben got the best and most expensive treatment there is, abroad if necessary, to get him clean and keep him clean. And she could go with him. She cares about Ben a great deal, but then that’s not surprising seeing as she practically brought him up while her father went from woman to woman and couldn’t care less what his children did and with whom. I said they’d have enough money to start afresh in America and that I’d make sure they were OK. I didn’t have to do much persuading. She left the marina willingly but you knew that, or rather you and your partner did. Where is Marvik?’
‘He’s been dealt with.’
Killbeck raised his eyebrows. ‘I find that hard to believe.’
‘Why? I might be a cripple but I can still kill a man.’ Strathen continued, ‘Didn’t Bryony tell you we fell out over her? I see she didn’t. Living on a boat is a very intimate experience and Marvik wasn’t there all the time. She just preferred me – yeah, even with one leg. Marvik scared her. It’s the scars and his violent temper. Another thing she didn’t mention, I see, but then she is an actress and maybe a good one. She fooled you into thinking she cared about Ben but she’ll be glad to get rid of him. Where is she?’
‘Somewhere safe.’
Strathen shrugged as though to say he didn’t really care anyway. ‘Marvik and I knew you’d asked her to get back on board to find out how much we knew and to lead you to the package, if we found it. Well, I have. And I don’t think Bryony will trust you after she’s seen the evidence of your brutality.’
‘But she won’t see it, will she? Besides, it was a long time ago. It’s ancient history. It was war. These things happen – you and Marvik know that,’ Howard Killbeck said cockily. Strathen looked unperturbed. Marvik eased forward a touch. The bodyguard’s eyes swept the bay.
Howard continued, ‘And nobody wants the dirty truth of what happened in Malaya to come out – certainly not the government who don’t want to pay compensation to the relatives of the Malayans or Chinese.’
‘The victims’ relatives wouldn’t agree.’
‘But they’re not in a position to buy the evidence from you. Oh, no doubt the media would cough up for it but it wouldn’t be anywhere near the amount I’m willing to pay.’
Howard Killbeck gave a grim smile and in it Marvik caught the likeness between him and his brother, Matthew. Howard believed everyone had a price and so far those he had dealt with had. Marvik wondered how many other people Howard Killbeck had exploited and blackmailed over the years. Many, he guessed. He’d got away with it for so long that Marvik believed Howard had the dirt on some who had been at the very top of government who were still watching their backs, and that was why Crowder had called him and Strathen in. Why shouldn’t Howard think that Strathen could be bought? He’d found both Bryony’s and Sarah’s weaknesses and exploited them for his own good.
‘How much?’ Strathen curtly asked.
‘Fifty thousand pounds.’
Strathen laughed. ‘Add another nought and I might consider it.’
‘Five hundred thousand pounds is a lot of money.’
‘We’re talking about a lot of dirt.’
‘I don’t have that amount of money.’
But Strathen gave a harsh laugh. ‘Bollocks. You’ve been living off the back of Cedric Shale for years.’
‘He’s done all right out of me. Cedric hated the business and he hated his father. If it hadn’t been for me that business would have sunk years ago, excuse the pun. Cedric had no head for business and little heart for it. But he did as I told him and he made a fortune.’
‘Which you’ve been busy spending over the years.’
‘Cedric didn’t begrudge me. The poor idiot worshipped the ground I walked on.’
‘And of course you always had the evidence of his cruelty to wave under his nose if he stopped worshipping you. I understand he’s senile.’
‘Yes. And I’m still taking care of him.’
Not any more, thought Marvik, but he heard Strathen say, ‘By incarcerating him in that house and stealing his paintings, furniture and belongings to pay for it.’
Killbeck’s lips tightened. Crisply, he said, ‘You want to sell the goods and I want to buy them.’
‘That’s my price. It costs a lot of money to live when you’re disabled.’
But Killbeck hesitated.
‘OK, the deal’s off.’ Strathen made to move towards the tender. The bulky man stepped forward, his hand in his jacket pocket, fingers no doubt curled around a gun. Marvik tensed.
‘Hold on.’
Strathen turned back to Killbeck.
‘OK, it’s a deal.’
‘When can you get the money?’
‘Tomorrow afternoon. But I need to see the goods.’
‘I haven’t got it on me. It’s where I found it, stashed away deep in a crevice in the rocks.’ Strathen made towards them. Marvik stepped back.
‘I searched them.’
‘In 1979?’
‘And since.’
‘Not hard enough, it seems.’
‘Is there anything of it left?’ Killbeck said, moving after him.
‘Enough.’
They rounded the rocks where Killbeck drew up sharply. His accomplice, with his gun withdrawn, made to rush forward to where Marvik was standing but Killbeck halted him with the raising of a hand and a sharp command. ‘Wait.’ His eyes were fixed on what Marvik was holding.
‘Is this what you want?’ Marvik held out one photograph. His torch was playing over it, the light from the RIB still shining on them, and the rocks bathed in moonlight.
Killbeck tensed. ‘You have the rest?’
Marvik nodded. Strathen made to move forward to get to Marvik but at a sign from Killbeck he wa
s immediately restrained by an arm lock around his neck and a gun in his back. Strathen could get out of that blindfold but he gave no indication of it.
Killbeck said, ‘Hand it over, Marvik, or I tell Simons to shoot your buddy.’
‘That will mean you can do a deal with me.’
‘You’d let him die?’ Killbeck said incredulously.
‘He was going to double-cross me – why not.’
‘Bollocks, you’re in this together.’
There was a sudden movement behind Marvik and he swung round to find a leaner, taller man behind him. It was the man who Simons had met on the motor launch at the Festival Pier, the man who had tried to run him down with a motorbike, except he’d swapped the bike for a pump-action sawn-off shotgun. Three against one was not good, especially as they were all armed and he and Strathen weren’t.
‘You didn’t think I’d come here unprepared,’ Killbeck smirked.
‘No. Not even in 1979 when Shale met you and you killed Oscar Redburn and bundled his body on your boat to ditch in the sea, which I take it is the fate planned for us.’
‘Yes. But using your own boat, or rather the boat you’ve conveniently brought with you. Explosions at sea are so useful. Or perhaps you’ll both be washed up on the beach and your boat found drifting.’
‘Has Matthew’s boat been found?’
‘Matthew? No.’ Killbeck looked put out for a moment.
‘He took to the high seas last night.’
‘That’s his decision. Now the package or do I have to kill your buddy?’
Marvik hesitated then shrugged. ‘I’ll get it for you.’ He turned.
‘Careful,’ growled the leaner man, aiming the gun at him.
‘There’s not room for two of us in there,’ Marvik tossed over his shoulder at Killbeck. The flecks of white on the tops of the waves shone out in the beam of the RIB as they rolled on to the shore. ‘Tell him to get off my back.’
‘Wait outside, Creech,’ Killbeck ordered. Then to Marvik: ‘If you come out with anything but the package I will shoot Strathen.’
Marvik nodded and eased himself into the narrow crevice. He didn’t have to enter it because the tin was inside his jacket pocket, but he needed Creech to come after him. The entrance widened out within a few paces. Marvik waited.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’ Killbeck called, irritated and clearly on edge. To Creech, he said, ‘Go after him.’
Marvik stood in the depths of the small cave. It was pitch-black but like Strathen he had excellent night vision. Their timing needed to be perfect, especially as there was one extra person and one more gun than they had bargained for. Marvik had thought one of them would stay with Bryony.
He tensed and stood motionless as Creech edged his way inside, the gun ahead of him just as Marvik had anticipated. As the gun and then the wrist came into view Marvik brought his heavy torch crashing down with such a force on the wrist that the man cried out, the gun tilted downwards, the barrel discharged in a deafening roar and in the spilt second that followed Marvik kneed Creech violently in the genitals which sent him stumbling to his knees, a karate chop on the back of the neck brought him to the ground and, for good measure, Marvik picked up the sawn-off shotgun and rammed the butt on the back of Creech’s head.
‘It’s OK, he’s down. I’m looking for the package,’ Marvik mumbled, imitating Creech.
‘You bloody idiot,’ Killbeck edged forward and, as he did, Marvik stepped around Creech and repeated the action, this time delivering a violent chop to Killbeck’s wrist and sending the gun flying. Swiftly, Marvik retrieved it and pointed it at Killbeck. ‘Out,’ he commanded.
‘You won’t use that.’
‘Not to kill you but a bullet in the ankle will stop you from running.’
‘Simons, kill Strathen!’ Killbeck shouted as he stumbled on to the rocks, pushed forcefully from behind by Marvik.
‘I don’t think Simons is in any position to help you,’ Strathen answered, eyeing the unconscious body on the shingle. ‘Child’s play, even with only one leg.’ He smiled.
‘Let’s tie up these bastards,’ Marvik said, reaching for the rucksacks they’d hidden behind the rocks.
Killbeck eyed him malevolently but there was still confidence in his grey eyes. ‘I’ll say that you attacked us, which incidentally is true,’ he said as Marvik thrust his arms behind his back and tightened the twine around the wrists. Killbeck winced but the mocking tone continued. ‘I came here with security because I needed protection against two trained killers who were trying to blackmail me.’
‘Fine, then we’ll tell everyone what we intended to blackmail you with.’ Marvik caught the sound of a powerful motorboat out to sea. He registered Killbeck’s flicker of concern and annoyance and a stab of victory shot through him. It felt good.
Strathen had tied up Simons, was dragging the unconscious Creech from the opening in the rocks and proceeded to tie his wrists behind his back.
Marvik took the tin from the inside pocket of his jacket. ‘You and Shale just couldn’t resist gloating over what you were doing. You had to take pictures of it. Is this what you and he got off on?’
Killbeck didn’t answer.
The RIB came into view, its searchlight sweeping the bay. Crowder was here with several officers on board. Marvik turned his attention back to Killbeck.
‘How did these end up in the High Commission in Kuala Lumpar? Why not keep them on you?’
Marvik wasn’t certain Killbeck was going to answer but after a moment he shrugged as though resigned. ‘Cedric had them. He was detailed to gather up some reports and orders. He was looking at them when an officer came into the room to see why he was so long completing a simple task. The idiot panicked and thrust them in a folder.’
Marvik thought that perhaps Cedric Shale had been wondering if he should destroy them.
‘The officer stood over him while he put the folder into one of those bloody crates.’
Marvik imagined what must have happened and voiced his thoughts. ‘Then the lorry taking them to the ship crashed and a sailor from HMS Ternly, George Gurney, discovered the pictures when one of the crates split open and some of the documents fell out. He immediately recognized Cedric Shale, having worked on his estate in Dorset.’ Perhaps his intention was to blackmail Shale or perhaps to confront him before going to the authorities. Marvik continued, ‘Shale told you.’
Howard Killbeck said nothing. Crowder’s RIB landed and six uniformed armed officers dashed towards them with Crowder following more slowly.
Marvik continued, ‘You killed Gurney but too late to stop him giving the package to Bradley Pulford. Gurney pleaded with you to be spared but you killed him anyway.’
‘Try proving that.’
‘That’s not my job.’
Strathen hauled up Simons and thrust him at two uniformed officers, while another two crossed to Creech and dragged him up, groaning. Crowder drew level. Marvik nodded a greeting and continued to address Howard Killbeck.
‘Then you killed Bradley Pulford but this time, despite battering him and threatening to kill him he didn’t tell you what he’d done with the package and you had to embark for England or be posted AWOL. You returned on HMS Ternly.’ Ralph Warnford had said that they had taken some soldiers home. ‘You had no idea where those photographs were until Oscar Redburn contacted Cedric Shale to tell him what he had got from Jack Darrow.’
Crowder nodded at a uniformed officer who took Howard Killbeck’s arm.
‘But you bungled it, again,’ Marvik sneered. ‘You and Shale killed Redburn before he could tell you where he’d stuffed the package. And you didn’t know that Cotleigh also knew about the contents of the package but not where it was and that he had witnessed you murdering Redburn and taking his body out to sea. Cotleigh had overheard Darrow telling Redburn about it. Darrow had given Redburn the pictures with instructions for him to give them to his left-wing contacts in the media. Darrow didn’t want any part of it because although t
he media, instructed by certain interested parties of the then opposition and aided by Brampton, were smearing the dockers, Darrow didn’t want to be seen stooping to their tactics. He foolishly trusted Redburn.’
‘Like I said, everyone has a price.’
‘And Shale was too terrified of you to do anything except what you told him. And that’s the way it’s always been, isn’t it?’
‘Not always. You’ve seen the pictures – he got off on it. Just as we all do, you included.’
Marvik balled his fist but the smirk on Killbeck’s face and the mocking expression in his eyes made him slowly unclench. Marvik held the elderly man’s sneering countenance as he continued. ‘Redburn told Shale that Darrow had the package, even though Redburn had it by then, and you arranged for Darrow to be killed.’
‘No, that wasn’t me. Cotleigh or Redburn must have done it.’
‘And neither are alive to confirm or deny that.’ But perhaps Cotleigh did kill Darrow and that was why he was late getting here. Cotleigh had come here with the intention of getting the photographs from Redburn, killing him and then blackmailing Shale.
‘Your brother, Matthew, by coincidence, was here walking along the cliff and saw you. You ordered him to keep quiet about it, something he was only too willing to do. He didn’t want to get involved with the law, but what he didn’t tell you was that there was another witness to the murder, Joseph Cotleigh, who came out of his hiding place after you and Shale had left by boat. Matthew was relieved when Cotleigh said he’d keep silent about it and, afraid for his life Cotleigh took off, but he returned in 1989 and sponged off Matthew until Matthew could stand it no longer and he found you and told you that Cotleigh had been there on that day, knowing that you would deal with him. Only you were too late, or rather you killed the wrong man – Joshua Nunton. Now Matthew was locked into another murder. He was mortified but he said nothing. He let you think that you’d got Cotleigh and together you disposed of the body.’
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