Jack was relieved when everyone received the keys to their rooms without incident. He recalled another case years ago in Calgary when he was getting a room with a bad guy and a hotel employee let it slip that the police had especially reserved their rooms.

Once everyone had checked into their rooms, Jack went next door to Jim’s room and was introduced to the men from the Malaysian team.

This team was headed by a short, heavy-set man by the name of Ahmad. He had a thick black moustache and a closely trimmed black beard. Ahmad and his team were Muslim and did not drink alcohol. Jack wondered if they would stand out in a hotel filled with holiday revellers, but later discovered that there was a heavy Muslim presence in Langkawi and Ahmad and his team fit in fine.

Physical and electronic surveillance of Oskar and Pike did not show them meeting with anyone on Friday. Oskar spent most of the day sleeping in his room and Pike spent much of his time working out at a gym in the hotel.

On Saturday afternoon, Jack and Stew were relaxing at the pool when Oskar and Pike joined them. Oskar and Pike were both wearing bathing suits, but Oskar had also brought a large manila envelope with him.

“How’s it going, boys?” asked Oskar, after sticking his toe in the pool.

“Working for you is like being on a holiday,” replied Stew. “This is great!”

Oskar smiled and looked at Jack. “You’re sweating like a pig on a spit. Have you tried the pool?”

“I don’t swim,” replied Jack, who was conscious of his role as a person who was basically inactive in any physical sports.

“I got him to splash around in the shallow end,” said Stew.

Jack caught the look of utter contempt on Pike’s face and took the opportunity to impress upon him that he was an easy target. “Be careful you don’t burn your feet on the concrete getting to the pool. I did and screamed like a little girl. I couldn’t help myself.” Jack gave a goofy grin and added, “But it is pretty here,” he said, reaching for the asthma inhaler he had on a towel beside him.

Pike rolled his eyes in response.

When Jack put the inhaler down, Oskar handed him the envelope. “I guess I can count on you to keep this dry. Tomorrow I want the two of you to check out this property. It’s on the other side of the island from us, but the two of you can take a taxi.”

“Property that the development company is planning to build a resort on?” asked Stew.

Oskar nodded. “See if there are any obvious environmental issues. Then on Monday, I want you both to go to Hat Yai to check out the company making biopolymers. From here you can take a ferry back into Thailand and then grab a taxi to take you into Hat Yai. With luck, you should be back for supper.”

Jack inwardly cringed. He knew they were coming down to the crunch. They either had to get Oskar talking murder with his boss, or extract Stew to prevent him from going to Hat Yai.

“Hat Yai has a reputation for being a little rough,” continued Oskar, “so Ben will go with you to make sure you stay out of trouble.” Oskar turned to Pike and gave him a friendly punch on the arm and said, “Isn’t that right, Ben?”

“You can count on me,” Pike replied, smiling back at Oskar.

“When do you think we will be heading back to Canada?” asked Jack.

“Hat Yai is the end of the trail,” said Oskar.

“So early next week, then?” asked Jack, catching the smirk on Pike’s face.

“Wait until you’re done in Hat Yai,” replied Oskar. “But I’m thinking you both could be on a plane back to Canada by Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Have you already booked us tickets in the cargo hold?

Jack made an excuse to go back to his room, but instead went into Jim’s room and had a meeting that also included Randy, Willy, Tina, and Pom.

“There is no way we can risk letting Stew go to Hat Yai,” said Jack, as soon as he told them about Oskar’s plan for Monday.

“Don’t think we should be risking you, either,” said Randy. “If Pike gets a gun or a knife and decides to do you, we may not have time to save your ass.”

“I’ve thought the same thing, but I still think we should push it as far as possible,” said Jack. “Once we get Stew out of the way, there will be more available to cover me. Pom can take the ferry ride with us and maybe even have one of his men drive the taxi on the other side.”

Pom nodded in agreement.

“If Pike picks up a weapon before then, I think we should take him down and see if we can turn him,” said Randy.

“A lawyer would tell him to say he was getting it for protection,” sighed Jack. “Still, I agree that we don’t have a lot of choice. Even with what they said in the room back at the Golden Triangle, it likely wouldn’t be enough.”

“Not enough in Canada, but maybe enough in Thailand,” offered Pom.

“Good point,” agreed Jack. “As tough a nut as Pike is, if he ever sees the inside of a Thai jail, I am sure it will rattle him.”

“No colour television I bet,” Tina said, smiling.

“Television in jail in Canada?” exclaimed Pom. He looked at everyone’s faces and burst out laughing. “You make joke.”

“Yes, it’s a joke all right,” replied Jack.

“Haven’t had Oskar meeting anyone yet,” noted Willy. “It also doesn’t look like he and Pike are coming with you tomorrow, so maybe that is when the boss-man is coming.”

“It sounds like he’ll be meeting him soon,” noted Tina, “if he is talking about you leaving by next Tuesday or Wednesday.”

“The trouble is, unless it is tomorrow, we can’t risk letting Stew go to Hat Yai on Monday,” said Jack. “My thought is to take Stew and check out the property here in Langkawi tomorrow morning. Regardless if Oskar’s boss shows up, barring any arrests, we’ll have to extract Stew and get him on a plane and the hell out of here.”

“Have you thought how to do it?” asked Tina. “If he’s the nervous type and doesn’t play his role right, Oskar will be suspicious.”

“I’ll tell him to act like a man,” said Jack, with a grin, “and blame it all on his wife.”

“You guys!” replied Tina. “Typical!”

Jack felt his phone vibrate and saw that it was Laura calling. He knew it had to be urgent.

“We’re clear to talk,” said Jack, as soon as he answered. “How’s life in sunny Vancouver?”

“Sunny? It’s Friday, midnight here and it’s raining. How is it on your end?”

“Hot.”

“It might get hotter. I think we’ve got a problem,” said Laura. “Virgil drove all over the place tonight. Residential areas and the whole bit.”

“Checking for heat?”

“I’m sure of it. After driving for a couple of hours, he zeroed in on two playgrounds. It’s not like anyone would be at them this time of night, so I think he was casing them for a return visit.”

“Hope you have fresh batteries in the tracker.”

“I put them in last night. They’re fresh.”

“The two parks, are they in an area with nice homes, or are they areas with low-cost housing and apartments?”

“One is, one isn’t,” replied Laura.

“Bet he goes for the one with apartments. Stick to the plan and get everyone on standby. Sunday night is one of his favourite times to strike. If he makes his move, take the bastard down.”

“How are things going with you?”

“Monday looks like a big day.”

“Monday might be too late if we take him down tomorrow,” replied Laura.

“Sunday night there is Monday morning here,” said Jack.

“I know, but that’s cutting it pretty thin. Let’s hope he behaves himself until you’re done.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” said Jack, tersely. “He’s one sick bastard. We have to catch him first chance we get. Don’t kink him up. If you do, he’ll be a lot more cautious next time and we may miss him. Rely on the tracker and get the team into position if he goes to a park.”

“Wish you were here.”

“You’ll do okay, but promise me you won’t take your eyes off the laptop.”

“Are you kidding? I haven’t slept more than twenty minutes in a row since this began. I keep having nightmares that I won’t hear the alarm to tell me he’s moving.”