Jacob had sent his email to Lorraine, finished his array of sushi, and managed to introduce the virgin to its delights; even if it was in a more restrained manner. Andy had finished all of his smoked salmon with some enthusiasm, and was now updating his notes from his laptop to his phone.
‘Jacob, firstly thank you for the meal, and secondly I have found a reference to an old Chinese legend.’
‘What legend? And the meal, you are very welcome, next time you may be a little more adventurous?’
‘Perhaps, yes I will. The reference is to Yi an archer who had a magic bow with ten arrows.’
‘What did this Yi do with his ten arrows?’
‘Well according to my mother, he….’
But Andy did not finish his sentence; a mass of security ran past, leaflets from a nearby counter flung up in the air by their swift passage.
Archer had not been sitting long, when a familiar voice called out his name. He had no exit strategy, and no weapons, but then in a US airport Jones could not have any weapons either. Archer left his bags, pulled himself up, surprising the large gentleman settled in the next stall, he held his finger to his lips, ignoring the pungent updraft. Archer traversed the tops of the other empty stalls, carefully lowered himself into the last one, recently vacated, the seat down, unusually.
Jones was near the row of sinks, watching the stall area having checked the urinals already. He bent down, looking for tell-tale feet, and could only see the large trainers of the man in the second stall. The first stall next to it was locked, but no feet, that was his target. Moving quietly on the tiled floor, he crouched ready to kick in the door, heart racing. With one kick from his polished leather shoes destroyed the flimsy lock. He was unexpectedly greeted by a small suitcase and holdall. He yelled in rage and proceeded to kick down every door including the second stall, the large gentleman protesting until he saw the rage in Jones’ eyes.
Archer was waiting, and had moved over the edge of the stall into open space, not wanting to be enclosed when Jones reached it. Jones kicked open the last door and in the brief time it took him to realise his prey was absent, Archer hit him in the nose with a high kick, breaking it immediately, blood spurting out and down his tie. Jones reeled back falling against the sinks, to be hit with follow up blows to the chest, crotch neck and head, repeated kicks disorientating him. Jones slumped to the ground, his senses overloaded by the onslaught; Archer did not hesitate or desist. Jones was dragged into one of the stalls, a combination of adrenaline and training forcing Jones’ head into the toilet bowl. Archer hit the flush and held Jones while he spluttered and struggled. After the blue water had stopped flowing, he pulled Jones’ soaking head out.
‘Mr Jones, welcome to the United States, and thanks for your hospitality back home.’
‘What do you want Mathias!’
‘What no witty comment? I want you to leave me alone, but seeing as you refuse too, I will make it my mission to discover whatever Enzi is plotting and stop it.’
He pushed Jones’ head back into the bowl and flushed again, pulling the man up briefly.
‘Good night!’ He smashed Jones’ head into the bowl, cracking skull and porcelain.
Before security had arrived, Archer had washed his hands, collected his belongings changed his shirt and moved away from the restroom, leaving a wet, unconscious Jones to explain the damage.
Jones was led away by eight burly security men, protesting he had diplomatic immunity, which he did, but until they could verify it, he was considered a threat.
Archer left concourse E and headed for his departure gate F20.
‘Mr Chui Enzi to security please.’
Enzi was so surprised by being called over the public address system, he body slammed two men.
‘I am so sorry.’
‘No problem.’
The two men grabbed their bags and moved on.
Jacob was grateful the African gentleman had returned the bag that he had so carelessly knocked from his grip, but thought no more of it as Andy and he moved towards the departure gate C7.
Chui Enzi never liked having to deal with any foreign security service, but the US customs team were extremely polite and professional so he returned the courtesy.
He answered all their questions, provided them with all the relevant identity information and diplomatic passports. Then he collected a dishevelled Jones, arranging for the next available flight to Panama in two hours, having missed their connection due to Jones altercation with Archer.
Jones was quietly but sternly chastised by Enzi, and then they tried to discover which flight Archer had taken, but to no avail. Not wishing to draw more attention; they got onto the next flight out. The American Airlines Boeing 757 would deliver them to Panama City in under three hours, where Archer would be waiting.
FIFTEEN
Alexander Uncotto appreciated his surroundings as he entered the hotel lobby, the octagonal cream marble pillars directing his eyes to the ceiling. Of course he noticed the inlaid floor, a geometric pattern within a marble square, stairs leading off to the various areas of luxury. Unfortunately he had no time to indulge, and even in these secure elegant surroundings, business prevailed. Alexander Uncotto relaxed in his luxury suite, the full effect of the in-room spa treatment kept him calm. His personal aide knocked and entered the main room.
‘I have checked with security, each room has an empty room between them so countries cannot be accused of spying through the walls.’
‘I feel safer here than in my own country, is that wrong?’
‘You don’t have Archer Mathias here to protect you, is that the difference?’
‘I have spoken to Archer already; he has appraised me of a situation with Enzi that needs dealing with immediately.’
‘What situation?’
‘As you know I had tasked Enzi to follow up on this possible energy source for Mabalia. A solar technology, crystal based. He told me a contact in Russia had put him onto it. I did not ask for further information at the time. I wish I had.’
‘You trusted him, despite his reputation?’
‘Keep your enemies close. That was my thinking. However it seems that Enzi has usurped my trust in favour of financial gain.’
‘I can freeze all available funds to him and revoke his diplomatic status. You just have to tell me and I will arrange it.’
‘I think we must, whatever he is going to do next, I fear what reflection it will have on our country.
‘Forgive me for being so blunt, but you should never have trusted Enzi. I think the phrase they would use here is, “throw him to the wolves.”’
‘Excellent idea.’ Uncotto was staring out the window, ‘Have you seen this view, thirty two floors up, overlooking Central Park, amazing.’
‘Yes I have sir. We are most fortunate.’
‘Stop all the funds, and revoke his status. If he is doing work legitimately then he will contact me. If he does not then I will presume he has another sponsor and that will show me another path to take.’
Alexander looked over the immense city.
‘A lot of planning has gone into this sir; do you still want to use this speech? It may antagonise our hosts.’
‘That is not my intention. But I do want to provoke a response.’
‘Oh I think the wording will achieve that. I could have a friend look over the speech to modify it. He worked for one of the US senators, so he knows how to coerce an audience.’
‘I am sure he does, but like many other leaders have too, I do not want to dilute my message.’