“Sir Lucius, what a surprise to see you here, like this.” LJ said, as he stepped into the leather bound opulence of the interior.
“You’re not surprised at all, Edward. You’ve known all along, that I’d be waiting here.” The former Prime Minister of England stated amiably. He rapped twice on the glass privacy panel separating them from the driver, with the silver tip of his cane. The panel dropped, and he said, “Stevens, you can drive back now.” And, a moment later the undercover police protection officer manoeuvred the luxury car out into the city traffic. “Good to see you all alive and well, gentlemen. I must say, that I’m looking forward to hearing about your little jaunt to Jersey.”
“Of course, and there will be a full report on your desk by first thing tomorrow morning.” The words seemed to tumble out of LJ’s mouth.
“I’m sure there will be, Edward. You always were efficient, even as an up and coming member of the Intelligence Service all those years ago. Efficiency, it’s one of the things I admire about you. The ease in which you organise and execute every detail of a plan.” The old man’s comment was for LJ. But, his attention was on Dillon, who was staring out of the window, deep in thought.
“I’m extremely pleased, gentlemen, that the assignment in Jersey was a complete success. Although, it couldn’t have been easy with that French vagabond, Hugo Malakoff constantly snapping at your heels. But, as is with all men who abuse their position and wealth, I’m sure he got what was coming to him. Never doubt that, any of you.” He looked at each of them in turn, as he said the words, “Is that the box from the U-boat, you’ve got there, Mr Dillon?”
“Yes it is, Sir Lucius.” Dillon unzipped the holdall and started to remove the silver chest.
“No, you keep it for now.” He flicked his tongue across his drying lips like a hungry python, before saying. “I’m looking forward to viewing its priceless contents, but only after you’ve shown it to Commander Cunningham, of course.” The old man, paused. And then smiled, before saying, “I always had a good feeling about this venture, and in particular about your capability to carry it off, Mr Dillon. But what I’m most pleased about is your conviction to duty, and what is right.”
Dillon said nothing, allowing the old man to continue without interruption.
“Before you left on this mission, I spoke to you in this very car. I’m sure you don’t need reminding, but for the benefit of Edward and Mr Sharp, I’ll briefly reiterate what I said to you. The offer was simple, but must have appeared very odd. In so much as, that all you had to do, should you have wanted to personally profit from this assignment, was to phone me, and nobody else, the minute you found the gold bullion on board. For this, you would have received one hundred thousand pounds in cash.” Before continuing, Sir Lucius looked at LJ, who raised his eyebrow, and then at Vince who looked completely bemused. And then at Dillon, who was still looking at him passively.
“Well, I’m very pleased that you didn’t make that phone call. You see, I had to be one hundred percent certain about one thing.”
“And that was?” Dillon asked neutrally.
“Your integrity, Mr Dillon.” Sir Lucius said soberly, and then said it again, “Your integrity.”
“Well, now you know. But, why not simply ask anyone that I’ve ever worked with?”
“Ah, so true and of course that was an option, Mr Dillon. But, I wanted to find out for myself. And, what better way, than to put temptation right in front of you. But, you’re wondering why go to such devious lengths. Well, I’ll tell you. Your next assignment is going to be an arduous one. And, will require a high degree of candour. I’ll say no more at present. Instead, I’ll let Edward brief you on this matter in a day or two.”
Dillon nodded his understanding, but decided to remain silent; instead he gazed out of the window, letting his thoughts drift pleasantly to the thought of seeing Tatiana again that evening.
The converted sea castle at Bonne Nuit Bay had never seemed so empty when Rob Chapman entered it. He walked slowly through the narrow hallways, switching the lights on as he went in and out of each room on his way to the kitchen. He took a beer from the fridge, and wondered slightly aimlessly to the living room, went straight to the photograph of his wife and daughter and picked it up. He stared at the image through tearful eyes, their happy smiling faces looking back at him. He’d never felt so lonely or without purpose in his entire life, since they’re lives had been snuffed out by the drunk driver who had hit them head on.
Putting down the photo, he drank some of his beer, before going out to the walled courtyard, up the stone steps and standing on the old battlements. He gazed up into a fine clear sky, and then looked out across the bay towards the English Channel. It was something he took as a part of everyday life, the unspoiled coastline that stretched for as far as the eye could see, and beyond. He satisfactorarily mused that this was something that Hugo Malakoff, for one, would never take for granted ever again!
It was just after eleven-thirty the following morning when a nurse showed the two of them into the private room at the city hospital. Dillon, supremely elegant, wearing a hand made Italian two piece single breasted dark blue suit, fresh white linen shirt and his old regiment’s tie, perfectly knotted. Accompanied LJ, sporting his usual brand of exquisite Saville Row tailoring. And, as always wearing his customary bright coloured dickey bow.
Annabelle, sitting in a chair next to her father’s bed, stood up as they entered the room and greeted them warmly, “Jake, LJ, it’s wonderful to see you both. When did you get back?” “Late yesterday.” LJ answered.
“From what I’ve heard these last two days, you’re lucky to be alive.”
Nathan was propped up against pillows, all of the tubes and drips had gone since the last time LJ had seen him.
“Nathan, old son. It’s good to see you.” LJ said to his friend.
Nathan looked across the room at Dillon. “And you must be Jake Dillon, I’ve heard all about you. And by the sounds of it, I owe you my eternal gratitude for risking your life to retrieve the silver chest, that you’re now holding under your arm.”
“It’s good to see you on the mend, Commander. And, it’s a pleasure to be able to stand here today with it. As I’m sure Annabelle will have told you, we very nearly lost the chest and its contents, almost as soon as we’d found it.”
Dillon placed the silver chest on the bed, at Nathan’s side. Nathan Cunningham slowly lifted the lid to reveal the purple silk lining with the spear head placed in the centre of it.
“So this is what Adolf Hitler believed gave him unbeatable power in war, is it?” Cunningham carefully picked up the spear head and examined the religious artefact. Putting it carefully back on the deep purple silk seconds later, and closing the lid down.
“Some say, that this is the original spear head. Others, however, think that it’s a fanciful myth.” LJ commented as he placed his hand on the solid silver lid. And looking down at Cunningham, said, “You alright, old son?”
“I’m afraid that I get tired very quickly. But, I’m told that this will pass with time.”
“Well, in that case, Nathan. We’d better leave you to get a bit of shut eye, old son. We still have much to do, in order to put this one quietly to bed. If I’m finished early enough, I’ll be back to see you later.”
Dillon picked up the small chest, and put it back into his holdall. They then said goodbye to Annabelle, and left.