‘I know, I know; she’s very determined and very clever, make no mistake about that. But I can’t have her wandering the world with a Kalashnikov in her arms, dragging Linnet along for the ride, and all set to have a shoot-out. I have to deal with the elimination of Ainsley, or, to put it a better way, I have to render him completely harmless to them. I know we can do it. Now, I need your promise, James, before I can continue confiding in you.’
‘You have my promise as a former secret agent. I know the importance of keeping my mouth shut. What’s that old saying from World War Two—Careless Talk Costs Lives.’
‘You’re damned right there, and that’s why you’re still standing upright. So, here we go…many years ago there was a very beautiful woman who came to see Wen Li.’
James leaned forward, listening attentively, as Jack Figg told a strange tale, one of the strangest James Cardigan had ever heard, and it held him fascinated.
Linnet and Simon stood outside the building where James had his office in Mount Street. They were waiting for M and Larry to arrive, for the meeting M had insisted on.
‘I’m still not quite clear,’ Simon said, turning to Linnet, taking her arm, walking her a few steps up the street. ‘Is M planning to invite the entire family on this yacht? Or just us?’ He stopped walking and focused his attention on Linnet.
‘Not the entire family, no,’ Linnet responded. ‘Just us, if you’ll agree to go. Oh, and Lorne. She was thinking of inviting Jack, and possibly James and Geo.’
‘Jack won’t go!’ Simon asserted, staring at her askance. ‘Can you see him cruising around the Mediterranean, taking it easy?’ He shook his head. ‘Because I can’t.’
‘Oh, darling, yes, you’re right about that,’ Linnet conceded. ‘But I wouldn’t mind going. Still, I don’t think I’d enjoy it much if you weren’t along. Can’t you go?’
‘It depends on Jack, whether he needs me at the store.’
‘I understand, but if he were to say it’s okay, would you like to go? Would you enjoy it?’
‘I’d enjoy being anywhere with you,’ he murmured, his eyes twinkling, and kissed her on the cheek.
‘No, be serious. Could you really and truly cope with being a week or two on a yacht?’
Simon thought about it objectively for a moment, and then nodded. ‘I could manage a week; in fact, I think I’d like it. I’m not sure about two weeks, though. And look here, Linnet, I’m not sure Jack is going to agree with this at all. I don’t think he could stomach M and you floating around the world on a boat. I think he wants you right under his nose, so that he can personally protect you if that is required. He’s very obdurate about that…and I can’t say I blame him.’
‘I know, I know, he worries and fusses, and he’s always been like that…There’s just one thing, Simon, I am going to back M on this issue because she’s really been longing to get away with Larry on a—’
‘Honeymoon!‘ he cut in peremptorily, and gave her a pointed look. ‘So why does she want company on their honeymoon?’
‘I suppose because she’s smart enough to know that Jack won’t let them go off alone.’
‘Right on the nose, Lin, right on the nose.’
A moment later a cab drew to a stop and M jumped out, followed by Larry. M looked smart in a navy trouser suit and a starched white shirt, with her hair in a ponytail, and an old quilted Chanel bag thrown over her shoulder.
‘Hey, didn’t that Chanel used to be mine?’ Linnet exclaimed in mock annoyance as she ran over to her younger sister, and hugged her. ‘I shouldn’t have given you that, it looks brand new.’
‘You said you hated it, and hey, don’t you look scrumptious! And so happy.’ M looked past her sister at Simon, and saw the adoring look on his face, and pulled Linnet closer to her, and said, ‘Oh, how delicious! Are you and Simon having—’
‘Sssh, and the answer is yes, and I don’t want any cheeky comments from you. Because this is serious with a capital S.’
‘Oh, Linny, darling! How fab. Are you, I mean have you…?’
‘I don’t want to discuss this on the street with him standing only a few yards away. But yes, yes, yes,’ Linnet hissed in M’s ear, and then gave her a beatific smile.
Lorne Fairley was the last to arrive at the meeting in James Cardigan’s office. Once they had all greeted Paula’s eldest son, Jack said, ‘James has made some progress. His Moscow operative has pinpointed Ainsley’s whereabouts.’
He looked across at James, who came to join him in the central seating area of the room. Turning on the television set which displayed an illuminated map of the world, James zeroed in on St Petersburg. ‘We believe he’s within a hundred-mile radius of the city, and I should have more information within twenty-four hours. But we know Russia is his new base and that he probably has a Russian partner.’
There was some discussion about Ainsley; M asked a number of pointed questions about him, as did Linnet. Jack and James answered in careful, very precise language, and promised to keep them all updated. Jack then focused on M. ‘I understand from Linnet that you plan to charter a yacht in Italy. When are you thinking of doing this?’
‘In about ten days, Jack, for two weeks. I have found an appropriate ship. Lorne knows the Greek islands and Istanbul very well, and I thought that would be a great area and we should be very safe there. I know that’s what’s worrying you…our safety. But Linnet thought that Simon could accompany us, and I would like to invite you too, Jack.’ She smiled at him.
‘It’s very kind of you, M, and perhaps I will pop down for a few days. Have you discussed this with your parents?’
‘Yes, and they seem to think it’ll be all right, but they informed me that you must have the last word.’
‘The last word is, I’ll let you know.’
Once they were alone again, about an hour later, James brought up the matter of the yacht and the cruise M wanted to take. ‘I think it would be safe, Jack. You could provide plenty of security on board, and Simon’s presence would be reassuring, wouldn’t it?’
‘Yes, it would. Anyway, he wouldn’t let Linnet go without him. They’ve become involved, romantically involved, I mean.’ He grinned. ‘I’m pleased to inform you.’
James nodded and grinned back. ‘He seems like a nice bloke, aside from being a helluva great cop.’
‘He is. I spoke to M’s mother about this proposed cruise, and she made a very good point, which was that Ainsley wouldn’t attempt to attack a moving target, and especially one that docks in a foreign country every night. That would have to be a proviso, that the yacht was anchored in a harbour and not out at sea, where it might be vulnerable.’
Jack now stood, paced the floor for a few seconds and then said, ‘Today’s Monday the seventh of May. In a week’s time Richie Zhèng should have some very important information for me. That brings us to the fourteenth of May. I don’t think we can knock Ainsley out of the box by then, but I do want him neutralized before the end of the month. He’s got to be gone and forgotten in short order.’
‘How in God’s name are we going to do that?’ James wondered aloud.
‘I shall tell you how,’ Jack answered. ‘And, by the way, I would just like to say I’m glad M suggested you, and that you agreed to work with us, James. It’s great to have you on board.’
FORTY-THREE
M, Larry and her brother Lorne cut quite a dash when they entered Harry’s Bar on South Audley Street. As they were led to a table for three at the end of the room, their presence could hardly be ignored. They were something to see.
Larry and Lorne were both six-footers, and M, wearing high heels, was the same height. This aside, all three were wonderfully good looking and extremely famous.
Once they were seated Lorne said, ‘I don’t know about you chaps, but I’m going to have one of their fantastic Bellinis.’ Glancing at his sister, he said, ‘I know you don’t drink at lunch time, but go on, have one, darling, I hate to drink alone.’
‘I’ll certainly
join you,’ Larry said. ‘But promise to stop me after I’ve had two, I’m afraid that once I start, I drink ‘em like pop.’
M began to laugh, and nodded. She said to Lorne, ‘Count me in, why not?’ As Lorne motioned for a waiter to come over, M’s eyes swept around the room, and she said to Larry, ‘Not a soul I know. How about you?’
‘None of my friends here,’ he replied and half shrugged. ‘But it’s Monday, sweetheart, and a lot of people are only just getting back from the country.’ He paused then, moving on, he asked, ‘Do you think Jack’s going to agree about the yacht?’
‘I hope so,’ she said. ‘Linnet thinks he will, and I hope James and Geo will come, too. Jack’s worried about our security, you know, and he needs reassurance that we’ll be safe.’
Larry directed his attention to Lorne. ‘I wish we could think up a way to stop this bloody guy Ainsley. He’s a menace, and he obviously has tons of money to finance his murderous schemes.’
Lorne agreed. ‘He does, and he’s as mad as a hatter…psychotic, in my opinion. Jack thinks the same thing. But look here, if Simon and James are along for the trip, then Jack should feel more at ease, and won’t put up too much resistance. As for you two, you’re surrounded by security already.’ He chuckled, glancing from one to the other. ‘The two of you have become a couple of rock stars. And almost overnight. And why not? You’re both gorgeous.’
Larry and Lorne, stars in their own right, had been good friends for years, and felt even closer now that they were brothers-in-law. And it was to Lorne that Larry turned whenever he needed to know anything about the family. And especially Jonathan Ainsley. This morning was no exception. ‘Why hasn’t anybody been able to stop him before now?’ Larry asked, staring at Lorne, a brow lifting.
‘I guess Jack and his guys have tried for years, without success, but then there was this horrendous car crash five years ago, and Ainsley was killed, and there was a funeral; but as you know, all that seems to have been a load of drivel, the funeral not the crash, I mean. I’m all for making the trip to Turkey, so you can count on me, M. If Jack still remains difficult, tell him you’ll cut out the Greek islands: that should help to soothe his nerves.’
‘Why?’ M asked her brother, frowning at him. ‘I don’t understand.’
Lorne held her steady gaze, explaining, ‘I believe Jack will go along with you, providing you promise to remain docked in the harbour in Istanbul, and plan to just go off on daily trips around the Turkish coast. There’s a lot of port police security, and don’t forget that ships are much more vulnerable floating around a group of islands. He’ll be thinking about all that.’ The drinks had arrived; Lorne picked up his glass, toasted them. ‘Here’s to you two lovebirds, and your honeymoon.’
‘And to you, Lorne,’ Larry murmured.
M said, ‘I found this great yacht, Lorne. It’s called Skylark, and I loved the name at once because it’s the name of a bird. Remember? We used to say a Lark and a Linnet when we teased her. Anyway, it has six cabins for twelve guests, twelve in crew, and it’s about one hundred and seventy-five feet and was built in Bremmerhaven. It’s very luxurious, and has everything we could possibly want to have a wonderful time. Linnet told me that Simon would enjoy it, but that he would only want to stay a week. I hope you can be with us for two weeks, Lorne. And do you want to bring your current lady friend?’
He laughed hollowly. ‘I would if I could, but there is no current lady friend. I don’t seem to be able to hang on to any of them these days.’
He had tried to sound miserable, but M caught the laughter in his eyes, and she knew he was play-acting, which he did for a living as well as for pleasure, or to throw his family off the scent.
Larry said, ‘How serious is the relationship between Simon and Linnet, M?’
‘Yes, do tell us,’ Lorne interjected. ‘I’d love to know, and I hope you’re going to say it’s serious.’
‘I think it is, from what she said this morning. And I hope so too, because it would be wonderful for her to have a companion. She’s been so lonely since Julian died.’
‘Don’t I know it?’ Lorne picked up the menu, looked at it and then eyed his sister. ‘My Italian’s lousy. What can you make out of this?’ he asked, putting the menu down.
‘Larry, you’re the clever one with languages, tell us what’s for lunch,’ M exclaimed.
He perused it quickly, and rattled off, ‘A wonderful fish cooked in a salt casing, veal scallopini, some kind of shrimp dish, another fish, and lots of different pastas. But let’s ask the maître d’ for recommendations, don’t you think?’
After the head waiter had told them what was on the menu, and once they had ordered fish and white asparagus to start, Lorne said, ‘I have a number of friends in Istanbul, as you know, M, since I’ve been going there for years, and I have one friend in particular who’s going to be really helpful, if you want to see a few of the special sights.’
‘Who is that?’ M asked, sounding curious.
‘Her name is Iffet, and she’s actually a professor of archaeology, but she also owns a travel agency. Iffet has great expertise and knowledge. You’ll like her, M; she’s a lovely woman, very sweet. And a great guide. Or she can just hang with us if you want to stay put.’
‘She sounds great, and I like to have contacts in foreign countries,’ Larry said, and went on, ‘Before I forget, my mother wants us to go to dinner, Lorne, and for you to come along with us.’
‘How nice of her, and I’d love to. Will Portia be there?’
Larry looked at Lorne alertly. ‘Odd you should ask that. My mother said I should tell you Portia is going to come. If you are.’
‘Ha! Ha!’ M cried, staring hard at her brother. ‘Do I smell a romance blooming?’
‘No, you don’t,’ Lorne said in a firm voice. ‘But we’ve known each other for years and like each other a lot.’
‘I wasn’t suggesting anything improper,’ M protested.
‘Not ‘alf,’ Lorne muttered.
Jack Figg was halfway up Mount Street when he felt the mobile phone in his breast pocket vibrating against his chest. He pulled it out and flipped it open. ‘Figg here.’
‘Hello, it’s your Wharton friend.’
‘Hi!’ Jack exclaimed. ‘Good to hear from you. News?‘
‘Affirmative. Riddles are the order of the day. Okay?’
‘Mighty fine, Wharton.’
‘You know the company I am one day to inherit?’
‘You mean the nature of it?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Then, yes, I do.’
‘That is what our friend has. His own private plaything. For himself. And for others, of course.’
‘Do you have its name?’
‘Oh, yes, and it’s all above board. Nothing phony. And everything is stashed there.’
‘Really? That’s very interesting.’
‘There’s a partner. A new partner, well, he’s been around a couple of years.’
‘Who is he? Or she? And whence does he or she hail?’
‘I’ll give you details later. A couple of days. Suffice it to say that caviar is a favourite.’
‘I got it.’
‘I’m making headway with the…keys, you know what I mean?’
‘I do, yes.’
‘Okay.’
‘I’ll be waiting.’ Jack closed his phone down.
On a small side street in Hong Kong, Richie Zhèng did the same. Then he placed the mobile phone on the ground and stamped on it, threw the debris in a garbage bin. New phone, now smashed. No trace.
Jack was sitting at his desk in the study of his flat in Kensington when the land line began to shrill. Picking it up, he said, ‘Hello? Jack Figg here.’
‘It’s Simon, do you have five minutes to spare, Jack?’
‘Hello, Simon, and ‘course I do. What’s up?’
‘Can I come around? I’m literally seconds away. I need to talk to you.’
Jack laughed. ‘Sure, come on up to th
e flat. We can have a drink together. I’m just messing around on my computer, not doing much.’
‘That’s great. Thanks. See you in a few seconds.’
Jack glanced at his computer, and was about to turn it off when a name suddenly appeared on the screen. The name was GRISHA LEBEDEV. It was a name he had never seen before, and he was momentarily baffled, and then a smile spread across his face when he saw the word CAVIAR come up next to it. He looked at the screen, searching for the name of the sender, and saw another name he’d never heard of. He chuckled quietly to himself. Richie Zhèng, the computer whiz, had obviously sent it through one of his compadres, as Richie called his computer buddies. Jack glanced at the date. It said the ninth of May on the desk calendar, just two days since Richie’s phone call. He was wonderfully prompt, that young man. Jack approved of promptness. Richie had said he’d be back to him in a couple of days, and he was.
Suddenly more words came streaming onto the screen. First Jack read: BELVEDERE-MACAU PRIVATE BANK. And then there was a message. It said: ‘I’m twenty-one today. I’ve got the key of all the doors. Except one. I’m twenty-one and rich.’
Jack threw back his head and laughed. Richie was telling him that he had twenty-one codes or passwords or keys to do with all of Ainsley’s computers at Belvedere Holdings in Hong Kong, and that he was missing only one. And the word ‘rich’ was a play on his own name of Richie.
Peering at the top of the document, he saw that there was a different name for the sender. Another one of Richie’s compadres, he had no doubt. Despite the seriousness of it all, there was a twinkle in Jack’s eyes as he continued to stare at the screen.
At the sound of the doorbell ringing, Jack rose and walked out into the entrance hall, opened the front door and welcomed his nephew. As he led Simon into the sitting room, he told him about the messages. ‘I’m glad to give you good news: we have the name of Ainsley’s Russian partner. It’s Grisha Lebedev, Grisha being the nickname or pet name, if you like, for Grigori; and we now have the name of the private bank Ainsley owns, although that would have been easy enough to get, I’m sure. He’s not keeping the bank a secret. Richie’s doing a good job for us.’
Breaking the Rules (2009) Page 38