Free The Collectors Book Two: Full Circle (The Collectors Series 2) by Ron Sewell Page B

soggy piece of paper from her and read it.
    “Thanks. Get back into your car. I’ll reverse and give you plenty of room.”
    “You’re very kind,” she said, walking away.
    Petros reversed and she did the same. The traffic had backed up and impatient drivers sounded their horns, the relentless noise filling the air.
    He waited until she drove away, then started the engine and continued his journey.
    Something didn’t feel right. An air of foreboding lingered in his mind. He needed to talk this collection through with Bear. Yes, it had problems, but in reality it posed less demands than many of the others they had undertaken. He pressed the auto tuner and City Radio blasted out hits from the sixties.
    The rain was easing to a steady drizzle. Tower Bridge came into view and he turned his BMW into the hotel underground car park. The grey light of day greeted him when he emerged and he wandered over to the river’s edge. Leaning on the rail he stared unthinking at the water flowing by, its black depths uninviting.
    Petros trudged back to Dream Chaser . Charlie jumped from the flying bridge and ran at full tilt to meet him. Petros rubbed his wet coat. “Come on, Dog, let’s go inside and get you warm. This weather’s not good.”
    They stopped for a moment while he operated the security system. Charlie shook himself, covering the deck with icy droplets before entering the lounge. He walked in a circle, found his basket, barked once and settled into it with a contented grunt.
    Petros picked up his mobile. “Maria, where are you?”
    “Kings Cross. Should be home in half an hour. Can you turn on the hot water heater? Alysa will need a bath.”
    “Okay, see you soon.”
    Next, he contacted Bear and arranged a meeting for nine the next morning.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Out of an ingrained habit Bear arrived on time. The BBC World Service nine o’clock news started just as his feet hit the deck of Dream Chaser . Charlie leapt up and ran to the door, barking. Bear stroked the dog’s head fondly.
    “Coffee?” asked Petros.
    “Large and black please. Where’s Maria?”
    “Dressing a naughty girl. Alysa decided breakfast tasted better squashed to a mush in her hands. Have a heavy night?”
    “Yes.”
    Petros passed Bear his coffee and settled onto the couch. He began by repeating the information given to him by his old headmaster.
    “What’s the info on these icons?”
    “A bishop, who lives in Paphos, hid them from the invading Turkish army in 1974 in a church cellar. The problem is the church is in Varosha, to the south of Famagusta.”
    Bear shook his head. “Sounds a dream job. In and out. No problem.”
    “I wish that were true. For your information, anyone the Turkish army finds in Varosha without the proper authority is liable to be shot on sight. Another thing, are these icons still there? How do we retrieve them when the Turkish side of the green line is littered with mines?”
    Bear smiled wryly. “Okay, so it has problems. With a bit of thought we can do this.”
    “The price will be four icons. On the open market or at auction their sale would cover our expenses and realise a healthy profit.”
    “For the moment forget the money, PK. I doubt the Turks would allow us to walk across the border with these pictures of Christ. Without any doubt whatsoever, this job needs a good recon.
    “Agreed.”
    “Now, Mama and Maria want Alysa christened in her aunt’s village, so we might be able to kill two birds with one stone.”
    Bear stroked his chin for a few seconds. “So, we have a possible collection and a christening. What’s the problem?”
    “It would be a grave mistake to underestimate the opposition.”
    “Shit, I’m late,” said Bear, glancing at his watch and leaping up. “We need to discuss this job in detail.” He grabbed his overcoat and pulled it on, his arms hitting the deckhead as he did so. “Let me know the date of the christening. I’ll need plenty of warning so Jocelyn can book her