Hunter Killer - Alex King Series 12 (2021) by A BATEMAN (mind reading books .txt) 📕

“This rig and the next two in the chain are connected, the others are still working on it, but the maintenance crew won’t close the circle until all the boats are outside the ring and moored seaward side.”

“Okay,” said King. One of us will have to wait and start the circuit anti-clockwise while the other two start out clockwise.”

“Two?” Grainger asked curiously.

“Yes,” replied King. “You’ll be coming along for the ride…”

Chapter Thirty

King and Grainger took clockwise, while Rashid waited for the last of the boats and ships to get clear from the centre of the ring and the boom to be fixed to the rig before heading in a counterclockwise direction. King had the diving knife and Rashid had kept the silenced Makarov, which had four bullets remaining. It was getting dark and the lights along the boom lit their path perfectly.

“It’s pretty sturdy,” commented King. “You could run along it.” As if to confirm it, two women appeared out of the gloom, chatting to one another, and maintaining a decent pace. Even this far north, they wore running attire, although they wore leggings and jackets. As they drew closer, King could see their breath on the air.

“These rigs are huge,” said Grainger. “The fact we’re doing this won’t help much. This Shirazi fellow could be anywhere. He could double back while we search the next rig.”

“Well, it’s all we’ve got,” King replied. He stepped aside for the two women and they smiled at him as they passed by. “We’ll have to cover the recreation rooms, refectory and communal places, there’s not a lot more we can do. As you say, if we request more information or assistance from Aurora, then our cover will be compromised.” He paused and watched as a man headed towards them. King slipped his hand underneath his jacket and gripped the handle of the diving knife. When he was close enough to make out the man’s features, he relaxed and released his grip on the knife. “There’s more people ahead,” he told Grainger quietly as the man passed.

“There’ll be loads more before long. Some of the rigs offer better food, simply by having better chefs. Everybody has a card with credit on it, or spare cash for when the credit isn’t applied for something like chocolate or sweets. Most of the rigs cater well, but the last one in the ring has an American chef and he does great burger nights and makes a mean stacked pizza. Chicago style. You know, like a pie with the cheese on the bottom, then the toppings and the tomato sauce on top. He does proper Mac and cheese as well. When the conditions allow and the boats can go out or the booms are tethered, his refectory will be heaving.” He paused. “The Aurora corporation tends to practice what they preach, so a lot of the food is normally plant-based, and of course, each rig has fishing lines out. Fish features high on the menus out here.”

King nodded. “It’s like a town on the sea.”

“It can be, but don’t let this fool you. I’ve seen fifty-foot waves for a month and a real shortage of supplies. When the rigs get together it gets a bit hectic, especially if people are seeing someone on another rig. Aurora only allow people to purchase alcohol on a Saturday night, so if the stars align…”

“Are you married?”

Grainger nodded. “Five years now.”

“Is she understanding?”

“He is, and I can control myself…”

“Oh.”

“Does that bother you.”

“No. Why should it?”

“You just assumed.”

“No, but I guess I can see how the Mereweathers trying to set you up with Horsey Harriet was always going to be a non-starter…” King smiled wryly. “Actually, because it sounds like this place has a bit of a party vibe, I assumed your other half would have to be understanding. That was wrong of me. I’m sorry. And being gay has nothing to do with me, nor does it bother me.” He paused. “Besides, I’m one to talk about understanding partners. I met a girl out here who clearly likes me, and I’ve been leading her on because it may aid my mission. I’m engaged and my fiancée is at home recuperating after a terrible accident. I’ve actually been working out how far is too far in this sort of scenario.”

“Oh, what like a kiss?” Grainger laughed. “Trust me, if you’re contemplating what is too far, then it’s already too far.”

“I suppose.”

Grainger shrugged. “Why don’t you just reverse it.”

“What?”

“What’s your partner called?”

“Caroline.”

“And what does she do?”

King shrugged. He thought Grainger was on the level, and he liked him, too. “The same line of work as myself.”

“Ah, well that’s easy! Just suppose that Caroline has to find out something and going down on a man is…”

“No!”

Grainger laughed. “Okay, she lets the man go down on…”

“Still a big fucking no!” King paused. “Okay, I get it.”

“Maybe a mutual fondle, a passionate, kiss with lots of tongue…”

“You’ll be swimming in a minute sunshine…”

“Hah! You’re welcome!”

“For what?”

“For working out the boundary thing for you. In a mutually exclusive relationship, if that is indeed what both you and Caroline have, your boundaries should be identical. I’m guessing you got your answer.”

King nodded, but he would have to mull over on Grainger’s words later, as they had reached the end of the last segment of boom and were at the neighbouring rig. He checked his mobile phone, but there was only a weak signal.

“The signal varies, but it’s an at sea network, like the operating system used on cruise ships. They changed it because it was costing people a fortune to call home.” Grainger paused and said, “Anyway, there was nothing wrong per se with Horsey Harriet, she just wasn’t my