The Exodus Quest

FORTY-NINE
I

'Mister Griffin?'

Griffin looked up, startled, to see two uniformed airport security men in front of him, regarding him with polite but knowing smiles. His insides lurched, he felt sick. 'Yes?' he asked.

'Would you come with us, please?'

'Where to?'

The taller of the two nodded to a glass-fronted office the far side of the departures lounge. 'Our interview room.'

'But my flight's about to board.'

The smiles tightened. 'Please. Come with us.'

Griffin's shoulders sagged. A part of him had known this would happen. He wasn't the kind of man life gave breaks to. He turned to Mickey. 'You're in charge,' he said, handing him his credit card. 'Get everyone safely out. Okay?'

'What about you?'

'I'll be fine. Just get everyone home. I can rely on you, can't I?'

'Yes.'

'Good man,' said Griffin, patting him on the shoulder. With a heavy heart, he followed the two security men across the carpeted departure lounge floor.