Bodyguard: Ransom (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the cargo ship’s rescue,’ the colonel revealed to everyone’s relief. ‘But all too often these pirates do succeed in hijacking a vessel and holding it – and its crew – for ransom.’
    A graphics chart appeared on the screen with columns of coloured blocks rapidly increasing in height like an ever-steepening staircase before plummeting in the last period.
    ‘As you can see,’ said Amir, pointing to the screen, ‘the annual number of pirate attacks has soared in the last six years, from fifty-five to almost three hundred at its peak. Ransom demands have also risen. Five years ago the asking price was three hundred thousand dollars. Now it’s as much as twenty
million
dollars and beyond.’
    Richie whistled through his teeth. ‘We’re obviously in the wrong job.’
    ‘The problem is,’ said Amir, ‘success breeds success. Pirate gangs have become more organized and turned piracy into a full-blown business. Already this year there have been forty-two attempted hijackings and six ships taken hostage. A decrease on last year, but still worrying.’
    ‘If that’s the case,’ questioned Ling, ‘why are we sailing in this area
at all
?’
    ‘A fair point,’ agreed the colonel. ‘But, while the dangers are apparent, the risks are relatively low, as Amir will now explain.’
    Amir brought up Charley’s map of the Indian Ocean again. ‘Although attacks have occurred up to a thousand nautical miles from the Somalian coast, the majority are concentrated along the International Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden.’ He pointed to a wide passage of water separating Somalia in the south from Yemen to the north. Then, indicating a stretch of ocean far to the south-east, he continued, ‘The planned route for Mr Sterling’s yacht won’t go anywhere near the danger zone.’
    ‘But wasn’t an elderly British couple taken hostage near the Seychelles some years back?’ asked Connor, vaguely recalling the media coverage of their ordeal.
    ‘You mean the Chandlers,’ answered Colonel Black. ‘They were
very
unlucky … wrong place, wrong time. Since then there have been marked improvements in security. For example, NATO’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield, and the setting up of a Regional Anti-Piracy Coordination Centre in the Seychelles itself. These measures have curbed pirate activities significantly. Furthermore, it’s relatively rare for the pirates to target a private yacht. The Somalis see the big money in the commercial vessels as they have ransom insurance.’
    Amir nodded in agreement with the colonel. ‘It’s true. Out of twenty thousand ships that pass through the Transit Corridor each year, only three hundred are ever attacked – and less than a quarter of those are captured. Of this number, just a handful have ever been private yachts. I worked out the actual odds.’ Amir scanned through hisnotes. ‘You’ve less than a one in ten thousand chance of being hijacked.’
    ‘Care to bet on it?’ challenged Ling.
    Amir gave a shrug. ‘Why not?’

 
    ‘How can we trust you?’
    Harry Gibb sat alone in the booth of the darkened restaurant. The disembodied voice was ominously threatening and he daren’t look in the adjacent booth for fear of the consequences.
    ‘My enemy’s enemy is my friend,’ he stated with conviction. ‘I want this as much as you.’
    ‘And you’re willing to do whatever it takes?’
    ‘Yes, yes. I want Sterling’s life ruined. Just like he’s destroying mine!’ Harry ground his teeth and clenched a fist in fury at the thought of his collapsing career.
    ‘Then we must hit him where it hurts: his family.’
    Harry felt a chill run through him. He stared at his fist and slowly unclenched it. ‘R-really?’ he questioned, his voice quavering slightly. This was something he hadn’t considered. ‘You’re not expecting
me
to do anything, are you? I’m not that sort of person.’
    ‘Oh, Harry. It isn’t as if you’re an angel. I’m