Milkshake Read Online Free PDF Page B

the cash machines here in the airport, so we just assisted
in your identification. They’ll simply believe you were accosted by
one of the many gangs that operate in this terminal, and the
incident was picked up on the airport security CCTV. We, as
Customs, have intercepted your wife making her call back to the UK
to report the card stolen and invited you to make a statement to
us. In fact, as far as your wife is concerned, she is doing just
that right now.”
    “So she knows nothing about all this?”
    “For both your sakes, no, not unless you decide to tell her
when you leave here.”
    David had already spent enough time wrestling with whether or
not to tell Katherine. This latest incident had left him even more
confused and undecided, but he would have to give her some kind of
explanation as to why he was not particularly worried about losing
his credit card since he happened to have a spare she knew nothing
about. “So what happens now? You guys have basically robbed me so
you can set me up as bait for God knows what.”
    “Do what everyone else does, Mr Turner. Walk out of here with
a clear conscience and get on your plane to Auckland. As far as
your wife is concerned, the British Consulate has furnished you
with a temporary emergency card. When you get to New Zealand, we
will contact you at your hotel - the Cedar Stars, isn’t it? We will
arrange replacement cards and you can tell her you’ll reimburse the
Consulate for any money you spend in the meantime.”
    “That all sounds very simple and convenient but you won’t
actually be giving me another card here will you?”
    “No, use the one planted on you at Heathrow. Spend little and
often in the next three or four days. Maybe withdraw small amounts
of cash as well. They will soon pick up your trail again. You may
find the card disappears quickly. They have an excellent
pick-pocketing team in Auckland. Don’t worry if they break into
your room or hire car. They only want the card, so don’t try to
protect it. If it appears that you are in any kind of physical
danger, my team will be watching.”
    This didn’t sound reassuring. Burton was clearly saying David
was being deliberately set up as a target. “So, they’ll be watching
as I get mugged or will they jump in and help?”
    “As I have made clear, you are an unwitting and innocent
party in all this and you have my assurance that we’ll do
everything we can to ensure no harm comes to either of
you.”
    There was a knock at the door. Burton spoke as he leant
forward to open it. “As soon as you clear security, I suggest you
head straight to duty-free and buy yourself a bloody good camera
and some expensive perfume for your wife.”
    Katherine stood framed by the doorway, flanked by two airport
staff carrying their hand luggage. “These people,” she indicated
the two on either side, “have been so helpful. They’ve explained
about the gang operating in the airport and how the police are onto
them. Detective Chow said that Mr Burton has given us an emergency
card to use until we can get replacements in Auckland, then we can
arrange to pay them back. They seem to have everything well
organised.”
    If only you knew , David thought.
Katherine was satisfied by the lies she had been led to believe in
the short period of their enforced separation. The lightness of her
mood was now in direct contrast to the wave of anger that was
suddenly washing over David as he realised the ease with which she
had just been totally deceived.
    He felt he had lost control of his own destiny, or at least of
the immediate future, and with it came the overwhelming realisation
that this included losing his ability to protect Katherine. Someone
else was assuming this responsibility for him.
    At least now he partly understood what was happening to him.
Katherine, on the other hand, was entirely oblivious to the deceit,
seeing instead only the kindness and humanity of her deceivers. As
soon as they were out of that room, he was