by Drew Lindsay
The meeting on Friday evening at Rodney Reid’s home did not go the way Ben had anticipated.
He was introduced to Susan Beck. She was a very pretty Australian born woman with a chequered history including 10 years as a Detective in the NSW Police Force and 8 years as a barmaid and SCUBA diving instructor on Hayman Island. She was in her mid 40’s but extremely fit. Her blond hair was cut short to frame a slightly chubby face with brown eyes containing black flecks scattered throughout the colour. Ben had a propensity to study the eyes of people he had to confront and instantly knew this girl had amazingly interesting eyes but couldn’t work our why until he had a chance to study her in more detail at a later time. She was barely 5’9” and solidly but proportionally built. She tended to brood a little when she thought no-one was watching, but was instantly animated with a beaming smile when brought into conversation.
Rodney explained that the Port Douglas project was a ‘walk in the park’ but they always had to expect the unexpected. Ben and Susan were to book into the Sheraton as any other couple and in public, act the part to perfection.
‘How do we room?’ asked Ben with a grin.
‘We’ve booked you interconnecting suites,’ replied Rodney. Susan looked disinterested. ‘You both enter and leave through one door but you will be separate inside.’
‘How long are we expected to be staying at the resort?’ asked Ben.
‘Minimum of a month. Probably longer. The weather dictates this with movie makers.’
‘Should have a nice tan up by the time I get home,’ said Ben. ‘Sounds like a bit of fun actually. By the way, who are the stars of this movie? Anyone really famous?’
‘Quite famous actually. They also have their own security operative who stays close to the female star at all times. The leading man, who plays a very bad person, is Simon Sutherland.’
‘I’ve seen him in something a couple of months ago,’ said Susan. ‘He’s hot.’
Rodney smiled. ‘The starlet is Brenda Grant. You should know her and she is the one we have to watch out for in particular.’
‘WHAT!
Rodney and Susan looked at Ben.
‘Brenda Grant,’ said Rodney again.
‘God no!’ exclaimed Ben in a voice higher than his normal tone.
‘You got a problem with Brenda Grant?’
‘Yes. I mean no.’ Ben put the fingers of both hands to his temples.
‘Perhaps you would like to share with us just what you mean?’ said Susan, showing more interest in the meeting than when it began.
‘Nothing.’
‘Don’t you like her?’ asked Rodney.
‘Of course I like her!’ said Ben rather too quickly. ‘I mean, not like that, but she is a very good movie star.’
‘What the hell are you saying?’ said Susan.
Ben ran his hands over the top of his head. ‘I can’t go on this job.’
Rodney looked concerned. ‘You sounded like you couldn’t wait to go.’
‘I…..I’ve changed my mind.’
‘He’s hiding something,’ said Susan bluntly.
‘Is that true Ben?’ Rodney was sitting forward and looking directly at him.
‘No, of course not.’
‘Crap.’
Rodney turned to Susan. ‘Shhh darling.’ He looked back at Ben. ‘This must be a unified team effort. Something’s up here Ben or you wouldn’t want to back out so quickly.’
Ben squirmed uncomfortably.
‘You know this Brenda Grant woman?’
‘This is quite embarrassing Rodney. I’d rather just let it go and you get someone else to take my place.’
Susan Beck had now shifted her interest level into high alert. ‘Rod told us you were fearless.’
Ben stared at her but said nothing.
‘I guess if you want out Ben, for whatever reason….’ began Rodney.
‘Want out my arse,’ said Susan. ‘Where did you meet her?’
‘I’ve never met her,’ said Ben, trying to recover ground.
‘Then what’s your problem?’
Ben was quiet for a moment. ‘Alright. I sent her an email.’
‘What?’ Susan was obviously flabbergasted.
‘I was drunk and I told her I liked her and said some other stuff that in hindsight, I shouldn’t have.’
‘You are kidding, right?’
‘I’m not kidding. I was drunk and I sent this email to her website not all that long ago.’
Susan crossed her arms over her breasts. ‘And obviously she responded in kind and tried to set up a meeting with you, or at least continue to write to each other?’
‘Well, no.’
Susan leaned back and laughed hysterically. She had difficulty stopping. Ben looked decidedly uncomfortable.
‘Now Susan….,’ began Rodney.
She held up a hand to silence him and turned to Ben. ‘Detective Sergeant Hood. I have concluded from speaking with Rodney and also from my own knowledge of you, that you are not a complete idiot. Would that be a fair assessment?’
Ben was silent.
‘I’ll take that as a yes. Now; I assume you didn’t tell Ms. Grant your age in this email?’
Ben looked over at Rodney for help, but a slight upward shrug of Rodney’s shoulders told him he wasn’t getting any assistance there.
‘Not that age has anything to do with anything these days,’ continued Susan. So I’m assuming you didn’t mention your age to a famous movie star who is just about the right age to be your daughter.’
‘I didn’t think it was necessary….’
‘And of course, you were drunk as you said. Can I put something to you Ben?’
Ben started to feel as if he was an accused in the dock about to be castrated by the Police Prosecutor.
‘Do you have any idea how many emails, letters, postcards, gift wrapped boxes of chocolates and naughty underwear, Brenda Grant gets every single day?’
‘A lot I suppose.’
‘A damn lot. Hundreds. Thousands! Especially emails on her website. Do you think she actually reads all this stuff?’
‘I didn’t think much about that.’
‘She doesn’t read any of that shit. Other people do that for her and they bin most of it.’ Susan rolled her eyes.
‘You sure of this?’
‘Honey, as sure as I can be. Brenda Grant has no idea in her pretty head that you even exist. I can promise you that.’
Ben looked at Rodney. He nodded in agreement.
Ben was silent for a long moment. ‘I’m sorry. I may have overreacted. I guess I’m still in.’
Rodney visibly relaxed. ‘Alright, thank God we’ve settled that.’
Ben looked at the floor.
‘OK. Some of the movie people are already set up in Port Douglas, especially the underwater team. I gather the underwater filming is fairly pivotal to this story. Brenda Grant and her co-stars are arriving in Sydney just about now I would expect.’
Ben felt his chest tighten. He glanced at Susan and she was smiling at him. He looked away quickly.
‘They stay overnight and head off to Cairns Saturday. I have taken the liberty of including you on the flight with Ms. Grant and Mr. Sutherland and their immediate team. It’s a chartered jet. This will give you a chance to get informally acquainted with your clients. A chartered coach will transfer you from Cairns to the Sheraton Mirage at Port Douglas. There will be a short group briefing at the Sheraton when you arrive on Saturday evening.’
Ben was starting to feel quite ill. He kept his eyes well away from Susan but he knew she was enjoying this immensely.
‘Any questions?’ asked Rodney.
Ben had a thousand but he kept his mouth firmly shut.
‘Good, then get packing. We don’t need any bad situations up there so keep sharp. Your travelling and accommodation documents are on that side table. We’ll stay in touch Sue.’
She rose and moved to
collect her envelope.
‘Ben, will you stay back a moment?’
Ben nodded. Sue said a brief goodbye and left.
‘I recommend you learn from Susan. She’s a good operative.’
‘She’s a bitch.’
‘Yes but a lovable bitch and you will see the soft side of her once you get to know her.’
‘I’m not sure that….’
Rodney held up his hand and Ben was quiet. ‘This is your first bodyguard assignment I gather?’
Ben nodded.
‘You will need to watch and learn to some extent Ben. I know you are all over crisis control and volatile situations but this is not a Police operation so you’ve got to switch thinking a bit.’
Ben said nothing.
‘Give her a chance and work with her. It’s my reputation on the line here with these clients.’
‘I appreciate that Rod.’
‘Like I said before, we can’t afford to have any bad situations, especially ones we could have anticipated and avoided.’
‘I understand.’
Rodney got up and tucked the crutch under his right arm. Ben stood. Rodney extended his right hand and Ben shook it firmly. ‘Don’t forget your tickets and most importantly, enjoy yourself. We have stacks more work like this and I’d like to have you on the team.’
‘Thanks. I appreciate that. My future is somewhat stuffed at the moment.’
As Ben walked out the front door, Rodney called after him. ‘And give my regards to Brenda.’
If Akira had said that to him he would have called him a Bastard at the top of his lungs. He didn’t know Rodney quite so well. He waved and kept walking.
“****”
Chapter Nineteen
