Chapter 54

Katalin was delighted to be asked to accompany Pembroke the next morning to Tököl Airport, just outside Budapest. Having her with him reduced the risk of any foul play during the transaction he had planned.

All Pembroke had to do was arrive at the airport and meet a plane chartered by Bereketli Yemcilik, carrying rare exotic animal feed. The cargo would be held at the special customs area, where the first box would be collected by a special purchaser, and then two others would be picked up by a second purchaser for onward transit.

Katalin felt special within the confines of the private airport, watching her man sign important-looking documents of which she had no clue about. He was a middleman, a wheeler-dealer, who made things happen. Rare animal feed, retirement homes, medical equipment—she would have been suspicious had she met him in a bar, but having seen him with illustrious company in Hungary and Azmaria, she felt secure.

In another elegant dress, Katalin had taken off her coat and walked around in her high heels, circling the mysterious black boxes. “I hope you’re not a drug dealer,” she teased, a playful glint in her eye.

Bored and seeking his attention, she sat on one of the boxes, rolling up her skirt to her thighs, displaying her pink knickers, and spreading her legs. “Edward, come on, take a break.”

“Katalin, you know this is important,” Pembroke said.

She pouted playfully, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Just a little break.

It’s so private here, and I’ve been such a good girl, haven’t I?”

He walked over to her, placing his hands on her knees. “You are impossible to resist,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her. He ran his hands up her thighs, his fingers slipping under her panties and into her slit. He pushed her back over the box, pulled her panties down her legs and over her ankles, and buried his face between her legs.

Katalin moaned softly, her hands gripping the edges of the box as Pembroke’s tongue explored her. In the midst of their passionate moment, Pembroke noticed, amid the view of her labia folds and inner thighs under her skirt, that his face was positioned over the air hole.

Saliva was dripping from his mouth and her pussy into the grid, and he realized with a start that it would likely eventually reach the box occupant as they tried to breathe. Oh well, he thought, perhaps a little favor of pussy in the air might do them good and break up the monotony of their transit.

Katalin’s moans grew louder, her body arching against the box, and she soon flopped over the box in pleasure. Pembroke smiled and gently pulled her off, not wanting her to block off the air vent too much. The occupants should be able to live for 36 hours with the air vents letting air inside, and some of these girls had a long flight, with Holly having to spend another 11 hours in the air to get to Malaysia. He wondered if she would have heard or tasted the sex so close to her.

As he helped Katalin back to her feet, they both composed themselves, adjusting their clothes and catching their breath. Just as they steadied themselves, the representative of Kamal Abdelrahman arrived to collect the boxes marked “GA” and “CJ.” Pembroke said a silent goodbye to Cassie Johnson and Gal Avraham, hoping they arrived alive and that the rest of the money would come in.

Katalin hopped up on the remaining box marked “HS” as Pembroke nervously checked that her bottom was just away from the air hole. Katalin wanted to appear important; she just had a lowly job with refugees but wanted to impress Pembroke.

“You know, Edward, I think your job is fascinating. I really want to progress in my job. These types of transactions make me think of human trafficking. God, to think that I keep hearing of young women and children getting trafficked in crates like this!” She sighed, trying to sound important. “You know, I would love to be able to help you. I work with refugees, and a lot of them are in different countries. Maybe if you need to use couriers or employees, I can help, place some people for you who are looking for jobs?”

Pembroke looked at her, almost laughing in incredulity. He couldn’t believe the opportunity that had presented itself.

“Katalin, that’s an incredibly generous offer,” he said, masking his true feelings with a warm smile. “It’s not every day that someone with your kind of experience and skills offers such valuable assistance.”

She beamed, clearly pleased with his response. “I just want to make a difference, you know? And if my work with refugees can intersect with what you do, it could be a perfect match.”

“It would indeed, Katalin. We do often need people at short notice. If you could help me out in the future when I need someone, we might have a working relationship!” he grinned at her, knowing that she would be eager to help him out with the ‘right candidate.’

She smiled brightly, feeling validated and important. “Thank you, Edward. It means a lot to me that you’d consider it. I will absolutely do my best if you ever need anything!”

As they continued their conversation, the representative for the final box marked “HS” arrived. Pembroke smoothly facilitated the handover, maintaining his professional demeanor while inwardly contemplating how he could leverage Katalin’s offer in his future operations.

Katalin was almost crying as she said goodbye to Pembroke. She cursed herself for being a silly girl falling for another unobtainable guy but swore that she would do her best in her work to help out Pembroke with anything he wanted, just to see him again.

“Take care, Edward,” she said, her voice wavering with emotion. “If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Pembroke gently squeezed her hand, and smiled. “I have a feeling I will be seeing you again soon, Katalin.”

Edward Pembroke strolled out of Vienna Train Station, adjusting his coat against the chill in the air. He hailed a taxi and directed the driver to the Hotel Sacher, one of the most prestigious venues in Vienna. Upon arrival, he stepped into the grand lobby, where chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegant furnishings. The concierge led him to a private dining room, where Ahmed Al-Masri was already waiting.

Pembroke greeted Ahmed with a firm handshake, and they settled into their seats. As the waiter poured their wine, Edward leaned forward, his expression serious yet amiable. “Shall we begin?”

Ahmed Al-Masri took a sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Well, Eddie, I am in town for some diplomacy, and I cannot help but think that you are my main problem and the main problem for my government.”

“Ahmed, I told you, we are discreet, and nothing is suspected,” Pembroke replied calmly. “There is no grand investigation into our business. Everything is proceeding smoothly and under the radar, just as we planned.”

“We planned,” said Al-Masri, “that this would be an efficient gathering of seven separate products for my Crown Prince. And we are very grateful to you. I can say that the Crown Prince is very happy with them.”

“All still alive?” asked Pembroke, sipping his wine nonchalantly.

“Yes, I can say that,” said Al-Masri grimly.

“Ahmed, I’m sure you know, not just the Crown Prince has expressed an interest in our services. His wider family has too. My girls are selling like hotcakes!”

“I am just concerned,” said Al-Masri, his tone serious. “The increased attention and demand could potentially draw unwanted scrutiny. We need to ensure that your operations remain airtight and completely under the radar.”

Pembroke nodded. “We will tighten our protocols and ensure that every transaction is as seamless and secure as possible. Your peace of mind is a priority, Ahmed, as are all my customers.”

“I cannot believe that just because one Crown Prince got horny, my entire government is now dependent on a slave trafficker for its survival,” Ahmed laughed bitterly. “I am in the wrong business.”

Pembroke leaned back remembering Ahmed’s earlier threats, even against his family. If they thought him a real threat, it would not take much for them to kill him. He needed to tread carefully and appeal to Ahmed.

“Ahmed, you know I am always grateful for your help, personally. I do not want to get you in trouble with your wife, but are you sure you cannot find some room for a little ... pet?” Pembroke smiled, his tone light yet insinuating.

“Absolutely not!” Al-Masri replied firmly, shaking his head. He knew he had to distance himself from this trade and be ready to jettison it and condemn it when the time eventually came. He had no doubt Pembroke would get caught one day, and he wanted to be in the right position by then.

“I understand,” Pembroke said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. “No harm in asking.”

Ahmed’s expression softened slightly. “Eddie, what would make me a little happier is some money. I want a cut of your sales going forward.”

“What? But I give you a finder’s fee when you get me a buyer. Ahmed, I must protest—this is extortion!”

“Well, Eddie, I am in the extortion business, just as you are in the slavery, kidnapping, and murder business,” Ahmed smiled. “So we are quite a match here.”

Pembroke stared at Ahmed, weighing his options. “OK, I guess we still owe you, but we are branching out.”

“Oh, I know,” smiled Al-Masri. “Say, did you hear about the University Games in Sarajevo? Cancelled, such a poor show.”

“Oh, I did not know you were into athletics, Ahmed.”

“One did not need to follow it to see it on the news. Two pretty young American athletes, murdered. Such a tragedy, and the murderer hung himself! Riots in the streets because he was an illegal immigrant and black. Quite the international incident!”

“Oh yes, I seem to recall it now,” said Pembroke, having some nuts. “I try to avoid too much international affairs. The news makes me depressed.” “I have been keeping an eye on it. So strange that the murderer killed both of them, then hung himself. One girl stabbed to death and buried hastily nearby. But the other girl, still not found, weeks later!”

Pembroke paused, his hand hovering over the bowl of nuts. “The police are corrupt in these countries, Ahmed. Who knows what happened, but it is reassuring to know that the murderer is obviously gone from this world.”

“Well, it did not take much investigation to find that the missing girl was Lucy Seratova, daughter of Annie Seratova, who had raised allegations that she had been raped by one Bradley Watkins at High School. The same Brad Watkins who I saw you talking with in Azmaria a few months ago. Just struck me as odd, perhaps I am reading too much into it.”