by Mark Arundel
‘Listen to me. Keeping Geoffrey Button alive is extremely important and you…'
‘Why did you give me the wrong address?’ I’d interrupted her and Charlotte paused while she thought.
‘Look, I’m going to tell you, perhaps it will help.’
‘So, tell me.’
‘You were given a false address because we didn’t want you to kill Geoffrey.’
‘I got that, but there must be more to it. Look, Charlotte, if you don’t want to tell me or you can’t tell me then just say. But think about this, if there’s something you don’t tell me now, which has an effect on me being able to keep Geoffrey alive, then you better decide what’s really important to you, secrets or the life of Geoffrey Button.’ Feeling quite pleased with my little speech I waited for Charlotte’s reply.
There was a long pause before she said, ‘You know the money you were being paid to kill him, well I’ll double it if you keep him alive.’
‘You keep saying we. Do you mean you, Winchester and Bradshaw?’
‘No, I mean…'
‘Or do you mean Bartholomew Meriwether? Who is Bartholomew Meriwether, Charlotte?’
‘He was my boss, and yes when I say we, I mean me and Bartholomew Meriwether.’
‘Who do you work for?’
‘I told you I’m a civil servant.’
‘No, you’re not. You’re much more than just a civil servant.’
She didn’t answer; she was silent like somebody unaccustomed to a contradiction. I let it go. I hadn’t really thought about the money. I’d already made up my mind to do it. Enjoyment was probably the wrong word but it was something like that. Charlotte obviously thought the incentive of doubling my pay would persuade me to continue with the assignment without further explanation.
By way of some clarification, she said, ‘We chose you out of a hundred and sixteen. We made a list of criteria. First, there were the essential attributes, which had to match exactly, and then there were the rest, which we gave a weighting to for importance. The computer crunched the data and your name came out on top.’ That was interesting.
I said, ‘Your list of criteria, did it include being stupid and easily swayed?’ I heard her lips part. Perhaps, she smiled.
She said, ‘It’s very important.’
During the telephone conversation, I’d kept an eye on the road and the pavement. Even though I’d changed my t-shirt and was wearing my sunglasses if what Charlotte had told Geoffrey was true then I was easy to pick out in a crowd. I didn’t want an angry Russian with a score to settle surprising me.
I said, ‘Why did you kiss me?’
Again, she paused and then said, ‘Well, you’re a kissable kind of guy.’
‘So, it wasn’t because you knew you were sending me on a dangerous mission, where I could be killed, and where you couldn’t tell me what it was really about, but that you hoped I might be more easily persuaded if I thought you might want to do more to me than just kiss?’ I was pleased with that one, too.
Charlotte huffed and her voice lost its softness. She said, ‘Okay, we both know how smart you are. I’ll stop the games. Just tell me if you’ll do it?’ I smiled to myself.
‘Do what? You haven’t actually told me what you want me to do.’
‘Keep Geoffrey alive.’
‘I’ve done that. He’s alive right now. He’s sitting in the villa with a loaded Glock in his hand, as I said, waiting for me to return from this phone call. If he’s so important to you, why don’t you contact the local police? I’ll hand him over alive, and they can arrange his safe passage home.’
Charlotte’s pause was even longer than usual and I was running out of money. I did another scan of the road and the pavement. I spotted him instantly. He was about a hundred yards away, looking at the shops, the parked cars and across the beach, walking slowly towards where I was standing. It was Vladimir, the Russian from the lift. They’d obviously regrouped and Vlad must have walked here along the coast road from the hotel and their parked car, which wasn’t going to be moving as I had the key. The other two might be about as well.
I quickly said to Charlotte, ‘Is Geoffrey’s phone safe for me to use?’
She said, ‘Yes, it is.’
‘I’ll call you back,’ I said and hung up.
I stepped out of the pay phone with my back to Vlad and walked around it using cover from a palm tree to scan the other side of the road. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see either of the other two Russians, which was not an ideal situation. I decided to leave Vlad and quickly return to the villa and Geoffrey. Using the tree as cover for as long as I could, I turned across the pavement and down the villa road without looking back. Once out of sight, I ran to the arched doorway and let myself in. I locked it behind me. I hurried into the villa and called out to Geoffrey but he didn’t reply. I ran through and searched everywhere. Geoffrey was gone.
Chapter 11
It is important for the Declarer to take the first trick and by doing so take control of the contract.
Charlotte’s words were still in my head. Listen, keeping Geoffrey Button alive is extremely important. You must do whatever is necessary. I checked the villa again. He wasn’t there dead or alive.
One of the sliding glass doors leading out to the pool was unlocked and slightly ajar. I pulled it open and went outside. I checked all the way round but he wasn’t anywhere. He was definitely gone.
I had to think fast. I made myself work through the options. If someone had come to the villa then why wasn’t he dead? Perhaps they wanted something from him first. The other alternative was he had left on his own—but why?
To get out he would have had to either scale the wall or climb down the rocks onto the beach. I went to the edge of the terrace and looked down onto the beach and across to the strip and the town. The beach was dotted with holidaymakers and the town was busy with cars and pedestrians. I searched but I couldn’t see Geoffrey. I did spot Vladimir, though. He was walking among the outside table and chairs of the restaurant and bar on the other side of the beach, about one hundred and fifty yards away. He was obviously searching for Geoffrey, presumably while waiting for further instructions or new intelligence. If it wasn’t for my immediate problem, I might be tempted to kill him while I had the opportunity and get him out of the way. Charlotte did tell me to do whatever it takes. Leaving dead bodies around, though, was a bad idea. It would only wake up the police. Violence, I decided, would be a last resort. I was going to use my brain.
I quickly checked the villa again for any clues. Geoffrey’s satchel was gone, which meant his phone and my K106 were gone too, and I couldn’t see the Glock that I’d left with him.
I needed to speak to Charlotte again but I didn’t want to risk using my own phone and give an opportunity for tracking my location. I would have to return to the pay phone.
I locked the villa and walked cautiously back around the corner while making sure I didn’t bump into any of the Russians.
I was lucky again. The pay phone was available. I dialled Charlotte’s number and she answered after one ring.
‘Why did you hang up?’ Ignoring her question, I moved straight to the urgent problem.
‘Geoffrey’s gone. I got back to the villa and he wasn’t there.’ Silence followed my news. I waited. Charlotte still didn’t speak. I said, ‘I don’t think he was taken. I think he left on his own accord.’ Still there was nothing from Charlotte. I said, ‘But why? Charlotte, do you know why?’
She said, ‘No, I don’t know why.’
I said, ‘Call him on his phone and see if he answers.’
‘...yes, all right,’ she agreed.
I told her, ‘I don’t have any more change for the phone. You’ll have to call me back.’ I read out the pay phone number to her.
Charlotte confirmed, ‘I’ll try Geoffrey and then I’ll ring you back.’
While I waited, I continued to think and watch for Vladimir and either of his two pals.
After a couple of m
inutes, the pay phone rang and I picked it up.
I said, ‘Did you speak to him?’
‘Yes, he’s gone back to the apartment where he’s been staying. It’s owned by the parents of a work colleague.’ I was amazed. Three Russian professionals had chased and attacked him. They very much wanted to find him and he goes walkabout.
I said, ‘Why? Is he mad? Does he want to get killed?’
‘He told me he’d forgotten something and he had to go back for it.’
‘Why didn’t he wait for me?’
‘He didn’t think you’d let him go back and get it. He said you were very forceful. He was worried that if he didn’t go when he had the chance he might not get another.’
‘What could be so important that he’d risk his life like that?’
Charlotte said, ‘I don’t know.’ I didn’t believe her. I was sure Charlotte did know. If I got to Geoffrey in time and he was still alive, I’d ask him myself.
I said, ‘Are you going to contact the Tenerife police? I already know where the local police station is. I can drop him off for you.’
I heard her breathe in and then she said, ‘You already know it’s not that simple. This situation is complicated and fluid. Just get to Geoffrey as quickly as possible and do everything you can to keep him alive. Will you do that for me?’
I said, ‘Give me the address and directions. I’ll try and get to him before anyone else does.’
‘Thank you. The apartment isn’t far from where you are. It’s in a complex, which is only a five-minute walk away.’
Charlotte gave me hurried and yet comprehensive directions. I committed them to memory as she spoke.
I told her, ‘I’ll call you as soon as I know something.’ I hung up and checked the immediate area and the pavements; as far as I could see none of the three Russians was nearby. It was all clear. I left the pay phone and walked swiftly away and followed Charlotte’s directions.
As I strode to the apartment complex, my mind continued to work. Obviously, it was Charlotte and her boss Bartholomew Meriwether who wanted, desperately, for me to keep Geoffrey alive; but Charlotte wouldn’t tell me why. I wondered if they had always wanted to ensure Geoffrey’s safety. I wondered what it meant. Who were Charlotte Miller and Bartholomew Meriwether and for whom did they work? I passed a Sony shop and noted where it was. I planned to return when I could because there was a purchase I needed to make.
Charlotte was right, the apartment complex was close and her directions were spot on. I found myself hoping Geoffrey was there and alive. I realised I wasn’t ready for this to end. My mind and body were reacting. I was responding to the dangerous situation, the intrigue and the challenge Charlotte had offered. It was a good feeling to be the one chosen. The one needed and relied upon. Charlotte seemed to know what she was doing. Perhaps her kiss had worked a little bit after all.
The walk had taken me uphill and away from the coastline. I’d remained alert to the danger from the Russians but I hadn’t seen them. The view back across the village faded into the bright sunlight as if someone had washed it one too many times. Out at sea, the horizon seemed to melt like an ice cream sundae, and laughing seagulls glided above the surf in the sunshine like fighting Spitfires.
The stepped collection of gleaming apartments was a quiet, established complex with a large pool and mature gardens. The apartment structure was an attractive combination of whitewashed walls, open terraces and generous balconies. The people living here had found a good spot.
I located the apartment number with controlled urgency, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. It had a private entrance. I scouted the vicinity before pushing the buzzer to ensure the place wasn’t under surveillance.
There was no answer from the buzzer, so I hit it again. I waited; still no answer. I went back out into the sunshine, walked around to the north side of the building and crossed into the cooler shade. I looked up and worked out which balcony belonged to Geoffrey’s apartment. I could see the doors were open. I planned it in my mind and decided it was possible to climb up.
My starting point was a four-foot wall, which I pulled myself up onto and then again onto the flat balustrade. From there I stood up and was able to lean across and get a toehold on a window ledge, which gave me enough purchase to reach the footing of the first railed balcony. Holding on with one hand, I raised the other and fixed a strong grip on the metal railing. Pulling myself up, I secured a second grip on the top railing, swung myself over and landed softly on both feet. I scouted the double doors and saw them closed. It seemed the apartment was unoccupied. I walked around the corner, raised myself up on a window ledge and stretched to reach a metal hook, which was supporting a flowerpot. The ceramic container swung as I knocked it and some red petals fell on me. I hoped it would hold my weight as I swung out and reached to grip the next window ledge above my head. I just made it, managing to raise my elbow and get a firmer hold before I slipped and swung hard against the wall. With my toes balancing on the ledge, I pulled myself up and then I stretched over and across to grip the edge of Geoffrey’s balcony. Again, I swung out with my feet dangling before I could push up and grasp onto the railing. I pulled myself up, jumped over and landed quietly. I ducked low and listened. Allowing a few seconds to pass gave me nothing but silence. Then I thought I heard Geoffrey’s voice but I couldn’t make out the words.
The double doors leading into the apartment were wide open. I raised myself up, pulled the Glock from my waistband, curled my finger around the trigger and stepped silently forward. At the entrance, I dipped my head and stole a glance inside. It was a large, square room with a kitchenette in the far corner and a table with four chairs. On his own sitting at the table was Geoffrey.
I looked again and this time, I stepped away from the wall and stood in the threshold. Still holding the Glock and still prepared I judged the situation. Geoffrey was working intently at the table, scribbling in fast bursts, with his head down and his shoulders hunched over. He hadn’t heard me. I wasn’t sure if he was alone or not. I took a couple of steps forward and entered the room. I stopped again and listened. Then, as I watched, Geoffrey muttered something. He was talking to himself while he worked. I thought I heard him say the words pesky wabbit but I was probably mistaken.
There was a glass corner unit next to me and I gently tapped it with the barrel of the Glock. The noise was startling and Geoffrey stopped working and looked up. Focusing on me with a confused expression as though he couldn’t understand how I’d magically appeared in the room he opened his mouth to speak. I quickly put my finger to my mouth and asked in a whisper, ‘Are you alone?’ He seemed even more confused and nodded his head dumbfound. I relaxed, removed my finger from the trigger and put the Glock back in my waistband.
Geoffrey whispered, ‘How did you get into the room like that?’
I breathed out deeply, walked over to him and said, ‘I have the ability to transport myself from one place to another like a sorcerer.’ I could tell from his face that he didn’t believe me.
He thought for a moment while looking at me and then at the balcony, then back at me, then back at the balcony and then finally he said, ‘You climbed up.’
I ignored him and looked at what he was doing at the table. Geoffrey walked over to the open doors, went out onto the balcony and looked down. He was assessing the climb I’d just made. I raced to him, grabbed him by the arm and the shoulder and then manhandled him back inside.
He seemed scared of me and I said with annoyance in my voice, ‘Do you want to get killed? First, you go walkabout on your own and now you’re wandering about on the balcony. Why don’t you just stamp a big, round target on your chest?’ Geoffrey’s head went down.
‘Sorry,’ he said. I carried on.
‘Those three Russians are not messing around; they may very well kill you on sight.’
‘Sorry,’ he repeated.
‘Why didn’t you answer the door buzzer?’
'I didn’t hear it.’
>
‘...why not?’ I asked.
‘I was working.’
I glanced again at the papers and the pen on the table. I said to him, ‘Is this the reason you came back here?’
He nodded at me, before hurriedly collecting all the papers together and putting them in his satchel.
‘What is it? What are you doing?’
Geoffrey looked at me and my gaze fixed his eyes. I could see it was very important to him. This was obviously important. I was waiting for him to answer. Geoffrey opened his mouth to speak but before any words could come out something surprised us.
It was the sound of the door buzzer.
Chapter 12
Some people call the game Russian Whist.
I could instantly tell from Geoffrey’s expression that he wasn’t expecting anyone and so I didn’t bother to ask him. My first thought was the Russians. At that point, I didn’t consider how they might have obtained the intelligence of how to find us; I was too concerned with what I was going to do to keep Geoffrey and myself alive.
The outside door was on the ground floor and we were on the second floor. If it was the three Russians, I was certain they’d break-in with two of them entering the apartment and the third remaining outside at the front.
The buzzer sounded again and Geoffrey’s worried voice asked, ‘What shall we do?’
I said, ‘This time, make sure you’ve got everything you need. You won’t be coming back.’
He picked up his satchel and put it over his head. I went to the balcony doors and peered out but I couldn’t see anybody. I walked back and said, ‘Do you still have the pistol I gave you?’
Geoffrey retrieved it from his bag. I took it from him. It was still ready to fire. Before I handed it back, I gave him a five-second lesson.
‘Grip it tightly, point with your arm extended and squeeze the trigger all the way back. Don’t be frightened by the recoil or the loud bang; just keep firing. One very important thing, ensure its pointing away from me. Got it?’