Absolute Money: Part I: An Oliver Holmes Caribbean Thriller by C B Wilson

Author:C B Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Graf Books

25

The women were still crying on each other’s shoulders and didn’t pay attention to the black Range Rover when it pulled up alongside the shack. Pleased to have something to do, Oliver spoke to the passenger who introduced himself as Jerry Northey, the onshore liaison director for Bluestone.

“We’re the management company for Plutus,” he said. “And I’m here to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

His handshake was damp and flabby, like pulling naan bread out of a takeaway packet. Holmes wiped the palm of his hand on his trousers and didn’t try to disguise what he was doing. He said, “A little late to be offering to help.”

Jerry said, “Excuse me? We have been looking for Mr Henin and Ms Mills-Walker since Saturday.”

“Oh really?” said Oliver. “Didn’t sound like that when your colleagues threw me off the yacht a couple of hours ago.”

Jerry said, “I heard about that. The problem is, we train our guys to defend and protect and they have a hard time realising that not everyone who approaches the yacht is a threat. So I guess they weren’t very welcoming and I’m sorry for that. Lucky they didn’t shoot you.” Northey chuckled at his own joke.

Holmes took an instant dislike to most people and then, occasionally, revised his decision, but he had never disliked someone so intensely, so quickly, as he did Northey. There was something about his deep-set eyes and his lumpy, misshapen fleshiness that made him repellent. Holmes backed away from the man.

Northey offered his condolences to Nikki and Charlotte and Ellie. He told them that they were conducting search operations for Nadia’s body and if there was anything else they could think of, he would be delighted to help.

Nikki took a deep breath and lifted her tear-stained face to Northey.

“Why do you keep saying she’s dead?”

Northey said he was sorry to be so blunt but it seemed like the chances of Nadia being found alive were slim.

Nikki said, “We don’t know she’s dead. And until we find anything different, we’re going to keep looking until we find her.”

Northey seemed surprised at the passion in Nikki’s voice. He said, “I know how important it is for friends and family to find a body, so I can assure you that we will do everything we can—”

“Stop saying she’s dead.”

“Of course,” said Northey. “I understand how upset you must be.”

Nikki said, “Maybe she stumbled ashore. Maybe she’s hurt. Maybe someone picked her up.”

“It’s possible. But you mustn’t let your emotions get the better of you.”

Nikki snapped, “Don’t patronise me.”

Northey risked a sideways glance at Holmes as if to see if anyone else thought Nikki had gone too far, but Holmes stared straight back at him.

Nikki said, “I heard you offer to help.”

“That’s right. If there’s anything we can do.”

Nikki said, “Yes there is.” The firmness in her tone made Jerry take notice.

Nikki took control. She got Jerry to commit every resource that he had. Within half an hour a helicopter was flying search patterns along the coast and out to sea.

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