Crash Course by Derek Fee (freenovel24 .TXT) 📗

the idea with director Strofeld but he can’t help. We put the proposition to Superintendent Davenport. He suggested that you were the man we were looking for.”

“No way,” Kane said, looking quickly at Davenport. “I don’t know a powerboat from a hole in the ground. If you’re going undercover, you’ve got to be able to pass muster. Put me in the middle of the greatest gang of cut-throats in England and I can make them believe that I’m the equal of the worst of them but powerboats are not my game and that means that they’ll suss me out. Then I’ll end up like your French detective with my neck opened from ear to ear.” He looked directly at Bell. “Don’t get me wrong. I sympathise with your loss and if there was anything that I could do to help, I would. But this idea is hare-brained.”

“I can understand your reserve.” Bell’s eyes bored into Kane. “By the by, may I call you Mark?”

Kane nodded. “Of course.”

“Good, I never like to use second names. I wouldn’t want to end up like Lamont either. But I’ve been researching the offshore powerboat scene since the day I heard that’s where I’d find my man. Most of the drivers knew damn all about powerboats when they entered the sport. The boats cost a fortune and most of the drivers are wealthy men who can afford to tear up the tens of thousands of pounds it costs to keep a team in the field. That’s the main criterion. Money. And I have it. According to Superintendent Davenport, you’ve got the gumption for this job and I’m willing to put my money where his mouth is. All I’m asking is that you give it a chance. It might work and then again it might not. Lamont found them, so I’m betting that an experienced undercover policeman like you can find them too.”

“They found Lamont,” Kane said. “What makes you think that they won’t find me?”

“Mr Bell has thought of that eventuality,” Davenport interjected. He turned towards the man who had entered with Bell. “This is Detective Sergeant Jimmy Watson, Manchester CID. Jimmy will be with you every step of the way.”

“How reassuring,” Kane said with more than a hint of cynicism. “I work alone. And that’s one rule I won’t break for anyone. I know that I can take care of myself and I don’t want to end up taking care of Watson or anyone else.”

“You’ll not have to take care of me,” Watson said calmly. ‘And if you do, you’ll be the first.’

“There’s no time for a pissing contest,’ Davenport said sharply. “And neither of you are required to put your curricula vitae on the table,” Davenport said sharply. “However, I agree with Jimmy. As an experienced police officer and a former member of the Parachute Regiment, I think he will be a major asset on this operation. He also has another vital attribute. He’s a first-rate mechanic and Mr Bell has arranged for him to work in the powerboat team in that capacity.” He looked at Kane. “He’s already on station so effectively the operation is underway. You’ll still be the point man. We’ve simply arranged that there’ll be somebody there to back you up if things go wrong.”

“You mean somebody to get the final message out,” Kane said. He looked at Bell. “I don’t like it. It’s an amateur-night plan conceived by someone without any experience of police work.” He could feel five pairs of eyes burning into him. He knew he was saying all the wrong things but he couldn’t help it. “For God’s sake, look at me. I can’t pass myself off as some rich guy getting his kicks from racing a powerboat.”

“That’s not what we have in mind.” Davenport’s smile creased his face. “You’ll be posing as Mr Bell’s nephew. A bit of a ne’er-do-well with an attitude problem. I don’t think that particular role is beyond you.” He wiped the smile from his face. “The men we’re after murdered a young girl in cold blood to ensure their escape. If you want to become a member of their club, you’ll have to prove that you’re made of the same stuff. I think this is your game alright.”

Kane sat thinking for a moment. His interest was piqued but he still wasn’t on board. Maybe there was something here. The guys he was after were lawless. Driving the boat might also be a buzz. All-in-all it had to be better than pushing paper at Scotland Yard.

“Okay, I suppose I’m in,” he said, his tone not totally convincing.

The five men around the table smiled in unison.

“Splendid,” Strofeld said. “Inspector de Vries will coordinate the operation from our side. We are currently developing intelligence on all the drivers on the European powerboat circuit.” He looked directly at Kane. “Mr Bell will launch your inclusion in the powerboat team that he is sponsoring. Sergeant Watson is already on board there as a mechanic. Superintendent Davenport will have your cover story established. That should cover all the bases, as our American friends would say. Luc, I think we should be ready in about one week?”

“Yes, Director.” De Vries nodded vigorously.

“Well then.” Strofeld beamed. “We shall expect you to start next week, Sergeant Kane. And good hunting.”

Chapter Five

It was nine o’clock in the morning when Kane turned the key in the door of the small Georgian house off Leytonstone High Street. He always felt a sense of nostalgia wherever he entered his parents’ home. So much of his early life had been spent in these surroundings. The boys at the local grammar school had beaten out of him the Northern Irish accent he’d had when he arrived in London. Now the only trace of their roots was the soft burr which still sang in his father’s voice. The hallway of the house was already full of the smell of frying bacon. It was a tradition in the Kane household for the men to have