Dark Intent (12 page)

Pretoria

Kallis met Teichmann as planned.
They did not go to the group offices, and instead went to Teichmann’s grand Dutch-style house outside town. When they got there, Teichmann asked the servant to bring a pitcher of lemonade and they were soon seated on the spacious front lawn.

‘It was interesting to hear what you had to say on the phone,’ said Teichmann.
‘I thank you for sending us the file and I can assure you it has been appreciated.’

‘Thank you,’ said Kallis.
‘It was a pleasure.’

Teichmann poured lemonade into
Kallis’s glass and his own before going on.

‘Your background and credentials are excellent and you are suited for a specialist job I have in mind. You will concentrate on work that for now plays an important part in the life of the group.’

Teichmann got up and walked around his chair, exercise he badly needed. ‘The last statement is extremely important. It means that any threat to the success of the group will be identified and nullified by you, to the best of your ability. The work might entail killing our opponents. These are the people you and I decide undermine the objectives of the group.’

Teichmann stood in front of Kallis.
‘After lunch I will give you the job description and the terms and conditions. If you find them satisfactory and have no queries you can start as soon as possible after signing the contract. I hope you accept because your first job is highly dangerous. Let’s go and have lunch. I know of an excellent Italian restaurant near the office.’

At one-thirty, Teichmann and Kallis, after an excellent fillet steak, walked to the group offices. The building had been acquired recently and, like Teichmann’s house, was designed and built in the Dutch style. The two men went to Teichmann’s office, palatial with grand views of the old city and beyond.

Once seated, Teichmann didn’t waste time. ‘I will fill you in on this job from the beginning to where we are now.
When you hear what I have to say you will realize that to some extent you have already been involved.’ Teichmann lit a cigarette, coughing wretchedly when he first inhaled. ‘Three weeks ago, a man who was leading a team in the group on the development of a file, secretly removed it from its safe. This file and another file I will refer to later are two of the most important documents ever to be conceived and developed by the group. At this stage, we believe the work on the files is complete and they are entitled State Security 1960 to Present, File A and File B.’ A few days ago you sent me a copy of File A, the original of which was taken by the man.’ Teichmann inhaled again, digging deeper for his fix, half the cigarette already devoured. ‘The man took the file and sent it by courier to a prominent Durban lawyer, Andrew Cartwright. When this was found out by our security people, the few who had access to the file were subjected to intense interrogation. You can imagine what that must have been like and it was not difficult to make the man responsible admit his guilt. We could not release him onto the street for fear of him divulging the details of his work to people in authority. With his detailed involvement in the creation of the file, he would have been able to present an extremely convincing story that would have brought the group leadership to its knees and caused irreparable damage from which we would never have recovered.’

‘What happened to the guy who was responsible for taking the file?’ asked Kallis.
‘Somehow I don’t think things went too well for him after he was found out.’

‘Under the circumstances there was only one way of shutting him up,’ said Teichmann.
‘We had him killed.’

Kallis expected the reply. ‘Do you know what happened to the file after it was sent to Cartwrght?’

‘We do not know where Cartwright put it and we had to assume it was at his house. We sent three men to Durban to break into the house and find the file. They agreed that our appointed leader of the operation would do it alone and meet the other two later. His name is Jan Krige. As things worked out Cartwright was killed by Krige but Krige could not find the file. He had to get out without it. When he got to the meeting point the others weren’t there and he had to return to Pretoria on the night train.’

‘That was not very friendly of them,’ said Kallis.
‘Trust is everything and they don’t appear to have it.’

‘You are right,’ said Teichmann.
‘They are dead now but I will come to that later. In answer to your question on what happened to the file, I can only say this. I believe that Krige is telling the truth when he says he has not got the file, and that means someone else got hold of it. We do not know who took the file but a copy was made and you came across it.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and lit another. ‘There is something that might be of value to you concerning this someone. After leaving Cartwright’s house, a person has systematically and with clinical precision killed four of our people. Two were the ones who went to Durban with Krige, one was our man in Pretoria who organized the operation and the fourth was a DSO informer. He told his boss, Peter Smith, in the Scorpions about the job, who we believe was your boss. The story does not end there. A stranger was at Krige’s farm when Gerrit Viljoen of the group arrived. For whatever reason this person spared Krige’s life and escaped even though he had just been shot by one of Viljoen’s men. We believe he is the one to whom I refer and we want him.’

‘Whether or not we get hold of this man is, in real terms, of no consequence,’ said Kallis.
‘The prime aim in all this is to find and obtain the original file.’

‘Exactly,’ said Teichmann.
‘But I would still take great pleasure in catching this stranger.’

‘What exactly is in the file that makes it so important?’ said Kallis.
‘I only read a couple of pages. The title got me going. How does one identify the original?’

Teichmann smiled.
‘The second question is very important and I’m glad you asked it. The original has a small Oriental seal heavily stamped on the inside of the back cover and under the synthetic backing. You have to peel away part of the backing to find it. The seal is virtually undetectable unless you know exactly what to look for and where it is located. Only six men, now seven, are privy to what I have just told you. The six, including me, have always worked on copies but the system I have just described was created in case the original fell into the wrong hands, which it did. An agent of ours might then need the capability to identify it quickly without having to resort to a time-consuming process. In answer to your first question, the file names the leaders appointed by the state during the apartheid period who were in the police, security forces, the government, the state security council and those who held positions of influence. The file is a detailed composition of activities executed and directed by those listed and the evidence that would convict them if they were ever prosecuted and brought to trial,’ Teichmann drew deeply on his cigarette then went on. ‘The file also makes reference to original signed minutes, memoranda, written orders and reports. This information was kept separately from the file. Revelation of the contents of the file would convict many of the most powerful and prominent people in the country and achieve the catharsis that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission wanted but never got.’

‘I’m not sure I understand the reason for compiling the file,’ said Kallis.

‘It is designed to protect those who gave us so much in the past and, if necessary, provide a way out for them. Each person listed has a second set of identity documents for them and their family, names of contacts overseas and immediate access to travel documents. In short, everything is there for a quick exit if things get to hot.’

‘All very clever,’ said Kallis.
‘I can see why you want it retrieved. In effect it is the most powerful form of protection. You mentioned another file, File B.’

‘I did,’ said Teichmann. ‘The other file lists only blacks.
The two were created simultaneously and are identical in terms of design. But there is a clear distinction between the two. File A is to protect, while File B is to persecute and eliminate.’

Teichmann’s secretary came into the office with some papers and gave them to her boss.
Teichmann glanced at them and gave them to Kallis. ‘Sign the contract after you have read this stuff and return it to me,’ he said. ‘You can start now. I have some papers for you to read that might be of interest. You will have to find out everything you can about the missing file, including details of all those involved with it. You are the only one on this work and you will do it alone.’

Durban

After seeing Peter Smith and hearing his account of the conversation with Jan Krige’s lawyer, James Steiner wanted to get away for a break.
He thought of Sophie, and her wish to go to Japan. He phoned her at work.

‘How are you?’ said Steiner when she took the call.
‘I thought you might be with John Kallis.’

‘I can’t be with him even if I wanted to,’ she said.
‘He left the school and someone said he had also left Durban.’

Steiner made no comment.
‘You said when I last saw you that you wanted to go to Japan. Well I’m not doing anything at the moment and I thought I might take you up on that.’

She went silent and he could hear her breathing.
‘Are you still there?’ he asked.

‘Of course I am,’ she said.
‘And yes, I would love to go.’

‘Great.
I was thinking of going for about a week. When can we leave? I’m available now.’

‘Let me see out this week,’ she said.
‘It’s only another couple of days. How does that suit you?’

‘I’ll get tickets on JAL for Saturday morning,’ he said. ‘Enjoy your class and I’ll ring you tonight.’

That afternoon Steiner booked tickets on the early Saturday flight to Narita, Tokyo’s international airport.

Tokyo, Japan

Steiner and Sophie Carswell arrived at Narita Airport, Tokyo, late on the Sunday afternoon.
They caught the limousine bus to the Shinjuku area in the centre of the city, an area adorned with class department stores and hotels that dominated the landscape. Steiner booked them into separate rooms that had good views, particularly of Mt Fuji in the far distance, the highest and most symmetrical mountain in Japan.

‘Why two bedrooms?’ asked Sophie.
‘I was looking forward to some passion. You have been there before.’

‘Patience,’ said Steiner, a smile on his lips.
‘I moved too quickly last time and got your boyfriend going, remember? My desire got the better of me and this time I am going to be more careful.’

‘I obviously hurt your pride,’ she said and changed the subject.
‘Let’s have a drink before dinner. There is plenty of time and this is such a fantastic hotel. I can be ready in thirty minutes. How does that sound?’

‘I’ll come to your door,’ said Steiner.

They ordered drinks in the main lounge and relaxed in the sumptuous seats. For a while they drank in silence and then Sophie said: ‘You must know Japan really well. Where are we going tomorrow?’

‘We are going to a national reserve called Nikko,’ he said.
‘Whatever you have heard about the mountains, forests and lakes in this country, all are insignificant when it comes to Nikko and when you have been there you will rank it as one the most beautiful places you have seen. By all accounts it has the finest examples of architecture in Japan, in the form of shrines, temples and mausoleums. This includes the Toshogu shrine dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa
shogunate
. You must have heard of the great
shoguns
.’

‘You’re mocking me,’ she said.

‘No,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t do that to someone as lovely as you.’

She was a little embarrassed by the compliment but still liked it.
‘When do we get to Nikko?’ she asked. ‘I can hardly wait.’

‘Now you are mocking me,’ he said.
‘Early tomorrow morning I want to go to the Tokyo
dojo
of my teacher, Chinen
sensei
. It’s in Yoyogi, one stop on the JNR train from here. That shouldn’t take more than an hour and then we’ll get the train to Nikko.’

‘I would like to see where you spent so much time training,’ she said.
‘Let’s have dinner. You can show me some typical Japanese dishes.’

After an early breakfast Steiner and Sophie set out for the
goju-ryu dojo
. She knew little about the traditional martial arts, except that they were very different from the Japanese styles that had been copied and distorted by the west, in terms of technique, principles and philosophy. She had picked up most of her understanding listening to Paul Adams, who held a high black belt grade in
aikido
.

They went to Shinjuku station and caught a train the one stop to Yoyogi.
At the station they walked half a mile to the
dojo
, a relatively old one-storey building constructed in the Japanese style. Steiner slid back the panelled door and they replaced their shoes in the foot-well at the entrance with slippers.

The training area comprised a large space with a sprung timber floor.
Japanese scrolls hung on the wall and wooden swords and other similar weapons used in training were supported upright in racks. An old shrine was in one corner.

They went towards the small office at the side of the hall.
When they approached a girl came out.

‘James
san
,’ she said, clearly pleased to see him. ‘What are you doing here? You were only here two weeks ago and only for a short time.’

‘I had to leave,’ said Steiner.
‘I went back to South Africa. I came over with Sophie for a few days.’ He turned to Sophie. ‘This is Michiko Tanaka the irreplaceable office girl. We spent many hours drinking
sake
at the local eating house and enjoying their fat eels.’ He addressed Michiko. ‘Where is Chinen
sensei
?’

‘I am so sorry,’ said Michiko.
‘He is in Okinawa until the end of the month. He will be so sorry he missed you.’ She smiled. ‘You are his favourite and always have been.’

Steiner looked down, a little embarrassed.
He and Chinen had a very special relationship.

‘Where are you going on this trip?’ asked Michiko.
‘Last time you went to Nikko. Now, it is the start of autumn and you will find it at its most beautiful.’

‘We are going to Nikko this morning,’ said Steiner.
‘It’s a place I love. We’ll be staying at the Yumoto Spa
ryokan
on the shores of Lake Yunoko.’

Michiko studied him.
‘Did you ever meet the blond man and his Japanese friend who were looking for you last time?’ she asked. ‘The Westerner really wanted to see you. He is in Tokyo now and yesterday he came in with two other men and asked me if you were here. I said no. I think they will come back.’

Steiner looked at Sophie.
She had gone deathly pale and he put his arm round her.

‘Who were the other men?’ he said.

‘I do not know them,’ she said. ‘They were foreigners and one of them was striking the
makiwara
. He was very strong and has had a lot of practice.’

Steiner looked away, thinking.
If the men returned he did not want Michiko to lie for him and deny having seen him. Michiko would also be asked where he had gone and again he would not want her to lie. He started to worry about Sophie and knew they had to go somewhere and talk. The blond man was certainly Paul Adams.

He faced Michiko.
‘It is very nice to see you and I am sorry I missed Chinen
sensei
. Please tell him I was here and give him my best wishes. Goodbye.’ He took Sophie’s hand and led her round to the exit. After putting on their shoes they left the hall.

Steiner and Sophie did not speak to one another until they were seated in a café near the station.

‘So Paul Adams is still after me,’ said Steiner. ‘He doesn’t like to lose. What interests me is that he must be confident I’ll appear. He doesn’t even know what I look like.’ He took a sip of coffee. ‘Someone must have told him I would be here and I think he knows you are also here. He might hold a grudge against you for ditching him and think I had something to do with it. To me that means two things. He still wants revenge for what I did to you in London and he is not happy that we are together.’

‘But who could have told him we were here?’ asked Sophie.
‘I know he comes to Japan fairly frequently but the coincidence of him being here at the same time as us is virtually impossible.’

‘Think of anyone who knows we are here together,’ said Steiner.

Sophie held her head in her hands, deep in thought. Then she looked up with satisfaction in her eyes and said: ‘Paul Adams knows my father and they speak to one another on the phone.’

‘Why would he tell Adams I was here with you?’ asked Steiner.

‘I think he phoned my father and during the conversation asked about me,’ she said. ‘I had told my father I had met you again and that we were going to Japan for a break.’

‘It all adds up,’ said Steiner.

‘What do we do now?’ asked Sophie.

‘I don’t believe we should change our plans because of him,’ said Steiner calmly.
‘We must just be careful. Grab your things; we have to go to Ueno to pick up the train to Nikko.’