Poseidon's Ransom

Chapter Fifty Two

The drive from the Kent coast to East Monkton had taken over three hours. It was a few minutes before 2pm when Maurice pulled into the lay-bay, a quarter of a mile from the gates of Jack Castle’s home.

‘Stay here until I get back.’

‘Oui, monsieur. How long shall I wait?’

Washington turned and looked the man straight in the eyes. ‘You stay right here until I return. You got me? You stay the fuck right here.’

‘Okay, American. Be calm.’

Washington went to the boot and removed the Glock from his rucksack. He checked the magazine, then quickly fitted a small snub-nose silencer. He cocked the mechanism and slipped it into his inside pocket. The switch-blade was dropped into his back pocket and the Smith & Wesson into his waistband.

A car drove past and he turned his face away, so as not to be noticed. He closed the boot, then went to the driver’s door. ‘Be here when I get back.’

‘Oui, monsieur. I will be here.’

As Washington walked slowly up the tree-lined lane, the Frenchman said, ‘Asshole.’

The high gates were electrically controlled, with two sets of security cameras covering the front area. The ivy-covered wall looked to surround the property. From his concealed vantage point across the lane, Washington could see through the gates and up the drive to the impressive house.

He’d only been watching for a few minutes when a butcher’s delivery truck approached and slowly turned into the entrance. In front of the gates he saw the driver’s hand appear as he touched the intercom. He swiftly ran across the road and tried the van’s back doors. Finding them locked he quickly moved away from the vehicle and into the bushes.

As the truck drove through the gates he made his move. Before they closed he was inside and again concealed behind a huge hydrangea, the chance of being caught on camera mitigated by the size of the butcher’s van. If he had been seen, they would be coming for him. He waited. Nothing.

Almost twenty minutes later the delivery van came from the rear of the house and approached the gates. A few seconds later they swung open and he watched as the van drove off. He was about to move position, when the gates again swung silently open. He slipped back into the shadow of the bush as the big Jaguar passed him, Jack Castle at the wheel.