The QE2 Is Missing

“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.

“You’ll never live to raise it,” Aurelia said, and he knew it was the truth. He was barely aware of the elevator doors opening behind him, of Chvosta moving forward and the doors closing again. All he knew was that he was looking at certain death. He slowly drew out the pistol and let it drop from his fingers.

“Very good,” Aurelia said. “Now kick it over here and look after your friend. I would suggest using his belt as a tourniquet on that arm. With a hole that size he could bleed to death rather quickly.”