Jaws of the Tiger by Andre Baby

Author:Andre Baby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: action thriller, terrorism on the high seas, british national security, coverup and conspiracy, cruise ship murders, french interpol detective, international terror plot, kidnapping and extorsion, solving murders
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.

Chapter 43

P & W Headquarters, next day

Dulac had managed to schedule a meeting with Bolding at 11 am. After a one and a half hour train journey to Southampton, Dulac took a cab, destination Caravan House, P & W’s headquarters. As the cabdriver wove in and out of the morning traffic in pouring rain, Dulac rubbed his arthritic hands vigorously and reminded himself why he disliked Britain. He reached in his coat pocket, grabbed the plastic bottle and extracted an anti-inflammatory pill, which he swallowed with difficulty. After a moment, the pain subsided slightly. The rain increased when he opened the taxi door. Of course. He grabbed his satchel and dashed up the steps to Caravan House’s glassed entrance. Inside, an information booth at which sat a plump woman with a significant double-chin. She raised her eyes from her desk and inspected the soaked Dulac.

“P & W’s offices are..?”

“Fifth floor. Take the elevator to your left.”

“Thanks.”

Moments later, Dulac stood in front of dark mahogany doors embossed with the bronze inscription, “P & W Cruise Lines PLC”. He entered and asked the receptionist for Sir Adrian Bolding. Shortly thereafter, a petite woman with an oily complexion and a welcoming smile proffered her right hand. “Mr. Dulac, I’m Sheila Brown. Sir Adrian is expecting you. This way, please.”

Dulac followed her across the open room, where men and women were busy at their computers and telephones.

“Our booking agents.” She gave Dulac a quick side-glance.

“Business is still good?”

“Oh yes. Very good.”

Dulac made a mental note of the contrived answer. They stopped in front of another mahogany door at the far corner of the room. The secretary knocked.

“Come in.” The voice behind the door was firm and commanding.

Sheila Brown opened the door. “Sir Adrian, I have a Mr. Dulac, inspector from—”

“Of course. Come in, Inspector. Finally we meet.” Bolding rose from his seat and make his way around the large desk. From their exchange during the hijacking, Dulac had not expected such a short person. Bolding’s deep, baritone voice seemed incongruous with his small stature.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you did on board the Star. That took a lot of courage,” said Bolding.

“Well, I was going on instinct alone. I guess E for effort doesn’t cut it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The ship still landed up on the reef.”

“Yes, I suppose. But many lives were saved. Please, have a seat, Inspector. Coffee, tea?”

“Coffee, black.”

“The usual for me, please Sheila.” The secretary turned to leave and closed the door behind her.

“Now then, I gather this isn’t only a social visit.”

“Correct.”

“Then how can I be of help, Inspector?” Bolding smiled.

Dulac opened his computer on his lap and looked up at Bolding. “We have a problem. I don’t think the hijackers pulled this off without inside help. There is lot of, shall we say, convergence, such as the convenient disappearance of your safety officer Tajar Singh, the smuggling of weapons on board, the lack of screening of your safety personnel. In our trade we call it convergence.”

“Yes, I suppose.

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