KILTED DESIRE 2 - Russian Roulette (26 page)

Scott took the phone and sat back in his seat.

“Hey Tiff, are yer all happy now?”

“Yeah, so what happened? Kyle said there was shooting and
you’re driving to Latvia, where’s that?”

“It’s a long story. I will explain everything properly when
we get back. We are heading tae Latvia. We’re going tae try and get a flight from
Riga. We’ll call when we get there because we’re probably going tae need yer
tae buy tickets.”

“Okay, why are you going there?”

“Tiff just
trust
me. Dinnae say
anything tae the others, especially yer Mom, but we’re nae completely oot of
the woods yet. There could still be bad guys after us. Tell yer Dad tae go back
in tae the account he set up.”

“Right now?”

“Aye, it’s important.”

The phone went quiet for a few seconds.

“Scott, he is doing it now.”

“Reet, is all the money back?”

Again, it was quiet for a few seconds. Scott could hear
talking in the background, but he couldn’t make out what was being said.

“Yes, it’s all back, how on earth did you do that?”

“I’ll explain everything when I can. Tell yer Dad tae make
sure he moves that money oot of there and in tae another account reet away.
Then, tell him tae close it
doon
, and talk tae his
friend at the bank. See if he can delete all records of it. Make it like that
account did nae ever exist.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him.”

“Guid, I have tae go now, the battery life is getting low on
the phone. We’ll call yer again in a few hoors.”

“Okay Scott. Please be careful. I miss you. Bye.”

“Bye.”

It remained pretty quiet in the car for the next few hours.
It was long straight road and it was a boring drive. Scott and Chris took turns
driving to give Alexei a break, and after few hours on the road they started to
see signs for the Latvian border.

“It is a few miles afore we get tae the border. We’re going
tae have tae dump these weapons. If they search the car and find them we could
have trouble.” Scott announced, breaking the silence.

It wasn’t an ideal situation; but Scott realized they didn’t
really have a choice. When they were a few miles from the border, they pulled
over and threw the weapons into the dense vegetation that lined the road. It
was a risk, but it was one they needed to take. If the word spread through the
Mafia organization about the killings at the farm-house and their escape, they could
be in trouble. Especially as they knew that some of Russia’s border
control were
mob members. As they approached the border they
entered a long line of stationary vehicles, mainly big semi-trucks.

They waited patiently, everyone in the car was a little
nervous as they approached the check-point. It took nearly two hours for them
to get near the front of the line. Scott could see it was a fairly small border-post
and there appeared to be very few guards working. From what he could see, the
guards quickly checked papers and waved the vehicles through. Alexei was again at
the wheel, when an armed guard approached. Alexei gave the guard their
passports and visas. He looked at the passports briefly and gave them back
before he lifted the barrier and waved them through. He wasn’t interested in
the visas at all. The two British and one American passport hadn’t aroused any
interest.

“Well, that was much easier than I thought!” Alexei said, as
he handed the documents to Scott who was in the front passenger’s seat.

“Aye, hopefully we’re guid now. We’ve still got tae clear
the Latvian side of the border. But, I think we’re okay.” Scott replied.

There was a sense of relief in the car as they joined
another line of traffic that led to Latvian check-point. This line was shorter
as the road split into three
lanes,
there were more
buildings and many more guards. As they approached, Scott could see they were
in for a more thorough inspection. It was going to prove harder to get into a
country than to get out of one, he thought. As they pulled to the front of the
line an armed border guard approached. Once again, Alexei handed him the
passports. He looked at them for a while, turned the passport pages and
carefully looked at the pictures, then peered into the car and looked at all of
them.

“Ah British and American, why you come to Latvia from
Russia?” he said, in broken English looking through the car at Scott. He seemed
friendly enough.

“We’re just heading tae Riga tae catch a flight tae London.
We’ll only be in yer country fer a few hoors.”

“Ah London, okay wait here,” he said, and disappeared into
the large building with all of their passports.

“He seemed cheerful enough! Do yer think he understood what
yer said?” Chris asked.

“I’ve nae idea, but he did seem quite friendly. I dinnae
think he’s seen many British and American passports afore.”

“He didn’t say anything to you Alexei. He kind of looked
straight through you. What was all that about?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t think they like Russians too much,” he answered.

“Up until fairly recently, Latvia was a part of the Soviet
Union. It was less than twenty years ago that they gained their independence.
There’s people here that dinnae like the Russians,” Scott said, as he turned
and looked at Kyle.

Just after Scott finished talking, he noticed the guard
coming back. He came to the passenger’s side of the car and handed the
passports to Scott.

“Have a good journey,” he said, smiling.

Scott thanked him and Alexei drove slowly through the border
and into Latvia. Scott checked the passports; all of them were stamped. It had
gone smoother than any of them could have imagined. Riga was about a hundred
and fifty miles away. In a few hours, they would be at the airport, and would then
be able to get their flights arranged. Scott finally tried to relax, now that they
were in
a
EU country. It was highly unlikely they would
experience any further trouble.

He was physically exhausted. All the excitement over the
last few hours coupled with the fact that he hadn’t really slept properly for a
week was beginning to take its toll on him. Mentally he was drained too, so
many things had happened that were bothering him and he couldn’t get those
thoughts out of his head. All he wanted to do was sleep, but he couldn’t, there
was still work to do.

It was early Saturday evening when they arrived in Riga.
They quickly located the airport, and left the car in the large parking lot
which was about half full. The airport was not particularly busy and soon after
they were inside, they found the British Airways desk. The lady at the desk
told them they could book a flight to Los Angeles. They needed to stop and
change planes in London and the last minute, one-way prices were expensive. The
first flight to London left in two hours. Scott called Tiffany.

“Hey Tiffany, we’re at the airport in Latvia. I’m pretty
sure we’re safe now,” he said quietly.

“That’s great! Everyone here is looking forward to seeing
all of you.”

“We can book flights from here tae get back tae L.A. Can yer
give them a credit card number if I pass yer over tae the lady at the
desk.
”

“Of course, I will speak with her.”

Scott passed the phone to the customer service lady who
spoke with Tiffany for a while, before she handed the phone back to him.

“It’s all done sir, I’m just printing your tickets now,” she
said, smiling.

“Thanks, Chris, hang on tae the tickets when she gets them,”
Scott said, to his friend. He walked a few steps away from the desk and put the
cell phone back to his ear.

“Thanks Tiff, we’ll be back tomorrow. The flight tae London
goes later tonight then we have a few hoors tae wait afore we leave fer L.A.
With the time difference we should be with yer tomorrow afternoon.”

“I’ll be at the airport to meet you. I know Mom and Dad will
be too. Thank you so much for this Scott. I don’t know how any of us will ever
be able to re-pay you.”

“It’s fine. Look I’m really tired. I have tae go and find a
place tae have a rest. I will see yer tomorrow, we’ll talk then.”

Scott felt guilty. He was feeling responsible for everything
that had happened. It was his misguided trust in Tom that placed everyone in
danger. He wasn’t sure how any of the Robinson’s would react, including
Tiffany, when they found out all of the details. But, for now there was nothing
he could do apart from rest. They were all extremely tired. So, after they
received their tickets and made their way to the correct gate to wait for the
flight, they all slumped down into their chairs and waited for their flight
number to be called.

The flight to London went smoothly, there were no further
troubles. Even though he was sure they were safe, and he was exhausted, Scott
was still unable to sleep. There wasn’t enough time for them to go to a hotel
in London, but they managed to get cleaned up in the bathrooms at Heathrow.
They also enjoyed a hot breakfast and rested for a while before they departed
and were in the air again, heading for Los Angeles.

 
Scott asked Chris if
he even wanted to go back to California. He could have made a much shorter trip
up to Glasgow. Chris declined, telling him that he wanted to see the job
through to the end. Plus, there were a number of his things left at the house
in Montecito which he needed to get. He was in no rush to get home. He didn’t
really have anything to get back for. When he eventually got back to his IT job,
it was going to seem pretty lame after the last few days of intrigue and
excitement. He did mention that he needed to be back in Scotland by Friday,
since it was his weekend to have his kids.

As the long flight neared its end, Scott sat and watched
movies, none of which he was all that interested in. He tried but could not
keep his eyes closed. Chris was seated next to him. Alexei and Kyle sat
together directly behind them. Both of them were fast asleep.

“I’m sorry fer getting yer involved in this, Chris.”

“Yer kidding, reet?
I actually
enjoyed it. Well apart from the time where I thought we were in big trouble. I
did nae care much fer being a hostage. I’m glad it did nae last long.”

“I’m going tae pretty much head straight back tae Ohio,
after we get Kyle haem. I need tae rest properly, and get back tae work. That is,
if I still have a job. I’m sure they’ll ask yer tae stay on in California fer a
few days, since yer do nae need tae be haem until Friday. That will be guid fer
yer.”

“I’m sure they’ll want yer tae stay too Scott. Yer just
saved their son’s life.”

“Och, it was me who put him in danger in the first place.
I’ll
come
tae the house and have a final briefing with
Jim and yer guys. But, then I’m going tae leave fer haem.”

“It wasn’t yer fault mate. They are nae going tae blame yer
fer trusting a friend.”

“Aye, we’ll see.”

The plane landed on time in sunny California, and it didn’t
take long before the guys were off the flight and walking through the airport.
As promised there were a few people there to meet them. Jim and Linda ran to
Kyle and hugged him. He was pleased to see them too. Katy was there, she hugged
Kyle when her parent’s finished with him. Scott walked a few steps behind Kyle.
He was welcomed with many kisses and hugs from Tiffany, before she turned her
attention to her little brother. The emotional reunion went on for a few
minutes before Jim mentioned that he had two large luxury cars outside that
were waiting to take them to his house. Within a few minutes they were on the
way, being whisked back up the California coast, in comfort.

Ninety minutes later, the two cars pulled onto the
Robinson’s driveway. Kyle especially, was relieved to be home. When they all
got inside Scott was formally introduced to Katy and her husband Josh, and to
Bill and Sue Parnell. He said a quick hello to Britney too. She seemed pleased
to see him. And, Scott got the impression that she wanted to talk to him, he
didn’t really want to talk, though. Scott was happy that Kyle was home, but he
wasn’t really in the mood for a party.

Scott asked Jim if they might go somewhere in private so he
could go through a few things with him. A few minutes later, Jim sat down in
his office with all four of the returned men. For about half an hour, Scott briefed
Jim about everything. He explained in detail, everything that happened over the
last few days.

“So, what do you think will happen to Tom?” Jim asked.

“I have nae idea, Jim. He could be in a Moscow jail, fer all
we know. Either that, or he’s going tae be in trouble with the Mafia.”

“Do you think he’ll come back here, to cause trouble?”

“Nae, I dinnae think he will.”

“Very good.
So, could anything that
happened over there have any repercussions for us?” Jim’s questions continued.

“Again, I dinnae think so. We covered our tracks quite well.
But, it will nae hurt to be extra vigilant fer a while.”

“Okay, Scott.”