Chapter 18

 

After breakfast about 11.00 they were in their room, “I’m really concerned….We need to accompany you….We’ll move in here….that was really sneaky you old dog. What’s that all about? Sounds a bit more like old Mikie making moves on a good looking dark haired girl who likes cowboy stares more than protecting the innocent.” They were checking out the room. It was on the next floor up from the girls but near the stairs. Jane and Amy were getting ready. They had all agreed to meet at 11.30. They wanted to go for a walk. 

Mike said, “Happy coincidence. There could be trouble and you know it. The rest….well that’s just human nature. It happens all the time.”

“Yeah yeah of course it does. ‘Hero gets wrapped up with victim’. A common headline for sure.”

“Anyway we need to be careful. That fella is around here somewhere I can feel him.”

“I know,” said Eddie suddenly getting serious, “and I trust your jungle senses. Saved us a few times they have.”

“We stick close to them until we can catch up with him and warn him off. Once he knows we’ve got the package he should give it up. He’s on his own and he knows he can’t match us. Besides once he knows we’ve got it there’s no need to chase the girls. They’ll be in the clear and we can relax.”

“You sure about that?”

“Sure as I can be.”

“How d’you aim on catching up with him?”

“He’ll make a move and we’ll be ready. We set him right and that’ll be the end of it.”

“Hopefully.”

“Yeah that’s only too right.”

“What about the package? We need to get that to our people as soon as, don’t we?”

“Yeah. I’ll arrange a courier. Hopefully for tomorrow.”

“There’s that word again. Hopefully. I hope it’s not going to keep cropping up. Too many of them and we’re in trouble.”

“We need to get our stuff and bring it over here. The girls want to walk so we can walk over there. Maybe get some lunch then get back here. It looks like it’s going to brighten up so this afternoon may be sunny.”

“Yeah and now it looks like we’ll get our money we can start to negotiate seriously with Gary. Get that sorted and there’s a future to look forward to. When we’re there I’ll see him and get it all started. The girls might be interested to see our little investment.”

Strolling along the esplanade the sun came out and suddenly the day was warmer. Mike and Amy were walking together a bit ahead of Jane and Eddie deep in conversation. 

Jane said, “Have you two been mates a long time?”

Eddie replied, “Forever. We met the first day of school. Grew up, had some rumbles and joined the army. Through basic training and all the rest. All that together. The tough stuff and the laughs.”

“You’re close?”

“As brothers. He’s the best and he’s the brains. I’m the tough guy. The grunt of the squad but I like it that way. We were sergeants in the same squad. A reconnaissance unit so we got shot up a lot.”

“Were you ever shot?” said Jane with some concern.

“No but Mike has nightmares. We lost some men and he sees the action. Sweats it out in the early hours.”

“And you don’t?”

“Nah. I’m the grunt remember so I don’t think too much. I just do. Mike’s the thinker and pays the price. He’s real smart, you know. The things he knows would astound you. He’s always filling my head with all his claptrap.”

“Amy doesn’t like a smartass. She had one once and didn’t like it.”

“Oh Mikes not like that. He’s a sensitive fella that thinks of everyone but himself. If they get together and they will….”

“How do you know that? That they will.”

“Because there’s a connection. I can tell you Mike felt it the first time he saw her and for Mike that’s something special. He avoids the stay all night kind of relationships.”

“Because of his nightmares?”

“Yup. If they get together she will have her hands full. But he’ll tell her that.”

“Well….Mike might have his hands full as well. You know I only met Amy on Saturday but I already feel I’ve known her for years. She’s got her problems. Bad men relationships.”

“How come you’ve only just met? You do seem to know her so well.”

“That’s a long story but basically our grandparents knew each other. She searched me out and we met on the train coming here. There’s a lot to this. I’ll explain it all when we’re together with more time.”

Mike and Amy were still talking when Eddie said, “Let’s head over to our hotel. We can pick up our things and I want a word with Gary to see if we can sort out a deal.”

Amy looked at Mike and said, “What deal’s that?”

“We’re going to try and buy the hotel. We want out of this business we’re in. The money we’ve got saved and, now we’ve retrieved the package, the fee from our clients will give us enough with some left over. We know he wants to sell, we have just not been able to proceed without having the package.”

“Do you know what you’re letting yourself in for? I don’t think running a hotel is a breeze.”

“Yeah I think so. We don’t mind hard work and we’ll at least have somewhere to live. I like the thought of living by the sea and this is a great town. Whatever though this is Eddie’s idea and he’s right we need a change. I need a change. I’ve got to get my head together. Finally flush out the demons and I think this place’ll do it with a bit of help maybe.” And he looked hard at Amy and smiled.

“Demons?” said Amy.

“Yeah from the army. The sort that kick around inside your head and won’t get out.”

Passing the restaurant that Mike and Eddie ate in last night Mike called in and booked a table for lunch then they made their way to the hotel. Gary was in the reception area so Eddie stopped to have a word with him. Jane and Amy sat in the lounge while Mike went upstairs to pack up their things.

Jane said, “So what do you think of our two detectives?”

“They’re all right and I really like Mike. He has this hard exterior and I think when he needs to he can handle that part and handle it well but inside he’s very gentle and thoughtful. I feel comfortable with him which for me is very unusual.”

“So might there be something there?”

“Yes, I think there might. I’ll give it a go and see what happens.”

“Eddie said Mike suffers from nightmares about their tours in Afghanistan. Would that bother you?”

“You know I don’t think it would. If he settles here it might all disappear anyway. Who knows. I’m still happy to give it a shot. And remember he’ll have to put up with my problems and I have a few.”

At that moment Mike came in closely followed by Eddie who said, “It’s all sorted he’ll sell for two hundred and twenty thousand. I’ve got all the details so when we get back I’ll get our solicitor on the case. Maybe in a few weeks we will be serving fine wine and what was the food Mike?”

“Eclectic.”

“Yeah that’s it. We’ll be serving eclectic food.”

Mike said, “Come on, lunch and bubbles. We’ve celebrations to have.” Then had another thought, “What about the car Eddie?”

“No point taking it now, is there? The restaurant’s only just down the road. We’ll walk. I’ll come and pick it up later.

Finishing lunch Mike said, “We should head back to the hotel. What’s the time now? Four?”

“Yeah about that,” said Eddie.

“Haven’t either of you got a watch,” said Jane.

“We don’t need one. After a while knowing the time becomes natural. We know to within about thirty minutes and that’s normally good enough,” said Eddie.

“Unless we’re catching a train then maybe we’ll take something. I’ve a watch in my bag just in case,” said Mike.

Jane said, “That’s a phrase Amy uses a lot. Just in case. And it is just after four.”

Leaving the restaurant they walked back along the front  and started walking up the road towards the hotel. The girls were slightly in front talking then looking back then laughing.

Mike was saying, “You talking about….,” the blue Ford Focus caught his eye. It was parked against the kerb maybe a short way before the hotel entrance. Two men were sitting in the front. The girls were nearly level with it. Mike looked at the number plate and saw the black tape. He shouted a warning and nudged Eddie who was immediately alert.

The car door opened and the pickpocket got out of the driver’s side and pulled a gun from his right hand jacket pocket. Mike yelled at the girls. But it was too late. They had seen the man with the gun and froze. A very tall strong looking fella got out of the other side and was quickly on the pavement moving with amazing agility. He grabbed Amy. Wrapped her in his big arms. She screamed. And struggled. Trying to break free. 

The pickpocket was standing by the kerb with the gun pointed at Jane. The tall man with Amy was a few feet in front of him. Mike was standing next to the road. The tall man was unexpected. Eddie looked at Mike. Mike shook his head. He had instantly assessed the situation. He knew he could not take out the big man. But maybe Eddie could. He could take out the pickpocket even with the gun. He knew Eddie would automatically know the tall man was his. But they were the wrong way round. To get to the pickpocket Mike would have to cross in front of Eddie going for the tall man. That would cause a delay. They would be compromised. And they were holding their bags. Even just dropping them would slow them down. The tall man was still moving. He opened the passenger door and pushed Amy in then followed.

The pickpocket sounding confident said, “You two stay still. Move and there's trouble. I want the package. The lady for the package. No arguments. No tricks.” His voice was strong and he looked like he meant it. He continued, “Up the hill about half a mile is the main car park. At the back by the bins. Be there in sixty minutes with the package and the lady’s safe. Screw up and she’s hurt.” He got in the car, fired it up and casually drove up the hill heading for the car park. Only three minutes had passed and no one nearby seemed to notice anything. And if they did, the number plate looked good enough to fool most people. Mike and Eddie said nothing just watched the car disappear up the hill and Jane was too shocked to cry.