by Ron Sewell
There was arrogance in Antarah’s voice as he shrugged. “I’ve no idea.”
The second officer came onto the bridge. “There are two policemen on the main deck who demand to speak to the captain. I told them he was ashore, but the owner was on board.”
“Can’t you deal with them?”
“I tried but they insist on speaking to the captain or a senior officer.”
Antarah shook his head. “But you are the senior officer.”
“I told them.”
“Tell them I’ll be along in a minute or two.” He glanced towards Linda. “You had better stay out of sight.”
Linda seated herself in the captain’s chair and gave thought to the future.
The second officer came back half an hour later.
“Are you going to tell me why the police are here?”
Antarah hesitated. “Captain Barre is dead. Someone cut his throat. The police believe it was a robbery because his watch, wallet and suitcase are missing.”
Linda’s brow furrowed as she studied his face. “You’re not good at lying.”
He snorted. “I did not like him, but I did not kill him.”
“Who did?”
“It’s of no importance.”
“So you’ll kill me when I’ve done my job.”
“You’re different, part of the team and ours is not a business for the weak. We are not here to correct recent indignities, but to restore the lost glories of Islam. The caliphate has presented us with the chance to complete a divine mission. My leader is investing much in dispatching our soldiers to Europe. Ours is a small part of a major operation. We will die for our God and I rejoice at the thought.”
She shrugged and gave a patronising smile. “You can die if you must. Five seconds after I complete my mission, I’m out of here. I have plans. The captain’s cabin is mine.”
He glared at her and left the bridge. For him this was an arrangement made in hell.
Linda smiled. This episode in her life was becoming dull and meaningless. A nagging sensation filled her thoughts. Antarah’s actions troubled her.
***
Back in Cape Town, Eric, who had not shaved for a few days, rubbed the stubble on his face. Anna studied the pile of high definition photographs taken by the Royal Navy.
“What do you see?” asked Eric.
“Sod all,” said Anna. “My contact in London tells me it’s a bulk carrier. Because of its small size it stopped making a profit. It’s a bog-standard ship apart from its propulsion system but even that’s out of date.”
“We must discover why they bought it, and why is it in a repair yard?”
“They might be filling the holds with explosives. At their leisure they could sail into Haifa and detonate.”
Eric shoved his hands through his hair. “The Israeli navy would apprehend them once they invaded their territorial waters. Not worth the time and effort to destroy one patrol boat.”
“Why did Linda go to Barrow-inFurness?”
“She was checking something. I reckon the ships that transport nuclear waste.”
“To the casual observer that might be a good idea. From any perspective clobbering Israel with a nuclear device has its own problems.”
“And why?” Anna asked.
“Israel is at the convergence point of two low and two high pressure weather systems. Nobody has a clue where the wind blows next. Which means you could end up pissing into the wind and getting your own back.”
“You don’t believe the target’s Israel, do you?”
“Correct,” Eric nodded. “The answer is staring you in the face.” He handed over several sheets of paper. “Read my highlighted section.”
Anna read the passage aloud. “ISIS emphasizes jihad asits chosen means tooverthrow the regimes in Iraq and Syria,establish the Islamic Caliphate, andfight against its many internal and external enemies until the implementation ofthevision, an Islamic takeover ofthe entire world (and symbolically, ‘the occupation of Rome,’the symbol ofChrisianity).”
“Rome is their goal.”
“Rono’s in Gibraltar doing nothing,” said Anna.
“George,” said Eric. “Wake Rono up and tell him to check out this repair yard. With luck he might see something useful.”
“I’ve the man himself on the line, Eric. Do you want a word?”
He leant across and took the phone. “Thanks, George. Rono, it’s time you worked for this company instead of cruising the Med in luxury.”
“But...”
“For fuck’s sake listen without interrupting. You will check out that ship and the yard, there might be a connection. Don’t rock the boat but ask plenty of questions. Tell them your million-dollar yacht requires work. Ask for a hull scrape and clean. Make it appear to be a routine enquiry for a quotation.”
Not that Eric could see him but Rono nodded and shrugged. “Today or tomorrow?”
“Now,” and the line went dead.
***
With the American Queen alongside and Desert Wind’s fuel tanks full, everyone relaxed. Rono, with his binoculars, gazed along her length.
“Anything interesting?” asked Khaled.
“There are workers swarming like bees to a hive.” He handed over the bins. “Can you see anything different?”
“You’re right. Do you need me to come with you?”
“It may be a waste of time but I could do with the company.”
Once through the Spanish border they took a taxi to the repair yard.
Rono asked a worker to direct them to the manager’s office.
Natalia peered across the top of her flat screen, her eyes as hard as the black polish on her nails. “Can I help you?”
“I have a rather large motor yacht,” said Khaled. “But weed grows from the hull. I want the hull cleaned and painted with antifoul. Can you do this?”
She shifted her gaze to Rono. “Does he have a big yacht?”
“I’m along for the ride.” He pointed to the vessel further along the jetty. “I see you’re busy.”
“Oh that one. It’s a priority job; the men work shifts around the clock. The boss told me they pay well.” She pressed a button on the intercom.
“I have a gentleman who requires the hull of his boat cleaned.”
She replaced the handset. “You must let us examine the hull before we can quote. In case it’s damaged.”
“Where is your small craft slipway? I’d like to inspect it before I waste fuel.”
“Out the door and keep the sea to your left. You can’t miss it. There’s a cruiser on the slip as we speak.” “Thank you,” said Khaled. “See you soon.”
When the door shut, Natalia had other thoughts in her head. The sky might be full of clouds but she was discontent with her life. The only way she might feel better was in Linda’s arms.
***
Rono and Khaled strolled along the jetty to the slipway. After a casual glance, they made their way back to where the American Queen hugged the jetty. The spring tide was at its peak and the main deck remained out of sight.
“We need to be higher,” said Rono.
Khaled seized his arm and towed him into a workers’ rest room. Dark blue overalls and blue safety helmets hung from hooks attached to the wall. In less than a minute, the two men blended with the stream of men ascending and descending the gangway.
They wandered forward then aft to the accommodation section. Before they could go any further, a man stopped them and said in Spanish, “If you need to pee you go ashore. The owner forbids strangers inside the accommodation. You can’t trust anybody these days.”
Both men shrugged, grinned and hurried to the gangway.
“Did you see the pistol under his jacket?” said Rono.
Khaled forced a laugh. “I noticed.”
Back in the rest room, they dumped their overalls and hard hats.
“There’s a block of flats on the other side of the road,” said Rono. “Good vantage point for keeping an eye on our
friends.”
The ten-storey block had one lift that smelt of urine but it was out of action and they took the stairs. The flat roof housed the motor room and provided the perfect view of their target.
“They call this surveillance in the police force,” said Rono. “The hours pass like a bad dream, and the boredom drives you mad. As a young copper I never imagined weeks of undercover work that produced nothing.”
“I’m thirsty. You keep your eyes on that ship and I’ll find a shop that sells water and food,” said Khaled. “Anything you fancy?”
“I must have a cholesterol boost. A double cheeseburger with chips and a bottle of ice cold milk.”
Khaled shrugged as his stomach rumbled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Rono made the odd mental note. His gut told him Linda was there, even though he hadn’t seen her.
An hour later Khaled, breathing hard, placed a carrier bag next to Rono. “The filled rolls are mine and the junk food yours. Couldn’t get any milk. Help yourself to a Coke.”
For the rest of the day they took it in two-hour shifts to watch but nothing happened.
At sunset, they reckoned they’d learned the grand total of nothing.
Back on Desert Wind and after a shower they ate a curry from the local takeaway.
***
Linda, wearing clean blue overalls, poked her hair inside the blue hard hat. In a thoughtful mood, she made her way along the main deck and descended into the forward hold. The lighting, such as it was, gave scant illumination. Hand over hand she descended the access ladder to the cargo deck. Rope nets enclosed wooden crates and khaki-painted aluminium boxes. Someone had thought to form a wide enough gap to allow passage from one compartment to the next. She sniffed the hot humid air; plastic explosives were here somewhere. She clambered up and onto the top of a pile and shifted half a dozen metal boxes from a marked container. In one move, she shoved a detonator into the plastic explosive. Next, she connected a modified mobile phone. With the unit strapped to each lid, she sealed each box. On completing the sixth, she lifted the steel lid that gave access to the double-bottom. Inside the void, she placed her six explosive devices. “Job done,” she muttered and heaved herself up the ladder out of the hold straight into Jose Borta. His stale body odour filled her nostrils. “Perfect timing, Mr Borta. I have a few minor extra jobs for you.”
He stared at her in workers’ clothes. “You pay and no job is too large or small.”
She beckoned. “Come with me.” Again, she descended into the forward hold.
At the bottom and out of breath, Jose Borta stood next to her.
“Have your men make a metal box with a lockable lid. Have one placed in each hold as near to the centre line as possible. Add the cost to the final invoice.”
He grimaced. “I did not have to enter the hold. You could have told me on the upper deck.”
She produced a sketch of her requirements. “Do not mention this to anyone.”
“I’ll have one of my men do the work tonight.”
“That will be acceptable. When do you plan to finish?”
He rubbed his chin. “Two days, at worst three. I must test the new cranes.”
“You may take four days. Any later and you can forget any bonus.”
“I will finish in three.”
“Then I’ll use the fourth to train my crew.”
“It’s your ship. High tide is at three, Thursday afternoon. I will arrange for a tug to pull you off the wall and a pilot to see you safe into the bay. The British shout if we allow vessels to stray into their territorial waters.”
She mounted the ladder. “You do that.”
Jose Borta’s eyes stripped Linda naked as he wished he were thirty years younger. On entering his office, he saw Natalia’s empty desk.
24
Cape Town.
Eric replaced the t elephone handset. “Anna, pack your bags, we’re going on a cruise.”
“I’d tell your wife it’s business.”
Eric’s face set into a grimace. “We’re joining Rono in Gibraltar. No weapons required. We will compile a list of what we want on arrival and the army will supply and deliver. Our leader tells me we will have the Royal Navy in attendance, HMS Tamar, a River Class Patrol Boat.
“George, set up a direct line from my mobile to yours.”
“I recommend you have an emergency mobile,” said George. From her top drawer she removed one. “It's ready to go. Catch.”
Eric caught it and activated its programme. “You think of everything.”
Her face flushed. “That’s why you pay me a lot of money.”
Anna’s eyes sparkled. “Is it worth taking my bikini?”
Eric nodded. “You take - you carry,”
“I expect nothing. There’s not a gentleman amongst you.”
“George, call me when you receive the tickets. I’m off to talk to my ducks.”
She smiled.
With a bag of duck food, he sauntered to the duck pond. The park had sited it in a natural hollow where trees and shrubs offered peace and quiet. He often deliberated if the birds recognised him or the brown paper bag containing food. He stood on the edge as the whole flotilla of ducks paddled towards him.
Thoughts of his life, his job, his family, filled his mind. He sat unmoving on a bench and became one with his surroundings. For a time the world did not exist. The squeals of a child startled him as his mind awoke to reality. With a sigh, he stood, glanced at his watch. It was time to go home. The night was closing in and there was rain in the air. Analysing information was his strong point. He switched off his mobile as he walked away. Tonight if someone needed him, whoever would have to contact his home?
***
Gibraltar.
The moment the fresh water tanks overflowed, Rono shut the tap. The diesel tanks were full and food filled the cupboards. Tomorrow Eric and Anna were due to arrive and someone had convinced the Royal Navy to help. The American Queen remained in port. The moment it sailed they would follow.
“Khaled, fancy going to find the Rock Apes? The walk to the top will do us good. Stretch the legs.”
“I have a better idea. We take the cable car to the top and stroll back.”
“What’s with the stroll back?”
“I understand you need the exercise but I will enjoy the view from the cable car.”
“Anyone coming with us?” asked Rono.
Mohammed, Abdullah and Taruq shook their heads.
Rono gripped his wallet and set off along the pontoon. Ibraham and Khaled followed.
With purpose in their stride, they charged along Main Street. Ten minutes later, they entered the cable car office. They were in luck and boarded straight away.
From their vantage point, one side of Gibraltar was in view.
“It’s smaller than I thought,” said Khaled.
“Big enough for over thirty thousand people,” said Rono.
They exited the car and strolled along the road to find a group of apes led by a huge male. They followed at a discreet distance.
“A hunk of rock and it has monkeys,” said Ibraham.
“They’re Macaques, but the locals call them Barbary apes. Do you know there’s a tunnel from Gibraltar to Morocco? Those who know say it’s accessible from deep inside the rock,” said Rono.
“You’re telling a story,” said Khaled.
“I read the guide book the marina manager gave us when we arrived, so it must be true.”
A mini bus full of tourists stopped at the viewpoint. The apes sensing the chance of food clambered on a large rock. Excited, the troop ran to greet the new arrivals.
A woman in a long white dress shrieked as a male ape grabbed and ran off with her handbag. Finding no food, he emptied the contents over the cliff edge and shoved the empty bag on his head. As she reached to retrieve it, the animal bit her hand. She screamed scaring the beast who, followed by his pack, ran off screeching.
The driver tried to console the woman. In a r
age, she flew at him but he stepped to one side, shrugged and strolled back to his mini bus.
Rono pointed to a sign, which informed visitors, These animals bite. “They never learn.”
They wandered to the top of the rock and took in the view of both sides.
Khaled glanced at his watch. “Time for lunch.”
Luck was with them, a cable car was ready to go as they drew near the upper station.
“We’ve paid for the privilege so why walk?” said Khaled.
The three men boarded and within ten minutes were strolling along Main Street. The Marina restaurant was already half full. While Rono and Khaled entered, Ibraham declined and returned to the boat. They found an empty table and enjoyed their fresh caught tuna and salad lunch.
Rono’s mobile chimed. “Hi, George.”
“What’s it like in Gibraltar?”
“Not so bad but you can do everything in three days. One day you walk around it, the next over and the third through the tunnels.”
“Sounds great. Eric and Anna will be with you tomorrow night. If their flight’s on time, I reckon nine in the evening. I understand you’re in Ocean Village, the main marina.”
“They can’t miss us. Apart from a huge liner, we’re the next biggest craft here. Ask Eric to call me. I'll be in the Marina restaurant.”
“I’ll tell him. And before I forget, your expenses are rather high.”
“I’m not surprised, but fuel for this boat doesn’t come cheap.”
“I wouldn’t worry. Our master’s paid in full so you’re doing something right.”
“Glad to hear it. Talk to you later. Bye.” The line disconnected. He stroked his stubblecovered jaw. “My boss and another member of the team, a woman, arrive tomorrow.”
Khaled’s eyes sparkled. “Plenty of room. The woman, is she, you know, available?”
“She’s not married if that’s what you mean, nice tits but she’s as tough as they come. Try anything without permission and you’ll be eating your balls.”
“I’ve chased after many a tough woman and caught a few.”
“And you’re still in one piece.”
He laughed. “Let’s go back to the boat and tidy two cabins. Your boss can share with you and the woman can have her own. My team will share the others while we’re in Gibraltar. When we sail, it’ll be less of a problem.”