The Missing Samurai Sword by David Scurlock

Author:David Scurlock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: David Scurlock
Published: 2024-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22 All Aboard

The weekend would give me time to sort out the photos, decide for next week’s exciting adventure—just another normal week. I was thinking about a snack and another Rémy when the phone rang. It was Sugar.

“Eneko, sorry to ring so late, but I’ve been manic all week.”

“No problem; the life of a crime fighter is never easy.”

“You’re not kidding, pal. I’ve had a bit of a breakthrough—that Captain Owens you mentioned is skippering a ship that’s due in on Wednesday night, or early Thursday. It loaded up in Hong Kong, then docked in Panama and New York before heading here. It appears it picked up three passengers in New York. That’s all I know.”

I took a deep breath before I replied. I couldn’t mention the operation Kimiko was running, that would put the whole deal in jeopardy.

“Sugar, you’re going to have to trust me on this one. I’ve got an investigation going on that’s probably going to put Mansell and Owens in the frame, but I need until Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. But before Owens’s ship docks. I think you’ll need backup. There could be a few of them.”

“Okay, Eneko, but don’t get too clever. These guys are dangerous with a capital D. Keep me up to speed. I’ll call you on Wednesday morning.”

I poured another Rémy. This is going to be tight, I thought. If Kimiko doesn’t make the right connection.

My plan was very simple: I’d prepare two envelopes for Mansell, one with the incriminating photos of his in flagrante delicto; the other with photos of the sword. I would explain that I was acting on behalf of a client who would like the exchange to be made as soon as possible; otherwise, these photos could be forwarded to the relevant authorities. As an added touch, I’d prepare a letter from my client in Japanese with a Hanko signature stating that I, the interlocutor, had no knowledge of the contents of either envelope. The exchange was to be conducted in the confines of the safety deposit room in one of the main Liverpool banks; two boxes had been reserved, one for each party. Once both parties were satisfied, the matter was terminated. Kaimana would be my client’s authenticator.

I developed the photos. Charlotte had the body of an athlete, despite the way she lived. Her torso was muscular, and her breasts defied gravity. And her thighs and buttocks looked powerful. I bet she could be a real handful. But she was a mess. Someone needed to lend her a helping hand.

The photos could be of some use, but I didn’t think Kimiko would need them to persuade Charlotte to help. She seemed desperate to leave Mansell. Kimiko could always give Charlotte the old photos from Hong Kong as a threat if needed. But I bet Mansell would have bigger problems to worry about. If the photo session on the ship went according to plan, we would be out of the woods. And as soon as Kaimana witnessed the exchange and took the sword, he and Kimiko should beat it fast.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.