Finding Linda

by Ron Sewell

  “Is the paperwork ready?”

  “You’ll find it on the desk by the window.” He guided her to a chair. “Take your time and if you have questions, please ask.”

  Engrossed, absorbed, and almost in a trance she read every word. Twenty–five minutes later, she signed and dated every page. She frowned. “Manage my money well. If you don’t I’ll rip your balls from your body.”

  He smiled. “I can assure you your funds are in safe hands.” Following her to the door he released the lock, smiled as she left and slammed it shut. “I hate the new rich.” Main Street was busy with tourists wandering up and down staring into shop windows. Amongst the many narrow streets, she searched for a hairdresser. She was in luck. Mirabelle’s Boutique did not have any customers.

  “Hi,” said a white-haired girl with a doll-like face, thin frame and no figure. “I’m Mirabelle.”

  She smiled. “I have an irresistible urge to be different, any suggestions?”

  “I must give this my best thoughts. You have medium length black hair. Do you fancy a Bob with sharp sides tinted deep purple with a white fringe.”

  “Do it.”

  Two hours later with her appearance altered, Linda ambled onto Main Street. In a lingerie boutique, she bought knickers and bras. Her final stop was to buy a fashionable bright yellow dress and shoes to match. These she carried in a plastic bag. Satisfied, she produced a French passport and headed for the border. Once through, she hailed a taxi and told the driver to take her to a good hotel in Algeciras. Ten minutes later the car stopped outside The Hotel Algeciras. “This good hotel. I come with you and tell them you are a friend of my family.”

  Linda laughed. “How much commission do they offer you?”

  He shrugged. “It depends how long a guest stays.”

  She gave him a fifty Euro note. “That should cover your loss.”

  “You are a lady of style. Enjoy your holiday.”

  She clambered out, seized her bag and strode into reception. In a few minutes, she had booked in and paid in full for a week. Inside her room, she locked the door. From her bag, she removed her mobile, changed the SIM card and contacted Antarah Hasan.

  The rerouting of the call took time but on the third ring, he answered.

  “Antarah Hasan.”

  “What’s your ETA for Algeciras?”

  “Three days.”

  She ended the call.

  22

  Cape Town.

  Alone, Eric Johnston sat in the office and stared out of the large window towards the Atlantic. From here, the sea appeared calm but he could see the white crests on every wave. He sipped at his coffee but it had gone cold an hour ago. Again, he read the single foolscap page. The high priority message scared the shit out of him. It was brief and to the point. Eliminate Linda Liu. Frustrated, he screwed the sheet of paper into a ball and tossed it in the bin. A few seconds later he retrieved it, smoothed it out on his desk before feeding it to the shredder. This is why they paid him. Why did he feel this way? It frightened him. He pressed the memory key on his mobile.

  “It’s Sunday morning.”

  “Anna, I need you in the office ten minutes ago. Don’t ask questions. I’ll tell you when you arrive.” He ended the call.

  Anna arrived twenty minutes later, wearing her yellow tracksuit and matching trainers. “As you never pay overtime, I hope this is not a waste of time.”

  Eric suppressed a smile. “Anna, som etimes things are more complicated than they appear. In your country there’s a maxim, ‘you take the queen’s shilling’. Ours is similar. It means we do as we’re told.”

  Anna smiled, said nothing and perched on the edge of her desk. “Okay, I’m here and as the rabbit said, what’s up, doc?”

  Eric’s face remained unreadable as he removed a sheet of paper from his desk. “Grab a seat and read.” She read the five words. ‘ You will eliminate Linda Liu, and gazed into his eyes. “Is this your idea of a joke? Who else knows?”

  “It’s not my idea and I never joke about killing anyone. Our paymaster wants her out of the way. Others, I don't know, Mossad or the Americans, will dispatch a specialist team to track the ship.”

  “Why me?” “You , and if he can make it, Rono. At the moment he’s on a boat following our ship.”

  “How and when?”

  “Gibraltar. Try not to get caught.”

  She frowned. “I don’t think Rono could pull the trigger. He would in self-defence but that might be too late. I’d rather take the long shot with a sniper’s rifle.”

  “Desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ll arrange for one to arrive at your hotel. You can zero it in at the army range. Take your time and kill her with your first shot.”

  “She’s booked in for fourteen days at the Rock Hotel. There’s plenty of time. I’ll get George to do the necessary tomorrow morning.”

  Eric rubbed his chin. “I often debate if this is the end of the team or will they find us another target?”

  Anna savoured the job of assassin. She found it frightening but exciting. “After this they’ll use us as a hit squad or cleaners. Beats nine-tillfive.”

  “I don’t feed my ducks as often as I should. Time I visited the park. I often wonder if they miss me but maybe I’m just a food source.”

  Anna lounged in her seat and placed both feet on her desk. “You and your bloody ducks. It’s Sunday and I intend to enjoy the rest of the day.”

  *** On Monday morning, Anna breezed into the office and poured a large mug of fresh coffee. “George, arrange a flight for me to Gibraltar. I have to give somebody their notice.” “I’ll see what’s available.” She clattered the keys on her keyboard. “Here we are, British Airways via London Heathrow. Do you need a stopover or direct?”

  “Direct would be best.”

  “Takes fifteen hours. How long are you staying?”

  “She’s not,” said Eric as he stomped into the room. “Bird’s flown, and no one has any idea where.”

  “And when did you find that out?” asked Anna.

  He grimaced. “It doesn’t matter when, the Gibraltar police fucked up big time. George, beg, steal or borrow the CCTV footage from the border police?”

  “Will do, boss.”

  “Anna, scour every bloody frame and find her.”

  “She might have left by boat. It’s a fact smugglers operate across the Straights every night. For a price, one of a dozen fast cruisers could take her anywhere.”

  Eric slumped in his chair. “Find her.”

  ***

  The American Queen steamed at twelve knots towards the Spanish port of Algeciras. At seven in the morning, Captain Barre held a cup of steaming coffee in his hand. Perfect, he thought, as he stared ahead through the bridge windows. The sky was cloud-free and blue and the sea mirror-flat. He smiled at the duty deck officer. “Two more days and I go home.”

  “I’m on for the whole trip,” said the deck officer.

  He sipped his coffee while checking the electronic chart. At their current speed, they would dock at midday on Wednesday.

  Satisfied all was well he said, “I’ll be in my cabin if you need me.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  ***

  Twenty miles astern, Desert Wind on autopilot cruised on one engine at twelve knots. Khaled and his men lazed on the sun deck while Rono practiced his boat handling. He had never been so bored in his life. Still, he thought, in two days they would stop to refuel in Gibraltar. His mobile, lodged in an empty cup, vibrated.

  “Hi, Eric.”

  “We’ve lost Linda Liu.”

  “I’ve lost the will to live following this boat.” “Are you listening?”

  “You’ve lost Linda, and we both know this ship is important to her. She will be on a dockside, somewhere. I guarantee it.”

  “I hear the words. Our masters are tracking the vessel by satellite. The bad news is when we receive it the information is forty–eight hours old. Refuel in Gibraltar. Straight in, fuel and out.”r />
  “We intend to overtake her in the Straits. If Khaled's calculations are right, we will be up her backside before she’s out of range of our radar.”

  “Okay. We’ll talk later.”

  The aroma of stew filled the boat. Mohammed ladled the steaming mixture into bowls and handed them out. When he gave Khaled his. "We are running out of food."

  “Not a problem,” said Rono. “We’ll soon be alongside in Gibraltar.”

  23

  Linda strolled into the shipyard a few metres behind a dozen men. Those following whistled at the snugness of her jeans but chuckled at the colour of her hair. She waved and blew them a kiss as she entered the manager’s office.

  The attractive young women with a large bust peered over the top of her dark-framed glasses. She stopped opening the mail and smiled. “I’ll tell him you’re here.” She pressed a button on the aged intercom.

  Linda nodded. The young woman wasn't anything special, and yet, she sensed a bond.

  The manager came to his office door and beckoned to Linda. He wore the same threadbare suit from their earlier meeting. “Good morning, Ms Liu.” He pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “We have plenty to discuss.”

  “My ship arrives tomorrow. Are you ready?”

  “As demanded by you. My skilled workforce will complete the work but discretion comes at a price. I told them you’ll pay triple the normal rate.”

  She sat back in the chair. “I’ll pay your price but you will paint the decks, hatches and every piece of that vessel black.”

  Borta rubbed his hands together. “We have a deal.”

  She stood and her eyes locked on his. “Mess with me and my associates will bury you at sea in a concrete coffin. I will live in the captain’s cabin from the moment it arrives.”

  He did not stand as she left the room but shouted, “I keep my word.”

  She stopped at the buxom secretary’s desk, placed her hand on her head and stroked her hair.

  The girl gazed at Linda and smiled. “I’m Natalia and that’s lovely.”

  “We need to talk. You must know the Hotel Algeciras, be in the foyer at seven and I’ll treat you to dinner.” She bent and kissed her on the lips. “See you.”

  ***

  Natalia, wearing a short pink cotton dress, shivered when Linda came out of the lift. She smiled and sauntered towards her.

  Linda made a face and whispered, “You’re shaking, what’s wrong.”

  Natalia bit her lower lip. “I’m new to this.”

  Linda grasped her hands. “I will not hurt you and you’re free to leave whenever you want. The alternative is your fat smelly boss humping you.”

  “I hate him but jobs that pay good money are scarce.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No. I’d prefer a drink.”

  Two drinks later, they entered Linda’s room.

  The door shut but Linda’s first kiss was uncertain. Then she hugged and kissed Natalia full on the lips as her body pressed into her. She breathed in the smell of jasmine. Her right hand dropped to the girl’s thigh and lifted her dress.

  Natalia’s breathing deepened, her posture changed yet she stayed close.

  Linda’s hands touched bare skin, as they slid to her waist and then paused. Her right hand caressed her hair, tucking the stray wisps behind her ear. They kissed, savouring each moment, lost in a heady trance of passion.

  Natalia’s body trembled as Linda’s fingers pressed the right buttons. Entwined they tumbled onto the bed. They kissed and tore at each other’s clothes. Naked, they romped into the early morning. Wrapped in each other’s arms, sleep overtook them.

  Natalia awoke. “I must have a shower.” She slipped off the bed and sauntered into the bathroom.

  Naked, Linda rested on the top of the ruffled sheets. “How was the shower?”

  “Hot but I must go home.”

  Linda sighed. “If you must but tell me how did you rate your first time?”

  Natalia slid into her knickers and then her dress. “Nervous, frightened and scared until you worked your magic. I’m not sure if I’m a lesbian. My sexual experiences have to date been awful. My boss humps me and in a few minutes, he grunts and lights a cigarette. One day I’ll find a man who cares but then I could be bisexual. At the moment I can have the best of both worlds.”

  Linda swung her legs to the thick-carpeted floor. “It’ll be better next time.”

  Natalia seated herself next to Linda and gave her a big kiss. “I’ll see you later today.”

  “You’re okay.” Still naked she walked arm in arm with Natalia to the door.

  Natalia hesitated, kissed Linda again, and left. The door closed.

  ***

  Jose Borta sat behind his desk checking invoices when the telephone rang. He raised the handset and before he spoke Linda said, “My ship arrives at midday. I will be on the jetty and expect your men to start work five minutes after she is alongside.”

  “Ms Liu, the equipment and everything is ready. The work will begin on arrival of your ship. My men will work in shifts around the clock and I expect payment in full.”

  “When you finish, I’ll pay the balance outstanding. Oh, while I remember, please arrange for refuelling.” The line went dead.

  “Damned woman,” said Borta as he slammed the handset into its cradle. “Natalia, coffee. Now.”

  ***

  At eleven in the morning, the American Queen sailed into Spanish territorial waters. One hour before his ETA, Captain Barre Zogby contacted Algeciras Pilots. He gave them his ETA and the ship’s name. The pilot station advised of the pilot pick up point.

  “Slow ahead. What the hell,” shouted Barre?

  A Lynx helicopter hovered off the stern. It was grey in colour, with the words ROYAL NAVY painted in white on the tail. It roared past the port side, its twin-engines deafening those on the bridge. In the cockpit, two uniformed figures gazed ahead. Out of sight, thirty-year-old photographer Leading Airman Sam Walker pointed his camera. At five frames a second, he finished the mission. “Time to go home.” The machine veered to port and headed to Gibraltar.

  Barre stood on the starboard bridge wing as the pilot cutter neared. The small craft approached the boarding ladder suspended from the main deck.

  The pilot, a thin man in his early thirties, stared at the ship and questioned on how it made a profit. As the pilot boat hugged the hull, he prepared to jump. As the craft rose on a crest, he stepped from the deck and onto the ladder.

  At the top two dark-skinned and smiling men assisted him onto the rust-coloured deck. He nodded and said, “Gracias.”

  One pointed to the bridge and then walked away. The pilot, Diego Lopez, paused and then climbed the external ladder.

  Captain Barre Zogby introduced himself to the pilot in English.

  Diego extended his hand and greeted the captain first in Spanish and then English.

  “Where’s our berth,” asked Barre.

  “I am told you are to berth at the ship repair facility.”

  “I have that marked on my chart. You may take my ship to the berth but I will take her alongside.”

  “Captain, I am here to guide and will assist you if required. Increase your speed to eight knots? The wind on your starboard bow is light and should have little effect on your steerage. I’m sure you are familiar with the three currents in the bay.”

  “Thank you. Point noted.”

  As they progressed Diego contacted the harbour master's office to confirm their berth.

  “Captain, your helmsman will feel the strongest current as we approach the berth. You may have to use your rudder.”

  “Thank you.” Barre’s eyes fixed on the berth. His orders were sharp and precise as his vessel nudged the jetty and ropes cast across the gap. In less than ten minutes, his ship was secure and its engines stopped.

  “Fine seamanship, Captain, please have my fee paid today.”

  Barre nodded. “Advising on that tidal current is worth the fee.�
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  “I noticed, Captain.” Diego extended his hand.

  Barre shook it and thanked him. “For your information I go ashore here and fly home. The new captain will take her out.”

  “If I’m on duty, it’ll be my pleasure to help.” He made his way aft to where dockers lowered a gangway into position. When in place, men whistled at the purple-haired woman as she climbed onboard.

  Antarah Hasan stood with his arms folded on the bridge and stared out of the forward windows. “Captain, your part in this operation is at an end.” He handed him a buff- coloured envelope. “Here is your fee and bonus. Now you can leave.”

  Barre took the envelope, tore it open and counted the notes. “I’ll be on the jetty in ten minutes and at the airport as fast as a taxi can take me. Goodbye.” Barre grimaced, did not extend his hand, but turned his back and left.

  Antarah strolled out onto the port bridge wing. The man standing there was wearing the same dark blue overalls as the dockworkers. He acknowledged him with a nod.

  “The captain has a large amount of American dollars. Kill him and keep the money.”

  The man nodded. “I never liked him.”

  “That’s why I chose you. Go.” Smiling, Antarah glanced over his shoulder as he entered the bridge.

  “You’re smiling,” said Linda.

  “Your hair is disgusting.”

  “It’s my hair.”

  “When do the alterations begin?”

  “Go outside and you will hear torches cutting steel and hammers banging. Two hydraulic cranes are ready, one either side of the main deck. These are necessary to hoist the containers into the hold. With the money this yard is receiving the men will keep their mouths shut. Well, long enough for us to complete the mission. In less than a week we will be ready.”

  Footsteps pounded on the stairway to the bridge. A man, tall, swarthy and out of breath appeared. On seeing Linda, he blanked Antarah and descended the stairs.

  Linda inclined her head. “What was that all about?”