“So what is the motivator for Trevelyan to be involved with terrorist organisations, Charlie?”
“It’s simple, really. But first you have to keep in mind that this is a man who thinks in a very simplistic way. And I’m not making fun of him either. The fundamental problem for the likes of Trevelyan is that the West is trying to destroy Afghanistan’s opium growing capability, together with most of the Golden Triangle, which in turn will affect Trevelyan’s income potential.”
“But there’s more to this than just that. For Trevelyan this all stems back to the bad old days of the Northern Ireland conflict and the IRA. He worked alongside them, and some say that they even set him up in the UK as a fund raiser for them. That was some time ago, but just because you can’t see the IRA today, doesn’t mean they do not exist. Many of the hardliners who couldn’t accept the new ways are now working with the likes of Al Qaeda, or other similar groups, in their training camps. They train the young and the impressionable in the art of street combat, how to make bombs that can be used in cars, trains and anywhere else that will cause maximum damage and carnage. Then there’s evasion or how to fight those highly-trained military that are sent to kill them. It’s such a frightfully dreadful business. So many people killed or maimed, and at the end of the day, for what?”
“Freedom, Charlie. The right to live peacefully. That’s what.”
Hart suddenly finished his drink and went to pour himself another. He took a bottle of Sapphire Blue Gin and the tonic water and refilled Dillon’s glass. When he was re-seated he stared out of the window wall, at the view of the harbour, for a few moments before continuing.
“When I came to England it was with the sole intention of making a fresh start. To get away from the dirt and grime of Delhi. But I’ve always been involved in the drug scene. It’s how I made so much money at such a young age. The problem is that there’s no way back from it except for six feet down and only then after some physical inconvenience.”
Hart raised an eyebrow at his own macabre joke. He got up again, clearly restless. He walked over to the glass panel and sliding it back he brought the sounds and the salt air into his living room. He returned to his chair, looked over at Dillon as if seeing him for the first time, then picked up the thread.
“From those early days and most certainly now, I carry as much information about the Golden Triangle drug cartels, contacts, networks in India and Pakistan, as any man. It’s always been a favourable bargaining tool to me and has certainly kept me out of jail on a number of occasions.
Dillon looked surprised. “Do you think that Trevelyan intends to have you killed?”
“It would solve his problem, wouldn’t it? I can blow the lid off his entire organisation and every racket that he’s involved with. He would be livid if he knew that we were meeting like this. But I daresay the security service would be equally as pissed off if they found out. You see, Jake, your story could be so easily brushed under the carpet. You could never prove any of it. I can. It suits me not to. To do so would be to chance having Rosie, Sarah and Daniel killed, all for the sake of confirming it all to be true.”
“What about the drugs?”
“If there are any, the police will hang onto them as part of their case against Trevelyan. I made the arrangements to have everything shipped over to France and from there all over Europe. By now they will have been split up into a thousand separate consignments. I’ve been very fortunate to have been one step ahead of you. Which I thought was rather clever of me. All thanks to our late departed Hell Fire brother, Julian Latimer, who also played his part in making sure of that. He had a very useful contact inside MI5 who fed him any information regarding your movements or conversations with anyone inside the security service. The idea of using random properties and caretakers across the south of England to act as drug distribution centres, was all mine. All of the local distribution was taken care of by Trevelyan’s string of nightclubs and bars as well as Paul Hammer’s hotel chain.”
Dillon said, “They tried to take the drugs I lifted from the house in Lyme Regis, which I’ve been assured will end up in the hands of the drug squad.” Dillon watched Hart’s reaction before asking. “Which department is it you work for, Charlie?”
“Department?” Hart paused, staring at Dillon, waiting for anything further forthcoming.
When none came, he said, “How clever of you, Jake. No particular department, as a matter of fact. Sometimes MI5 and at other times MI6. They both call me from time to time. It’s usually for information, and you know what it’s like. As I said, the knowledge I carry around in my head is invaluable. I simply trade off with them. I must say that it’s a good arrangement at the end of the day. And they protect me from all sorts of unwelcome attention.”
“How long?”
“From the moment I arrived in the UK, Jake. They pulled me in the moment Daniel and I stepped off the Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong. Daniel was whisked off to a five-star hotel in the city and I was put in a nine-by-twelve room with no windows at Heathrow Airport.”
“That’s why the surveillance on this place. It’s not to watch you; it’s to watch out for you. They can’t afford anything to happen to you, because you’re too bloody valuable to them.” Dillon suddenly laughed. “And I thought it was you trying to top me, you sod.”
Hart grinned widely for the first time. “I’ll admit they were some pretty harsh warnings, but once I’d had you checked out as one of the okay sorts, you were never in any real danger, as you should have learnt from your trip to Delhi. It was Trevelyan who did all of the killing, Trevelyan who panicked, Trevelyan who got rid of people who were seldom a real danger to him. And it was Trevelyan who made all of the dangerous attacks on you personally. I tried my best to stop him, but you see, he saw that as his part of the business and you as part of the machine trying to stop him going about his illegal business.”
“The surveillance team and most likely Trevelyan’s men will still be out there, you know?” as if Hart needed reminding.
“I know. They will be on high alert after that little stunt you pulled earlier. I’ve never met Sarah. Was she shocked when you told her that I lived so close?”
“Obviously. But she had no idea about that, and Rosie had only told her the barest details about you. I filled her in on one or two things, of course. Told her that I was a freelance writer researching you for a new book I’m writing about your life as a successful businessman. She was sceptical at first, but warmed to my charm. One thing that was quite evident, Charlie — she’s looking forward to meeting you.”
“That may be, and the time will come when we do meet. But first we’ve got to get out of here and you’ll have to trust me.”
Hart suddenly stood up and stretched his back straight.
“I’m going to disappear for a while. I’ve been preparing for some time. Wherever I’ve been, I’ve always had an escape plan ready and I have one now. However, this time it will have to be for some time. I need a favour, Jake. There are certain things that will need to be taken care of, and I’d be greatly pleased if you would take care of them for me.”
“If it’s within my scope and not illegal, Charlie, of course I will.”
“Firstly, I’d like to sort out your current car problem. My sources inform me that you’re driving around in a hire car and that your Porsche was beyond repair after the bombing outside that old building you’re having restored. When you get back to London, go and see the sales manager at the West End Porsche Centre. I’ve already set up a facility that will allow you to purchase a new 911 with the specification of your choice. I would also like to make a donation to your theatre restoration fund. I know you’re well off, Jake, but I’m awash with the filthy stuff. I’m also reliably informed that you’re not restoring that old building merely for your own amusement. It’s commendable that you’ve set up a trust fund to help underprivileged children get off the streets and into theatrical projects instead. But that is going to require vast sums of money just to give it a sporting chance — money that I have and would like to donate to your project.”