by Tomson Cobb
For the first time, Jago detected unease in the person opposite. He shifted in his seat to consider his answer.
‘Sabbatical. I needed time to chill. The law was driving me crazy so I handed over the day-to-day work to my deputy, called all my personal clients and took off. How did you know about that?’
‘Just like you Wade, I like to research. Where did you go on this sabbatical?’
‘Oh, lots of places. I just packed a bag then lit out. Went to the Bahamas, rented a yacht, then I sailed round the Caribbean for a few months. Ended up in Caracas. Then I hired a car. Drove through Central America. Spent a few months on a beach in Mexico. Finally got bored with sun and sand so flew back to Wisconsin.’
‘Meet anyone special while you were on your travels? You’re married with two kids, aren’t you?’
Kruger started to laugh. So hard that he started to choke. Petra looked concerned all of a sudden, so much so that she leant over towards him.
‘Nah. Leave me alone. I’m okay,’ he said as he pushed her away. ‘You’re trying to dig for dirt, Jago. I understand that, but I don’t have any hidden secrets in that area.’
‘We all have something to hide, Wade...’ Jago let the pause hang for a second. ‘I just wondered if you got romantically involved with anyone on your trip. A normal question for a journalist about to write a biography of a prominent presidential candidate.’
He’d decided to keep his thumb on the button. It might prove worthwhile.
‘It was before I met my future wife. I was younger then. I met some beautiful girls there, if that’s what you mean. Sure, I had a lot of fun. Nothing that your industry would find salacious if that’s what you want me to admit. In fact, Caracas was the first place I met Carmichael. Isn’t that right Petra?’ Kruger turned his attention to the press secretary. Maybe to deflect the attention from himself, Jago wondered. She looked angry for a second, then the thin smile returned.
‘It was. I was there to cover a Chavez rally for NBC. We met at a hotel bar. I didn’t have any idea I’d end up working for the next president though,’ Carmichael said.
‘I’m sure you didn’t, Ms Carmichael. Who would in your situation? You ever been married, Petra?’ Jago said. He used her forename for the first time with deliberation. He already knew from Tony’s tutorial about the wife and family the person previously known as Matthew had left behind years before in New York.
Her face turned red. She stifled a response before it provided views she might later regret. He’d hit her weak spot as well. Good to know.
‘Now then, Jago.’ Kruger decided to intervene. ‘Why don’t you go back to your seat? I have to talk some business with Petra. I have some calls to make as well. Billy Jo will look after you. Maybe you want a stronger drink than coffee? We have a great bar back there you know.’ He waved to the attendant who sat expectantly at the rear of the executive jet.
Jago took the hint. He picked up his armoury and moved a few rows back, away from his host. A useful session with more to work on later, he decided.
Chapter 19
‘So you know all about how to become a president now, Jago?’ Shapiro said, as he drained his second beer from the stock in the apartment. A new stick of gum provided temporary respite from his main addiction.
‘Yep. Trick is to start with zip in Wisconsin and have no morals at all,’ Jago replied.
‘I could do that,’ said the CIA man. ‘White House here I come.’
‘I forgot to add: you’ll have to sell your soul as well.’
‘So you’re sure the guy is owned by the Organisation?’
‘Ninety-nine point nine per cent.’
‘What about the other point one per cent?’
‘I’m just generous. He’s dirty all right. The one I’m not sure of is his butch assistant. She doesn’t fit the pattern somehow. I don’t know why. I just have this idea that she’s not right. I mean… well, I don’t know what I mean. Just a gut feeling I guess,’ Jago said. He knelt down on the carpet.
‘You about to pray for deliverance or something?’
‘Maybe I should. Before that I have to do my Pilates exercises. That flight back from LA was the pits. With the fault on his own plane, Mr Kruger decided he needed to charter another, and the last one available at short notice was a boneshaker antique. The pilot looked like he’d been plucked from The Addams Family who’d just arrived in a time-warp from ’Nam. Flew like he expected an RPG at any moment.’ Jago lay down on the floor.
‘You want a massage?’ Shapiro asked. ‘If you do, don’t look at me, I’ll call someone,’ he added with a laugh.
‘I guess you’ve never had disc problems, Tony. If you had, you wouldn’t joke about it.’
‘Sorry. I have my own worries. Like high blood pressure with super-high cholesterol, according to my doctor. I think he reckons I should have been put down long ago.’
‘I see you’re still off the death sticks though. How long is it now?’
‘Ten weeks, three days, fourteen hours and… seventeen minutes,’ Shapiro said, after a quick check on his wristwatch.
‘So, no pressure then Tony? You’ve cracked it when you reach three months. You know that, don’t you?’
‘I’ll tell you when and if I get that far. At the moment I’ve still got severe withdrawal symptoms.’
‘You’ve done fine so far. Just remember you’ve added another five years to your life by giving them up.’
‘Is that worth the price? I think I’d rather die younger.’
‘You still might. This crowd is very confident. I hope too confident.’ Jago stood and stretched his arms. ‘Kruger was very cool throughout the trip. I have to say, when he gets on a stage in front of thousands, he makes like he could change the world. In fact, that’s what I think the intention is.’
‘What do you mean, English?’ Shapiro said in a poor attempt at a Russian accent.
‘Quit the Colonel Stok impersonation, Tony. It’s not very good.’
‘Shame. I liked the Harry Palmer films. My sort of spy. Hey, sorry. I interrupted you. What do you mean?’ Shapiro said.
‘I think he genuinely believes in the cause. It’s almost as if he’s been indoctrinated.’
‘Just like Stok tried to do to Harry, you see.’
‘Yeah. Look Tony, I’m with you on Kruger’s involvement with the Organisation. He’s been financed by them I’m sure. The little old aunt in Geneva wasn’t the source of his money. That’s come from Chetwynd, I’m damned sure of it. It’s the same formula they used with Chomsky.’
‘You mean provide the funds, give him the instructions, then let the guy loose? You think he was smart enough to build those businesses on his own?’
‘Nah. He had help. Can you check on who his accountant was in Wisconsin when he first started to buy property? I think you’ll find whoever it was had connections with what we found in England.’
‘Okay. What else?’ Tony said.
‘That year lost from his life. He told me he needed a break from the law so he went sailing in the Caribbean, though I don’t think it’s as simple as that. He told me he rented a yacht. Can you find out about that? If it’s true, then where did it go? There must be ways to track its route. GPS, AIS transponders. You know what I mean. With the CIA secret satellite system, you must be able to find out where he visited and who he spent time with. Probably how many sugars he had in his coffee every day on the boat. I know it’s that accurate so don’t try telling me it isn’t.’
‘Sure. Sure. I’ll check it out.’
‘When you have that, can you also check on the marinas he stayed in? How was the booking made, in whose name, how was it paid? As much detail as you can find. Can you also run the names of all the other boats in the marina against your database? I’m sure we’ll find some more information when you do.’
‘It’ll take some computer time but I have the authority if I need to pull rank. It’ll be picked up by the other agencies though. This sort of activity gets noticed you
know, Jago.’
‘I know. I’d already thought that might prove a problem. Can’t you say it’s a DEA project and ask for a breakdown on all yacht activity in the region through the same time period? If he told me at least part of the truth, it was an old Swan 46. I got that much out of him because I told him I mess about on boats myself.’
‘That’s a good idea. We might find some other visitors from our files that were there at the same time as well, I guess.’
‘I’d put money on it. You ever try sailing, Tony?’
‘I have in the past. Don’t have much time for it now. Had a holiday on a friend’s boat off San Diego years ago with my second wife. Didn’t work out though.’
‘The holiday or the marriage?’
‘Both.’ A little shared laughter broke the serious atmosphere for a moment as they both sipped their drinks.
‘Wade also told me he ended up in Caracas. It was where he met Petra, he said. Can we find out what she was up to down there? She said it was a Chavez rally. She was there for NBC was what she told me. I don’t believe it though. The story’s too neat.’
‘Yeah, quite a coincidence. I’ll check it out. How did he take to you?’ Shapiro said.
‘Kruger pumped me for information any chance he got. When I called his office from London he must have got in touch with whoever runs him. They would have wondered how and why I was onto him now after the Chomsky situation. I think you’re right, they’ll let me alone while they try to find out what more I know and who I work for. He even invited me to join him on his yacht in the Med in a couple of weeks. He’s attending a conference in Corfu, he said.’
‘That’s good. Maybe we can plan a welcome before he gets there? What do you think, Jago?’
‘I think we should. Look, Tony, I think I’ve done all I can here for now. I’ll fly back to London tomorrow. I want to focus on Hordiyenko for a while. What about you?’
‘I’m gonna look into our presidential hopeful’s boat trip, which’ll take me a while. I’ll get over to London as soon as I can. Then we can meet to compare notes.’
‘Sounds good. I’ll see you soon. I’ll get a cab to Reagan myself, so thank Joe for all his help.’
Chapter 20
Belette, the woman temporarily known as Anastasia, put down the phone. She pulled the robe around her, picked up the champagne glass, then stepped out onto the balcony as she watched a paddle steamer cross the lake in front of her. The premature summer breeze blew the long black hair back from her face. It revealed the scar from the knife wound that almost ended her new career when she was young. She touched it for reassurance, also for the memory that would always remain with her of how close she had come to death that day at the hands of the young man who had told her he loved her. She had not made the same mistake again.
A single black kite circled above her on a constant search for prey below, while three yachts crossed the lake in front of her, their sails full from the west wind that had blown up, suddenly bringing with it the scent of pine. She had come to like Weggis. It was a small place, quiet for most of the time, ideal for winter sports, with miles of cross-country runs nearby and a short drive to Zurich airport. It was also well situated for her work. When her property agent had called her to say the house was up for sale, she’d told him to buy it that day on her behalf without any qualms. It was a typical Swiss-style three-storey house with eight wood-walled rooms separated into two apartments over three floors with views over the lake. The decoration by the previous owner had left a lot to be desired, but the architect she’d flown in from Paris had changed all that. The old pine slats had been ripped out to be replaced with aged larch, while the ginghams had been changed to fine linens in shades of grey, silver or pastels that contrasted the black areas with white highlights.
She’d added a cinema room, gym, hot tub with separate massage room and a kitchen, all with the latest sound insulation and a glass staircase. Plus, of course, the best encrypted wireless technology that Swiss francs could buy to give her the secure communications essential for her anonymity in this pleasant backwater. The other benefit of a house here was that she could communicate with the few locals she came into contact with in her native German without any questionable looks. With the isolated location providing privacy for business together with her personal pleasures, it fitted her needs in all respects.
So, the Englishman had visited Kruger.
He had some balls, she had to admit. The caller who’d advised her of Hale’s travels had also warned her to be ready to travel at short notice. She smiled. She was always ready. The usual distorted voice had said that Hale would soon visit another member of the Organisation, so she would be required to shadow him. Whether that would end with him as a new client for her specialist skills, her caller hadn’t confirmed. She would just watch, observe and report, unless the requirement changed, at which point she would then receive new orders. That didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun with him though, she decided.
She started to paint some pictures in her mind as she closed the patio window. As she crossed the floor she realised she was wet with anticipation from the thought of having the chance to entice the Englishman into her control. The knowledge that there was no man alive who could resist her charms would provide solace while the time passed until the needs of her body demanded a new male victim.
‘Margaritte. Come back to bed. I haven’t finished your massage,’ the girl called out from the bedroom. ‘Come here this instant otherwise I’ll get very angry. If I do, you know I’ll have to discipline you again.’
‘I’m on my way, darling,’ Anna said. She walked into the room and dropped her robe with a flourish. It revealed her nakedness to the trainer who lay on the bed and watched with anticipation. She was clothed in just a tiny G-string herself. Belette enjoyed sex with the girl, but the phone conversation had aroused the other primal need inside her for male penetration as well. She would have to do for now.
‘Why don’t I please you first, then we can have a sauna?’ she offered. ‘After that you can hurt me again as much as you wish.’ She stepped onto the bed and knelt across the girl, her knees pressed inwards against her firm breasts as she lowered herself onto her stomach. She trailed her hand across them then pushed herself forward, offering her wet opening to the greedy mouth of her partner. She reached back, untied the flimsy protection around the girl’s own labia then slowly explored the area with her forefinger. The moan from beneath told her she’d found the correct spot once again.
Despite her best efforts to concentrate on the job in hand, business thoughts continued to interrupt her carnal probe. There was a BA flight to London that left Zurich at 13.10 the next day. That would suit her. She wanted to have enough time to remind herself of his activities. It was some time since she’d visited London, so she’d need to remind herself of the location of his house too.
The girl’s own technique was one honed by experience that had been tested on several other clients, she’d told her with pride. It had given Belette a kick to hear the salacious stories, so on this occasion it hadn’t taken long before she began to feel a clitoral stimulation herself from the oral activity beneath her. Her eyes had closed from the sudden intense pleasure that it provided. It was only at that point she decided that work could wait for an hour or two.
Chapter 21
‘Hello Charlie, Frank. How are you both?’
Jago knew all the door security team at Southwark Crown Court by name. He’d attended so many trials of fraudsters, con men and villains of various types at this place that it was like a second home.
‘Fine thanks, Mr Hale,’ said the nearer of the uniformed pair, who was posted closest to the entrance where the visitors emptied their pockets of metallic objects into the battered grey trays to be fed into the X-ray machine. ‘How are you anyway? We haven’t had the pleasure of your company for a while. We thought you might have got a proper job, didn’t we Frank?’
He glanced at his colleague on the other si
de of the X-ray machine. Jago smiled as he placed his cell phone, keys, pens and small change into the container.
‘I did. Decided to become a brain surgeon. Just finished my finals in a record time of six months. Much easier than a crime hack. You got any problems I can help with? I can fit you both in next week if you’ve got headaches.’
‘We got ’em Jago but I daght even yoo c’n sort them aaght,’ the second guard said in a strong cockney accent. ‘Cam on through. You’re clean.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far, Frank. Thanks boys. See you when they throw me out from upstairs.’
Number One Court was already crowded by the time Jago pushed open the twin doors. He’d expected it to be busy, but thought that as the start time for that day’s proceedings was 9.30 he could still get a seat half an hour before. He was only just in time as the place was already almost full.
He scanned the three rows of press seats. His ex-colleague was already bent over the transcript of that day’s statement by the prosecutor. He was so engrossed, he didn’t spot Jago’s arrival until he’d dropped into the seat alongside.
‘Daniel. How the devil are you?’ Jago whispered quietly. He didn’t want to attract the attention of the court officials, who always took a dim view of the fourth estate in general and him in particular for no discernible reason.
‘Well, if it isn’t Jago Hale the famous international righter of wrongs. What brings you here, you tosser? Got bored with all that international travel, did you?’
‘Knock it off, Dan. I need some help. It so happens that you’re just the man that can provide it.’
‘I’m all ears. You’d better be quick though, the judge will be here any moment so we haven’t got long. I’m also here on behalf of a paper, you know. It’s my job in case you’ve forgotten.’