Lethal Promise

by Paul Stretton-Stephens

  “Sounds like good advice. While you’re away, I’ll see what more Rich has to say, and then I’ll find out where Red is being held and go question him again. I’ll let you and your team know the outcome.”

  “Okay, Mikey. Fi and I are off now. When all this is finished, I’m coming back to see Hunter and the family, so let’s meet up for a few beers then?”

  “Sure, I’d like that. Be careful over there.”

  “I’ll try to.”

  Chapter 23

  Fi and Jago arrived at Velana International Airport, the main airport in Malé in the Maldives. As the flight descended, they could see the turquoise ocean flanking the runway. As they descended the steps onto the asphalt, a smart young Asian man greeted them.

  “Mr and Mrs Jago, I am Yusef. I will be your personal assistant during your stay here in the Maldives.”

  “Hello, Yusef. How did you know who I was?”

  “Your good lady secretary, Abi, sent me a photo of you. It’s easy these days with technology.”

  “Very well, Yusef, where have you been asked to take us?”

  “We are going to the seaplane terminal. It’s just over there, but I have transport for us and your luggage over here.”

  Yusef gestured to a waiting BMW 7 Series at the side of the runway.

  “We had hoped to do a little shopping before we left the island.”

  “Miss Abi mentioned that, and we have done all the shopping for you. It can’t be easy trekking in the outback and then coming here to paradise.”

  “But what about—?”

  “Don’t worry, we have your sizes.” Yusef stood back and looked Jago and Fi up and down. Then he walked behind them and around. “Yes, we have done a fantastic job. All of your clothes are at the villa. Come, we must go.”

  Fi asked, “And where exactly are we going, Yusef?”

  “Madam, we are going to Vommuli Island, on the Dhaalu Atoll. You’re staying at the St Regis, just as Miss Abi has arranged. It’s about forty-five minutes away. She said to remind you to call her when you arrive at your accommodation.”

  Yusef accompanied Jago and Fi to the waiting car.

  “Please wait here for five minutes and I’ll get your luggage. Can I have your luggage tickets, please?” asked Yusef, before running off towards the baggage collection area.

  Fi took the opportunity to look out beyond the airport at the stunning view. A turquoise blue fringed the land, beyond which the ocean became a shimmering deep blue.

  “I’ve never been here before. I did a little diving in Mauritius and always meant to come here.”

  Jago was checking his phone and replied, “It’s very low-lying. I think the airport here is only a couple of metres above sea level. The diving is out of this world. Don’t worry, you’ll get the chance to dive while we’re here, I’m sure. We must make our vacation convincing, mustn’t we?”

  Jago smiled as he could see Yusef returning in the distance, laden with the luggage on an airport trolley that had a typically difficult front wheel. He was struggling to make ground and Jago went over to assist.

  “Having problems, Yusef?”

  “It’s these old trolleys, Mr Jago, they’re, how do you say … knackered.”

  Jago smiled at the response. “Yes, I suppose you could call it that, Yusef,” he said as he applied weight and helped steer the trolley to the car. “Yusef, what else did Miss Abi instruct you to do?”

  “Everything, Mr Jago. I am to point out certain sites of interest to you on the way to your hotel, and provide you with any transport you want, day or night, if you know what I mean?”

  “Yes, Yusef, I understand. And you’ve done this before, have you?”

  “Let’s just say that I am given the jobs in this area that require a lot of trust. It is my particular expertise. My uncle works in Whitehall, you know. He’s been there for many years, and he doesn’t make tea.”

  “Ah, so you’re connected? That explains a lot. And have you known Miss Abi for long? And did you help her find our destination and person of interest?”

  Yusef tapped the side of his nose with one finger. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly tell you that I have known her for at least ten years, could I, Mr Jago? And as always, I help Miss Abi in any way that I can.”

  “Let’s leave it at that then, shall we?” suggested Jago.

  “Certainly, sir,” smiled Yusef.

  ***

  They arrived at the seaplane terminal for the St Regis. Fi went into the guest lounge, while Jago stretched his legs, walking in and around the pontoons.

  One pontoon was being guarded by an armed guard carrying a Pindad SS2 assault rifle. When Jago went to walk onto the pontoon, the guard blocked his path.

  “Oh, is this a private pontoon?” asked Jago innocently.

  “No, it’s just busy at the moment. Please walk somewhere else, sir.”

  “Do we have a VIP or some other celebrity visiting us?”

  “I’m afraid that I can’t comment. Please leave the area, sir.”

  “Very well. I know when I’m not wanted.”

  Jago sauntered along the walkways, maintaining sight of the guarded pontoon. And then he saw a small man, olive skinned and with a receding hairline. He must have been about fifty years of age. He walked slowly and deliberately, as if he had purpose but was comfortable in his surroundings. He had two men with him – one, who judging by his demeanour and body language, may have been a personal assistant, and the other plainly a bodyguard. They were heading for the guest lounge.

  Jago slowly walked towards the lounge, maintaining a distance of around ten metres behind the bodyguard. The armed guard on the pontoon remained in his post, but moved a little closer to the seaplane.

  In the lounge, Fi was making informal observations of the guests, many of whom had flown in on the same aircraft as she and Jago. Many were young couples, presumably on their honeymoons, and others were more mature. She walked the length of the windows in the lounge, looking out at the arriving cars on one side and the seaplanes arriving and leaving on the other. She noticed that one such seaplane bore a familiar insignia. Jago had described it before, having seen it in the dark and at speed on the runway in Geraldton. Today, in the bright sun, the insignia was evidently a wine goblet with a bee on its rim, and it featured on the tail of the plane.

  Fi watched as a man entered the lounge with his slightly-built assistant and a bodyguard, who posted himself near the entrance. Jago entered shortly afterwards and met up with Fi. As he did so, he leaned over to her and pecked her on the cheek. He gently took her hand, and they spoke.

  “I’d like to find out who that man is who entered just before I did.”

  “I can tell you he flies in a plane with the same insignia as the one in Geraldton.”

  “Oh, does he now?”

  “Yes. You probably wouldn’t have seen the insignia on the tail from where you were, but from here it’s easier to spot. But why the bodyguard?”

  “Yes, why indeed. Let’s find out. What would you like to drink?”

  Fi picked up the drinks menu. “I think I’ll have tea, please.”

  “Milk and sugar, dear?”

  “No, just tea.”

  “Okay, one tea coming up.”

  Jago scanned the area for a member of staff and found the personal assistant from the pontoon placing an order at the bar. Jago went over and stood patiently next to him as the slim, apologetic-looking man waited for his order.

  “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it? I didn’t see you on our plane. Did you arrive earlier?”

  At first the man didn’t realise that Jago was speaking to him.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” said Jago.

  “No, no, it’s all right; I was miles away. What were you asking?”

  “I said I didn’t see you on our plane and asked if you arrived earlier?”

  “Oh, no, I work here. Not in this actual lounge, but here in the Maldives.”

  “Wow, you are one luck
y man. You get to see all of this beauty every day. How can I get a job like that? You don’t have any vacancies, do you?” Jago laughed and patted the man on the shoulder.

  The man replied in a low tone and was slightly serious. “That, my friend, would depend on your skill set. The people I work for are always looking out for more talent. They are very wealthy and innovative, and they have a conscience.”

  “Oh, I was only joking. I’m here for a holiday with my lovely wife, Fi. We work too hard – well, I do – and we needed a break. I’ve been here once before, diving, years ago, but it’s Fi’s first time.”

  “May I enquire what line of work you’re in?”

  “I shouldn’t really talk shop, as I’m on holiday, but Fi won’t hear me from over there. I’m in the security business.”

  “I see, alarms and suchlike.”

  “Hell no. We’re at the other end of the market. We provide contractors for large companies.” Lowering his voice, Jago continued, “And sometimes we even provide, shall we say, security specialists to governments. It pays well, but it sure racks up the air miles, and I get fed up living out of a suitcase in hotels. What about you? What’s your line of work?”

  “Oh, I’m Mr Marne’s assistant. He and his wife run several companies in everything from honey and wine to hotels and resorts, and distribution – you know, logistics, the boring but lucrative side of business. Do you have a card with you? I could place it before my employer in our next meeting. He’s always looking for preferred suppliers.”

  Jago reached inside his blazer pocket and fished out an ornate, gold-plated business-card holder. He handed the man his card.

  “It was nice chatting to you, Mr … err?”

  “Just call me Abbas.” He looked at Jago’s card. “Nice to meet you, Mr Jago.”

  “Jago is fine. Everyone calls me Jago. Now, I’d better order my wife’s drink or I may be in trouble.”

  Abbas left the bar and made his way to his employer. He sat next to him on the plush beige seating and they entered into a conversation. Jago watched them via a reflection in the wall-mounted drinks cooler, and saw Abbas pass Jago’s card to his employer. Jago’s drinks were served, and he picked up the tray and carried it over to Fi, who was now engaged in conversation with a couple.

  “Hello, darling, this is Fabio and Sofia. They’re honeymooning. They come from Sienna – you know, in Tuscany.”

  Jago looked puzzled.

  “Oh, darling, we had a job there two years ago. Don’t you remember?” asked Fi.

  Then it dawned on Jago, and he vividly remembered chasing a data thief across the rooftops of Sienna and being shot at in the circular plaza.

  “Yes, I remember now. I had some of the best views in all of Sienna on that job.” He turned to face the couple. “Hello, I’m Jago. It’s nice to meet you both. Are you staying long?”

  “Only a couple of weeks, and then we’re off to Hong Kong to see my sister. She’s a lawyer out there and we haven’t seen her for a while. She couldn’t come to our wedding, as she broke her leg and it’s still in a cast. We thought we’d surprise her and visit her instead,” said Fabio.

  “Isn’t that lovely, darling?” Fi said to Jago.

  “Sounds like a hell of a trip. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Hong Kong, but I really enjoyed myself when I was there.”

  Yusef arrived. “Mr and Mrs Jago, your seaplane awaits. Please come this way.”

  “Hi, Yusef. Can you give us ten to fifteen minutes, please? Our drinks have only just arrived.”

  “Certainly, sir. I shall wait for you both in the flight-safety briefing room.”

  Jago and Fi continued chatting to the Italian couple while finishing their drinks. It turned out that the couple were holidaying on an island close to Jago and Fi’s destination, and they made a loose plan to meet up sometime. Jago and Fi parted company with the Italians and headed for the exit. Jago, ever the gentleman, held the door for Fi, and Abbas appeared beside him.

  “Mr Jago, my employer would be very interested in meeting you at some point. We wouldn’t want to interrupt your holiday but if you did get the chance to visit his island home, I can assure you it would be worth it. It is indeed luxurious, with its own spa and swimming pool, and some of the best chefs in the world. So, your visit would not be a waste, and Mrs Jago would be sufficiently occupied while you both talked business. We shall call you tomorrow at six p.m. to find out if that is agreeable to you both.”

  “Why thank you, Abbas, that’s kind of you and your employer. What did you say his name was again?”

  “Mr Augustus Marne, sir.”

  “I shall have a chat with my wife and await your call. Thank you.”

  Jago followed Fi through the doorway and they walked towards the flight-safety briefing room to meet Yusef.

  “Well, that’s contact made. They will call us tomorrow at six to arrange a meeting.”

  “What, business on a holiday, whatever next?” Fi laughed. “And what am I expected to be doing while you’re at this meeting?”

  “As ever, I expect you to utilise your skills to the full.”

  Chapter 24

  Once aboard the aircraft, Yusef gave Fi and Jago a set of ear defenders, as the de Havilland seaplane was a noisy beast of a craft. Other than Jago and Fi, there were two other couples aboard, and Yusef.

  Yusuf leaned over to Jago. “I have requested that the pilot flies over a couple of places of interest to you. I shall let you know which one is which.”

  “Thank you, Yusef. I’m sure it will be most interesting.”

  The flip-flop-wearing pilots started the engine, and it was as noisy as Yusef had told them. Everyone put on their defenders as the plane manoeuvred for take-off. The take-off on water was much rougher than on land, but within a couple of minutes they were lifting off above the crystal waters below. The plane veered left, over a built-up area, and then over a turquoise bay full of lush yachts and fringed with white sandy beaches. There were many small, odd-shaped island paradises peppered around in the pristine ocean and an abundance of boats of all shapes and sizes dotted around them.

  Fi and Jago looked out of the window like real tourists.

  Yusef leaned over to them. “The islands are in fact the visible coral tips of an oceanic volcano mountain range,” he explained.

  Apart from the noise of the engines, the cabin was silent. None of the passengers uttered a word. They were too busy looking out onto the wondrous archipelago, with its varying degrees of blue, from deep marine blue to various shades of turquoise. White wakes of speedboats and motor yachts interrupted the clear waters and could easily be seen across the shimmering sea. As the flight continued, hotel resorts were visible on small islands, providing a paradise for guests, each one unique.

  About thirty minutes into the flight, Yusef tapped Jago on the arm. “You might find the next island on the right of interest, Mr Jago.”

  “What would be so interesting there, Yusef?”

  “An unknown buyer recently purchased the island. It has half a dozen properties and offers a high degree of privacy. Let’s just say there have been some interesting guests in the last few months. I thought you should know. And shortly, we will bank off to the left, passing an island of significant size and importance in the area.”

  “What makes it so important?”

  “Well, for starters, it is the residence of Mr and Mrs Marne, but also, it provides work for the local inhabitants. Although they do bring in staff from outside the Maldives. For example, they have French chefs, and they have private security contractors of, shall we say, dubious nationalities. As we fly close to the island – note, not over it, because they prohibit that – we can see that they guard all approaches, day and night.”

  “Yusef, you wouldn’t happen to have a map of the islands, would you?”

  Yusef reached into his haversack. “I thought this might be something you would ask for and I have prepared well. Here is a map of each island, complete with coordinates an
d travel distance from where you will be staying. I trust this meets your needs?”

  “I can see why Abi has used you for this job. She has chosen wisely,” said Jago, smiling and shaking Yusef’s hand.

  ***

  The aircraft landed with a few bumps and pulled up alongside a jetty, where a team of staff in all-white clothing eagerly awaited Jago, Fi and the other new guests.

  A softly spoken local man, wearing a white cotton shirt and trousers, flip-flops and a white hat featuring a couple of coloured bands, led the way to a golf cart. “I am Raul. Please come this way, Mr and Mrs Jago, and I will show you to your over-water villa.”

  Once aboard the cart, for the benefit of the driver Jago spoke with Fi as if they were on their holiday. During the short journey, they saw people taking part in water sports, riding bicycles and swimming. The tranquil resort didn’t appear overcrowded.

  “Where is everyone?” asked Fi.

  “We are full, madam. They designed the resort in such a way that you really don’t realise that so many people are here. It facilitates that idyllic feeling in the guests.”

  They’d only been in the cart with Raul for a few minutes when he pulled up. “Here we are. Your villa. Please enter, and I shall show you your accommodation before unpacking your luggage.”

  “By all means show us the facilities, but I would prefer to unpack myself,” said Jago.

  “But I am your personal butler for the duration of your stay. It is my duty.”

  “Really? Then there must be some mistake, because I didn’t expect a butler, and to be honest, as nice as that is, I don’t really want one. Please don’t take offence. We’re very independent people.”

  “Very well, sir. I shall show you your villa and place the luggage in your rooms for you. Please rest assured that if you require anything, you only have to ask. As I said previously, my name is Raul. Just pick up the telephone and state your request and I shall deal with it.”

  “Thank you, Raul. This won’t get you into trouble, will it?”

  “No, sir. It happens sometimes when the guests are not used to the service or, like you, are independent. I will not be reassigned and will remain on call, as always, throughout your stay.”