Art and Murder (27 page)

At five-thirty the next day, Laura, Otto, and Maurice were scrunched into the back of a surveillance van with an Italian police officer by the name of Paolo. They were parked in a lot across from the main entrance to the Reggio Calabria airport.

They saw a black BMW with a bumper sticker advertising a car-rental agency arrive and park in the same lot, then watched the driver get out. “That's Roche Freulard,” Otto and Laura said in unison.

Paolo immediately used his police radio to alert the rest of the surveillance team, including Maurice's boss, Yves, who was a passenger in another surveillance vehicle.

“So far, so good,” Laura whispered, still watching as Roche stood by his car, looking around.

“What's he waiting for?” Paolo wondered aloud while taking photos.

Soon a red truck arrived and parked behind Roche's car. The driver unwound the window.

“Italy's answer to the Hummer,” said Paolo, admiring the truck while continuing to take photos. “The Lamborghini LM002, more commonly known as the Lambo Rambo.”

Otto squinted at the driver, then grabbed the binoculars for a closer look. “That's him! He's the guy I lost on surveillance in Frankfurt. The one who was in the front seat with Wolfgang when Roche was in the back.”

“I don't understand,” said Paolo. “Who is he?”

“Roche called Jack from Frankfurt and the call was traced to a hotel,” Laura explained. “We think the one they call the Ringmaster was with Roche. Right afterwards, Otto spotted Roche and two other men leaving the hotel. One man was Wolfgang Menges, who later came to Canada and met Jack. The other guy was never identified.”

“So this guy may be the boss?” Paolo asked.

“We don't know,” Laura replied. “At the time, he seemed like a good possibility, but that was before we learned about the Russian. All we have is a witness who described the killer as having collar-length black hair and hairy hands.”

“He definitely has the black hair,” said Otto, still peering through the binoculars. “I can't see his hands, but I'm thinking he's Italian. Okay, he's leaving and Roche is walking away. I can't see the licence plate.”

Paolo used his police radio to notify another surveillance vehicle, who reported that the Lambo Rambo had parked near an airport exit, with the driver waiting behind the wheel. Moments later they learned that the truck was registered to a Giuseppe Carbone, with an address in Reggio Calabria.

“I will check our database to find out what we know about him.” Paolo punched in numbers on his phone.

Roche had gone into the airport and it was reported he was waiting at Arrivals. A few minutes later Jack and Carina arrived and were greeted by Roche. At the same time, Paolo received a call back about Giuseppe Carbone. When he hung up, he said, “To our knowledge, Carbone is not yet a made member of the black hand, but is working hard to become one. Many of his relatives are made members. He has been arrested many times for things like extortion, armed robbery, and a sexual assault, but has never been convicted. No doubt because of the influence of the black hand on witnesses, or perhaps the judiciary.”

Maurice glanced at Laura and said, “The black hand may be better known to you as the Mafia.”

“I'm familiar with the term,” Laura said. “It extends to Canada, as well. Particularly Montreal. Unlike the States, who have the Sicilian mafia, in Canada they tend to be from Calabria. Either way, they are still known as the black hand when it comes to manipulating things.”

“Sometimes in Germany, the blue hand reaches out and slaps the black hand,” Otto put in, then grinned.

A few minutes later they watched as Jack, Carina, and Roche came out of the airport with their suitcases and then departed in Roche's car.

“I wish to confirm that you do not want surveillance to follow?” Paolo glanced at Laura.

“Right,” Laura said. “Jack will contact me once he gets to the hotel, but how about a loose surveillance on Giuseppe in the Lambo Rambo? If there's any chance of being spotted, have your team break off.”

Paolo gave the orders, but minutes later received a report that Giuseppe was discreetly following Roche's car and keeping an eye out for anyone else who was following. It was also reported that he was using his own portable radio, and it was surmised that there were others assisting him with his counter-surveillance.

“Tell everyone to break off,” Laura ordered.

“Already done,” Paolo said.

* * *

Jack sat in the front seat of the BMW beside Roche, while Carina sat in the back. As they drove, Jack noticed that Roche was continually checking his rear-view mirror and side mirrors, and felt his stomach tense as he stared out the window.
Please, don't let there be any police surveillance.

After driving for a few minutes, Roche turned off the main route and drove around for several blocks in an area where there were mostly apartment buildings.

“Sorry, I seem to have taken a wrong turn,” said Roche by way of an apology.

Like hell you did.

Minutes later Roche found his way back to the main route. Jack glanced in the side mirror and saw a set of headlights rapidly approach from behind, then slow down to follow them.
Damn it! If that's the police …

Roche checked his rear-view mirror and it was obvious he'd seen the lights, as well. Jack pretended to clear his throat and reached across to tap Roche on the side of his leg. When Roche glanced at him, Jack gestured with his head at the side mirror and the headlights following them.

Roche nodded, then used his phone and made a call. Seconds later the headlights behind them flicked to high beam and back to low beam. Roche smiled and looked at Jack. “It's okay, my friend.”

“Something wrong?” asked Carina.

“No,” said Jack. “I'm simply not used to the traffic. In Canada it's not so crowded.”

“Trust me, I will get you to your hotel safely,” Roche assured them.

Trust you? NFL.

Moments later they arrived at the E' Hotel and went to reception to check in. Jack noticed that his room, which was on the second floor, was only for one night. Carina's room, on the fourth floor, was booked for four nights.

Jack gave Roche a quizzical look. “Only one night for me?”

“Yes,” Roche confirmed. “Tomorrow we will be taking you to meet some people for a two-day adventure. Then we will bring you back to this hotel on Saturday.”

“An adventure?” Jack asked.

“A colleague has a lodge about a three- or four-hour drive from here. It's used for hunting wild boar. It will be a good place to get to know each other.”

Jack recalled what Carina had told him about the Russian who had introduced her to Roche.
He's a sportsman and likes to hunt.

“Do you like to hunt?” asked Roche.

Jack nodded and said he did.
Oh, yeah. Going out in the bush with a bunch of bad guys with guns should be fun. What could possibly go wrong?

“Coming from Canada, I suppose you have shot grizzly bears and moose,” continued Roche.

Jack cleared his throat. “I enjoy hunting, but have never killed a moose or a grizzly bear. I've only hunted smaller game.”

“Good.” Roche smiled and patted Jack on the back.

Two-legged animals mostly.

“It will be fun,” said Roche.

Carina looked at Jack. “You like killing animals?” she asked.

“Sometimes.”

Carina wrinkled her nose in distaste.

“We'll talk more about it over dinner,” said Roche. “I've never hunted before, but it sounds exciting. Check in, then meet me in the restaurant in half an hour. There will be some colleagues, the executives of our company, who will be joining us for dinner.”

“Are they also going hunting?” Jack queried.

Roche nodded. “Yes, except for one who has been delayed. He'll arrive tomorrow night and join us at the lodge on Friday.”

Yes, the man from Russia who wants me to have collateral.

“Once he arrives, we'll have a meeting to go over what everyone has accomplished within the last year, as well as to set new goals,” Roche went on.

“And will I be a part of …?”

“That's the plan,” said Roche.

Jack nodded and outwardly showed no emotion.
Perfect!

“Carina, may I have a word with you?” Roche gestured for her to move farther away from the reception desk so they could talk in private. She obliged, and Jack saw them whispering to each other as he dealt with reception. Roche then gave a curt nod and went to the restaurant.

“Everything okay?” Jack said as he joined Carina on the way to the elevator.

Carina's face revealed her displeasure. “He told you to join him in half an hour. But I'm to meet him as soon as I drop off my bag in my room.”

“That's reasonable,” replied Jack. “He won't want me there when he's asking you questions about me.”

“That I understand, but tonight is to be only for the men. They want to get to know you. I feel like I have to say goodbye now.”

“I'll be back on Saturday,” Jack said, pushing the button for the elevator. “Depending, of course, on what you tell them about me.”

“I think I'll tell them that they could save expenses tonight if you and I shared a room.” Carina cast him a quick glance.

“You know I'm not ready for that yet. I need —”

“I was only joking … well, sort of,” Carina admitted.

Jack nodded and they stepped into the elevator.

“Do you really like hunting?” she asked as the elevator started its ascent.

“Not really,” Jack said. “I've never shot a pig before, wild or otherwise. What is it Winston Churchill once said? Dogs look up to men, cats look down on them, but pigs just treat us as equals.”

Carina smiled.

“I've always had a soft spot in my heart for pigs,” Jack went on. “They're intelligent animals.”

“The little ones are cute. Maybe you won't shoot anything. Simply go along for the fresh air.”

“Then again, I hope we get something,” he said, grinning. “I love roast pork.”

“You ass!” she said, giving him a playful punch on the arm.

The elevator stopped on the second floor, but before Jack could get off, Carina held the button to keep the door open while wrapping her other hand around his neck and kissing him passionately. Seconds later a loud buzz in the elevator indicated the door had been held open long enough.

“Promise me you'll hurry back on Saturday,” she said. “I don't want our new beginnings to be me sitting alone.”

“I promise. I also have a favour to ask.”

“Anything.”

“It would sound better if you did not share the feelings we have for each other with Roche or any of the others. It could reflect upon the value they place on your assessment.”

Carina smiled. “The feelings
we
have for each other. So you feel the same way. I was beginning to wonder.”

The irritating buzz in the elevator continued and Jack wasn't sure what to say, anyway, so he smiled apologetically and stepped into the hall. “See you downstairs in half an hour, Carina.”

Once in his room, Jack immediately called Laura and gave her the name of his hotel, then listened as she passed on the name to Paolo.

“We're booked into a hotel called the Grand Excelsior,” Laura said. “I've been told it's just a five-minute walk from your hotel.”

Jack told her about the plan to go hunting, as well as the business meeting scheduled to review everyone's accomplishments and goals for the year. Any expectations he had of Laura being excited about his attendance at the meeting were soon put in perspective — Laura's perspective.

“You're going out to kill some little pig?” she cried. “Or worse yet, orphan a bunch of little pigs?”

Jack knew that Laura's love for animals sometimes surpassed what she felt for people. “I don't expect I'll shoot anything. I think it's more a guys-bonding kind of thing.”

“I've seen that picture before,” said Laura sternly. “A bunch of guys boozing it up and carrying guns.”

“Yes, it sounds like the Drug Section Christmas party,” Jack joked. “Should be fun.”

“It's not funny, Jack.”

Jack became serious. “I suspect the Ringmaster likes to hunt. I need to show an interest.”

“How do you feel about attending this so-called executive meeting on Friday?”

“I feel okay with it.”

Laura was silent for a moment, then said, “They put counter-surveillance on you from the airport.”

“I saw. I was worried it was our people.”

“Don't worry about our people,” Laura insisted. “All is good, except that Giuseppe has Mafia connections. Tread carefully.”

“Always. Anything new over Roche's phone?”

“A couple of calls to Anton, Wolfgang, and Giuseppe. Nothing of interest. It was about picking you up at the airport and meeting downstairs for dinner.” She waited a beat, then asked, “So what do you want done?”

“Have someone check in here tonight and see if we can identify the Russian when he arrives tomorrow. Don't do it yourself. A second Canadian showing up after I checked in would be too coincidental. Not to mention, if Anton's here, he'd recognize you.”

“For sure.”

“Tonight I'm meeting the bad guys downstairs for dinner. If our Russian friend does the same thing with Carina tomorrow night, I'd like you in there to see if you can hear something or read anything from his facial expressions.”

“The phone tap indicated he wouldn't arrive until ten-thirty at night,” noted Laura.

“Schedules change. Maybe he'll catch an earlier flight.”

“Gotcha.”

“I also want a loose surveillance put on Carina throughout the day. I doubt they'll be doing any counter-surveillance on her, so it shouldn't be difficult.”