Hot Ice (29 page)

‘How did you get David’s DNA?’ Chris asks.

‘That was the easy part. I broke into his private bathroom and stole his hairbrush.’

‘We had no idea where you were. I set up watches at various cash dispensers, in the area where your card was first used, but we didn’t know who to look for. When the bank called the police about your cheque we guessed that you were in the Trans-Africa building, but we still couldn’t get our act together.

‘That was the moment when the Armenian woman, Marta, arrived at Mohsen Sheik’s office to claim her reward. That was sheer genius on your part. She told the Sheik where you were, and that the basement opens only to fingertip controls. I must say, when the British police decide to act, it’s pretty impressive. They were ready to break in that same night, complete with a computer expert to get them into the lifts and basement.’

‘So that’s how it was.’ She sighs. ‘I don’t understand how David realised I was on to him.’

‘In his statement at Scotland Yard, Marais said that as soon as you found Skoog and escaped he realised the game was up.’

‘What will happen to David?’

‘He’ll stand trial for kidnapping and attempted murder in London, after which he’ll be extradited to Namibia to stand trial for murder, the sentences will run consecutively, I’m told. He’s unlikely to get out of prison in the next twenty-five years. By the way, Freeman has been extradited to Liberia. He’ll stand trial, but having defrauded the government, I doubt he’ll ever leave prison. His sister has
disappeared, but I have the greatest faith in Petrus Joubert. He’ll get her.

‘Heard enough? Can we put it behind us and get on with our holiday?’

‘I guess so. The best thing about this investigation was meeting you, Jim.’

She leans over the table and kisses him on his mouth. ‘I love you.’

Jim looks sad and happy all at once. ‘I just have one question, Chris. I noticed that amongst all those flowers you received, the arrangement from Prince Husam was by far the costliest. A real extravaganza.’

‘I wasn’t aware that you’d seen it. I sent it home with Mum. She liked it so much and the ward was overcrowded.’

‘Well…I’ve been meaning to ask…did you…or didn’t you?’

‘That’s not the sort of question you should ask me, Jim. It’s classified. You have to take me on trust.’

He laughs at her. ‘Touché.’ Then he puts his arm around her. ‘OK, you win. We’re almost back. Let’s go in to supper. I have a yen for an early night.’

M
ADGE
S
WINDELLS
was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated with her parents to South Africa where she studied archaeology and anthropology at Cape Town University. The author of numerous novels, her work has been translated into nine languages and has reached bestseller lists across the world. She currently lives in Kent.