Read The Collectors Book Two: Full Circle (The Collectors Series 2) for Free Online

and towels are in the pool house.” He strolled inside, leaving his guests to their wine.
    “Better do as we’re told. I think there’s enough left to fill our glasses once more,” said Bear.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Petros slept well that night and woke in high spirits. He stared out of the window, stretched and yawned. The sunlight bounced off the Olympic-sized pool’s surface and promised a hot day. He wandered down to the pool where a tanned woman was swimming. For a few minutes Mary’s perfect style fascinated him. Turning he went into the pool house.
    Inside, he found the trunks and towels. He waited for Mary to finish a length before he dived in and swam underwater to the other end. On surfacing, he took a deep breath and to his surprise discovered an empty pool.
    On the completion of twenty lengths, he grabbed his towel and dried his body vigorously. He patted his stomach muscles. Not bad, but a bit more exercise wouldn’t do any harm. For a few minutes he relaxed on a lounger, soaking in the morning sun before returning to the house to shower and dress.
    Mary stood on the veranda next to Bear as he ordered a huge breakfast.
    She turned, smiled, and winked at Petros.
    “Could I have a glass of fresh orange juice, brown toast and marmalade? Coffee, black, please.”
    Mary nodded and walked away.
    “PK, do you think there’s something between Mary and Jacob?”
    “He keeps it to himself if there is and to be honest, I don’t care.”
    “Guess you’re right. It’s nothing to do with me. Jacob left early this morning.”
    “You’d start work early in this climate. Don’t you remember our army days when on the odd occasion we worked tropical routine? An early start while the cool of the morning made it almost pleasant to be working and we’d finish at one o’clock.”
    “If I recollect correctly, those days were few.”
    They finished eating and for a while chatted. Petros checked the time – twelve-thirty.
    “The sun’s well over the yardarm, Bear. I could murder an ice-cold beer.”
    “Sounds good to me. I’ll get two from the fridge.”
    Bear returned with two full pint glasses. “I wanted two cans but Mary insisted that gentlemen drink from glasses.”
    They sipped their beer and relaxed on the veranda until Jacob returned.
    “Time you two made tracks to the airport. Get your gear and we’ll be on our way.”
    At the drop-off point, they all exited the car.
    “Thanks for organising the flight and for your hospitality, Jacob,” said Petros. “If you ever visit London give me a bell and I’ll have pleasure returning the favour.”
    “And you can tell your Mary that she cooks a mean steak,” said Bear. “Thanks a lot, Jacob.”
    “Without your help in the past, I wouldn’t be living this life. Take care and keep in touch.”
    They checked in and the young woman behind the counter informed them that their flight would be leaving in forty minutes from gate six.
    Petros and Bear sat in the first class lounge, drank coffee and chatted.
    “Those diamonds, PK. It crossed my mind they possibly weren’t exactly legit.”
    “That thought occurred to me as well when I opened the bag. I hear the Namibian authorities are rather tough on diamond thieves.”
    “If we’d fluffed it and been caught, I don’t think they would have believed our story.”
    “I’d like to think they were kosher. Let’s face it, we could have pointed a nasty finger at the captain and ship owner.”
    “Perhaps you’re right but I’m still left with a nasty taste in my mouth.”
    As the only first class passengers, they boarded immediately the gate opened. With the choice of seats, Petros strapped himself into an aisle seat and Bear a window. Both declined a glass of champagne. Petros asked for fresh orange juice and tonic while Bear requested a pint of Guinness.
    The senior cabin crew member, a tall, thin, smartly dressed man, offered them the English daily papers. Petros took The Telegraph and Bear, The Daily