CHAPTER THREE

"We've got to find her!" Nigel practically shouted; a panic stricken look crossed his face. Sydney pulled him back as he went towards the door.

"Nigel listen to me the only way we'll get her back is if we co-operate with these people, we find this relic and hand it over".

"But the book doesn't exist!" he protested. He paused. "What if they find out she isn't Karen they might kill her".

Sydney was as worried as Nigel now though she didn't show it openly she forced herself to remain calm "She probably knows they might…Uh so that's why she's obviously not told them yet and if she did tell them who she really was they'd have more leverage because of it".

"You're right as always" he relented.

"We'll get an earlier flight out of here so we can start searching as soon as possible when Karen was kidnapped we got her back and we'll get you're sister back too".

"I need some fresh air", Nigel said as he stood up.

Sydney nodded in understanding she walked back to the bed and watched as Nigel got his coat and walked out of the room.

* * *

Nigel stood outside looking at the passport that he held in his hand; he looked back at the hotel then along the road that led to the airport.

"I know what's happened", a voice said behind him.

Nigel spun around in surprise and stepped back, "Who are you".

The man looked like he was dressed for the beach in dark shorts and navy top his dark hair was covered by a baseball cap, "Owen Jacobs".

Nigel suddenly recognised the man's thick accent, "You know where my sister is?" he asked hopefully.

"Regretfully no; but I know where they will take her you must leave…Alone. They will be looking for Sydney to rescue the girl they won't expect you".

Nigel looked slightly irritated at the use of the girl, "Well I have my passport but I don't like just leaving like this".

"I will tell her".

Nigel looked slightly surprised, "You're not coming?"

"No they know me and you shouldn't be seen with me I will give you directions on where to find her" Jacobs handed Nigel a folded up piece of paper, "Good luck".

* * *

Sydney sat on the edge of the bed watching the door expecting it to open at any moment. It didn't. She looked at her watch, he'd been gone for thirty minutes, she stood up and walked to the window, "Where are you Nigel". She opened the window and looked outside; she saw a man walking outside the hotel in shorts and T-shirt. She held her arm out to feel for a breeze, there was none. She looked to the chair where Nigel had put his jacket then remembered he'd taken it with him. "Oh Nigel!"

* * *

Sydney sprinted to the airport completely aware that she was being followed but she didn't stop. Once she got through the first doors she looked around, she ran to one of the ticket booths.

"When was the last flight to New Zealand?"

The man looked at the wall clock, "Five minutes ago".

Sydney looked defeated, "When's the next flight?"

"8 hours…Do you want a ticket".

She nodded her head "Yeah one please…Just one".

* * *

NEW ZEALAND

Nigel wasn't bothered about his aching limbs this time he was to busy concentrating on where to go, stay and see if Sydney was on the next flight or go. He chose the latter after all Jacobs had warned him the kidnappers would be on the look out for Sydney. He looked around until he saw the payphones he could call her at least.

He waited for the dialling tone then phoned the mobile number that he'd left at the hotel. It was answered straight away.

"Nigel?"

He first noticed she sounded worried, "Yes Syd it's me --"

"What were you thinking!"

"I couldn't wait --"

"You could have left a note or something for all I knew they'd taken you too!"

Nigel suddenly felt dreadful for what he'd done, "I'm sorry".

"Its okay I know why you did it, in you're position I'd have done the same thing…Just wait for me".

"I can't I spoke to Jacobs he said they'd be looking for you…I have to tackle this one on my own".

Sydney didn't say anything she would've said the same as Nigel just had.

"There's a café near the airport I'll meet you there in two days at 10 am".

Sydney spoke quieter now "Okay two days".

"Bye Syd".

"Nigel be careful".

"You don't have to worry about that", he told her reassuringly he put the phone down all of a sudden he felt very alone.

TBC…

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