“Ah there you are Jake, its good to see you looking so tanned and relaxed, old son,” LJ said getting up off his chair.
Dillon didn’t bother to answer, instead he walked past the Director of Special Projects on his way to the bar and ordered three large bourbons with ice. Turning around he casually leaned against the bar, and rested his elbows on the edge of it.
“I was wondering when you’d be in contact. Never thought you’d actually turn up here in person though?”
“Oh, come now Jake, don’t be bitter. I’m not here to argue with you old son. As a matter of fact, Vince and I have flown over to congratulate you on getting Harry Caplin out of Cuba, and back to Florida to stand trial. A job well done, after all he did cause extreme embarrassment to not only yourself and Ferran & Cardini, but to everyone else involved with the operation in Dorset. I’m glad to say that you’ve thankfully redeemed yourself and the firm with the Americans. So all’s well that ends well, as they say.”
“That’s all very touching, but what is it you really want, LJ?” Dillon asked, adding. “And just for the record, had it not been for Fiona Price pulling a string or two, I wouldn’t be here at all, and certainly couldn’t have taken Caplin without the help of agent Romerez.” He picked up the drinks from the bar, and went and perched himself on a seat opposite Vince Sharp who was precariously rocking on the back legs of his wicker chair, which were now creaking and bending under his weight.
LJ stopped pacing up and down, blew a series of small circles of cigar smoke up into the air, and considered his reply.
“I’ll be perfectly honest with you Jake. Sir Lucius Stagg has brought pressure to bear on the Partners to reinstate you back onto the active roster with immediate effect.”
“Has he now, but you still haven’t answered my question, why are you both here? Because that piece of good news could have been emailed to me.” Dillon took a cigarette from his sliver case, and lit it with a match.
“A situation has arisen back in the UK, that requires someone of your ability. And, let’s say, other dubious talents. But to be perfectly blunt old son, I’m still not convinced that you’re the right person for this particular job.”
Vince Sharp who had been sat quietly listening; suddenly stopped rocking his chair, got up, and said. “I’m sorry boss, but I disagree. Jake’s more than right for this assignment. I mean, he shoots guns rather well, is qualified to fly both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, speaks at least four languages, and most importantly is an extremely good diver. Need I say more?”
LJ leaned back in his chair, and looking Dillon in the eye said matter of factly.
“What concerns me, is that ‘devil may care’ attitude of yours, and of course your lack of team spirit, old son. But this assignment is definitely going to require someone who can handle himself if things get rough. I’m not saying it will, but it could. One thing I am certain of though, is that it is going to require, at the right moment, someone who has considerable diving skills.”
“Okay, so you have my attention. Where would all of this take place?”
“The Channel Island of Jersey.” LJ stood up. “Of course you can turn down this assignment, Jake, and stay here in the sunshine if you wish?”
“What, and miss all the fun?”
“Good, but you do realise that by accepting the assignment, you’ll have to do exactly as you’re told, and play by my rules. Have you a problem with that?”
“I’ve not got a problem with that.” Dillon gave Vince Sharp a sly wink as he drank the remains of his bourbon.
“I knew you’d see it my way, old son.” As Dillon got up to go, LJ added, “Oh, and by the way. The flight back is booked for three o’clock this afternoon. Which should just about give you enough time to pack and say goodbye to Tatiana. Who I believe is here with you, and booked in for another week. Don’t worry about your hotel bill, Dan Parker has already paid it, and sends his best wishes. Oh, and one last thing, Jake. Please be punctual we don’t want to miss the plane, now do we?”
Dillon finished reading Korvettenkapitan Otto Sternberg’s diary, and closed it. The former army intelligence officer passed the leather bound book back to LJ was sitting alongside him in the business class cabin of the British Airways 747, bound for London Heathrow. “Very interesting. Is this really genuine, or some kind of elaborate practical joke?” Dillon said.
“Of course it’s genuine, Jake. The source is one hundred per cent reliable, and I’ve known and worked with Nathan Cunningham for many years. Had it been anyone else, I’d have almost certainly thrown it straight in to the waste bin. Is that all you’ve got to say?”
The stewardess made her way back up the wide aisle from the galley area towards him. On the small circular tray was the glass of Champagne he’d asked for. Bending down she smiled demurely, placing the tall fluted glass into the cup holder of his luxurious seat. “Well, what do you expect me to say? I only know the bare facts, and what about this business with Nathan Cunningham, and the hit and run incident? Was it simply an unfortunate accident or was it a deliberate attempt on his life? Personally, I think it’s just a little too coincidental that it should happen before he has the opportunity to tell you the exact location of the U-boat.”
“You think so?”
“It’s only my opinion, but yes that’s what I think.” “Um, well the question is how do we go about finding this place?” LJ said.
“Have you spoken to his daughter?”
“Yes, I spoke to Annabelle just before I left last evening. I’m afraid that Nathan hadn’t told her anything that we didn’t already know. Although, there was something that she did say which surprised me a little, that after all these years, Nathan is still a bit of an adrenaline junky. I will always remember that when the two of us worked together on missions. Nat was always the daring one who thrived on the danger, especially in life and death situations.” LJ sighed, and sat back in his seat.
“So what makes you believe her?”
“As you well know, I’m a sceptical old goat, Jake. But there’s something very pure and unspoilt about her, and I suppose that it’s partly to do with having known, Annabelle since she was a small child that genuinely makes me believe that she really doesn’t know.”
“She’s obviously very pretty then?”
“I’ll ignore that last comment, Jake. Anyway you can judge for yourself. We’ll be having lunch with her tomorrow.”
“What an excellent idea.” Dillon sipped some more Champagne. “But if she really doesn’t know where this U-boat is, what are we going to do?”
“Before I left yesterday, I started the ball rolling by arranging for Phil Allerton to fly you and Vince down to Jersey in one of the company helicopters, the day after tomorrow.”
“That doesn’t give us much time to plan the assignment?”
“That’s because we don’t have much time, old son. If word of this discovery leaks out, there will be an invasion of reporters, relic hunters and possibly religious fanatics clambering all over the island of Jersey in a matter of hours.” “Point taken, so where will we be based?”
“A property has already been rented at Bonne Nuit bay. Nothing to elaborate of course but it’s elevated, and secluded with direct access down to the harbour and beaches.”
“And what about our cover story?”
“Young Roberts has gone over it with a fine-tooth comb. You’re a wealthy businessman from London who has gone to Jersey for a spot of wreck diving. Vince was a little more difficult, but in the end, we thought it best if he were your sort of man-servant come personal assistant.”