‘Hi, Maurice. Ici, l’Americain.’
‘Okay. Hello, monsieur. Vite. We go?’
As Washington jumped onto the beach, Maurice said. ‘Welcome to England.’
Chapter Fifty Two
The drive from the Kent coast to East Monkton had taken over three hours. It was a few minutes before 2pm when Maurice pulled into the lay-bay, a quarter of a mile from the gates of Jack Castle’s home.
‘Stay here until I get back.’
‘Oui, monsieur. How long shall I wait?’
Washington turned and looked the man straight in the eyes. ‘You stay right here until I return. You got me? You stay the fuck right here.’
‘Okay, American. Be calm.’
Washington went to the boot and removed the Glock from his rucksack. He checked the magazine, then quickly fitted a small snub-nose silencer. He cocked the mechanism and slipped it into his inside pocket. The switch-blade was dropped into his back pocket and the Smith & Wesson into his waistband.
A car drove past and he turned his face away, so as not to be noticed. He closed the boot, then went to the driver’s door. ‘Be here when I get back.’
‘Oui, monsieur. I will be here.’
As Washington walked slowly up the tree-lined lane, the Frenchman said, ‘Asshole.’
The high gates were electrically controlled, with two sets of security cameras covering the front area. The ivy-covered wall looked to surround the property. From his concealed vantage point across the lane, Washington could see through the gates and up the drive to the impressive house.
He’d only been watching for a few minutes when a butcher’s delivery truck approached and slowly turned into the entrance. In front of the gates he saw the driver’s hand appear as he touched the intercom. He swiftly ran across the road and tried the van’s back doors. Finding them locked he quickly moved away from the vehicle and into the bushes.
As the truck drove through the gates he made his move. Before they closed he was inside and again concealed behind a huge hydrangea, the chance of being caught on camera mitigated by the size of the butcher’s van. If he had been seen, they would be coming for him. He waited. Nothing.
Almost twenty minutes later the delivery van came from the rear of the house and approached the gates. A few seconds later they swung open and he watched as the van drove off. He was about to move position, when the gates again swung silently open. He slipped back into the shadow of the bush as the big Jaguar passed him, Jack Castle at the wheel.
Chapter Fifty Three
After leaving Heathrow Jack had taken Nicole to the Blue Bell at East Monkton, for lunch. The restaurant was one of their favourites and boasted two Michelin stars. Even though he hadn’t booked, the Maître’d still managed to give them their favourite table overlooking the river. They both ate the excellent pâté, with a Cumberland sauce to die for. Nicole chose the salmon, Jack the veal. She drank a couple of glasses of white Zinfandel, Jack drank sparkling water. After being thanked by the Maître’d for the generous tip, they left the Blue Bell just after 3 o’clock.
As the Jaguar pulled up to the front of the house Nicole said, ‘That was lovely, Zaikin. And very unexpected. If I’d known we were eating-out, I’d have got dressed.’
He leaned over and kissed her. ‘You look wonderful, babe.’
From his concealed position near the gate, Rick Washington watched them walk into the hallway, then said quietly, ‘Hello, again, Jack.’
It took almost ten minutes for him to move from the gate and up to the house. Each time looking for a secure and concealing position, always with his eyes on the building. As he moved to the side of the property he could see the conservatory and lake. ‘Nice place, Jack,’ he said under his breath, ‘shame it’s all gonna come down around your head.’
In the conservatory, Jack was scrolling through emails on his phone. Nicole and Svetlana played with the twins on the big rug.
Outside, Washington gently moved the ivy at the side of the glass wall and carefully peered into the conservatory. He steadied his breathing and then took the Smith & Wesson from his belt. He covered the ten feet to the open doors in a second.
The piercing noise of Svetlana’s scream shocked everyone.
Jack jumped up at the sound and then turned to see his old adversary, the chrome revolver glinting in his hand. ‘Take it easy, Jack. Don’t try anything stupid,’ he pointed to the twins, ‘they’ll get it first.’
Nicole moved to gather up her children. Washington yelled, ‘Don’t move. Stay still.’
Svetlana began to whimper.
‘Shut the fuck up,’ snarled Washington.
‘Take it easy,’ said Jack. ‘It’s me you want. Leave them out of this.’
‘You shut the fuck up too. I’m in charge here. Who else is in the house?’
‘No one,’ said Nicole.
Washington smiled. ‘Now don’t be telling me any lies, honey. Or someone might get hurt.’
‘There’s a housekeeper in the kitchen. The gardener is on his day off,’ said Jack
Washington pointed to the group on the rug. ‘You. Go get her.’
Svetlana made to move, but Washington said, ‘Not you. You go, Nicole. I know you’ll come back, with your kids here.’
Nicole looked at Jack. He nodded, and she stood up.
‘Oh, and don’t think about calling the police, Mrs Castle. The first sound of a siren and they get it,’ he nodded towards the twins, now in the arms of the sobbing nanny.
A few moments later Nicole and Maggie returned. ‘Ah, the housekeeper. Thank you for joining us. Now, everyone sit down.’
Jack moved towards Nicole and took a seat. ‘What is it you want?’
‘I want everything you took from me, Jack. My three billion pounds, to start with.’
Jack shook his head slightly. ‘I don’t have that kind of money.’
‘No, but daddy does. Doesn’t he, Nicole?’
Washington saw the shadow and, as Brian swung the heavy spade, he ducked. The edge of the tool caught him a glancing blow on the shoulder. He fired. The bullet tore into Brian’s upper chest, spinning him around and out through the open doors.
Jack threw himself at Washington, taking him down with a brutal tackle. ‘Panic room,’ he yelled.
The revolver, knocked from Rick’s hand, slid across the floor and under a side table. The screaming women scooped up the twins and rushed from the conservatory.
Jack rolled over and punched the American hard in the ribs, another blow to the side of his head.
A knee into his groin made Jack yell out, the headbutt stunned him. He clung on to Washington, punching, kneeing, fighting to get the upper hand.
The American freed himself and scrambled to his feet, kicking at Jack, as he tried to pull the Glock from his inside pocket.
Jack rolled away, and then he too was on his feet, just as the second gun was drawn. Again, he charged. They stumbled, across the floor and into the hallway, a tangled mass of arms and legs, fighting, punching, gouging. No quarter given. Just pain for both, as they hit the marble floor.
In the panic room, Nicole held the children close, her eyes transfixed on the CCTV screen. Maggie was sitting in the corner, whimpering, clearly in a state of shock. Svetlana stood next to the children, cursing the attacker in Russian, as the bloody fight unfolded on the tiny monitor.