The last rays of the sun did a spray job on the side of LJ’s angular face, as he leaned against the Range Rover smoking a cigar. Vince had parked the luxury 4x4 behind a long boat shed on the far side of the marina, out of sight of the Solitaire, but deliberately close to the main electricity junction box, that supplied all of the moorings. After five minutes of waiting, LJ walked across to the dockside, and stood staring out across the harbour.
“I think that’s them now,” he said, pointing at the sleek outline of the power cruiser coming in the harbour.
Rob Chapman was at the helm, Dillon standing on the stern deck. They crept slowly up through the main channel, and then veered off to the right into the marina. Once inside, they headed straight towards the boat hire company’s private berth. Chapman cut the power, and Dillon immediately secured the forward and aft lines, and then unloaded his holdalls onto the pontoon. There were still a few people about, some coming or going to their boats, others dining on board, the sound of their laughter drifted across the marina on the still evening air.
Dillon opened up the tailgate of the Range Rover, and put the holdall containing his clothing into the boot. The other holdall with the weapons in, he kept close by.
“Any encounters on the way down?” LJ asked.
“No, nothing at all.” It was Chapman who answered.
“Malakoff’s most likely still gloating over his spoils, to bother sending out a welcoming committee.” Dillon said bluntly.
LJ puffed on his cigar, “Well, from what I’ve learnt so far about Malakoff. I’d say that he’s going to be on high alert tonight, and ready to repel all boarders, old son. And with that in mind, do you really think that this maverick plan of yours will work?”
“I’ve no idea. But one thing’s for certain.”
“What’s that, old son?”
“Success is a science: if you have the conditions, you get the result.” Dillon said, raising an eyebrow. “But if you’re in any doubt about it, you can always go to the aero club and wait for us there, I’m sure that Rob and Vince would understand.”
“I’ll overlook that last comment, just the once old son. At a time like this, it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one’s mind. It becomes imperative, especially as one only dies once, and it’s for a very long time!” LJ said dryly.
Dillon laughed. “Cheer up, LJ. I’ve no intention of dying here, it’s far too safe. And anyway, I’ve got a very important dinner date with Tatiana to look forward to when we return to London.” He got up, and with the heavy holdall in his hand, walked across the tarmac to the power cruiser, jumped on board, and immediately went to the stern winch and lowered the inflatable dinghy into the water. After securing the line to the rail, he went inside, reappearing a moment later with a glass of Champagne in his hand. “Right then, we’re all set and ready to go. We’ll wait here for a few more hours, and then when it’s nice and quiet, we’ll let the party commence. Anyone else for a glass of bubbly?”
They were all sitting in the main day cabin, talking over Dillon’s plan, when his mobile phone started to ring. It was Annabelle Cunningham; Dillon answered the call using the phone’s hands free speaker. “Annabelle, it’s Jake. Are you alright?”
LJ, Chapman and Vince all turned their heads towards Dillon as Annabelle spoke.
“I’m fine thanks, Jake. But, you sound as if you’re at the bottom of a well.”
“We’re on hands free, so that the others can hear you.” LJ, Vince and Chapman all said hello in unison.
“It’s great to hear you all. Look, I’m sorry to have left in such a hurry this morning, my little run in with Malakoff’s two thugs did shake me up a bit, I must admit. But, I think I got the better of them.” Annabelle laughed.
“Anyway, enough of that, how are things going down there? Did you get to the submarine? And did you find the spear?”
“Well, we found both with relative ease, but had problems when we returned to Bonne Nuit.”
“And?”
“To cut a long story short. Malakoff now has the chest containing the spear, and everything else that was inside it, I’m afraid.”
“Oh no, that’s just terrible.” Annabelle paused, and then said, “Well, I’m sure he won’t have it for much longer. Not if I know you, Jake Dillon.”
“Thank you for your vote of confidence, Annabelle.” Dillon looked directly at his boss, as he spoke. “I’ll get the chest and its contents back, have no doubt about that. And when Nathan is conscious again, I hope to be standing next to his bed with it in my hand,” Dillon said confidently.
“Oh, you’ve not heard the news yet, have you? There’s been some pretty major developments with Pops. And, that’s the main reason why I went rushing back to London. You see, he’s regained consciousness, and the best bit is, that they reckon he’ll be up and about in a day or two.”
“Annabelle, that’s the finest news we’ve had all day. Give Nathan all our very best.”
“Thanks, Jake. I will. And I’m sure that he’d say the same to you all down there. Look, I’ve got to go now. But, you’re sure that everything will be alright?”
“Annabelle, there’s only one thing not right down here, and that’s Malakoff. Suffice to say, that he’s going to get what’s coming to him, along with his hired help.”
Annabelle said goodbye, and then hung up.
“Well, that’s absolutely superb news.” LJ said, sipping his Champagne.
“About Nathan, yes it is. But had it not been for Asquith, and that bastard Malakoff, Nathan wouldn’t have been lying comatose in a hospital bed for the last two weeks. I’d say that they’ve both got a lot to answer for.”
Chapman said, “Jake, what concerns me most about this plan of yours, is how you think we’re going to get close enough to the Solitaire to board her. I reckon there’s a pretty good chance that we’ll be spotted, even in the dark, and using the inflatable.”
“I’d agree.” Dillon said amiably. “And, that’s why I’m going to approach the Solitaire, underwater. As for you, Rob. Well, this isn’t your fight, and I don’t want you getting yourself into a situation which might just get you dead. If you understand my meaning?”
“I understand. But it makes no difference, Jake. Nathan’s my friend, and I’m going with you, whether you like it or not. And, as for getting into a situation, well you don’t have to worry about me. I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”
“Um, I’m sure you are. But, could you kill a man, who is so close that you can hear his heart beating? Could you, really, do it if your own life depended on it?” Dillon’s tone was icy cold, and deadly serious.
“Murder, Jake? You’re asking me whether I could kill someone in cold blood, if my life depended on it. My answer is simply, I don’t know. But what I do know, is that I can hold my own in any fight.”
“Okay, but you listen up, and listen well. From the second I go over the rail of the Solitaire. I’ll kill anyone who tries to get in my way.” Dillon paused briefly. “And, I never hesitate; I shoot first, and ask questions afterwards. It’s what I do, and I do it well, with a cold heart and a clear conscience. That’s how I’ve survived all these years.”
There was silence inside the cabin. Vince looked at LJ, who looked at Chapman, who nodded. “He’s absolutely right. Scum like Malakoff and his men only know one way. And, you have to fight fire with fire. So if I might suggest, this is the way that I reckon it should go; I’ll take you as far as I can in the inflatable, and then you cover the rest of the way underwater.” Dillon tried to speak, but Chapman waved him down. “This is not open to discussion, Jake. I’ll row out into the marina and head straight for the Solitaire, and hopefully they’ll spot me. Or I should say, they’ll see an old drunk in his dinghy, going round and round in circles. While they’re occupied with me, you should have enough time to get on board unnoticed.”