exclusive venue for corporate events, weddings and films. That was until Alba had purchased it and turned it into a training college during the week and exclusive retreat for its staff at the weekend. It was one of many throughout the world that any member of staff could be commended to as a reward for exceptional performance.
The estate lay 50 miles South of Glasgow and was regarded as the jewel in the crown of Alba’s ‘country style’ weekend retreats. Its secluded and peaceful location in the wilds of the Scottish countryside with an endless list of activities made it a firm favourite amongst the staff. Donald loved it too so there was the added bonus of potentially rubbing shoulders with the boss.
That was, however, until just over six months before Donald’s death when Blairquhan Castle disappeared from staff lists. No explanation was given, it was as though, overnight, the castle had never existed.
The helicopter had made good time on its way South from Glasgow.
“We’re nearly there,” said Tom recognising the scenery.
“Nearly where?” asked Kisho.
“Blairquhan Castle,” replied Tom.
Before he had a chance to ask why they were there, the helicopter took an almost 90 degree angle as they turned sharply. They all felt the G force as the helicopter changed direction. It then slid across the sky, dropped to the ground and landed without even a bump.
“Jesus, what was that?” asked Kano.
“Just a little manoeuvre I learned a few years ago,” replied the pilot.
“Cool landing!” said Tom high fiving the pilot before opening his door and jumping out.
“I’m afraid you guys will have to wait here,” said Tom turning and running towards the main door of the castle.
“Where are you going?” Tom heard Kisho’s shout but was already too far away to answer. A man was standing waiting for him as he approached the door, the noise of the helicopter having alerted him to visitors.
Kisho and Kano were uncomfortable. Papa had told them not to let Tom or Lela out of their sight. However, Lela had stopped them following Tom, she promised them that he would not be in danger and told them to just sit back and relax. They hoped she was right because if she wasn’t, it was they who would be facing Papa’s wrath, not her.
Tom approached the man.
“Dr Pearson?” he asked, extending his hand.
“Yes but I’m sorry, I don’t know you, do I?” he asked, shaking Tom’s hand.
“Tom Kennedy, pleased to meet you Sir.”
“Oh, pleased to meet you Tom. I’ve heard a lot about you. What can I do for you?”
“I need to speak to Jason.”
Jason, the former CFO of Alba, was the castle’s only guest now. When he had broken down, Donald had cleared the castle and employed the best physicians available to help his CFO and long time friend. Overnight, the castle and its estate had become the single most exclusive private clinic in the world. Donald spared no expense and continually provided whatever was needed to help his friend get over the devastating loss of his family. An accident which Jason believed was his fault and led him to repeat over and over again ‘I should have been there, I should have been driving.’
“Impossible,” replied the doctor.
“Sorry doctor, you misunderstand me, I’m not asking.”
Tom walked past the doctor and into the castle. As he entered the vast hallway, he shouted out.
“Jason? Jason?…” His voice echoed around the walls and reverberated down the corridors.
The doctor ran in behind Tom, accompanied by two security staff whom he had summoned.
Kisho and Kano had watched Tom run into the castle followed by the other man shouting into a hand held radio. It was too much, they jumped out of the helicopter and ran to Tom.
“Get him out of here!” ordered the doctor to the security staff.
Tom just looked at the doctor and the advancing guards and spoke loudly and very firmly.
“Gentlemen, I’m Tom Kennedy, owner of Alba International and I pay your wages. One more step and I won’t be paying them any more. Do you understand?”
The guards wavered and looked at the doctor for clarification, he nodded that it was true. Both guards stepped back.
“Where is he? Where’s Jason?” asked Tom to anyone who would answer.
Kisho and Kano burst into the hallway and ran to Tom’s side, ready to defend him from whoever moved. Tom gave a thumbs up, everything was fine, they relaxed.
“Tom is that you making all the noise?” asked a voice from the top of the staircase. It was Jason.
“Yes. I need to talk to you, it’s very urgent.”
Tom ran up the stairs and the two of them talked. Thirty minutes later, an almighty scream echoed through the castle and across the grounds.
“NOOOOO!!!!”
The doctor ran to Jason’s rooms and burst in. Jason was nowhere to be seen, Tom was sitting by the fireside.
“What happened, is Jason OK?”
“He’s fine. In fact, he’s well enough to leave,” replied Tom.
Jason joined them in the room as another helicopter landed in the grounds. It was the big one, the EH101. The doctor began to speak but could not be heard over the helicopter noise. He waited and as the noise settled asked, “Why, what’s happened?”
Jason had his case packed and was ready to go. He told the doctor exactly what Tom had just told him.
“But are you sure, you’re OK?”
“Doctor. My wife and children were murdered, murdered by the same people who have killed my best friends. It wasn’t an accident, it was planned. The same way they killed presidents and prime ministers. The bastard who helped them is now dead and was in my job for the last six months. It wasn’t my fault. I can’t feel guilty about something I couldn’t have prevented. If I had been driving, I’d be dead too. I wouldn’t have avoided the accident. Don’t you see? I can’t bring them back but I can bloody well help catch the people who did it!” The anger in Jason was intense.
Tom led the way back to the helicopter, the small one and its acrobatic pilot would stay there, it was going to be repainted. Kano, Kisho, Tom and Lela were going to the airport and the CFO of Alba International was going back to work.
Chapter 61
Tom One took off from Prestwick airport. Tom had asked Papa to arrange for the plane to meet them there. Tom thought better safe than sorry. If the Police were looking for them, it would be at Glasgow airport, not Prestwick. Just as Tom One touched down at Prestwick, they landed their helicopter. They were on the ground for less than ten minutes before Kisho and Tom swapped with the pilots and the party was airborne again. It soon appeared however they need not have bothered. The stolen helicopter had thrown the police and they announced in a press conference that they were looking for men in relation to a suspicious death. The same men had stolen a helicopter and had managed to evade police during a life endangering low level flight through the city. The police had had to withdraw in the interest of public safety. Bollocks thought Tom, they were out flown and they lost us.
As they settled into the flight, they were pleased to find that Papa and three islanders were on board. With everything going on, Papa felt safer being close. The other islander had stayed in Scotland with Jason. Jason had protested but Papa had been insistent.
“Tom, where are we?” asked Lela.
“Just over France, why?” replied Tom.
“I’ve just remembered about Tylanni.”
“Bloody hell I forgot, let’s take a little detour.”
