The Mallorcan Bookseller (The 3R International Series Book 1)

by PETE DAVIES

  “Pérez, you find me this BMW,” said Garcia.

  “We’re on it Boss,” said Pérez.

  His team hadn’t had much to do on this operation so far, other than helping with the door to door stuff after each of the burglaries. They had been waiting for something to happen and he knew the adrenalin would be starting to flow.

  “Easy does it guys, I want Alphas 2 and 3 to hang back on the main routes back into the city and Bravos 2 and 3 to start following us,” said Pérez.

  The team acknowledged on their radios. All the Alpha cars were high performance SEAT estates in full police livery, whilst the unmarked Bravos were a BMW 440, a Skoda RS and a Mercedes 350. They all carried gun boxes with an assortment of firearms and ammunition and the officers carried side arms every time they deployed.

  Garcia was a couple of miles ahead of Pérez’s team. She and Nino were in the VW Golf GTi she had on hire and they quickly got to the Martínez villa that was just a short distance outside Illetes. Garcia saw Anna Martínez waiting for her.

  “Sam’s gone back inside with Bill, but told me to stay here so as not to compromise any potential forensics.”

  “Is Señor Patterson okay Señora?” said Garcia.

  “Yes, I think so, but I’ve called an ambulance just in case,” said Anna.

  “Good, so yes, please stay here with Nino.”

  She called out as she walked into the house and Sam responded.

  “Yes, we’re okay Lori, we’re in here.”

  She found them in a living room at the front of the house. Bill looked up and smiled.

  “Señora Garcia, I seem to be becoming a bit of a nuisance, I am so sorry.”

  “No Señor, there’s no need to worry. We have an ambulance on its way. Just to check you out,” as he started to protest. “Sam, I’ve got a team out looking for this BMW. What do you think we’re looking at in terms of a timeline?”

  Sam checked his watch.

  “It’s got to be thirty minutes by now.”

  “I’ve got some of the team hanging back nearer the city watching the Ma20. Sonny has got a place out towards S’Arenal, but I can’t see them going there. But there’s a few houses and apartments we know they use, so we can start checking those too,” said Lori.

  “They wanted to know where my mother was. It looks like they thought Bill was my dad, but when he told them who he was, they seemed to lose interest in Mum and started to give Bill a hard time, asking him a bunch of questions, ‘What was he doing here? How was he tied in with me? Why was a London cop asking questions?’ And of course, he couldn’t answer some of their questions and so they started hitting him,” said Sam.

  She could see he was agitated and was getting angry. She needed him to stay calm and in control. This isn’t the time for his PTSD to come out, she thought. He had told her about what had been going on in London and she realised he’d hit a pinch point with what had happened to Bill and he was close to lashing out. She kept her voice low and quiet and kept him talking to give him time to regain his control. After a couple of minutes, where he had been talking almost non-stop, he was now slowing down his speech and breathing more easily. He looked at her with a knowing half-smile.

  “You know you’re really good at that stuff.”

  “As long as it has helped, that’s the main thing,” said Lori. “Okay, here’s the ambulance. Señor Patterson, let’s go outside and get you checked out and I’ll get back out looking for the BMW. Sam, I’ve got a local unit coming here just in case they need to take him to hospital. They will follow and make sure they are all okay whilst at the hospital too. In the meantime, keep in touch.”

  In a moment, she was back at the wheel of the GTi and turning left out of the driveway and heading back towards the city as Nino filled her in on the scope of the search.

  “So nothing?” said Lori.

  “Well not yet, the Alphas didn’t see anything coming in on the Ma20 towards the city, so I’ve got one of the Bravos sitting further up towards the Valldemossa junction and I’ve sent the bike up towards the finca they use on the Inca road.”

  “What about CCTV? I know it’s a needle in a bloody haystack without an index plate, but we need that car.”

  “I’m on it Boss. They’ve been looking, but I've kept it to the specific areas it was likely to head for, otherwise it would be just too much,” said Nino.

  “No, you’re right Nino, that’s a smart bit of thinking. Okay, what next? Suggestions?” said Lori.

  She had learned many years ago that she didn’t know all the answers and including the team was a damn good way to keep the ideas flowing, as well as keeping them motivated and involved.

  “This wasn’t a planned intervention Boss, so they’re going to have to report back to Sonny on this. Let’s find him and then we might find the BMW.”

  “Let’s do it and Nino?” said Lori turning to look at him. “It’s about time you went for that exam and got yourself up that promotion ladder to Inspector, you deserve it.”

  “Yes Boss, understood,” said Nino.

  He liked her. She was a good boss and always made sure her people had a chance to speak and get their fair share of praise. He saw how the team responded and it was something he’d taken on board. He put out another call for a general update and the team came back with their negative responses to their search for the BMW. Nino rang the GEO team leader, Sergeant Fernando Pérez and they talked through options on how to best track down Sonny. They knew he changed cars regularly, but the Porsche Cayenne the boss had seen him in was a new one to them.

  “Let’s run the plate through CCTV and see if we get any hits today and get the Bravos to sit up along the likely routes from his place in S’Arenal back into the City,” said Nino.

  “Right, we’ll keep on this for tonight Nino. They might be a bit hacked off that we haven’t spotted the car, but they are up for this,” said Pérez.

  “Tell Fernando that if they get the chance, the guys and gals should put a bit of pressure on the doormen around the Armenian clubs too,” said Lori.

  “Did you get that?” said Nino.

  “Loud and clear Nino. We’ll push some buttons and see what happens,” said Pérez.

  Nino rang off and glanced across at Lori as he drove.

  “Well that should be interesting Boss. What’s your thinking?”

  “Sonny will know we have nothing on them, otherwise we would have arrested somebody. But we know these OCGs don’t like too much police activity as it scares the customers away from their clubs and street girls,” said Lori.

  “Is this what your young London cop called 'rattling some cages'?” said Nino.

  “Exactly,” she smiled. “Okay, now drop me off at my apartment please Nino.”

  He thought about saying something to tease her, but thought better of it. It didn’t do to test her patience and hey, if she was having some fun, who was he to stop her? What had happened to her husband Felipe was well known throughout the force, so if anyone deserved a bit of happiness in her life, then she certainly did.

  “Have a good night Boss and I’ll keep you posted if anything comes up, otherwise I’ll see you in the morning,” said Nino.

  “Thanks Nino. I’ve a good feeling about finding this car. See you tomorrow.”

  *****

  Sam checked that the paramedics were happy with Bill. He needed to go to hospital as they had hit him hard around his head. Lori had also called the Forensic team and they were arriving just as the ambulance was leaving with the police escort taking Bill to hospital with Anna going along to keep him company. Sam showed the Forensic guys the layout of the house and left them to it as he rang Greg.

  “Sam, I’m sorry you had to find out this way, you know, about me, your mum and you. I didn’t know either.”

  Sam had completely forgotten about his mother telling him about Greg.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay, we can talk about that later. We’ve had a problem Greg. Some unwanted visitors came to mum’s house
looking for her and found Bill instead. He’s taken quite a beating. He’s alright, but he’s on the way to hospital with my mother.”

  “Bloody hell Sam.”

  “Yes, I know. This looks like payback for me rattling his cage. Stupid really, I should have thought about the possible repercussions.”

  “No point looking back at the moment Sam, let’s focus on the here and now and what we could, should or want to do about this,” said Greg. “So what happened?”

  Sam ran through what Bill had told him.

  “He’s done very well to give us an idea on the BMW. So we now have an image of the van thief and two cars including the Porsche to look for,” said Greg. “I’m going to get my two guys to poke around the clubs tonight. Different faces they might not be expecting to see, so if they see any of the vehicles we might be able to get a tracker on them. I know they might be surveillance savvy, but then again, complacency may be our friend and their enemy.”

  “What did you mean Greg, when you said what we ‘could, should or want to do’?”

  “You’re a serving police officer Sam. I am a freelance consultant. You operate within the law and I operate, well, let’s say within the spirit of the law,” said Greg. Sam went quiet and Greg continued, “Bringing these guys to justice may be difficult. My client wants those responsible for his wife’s death to suffer harm, both in a physical and financial way. This may compromise those values you hold as a police officer.”

  “I understand,” said Sam, pausing. “You’re right. I am going to be sitting on the same side of the fence as Lori in terms of what I want to happen to these guys. I’m happy to help you where I can, but I’m not going to be able to help if you start crossing the line of what I see as the right thing to do within the confines of the law.”

  “I’m fine with that Sam. Just thought it better to have that conversation out in the open,” said Greg.

  “Me too,” said Sam. “Now, I’ll go and check on Bill and Mum and then I’ve got a dinner date with my half-sister.”

  Greg smiled. It didn’t sound like there was going to be a problem for Anna, with Sam finding out about him. He still had to get his head around it himself, but if he was going to have a son, then someone like Sam would be just the ticket.

  “Good, I’m glad. Take care and let’s catch up tomorrow,” said Greg.

  FIFTEEN

  Jaz Kaur felt the pilot start the descent before the Airbus A320 finally touched down at 19.15 and she met up with Ekam as they walked through Arrivals at Palma de Mallorca International Airport.

  She then went and waited at the sliding doors that led out into the airport, whilst Ekam collected their baggage. Jaz looked over to him and saw he was on the phone, probably to the private hire car company. He joined her with a baggage trolley loaded up with his one trolley bag and her three full size bags. She smiled, a girl needed a few changes of clothes, but he didn’t make any sort of fuss. She looked at him. He was so loyal and she trusted him absolutely. He had definitely saved her from being seriously hurt when that guy had attacked her. Ekam turned and caught her looking at him.

  “Yes, Miss Kaur, do you need something?”

  “No,” she said gently, “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life Ekam. You are so kind and loyal. You would make someone a very nice husband, so why haven’t you married?”

  He was taken aback that she should think of his well-being. Him, just a lowly servant to her. He couldn’t tell her that he would never marry because he had only ever loved one woman and that was her, so he laughed it off.

  “Oh Miss, I could never marry. Who would look after you then?” he said smiling.

  “Well that’s okay then, as long as you’re happy,” said Jaz, before returning to her more usual business-like self. “Now where’s the car?”

  “It’s that one over there Miss, follow me,” said Ekam, as he started walking to a dark blue Mercedes E Class.

  The driver opened the rear door for her and then he helped load the baggage with Ekam, who then took his seat in the front with the driver. They were staying at the same hotel as in March, the Hotel Glòria de Sant Jaume, a smart five star place in Sant Jaume, just north of the Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I and on the way she texted Sonny to say she had landed and would be having dinner at 9pm if he wanted to join her. A text bounced back almost immediately with ‘Yes’.

  *****

  The doctor had decided that Bill needed to stay in for observations overnight, so Sam took Anna back home before getting ready to go out for dinner.

  “Are you sure you will be alright if I go out tonight Mum? Lori has put some officers on the front entrance for tonight.”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine, so stop fussing. I’ll put the alarm on as well when you go out and Sam, we haven’t really had a chance to talk about what I told you about Greg, but thank you for your understanding,” said Anna.

  “It’s fine Mum, just the two shocks in one day. First I find out you were a spy and then boom! I find out my biological father was also a spy,” he grinned and hugged her. “Anyway I won’t be late. It’s not as if it’s a romantic evening out, not now I know she’s my half-sister!”

  “Now you’re teasing me, so you can just stop that,” said Anna grinning back at him.

  *****

  Terri saw them come through the Arrivals Gate. Tommy with his rolling relaxed gait with a big grin on his face and Simon with a more upright, chest out walk.

  “Hello darling,” he said in his beautiful and gentle accent from his homeland of Barbados.

  “Hello my big Bajan hunk,” she said.

  “Terri,” said Simon.

  “Simon, good to see you.”

  They couldn’t be more different, both in looks and character. Tommy was big, African Caribbean and always had a smile on his face. Simon was Welsh, talked softly and you had to dig deep for his sense of humour, but when you found it, he was just as much fun as Tommy.

  “I’ve got a KIA Sportage for you guys,” said Terri handing Simon a set of keys.

  Tommy said, “Just as well you were choosing it Terri and not Greg, as we’d have been in….”

  “One of his favourite little white vans,” the three of them said in chorus.

  They followed her to the finca that was just a kilometre off the Ma20 ring road around the city. As they had turned off the motorway onto the Ma11, the Sóller Road, they had noticed a red motorcycle parked up at the side of the road, with the rider sitting astride the bike watching passing traffic. Tommy and Simon looked at each other.

  “Funny place to sit and watch traffic?” said Tommy, and Simon nodded in agreement.

  They pulled in behind Terri’s Merc into the driveway. This was a lot better than some of the accommodation they sometimes had to stay in, so as they got out of the car, they nodded approvingly to Terri.

  “And it’s got a pool guys, although I’m not sure how much chance you’ll get to use it as I’ve just got off the phone to Greg.” She always referred to her father by his name at work. It was more professional in front of clients and again just easier all around when she was working with her guys.

  “Did you see the biker?”

  They nodded.

  “He’s a cop out looking for a BMW, new model, 5 or 7 series, dark colour with two armed and nasty Armenian thugs who have just head slapped a harmless old man.”

  “What do you want us to do Terri?” said Simon, ex-Special Forces and like Tommy, more than capable of handing out different levels of retribution when required.

  “Okay, tonight is just a seek and find Op. Take a trip into town and trawl the clubs, I know, a tough job, but you can do it guys,” she said smiling. “Look for any Armenians with a tattoo on their left wrist, plus you’ve got the image I sent you of the van thief, as well as the Porsche index plate. If you get any chance to get a tracker on either car, then do it. Just one thing, the investigating officer has a bunch of handy ninjas working with her, they’re GEO, so you may well spot them on the l
ookout. Do not engage, well, if at all possible do not engage guys, you know what I mean. We’re on the same side, but best they don’t know about you if we can manage that, okay?”

  “Yep, no problem. We’ll be quiet as mouses,” said Tommy.

  “Mice,” corrected Simon and Tommy just looked at him.

  “Good, now help me unload this gear into the back of the house. Maybe best to do a bit of gardening to hide the gun box, look I’ve even brought you guys a nice new shovel,” said Terri, with a grin.

  “You’re just too good to us Terri,” said Tommy, handing the shovel to Simon. “Your turn to dig mate.”