The Curious Case of the Missing Head

by Gabriel Farago

  ‘Thanks for telling me all this,’ said Jack.

  Teodora shrugged. ‘Good luck, Jack,’ she said and hurried out of the room.

  After the Coatilcue had left Tangier and it was getting dark, Jack knocked on the door of the cabin next to his. No-one came, so he tried the third cabin.

  ‘Come in,’ said a deep voice inside. Jack opened the door – and gasped.

  A man was sitting motionless in a wheelchair facing the door. His eyes were closed and his shaved head seemed to be held up and supported by a strange-looking brace resting on his shoulders. A number of coloured tubes were protruding from his bare chest, and from his mouth and arms were more tubes, all connected to a machine positioned behind the wheelchair, its blinking lights like strange eyes, watching.

  A tall African man stood next to the wheelchair. He walked over to Jack and extended his hand. ‘I’m Doctor Agabe. I’ve been expecting you.’ The man pointed to the wheelchair. ‘This is Professor Stolzfus. He’s in better shape than he looks.’

  Over the next hour, Agabe, a well-spoken, highly intelligent man in his late thirties, gave Jack a step-by-step account of the groundbreaking operation performed by Fabry and his team that had made history, and had saved Stolzfus’s life and given him a new body.

  ‘Fabry’s dead, you know,’ said Jack.

  Agabe nodded. ‘I know.’

  ‘You know how he died?’

  ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘Does that bother you?’

  ‘Fabry was a difficult, complex man. An evil genius totally devoid of morality or feeling for others, who used and disposed of people, like you or I would dispose of a paper towel. Does that answer your question?’

  ‘I suppose it does.’

  ‘As we are about to spend quite some time in here together before we reach Bogota, I think we should get to know each other a little. Do you play chess?’ asked Agabe.

  ‘I do,’ said Jack, taking an immediate liking to the doctor. He pointed to Stolzfus. ‘How long before he comes out of the coma, do you think?’

  The doctor shrugged. ‘We don’t really know. Could be any time. He’s in remarkably good shape, considering what has happened to him and what he’s been through.’

  ‘Fancy a game?’ said Jack.

  ‘Why not? It’s going to be a long eight days.’

  39

  4 July, early morning

  After the discovery of Fabry’s mutilated body and the absence of the captain of the Caritas and most of the officers and crew on leave, which made questioning them impossible, enquiries in Malta had hit a dead end. Cesaria and Andersen returned to Florence with Tristan to continue their investigation, as Fabry’s murder was now a matter for the Maltese authorities. Although clearly connected to the Stolzfus case, the situation didn’t allow further involvement by Cesaria and the Squadra Mobile at that stage.

  With the recovery of Stolzfus’s headless corpse, and now Jack’s abduction as an added complication, the case was quickly spinning out of control and turning into an international embarrassment, especially for the CIA and MI5. Another explosive article in the New York Times hadn’t helped either and had put Andersen under considerable pressure. Washington was demanding answers.

  Andersen realised it was time to think outside the square. Cesaria and the major decided to split the enquiry into two parts. Cesaria would remain in Florence with Tristan, work on the Mafia connection and keep the Giordano villa under surveillance in the hope that the Centenario would lead them to Teodora. Andersen wanted to follow up the Nike lead provided by the cryptic inscription discovered by Tristan on the Caritas. When Cesaria asked Andersen how she intended to do that, Andersen replied, ‘It’s time to ask a friend for help.’

  The US Sixth Fleet was under the command of Vice Admiral Laura Fratelli. Andersen and Fratelli had served together for several years on aircraft carriers before going their separate ways to advance their careers. Both were crack pilots with extensive combat experience and had remained close friends. The Sixth Fleet was based in Naples at the Naval Support Activity Naples (NSA Naples), a US military complex near the airport, and Andersen went there to see her friend. But before doing so, she had asked her superiors in Washington to contact the vice admiral and prepare the way.

  ‘So, what can I do for you?’ asked Fratelli, who was both surprised and delighted to see Andersen.

  ‘You have read the articles in the New York Times about Stolzfus and Rogan, I suppose?’

  ‘Of course. Who hasn’t? Everyone’s talking about it here. I’ve also had a long conversation with the secretary of state, and the director of the CIA. Your case is certainly going right to the top and making considerable waves in Washington.’

  ‘For all the wrong reasons, I’m afraid. National interests are at stake here and more importantly perhaps, the reputation of the United States,’ said Andersen. ‘I was again reminded of this by my boss just the other day.’

  Fratelli nodded, well aware of the pressure her friend was under. ‘So, tell me what you’ve got in mind and how I can help. According to my instructions, the entire fleet is at your disposal,’ joked Fratelli.

  ‘As you know, we’ve just recently recovered Stolzfus’s body. The head was missing. Quite bizarre really, and distressing for his sister who had to identify the body and is about to take it back to the States for burial. Without question, there’s a strong Mafia link here, but a lot of information is still missing, especially a motive, which is of serious concern. And it all began with the Nike, a luxury motor cruiser belonging to the Giordanos, a Mafia family in Florence. There are still many gaps in this enquiry and we have a long way to go, but it is in connection with that vessel that I need your help. It’s our strongest lead at the moment.’

  The next day, Andersen was helicoptered on board the USS Intrepid, a frigate operating in the busy Strait of Gibraltar. Naval Intelligence mobilised by Fratelli in Malta and all the major ports in the Mediterranean had established that the Nike had left the Port of Tangier and had passed through the Strait, travelling east. It was assumed she was on her way back to Monaco. Unfortunately, the information was sketchy as the agents had picked up the trail just after the Nike had left Tangier the night before. It was therefore impossible to tell who was on board or what they had been doing in Tangier during the few short hours Nike had spent in the harbour.

  Captain Tom Roberts, Commander, Task Force 65 welcomed Andersen on the bridge of the USS Intrepid, and gave her a briefing.

  ‘The Nike left the Port of Tangier during the night and is travelling towards us,’ he said and pointed to a blip on the radar screen. ‘Right here. I have received orders to intercept and search the Nike. This will happen in about two hours – right here. The reason for this is straightforward: based on recent intelligence, we have reason to believe that three terrorists are on board.’

  ‘Terrorists?’ said Andersen.

  ‘Yes. Two men and a woman who were very likely responsible for the murder of the American Ambassador and his family in Turkey a few years ago. And I understand they may also be wanted in connection with the abduction and murder of Professor Stolzfus, and the more recent abduction of Mr Rogan. And that’s where you come in. I understand you have means to identify the suspects?’

  ‘I do.’ Andersen reached into her briefcase and pulled out three photographs. ‘These photos are enlargements extracted from body camera footage obtained by the Ministry of Defence Police during a search of the Nike just outside Portsmouth on June fifteen. These are the suspects we are looking for,’ she said and showed the photos to the captain. They were close-ups of three faces: those of Teodora, Silvanus and Aladdin. ‘If they are on board, it would be a major coup, because we have DNA evidence available from the Turkish murder scene that should allow us to make a positive identification and link them to that crime.’

  ‘And the Stolzfus matter?’

  ‘Circumstantial at this stage. But if Rogan’s on board, that would certainly help because I can of course identify hi
m easily and he would tie the suspects to Stolzfus as well. I was with Rogan only a few days ago.’

  ‘But building a case would take some time?’

  ‘Yes, it would. It’s all very complicated at the moment, with several countries and law enforcement agencies involved, all baying for blood. You could call it a legal minefield wrapped in a diplomatic nightmare.’

  The captain smiled. ‘I’ve been tiptoeing around those for years.’

  ‘So, what will happen to them if they are in fact on board the Nike and apprehended?’

  ‘They will be detained and taken back to Naples for interrogation and the Nike will be escorted back to our base and the crew questioned. Those are my orders. We have the necessary authority to do that as part of our operations here in the Mediterranean.’

  ‘Excellent, Captain. We need a breakthrough – desperately.’

  ‘Let’s hope I can provide you with one.’

  Silvanus and Aladdin sat in the saloon of the Nike, drinking Scotch. It was four in the morning, but neither could sleep. The turbulent events of the past forty-eight hours saw to that.

  Silvanus looked at his brother and lifted his glass. ‘We’ve done it! Cheers.’

  ‘Have we? At what cost? And it’s not over yet.’

  ‘Come on … don’t look so gloomy.’

  ‘Nadia’s dead, and we’ve taken risks lately we have never taken before. We’ve done things on the run. Foolish and reckless things …’

  ‘No choice, and you know it.’

  ‘Perhaps … I don’t think Teodora should have gone by plane.’

  ‘I agree, but would you have been able to stop her?’

  Aladdin shook his head.

  Just before the Nike left Tangier, Teodora received a phone call from her housekeeper in Como. Izabel had had a nasty fall on the slippery rocks just below Villa Rosa. She had broken a leg and almost drowned. She was in hospital in Como in a stable condition. Distressed and in a panic, which was totally out of character, Teodora had rushed to the airport to arrange a flight back to Italy instead of remaining on the Nike and taking the much safer but slower route back to Monaco. Airports were dangerous places for people like Teodora, especially at a time like this, and she knew it. All of Silvanus’s pleading and reminding her of this had fallen on deaf ears. Teodora had made up her mind and nothing he could say would change it. But she assured him she would be careful.

  As usual, there was a lot of traffic in the Strait that morning and Giacomo kept a close eye on the vessels passing by. One in particular caught his attention, a US Navy frigate that appeared to have been trailing him for some time. Why is he coming so close? thought Giacomo. He changed course slightly and accelerated. That’s when the frigate closed in.

  ‘What’s that?’ asked Aladdin, pointing to the bright light illuminating the deck. He put down his glass and went outside. Silvanus did the same. Blinded by the powerful searchlights trained on them from above like the accusing fingers of some giant, Silvanus and Aladdin shielded their eyes.

  ‘Stay where you are and put up your hands!’ boomed a voice through loudspeakers from above. Squinting through his fingers, Silvanus could see the grey bulk of the frigate towering above him only a few metres away. Moments later, heavily armed marines swarmed on deck.

  ‘Down on the floor with your hands behind your head where I can see them!’ shouted one of them.

  Silvanus and Aladdin did as they were told.

  Accompanied by two armed officers, Andersen went up to the bridge first to talk to the captain. Giacomo went through his usual routine of being on a charter trip and produced his logs and papers. After that, Andersen went down into the saloon to talk to Silvanus and Aladdin, who were waiting for her there under guard.

  ‘Can you tell me where you both were on June fifteen?’ asked Andersen, carefully watching Silvanus and Aladdin.

  Silvanus shot Aladdin a meaningful look and took his time before replying. ‘Let me see …’ he began. ‘My brother and I were at home at my place in Milan, planning this trip.’

  ‘Milan, you say …’ said Andersen. She opened her briefcase, took out the three photos she had shown the captain earlier, and put them on the table in front of Silvanus. Silvanus looked at the photos and his heart skipped a beat.

  ‘These were taken by the Ministry of Defence Police on June fifteen on this very vessel just outside Portsmouth,’ continued Andersen. ‘Unless you have found a way to be in two places a thousand miles apart at the same time, you have some explaining to do, don’t you think? Would you like to start now?’

  ‘We have nothing to say!’ barked Silvanus, realising they were in deep trouble. ‘Not without our lawyer!’

  ‘That may have to wait a while because you are being detained under special terrorism legislation where the rules are quite different.’ Andersen paused to let this sink in. ‘With that in mind,’ she continued, speaking more softly, ‘I would like to talk to you about the abduction and murder of Professor Stolzfus, and the more recent murder of Professor Fabry and the abduction of Jack Rogan. Where is Jack Rogan?’

  ‘I don’t know what you are talking about!’ said Silvanus.

  ‘And then there are others who are anxious to talk to you about the murder of the American ambassador and his family in Istanbul, and assassinations in Cairo and Tel Aviv,’ continued Andersen, undeterred. ‘In fact, there’s quite a list of interested parties who want to talk to you. But there will be plenty of time for all of this because from now on, gentlemen, yours is a world behind bars. The only question will be in whose prison you will be spending the rest of your lives. Now then, how about we start again? A little cooperation could go a long way. I’m sure you know what I mean ...’

  40

  On the way back to Como: 4 July

  After watching the Coatilcue leave Tangier, Teodora went straight to Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport to arrange her flight. She decided against flying directly into Florence to collect her car and opted instead to fly to Rome and catch the train to Florence from there. While this would take longer, it was safer by far. Teodora realised it was high time to go to ground as soon as she got back to Villa Rosa. Elaborate plans to do that were in place at all times, and she knew Silvanus and Aladdin would do the same as soon as they arrived in Monaco. They had their own safe house in Corsica. It was what they had done after every assignment, especially one this risky.

  All of Teodora’s finely honed instincts told her that collecting her car and going back to Como could be a costly mistake, but Izabel’s accident and her feelings for her had discarded caution and Teodora decided to take the risk. But in order to be able to do that, she needed Alessandro’s help. There were no direct flights from Tangier to Rome. The only connection was via Madrid, with several hours between flights.

  Teodora had called Alessandro to prepare the way.

  ‘Where are you?’ asked Alessandro.

  ‘Madrid. Waiting for my flight to Rome.’

  ‘How come?’

  ‘I want to collect my car and go back to Como, just for a brief visit.’

  ‘Isn’t that risky? With all that’s been going on?’

  ‘It is, but I have to do this.’

  ‘Malta’s blown up big time,’ said Alessandro.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Fabry’s body has been found, of course, and his clinic taken apart. Whole filing cabinets have been taken away. This is a big operation involving security services from various countries. We know the Americans are part of it. As you can imagine, they are throwing everything at this.’

  ‘We expected that,’ said Teodora calmly.

  ‘Sure, but not on this scale, and not so soon. Our contacts in Malta are running scared and the Squadra Mobile here in Florence is on the move and turning up the heat. You must be careful.’

  ‘Hardly surprising, but this will settle down as long as we don’t lose our cool. I need your help.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘The car.’

  ‘Wha
t have you in mind?’

  ‘I’ll tell you; listen.’

  As soon as she arrived in Rome, Teodora began to work on her disguise. First she bought a wig, a small backpack, and a large pair of sunglasses. Then she changed her clothing to jeans, tee-shirt and sneakers. Looking like one of the myriad tourists flocking into Rome during the summer, Teodora caught the train to Florence.

  Feeling relaxed and quite safe for the first time since leaving Tangier – airports were notoriously dangerous places for someone like her – Teodora left the train station and walked across to the large public car park nearby. With thousands of tourists arriving it was bedlam as usual, but Teodora blended in perfectly and there was safety in numbers. She had called Alessandro earlier and told him the arrival time of the train she was on. He assured her that everything had been arranged exactly as she had requested.

  Cesaria was in Grimaldi’s office, briefing the chief prosecutor on the latest developments, when her phone rang. It was the surveillance team watching the Giordano villa. After a short conversation Cesaria slipped the phone back into her pocket, and smiled.

  ‘You look like the proverbial cat who has just discovered the cream bowl,’ said Grimaldi.

  ‘Teodora’s car has just left the Giordano compound.’

  ‘Do we know who’s driving?’

  ‘One of the bodyguards.’

  ‘Interesting. You’d better go.’

  ‘Where’s he going?’ asked Cesaria, as she hurried back to her office with her phone pressed against her ear.

  ‘He just entered a car park near the train station,’ said the officer in the surveillance car.

  ‘You are not to approach. Is that clear? I will get there as soon as I can.’

  ‘Understood.’

  Cesaria arrived at the station a short time later and linked up with the surveillance team. ‘What’s happening?’