* * *
Still dazed Pieter kept on wondering how Ian could already have been aware of his mail. Especially since none of the addressees had so far reacted. Yes, Ian's network was vast and global, but to know the whereabouts of Pieter and the Huttons that was asking for an explanation.
He stepped out of bed but decided to leave Jane asleep in the other room. He went back to the villa of Alex where Jackie was resting in a teak deckchair, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.”
She greeted him, surprised: “Hi Pieter, already awake?” And in a more concerned voice: “Is Jane still alive?”
“It was literally a powernap,” answered Pieter. “Jane is asleep in her room. I received a phone call from our mutual acquaintance: Ian Summerton. What a coincidence... It looks like my mail is already travelling around the world, but the ones who should react are not. Anyway, the good news is that we will be picked up in about six hours to take us to the civilized world. He also said something that it was going to be too dangerous here.”
Jackie looked a bit sour. “Dangerous, here? Actually I really like this place. I am not interested in that civilized world. I just sent some messages to our parents so they know where we are and should not be worried. What can happen on this idyllic island?”
“Did you also contact Ian Summerton?”
“No, why should I? I don't know him that well.”
“I am just puzzled how on earth he could find out so fast where we are. In the end we did escape from Diego Garcia. And if he knows, than why don't the people from the base?”
Jackie put her left arm under her head and wriggled comfortably on the bench. “Noooo idea,” she yawned, not planning to give this question another thought.
Pieter moved to the open, covered living room parallel to the swimming pool. The long white curtains swayed gently in the morning's breeze. He took the remote control of the TV-set and sat down in the bamboo couch filled with white pillows.
He checked CNN but did not see the expected red band with Breaking News. Also BBC World was only transmitting a rerun of yesterday's highlights. Pieter zapped to a local station featuring a programme with local music. The typical mixture of oriental and Creole sounds bounced against the garden walls of the private villa.
Ostentatiously Jackie covered her ears with her hands.
The Abacus Equation Page 23