Twisted Traffick Page 18

  “Andreas.” Nadia spoke first, with a voice that trembled. “The man--in the room--the man you shot.” She looked straight at Anne. “He was called Andreas by the others. My father introduced him to me as Gospodin Kalinsky. Still in Ozersk. He was the one--”

  Here was further confirmation that Kalinsky and Hetzel were one and the same person.

  “Thank you, Nadia.” Anne was encouraging. “That is exactly what we need.”

  “Sergei,” little dark-haired Magda whispered. “The Russian man who stayed upstairs was called Sergei by the others. He seemed to be the big boss.”

  “Yes. She is right,” Elena, the brunette, agreed.

  “That’s it. Thank you.”

  “Polyakov, for sure,” Greg said.

  “The other man who was up there--” said the tall girl who had identified herself as Svetlana, “--the others called him Brother Peter.”

  “Yes, Brother Peter,” Sasha, close to tears, echoed her. “He was the one who picked me. The big man with red hair. And freckles.”

  “Brother Peter! Billy Crawford. Here? Well, that explains it! Why he surfaced in Vienna. Probably on his way here,” Greg said more to himself than anyone else. And then he added, “Of course! They must have been discussing the next heist.”

  “The boss--that Sergei--he mentioned something that they needed to teach Nadia’s father a lesson,” Sasha volunteered hesitantly. “So that Brother Peter could get some nuclear material more quickly. Some HEU, I think, they said.”

  “Thank you. This is good. It really helps us, girls,” Anne said.

  Labrecque’s head poked up from downstairs, just as they heard the sirens of the approaching police cars.

  “Here they are. It’s about time,” Anne commented.

  “Yeah. Great. But wait till you hear this.” The French agent could hardly contain himself. “You won’t believe it. One of those jerks downstairs is a general in the Montenegrin army, the other, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for all of Hungary. Guests of Polyakov. These guys don’t fool around.”

  “God, no wonder Hetzel had no trouble getting away from the hospital in Vasvár,” Greg observed.

  “Yeah, a great way to blackmail the important figures you need to control,” Labrecque continued.

  Within seconds, they heard the police vehicles pull up and the sound of men rushing across the walkway. Szekely was first through the glass doors, followed by another man in civilian clothes and several special operations types sporting automatic weapons. The crackling of radios and the stomping of boots punctuated their entrance.

  “George, good to see you,” Labrecque said, greeting his colleague. “That goes for the rest of you, too. Did you manage to check on the two men who escaped?”

  “I sent Radomir with some of the local police to the hotel. So far he hasn’t called, though.”

  “Hetzel’s been taken by ambulance to the hospital,” the French Interpol agent continued. “Let’s send some guys there to guard him, although Anne did such a great job on him that the only place he will be escaping to is the otherworld. No doubt, he has a place reserved in Hell. And we have two others downstairs, all tied up. Pigs too, both of them, abusers of these young ladies.”

  “I’ll have these guys take them in right away,” Szekely said.

  “They’re big fish,” Labrecque continued. “One is a general in the army here, and the other, the Deputy Commissioner of your country’s police, George.”

  “Goddam! So that’s how far up the rottenness went--no wonder Hetzel was able to escape from that hospital. I will have this Deputy Commissioner extradited, and tried in Hungary.”

  “Nicholas and George, the other thing is,” Anne interjected, glancing at her watch and seeing that it was almost eleven p.m., “that these girls need rest and care. They have had some horrific experiences and it is getting late. I think they are at the breaking point.”

  “Yes, we need to find a place where they can stay in peace. Then, tomorrow you can question them more in depth,” Greg added.

  “Well, Radomir found a convent to take the girls from that compound. But as it was, the abbess or whoever, told him that it was going to be very crowded.”

  “How about the hotel? They would no doubt have space, and Interpol may even be able to get them to put these girls up for free,” Anne suggested. “That way they would be near us, and they would not have to go far. We could even walk over now with them. George, maybe give Radomir a call, and if he’s still over there, he can arrange it before we get there.”

  “Good idea,” Szekely agreed, pulling out his cell and scrolling down. “Nicholas and I can then wrap things up here, while you take them over. And then we can agree to meet up in the morning.”

  “Excellent.”

  Chapter 30

  Radomir met them at the front desk. After introductions, he looked Anne in the eye. “We have two rooms for the girls, either side of yours.”

  “That’s terrific. Thanks, Radomir.”

  “We will have a couple of guards in the corridor for the night, and two in front of what we think is Polyakov’s suite upstairs. It seems that a company--Adriatica-- owns one of the penthouse suites where a square balding Russian is a regular visitor, the manager told me. We will also have some men down here in the lobby at all times, and several outside.”

  “Speaking of Polyakov. Any news on him? And Brother Peter--that is, Billy Crawford, the other man who got away?” Greg asked, adding as an afterthought, “And by the way, Radomir, did your guys find the Porsche?”

  “Well, the Boxster is sitting in the parking lot, out back. We have done a search inside the car and found nothing. Registration says it is also in the name of that company, Adriatica. By the way, my guys have done some digging--Adriatica is a shell, registered in the Seychelles.”

  “Figures.”

  “More interestingly, I just got one of the guys to check at the airport, you know, over in Tivat,” the Montenegrin Interpol agent said, “and apparently, an unmarked private jet--a Gulfstream G-550 to be exact--that came in a couple of days ago and had been sitting there all this time--well, it took off a little more than an hour ago. And I am told it is registered to Adriaticair, if that tells you anything.”

  “Hmm. I remember Polyakov used to own an Air Miliberia, through his shady trading company, MILEXCO,” Anne interjected. “This may be its latest reincarnation, since I think you guys--that is, Interpol tried to get both Air Miliberia and MILEXCO closed down. Could you please do some further checking, Radomir?”

  “Already on it, Anne. But listen to this. The pilot of this Gulfstream filed a flight plan to Grozny. You know, in Chechnya.”

  “That’s where our man earned his spurs. He was there with the Russian armed forces in both Chechen wars,” Greg said.

  “A lot of our visitors here are from Russia, or that part of the world. So we can’t necessarily jump to conclusions. But the time of departure would also fit.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Greg agreed.

  “And perhaps they took the other guy’s car to the airport.”

  “Billy’s? Hmm. Maybe. Can we check car rental agencies? To see if there were any vehicles returned right around then.”

  “Good idea, Anne.”

  “Excellent work, Radomir,” Anne said. “I must compliment you. And thank you. I guess the fox has fled the coop for now. But we’ll get him, and that Billy or Brother Peter or whatever he calls himself now. No doubt, the two have been plotting another nuclear heist.”

  “I thought this was a human trafficking investigation.”

  “That is only one part of it, Radomir. I am sure Nicholas will fill you in.” Anne saw that the girls were standing over by the desk, waiting with the two guards.

  She went over to join them, as the Montenegrin agent said, “Sure.”

  “Well, anyway, I am going to say good night now.” Greg saw Anne signaling to him, that they were ready to go up. “We’ll see you tomorrow. I guess first thing, you will want to i
nterrogate the two men captured on the yacht along with the others you took at the compound.”

  “Maybe Hetzel, too, if he is well enough.”

  “He was in pretty bad shape. I’m not so sure he would be up to it.”

  “Well, if not tomorrow, as soon as he can answer questions.”

  “Come to think of it, you’ll probably need to do a thorough forensic examination back at the boat,” Greg added. “And then we will want to look through Polyakov’s and Hetzel’s rooms here. Anne and I should probably be part of all that because we know both those crooks.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Good night, Radomir. And thanks. It’s been a good day.”

  ***

  They said good night to the girls in the corridor, upstairs.

  “You really have nothing to fear now,” Anne tried to reassure Nadia, Sasha, and Magda in front of Room Twenty-Two. “We are right here beside you.”

  “Yes, and there will be two policemen outside in the corridor guarding our doors,” Greg added. “And many more in and around the hotel. So nothing can happen.”

  “Thank you,” Nadia said. “You have been so kind.”

  “Sleep well.” Anne hugged each girl in turn. “And if you need anything, we are in Room Twenty-Four, next door. Oh, yes, order something to eat if you’d like. You must be very hungry. And all of you, feel free to call home and tell them that you are safe.”

  ***

  Inside, Anne said, “Phew, what a day! I’m going to jump straight into the shower.” She started shedding her clothes on the way to the bathroom.

  “Good idea, Anne. I will follow you.” A shower, not just to wash the body, but also cleanse the soul after the horrors they had encountered during the day.

  Hair still wet, and in a fluffy hotel dressing gown, Anne made her way out onto the terrace, under the stars and overlooking the port. Greg, coming out of the bathroom, saw her there looking out at the water, but went over to the mini-bar to pour two glasses of wine for them and to grab some snacks before he went out join his wife. They had missed dinner, and after the tough day, he realized he wanted a drink to settle his nerves. Handing the glass to Anne, he put his arm around her waist as she leaned against the railing.

  “Isn’t it beautiful out here?” Greg asked. More than anything, he couldn’t help but feel how lucky he was to have this competent, beautiful woman as his wife.

  “It sure is,” was Anne’s response, as she took a sip of the wine.

  “And it was a good day. Other than Polyakov and Billy getting away. But we’ll get ’em, that’s for sure.”

  “Yes. I am certain. But it may take a while.”

  “Are you enjoying being back in the field, Anne? Hunting international criminals? It is exciting, I agree.”

  “I won’t say no,” Anne replied. “But what makes it particularly fun is that you are here with me, Greg. As my partner in crime. Or against it.” She chuckled as she reached up to her husband’s neck, gently pulled his face over to hers, and then gave him a kiss. As she did this, the dressing gown fell off her shoulder. Greg reached inside, down her arching naked back, and kissed back with fervor.

  “Should we go in?” he asked, aroused, when he came up for air.

  “Yes. It is late,” Anne answered, taking his hand and leading him toward the bedroom, where, undoing his dressing gown, she pulled him down on top of her in the bed.

  Greg could only mutter, “I love you,” between kisses, first on the mouth, then her breasts, and then lower down.

  Once they finished, it did not take them long to fall asleep after the struggles and stresses of the day.

  Chapter 31

  Greg and Anne were just getting dressed to go over to the yacht after a leisurely room service breakfast on their terrace, when Anne’s cell rang.

  “Anne, Nicholas here. You might want to get over here pronto. And bring a laptop if you have one there, and a USB cable--I am sure you can get one of those from the hotel, if you don’t have one handy. It’ll save me having to go back and get my stuff.”

  “Why, what’s up?”

  “We have found some secret video equipment. You know, Polyakov filming his guests.”

  “God, what a creep.” She shuddered with memories of her own terrible experience with the Russian arms merchant. Then Hetzel taping Nadia and Julia. And dammit, probably Nadia and me too! Suddenly, the thought froze her.

  It took her a moment to recover, before she answered, “Sure. I think between Greg and me we should be able to drum up both, so we’ll be there in five.”

  On the way out, they knocked on the two doors on either side.

  Nadia opened up for them at Room Twenty-Two, splendid in the hotel’s fluffy dressing gown, hair still wet from showering.

  “Good morning, Nadia. I hope you slept well.”

  “Yes. Thank you. Wonderful!”

  “Nadia, we’re just going to go over to the yacht for a little while,” Greg explained. “We need you to stay in the room. But please feel free to order something to eat from room service. Don’t worry, we will make sure the guard out here checks everyone who comes anywhere near your door. We’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  ***

  The area around the boat was now cordoned off with yellow tape, and several members of the local police force made sure that strolling tourists did not get too curious. Anne asked for Radomir, and one of the policemen went to get him from inside the boat.

  “Good that you are here,” the Montenegrin Interpol officer said after he greeted them. “Come, come on in. We have found something of interest. I think Nicholas told you. Some filming equipment.”

  “Yes. We brought the laptop and the cable he asked for. So we can view the videos.”

  Anne and Greg followed Radomir toward the bow of the boat, past the main salon and the dining room and into the master stateroom. Labrecque and Szekely were there already, watching a policeman balancing on a stool extract something from the recessed lighting above the picture on the wall opposite the bed.

  “Hi. As I told you, we found some mini video equipment. Downstairs, in all the bedrooms. And now here, too, in the master,” Labrecque said after greeting them. “Polyakov could turn it on probably from his cellphone whenever he wanted, to film his guests in action. Or it seems, himself, for that matter.”

  “A great way to blackmail anyone he invited to his trysts. God how sick! ”

  “These are mini spy cameras of sorts,” the policeman on the stool said. “They all have a USB port so they can be connected to a computer for viewing or downloading.”

  “Bring that one down,” Radomir said. “We’ll look at them all together. Upstairs. In the lounge. That’s probably the best place. We can sit around at the bar.”

  The policeman disconnected the equipment and handed it to Szekely, who had four other similar spy cameras on the bed in front of him. The Hungarian gathered them up. “Let’s go check out what’s on these.

  They carted the little machines and the laptop upstairs to the Skylounge, where Nicholas set things up. The first camera they connected showed no activity. “This must be from one of the rooms that wasn’t used yesterday,” Radomir said.

  Labrecque attached the USB cable to the next one. After a moment, they saw the Montenegrin general closing the door, and turning to the girl cowering against the back wall--Anne recognized one of Nadia’s friends--he ordered her to get undressed. When she hesitated, he grabbed her, pushed her down on the bed, and started tearing her clothes off. Once he had ripped her panties off, he turned her over on her stomach, and started undressing, even as he was pinning her down with his other hand and a knee. Just when he was naked and had forced the crying girl’s legs open, in burst Anne, yelling, “Don’t move or I will shoot, you creep!”

  “God Almighty! That’s enough evidence to put the good General Brankovic away for life, the pervert,” Radomir said. “I will personally see to that. I never liked the man.”

  As Anne said, remembering the s
cene, “Ugh!” Greg connected the next little camera, and what they saw there was even more shocking: one of the thugs shepherded three very frightened girls--one of whom they recognized as Nadia--into the master stateroom and, at gunpoint told them one by one to strip down to their panties, tearing some of their clothes off at will. He then went over to the tallest, grabbed her frontally by the breasts, twisted her arm behind her back, and tugged her over to a marble pillar on one side of the bed, tying her wrists to it up high. Then he did the same to the second girl, just as Hetzel appeared at the door. They could hear Hetzel say, “Good job, Oleg. You know where the whip is, don’t you?”

  To which Oleg responded, “Yes, sir, indeed,” as he went over to a chest against the wall. He opened one of the drawers and pulled out a horsewhip.

  To which Hetzel said, “Yes, that’s the one. You can start with either of those bitches,” as he struggled out of his shirt and pants.

  “Okay, little Nadia, you--you had better get over here, or I will have Oleg whip the shit out of you until you do.” And when she didn’t move, he yelled, “Now, you little cunt! When I say come, you come!”

  They saw Nadia, in tears, just in her undies, move hesitantly to where he was sitting on the edge of his bed holding his flaccid penis in his hand, arm resting on the leg that was not bandaged. They heard him say, “Get down there, baby, and take this in your mouth. Come on, now,” as he pushed her down with his hands in her hair, proffering his member. It was at that moment that Anne and Greg burst on the scene, and Anne was so outraged at this depravity, that she blew away most of the man’s genitalia.