The American Broker

by Andrew Hill

  "Didn't you know, sir? Yes, he's got connections, that one. What puzzles me is why, if he had immunity, he didn't stop at the airport. We couldn't have done much. Unless he had somebody with him, sir, you know, like someone that didn't want to get spotted, sir."

  "Are you suggesting...."

  "You sir? Well it seems reasonable to me, sir, but if you weren't with him then you weren't with him, were you, sir."

  Tyler didn't continue. He put the phone down and turned to the others.

  “Crazy!” he started. “Mike’s got some diplomatic immunity or something. Thought he was opposition in Greece not bloody government.”

  “The Greek’s a smart bugger,” said Paul, “anyway, who was that?”

  “Police.”

  “Police!?”

  “Yeah. Sal gave them this number. Got to see them tomorrow. We’d better get some plan together, like now. We need Evelyn in on this too.”

  Chapter XXXII Break In

  Two figures moved across the street, no more than pale shadows in the amber street lights of Newbury. One tall, one short and stocky, both walking quickly but stealthily alongside the railings in the quiet, homely area of Thirties-style semis. The shorter fellow pointed towards the garage of one of the houses and they moved towards it. In silence, they clambered onto the roof of the garage, barely visible except for the instant they were caught in black against the slightly paler background of the night sky, as they stood up on the roof and then sprang to stand flat against the house wall. A sharp tap and a tinkle of glass briefly pierced the air, only to be masked by the exhaust of a passing car. The two shapes entered the window and pulled it to behind them.

  Inside the house, a torch light flickered across the hall and a door opened; the shape of a sofa, a fireplace, chair, clock. It was nearly midnight. The pale yellow disc flickered round and back into the hall, making crazy patterns on the floor as another door opened. It flashed briefly along one wall and then onto a window. The light went out suddenly and a hand roughly pulled down a blind, upsetting something metallic into an aluminium sink. The torch light reappeared, picking out a kitchen table, an ashtray and a broken porcelain lamp.

  Chapter XXXIII A Sense Of Danger

  Chris jerked awake, his head shook from side to side and he violently pushed the naked female body away from his own. He pulled on his trousers and grabbed his other clothing whilst forcing his bare feet into his shoes. Tina slowly came to, looked up then, startled, cried:

  "What's the matter?"

  "Sorry, dear. I've got to call someone...look, I'll find you tomorrow. Something's wrong. I know it."

  Chris sped up the beach, sand flying from his soles and a white shirt fluttering in the moonlight as he headed for the track towards the car. Tina stood up, still naked, her hand pulling back her hair from her forehead as she tried to peer through the night in his direction.

  The little Japanese car started after a brief spin of the engine and the front wheels scrabbled for grip on the loose surface. Indecently noisily, it headed screaming in first gear, then second, towards the village, weaving through the parked bicycles and scooters outside the apartments and shops in the tiny street.

  Outside a still-lit hotel he stopped, wheels locking and grinding the dusty layer of sand into the tarmac outside. Chris ran into the polished reception area and shouted for a line as he grabbed the ivory phone in the clear, brown perspex acoustic hood on the wall. Impatiently repeating the international dialling code for the UK again and again, slamming the two black points in the set until eventually he was able to continue the dialling, each number coming instantly to mind without pause. He strummed his fingers on the edge of the hood and glanced over at the man on the desk. Realising that he looked a little strange in just half-done-up trousers and his other clothes in a heap on the floor, he returned the enquiring look with a hand held up in acknowledgement.

  "Good evening, Chris!" said Michaelis.

  "How the hell....?" stuttered Chris. He hadn't said a word but Michaelis knew. He nearly always knew when Chris would ring - even late at night.

  "I knew you would call and stayed in. I was going out but...."

  "Michaelis. Just what's going on?"

  "Chris, I will tell you soon but it is part of a plan. That's all I can say. Are you alright?"

  "Yes, sure. I rang because you asked me to..well...you know, I got the feeling...."

  "I feel something is wrong, too. It's Gill. She's in some sort of danger but there's nothing I can do about it. And Collette - she figures in it too. I couldn't contact you and hoped I could reach you the other way. It's good that our minds can still be as one. Have you told Gill anything?"

  "Only that I'm here and you lot are messing me about a bit. I asked her to try and find out what she could by talking to you. Or Evelyn. She said something about Collette, though. Oh God, do you think they're in trouble?"

  "Yes. But I cannot trace Evelyn. When we got back we found out about the threats and - you know about them?"

  "Uh huh. Gill told me. It's terrible. No one can know where Gill is, though. I'll call straightaway and if I hear anything I'll get back to you."

  "Chris..."

  "Yes, Michaelis...."

  "Where are you?"

  "It probably doesn't take much figuring out, Michaelis, and Bob's in good hands. Very quiet and pensive. Not his usual self at all. Odd. No moves yet, though. What's happened about the tapes?"

  "Nothing."

  "Nothing?!"

  "Nothing."

  "The reporters. CBS and all the press stuff?"

  "Nothing."

  "But..."

  "Chris, tell me where you are. Things are going wrong and I may be the only person who can keep you out of it. You know my relationship with certain people can help and.... are you in Greece?"

  "Michaelis..."

  "You don't need to answer. I know now. But call me if you move from that little village by the sea. I do not know its name but it will come to mind..."

  "That's incredible..."

  "It's only what I read from your thoughts, but I read more about some danger. One of the girls must be like us but probably doesn't realise it yet. Call them. Call them now and then tell me."

  "OK."

  Chris had no sooner put down the phone when he had picked it up again, frantically dialling the small inn in the Cotswolds where Gill had taken a room.

  She wasn't there. She had to be out with Evelyn. She knew no one else to be out with at that time of night. In England it must be getting on for midnight. He glanced at his watch. It was quarter-to-two in Kardamena.

  Finally, in desperation, he dialled again - another number.

  Chapter XXXIV Something Else

  The loud electronic bleep of his car telephone startled Evelyn as he drove along the dual-carriageway towards the M4. He had dropped the girls off at Collette's house in Newbury, refusing their invitation to coffee. He rarely refused either coffee of such lovely company but Collette had seemed strangely nervous. She had continually looked around her on the way back and even the casual chat seemed empty. It had been Gill who had shown the initial concern - for no reason that she could explain - but the infectious anxiety had spread and Collette had found herself almost physically affected. She had used the excuse of a migraine, which he knew she did suffer from occasionally, and they had tried to put it down to the rich food, excitement and the weather but Gill had insisted there was 'something else'.

  "I looked at her when we stopped," she had said to him as they had got out at Collette's house. "I don't know how to say this, but I felt that I could see myself in her eyes. It sounds crazy, I know, but I didn't seem to exist any more. I was like inside her, looking out. And I didn't see me. I wasn't there. Well, not my body. My mind was...oh, I can't say how, my mind was inside hers. Evelyn it's weird. Something's happening between us and I'm scared. I want you to stay but something tells me that you have to go. It's part of...Oh God!..." She had had tears in her eyes and had clutched at the edg
e of the car door. "...part of something that's just meant to be. Look, I'll ring tomorrow and we can sort it out. I must go now. Sorry."

  This had all been too deep for Evelyn. He was concerned, though, as Gill had seemed to change so much. He found his own mind flickering back to Collette and he found himself almost having to force images out of his head. That was when the interruption had come.

  "Hullo," he said, fumbling still with the receiver as he drove.

  "Evelyn. It's Chris. Have you seen Gill?"

  "Chris! Jesus Christ boy! What the...?"

  "Evelyn, listen for God's sake. I think Gill's in danger. Is she with you?"

  "No, well...er...she was...you know, we had dinner...Collette and Harry came too..."

  "Harry?!" shouted Chris. "Hell! Never mind that now. Look, can you get to them?"

  "Well, I'm just leaving Newbury. Dropped the girls off about ten minutes ago."

  "Then turn round and get back there. I don't care how you do it but do what you have to. Make sure they're alright. Now! And tell Gill I'll call her at Collette's place in the morning. If there's anything urgent, she can contact me."

  Evelyn wanted to respond but the receiver went dead. He could hardly believe that Chris would make no mention of all that had happened. Calling out of the blue. And at that time of night! He looked for a gap in the central grass verge but gave up and decided to turn at the motorway junction about a mile ahead. His tyres protested as he slammed his foot to the floor in mid-turn and the powerful Jaguar engine urged the car forward. He swept back down to the town and took the quickest route through town to Collette's house. Ignoring an amber traffic light he shot across a junction and then turned right onto the road he required.

  Chapter XXXV Attack

  Collette searched her handbag for a key.

  "Please come in for a while, Gill," she pleaded. "Have a coffee or something with me. You know you can stay if you want."

  Gill nodded and followed her inside, pushing the door to behind her. Collette reached for the light switch on the wall. A click. Nothing happened. Two more clicks. Still nothing.

  "Damn! Power cut," muttered Collette. "There's a candle in the kitchen. I'll get it."

  Gill followed closely behind her as they felt their way down the narrow hall. The only light was an orange glow through the six frosted glass panes of the front door behind them. Collette's right hand dropped to clasp Gill's as she stopped. Her grip tightened and she froze.

  "Gill, there's someone in there..." she whispered.

  Gill had noticed nothing and tugged at her hand as she took the lead.

  "Gill!" whispered Collette again. "Don't go in there.... I know..."

  Suddenly a bright light flashed across their faces and before either girl could make a sound, rough hands were across their mouths. In the flash of light, Gill caught a glimpse of terror and yet also a strange, deep sadness in Collette's eyes before she was pulled into the kitchen and shoved face down on the floor. Collette fell beside her and the bulk of two men's bodies held them firmly, their hands clasped behind their backs.

  A muffled voice said:

  "One squeak out of either of you and there'll be trouble. Understand?!" Collette struggled and a large, chubby hand came down on the side of her head. "Don't try it, lass. Don't try it!" sneered the voice. "Now, you two are going to stay as quiet as little mice, just speaking when you're spoken to, OK? No one's going to get hurt if you're good. No screaming. No fancy stuff. Just nice and quiet. We want a little chat about a few things you can answer for us. OK?"

  Collette found her arm being twisted and nodded agreement as best she could. Gill murmured consent.

  "Now, Miss Chalmers," he continued, "my friend and me want a little talk with your friend Mr Austin. And you're going to get him to come round to see us. 'Cept he'll think he's coming to see you and won't it be a lovely surprise when he finds it's us instead. And, just to make sure everyone does as they're told, I'm going to squeeze this young lady's arm a little tighter every time you're rude to us or make any false moves. So my friend here is just going to move himself off your back and let you sit yourself down by the table. You're going to talk to him nice and sweet now and this little lady won't get hurt. Do you understand?"

  Gill murmured again. Collette jerked in pain as her head was pulled up off the floor and stretched back with the other man kneeling on her back. "And you?" he asked.

  Gill felt the weight ease off her back and the hand relax from her face.

  "One look round, lass, and this lady gets it good, by the way. Then we'll give you something you won't forget! So just look straight ahead and do as you're told."

  Gill was almost free, just a hand on her shoulder guiding her to a chair. The urge to look round was immense.

  "OK. OK. What do you want? Just don't hurt Collette. She can't give you anything."

  “My friend here wants a telephone number and an address. That's all. Then we'll either go for a ride or just wait here for a while if it's more convenient. And, just in case you've any clever ideas or secret codes, I might just hang on to your friend - sort of insurance, if you see what I mean."

  "Chris isn't even in the country," said Gill. "I don't know exactly where he is..."

  "Oh dear. That is a shame, darling," the voice carried on. Only one spoke throughout. "What a pity. Looks like you'll have to use your persuasive powers to get him back, doesn't it - and we'll just have to find somewhere for the four of us to stay until you succeed. We're in no great rush, darling. Now... start thinking of something!"

  Gill's mind raced. She could leave a message at the cafe bar. But it might be days before he rang. Surely they wouldn't stay with them all the time. She recalled with horror what had happened to Sally. What could she do? She desperately tried to think, sensing her heartbeat pulsing through her body and remembering the last time she had noticed a heartbeat - when she had lain by Chris's side the first night they had spent together. She started to cry and did not attempt to stop her tears, her head falling into her free hands as she collapsed forward onto the kitchen table.

  At that moment the door opened.

  "You left the front door..." Evelyn's face turned to stone. "What's going on..." he stumbled into the room and a spinning torch shot across the smooth floor, its beam flashing absurdly round the room. In the shafts of light the smaller man got up and lashed out at Evelyn, catching him on the shoulder and sending him off balance into a cabinet. Plates and glasses crashed out of an open door and onto the floor, the sound echoing round.

  Collette screamed and rolled over, pushing wildly at the man behind Gill. He turned and pushed her back, reaching out for Gill who had leaped up from the table towards the window. The blind shot up and an eery light returned to the room. Evelyn ducked as the smaller man, now clearly also very well built and extremely heavy, with short dark hair and a chubby face, took another swing at him. He struck out himself and caught the man on the jaw, following the punch with a sharp knee blow to his stomach which sent him reeling backwards. The taller man grabbed the table and turned it over, Evelyn becoming trapped by the legs pinning him to the wall. Gill saw the torch on the floor and picked it up, the bright light flickering. The taller man turned and ran towards her, ignoring Evelyn for a moment. Gill shone the beam straight at his face and screamed.

  For an instant, the light showed the clearly recognisable features of a young man, bearded, brown eyes now burning with anger.

  "Harry...!" Collette screamed, recognising the face too, "Don't!!"

  Harry had picked up a knife from the sink unit and lifted his arm to bring it down into Gill's chest, immediately in front of his own now. Evelyn got over the table and dived for Harry, just managing to snatch at his raised arm as it had started to fall. The knife blade scraped against the plaster a few inches from gill's shoulder. Harry turned and elbowed Evelyn in the side, pulling Gill in front of him again. Evelyn paused as he saw the knife still in Harry's grip. Gill struggled to free herself and Evelyn dived for Harry's arm
again. The knife tore through his jacket and blood started to seep through almost immediately. Gill squirmed out of Harry's grip and tried to reach Collette who was kicking frantically at the thick-set man who had grabbed her. The man swung Collette round like a sack of rice and threw her across the room. She landed with a dull moan, dazed and bleeding. As she tried to pull herself up, the man grabbed Gill and threw her across in the same way but Gill's head caught the side of a cupboard and she slumped to the floor, unconscious. Collette forgot her pain and leaned over her, feeling her wrist.

  "You've bloody killed her!!" she screamed. "She's dead!!"

  There was silence for a split second as the three men froze.

  "Shit," muttered the thick-set man. "I'm not having anything to do with this, Harry. No friggin' murder charge for me, mate!" He grabbed the door and tugged it open, Gill's motionless body being kicked out of the way. Evelyn, holding his wounded arm, staggered across to Gill's side but Collette had collapsed on top of her, sobbing incessantly.

  Harry looked around in horror.

  "Is this what you wanted!? You're a bastard, Harry. Chris was right. You're a bloody bastard!"

  Harry said nothing. He looked at the knife in his hand and then at Evelyn who was staring fiercely up at him. He put the knife down on the table and sat down slowly. He looked a wreck. He could say nothing. He just sat and stared in front of him. Evelyn turned back to Gill. He gently eased Collette away from her face. Gill's eyes were closed. He pulled back her eyelids to see if her pupils reacted. He felt for a pulse.

  "Call an ambulance, dear," he said, quietly. "I think she's alive but she's had one hell of a knock. And we'll need the police, too," he added, looking at Harry, who was still just gazing ahead into nothingness.

  Chapter XXXVI Which Mr Lindon?

  Chris made another call that night. Tina had taken Bob to her hotel where he had made his call earlier. Chris remembered that Bob had asked for 'call collect'. That meant that the operator should have a number. After several attempts, he got through to the Greek equivalent of an international operator who could manage English and she was able to liaise with her colleagues to find out which had helped put the call through for Bob. Then, putting on a pretty poor, but adequate, imitation of his older companion, he made out that he had lost the scrap of paper on which the number he wanted had been written.