Page 20 of The Bone Hacker

I read the accompanying text.

And looked at Claudel for explanation.

7

“TCI?”

Claudel nodded. “The Turks and Caicos Islands. As the report states.”

“That’s a long way from here.”

“One can travel many places by air these days.”

I ignored that. “The Cay Boys. Is that a gang of some sort?” I was plucking info from the report.

“When I ran the name, a descriptor came back stating that it is a group associated with the town of Five Cays on the island of Providenciales.”

“That’s the main island, right?”

“I am not an expert on Caribbean geography.”

But youarean expert at being a dick. I didn’t say it.

“If the victim isn’t a Canadian citizen, that complicates things.”

Claudel said nothing.

“He could be a tourist,” I suggested. “Or a dual national.”

“Or an illegal.”

At that moment, Claudel’s mobile buzzed. He dug the device from his pocket and answered, turning a shoulder to me.

“Claudel.”

He listened, face carefully blank. I heard a buzzy voice but could make out no words.

“Oui.”

I waited. The speaker took longer this time.

“Oui.”

I pulled a Claudel and looked at my watch. He ignored or failed to recognize my impatience.

“D’accord.”

After agreeing with the new round of buzzing, Claudel disconnected.

“I must go.” He stood.

“Shouldn’t someone call the TCI authorities?”

“Yes. But I am needed elsewhere. A man has stabbed two people at a gym in Saint-Leonard.”

With that, he was gone.

I was googling “TCI police” when my desk phone rang. Recognizing LaManche’s extension, I answered.

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