Milieu Dawn

by Malcolm Franks

There was no time to rest. Matt had snatched a couple of hours sleep on the plane, and that would have to be enough. He could feel the mobile vibrating in his pocket. The message was from Gratia.

  Rosa had returned early from her break and was encamped at Gratia’s house, much to Stefan’s annoyance. Matt scrolled further down. An image of a Chinaman appeared. According to Gratia the man was called Hang Chi and could be trusted. His speciality was logistics. Everything Matt needed for his foray into China could be provided by Hang Chi, no matter what he requested. Matt responded, providing an extensive list of requirements.

  He didn’t as much as walk, more trot, along the waterside to the jetty office. Donna was the first to greet him.

  “You should have been here last night,” she scolded.

  “Hello, Donna. Good to see you too.”

  She fiddled uncomfortably with some papers, trying to avoid his steady gaze. While their relationship could hardly be described as friendly she was more off hand than usual.

  “What happened?” asked Matt.

  The rustling of papers continued. Matt reached across and pressed her hand to the desk to demand her attention.

  “Donna, what happened?”

  She turned her head sideways and peered up at him.

  “There was an attempted break in last night.”

  He could tell there was more to come.

  “The alarm you had fitted recently alerted the police and must have disturbed Will, up at your place. He arrived shortly before the police and was immediately confronted by three armed intruders.”

  She paused.

  “So what happened?”

  Her head moved to look behind him.

  “Hi, Will,” she gushed.

  Donna brushed Matt aside and darted to the figure standing at the doorway, proceeding to embrace him with more energy than she displayed on any normal day.

  “You can ask him now he’s here,” she said. “The man’s a hero. Ask anyone around here.”

  “Hello, Matt,” said Will. “Good to have you back.”

  Donna pinned herself against the new arrival in the same way a limpet glues itself to a rock. The young Englishman looked decidedly uncomfortable at Donna’s fervent attentions, almost apologetic. It was one of the man’s key attributes, his displays of humility, which had persuaded Matt he could trust Will.

  “Are you alright?” asked Matt.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Donna’s making it sound far more dramatic than it actually was.”

  “No I’m not,” she protested. “The police had nothing but praise, saying they’d never seen anything like it before.”

  Will adroitly prised himself away from Donna and offered a welcoming hand. The man had a vice-like grip. It took Matt several seconds to extricate himself from what felt like an iron glove.

  “Did they take anything?” asked Matt.

  “No. Will was here too quick for them. God knows what we’d have lost if he hadn’t turned up so soon.”

  Matt thought for a few moments. His immediate reaction was to reason there was far more to Will Salmon than he had previously considered. He checked his watch. Time was short.

  “Right,” he said. “Panic over. I have to move along.”

  “What? Is that it? Everything’s fine so I’m off again?”

  “Unavoidable I’m afraid,” he said to her. “Not that it looks as though you need me around, Donna. You and Will seem to have everything under control.”

  His light hearted response visibly irritated her. Matt didn’t have the time to let this bother him unduly. He told her he had spoken to the bank and the earlier problems had been rectified to his satisfaction. Matt had ensured resources were in place during his continued absence.

  “I need to freshen up,” said Matt.

  “The pick-up is outside,” said Will. “I’ll take you back to the house.”

  Matt nodded his agreement and turned to the exasperated Donna.

  “You’re in good hands with Will. I shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks or so. The mobile will be on, just in case.”

  He would have preferred to stay longer. As a minimum give her some kind of explanation. Time wouldn’t allow it. The two men walked at pace towards the waiting vehicle. At the last minute Matt remembered why he’d called around in the first place, instead of ringing.

  “Hold on for a minute, Will. There’s something I have to get.”

  Matt re-entered the office. Donna didn’t bother to look up. He rescued the key from the rack and made straight for his plane.

  This was the machine Jack used. Matt adopted it once he’d returned to Victoria. No-one bar Matt flew this plane now. He jumped into the cockpit and placed his hand under the pilot’s seat. The fingers of his hand stretched all round the surface in search of the item. He worried the passage of time had eroded away at the object, rendering it useless for his needs. The tips of his fingers came into contact with the sticky tape. He edged them along further and touched at plastic casing. It felt like it was in good shape. Matt picked away at the tape, making slow progress to begin with. He was about to stamp his foot in frustration when a complete strand peeled away from the object. Within moments, he’d retrieved the USB.

  “What were you doing?” asked Will as he released the handbrake.

  “Got some catching up to do,” was all Matt said in reply.

  The vehicle burst forward up the concrete ramp. Once onto the harbour road he steered for home, waving frequently at the many passers by trying to catch his attention. Will looked every bit a part of the everyday human scenery here, Matt noticed, as if the man had lived his entire life in Victoria.

  “Jenna’s out of hospital,” said Will. “I’ve put her up at your place for the time being while she recuperates. I hope that’s okay, you don’t mind.”

  Matt shook his head. It was just as well he wasn’t staying the night.

  “How is she doing?”

  “Great,” said Will. “You’ll notice a real difference when you get home.”

  Matt was relieved.

  “Can I ask you something, Matt?”

  “Sure.”

  Will appeared a little cautious, and the question took a while to surface.

  “What have you got yourself into? Those guys rummaging through the office last night weren’t opportunists, they were after something in particular.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “Opportunist thieves wreck a place, looking for anything and everything of value. These guys were very systematic, almost forensic in their approach. They were professionals, working to a specific objective.”

  “Sounds like you did well to see them off then,” said Matt.

  “I wouldn’t listen too much to Donna. The police were right behind me. There were a couple of blows I had to parry, that’s all.”

  Matt was quiet.

  “And another thing,” said Will. “Two detectives dropped by the house looking for you this morning. I said I’d let them know when you got back.”

  “Danbridge and Early,” said Matt.

  “Yes.”

  “Have you told them?”

  “Nope,” said Will with a grin.

  Matt smiled.

  “Good. They can wait awhile.”

  They arrived at the house before the need arose to fend off Will’s original question, though this wasn’t lost on the young man. They were almost up to the front door when Will spoke again.

  “If there’s anything you want me to do, Matt. I’m more than happy to oblige.”

  Matt glanced at his companion.

  “Thanks.”

  “Will, I’m in the kitchen,” Jenna’s voice called.

  “I’ve brought someone to see you,” he replied.

  Jenna’s face popped round the door. Her immediate smile faltered on seeing Matt standing next to Will.

  “Hello, Matt. You’ve made it back then?”

  She was hesitant, cautious. Matt wondered what exactly he’d walked into. He forced a g
rimaced smile. Unintended, but he was surprised by the scene of domestic nirvana. One welcoming peck to the cheek later and he’d recovered.

  “You’re looking good.”

  “I’m feeling much better, thanks. Mostly Will’s doing. He’s been terrific.”

  “Sounds like I picked the right guy then?”

  Her subsequent sheepish smile looked more guilt ridden than grateful.

  “Well now you’re back, it’s probably time I moved back to my place.”

  “There’s no hurry. I’m not staying anyway. There’s still some work to do. You can take as long as you need. There’s no rush for you to leave, no rush at all,” he replied.

  Her smile broadened. He’d said what she wanted to hear.

  “A quick shower and some fresh clothes and I’ll be on my way again.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Of course not,” he said in reassurance. “I don’t want you leaving until you’ve fully recovered. No matter how long it takes.”

  “As long as you’re sure, Matt,” she said.

  He pecked at her cheek again.

  “Right, first things first,” he said. “I need to get the laptop out of the spare room.”

  She reached out and grasped his arm, tugging him urgently away from the door to the second bedroom.

  “It’s okay, I’ll do it. You must have had a long flight. Go and get your shower and I’ll find the laptop for you.”

  Matt spotted the furtive glance she made towards Will as he politely declined her offer and entered the room. The machine was kept on the lower shelf of the computer desk. He walked straight to it and lifted it up. Matt did his best to conceal the brief examination his eyes made of the room. Not a thing had been moved or adjusted. He noticed the spare bed hadn’t been used, and hadn’t been used for some time.

  Matt wandered back into the living area, closing the door behind him. Jenna had a decidedly guilty look on her face. Will was slightly edgy.

  “Tell you what,” said Matt. “I’m guessing the wardrobe in my bedroom is stacked full of your clothes by now. Could you sort some fresh gear out for me while I nip into the shower and freshen up?”

  She nodded furiously with worried eyes. His normal smile returned.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  He showered longer than usual. Matt had always considered Jenna to be one of those girls who would keep a coin between her knees until she found Mr Right. How wrong could he be? The news came as a complete shock to him, and he’d no idea what to make of it all.

  Matt had only ever wanted Jenna to be happy, conscious she was saving herself for the husband and subsequent house full of kids she always said she wanted. Yet after knowing this man for only a few short weeks she’d … well, done entirely the opposite.

  Will was a likeable enough guy. He had a good sense of humour, appeared thoughtful and caring, and could clearly look after himself. But she hardly knew him. Matt barely knew this guy for Christ’s sake.

  He told himself he was being irrational, maybe even over protective. Jenna was, when all was said and done, a grown woman able to make her own life decisions. Was it envy on Matt’s part because Jenna had given herself to this man? Or was he feeling this way because she had discovered the happiness that continued to evade him?

  There was a plateful of sandwiches waiting on the coffee table when he re-emerged, a hot drink too. Matt heard them both whispering to each other in the kitchen. He was sure he could hear kissing too. The homepage appeared on the screen and Matt accessed his e-mail account. Countless numbers of pointless messages sprang into view. Why on earth were all these people trying to sell him discounted Viagra? Talk about a waste of money. He searched until he found the sender he was looking for. Matt didn’t have to open it. Okay, said Hang Chi. It was the confirmation he’d been waiting for. Matt pushed the USB he’d rescued from Jack’s plane into the port. He was sure of the file he needed to access. A few more clicks and the address to Chen’s private residence appeared directly in front of him. Next, he entered the co-ordinates into the virtual atlas and pinpointed the location. Matt checked his watch. Time was short. He pressed print and dived back into the second bedroom to retrieve the copies.

  He spotted the disturbed sheets of the spare bed. The words stable door and horses bolting came to mind.

  “I’ve filled the case with fresh clothes,” said Jenna.

  “Thanks, Jenna. Will, I’m running late. Can you take me to the airport?”

  “Sure.”

  Matt switched off and closed the lid. He folded the print and stuffed it hurriedly into his inside pocket, along with the USB. There was only time to snatch up the small case and make for the front door. Jenna followed them. He turned to face her.

  “Jenna, I’m sorry but I have to go. When I get back …”

  “It’s alright. Even though you’re away you’re still looking after me,” she said, nodding towards Will.

  Matt smiled and kissed her cheek.

  “See you later,” he said.

  “Matt?”

  He retreated back up the steps and looked into her almond shaped eyes.

  “Jenna, it’s okay. Stay for as long as you need and do whatever you have to do to get yourself back to full health. That’s all I care about.”

  Jenna had never held him so tightly before. Matt struggled to breathe.

  “Have a safe journey, Matt.”

  They were about to drive off when a large black sedan pulled up. Matt was expecting it to be detectives Danbridge and Early. Instead it was Horton Priest.

  “Hey, Durham,” he called out of the open window. “Now it’s a break in. Trouble just seems to follow you around like a dark cloud, doesn’t it? Sure you don’t want to talk?”

  Will stumbled on a tuft of grass and spilt the remaining half of his lukewarm coffee onto the reporter. It was a pretty good stumble too.

  “Hey, man. What the hell did you have to do that for?”

  They drove off at speed, leaving Priest to dab at his white shirt with a paper tissue.

  The airport run was conducted in an awkward silence. Matt sensed Will was keen to speak to him about something but couldn’t find the right form of words. The pick-up pulled into the drop off parking bay.

  “Matt …”

  “Do I have to tell you not to break her heart?” said Matt.

  “No.”

  “Right, there’s one other thing I’d like you to do for me.

  “Name it,” said Will.

  Matt fumbled into his side pocket, pulled out the USB, and dropped it into the driver’s waiting hand.

  “Look after this,” said Matt. “It’s my last one so don’t you dare lose it.”

  “Sure.”

  “There’s also an alarm feed on,” said Matt. “So I’ll know if you try and get into it.”

  “Understood,” said Will.

  “Thanks,” called Matt, as he headed for departures.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Into the Belly of the Dragon