Page 33 of Pervade Montego Bay
“How?”
She seemed to realize she’d revealed too much. “I heard it was you who brought him back?”
“He was airlifted out of my hands. Any chance you know where to?”
“I imagine that would be classified.”
“Ah.”
“Have a lovely day, Sir Ballad.”
“It’s Mr. Ballad.”
“Of course. Sorry.”
“Anything you can remember would be appreciated. I need closure on a couple of matters connected to him.”
“I’ll have a think.”
With my right hand tucked inside my trouser pocket, I made my way toward the hallway, leaving Katherine with her interest piqued. I only hoped I’d appealed to her empathetic side.
Predictably, an hour later, Katherine arrived at my office door.
I gestured for her to sit opposite my swivel chair. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
She leaned forward in the seat with her face in her hands. “What am I doing?”
“I’m good with secrets,” I reassured her.
“I signed the Official Secrets Act.”
“We both did.”
She stared at the wall opposite as though gathering her confidence, then turned to look at me. “He came straight here from Sandhurst.” Her eyes watered with emotion. “We all liked him.”
“There’s a lot to like.”
She munched on her lower lip nervously. “Did Xavier go rogue?”
“I’m trying to figure that out.”
“Do you know anything yet?”
I blew out a sigh of frustration.
“James, I’m worried about him.” She glanced toward the door. “There was a coded email.”
“From?”
“The Prime Minister’s office. I have a knack for code-breaking.” She leaned forward. “Either Farmer forgot that detail or he was careless.”
“What was in it?”
“It mentioned a request for someone to silence him.” Katherine looked at me nervously. “The request came from Farmer.”
“I see.”
“I shouldn’t have told you,” she mumbled.
