a heavily accented voice say, “Good afternoon, Mr. Andrews.”
“How are you, sir?” Bell’s voice, the same voice that had been giving orders back in the building outside of town.
“This is not what was agreed to.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be just a couple more minutes.”
“Then who is this?”
“No one important,” Bell said. “I have the signed contract. One copy I’m afraid.”
“There was supposed to be two.”
“And you will get the second. But you have a signed one. So that should be everything.”
“Except the payment.”
“Which will happen momentarily.”
Logan glanced over at Daeng, and gave him a single nod. It was time to make their move.
“You know what the problem is, it’s all so beautiful you begin taking it for granted, and start saying ‘just another Buddha statue.’” Saoirse had walked up beside him. She smiled. “Find your friend?”
“He’s on the other side,” Logan said quickly.
“Ah, good.”
He tried to listen to what was going on behind him, but Saoirse’s voice drowned it out.
“Me and the boys found a great pub down by the wall in town. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The wall. The guidebook says it used to go all the way around the old part of the city. Anyway, thought maybe you and your friend might want to join us for a drink this evening. They’ve got some pool tables. Might get in a few games. What do you say?”
“Uh, maybe. Why not?”
He saw movement out the corner of his eye, and turned. Daeng was looking directly at him, waving an arm. Once he saw he had Logan’s attention, he held up one finger, then collapsed it into his fist so that none were showing.
Sein had arrived, and the clenched fist meant she was with Daeng’s people.
“The place is called The Hitch,” Saoirse said. “Near the east wall, on the old town side. Don’t know the name of the street, though.”
“It’s okay,” Logan said. “I’ll find it.” Having no choice, he looked over his shoulder at Bell.
The man was smiling and definitely looking confident. Logan locked eyes with Daeng, and gave him a second nod.
“It would be great if you can make it. I love Barry, and Brian’s a lot of fun, but we’ve been traveling together for about a month now, and sometimes it’s nice to talk—”
“I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse me.”
He didn’t wait for a reply.
41
Logan tried to make it look like he was just another tourist taking in all the sights as he walked casually toward Elyse and Bell. But as he took another step, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind.
“Hey. I think you need to apologize.”
It was Barry, and he didn’t look happy.
Why, Logan had no idea, but he didn’t have time to care. “Sure. Sorry.” He glanced back at Bell.
The guy was now holding a phone to his ear, but was leaning down and saying something to the secret policeman.
Barry suddenly moved in front of Logan. “Really? That’s pretty damn rude, don’t you think?”
Logan took a breath. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m sorry, okay? I’ve gotta go.”
“I’m not the one you need to apologize to. It’s Saoirse.” Barry looked past Logan’s shoulder.
Logan followed his gaze, and could see Barry’s girlfriend standing pretty much where Logan had left her. He wasn’t sure if she was feeling hurt, or just embarrassed that her boyfriend was making a scene. But he couldn’t care. “I apologize,” he said to her. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just in a hurry.” He turned back around, but Barry was still standing there. “You need to get out of my way.”
He could see something was happening ahead. Bell, with Elyse still under his arm, and the Myanmar man next to him were heading toward the exit, Bell’s men loosely surrounding them.
As Logan started to weave around Barry, the Irishman reached out and grabbed Logan’s arm. “Who the hell do you think—”
Before he could finish Logan grabbed his arm, then swept his feet out from under him, and lowered the Irishman quickly to the ground. The anger that had been in Barry’s face disappeared. There was nothing but surprise in his eyes.
“I said I’m sorry,” Logan told him.
“Yeah, sure. No problem.”
When he looked back up, the others were more than halfway to the exit. They were going to get away if he didn’t move fast. He started dodging through the crowd, trying to convince himself he hadn’t missed his chance.
Then everything turned chaotic.
Monks started appearing through doorways, up through the main entrance, and seemingly even materializing