Гарри Гаррисон - The QE2 Is Missing

“You’re my dreamboat.” He kissed her soundly, with plenty of cooperation. “It could happen any time now…. “

The telephone rang suddenly and he looked at her, then leaned over to pick it up and answer it.

“Right,” he said. “Two minutes.” Then hung up.

He hurried away, without a word, not knowing what he could possibly say.

“Yes, thank you for phoning through the information. I would like a printed copy of the cable for my records. To my cabin, that is correct.”

Wielgus hung up the phone and could not resist rubbing his hands together as he turned back to face the others who waited silently, expectantly.

“That was from our cargo master in Valparaiso. He informs us that the cargo aboard the ship is as listed in the manifests. The vehicles are as specified and samples taken at random from various cases fit the manifest information. It looks as though your people have delivered as promised, Chvosta.”

“Global Traders is a legitimate business enterprise with a sound reputation. It is only our customers who are hard to please.”

“Yes, perhaps, but water over the dam now in any case.” Wielgus was actually humming as he snapped shut his briefcase. “The Captain of the Lyngby Kro has been instructed to disembark his present crew and take our own aboard?”

“That is correct. He is our employee and we have leased the ship from the owners. He will work the ship under the instructions of your Captain, who will function as First Officer. The ship will go to the port of your choosing. After the cargo is off-loaded, the original crew will return. The Captain will disembark his present crew now and accept yours upon receipt of my instructions.”

“Then, if you will, cable the instructions.”

“As soon as I have the diamonds in my possession.”

“What’s stopping you from keeping the diamonds without releasing the ship?” Stroessner cried out. “You would be a thief!”

“Only one who is a born thief himself accuses others,” Chvosta said coldly, then turned his back on the outraged dictator. He appeared not to notice that Stroessner was spluttering with rage and trying to draw his pistol. Wielgus watched this disgustedly for a moment before speaking.

“General — control yourself! These matters are too important for you to act like an imbecile.”

Stroessner gaped in consternation, then let his hand fall away from the holster. It was obvious who was the master here. Chvosta nodded and turned to face Wielgus.

“I have a suggestion for the exchange that I hope will satisfy you. Send for two of your gunmen. When they are here I'll give you the coded message for the Captain. While we are waiting for the answer I will go to my cabin with the diamonds and your two men will accompany me. I trust you and your Germans more than this South American trash you do business with. I wish to be away from them and in your hands. When your representatives cable back that they are in charge of the ship you will have your men leave. I will have the payment for the shipment and you will have the shipment. Do you agree?”

Wielgus steepled his fingers and nodded approvingly.

“Chvosta, perhaps I underestimated your intelligence. Yes, we are Germans, not thieves, and we wish only to conclude a legitimate business deal. I’ll have my men come here at once to guard you upon your return to your own quarters. They will stay with you, as you insist, until we have clearance. Now, the message.”

“The Captain’s name is Bartovska. Simply tell him that all of the arrangements have been successfully concluded and he is now to turn command of the ship over to you. You need not use my exact words, anything resembling that will do.”

“Is that all? It does not sound secure.”

“It is not all. He will ask your man for a number. The number you will tell him is 93121-91087. When this is done the ship is yours.” Chvosta smiled. “He knows the number well. It is the number of his Swiss bank account.”

“Very good, excellent in fact. It shall be done in just this manner.”

“We take them when they reach the other deck,” Josep said, drawing his revolver and spinning the chamber. “If the Germans protest, that is two less to worry about later.”

“No!” Uzi was very positive. “There is too much risk there — and no real need for it. Diaz can open any lock. Go now with him, a hit crew. Get into Chvosta’s cabin before he does. Into the bathroom. Take them by surprise after they are in the room and the door is locked. If they offer resistance no one outside will know what has happened.”

“Yes. You are right again. I’ll take him myself, with two men to back me. Let’s go!”

“Fritz, Heinrich, come in,” Wielgus said. “You are armed?” The two young men nodded and Fritz smiled and patted the bulge at his waist.

“Not all fat, Herr Doktor. But a good P-38 in perfect condition.”

“Excellent. Mr. Chvosta here is taking this valuable bag to his cabin. You two will act as bodyguards and protect him all of the way there. You will also enter his cabin and continue to guard him until I telephone to you that all is well. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Herr Doktor.”

Chvosta heaved his bulk out of the chair and picked up the bag, then nodded to Aurelia Hortiguela. She bent far over to pick up her capacious handbag and every eye in the room. Latin and Teutonic, appreciated the taut dress over the ample expanse of her buttocks.

“I will await your call,” Chvosta said, then waved the Germans ahead of him into the corridor. He left with Aurelia right behind him. The door closed and General Stroessner burst out laughing.

“I am pleased he trusts you, Herr Doktor Wielgus. Will you take the diamonds back from him?”

“Perhaps. It requires some thought. We may need Global Traders again in the future.”

“With this kind of money, there are plenty who will sell to us and fuck these leeches,” the Admiral said. “When we have control of the ship, take the money back and eliminate those two. They know entirely too much about the internal affairs of our countries.”

“I was thinking something along the same lines myself,” Wielgus agreed. “I am, of course, an honorable man and wish to adhere to all business agreements. Unless, of course, it is a matter of security.”

“This is security,” Stroessner said, laughing out loud. “Kill the bastards.”

Chvosta walked slowly down the swaying corridor, seemingly unaware of the position he had placed himself in. The two young Nazis walked on either side of him and Aurelia followed behind, finding the going difficult in her high heels.

Chvosta came to the lift and pressed the button. Aurelia, who was trailing by a few yards was caught offguard by a sudden heave of the ship and fell, sprawling on the carpet. Fritz looked back at her and laughed, then turned away and moved even closer to the bag of diamonds.

“Step back!” Aurelia called out loudly, in perfect German. “Stay clear and stand where you are and no one is going to be hurt.”

Both men snapped their heads about and gaped. She was sitting on the floor facing them with her knees up and her legs spread, her skirt hiked up to her waist displaying the length of her creamy thighs and lacy black panties. However, this attractive view was obstructed by her arms, for her elbows were braced inside her knees, while clasped in both hands was a heavy magnum pistol with a long silencer fitted to it. Her open purse lay tossed to one side.

Heinrich just gaped but Fritz was fast, jumping behind Chvosta as he pulled his own pistol from his waistband.

The big gun jumped in her grip and made a quiet coughing sound. Fritz screamed and spun about as the large bullet caught him in the arm, where it projected slightly from behind Chvosta’s broad back. The impact broke the arm, almost severing it, and knocked him to the deck. Heinrich had his own gun half drawn when he realized that the smoking muzzle was pointing directly at his eye.