Last Out From Roaring Water Bay (34 page)

I placed my brandy glass down on the coffee table and took the folder from him and had a shufti through the first six pages. I stopped and looked Tanamoto hard in the eyes. I said bluntly, “Excuse my displeasure, Tanamoto San, but are you trying to mock me? It’s written in Japanese; a language I’m not familiar with.”

Tanamoto smiled. “No, no, Mister Speed! The documents are not intended for you to actually translate, more so to prove the existence of what I am about to divulge to you. I’m authorized to allow any of the contents within that folder to be verified by any person knowledgeable in Japanese. I am merely offering them to you for your personal use.”

“What would I want with them?”

“I’m hoping it will assist you to find the elusive I-52.”

“You’re very keen to find what most think is a mythical submarine?”

“The submarine does exist. It is stated in those documents in your hand. And it is that particular submarine that has a deeper personal importance to me, Mister Speed.”

“Ah! There’s perhaps a percentage of something shiny for you in all this?” I was hinting at gold bullion.

“You could put it that way, Mister Speed. My father was a submariner aboard her.”

“Oh!” A gaping hole just opened up and swallowed me. “Well…that changes things. And since I haven’t the time to find some educated scholar to translate this lot for me, I’ll just have to take your word for what’s inside these documents.”

I handed the folder back to him.

“I am honoured to be in your trust, Mister Speed. Now shall we press on and seek some truths?”

“Press on, Tanamoto San, the floors yours.”

Tanamoto tapped the folder as he spoke. “Everything inside these documents relates entirely to the missions conducted by the two vessels bearing the same I-52 prefix. Their codenames were ‘MOMI 1’ relating to Operation Atlantic and ‘MOMI 2’ for our main objective. The entire operation depended on hiding a submarine within a submarine. It was imperative to create the illusion that a lone submarine was heading for the intended rendezvous in the Atlantic. And it wouldn’t be an easy task to conceal an additional five thousand tons of Japanese engineering without arousing suspicion of our intentions.

“This was achieved in two ways. The first was to duplicate the I-52 prefix and the other was stealth. The ‘MOMI 2’ was covered with experimental sheets of specially formulated rubber which made the craft practicably undetectable to sonar.”

“What? Something like slipping a giant condom over the vessel?”

Tanamoto expressed surprise. “Not quite, Mister Speed. The procedure was to attach small rubber panels; a difficult task at the time, but finally solved and completed. It was highly effective too.”

“If the sub was invisible to sonar then why bother with the deception of using the same prefix?”

“It was a precautionary measure in case of visual detection. And to further the invisible cloak to ensure that ‘MOMI 2’ successfully beat the blockades, secret correspondences were deliberately leaked over the airwaves for the Allies to decipher; instructions really, as to where they could find ‘MOMI 1’out in the Bay of Biscay. The Allies took the bait.”

“Authenticated by the death of seaman and tonnage of steel wasting away at the bottom of the sea,” I added scornfully and sipped my brandy.

“Ruthless as our plan was, the plan worked, Mister Speed. It drew the Allies to the prescribed rendezvous.”

“That intricate planning didn’t exactly incorporate an elaborate escape route for the Atlantic crew.”

“The submariners understood the risks. And the transferring of cargo to the U-boat was still an essential operation in the process. If we’d have broken off the transfer of cargo too early, then the Allies might have been suspicious. In war, one has to be ruthless and tough decisions have to be made. Yes, we gambled with submariner’s lives and unfortunately the sacrifice was unavoidable as ‘MOMI 1’ failed to dive to safety and was struck with plane delivered torpedoes; a piece of bad timing. We can’t change history, Mister Speed.”

“No, but you tried with your deception and ‘MOMI 2’.”

“And even then we failed, Mister Speed. Now we know the fate of ‘MOMI 1’. We are desperate to know the fate of ‘MOMI 2’. I’m desperate. I want to know, Mister Speed.”

“In your opinion, what do you think happened to the submarine?”

“My theories would be farfetched speculation, Mister Speed. I have to be realistic and take what I know as what’s here in this dossier. We know the two vessels separated at the allocated position. ‘MOMI 2’ stopped her engines and drifted on the currents while the Atlantic destined ‘MOMI 1’ continued to the rendezvous with a U-boat. An hour later ‘MOMI 2’ set a course for a rendezvous with German sympathizers in the West of Ireland, at a location two miles off the Bay of Donegal. It should have been off-loaded and from there the merchandise was supposed to have been transported by land route to the North of Ireland and then smuggled into German hands. Unfortunately, all normal communications to ‘MOMI 2’ were severed to maintain the utmost secrecy. The only communication available was between ‘MOMI 2’ and German secret agents already in attendance on Irish soil.

“That was the last we heard. The communication between all parties was lost forever. ‘MOMI 2’ had disappeared. The secret agents had disappeared. And neither our government nor the Germans heard anything since. There was speculation of a double cross and both sides were pointing an accusing finger of guilt at each other. The submarines disappearance caused animosity between our two nations; the German high command questioning our allegiance and the Japanese government suspecting piracy. Naturally we couldn’t openly condemn what had happened to ‘MOMI 2’ without exposing our secret intentions. Imperial Japan could do nothing more than to wait for news. It never came. ‘MOMI 2’ lies on our files as missing in action. Now, by some strange twist of fate, Dillon has mentioned to me in the strictest of confidence that the submarine could possibly be found. And you, Mister Speed, could be our man to find it for the Japanese government.”

I noticed Deveron nodding and smiling like a Cheshire cat.

I was silent for a moment because two things had crossed my mind. Why hadn’t Deveron mentioned to Tanamoto that there’s photographic evidence linking the submarine to British waters? Deveron’s had time to tell him. And had Professor Squires been mistaken with his shoreline prediction and instead I should have been searching where Tanamoto had indicated, around Donegal. But I’ve never known the Professor to wrong on any subject, and stupidly, I’d forgotten that Shamus too had pinpointed Dun an Oir from the photographs. No. I’d the right area. It was Tanamoto who was nautical miles short of its true location.

Tanamoto broke into my thoughts when he said, “For a man destined to find something of historical significance you seem distracted. I don’t seem to be exciting your appetite. Mister Speed?”

“I came to Ireland for a holiday to escape the harrowing experiences inflicted on me back in London,” and I flicked an accusing glaring towards Shayna hoping she’d feel guilty. I said to Tanamoto, “So where’s this conversation really heading?”

Tanamoto expressed his disappoint with me. “I get the feeling you mistrust me, Mister Speed?”

“I mistrust almost everybody I meet for the first time, Tanamoto San. It’s nothing personal. Now what do you exactly want from me?”

“We simply want you to find our missing submarine.”

“Why? It isn’t going to change anything.”

“I’ll rephrase the request, Mister Speed. It is the Japanese Government that wants to commission you to find the submarine. I am their representative on the matter. Our government want to know the fate of their craft and submariners. Relatives, even at this present moment, pray daily in the hope that one day they will know the outcome of what happened to their love ones. If not now, their quest will be passed on generation to generation until the mystery is solved. I too have suffered, Mister Speed. My father was on board ‘MOMI 2’. I want to honour him wherever he lies. If we can locate those missing submariners then we can release their lost souls from their dark underworld.”

“All very poignant Tanamoto San. What about the elusive two hundred million in gold bullion that accompanied the submarine?”

Tanamoto frowned at me, as if I’d said something accusingly or even incorrect. “Is that an estimated valuation of gold prices, Mister Speed? Or do you perhaps possess certain information you’re not submitting to this conversation?”

I shrugged. “It’s all rumours mostly.”

“I hope those rumours don’t attract the wrong attention.”

“It’s true then. The gold does exist. So what’s it worth, approximately?”

“With today’s prices, who knows what its worth? But I’ll put your guess as almost accurate in today’s market.”

“It’s a tidy sum. It would certainly influence a man’s loyalty to his cause.”

He looked at me speculatively. “Does that include me, Mister Speed?”

“It’s not rocket science to work out that you’re here tonight for other reasons than a free dinner and all this wonderful chit-chat.”

“Then you don’t trust my true values, Mister Speed!” Tanamoto actually sounded pleased that he had me sussed.

“It’s nothing personal, as I said.”

“Let me assure you, Mister Speed that besides being a guest at this excellent establishment, there is no self gratification on my part. I am here on behalf of the Japanese government to recover and return the commodity to our country, nothing else. And you, Mister Speed, I believe to be the right person to help us recover what is rightfully Japanese property.”

“That might not be as easy as it sounds.”

“There would be a problem in assisting us, Mister Speed?”

“Not if it’s found. I’m thinking more on the negative lines; that maybe the submarine commander thought sod this for playing war heroes and scampered off to some destined land to live a life of luxury with all his merry men.”

I could have sworn Tanamoto’s eyes swelled from their sockets, he was that mad. He’d stopped smiling too, and he expressed his anger with me. “It’s a despicable thought, Mister Speed!”

“I’m good with those; ask our host.”

“Nevertheless, the situation would never have occurred.” Tanamoto defended righteously.

I raised my eyebrows suspiciously. “You’re sure about that?”

“I’ll personally vouch that every Japanese warrior would put honour before greed.”

“The criminal factions in your country might just dispute that statement.”

“They’re sewer rats, not honourable men, Mister Speed.”

“They’re profitable sewer rats, Tanamoto San.”

“Every country has them, Mister Speed. Now back to my proposition. Will you assist us on our quest to find the I-52, codename ‘MOMI 2’?”

“There’s another problem you may want to swill around your thoughts.”

Tanamoto expressed his annoyance. “What is it, Mister Speed?”

“The consequences, if the word did get around that gold bullion were up for grabs. Would you be in a favourable position to prevent an avalanche of potential gold diggers bombarding every conceivable nook and cranny looking for the wretched stuff?”

“It was never my intention to announce to the world of such an operation.”

“I think the Garda Siochana should be informed.” I said, watching Anamosa’s reaction to my request. In reality, it was the farthest thought from my mind.

Anamosa thought it through. He finally said, “They will be informed in good time. For the moment we do nothing until we have at least located the I-52. Only then will our government liaise with the Irish assembly to authenticate the ownership of any merchandise that may still exist. The bodies of the submariners are understandably ours by rights.”

I sensed there was something further bothering Tanamoto; something he was reluctant to tell me. I prompted him. “Should I expect anymore more surprises in store?”

He paused, giving me the impression that he was seriously considering if he should lie to me or not. Finally, he said, “There might be further repercussions from certain governments if they became aware of the additional cargo that was aboard.”

I frowned with concern. “There was material on board to make an atomic bomb?”

Tanamoto smiled. “No, Mister Speed, it’s nothing that horrendous, but then again it could be as deadly in the amount of people it could affect.”

“I think I should know before I make a decision?”

“It is only right that you know, Mister Speed. There was a substantial amount of medical aid aboard the submarine that to certain criminally minded individuals could be viewed as a very rewarding package.”

“How about making some sense?”

“I don’t think the Garda Siochana would appreciate the knowledge that half a ton of opium, contained in airtight and water resistant containers, was part of the cargo. It could possibly, if it became common knowledge, attract an avalanche of drug smugglers.”

I exhaled a huge breath. “Frigging hell, Tanamoto san, you have to be kidding me? You’re saying the opium would be dry as a bone?”

“That’s the outcome, Mister Speed.”

“The opium would have survived after all this time?”

“In its sealed containers, providing there’s no damage, it’s quite conceivable.”

“That kind of merchandise, well, distributed properly, it’ll far exceed what the gold is worth. Are you positive there was that amount aboard?”

“The documents I believe are very accurate.”

“Frigging hell, if even a third of that opium was circulated on the streets we could have a drug epidemic on our hands.”

“Now you know why we have to use extreme caution until we can verify the situation.”

“That’s if the submarine can be found?” I reminded him.

“If it isn’t located, Mister Speed, then we should have no repercussions whatsoever and we can all go home relieved that nothing untoward happened.”

“That’s providing nobody finds the submarine in the future, Tanamoto San.”

“I’m confident that if you can’t find ‘MOMI 2’ then nobody will.”

I glanced across to Deveron. “How do you feel about all this, Deveron?”

“I don’t quite follow your meaning, Mister Speed?”