‘Well, from what we’ve been told people arrive, then after a few months they disappear and another one takes their place. Most are male and young. The heavies, probably their tough guys appear from time to time in flashy cars, stay for a night, then disappear.
‘How long has this been going on?’
He shakes his head. ‘An old boy our guys were talking to in the pub the other day said it’s been going on for some time now. They bought him a couple of drinks, just got talking to him casually, said they were thinking about getting a place round here. They asked him what it’s like and he told them. He’s worried and from what I’ve seen I can’t say I blame him.’
By now Tom's inside the second floor flat with them, he stands peering out of the window. 'Do you ever see lights come on?'
‘No, the blinds are always down, the old boy said they often had the windows open when it was hot, but the blinds are down.’
Dev signals to Tom. ‘Let’s go.’ He turns to the two detectives. ‘See you later boys.’
They’re just getting back into the car when Dev's phone vibrates in his pocket. He reads the message, then looks at Tom. ‘I think I’ll take a walk over there, see if anyone’s around, I’ll say I’m looking for a friend at this address.’
Tom eyes him and shakes his head, wondering what the message was. ‘But we have no idea who we’re dealing with, how many of them are in there, or do we?’
Dev smiles slightly. ‘Okay, I’ll make it more official, I’ll say I’m from the council doing a check on properties in the area, if they don’t let me in I’ll break the door down.’
Tom sighs, texts the two detectives to let them know what’s happening and follows him.
After the third knock at the basement door Dev’s patience is at an end. ‘This is the council, open the door or I’ll get the police,’ he shouts.
Slowly the door opens. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are banging on my door,’ a pimply faced Irish lad shouts, gawping at Dev. He spits a gob of phlegm that hits Dev on the shoulder. ‘You don’t look like you’re from the council.’
Dev nods. ‘I am, I’m here to check the property out. Lots of the houses in this street are sinking, yours could be one of them.’
The lad eyes him up and down. ‘You’re not from the council.’ He suddenly spots Tom behind Dev and reaches down to inside his boot. But Dev’s already spotted the knife sticking out.
The guy suddenly leaps forward. ‘Take this you...’
Dev kicks him in the leg. The knife falls from his hand, he clutches his leg.
Dev turns to Tom. ‘Tie the little bastard up.’
Tom starts handcuffing him. ‘Take your jacket off Dev, I’ll get that checked by forensics.’
Dev passes him his jacket. Tom takes the jacket then frog marches the guy over to the car. He pushes him in the back seat then gets a sample bag from inside the dashboard for Dev’s jacket.
The little thug grimaces with pain as the blood seeps from his knee. He sticks his finger up at Tom and shouts, ‘You think that's going to help you, old man.’
Tom opens the back door and kicks him in the knee he’s holding. The young guy lets out a shriek of pain.
Dev’s inside the house searching the rooms, and just as he thought, the bedroom window is open, whoever was in here has made a run for it.
Later…
Tom drops Dev outside his hotel. He walks quickly inside. The only reason he’s in London is because one of London’s top agents is recovering in hospital from a nasty accident… well, not really an accident, an ambush in one of the streets of the city.
Dev goes to reception to check for any messages, then he walks over to the bar, orders a large whisky and ice, and swallows it quickly. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Katia watching him from the other side of the bar.
She slowly walks over to him and smiles. ‘You had a bad day?’
He grunts. ‘It’s what I’m paid to do, isn’t it?’
Katia catches the barman’s eye. ‘Whisky and ice, please.’
‘What have you been up to Katia,’ Dev murmurs, swirling the whisky around in his glass. ‘Been anywhere nice?’
‘Shopping and stuff.’ She points to a seat in the corner of the room. ‘Let’s sit over there, it’s more private.’
‘Another whisky,’ says Dev, to the barman who immediately tops his glass up.
They take a seat in the corner and sit drinking and chatting for over an hour about what’s been happening in London.
‘When are you due back in Athens,’ he asks, picking up one of the drinks the waiter just brought over.
She shrugs. ‘In a few days!’
He gives her a sideways look. ‘Have you heard from your husband?’
‘I think he’s too busy to call.’
Dev knows better than to ask what he’s doing. He’s probably screwing another woman like he was when Dev and Katia first met. Katia told him her marriage was over but without him knowing she went back to her husband. He later found out she did this because he’d sworn never to touch another woman. Katia’s a beautiful woman, he enjoys having sex with her but not now that she’s back with her husband.
He puts down his glass and gets ready to leave. Katia walks with him to the elevator.
Katia’s room is a few doors away from Dev’s, but when he opens his door, Katia walks in with him.
A few seconds later her clothes are off and she’s waiting for him on the bed.
6
HELEN
Athens, Greece
I go into the living room, pour myself a drink, take it onto the balcony and stand sipping my drink - what a wonderful view - how lucky I am to live in such a lovely city. I’m alive but for how long, we forget how precious life is until something happens. I was lucky last time when I had that car crash. I take a long drink remembering that terrible time, Beth going out of her mind with worry and me in hospital.
I groan to myself and take another long drink. Every day seems like the last. I get up, go to work, finish late, come back, have a drink.
I think of Theo my ex, I saw him the other day when I was doing some shopping. Now I know why Beth had to get away from Athens. It’s awful bumping into your ex. Maybe I should leave?
I sigh and look at Kolonaki Square, it's such a beautiful square, why should I leave just because of him?
Deep down I know it's not the same now my friend James is no longer here. My marriage is finished, everything's gone, maybe it’s time to start something new. I grab my phone. ‘Hi Beth, it’s me.’
Beth laughs. ‘You’ll never guess who just called.’
‘No, I have no idea who just called, anyone I know?’
‘Yes, Dev, and he offered me a job working with him.’
Now this is a surprise. If she works with him, for sure it’s going to be dangerous.
‘Doing what?’ I ask.
‘I’m not sure, I’m meeting him tomorrow to discuss it so I’ll let you know.’
‘Okay, but before you do anything drastic, let’s have a few days in the sun, that will give you time to think about it.’
‘Yes, you’re right, it will do us good. I’ll find out more about the job, it’s so exciting isn’t it?’
‘What the job, or working with Dev?’
Beth laughs. ‘It’s something new and later I might get to work in Athens, now what have you got to say?’
‘Okay, but I’m going to book our flights for Spain and let David know we’re coming.’
‘Yeah, and don’t forget I can’t stay for long due to work; I think you wrote the dates down?’
‘Yes, I have them in my phone. I’ll book all our flights and email you yours. By the way, Easter in Greece is later than the UK and Spain this year.’
‘Okay, talk to you later Helen.’
I close my phone and start flicking through my iPad for flights. It’s fortunate I own a travel agency so I can take time off whenever I feel like it, I also get flights a bit cheaper.
Wi
th a refill in my hand I sit on the balcony feeling a little happier, I have a trip to Spain to look forward to, now let's get down to some serious business. If I can get Tula to look after the place for 4 or 5 days…
‘Hi Tula, I’m going to Spain for a few days before Easter, can you look after the shop for me?’
‘How long,’ Tula asks.
‘Just a few days!’
Whilst saying this I look at the dates. Easter Sunday in Spain falls on 12 April, in Greece it’s 19 April. So if we arrive in Spain on 9 April, I can easily be back in Greece by 17 April, just in time for Greek Easter.
But I don’t want to spend Easter here alone. I sit thinking this through then decide that even if I stay another week in Spain it won’t matter as I’ll be closed for the holidays in Greece.
Thankfully, Tula agrees. I start flicking through my laptop working out flights for me, Beth, and Jamie. On Tuesday there’s a flight for me from Athens to Malaga. Now what about Beth – there’s a flight from London arriving on Good Friday – I’ll check with Beth see what she thinks. I sit looking at the flights wondering why it’s called Good Friday, what’s so good about it? Suddenly I realize I’ll have two and a half days by myself with David before Beth arrives, that is, if she comes on Good Friday.
I sit staring at my screen, then laugh. Why should I be worried? David probably has a beautiful Spanish girl stashed away. Anyway, he knows we’re just good friends, we can go sightseeing, swimming. He can show me the local resort, maybe take me to Granada.
I try Beth’s number but it’s busy so I send her a text:
My flight arrives in Spain on the Tuesday but the flight I found for you and Jamie arrives on Good Friday, is this OK?
7
BETH
Bayswater, London
I sit staring at the blank screen of my laptop. I’m way behind on the article I have to write but I can't stop thinking about what Dev said. Do I want the job or don't I? It's exactly what I'd love to do but there are risks involved.
And what about Jamie, he’s only twelve, what kind of mother does a job like this? I sit processing this in my mind trying to work it out. Many women with children work for the police, the armed forces, and similar professions. Yes, but they probably have a husband or family to support them. Well, I do have Mum, she loves being with Jamie, but what if she goes back to Athens to live?
Being with Dev would be great, but then I don't want to get involved with anyone again. It's not worth it, something always goes wrong. I sit staring at the screen willing myself to start writing, but I can’t. Ever since Dev told me about the job I can’t think about anything else.
My phone rings, it’s Dev.
‘Hi Beth, how are you?’
‘Hi Dev, I’m fine, just doing some work.’
‘So, have you decided, or do you need more time?’
I close my eyes. ‘Listen Dev, I'm going to Spain for Easter, David invited us and well, Helen needs a break. A few days away from London might be just what I need also. I have to be a hundred percent sure about this. I don't want to say yes and then suddenly change my mind, it’s something I must really be committed to, isn't it?’
‘Yes, Beth, it is.’
‘Are you staying here or going back to Athens?’ Why did I say that, of course he’s staying here didn’t he say he was here to do something?
There's a short silence at the other end. ‘Beth, I didn't explain why I'm here. Can I pop over and see you? I'm at my hotel so not far from you.’ He hesitates. ‘Of course, if it's not convenient…'
For some reason it feels strange to have Dev come to this apartment. ‘I'd love you to come, I'm just catching up on some work, but I can do that later.’
‘Great, it’s that block just off Queensway isn't it? Number 8?’
‘Yes, that's right, see you soon.’
There’s a click and he’s gone.
Oh my God! Look at the place. I quickly run around tidying up, then change. He’ll be here soon, I run into the kitchen, put on a pot of coffee then the doorbell rings.
‘Hi Dev, come in.’
‘What a lovely place,’ he says, walking into the living room. ‘It's so cozy.’ He glances around the room then looks at the photograph I have of Jamie on the sideboard. ‘So, this must be your son.’ He picks it up and peers at it. ‘He has your green eyes but not your blond hair.’ He turns and looks at me. ‘Where is he?’
I smile to myself. ‘You’ll meet him soon if you stay long enough, he should be home from school about 4:30. What about some coffee?’
‘Yes, that would be great.’
He follows me into the kitchen and watches as I pour the coffee into my new white mugs.
‘You must be happy here,’ he says, taking the mug I hand him.
‘Yes, it’s very small, but I like it. Mum stays with us most of the time.’
‘Beth, I really need to talk to you about why I'm in London.’
‘Yes,’ I murmur. ‘Let’s take these into the living room.’
He sits on the couch, me on the chair where my laptop is. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to sit next to him. How strange, I’ve always sat next to him in Athens and never felt this way.
He suddenly interrupts my train of thought.
‘I’m not here on holiday Beth, I’m here to work. The other day I was on a train from the airport, you probably heard about it on the news?’
‘Oh my God!’ I look at him in disbelief.
He nods. ‘Yes, it was me on the train with the suicide bomber.’
I had a feeling about this. I was coming back from Victoria. I was on the bus, there was an alert on my phone, there’d been some sort of terrorist attack on the Tube at Marble Arch. All the buses were diverted from going down Park Lane. We went through Hyde Park, which is very unusual, that's how I got back to Bayswater. I sit staring at him.
He leans back and frowns, he looks tired. ‘We have to find out where their cells are and stop them getting into the country. We know many arrive as illegal migrants by way of Calais and the Euro-tunnel, there are other entry points of course. There's a lot we're working on and that's why I thought this might be something you'd be interested in. Of course, you can't do anything now as it will take a few months to assess you.
I hadn't figured this was going to be about fighting terrorism but of course that’s what covert operations is, that's what he does. In Athens it was all about politics and murder.
Dev leans forward and looks at me. ‘We have to find out who's behind these attacks, where they're getting their money from and what's next. It used to be drug trafficking, that's how they were making their money. Of course, the worse thing now is people smuggling, it’s become a lot more lucrative than drugs. Many of these people are so desperate they'll do anything to get to Germany and the UK. Many are already radicalized so it's easy for the terrorist cells to get them onside. Then of course there are the sex traffickers who feed off the sex trade. Spain is third when it comes to demand for prostitutes, after Thailand and Puerto Rico.’
‘Yes, I recently watched a Rachel Weisz film called Whistleblower, it’s based on true events. How those in authority turned a blind eye to sex slavery - kidnapping, torture, and rape. These abuses still go on today.’
Dev suddenly gets up. ‘Well, I’ve taken up a lot of your time Beth, but it’s important you know what you’ll be letting yourself in for.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ I mutter, getting up and walking with him to the door.
He opens it then turns and looks at me. ‘Let’s have dinner together before you go to Spain, when are you going?’
‘I have to check the flights, probably Good Friday, I’ll let you know.’
‘Great, thanks for the coffee.’
I close the door and walk over to the open window and watch as Dev slides into a black Audi, then he’s gone.
8
HELEN
Malaga, Spain
Tuesday
As the plane starts its descent to Malaga
airport I feel tense and a bit excited, I haven’t been here for a long time. I wonder what it's like now, will David be waiting for me, he said he would.
The plane curves and starts landing and after a few bumps and a few claps from the Spanish passengers, we land.
Ten minutes later I’m clambering down the airport steps and onto the tarmac. We don't have far to walk to the airport building and soon I’m walking through arrivals, things move quickly in Spain.
Is David here? I stand looking around, then I see him and wave.
His eyes light up when he sees me. He quickly walks over, gives me a hug and kisses me, then we walk towards his car.
‘It’s so lovely to see you Helen, how was your flight?’ he murmurs, ‘And how is Beth?’
‘The flight was great, it didn't take long from Athens, and Beth’s fine, she’ll be here on Friday with Jamie.’
‘Here’s the car,’ he says, flicking his car fob. ‘Give me your case.’
A lovely green Range Rover springs into action, my suitcase is stashed away in the boot and we’re off.
On the way to the hotel David explains what's been happening since he arrived back from London. ‘The hotel is booked solid for the Easter period.’ He stops talking as he maneuvres the car onto the main highway, then carries on. ‘Unfortunately, my Dad won’t be here, so it’s just me and the staff.’
I raise my eyebrow, ‘Oh, that’s such a shame.’
‘Yes, I didn't expect this to happen. It’s a new business he's thinking of opening with a friend in Tenerife. I thought he was going after Easter, but he wants to see how busy it is and check out the location.’ He smiles and looks at me. ‘But it won’t stop you and Beth having a good time, my car is at your disposal.’
‘What about your mother, is she here?’
‘No, she went with him. We have plenty of staff, but if it gets busy, I’ll have to help, so it's dinner at the hotel, is that okay?’
The Beth Papadakis Thriller Box Set Page 34