Harry was maybe two minutes from the meet. He heard Tariq's voice in his ear but knew he couldn't respond. He knew Lucas would be listening in to make sure he didn't try anything. "Harry if you can hear me, cough," Tariq said. He did as Tariq had asked. "Good. Listen Dimitri and Beth are about five minutes behind you. Just keep Lucas talking until they catch up." Harry coughed to show he understood as he slowed the car to a stop. His phone rang as soon as he closed the car door behind her.
"I'm here," Harry said.
"So I see," Lucas said. Harry fought the impulse to turn and look, knowing Lucas wouldn't be in clear sight anyway. "There's a bin about twenty paces in front of you. Walk calmly and put the laptop in it."
"Tell me you haven't hurt her," he demanded. "I need to know."
"I'll keep my word if you keep yours," Lucas said.
"Tell me."
"She's alive." Harry closed his eyes in relief and let the laptop fall into the bin.
"Keep walking," Lucas said. "Steady pace and don't look back."
"You can't let me down Lucas," Harry said.
"Don't panic Harry," Tariq said in his ear. "Beth and Dimitri are almost there and special forces are just behind them. Also we're keeping tight surveillance on the hotel Maya Lehan is in." Harry would have to thank the young Tech at some future point in time.
"I'll know if you're trying to fake me," Lucas said as Harry slowed down slightly.
"The Chinese have given me their codes. I'll know."
"Just trust me," Harry said.
"I can't," he replied. He opened the laptop and quickly put the memory stick in. The computer made some random beeping noises and the password automatically filled from the information on the USB. It did have an autodestruct warning so he hoped it was right, otherwise he'd never escape from this mess. A sudden countdown clock appeared, warning for the correct password.
"No…" Lucas said. He unplugged the stick and rammed it back in but it made no difference. The screen suddenly went black a second after the number one showed on the screen. It wouldn't turn back on. "You lied to me." Lucas said, unable to believe he'd been conned. "You've written her death warrant Harry, you'll never find her."
"Don't do anything stupid Lucas," Harry said to try and keep him talking for as long as possible. He needed time. "Back up is already on the way. You can't escape."
"Well, I'll give it my best shot anyway," Lucas said. "You should really let me go free. Its probably wiser and I won't kill her if you let me go."
"No. I'll soon have you locked up and then I can go and find her myself can't I? Without the threat of you murdering her."
"I wouldn't if I were you Harry," he said as their gazes locked. "She's attached to an anaesthetic drip. In about three hours she'll overdose. You won't find her by then. You know you won't. You have to let me go." Harry looked into the distance and saw Beth and Dimitri with special forces behind them. As Lucas was watching Harry, he didn't see them.
He hated himself for what he was about to do as he closed the phone. He took a second to stare into Lucas's eyes before saying anything to Tariq over the wire. He made his choice.
"Take him."
