“What about the police, here and abroad? Won’t everyone just vanish as soon as this appears in the paper?”
“Oh, I have to go to the police first. I’ll put together a file and get it to a friend of mine in the Vice Squad. They won’t be delighted that they have to move before Sunday but they’ll manage, I expect. Anyway, that’s their problem. So long as they have been told, my interest is in making all this public. I’m a journalist, remember, not a civil servant.”
“What about me and the others? If the club is going to be raided before the end of the week, we’d better get out.”
“I think you should stay put, Deborah. If you suddenly disappear, someone will smell a rat; sorry, that means to notice something that will make them suspicious. I think the police will say the same. The safest thing for you is if they arrest you with everyone else. Come to that, you have been helping in the fleecing of those poor, sad men haven’t you? Okay. Don’t worry. I doubt the police will press charges seeing as you will be a key witness. They’ll be after Mario and his strong-arm men and all the others they can lead them to. I’ll talk to my contact and get back to you. I think the police will want to talk to you, too, George.”
George’s heart sank. “I hadn’t thought of that but I suppose they will.” He changed the subject. “Well, at least we will have closed down the trafficking of girls to London so I suppose it will have been worth it.”
“Closed down? Sorry, George but I very much doubt it. This route will be closed for a while until things cool down. If the police do their stuff, several very nasty people will be out of circulation for a few months, maybe for years. They may even find out who killed Susanna although I’m afraid they probably won’t. It could even be that the other end, the recruitment end, of this particular chain will be disrupted, even destroyed, especially if the local police move fast but you don’t kill this monster by cutting off some of its tentacles, I’m afraid. Some other gang will take up the slack. We shall have struck a blow, saved some girls from this, made it a bit harder for the gangs but it will pop up again somewhere else.”
George hid his disappointment. “I suppose so. I didn’t really think beyond the immediate problem.” A thought struck him. “What about Natasha?”
“I think she should get out. She can’t add much now and she’s in a dangerous position. If they get wind of this, they’ll whisk her away and then we shan’t know where she is and we’ll have to hope she can contact us. Better to get her out. Can you do that?”
“I think so but I haven’t worked out how yet, but leave it to me; I’ll manage somehow. How difficult can it be, anyway?”
Helen looked at him steadily. “It might be harder than you think. They will see her as their property and won’t just hand her over. Be careful.” She took a breath and smiled. “Anyway, this is looking good now. It’ll be a great story and a good book. Well done both of you and well done Lance.” The smile broadened. “East End boy saves West End girls, eh?”
“Actually, I think Lance comes from Bermondsey.”
Deborah took Helen to the door. When she returned a man was following her.
“Hello, George! I didn’t expect to find you here! How are you?”
“He was on the doorstep, George. About to ring the bell.”
“Nicholas! Bloody hell! What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing but to put your mind at ease I wasn’t looking for you although I must say I’m very glad to see you because I want to ask you something. Actually I came to see how the girls are. You’ll remember that, technically, they’re the bank’s employees and I thought I should at least meet them. As a matter of fact, I want to see when they might take up this training I’ve had to promise to provide.”
“Ah! Yes, well… I’d better explain. You do know what they are doing don’t you? Jill did tell you?”
“Oh sure. In graphic detail but I rather got the impression that it was temporary. I’m not sure that, strictly speaking, they are entitled to special leave for community work. I mean, they’re not exactly long-serving employees, are they? Anyway, as you’ll remember because you drew up the policy, they can only be released for two months, so I thought it was time to make contact, see how things are going and see if I can help in any way.”
“My God, Nicholas. You really have turned into a personnel director. You sound just like me!” An idea was beginning to take shape in George’s mind. “Actually, there is something you might help with but let me bring you up to date first.” George summarised his trip to Cyprus, skipping over his own fears of persecution and pursuit. Marianna, shy and nervous, was brought in to meet Nicholas but would not stay in the room. Irma and Anna were roused by Deborah and, having taken nearly half an hour to prepared themselves, thanked Nicholas effusively for having provided their work permits and allowing them to work at the club. They gave intelligent responses to questions about their backgrounds, families, education and plans. George watched Nicholas closely and recognised a probing but sensitive interview technique. He saw that, despite himself, Nicholas was preening himself slightly in the glow of appreciation from the three girls. He was beginning to mentally cast himself as a knight errant, coming to the aid of distressed damsels. George recognised the role. When Nicholas sat back, apparently satisfied with the impression he had got, George spoke.
“It’s just a thought, only a thought but I wonder if I might borrow the company car and driver for a couple of hours this evening. I need to go on a mission to rescue Natasha and having a car and driver might be very useful for a quick, and anonymous, getaway, a bit better than using the tube or hoping to be able to flag down a taxi at the right moment, if you see what I mean.”
“Well, Sir Alec is away so the car probably is free. What exactly are we going to do?”
Chapter 47
The black Daimler cruised slowly along the narrow street off Shaftsbury Avenue while George peered from the passenger window trying to spot numbers on the doors between the shops and restaurants.
“That’s it! Bob, can you wait here? Keep the engine running and stay in the car. We’ll be less than five minutes but we may need to leave quickly.”
“I could pull into that gap just down there, sir, then there’s no risk of my being moved on.”
“Better still. Come on Nicholas.” George looked at the buttons on the intercom pad beside the door. After a moment’s study, he pressed one. When the intercom crackled, he said, “Client for Miss Bernadette. Are you free?” The intercom crackled again and the door clicked open.
“Is that what Natasha calls herself,” asked Nicholas in a low voice?
“No. That’s the flat on the floor above. I just want to get in. Natasha’s on the second floor.”
George tapped lightly on the door of the flat, turning his back to avoid showing his face to the spy hole and motioning Nicholas to one side. The door opened almost immediately. A tall thin man in an expensive looking, turtleneck sweater stood in the doorway. He was cleanly shaved, well groomed and smelled strongly of expensive cologne. He raised one eyebrow in enquiry. George had been prepared for this and played his only card.
“I’ve come to get the new girl. Michael wants her.”
The man smiled slightly and without humour. “How interesting. My name is Michael.” George had not been prepared for that and he was not prepared when the man raised his hand revealing that he was holding something black; a gun. He found he was holding the man’s stare, like a gambler who has just bet his pot and had his ace trumped.
He let out the breath he had been holding and heard himself say, “I’m still taking Natasha with me. If you want to stop me, you’ll have to take me out.” He remembered afterwards how naturally the language of TV crime drama came to his lips when someone pointed a gun at him. Afterwards he remembered Nicholas pushing past him but at the time he heard more than saw a kick and a punch, both delivered within less than a second, and the man collapsed to one side, clutching his g
enitals and retching, the gun clattering away across the floor.
“Shit! I’ve split my trousers. I paid a fortune for these, said Nicholas’ voice.”
George recovered his wits. “Natasha! Where are you?”
“Here, George.”
“Come on; we’re getting out of here!”
“I’ll get dressed.” George noticed for the first time that she was wearing a flimsy lilac slip and high heeled shoes.
“No! There isn’t time. Come as you are.” He peeled off his jacket. “Grab your bag. Quick.” All three thudded down the stairs and raced up the pavement to where the car was waiting. “Let’s go, Bob. Quick as you like.”
“Where to, sir?” The driver gave the impression that he was accustomed to breathless men and half dressed women hurling themselves into the car.
“My flat, please, Bob.” Nicholas turned from the front seat to speak to Natasha. “You’ll be safe there until this is all sorted out.”
“I’ve nothing to wear. And who are you?”
Nicholas twisted further to stretch his hand to Natasha. “I’m Nicholas. I’m your personnel manager. From the bank.”
She took the outstretched hand suspiciously between her fingers and thumb and released it almost immediately. “I’ve still got no clothes.”
“That’s okay. Belle will lend you some.”
George thought he had misheard. “Bill? Who’s Bill?”
“My, er… flatmate. His friends call him Belle.”
“Oh!” There was heavy silence in the car. Then Natasha giggled.
“I shall be perfectly safe, then.”
“You’re a dark horse, Nicholas. And what was all that about back there?”
“Mmm. I rather surprised myself, actually. I’ve never done that in anger. I’m not really allowed to but he did have a gun so I suppose it was self-defence. Kung Fu, George. Two years of Tuesday evenings in the gym. I took it up because I sometimes have problems… well, you know… and I wanted to be able to know I could handle it, so… Anyway, I may be skinny and wiry, but apparently good training works on anybody, eh? Shall I drop you off at the tube?”
“Er… yes please. I’ve just remembered. You said, at the house, you wanted me for something.”
“Oh yes. I’d forgotten too. Actually it’s Sir Alec who wants to talk to you. He’s back tomorrow. I’ll give him your number. Okay if we drop you off here? Pull over please, Bob.”
Chapter 48
George did not want to answer the phone but he did.
“George? You took your time.”
“Maurice? Oh, hi there. That’s a relief.”
“What? Were you in the loo? Sorry about that.”
“No, no. Oh never mind. What can I do for you, Maurice?
“Couple of things, old chap. I got this envelope from Cyprus. I take it that’s from you? What do you want me to do with it?”
“Oh yes. I’d forgotten that. Sorry. It was a back-up copy in case the original pot lost. You can throw it away if you want or just stick it in a file. What’s the second thing?”
“Well, my family law colleague tells me she hadn’t heard from you or been able to contact you. About the divorce, you know.”
“No, Sorry about that. I’ve been a bit preoccupied for the last week or two. And as you’ve worked out, I’ve been away. Any special reason for asking?”
“Mmm… well, there is actually. I had a call from your dear lady wife. On the face of it, she was asking if I was acting for you in the divorce but I think there may be more to it than that.”
“Really? What did she say?”
“Not much. It wasn’t what she said; more the way she said it. Look… I have to say this, professional duty and all that but as a friend, too. Is there any chance of a reconciliation between you and Susan? Now that Susanna is no longer on the scene, so to speak… well, George, you know what I’m trying to say.”
“Frankly I shouldn’t think Susan would be up for trying again. Last time I spoke to her she was pretty pissed off and with good reason too, mind you. I don’t blame her. I did just bugger off without a word.”
“Well. I don’t know, George. It’s just a feeling. Anyway. She said she wanted to talk to you… before anything irrevocable happens, if you know what I mean. It’s up to you. I said I’d pass on the message, that’s all.”
“Thank you Maurice. I’ll think about it, okay?”
“Okay. Maybe you should give her a call. I’ll shut up now. How is everything else, your little Balkan harem?”
“Too much to tell you over the ‘phone but they’re fine and it’s all more or less under control. I’ll let you know if I need any more help. And thanks for all the work permit stuff. Worked like a charm, as a matter of fact but events have moved on a bit. Don’t worry. Nicholas is in the picture. Saw him yesterday. I’ll keep you posted, Maurice. Better get on. Bye for now.” George put the telephone down, assuming that Maurice had said goodbye. So Susan wanted to talk to him. Did he want to talk to her? He did not know, but on the whole, he thought probably not.
Deborah had a cell to herself. She consoled herself with the thought that every lawyer should know what it feels like to be arrested, interviewed and held in a police cell. Despite Helen’s assurances, nobody had contacted her or the other girls to tell them what would happen to them and despite knowing that the raid would happen, she had been taken completely by surprise when a dozen policemen and women rushed into the club. Searched, handcuffed and pushed into the back of a police van in front of the crowd that had gathered to see the cause of so many flashing blue lights she felt humiliated. She had assumed that neither the policewoman who arrested her nor the two CID officers who had interviewed her knew she was on their side and had decided to keep quiet about her witness status until somebody else raised it. The police station had been very crowded. Mario was there. So was Tony, surrounded by three large policemen as he waited his turn to be presented to the custody sergeant. There were lots of people Deborah did not know but she assumed that some of them had the names she had seen in the notes and files she, Jill and George had handed over. She also assumed that similar scenes were taking place in other police stations. The officers who interviewed her were clearly busy and prepared for a long night. When had she arrived in England? How had she got the job in the club? Where was it advertised? Did she understand she was deceiving the clients? Where were those prices displayed? What happened to men who did not pay? Surely it was her business! Did she ever strip? No need to be so offensive! So she never provided any sexual services for any of the clients? All right, all right. Did she know she was breaking the law by working without a permit? Yes, well a tourist visa does not allow her to take employment. And what about tax; did she realise she had to pay tax on her wages? And when did she plan to return to Bulgaria and declare the income? Did she have a job in Bulgaria? Oh really, a lawyer. Well they would release her on bail. She could expect to have her file passed to the Criminal Prosecution Service and the Immigration Department.
“Unless the file gets mislaid. That happens sometimes.” The young policewoman said that without any expression but while holding Deborah’s eyes to make sure she understood. “I’ll show you to the front desk. Your friend is waiting for you.” ‘Thank God,’ thought Deborah. ‘George has come to get me.’ She recovered her belongings from the custody sergeant and the policewoman pressed a button to open the door so she could leave. Natasha uncrossed the legs that had held the full and admiring attention of the young policeman at the front desk for over half an hour, stood up and smiled. She held out her arms and briefly embraced Deborah before the two girls left arm in arm.
Chapter 49
He told himself it was just out of curiosity. And a good precaution. After all, an amicable divorce would be much cheaper and a lot less personally wearing than one that was hotly contested and acrimonious. If Susan wanted a chat, he should just roll with it, make no promises, be a genial friend with a sympathetic ear b
ut avoid any sort of commitment. He had a new confidence after the ‘Natasha snatch’ as he had come to think of it and felt he could deal with anything Susan might throw at him. He had chosen the restaurant carefully. The ambience, in so far as it had one, was the antipathy of intimacy. The place was favoured by people in a hurry who would not know good food from bad and presumably enjoyed displaying traditional English stoicism when confronted by mediocre food and service at an unjustifiable price. He had deliberately arrived early so as to be ‘on the plot’, as he thought of it, before Susan arrived. He had to wait almost three quarters of an hour while waiters sighed and huffed around him because Susan had decided to be late so as to avoid any risk of being seen to be waiting for George. He stood formally and smiled what he hoped was a neutral smile. Susan smiled a similar smile and, seating herself carefully, accepted a Campari – something George had never before known her to drink. It was intended to unsettle him and did.
“Hello,” he said. “You’re looking… well.” Susan knew she was looking more than ‘well’ because she had been determined to give the appearance of a strong, independent woman and had taken several hours getting it right.
Say You Never Met Me Page 25