The Crescendo

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘That’s all I know,’ he said. ‘I’m hoping it’s a mission. I need a break from all this study and I’m ready to do some serious stuff.’

  Jaz sighed heavily. ‘Yeah, me too. My brain is just not taking any of this shit in.’

  Tay put the coffee in front of her and the smell improved her mood.

  They got a good hour of study in, Anna made sure of it. They were lucky, no Anna would have meant bad grades for sure. ‘Thanks Anna, what would we do without you.’

  ‘Fail, probably,’ she said with a wink.

  And lucky for them she enjoyed helping. Strange, she was.

  Cody was already in the gym, he’d been chatting to Bags after his group session. He was in surf shorts and a white singlet with Rip Curl written across the front. He always looked as if he’d just come from the beach, only when they went on missions or training did he dress differently. Cody waited until Bags left and they had the place to themselves before he mentioned his news.

  ‘So I got a few words from Tilly.’

  ‘Yeah, and,’ said Jaz impatiently.

  ‘Ryan has moved up a position to Jamison’s bodyguard. He’s in dangerous territory now. The chances of him walking through that door are zilch now, until it’s all over and you know it—’

  ‘Yeah, I know,’ said Jaz, cutting Cody off. ‘It could be years.’ Or forever, her mind whispered, causing her skin to pucker with goosebumps.

  ‘But.’ Cody drew out the word for ages. He watched her carefully, knowing it was killing her. He smiled and she nearly throttled him.

  ‘Cody!’

  ‘Okay, okay. Tilly said if you could meet him tomorrow on the corner of Hutton and Miner Street at four, he’ll pick you up. He has a side mission for you if you want it.’

  ‘What about us?’ said Tay.

  ‘Don’t worry, you and I are on protection detail when Anna meets up with Ray, the other agency computer geek, over the weekend.’

  ‘Not nice,’ said Anna.

  ‘When I said computer geek I meant techno superstar,’ corrected Cody as he tugged on Anna’s side plait that draped over her shoulder.

  She grinned and Tay frowned.

  But Jaz had stopped listening to their banter. All she had on her mind was meeting with Tilly, a few streets across from the gym, tomorrow. What did he have? Was it more news on Ryan? Did Ryan need their help?

  How was she going to function until four tomorrow?

  Somehow Jaz managed to get through a long dinner with her family, a full day at school where she tried really hard on her last lot of mock exams, ready for next week’s finals. Her parents kept asking how she was going, was she prepared for her exams, but Jaz really had no answers besides ‘okay’. She already had her future path picked out and it didn’t involve university or top grades. In her line of work she needed a better shooting average than high marks in her exams.

  One could save her life, the other would get her killed.

  After school Jaz drove straight home in her Jeep. She didn’t want to waste a moment. She changed out of her uniform into her canvas hi-tops, skinny black jeans and dark blue singlet. With no clue what Tilly wanted, she tried to be prepared in dark comfortable clothes.

  ‘Simon, I’m off to the gym to study with the guys, I’ll text Mum later and let her know when I’ll be back. Call me if you need anything,’ she said, sticking her head around his bedroom door.

  He was still in his uniform and had started on his homework. He blinked behind his glasses and nodded. ‘Yeah, righto sis.’

  Their parents both worked until late anyway so Jaz and Simon had always looked after themselves. ‘See ya.’

  Jaz left the house and drove to the gym. Here she would leave her car and walk to Tilly’s meeting place.

  She didn’t have to wait long on the corner before a red Ford Falcon pulled over.

  ‘Hey,’ said Tilly as she got in. He suited the older car, with his long skinny body dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt. A cigarette hung from his mouth, burning slowly. Thankfully his window was down.

  ‘Hey back,’ she said as she put on her seatbelt and Tilly took off down the road.

  The silence was hard to take when she had so many questions. In the end she’d run out of patience waiting for Tilly to talk. ‘So, what’s going on?’

  Tilly smiled as if knowing he’d won some secret bet. ‘You lasted longer than I thought,’ he said after pulling his smoke from his mouth.

  ‘Is this about Ryan? Is he okay?’

  ‘Yeah, so far he’s still reporting in like clockwork. He’s had some luck come up which enabled him to get closer to Jamison. It gets riskier for him now though. More chances of being caught.’

  ‘Yep. So what do you want me for?’ Jaz knew Tilly had a plan brewing from the glint in his eye.

  ‘Jamison’s staff all like to hang out at a pub not far from where the staff flats are. He keeps his bodyguards quite close, his top man stays in his house for extra protection, some in the flat out by the car shed and the rest at a flat a few blocks away. But this bar is frequented often by some of them. I’ve only been in once and found it’s not the sort of place you can just stop by, it has a very local crowd. The best way in is for you to get a job behind the bar. As a girl you could easily get amongst the guys while they are drinking, they would like a young girl like you hanging around and wouldn’t be suspicious of a ditzy barmaid. No offence.’

  ‘None taken.’ And there wasn’t. Jaz understood full well what she could bring to this party that other operatives couldn’t.

  ‘And it could also be a way for you to keep an eye on Ryan, he may start to join the lads at the bar. But you’d have to remain calm, level-headed and not give anything away. Even the slightest look could be interpreted.’

  Her heart began to race. Tilly was offering her a job that would bring her into contact with Ryan, it was both risky and daring. But she wanted to do it, not just to see Ryan but to help gather intel, anything that might help Ryan be done with this mission quicker.

  Tilly pulled his car over and stared at her. He’d stopped in someone’s driveway, cars whizzed past behind them. ‘I’m very serious here. I need you to know what is at stake. I’m a bit dubious about using you, but on previous form and due to your assets,’ his eyes dropped to her chest, ‘we believe you are the best person for the job.’

  ‘I am the best person for the job, Tilly. I can do it.’

  ‘Are you sure? I know you two have a connection, I’m not blind and neither are others. Do you understand you could risk his life if you do anything stupid?’

  Jaz was wondering what he meant by that. What did Tilly class as stupid? Smiling at Ryan? Trying to have a glancing touch? A secret kiss? Now her mind was just getting carried away. She would love to do all the above but not if it meant jeopardising Ryan.

  ‘Yes. I know what is at stake. What do I need to do?’

  Tilly backed the car out and continued to his destination while informing Jaz of the steps they needed to take. ‘We give you a false name and ID, I’ll get Anna onto that asap. You need to work on who you will be, backstory, etc. and get it down pat. Then you need to find a way to get a job at that bar. There isn’t one going so you’d better think of a way to get in there. And there will be a lot of night shifts. Can you handle that?’

  She knew he was thinking about her home life.

  ‘Yes, I’ve been thinking about moving into Pax’s house. I need to put some distance between me and my family. If I shift then I can come and go as I please.’ Now she had a reason more than ever to move. Her parents weren’t going to like it but she was eighteen, legally they couldn’t do a thing about it. She would figure out a way to make them understand, this mission depended on it. Maybe they’d let her stay every second night, or whatever nights she could get work at the bar. If she could get work at the bar.

  ‘That would work. Your friends would cover for you.’ Tilly parked on the side of the road and pointed up the street. ‘See that oldish brick building m
id street? That’s The Duke. It has a main bar with a small dining area, you might have luck getting a job there first, around to one side is the sports bar, where the guys hang out. There is Foxtel on the big TV, darts, pool table, and whatnot. This is where you want to try and be.’

  ‘Okay, got it. When do you want me to go for the job?’

  ‘How about now?’

  Lucky Jaz wasn’t drinking otherwise she would have spat it all over the car. ‘Now?’ Hell, Tilly did like throwing her in the deep end. Shit, she had no experience pulling beers or bar work, she’d only just turned eighteen! She’d used her fake ID to get into nightclubs, not to work behind a bar.

  ‘Why not? You look great. Just go and make them an offer they can’t refuse.’

  She wasn’t taking too kindly to Tilly’s flippant tone. Sure it was easy for him, he was the trained one, probably done stuff like this on the fly all the time. But then Jaz realised that this was how things got done. This was how the agency trained their operatives, throw them in the deep end and see if they float; if they do they will be brilliant operatives. Well, one would hope. Better than the other option of sinking.

  ‘Sure,’ she said, a little uncertainly.

  Tilly was watching her intently. She could read the ‘what the fuck you waiting for’ expression on his face.

  ‘Wish me luck then,’ she said, opening the door.

  Chapter 13

  The steps to the pub were never going to give her enough time to figure out what she was going to say. She might have half a chance if her brain wasn’t too busy panicking.

  The pub had a veranda with poles onto the street, decorated with metal lacework in flaking cream paint. The door was solid, painted in faded heritage green with a brass knob and brass panel to push on. In the middle of the door they used the space as an advertising board with fliers for counter meals, sports games, the TAB and local bands. Just standing at the door she could smell the alcohol and hot chips.

  Pushing it open, she followed the dark green patterned carpet that held the smell of beer like a sponge. It was quiet inside, just a couple sitting at one of the six tables eating. Remembering Tilly’s description, she went left to the bar area where the carpet gave way to jarrah floorboards. A heavy wooden bar ran the length of the room with black worn stools underneath. There were some simple and well-used dark wood round tables, dotted with The Duke beer coasters, and matching chairs. The green carpet reappeared along the back wall where a pool table, dartboard and jukebox were. A big screen TV hung opposite the bar, looking new and out of place.

  Jaz hadn’t been in many pubs but she did like the feel of this one. There were two guys sitting at the bar watching the soccer on TV, their hands gripped around large glasses of beer. Another man was behind the bar, resting his elbows there as he too watched the game. They glanced her way and she smiled.

  ‘Hi ya, lads.’

  She flicked her hair back over her shoulder and walked towards them with her chest out and a little swing to her hips. All three watched her as she came and stood beside them.

  ‘So Mr Barman, do you run this joint?’ she asked, keeping her smile in place.

  The barman looked to be in his late forties, short dark hair with lines on his face, a tattoo showing from under his black t-shirt and a beer belly out of place on his otherwise lean body.

  ‘At the moment I do,’ he said slowly. ‘Why?’

  ‘Well, today is your lucky day, cos I’m am looking for a job and I think your wonderful establishment would be perfect.’ She crossed her arms as she leant back on the bar, fully aware it pushed up her breasts, making her singlet stretch.

  The bartender frowned. ‘We ain’t looking for anyone.’

  ‘Aw, come on. I could liven this place up. Don’t you guys reckon? Wouldn’t you like to see me pour your next beer?’ Jaz slid closer to the two old guys, one who now gulped down the yellow liquid in his glass.

  Both looked like they were in their fifties, maybe sixties.

  ‘I certainly would, Ted,’ said the one with stained teeth. ‘You were just saying last week that this place needed something new, besides the TV.’

  ‘Craig, you should just finish your beer,’ said the barman, Ted. He frowned and looked at Jaz. ‘How old are you anyway?’

  ‘Legal. I’m eighteen now. Finished school and looking for a job to pay my bills.’ Well, a little lie, she was very close to finishing. ‘What do you reckon? Willing to give me a go?’

  ‘We don’t need anyone,’ said Ted.

  Craig and his mate made noises of distress. ‘Bert and I would be happy to see this bright flower when we come. Ten times better than your ugly mug, Ted,’ said Craig.

  ‘Well, what if I worked a few free shifts and see if I can’t liven this place up a bit. Then, if I’m alright, would you think about hiring me? I’m a hard worker. I’ll do whatever you say and I won’t have my head stuck on my phone like other kids these days.’

  ‘She makes a valid point,’ said Bert.

  ‘Who asked you two gits for your opinions, hey?’ said Ted to the old blokes.

  ‘Want us to take our money elsewhere?’ Craig offered. That shut Ted up. ‘Give the girl a go, what have you got to lose?’

  ‘You bastards are more hassle than ya worth,’ Ted teased. He glanced at Jaz again, looking her up and down. ‘Alright, I’ll give ya a go. Can you come back at six tomorrow night, things get busy then.’ He smiled as if he really was going to throw her into the fire.

  ‘I’ll be here with bells on. You won’t regret it, Ted. Thanks, Bert and Craig, I owe ya a beer, after I start earning wages mind you,’ she said giving them a wink.

  ‘I like her Ted,’ said Bert with a grin.

  Ted’s face cracked into a smile. Maybe he was a big softie after all. If Jaz could make it so he couldn’t do without her then she just might have her foot in the door.

  ‘Thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow!’ Jaz turned around and bounded off towards the door.

  ‘Hang on a minute,’ yelled Ted.

  Jaz paused and glanced back. What did she do?

  ‘What’s ya name?’ he asked.

  Jaz smiled but then had to think quickly on the spot. She needed a new name but one that started with the same sound and close to her own name so she would turn if called it. Heaven forbid she forgot she had a fake name, but this would at least help. ‘Jeni,’ she said eventually. ‘See youse later.’ She winked and skipped to the door.

  She was going to like this job. She had a good feeling about it.

  Tilly was still waiting for her, he was reading a paper and smoking.

  ‘You know you could light yourself up doing that. Fire, paper, whoosh,’ she said as she climbed in.

  Tilly gave her a stupid look, folding up the paper and driving off before pulling the smoke from his mouth.

  ‘How’d it go?’

  ‘Yeah, alright.’ Jaz watched the houses flash past as they made their way back to the drop off point near the gym.

  ‘Go on, spill,’ said Tilly, giving up impatiently.

  That will teach him for doing it to her to begin with. She tried not to smile as she relayed what happened. ‘So do you want me to get Anna to do up a new ID ready for tomorrow?’

  ‘Yep, make it a driver’s licence and tell her to make the address the safe house closest to the pub. So he’s really going to give you a trial?’

  ‘Yeah, I had to try something as he wasn’t interested. Lucky the two old blokes were there. I think they helped win him over. Now I just have to do the rest tomorrow.’

  ‘You’ll be fine. You’re a quick learner, Jaz, and quick on your feet.’

  Wow, compliments from Tilly. Jaz locked that away in the special moments compartment in her brain.

  ‘Leave your car at the safe house and take the bus to the pub,’ he added as he pulled up by the road verge.

  ‘Thanks Tilly. I appreciate this chance.’

  ‘Just don’t screw it up. Stay in contact and I can advise you as you go. But for no
w we’ll work on you getting the job first and settling in. It could take a few weeks or months before we even want to make the next move.’ He nodded for her to get out of the car. Their chat was over.

  She didn’t even get a goodbye, just the roar of the car as he began to leave as she was shutting the door.

  Back at the gym Jaz found it locked, entered with her keys, went into Pax’s house to find her two best friends watching a movie together in the lounge room. It had a great old leather button couch that he’d picked up from an antique shop, along with the coffee table, old record player and a cabinet full of other random things he’d collected. The carpet was a thick brown, almost shag pile length, and heavy mustard curtains hung over the only window. The room felt antique and different, just like Pax.

  Even though it was a long couch, her friends were sitting together up one end, Anna leaning into Tay for warmth. This room was always cold as the fireplace on the side wall didn’t work, was just there to look pretty now. Pax had been meaning for years to buy a gas heater to stick in the gap, one that looked like logs burning. Maybe Jaz would do that with the money he’d left her?

  ‘Hey guys, what ya watching?’ But she didn’t have to ask as she saw their favourite movie The Goonies at the part where they find the pirate ship.

  Tay reached for the remote and paused the movie. ‘Hey you, how did it go? What did Tilly want?’

  Jaz went and joined them on the couch and told them the plan. ‘And so I go back tomorrow to try and win Ted over.’

  ‘Gosh, Tilly doesn’t waste time, does he?’ said Anna, frowning.

  ‘I guess we can’t afford to. There’s no time like the present.’ Jaz shrugged. ‘And I have to ask Mum; no, actually I’m going to tell her that I want to move in here.’

  ‘What? At Pax’s?’ Anna sounded shocked.

  ‘It’s the perfect solution. I can come and go as I please and keep an eye on the gym. I’ll tell Mum I want to run this place after school’s finished so why not move in now. Do you think she’ll go for it?’

  ‘Shit, I wish my mum would. She’d kill me for even asking. But maybe she’d let me stay here on occasion if you are here.’ Anna’s eyes lit up. Green swirling seas. ‘Oh, this could work.’