The Ghost Ships of Arizona

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Tyler Webb considered the evidence that lay before him, sheaves and sheaves of paper and thick manila files. The man he had chosen to use was the man he was most wary of, but even that development piqued his excitement. Out of all the ideas offered by the new Pythians, Julian Marsh’s proposal was the most devastating. It also coincided beautifully with Webb’s final launch of the Saint Germain operation.

Marsh entered and sat down. Again, Webb was struck by the oddity of the man. One trouser leg was immaculately pressed whilst the other was hopelessly creased. Were the socks different colors? Crazily he thought the hands might be different shades — one more tanned than the other — but thought it best not to stare.

“I like your plan, Marsh,” he said agreeably.

“Thanks, man. I’ve been liking yours so far.”

“Well, they’re not all mine.”

“Oh.”

“I’m going to give you the green light,” Webb said quickly, deciding he wanted shut of Marsh in a hurry. “Bring it up to speed and implement it within the next few weeks. This will be the last before Saint Germain kicks off.”

“Sounds like you’re going to be playing the truant, Mr. Webb.”

Perceptive bastard. “I have two vital components to pick up from Ramses’ arms bazaar. As carefully guarded as that will be nothing involving terrorists is ever straightforward or without risk. I’ll be taking Beauregard, of course, but still…”

“Understood.”

“Hopefully Bell and Bay-Dale will return soon armed with all the spare money we need for the final push. The greater times are upon us, Julian.”

“I hope to further enrich those words, sir.”

“I’m sure you will.” Webb rose and extended a hand, pleased that he prevented a wince as the decidedly darker left shot out for a shake.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Just don’t fuck it up.”

Marsh nodded and walked out. Oh hell, the man was limping slightly now. Webb would bet his life that he hadn’t limped into the room or at any time before. Webb also imagined that the man used a different cellphone for every day of the week, each programmed to call forward to the next.

Weirdo.

Webb shrugged it off and took a quick look out of the window of his hotel room. Hayden Jaye’s vehicle was gone now. He wondered where she was and wished he’d had the chance to plant a tracker on her. Or that muscle-bound walrus she slept with. Last night’s escapade had been stimulating to say the least but soon the real fun would begin.

Soon… like now. Today.

Webb pressed a button on his cellphone and told the man who answered to come straight in. Eight seconds later the door opened and a lithe figure slipped around, approaching softly.

“Beauregard Alain,” Webb said. “As you know we must soon leave for—” He left the destination unsaid, mindful that even the loyalist of accomplices might one day turn against him. “The bazaar. Prepare for at least three days there, in constant danger, and possibly more if we get invited back to Ramses’… castle. I need to be at ease, able to make my decisions and locate the best components, and that’s why I have chosen you as my bodyguard. I take it you understand the honor?”

Beauregard nodded in that complacent way of his. Webb never understood if the man was being subservient or arrogant but his prowess spoke for itself. There were none better in the known world.

“But first…” Webb allowed the biggest of smiles to break out across his face. “First I have a new job for you. And what a grand exploit it will be. The best yet.”

Beauregard angled his head to the side. “Sir?”

“The stalking of Hayden Jaye is about to pass its zenith. I will need you for the fallout.”

“When?”

“Tonight. For as long as it takes. Now, sit down. I need to talk to you. We should plan this together.”

Webb underwent a swift makeover in his soul. Gone was the Pythian leader. Gone was the multi-millionaire company boss. Everything that was left was all that he was, all that he wanted to be, and it was the stimulated, aroused youth who had become a menacing stalker, the portentous haunter of the shadows.

Thrilled, practically overwrought, he explained the plan to Beauregard.