“Apparently,” Rob continued, “he’s paid extra to doctor vehicles so that the mileage will match the official records which do not include the additional pick-up and drop-off journeys. That way Logistics Arranged and their clients do not suspect anything. He also deals with any repair work necessary and keeps that off the books. It sounds as though he makes a tidy living as a result, but didn’t know about the monitoring devices that are installed.”
“And,” Alexandra chipped in, keen to be heard in front of such a senior group, “he confirmed that all of the drivers involved have taken holiday at the same time. He doesn’t know where they’ve gone, but whoever is behind this has suddenly stopped using Logistics Arranged.”
“So the drivers have gone to help him, her or them?” Steven asked.
“That’s what he thinks, yes. And he is bitter about it, because he loses income,” Rob added. “So, after we turned-up asking questions, he decided to challenge his handlers about it, all in the hope of joining in.”
“I think I know where they’ve gone,” Laura’s tired voice cut into the conversation. “I spoke to Alan a short while ago – the doctors eventually gave me the okay. He is one seriously lucky man! Anyway, after Rob and I had interviewed him, he called his handlers, saying he was ready to join his other colleagues who had been called-up and have also taken holiday.”
”And,” encouraged Steven when Laura took a longer than expected pause to take a long drink of coffee.
“They refused his request saying it was too risky having met with us. Instead, they asked to meet him. He guessed that would not be healthy, so he went on the run, but they found him anyway. He’s now under police guard. Anyway, assuming he would join them, some of the drivers broke confidences and told him they were going to Romania, collecting vans on the way. Why? They didn’t know, but the money was good.”
“So what now?” Steven asked.
“We finish the interviews here today,” Rob concluded. “We have a cover to maintain and need to learn as much as we can about the business so it can transfer to Zouches.”
“I think we then investigate operations in Romania,” Laura suggested. “I can meet Rob and Nat there. Hopefully, Rob and Alexandra can trace a pattern of journeys that converge on Romania. That may give an idea of where to look because it’s a large country!”
* * *
Nikki wasn’t happy; news from Rotherham was that Alan was alive and talking. In her bedroom she picked-up her mobile phone and dialled. “Emilio? We need to talk.”
“Does it have to be now? I’m expecting the last of the vans and want to check them for suitability. The shipments out start soon.”
“That sounds excellent, but, yes, we need to talk.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“I’m having to move again.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“The police have got the rogue driver because the thugs your buffoons sent after him failed. What’s more, your two idiots kept phoning the driver, so the blasted police will be tracing us as we speak!”
“Okay, but back up a moment. What makes you so certain?” Emilio was always cautious with Nikki’s comments – he had learned the hard way that since her tragic sailing holiday to Bulgaria she increasingly reacted to situations in an overly melodramatic way.
“A personal contact at the hospital told me.”
“What’s the risk the driver knows anything useful?”
“We have to assume that he does, drivers talk to each other. However, the only thing the drivers knew was they were to drive vans to Eastern Europe. We only provided the detailed instructions after the vans were collected, and our man was already on the run by then.”
“Which means that the police won’t have much to go on. You’re sure they were only told Eastern Europe?”
“Yes, well as sure as I can be. Emilio, please, I need my fix.”
“Yes, of course,” Arroz said in a patronising manner. “Let me know where you are when you’ve found a new place and see what can be done about the man in hospital. The less he speaks, the better.”
* * *
Mid-afternoon, Rob received a text from Freja. Having finished interviewing the Logistics Arranged people on their list, Alexandra and he had settled down to review the mound of paperwork they had, looking to trace anything back to Romania. They had found quite a few collections close to the Romanian border, but nothing within Romania. Frustrated at the lack of progress and keen to see what Freja had to say, Rob excused himself for a coffee break and to go outside for some fresh air.
Rob, hi. I do hope you’re well? I’m still in Mexico but hope to leave soon. It has been very busy and there have been some arrests and seizures of drugs, weapons, money and property. The police also have some places under surveillance and are following other leads. I am amazed that I have been able to be so helpful! Living at the embassy has been luxury – wow. I will have to tell you about it sometime, but I am looking forward to seeing my family again – and maybe you?
Freja
Rob’s heart pounded as he read her message. He had barely thought of her since leaving Mexico, mostly because of Laura, but also because of the full-on nature of the work. Now images of the beautiful Swedish girl flooded his mind from various stages of their time together. It’d be great to see her again and hear about her time, he thought and rapidly tapped out a reply.
Freja, hi. Wonderful to hear from you. I would love to hear about all what you’ve been involved with. May I give you some advice, though? Delete your text to me and don’t be so open with what you’ve been doing. If the wrong people got hold of your phone, it wouldn’t be good. I’m well but very busy. Am in Budapest at the moment and expect to travel a lot more in the coming days. I have no idea when I will next get back to London, but hope it won’t be too long! If possible, I will fly over once you’ve got home.
Rob
The response was almost immediate.
Oh, gosh. Thank you, thank you. You’re so good at always looking after me. Message already deleted. I do hope you can find the time to come out – my family also want to meet you. I can’t wait to see your yacht!
Freja xxx
Rob had started to head back into the office to meet Alexandra as he read Freja’s response and his mental alarm buzzed. Hmm. Need to be careful. It’d be great to see her again and she is wow. But… Oh dammit! I wish I understood Laura. So his response to Freja was carefully worded and non-committal.
Let’s see how my work goes, but let’s hope. Take care.
R
24
Laura, Nat and David spent the rest of the day researching and thinking of angles that should be investigated once they arrived in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. They had very little to go on and disheartenment threatened. It’s alright for Rob, he’s got the distraction of the interviews, Laura decided during one of her many breaks from her desk to fetch another coffee. For once, she didn’t mind always offering to do the drinks run – it gave her mind a break and hopefully she would bump into someone she knew for a brief chat. On each coffee run, she was tempted to call Rob, but didn’t want to interrupt whatever he was doing, so decided not to even send a text. She would see him the next day anyway.
