Chapter 27

My first task on the Monday morning was to update Inspector Baird at Hampstead police station on my visit with Dale Fortuin at the Leukop prison.

I was very relieved when my call was answered almost immediately.

‘Baird here,’ a gruff voice barked down the phone.

‘Inspector, Vince Hamilton phoning you from Cape Town.’

‘Ah Vince I was hoping that you would call. How are you?’

‘I’m good Inspector if a little disappointed by the weather here. I wanted to let you know how my meeting with Dale went.’

There was no need to include the tortuous details of the queuing and the bus ride, so I just gave him the details of what Dale had told me.

‘In summary Inspector; he has unquestionably been framed. His conviction is solely on the testimony of Harold Fortiscue and his Dutch friend Caas Teifel. They even used Phillip’s gun to kill him, and this conveniently had Dale’s fingerprints all over it.’

‘Do you think that Dale is innocent Vince?’

‘Yes unequivocally and it is yet another example of Harold Fortiscue stitching someone up for a murder that he personally has been involved in.’

‘Who is this other guy Caas Teifel that was with Harold? Where does he fit in?’

‘Caas Teifel is a diamond dealer from Rotterdam who has been transporting the diamonds from South Africa to Europe. He then sells them on to dealers such as Edward Crawford in London.’

‘So you think that he is one of the main players in all of this?’

‘His name is coming up more and more often in my investigations, and I am starting to believe he has a significant role in the drama. It looks as if he is also involved in the murders.’

‘Listen Vince, when I met you in the pub in Parson Green, I meant to mention to you that I have an ex-army friend who lives in Tokei in Cape Town, and he has a number of hand guns. I think that you should arm yourself, as the people that you are up against won’t hesitate to use force against you, and their preferred method is shooting. I have talked to him, and he is willing to lend you a gun and ammunition as long as you give him something towards the cost.’

‘That sounds like an excellent idea Inspector. All the stories I have heard of shootings have made me feel particularly vulnerable. It will be a great comfort to know that I can defend myself if I have to.’

‘OK Vince. Have you pen and paper?’

‘Yes, go ahead.’

‘His name is Laurie Scott, and he used to be in one of the Highland Regiments. His address is 16 Fir Tree Crescent, Tokai, and his phone number is 0678 238675. Did you get all that?’

‘Yes thanks. I’ll call you again if anything happens that might be of interest to you.’

‘OK Vince. Bye.’

I put a quick call into Willem in Amsterdam. He told me that the yacht probably would arrive in Cape Town on Wednesday evening sometime. I now only had two days to kill before the action would start at this end.

I also telephoned Laurie Scott and made an appointment for that afternoon to collect a gun from him.

Next task was to confirm when exactly the Belle Diamant would arrive. The only way to get the proof was by using my trusty electronic listening device, despite the risk that might involve. I decided to spend the rest of the morning in Camps Bay in my concealed listening spot. It was a beautiful sunny morning so at least I wouldn’t get soaked. Of course, with no rain around, the dog walkers would be out and about. This time I mightn’t be able bluff a curious dog owner so easily.

As things turned out, my trip to Camps Bay was very brief and risk free. There was nobody at home, so nobody to listen to. I drove back to the guest house and went for a quick lunch at my favourite micro-brewery. In deference to my meeting that afternoon I replaced my usual beer with a Coke.

Suitably refreshed I went to the multistorey car park to get my car and, punching in the address that the Inspector had given me into the sat nav, I drove to Tokai to see Laurie Scott and collect the gun.

The door was answered by his wife, who explained to me that Laurie had taken the dog out for a walk and hadn’t returned yet. I sat down in the living room to wait, supplied with tea and biscuits rustled up by Mrs Scott. Conversation was a bit strained as she didn’t know who I was or why I was waiting for him. He eventually arrived making profuse apologies.

‘Sorry Vince but the dog ran off after a rabbit and I had a hell of a job getting him back.’

‘I’m in no hurry Laurie and your wife looked after me exceedingly well.’

‘I have all that you need in the office in the garden if you like to follow me out there.’

He opened the sliding patio doors and led the way to a wooden structure in the garden, the door of which was secured by at least three locks. He unlocked all three using a large bunch of keys that he had with him.

‘Come in Vince and sit down,’ he said, switching on the light.

He went over to a heavily reinforced filing cabinet, also secured with a number of locks.

Unlocking the cabinet, he then took out a wooden box which he placed on the table in front of me.

‘This is the weapon that I have sorted out for you. I think that it is the most appropriate for what you are up to,’ he said as he opened the box and took out a Glock 17. Have you used one of these before?’

‘Yes I have plenty of experience using a Glock. I agree with you, it is an perfect gun for the situations I am likely to find myself in.’ I turned the gun over in my hands looking at it admiringly.

‘It has a laser sight fitted, and I can also let you have these night vision glasses for as long as you need them.’

‘That’s brilliant Laurie. I hadn’t even thought of night vision glasses, but it will make it easier for me to work after dark when there will be less chance of being spotted.’

‘Vince, in the bottom of this box there is a false bottom, and in the space under it, I have packed fifty rounds of ammunition. Do you reckon that should be enough for you?’

‘That should be plenty’

‘If you need more you can come back and pick it up.’

‘How much do I owe you for all this Laurie?’

‘I trust you Vince; otherwise I wouldn’t let you have it. You can settle up with me when you return the gun if that suits you.’

‘I really appreciate you helping me like this Laurie. I’ll probably bring it back to you in not more than two weeks.’

‘That’s OK with me Vince. If you like to follow me again I will show you out.’ He led me back into the house.

‘Thanks for the refreshments when I arrived,’ I said to his wife as I went through the living room.

‘Our pleasure Vince, safe home,’ she replied.

Laurie came out to my car, carrying the box with the Glock and the ammunition. I opened the boot, and he placed the box on the floor.

‘I’ll see you in about two weeks unless you do a lot of shooting and need more ammo Vince,’ he said, shaking my hand.

Climbing into my car I set off back to Cape Town feeling like a young boy with a new toy.