“And what is it you require of me?”
“I want to know if Asquith is still on the payroll of MI5. And if he is, who is running him, and for what purpose. Also, why has Simon Digby slapped a restriction on the late Lord’s file?”
“Leave it with me, Edward.”
“But of course, Sir Lucius.”
“Oh, and by the way. How’s Dillon, behaving himself, I hope?”
“You know what he’s like, Sir Lucius. As belligerent and capricious as ever. But he’s keeping it very professional.”
“Good, because we don’t want him starting a small war down there, do we. Good day, Edward.”
“Good bye, Sir Lucius.” LJ broke the connection and went and stood next to Dillon in the open doorway.
“Tell me something?” Dillon asked. “You being here. It was planned, wasn’t it?”
“What of it?” LJ replied, and then swigged back the last of his drink.
“You’ve known for some time that it was Asquith who was up to no good, haven’t you?”
“On reflection, I shouldn’t have involved Asquith at all. But with the mystery surrounding this Spear of Destiny. I had to have it confirmed by an expert. Unfortunately, he’s the foremost authority on the subject. Just like his father was all those years ago.” LJ paced around the living room, his hands firmly placed behind his back as he spoke. “I saw the look of shock in his eyes, you see. It was the very mention of the spear, well it simply made him break out in a sweat, couldn’t help but notice. But the clincher came when I told him about the U-boat. That’s when I knew I’d touched on something. I just didn’t have any proof.”
“Surely it was more than just a look in his eye that made you suspicious?”
“Process of elimination, old son. After all, who knows about this affair? Nathan Cunningham, Annabelle, myself, Guy Roberts and Vince Sharp, you of course, and Sir Lucius Stagg and the Partners. It could have been any one of you. But why? As Hercule Poirot would have said, there is no why, because none of you have a motive.”
“Which only leaves Asquith?”
“Asquith, and one other, old son.”
“So who is the other person?” Dillon asked.
“Haven’t got a clue, old son. But, that’s what I’ve got Guy Roberts looking into. If anyone can find out, it’s that young man. He’s got a nose like a ferret, that one. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Jake. I’m going to take a walk down to the harbour, and see if Chapman’s boat has been towed in yet.”
“Good idea. Vince and I will walk down with you. He wants to run a check through the power cruisers electrics and engine management systems.” LJ raised an eyebrow, and Dillon added, “Just in case our friend Malakoff has sent his goon to tinker with it.”
“Oh, I see. Well we can’t be too careful, Jake.”
“That’s what we thought. Anyway, once we’ve done that, I’ll drive across to the airport and collect Annabelle.” Dillon said, as he slammed the front door to the Fisherman’s Lodge, and walked with the others down the narrow lane towards Bonne Nuit Harbour.
Chapter Thirteen
That afternoon Malakoff went for swim in Gifford Bay, then sitting on the stern deck of the Solitaire, had coffee and sweet almond cakes while he enjoyed the sunshine. Kurt stood in the shade of the awning, just behind his employer. He remained perfectly still, waiting in silence.
“I’m still curious as to exactly what it was, you overlooked Kurt? After all, it’s unlike you to be so careless.”
“I was very thorough, Mien Herr.”
“So you say.” Malakoff said initially.
“I am a professional, I did exactly what was required, Mien Herr. You must know this?”
At that moment Captain Armand came around the corner on the starboard side. “I’ve just received a call from our contact in Bonne Nuit, Monsieur. It would seem that Chapman’s dive boat has just been towed in to harbour by one of the local fishermen. They’re saying it exploded about one mile off shore, and then capsized. Unfortunately, Monsieur. Nobody was hurt, not even a scratch on any of them.”
“Damn those swine to hell!” Kurt spat out the words angrily.
“Have no doubt, gentlemen, they’ll see it soon enough.” Malakoff stood up, went to the side rail and stared out to sea. After a brief moment he returned to where he’d been sitting, picked up his coffee cup and was about to take a sip, when he changed his mind, and said to Armand. “The Cunningham girl is flying back to the island on the five fifty-five flight. Is this still the case, Captain?”
“Yes, Monsieur. That is correct.”
“Good. Well in that case, Kurt. I want you and Pierre to go to the airport.” Malakoff took a sip of his coffee.
“Are we to bring her back to you, Mien Herr?”
“No. It would be far too dangerous, and quite unnecessary. Simply find out what it is she knows, and then get rid of her. Permanently.”
Kurt smiled, stood to attention, and said, “I will not let you down, Mien Herr,” he then turned and left.
Armand stood waiting patiently for his orders while Malakoff poured himself another cup of coffee.
“We’ll remain at anchor here in Gifford Bay, Captain. But ensure that we’re ready for sea at a moment’s notice.”
“Yes, Monsieur.”
Malakoff nodded. “We may have to leave in a hurry. But then again we may not. I’m not sure; it depends on how Kurt and Pierre get on with the girl. In the meantime I’d like you to get hold of Lord Asquith for me. Put him through to this phone, the moment you are able to locate him.”
Oliver Asquith was handed the note by one of his assistants. He casually glanced down at it, and then immediately went back to addressing the British Museum’s funding committee about his forthcoming expedition to Jordan.
Five minutes later, Asquith was speaking to Malakoff from his mobile phone.
“Hugo, I hope you’ve got good news for me?”
“My dear Oliver, it’s good of you to call me back. How are you my old friend?”
“Harassed to hell, and then back again, thank you for asking.”
There was a pause and then Malakoff said, “We’ve found Albert Bishop. What a helpful fellow he was, quite remarkable to have such a sharp mind at his age. Remembered all sorts of interesting facts about his parents, and how they looked after your father, and his Nazi friends during the war years.”
“Well that’s the end of it then, isn’t it? I’m done for.” Asquith blurted out.
Malakoff, knew that there was no point in trying to placate Asquith, and said, “My dear Oliver, there is a time and a place for melodramatics, and this isn’t it. Had you let me finish, I was just about to tell you that the old man accidentally fell down the stairs in the dark, and broke his neck. One hopes that it was a quick death, and that he’s gone to a far better place.”
“Dead?”
“Yes, Oliver, dead. Which is extremely lucky for you, given the situation.”
“It was that thug of yours, Kurt, wasn’t it?”
“You really shouldn’t be so quick to point the finger, Oliver. After all, that thug of mine has done you an immense favour. Although, I’m afraid that the old man’s demise came too late. You see, he’d already told everything he knew to one of Levenson-Jones’ people, before Kurt helped him on his way. It’s unfortunate that, but not a complete disaster.”
“LJ knows?” Asquith felt as if all the blood in his body had drained out of him, and he slumped down in to a nearby chair. “About my father and Hienrich Himmler?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“But what are we going to do, Hugo?”
“Do, Oliver? You and I are going to do nothing, except carry on as normal, with our daily business.”
“But, we have to do something, Hugo. They’re going to ruin me, and possibly you as well in the process.”