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Back The Double Save as PDF
Chapters (63)
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  63. Acknowledgements

‘Run away?’ She blinked twice. ‘He must have. But if that was his plan, he won’t get very far. Not without any money.’

‘Unless he got a message out,’ Gessen countered. ‘And someone’s waiting for him in the village.’

Ursula gnawed on the end of her thumb. ‘We looked there, and Thierry said he hadn’t taken anyone down the mountain today in the funicular.’

They passed through the clinic’s gate and Gessen paused, trying to quell the buzz of anxiety under his skin. ‘He could have hiked down the mountain. It wouldn’t be easy, but he’s young and fit.’ He glanced around. No one was about, though it was a fine day, clear and cold, with a hard metallic sun. ‘Where is everyone?’

A worry line appeared between Ursula’s eyes. ‘In their rooms, I suppose, or the wellness pavilion? I didn’t want to alarm anyone, so I thought it best if the patients went about their usual routines.’

Gessen pictured the staff, at the behest of his security team, poking about the shrubbery as if looking for a lost cat. They rounded a corner by the yew hedge and nearly bumped into Libby.

‘Oh, hello.’ Her voice rang out. ‘You haven’t seen Ismail, have you? We were supposed to meet in the fitness centre. He wanted to show me a routine that would strengthen my bad knee.’

Gessen’s smile snapped into place. ‘Dr Lindstrom just told me he’s not feeling well and is spending the day in his room.’

She stared at him. ‘That’s funny. He seemed fine this morning.’

‘You saw him this morning?’

‘At breakfast.’ Her gaze shifted between the two of them. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘A minor stomach bug. I have no doubt he’ll be back on his feet by tomorrow.’ Gessen took hold of Ursula’s elbow and steered her towards his office where they could speak privately and devise a plan. He turned back to see Libby staring after them. She was a smart girl. They couldn’t keep Ismail’s absence from the patients for much longer. By the time they reached the main building, clouds had moved in. Soon it would be dark.

He shut the door to his office and studied the view from the window. Four sparrows pecked at the frozen ground. Odd to see them at this time of year. But no signs of a slender, dark-haired man skulking in the shadows. Where was he? The temperature was dropping fast. Clouds were mustering in the high peaks and snow was predicted by nightfall.

‘If we don’t find him in the next hour,’ he said, turning to face Ursula, ‘we’ll have to alert the authorities.’

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