El Pantera: No-one said it would be easy. Read online

  “What about cocaine? You haven’t given up everything”

  Gabi opened her hands out to Steve. “As they say, it’s a hard habit to break but it keeps me in touch with sources.”

  Steve was curious, “What kind of sources.”

  “People who tell me everything, they think I am stupid or scared, they don’t know me.”

  Steve nodded his head, “They certainly don’t.” he paused they were looking at each other, “You can’t visit here anymore.”

  Gabi was smiling, “That’s a disappointing statement, when you were looking at me, I thought you wanted to make love with me, I could have been tempted.”

  Steve laughed as he answered, “I didn’t know you could read minds.”

  “It is one of my many accomplishments, maybe another time. You are right, I will not come back here. If you can promise to stop the searching for my phone number,” she waved her finger in the face of Steve, “I will not come here.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.” He lied again

  “I will phone you, keep that phone number, it could be at any time, when something is happening, it will be worth your while. I do not want money, just trust, friendship would be nice, but for now trust. I am really a nice person. I know you find it hard to believe but if you had been in my position, I hate myself for killing Filipe.”

  “Do you want to tell me who this guy is who killed Jessica?”

  “I will, but in the future, I will keep in touch to make it easy.”

  “What do you mean, easy?”

  “You will know when the time comes. I must go, I have been in here for too long.” She stood up and moved towards Steve, facing each other again in silence, she held her right hand out to Steve. He took hold of her hand it was warm and gentle, “I am so sorry about Jessica, it hurt me as well.”

  Steve pulled her in close and lightly hugged her, he resisted the urge to kiss her on the cheek, “It was not your fault, I know that.” They separated after a few seconds.

  Steve opened the door and looked along the corridor, it was clear, Gabi walked along the corridor away from the apartment and never looked back. Steve closed the door and walked to the window and looked down on to the street below, he never saw her leave the building.

  He turned and looked at the photograph of Sarah, he could see Gabi. He was deep in thought, ‘What the fuck have I done, how do I explain this, for fucks sake, no-one said it would be easy, but this, this is fucking ridiculous.’

  He switched his mobile on, there was a message from Maddison, ‘Call me when you can’.

  He took another drink of Cola from the fridge and gathered his thoughts, it was difficult, very difficult. He made a call to Maddison. “Hi Maddison, did it work?”

  “I thought it had Steve, it was bouncing all over the place, then it centred on Spain and eventually on your mobile vicinity, then the call went dead.”

  “What would cause that Maddison?” He was lying and thought Maddison knew he was lying.

  “I’ve never seen it happen before,” she explained, “It is possible they got similar to crossed lines and sent back to the receiver.” Maddison knew that it was impossible but it would give Steve a way out.

  “Oh, shame, never mind. I got some information which would be useful, it would have been interesting to know where it was coming from, but there will be no more calls, he told me. It was too dangerous for him, he said. Sorry to spoil your weekend. Thanks for trying Maddison, I’ll be in touch soon, good luck with the presentations.”

  “Thanks Steve, we will keep in touch. Did you get the business credit card, Josh was saying it’s never been used?”

  “Yes, yes, I did thanks, I might use it on a holiday I’m planning. See you both soon.”

  The call was closed, he dropped the mobile on the sofa he was sitting on. He bent over and put his head between his hands, “What the fuck have I just done, what am I doing?”

  chapter 3

  Sunday 30th April

  The overnight bag had been packed; Steve checked inside the document holder again to ensure the flight documents were in the zipped pocket. It was 12:16 on the digital display of the microwave in the kitchen as he made himself another coffee. He carried the coffee and placed it on a Union Flag coaster on the coffee table. He sat down on the sofa, then after another thoughtful pause, he pressed the digits on the mobile.

  “Good morning mate, or should I say good afternoon?” Leon was in his apartment and was now lying on his bed, a large grey towel was wrapped around his waist, he had just showered.

  “I’ve had another contact.”

  “That’s good news,” Leon sat up, “did she have much to say?”

  “Yes, but it was awkward.”

  “We discussed that; we knew it would be awkward. How awkward do you mean?”

  “How about, knocking on my door and coming into my apartment awkward.”

  There was a silence, Steve waited, “Fucking hell mate, there’s awkward, in like,” Leon paused, “like, someone who’s an escaped murderer making a call and you answering it, and,” again there was silence for a couple of seconds, Leon was holding his head in thought, “how the fuck did she know where you lived?”

  “I’ve never slept, it was absolutely crazy, listen, I’ll tell you how it happened, okay.”

  Leon spoke first, “No, first, how did she know where you lived?”

  “Quite easily really, she followed me from the Embassy, she even saw me go to The Covent Garden then back here. Like she said, I wasn’t expecting to be followed so I wasn’t looking for anyone.”

  Leon was shaking his head, “I just, just cannot believe this, this is real scary man. Tell me, I have to know.”

  “I’ll keep it brief. She rang dead on 3 in the afternoon, she kept asking about trust, if she could trust me, she had life in prison to look forward to if she was arrested. She told me about the escape, she knew nothing about it, she thought they were going to kill her, she was drugged and taken to a village in the jungle somewhere, she doesn’t know where. Apparently, the natives were taking toxin off some Golden Frogs and getting paid by the Cartel.”

  Leon interrupted, “Toxin from a frog, what’s that about?”

  “Leave it for now, anyway, after a few weeks, she gets a call from her sister, she’s shacked up with Manolo, the MMV boss, he apparently loves her. She has persuaded Manolo, to get her out of jail and give her some cash, lots of cash and she is taken by plane to Haiti. She kept on going about trust, trust. I ask her about the guy who killed Jessica, there was a knock on the door, she heard the knock, she told me there were cops in my apartment and closed the call. I was fucking fuming.”

  “Did she call back?”

  “No. I opened the door; she was just stood there in the corridor. There was no-one about so I quickly got her in.”

  “Holy shit mate, what happened?”

  “She had a look around the rooms then relaxed, sat on the sofa and we started talking.”

  “What was she like?”

  “She’s really good looking, what is scary is she is so similar to Sarah, long wavy dark hair, same shape face, Sarah is a bit taller, more athletic.”

  “I meant; how did she react?”

  “She was calm, told me she could tell me who killed Jessica but that was for later.” There was a silence, “She’s living in Spain.”

  “No way, where?”

  “She obviously doesn’t trust me that much but will keep in contact. There’s something big happening soon, she will tell me when it is.”

  Leon was thinking, “I take it she is still in the coke trade?”

  “Yes.” Steve was thinking about Gabi, “I was uncomfortable when she was in the apartment, I must admit I am worried about meeting her again.” Steve didn’t elaborate on the reasons why.

  “Why is that, apart from her being a killer and an escapee?”

  “I like her, it’s crazy, but I really do, but I know she is a killer. She is so much like Sarah in appearance, I know Sara
h wouldn’t kill anyone, even Gabi said Sarah looked like her.”

  “Ooh, Gabi now, is it?”

  “Yes, she wants to be called Gabi. Anyway, I was thinking.”

  Leon interrupted, “I bet this will be good, come on then, what’s the plan?”

  “I can’t really get involved with her, I was there when she was arrested, I know her, even with false documents I would know it was her. There is no way of getting around the fact, that if the truth was known, I would be arrested for harbouring an escapee, murderer and drug trafficker, that’s what’s fucking awkward.”

  “That is an accurate assessment mate, so how are you going to handle it?”

  “I will introduce you to Gabi, or whatever name she is given, then you can develop a relationship without knowing her background.”

  Leon was astonished, “You have been telling me she is a cop killer, a serial killer, killing blokes she has sex with, a black widow if you ask me, no fucking way.”

  “No, no. Honest Leon, would I put you in danger?”

  “It certainly sounds like it.”

  “I’m not asking you to have a relationship with her, you would, I know you would, she is just,” Steve stopped himself, “wanting to help us, get the killer of Jessica and Greg Simons.”

  There was another silence as Steve waited for Leon’s response.

  “It might work, but how can we get an introduction without the Spanish police being involved. They would dig to find out who she really is, does she look the same as she did in Panama?”

  “Yes. Exactly the same, not even coloured her hair or changed the style but there are loads of Latin Americans living and working in Spain now, they blend in with the area. Anyone looking at her would never, ever, imagine, she was a killer. As long as she doesn’t come into contact with the Spanish police, criminal wise, fingerprints, DNA, she will be anonymous.”

  “You’ve really thought about this, it might work. It keeps you out of it, just got to sort out an introduction. Would she trust me, like me, like, as in enough not to kill me?” He gave a little laugh.

  “What really scares me, I know who she would like and trust.”

  Leon interrupted, “You obviously, but that ain’t going to happen.”

  “Sarah.”

  “Holy fuck man, what are you saying, you are crazy, you can’t do that to Sarah.”

  “I wouldn’t, I was just saying what I know about her, she likes women, good-looking women, and good-looking men.”

  “She killed Jessica and you would risk Sarah?”

  “No. No way. I was just saying she would like Sarah. I don’t want Sarah to be involved, she would probably recognise Gabriella, no, she would recognise her, no doubt.”

  “So, Sarah is working with you on the same stuff and she will not know it’s Gabi, Gabriella?”

  “We don’t keep photos of informants, and she wouldn’t if she passes the course and is away for eight weeks.”

  “What about the two weeks between the courses, what happens if she fails the assessment and works in the office?”

  “Leon, stop complicating things, Sarah will pass, she’s a natural. I’m hoping so, we both know it’s tough, she will.” Steve was convincing himself, “I’ve thought about taking her away for a well-deserved break, we’ve only had a few days off really, never been on holiday together, I’m going to ask Bert tomorrow. I’ve got a job to do this week and then it should be okay.”

  “You have really thought this out haven’t you. Okay, she gives you, me, the intelligence, we work on it, get a success with coke etcetera, then she tells you, me, for fucks sake, us, who and where the killer is, what happens then?”

  “I get the guy checked out and it gets dealt with.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “We tell the police, wherever he is and they deal with it.”

  Leon was unconvinced, “Oh yeah, really? Then what happens to,” Leon was thinking, “Shakira, after she has given us all the information, is she returned to prison?”

  “I like that name, good name, I haven’t worked out that bit yet.”

  “Do you think it would work, seriously, think about it. If, ‘Shakira’, is on the scene of the drug jobs there will be photos, videos, CCTV recordings. If she is spotted, she could get identified, well would if Sarah has a look.”

  Steve was positive, “Yes, it would work if we, I, go about it in the right way.”

  Leon started laughing at loud, “It’s a bit late for that mate but we can give it a go. You have not spoken to me about this, okay. When it gets sorted, contact is made and you need someone, suggest me, suggest me strongly. I’ve got nothing in my book for a few weeks so it had better be quick or I could be anywhere.”

  “Thanks Leon, I’ve got a plan for a contact arrangement, which could happen soon. I’m relying on her getting in contact with me, I need her trust to get her contact number, that is a big ask. I’ll work on it, I’ll be in touch soon, hopefully.”

  Tuesday 2nd May

  After packing his overnight bag, Steve had his breakfast in the hotel and went for a walk along the sea front. The sun was shining down on the Mediterranean and the beaches, some sun worshippers were already laying out their towels for a relaxing day ahead. He had completed the preparations on Monday, the bank holiday, then had a social evening with Ivan in the local bars. He made a call to Bert, “Good morning Bert, did you have an enjoyable bank holiday?”

  “Hello Steve, yes I did, quiet though. Is everything sorted for today, any problems?”

  “Yes, it’s all sorted, just waiting again, it will not be rushed.”

  “It never gets rushed in Spain, just do what has to be done.”

  “I will, I’m just walking along the sea front to kill some time. I was wondering if it would be okay for Sarah and I to have some leave from this weekend, we’ve never been away together, just a week or ten days.”

  “It should be okay, the crew who are on leave this week for the bank holiday will be back, Sarah will probably need it and you of course. I’ll check the schedule, have you got any work planned for the next two weeks?”

  “Nothing specific unless something new and urgent comes in, the usual liaison but nothing operational.” Steve was lying and felt guilty lying to Bert, the less he knows the better for Bert.

  “I should know by this afternoon, is that okay.”

  “Thanks Bert, I’ll keep you updated.”

  “Good luck, see you when you get back.”

  He took a seat in a café overlooking the marina, he checked his personal phone, nothing. The waiter took his order of sparkling water and a black coffee, he looked at his watch and relaxed.

  Later that afternoon he was sat in the departure lounge at the airport, the final passengers were showing their boarding passes, he walked to the desk. He was last in the queue, showing the pass, he followed the line and climbed the steps towards the aircraft front door. He knew his seat number, entering the cabin he walked down three rows, he placed his overnight bag into the overhead locker, he took his aisle seat, 3D. Just two occupants in the row of three seats. The male in the window seat was watching the luggage trailer reversing from the side of the plane, he turned and glanced at the late arrival who had been holding the plane crew from closing the door.

  Trigger looked in amazement and surprise at Steve who had his right index finger across his lips and was smiling. He kept his composure, smiling back he nodded and again looked out of the small window, still smiling. The stewards went through the pre-flight safety procedure, then announced the flight time would be 2 hours 50 minutes to East Midlands, the arrival time would be 17:50.

  Shortly after take-off, the seat belt signs were switched off, the two shook hands and started a neighbourly passenger conversation.

  Steve broke the ice, “Have you been staying anywhere nice?”

  Trigger joined in, “Yes. It was full board, loads of staff, some of my friends were staying in the same place.”

  They were both smiling,
“Was it your first time?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think I want to go back” Trigger continued, “I don’t think you would like it for some reason.”

  “Did your mates like it?”

  “They didn’t go with me, they came later. I hope they like it they’ve booked a long stay. I’ll miss them.”

  “I can give you a lift from the airport if you want?”

  Trigger was laughing, “Yes, that would be great, that’s if it’s not out of your way. I was hoping to surprise my wife, she thought I was staying for a while longer.”