“How do they arrange those visits?” asked Colin “they obviously can’t just ring up!”
“We have a sophisticated system on level one in the old stable block Phoenix; they can intercept coded messages from our guys in the field who need to fly back to the UK; as for home based people they send a postcard. On the appointed day they travel by train to Bath Spa station. Our transport people will be there to collect them in a mini cab. They can’t miss it. It carries a logo of Mount Olympus on the doors which means it doesn’t attract any undue attention as it trundles back to the Manor. After all they could be coming here for treatment for combat stress; a perfectly natural occurrence considering our charity status.
While they stay at Larcombe they too are referred to by their code name only; and similarly, as I explained to you, we five are known to them only by our mythical persona. Every care is taken to protect the integrity of the group and the Olympus Project.”
“How come I haven’t heard anything in the news about people they’ve eliminated?” asked Colin.
“Well, if we’ve prepared the ground properly on level one and identified the target and why he merits direct action, then in some cases nobody cares overly much; there are a plethora of bad guys out there Phoenix as you well know and the media have concentrated on the superficial celebrity section of society for the past decade. If some thug or rotten government official gets killed somewhere in Africa or the Far East, it doesn’t get a full page spread in the daily newspaper here in the UK. That would be more likely occupied by a popular singer having a baby or being involved in some racy video shoot. It sells more papers dear boy!
A couple of incidents caught the attention of the more vigilant news editors last year. You may recall a North African army chief being shot dead in February by one of his security guards. His death was claimed to have been ordered by an extreme faction within that country. All perfectly logical given the recent turmoil in those parts, but in fact one of our guys was responsible.
In one of the insignificant countries in Central Africa an Army chief of staff was killed by a bomb delivered to his office in June. We had uncovered details of vast sums of aid money being transferred into his private account and so we took the necessary steps to see he never got a chance to buy any more gold taps for his bathrooms. The money remaining in his account was used by his fellow countrymen to help the people it was intended for when the Department for International Development sent it off.”
“I was in Africa until spring of this year; I can’t say I remember seeing or hearing anything about either of those!” Colin remarked “of course, I was preoccupied with my late wife and planning every step of my journey this summer.”
“Perfectly understandable Phoenix, those were your priorities at the time. Part of the training process you will undertake here will need to focus on broadening your horizons; to encourage you to see the bigger picture and enable you to absorb anything and everything that could help us achieve our goals here with Olympus.
I expect you’ve been wondering about your financial situation?”
Colin couldn’t prevent an audible gasp escaping his lips; how the heck did this Erebus bloke keep doing that! He seems to know exactly what I’m thinking.
“Actually, it was one of my questions” said Colin “but money isn’t a motivator for me. No doubt you know exactly where my money is tied up currently?”
Erebus replied “Steps will be taken to protect that money; the banks in question will receive authentic documentation carrying your signature indicating your wishes in the event of your death. There will be a delay due to the fact that your body hasn’t been discovered as yet.”
“What do you mean …‘as yet’? Colin asked tentatively.
“Fear not, old chap, you’re worth far more to Olympus alive! We need to get you legally declared dead; but there’s no tremendous rush to do this. If we hold off until any remains that are discovered are so decomposed, then it would be tricky to attribute them to a particular person. We might possibly be able to use the clothes you were wearing and some personal items to clinch the deal.
Last night’s scenario would certainly provide enough circumstantial evidence to lead a reasonable person to believe that Colin Bailey died in Pulteney weir on the balance of probabilities. This might get us a court order directing the registrar to issue a death certificate. Then the foreign banks could be persuaded to action your last requests, as outlined in our hastily cobbled together documentation. Leave it to us dear boy, it will be authentic enough to serve its purpose, we have the very best people at our disposal here. If the worst comes to the worst then we’ll just have to sit it out for the prescribed time the law uses currently.”
“How long is that?” asked Colin.
“Seven years” replied Erebus.
“Terrific” muttered Colin.
“I thought money wasn’t a motivator Phoenix? Don’t worry when you go out into the field here in the UK you will be sufficiently recompensed for a job well done. Let’s call it a performance bonus; totally different from a banker’s bonus of course as you will have worked for it.”
“Of course” said Colin with a smile.
“My goodness, just look at the time” said Erebus suddenly “we had better scoot along to our quarters to freshen up and change; the others will be gathering in the dining room for pre-dinner drinks very shortly. I’ve no doubt you’re hungry Phoenix?”
“I’m hungry for food and information” answered Colin.
“Let them enjoy their meal first old chap! I’m sure they’ll be more sociable this evening; it was a bit of a surprise to them when you arrived unexpectedly last night. We had had you on our radar for some time and they were all in favour of your selection, but we couldn’t have foreseen the fortuitous nature by which you landed on our doorstep.”
The two men exited the drawing room and walked along the corridor towards the staircase. As they reached the foot of the stairs the formidable looking female suddenly appeared; she would have collided with Colin and knocked him down if he hadn’t been able to stop quickly and perform a neat side-step; even so the contact between them was enough for him to instinctively raise his hands to cushion the impact. One hand found a naked shoulder. She looked stunning in an olive dress which fitted where it touched; her high heels bringing her face to face with Colin.
He stared into her almost grey eyes; her intoxicating perfume reminded him how long it had been since his brief time with Therese Slater. All thoughts of that liaison were swiftly erased as he sensed the look she was giving him was more fiery than friendly; perhaps he should move his other hand, it had successfully prevented her from crashing into him and both of them ending in a heap on the floor, but it had come to rest on her left breast.
“Good to see you two are getting on” quipped Erebus as he ascended the stairs “come on Phoenix, first you’d better have a cold shower and then you can look out one of the suits we’ve acquired for you. Athena, Phoenix; I’ll see you in ten minutes or so.”
Athena moved away from Colin briskly and with one of her trademark glares that he knew so well already, she swept across the corridor and into the dining room, Colin could hear voices; it would appear that The Three Amigos were already in attendance. He had no mythical tags for the three men as yet, but they seemed to belong together so for now the Amigos or the Stooges would suffice.