Milton saw the flashing lights of the police cars on the opposite carriageway. There were two of them, and they both slowed as Milton approached. The cruiser nearest to the central reservation turned sharply toward it and stopped and, as Milton sped past, he could see the driver glaring at him through the windshield. The blocks were at least eight inches tall, and Milton doubted that the car would be able to get across them without being grounded.

He eased off the accelerator, happy that—for the time being at least—the police were thwarted. The Bajaj was unstable, and driving it at high speed took concentration, especially given that the road was busy with traffic in both directions. He kept a close eye on the left-hand side of the road, looking for a way to get into the side streets, but all he could see were businesses and workshops in yards that bracketed the carriageway. It was possible that he might be able to find a way through and into the city itself, but Milton was not prepared to chance it. The last thing he wanted was to be caught in a dead end.

He glanced back over his shoulder and saw, to his dismay, that one of the police cars was halfway across the central reservation. An officer had stepped out of the vehicle and Milton guessed that he had moved the blocks by hand to create a way for the cruiser to get across. The driver hit the sirens as the car crossed the central verge. The second car turned in behind it.

Damn it.

Milton turned the accelerator back to its stops and held on as the Bajaj picked up speed.

17

Katsuro had been fortunate: the airport’s short-stay lot was next to the arrivals area and, as he had hurried to his car, Katsuro had seen Sakura and the Westerner exiting the building. He watched as the man had loaded her into the orange Bajaj and then observed as it had raced out of the compound.

Katsuro drove out of the lot at speed and joined the carriageway in an attempt to locate the Bajaj so that he could follow it. He had been frustrated; the Bajaj was on the opposite carriageway and he had been helpless as it had raced by. He drove on until he saw a police officer moving the barricade that divided the road so that the two cruisers that were waiting could cross over and give chase. Katsuro did not see how he would be able to follow without giving himself away.