New Encounters

by Helena Smith

  ‘If it helps Ash I will do anything.’

  ‘I will text you with updates and you do the same. Just delete the history.’

  ‘ok, bye’

  ‘bye’

  I hang up and walk towards the cafe where I last had coffee and order one. What does he mean they are trying to cover up who they are? I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it. But at least I have told the Detective. I know that this was definitely the right thing to do. But it must be complicated. It’s not as if they can charge around the Middle East looking for her. As I sit there sipping my coffee one of the guys that was following me with his white shirt charges around the corner, out of breath and sweating. He looks at me square in the eye and his eyes widen in shock. He tries to look inconspicuous as he goes on his mobile phone. Clearly to tell the others that he has found me. Bring it on... I carry on sipping my coffee.

  CHAPTER 36

  Chris and Bob land on the island of Sicily. Jet lag is not allowed in the job description. After they had memorized their new operation they had to bin their weapons. It doesn’t go well in the airport if your rifle and handgun shows up on the security scan. They tend to get a little bit touchy. They used their fake passports, and had set off on their long way across Atlantic. The weather in Sicily was nice, and no where near as humid as Columbia. Sicily looks nice but there is really no time to go sight seeing. They have to get to a little harbour and find a boat that contains the stash of weapons that they need. But they had to wait to do this when it was a little darker. Might look a bit suspect to people passing by if they start pulling out rifles from a fishing boat.

  So instead they decide to get dinner, they were starving and had been away on two back to back operations. So far they had been away from over 4 weeks now. It didn’t matter, it wasn’t as if they had wives waiting for them back home. That was the reason that most marriages to people like Chris and Bob don’t survive. The women just can’t take it. But in that time they had been away, they were starting to get tired. This is never good, tired means that mistakes happen. They knew this and knew that they had to get some rest and food. So they would collect their weapons, get in position and take it in turns to get some rest again. The hit would take place tomorrow night. Then they could go back to the UK and hopefully get some R&R.

  They had a huge two course dinner, and their stomachs felt satisfied. On looking at the maps, there was some room for cover that overlooked the back of the house. It should be close enough for them to take the family out.

  They made their way to the point, by moped. After hiding them in a field they made the rest of the way on foot so they didn’t cause any unnecessary attention. They approached their point and they could see the lights on in the house. This would be a good vantage point for them to watch the house and maybe do a few recces around the house. This way they could work out every exit point. Then tomorrow night, when the meeting was due to take place, so long as all the players had entered they would make the hit. The bosses must have some other eyes on the ground here, as they said they would also text when the Uncles were en route.

  It was time for them to bed down and start making themselves familiar with the territory, and prepare.

  CHAPTER 37

  I was taken back to the house, by the driver. I have to say I felt quite smug that I managed to give those guys the run around. They looked pissed off when I last saw them. But now I have to face Robert. What on earth am I going to say? How the hell am I going to act normal? As we pull up to the house, Robert is already stood in the doorway waiting for me. Dear me... this isn’t a good sign is it. I open the door before he or the driver has a chance to.

  ‘What the hell did you think you playing at?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You know exactly what I mean.’

  Wow, he is mad... you can see it in his eyes, and I can possibly see steam coming out of his ears.

  ‘Robert, I said I wanted some time along. You send an entourage with me. Why? You said I was safe here. So yes I did. Get over it.’

  ‘GET OVER IT?’

  ‘Yes, get over it. I am tired and I have had a lot to digest. In case you haven’t forgotten you have been lying to me. I needed time to think about that and what it meant’

  I push past him and go upstairs to make my point clear to him. He manages to catch up with me in a few strides.

  ‘Your leaving me aren’t you. Please I beg you, don’t leave me. I love you’

  I turn around and look at him, and he has tears in his eyes.

  ‘I really can’t understand anything. Not right now. I just feel as though I can’t trust you. Let’s not forget that all of this... well its down to you. Its your fault that Ash is in danger. Your fault Robert.’

  I am past angry, past everything now. My voice is calm and level.

  ‘I won’t let you leave me Bella.’

  ‘If I decide to do that, you can have your money back if thats what your worried about.

  ‘Money? You think I’m bothered because of the money? I love you. With all my heart I love you Bella.’

  ‘What the hell are you involved with, that someone would do this?’

  ‘Its complicated.’

  ‘Well well well.. you still can’t answer me this can you. ‘

  ‘I will get Ash back Bella. I promise you I will. ‘

  ‘Alive? Intact? The truth is, even if she is alive and intact what have they done to her? What emotional scars is she going to have for the rest of her life because of you? One way or another, I have lost my best friend.’

  ‘I’m so sorry. I really am.’

  ‘Yeah, so am I. Please leave me alone now and sleep in the spare room.’

  As I get ready in the bedroom I have never felt so alone and so scared. I had a shower in the en suite and went to bed and shut my eyes. Hoping it would all go away. How can I ever forgive Robert for this? Whatever he and his brother are involved in, its resulted in Ash being kidnapped. If I had never met him, she would be at home in her onsie giggling away to herself and trying to make it in time to the toilet as always. Tears roll down my face. I am angry at myself for letting this happen. I wonder where she is right now, what her room looks like. If ...... if she is ok.

  CHAPTER 38

  Chris lies next to Bob. The only difference is.... nob head is laying on his back sleeping. Chris is lying on his front in position watching the house. This is going to be a shit stake out, so far they have seen lights go on and off upstairs... not very exciting. It will give him way too much time to think. They had a few guys milling about outside, but it was surprisingly relaxed considering who they are looking after. But Chris suspected that this was probably down to who these guys were. Most of the people around here would alert them if they needed to worry about something. They probably even have spotters at the airport. Which is why Bob and Chris found two girls to talk to on the plane and walk through the airport with. They had even shared a taxi with them, it looked a lot less suspicious than 2 guys going on a break together. If they hadn’t have found the girls they would have split up.

  Chris remembered when he was a skinny kid, longing to have muscles. Now, his whole body was a like on big giant muscle. But not overly so. Some people make the mistake of thinking the elite are built like brick shit houses, but they aren’t. They typically have a physique like Chris. Toned and muscular, their bodies were built for stamina. Whether it be having to navigate their way through the desert, or jungle with no food and little water.

  Well it was another 4 hours until Chris could grab some shut eye. There still wasn’t much going on in the house, but there was bedroom light that kept going on and off. He wondered who’s room that was and why they were having such a sleepless night. Then Chris remembered Claudia from back home. She was single, curvy and quite funny. Maybe it was time that Chris took a stab at a relationship again. He wanted someone to go to again. Claudia was simple enough and didn’t have high demands, which suited him down to the ground.

  CHAP
TER 39

  I woke up in my room and after a second or two it dawned on me. How much has happened in the past week, and how my life has been turned upside down. Robert was the man of my dreams, but I can’t help but feel mad with him and part of me..... part of me hates him. If it wasn’t for him, Ash would be ok. It’s his fault, all of it. And.... he lied. He knew things about the case and kept it to himself. So wrong. Was his excuse good enough? That he thinks he can save her, with the demands that will inevitably come? I just can’t get perspective on any of it. I can’t speak to anyone about it, not yet. That will have to wait. Right now, I just want to focus on Ash.

  I check my phone to see if the Detective has text, but there is nothing from him. Just texts from Sarah and Emma asking if I am ok. I feel guilty... so very guilty. I reply and say we are still waiting to hear.

  I go for a shower in the en suite and get ready for the day ahead, whatever the day ahead will bring. I actually manage to smile at myself in the mirror. A hopeful smile of reassurance, as really, anything could happen today. I have to be prepared for the unexpected. There is a knock at the bedroom door, and as I open it, it is no surprise to see Robert. The once polished man, that swept me off my feet, is leaning in the doorway looking dishevelled and exhausted. I am glad he has had a sleepless night.

  ‘You look tired.’

  ‘I didn’t sleep Bella. How can I? Being in a bedroom next to yours... well it breaks my heart.’

  ‘You can understand why though can’t you Robert?’

  ‘Yeah.... I can... I ‘

  ‘Stop right there. If you are about to spill more lies, then don’t bother. I am not interested. But from now on, you tell me everything... and I mean everything when it comes to what you know about Ash. Right now, that’s all I am bothered about.’

  ‘What about us?’

  ‘Us... well, I need to see how I feel after Ash is safe and sound. I can’t get my head around it at the moment.’ I’m not lying, I really can’t get my head around ‘us’. At the same time, I want to keep him on side. If I walk out now, I might lose any information on Ash’s whereabouts. The Costa brothers may very well decide its more hassle than its worth and ignore any demands made by this evil man.

  ‘I understand Bella. I will tell you what I know as I find out I promise. After we get Ash back we will go away somewhere and work this out. I will do anything to make it up to you.’

  He puts his arms around me and kisses me on my head and I let him. Partly because I do feel really lonely, and miss the touch of his skin. The other part of me doesn’t want to push him away, I need to give him the motivation to get Ash back.

  ‘I am going to get a coffee.’

  ‘I will have a quick shower and join you. But please Bella, you have barely eaten and you need your strength.’

  ‘Ok.’

  I walk downstairs, numb. I go through the sherrard of smiling at the maid and the other staff milling about the place. I go out to the terrace, and Giuseppe is sat there.

  ‘Please Bella, join me.’ He could see I hesitated in the doorway, and he stands up and holds out his hand towards the chair indicating where I should sit.

  ‘Thanks Giuseppe’

  What the hell do I say to this man? The man who has conspired with Robert. But, I need to ensure I do the same as I am with Robert.

  ‘Roberto loves you very much Bella, he never meant for this to happen.’

  ‘Which bit Giuseppe?’ I keep my response calm. If I sweep it under the carpet too much they will get suspicious, if I go off on one.... it may have the effect where they both forget about Ash. Talk about being stuck between a hard place and a rock.

  ‘All of it Bella.... all of it. Some of the people we deal with don’t conform to what we consider normal. Roberto kept the information he knew about Ash from you, because he wants to focus on finding her. He loves you, very much and doesn’t want you to be broken hearted.’

  I admit this makes me melt just slightly. I nod and swallow hard, fighting back the tears. Giuseppe places his hand on mine and gave me a genuine smile.

  ‘Let me pour you some coffee, which seems to be your staple diet Miss Stone. I am sure you are secretly an Italian.’

  He smiles again, and so do I. I say ‘Thank you’ and unfold my napkin and place it on my lap. Maria the maid lays out a beautiful selection of food for breakfast as always and she squeezes my shoulder as she walks past me. Robert came out onto the terrace, and I secretly smile inside as he still looks like shit even after his shower. The three of us eat breakfast and then Robert spoke, stressed and running his fingers through his hair. A little more rough than usual.

  ‘I have heard some more news. It appears that Ash maybe being held by the Taliban, and was last seen being taken into a remote village called Sare Ahangaran which is about 120km from Kabul in Afghanistan.’

  I take the biggest intake of breath, but I can’t stop the rise of my breakfast and I run into the garden with speed and manage to reach the rose garden before I bring up the contents of my stomach. Robert had ran with me and is holding my hair back. As I stop being sick, Giuseppe is at my other side with a bottle of water and a napkin. My god.... who are these two people involved with.

  CHAPTER 40

  It was Bob’s turn for being on stag. Chris was still trying to get some sleep but was struggling as always. You get 4 hours off but in reality you sleep for around 3 hours, and you sleep lightly. You have to be prepared for ambush at any second. But he had just gone to sleep with Nob head and woken him up.

  ‘Your turn dickhead.’

  ‘You’re shitting me... already Nobhead?’

  ‘Already, enjoy.’

  Chris turned over and shook his head at nob head. He had worked with Bob many times over, the American had always come good. He enjoyed working with him. Bob had worked in many of America’s organisations, from the CIA to the FBI. He knew his stuff and Chris liked that. Some of the guys he had worked with, he hadn’t trusted. There were a few times where there was an alternative agenda from the other guy. Never good, ever. One time in Iraq, he was working with a guy who had arranged to steal some of Saddam Hussains gold hoard. Screwed Chris right over and left him for dead in the middle of Iraq with a bottle of water.

  Chris got a call on the satellite phone which was very unusual when it was so close to a hit.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Abort mission.’

  ‘Really? Clarify once more’

  ‘Abort mission. Case has got a lot more complicated.’

  ‘Fine by me.’

  Chris’s eyes were still on his binoculars. He felt a surge of happiness. Abort mission, meant an early trip home with clean hands for once. Just as he was putting his binoculars down, he stopped. He could see movement at the back of the house. He saw a woman running into the garden and puking everywhere. Maybe the food was shit, she should try the ration packs. A guy ran with her, and it was him from the photograph, Roberto Costa. Then another guy ran to this woman’s other side.

  She looked a tidy sort by the looks of her body, but he couldn’t see her face, she was doubled over puking. The other guy was Giuseppe Costa. The woman took the water from Giuseppe and dabbed her face with a white cloth. As she lowered it, Chris’s heart stopped. No.... no... no... it can’t be. Chris swallowed hard and rubbed his eyes. He looked back through the binoculars, and it was... it was Bella. Bella Stone, the woman he had always loved. Here? What the fuck was she doing here, with them two? She seemed to know them. This was a royal fuck up right now.

  CHAPTER 41

  ‘Thanks Giuseppe.’ I drink water and dap face with the napkin.

  ‘Come, sit down.’

  I follow Giuseppe, and notice that Robert is supporting me. It’s only then that I realise how weak I feel and how I can barely walk to the table on my own accord.

  ‘I think I should take you to bed so you can have a lie down.’

  I nod at him, and he scoops me up into his arms effortlessly. Gently he moves me through the house, navig
ating his way through the doorways. Walking upstairs I rest my head on his shoulder, I can’t remember ever feeling this weak. He walks us into the bedroom and lays me on the bed. Disappearing he comes back with a bottle of cold water, and sits on the bed next to me stroking my hair.

  ‘Why? Why have they taken her there?’

  ‘It’s their stronghold. Where they are surrounded by supporters.’

  ‘What are they going to do to Ash?’

  My eyes, burn and tears prickle to the surface and roll down my cheeks. I am not sobbing, the tears have arrived without me even trying.

  ‘They want something Bella. Possibly money. They think that Ash is you and they know that this is the way to get what they want... to get to my family. So they will keep her safe to ensure that they get what they want. I just hope that they end this soon and call.... get in touch and tell me what they want. I will give it to them with a bow on top.’

  ‘You think it will be soon?’

  ‘I think so, as they seem to have stopped travelling. They should be ready to lay their cards on the table any day now.’

  ‘Any day now? I am hoping its any minute.’

  ‘Me to Bella... me to. Can I get you anything?’

  ‘No... no thank you’ My head is pounding, like I have been hit around the back of the head with a baseball bat.