Express Pursuit by Caroline Beauregard

Author:Caroline Beauregard [Beauregard, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Caroline Beauregard
Published: 2020-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

August 28th, Venice, Hotel Flora, Mara’s Room, Early Morning Hours

The following morning, at 6:00 AM, a grumpy Steinfield woke me up with a black expression on his face. He was standing a few feet from the bed with arms crossed, fully dress with his rumpled hair flat on one side.

Last night’s event came into focus. I expected him to be in a better mood, considering I allowed him to sleep on my bed. So why the grim mug? I sat up and prepared myself for yet more bad news.

“Looks like the US FBI Head Office and The Italian Home Security are now aware of Rachid’s demands. His faction announced a string of massive explosions scheduled to go off if Europe and USA don’t meet their requests,” he said.

“And you think this has something to do with the anonymous text I received?” I said with a pasty tongue while rubbing my dry stinging eyes.

“Affirmative.”

“What about that motorcyclist last night?”

“Under investigation.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“I’m taking you to the Venetian Head Quarter of Security. This is no longer just a transportation safety issue.” Checking his watch he added “I’ll give you thirty minutes to pack, check out and meet me downstairs at the reception desk. I’ll go get a coffee. Want something?”

“No, thanks, but I had planned to visit the city today because my next train is late tonight. Can’t this wait till later?”

“You’ve got twenty-nine minutes left.”

We took a private water taxi to reach our destination, a most efficient way to travel in a city with waterways and where streets were mostly pedestrian. I had even noticed with amusement yesterday an actual traffic light in one of the popular tourist canals. The grand canal was no better with every type of floating craft battling for the space between cruise ships, vaporettos, gondolas and water taxis. They should think about getting a canal traffic system just like in airports. How many accidents are there on that chaotic waterway anyway?

Once thru the larger canal, we continued on the wider Venetian Lagoon. We stood in the back of the half cabin, but conversation was difficult because of the constant bouncing and the loud motor of the speed boat. Also, the chopping motion and the cool sea breeze made me shiver as they added to the frigid spray of water that kept slapping me during the ride. It didn’t improve my foul mood. I’d rushed to pack in record time, anxious upon learning of this new explosion threat. I was dreading to face yet another round of interrogation. On the bright side, the noise would act as a discrete sound barrier, ensuring that the driver would not hear our conversation. Steinfield owed me some answers, and I wouldn’t put up with any more delays to get them. We sat inside the half cabin, which offered poor protection against the wind and the spraying droplets.

“I want to know exactly what Rachid’s demands are.”

“Classified.” He got up to the side of the boat and leaned against the railing to face the sea.

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