CONFLICT DIAMONDS: THE START OF THE BEGINNING

by Verner Jones

  “You’re such a hero aren’t you, a martyr for the cause. I’ll have to resume my affections later when you are fully fit to receive them. In the mean time get yourself dressed and let’s go and join the others.”

  “Give me five minutes.” Marta left the room with Stipe pulling back the sheets.

  Five minutes later Stipe entered the room in triumphant pose sounding a fanfare through a hand trumpet and holding the package above his head. All eyes were on him. Stipe walked over to a small table and placed the package down and proceeded to unwrap it. Everyone gathered around. Celine squeaked with excitement. Stipe teased the lid off and the radiance of the Mostel Star locked everyone’s eyes onto it like an alcoholic who had just found a fresh bottle of whiskey. Celine couldn’t restrain herself and picked up the necklace for a closer view.

  “So this is what you were after. It’s fantastic. I ought to be annoyed with you guys. You should have involved me from the start not trying to keep your plans a secret from me.”

  “We wasn’t sure how you would react and Henrick thought it best at the time,” replied Stipe. Celine turned towards Henrick.

  “My darling Henrick, the leader of a ring of jewel thieves. It’s so exciting.”

  “Well we don’t do this sort of thing that often. It’s a new line you could say.”

  “You don’t have to be coy with me Stipe. I’m one of you now remember?” Stipe looked at the others and especially Henrick's disapproving glare.

  “I guess you are Celine and for sure on this caper we wouldn’t have pulled it off without you.” He drew close to her and shared an embrace.

  “How much is it all worth Henrick and what do we do with it now?” Henrick lifted the necklace from Celine’s hands and put it back into the box.

  “It’s worth a cool £5,000,000. Not bad for a weekends work,” said Toni hoping to impress. Celine gave a sharp intake of breath.

  “After I dismantle the stones and sell them on we should clear £2,000,000. Your share my darling will come out of my half.” A round of congratulations ensued and Celine opened a bottle of champagne and the high spirits continued for another hour.

  After the renditions of Stipe’s and Toni’s exploits were well aired, Henrick decided that he should take the Mostel Star and secure it in his safe back at the Magna Plaza store and start work on its dismantlement over the next few days. Henrick replaced the necklace into its presentation box. Celine never took her eyes off of it until Henrick put the box out of view into his case. It was like someone taking the last chocolate when you had set your heart on having it. Celine swallowed hard and turned away as Henrick spun the key in the lock.

  “Well. What are we to do now?” asked Marta. The question hadn’t arisen in anyone else’s mind and a short silence ensued as answers were sought after.

  “I mean in the immediate future guys. We need somewhere to stay until Henrick as finished his work. We had better go back to the hotel and re-register there.”

  “You don’t have to do that Marta. You can stay here all of you. There are two spare bedrooms. Marta checked the others for approval. Nods of agreement came back.

  “Settled then. We need to go to the hotel and collect a few things we left in storage and we can settle in here until Henrick can pay us our share. How long will you need Henrick before you have a buyer? ”

  “That my dear was taken care of before we left Amsterdam. I will need about one week to finalise the transactions and then we can all go our separate ways very rich people.” A reassuring glow warmed the core of Marta’s body. She looked at Stipe thankful that she had let him persuade her to participate in the robbery. He raised his glass sensing her mood. The new life they had talked about was only seven days away. A holiday first maybe to discuss their future plans and make some decisions and then… Marta stopped herself from pursuing her daydream and listened to Henrick who had resumed talking.

  “So I think I had better go lock these up safely. I will be in touch with you over the next few days, progress report that sort of thing. I think it would be better if you were to keep away from the store. Not that we are likely to be watched or anything it would just make me feel more at ease if we saw each other only when needed. Agreed?”

  “Good idea, Henrick, but don’t forget where we are though,” replied Stipe.

  “Boys, nothing stupid is going to happen, trust me. I have to leave now. Keep out of trouble.”

  “I will drive you to the store Henrick. You three make yourselves at home. I will be back before eight tonight. We can all go out to dinner together.”

  “Sounds good, said Toni. Celine gave Marta a spare key and left with Henrick.

  Celine parked in Henrick’s reserved lot and accompanied him to his office. She was unusually quiet and Henrick noticed it.

  "Something troubling you my love?”

  “No. I’m fine.” Her voice was subdued and camouflaged the ideas that were building solidly inside her mind. Inside his office Henrick locked the door and removed the key to the wall safe from his desk, crossed the room and lifted the picture that covered the safe off the wall and onto the floor. Celine joined him being coy and playfully wrapped her arms around him biting on the back of his neck.

  “Later Celine. Can’t you see I’m busy?” Henrick spun the combination lock and inserted the key and the door opened. Celine taking her mild rebuke sulked over to the settee and dropped herself into it.

  “Will you be staying with me tonight Henrick or do you have to be the faithful husband and return home?” Henrick gave Celine a disjointed look.

  “You know I have to go home tonight. What as gotten in to you?” He walked to his desk. Celine lay on the couch with her legs dangling over the arm rocking absentmindedly, her provocative looks frozen in a cold stare that followed Henrick’s footsteps back to his desk and watched him replace the key in the secret compartment. He stood with a quizzical expression looking back at Celine and for a moment he felt the menace that her eyes portrayed and it rendered him speechless. Celine noticing his discomfort promptly rose from the couch and drew by his side, all traces of animosity dissolved like cold steam.

  “Of course you have my darling. And it is only right that you should, after all I have had you to myself for the last few days.” Celine gathered her belongings and started for the door. Call me tomorrow, Henrick I’ll be waiting for you.” She left and never looked back.

  Outside Celine paused on the pavement and took out her cell phone. She called the familiar number, eager to hear the male voice on the other end. He answered with his usual enthusiasm. Phone calls always meant someone wanted to talk and he had few visitors to converse with. Fluffing his first words he eventually said in a French accented voice, “This is Jean Paul speaking. If you, If you want Claudette she she’s busy so you will have to te tell me what you want and I will pass on the me message.”

  “I don’t want Claudette silly. I want you. It’s Celine. I’m back and I am coming over to see you.” The voice became excited at the other end and it took Celine a full two minutes to calm him down. “ I’ve missed you. How long will you b’ be staying for?”

  “I think for quite a long time mon cheri. I have a surprise for you. Something you have always wanted.”

  “Tell me what it is. You know I wo won’t be able to wait until you ge get here.”

  “Remember the day we looked in the car showroom? Well I have bought you the silver one and it drives like a dream.”

  “Wh What the BMW 320i wi with the fuel injection and a te ten CD changer?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “ That’s fantastic. How long wi will it be before you come over?”

  “I have a little something to do first, about an hour, maybe two. Stay in and wait for me won’t you darling?”

  “Of course. I’m not go going anywhere.”

  “I love you Jean Paul.”

  “I love you too.” Celine ended the call and returned to her car relocating it in the public parking spaces across the
road. She waited patiently for Henrick to leave. An hour passed before Henrick's bloated figure emerged from the Plaza entrance. She watched him hail a cab. Anxiety floated from her like a helium filled balloon replaced with a feeling of relief as she watched Henrick disappear into the late afternoon traffic, knowing that she would never see him again, never have to endure his loathsome touch. She left the car quickly and with a sense of purpose crossed the road back into the Magna Plaza. The assistants were all busy inside Henrick’s store when she entered. The manager gave her his usual come-on smile. Celine acknowledged him for once with warm eyes and a soft face. He was instantly at a disadvantage. Her mellifluous voice did the rest.

  “Jordan, has Mr. Van der Meen left yet?”

  “I’m afraid he has, Miss Dupont.”

  “Oh Jordan, I wonder if you could do me a favour. I have left something in Henrick’s office. Would you mind opening it for me for a moment?” Jordan was under strict instructions from Henrick that when he was out of the store his office was to be kept locked at all times and only in an emergency should Jordan enter it.

  “I shouldn’t really, but I can’t see that it will do any harm.” Celine planted half open lips onto his cheek lingering them longer than was just friendly. “Thank you Jordan. Go and make us both a quick coffee before I leave. I’ve never really got to know you have I?” Jordan checked his watch, more from embarrassment than the need to know the time.

  “ I’ll go and sort it out.” He started to move away.

  “Hmm, Jordan. Unlock Henrick’s door first.”

  “Ah yes, of course.” Jordan fumbled around the lock with the key eventually opening the door. Celine walked in. Bloody useless Mooron, she thought and closed the door behind her. Without hesitation she made straight for the desk and removed the safe key, headed to the wall and slipped the picture off of its hanger. She closed her eyes and recalled the combination she had memorized earlier in Henrick's office and spun the dial accordingly. Sixty seconds was all it took to relieve the safe of its prime occupant, replace everything back in position and enter the staff kitchen where Jordan was putting the final additions to two hot drinks. After five minutes of boring chat Celine extradited herself and was on route back to her apartment. Marta was alone when she entered. After the pleasantries Celine said, “Marta darling. I have a surprise for you. Henrick wants to dine me on his yacht tonight and stay over for a couple of nights. I think he is going to propose to me so you can have the apartment all to yourselves while I am gone. It will be a chance for you and Stipe to get reacquainted. He really likes you, you know. I have to pack a few things. You two can have my room if you want. It has a king size bed.”

  “Err, thanks, Celine.” Celine packed her most important belongings and left the apartment leaving Marta bemused.

  Celine drove with furry to Jean Paul eager to see the man that she loved. It was a no parking zone in front of the building. Celine ignored it and screeched to a stop. Once inside she saw Claudette walking towards her, a smile of recognition lighting up her face. Celine strode briskly towards her. Claudette’s expression changed to one of concern, influenced by Celine's demeanour.

  “Hello Claudette. I want to see Jean Paul.”

  “He’ll be coming out at any moment. Is there anything wrong?”

  “No.” At that moment a bell sounded and groups of children started to emerge from the classrooms. Celine spun around to the sound of a boy-shouting Mummy. Celine squatted and opened her arms. Jean Paul ran into them and hugged his mother. “Wh Why are you vis visiting me today Mu Mummy?”

  “Today is a special day my love. Remember the stories I told you about when I used to live in Paris?”

  “Ye Yes mummy.”

  “Well we are going to go and live there together and you won’t have to stay away from me ever again.”

  “Really mu mummy and will I see gr grandpa too?”

  “Yes you will.” Celine stood and faced Claudette. “I’ve decided to take Jean Paul back with me to France. Please take this as official notification of him leaving this school. Celine took Jean Paul’s hand and left the building leaving Claudette stunned. With the money from the sale of the Mostel Star she would be able to send Jean Paul to the best special needs school in France. They would be a family again.

  17

  Marta sat finishing the dregs of an article in one of Celine’s fashion magazines, trying hard to ignore the time and the fact that Toni and Stipe hadn’t returned to the apartment. Two hours they said they would be. It was now eight o' clock. They had been gone nearly four hours. The Victoria Hotel was less than an hour round trip from the Grachtgengordel. Marta cursed them. Instead of coming straight back they had gone drinking in one of the pavement café’s. Marta could feel the anger building slowly and when they returned she was going to give them a piece of her mind for making her worry about them.

  Another hour passed and there was still no sign of them. Marta started assessing the possible scenarios for their lateness. She thought about calling Henrick in case they had met by chance with him, but cancelled that idea after remembering that Celine was meeting with him; an unlikely rendezvous under those circumstances. She decided to call the hotel to confirm that Stipe and Toni had collected their belongings. She looked around in the apartment for the phone and to her surprise found that it wasn’t connected. She returned to the magazine and scoured it for an article that she had missed earlier. One more hour she promised herself and if they weren’t back by then she would go down to that hotel herself and find out where they were.

  Ten o’clock came. The seed of anger had sprouted into a foreboding branch that dangled over her like a witches finger. Action was needed. She grabbed her coat and left the apartment, waved down a cab and gave instructions for him to take her to the Victoria Hotel, doubting very much that they would be there, but impatient to wait any longer and do nothing. The sense of foreboding heightened as she pushed through the main entrance doors. The fair haired, effeminate man was on duty in the front office. She approached him and he looked up from a hand full of index cards he was sorting and gave her his standard cardboard smile.

  “Hello. I stayed here in the hotel a few days ago with two male friends. We left some things in your safe. Have my two friends been back here this afternoon to collect them? I’m trying to find where they might be.” The smile faded and his well-manicured hands stopped shuffling the cards. He was a man who prided himself on never forgetting a face.

  “Yes. They were here late this afternoon. I gave them their belongings and they left with their friend.” Marta frowned and darted her question back.

  “What friend? We have no other friends in Amsterdam.”

  “Well they have one. He has been waiting in the hotel for the last two days for them to return.”

  “Do you have his name?”

  “Give me one moment.” He checked the register and came back picking his cards up from the desk. “ His name is Zoran Jovanovich and he’s in room 302.” Marta restrained the desire to swear and kept her face portraying only mild surprise.

  “Ah Zoran. I forgot that he was in Amsterdam. Room 302 you said?” The receptionist had started to re-sort his cards.

  “Yes, third floor, turn right out of the elevator. Would you like me to bell his room to see if he is there?”

  “No, that won’t be necessary. Thanks for your help.” Marta turned away remembering fully the story Toni had told them of his sergeant whom they thought was dead. Instead he was somehow alive and staying three floors above her and probably had the both of them prisoners if he hadn’t already killed at least Toni first. Ragged thoughts jumbled around her mind looking for a practical solution. Logic dictated that she should first confirm that they were in his room, so she went to the lift and pressed the third floor button. Room 302 was four rooms down on the right. She tiptoed up to the door and listened. A light shone from underneath the door, a good sign but not conclusive evidence of occupancy. She listened with her ear to the door. There was t
he feint sound of voices, probably in an adjoining room. One of the voices sounded like Stipe’s. Marta pulled back from the door still not knowing what to do, but knowing that she needed to do something and fast. On the wall hung a fire extinguisher. Flashes of inspiration made her grab the equipment, and turning the nozzle upwards, she aimed it head height and knocked the door . The door opened with Zoran asking who the hell it was. The reply he got was a face full of foam as Marta kicked the door wide and fired the extinguisher.

  Zoran staggered backwards into the room his hand up at his face trying to clear his eyes. Marta lifted the extinguisher and crashed it once, then twice, over his head. Zoran went down groaning like an old gate in a gale. Marta ran past him into the room. Through a partly open door Marta saw Stipe and Toni bound to two chairs. She rushed in. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. Toni had been beaten about the head and there were cigarette burns on his exposed chest. Stipe hadn’t fared much better. His cheeks and eyes were bruised and swollen where Zoran had pistol-whipped him. Marta shrieked,

  “What as that bastard done to you?” Stipe’s eyes held fresh hope when he saw Marta enter the room. Toni was in no state to notice.

  “Marta! How the hell… Never mind, untie us, quickly.” Marta found a corkscrew and with the blade cut the zip chords that were holding them. “ I was worried when you didn’t return and came looking for you. It’s a miracle that I found you.”

  “Where’s Zoran?”

  “On the floor in the hall.” Stipe freed from his bonds helped Marta cut Toni loose. Toni started to recognize his surroundings and the familiar faces that were helping him. He managed a smile that matched the look of a punch-drunk vagrant, then his head lolled to one side. He was out of it.

  “Can you help carry him, Stipe?”

  “ Yea, I think so. He didn’t work on me as much as he did Toni.”

  “Let’s get out of here before he comes round.” Marta struggled, along with Stipe, to get Toni into the hall. Marta saw their bag that the boys had come for and slung it over her shoulder. Zoran was groaning louder and was attempting to right himself. They pushed by him to the outer door. Zoran made a grab for a passing ankle. Marta lashed out a foot that caught him full in the face and he dropped to the floor releasing his tentative grip. They stumbled along the hall, like an out of step trio in a three-legged sack race. Stipe went to stop at the elevator. “Leave that. We can’t leave the hotel looking like this. There’s a service elevator at the end of the corridor. We’ll go down to the basement and find a back way out.” Marta led the way. Toni seeming to be aware of what was happening tried to talk and make an effort to walk. His impetus helped ease the dead weight of his body.