Poseidon's Ransom

Chapter Thirty Two

It was a little after 6am. when Jack woke from a deep sleep. For a second or two he didn’t know where he was. As his eyes adjusted to the sunshine coming through the French window, he stretched the muscles in his back and sat up. He went to the window, opened it and stepped out onto the small balcony. The view from the rear of the castle was more spectacular than the imposing front. A large lake, that fed a moat to three sides of the castle, sparkled in the warm Tuscan sun. The delightful sound of the dawn-chorus filled the air, then the crunch of horse’s hooves, on the immaculate gravel, made him look to the left. A large black stallion trotted towards the lake. Contessa Maria Alaria di Vincenzo, in full riding habit, sat astride the magnificent animal. She looked up and waved her crop, ‘Good morning, Jack.’

He returned the wave. ‘Good morning, Maria’

‘Would you care to join me?’

‘Not right now. But thank you.’

The woman’s smile lit up her face. ‘Perhaps when you’re dressed?’

It was then Jack realised, he was on the balcony naked.

Before leaving his room, he tapped out a message to Mathew, briefing him on the previous evening’s events and revelations, then attached the photograph. Rick Washington’s mug-shot would soon be circulated to the CIA and Interpol.

It hadn’t surprised Jack to discover it was his old adversary, Greg Stoneham, behind the hi-jacking. The DNA on Sir Anthony Grainger’s body matched the ex-CIA agent’s, and Stoneham’s arrogance, and confidence in his new appearance, would not have worried him about leaving a trace. The surgery he’d undergone on his face, was indeed extensive, and it would be almost impossible for anyone to recognise the original Stoneham. Even, according to Giovanni, the man’s limp had gone.

Questions raced through Jack’s mind. Why would Washington want to join the Templari? It was clear why he wanted the three billion, to buy his way in and then maintain the lifestyle. But why this organisation? Did he think if he became part of this all powerful society he would become not only invisible but untouchable? Or was there more to the Templari, than met the eye?

At 8am Jack joined Myles, Takashi and Giovanni in the dining room. Bogdan had eaten earlier and taken himself off to the sauna. The Contessa was still out riding.

‘Good morning, gentlemen,’ said Jack, as he took a seat at the table.

Responses came from each in turn.

‘Please, Jack,’ said Giovanni, as he pointed to a large Louis Quatorze sideboard. ‘Help yourself to breakfast. Tea and coffee are here.’

Jack poured some tea, and said, ‘Thank you,’ then turned to Takashi. ‘So, you and Dimitri are friends?’

The oriental wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. ‘Indeed, we are. As I said last evening, I am honoured to be so.’

‘So, I would be correct in saying it was you who sent the initial email to him?’

Takashi inclined his head in a polite manner. ‘Not me personally, but I was instrumental in making the contact. Especially when we discovered you were related to Dimitri.’

Jack sipped at the hot tea. ‘So, you knew who I was, and what we were doing.’

‘Our organisation did. Yes.’

Jack looked DeVere in the eyes. ‘And that information could only have come from the British Security Service.’

The Englishman smiled. ‘Our intelligence network is second to none, Jack. We collect information from all over the world and, when required, intervene.’

Jack didn’t like the man, even if he was a Brit. Pompous, arrogant and privileged, was the description that came to mind. ‘And who decides when you… intervene?’

‘The council, Jack. No one person can make any decision. The council acts on behalf of the organisation and the organisation, for the betterment of the world as a whole.’

‘Wow,’ said Jack, ‘that’s a pretty sweeping statement, Myles. Sounds a bit all powerful and God-like, don’t you think?’

Takashi sensed the tension between the two Englishmen. ‘Not God-like Jack. And we are not about power.’

Jack looked at the mild mannered Asian. ‘Really? Then what?’

‘Order. We bring order where it is needed. There is nothing sinister about us, Jack. Secretive, yes. But sinister, certainly not.’

The door opened, and the Contessa entered. ‘Gentlemen, good morning,’ then touching Jack gently on the shoulder, she smiled. ‘And good morning again to you, Mr Castle.’

He returned the smile. ‘Maria.’

She went to the sideboard, helped herself to a plate of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, then returned and sat opposite Jack. ‘Will you be staying with us a little longer, Jack. Or will you be leaving us today?’

‘As much as I’d love to enjoy more of your hospitality, Maria, we really do need to go. And too much luxury is bad for Bogdan.’

‘As you wish. Giovanni will see that you get back to Florence.’

‘Thank you. You’ve been very kind.’

An hour later, at the front of the castle, Jack and Bogdan shook hands with Takashi and Giovanni. DeVere was conspicuous by his absence. Jack turned to the woman and shook her hand gently. ‘It was a great pleasure to meet you, Contessa.’

She smiled. ‘And you. Perhaps we’ll meet again but, in the meantime, be careful, Mr Castle.’

Jack returned the smile. ‘Always.’

They climbed into the waiting Bentley and the chauffeur closed the door. As the car pulled away, Jack looked up to the window above and saw the face of Myles DeVere looking down.