Rickie hovered behind Hillary, watching as her nimble fingers flew over the keyboard and roller mouse of her personal laptop. She had already manipulated the video feed, focusing on the background and area around the captured woman, and came to the conclusion that Meaghan was on a floating vessel. Using some type of sophisticated software, Hillary determined it to be some type of cabin cruiser boat, approximately eleven meters in length. There were no markings that would help identify the manufacturer, although it did not appear to be a military or government vessel.
Rickie agreed with Hillary's assessment, but there were many waterways in Kuching, so how could they narrow it down? Thanks to the Dragon Boat Festival, there was a large influx of pleasure craft in the area. And was Meaghan even still in Sarawak?
With a large blue headset perched incongruously on her head, Hillary was now analysing the audio signal. She cocked her head to the side.
"I think I hear something, but I can only pull a fragment around the caller's voice." She clicked the mouse, and a brief noise came over the external speakers. She played it several times to the rapt audience.
Rickie recovered first. "It sounds like Mandarin. Where would that be in Kuching?"
There was murmuring between everyone gathered in the room, then Annie snapped her fingers, and all but shouted, "The open theatre at the Waterfront!"
Rickie felt like kissing her; he walked over and gave her a hug as she awkwardly patted his back. When he released her, he turned to Raine, who was already on the comlink.
"She must be on one of the private vessels watching the dragon boat races at the Duanwu Festival. That would put it at the west end of the Waterfront area. How soon can the troops be mobilized?"
Raine completed her call and pulled the earpiece off. "We can head there now, and meet the team at the docks. Meanwhile, anything else you can get us that would be helpful, please call us."
A chorus of clapping and cheers from the Harem erupted; Hillary waved them off, still hunched over her computer.
As Rickie and Raine hurried to the elevators, JoAnne called his cell. Swiftly, Rickie brought her up to date with the information. JoAnne agreed with Rickie that it was best to keep Tina out of harm's way.
"I'm taking her to the house now, so your father and I can keep an eye on her. Just keep us in the loop, if you can. Oh, and Leaf wants to talk with you."
There was noise while the phone was handed off.
"En Rickie?" Leaf asked falteringly, "Is my sister going to be okay?"
Rickie swallowed a sudden lump in his throat. "We're going to do everything we can, and we'll get her back. I'm not willing to lose either of you, alright?"
There was a sigh of acceptance in his ear.
"Thanks. I love you, abang." Rickie eyes grew moist at Tina's words.
[A/N: "Big brother"]
"I love you too, Leaf. Stay strong." He hung up and then looked at Raine, who was driving like a fiend but still managed to glance triumphantly over at him.
"So you've acquired a fan, I see," Raine smirked.
Rickie shook his head. "No, I've gotten a family."