Chapter three
After Keel had driven away, Sam entered his apartment and picked up the post lying by the door. Putting his keys on the kitchen unit, he carefully scanned each letter and found they were mostly circulars, so he binned them and then poured himself a strong coffee. He took his drink through to the living area where, sitting comfortably in his favourite chair, he called directory enquiries and was put through to Anton Securities.
"Anton securities, Gill speaking, how may I help?"
"I am trying to contact a Mr Gerry Owens."
"Which department does he work for?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but I just need to get a message to him. Could you check your employee list?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I am not at liberty to pass on that type of information. May I ask who's calling please?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll get some more information and try later. Thank you." Putting the phone down Sam decided he would be better to go in personally and ask. It wouldn't hurt to flash his CI5 ID either, providing word didn't get back to Malone.
For the first time in ages, Sam decided to have a quiet lie down on his bed to recharge his batteries. Within a short time he had fallen asleep and didn't awake until the early hours when an unfamiliar sound disturbed his dreams. Rising silently, he took his gun off the bedside unit and moved over to the door. There was enough of a gap for Sam to see inside his living area and he definitely saw a fleeting shadow cross his vision. Pushing the door open a little further, he ascertained that there was indeed an intruder and he, or she was over in the far corner, by his bureau. He heard the familiar sounds of a lock being picked and decided that now was the time to act. Moving at speed and holding his gun ready, he crossed the room virtually unnoticed. At the last moment the intruder turned round and lashed out at his attacker. Sam was quick and counteracted the clumsy arm as it lunged at him. Rolling out of the way, the intruder was quickly on his feet and coming at Sam. Grabbing the intruder's arm, Sam dislodged the gun in his hand and judo wrestled the man to the floor. The man was powerful and didn't stay down for long, but without his weapon was not keen to hang around. Punching Sam violently in the face, he shoved him out of the way and ran through the apartment and exited through the front door. Sam struggled to his feet and set off in pursuit, clattering down the stairs three at a time. The intruder crashed out through the front security door with Sam close behind, but the waiting BMW swallowed him up and it sped away. Mentally remembering the licence plate Sam, adrenalin pumping through his veins, went back up to his apartment to assess the damage. Thankfully the bureau was intact but it didn't answer the questions as to who was it, what were they after and how did they get in so easily?
Tidying up the fallen furniture, Sam found the discarded weapon. He carefully picked it up using a pen and gently placed it in a clean plastic bag. He checked for any signs of where the intruder had entered his apartment and found that the large sliding window on his small balcony had been forced. Using an old bicycle chain, he ensured the door was secure and made a mental note to contact a locksmith in the morning.
The dawn was beginning to break and Sam decided that it was pointless going back to bed, so he got dressed and tried to figure out where the Morris's featured in this, because he was pretty certain this was connected in some way to Gerry Owens. Looking in the bathroom mirror, Sam noticed his lip had been split and calmly considered how he was going to explain this. He'd have to think of something, otherwise the questions from Malone could jeopardise his helping Gerry.
He was glad when it was time to leave; he needed time away from this whole affair. He arranged a locksmith to come later that morning and asked one of his neighbours to let them in and then picked up his car and drove over to Keel's apartment, arriving precisely at 9.00am.
From experience he knew that Chris Keel would not be ready, so he parked his car and went up to the door and rang the bell. Silence greeted his arrival. He tried again, leaning on it this time.
"Chris! Are you ready? Open this door!"
At last, muffled noises emanated from inside the flat and finally a very weary looking American opened the door a fraction.
"Go away, Curtis! You're disturbing my beauty sleep."
Sam grinned. "Well I know how much you need it, but it's time to meet the day and I'm here to take you to work! And before you slam the door," he added before Keel could react, "I'm not going anywhere!"
Keel thought about this before replying, "In that case, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to shoot you and then I'll go back to bed."
"Chris, open up?" Sam didn't want to be late for their first day on a new assignment. Malone would crucify them.
Keel grumbled something incoherent, but none the less opened the door. Sam brushed past him and looked in dismay at the mess the flat was in. Keel, yawning and stretching, wandered over to the kettle and flicked the switch.
Sam stood transfixed as he surveyed the remnants of last night's entertainment. Empty pizza boxes, beer bottles and dirty coffee cups lay scattered around the place.
"Who, or what did you have back here last night, Chris?" Sam muttered. (Not a woman, I hope!) Sam thought to himself.
Keel finished making his coffee and took a large drink before answering.
"It was Mason, Biggs and that big guy from floor 3, Williams I think his name was. We had a poker night and they didn't leave until 3am." Keel had wandered over to where Sam was standing,
"Hey, what happened to your face?" He asked bluntly, typical Keel.
Sam had this covered. "Nothing dramatic, I was up in the night getting an aspirin and I wandered into the bathroom cabinet."
"Clumsy fool!" Keel muttered as he went into his bedroom to get dressed.
Sam walked around the flat, sighing at the debris, until he stopped and looked out of the large windows overlooking the cemetery. An odd place to live, and although Sam didn't believe in ghosts, he had a feeling Keel kept an open mind about such things.
A noise behind him made him turn and there was Chris looking vaguely human. It never ceased to amaze Sam how Keel could transform from tramp to CI5 operative in a matter of minutes.
"Ready to go?" Sam said with forced cheer.
"Yeah, but only because I don't want to end up being harangued by Malone. I have a bit of a hangover."
"Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?" Sam muttered under his breath.
This time Keel was quiet and kept his sunglasses on. As they drove along the busy streets, Sam was toying with the idea of telling him what had happened last night.
"Chris?"
"What?" Chris snapped back, keeping his face turned away.
"Have you ever heard of the Morris brothers?"
Chris turned to face him looking less than pleased at being disturbed from his reverie.
"No. Who the hell are they, and more to the point, will I care?"
Sam realised that it wasn't the best time to discuss it and so let it drop.
"Forget it, it doesn't matter. We're here now anyway."
He pulled his car up to the large gates and pushed the intercom.
"Yes, who is it please?" A disembodied voice demanded.
"Sam Curtis and Chris Keel, CI5, to see the Ambassador."
After a short wait the gates gave an electronic buzz as they were unlocked. Sam drove through and saw Backus's car already on the driveway.
Parking nearby, both men exited the car and headed for the large front door which opened magically as they approached. Sam entered first and Keel gave a cursory glance behind him, before following his partner.
Backus and Spencer were in the hall talking to a man with a smart suit. Spencer introduced them to him as they joined the group.
"Mr Ambassador, may I introduce Sam Curtis and Chris Keel."
The man smiled slightly. "Gentleman."
"Sam, Chris, this is Andras Kantor, the Hungarian Ambassador."
"Sir." They both said in unison.
The man acknowledged their greeting and then indicated with his hand a room off to the side.
"I should like you to meet my wife and daughter. I have explained to your colleagues about the threats of kidnapping, so I won't repeat myself. Please follow me."
Tina gave them a 'that told you!' look and all 4 agents followed the Ambassador into a downstairs room. Seated on a sofa were a woman and a girl.
"This is my wife, Jolanka and my daughter, Aranka. I shall leave you now because I have business to attend to, but my wife will explain her schedule to you. Good day."
He left immediately and Jolanka rose and shook their hands.
"I apologise for my husband's brusqueness. He is very busy and this silly threat has worried him."
Tina spoke first. "We understand, Mrs Kantor, but since it is you we need to liaise with, that isn't a problem. We understand you have a few trips out planned over the next two weeks?"
"Yes. Aranka has school and we are due at the theatre and also wish to go shopping before we return home."
Sam and Chris exchanged glances. Join CI5 and go shopping…
Tina continued. "That won't be a problem, Mrs Kantor. We can arrange for you to have two people with you whenever you wish to go out, if you could just let us know the timings if you have them?
Whilst Tina was arranging the schedule, Sam had noticed that Aranka kept glancing over at him. He smiled at her and she coyly giggled and turned away. Chris meanwhile, was skulking over by the window checking all was clear outside, whilst Spencer was talking to a security officer.
Tina finished her conversation with Jolanka Kantor and motioned for the boys to follow her out.
Once outside she explained the way it would work.
"She doesn't need us today, so we will return tomorrow. First thing off there is the school run…"
"Hey, Sam, you can do that since I see you've made such an impression on the daughter!" Chris Keel was more observant than he looked.
"Shut up, Chris, she was just being friendly."
"I would say she has a crush on you!"
Tina smiled. "Stop teasing him, Chris! We can sort out details later, but it shouldn't be too much of a logistical problem. It's only for a fortnight. They do want to go shopping and there is a trip booked to the theatre, but not a lot else."
Spencer wandered over,
"I've been talking to Jakob, who is the Ambassadors security chief. He has insisted he is involved in all this, so I have said he can assist me in the surveillance vehicle. That means you three can be out in the field – observing.
"Can't wait for the fun to begin!" Sam said with his usual gentle sarcasm.
Chris was less polite. "I can. Let's get back to base before the excitement overpowers me."
Tina smiled and Spencer shook his head and they all returned to their cars and went back to headquarters.
On the return journey, Sam again wanted to engage Chris in conversation, but once again his partner was less than receptive. The conversation, such that it was, dwindled and died so Sam gave up and turned on the radio.
Once back at headquarters, Chris had sobered up and noticed that Sam didn't come up to the control room straight away, but excused himself and disappeared for about fifteen minutes. He didn't want Sam to know of his interest, but he had registered from the lift light that his partner had gone up to the second floor – forensics. What was Sam doing up there? Was there some new female employee he didn't know about? He decided to let it drop and returned to speak to Spencer.
Sam had been careful to ensure he hadn't been followed and entered the laboratory looking for Doctor O'Brien. The doctor looked up as Sam entered.
"Ah, Agent Curtis! To what do I owe the honour?" He smiled and removed his glasses.
"Good afternoon, Doctor. I was wondering if you could do me a favour, off the record?" Sam had intense green eyes and they sparkled with purpose.
"Off the record, you say? Now why would I want to do that?" The doctor folded his arms and gave him an inquisitive look.
Sam handed him the bag containing the gun.
"I want you to run a check on this, but not officially."
The doctor raised a quizzical brow.
Sam tried to explain. "This is personal, doctor. I don't want Malone knowing about this or indeed anyone else. I just need to know any details you can give me about finger prints, ammunition etc. I know it's a big ask, but it is really important and I will owe you one."
The doctor sighed. He had known Sam for a while and knew that for him to ask this favour must mean it was important.
"OK Sam, just this once. Give me a couple of days and then pop back."
Sam was relieved. Thanks, Doctor!" He turned to go but then added, "One more thing, there was a shooting a few weeks back, the victim was Stephen Anson. If you could compare ballistics with that case I would be very interested in the results…"
The doctor realised he'd been duped, all be it very politely, so as Sam left he called out,
"I'll hold you to your promise! I have a sister…"
Sam smiled and waved back but muttered 'not on your life!' under his breath.
Back in the control room Sam noticed Keel over by the computers and hesitated. He took a slight detour to where Alison Williams sat. Alison was a level one programmer and had been out with him a while back. He smoothly appeared at her side and oozed charm as he said, "Hi Alison, I wonder if you could run a couple of plates through the system for me?"
Alison turned round and gave him a stubborn look. "And what pray, is the matter with your computer and your hands?"
Sam smiled disarmingly. "It's a bet I have with Keel. I don't want him to see what I am doing. Here are the numbers, it will only take a moment and I would be very grateful…"
Alison eyed him with suspicion. "What are you up to, Sam? What bet?"
Sam felt he was losing his touch. "It's just a surveillance we were on and I noticed these cars before he did and I just need to know if it's worth passing on to Malone!"
Alison sighed. "You boys and your silly one up man ship! Ok give them here."
She typed the first number plate into the database which was the assailant's getaway car. Within a few moments they had a hit.
"It seems like this car was stolen three days ago. Brownie point to you! Now the second one…"
That was Gerry's car. Sam was delighted when an address popped up. Making a note he went to leave.
"Thank you, Alison, you are a wonderful woman. Now, Keel needn't know about this, it's our secret."
Again that smile, green eyes sparkling, Alison couldn't help mellowing.
"Ok Sam, but next time don't involve me in your male superiority contests!"
Sam winked and was gone. He was much happier as he entered the control room. Keel was a little suspicious and so asked, "You OK? Where have you been?"
Sam had his innocent look on and replied calmly, "Nowhere special, just needed to check a few things out, that's all. What's happening here now that we aren't needed?"
Spencer answered that one. "Malone is happy for us to call it a day. Not a lot going on here and the days may be long for the next couple of weeks, so enjoy an early finish!"
Sam nearly raced out of the room with Keel in hot pursuit.
"Hang on! You're giving me a lift, remember?" He called angrily. Having to shout was hurting his head.
Sam was in the car with the engine revving before Keel had opened the door.
"What's the hurry?" He asked with growing anger.
"Stop moaning! I have a few things I need to do and getting away early has given me the opportunity. I'll drop you off and then use our own cars tomorrow, ok?"
Keel had to rush to snap his belt safely as Curtis sped away with a burn of rubber.
"Good idea, the way you drive is not conducive to a long life!" Keel replied, wishing like hell he'd brought his own car. Curtis was buzzing about something which was beginning to worry Chris. Now it was his turn to try and prise information out of his partner.
"Sam, is everything alright? You seem preoccupied about something."
Sam was now content to keep Chris out of this. He had Gerry's address and would have details of the gun in a couple of days, so he should be able to work things out on his own.
"I'm fine. Just because I don't have a massive hangover and have things to do doesn't mean anything is wrong! I do have a life outside of CI5, you know."
'Point taken,' Chris thought. 'Ok Sam, play it your way, I won't ask again.'
The rest of the journey was quiet and Keel was glad to get home and get out of Sam's car.
"See you tomorrow." The American said half-heartedly.
"Sure." And in an instant Curtis had gone, leaving a very confused Chris Keel behind.