The convoy of Audis pulled into a small parking lot next to a closed fuel station. Waiting patiently by a Citroen estate loaded with luggage and belongings, Vincent’s wife and children along with a pair of long wheel base Renault Trafic vans. The Audis parked up next to the vans, a pair of Vane’s team emerged from the drivers’ seats of the vans and walked round the back, opened the rear cargo doors and pulled down a set of ramps. Vane’s men loaded their motorcycles in the back and set to work securing them for transit as Vincent got out of the middle Audi. He walked round to the driver’s window. It whirred down. ‘Are you sure you don’t need me from here?’
‘Take care of your family Vincent. Get them to Switzerland. We can handle things for now.’ Vincent nodded in agreement. ‘I’ll call you in a few days when you’ve got them resettled. Take care brother.’ Alex put his hand out of the window and shook Vincent’s. Vincent walked over to where his wife was waiting, Alex watched as Vincent hugged and kissed her then his children, and let out a soft smile, comforted by the scene. Vincent got in the car with his family, coaxed the old Citroen into life and made his way towards the exit. He gave Alex a nod as he went past which was returned. Alex looked in the rear view mirror at Radic who was unusually quiet. ‘You nothing to say for yourself for once?’ Radic looked back at Alex via the mirror. Alex recognised the look, a look he had seen countless times before. The mix of fear, lack of understanding, and sense of disbelief. Alex allowed himself a soft smile.
Vane walked over to Alex’s car. ‘We’re done here. You sure you don’t want us? He’s a valuable cargo.’
‘No, we’ve put Smythe on the back foot for now. It’s bought us some time.’ Vane nodded. ‘That was good work Charles. I like the cut of your jib.’
Vane let out a subtle smile. ‘Careful Alex, any more compliments like that and I might think you like me.’ Vane put his hand out to shake Alex’s.
‘Let’s not get carried away.’
‘I’ll see you soon.’ Vane turned around and got in his van. They reversed out and drove off out of the station leaving Alex’s team alone. Masato emerged from the first car and came to take Vincent’s place in the front passenger seat.
‘So Mister Radic. It’s time for you to honour our arrangement. Do you have an address for me?’
Radic stared at Alex in the mirror. ‘How do I know you will honour it?’
‘I’ve just pulled you out of the fires of hell Radic, if I wanted you dead I’d have left you to burn.’
Radic considered his options. Reluctantly he sighed. ‘Rotterdam. Europoort. I will give you the Haven when we arrive.’
Alex put his S8 in gear; he turned the car around and pulled alongside Nish’s. Nish dropped his window. ‘Rotterdam, Europoort.’ Nish nodded. Alex accelerated back onto the road with Nish and the third S8 pulling in behind. He reached the entrance to the AutoRoute and made the turn towards Belgium.