Immediate worry.
?Let?s just say he promised, but he couldn'?t deliver.?
?Who are you??
?That I am not going to tell you. But I do have a message for you. Are you listening??
?Yes.?
?It is very important that you get this right, Monica. Are you calm??
?Yes.?
Silence, for a moment. Mentz looked up at the director. His eyes were still soft, his body still relaxed behind the wide, tidy desk.
?Daddy says there is a hard drive in the safe in his study.?
Silence.
?Are you getting this, Monica??
?Yes.?
?He says you know the combination??
?Yes.?
?Good.?
?Where is my father??
?He is here. With me. And if you don'?t work with us, we will kill him.?
A catch of breath.
?I? please ??
?Stay calm, Monica. If you stay calm, you can save him.?
?Please? Who are you??
?A businessman, Monica. Your daddy tried to trick me. Now you have to put things right.?
The director shook his head ruefully. ?Ai, Johnny,? he said.
?You will kill him anyway.?
?Not if you cooperate.?
?How can I believe you??
?Do you have a choice??
?No.?
?Good. We are making progress. Now go to the safe and get the drive.?
?Please stay on the line.?
?I?ll be right here.?
The hiss of the electronics. Some static interference on the line.
?When did this conversation take place, Janina??
?An hour ago, Mr. Director.?
?You were quick, Janina. That is good.?
?Thank you, sir, but it was the surveillance team. They?re on the ball.?
?The call was to Monica?s house??
?Yes, sir.?
?What data do you think they are referring to here, Janina??
?Sir, there are many possibilities.?
The director smiled sympathetically. There were wrinkles around his eyes, regular, dignified. ?But we must assume the worst??
?Yes, sir. We must assume the worst.? She saw no panic. Only calmness.
?I? I have the hard drive.?
?Wonderful. Now we have just one more problem, Monica.?
?What??
?You are in Cape Town, and I am not.?
?I will bring it.?
?You will??
A laugh, muffled.
