Chapter 96
So that, supposed Chris, was that. Johnny Gunduz had managed to disappear, the prodigal son returned, protected by his powerful family.
Now to find out if he had recently taken a flight back to England, a little trip down memory lane.
But under what name? And with what face? Johnny could come and go as he pleased.
Chris had got to the airport with plenty of time to spare and was enjoying a triple-chocolate muffin from Starbucks. He shouldn’t, of course, it was just empty calories, but he could think about that when he’d finished the muffin. He hears an English voice.
“This seat taken?”
Chris motions that the seat is free, without looking up. Until his brain registers that the voice is familiar to him. But of course. Of course. He looks up and nods.
“Good afternoon, Ron.”
“Afternoon, Chris,” says Ron, sitting down. “Four hundred and fifty calories in one muffin, you know.”
“Are you following me, Ron?” asks Chris. “Seeing what there is to see?”
“No, we got here yesterday, old son,” says Ron.
“We?” says Chris.
Ibrahim arrives with a tray. He nods at Chris. “How lovely to bump into you, Detective Chief Inspector; we heard you were here. Ron, I didn’t really know how to ask for just an instant coffee, so I got us Caramel Frappuccinos.”
“Thanks, Ib,” says Ron, and takes his drink.
“I wonder if it’s worth my while asking what you two are doing here?” asks Chris. “Assuming it is just the two of you? Perhaps Joyce is stocking up in Duty Free?”
“Just us boys,” says Ron. “Little jolly to Cyprus.”
“Quite bonding, in fact,” says Ibrahim. “I have never had many close male friends. Or close female friends. Or been to Cyprus.”
“Elizabeth sent us over with instructions,” says Ron. “She knew someone who knew someone who knew someone, so here we are. Probably finding out the same as you.”
“A very powerful family,” says Ibrahim. “Very easy for Johnny to go missing. To change his identity. No trace of him anywhere.”
“A ghost,” says Ron.
“A ghost with a grudge,” agrees Chris. He has given up on the muffin. He has already eaten half, so what was that, 220 calories? If the gate was a good walk from Starbucks, he would work some of that off. Then nothing on the plane.
“We heard you’ve been to see Johnny’s dad,” says Ron. “You get anything?”
“Who did you hear that from?” asks Chris.
“Does it matter?” asks Ron.
Chris supposes it doesn’t. “He knows where Johnny is. But even Elizabeth wouldn’t be able to get it out of him.”
The men nod.
“Joyce, maybe,” adds Chris, and they all nod again, smiling this time.
“You don’t smile very often, Detective Chief Inspector,” says Ibrahim. “If you don’t mind me saying so? That’s just an observation.”
“If Elizabeth knows someone who knows someone who knows someone,” says Chris, “then why isn’t she here? Why send Starsky and Hutch when Cagney and Lacey could have come and done the job?”
“Starsky and Hutch, very good,” says Ibrahim. “I would be Hutch, more methodical.”
There is a boarding announcement and the three men gather their belongings. Chris sees that Ron has a walking stick with him.
“First time I’ve seen you using a stick, Ron.”
Ron shrugs. “If you’ve got a stick, they let you on the plane first.”
“So where are Elizabeth and Joyce?” asks Chris. “Or don’t I want to know?”
“You don’t want to know,” says Ibrahim.
“Oh, great,” says Chris.