Assassin (The Billionaire Series) (18 page)

“Thank you again,” said Tom surveying their work. “It’s
fantastic.”

“Amazing,” said Lela.

“No, no, thank
you
,” said the man,
gesturing towards the bundle of cash.

“Not at all,” said Tom. “It’s more than worth it. You’ve been
great and if there is ever anything I can do for
you
,
please ask,” said Tom.

“It's ok, just tell young Rolf you were happy and I’ll be more
than delighted.”

“Of course,” replied Tom, beginning to wonder how active young
Rolf was in his father’s business. Rolf had proved, yet again, that whatever
was needed, Rolf could get it and fast.

As they walked back to the aircraft, a jeep appeared and drove
straight towards them. All that could be seen in the darkness were the full
beams shining towards them. As Tom and Lela reached the top of the stairs to
the plane, the jeep drew to a stop less than five yards away from them and
killed its lights. Five men jumped out and ran towards the aircraft each
dressed entirely in black. They silently ran up the stairs and slipped into the
cabin before the door shut behind them. It was then that Lela, Kano and Kisho
recognised them. They were four islanders from Penaraja led by Papa, Lela’s
grandfather, the elder and leader of the Penarajans. Lela hugged her grandfather
and refused to let go. She was very pleased to see him.

Kisho had guessed that Tom had organised some help but hadn’t
expected Papa and the islanders. Tom explained that he had called Papa, they
had discussed the options and agreed that there was nothing to lose by their
coming and being ready, just in case. They had flown in early that morning.

Without further ado, Papa took control of the plan to break in
and out of the prison. Within twenty minutes, even Kisho and Kano were
beginning to think they might just pull it off.

Once the plan was agreed, Kisho and Tom got them back in the
air. With less than an hour until they landed, they all began to get ready. The
cash safe was not the only safe on board the plane. Befitting their status as
bodyguards, Kisho and Kano also had a weapons safe. Kano punched in the code
and extracted the small arsenal they had. The islanders had brought some
weapons with them but preferred by far the ones on offer by Kano and Kisho.

Chapter 41

The story breaking early caught Smith off-guard. He had been
told it would not break until the following morning but it broke a full 12
hours early. His men were still getting into position. He had arranged for over
forty of his men to take up station with the prison guards. He wanted to ensure
his plan worked. He had also arranged for ten of his toughest men to masquerade
as prisoners and initiate the riot. They would ensure it lasted long enough to
cover the murders of the Kennedys.

Another ten of his men were stationed at the prison’s main
entrance. He didn’t want anybody getting in or out until the job was done.

Unbeknownst to Smith, Jones and his men, had also arrived that
afternoon. Their plane had been escorted to a private hangar by a very
bribeable customs official who chose to ignore the heavily armed men in favour
of a large pile of cash. Jones’ orders were clear. He was not to let anything
go wrong, if Smith failed he was to make sure that the Kennedys died. He placed
his men around the perimeter of the prison, thereby throwing an additional
cordon around Smith’s men. He had also left a couple of men back at the
airport. Having been forced to land Alba One was still there and was
effectively abandoned. Jones organised a little modification for it, as a
precautionary measure.

If nothing else happened that night, the Kennedys were going
to die.

Chapter 42

As they began their descent, Kisho began to feel nervous about
the reception they would receive. Afterall, they were about to land in a
country whose President had arrested the Kennedys for mass murder.

“Have you thought about how we’re going to cover our arrival?”
asked Kisho.

“I’ve thought of everything, don’t worry, just leave it to
me,” said Tom.

Two minutes later, Tom opened up the mic. to talk to the
control tower at Malabo airport.

“Malabo Tower, this is Gulfstream One, can you please clear us
for landing.”

“Gulfstream One, we have no notification of your arrival at
Malabo, can you please confirm your airport of origin and the purpose of travel
to Equatorial Guinea.”

“Malabo Tower, I would not like to be in whosever shoes has
messed this one up. Our Origin was Savannah Georgia and our purpose of travel
is to deliver your President’s shiny new jet. Next you’re going to tell me that
a hangar’s not been made available.”

Panic ensued below them as Tom had predicted. The tower staff
contacted the ground staff who quickly emptied a hangar. With no idea how big
the plane was, they just emptied the biggest one available. The manager of the
control tower took over the communication with the Guinean President’s new
plane.

“Gulfstream One, of course you are cleared to land, runway 22
and apologies for my subordinate, he will of course be disciplined for his
stupidity.”

“Thank you Malabo Tower, I’m glad we sorted that out. I didn’t
want to have to fly back to Georgia tonight,” replied Tom.

“Very impressive!” said Kisho. “But you do realise that when
we land we’re screwed. The Alba logo and G-TOM1 are hardly going to look
presidential.”

“Hmm good point. We’ll just have to see what happens. Anyway,
time to land,” said Tom cutting the discussion short as they made their final
approach. They soon landed and followed an escort to the hangar set aside for
them. As they came to a stop and the doors to the hangar closed behind them,
Kisho opened the door to the plane and waited for the electronic staircase to
unfold. The Airport Manager arrived, obviously called out of bed, for the
arrival of the important new jet.

“Hi,” said Kisho expecting them to shoot him on sight for the
lies Tom had told.

“Good evening Sir,” replied the manager. “What a beautiful jet
for our President.”

Kisho was baffled until he followed the Manager’s gaze and
looked along the side of the plane. The Equatorial Guinea flag and new tail
registration looked back at him. He also noticed half a seal next to the door
and assumed correctly it would be the President’s seal. Kisho kicked Tom who
was standing right behind him, just out of the Manager’s view.

“May I come up and have a look?” asked the Manager.

“Impossible, I’m sorry,” responded a very stern Kisho. “The
President himself has not yet seen the aircraft, I couldn’t possibly allow
anybody on board before him. I’m sure you understand this protocol.”

“Of course,” replied the Manager. “I apologise for my impertinence.”

“No problem, don’t worry, the minute the President has seen
it, I’m sure we can give an important man like you a proper tour,” he added in
conspiratorial tone.

“Thank you, that would be a great honour.”

Tom nudged Kisho and whispered in his ear what he needed to do
next.

“Now if you don’t mind, we have some things we need to prepare
for the President’s visit and they must remain private until the unveiling. You
know, decorations and things. A couple of jeeps from the Palace will be here
shortly. Could you make sure they get straight through to us? And also ensure
that we have no prying eyes?”

“Of course, consider it done,” replied the Manager who then
turned around and left the hangar while barking orders to his subordinates to
ensure the President’s men were not disturbed.

Tom made a call giving the green light for the trucks to
arrive.

Ten minutes later, the doors of the hangar parted briefly and
two completely blacked out Lincoln Navigators sped in. The drivers introduced
themselves as friends of ‘young Rolf’ and were at their disposal for whatever
they needed. Tom really wanted to ask what Rolf was up to, it seemed these guys
worked for him and not his father.

The plane’s passengers emptied into the two large jeeps, five
jumping into each one. They kept Rolf’s drivers but the two men who had
accompanied the drivers jumped out and boarded the plane. They would ensure
that nobody came snooping while the others were away. Tom wondered whether they
would crack his safe while he was away, they certainly looked the type.

Two minutes later, they were on the main road and covering the
8 mile run to the prison very quickly when suddenly, the lead jeep stopped,
pulling to a skid at the side of the road.

Papa jumped out and walked back to the second jeep which had
similarly ground to halt.

“OK, everybody out, we go across ground from here.”

“But we’re still over a mile away,” protested Tom.

“Everybody but you two that is,” said Papa pointing to Tom and
Daniel.

“No, wait a minute, I have to come, I’m not staying here…” Tom
looked at Papa’s face and realised that it wasn’t up for debate. He stopped
arguing, he had already gone too far. Papa’s instructions were not to be
questioned.

“Lela, you can stay or come, you won’t hold us back,” said
Papa. Lela looked across at Tom. She didn’t like the fact that she could go and
he couldn’t. Tom nodded his approval.

“I’ll come, thank you.”

“What about me?” asked Daniel. “I feel all dressed up with
nowhere to go.” He was as disappointed as Tom.

“I want you to use that fancy communication kit you brought
and see if you can listen into the guards and let us know what they’re up to.”

“Cool. No problem,” said Daniel.

The islanders jogged off into the night, disappearing
immediately, despite the moonlight.

“Where did they go?” asked Daniel.

“They’re there, it’s just they don’t want you to see them,”
said Tom.

“Who the hell are they anyway?”

“That, my friend, is a very long story but right now you
should be listening into your device.”

Daniel took the hint and quickly set up his kit and began to
scan through frequencies and bandwidths that could carry voices. Digitised,
encrypted or not, his little piece of kit could hear just about anything within
a three mile range.

Lela and the islanders quickly covered the ground to the prison.
Dressed in black and using their surroundings for cover, they were almost
invisible. As they neared the prison, they stopped. Breaking in wasn’t going to
be their first problem. Just reaching the prison was. The prison perimeter was
surrounded by soldiers, heavily armed and very professional. Kano and Kisho had
scouted ahead and came back with the bad news.

“It’s going to be difficult, they’ve taken up excellent
positions and they’re very well equipped,” said Kano to Papa.

“So how do we get past them? We can’t afford to kill any
Guineans. That would give them something to arrest Donald for.” Papa was
struggling to know what to do.

“Wait a minute. They’re not Guineans, absolutely no way.
They’re far too well trained and their kit is state of the art. That is one
very expensive private army, mercenaries I would say,” replied Kano.

“How good?” asked Papa.

“As good as I’ve seen. They nearly spotted me!” exclaimed
Kano.

“How many?”

“Probably 40 around the perimeter and another 10 at the gates.
The strange thing is though, I would swear that the guys on the gate don’t know
about the soldiers on the perimeter.”

“My main concern isn’t getting in, it’s getting out with
Rachel and Donald,” said Papa who didn’t need to worry about Saki.

“Papa, come in Papa,” called Daniel into the radio.

“Yes Daniel, what’s wrong?” replied Papa into his two-way
headset. All the islanders would be able to hear what was said.

“I think you’ve been spotted,” replied Daniel. Papa
immediately looked to Kano and Kisho who shook their heads.

“Impossible Daniel. We can see the bad guys and there’s only
the sea behind us.”

“Well whoever they are can see Lela. Somebody just mentioned
that they could swear that was a girl.”

Papa looked over at Lela. Whoever had spotted them was behind
them. Papa had Lela surrounded, just in case, and the only place she was
visible was from the sea. He looked around again.

“I’ll call you back Daniel. Keep tracking them.”

Chapter 43

Donald and Saki were pacing in their cell. It was 1.00 a.m.
but neither felt like sleeping. It had been a very strange day, something was
brewing and a dangerous atmosphere hung in the air. The cell next to theirs
which had previously been empty had been filled with four new prisoners who
could not have looked more out of place if they had tried. During their
afternoon exercise, the mens’ eyes betrayed their training. They were
professional soldiers and good ones. They had also brought a number of friends
into the prison. Saki had counted at least another six so of them. In addition
Donald and Saki had noticed a number of new guards, surprisingly similar in
stature and training to the new prisoners.

The tension amongst the prison community was palpable. With no
‘boss’ prisoner to keep the peace, turf wars were being fought and old scores
settled. The new prisoners seemed to be taking a great interest in these and
somehow getting involved and even stirring an already explosive atmosphere.

It did not take a genius to work out that an attempt was going
to be made on their lives, under the cover of a prison riot. Saki knew it and
Donald knew it. Fortunately, Rachel didn’t. They could hear shouts already.
Things were beginning to happen, it wouldn’t be long. The shouts began to grow
both in volume and number.