Chapter 27
444 Words
Chapter 27While they were having drinks on the veranda, I made some phone calls and arranged to have two of my fellows meet Talya on her little trip to Nassau. When I reached the terrace, I took a seat nearest the pool to listen to them.
Talya was saying, “You sound like my boss.” Gilford was staring at the drawing now. “Yes, but why didn’t I think of it?” he exclaimed. “We’re looking for N.G.Os and their freight forwarders, aren’t we? And a warehouse where someone is doing the packaging...” He was not quite there yet, I thought. “Don’t look at me like that, Talya.”
She nodded, cracking a smile.
“Yes, but what we really need to find are the fishing boats’ schedules and their particular itinerary (if they’re reported) to see if any of them made regular trips to the Port of Miami. Or am I off track as well?”
“No, you’re absolutely correct, John,” Talya agreed, smiling from ear to ear now. “Because if we know the fishing trawler, which takes regular trips south to Miami, we can follow the trail backwards and find the warehouse at the terminal where the drugs are stored, or if time permits, we could follow the track back to where the drugs came from.”
“So where were your brains tonight, Mark?” Khalid asked.
“I don’t know, Khalid.” He shrugged and reclined in his chair. “But what about the nitro-boxes – I gather you intend to give them a miss?”
“Yes, for the time being... As I said this afternoon, we presumed that drugs and nitro came from the States – because that’s what we found at the mine site – but that was wrong. Only the drugs came from the US – not the nitro. So, and as you said, Mark, we’re giving the nitro a miss for now.”
“Okay...” Mark turned to the water.
“And that means that you can stay here, find Slimane and do away with him, while we’re going to Guyana,” Khalid added, recalling Mark to instant attention.
“You mean I would let you two go alone to Cayenne while I stay here and find Slimane’s operation and have him apprehended by the authorities? That’s a no, Khalid, that’s what it is.”
“Why? Why would you want to come to Cayenne?” Talya asked.
“Because, you and Khalid are going to Cayenne – that’s why. If you think for one minute that our Ben Slimane would not notice that you’re gone alone you’re mistaken. Don’t forget there is a contract on you. And the killer only needs an opportunity like this to execute it.”
“Why would your presence make any difference?” Talya asked.
“You’re the one now with your brains in slow gear, Talya. The killer is well aware of my little record. I’ve killed Osnoir, so he knows that the minute he pulls the trigger, he’s dead – if I’m near. Or better yet; he’s well aware that if he shows his face before making the hit, I’ll be the first one at his funerals.”
- Writer
