Singapore
Simon waved down a taxi at the corner of Gopeng Street. He held the door as London climbed in. She slid across the seat, pale, shaken. “What just happened?”
“Take a breath. It’s going to be okay.”
London threw her shoulders back, lifted her head. “Okay,” she said. “I’m okay.”
The driver asked her where she would like to go.
“Mapletree Anson tower,” she said, then to Simon: “We can talk in my office. I have to tell Mandy.”
“No,” said Simon. “Not there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not safe. People saw you back there. At the outdoor market. We have to think some were taking pictures, video even. You’re a prominent journalist. Someone may have recognized you.”
“So?”
“They’ll tell the police. The police will come to your office.”
“And I’ll tell them what happened.”
Simon turned in his seat, facing her. “Okay, then. Tell me what happened.”
“I went to Tanjong market to meet Hadrian Lester—at his instruction. You showed up and stopped a man from trying to kill me.”
“Is that what happened?”
“You told me it did.”
“And it’s true. Every word. But I’m not sure the police will be so quick to believe you or me.”
“But the old man…the hawker…he’s dead.”
“And the poison that killed him was meant for you.”
“That can’t be…How?”
“Hadrian Lester set you up.”
“He’s the vice chairman of Harrington-Weiss.”
“And who are you investigating?”
The taxi arrived at the office tower. Police vehicles lined the curb, officers everywhere. The evacuated employees still milled about the plaza, not yet allowed to return to their offices.
“What’s going on?” asked London. “Why is everyone from the office outside? Look, there’s Mandy.” She opened the door, only for Simon to lean across her body and slam it closed.
“Bad idea,” he said. “We don’t know that the guy back there is the only one who wants to hurt you.”
London sank back in her seat. “This is a little much for me to take in. Who did you say you were?”
“My friend, Rafael de Bourbon is R,” said Simon. “He was killed in Bangkok two days ago by the same people who want you dead. Among them, Hadrian Lester. I was there. I witnessed his death. Go back to your offices and inside of ten minutes you’ll be speaking with the police, half an hour at the outside. Tell me something. Do you think a man like Hadrian Lester—rich, powerful, connected—has friends in the Singapore police department?” He waited until she said yes, however reluctantly. “Bet on it,” he went on. “I came here as quickly as I could to tell you face-to-face that you are in danger. I think I’ve been proven right on that count. It’s up to you. Trust me or trust Hadrian Lester.”
London considered this, then nodded. “All right, then. I think I understand.”
“Right now we need somewhere safe to stay for a while. Just a few hours while we figure things out.”
