Gray Redemption (Tom Gray #3) Read Free Page B

of the cuisine.  Once you reach
Durban you will be taken by cargo plane to northern Africa and across Europe by
truck.  You should reach the UK in three weeks.”
    “We have concerns about crossing
the border,” Gray said.  “How do we get around their detection
methods?  I understand they can detect even the smallest concentration of
carbon dioxide.  Is that true?”
     “The vehicle you will be
travelling in is equipped with CO2 re-breathers that direct the exhaled gasses
through a filter canister containing a carbon dioxide absorbent, in this case a form of soda lime. 
Even the most accurate probe placed next to the filter gives inconclusive
results.”
    That went some way towards
allaying their fears, but the questions kept coming.  “How do we fly from
South Africa to North Africa without passports?” Sonny asked.
    “You do not need to worry about
the logistics,” Tang said.  “I have people in place all along the route to
ensure you reach your destination, and my delivery rate is unparalleled. 
All you need to do is follow instructions until you reach England.  Once
you get there, you are on your own.”
    He turned to Hughes.  “The
fee will be one hundred and twenty thousand.”
    “That’s a lot of money,
Arnold.  I thought perhaps…”
    “It is one hundred and twenty
thousand because you put me in this awkward position.  Just be grateful I
am willing to help you.”
    Hughes considered the options
and after a glance at Gray he agreed to pay the money.  “Okay, I’ll
transfer it once my friends reach their destination.”
    Tang’s face lost what few signs
of geniality remained.  “I want the money within three days or your
friends will never see England again.”
    “Arnold, I am laying out a lot
of money which my friend here is going to repay once he gets home.  If you
are confident enough to guarantee his arrival, what is the harm in waiting
until delivery is complete?”  Hughes sat back in his chair and took a sip
from his beer.  “On the other hand, if you can’t be sure he’ll get there,
I will have to take my business elsewhere.”
    Tang was beside himself with
anger.  No-one dictated terms to him, not even his own mother, because she
knew what it meant for a Chinese person to lose face.  Just a few moments
earlier he had planned to have the four passengers thrown overboard once the
money had been transferred, but now he would have to guarantee their safe
passage lest this gweilo insult him further by going to a competitor.  He took a few deep breaths
to disperse the adrenalin coursing through his body before replying.
    “Once they reach the UK they
will call you to confirm their arrival.  You will then transfer the
money.”
    “Deal,” Hughes smiled, offering
his hand to shake on it, but Tang ignored the gesture.
    “If the money isn’t in my
account an hour after that phone call, you’d better pray that you’re already
dead.”
    While Hughes digested the
threat, Tang rose from his seat and polished off his brandy.  “The ship
leaves at three tomorrow afternoon. It is the Huang Zhen on dock C6.”
    With that, he took his large
frame down the gangway and climbed back into his vehicle, which left
immediately.
    “Nice chap,” Len said,
sardonically.
    “I didn’t realise it was going
to take so long to get home,” Vick said, not relishing a fortnight on board a
ship.  Having gone from sleeping in the jungle to the comparative luxury
of Hughes’ boat, she was reluctant to endure any further hardship, but there
was no way she was letting Tom Gray out of her sights.
    “It’ll give us a chance to come
up with a plan,” Gray said. 
    “So what do we take with us?”
Vick asked.  “I don’t want to sound stereotypical, but I’ve got literally
nothing to wear.”
    “I’ll send the skipper into KL
first thing in the morning,” Hughes said.  “Let me know what you need and
he can pick it up.”
    “KL?” Len asked.
    “Kuala Lumpur,” Hughes
explained.