Cold Grave (31 page)

‘All I know is it was important. To Lars as well. We got paid extra for keeping what’s in there safe.’

Karen tapped and entered. Anya slipped the key into her jacket.

‘Rachel’s feeling better,’ she said. ‘It sounds like a simple panic attack, but if you get it again, it might be an idea to have an ECG to exclude supraventricular tachycardia.’

‘Sounds like a good plan to me. We’re all a bit stressed and overtired, but not long ’til backup arrives in Fiji.’

Outside the room, Karen asked for a quiet word. ‘Thanks for coming. She asked for you.’

‘I’m happy to help.’

Karen didn’t seem satisfied. ‘Something’s really bothering her. Has done since she burnt herself. And I can’t help wondering if it has anything to do with the Anderson deaths.’

Anya wondered what she was getting at.

Karen raised her hands. ‘I’m not prying, but I know she’s not herself. I care a lot about Rachel, and if there is anything I can do to help . . . Anything, day or night, please call me. It could just be cabin fever, which affects all of us at times, but something tells me it’s more than that.’

‘Can I ask you something? What happens to all your medical reports and test results? Are they kept in paper form as well, or just on computer?’

‘They’re all on computer these days, have been for a few years now. Reports go to a number of places. Security, the hotel manager, the captain and head office. Everything gets double and triple checked. It’s the bane of our life.’ Karen added, ‘Don’t suppose you know why Fitz barged in here harassing my nurse?’

Anya shrugged. ‘Who knows? I think he’s having a pretty rough day though.’

The nurse gave a knowing nod. ‘Someone should tell him that just because you have pain doesn’t mean you have to be one. Before I forget, say hi to your gorgeous husband for me.’

‘Ex-husband,’ Anya replied.

‘If you say so.’ Karen was already on her way to the next patient.

30

Still in the medical centre, Anya asked if Rachel wanted her to stay while she rested. She was grateful, and gave Anya her internet logon code before she lay on the examination couch and closed her eyes. There were a few emails, all work-related. Some from her secretary, others from colleagues asking for second opinions on cases. Nothing personal.

Anya hadn’t yet written to Ethan Rye to explain what she had learnt about Lilly, Carlos and Mats Anderson, in case anything happened to her. If someone was monitoring outgoing messages that could put her, Rachel and Carlos at further risk. Mats Anderson’s contacts were wide-ranging and high-ranking. She decided against it.

Finding Mishka was the priority, if she was still on board. Rachel was terrified of being arrested at any moment. Anya looked up the latest headlines on the Anderson bombing. Thousands of entries were listed. It was big news on a number of fronts.

Paco knocked and entered with a coffee and plate of biscuits.

Anya thanked him.

‘Have you heard the latest news?’ He lowered his voice when he saw Rachel. ‘The police know who killed Mr Anderson and his family.’

‘Who did it?’ Anya moved toward the door, trying not to disturb the sleeping nurse.

‘I tell you. Some group calling themselves ESY, or something like that. The police have proof and are about to arrest the bad guys.’

Anya’s heart raced. ‘Could it be ESOW?’ How could the police have missed that it was funded by Lars Anderson?

Paco waved his hand. ‘That’s it, sorry, my English is not so good. They are hugging tree people, and murderers.’

The investigation would have to involve the FBI and CIA if it was considered terrorism against US citizens, and Interpol. With the resources at their disposal, they should have known about Lars’s involvement.

Anya glanced at Rachel, whose hands twitched in her light sleep. Mishka’s disappearance could have been part of the cousins’ plan if they were discovered. She wondered if ESOW was a front for violent activism, and Rachel had been lying all along. For the moment, she would give Rachel the benefit of the doubt and do whatever it took to find whatever Carlos had been shot for.

Leaving the medical centre, Anya examined the key Rachel had entrusted her with. A two followed by a four, or what could have been a nine, had been scratched along the silver metal shaft. Attached to a lanyard, the only hint about where it came from was its size. Rooms and most access areas on board required electronic access.

There were locked cupboards near the fresh towel stands near the pools, but they were frequently accessed by staff.

Crew had cabinets in their cabins to store belongings, but they had much smaller keys. Nothing like this one.

Anya found it odd that Mishka was so secretive. She shared a cabin with Rachel, yet chose to hide all the information somewhere else and keep all contents of the documents to herself. Rachel believed it had been for her own safety. It also meant that she couldn’t let anything slip if someone like FitzHarris asked too many questions. Anya wondered if there was more to Mishka’s reasoning. Perhaps she was up to something else.

Industrial espionage was worth a fortune. And the competition in the cruise industry was rampant. From what she had read, the attack on Anderson was designed to wipe out his empire. Despite owning only a third of company shares, the heirs held the majority of voting shares. Anderson and his brood had complete control. That could have upset other shareholders, or even executives who could never aspire to the top jobs without being part of the inner circle that was his family.

Suddenly, the company was without leadership and shares were plummeting, despite the immediate rush in bookings.

The vultures were already circling.

Anya slid the key away. She had been intending to go and see Jasmine. The Chans may want to be alone, but a change of scenery might do Jasmine some good. The least Anya could do was offer.

Turning the corner into their corridor, she stopped.

A teenage boy in black skinny jeans and black jacket, with black hair, scuffed along, hands in pockets. He stopped at the Chan’s door, bent down and slid his fingers part way under the door.

Anya thought of the anonymous note Lilly had received.

The boy didn’t wait for an answer. He stood and headed away with a quickened pace. Anya had seen him somewhere before but couldn’t place it. She decided to follow him.

Around the next dogleg, he was stopped by two males. One in a lettered cardigan, another taller one in grey sweatshirt and pants.

‘Hey, check out the geek.’

From their size, each could have been a footballer. The pimply complexions were definitely high school.

The boy in black tried to pass but his path was blocked with an outstretched arm.

One of them flicked the black jacket with the back of a hand.

‘What are you supposed to be, ghoul boy?’

‘That’s original. Especially coming from someone with the brains of a goldfish.’

‘What’d he say?’ The pair moved closer.

‘Impressive. Short-term memory less than three seconds.’

The teen in the cardigan pushed his sleeves up. ‘Did this peewee just call us dumb?’

The taller one shoved the boy in black against the wall and held him by the lapels. His quarry went limp, and made no attempt to resist.

Anya was twenty feet away.

‘You take that back, ghoul boy,’ the boy in the sweatshirt threatened.

The boy in black flicked a long piece of hair from his eye. ‘Fine, I take it back.’ He held both arms up in surrender. ‘You don’t have the brains of a goldfish.’

‘That’s better.’ The taller one released the hold and the boy in black straightened his jacket.

‘Goldfish are
far
more intelligent.’

The one with a sweatshirt clenched a fist.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Anya was within ten feet.

The pair turned and stepped back from the wall.

‘Nothin’, ma’am. We’re just joshing with our friend here.’

There was a pause.

‘Aren’t we?’

The boy in black didn’t respond.

‘See you later, ghoul.’ The taller one slapped his prey on the shoulder. Significantly harder than a friend would.

Anya waited until they moved on. ‘Are you all right?’

He nodded. ‘Evolution still has a way to go. Thanks.’ He started to leave.

‘I saw you try to put the note under the door.’

He froze.

‘I stopped to tie my shoe.’

She glanced down at his feet. High-top sneakers, laces fashionably undone.

‘I’m no fool and every bit as strong as those two, and possibly faster.’ Anya sized him up – he could not have weighed more than fifty kilograms. ‘I know what I saw.’

He frowned and pursed his lips. ‘Wow. I’m sensing some serious hostility. And, maybe some unresolved issues with your father . . . no . . . it’s your mother. Definitely your mother. You crave authority for some reason, and assert it well. Only. Wow.’ He raised his eyebrows, with exaggerated surprise. ‘May I say, those chakras would really benefit from some realignment.’ He shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped back. ‘I really hope you find peace.’

Anya was in no mood for a smart alec. This boy could have stalked Lilly and was now playing some sick game with the family. She stepped uncomfortably close, using her height to advantage.

‘I’m sure I will. Right after I call the head of security.’

As he glanced up, she saw a flash of fear in his pale eyes. The hair had been dyed black, his eyebrows and lashes were much lighter. The freckles across his nose and cheeks were more orange than brown. He was all bluff and had to be around seventeen.

‘Listen—’ he began.

‘No, you listen. Someone gave a young girl an anonymous note to meet up. Only thing was, she turned up at the place a few hours later. Dead. Now, it’s a homicide investigation.’

‘Whoa. Lady, you are totally insane. More than your chakras are out of whack.’

An elderly couple headed along the corridor toward them, the man had a walking frame.

‘Excuse me,’ the boy moved toward them. ‘This woman’s harassing me.’

‘Why don’t we go and check the Chans’ cabin then, and see what you put under the door?’

He stopped and waved back to the couple. ‘Just kidding. Nothing but a lovers’ tiff.’

Anya couldn’t believe his audacity. They waited for the pair to pass by.

‘Fine. I put a note under the door. But there’s no way I can go there with you.’

‘Because you’ll get caught?’

‘No.’ He flicked the hair, this time further covering his eyes. ‘Because she doesn’t know I exist.’

‘That makes stalking her totally acceptable then. How did you know which cabin she was in? Did you follow her?’

‘Hell no.’ He shuddered. ‘That’d be weird and kinda creepy.’

Anya wondered if he heard what he was actually saying. ‘How then?’

He lowered his head and looked both ways. They were alone. ‘Promise you won’t tell?’

Anya remained silent. Her gut feeling told her he was harmless, but he had already proved he could worm his way out of trouble.

‘I saw her at dinner. She was amazing. Like some kind of angel. Then she smiled at me, just as they were leaving. I didn’t even know her name.’

‘So . . .’

‘I checked out the passenger list and found her there.’

He was lying. FitzHarris had said the list was confidential – he wouldn’t even show it to her.

‘Passengers can’t access the list.’

‘Maybe others can’t. The security is old-school, too easy. It didn’t take long before I pulled it up on the computer. The hard part was going through all those names. She’s travelling with her mother, sister and I’m guessing cousin and aunt. They’ve got cabins next to each other.’