Betrayed (Powell Book 4) (15 page)

Jenkins spotted Carol walking towards the café. She was easy to detect as she was the only single woman in the vicinity. There were no single men sat at any of the tables so he reasoned her contact hadn’t yet arrived.

Carol walked past him and once inside the café, Jenkins watched through the window as she ordered a drink, before taking a seat at a small table suitable for only two people. Jenkins nonchalantly followed her inside, walked up to the counter and ordered another coffee and a slice of Carrot cake. Carol was still sitting alone and didn’t even glance up from the book she was reading.

Jenkins sat at a table where he could observe everyone entering or leaving the café. He also had a good view of Carol, who seemed oblivious to his presence. He saw her look at the watch on her wrist and was prompted to do the same. It was a couple of minutes before three, which was the time she had informed Powell, the exchange always took place.

Jenkins tensed as a single man entered the café. He was in his late twenties or early thirties and wearing jeans and a black leather jacket. He was tall and athletic looking. Jenkins noted he walked with an air of confidence. With his dark, Mediterranean looks, Jenkins would have guessed he might be Italian.

The man followed the routine of going to the counter and ordering a drink. He then went and sat opposite Carol. He was carrying the same type of supermarket bag as Carol, which he placed on the floor. It was obvious how they planned to execute the exchange.

They exchanged pleasantries like two old friends. Jenkins could hear everything they said as they discussed the weather and the park. They smiled and laughed. The man ate his cake and they drank their coffees. Anyone watching would see nothing suspicious in their behaviour.

After about ten minutes, Carol said goodbye, stood up, picked up the bag brought by the man and headed for the door. Jenkins smiled at the smooth operation and remained seated.

The man took a minute to finish his coffee, then stood up, picked up the bag belonging to Carol and headed for the door. He appeared to be very relaxed.

Jenkins watched the man leave, then was quickly on his feet and followed the man out of the café. Jenkins hung back until the man was outside the walled area of the café. With him momentarily out of sight, Jenkins then hurried to the exit in the wall and wasn’t surprised to see the man heading up the hill, towards the car park.

Jenkins was wearing running gear and started jogging. The man heard his approaching footsteps and glanced behind but seemed unconcerned by the sight of someone out for a run. It was a common sight in the park.

Jenkins accelerated his pace and as he drew level, turned and smiled at the man. As the man turned his head slightly in Jenkins direction, he hit him flush on the side of the jaw with a short jab. The man collapsed to the ground and Jenkins grabbed for the bag that now lay by the man’s side.

In just seconds, he was once again running up the hill towards Powell. There was hardly anyone about and even if they called the police, the man he’d assaulted wouldn’t be reporting a crime. Jenkins didn’t bother looking over his shoulder. The man had been too dazed to respond or offer any threat.

Powell was anxiously waiting for Carol to reappear. When he saw her casually walking up the hill, he breathed his first sigh of relief. The greater sigh would follow when he knew Jenkins had been successful. He didn’t have long to wait for confirmation as he spotted Jenkins running up the hill, quickly gaining on Carol.

Powell stepped out of his car. He was only ten metres from Carol but she seemed miles away in her thoughts and didn’t register his presence.

“Hi Carol,” Powell said, walking towards her and waving his hand to catch her attention.

An initially welcoming smile was quickly followed by a look of puzzlement on her face. “What are you doing here?” she asked as he approached.

“I’m afraid I don’t have much time for explanations. I need to relieve you of your bag.”

A small smile crept across Carol’s face. “Scott will blow a fuse.”

“True. I think it would be best if you describe my friend here as the one responsible.”

Carol looked confused for a second and then realised he was talking about Jenkins, who had joined them. She noticed the bag he was carrying. “Is that what I think it is?”

“It is,” Powell confirmed. “Listen, it’s important you don’t mention seeing me. Otherwise, Scott might wonder how I knew about the exchange. A stranger ran up behind you, grabbed the bag and pushed you to the ground. Feel free to give a description of him.”

Jenkins held out his hand for the bag and Carol passed it over. “You may want to rub a bit of dirt on to your clothes, where you rolled on the ground,” Jenkins suggested. “Your contact will be back up on his feet shortly and headed this way.” 

“We need to go,” Powell urged. “You can come with us if you want. If you don’t want to face Scott, I can get you away from here and help you get started afresh somewhere else.”

“And miss seeing the look on Scott’s face when I tell him he’s been robbed? No thanks.”

“You’re certain?” Powell had been concerned from the outset not to put Carol in any danger. That was why it was important for Jenkins to take both bags. Carol and her friend from the café would both give the same description of their assailant, which should hopefully stop suspicion from falling on Carol. Scott and the other party would no doubt argue about who was to blame for what occurred. There was no link to Powell. 

“I’ll see you around,” Carol said with a broad smile.

“Be sure of it,” Powell agreed. He turned away and hurried to his car, followed quickly by Jenkins.

Powell drove and Jenkins looked inside the two bags. His raised eyebrows told Powell the contents were significant.

“Seems Scott was selling cocaine,” Jenkins said, holding up a white bag of powder. “About fifty thousand pounds worth of the stuff, looking at these bundles of cash.”

“Sounds like we just caused him a whole load of pain,” Powell said, grinning.

“Not just him; he’s going to have a very pissed off customer,” Jenkins answered. “He has no money and no drugs.”

“It’s a step in the right direction. We need to keep twisting the screw.”

Scott had insisted Doug went with him to the meeting, despite his protests. It was Doug who arranged the original introduction and Scott believed Doug’s presence would help ensure his safety. Even the most violent gangster would think twice about killing a cop or someone else in front of a cop.

Doug didn’t wish to be seen meeting with a known criminal in a public place but Scott insisted he must show solidarity and attend. They would keep the meeting short. They were partners and had to share the good and bad times. This was a very bad time.

Scott knew the Italian’s reputation. Luigi was known for his temper and emotional outbursts. He made no pretence at being a modern day business man. He was a throwback to the old days of gangsters and a violent son of a bitch. There were plenty of stories circulating, which demonstrated his ruthlessness. Most of the stories centred around someone who had upset Luigi, literally ending up in pieces.

For Luigi, it was not just a matter of the financial loss. His son had been assaulted and his property stolen. It was an affront to his dignity and he would be looking for vengeance. Others would hear about what happened and may perceive it to prove Luigi was getting weak. Rivals may try to move in on his business.

Scott was convinced, Luigi would leave a trail of blood and violence in his wake and stop at nothing until he discovered the person responsible for stealing his drugs. He would want to send out a loud message to all and sundry. You don’t mess with Luigi Pesce.

Scott had never liked the man but he was able to shift a great deal of drugs and had become Scott’s most important customer. Scott was not responsible for what took place in the park. He had been equally left out of pocket but he knew Luigi would have questions and want answers. On the positive side, Luigi had the resources to find the culprit. In doing so he would hopefully also recover Scott’s money, although he would no doubt expect a fee for his services.

Luigi had chosen the park to meet. He wanted to see first-hand, the scene of the crime. Scott had given thought to whether Luigi was responsible for stealing his money and whether the meeting was a charade. The man described by Carol could have worked for Luigi. The Italian wasn’t a man Scott felt he could trust but for the moment, he had to take things at face value.

Scott, Doug and Tommy walked down the hill to the café. The Italians had arrived early. Luigi and his son, who Scott knew was called Paulo, were sitting at one of the wooden tables outside the café, drinking coffee. Two dark, heavyset types, who wouldn’t look out of place in a gangster film, were sat at the next table.

“Scott. Doug. Glad you came,” Luigi said, opening his arms in a welcome but not moving from his seat. “Can I get you some coffee? They make a half decent espresso.”

“Why wouldn’t we come?” Scott asked, irritated.

“I just meant I was glad to see you. You must remember my English is not perfect. What about that coffee?”

“I’ll have a Latte,” Doug answered.

“Tommy, get us both a Latte,” Scott instructed. “Either of you want another?” he asked, looking at Luigi and Paulo.

“Let me get them,” Luigi replied.

“That’s okay. I can still just about afford to buy some coffees. Do you want another?”

They both declined and Tommy headed inside the café to buy the coffees.

“This is a bad business,” Luigi said, as Scott and Doug sat down at the table. “Any ideas who is responsible?”

Doug answered bluntly, “We think someone inside your team must have been talking out of turn.”

“We have considered that possibility but the leak is not at our end,” Luigi answered firmly. “Only Paulo and myself know the details of where and when the exchange takes place.”

“Paulo,” Scott said. “Could it have been just a local scumbag who witnessed the exchange? Perhaps a user, who worked out what was happening and saw it as an opportunity to grab a fix.”

“This man was not some junky. He was fit and punched with the force of a bull.” He touched the side of his face feelingly. “I believe he was waiting for us at the café.
If
he also followed your girl up the hill and took the money then this was a well-planned attack, not a random act.”

“I don’t like your inference,” Scott replied with a raised voice. “It is not a case of
If
our money was taken.”

“Okay, I believe you,” Luigi said calmly. “I don’t think either of you are stupid enough to try such foolishness. This leaves the girl…”

“What do you mean?” Scott asked.

Luigi didn’t answer immediately as Tommy arrived with the coffees. Once he was seated at the table with the other Italians, Luigi continued, “We do not believe the leak is at our end. Therefore it must be at your end and the courier is the obvious choice. Unless it was one of you?”

Scott thought about the suggestion for a moment. “She doesn’t like me anymore. I suppose it’s possible but very unlikely.”

“She doesn’t like you anymore?” Luigi asked. “Do you mean you used to have a relationship with this girl?”

“For a little time.”

“And did you move on to another girl?”

“Yes.”

“A rejected woman can make a powerful enemy.”

“I’m not sure,” Scott said doubtfully. “It was over a year ago when I finished the relationship.”

“Perhaps she has been planning her revenge all this time.”

“She spends every day at Tintagel. She almost never goes out and she has no phone or other contact with the outside world.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Luigi asked.

Scott had to admit he didn’t have any ideas. What Luigi said made some sense but equally he might just be trying to divert the blame away from his own organisation. “I don’t have a clue who is responsible,” Scott replied. 

“I don’t think Carol was anything to do with this,” Paulo added. “She was relaxed like normal. She would have been anxious and shown some nerves if she was involved. I don’t believe she will be able to help us.”

“It can’t hurt to speak with her,” Luigi said.

“I will have Tommy speak to her,” Scott confirmed.

“If it is a problem for you to question Carol, I am happy to help,” Luigi offered.

“Tommy is quite capable of asking Carol the right questions,” Scott retorted, becoming irritated again.

“I’m sure Tommy is very capable,” Luigi replied. “But perhaps my men have more experience in this area.”

“I very much doubt that,” Scott stated with conviction. “Tommy used to interrogate terrorist suspects.”

“As you wish, Scott. Please let me know the outcome after Tommy has spoken with Carol.” Luigi requested. “We need to urgently find and make an example of whoever is responsible.”

“We need to get our money and product back,” Scott added.

“Speaking of product,” Luigi said. “I will be needing new supplies as soon as possible. When can you deliver?”

Scott looked at Doug. “When do you think?”

“I can get you about half your normal order tomorrow,” Doug answered. “The rest will take another twenty four hours.”

“Good,” Luigi responded. “Despite this setback it must be business as usual for our customers.”