Page 18 of The Bait

Meaning Harry and Asher could assume they knew nothing.

It also meant they’d alert the authorities, so the police were about to be involved. Time was running out.

The doctor’s office was the next visit, and given it was early morning, Harry didn’t expect her to be too busy yet. The thing about life in sleepy Thai villages was that everyone was smiling, only too happy to help. So of course the reception lady opened the door for them, telling them to please sit, please sit.

So they sat and waited while the receptionist disappeared and came back with the doctor.

Whowassmiling... until she saw who it was. Harry had to give her props for her stoicism, and she held the door for them. “Come through,” she said. She offered them two chairs opposite her desk, but Harry and Asher both remained standing.

“Do you remember us?” Harry asked.

She looked at Asher. “Of course. It’s been a while, but it’s not something I’m likely to forget.” She swallowedhard, studying his face. “Your injuries have healed well...”

“Yunho and Lucas are missing,” Asher said flatly. “Their house was open, ransacked. Aranya and Narong are dead.”

She paled. “Oh my.”

“Whoever did it knew about the war room,” Harry said.

She squinted a little. “The... the war room?”

“The basement,” Asher explained.

She raised her hands. “Gentlemen, I don’t know anything about a basement or awarroom. I don’t even want to know what that is,” she whispered. “Mr Oh is my patient. I do house calls to him and him alone, because he pays considerably well.” Then she shrugged. “And because of his condition.”

“Agoraphobia,” Asher said.

“Right.” She nodded. “He can’t leave the island. He suffers crippling anxiety at the thought, as I’m sure you know.”

“I know,” Asher replied. “But he’s not there now.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about that. I’m not sure why you think I would.”

“Because you’re one of five people who have been there that are still alive.” Asher’s tone was ice cold.

But from the way she paled, Harry didn’t believe she knew anything. “When was your last visit?”

“Ahh, two months ago, probably. Sometimes Lucas will pick up Yunho’s prescription to save me the trip. If he comes to the mainland for anything.”

“Prescription?” Asher asked.

She hesitated for a second, probably reconsidering her doctor-patient privilege, before she looked at both Harryand Asher and sighed. “He takes medication for anxiety and epilepsy. Only for when he needs it.”

“Epilepsy?” That was news to Harry.

“From when he was in Korea,” Asher explained quietly. “He was tortured and suffered fits as a result. High-stress situations would bring it on.” He gave Harry a dark look. “Like being forced to leave his island.”

The doctor gave a sad nod. “He was doing well,” she said, then seemed to lose her train of thought. “I’m sorry. I wish I knew more. I hope he’s okay. I hope they both are.”

“How often did Lucas come to the mainland?” Asher asked. Harry wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought to ask that.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “Every few weeks, I think. I really wouldn’t know. I’m not privy to their daily lives. I don’t know them that well. I shouldn’t even be having this conversation.” She shook her head, frustrated and a little frightened. “I’m sorry I can’t help you. I know nothing about them, or their basement. I wish I could help you...”

They were done here. She knew nothing. It was a stretch anyway. “Thank you,” Harry said, heading for the door.

Asher stood there watching her for a few long seconds, looking for a flicker of doubt or dishonesty perhaps. Eventually he turned and, seething, stormed out. The receptionist barely getting out of his way.

Harry had to catch up and pull him to a stop in the alley. “Hey,” he murmured. “You need to stop and think.”

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