The Diamond Conspiracy
by Lawrence Tierney
Synopsis
A KGB major, Pyotr Breiza, devises a scheme to help Russia aquire huge amounts of foreign currency which they need to maintain parity with the US arms race.
In London, the director of a small covert department within the British government picks up a strange disturbing rumor. It suggests a plan is being developed by a group of international criminals that will enable them to take over the operation of the world's diamond trade, thereby creating instability in Western financial markets.
The director calls on Harry Smythe, his chief troubleshooter, to investigate. Harry Smythe is chosen not only because of his skill in international intrigue, but also because of his sideline, which is selling synthetic diamonds to jewellers in Poland.
Harry quickly finds that the plan to take over the world's diamond trade is already well advanced and, although he cannot prove it, he is convinced that the KGB is masterminding the deal.
In Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, Harry discovers the facts supporting his theory that the KGB is masterminding the takeover, but he also uncovers the fact that the KGB officer in charge has a secret agenda concerning the capture of Harry to avenge his father's disgrace.
The Mafia gets involved in the plan, and decide that they will take it over completely and kill the Russians. When the KGB discovers that its activity has been uncovered, they pull out of the deal and make the KGB officer, Pyotr Breiza, the scapegoat.
After the Russian authorities abandon the diamond takeover deal, they try to arrest Breiza, but Breiza escapes from Russia, andis now committed totally to killing Harry Smythe. He not only hires a South African hit man to capture Harry, but also captures a lovely woman, Francesca Marchesini, with whom Harry had fallen in love. His purpose is to lure Smythe into a trap.
A resolution occurs after a wild shoot-out in which both Harry and a friend are wounded.
Copyright (c)2003 Lawrence Tierney. All rights reserved.