The security manager cringes under the blast he’s getting from Richard.

I don’t bother with venting my anger. “Get me the security discs from the last couple of hours.” I snap.

And we see it all. The van coming through the gates, logo’d “Berringer’s Fresh Fish Supplies” waved through by the security guard….

Richard turns a thunderous look on the hotel manager. “It’s our usual supplier,” he protests.

“Well find out if it was their usual driver,” snarls Richard, then taps a message into his phone. “I’m sending the reg to Will,” he explains.

The van swings past the usual parking lot, stationing itself out by one of the rear service doors. Five men in white workwear, exit the car….

“There, that’s Corby.” Michael jabs a finger at the screen.

“Why was that fucking door not locked?” I ask the manager.

“It’s supposed to be, but sometimes the staff leave it open….” He raises his hands. “More convenient.”

“Convenience isn’t something you can rely on. Check your staff. You’ve got someone on the inside.”

His face drains white.

Four of the men enter the building, moving casually, chatting and laughing as they go in. The fifth stands outside, surveying the parking lot, one hand in his pocket….

“He’s carrying….” comments Michael.

“They probably all are. They were all armed when they came after you and Charlotte the first time.”

After only a couple of minutes, the lookout suddenly turns, as though he’s listening, takes another survey of the surroundings then nods, saying something then opens the back of the van. The group of four emerge, this time carrying Beth and Charlotte, both unconscious, both bound and gagged with tape.

At the sight of my Jade-Eyes like this, eyes closed, her long hair trailing on the ground as they carry her, the tape ugly over her face, my temples throb and it’s hard to breathe. Richard, watching with me, is pallid. Michael moves restlessly, fists clutching.

Both women are placed in the back of the van, the door locked and the van, at leisurely pace, drives out and away.

*****

“Very smoothly done,” comments Will. “I’ll keep it brief, but, the plates on the car were false. The fish supplier knows nothing about any delivery to have been made today and reports that all their vehicles are accounted for. The hotel reports one staff member is missing; a young woman they took on in the kitchens last week. She reported for work this morning but hasn’t been seen since around mid-morning.”

“If they took the trouble to put all that in place,” I comment, “then they’ve been watching the hotel for some days. Learning the routines and habits.”

even the security discs to look at?” asks Michael. “If they could do all that, you would think they’d

installed a backup program. All the

“You didn’t mention that?”

“The less who knew….”

doesn’t look happy at

thinks I don’t

now, I

the van?” asks

are tyre tracks for a

have nothing? Again?” Rage boils inside

Police Commissioner, “is the one they

*****

we must wait for

see him, is white-faced. Most of the time he keeps to

Not wanting company…?

a thumbnail. “Wonder why Corby’s first act was to try to attack you?

defender out of the picture?” I

two

Ah, c’mon….

came after you with guns.” His face falls and he nods me an apology. “Discredit one?” I suggest. “Murder the other.

nods “Why is she

Good question….

A very good question….

a lot of people in

case, why haven’t they simply

on his way. He says he

*****

Richard

has been

the connection?”

job of muddying the waters. Missing files, misreported conversations… not enough to ever ring the alarm bells but misinterpreted enough to misdirect efforts. And of course, work that he himself was assigned was either washed

some diplomatic ground with him by his co-operation in tracking down Charlotte’s family documents, but the involvement of a police officer - this police

Elizabeth….

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