Unexpected Call
The vibrator on Humphrey’s phone burst into action and he spilt coffee on his waistcoat. He preferred vibrators to devices that played tunes. Vibrators were discrete and that was important when you didn’t want to attract attention.
He was sitting in a café, near Christies auction house in London, waiting for the establishment to open. The Chinese were buying back old pots and other things that had been looted from their country. As a renowned expert, on Chinese porcelain, his advice was sought by people who wanted to make sure they were bidding for genuine items. Those acquired by British and French troops, when they stormed the Imperial Palace, during the so-called Boxer Rebellion, were greatly prized and fetching a fortune.
He put the phone to his ear, expecting to hear a Chinese voice. Instead, he heard Charlie. Humphrey recalled that he was in Cape Town.
’Where are you?’
Their phones were fitted with scramblers. That meant they were safe from government spooks and others who might be tapping into the radio waves as they bounced around the world. Humphrey remained vigilant. Scramblers provided no security against people sitting at neighbouring tables.
He kept his voice down.
‘I’m in a café … and it’s very crowded.’
‘Where’s the café?’
‘In South Kensington.’
‘I thought you were going to see your folks.’
That was an allusion to Denmark.
‘Some opportunities have come up.’
‘What sort of opportunities.’
‘A client is seeking an opinion on a Ming vase.’
‘Is he called Brad?’
That was an allusion to Olaf Magnusson.
‘No. I’ve put Brad on the backburner.’
‘Then take him off. Brad was here a week ago. Now he’s missing. Go and see his mother. She might know where he is.’
The phone went dead. Humphrey returned it to his jacket pocket and pondered the latest piece of information.
Olaf was recently in Cape Town.
Flight-145 left from there. It could be a coincidence. Maybe he went on holiday. On the other hand, he could have gone to rewire a Boeing-717 and transform it into a drone.
Kirstin was sceptical about Olaf’s role in the disappearance of Flight 145. This should change her mind. He consulted his watch. There was time to meet his Chinese client and earn a hefty commission. Then they would board the first available flight to Copenhagen. Olaf’s mum lived there. He and Kirstin would pay the old lady a visit.