The Collectors - Book Four: Diamonds and Sand (The Collectors Series 4) (17 page)

             
Petros made sure Eva was up and ready.

             
“Why are we leaving this early?” she asked.

             
“With an early start we can be in position to make camp in daylight and return tomorrow. The sooner we’re back the better.”

             
His answer appeared to satisfy her as she picked up her possessions and walked over to the other Toyota.

             
Petros operated his hand-held sat-nav by double-checking it with Bear’s. “Right, Bear. Lead and I’ll be on your left. If either of us become stuck, everyone digs.”

             
Bear saluted and ducked as Petros’ right hand struck fresh air. “Yes, boss.”

             
A thick cloud of dust rose into the air behind Bear’s Toyota as he drove through the camp and onto the track. With a grin, he let his gaze fall on the distant horizon. The land was bare except for the odd dead plant that somehow had grown and died in this parched land. The Toyota traversed the half road with ease at eighty kilometres per hour. On the hour, both cars stopped, checked their position and marked the map. The driving became easier as the sun peaked over the horizon casting long shadows across the landscape. Now and then, the road vanished under drifting sand.

             
Three hours later, they crossed a tarmacadamed road referred to on their map as the B6. Bear hit the brakes and broadsided before coming to a halt. While stopped they filled both vehicles’ diesel tanks. In the cool of the fresh morning air everyone drank their fill of water.

             
Petros stared at the emptiness. By midday hell’s kitchen might be cool in comparison.  He glanced at the sky without a hint of cloud and muttered, “Bear, we follow this road until seven o’clock. Another hundred kilometres should do it.”

             
“No probs.” Bear called to the others. “Time to lift and shift. Break’s over.”

             
“What’s with this seven o’clock business?” said Akeem.

             
“19.00 degrees, line of longitude,” said Bear. “What we are searching for is due south on that line.”

             
“How are you aware of this?” said Amadou.

             
Bear chuckled. “In the war this cave was used as a fuel and water dump for a special long range desert group. The leader of those men told Petros.”

Once again
, the two vehicles motored over the rugged terrain. At first, they made good time but more often than not drifting sand covered the road for five to ten kilometres. The Toyotas proved their worth as they travelled off-road on a compass course of 160 degrees.

“
Akeem,” said Bear, “check our position with the sat-nav after seventy kilometres. If we’re close tell me.”

             
When half an hour elapsed, Akeem confirmed their position. “I reckon another thirty minutes.”

             
“Recheck in fifteen,” said Bear. “From what I can see it’s going to get bumpy.”

             
The rock-covered desert slowed progress as they negotiated the smaller stones and drove around the larger boulders.

             
“Not far now,” said Akeem after another thirty minutes

.
              “At least we can see the mountains,” said Bear.

             
“Which means they are huge,” said Amadou. “They have a greenish tint from this distance.”

             
  The Toyota tilted at an obscene angle, bounced and continued on its course.

             
“Sorry about that folks.”

             
One uncomfortable hour later, they left the rock-strewn desert and began their climb into the low hills in front of the mountains. When the baked sand levelled out, Bear stopped the Land Cruiser. “My arse has gone to sleep. I need a walk to restore circulation.”

             
“I believe we are members of the same club,” said Akeem, massaging his backside. “ZZ, make the tea.”

             
Petros parked alongside the other vehicle, switched off the engine and jumped out.

             
In minutes, ZZ erected and lit the camping stove and waited for the water to boil. When ready he served the tea without milk or sugar in tin mugs. Everyone sipped the hot liquid in silence.

             
Petros checked their position on his sat-nav and frowned.

             
“You don’t seem to be happy,” said Bear.

             
“It’s taking much longer than we planned. We still have seventy kilometres to cover.”

             
Bear shielded his eyes. “Should be a straight run from here to the mountains.”

             
“Sea of sand,” said Petros. “The sand covers everything. But we could be lucky.” He turned. “Drink up, we’re leaving. Bear, you continue to lead. I’ll follow in your tracks. ZZ do you recognize this area?”

             
“No good, Mr Petros. Drive slow and easy. Reduce the pressure in the tyres. The rocks are there, concealed under the sand.”

             
“Did you hear that, Bear?”

             
“Message received and understood.”

             
With half inflated tyres, the two vehicles drove at slow speed towards the mountains. The soft, dry, wind-blown sand covered rocks of varying shapes and sizes. Often they stopped to secure a ground anchor and winch a vehicle out of a hole.

At the twenty kilometres mark Petros ordered a break. With engines ticking over
, each of them drank their fill and relaxed.

             
  “Those mountains don’t seem any closer,” said Bear to Petros, as he wiped the sweat from his face.

“Fifty to go.
”

“So in five hours we can rest.”

“If we’re not there in six hours we set up camp and proceed at first light.”

             
“ZZ said it gets better as we near the mountains.”

             
“How much?”

             
“He doesn’t know. It seems the odd tourist and mad men travel in this region.”

             
“I wonder in what category he places us?”

             
“Mad comes to mind.”

“Time t
o go,” shouted Petros. “Bear, I’ll lead and give you a break.”

             
For an hour the two vehicles traversed the rough terrain.

“Mr Kyriades, why do you mix with Arabs and blacks?” asked Eva. “With your good looks and blond hair you are without doubt European.”

Petros glanced at her and returned his gaze ahead. “Bad question
, Eva. I owe Bear my life and he’s a great man. The Arabs I trust like brothers. Keep your mouth shut. Akeem does his best work with a knife. He could cut your tits off before you knew they were gone. Bear, on the other hand, will bury you up to your neck in sand and walk away.”

“They are animals and part of a lower order of homo
sapiens.”

“Your Hitler believed the Germans were the master race and others
inferior. The inferiors kicked his army back to Berlin.”

“
He was a God whose people deserted him when he needed them most.”

“Eva, shut it.” He concentrated on the route ahead
. Without warning the nose of the Toyota dropped. His foot hit the accelerator and the Toyota became stuck. Annoyed, he turned. “Eva, shift your arse. You have two strong arms and can shovel shit with the rest of us.”

             
Her eyes blazed at his impudence. “It’s over forty degrees out there.”

             
“So you’ll have sweaty knickers full of sand. The choice is stay here or walk. If you make twenty kilometres in this heat you’ll be lucky.”

             
“You forget. I’ve paid the bill. I own you.” She lifted her hand as if to strike.

             
A rush of resentment crossed his mind, both hands curled into a fist and his muscles tightened ready. He breathed deep three times, grabbed her wrist, twisted and stared into her eyes. “No one owns me.” He let go, grinned and tossed the shovels out. “Bear, I’m with you. Lady Muck can dig herself out or we collect her on the way back.” With short strides, he made his way to the other Toyota.

             
“She’s up to her tits in sand and digging, PK.”

             
The men watched.

             
“Nice buttocks,” said Akeem. “I wonder if she’s ever had real sex.”

             
Petros laughed. “Have you?”

             
“Many times.”

             
“Come on, guys, let’s give a helping hand. It’s too bloody hot to stand here.”

             
In ten minutes they positioned the perforated metal plates under each wheel.

             
“Ready,” shouted Bear, as he engaged four-wheel drive and in first gear increased the revs. The Toyota lurched onto the plates and crawled out of the hole.

             
Eva brushed the sand from her clothes and strolled across the tracks in the sand.

             
ZZ charged and pushed her to the ground as a perforated metal plate shot as a javelin from under a rear wheel and landed twenty metres away.

             
Eva lay there shaking. She clenched her fists, rolled over and shoved ZZ away. “You dare touch me, you dirty Arab. When we take control, the likes of you will work until you die.” She drew back her right arm ready to strike. A black hand grabbed the collar of her shirt and tossed her as rubbish to one side.

             
“For fuck’s sake, the kid saved your life and you want to beat him.” Bear examined ZZ and hugged him. “Get in the car. She’ll never touch you again.”

Without warning, Eva leapt to her feet and ran towards Bear screaming
, “Sie schawarzes schein.” She swung the shovel at his head.

He
sidestepped, and with a clenched fist struck her. “Your passenger’s out for the count, PK. Tell her if she raises her hand to ZZ again I’ll bury her with a couple of sand vipers for company.”

             
Petros did not smile as he dragged Eva to her feet. “Get in the car and shut up.”

             
Eva held the side of her face and staggered to the car.

             
“Time to rock and roll,” said Petros. “Bear, watch your back.”

             
“I have eyes in the back of my head. If she makes a dodgy move I’ll take her out.”

             
“Three days at most and she’ll be gone.”

             
“One way or another,” said Bear as a wry smile formed on his lips.

Petros jumped into the driver’s seat of his
Toyota and drove. “You fucked up, Eva, played your cards too early. These guys don’t take prisoners, so do as you’re told and you’ll survive.” Dust clouds rose behind them and drifted away in the gentle breeze from the mountains.

             
Time vanished as the bone-jarring journey continued. With less than twenty kilometres remaining, the ground became level with small rocks covering the surface. Bear and Petros halted their vehicles and with a foot pump inflated the tyres to normal pressure.

             
At the base of the mountains they steered both vehicles into a gully shaded by a giant rock. The four men and ZZ jumped out, stretched, and walked back and forth.

             
Petros opened the passenger door. “Eva, are you joining us?”

She
sat back in her seat and adjusted the airflow from the air conditioning. “When you find the diamonds, bring them to me.”

“Suit yourself.” He slammed the door.

Exhausted, he and Bear brushed the sand with their feet and finding nothing that could bite, sat.

             
“Even the ground feels as if it’s moving,” said Bear.

             
Petros gulped a few mouthfuls of warm water. “We’ll take five and make camp as discussed. Akeem and ZZ can do that. I want you and Amadou to come with me to find this cave. It must be here but I can’t see it.”

             
“Hard to spot,” said Bear. “That’s why the army used it.” His eyes focused on something reflecting the sun. He pointed, “What do you think that is?”

             
“One way to find out.”

             
The three men walked towards the glistening object without speaking.

             
Petros dropped to his knees and brushed the sand away. “We’re in the right place. This is the remains of Eva’s grandfather’s plane, the cockpit.”

             
“Are you sure?” asked Amadou.

             
“Positive. This is German.” Petros glanced towards the rock-strewn slopes aware that wherever the cave was, it could not be far. “Come on, let’s get moving.”

             
They walked to the right, Petros at the base, Bear fifty metres up the slope with Amadou higher. Twenty minutes elapsed before they stopped, turned one eighty degrees and started walking back.

             
At the original start-point, they drank, rested for five minutes, and continued.

             
In the intervening years minor earthquakes may have destroyed the entrance or a rock fall concealed it. These thoughts filled Petros’ mind as his eyes scanned the locale. Again, they walked for twenty minutes before turning back.

“
Over there,” said Amadou. “Could that be what we’re searching for?”

             
The two men scrambled up the loose rock to where Amadou pointed.

“Bingo,” said Petros as he examined the rock fall.
They removed a few of the larger rocks to expose an opening. He remembered the pages in Geller’s notebook –
Entrance concealed by shadow.
The sun cast a shadow across the entrance.

             
The width of the opening grew larger as they removed the rocks.

             
Amadou let his hands wander across the rock at the entrance. “This is not natural, you can see the ancient tool marks. The width is wide enough for two men. Check the floor, polished smooth by the feet that walked here. Give me a torch. I’m going in.”

             
“Wait,” said Petros, “I’ll come with you. Just in case.”

             
Amadou grinned. “Just in case I find the diamonds?”

             
“No,” said Bear. “Just in case you fall into a fucking great hole. Four eyes are always better than two.”

             
Amadou returned from their Toyota with two lengths of rope and high beam torches. “Tie one end around your waist, Petros, and I will hold the other. We’ve come this far without mishap. Why take the chance?”

             
Petros nodded, secured the rope around his waist and entered the tunnel.

O
ne-step at a time they edged their way into the darkness. On turning a corner, the light disappeared.

“I wonder how far it goes?
” asked Petros.

             
“From memory, I believe when the land was more fertile people lived in these caves and why not? Cool in summer, dry and warm in the winter. On that assumption we should find a large cavern.”

             
Petros shone his torch on the ground as they walked while Amadou lit the route ahead. Both men stopped as a huge cavern opened out before them.

             
“Bloody hell. Who’d believe this?” said Petros. Wooden crates stacked two high covered the ground nearest to them.

             
“This stuff is worth a fortune,” said Amadou. “Chevrolet and Ford spares still in their grease-covered wrapping.”

             
“Fancy a few tins of corned beef, or a British army Bren Gun with a ton of ammunition? These men robbed stores blind. Mind you, I don’t blame them.”

             
“Look at this. Gerry cans filled with diesel must be at least twenty of them. And on the other side stainless steel containers for water.”

             
“Strange,” said Petros. “Hauptman Geller never mentioned any of this. But then having survived the crash and without a torch, why risk your life further? At the entrance he was out of the sun and safe. So close to everything he needed to survive. Anyway, plenty of room for us. Time to find the diamonds.” He knew where they were and could not help but smile. Hauptman Geller had been resourceful.

             
Petros followed Amadou out of the cave and into the entrance tunnel. This time, he directed the beam of his torch on the roof. He spotted the recess before they turned the corner but he kept on walking.

             
“You were gone a long time. Find anything interesting?” said Bear.

             
“Aladdin’s cave circa 1940,” said Petros. “Bear, stay here. I need something from my wagon. Back soon.”

             
“Are you going to tell me, Amadou, or do the rest of us have to go in and find out for ourselves?”

             
“The Long Range Desert Group used this cave as a depot. No wonder they could disappear for weeks and then turn up at the most unexpected places. Fuel, water, food, spare parts for their transports, weapons and ammunition, everything you need to survive. The war finished and they abandoned the place. The rock-fall concealed the entrance until we arrived. We found it because we knew where it was.”

             
Petros strolled up the slope and stopped. “So now you know but apart from a few odds and sods, taking mementos through UK customs might cause a bit of a stir. Anything to declare, sir? A Bren gun and ammunition from WWII, is that okay?”  He picked up a torch and entered the cave.

             
“Hope he finds what he’s looking for.” said Amadou.

             
“If you’re referring to the diamonds, why don’t you say so?” said Bear.

             
“He told me he knows where they are,” said Amadou.

             
Petros returned a few minutes later. “In this bag are the diamonds.” He lifted the bulging sack. “Uncut diamonds worth a fortune in today’s market.” He opened the top. “Go on, take a goosy. These don’t sparkle until they’re cut and polished.”

             
Bear shoved his hand in and removed a largish stone. “Properly cut, in comparison Liz Taylor’s ring would appear cheap.” He dropped it back into the bag. “Are you going to tell Eva you have them?”

             
Petros nodded. “She can have them. Saves me worrying.”

“
ZZ and Akeem have set up camp and there’s a brew on, “said Bear. “Cold rations and salt tablets tonight, and we sleep in the cave.”

“I’ll do the first watch, “said Petros. “Any volunteers for midnight until two?”

             
“Can I do it, Mr Petros?” ZZ scurried up the slope. “I keep good watch while you rest.”

“Tell you what
, ZZ,” said Akeem, “I’ll keep you company but you’re the boss.”

“I’ll follow ZZ,” said Bear.

“I’ll make breakfast,” said Amadou. “Someone, please tell me what we’re watching for?”

Petros spoke softly, but the hint of
apprehension filled his voice. He glanced towards the camp; Eva sat by the fire sipping tea. “I might be mistaken but I’m expecting visitors, Eva’s friends. If I’m wrong, one night’s loss of sleep won’t hurt. In the meantime a defensive wall at this entrance might be useful.”

             
Akeem began to shift the larger rocks into position. “It’ll be built quicker if you all help.”

             
Bear and Amadou turned and maneuvered larger boulders, placing them together. Petros and ZZ filled in the gaps. A wall, one meter high soon encircled the entrance.

Petros
inspected the wall. “With luck, my suspicions are unfounded but like a good boy scout I like to be prepared.

“T
hose boulders will stop most things,” said Bear.

“Time for tea and food,” said Akeem.

“Great idea,” said Bear.

On arriving at the
camp Petros handed Eva the sack. “Your grandfather’s diamonds.”

“
After all this time, they were still there?”

“No one else knew
.”

She opened the sack. “I wonder what they
’re worth.”

“Millions,” said Petros
. “By the way, we’re sleeping in the cave tonight.”

She lifted her head and stared at him. “And if I don’t want to?”

“Your decision but scorpions and snakes don’t make the best of bed mates.”

“ZZ checked the ground before he put up the tents.”

“As I said, your choice.”

She shook her head. “I may not agree but I understand.”
She clenched her fists. With the diamonds in her possession, she knew better than to cause a problem.

             
ZZ served tea and bread filled with meat to everyone before eating.

The meal over, Petros stood. A
quiet determination filled his voice. “Let’s get our sleeping bags and the other essentials into the cave. It’ll be dark soon.” He glanced across at Bear who nodded.

Bear, Akeem and Amadou took several trips to carry everything out of their
Toyota and position it in the cavern. When finished, Akeem sat on a rock and stripped four AK 47s, oiled, cleaned and reassembled them. Each had six full double magazines placed alongside.

             
In the camp Petros tossed what wood remained onto the fire and with Eva made his way up the slope to the cave.               “Your friends should arrive before dawn if they follow our tracks.”

             
Eva’s bemused expression made him grin. “What friends?”