by Jack Higgins
'Look, what's this about?' Amber stood up.
Dillon kicked him very hard in the right ankle. 'Sit down.'
Helen Black said, 'Is this the man, Mr Salter?' 'Definitely. He's involved with a gang of known criminals: Charles Ford, Val French, Connie Briggs. I understand their intention is to rob the White Diamond Company tomorrow night of a very large consignment from South Africa. I also understand there's a Mafia connection, a man named Jack Fox.'
Amber panicked. 'Here, what is this? I don't know what you're talking about.'
Dillon said to Helen Black, 'Dear me, if this little caper goes through, he'll still be legally a part of it, am I right?' 'Absolutely.'
'What kind of sentence would he pull?'
'Minimum of ten years.'
Amber was sweating now. 'Look, for God's sake.' 'No, for your sake,' Salter said.
There was a pause, and then Helen Black said, 'If you help us in the matter, you'll be released within the next few days and put on a plane back to Barbados.'
'And if you don't, it's back to the shower at Wandsworth,' Dillon said.
Frazer had done a particularly nasty stretch at Wandsworth a couple of years earlier, and he had no desire to repeat it. He loved Charlie, but… Charlie could take care of himself.
'Okay.' Amber took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. 'Give me a drink.' Helen Black nodded to Miller, who went to the sideboard and poured a large Scotch. Amber swallowed it down. 'Okay, what do you want to know?'
On the other side of the mirror, Ferguson stood with Hannah, Blake and Billy. A good start,' he said.
'Depends on your point of view, sir,' Hannah said. 'Well, my point is getting a result. I'm like a lot of people these days, Superintendent, sick of the bad guys getting away with it, as our American cousins would say. War is war, and this is a kind of war. If you're not happy, go back to the office.'
'There's no need for that, sir.'
'I hope not.'
In the interview room, Salter said, 'All right, Amber. Manchester Charlie Ford, you, Connie and Val are going to hit the White Diamond Company for Jack Fox. We know you've already cut open the grille gate in the tunnel from the river.'
Amber was shocked. 'How do you know that?'
'We know everything, old son.'
Dillon leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. Helen took up the story. 'The gate is open, you go up the tunnel, smash a hole through an old Victorian brick wall and you're into the basement of the White Diamond Company.'
'Only what we can't understand, old son, is how you're supposed to do the job,' Salter said. 'I mean, all that security, all those alarms.'
Amber didn't reply, and Dillon said, 'It's a waste of time, Sergeant Major. Ship him up to Wandsworth and charge him with conspiracy.'
As you say, sir,' Helen Black said.
Amber said, 'No, for God's sake, I'll tell you. Give me another drink,' which Miller did. Amber swallowed it down just like the other. 'Okay, what do you want to know?'
'First of all, the security man?'
'No problem. He takes over at six o'clock from the other guy. Always gets coffee and a big box of sandwiches from the takeaway at the end of the street. There's a girl there who Charlie knows. She's going to put a couple of pills in the coffee. They take a while to act, but when they do, he's out for three or four hours.'
'But the security system?' Helen Black said.
'That's Connie Briggs. He's a genius at electronics. He's got hold of this thing called a Howler. When you switch it on, it screws up all electronic systems in a given area. TV video security, gate locks, vaults, the lot.'
'My God,' Helen Black said. 'I can't believe it.'
'Of course!' Dillon said. 'Oh, what an ass I am! I've seen those things. They work, believe me.' He turned to Amber. 'So it is tomorrow night?'
Amber nodded. 'Seven o'clock. It's got to be early because of the tide.'
'Will Fox be there?' Dillon asked.
'No way. It's all down to us and the Jagos.'
The door opened and Ferguson came in, trailed by Billy, Hannah and Blake Johnson. 'Thank you, Sergeant Major,' the Brigadier said. 'Take him out and keep him secure.'
Black and Miller took Amber Frazer between them, and Blake said, 'Well, now we know.'
'The only trouble is, Fox isn't taking part,' Hannah said.
'Well, he wouldn't,' Dillon told her. 'He's too careful to get directly involved in a caper like this. We have to settle for foiling the robbery and banging up the lot of them, including the Jagos. The end result will still be that Fox loses his hope of a big killing with those diamonds.'
'His last hope,' Blake said.
'Exactly.' Dillon nodded. 'So how do we handle it?'
Harry Salter said, 'I've been thinking. My Joe, Joe Baxter, when he was doing a five stretch at Armle Prison in Leeds, did a learning programme. Did welding, all that stuff. You know, oxy-acetylene.'
'So what are you suggesting?' Ferguson asked.
'Well, it would run something like this, Brigadier,' and Harry Salter told him.
They all listened, and Ferguson burst into laughter. 'My God, that's the best thing I've heard in years.'
14
The following day, Fox was having a light lunch in the Piano Bar at the Dorchester, tagliatelle alla panna, noodles in a cream and ham sauce, just the way he liked it. The waiter poured him a glass of Krug, and Falcone came down the stairs.
'I've been to the Colosseum, Signore. Mori has laid off most of the staff. He's kept on Rossi and Cameci.'
'I know. That damn Ferguson. Any word from Ford?' 'No, Signore.'
'Today's the day, Aldo. Make or break time.'
More than you know, Falcone thought.
Manchester Charlie Ford had expected Amber for lunch, and when he failed to turn up he tried Amber's mobile. When it rang at Holland Park, Helen Black nodded, Miller stood behind and Amber answered.
'Hey, where are you?' Charlie demanded.
'Sorry, Charlie,' Amber mumbled. 'I've got a terrible toothache. I've only just managed to find a dentist who could give me an appointment.'
'You poor sod. Okay, I'll see you this evening.'
'I don't know, Charlie. This thing could knock me out of commission.'
There was a brief silence. 'Well, I suppose we can manage if we have to. Me, Tony and Harold. But be here if you can, okay, Amber?'
'I'll do my best, Charlie.'
'Well, you do that, darling. Stay well.'
Amber switched off the phone and looked at Helen Black. 'Was that okay?'
'You should be on stage, Amber.'
For some strange reason, he perked up. 'You really think so?'
Absolutely. Much better than prison. Maybe you shouldn't go back to Barbados. Maybe you should get an education grant and try the London Theatre School.'
There was a final meeting at Fox's suite at the Dorchester: the Jagos, Ford, Briggs and French. Falcone and Russo stood by, and Fox nodded to Russo, who got a bottle of champagne from the basket and thumbed off the cork. He filled glasses all around.
Fox raised his and toasted the others. 'To the big one. They'll all have to sit up and take notice.' He turned to Ford. 'Everything okay?'
'Amber isn't up to snuff. He's got some sort of tooth infection. He rang me up from the dentist.'
'We don't need the black,' Tony Jago said. 'We can manage. Enough of us as it is.'
'You know best.' Fox nodded.
Tony said, 'So you're sure you're not joining us?'
'Don't be silly. That tunnel would be rather crowded.'
'But you don't mind joining us to share out the loot.'
Falcone, leaning against the wall, straightened, but Harold took charge. 'You shut your mouth,' he said to his brother, 'or I'll give you a slapping.' He turned to Fox. 'Look, I'm sorry. He's young.'
'Well, we all were once,' Jack told him and smiled. 'Come on, another glass of bubbly, and then, as I believe the Irish say, "God bless the good work."'
It was six o'clock th
at evening when Hannah answered her doorbell and found Dillon on the step.
'Ferguson expects us at his place to wait out what's happening. I've got the Daimler.'
'I'll get my coat.'
She was out in a few minutes, he opened the rear door for her, and she climbed in behind the driver. Dillon leaned in through the open window and tapped the driver on the shoulder.
'Take the Superintendent to Brigadier Ferguson.' He smiled at Hannah. 'I'll see you later. I've got things to do.'
Hannah opened her mouth in surprise, but the Daimler moved away before she could reply.
Outside the Jagos' house in Wapping, a large white truck bearing the sign ELITE CONSTRUCTION drew up.
Ford was at the wheel wearing overalls, Briggs beside him, French in the back. The door to the house opened, and Harold and Tony Jago emerged, came down the steps and also got in the back.
'The moment of truth, boys,' Harold said. 'Let's get to it.'
At the same time, the night security guard at the White Diamond Company, having finished his sandwiches and coffee, sat back to read the Evening Standard. He kept blinking his eyes, yawned a couple of times, put the newspaper down, and checked the multiple television security screens. Everything looked normal. Suddenly, he leaned over the desk, put his head on his arms, and was asleep.
In the tunnel, Ford and French, each wielding a sledgehammer, attacked the wall at the right point. The old Victorian brickwork crumbled and fell backwards in large sections into the basement.
'Perfect,' Ford said. 'In we go, gents.'
They all scrambled through. 'Now what?' Harold Jago asked.
'The tide started to come in downriver fifteen minutes ago. We're good for forty minutes. After that, the tunnel entrance will be covered.'
'Then let's bleeding get on with it,' Harold said.
Connie Briggs took an object from one of the carrying bags that resembled a television remote control. 'The Howler,' he said, and pressed a button.
'Is that it?' Tony Jago asked.
'Well, if it isn't, all hell will break loose when we go upstairs. If it works, the security system is fucked and all the doors will be open. Let's go and see.'
Dillon, the Salters, Joe Baxter and Sam Hall got out of a Transit. Baxter and Hall were carrying large canvas holdalls. Blake got out after them.
Harry Salter said, 'Look, old son, can't you stay in the Transit? You're not up to it.'
'No, it's important to me. Fox had my wife killed, Harry. I want to be there when he finally gets his. What happens now, if we succeed, will finish him.'
Strange, it was Billy who said, 'He's entitled. Let him be.'
'Well, you've changed, you young sod.'
'Damn right, Harry,' Dillon said. 'He's killed two men, and on the side of right. No going back on that.'
Salter said, 'Okay, let's get going.'
He led the way down the steps and started along the shingle to the tunnel entrance. When they got there, he turned to Billy.
'You checked with Handy. How long have we got?' 'Thirty minutes, and don't forget, when that tide floods
in, it's what Handy means by St Richard's Force.' 'Right, let's get to it.'
As the Jagos and the others reached the entrance hall, they paused, observing the security guard sprawled across the desk, the security screens blank.
'There you go. Downstairs to the vault,' Connie Briggs said.
Manchester Charlie Ford laughed. 'I told you he was a genius,' and he led the way down a broad marble stairway to the vaults below.
The others, in the tunnel, had reached the grille door. Harry Salter said, 'Right, let's get on with it.'
Billy said, 'We could clobber them on the way out, Harry. I mean, twelve million.'
'Like I said, it's too much, Billy. They'd bring out the big battalions. Now, we go with my suggestion. I've never liked the Jagos, with their drugs, whores and pornography. Filth.'
He turned to Joe Baxter. 'So get your gear out and let's hope the British prison system taught you a trade.'
Joe Baxter took out an oxy-acetylene welding torch from his holdall. From the other bag, Sam Hall produced an oxygen cylinder.
Baxter flared the torch and started to work.
The great vault doors opened, and the Jagos and their friends were into an Aladdin's cave. They opened their canvas holdalls, pulled out bags and poured in a stream of diamonds.
'Jesus,' Harold said. 'I've never known the like.'
There was an atmosphere of hysteria, everyone laughing, and finally, they were finished.
'Okay, let's be on our way,' Harold ordered and led the way back upstairs.
They moved down to the basement to the exit hole they'd smashed, moved through one by one.
Tony said, 'Christ there's water in the tunnel.'
'Well, there would be,' Harold said. 'The tide's coming in. We've got time. Let's get moving.'
It was already a foot deep when they reached the gate, Manchester Charlie Ford in the lead. He tried to open it. 'What the hell is going on? It won't budge.'
Val French pushed him out of the way and checked it. 'Christ! Someone's welded it together.'
'That would be me and my friends.' Dillon sloshed forward in a foot of water, Blake at his side. 'Sean Dillon, and this is Blake Johnson. I'm sure you've got a mobile. Call Jack Fox and give him the bad news.'
The Jagos grabbed the bars of the grille and shook them. 'Fuck you!'
Dillon smiled. 'No, I'm afraid it's you who are fucked, gentlemen. Now, if you'll excuse me, the water's getting a bit high.'
Dillon and Blake turned and waded away, the water already two feet deep and rising. They exited on to the beach, which was already flooded. Harry Salter and the other were at the steps, waiting.
Dillon took out his Codex Four mobile phone and called Scotland Yard, using the Special Branch number.
The officer who replied said, 'Special Branch. How can I help you?'
'The Jago brothers and a hand-picked team are trapped in the White Diamond Company building at St Richard's Dock. They can't get out the way they got in underground, because the tide's rising. If you get to the front entrance fast, you'll catch them with twelve million in diamonds.'
'Who is this?'
'Don't be silly, get moving.'
In the tunnel, the Jagos and the others shook desperately at the grille together, but Joe Baxter had done too good a job, and then the water rose and started to bore in very fast.
'Christ,' Harold said. 'It's that St Richard's Force thing. Let's get out of here.'
They turned and scrambled along the tunnel, the water foaming around them, got through the hole, and scrambled upstairs to the foyer and the security office.
'Listen,' Harold said, 'if that Howler works, then the front door's open.'
'That's right,' Connie told him.
'Okay, let's get the hell out of here.'
He led the way to the door, and there was a squeal of brakes as half a dozen police cars arrived outside.
Harold stood there, bitter and angry, and said to Connie, 'Close the door with your sodding Howler,' which Connie did. 'Let them wait.'
The police bunched together outside the glass doors, and Tony Jago, gave them two fingers. Harold called through on the mobile to Fox at his suite at the Dorchester.
Fox said, 'Harold, how did it go?'
'Wonderful. I'm standing here at the White Diamond Company holding a bag worth twelve million and there must be at least twenty cops outside trying to get in at
US.
'What happened, for God's sake?'
Harold told him.
'Dillon?' Fox said. 'Are you sure?'
'And the American, Johnson. I think they've been on your case more than you know, Jack. The trouble is it's put them on my case.'
'I'll get you the best barrister in London.'
'Thanks very much. That's a great comfort, Fox. Sod you and your barrister!'
He switched off the mobile. Tony said, 'What the hell
do we do, Harold?'
'Travel hopefully, Tony.' Harold turned to Connie Briggs. 'Go on, use that gadget and open the door.' Connie did, and the police rushed in and surged all over them.
Fox said, 'That bastard Dillon. He and Johnson, they've ruined the operation!'
'Signore?' Falcone said.
'God, I see it all now. It wasn't them just with the Colosseum, but Al Shariz and Kilbeg, too. And now this!' 'But how, Signore? How would they know?'
'The Johnson woman, everything flows from that. Somehow she found out and told them. God knows how.' 'So what do we do now, Signore?'
Fox turned to him with a hard light in his eyes. 'We exact revenge,' Fox said. 'That's what I want, revenge.' 'And how do we do that?'
'I'll tell you later. Right now, I want you and Russo to get down to the Colosseum and pick up Rossi and Cameci. Go on, do it now.' He was angry. 'And make it fast.'
'Signore.'
Falcone left, picked up Russo from his room, and filled him in as they went down in the elevator to get the car.
Russo said, 'He's too angry, and being too angry isn't good.'
'You don't have to tell me,' Falcone said.
In the car on the way to the Colosseum, he phoned Don Marco in New York and brought him up to date.
'Ah God, Aldo, can't he see? They're looking for him to come after them. He should just cut his losses, get out of there.'
'He won't do that, Don Marco. He's an angry man.' 'And insane to go after them. But then, Jack was always headstrong.'
Falcone hesitated, then said the unthinkable. 'Do you wish me to take care of him, Don Marco?'
'No, Aldo. No matter what he's done, he's my nephew, flesh of my flesh. I'm coming over there. I'll leave New York within the hour. You stay in dose touch.'
'Of course.'
'Aldo. I need your total loyalty in this.'
'You have it as always, Don Marco.'
Besides the Gulfstream, the family operated a Golden Eagle twin-engine aircraft out of Bardsey Aero Club outside London. It was useful for local flights, the kind where you had to put down on short runways, so it was particularly good for Hellsmouth. Fox called the pilot now, an ageing, ex-RAF pilot named Swan, and got him at home.