Authors: Keith Hoare
People Trafficker (27 page)
However the MP who was giving her the do’s and don’ts, didn’t seem amused. “We don’t stay in the room once you’re inside, but before we allow you in we will check the room, then MPs will be stationed outside the room, until you’re ready to leave.”
“Okay, I understand and I won’t be doing anything foolish I can assure you. But I’d like to return to my room now for some sleep.”
He nodded and they walked alongside her back to her room. She waited outside as instructed until told she could go in. Then once inside she threw her clothes off and climbed into bed. The MPs were professional, not wanting to be overfriendly, taking their job very seriously. Karen, for the first time since coming home, felt very safe.
Saeed was drumming his fingers on the side of a table listening to his agent Pat in London, trying to explain what had gone wrong.
“How in hell can the idiots over there have her twice and she escapes?”
“You tell me, Saeed, but that’s what’s happened.”
“So where’s Karen now?”
“She’s back in the camp.”
“What’s the chances of snatching her again?”
“That’s why I’m ringing; I think it can be done later next week. There’s an end of training do in the Social Club. Basically everyone gets drunk and security is lax. If the girl just collapses everyone will think she’s drunk too much and take her to her room to sleep it off.”
“So what’s the point?” Saeed asked, getting frustrated that Pat wasn’t coming to it.
“The girl won’t be drunk, she’ll be drugged. A laundry van leaves at twelve every night, which an associate of mine drives. He and a friend will take her out the back way; the rest of the women will still be in the club so no one will know she’s gone.”
“I don’t know, it’s a bit close to the last abortive attempt, they are bound to be on their guard with her now.”
“Maybe, maybe not. This is the army, and they’ll be convinced she’s absolutely safe on the camp itself.”
“You have a point, they could have their guard down, and she’ll certainly believe she’s safe in the camp. What time will you collect her?”
“He’s not told me that, just asked me to arrange for her to be collected ten miles south of the camp. What do you think?”
“Well we’ve nothing to lose, Pat. Make the arrangements, if he succeeds all well and good, if he doesn’t, well it was a long shot and there’ll be other opportunities.”
Saeed had hardly replaced the receiver when his mother came into the room.
“Your medication Saeed,” she said placing a small round tray with a cup of hot coffee and a saucer containing four tablets on the table.
“How’s the girl?” Saeed asked.
His mother shook her head. “She’s not well. She’s eaten nothing, her weight’s falling so I don’t think she has flu like the doctor said.”
“Shall we call it a day with her? Have her dumped in the desert?” he suggested.
“Give her to the end of the week, if she’s no better, then yes. We still have a forty thousand offer for her, so it’s worth waiting a little longer.”
“You’re right, mother, that’s a lot of money to lose, the weekend it is, and after that I’ll get Hassam to take her.”
As she was leaving the room a knock came at the front door. She shuffled over and looked through a small cut-out in the door to see who it was. She recognised the visitor immediately and pulled the door open.
“Your son, old woman, is he in?” Sirec asked.
“Yes of course, please come this way. May I bring you refreshment?”
“No thank you, I won’t be staying,” he replied.
She nodded and left Sirec to go and see Saeed, while she made her way to the kitchen.
“Why, Sirec, it’s good to see you, take a seat,” Saeed said when Sirec entered.
“Are you feeling better?” Sirec asked.
“I’m getting there. But at least I’m in control of my business again, although mother did a very good job while I was, shall we say, indisposed.”
“Well it’s good to see you are improving. I hear you’ve taken six children from the UK and created very large ripples, Saeed. I would have preferred you lay low for a time until my girl was brought back.”
“I had no option, Sirec. Your girl as you like to put it, has cost me plenty. I had to carry on with the arrangements I’d already made before Karen escaped, otherwise I’d have lost thousands of dollars.”
“Well you make your own bed, Saeed. Now what of Karen? Where is she, and why haven’t your contacts managed to capture her?”
“It’s not for want of trying, Sirec. Twice they’ve had her but they all failed to realise just how dangerous and capable she is. But they are having another go next week, this time she will be subdued with drugs, stripped and checked very carefully.”
While Saeed had been talking, Sirec had lit a cigarette and was drawing on it in thought. “A word of warning, my friend, I’ve read Karen’s story in the British papers. I should kill you for what you did to my girl, but the punishment she meted out on you is for the time being enough. However, if one of your people touches her, injures her, or rapes her, you along with your mother will be tied on the back of my car and dragged until you are both dead. This is more than a warning it is a certainty. I hope we understand each other?”
“I understand, Sirec, your property will be looked after I can assure you.”
“Not my property, Saeed, my girl. Remember that.”
He stood and left the room without another word. Saeed lit a cigarette himself. He despised Sirec, as he thought he ruled the world. But he was also a businessman. The collection of Karen would be very expensive for Sirec and one day he’d tire of her. Then he would buy her back and she’d pay for what she’d done to him.
Karen was very nearly late for dinner; she’d not even stirred until the telephone rang. It was the Colonel.
“Are you all right, Lieutenant?” he asked.
“Yes fine thank you, why do you ask?”
“Dinner, Lieutenant, is served in forty minutes and we expect you for pre-drinks.”
“God is it that late...,” she gasped looking at her bedside clock. “I’ve only just woken; I’ve been dead to the world. I’ll be there in ten minutes, I promise and I’m really sorry.”
“That’s why I called you, Lieutenant, I understand you’ve only had a few hours sleep, but we cannot delay a regimental dinner.”
Fortunately with having a good shower after returning from the exercise she just needed a wash and her make-up. Karen had already sent her uniform for pressing, because of the service tomorrow, so at least that was ready. Rushing out from the bedroom, collecting her guards on the way, she went down the passage and out through the front door, nearly walking into an officer.
“Hi, can’t stop I’m late,” she said.
“Hold on, I know, they’ve sent me to collect you.”
Karen frowned. “Why? I do know where the Officers Club is and I also realise I’m late, but I don’t need it rubbing in by sending someone to collect me.”
“Calm down, Lieutenant, everyone understands you’ve had very little sleep and besides it’s only right that you are accompanied into the Officers Club, after all you are a visitor.”
At that moment the MPs intervened. “If you are walking with the Lieutenant we must search you, Sir.”
“But I’m an officer,” he protested.
“All the same, you have to be searched?” Karen suddenly cut in.
Although Karen didn’t mean it to be taken as an order, after all she’d been told not to give orders, they had no knowledge of this, so to them she was the ranking officer, and as such no one argued. So the officer allowed them to search him then they all set off for the Officers Club.
“Sorry about that, but everyone is subject to a search if they are with me now.” Karen said to the officer. “Anyway do I look right? I’m not used to wearing a uniform.”
The man looked at her strangely. “How can you not be used to wearing your uniform?”
She sighed. “Don’t ask; just tell me if it’s right?”
They stopped at the doors and he looked her over, turning her round, pulling her jacket straight and adjusting the tie. “You’re perfect, but a lot of the officers wanted me to ask you what regiment you come from?”
“I’m attached to Special Operations, so I’m not allowed to tell you where I’ve come from.”
“Ah, now I understand, everyone was wondering if you were special ops, with the General being here. Anyway shall we go in?”
Inside the diners were already stood around in small groups, their uniforms pristine, holding drinks. The two MPs positioned themselves close to the entrance of the room, watching her. A waiter approached with a tray offering her a drink.
“What’s in them?” she whispered to him.
“I’ve dry sherry, Martini or punch. Would you rather I got you something else?”
“Can I have a vodka and tonic please; I just couldn’t drink any of those.”
He smiled. “Leave it to me.”
“Lieutenant, you’ve made it at last, come and join us,” General Ross said, as he approached her.
Karen was taken over to four men she’d never met before. Two were introduced as Colonels, the other two were Generals.
“We’ve heard a great deal about you, Lieutenant,” one of the Generals commented.
“I hope some of it was good, Sir?” she asked.
“It was I can assure you,” he replied. “In fact I was speaking to General Ross and suggested that after this next mission of yours I’d be very interested in talking to you about joining a special group I’m putting together. I can’t tell you much about it but I can assure you it is an operation that would really suit your talents.”
“It’s nice of you to even consider me, Sir, I’m really flattered, but I’m afraid you’d be very disappointed in me. You see I’m not really the type for combat. Oh I’ve been thrown in it and survived I admit. My dad even took me on lots of weekends playing war games, but deep down I’m very feminine, love my fashions and try to keep myself slim and fit. I’m not some butch heavyweight with tomboyish ways. Besides when this is all finished I intend to go home, perhaps work in a shop selling fashion? I’m not sure yet.”
He nodded and smiled to himself. He was going to have this very capable and dangerous girl in his team, whether she liked it or not. But he was going to watch the operation in the Lebanon very carefully to understand just how this girl ticked.
The dinner went well. Karen was already known and popular with the officers based on the camp, although they didn’t get too close to her, many of them nervous with the involvement of Generals. But tonight every officer in the room had begun to realise that this girl was somehow very important, and although she told one she was part of a Special Operations team they really believed she was SAS and was now under intense twenty-four-hour protection.
Karen, when she could finally get away, walked back to her room with the two MPs.
“I’m going to church first thing in the morning. Mass begins at eight. Can you arrange transport for me?” she asked the MP in charge.
“I can, Lieutenant, but first I need permission from the Colonel before you may leave the camp. If you leave it with me, I’ll make arrangements.”
“Well if you have problems, let me know and I’ll talk to General Ross. But for me there’s no argument. I will be going to church, even if we have to take a full battalion for my protection.”
He smiled; Karen thought that this was the first time he had.
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Lieutenant, we can protect you.”
Back in her room Karen changed into a particularly short, tight, sexy, black dress, high heels and nylons. She had every intention of showing the Canadian Commandos she was no tomboy in any respect. When she entered the Social Club a little later the MPs hung back then stood watching. Lots of lads were calling her over to join them. Karen was very popular here, as well as in the Officers Club. This was mainly because of her laid-back approach and having no airs or graces because of her rank. However, after a few pleasant exchanges she looked round the club and saw the Canadian Commandos, who’d collected her from the moor, sitting together watching the goings on around them. By the look of it none had recognised her and she smiled to herself. It was time she confronted them.