The Sagittarius Ring

Bernard Kramer is an ex-Royal Marine who is wealthy enough to escape the daily grind of work - but not the boredom of an uneventful civilian life.

He forges a new career, periodically attempting to solve problems for selected recommended clients who are usually called upon to pay only his expenses. This often leads him into dangerous situations in which he finds a new purpose in life.

Sandra Yarrow appeals for help to restore her brother's good name. Peter Creel was a co-director of an arts reproduction company until he was convicted of child kidnapping and imprisoned. Shortly after his release he was killed,  apparently the victim of a hit-and-run driver.

One of Creel's former colleagues, Bob Desmond, lives within a few miles, and Kramer seeks him out for further information. On arrival at the house he discovers that Desmond and his wife have been murdered.

Kramer concludes that the  actions of the company's Egyptian suppliers are suspicious, and flies to Luxor after surviving two attempts on his life. In Egypt he breaks into their factory at night, only to be attacked after discovering that the place is a centre for cocaine smuggling.

He is imprisoned in a stone cell, but eventually frees himself and escapes. Returning to Luxor he knows that the gang will again try again to kill him.

Kramer questions a girl who he believes to be involved with the gang. He forces her to disclose the whereabouts of their London distribution centre and the name of the UK controller - Christine da Quintana.

Back in London he meets a former comrade who has become addicted to cocaine, and learns that the gang is known as 'The Sagittarius Ring' and is widely feared. At the distribution centre he discovers that Christine da Quintana is attending a conference of executive drug traffickers in Vietnam.

He flies to Hanoi, but there he is a marked man. The Sagittarius Ring have followed his every move and Christine da Quintana informs him that he has little time to live. His only ally is a local police chief who promises limited help.

Kramer conceals himself in the rural hotel where the conference is to take place, but he is discovered and races to prepare his only defence as the gang close in. Death is seconds away if he fails.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sagittarius-Ring-Mr-Arthur-Hall/dp/1481964739/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493713573&sr=1-1&keywords=the+sagittarius+ring