After her first shift serving tables Vinny took a break. Marcelo came through the dressing area while she was freshening up.
“I didn’t think I would see you here again,” said Marcelo. “I’m happy to see I was wrong. You really make that uniform.”
“Look all you want, but hands off.”
“Of course. You know I’m the manager now.”
“Yes, I heard about your big promotion. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I wanted to let you know that if you need anything, anything at all, I’m your man.”
“All I need is for you to treat the girls right. Do you think you can do that, Marcelo?”
“Of course, of course. I like you, Vinny. Just remember I’m here for you.” Marcelo was loving his newfound power.
“Yeah, I’m good, thank you. My break is over. I have to go back on the floor.” Vinny was happy to get away from Marcelo, but on her way out into the cabaret with all the grabby customers she realized it was out of the frying pan and into the fire. Twice during breaks Vinny went back to the dressing area, hoping to get the chance to break into the secret safe in the back room. She had brought her equipment and stashed it in her locker. Safe cracking was different from hacking, but Vinny had a universal knack when it came to getting into places she wasn’t supposed to go.
The problem was opportunity, or rather, the lack thereof. There were few times when girls weren’t in the dressing area, and fewer still when curious male eyes weren’t coming by hoping to catch sight of the beautiful girls. Frustration was not something Vinny accepted easily. Even as a child her parents had given up on hiding anything from her, and out of necessity opted for teaching her very early on about everything she might come across. It had established a mindset of expecting open and free access to everything that permeated her life. Being thwarted only made Vinny more determined she would have what was in that safe. It was only a matter of time.
Chapter Thirty-two: Dinner for Two
Raja didn’t wake up until after ten the next morning. He had slept for nearly eleven hours, needing every minute. His ordeal with Bruno had taken more out of him than he realized. He took a long, hot shower hoping to wash away the pain from his wounds. The physical damage he had sustained at the hands of Bruno was already healing nicely, but the same couldn’t be said for his heart. Raja had made a strong connection with Corinne in their short time together. It was typical of how life went for him. He was wide open to other people in a way that allowed him to see and feel things others missed. Although usually a boon to his investigations, it could sometimes be a curse in his personal life. Not everyone could tolerate the kind of intimacy that comes with the empathic power Raja possessed. And empathy was a two way street that could be especially devastating when tragedy struck. Corinne’s death had hit him hard.
After his shower, Raja dressed and then discovered he had turned his phone off. He had two voice mails, and two texts. The texts were from Vinny and the first voice mail as well. The last voice mail was the one that riveted his attention. The caller ID was blank, but the voice sounded vaguely familiar. Raja was sure he had heard it before but couldn’t recall where. The man’s voice said that as of noon today, Margaret Browning would be available specifically to Raja Williams. The message instructed that he must tell no one and must come alone. It included an address in the country just outside Paris. Further instructions insisted that he should keep her in his care until he heard from the caller again. The man never identified himself.
Raja looked at his watch. It was already twenty-five minutes past noon.
At nearly the same time Inspector Gilliard had just ended a private call. When he walked out, his assistant Claude stopped him.
“Did you hear? Monsieur Williams was put under red alert status on the terrorist watch list.” Gilliard knew what that meant. A red alert suspect was considered armed and dangerous constituting an immediate threat, and was to be apprehended as soon as possible, using whatever force was deemed necessary. It gave police wide latitude in the determination of necessary force.
“When did you get the terrorist bulletin?”
“I didn’t, actually. Lieutenant Baston made a point to mention it to me when he and Revel were leaving.” Claude looked for something on his computer. “There it is now. Raja Williams. Odd thing, though, I didn’t even think they knew Monsieur Williams. Did you? Inspector?”
Inspector Gilliard was already gone.
For Raja, the drive to the address took only fifteen minutes in the Porsche. The location was a small villa just outside Sevran, a town northeast of Paris proper. As Raja turned into the long driveway, a dull ache began in the back of his head. It was the one he got when there was going to be trouble. Unsure of what to expect ahead, he parked along the driveway and walked across the lawn toward a small gazebo, using the trees for cover.
There was a wide curved hedge that separated the yard from a circular drive and fountain that stood in front of the villa’s entrance. Raja followed a stone path that led from the gazebo to a passage through the hedge. Walking through brought him to the edge of the driveway, where he stopped and scanned both ways before he stepped out. The last hedge he went through almost got him killed.
Moments later a car pulled up from the driveway and stopped next to the fountain. Two police officers jumped out and walked toward Raja smiling.
Raja wasn’t expecting anyone from the police. “What are you doing here?” he asked. His head was throbbing.
“I believe I can answer that,” said a voice from behind Raja.
Raja turned. “You,” said Raja, his head now throbbing fiercely.
Inspector Gilliard stood at the hedge. With his gun pointed toward Raja, Gilliard fired twice before Raja could even react. Raja could not believe he wasn’t hit. When he heard two thuds behind him a moment later, he spun around.
The two officers lay motionless on the ground, their drawn guns next to them.
“What the hell,” said Raja, stunned by the events. “You killed them both.”
“Would you rather I let them kill you? A simple thank you would do. You are lucky I still have a steady hand with a gun. Otherwise those two would have killed us both and then they likely would have killed the English woman.” Gilliard holstered his gun and walked past Raja to the two fallen men. He pulled out their ID’s. “Baston and Revel. They must have been working for Bruno.”
“You mean you’re not?”
“Me? A crooked cop?” Gilliard laughed. “Not likely. Are you a crooked private eye?”
“No.”
“Well then, now that we’ve settled that, we should go find Mrs. Browning.” The two men advanced to the main house cautiously. The door was unlocked. Gilliard drew his weapon again and nodded for Raja to go first. Raja opened the door and rushed inside. He stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded by what he saw.
Mrs. Browning was sitting at a dining table that was draped with a fine linen tablecloth. In front of her was a beautiful dinner setting complete with candles and a bouquet of yellow daffodils. She was enjoying a meal of beef bourguignon, one of her favorites. After washing down a bite with a drink of water from a crystal goblet, she looked up pleasantly and said, “What took you so long? I expected you here much sooner. I’ve already eaten more than I should. Look at the wonderful meal Didier prepared especially for me. I think he felt guilty about the dreadful fright he put me through.” She took another bite. “I just can’t stop myself. Mmmmm. The wine sauce he made is so delicious. The recipe is from his home town in the Burgundy region. That Frenchman can certainly cook.” Margaret took another bite.
Raja pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Then he started to laugh.
Inspector Gilliard smiled. “So you see, my annoying American friend, sometimes all is not quite as it seems.”
“You knew about this, didn’t you? And who is this Didier?”
“All in good time, Monsieur Williams. I believe there is a man who will want to see his wife as soo
n as possible.” The inspector made a phone call.
While they waited for Mrs. Browning’s husband to be brought to the villa, Margaret explained that she had finally convinced Didier that she would not try to escape if he would explain to her what was going on. After he explained the situation she agreed to cooperate fully.
The arrival of Phillip Browning at the villa launched a joyous celebration of the long-awaited reunion of husband and wife. Margaret was waiting outside. The tears flowed freely from them both and more than a few flowed from the eyes of the men who were there to witness the event.
“My little potato,” cried Phillip when he saw his beloved Margaret.
“Pinky,” she returned with equal affection. Neither cared that strangers heard the most intimate nicknames they used only for each other. After kissing profusely for several minutes, Professor Browning asked his wife how she was.
“I’m quite well, all things considered,” she said. “You are just in time to share a meal inside.”
Phillip looked at her quizzically.
“I’ll explain all about it later,” said Margaret. “For now, some thanks are in order, don’t you think, Phillip?” The two turned their attention to the others.
“Mr. Williams, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me,” said the professor. “As I said, name your fee. You have certainly earned it.”
“Seeing you reunited is pay enough. Besides, I cannot take the credit.” Raja looked at Gilliard.
“Yes, yes. Inspector Gilliard. You also have my undying gratitude,” said the professor.
“Now, come with me, dear,” said Margaret. “It’s a dinner for two. The beef will get cold.” Margaret dragged her husband toward the door.
After the professor and his wife went inside, Gilliard and Raja discussed the circumstances of Margaret Browning’s captivity. Raja began to see Inspector Gilliard in a new light.
When the English couple came out, Inspector Gilliard instructed the policeman who had driven Professor Browning to take them to their hotel and stand guard outside until further notice.
“Is that necessary?” asked the professor.
“There may be no need for concern, but in light of today’s events, we will do it just the same,” said Gilliard. “We will need Margaret down at the station at some point for a statement, but that can wait. You two should sleep in your own bed tonight.”
More policemen arrived to help Inspector Gilliard with the bodies. Raja called Vinny to fill her in on the latest events.
“So, Inspector Gilliard is not the villain we thought?” asked Vinny.
“Apparently not. He saved my life, no question there. The rest I don’t yet fully understand. But he is definitely one of the good guys.”
Vinny was relieved for her new friend Yvette. She had been dreading the devastating disaster it would be for Yvette if Gilliard turned out to be the Scorpion.
Chapter Thirty-three: A Day at the Docks
The next day Raja got a call from Remy Montagne. The three containers that had left Paris were now back at the train yard near where the fourth container sat. Since originally dropping the containers at the dock, the Alhambra had been anchored two miles up river and the crew had been on shore leave. The policemen watching the ship reported that the crew was back on board and it looked like they were readying the ship to weigh anchor. Yarif Assad himself had not been seen and his whereabouts were unknown.
“Kidnapping and human trafficking put the operation on this case squarely in our division,” said Remy. “In fact, Inspector Gilliard is planning to come along, if that’s okay.” Remy knew that the two had been butting heads.
“No problem there,” said Raja. “I was wrong about your inspector.”
Remy was relieved to hear that. He had a lot of respect for both men. “We have a man waiting near the docks,” he said, “and another watching the train yard. I’d like to know what plan you have in mind for this raid.”
“I’ll meet you at the station and tell you all about it.” On the way Raja called Vinny. She still hadn’t been able to get an opportunity to crack the safe, but continued doing other research. The test panels she had run on the club drugs came back with some curious results.
“The drugs are pharmaceutical grade, with their chemical formulas matching exactly some reported test variations of drugs that were eventually approved and legally marketed,” said Vinny. “I also looked at the police evidence taken from your original fail on the warehouse bust.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“The results from that raid may turn out to be an important piece of the puzzle. There was evidence of cutting and packaging but not manufacturing. That was why I couldn’t locate the warehouse. I think the drugs may have come directly from a pharmaceutical lab. There are hundreds of test drugs that are shelved and not sold. Since they are not documented for regulation and sale, they might not be subject to the same level of monitoring.”
“Are you saying the pharmaceutical company is selling them directly to the black market?”
“I don’t know about directly, but it is a thought worth pursuing.”
“When we wrap up our case you should turn all your research over to Captain Rochefort in narcotics. I’m sure he would be interested.”
“Sounds like a plan, Stan.”
“Right now I’m heading to the police station. The ship will be on the move soon. Anything else?”
“The phantom corporation that owns the club and antique shop traced to Luxembourg but I lost the trail there. Whoever set things up really didn’t want to be found.”
“Sounds like our elusive Scorpion. Okay, Vinny. Keep your eyes open. I’ll touch base later.”
Raja drove to the 36 and met with Remy and Inspector Gilliard. Captain Rochefort sent Lieutenant Brevard to assist, as he had a lot of experience with police raids.
Raja looked at Gilliard. “Good to see you again, Inspector. You know, I still have some questions you might be able to clear up for me.”
“I’m sure you do, but I will have to explain later.”
“Monsieur Williams, we have been putting our attack plan together,” said Lieutenant Brevard. “Remy tells me you might have a few suggestions. Now would be the time. From what I understand, we will raid the ship at the dock when it is picking up containers. However, you don’t expect any contraband to be in the containers.”
“If my theory is correct the women are already on board,” said Raja. “The containers are simply the slight of hand used to distract attention. The empties will be checked before loading, which, while keeping everything looking legit, will be moot, since the girls will already be on board the ship. I studied the film from the refueling depot, and that’s where I believe the girls were taken onto the ship. However, I am certain the smugglers have help from someone on the customs crew at the dock. My main concern is how to flush him out.”
“If the women are already on board the ship as you say, and the containers are now empty, then our co-conspirator has no further role to play,” said Brevard. “When we raid the ship he will simply stand back and do nothing, and thus avoid detection.”
“Exactly. We must give him a role and the urgency to act.”
“We warn the customs office ahead of the raid,” said Remy.
“Right you are, Remy. But we must time it perfectly. We don’t want to endanger the girls. It must be when the ship is close but not yet anchored, so the agent has urgent reason to warn them away. Then we watch and listen. As soon as our traitor makes contact, we then must have the means to force the ship to the dock where we can board her quickly and rescue the girls.”
“We have the river police patrol,” said Gilliard.
“Good. However, they must be close enough to be effective, yet out of sight until we need them.”
“Les stups has two unmarked speed boats that are small enough to hide and fast enough to close quickly when needed,” said Lieutenant Brevard.
“That will work.”
&
nbsp; “I’ll arrange it,” said Brevard.
“How will we know when the customs man contacts the ship?” asked Remy.
“I am having my associate monitor any calls by phone or radio,” said Raja.
“Your associate?” asked Gilliard.
“Yes.” Raja smiled. “That’s something I will have to explain later. As I said, we will monitor all calls and also watch the ship.”
A call came in for Inspector Gilliard.
“I think we have our plan,” said Brevard.
“That’s good,” said Gilliard, “because all four containers have been loaded on the train and the train is heading to the dock. We have to move now.”
The team gathered into two vehicles and drove to the dock. They parked right on the same bridge where Remy and Raja had first surveilled the smuggling operation. From that spot they had a panoramic view that included the dock, the train tracks and the river. Lieutenant Brevard coordinated the assault team that was standing by below.
The first thing they saw was the ship as it made its way along the river toward the docks. The train carrying the containers was still nowhere in sight, but that wouldn’t matter. They just had to time this well.
“Are the speedboats alerted?” asked Raja.
“Yes, and standing by,” said Brevard. “Just give me the word.”
“Good. Who makes the call?”
“That would be me,” said Gilliard.
“Remy, you keep eyes on the ship,” said Raja. “Let me know exactly what it is doing.” They waited what seemed an interminable time and the ship finally slowed for its approach to the dock.
“The ship is fifty meters out and slowing,” said Remy.
“Should I call?” asked Gilliard.
“Not yet,” said Raja. He called Vinny. “Are we monitoring?”
“I’ve got a live-time feed. I will capture any calls instantly.”
“Thirty meters,” announced Remy.
“Inspector, now you can make the call,” said Raja.
C'est la Vie (Raja Williams Series) Page 17