The Collectors - Book Four: Diamonds and Sand (The Collectors Series 4) (16 page)

Her
mobile rang, she grabbed it from the bedside cabinet. “Ya.”

“Petros Kyriades. I’m
making sure you’re on time for our flight. I assume you’re packed and ready to go. Leave your mobile, laptop, or any other devices at home. You won’t be contacting anybody while we’re away.”

“You’re an insufferable bastar
d, Kyriades. Get lost and I’ll see you at the check-in desk.” She ended the call.

She sat on the edge of the bed
, unplugged her mobile from its charger and slid it into a pocket inside her case. “Mr Kyriades,” she muttered, “you have a lot to learn.” She picked up a pay-as-you-go mobile, punched the memory button, and left a message with an answering service. “Be home in a few days. Look forward to seeing you.”

S
he entered the bathroom, turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature to cold. Twenty minutes later, dressed and ready to go she inspected the flat. Satisfied nothing of any importance remained, she made her way to Heathrow where she discarded the Tesco mobile into a rubbish bin prior to entering the terminal.

***

John Soames finished reading his paper and watched Eva leave. She wore little make up and her clothing was more suitable for a warmer climate than London. At a leisurely pace, she strolled to the end of the road and flagged a taxi. The moment it disappeared, he opened the main door to her flat and began his search. He smiled as he left.

***

Two hours after their plane landed, Petros and Eva strolled across the public space of Benghazi airport. Armed customs officials searched each of their bags. Petros saw many in European clothes whisked away. Once inside the main terminal, they found an empty seat, sat and waited.

Amadou arrived carrying a small duffel bag
. Soon all three were seated and strapped inside the air-conditioned Cessna waiting for clearance.

“Roger,” said the pilot as he increased the power. With the brak
e released the craft roared along the runway, lifted, and soared into the air.

“Where exactly are we going?
” asked Eva.

“The end of the world. A land filled with nothing but sand
and rock.”

“And that’s where the diamonds are?”
she whispered into his ear.

“Of course,” he said
instinctively.

She sat back and stared out of the window.
Soon she would be part of a world-changing project and the power behind Europe’s new leader.

Petros sat thinking
, not enjoying the journey.

Amadou
, who sat next to the pilot, turned in his seat, his dark eyes studying their faces. “Why so quiet?”

“I’m tired,” said Eva. The way Amadou stared, the air of
informality disturbed her. What did he want?

“I’ll be glad when we land,” said Petros. “I hate flying, especially in small planes.”

“Safe as houses,” interrupted the pilot.

“Houses are
on the ground where I prefer to be. If God wanted me to fly, I’d have been born with wings.”

“A couple of hours and you can relax,” said Amadou. “I
am informed that Bear, with the assistance of Zero Zogby, has completed the necessary arrangements for travel and two nights in the desert. As I don’t know the destination, I’ve made the assumption that’s sufficient.”

“Don’t worry. I know the destination and so will you when we get there.”

Amadou laughed. “In the desert I always worry. Time has changed nothing down there. Make a mistake and you die.”

“Then we must not make any mistakes,” said Eva.

“You,” said Amadou pointing at Eva, “will need to dress correctly. You must cover your upper arms, legs, and at all times, your head. I will find you a long gown to cover your western clothes when we arrive.”

Eva narrowed her eyes.
“And if I choose not to?”

“You s
tay in your tent. I don’t care but some of the locals might throw a few stones at you.”

“There’s Waw al Kibir. The arseh
ole of the world,” said the pilot.

Through the cockpit
window, they could see in the distance an oasis. Numerous white buildings with flat roofs bordered the one street. Palms gave shade and the waters of a small lake glistened.

“
The lake is its one saving grace. Out here water is worth more than gold.”

Petr
os’ hands gripped the armrests as the pilot reduced power. The Cessna banked and descended as it lined up the runway.

The wheels touched the ground with the slightest of bumps as they landed and taxied to the drop off point. “When do you want a return flight?”

“I’ll let you know,” said Petros.

They alighted from the plane, completed the paperwork
, along with the standard envelope, which deftly vanished into the man’s pocket.

Outside
, the ground appeared to vibrate from the heat. Petros turned and shaded his eyes against the sun when he heard a young voice. “Mr Petros,” A smile filled his face when he saw Bear, Akeem and a boy. Both men dressed in the Bedouin clothes purchased in Chad.

Bear laughed. ”These c
lothes and ZZ get you everything you need. Come, our vehicles are not far.” Bear handed over a set of keys. “Transport for you and Eva. The rest of us travel in my car.” He noticed the expression on his friend’s face. “I’ll tell you later. For the moment follow me.”

Petros
dumped their luggage in the rear, jumped into the Toyota Land Cruiser’s driver’s seat and opened the passenger door for Eva. She clambered in as he started the engine and followed Bear’s dust trail until they reached the camp. He jumped out. “Is this home?”

Bear grabbed his arm. “Walk with me and I’ll give you the guided tour.”

Akeem sauntered up to Eva. “I’m Akeem. Your accommodation is separate. Let me show you. Clean water for you to freshen up after your long journey.”

“Where are those two going?” she asked.

“If I knew I would tell you. Come.”

Eva was aware she could do nothing but follow Akeem.

A short distance away from the tent and surrounded by palms, Bear stopped. “Every bit of kit we need is in my vehicle. Yours carries the spare fuel, water, tents and shovels if we have to dig ourselves out of the sand. How far are we travelling?”

“Four-hundred kilometres
, give or take. Most will be on what my map shows as a road but I’m not counting on the terrain being easy. We drive all day until we arrive at what I hope is the location of the diamonds. If I’m wrong, it’s been a wasted journey.”

“You wrong. That’ll be a first.”

Petros shrugged. “Expensive.”

“Let’s get back. ZZ
has arranged a celebration feast for us tonight. Once we leave its starvation rations as far as I’m concerned.”

Petros followed Bear back to the
car from where he retrieved his luggage. He pushed his way through the flap and into the tent.”

“
Shoes off,” said Bear, “Or ZZ will give you a hard time. Your bed is the one in the far corner. The bathroom’s outside. When you’re ready I’ll show you.”

***

The team, bathed and refreshed, gathered in a half circle outside the men’s tent. ZZ arrived with logs, kindling and built a roaring fire. Over the white hot embers, he placed a spit on which he secured the carcass of a sheep. To one side a pot filled with rice warmed on the coals.

             
Petros, his team and Eva, dressed correctly, sat close enough to the fire for warmth. At sunset, ZZ served tea as the stars came out and the air chilled. For over an hour, they chatted, the smell of the meat tantalizing as it drifted on the breeze.

ZZ
plunged a dagger into the carcass several times before he declared the beast cooked. With assistance from Amadou, they covered a large metal platter with rice and placed the cooked carcass on top. This they positioned in front of Petros and Bear. The others formed a semi-circle on both sides.

“
In the desert this feast is usually eaten with your bare hand but as you are Europeans, we supply knives. Remember eat with your right, not the left. Please enjoy.”

Amadou and ZZ carved chunks of meat and began to eat. The others followed their example. A chunk of meat and a handful of rice until any thought of eating more vanished.

ZZ then produced a basket full of truffles the size of large potatoes and roasted them on the embers. When cooked, he wiped them free of soot and handed them to the others. More tea followed.

“That was fabulous
, ZZ. Remind me to give you a bonus,” said Petros

ZZ grinned as he cleared away
the leftovers.

“It’s a shame to see good food wasted,” said Petros.

“It will not be,” said Akeem. “ZZ will give it to those in the village who have not eaten today. Not everyone in Libya is privileged although we pray things will change.”

“Time for bed but first a dump,
” said Bear.

“You
’re certainly full of it,” said Petros.

ZZ escorted Eva to her single tent and made his bed on the sand
at the entrance.

Chapter Fourteen

“
Wake up, Mr Petros,” whispered ZZ as he shook his shoulder.

             
He stirred, opened his eyes and checked his watch. “Do you know what time it is?”

             
“Mr Petros, my friend in the village told me men from Germany are on their way. He’s waiting to speak to you.”

             
With one swift movement he swept the blankets to one side and followed ZZ. A boy of similar age and build stood at the entrance.

             
“Does he speak English, ZZ?”

             
“I do,” said the boy with indignation.

             
How do you know these people are coming?” said Petros.

             
“My father’s cell-phone woke him and he spoke for a long time. Four Germans have hired his two Land Rovers. He is to have them ready when they arrive.”

             
“Did he tell you the time?”

             
The boy shook his head. “No plane can land in the dark. We have no lights.”

             
“Three hours to sunrise.” Petros went into the tent returning one minute later and handed the boy an American twenty dollar note.

             
“Thank you.”

             
ZZ shouted at the boy who became instantly subservient.

             
“What did you say?” said Petros.

             
“I told him to keep silent or I’ll cut his man-hood from his puny body.”

             
“ZZ, wake the woman and tell her we’re leaving.” He watched as the boy scurried away shouting Eva’s name.

              He entered the tent to find the others getting dressed. “Bear, we’re out of here.”

             
Bear, Akeem, Amadou and ZZ strolled to the Toyota with their rucksacks and dumped them in the back. In turn, they cleaned teeth and splashed warm water over their faces.