Crash Course by Derek Fee (pdf to ebook reader .txt) 📕

dreams had returned, perhaps fed by the made-up stories he had told to regale Safardi. The sheikh was an attentive listener. He had the voyeur’s interest in death and destruction. It was better to hear about it first-hand than to take part in it. Davenport had foreseen the possibility that Kane would have to recount his war stories and had provided him with a file of genuine escapades but the thoughts that kept him from sleep had nothing to do with the war in Afghanistan. He wondered if Morweena and David would forgive him when they learned the truth. His feelings for Morweena were responsible for a sea change in his view of the future over the past three weeks. Perhaps he wasn’t doomed to carry the cross of his police service on his back for the rest of his life after all. Now all he needed was the chance but before he would get that he would have to hand Safardi and his cohorts to Davenport on a silver platter. After what he’d seen around him at the villa that would not be an easy task. Safardi would have only to wave his diplomatic passport at the Spanish authorities and they would have to back off. But that wasn’t his concern. He had been charged with finding the culprits and providing some evidence against them. Davenport would have already been informed that he’d gone rogue. He was an experienced undercover operative and he’d ditched a plan that had been developed by his superior. That would gain him lots of demerits. One man without ordinance against a gang armed with Uzis. He must have been mad.

The light came first in tiny finger beams which cast a faint orange-yellow glow over the bare hills to the east of the villa. Kane watched as the fingers slowly elongated and spread themselves between the crags of the hills and the gaps between the villas. The sea came into view as the golden beams struck the water and were reflected towards the land. Kane watched the dawn with wonder. It wasn’t the first such scene that he had witnessed but he felt that there was a sense of portent in it. The first rays hit his face, the early morning sun emitting surprising warmth at this time of year. He stood watching as the light flooded the compound of the villa directly below him. The spreading rays picked out the four guards who sat positioned around the edges of the compound walls. Each man had his Uzi machine gun slung over his shoulder. Kane was suddenly aware of the very precarious position in which he had placed himself. He was alone and dealing with menacing and ruthless people. Maybe his luck had run out.

Chapter Forty-Four

Kane sat quietly thinking until seven o’clock and then showered and dressed. He was not surprised to find that the door to his room had been locked from the outside. He hammered on the stout oak panelling and the key instantly turned in the lock. When the door opened, he was confronted by Jaime’s dark Indian eyes which didn’t show any emotion. He wondered whether he had spent the night at his door or whether he had shared the task with Pedro. The Colombian motioned him out of the room. Kane was more aware than ever that while he had penetrated Safardi’s operation he was not yet trusted. He had no ‘pedigree’. That would mean that he would be closely watched but that wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. Kane had no intention of fleeing his prison until he had enough evidence in hand against Safardi.

Jaime led him to a terrace overlooking the villa’s swimming pool. A wicker table had been set for breakfast.

“El Jefe is coming.”

Kane was taken aback by the soft voice which came from the big Colombian. The accent was American.

“You speak English,” Kane said.

“Some,” Jaime said. “I learn in Los Estados Unidos. I watch television. I learn many words. Sit.”

Kane sat. From the look on his guard’s face, he could see that the conversation, such as it was, had ended. The smell of the coffee was more than he could stand and without waiting for his host he poured himself a cup. I could get used to this life, he thought, looking out over the swimming pool where a jean-clad retainer was running a cleaning machine over the base.

“Good morning.” Safardi joined him at the table. He had dispensed with his dishdasha and was dressed in a light tan shirt and trousers. “You’re up and about early. Excellent. Let’s have some breakfast.”

“I’ve already begun,” Kane held up his coffee cup.

“What can Hassan get you?” Safardi’s mood was light and his face wore a permanent smile. “He’s a marvel with eggs. Makes a wonderful peasant’s omelette.”

“No thanks, I was never big on breakfast. No insult to Hassan but I’ll stick with coffee and a piece of fruit.”

“Likewise,” Safardi said, waving his hand and dismissing both Jaime and Hassan. “I should fill you in on the plan for today.” He poured himself a cup of coffee. “We have a little excursion to make. Then as soon as we return, Jaime and some of my men will accompany you north. Our freighter is right on time. By tomorrow we will, I hope, all be significantly better off financially.”

“And the purpose of today’s excursion?” He peeled an orange.

“It’s by way of getting to know each other better.” Safardi flashed his smile again. “Now that you have agreed to work with us, I think you should get to know who we are. Please indulge me. I assure you that it won’t take long. But enough of business. How did you sleep last night?”

“Like a log,” he lied.

After breakfast, Kane went to his room accompanied by Jaime and did what amounted to his ablutions. When he was ushered through the front door of the villa, Safardi was waiting beside two light-green Range Rovers which were pulled up in the driveway, the second