by Lee Weeks
Harold opened the driver’s door and paused as he looked across to Marco.
‘Born ready.’
Marco laughed. ‘You know what, Harold? I’m going to attend to some business here. I’ll catch you later.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘Old friends have been in touch. I need to see how they are. I will be back later.’
Chapter 40
Della was waiting for Harold when he returned that evening.
The apartment was a penthouse in Shoreditch: 1 Shoreditch Mews, Flat 18. It occupied the whole top two floors of an old warehouse. It was white and open-plan. It had a roof garden with Perspex sides. The bedrooms were on the lower floor.
Della felt nervous as she waited in the open-plan sitting area. The automatic blinds had been closed. The automatic candles had sprung into life. She heard one pair of feet coming up the stairs to the top level.
Harold appeared above the Perspex parapet.
‘Where’s Marco?’ Della asked as she reached forwards to pick up her glass of wine.
‘He said he had business.’
She considered that answer with a look of disdain on her face.
‘Are you having him followed?’
‘Should I?’
‘Of course.’
Harold shrugged. ‘My guess, he’s meeting with Colombian friends.’
He poured himself a whisky from the decanter. He topped it up with ginger ale.
‘I heard all about your deal. Is it for real? I have a feeling it’s just bullshit, made to bide you some time, but I can’t figure out why you’d bother. Why not just leave Marbella? I’ll get you some funds. I’ll take care of you. You’re Eddie’s widow, after all. I don’t hold with the disrespect that’s being shown. Own up to me, and I’ll get you on a flight to South America. How does that sound?’ He came to sit near her and put his feet up on the table.
‘Thank you, Harold, but I’m not bullshitting. I can get the diamonds. You know I appreciate it and I know you mean it, but I don’t feel like running. I want what’s mine and I will fight for it. Eddie left me all that information for a reason. Eddie must have known all this would happen. This is all the protection he could give me in the end. He left me something that Tony wants more than anything.’
‘Oh, yeah, he has wet dreams about that stash of diamonds.’ Harold grinned as he brought his drink over to sit on the sofa with Della. ‘He’s talked about it and nothing else for as long as I can remember. But you will be the first to be killed if it goes wrong. If Tony makes a deal.’
‘I heard that the deal is already done. The shipment is on its way. Tony can’t back out now. Neither can any of us.’
‘Then you better find them diamonds quick and let’s get it done.’
‘You sound like you’ve had enough of it all, Harold.’
‘I have. This will be my last job for Tony, then I go into retirement. I sit around and get fat in the sun, drinking beer.’
‘So you have a vested interest in this happening?’
He nodded. ‘But what worries me is, is revenge top of your list here, Della? Because, if it is, then you won’t succeed. Tony doesn’t feel remorse. Tony doesn’t have that in his make-up.’
‘Do you?’
‘Well, it’s debatable, after all these years. But I’d never have ordered or stood by and allowed Eddie to be killed.’
‘Do you know that’s what Tony did?’
‘Tony didn’t pull the trigger. Now, let’s get back to business, Della. I’m going to be your best friend here. I’m going to look after you the best way I can, but you’re going to have to trust me.’
‘And not Marco?’
Harold shrugged. ‘Marco is working for himself in all this. Don’t turn your back on Marco for one second. He already wants you followed everywhere. If you don’t want that, you have to trust me. You better tell me more so that I can help you find the diamonds. I need to be sure the stash exists. I don’t want to lose my head.’
‘You want proof, Harold? I understand that. But, this is going to be done the way I want it, Harold, or not at all.’
‘Okay, I get it. What do you want from me?’ Harold asked.
‘Protection. For a start, we should move from here. Eddie was staying here before he was killed. This apartment smells of a trap to me. The police must be watching us twenty-four/seven.’
‘The place isn’t rigged. I had it checked out.’
‘Still, everyone knows we’re here. It’s not safe. I want a new apartment that’s not associated with the Butcher clan. If things kick off with the Mendez cartel I don’t want to be in here like a sitting duck.’
‘It makes sense. I’ll see what I can organise.’
‘No offence, but all your friends are involved in this. I can still pose as a normal human being and no one will suspect a thing. I’ll rent my own apartment. You two can do your own thing.’
‘Maybe, we’ll see about it.’
‘Hello? I thought we were in a hurry. You want to take a month to work this out, then go ahead, but I think we’ll be pretty much in the shit by that time. Can I just point out the obvious, Harold? And that is that Tony’s sitting pretty in Villa Cassandra while we are out here and about to die just like Eddie. I suggest that we three stick together and we make a sensible plan that’s going to see us through all this. Now, I have said that I can find the diamonds. I believe I can. I just need to stay alive long enough to do it. Do you understand?’
‘Yes.’
The bell went for the intercom.
‘You expecting someone?’ asked Harold. Della shook her head.
‘Who is it?’ Della asked as she watched Harold walk over and look at the webcam image from the front door.
‘Laurence.’
‘Well, are you going to let him in?’
‘Sure, just be careful what you say.’
‘Come up.’ Harold pressed the buzzer.
‘Have you eaten? I bring food. The best Indian in town,’ Laurence announced.
‘Thanks, Laurence, you’re very kind.’ Della got up to go and greet him. ‘Just the smell of chicken tikka masala is enough to make me ravenous.’
‘You okay, Della?’ Laurence hugged her. ‘It’s nice to have you here.’
‘Thanks, Laurence; I think it’s nice to be here, except it’s gone so cold. The Christmas lights are pretty here. I forget what a magical time of year it is to come to London.’
‘It’s the only time I wish I had kids,’ laughed Laurie, excited. ‘Don’t put any bets on a white Christmas just yet, though. They say there’s a few storms headed our way. How long are you planning on staying?’
‘I’m not sure.’ She took the takeaway bag from him.
Harold had been distracted, looking at his phone. Messages were coming in. He took a call and went into his bedroom to talk.
‘I have to go out for a while,’ he said when he emerged a few minutes later. ‘I’ll see you soon, Laurie.’ He picked up his keys and left.
Laurence looked at her. ‘Something I said? I’ve only been here a few minutes!’
Della smiled. ‘It’s great. For whatever reason, we have a bit of peace.’
Laurence laughed. ‘It’s going to be pretty hardcore sharing with those two monkeys, isn’t it? You can come and stay at mine. I have plenty of room.’
‘Thanks, but I need to spend time with family and friends. I haven’t seen some of them for ages. You know how it is.’ She smiled at him. She realised he’d made an effort to come and see her. He was stinking of expensive aftershave. He had the just-shaved look to his baby face. ‘It’s kind of you. Are you going somewhere else after this?’ she asked in hope.
He shook his head. ‘Not unless you’re keen.’
‘Me? No I’m going to bed early, I’m afraid.’
He nodded as he walked across to put some music on and pour himself a glass of wine as he topped up Della’s glass. Della went into the kitchen. Laurie was watching her as she got plates out and ope
ned up the containers.
‘I didn’t know you had family in London,’ he said. ‘How come we never saw them?’
‘Ah, well, it’s a well-kept secret.’ Della returned, smiling, with a tray and the food. ‘Let’s eat.’ She put the plates out on the table.
They sat opposite one another and struggled for something to talk about, maybe because so much of what she might say she couldn’t. Laurence was awkwardness personified. They exchanged meaningless comments about the quality of the food and smiled at one another over their wine. Della put it down to tiredness. It was beginning to feel too intimate. She was almost hoping Marco would come back to herald the end of the evening. Everyone hated Marco.
‘Would you be interested in meeting Billy Manson with me? I want to crack on with the projects that Eddie had going.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said, relieved. ‘I’ve got a pretty full schedule, but let me know when you’re thinking of it.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘That’s probably fine. I’ll send you a text with my new number to use here.’
She picked up the new smartphone that Bowie had given her.
‘How many phones do you have? You picking up bad habits already, Della?’
‘My Samsung is playing up. I’ll get it sorted when I get back to Spain. I’ve had this one for a while. Just good to have a backup. There, I’ve sent you a text. Let me know what time and I’ll try and make it.’
‘Give your broken phone to me. I’ll get it fixed or replaced for you. It’s no bother.’
‘I left it at home, but thanks, anyway. You’re very kind, Laurence.’
‘Do you need a car while you’re here? I’ve got one you can borrow.’
‘It’s okay. I’ve gone with the usual car hire firm that Eddie always used. I pick it up tomorrow morning, it’s all arranged.’
‘Cancel it; you don’t need it. I told you, I’ll sort one out for you.’
Della looked up from her plate.
‘It’s kind, Laurence, but I can do things for myself.’
‘Why? Eddie always took care of you; now I will.’ He smiled. ‘It’s a pleasure.’
‘It’s kind of you, Laurence, but I’ll be okay on my own. I’m going back to who I once was.’
‘And who was that?’
‘Della Cipriani.’
‘The waitress? The one who used to bring me a strawberry milkshake?’
‘Funny you remember that.’ Though Della wasn’t finding it funny.
‘Of course, I was in love with you back then. I was a teenager in love. I had no idea you had eyes for Eddie. I remember thinking you and that waiter were an item. I thought he was my competition. Not good old Eddie.’
Della pushed her plate away and picked up her wine.
‘You have a remarkable memory; if a little askew. You were very young, after all. You know what, Laurence? I’m sorry, but I am so tired. It’s just come on in a wave and I can feel a migraine starting. Would you mind if we call it a night? I need to get to sleep soon, to try and stop it getting a hold. I need to take some pills.’
‘Oh, what a shame. The evening was just getting started. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to stay and give you a neck massage – that’s the latest thing for migraines?’
‘That’s kind of you, but I don’t think that would be appropriate, do you?’
He shrugged. ‘We are not your average couple. Appropriate doesn’t come into it, does it, Della? We come from an “every man for himself” background. Rules don’t apply to us Butchers.’
‘We are not a couple, Laurence. I’ve just buried my husband, your brother. I’m beginning to feel uncomfortable here.’
‘Not my intention, of course. I just wanted you to know that I feel deep affection for you and I will be here when you need me. I’ll call by in the morning when you’ve rested.’
‘I might not be here. I’ve got lots of things I want to achieve while I’m here in the UK.’
‘What things?’
‘Just things he left for me to do. That’s all.’
‘The car? You’ll need the car.’
‘I told you, I’ve booked one now, it’s paid for. I’m going to pick it up first thing. You don’t need to bother. Thank you, though.’
‘I’ll give you a lift to the hire company. Which one is it?’
‘I forget. I’ll check later.’
‘Check it now. I need to know.’
‘No, Laurence. I don’t need a lift. Thanks for coming. I need you to go now. My head is pounding.’
Laurence picked up his coat from where he’d thrown it over the back of a chair and he started down the stairs, and then stopped.
‘I’ll text you about the meeting with Manson. That’s if you’re still interested in knowing about your ex-husband’s business. That’s if you care what happens to it.’
‘Late husband, not ex. Night, Laurence.’
Chapter 41
12 December
At just gone four in the morning, Ross and Willis walked out of their apartment into darkness. They walked quietly along their landing and down the outside stairs and across by the pool to the reception area.
They stood in the quiet foyer of the hotel as they waited. The air conditioning was fierce and Ross shivered. He couldn’t stop yawning. Willis had slept just enough. She never needed a lot. She had the ability to sleep deeply and quickly. She felt refreshed and raring to go. She was beyond excited about the day. She was a morning person, even on a normal day she was used to getting up early and into work. But today she’d woken to the sound of night time in Marbella: the drone of bars and cars. She’d slept with her window open. The light flooded into the room from the electric light on the landing. It buzzed as moths hit it.
They had made coffee in their apartment and Willis had found plastic cups to bring it downstairs, so Ross stood sipping it as they stared out at the darkness.
‘Okay, here we go,’ Willis said, as she caught a glimmer of car headlights turning to come to the hotel.
‘It’s just one car. I don’t think it can be them,’ said Ross.
They watched as the headlights went out and the two detectives pushed open the doors to the foyer and walked across to them.
‘Ay up, it’s the Marbella Vice again.’ Ross gave a side smile to Willis, whose eyes were fixed on the Spaniards walking their way over and giving a nonchalant wave towards the women on the reception desk.
‘You ready for this?’ Garcia rubbed his hands in anticipation as he got near.
‘Absolutely.’ Ross grinned back at Garcia as he went across to the bin by the reception desk to throw in his empty coffee cup. He and Willis followed them out to their car.
Garcia took the wheel. Willis glanced at Ross. He didn’t look her way; he was staring out of the window.
Ramirez turned back from the passenger seat.
‘How’s the hotel? Okay?’
‘It’s good, thanks. Tell me, how many officers will be coming in with us for the raid?’ asked Ross.
‘We’re having the Special Ops officers to come and help us with this,’ answered Garcia. ‘There will be fifteen of us altogether. We have made slight changes to the way we will enter the premises but our position is the same as we showed you at the meeting: we attack from the front gate.’
Ramirez shut off the headlights as they came within sight of Villa Cassandra. The police van was parked away from the road. Black figures began emerging from the back of the van. They were fully equipped with semiautomatic rifles and helmets with visas. They stopped briefly to liaise with Garcia and Ramirez and then they took their positions along the perimeter of the premises.
Ross and Willis donned flak jackets and waited out of sight of the main gate until the signal was given, and they saw the black figures of the Special Operations forces scaling the walls and running along the top of the wall before they dropped down into the garden. The next sound was the frantic deep barking of angry dogs. The sound of a whelp as they were tranquilized. L
ights went on in the house. An alarm sounded and the guard on duty on the gate stood back, his hands raised, before opening the front gate. Willis and Ross followed Garcia and Ramirez as they burst into Tony’s premises and sprinted up the driveway and round to the back way through the kitchens and servants’ quarters. They went through the kitchens and into a massive, well-equipped gym. An indoor pool and numerous steam and sauna rooms followed as Ross and Willis made their way out of the lower floor.
‘In here.’ Ramirez had gone on ahead and he called them into a room that was within the centre of the building. It was a space where it looked like there had been a bank of computer stacks. The abandoned connections were hanging down, ripped out.
Garcia pulled open a box of phones and packs of SIM cards.
‘Must be three hundred at least.’ Garcia held up handfuls of the cards. ‘Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to have SIM cards.’
‘What the fuck is going on? You wake us up at five in the bleeding morning, for no good reason.’
They caught up with Tony in the trophy room.
‘What is this about?’ The early-morning wake-up had found Tony fully awake and dressed in his usual vest and shorts.
Ramirez answered, ‘We have reason to believe Señor Francisco is being held somewhere on this property.’
‘Who?’
‘Señor Francisco, the lawyer who visited you, brought here by Marco Zapata on the day of your brother Eddie’s funeral. Is that clear enough for you?’
‘How the hell do I know what happened to Francisco? We dropped him back in the middle of Marbella after we concluded our business. Is that what all this is about?’
‘His daughter is also missing. Do you know anything about her?’
‘Nothing. I didn’t know he had a daughter.’
‘We will need to take a look around.’
‘Go ahead. Try not to nick anything this time. Who are these two?’ Tony addressed Garcia, who answered him in Spanish. Tony was watching Willis and Ross closely.
‘Tony Butcher?’ Willis went straight for the introduction.
‘Who are you?’
‘DS Willis from Major Investigation Team 17. We are handling the investigation into your brother’s death, sir, and this is Detective Inspector Ross.’