Saki keyed in the all clear code and hit the lights. Night became day again as the shutters and doors across the Estate unlocked. He also opened the gates and let the apoplectic SPU officers in. They rushed down the road, avoiding the motorbikes which littered the driveway, now minus its spikes.
Within two minutes, the five unconscious intruders were handcuffed and awaiting transport to the nearby high security police station where they would be questioned and charged. The SPU officers had managed to bring one of the men around and had ascertained that Tristan was definitely not the target, it had been both Tom and Lela.
The Marines left twenty minutes later, having received Donald’s heartfelt gratitude. It was they said, the least they could do.
Not only had Donald provided them with a luxury clubhouse and training ground, he had also ensured that the Commando unit had wanted for nothing over the previous fourteen years. He gave them scholarship funds to ensure their children could go to university and if any Commando died in the line of duty, their widows would receive a hefty sum from the Alba retirement fund. Donald had done all of this and this was the first time, in fourteen years, that the Alarm had genuinely sounded. All previous alarms had been false alarms requested by the Commandos for training exercises.
Within two hours, the two dead bodies were removed and the grounds returned to their normal quiet state. The description of the woman who had accompanied the kidnap team was circulated to all police stations, airports and seaports. But Sinead and Ryan were already in the air when Glasgow Airport received their descriptions. Both had decided they never wanted to hear the name Kennedy nor see the Estate again.
Chapter 19
The next day was a blur. Tom and Lela’s friends left just after lunch and Tom spent the afternoon with his flight instructor, Jacques. Lela spent the afternoon with Saki, catching up on two training sessions and dissecting her first fight. Rachel and Donald both had work to go to. Rachel went to the hospital where she still worked as a paediatrician while Donald went to finalise the bid for IBC. After what had been a very hectic twenty four hours, the Kennedy house was in darkness and silence by 9.00 p.m. They were all sound asleep.
“Morning,” said Tom as he joined the rest of the family at breakfast. He, as usual, was last to arrive.
“So today’s the big day?” asked Tom.
“Yep,” replied Donald. The deadline for the bids to buy IBC was noon. Although the process normally took some time, it was anticipated that a preliminary result could be announced that afternoon. IBC ltd was a well established and very well run corporation, owned predominantly by three Canadian brothers. Having built the business over 60 years, the three octogenarians were now retiring. Alba had an excellent relationship with IBC and it was widely believed, they were the front-runners. However, no deal was ever done until it was signed and sealed.
“…and Sam Mitcham is calling about the new school?” said Rachel, reminding everyone that a call was scheduled for 7.00 p.m., to which they had all been summoned.
“Waste of time,” mumbled Tom to Lela.
“What was that young man?” asked Rachel.
Tom wasn’t happy. There had been a brief discussion the previous day before Sam Mitcham had called. Donald’s initial enthusiasm for the school had disappeared on hearing the revelation that Tom and Lela were the targets of the kidnapping. Rachel was of the same opinion and as equally concerned about the school which, in addition to the security issue, would have no track record and as for the curriculum, god alone knew what the quality and standard of Education would be. Saki was, fortunately, still keeping an open mind. He knew Tom and Lela better than anyone, probably even than themselves and he could see they were desperate to go. They had agreed to delay the call with Sam for twenty four hours.
“You heard, you and Dad have already made up your minds so why bother with the call,” he said, sulking into his Weetabix.
“That’s not true we’ll both be open minded,” she replied, doubting herself.
They agreed to park the debate until that evening as they dispersed to get on with the day ahead. Tom and Lela were left sitting at the table on their own.
“What you up to now?” asked Tom.
“Nothing, my dad’s going to the hospital with Rachel, so I’ve got the morning off.”
“Fancy a trip to London?”
Lela didn’t hesitate for a minute, the shops in London were fantastic. She and Rachel were fashion gurus and usually went at least once a month but because of the holidays, they hadn’t been for over three months.
“Definitely,” she replied. “But will we be back for seven?”
“Of course,” replied Tom, confused by the question.
“Excellent, I’ll be back in less than ten minutes, don’t leave without me!” she said, rushing out of the door. Tom had no idea where she was going.
She appeared back in the kitchen eight minutes later. Tom loved timing her, one day, she would be late, surely. However, Saki had exactly the same skill, if he said less than five minutes, it was less than five minutes. If he said something would take five minutes, it would take exactly five minutes.
Lela had changed out of her kick-about clothes and donned her best go shopping clothes. Tom wondered why the hell she had done that as he led her towards the elevator to the basement. Lela had noticed a few specks of rain and was impressed that Tom was taking them via the underground route to the helipad, although she hadn’t heard the helicopter land. As they stepped out of the elevator, Tom turned left as Lela turned right.
“Where are you going?” asked Tom as he watched Lela walk away.
“The helipad, where are you going?” she asked.
Tom realised his mistake. When he had suggested a trip to London, he had meant a ‘virtual’ trip and Lela had assumed a ‘real’ one.
“Hmmm, I think we may have crossed our wires, I meant in the simulator,” he replied cautiously.
To say Lela was disappointed was an understatement, she was gutted. However, she soon saw the funny side and although had vowed never to join Tom again in that awful machine, she thought what the hell.
Donald arrived home just before 7.00 p.m.. Tom had been calling him all afternoon to find out what had happened about the bid but there were no updates The Alba International bid was delivered at 11.00 a.m. and was one of five bids for IBC. That was all Donald knew.
The family gathered in the study for the conference call with Sam Mitcham. Dinner was put on hold until after the call. It was curry night anyway and only a phone call away.
Sam rang at exactly 7.00 p.m. as promised, 2.00 p.m. New York time for him.
“Hi guys,” he said.
“Hi,” responded the Kennedys.
“So, what are your thoughts on the school,” asked Sam.
Nobody wanted to give anything away and all remained quiet. Tom broke the silence.
“Mr Mitcham, after the kidnapping attempt, as you can imagine, my dad is a little concerned about security,”
“Tom, please call me Sam and I’m not surprised. It certainly made us revisit our security cover for the school. Which I’m pleased to say is second to none. Donald I would even be so bold as to say it’s better than yours.”
Donald could not help but react to the suggestion that his security had been bettered.
“What do you mean, better? Better how?” he demanded.
Sam knew Donald well and knew how to get his attention and interest.
“We have based a new multi-national Special Forces Division on the school’s island. This is a completely new task force and its specialities are anti-terrorism and hostage rescue. The school will have 200 of the best soldiers in the world who have been fully trained and are operationally ready, not on stand-by, but ready.”
