by Nic Lomax
‘Joint Venture?’ Kai turned to Stu ‘you’re kidding me right?! You fucking legend Stu!’ he laughed.
“Joint Venture” was a thirty-three foot Sigma, Kai had sailed one previously and found them to be a really quick and responsive in most conditions. Stu said she was built in 1980 and the diesel Volvo Penta inboard engine was completely rebuilt in 1999. Kai had to admit she had nice lines and he stroked the hull as he walked down the pontoon. He couldn’t wait to get her out on the water, but this was no sailing trip. It was potentially a life changing voyage that was riddled with threat. They quickly and discreetly loaded the bails of weed on-board and hid them in the specially modified fresh water tank.
Then Kai left Stu to look after the boat while he headed to Agadir to purchase the remainder of the supplies. As he drove the battered jeep towards town he couldn’t help but wonder if Stu would even be there on his return, and how this was all going to end. He had lost Amber, he was sure of it this time, and he hoped she could move on without him. A moped suddenly swerved into his path which pulled him out of his thoughts as he hammered the spongey breaks, narrowly missing the young rider. He made it into town without a further hitch and ticked off his list. He acquired 35lt of water, food rations, fishing gear, sun cream and some spiced rum. The last item was his own little personal secret that he would savour for the lone night watches and if they pulled it off, a celebratory toast.
As Kai pulled the rusting hulk into the marina car park he felt numb as he saw the police vehicle parked next to the pontoon. Kai almost shifted the gear stick in reverse as he could easily make his escape and let Stu take the rap, but instinct told him to play it cool and head on down to the boat. The mood on the boat was not as he’d expected. Stu and the officers were clearly laughing and as Kai approached he was introduced to Mohamed and Kareem. They shook hands and Stu bid them farewell.
‘Salam Stuart’ they said and sauntered back to their car.
‘Stu please explain what the hell the fuzz were doing here?’ Kai was pissed off with his friends’ secrets, his random little anomalies and wanted to know if any more surprises lay in their path.
‘Simple bro, we got busted. The fucking backstabbing farmer dobbed us in to the law.’
Kai couldn’t really believe what he was hearing, he stumbled back a little and sat down near the wheel house. ‘W…w…well?’ He stuttered ‘what do we do now?’
Stu moved some of the gear into the forecabin in order to displace the weight along the ship’s hull, and cracked a beer, taking a gulp of the ice cold brew before he spoke. ‘It’s all taken care of my man, now let’s get our shit rolling we have to catch the evening tide.’
Kai erupted with anger at his response ‘How do you mean taken care of? Stu if you want me on-board with both the trip and the deal I need to know exactly what’s going on, end of!’
‘Ok chill bro, I’m sorry, so I figured the two bit farmer dude would screw us, so I made sure that we had a couple of extra grand to offer should the law come sniffing around. And it’s a good job I did!’
Kai didn’t answer. He went below and grabbed himself a beer and emerged. ‘Stu, let’s get the rest of the supplies on-board. We’re leaving in ten minutes and there is no chance we are returning to this marina anytime soon. No more mistakes, no more chances.’
Stu heard the alarm in his voice but also the sense that Kai made. ‘That’s why you’re on my team Captain Kai, cheers dude.’
They both downed their beers and begun the final checks before they cast off and went to sea.
Chapter 5
Sealing the Deal
On the way out of the harbour, Kai was prepping the last of the sheets towards the bow and was far too busy to notice his mobile buzzing near the stern. Stu however had seen the intrusion and also that it was Amber calling. He looked over at Kai who had his back to him and without a second thought tossed the handset overboard.
‘That’s the end of that little problem’ he said just about audibly.
‘What was that Stu?’ Kai shouted over the mumble of the diesel engine.
‘I said it will be good to get out there and gain some momentum’ he smirked.
Once out of the harbour they hoisted and set the sails, the first line of course was South West and Kai took the helm heading directly for the southern tip of Lanzarote. The wind was favourable and they were making around ten knots. Kai felt right at home as he held the wheel and smiled to himself as he followed the sun as it was sinking towards the horizon. Stu appeared from the cabin boasting a ridiculous hat from the 1980’s and a couple of well-deserved beers. Kai grabbed one and cracked it taking a swig. ‘Just me you and the big ole blue’ he said.
‘Damn straight’ said Stu ‘and don’t forget the copious amount of marijuana below deck!’ he jested.
‘How could I forget? While we’re on the subject, why don’t you roll a spliff?’ Kai replied.
As the sun bid its farewell beneath the flattening sea, the wind dropped off to nearly nothing and the boats speed tumbled down to two knots. Kai was on the dusk watch while Stu cooked a humble meal below and was releasing the main sail when he noticed the fins cruising just off the bow. ‘Dolphins!’ he shouted. Kai had a wash of feelings as he watched them glide and surf their bow waves. It was something Amber would have loved to watch, along with the mystic sunset he had just witnessed. He realised right there, bobbing along through the Atlantic, that he dearly missed her by his side, sharing these wonderful moments. When Stu reappeared with their evening meal Kai discussed the future plan if they were to succeed.
‘To be honest Kai we could go anywhere! All we need to do is get the cash out of Morocco and into Madrid without getting rumbled’.
The first part of the night went without a hitch. Stu had taken the graveyard shift up on deck, he sat mindlessly rolling cigarettes to store in his “lucky” box. Kai had a restless night, he was still finding his sea legs and the anticipation of the coming days ‘deal’ was playing on his mind. He woke suddenly as the hull heeled right over, throwing him from his bunk. He was disorientated and confused to why this had happened and scrambled to his feet deafly finding his way through the darkness to the light that was streaming in from the cockpit. As Kai got on deck he realised that the wind had picked up to at least thirty knots and Stu was battling the forthcoming storm that had appeared out of nowhere.
‘We need to reef the main sail’ Kai screamed into the enraged night, the howling gale strangling his words. He could see Stu was struggling just holding course at the helm. It was up to Kai to reduce the main and stop the boat from broadsiding again. The deck was as slippery as ice underfoot as he made his way over the lurching deck to the mast where he had to release the mainstay. He was hurled over just before he reached the mast, and was thrown helplessly into the roaring sea that wanted nothing more to swallow him whole and take him down into the abyss. The waters chill shocked him into action. As he blindly struggled in the dark waters, he felt a line as he leaned up straining to grab the rail of the boat. He grabbed at it furiously knowing that it would save his life if he managed to hold on. Once he found it was secure, he pulled with all his dwindling strength and heaved himself back on deck. Stu bellowed something that he couldn’t understand but he guessed it was a cheer to see him alive. Kai managed to find his feet and release the mainsail. The boats hull immediately responded and levelled much to his delight. Kais adrenaline was making his body shake and he found himself convulsing, followed by a bout of sickness which mostly consisted of the sea water that he had consumed. Kai composed himself and crawled to Stu.
‘Dude set a course to just keep the hull up wind and tie off the wheel, let’s head below and ride this out!’
‘You got it Captain!’ Stu joked although Kai could see the alarm in his face and reckoned he was glad that he had taken control.
‘Dude where the fuck did that come from?’ Stu stuttered trying to get warm as the hull floundered in the drunken swells.
‘God knows, the c
harts said the front was gonna pass way north. I’ve checked the G.P.S and we are still on course though now we’re riding it out, we will drift east a little’. Silence filled the cabin as they both pondered their predicament. Kai broke it by joking about how good the surf would be.
‘It must be well over head high back on the mainland.’ Stu had gone pale and Kai knew that sea-sickness was beginning to take hold.
‘Stu try and get a little rest, I’ve got this.’ Stu for once had no smart ass response. He did as he was told and curled up in his bunk. Kai felt a little more empowered inside and was proud that he had taken control of a situation that could have easily cost them both their lives.
As dawn broke, the storm passed and the swell and wind had dropped to a manageable and safe level. Kai was soon back on deck and the “Joint Venture” was once again back on course and heading for its destination. He watched as the sun rose from the east and the hull glowed orange in the dawn light. Kai wrapped up warm, and sparked up a joint. They were only a day away from the rock and he wondered how it was all going to pan out. Not just the drug deal, but his life in general. His thoughts were broken by the inevitable sound of Stu hurling his guts out below.
‘Hey Stu, don’t get any on the gear’ Kai chuckled to himself murmuring ‘fucking amateur’ before he went below to help his stricken friend.
Kai passed the next few hours by casting a line. The wind was so light that the boat trundled along at around six knots which, when maintained, was perfect for trolling for tuna. It wasn’t long before the reel started to scream as the line poured off the spool. The fish dove down deep and Kai struggled to control the beast which he estimated to be well over one hundred and fifty pounds. Stu’s only input was to keep Kai hydrated as the long fight was taking its toll on both combatants. The great fish broke the surface about one hundred feet from the stern and Kai squinted in the harsh light to identify his opponent.
‘It’s a yellow fin tuna Stu! And a bloody big one! If I manage to swindle it to the side of the boat you need to gaff it- we only get one chance at this!’
‘No worries Governor! Just talk me through it!
The shark came out of nowhere to take its prize, effortlessly gliding though the water and locked on to its target like a heat seeking missile. Kai saw it coming but could only protest as nature took its course. His fishing rod bent over violently as the tuna became engulfed in the shark’s jaws followed by a sickening ‘ping’ as Kai’s line parted and the fight was lost. Kai stood up and threw out his middle finger towards the ‘man in the grey suit’ who had just stolen his fish.
‘It was only a matter of time before the blood from the tuna attracted something, but fuck me that was quick!’
Stu responded by patting him on the back. ‘You gave it a good go brother! I’m just glad we’re not in the water with it man!’ Stu then glanced down at the G.P.S. ‘Anyway Captain Kai! Enough messing around, based on our current position its only two hours before we become sixty thousand pounds richer!’ he grinned.
‘Sounds good to me man! I’m gonna grab a quick nap before we make the rendezvous, oh and hey have you seen my phone?’ Kai asked.
‘Na man must be in the jeep back at the harbour, no signal out here anyway!’ Stu lied.
Kai was awakened by Stu shouting from above and he wiped his eyes and made his way out of the cabin and on to the deck. He donned his shades and looked out across the bleak waters and suddenly he spotted a familiar shape on the horizon. ‘Land ho!’ he shouted. He had that strange feeling erupt inside again as the anticipation and fear of the hand-over bubbled within.
‘What’s our speed Stu?’ Kai enquired.
‘We’ve been holding eight knots for a while now buddy’ Stu said spitting over the side. His eyes were glazed and Kai reckoned his co-pilot had been smoking a fair amount of the profits while he had been asleep below.
‘Well, I reckon give it forty minutes or once we’re round the head land where that light house is, and then you make the call’
‘Exactly what I had in mind brother’ Stu replied.
Kai was happy with their entry into the Spanish owned waters and felt obliged to fly the Dorset flag which was hastily constructed from his favourite old beach towel. A number of vessels passed them as they neared the coast and they waved innocently at them, knowing full well that their elicit cargo could have them banged up for a long time. Once they rounded the headland to the south of the island towards the bay where they were going to meet the buyer, the swell had picked up considerably and the “Joint Venture” was once again being pitched and tossed as she soldiered on.
‘The exchange won’t be easy in this sea bro, we may need to float the merch over!’ Kai had a tone of reluctance in his voice and Stu picked up on this.
‘Kai don’t worry man, the guys know the drill. I will make sure that the cash is ready and they can throw it on a line once they have the ganja’ Stu made the call using his best pigeon Spanish but in the end gave up and just spoke in English. Kai was laughing at him when they suddenly got broadsided by a rogue wave of ten feet which sent Stu over and into the guard rail, his hand-held VHF flung out of his grasp and in slow motion, Kai somehow managed to lean out and catch it mid-air.
‘Hola….hello...Joint Venture… come in friend’ came the nervous reply over the radio from the prospective buyer! Stu grabbed the radio off Kai and thanked him.
‘Sorry Carlos man, yeah I’ll let you know when I have eyes on your boat’.
Kai had a feeling that the world was conspiring against them but brushed off the freak wave as a random act of nature. They both heard the high powered two stroke engines before the rib came in to view, it was on!
Kai pointed the boat into the wind and swell as the buyer approached. When they were almost within spitting distance, Stu hollered his greeting to the two thick set Spaniards on board. Kai’s heart was beating like a freight train as he pondered the possible outcomes if this was to go wrong. Did they have concealed weapons? Could they be Spanish police? What if they took the merch and ran? Luckily his fears were eliminated as Carlos tossed over the first sports bag filled with cash. This was what Stu had stipulated in order for the transaction to take place. Kai then sent the large bails of weed over on the line, much to the gratitude of the boys who were clearly pleased as they cut the bags and took a smell of the potent herb that lay within.
‘Muy bueno’ they shouted over the roar of the motor. They tossed over the final bag of cash that Stu nearly dropped in the sea. With that, the final bale sailed from the “Joint Venture” to the happy Spaniards and that was it, the deal was done.
Carlos and his companion didn’t hang around and they bid their farewells, opened up the throttle on the twin outboards and sped away towards shore. Kai unzipped the bag that sat at his feet and stared at the tightly packed notes that were concealed in the bag.
‘Fuck Stu, we’ve hit the big time here chief!’ He then quickly zipped up the bag before Stu got chance to reply.
‘What’s with the hurry brother? The deal is done’ he quizzed.
‘That’s what I’m afraid of Stu’. As Kai swung the wheel and tacked the yacht round he hissed ‘we need to get our asses back in to international waters just to be on the safe side.’
Stu understood from the urgency in Kai’s voice that all hands were needed on deck to get the vessel up to optimum speed. The wind was in their favour and Kai was at the helm. They would be safe in just over two hours if they maintained their current speed and the wind remained behind them. Kai wasn’t going to have his celebratory shot just yet, he would however share a joint with his friend as he doubted he would ever be in this situation again, making a break for freedom with two bags full of cash.
Kai looked down at the G.P.S. They were approximately 23 miles from the island, and only one mile from relative freedom. He smiled to himself. For once it wasn’t just the wind that had his back, it appeared that luck was favouring him as well. He quickly slipped below to fetch the spiced gold
rum that he had been saving for this precious moment when Stu’s cries brought him back on deck like a bolt of lightning.
‘What’s the score Stu?’ But as the words tumbled from his lips, he knew the score. He followed the line of sight that Stu was directing his binoculars, and saw the menace that was approaching from the west. Kai heart beat fast. He had that hot feeling that was consuming his body and made his throat tight. He had to think logically, and drew a plan in his head.
‘Right, Stu, get below stash both cash bags inside the fresh water tanks and get any remaining weed in the sealed bags and hide that in the chemical toilet.’ Stu didn’t say a word and scrambled straight below.
Kai pointed the boat a little more downwind to gain more speed. The boat that was approaching was coming in fast but still had a large amount of water to cover, and if Kai’s G.P.S readings were correct they could still make it. His feelings were made certain when the vessel got a little closer and the horror of the situation became apparent when he read the words “Guardia Civil”. He squirmed at the helm. He was willing the wind to pick up as they inched towards the invisible line that was their only defence. The fearless sound of the diesel engines roared like a lion behind them, carried on the winds from their assailants, who weren’t far away now. Stu appeared on deck after what felt like an eternity. He was carrying two shotguns.
‘Stu what the actual fuck?’
‘What? You think I’m gonna go into battle with just my dick in my hand? He retorted. Kai calmly stood in front of Stu and the weapons that he brazenly had on show.
‘Stu, slowly place the guns inside the cockpit, you can use them if we need to but if they see you carrying arms they will split us and this boat apart with the fucking machine gun they have mounted on the bow’. Stu did as he was told and stashed the weapons. Kai feverishly looked at the G.P.S and the sight he longed for appeared on screen. Finally 24.1 miles was their current position away from the Spanish island which rendered them in international waters, and free from Spanish law as they were flying the British flag.