Poseidon's Ransom

Chapter Twenty

The hospital reception area was extremely busy and with only two people at the desk, dealing with visitors, telephones, and questions from medical staff, somewhat chaotic.

Rick Washington waited patiently in the queue confident in his disguise. A light brown wig covered his own black hair, thick rimmed glasses and a false moustache changed his facial appearance. The padded oversize jacket made him look fatter than he was. His tradecraft as an ex-CIA agent told him people will only remember the obvious.

The queue moved slowly forward. The American smiled when the old man in front grumbled, ‘Bloody NHS. Not what it used to be.’

A few minutes later he was at the desk. He leaned over and with a charming smile said quietly, ‘Good morning. I’m from the American Embassy. I’m here to see Sir Anthony Grainger. Could you tell me where I could find him, please?’

The flustered woman looked impressed for a moment, then scanned the monitor in front of her. She too leaned forward and said quietly, ‘Intensive Care, First floor, sir.’

Washington flashed the smile again, ‘Thank you, ma’am.’

He rode the lift to the first floor and went to the Ward Sister’s desk. The same charm was used. ‘Good morning. I’m Mike Vogler. I’m from the American Embassy. The Ambassador has asked me to visit Sir Anthony Grainger. The Ambassador is an old friend and keen to know how Sir Anthony is doing.’

This woman was not the harassed person from down stairs, and said, ‘Do you have some identification, please?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Washington flashed an American Embassy wallet and showed the fake Mike Vogler ID.

‘He’s in room five. He’s still very groggy from the operation. But you may see him for five minutes,’ her tone was stern. ‘Five minutes and no more now.’

‘No problem. Thank you, ma’am.’

At the door to room five, Washington waited while the attending nurse finished her checks. As she passed him he smiled, and said, ‘Good morning.’

She returned the smile and he watched as she disappeared around the corner. He entered the room and quietly closed the door. Grainger looked to be sleeping. Several tubes going in and out of his body were hooked up to various monitors. At the bedside Washington checked the screens. The man’s vital signs showed a constant, but low heart-rate. He took a seat next to the bed and gently laid his hand on Grainger’s upper arm. ‘Sir Anthony? Sir Anthony?’

Grainger sucked in a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. For a second he didn’t know the man at his bedside… and then, even through the disguise, he recognised Washington.

‘What …’

The American put his finger to Grainger’s lips. ‘Shhh, Sir Anthony. Don’t speak. I’m just here to let you know you’ll never see your share of the ransom.’

‘But…’

‘Shhh.’ The finger was on the lips again. ‘but I must thank you for all your help. Your idea of kidnapping your own family was genius, sir. But it’s time for me go.’

‘But I…’

This time Washington’s full hand replaced the finger and covered Grainger’s nose and mouth. The older man struggled, but in his weakened condition his exertions only hastened the outcome. It took less than a minute for Sir Anthony Grainger to die.