Chapter 34 #2
Nathan chuckled. “Yeah, sandwiches and coffee don’t really cut it, do they? Once we’ve gone through all the formalities, we’ll go to the house and you can grab a couple hours’ sleep. We’ll regroup at breakfast.”
“What house? Where are we staying?” Dan asked.
“Greg found us a rental, a townhouse. Six bedrooms, which sounds great, but not when you’ve got a team of fourteen plus three civilians. So there’ll be a lot of sleeping on couches, in chairs, and on the floor. It won’t be for long—I hope.” He glanced at Greg. “How far out is it?”
“Sandton, about a half-hour drive from the stadium. Residential area. I was lucky to get it. A friend at the consulate put me onto it—it’s his parents’ place, but they rent it out.” He smiled. “And yes, I’ve already stocked up on groceries. I shopped for twenty-five people.”
Nathan frowned. “Just how big do you think this team is?”
Greg’s eyes sparkled. “I wasn’t thinking about the size of the team—more the size of their bellies.”
That earned him a chuckle. “Yeah, good point.”
The main door of the terminal opened, and a man in a suit gave Nathan a hard stare, tapping on his watch.
“I think we’re wanted.” Nathan led them toward the impatient official.
Dan surveyed their surroundings.
We’re not in Boston now, Toto.
10:00 a.m.
Gary felt a whole lot better after about three hours’ sleep and a huge breakfast. Dan appeared a little brighter too. It wasn’t until Gary’s head had hit the pillow that he realized Nathan had put them into a room with one king-size bed—just the two of them.
Maybe that was all they had left.
Or maybe Nathan knew they were more than coworkers.
Stupid. Dan said Sam knows. Of course she’d tell her brother.
Eight of them were seated at one long table next to a wall of glass that allowed stunning views.
Some of the others sat at the table on the patio, while a few reclined on the patio sofas or the one in the living room area.
Some of the team had eaten quickly then retired to their rooms, presumably to grab a little more sleep.
Gary gazed at the view. “You know, when you said it was a townhouse, this wasn’t the first image that came to mind.
” The place looked like nothing from the street, a mix of concrete and glass, but inside, it was amazing enough to make several jaws drop.
The open-plan dwelling was spacious, and there was even a long slim pool set into the patio.
The roof-top terrace looked out over a canopy of trees, and in the distance loomed the tall buildings in central Johannesburg.
Nathan chuckled. “Greg did good. I haven’t asked him yet what the bill will come to, but then again, I’m not paying it—the department is.” He glanced at Gary. “I trust your room is okay?”
“More than okay, although I feel a little guilty. Everyone else is doubled or even tripled up.”
Nathan leaned in, his voice lowered to almost a whisper.
“You’re the only couple here, so I thought it made sense.
I am also well aware that you’re going beyond the call of duty to be here, so there was no way I was about to put you in a room with these guys.
” He bit back a smile. “I wouldn’t put it past some of them to ask if they could watch. ”
Gary almost choked on his coffee.
Dan sat on the patio, staring out at the view, apparently lost in thought. Gary left him to it. He was getting used to Dan’s morning routine and knew him to be quiet first thing.
Thank God. Gary didn’t think he could have coped with a garrulous partner.
Nathan’s phone buzzed, and he picked it up. He glanced at the screen, a low noise of discontent rolling out of him.
“Something wrong? I mean, apart from the obvious.”
Nathan studied him for a moment. “You know I said we wanted to avoid any entanglements with the South African police? Well, it seems as if we don’t get that choice.”
“What do you mean?”
He scowled. “My hand is being forced, and I don’t like it one bit.”
Before he could say another word, one of Nathan’s operatives arrived, a woman, her black hair tied up, looking as casual as the rest of the team.
Nathan gestured to the empty chair beside him and poured her some coffee.
“This is Poppy.”
Gary greeted her with a nod.
“Okay, report.”
“They’re all staying at the Holiday Inn, Sunnyside Park. I spoke with Wulf. They finished breakfast about an hour and a half ago, then they all disappeared to their rooms.” She drank a little, and her eyebrows shot up. “Hey, good coffee. Better than the stuff I’ve been putting up with.”
“Did they eat together?”
“Negative.” Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. “Sorry, sir. I have to take this.” She answered the call, talking in a low voice.
“Then that’s it.” Dan stood at an open sliding window, his arms folded. “Your pawn has handed over his device. If they’re all staying at the same hotel, they must have met up.”
“I’m inclined to agree.”
Gary understood the note of despair in Dan’s tone. The way things were going, stopping this runaway truck from crashing and causing mayhem was starting to look like an impossible task.
Poppy finished her call. “Okay, it seems our suspects are making the most of their time here.”
“What do you mean?” Nathan asked.
She rolled her eyes. “They’ve gone to play golf.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded. “Forty-five minutes ago, Knight One took a taxi to the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. Fifteen minutes later, Gerber caught a taxi. Same location. As soon as he’d left the hotel, Knight Two followed. Wulf and Bianca are there now.”
“Did they take golfing gear with them?”
“Negative. Wulf says they hired clubs when they got there.”
“Then they’re actually playing golf?”
“Affirmative, except this is where it gets weird. Knight One is playing a solo round. Knight Two and Gerber are playing in a group with two others. And sir?” Poppy met Nathan’s gaze. “Gerber took the package with him to the golf club.”
“Okay. Good work. Get back there and let me know the minute there are any changes.”
“Yes, sir.” Poppy gave a brief nod to Gary and Dan, then got up from the table and walked briskly toward the front door.