Off Course by Glen Robins Page B

reviewed the video recording he had of Alastair getting out of the taxi in Kensington during the middle of the day, having claimed to be off to a meeting with Scotland Yard. Nic had checked the validity of the meeting and learned that it was bogus, so he had followed him in a cab and used his phone to video the whole incriminating scene.
    On the video, Alastair checked in all directions as he exited his taxi and strode blithely across the street. The footage became jumbled as Nic jumped out of his taxi, paid the cabbie, and darted behind a parked car to continue filming. He captured Alastair heading into a flat, the door held ajar by a very young and very beautiful lady, who he later learned was the daughter of a member of Parliament. He stitched the end of that video to the beginning of the next one, careful to show the time stamps on each. Approximately forty-five minutes elapsed before Alastair stepped out from the flat and into a waiting taxi.
    With the potentially career-ending scandal for Alastair caught on his phone, Nic had the goods he needed to persuade his boss to bend to his will. The trap was set.
    The next step was to convince Alastair that Collin Cook was alive and could still lead them to Pho Nam Penh. He had video footage from the bank in George Town and eyewitness accounts from boat owners at the marina. With some more arm twisting, Nic hoped to get surveillance video from the dockside cameras as well, to corroborate his findings and prove Cook was still breathing and moving and, more importantly, in real danger. The reports of hijackers increased the urgency of the mission to capture Cook before Penh and the Komodos put an end to him. Once they had what they needed from him, he would no longer be useful. Without Cook, Nic feared he might never find a way to take down Penh. Collin Cook, he knew, was the bait he needed to catch the big fish and the bait had provided a way for Nic to track him. That, the crowning piece of evidence, being the cheap burner phone Cook had hoped no one would find out about. Thank you, Collin Cook .
    Quick and decisive action was necessary, but Crabtree’s attempts to get the Navy SEALs involved seemed a long shot at best. Nic would be the one with a plan in place, knowing the Americans would not be able to move in time. He would be the one to save the day and all previous embarrassments stemming from this case would be swept away.
    Nic knew that Alastair, like the rest of the world, viewed Collin’s demise at the hands of Hurricane Abigail as certain and hadn’t given him another thought since he had disappeared over a week ago. It would take more than mere words and pleading to get Alastair to assist in finding a man he believed to be dead. Nic had his body of evidence concerning Cook’s state of undeadness compiled and ready to present.
    One more call to the chief of security at the George Town Marina, then he would call it a day.
     
    *              *              *              *
     
    Scripps Cancer Research Patient Clinic, La Jolla, California
    June 14, 5:44 p.m. Pacific Time
     
    Sarah Cook woke as Henry’s large, but gentle hand caressed her cheek. “Dear,” he said. “The doctor is here to check on you. Can you wake up and talk to him?”
    Dr. Navarro moved closer and studied her face. “Mrs. Cook, I’m so glad you’re awake now. I’ve been a bit concerned.” A scowl receded and gave way to a contrived smile.
    Sarah cleared her throat and attempted to sit more upright. “Oh? What time is it?”
    “It’s almost six o’clock, Mrs. Cook. You’ve been out much longer than I would have anticipated. How are you feeling?”
    “I feel like I’ve been drugged,” said Sarah with a wry grin.
    Dr. Navarro first hesitated, then allowed himself to chuckle. “I see you still have your sense of humor. That’s good. Your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate are all back to normal now, so that makes me feel better about