The Collectors - Book Four: Diamonds and Sand (The Collectors Series 4) (14 page)

***

Andreas, a Greek of medium build with black tight curled hair, turned, his eyes bright beneath his dark-rimmed glasses as Petros strolled into his bistro.

“How are things?
” Petros asked.

“
Good. Coffee?”

Petros nodded.

“Couldn’t be better with what I make here and factoring yours and Bear’s properties I’m doing okay. And you?” Andreas placed the freshly brewed coffee on the counter.

“Busy at the moment.
” He smiled. “Congratulations. I gather Phoebe will be changing her name to Mrs Agapi.”

His face lit up.
“You’d better believe it. Sadly, her mother died a few months back.”

“Sorry,
no one told us.”

“Phoebe
suffered the same problem. While shopping she bumped into someone who told her.

“Change of subject, keep
the 3
rd
of November free. It’s going to be a Greek Orthodox wedding at St Sophia’s Cathedral in Bayswater. Then back here for feasting and dancing. By the way, there’s a little problem. Phoebe’s father is long gone and I told her I’d ask you. Will you escort her down the aisle?”

“
My pleasure.” He sipped his coffee. “This is as good as ever. I assume one of your brothers is best man. Have you a wedding list? Maria wants to buy you both something.”

“
A list, no, neither of us considered it appropriate but there will be the traditional money dance at the reception. Pin an envelope to her dress.”

“If that’s what you want
, no problem. If you need any help with anything, shout.” He laughed. “Maria’s not doing much these days.”

“
Just be there. After all, I do have you to thank for saving her life.”

“
Bear saved her life when he dived into the water. I simply steered my boat.” He finished his coffee. “Must dash. Mama and Jack are coming for dinner and I promised not to be late. What do I owe you for the coffee?”

“On the house
as always. I’ll ring you and confirm everything closer to the date.”

Petros  waved as he left.

Chapter
Eleven

“It’s a simple matter of keeping your eye on the ball,”
said Charles Haskell. “Not surprised Chad was a no-go. Where next?”

“
Libya,” said Bear.

“Bit of u
nrest in that region but my contacts stay active. One thousand dollars US a day not withstanding any extras.”

“Bit pric
ey but beggars... I need someone to get me, plus Akeem if he wants to come, to Waw al Kabir. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”

Charles nodded. “I know
the place. Did a deal with a few rebel groups. Well NATO wasn’t forthcoming. So I decided to help, at a price of course, to rid Libya of Gaddafi.”

“Don’t want to know
, Charles. Your best man in Libya. Does he have a name?”

“
Yes. Wait, I’ll try and contact him now.” He pressed the screen on his I-phone and waited. In Arabic he said, “Peace be upon you, Amadou. I have a friend who needs assistance.”

“
A friend of yours is indeed a friend of mine. How can I help?”

Charles
explained that two groups were planned to arrive independent of each other. The latter joining a few days later.

“
Two parties at separate times. No problem.”

“I
f possible,” said Charles, “I need my friends transferred to Waw al Kabir and when their work is complete, returned to England.”

“My country has
problems but leave it with me and I will get back.  Are your friends prepared to pay for any favours I may ask?”

“You have my word
, Amadou, your expenses will be met.”

“Your word is
good.” The conversation ended.

“Yes or no?
” said Bear.

“P
erhaps is a good word. Give me your shopping list.”

Bear handed over a
detailed file of requirements.

Charles called Akeem to his office
. The three of them discussed the various options available before agreeing.

“How much do I owe you
, Charles?”

“
Five will cover my fee but add at least ten more for flights and desert vehicles with full equipment. Don’t forget you must have US dollars to give to Amadou if he comes through.”

“T
he cash will be available when we next talk.”

“Bear, I trust you but then you know
the score if you try and cheat.”

“I do
.”

***

Charles and Bear arranged to meet at Joanna’s, a restaurant situated between Inverness Terrace and Queensborough Terrace, Bayswater. A medium-sized establishment with glistening white tablecloths, gleaming silverware and sparkling chandeliers.

Charles sat at a table near the back wall. Bear arrived five minutes later
, dressed informally, with a buff folder in his hand. This he placed on the table.

“Long time since I was here, Charles.”

“It’s by invitation and as you’re well aware, the safest place in town to talk. I took the liberty to order you a T-bone rare with all the trimmings and an extra side order of chips. I know you love your food.”

“Thanks. I could murder a
chilled Guinness.”

“
They’re on their way.”

Bear looked up as Frank
, a co-owner hovered by his side. “Your drinks, gentlemen. Jo is preparing your main course as we speak. He has a moody on but I’ll kick his tight arse if he spoils your T-bone steaks. Selected them myself from that cheeky butcher on the Bayswater Road. I think he fancies me.”

Charles glared at
Frank who shut up and sidled away muttering, “Must be time of the month.”

“Not for me,” said Bear.

“I’m given to understand he’s a
tiger in the bedroom.”

“Maybe so. I’m he
re to discuss the job in hand.”

“Good, let’s get down to business.
Amadou made contact yesterday. You’ll need to book your flight to Benghazi. Don’t, under any circumstances, leave the terminal. For eight thousand dollars, he will meet and go with you on a private plane to Waw al Kabir. Your transport and any other requirements he will arrange. I suggest you take him with you on your trip as he speaks the local dialect.”

“Not the cheapest of options but you trust him and that’s good enough for me.
”

“Almost forgot,” said Charles, “t
hose rags Akeem brought back from Chad, you’re to wear them at War al Kabir. Amadou suggests, with tribal conflicts flaring like wild fires, it will help. Oh, they’ve been washed twice. Might not make them look better but the crap that splashed around inside my washing machine blocked the pump filter. And don’t worry, the second wash was in plain water. Desert Arabs do not smell of Persil.”

Frank appeared
, balancing their order between his hands and elbows. “Rare, is that yours, big man?”

Bear nodded. The oval platter covered by one steak
rested on the table.

“Well done for you
, dear?”

Charles said nothing as Frank positioned the platter and in the
centre of the table a choice of wild mushrooms, plum tomatoes, garden peas, and a platter overflowing with golden crisp chips.

“Bon appetite
, boys and girls,” said Frank as he strolled away.

“Eat and enjoy, Bear.”

Bear shoved a large hunk of steak into his mouth. “Perfect.”

“It always is,” said Charles
, “and you’re paying.”

“There’s always a catch.
” From the folder he removed an envelope. “One bank draft for five grand, don’t lose it.”

Charles
placed it in his wallet. “I’ll cash this before you leave to guarantee my money.”

“Why, frightened we might not come back?”

“In this life and with your job it’s a possibility.”

***

Petros strolled across Charing Cross hospital car park on completion of his inoculations for Libya. There was no turning back, he told himself. He leant against his BMW and contacted Bear.

“Yes.”

“How’s the plan?”

“Leave tomorrow for
Benghazi. My sat phones charged so I’ll text you instructions. By the way, there’s another man on the team. Amadou, a Libyan. Charles assures me he’s the man for the job but watch what you say, he might get greedy. Two bodies in the desert might not be unusual at the moment.”

“Make sure Akeem watches you
r back.”

“Don’t worry
, PK. I intend to arrive home in one piece. Whatever you do don’t tell Evil Eva anything.”

“No intention. If she doesn’t like it she can return to Berlin.”

“
Must go. Taking Jocelyn out for a meal.”

“Give her my love.”

“Will do.” The call ended.

Chapter Twelve

For the entire flight from Heathrow to Benghazi Bear slept. A flight attendant woke him five minutes before the plane began its final approach.

Akeem
, seated at the rear, made no attempt at communication or recognition. Peace in Libya existed if you believed, he did not.

Customs officers
took their time asking Bear why he was visiting Libya. He told them he wanted to photograph the exotic volcano at Waw an Namus in moonlight.     

“Mosquitoes in the wilderness love fresh blood,” said one in English. Another searchi
ng his bag said something in Arabic, and laughed.

Akeem
showed his passport, waited for the official stamp and strolled through unhindered. He stopped and leant against a wall behind a dust-covered display of fake palms and waited.

Bear positioned himself on the other side. “What now?”

“We wait. Do you know Amadou?”

“No
, but Charles emailed your mug shot.”

The voice
with a slight northern English accent came without warning. “Comfortable flight, Mr Morris?” A short, thin man wearing a laundered khaki uniform with no rank badges stood less than five metres in front of them.

“Amadou?
”

He nodded and shook Bear’s
hand.

You come
well recommended,” said Bear.

Charles and I go way back. He trusts me as I him.
I understand the price of failure.”

Akeem joined them from behind the trees. “I’ll stroll along behind.”

“Come, let’s walk.”

Together the three men traipsed through the
terminal, through a door marked
No Entry
and onto the concrete aircraft stands.

“Your transport is in the hanger with a large hole in the roof.” He chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” said Bear.

“A soldier
, while being shown how to use a grenade launcher, made the hole. The roof collapsed and killed him. I think that’s funny,” said Amadou. “You have my money?”

Bear reached into his inside jacket pocket
and removed two sealed packets. “Charles said a thousand dollars a day and I reckon six days at most for this job. The other is an eight-thousand dollar thank you for arranging everything. Payment in full, unless it goes pear-shaped.”

“W
hat?