Read Online Beirut - An Explosive Thriller by Alexander McNabb - Free Book Online Page B

scanned
the horizon. ‘I should have you nicked right now. You’re well aware
of why he died.’
    ‘ That’s as may be, Mr Lynch. But I am unaware of how he
died.’
    ‘ He—’
    Freij held up
his hand. ‘Please, I’d rather not know. You assaulted my secretary
and security guard on an assumption, Mr Lynch, which you cannot
prove. You have a specious motivation, Mr Stokes’ interview with
me. Mr Stokes was not respectful, I had him removed from my office.
That is scarcely a motivation to murder.’
    Lynch halted.
‘You cheeky fucker. Your thugs were all over Stokes’
apartment.’
    ‘ You shot one
of them, Mr Lynch. They were overzealous and have been reprimanded.
What consequences have you faced for the shooting
precisely?’
    ‘ So what
about the note on Stokes’ body? The Freij family
trademark?’
    ‘ Mr Lynch,’
Freij frowned and arched his hand across his temples. ‘Please
credit me with at least a basic level of intelligence and believe
that if I were to embark on a series of murders, I would not
scatter them with clues that directly implicated me.’
    ‘ Why not?
Your father did.’ Lynch rounded on Freij, his hand freed from the
voluntary constraint of his coat. ‘You can well afford to drop the
act, Michel. Your whole fucking family is steeped in blood and
you’ve killed more than most men could even imagine.’
    Freij’s eyes
narrowed. ‘My family has survived in Lebanon since the Crusades and
we have done so by being strong in the face of our many enemies. I
do not make a habit of snuffing out the lives of every annoying
Brit I meet, Mr Lynch, even when the provocation is severe.’
    ‘ How do you
explain the payments to Germany?’
    Freij paused
and gazed obliquely at Lynch. ‘I do not propose to explain them.
There is no reason why I should be called to do so. It is not
illegal to transfer money under Lebanese law, Mr Lynch. My lawyers
inform me that it is similarly not illegal to transfer money into a
German company. And it is most certainly not illegal to buy a
luxury yacht. My partner Selim and I have worked very hard, Mr
Lynch. We are successful men and we believe we deserve to enjoy the
fruits of our success. Luxe Marine makes very good yachts
indeed.’
    Lynch
struggled to keep his face neutral and mask his growing
confusion.
    Freij offered
a silver cigarette case. ‘Do you smoke, Mr Lynch?’
    ‘ I gave up.’
He felt the little adrenaline kick, the desire to take one and give
in to the momentary urge.
    ‘ Congratulations.’ Freij’s glance was sardonic as he lit up.
‘Mr Lynch, I have a proposal to make to you. As you likely know, I
am launching a significant political campaign and I have no
particular desire to be under constant surveillance by the British
or any other intelligence organisations. I will ask my people to
try and trace Paul Stokes’ murderers and place the resources of my
family and company behind the search for justice. But please, no
more bursting into offices or wild accusations.’
    ‘ Political?
Like your father? The Phalange?’ Lynch inhaled the sweet smoke from
Freij’s cigarette, feeling like a Bisto kid.
    Freij stopped
in his tracks, stabbing the cigarette at Lynch. ‘No. Not the
Phalange. A new way, a centrist way. A voice against sectarianism.
Selim and I built Falcon Dynamics together. Selim was the technical
genius. I provided the resources, marketing and sales. He is a Shia
Muslim. I am a Maronite Christian. Together we have shown by
casting aside sectarianism we Lebanese can forge true success. I
want to give that opportunity to our nation. A new Lebanon. One
Lebanon.’
    Lynch
couldn’t keep the surprise from his face. He hadn’t expected
idealism, not from this polished son of privilege. Leila’s Lebanon
was idealism and activism – Freij’s Lebanon was power, control and
rapacity.
    Freij
grunted. ‘You see? We mean change and a new hope for the future.
There are many men who would like to see us fail. I will not let
that happen. Do