The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) by Ron Sewell Page B

owned Goliath will be dry-docked and its hull cleaned and painted. You’ll have two weeks to study the problem, produce a plan and make it pirate proof.”
                  Time raced as they debated their options.
                  “Bear, fancy a couple of weeks in Cape Town, all expenses paid?” said Petros.
                  “And why not? I’ll book the flights tomorrow. PK, do you want that last roll?”
                  “Your need is greater than mine.”
                  “Cheers.”
                  Charles grinned as he took a white envelope from his jacket pocket. “Two first class tickets from Heathrow to Cape Town. You leave at two tomorrow afternoon.”
                  Bear grabbed the envelope and tore it open. “How did you know?”
                  He sighed with relief. “Simple, you’re both bored out of your skulls. I reasoned, whatever I offered you’d accept.”
                  “You crafty bastard but it’s good to be doing something,” said Bear.
                  “But you don’t like boats,” said Petros.
                  “I’m just along for the money and this boat I can live with. It’s in dry-dock. Can’t move and therefore I won’t be getting my feet wet.”
                  “Charles, before we start, I read somewhere the use of armed guards has neutralised Somali piracy. Right or wrong?”
                  “So far not a single ship with armed guards has been taken but Goliath was different. When hijacked, she was five hundred nautical miles from any land, had negotiated the protected route between Somalia and Yemen. At two hundred million pounds plus a time, steal one ship a year and you’re in profit. The pirates were led by a woman, a nasty piece of work who is, we believe, Chinese and understands the workings of tankers. Her armed team were, apart from a few, professional thugs who didn’t give a toss so long as they were paid. As we speak I have people trawling the salvage yards of western India for information on this vessel and the woman. Hiding a crude carrier even on a six mile stretch of beach surrounded by rusting tankers and cruise liners isn’t easy.”
                  “Why bother about the woman?”
                  Charles placed his elbows on the table, hands clasped and leaned forward, his face fixed. “Number one rule, know thy enemy and believe me the shipping industry has become smug. It’s just a matter of time before the next vessel is taken. The pirates are a part of professional organisations. If you want to catch a criminal follow the money. The most common method of laundering is to run it through the books of a legitimate business. A breaker’s yard is ideal.”
                  “Give me a couple of hours,” said Petros, drinking the remains of his cold coffee. “I need to talk to my wife but I don’t see a problem. You get our expertise for two weeks and then we return home.”
                  Charles nodded. “I assume your normal rules apply.”
                  Petros stood. “Never assume.” He checked the time. “Bear, give me a ring if you have any problems. Charles, as always, great to see you again.”
                  They shook hands and walked out of the store room. Petros went to pay but Andreas waved him away.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three.
    Petros stepped through the door when his mobile bleeped. He removed the phone from his trouser pocket and checked the display. “It’s a text from Bear,” he shouted to Maria who was in the kitchen.
                  “Leave it. Dinner’s ready.”
                  Maria eased her way from cooker to sink as Charlie waited for