"We are still going to arrest Mark Morgan and his gang." "I am sure that they are going to come to their tether's end Major,” Robert hears Lieutenant Carr's acknowledgment and another Policeman’s voice sounds in Robert's ear.
"Lieutenant we still do not have any hard evidence to link them to the murders of the Desmond's and of Tracey Smith. Although we know those thugs that was shot at the funeral were some of his henchmen, we have got nothing that will stand up in a court of law. Morgan has got a water tight alibi."
Robert is seated when Lieutenant Carr enters his office. The Policeman seats himself and lights a cigarette. "By now you must wonder what you are doing here and you must have been told that your fiancé was murdered?" The two men's eyes meet and the look in Robert's eyes sends shivers down the Police Officer's spine. "One of the killers tried to kill you, but I pushed you just in time into a open grave. Your head must have bumped against the coffin and you where out cold."
Robert grins and his fingers rub, at the swollen place behind his ear while his memory floods back. "It must have been quite a violent "push" Lieutenant? I wonder exactly how a person says thank you to someone who tries to safe you with his fists. I especially appreciate waking up in a police cell with water been thrown over me as if I am a some plant." Robert’s voice rises to a dangerous pitch for just a moment.
"I am sorry for the inconvenience," Lieutenant Carr responds. "Yes, you are sorry indeed," Robert grunts. "I had to react quickly or you may have been dead by now and the Police cell seemed at the time, a very safe place for you to be."
"I bet," Robert replies and then asks: "Am I free to go?" "Not yet mister Desmond. We'll need a statement from you. Another thing. We found a very interesting note in your pocket. The last murder may have been prevented," Jack Carr says and looks accusingly at Robert. "Sometimes I wonder how such clever people can be so stupid," He continues.
"Lieutenant I was going to tell you about it at the funeral, but I wasn't granted a opportunity to do so. I thought that it was just a sick prankster's idea of a joke and didn't take it seriously." This time the Police officer grunts. "Three people where already dead and you didn't take it seriously? It seems to me that too many things happened in to short a space of time, in your life and that you wasn't thinking clearly."
When Robert is finally free to go, Jack Carr says: "There's two more things: I have noticed that you own a firearm. If I where you I will carry it constantly." "You bet I will," Robert replies. "We'll have some Police Officer shadowing you."
"What? Are you going to baby sit me?" "Yes if it is necessary." "What will you do if I do not want to have this depriving me of my privacy?" Jack Carr smiles at Robert's remark. "You have got no choice." The two men shake hands and Robert leaves, without waiting for his shadow.
After Robert's departure Jack Carr and the group on whom Robert had eaves dropped, meets again. The Major says: "It seems as if our little bit of acting went down well? I just wish that we could lay our hands on that red file. Lieutenant are you sure that Robert Desmond doesn't know anything about it?" "I am about ninety percent sure sir, but we have got warrants to search his apartment, Tracey Smith's apartment and his parent's house."
A Police Captain interjects: "Lieutenant I hope you are sure that this hair brain scheme of yours, will work." The Major scowls at the Captain: "Now Come along Attie. We've all agreed to this plan and although it was Jack's idea, we will all take the responsibility if any thing goes wrong."
Jack Carr does answer the question. "Our plan will just have to work. By now Robert Desmond is like a cocked pistol and we’ve aimed him straight at Mark Morgan. If there is anybody that can settle the score, it is Robert Desmond. By now he's lost his family and the woman he wanted to marry, he's been shot at, been hit and manhandled. I've seen his army file. He was a Special Force’s operative and had been active behind enemy lines in Angola."
"But this isn't the bush,” the Captain persists. "Exactly Captain. He wasn't just trained for bush warfare. He knows how to deal with urban terrorism. What's more the man is a perfect shot with almost any weapon and he owns a Walter PPK. I am almost certain that by now Morgan realizes that he cannot afford to kill Robert Desmond before he lays his hand on that red file. Killing the Desmonds was a mistake and killing Tracey Smith left him without any hold on Robert Desmond."
While Jack Carr lights a cigarette the Major continues: "Well gentlemen it is not as if we are throwing him to the wolves, or are sending the man to his death. National security is involved somehow and insists that one of their agents shadow him and we know from what Tracey Smith has told us that Morgan has already tried to strike some kind of friendship with Robert Desmond."
*************************************************
Tracey's funeral is a very solemn affair, for Robert the end of a relationship that brought him a lot of happiness. If only I can lie my hands on those killers, he thinks grinding his teeth in anger, but he is still too involved with the situation and too grief stricken for the parts of the puzzle to fall into place in his mind.
For the first time in his life, or since he has been a grown man he starts crying. Robert cries like he had never cried in his life and when he returns to his apartment, it is with a new kind of determination.
In South Africa today security plays a vital part in any business or private home. This book and the volumes to follow, will guide you step by step through the essential precautionary measures to be taken in protecting your family and valuables. From employing security guards, evacuation of your site and security measures to burglar bars and alarms in your private home.
a Book compiled by me from experience gained after 10 years in the security industry as Industrial relations officer with Nosa qualifications, 1st Aid, fire protection and also S.O.B. grade A.
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