The Second Son Page 6

  Laughing, Jonathan said, “Of course dear boy, and I hope you find your adventure.” With tears in his eyes, Jonathan turned towards the departure doors of the Belize International Airport.

  Just as he was about to go through the automatic doors, Tom called and ran after him. “Jonathan, this is my PO box address, if you ever need to contact Grenville.”

  “Thank you, Tom, and please look after him, he is very precious to me.”

  “Of course, I will, I promise,” said Tom. Jonathan shook Tom’s hand and felt better about leaving his friend behind, but he knew he would be well looked after.

  Grenville watched Jonathan disappear through the doors of the International Airport, and walk towards the British Airways departure desks, and wondered if he had done the correct thing. It had been done on the spur of the moment and he hoped he did not live to regret his decision.

  “What was that about?” asked Grenville, nodding towards the departing Jonathan.

  “I gave Jonathan my PO Box number with address, so if you are ever needed to be contacted you can be,” replied Tom. This made Grenville feel a whole lot better, and he smiled as Tom drove away. “Got a stop to do on the way home,” said Tom.

  “Sure,” said Grenville.

  Tom stopped at a rundown apartment block that had no front door. “Better you stay in the Jeep, for now,” said Tom. Grenville was just about to protest but Tom said, “Remember the bar,” smiling. Grenville sat back folded his arms and had the look of being hard done by on his face. Tom, laughing, said, “Won’t be long,” and entered the building with no front door.

  Grenville looked about and noticed he was being watched from a few places, but no one attempted to approach the Jeep. Grenville thought Tom could be right, he did feel safe sitting in the Jeep. Five minutes later Tom appeared jumped in the Jeep, and they were off again. Grenville said, “All sorted?”

  “Well, my contact was not happy I did not make the pickup, but after I explained I was saving your royal arse, he will set it up again,” said Tom.

  Grenville turned red and said, “Sorry old chap.”

  Laughing, Tom said. “No sweat, Duke, only teasing you.”

  Over the next few days Tom explained to Grenville his life and work in Belize, to which all Grenville could say was, “Wow,” and was shaking his head in amazement.

  Grenville asked Tom if he could ask some questions just to get the picture clear in his mind, which made Tom smile and say, “OK, but only if I can ask some of mine,” to which Grenville agreed.

  After what seemed like an age, Tom and Grenville finally stopped asking questions, and they both realised the sun was setting and it was turning dark, so Tom moved over and turned on a side light which although did not illuminate the whole area, gave enough light to be practical.

  Eventually Tom said, “God, Duke, I feel like I spent hours in a police integration room,” which made them both laugh.

  “Yes, but I noticed you only answered the questions you wanted to,” said Grenville, smiling.

  Tom said, “Let’s get some sleep and start afresh in the morning,” to which Grenville, smiling, agreed.

  The next morning after a light breakfast, Tom said to Grenville, “Come sit down and let’s start,” which was making Grenville feel more pensive as time went on. Tom sat staring at Grenville for over ten minutes before finally saying, “First, we got to do something about your appearance. You look like a typical Englishman. Little Lord Fauntleroy, with all those lovely long curly locks.” Grenville looked offended but did not say anything. “Plus,” Tom went on, “We need to change your whole appearance. The whole Carnaby Street fashion look you have going on is not really going to blend in, especially the places we are going to frequent,” which made Tom laugh, and Grenville feel gutted.

  Tom went on to explain that if you looked and appeared rich, then most poor people will perceive you as rich; after all, the aristocracy had been getting away with it for years, plus no one noticed poorly dressed people as they all look the same. “You, my friend, in your present state, look like you are a typical English high-born ponce on a road trip,” to which they both laughed.

  Tom smiled at Grenville and said, “This is going to hurt you more than me,” after which he started to cut Grenville’s hair. All Grenville could do was close his eyes and think how Mrs Preston would be happy, which made Grenville smile.

  After some time, Tom stood back and admired his work and said, “Go look at the new you.” Grenville went over to the mirror and hesitantly peered at the new person staring back at himself.

  Tom had cut Grenville’s hair down to the scalp and coloured it, so it was no longer blond but more a dirty brown. Even Grenville was impressed; he looked a different person. Tom said, “Put some dirt on your face and you will blend in perfectly.” Next Tom told Grenville to strip. He then threw Grenville some scruffy jeans and a T-shirt which Grenville immediately tried to protest at, but Tom stood firm and told him once again he needed to blend in. Grenville sighed and realised his parents would have a fit if they saw such dress on their son, but he dressed quickly.

  Tom passed him a pair of trainers that had seen better days, and after Grenville had put these on he did a twirl and said, “How do I look?” to which Tom replied, “Not like a stuck-up toffee nose English school boy, that’s for sure,” which made them both laugh.

  Tom looked at Grenville and said, “Just one more thing.” Tom moved to a large box, and opening the lid, rummaged for a few minutes before emerging with something rolled up. Passing it to Grenville, Grenville realised it was a webbing belt with a large sheathed knife.

  Grenville pulled out the knife, and said, “You have got to be joking,” and Tom said, “For protection,” but Grenville was not convinced. Putting the belt on and feeling the heavy knife on his hip, he did admit it made him feel a lot bolder and more confident about the place, better in fact since he had arrived in the country all those weeks ago,

  After a light lunch, Tom gave Grenville a tour of the warehouse. Apart from the living area, Tom showed him the “control room”. Grenville was amazed at the setup: there were twelve monitors, all with different views of the outside and inside of the building, covering the landing pier where the boat was tied up to the road they used to go to the city. Tom explained that in his world it was never a good thing to be caught unawares and a golden rule was “always have a plan”. He also showed Grenville the security precautions of the building. The whole building was rigged with explosives ready to blow if compromised, also there were pressure and laser sensors all around the perimeter all fitted with silent alarms connected to a portable device Tom had in his pocket. So, if they had been away and before they arrived back, Tom would know if any intruders had been about or were lying in wait for them. Grenville was impressed at the layout; what first appeared to be a rundown derelict warehouse was in fact a highly technical advanced hideout. Lastly Tom showed Grenville the many products he had stored in all the boxes. Grenville was impressed and said, “Harrods would be so jealous,” which made them both laugh out loud.

  Next day Tom beckoned Grenville over to the centre of the carpet, and said, “Duke, I think we need to teach you some basic self-defence.” Grenville looked at Tom with a worried look on his face. Smiling, Tom said, “Don’t worry, I will go easy with you.” Grenville still did not look convinced. “Come and punch me,” said Tom.

  Grenville looked shocked. “Really, old man, I could not do that.”

  “Listen Duke, I will only tell you this once, the people we are going to be associating with and meeting are dangerous men. They have no morals or honour, there are no rules, and they will not hesitate to destroy you or in some extreme cases kill you if they see weakness in you, or think you are not what you are meant to be.”

  Grenville moved towards Tom with his hands held up, Tom put his hands on his knees and started to laugh. “Come on Duke, Queensbury rules or what, you learn that stance at public school?”

  Grenville felt anger flare u
p in him and rushed Tom, and tried to punch him, but he punched fresh air. Grenville found himself flat on his back with Tom sitting on top of him. Tom leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “Rule number one, never attack in anger.”

  Getting off and helping Grenville to his feet, Tom said, “OK, come at me again.” This time Grenville made a serious attempt to hit Tom, but once again found himself flat on his back with Tom on top of him, Tom leaned in close and whispered in his ear again. “Rule number two, always mean it, this is a matter of life and death.” Standing and helping Grenville to his feet again, Tom said, “Again.” This time Grenville moved in a slow circle around Tom, with Tom following him. Suddenly Grenville rushed and found himself back on his back in a blur, with Tom sitting on top of him again. Tom leaned in close and whispered in his ear for the third time, “Rule number three, never let your opponent know your move.” Tom helped Grenville to stand up again.

  Grenville stood and brushed himself down, looking despondent.

  “Duke sit down for a minute”, after a pause Tom quietly said “I do not expect you to become a ninja warrior overnight, let me explain something to you, after my family were killed I was consumed with rage and vengeance, I was not thinking straight I was in a dark place surrounded by grief, and I took my Uncle’s Ship to Belize to hunt down the people who had killed them”, “sorry I never knew”, said Grenville, smiling Tom continued “I was oblivious by what people were advising me, and yes I had the backing of my Uncle and the Bratva behind me but all I could focus on was I needed to prepare myself for the following days to come, what I could not rationalise was the fact what did I know about bring vengeance to professional agencies. Yes I wanted revenge when Sebastian was killed, and after my uncles was hospitalised I promised him out of a sense of family honour and commitment to join him in Bratva, and I guess I knew to achieve this I had to became ruthless in my pursuit for those that had killed Sebastian I had to become my Uncles Top Enforcer, but this was because of my family connections, and using my intellect and my ability to enforce allegiance within the organisation, not by what I knew, Natasha understood this and supported me as she was burning with vengeance as well over the death of her brother, and I am sure if she could she would have sought those that had killed him herself”, “I am sure she knew what I was getting into but her sense of loss blurred her normal rational thinking”, Tom smiled again before continuing “She once told me Family is everything, I never understood this until after she was killed.

  So I arrived in Belize full of rage but with family contacts, I met Max, Max was a great help found me this place” said Tom holding out his arms, After a few weeks I had reached the bottom of my depth of despair and had the realisation that while I was in this black abyss, I was inadequate to move forward with the up and coming tasks, yes I had vision and rage to drive me forward, but the actual tools to carry out my plan, I was seriously lacking in practical attitude, Max understood family and the loss I had suffered so Max introduced me to an old man from the small island of Shikoku who was from the Kosa cast of warrior monks, and he eventually agreed to become my master and mentor.

  He started off by sitting me down and asking me why I wanted to be trained so I told him about my family and their deaths, he first told me “remember your greatest asset is your mind”, I will teach you to become a focus and skilled warrior, but the hard work must come from you and your focus, as we progressed he taught me the three golden rules of combat “Rule one, never attack in anger Rule two, always mean it, this is a matter of life and death Rule three, never let your opponent know your move”. With these three guiding principles, he taught me over the months and years how to attack and defend in all forms of hand combat and weaponry, he was a hard task master and a professional in everything he taught me, the underlying principle in any situation is use you mind and remain focus in the task at hand, never let the situation become clouded by emotion always fight with clarity. Smiling Tom said “I don’t think in all the time we spend with each other I never saw him angry”, Grenville smiled and said “sounds like an impressive chap”, smiling Tom replied “that’s the point Duke he never did look all that much and you would most probably at your own peril ignore him”.

  “That was what I came to understand as his greatest asset, he once told me “it is not the roaring lion you have to fear but the quiet one in the background”, “become the grey man”. Those that have bluster and bravo do so to hide their true nature”, never fear them, they are not a threat the man who stands in the shadows looking on is your true enemy”. Smiling Grenville said “I think I understand Tom”, smiling Tom said “I hope so Duke because in the weeks to come we will meet both types and it is important you recognise them”.

  “Look, Duke, I am not expecting you to be Bruce Lee in a few lessons, I just want you to be safe,” said Tom, smiling.

  Grenville looked at Tom and did not see mockery in his eyes but only concern. Grenville smiled back and said, “Sorry, let’s try again.”

  Over the next few weeks, Tom took Grenville through a basic self-defence course, showing him both defence and attack techniques, without weapons and with weapons. Grenville was unsure he could strangle someone with his bare hands, but did not mention this to Tom. Tom took his teaching very seriously so Grenville did as well. Grenville always remembered the first lesson, and if Grenville was not taking it seriously Tom would grab his arm, and throw him over his back, and knocked the wind out of Grenville. It was to remind Grenville they were not playing games, and this was real life and death, and Grenville was left under no illusion that Tom would expect him to uphold his end.

  One day, after they had finished for the day, and were sitting under the front porch watching the sun go down, having a beer, Tom said, “Well, I think you are about ready, Duke.”

  “You think so?” asked Grenville.

  “Yes, I think you can hold your own, and look after yourself. Plus, we need to go back to Punta Gora and drop off the merchandise I failed to do last time, before I got distracted and saved your arse. But I am confident you can hold up your end,” which made Grenville blush, but he knew Tom was joking, as he was laughing.

  Grenville looked at Tom and in his most serious face, held out his hand and said, “Tom, thank you.”

  “What for?” said Tom.

  “For allowing me the privilege of entering your world and sharing it with you, you have also given me the knowledge to be part of your world.”

  Tom looked at Grenville’s face and said, “Oh my god, don’t go all mushy on me now,” which broke the tension in the air and Tom took the offered hand then slapped Grenville on the back and said, “Beer, my Lord?”

  Tom walked Grenville through the security systems and fall back sites – all stacked with enough equipment for a clean getaway if required – until he knew them off by heart, even in the dark. Tom gave Grenville a final test during the day and at night, before declaring Grenville was ready. Tom was impressed by how quickly Grenville had become accustomed to the procedure, but as Tom explained so many times over the last few weeks, “always have a plan” and “sloppy people end up dead people.” Grenville wondered why Tom needed such elaborate security, but he did not ask his question. Grenville knew Tom well enough by now that once he was ready he would tell him the truth.

  Tom and Grenville made sure the warehouse was set ready for their return, and headed down towards the boat. Once on board Tom started it up and Grenville cast off, and before long Tom was navigating towards the busy river estuary and heading out to sea towards Punta Gora. On the way down Tom taught Grenville how to navigate the boat, and after a few days even Tom was impressed at how quickly Grenville had become proficient with the boat.

  On the trip down Grenville was feeling apprehensive as the miles went past; he was not looking forward to re-visiting Punta Gora again, after all last time he had nearly died there, but after two uneventful days at sea, they finally made their way up the tidal river towards Punta Gora. Finally, Tom stopped at the
jetty, and Grenville jumped off and tied up. Tom looked over at Grenville, and said, “Don’t worry, not even your own mother would recognise you, let alone some bar scumbag,” which brought a smile to Grenville’s mouth, but not to his eyes.

  They both made their way up to the local bar, which several months before Grenville and his friend had been entertaining the locals in. Just before they entered, Tom turned to Grenville and whispered, “Better leave the talking to me,” which brought just a nod from Grenville. Tom scanned the bar and noticed only two tables occupied; no one raised their heads when they walked in.

  Tom went to the bar and ordered two beers, and placed a ten dollar note on the counter which was swiftly removed by the bar keeper in case Tom changed his mind. Grenville turned and headed to the corner table, and Tom smiled and thought, Grenville was learning.

  Over the cold beer, Tom and Grenville re-scanned the bar and Tom explained to Grenville, “Always look at the person behind the bar. If they seem relaxed then probably all is well, if they look agitated then it’s time to leave.”

  Grenville noticed the man behind the bar looked bored, or was one hell of an actor. Eventually the bar door opened and two men walked in; one walked straight up to Tom and Grenville’s table and sat down and smiled, the other stood by the bar watching. The man said, “You have the merchandise?” Tom nodded and the man stood and turned. The man beckoned them to follow him. Tom and Grenville stood and followed the man, who was joined by the man from the bar, out of the door.

  They followed the two men down a dirt track between several shacks. Grenville noticed women and children peering out of the windows as they passed by. Eventually the two men stopped outside a gated yard; just then, a man carrying a gun slung over his shoulder walked across and opened the gate. The two men beckoned them both in. Tom and Grenville followed the men to a side door which was opened for them and they all went inside; the inside was well lit by Florence lighting. A big man in greasy overalls approached and smiled at them, and said, “Shall we do business?” to which Tom lifted his shirt up and removed a belt with several pouches; he then opened and placed the merchandise on an old upturned oil drum.