Jago stopped across the main road from the hotel. Guests were entering and leaving infrequently, and late diners were enjoying their meals. On the far side of the restaurant, half a dozen travellers were enjoying nightcaps at the bar. The lights in Greenslade’s apartment were illuminated. A tall man stood watch out of the window. He appeared relaxed. Greenslade passed by a window and sank down to sit in a chair. Down on ground level, a single male with radio in hand stood at a side entrance and kept watch of the road. Jago arrived at
9.55 p.m. and observed that the man radioed at five-minute intervals to the man in the window.
As a large executive car arrived to drop off passengers, Jago made his move towards the hotel. He mingled with the twenty or so travellers in the melee of them collecting their luggage. He sidled along the side of the building. The man was focused on the road, presumably so that he could open the side entrance without delay. Jago waited on the corner against the wall and behind the conifer trees.
Jago heard the man on the radio to his colleague say, “John, there’s still no sign of them.”
The noise of the travellers died down as they entered the hotel and, under the cover of the coach’s departure, Jago broke cover and struck the guard from behind. He was unconscious in a moment, and Jago dragged him behind the conifers, then took his radio and a bunch of keys. After setting a timer for four minutes, Jago entered the side entrance. He could see a lift on the far wall and around the corner from that a staircase. Jago made sure that the door to the stairs was open and then called the lift. He set the lift to visit each of the floors in turn and, as the door closed, Jago sprinted up the stairway to the top level. He stopped, regaining his breath, and could hear the lift arrive at the floor below. It was time. Jago took a deep breath and then consciously regulated his breathing. He removed the safety on his Sig and stepped towards the door. The arrival announcement for the lift sprang into action and Jago could hear the bodyguard.
“Sir, get into your office, sir. We’re not expecting anyone right now. Move now, sir.”
Jago opened the door ever so slightly. He could see the bodyguard poised, waiting for someone to exit the lift. When nobody did exit the lift, he walked towards it more relaxed, and Jago moved out into the open.
“Stay where you are and don’t move. If you want to remain healthy, that is.”
The man froze, not even daring to look around.
“Toss your weapons over here using your forefinger and thumb,” commanded Jago.
The man slowly reached for his horizontal shoulder holster, grabbed the pistol grip and tossed it along the floor. And then a knife from a sheath on his other side.
“And the ankle pistol and knife?”
“I’ve only got the pistol.”
“Toss it then.”
The man complied.
“Now drop your trousers and use your belt to secure your legs.”
The man looked at Jago in disbelief.
“You heard, get moving!”
The man followed Jago’s instructions.
“Kneel and place your arms behind your back.”
Jago then shifted behind the man, applied PlastiCuffs, and kicked the man’s back so that he fell face first onto the polished marble floor. He hit the ground with a terrific force. Jago grabbed a decorative material runner off a piece of elegant furniture and stuffed one end in the man’s bloodied mouth.
“Now, stay and be quiet.”
Greenslade was sat in his office sipping a cognac when Jago entered.
“Ah, you made it. I was beginning to doubt your talents since your first visit. I take it that you have charge of my daughter and that these morons failed their task.”
“Kim is safe.”
“Splendid, then the only question is how much you want for delivering her to me?”
“You are used to getting your way, aren’t you? You think that money talks. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but not this time. You can’t buy me, and you’re not going to get access to Kim or the Ocean Beautiful Organisation. You’re not going to be able to shove the report under the carpet anymore. You’re coming with me.”
“Come now, Jago. Don’t be dramatic. Everyone has their price. Okay, so I offer one million, what say I double it to make it worth your while?”
“Empty your pockets out onto the table.”
Greenslade complied at a leisurely pace, placing a couple of pens, wallet, mobile phone and some coins onto the table.
“And the tracker,” instructed Jago.
Greenslade reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small electronic device about the size of a credit card.
“There you go, young man. Now you have everything.”
Jago wasn’t too sure and stepped forward to search Greenslade one-handed.
“Hold your arms up.”
He searched him thoroughly and, stepping back, asked, “Take off your shoes and socks.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard. Take off your shoes and socks.”
The years were showing signs of strain and Greenslade had to sit on the chair beside him to remove them.
“Toss your shoes over here.”
As soon as they landed on the floor, Jago picked up one of the burgundy brogues, took out a knife and sliced the heel open. There was nothing inside. He sliced the other and revealed a tracking device built into the heel. Jago smashed it with the hilt of his knife and threw the shoes back at Greenslade.
“Put them on, we’re going.”
As Greenslade replaced his shoes, Jago picked up a cushion from the armchair. He removed the covering and motioned for Greenslade to hold out his hands. Jago placed the cover over Greenslade's wrists and calmly cuffed Greenslade’s hands together. He then grabbed him by his jacket, leading him to the lift, passing the trussed-up bodyguard. Greenslade walked gingerly in his heelless shoes.
“Get in!” said Jago forcefully as he shoved him through the open door.
Greenslade was looking at his bodyguard and not concentrating. The shove caused him to hit his head against the wall of the lift. The jolt reminded him of his predicament, and a profound sense of loss of power was dawning upon him.
“Where are we going? What are you going to do with me?”
Jago didn’t answer.
“I have the best lawyers in the land, you know. You can’t lock me up.”
Jago looked at Greenslade up close and in the eye. “You won’t need a lawyer, so forget all of your ramblings. It’s not worth bringing a case against you. It would cost the country millions, and it would be a waste of time. You ought to know that we do have undeniable evidence against you and people willing to testify.”
Greenslade didn’t reply. Not a word was spoken until they arrived at the car park level where Jago guided Greenslade towards his car.
He clicked the key fob and opened the boot.
“Get in,” commanded Jago.
“I will do nothing of the sort.”
Jago punched his captive in the pit of his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for breath. And Jago pushed him towards the open boot and into the dark cavity. Lifting Greenslade’s legs, he bent them at the knee to finish placing him in the boot.
Jago slammed the boot lid. “Now, stay put and shut up!”
Jago pressed the start button, turned on the radio with the volume up and drove.