“Yes, but Oliver, you must remember that they would have been extremely careful, keeping everyone including personal staff at a distance. After all it was because of your father’s collaboration that enables you to enjoy your exotic, and very expensive life style that you have today.” Malakoff offered. It was a statement that did not require an answer. “And, I can assume that there is no problem with the regular payments, that are made to you through the numbered account in Jersey?”
“Of course not. But what if someone started snooping around?”
“Why should they? Nobody knows that your father was involved with the tunnel project. As for the money I deposit with you, well that’s an arrangement that only you and I know anything about. In fact if anyone did investigate you Oliver, they would not find any link between us, at all.
Like my father, I’m also very careful.”
“But there must be servants who are still alive who could link the two men, and then who knows, where it would lead?”
“Oliver, that was a long time ago. I admit, that there is a slim possibility that someone may remember the two men meeting. But I very much doubt it.”
“Yes I’m sure you’re right Hugo. But there is still a real chance that someone would remember if prompted.
Then it would be a simple case for an investigator to put two and two together. You know what these types are like. They dig and dig, until they find whatever it is they’re looking for.”
“Look if it will make you feel happier, I’ll have my people check the records of all servants who were in the employ of both men from nineteen thirty-three to nineteen forty-five. If we find that anyone is still alive, we’ll simply have him or her eliminated from the equation.” “You can arrange that?” Asquith said aghast. “Yes Oliver, I can arrange that, and much more.”
Malakoff said soberly.
“Now tell me, this Edward Levenson-Jones, what’s his address in London?”
“Belgrave Mews, but Levenson-Jones is a compulsive workaholic. There’s only one place you need look for him, and that’s Ferran & Cardini International. They have one of those buildings in Docklands, you know the type all steel and glass, that sort of thing?”
“As you wish, Oliver, but I think it prudent to check his home. I’ll get someone to pay him a visit, because if we can retrieve that briefcase, we’ll be able to stop this whole messy affair from ever getting out. Although, I’m sure that by now it will be securely inside a safe under lock and key.” “They’ll be discreet, your people?” Asquith said.
“That is to say, we don’t want this thing to blow up in our faces. And that’s exactly what will happen if LevensonJones becomes suspicious or finds out that your chaps are snooping around?”
“Oliver, let me explain something to you. If we don’t get in first on this thing, then we will both be ruined. The hounds of the establishment will chase us both into noman’s land. I will not let that happen, Oliver. I’ll instruct my people in London to check out Mr Edward LevensonJones, and I’ll also have his mobile phone calls intercepted along with his private and business lines. I also feel that one of my people should visit the hospital where Cunningham is. They may be able to find out what his condition is, and whether or not he’s going to ever come out of this coma?” “And then what?”
Malakoff’s eyes glinted in the late afternoon sunshine, and he gave the Englishman a wry smile before saying. “Why, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens, Oliver. Let’s hope that by watching and listening we learn the whereabouts of the underwater cavern, and are able to get to it before they do, or else we will have to resort to other more severe methods.”
Asquith felt the blood drain from his face, and his legs become weak. “Look, Hugo, there’s to be no rough stuff with Levenson-Jones or the girl, is that understood?” “My dear Oliver, what a pathetic little man you are sometimes.” Malakoff turned, and walked off quickly up the path towards the terrace. Calling back over his shoulder as he went. “I will see you in the oak room at eight o’clock for drinks before dinner. At which time we will continue this discussion. That is, after you have had time to reflect on the consequences of failure.”
In London, Edward Levenson-Jones had just arrived at the opulent home of the firm’s benefactor, Sir Lucius Stagg. LJ was shown in to the study, where the former British Prime Minister was sitting behind his highly polished desk. Looking up slowly from the papers he’d been reading, he eventually said. “Is Commander Cunningham going to pull through?”
“The consultant in charge of Nathan Cunningham, won’t comment, sir. All that he is prepared to say is that the odds of him coming out of the coma, are at best fifty, fifty.”
“Which is another way of saying that he hasn’t got a bloody clue.”
“Yes I agree. I’ve pulled in a favour from the Chief Constable. There’s an armed police officer stationed outside of his room twenty four hours a day.”
“Good, and what of his daughter. Has she arrived yet?”
“She’s on a British Airways flight, landing at Gatwick,” LJ glanced at his gold Rolex that his wife had given him for his birthday. “In approximately twenty-five minutes time in fact.”
“You’ve sent a car to collect her?”
“Yes, and she’ll be staying with me while in London.”
“Excellent, in the circumstances I think that is wise. You’d better have someone watch discreetly over her, especially when she visits her father in the hospital.”
“That has already been put in place, sir. From the minute she gets off the plane, there will be at least two watchers following at all times.”
There was a knock at the door and a moment later Stagg’s butler came in carrying a silver tray complete with bottle of Champagne and two tall elegant crystal glasses. LJ, suddenly felt very uncomfortable with the old man’s blatant insensitivity, and display of frivolous indulgence at a time when his friend and former colleague was lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life.
The Champagne cork popped, and the glasses were filled. Lucius Stagg sipped at the pale sparkling liquid and then held the glass approvingly up to the light, saying, “Please forgive me Edward, but this is now a daily ritual. I’ve been told by my doctor that this stuff is actually good for me.” He sipped a little more from his glass. “I think it’s just an excuse for him to come round here, and drink my very expensive vintage Bollinger, if you ask me. Anyway, drink up, and I’ll have Stebbings show you out, I’m sure you’ve got far better things to do with your time than stand here and talk to an eccentric old man.”
“You know fully well, that it’s always a pleasure to see you, sir. I’ll keep you up to speed with Commander Cunningham’s progress, and I’m sure the Partners will keep you informed as well, regarding the operational details when we get to Jersey.” He put the half full glass back onto the silver tray.
“Very good, Edward.”