False Horizon - Alex Archer [10]
Why was Annja Creed meeting with Tsing? And just who was the other man with her that Tuk did not recognize? If he read the body language right, and he felt that he did, then Annja and the other man were not going with Burton and Kurtz willingly. Tuk also thought it doubtful that in the short span of time since Annja had left the airport that she had somehow managed to run afoul of Tsing.
That meant the other man must have been responsible.
But how?
Tuk’s brow furrowed as he thought about it. Tsing specialized in any manner of criminal enterprises, but drugs, prostitution and extortion were his favorites. Less lucrative was the loan sharking, but Tuk nodded to himself. Perhaps that was it. If the man was in debt to Tsing, then this would not end well.
Did that also mean that Annja Creed was in danger?
Tuk slid the small cell phone from his pocket and pressed the two on it. The phone dialed a number that did not display on the screen, which Tuk now shielded to keep it from revealing his presence. He put the phone to his ear and waited.
“Yes?”
“The woman—Annja Creed—is at the Fairbanks Hotel.”
“All right.”
“She was brought there under duress.”
“What do you mean?”
Tuk recounted what he had seen and waited for the man on the other end to comment.
“You’re certain of this?”
“I know Tsing,” Tuk said. “He is a worthless criminal who enjoys seeing people suffer.”
“You have history with him?”
“Yes.”
“I would have thought it foolish for anyone to cross you,” the man said.
Tuk inclined his head. “I appreciate your saying that, but it has happened ever since my lack of work with my former employers.”
“Understood.” The man paused. “And you say Tsing has the uppermost floor to himself?”
“It is my understanding that he lives there, yes.”
“You’ve been inside?”
“Never.”
“I need to know what is going on. Is it possible for you to get inside?”
Tuk frowned. This was going a bit further than he normally went. Surveillance was one thing. Actual infiltration was something else entirely. And it meant danger. Especially since Tsing, Burton and Kurtz all knew who he was. If they spotted him…
“I realize this is asking more than you are normally tasked with,” the man said. “But I will make sure you are properly compensated for your efforts. If you can get inside and make sure that Annja Creed is safe, I will pay you an additional fifty percent of your fee.”
Tuk’s heart raced. With that much money he could easily leave this life behind and retire out in the countryside. It was too good not to take the chance. And if he happened to get a shot at Burton or Kurtz, perhaps he could exact a small measure of revenge on them.
As if reading his mind, however, the man continued to speak. “Make sure no one sees you. It is absolutely vital that Annja Creed not know you are watching her. She is incredibly intelligent. Any hint of your involvement will inevitably cause her to start reasoning out my existence in this matter. And at this moment, I cannot afford for her to know I am here. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly.”
At that moment, Tuk heard a sudden scream and then a body crashed down across the street into a stand of trees. There was a sickening sound of impact and then nothing more. A few spectators started forward and then Tuk heard someone yell for an ambulance.
“What was that?” the voice on the phone said.
Tuk frowned. “If I know the man, and I do, it would appear that Tsing just had someone thrown off the roof of the hotel.”
“A woman?”
Tuk shook his head. “No. It was a man.”
“The same man who accompanied Annja Creed into the hotel.”
Tuk bit his lip. “I don’t know. It could have been, I suppose, but in the darkness I cannot tell.”
“She could be in danger,” the man said. “It’s vital you determine whether she is or not. If you think her life is in jeopardy, you must call me back as soon as possible.”
“I understand.”
The line disconnected and Tuk slid across the street. Already in the distance,