Hung Out to Dry Read online

  Hung Out to Dry

  A BIB Novel

  Hadford Howell

  Austin Macauley Publishers

  Hung Out to Dry

  About the Author

  Dedication

  Copyright Information ©

  Acknowledgement

  Chapter One: Danos Fisico (Physical Damage)

  Chapter Two: Mexico Calling

  Chapter Three: Retirement

  Chapter Four: Contact

  Chapter Five: New Appointment

  Chapter Six: Night Moves

  Chapter Seven: Upheaval

  Chapter Eight: Missing

  Chapter Nine: Breakout

  Chapter Ten: Payment Demand

  Chapter Eleven: Reception, Dinners, After-Party

  Chapter Twelve: All Hands-on Deck

  Chapter Thirteen: Cabinet

  Chapter Fourteen: Assemblies

  Chapter Fifteen: Test Cricket…and Back Channels

  Chapter Sixteen: Suspension

  Chapter Seventeen: Rising Tension

  Chapter Eighteen: Significant Discoveries

  Chapter Nineteen: Out to Sea

  Chapter Twenty: Vincie Country

  Chapter Twenty-One: Balls – Big and Small

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Caribbean Support

  Chapter Twenty-Three: Pursuit

  Chapter Twenty-Four: Found

  Chapter Twenty-Five: Captured

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Diplomacy

  Chapter Twenty-Seven: HQ Action

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: Game Over

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Laying the Trap

  Chapter Thirty: Surprise

  Chapter Thirty-One: Confession

  The Characters

  Significance of the Twelve BIB Operatives’ Codes Stations in Life’s Journey:

  About the Author

  Hadford Howell was born in Barbados in 1956. He went to join his parents in England in 1968 before returning to Barbados in 1981. In UK and in Barbados, he worked both in the public service and in the private sector. Prior to his early retirement, he served for 33 years in a senior position at a diplomatic mission in Barbados.

  He is continuing to fulfil a life-long ambition of writing novels. Hung Out to Dry is the follow-up to the successful publication of his first novel, Connect the Dots… Other novels in the Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB) series are in advanced stages of development. Hadford is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus), has served on his local Church Council and School Boards and was awarded an MBE in 1998. He has been a Justice of the Peace for over 20 years. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of two Barbadian charities and is the appointed chairman of a national agency.

  Dedication

  Hung Out to Dryis dedicated to those who have supported me in any way by buying and/or recommending purchase of my first fictional novel, Connect the Dots…to others. This was the book which established the ten-book Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB) series. Readers will be familiar with some of the characters established in that initial novel, but in Hung Out to Drythey will meet some new and exciting characters that will attract their curiosity and add to the book’s intrigue.

  Remember to Live, Laugh and Love. These exemplary attributes should lead you to gain solid friendships and ensure positive outcomes from the good deeds we endeavour to undertake in life.

  – HH

  Copyright Information ©

  Hadford Howell (2021)

  The right of Hadford Howell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

  Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  ISBN 9781528993081 (Paperback)

  ISBN 9781528993098 (ePub e-book)

  www.austinmacauley.com

  First Published (2021)

  Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

  25 Canada Square

  Canary Wharf

  London

  E14 5LQ

  Acknowledgement

  Hung Out to Dry could not have been written and finalised without the further support of my family (wife, Anne; daughter, Kelly-Anne; son, Graeme) close friends, supporters and my talented production team. To my editor Jackie Jones in particular, proof readers, commentators, publisher and printer, I extend sincere and heartfelt thanks for your assistance in helping to bring this second novel project in the BIB series to fruition. This work is better because of all your invaluable contributions.

  – HH

  Chapter One

  Danos Fisico (Physical Damage)

  SATURDAY, 14 APRIL

  Senor Max Frequente ran Frequente’s Automovil, a legitimate vehicle retail business in Acapulco, Mexico. However, he also operated a couple of others ‘under the radar’. One of these ventures did business with The Organisation.

  Frequente had gotten into trouble with The Organisation through owing what had become an eighteenth-month old US$750,000 debt, plus interest. His several promises to settle over this period had always fallen through, so Rhohan Castille had at last been dispatched by The Organisation’s Head to pay Frequente a visit to collect what was due. Castille had clear evidence that Frequente could have long paid his debt, but had simply been stringing along The Organisation.

  Castille’s visit to Frequente’s showroom was a surprise. Having spoken only a few days earlier with Castille, Frequente did not expect to see Castille on his doorstep as no indication had been given during their conversation that Castille would visit Mexico anytime soon.

  “Mr Castille! Good…good to see you. What a pleasant surprise. Here on holiday?” Frequente asked nervously, suspecting otherwise while thinking about how quickly he might be able to get Castille off his premises without any commotion. Frequente was aware of Castille’s reputation, so did not want to be hurt or in any way embarrassed by him in front of his staff or any of his customers.

  “Buenas tardes, Senor Max. No holiday, just business. I’m here to collect. I’ll go wait in your office, yes?” asked Castille.

  “Yes, yes…please. My secretary, Maria, will show you the way,” said a concerned Frequente.

  Maria Soares did as she was told.

  Five minutes later, after completing the required sales paperwork to a client for a traded-in two-year-old Mercedes SUV, Frequente made his way to his office.

  “Can I get you a beverage – tea, coffee, beer? I have Corona and Victoria, or perhaps you’d like a Michelada? Paloma is also nice,” stated Frequented invitingly but still nervous.

  “Thank you, but none of the above. Just the money owed to us. US$750,000. No cash, so please call your bankers and make the arrangements. The outstanding interest can follow,” said Castille tersely.

  “The business doesn’t have anything like that amount in its bank account, so I cannot send that to The Organisation. Perhaps in a couple of weeks I might be able to gather it up though. So how about I send you guys US$100,000 tomorrow, and the balance say, over a three-month period?” asked Frequente.

  “Senor Frequente. Yo
u’ve played this game with us before, too many times. Make the call. We know you have the resources in your account. Otherwise, you should gather it together from other sources. I’m not a patient man. The Organisation wants its money. Will you deliver now or not?” asked Castille.

  “I’m telling you, Mr Castille, I can’t pay right now. You have to believe me. Please take my offer…oh, sure you won’t change your mind and also accept my offered hot or cold beverage?”

  This man isn’t listening, thought Castille.

  He decided to take some action to move things along. Standing up from his chair, he started to approach Frequente behind his large desk.

  “Wait, wait, what are you doing?” asked Frequente, alarmed.

  “Let’s take a walk out back,” said Castille, who while waiting had noticed and looked beyond the door that was at the back of Frequente’s office. Castille had removed the key and now grabbed Frequente’s right arm before leading him to the door. Inserting the key, he unlocked the door enabling them to venture outside into an enclosed private car park which obviously served as Frequente’s private entrance to his office once the showroom was closed. Only one vehicle was located in the car park, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabrolet.

  “Make the call, Senor Frequente,” said Castille in a soft but threatening voice.

  “I told you –”

  “Make the call,” said Castille coldly.

  Now gripped with fear, Frequente complied using his mobile.

  Once Castille received the evidence from Frequente which confirmed that the outstanding sum sought had been paid in full by credit transfer (excluding interest), he thanked Frequente.

  “Guess you’ll be on your way now. I’ll try to do better next time,” said the relieved man.

  “I’m sure you will, Senor Frequente. Let me leave you with my calling card.”

  Castille’s unexpected blow to Frequente’s left arm instantly broke it. As he whimpered, Castille applied a savage kick to Frequente’s right leg. He obviously knew where to direct his kick, because Frequente crumpled in a heap to the ground. Groaning loudly as he was in great pain, Frequente cowered and begged for mercy. Unexpectedly, Castille took pity on him. A broken arm and a broken leg were enough physical punishment for this man. Castille knew it would take Frequente a while to recover from these injurie but for good measure, there was The Organisation’s final piece of justice to be administered. This took the form of Castille smashing the windscreen of Frequente’s Mercedes Cabrolet using a sledge-hammer that for some unknown reason had been left leaned up against the fence that enclosed Frequente’s private car park.

  Throughout the beating, Castille did not speak. His actions would remind Frequente not to trifle with The Organisation or its merchandise going forward. Castille also believed that this would serve as an excellent lesson from The Organisation to its other Mexican, Central, South and North American east coast employees, clients and collaborators. To the few fledgling Caribbean persons who were already dealing with The Organisation too as they would in due course also hear of and take note of what had happened to Frequente. They would not want to play the non-payment game, especially with Castille around.

  Before leaving Frequente’s premises through the private car park exit, his mission accomplished, Castille had locked the back door to Frequente’s office before throwing away the key. He could hear Maria Soares and other members of Frequente’s staff responding to his cries for assistance by banging on the back door of his office. Castille knew they would eventually break down the door and reach Frequente, by which time he would be long gone from that location.

  ***

  Chapter Two

  Mexico Calling

  MONDAY, 16 APRIL

  One of several hundred overseas calls that were made to Barbadians on this Monday morning was to an individual living in a parish on Barbados’ scenic east coast. This call originated from a Mexican city where it was clear to residents and visitors alike that it was going to be another warm day.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello back,” answered a male voice.

  “Oh, it’s you.”

  “Yes, my friend. Time to go to work! Confirm goal is to recover the package. Box it and have it ready for my arrival at the agreed location no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. That’s in…another forty-eight hours or so. Clear?” asked the overseas caller.

  “Understood. Be jolly now, but there’s one more thing. Do you want a…”

  Click. The conversation had ended.

  The desired message had been delivered in a clipped but unmistakable and commanding style. It was almost scary in its simplicity and directness. The message was not misunderstood by the recipient.

  Removing the phone from his ear, the Barbadian realised that this was the third call he had now received from the overseas caller whom he had not met. All of their calls had ended abruptly.

  Standing up from the rocking chair on the semi-secluded veranda of his house overlooking Bathsheba, he asked himself in a barely audible tone, “Why must he always do that?” After a further minute’s contemplation and a shake of his head which demonstrated his frustration, the Barbadian recipient of the overseas call re-entered his house through the opened front door.

  It was time to make three calls.

  ***

  It was 9:00 a.m. across the beautiful island of Barbados. A typical Monday that marked the start of another busy work and study week for most working Barbadians and schoolchildren.

  Retirees had already visited a local beach and taken their daily sea bath. Other such fortunate Barbadians were in the process of finishing up their work in personal flower or vegetable gardens as the sun became too hot to continue working under. The need to shower, relax and catch up on the day’s local and international news and entertainment was attractive. They’d devour the local print and online newspapers and surf the internet for the latest. Other Barbadians were already enjoying a favourite national pastime of ‘gossiping’ on their phones, often about what had happened at or what they had learned from fellow congregation members outside of church the day before. Titbits like who was sleeping with whom in their district, who had died since their last conversation (and what from), and of any recent or significant developments that had occurred in the local political arena. Others still were preparing to tune in and even contribute to the two live daily local radio call-in programmes at 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. where issues discussed during the past week might again be addressed.

  In the private and public sectors, most CEOs, Permanent Secretaries and senior managers, believing that it was ‘the early bird which caught the juiciest of worms’, had already caught up on e-mails which had hit their inboxes overnight and had already held their first meetings of the week with subordinates. Being a Monday morning, senior management meetings had either just gotten underway or were about to commence, while more junior executives were on their way out to appointments away from their offices.

  Enterprising visitors to Barbados were also up and running, implementing their respective holiday plans for the day. Some were in the country with one simple purpose in mind, to relax on the island’s attractive west and south coast beaches by sunbathing and reading a book. Others would pursue island safari tours, day-long catamaran cruises, fishing expeditions or go on shopping sprees at the various malls in search of that special piece of jewellery or souvenir item for themselves, a family member, friend or work colleague back home. Finally, the visitors who, having only gone to bed late last night or earlier that morning, were seeking to compose themselves before having a late breakfast in a restaurant before it closed off.

  ***

  The overseas caller was known to most of his clients only as The Principal.

  Castille wondered why the man he had just spoken with briefly always wanted to extend their conversation. Castille did not dislike the man for this but had never seen any merit in prolonging conversations with any of his Greater Americas’ Corporation’s, a.k.a. The Org
anisation US and Latin American clients and collaborators.

  From early childhood, Castille had not been much of a talker. Even at school, chatting unnecessarily was never his style. While his teachers praised him for his quiet demeanour, they were also frustrated by his unwillingness to answer questions in front of other students in his class. He did not find any pleasure in engaging in team sports either. Since becoming an adult and in his particular line of work, Castille found speaking unnecessary. This was right up his street as it reduced opportunities for anyone – family, friends, accomplices or competitors, to remember a conversation with him, trace his calls or easily track down his whereabouts. Conversations, especially long ones, were dangerous, and talking too much could easily cost one their life. He sought to do his best to ensure that talking did not cost him his.