Aftershock

Ninety-nine

Maggie sat and gazed at the television as the ITN newscaster read the story. ‘A man detained in Monaco yesterday has been named this vening as Dražen Boras. It was revealed that the business tycoon was wanted for questioning in connection with two murders, including that of a Scottish police officer. It is understood that Boras arrived in the principality under an assumed identity and was on the guest list for a reception to be given by the president of Bosnia.

‘His father, the billionaire Davor Boras, is also in Monaco to attend the same reception. He was said by an aide to be astonished by the turn of events. In a statement issued on his behalf, he said that he and his wife had had no contact with their son since he left the United Kingdom, but felt confident that he would successfully defend the charges made against him.

‘The Foreign Office said this evening that extradition proceedings were expected to be swift and that Boras would be returned to Britain on Friday.

‘A spokesman for Northumbria Constabulary said that the arrest was the result of a joint operation carried out with colleagues in Scotland, two of whom are understood to have travelled to Monaco to liaise with local officers.’

The background changed. ‘In London today. .’ the announcer continued. Maggie pressed the off switch on her remote, and let out a huge sigh.

‘You are wonderful,’ said her sister. ‘You did all that, and you never left the house. You must feel. . Christ, Margaret, I have no idea. How do you feel?’

‘Flat,’ she replied. ‘I wanted to be there, Bet. I wanted to see his face, to watch his eyes as he realised that he’d been nailed.’

‘That couldn’t be, and you know it. Mind you, I thought that a little public credit would have been in order.’

‘No, that can never happen. I should never have been allowed anywhere near the investigation.’

‘It might still leak out. Your friend from the Scotsman knows you were involved, and so does the woman you told me about, the stockbroker.’

‘Mo won’t say anything; I’m too good a contact to lose. As for Jacqui Harkness, if she does say anything I’ll claim that I was after a stock-market tip when I approached her. My part in the arrest will stay secret, and I’m fine with that. But I did so want to confront the bastard.’

‘Then you’ll just have to do it in court.’

‘Oh, I will. I’ll cheer when the sentence is passed.’

‘And when he gets out, are you still going to kill him?’

Maggie smiled. ‘No, I was joking when I said that. Anyway, I probably won’t have to. I’ve just given Mo Goode the story of his life.’ve told him that Dražen and his father have been agents for the CIA in the Balkans and that the Americans helped him escape and set him up with his new identity. I’ve also told him to take a look at the LTN Trust in Bermuda and see where it leads him.’

‘Can he run a story like that?’

’Too bloody right he can. And when he does it won’t just be Dražen who’s in trouble. He and his father will both be on the run from their own countrymen, and with their cover blown, they’ll find that they’ve run out of influence in America. Even if Davor isn’t incriminated in his son’s trial, he’ll need to hire a private army afterwards to protect him.’

She looked at Stevie’s photograph on the sideboard. ‘That’s as much as I can do for you, love,’ she said, ‘but I reckon it’s not bad.’