The Wrong Gentleman

“Itinerraire?”

I glanced at the menu that confirmed Reynolds’ guess at my location. So the new guest I’d told him about must be interesting enough to take a trip from London. “I think you know the answer to that.”

I glanced up and saw Reynolds on the other side of the glass door, scanning the tables, presumably looking for me. He spotted me and headed my way.

“So, when did you get in?” I asked.

“This morning.”

“The new guy on board made a trip worthwhile?”

He nodded. “An intermediary, but still.”

There was no way a member of any terrorist organization was going to rock up to a yacht in Cannes. A go-between would be as good as it got and potentially as dangerous for the crew. People terrorists trusted weren’t the kind of people you wanted moving in next door to your parents.

Skylar was back on the yacht. And August. And the rest of the civilian crew.

“Is the additional guest still on board?”

“As far as I kn

ow. I heard the interior crew members talking about dinner for six tonight, so that suggests he’s there for another night. No one’s been told how long he’s staying. The chef was complaining about it this morning.”

Reynolds nodded.

“I have quite a lot of access on the boat. I could do a search of the target’s room. Or even the new guest’s room.”

Reynolds winced. “Not at the moment. Things are too . . .”

“Don’t you want to maximize your asset? You know I’m more than capable of getting this stuff.”

“The stakes are too high, mate,” Reynolds said. “Our client doesn’t want to blow it at this stage. We’re too close.”

“I won’t blow it.”

“I know that, but my client doesn’t know you. The new guest may well have his own security measures. He’s used to being a target of surveillance.”

“I know but this isn’t my first rodeo, and—”

“I get it. But all I’m saying is . . . I have to tell you what the client wants. They are going to have their own people onshore, and they think they can get what they need that way. You and I both know you’re in prime position, but my hands are tied. I can’t sanction a search of any cabin.”

Plausible deniability. Reynolds had to tell me not to search the cabins even if he knew that I was capable of doing so without getting caught. “I get it.” If I uncovered something incriminating, I could inflict a serious wound on a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of fellow soldiers. And civilians. I couldn’t sit back and not do all I could. It just wasn’t possible.

Fourteen

Landon

I wasn’t sure how, but Harvey had found a curry house in the center of Cannes.

“You’re not drinking?” Harvey asked, handing his menu back to the waitress after ordering.

“Not tonight,” I replied. “Want to make sure I can get up bright and early tomorrow.”

“Well that will please your bosun.” Harvey tipped his beer bottle at me before taking a swig.

“It’s what I live for,” I replied.

“So how was your first ten days as a yachtie? Are you used to mindlessly doing what you’re told yet?” Harvey asked.