Sharp Shot by Jack Higgins Page B

slipped and fell as someone jostled her.
Chance caught her arm with hisfree hand—automatically, without
thinking. He pulled her back to her feet and smiled at her. The girl’s
mother muttered a thank you, her surprise at the speed of his reaction
evident in her eyes. Yes, Chance was looking forward to seeing the twins
again. They’d be in school now of course, but he’d ring and leave a
message at the cottage as soon as he was off the plane.
    When everyone else headed for passport control, Chance stopped at an
unmarked door, and knocked. The window in the door was opaque, but he knew
that someone was watching from the other side of the one-way glass.
    Sure enough the door opened, and Chance handed the uniformed official
his passport.
    The man barely glanced at it. “Welcome home, sir,” he
said. “Mr Ardman is waiting for you.”
    Chance frowned. His mission had not been that important, and there were no problems. He hadn’t expected to see Ardman
until after the weekend for a routine debriefing. But he could see a tall,
lean man with thinning dark hair standing at the back of the room. Chance
felt his stomach tighten as the official closed and locked the door, and
then left the room by a side exit.
    â€œI’m sorry,” said Ardman.
    Chance stared back at him through cold, blue, unblinking eyes. His
voice was every bit as cold and flint-hard. “Just tell me.”
    Ardman nodded. “Mark Darrow has your daughter.”
    The world was white. There was a breeze. Even before she opened her
eyes, Jade could tell there was something odd about the quality of the
light. Like when you know it’s snowed even before you open the curtains.
But it was too warm for that—despite the cool of the breeze, it was hot.
    She opened her eyes. Thin, silk curtains hid the outside world from
her. They rippled and shimmered round the bed. The sheets were also white
silk. The pillow was the softest she’d ever rested her head on.
    Jade snuggled down into the luxurious softness of it all, and closed
her eyes again.
    Then, suddenly, she was awake. Where was she? What was going on? She
remembered the bar, the pirate waiter. McCain and the drugged drink—
falling…Was she in another room in the hotel? Not Space Zone,
obviously, but maybe Luxury Land?
    Pushing the sheets aside, Jade saw she was still dressed in the same
jogging bottoms and sweatshirt. She fought her way through the billowing
silk curtains, and saw that someone had laid out a white silk dressing
gown over the back of an ornate wooden chair. On the chair was a change of
clothes—thin shirt, trousers, a headscarf…All white. All silk.
    She ignored the clothes and walked slowly round the bedroom.
Everything was pale. The walls were painted white; the floor was pale
marble and warm under her bare feet. The furniture was light wood with
gilt handles and trimmings. The breeze was coming from vents close to the
floor.
    Through an archway was a small bathroom, almost filled by a large
sunken bath. It was already full of foaming water. Jade dipped her toe in,
and found it was pleasantly cool. She was tempted to take a bath in it
straight away, but she wanted to know where she was first. Once—if—she
found she was safe, then she’d allow herself to relax and have a bath. But
not before.
    Her trainers were under the chair, and Jade pulled them on to her
bare feet.
    There was a large wooden door with a gold handle.There was no keyhole, but she expected the door to be bolted. In fact,
it opened easily.
    Outside was a wide corridor. The walls and floor matched the bedroom.
There were other doors, but Jade followed the passageway. She didn’t see
anyone or hear any signs of life.
    The passage ended in a flight of steps—leading both up and down.
Jade could feel the heat coming up from below, so she decided to try
upstairs first. The steps were rough stone and the walls seemed to be
textured with sand.
    Jade