The Greatest Betrayal by Iain Henn

Author:Iain Henn [Henn, Iain]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

FORTY-FIVE

Martin was at the gate when the passengers off Flight 416 from Jakarta came through. His first shock was Mac’s appearance, his gaunt cheeks and hollow expression, although Mac’s eyes lit up when he saw his old friend and mentor.

They shook hands then embraced. ‘So damn good to see you,’ Martin said.

‘You bet.’

‘I’ve kept the rent up on your apartment,’ Martin told him as they made their way across the concourse towards the parking station. ‘But you’re staying with me the first few nights at least. You’re going to need plenty of relaxation by the look of it.’

‘No need, Martin, the last thing I want is to be any further burden.’

Martin flashed him a warm grin. ‘You couldn’t be a burden on me if you put your heart and soul into it. You’re staying with me, no argument. Now, what about your luggage?’

Mac spread his arms. ‘What you see is what you get.’

‘At least you were able to get a passport arranged,’ Martin said.

They reached the car. ‘I’ve discussed your situation with the TPA brass,’ Martin said, as they got in and adjusted their seat belts. ‘I’ve arranged for the Indonesian police to send some correspondence, verifying the report of your abduction, and we’ll set up a meeting with the chief. There’ll be no problem reinstating you.’

They exited the parking station, Mac looking out on the familiar airport roads and freeway exits that surrounded Kingsford Smith International.

‘I’m not sure what my immediate plans are,’ Mac said.

‘I understand, there’ll be plenty of time to–’

‘You said Liz was married,’ Mac said.

‘Yes.’

‘Who did she marry?’

‘One of her clients. Raf Vetrani.’

‘The Big Bear convenience stores guy?’

‘Yes.’

‘She thought he was charming but arrogant. Full of it.’

‘I’m sorry, Mac… I know it must all come as a hell of a shock. She received that text, supposedly from you.’

‘It broke her heart.’

‘It rocked her, Mac, and it took her a while to bounce back but you know Liz–’

‘It didn’t seem to take her very long at all. Just a few months.’

‘It’s not for me to say.’ Martin adopted a diplomatic tone. ‘I thought maybe it was a rebound thing, you know, but I guess they clicked and–’

‘I need to find out who sent that text.’

‘The Indonesians are investigating?’ Martin asked.

‘They’re not making much progress. Vickerson doesn’t think they believe me. They think I’m a bit of a nutcase.’

‘How did Vickerson get involved?’ Martin pulled into the driveway of his Bondi Beach home.

‘After I escaped the house where I was being held, I sought out people who might have known Sari.’

‘An underground network?’

‘Yes. And they’d had dealings with Vickerson. They contacted him.’

‘Mac, can you trust him?’

‘No one can trust Vickerson,’ Mac said, ‘but his contacts, journalistic and otherwise, have been a lot more help than the police or our embassy.’

They had arrived at Martin’s. They walked up the drive and through the front door.

‘Has he had much success?’ Martin asked.

‘We found the house I was kept in. It’s been resold and renovated, no evidence left behind of any kind.

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