by Rees, Kevin
‘Sir, we need to talk in private.’
‘Outside.’ Aquino marched out of the door.
The morning was still with a blazing sun rising over the mountains, and a breathtakingly beautiful sky forming a blue dome over their heads. It was too perfect to deliver news like this.
‘What is it?’ Aquino asked, sensing he needed to be gentler, as the news was clearly upsetting the woman.
‘Sir, I have just received word... and it has been confirmed.’ She paused to gather the words. ‘President Aquino, Karl Felton was killed a few hours ago. I’m afraid as yet we have no confirmed details as to how he met his death.’
Aquino felt the heavy swing of a sledgehammer strike him squarely in the stomach. He struggled at first to comprehend the words; his friend, his closest ally was no longer going to be at his side. Aquino fell silent. He wanted to walk back into Thoragan’s house and tear the heart out of the beast. His political bodyguard was gone, and somehow Thoragan was tied into Karl’s death.
‘Sir, what do you want me to do?’ Cotrane implored. She wanted to place a hand on his shoulder for comfort. Perhaps if Jarvis wasn’t there, she would. ‘Sir.’
‘We finish things here, Miss Cotrane,’ Aquino spat. Anger drove his contempt deeper for the man who had lied and manipulated all his life to gain what little power he truly possessed. ‘Let’s finish him — take him for Karl.’
‘I can’t let you back in there, sir. You’re overwrought with this news and you may take actions that could jeopardise your presidency.’ Jarvis stepped forward. ‘Please, sir.’
‘Out of my way, boy, unless you want to test me.’
‘He’s right. You can’t go back in’ Cotrane cautioned, moving close to Aquino until she could feel the heat coming off his body. The closeness was intimate — deliberately so. She wanted all his attention on her. Cotrane spoke softly. ‘This is what he wants. If you go in and do what’s in your head right now, he gets away.’
Aquino’s eyes were fixed on the open doorway. The corpulent body of Thoragan moved falteringly and sank down onto the gravel.
‘Look at him. He’s showing his guilt. Look. Look!’ Aquino pointed at the man sat in the entrance to his house. ‘He’s responsible, aren’t you, fat man?’ Aquino shouted.
‘Sir! President Aquino, stop it, please!’ Cotrane pleaded.
Aquino ignored her. ‘And I can prove it, Thoragan.’
Thoragan turned his head. His eyes had taken on the look of a man lost to desperation and fear.
Jarvis felt himself step forward and deliver a hard, knife hand chop just below Aquino’s left ear. Cotrane almost missed his body as it sagged lifelessly over her shoulder. The moment was frozen. Jarvis saw his career ending as soon as the blow connected. Cotrane was struggling to hold up the slumped body — leaving Thoragan trying to comprehend why Aquino had suddenly collapsed.
‘Get him in the car. Now!’ Cotrane shouted to Jarvis.
The younger man took Aquino’s lifeless body over his shoulder and walked to the car. Cotrane rushed ahead and opened the door for Jarvis. The guard gently laid Aquino on the back seat of the car. He checked his breathing to make sure the blow hadn’t done more than it was supposed to. Cotrane jumped in the driver’s seat, jamming the key into the ignition.
‘Get in, Jarvis.’
He stumbled around to the side door and sat in the car, staring blankly out of the window. Gravel shot in all directions as Cotrane pushed her foot down on the accelerator. The back of the car fishtailed for a few yards before gripping the surface and accelerating down the drive.
No-one spoke, each trying to know what to say. Aquino moaned softly on the seat. Cotrane flicked her eyes up to the mirror. She had to sit up to see if her charge was okay. Jarvis sat rigidly next to her, clenching and unclenching his fists.
‘Jarvis... Jarvis! I need you to keep checking him,’ Cotrane ordered.
The man beside her was unresponsive. Cotrane couldn’t think of nothing else to do but back-fist him in his arm. The man yelped. ‘Are you with me, Jarvis?’
‘Shit! Yes I’m with you.’
‘Good. Check him,’ Cotrane said.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Check him as I ask Jarvis,’
Jarvis turned and checked the unconscious man. He loosened some of Aquino’s clothing and made sure he was breathing without difficulty.
‘What now?’ he asked.
‘We take him back and call for his doctor,’ Cotrane said.
‘What about me? Am I under arrest?’
‘No, you’re not under arrest. I was pretty close to doing the same.’
‘Were you, Miss Cotrane? Oh, my head!’ Aquino groaned. He sat up slowly, shocking the two guards. ‘What did you hit me with, Mr Jarvis?’
‘Sir, I cannot apologise enough for striking you. It is unforgivable. I will resign immediately and place myself for investi —’
‘No you won’t, Mr Jarvis!’ Aquino said, sitting up. ‘You won’t be resigning, and you won’t be under any investigation. Clear Miss Cotrane. I don’t want anything happening to this man.’ He locked eyes with the woman in the driving mirror. ‘Son, what you did took an awful lot of courage. You were prepared to sacrifice your career, even your freedom to prevent me from doing something stupid. I should apologise to you for putting you in that position.’
‘Thank you for your generosity Mr President,’ Cotrane said.
‘Sir, I don’t know what to say,’ Jarvis stammered.
‘Just don’t do it too often,’ Aquino said, rubbing his neck where Jarvis’s blow had found its target. ‘We need to get more information about Karl, and ask how Maya’s doing. Tell her I’ll speak with her personally.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Cotrane acknowledged and added: ‘What about Thoragan?’
‘I think we lost the moment back there. I need to make sure with Karl’s death he doesn’t automatically go into the elections unchallenged.’ Aquino nodded to himself. ‘We’ll get him, Cotrane. We’ll get him somehow. For Karl’s sake.’
30
Eddie found Maya alone in Karl’s office. He watched her through a quarter-open door as she stood with her head bowed as if in prayer. Maya had wrapped her arms tightly around her body, but not so tightly it could stop the involuntary up-and-down movements across her back and shoulders as grief cruelly announced itself again. Eddie coughed apologetically, not knowing what else to do. Years of comforting people who had lost husbands, wives and children seemed an alien skill someone else possessed. He was still plagued with his own guilt. Kat was no longer responsive. But here was Maya.
‘Come in,’
The words were sharp and dug into him like two barbs. ‘I don’t want to intrude. I guessed you wanted some time to yourself.’ Eddie struggled to keep the lie from exposing his intent.
‘Then why are you here, Eddie Keagan? You taste as if you want me. I can read you when your scent changes. I know you want to have sex with me.’ She turned towards him. Eddie saw her pupils were incredibly wide and dark. ‘It’s okay, it isn’t your fault. Come in and shut the door.’
‘You were crying a moment ago. I thought —’
‘Thought what, Eddie? Thought this is the right time to fuck her, when she’s just lost her father, huh?’ Maya moved provocatively across the room. ‘You know, Eddie, that’s precisely what I had in mind.’
The woman stood eye-level with him. Eddie felt a familiar flutter catch in his chest, the same kind of flutter he had each time he jumped out of an aircraft. Her body seemed to sway hypnotically in front of him as she reached out and touched his face. Eddie felt his clothes fall away, like they were attracted to the floor by magnets. He wanted to drag his eyes away from hers, and see if her body fulfilled his fantasy. Her skin, warm and golden, was stretched tightly over smooth muscle; Her breasts were firm and were pressed against his chest. Maya grabbed his hair and pulled his mouth onto hers. Eddie began to explore the small of her back, appreciating the sensual curve underneath his palm. Then,
moving down slowly, he tracked the smooth contour of her hips and buttocks with his fingers. Maya started to gasp loudly as his fingers explored deeper. The sound was almost feral, like a big cat purring. She pushed him down onto the cold floor. Eddie didn’t even feel the chill on his skin as Maya mounted him. He felt her move over him and gently lower herself down onto his penis. He reached out and held her breasts, squeezing them until she responded with loud cries of pleasure. Her thighs gripped him tightly — he couldn’t move if he wanted to. For the first time in his life, he had met someone as dominating as he was, maybe more so.
Maya began to thrust frantically, pushing long hair away from her flushed face. Her eyes were closed as if answering another prayer, as she pushed down even harder, gripping him tighter as an orgasm ignited every nerve in her body. Eddie could feel her muscles contract around his penis, locking them together. Maya slowed down, moving more gently to allow the man who was now hers to climax. She bent forward and kissed him tenderly.
Eddie lay on the floor, panting, like it was his first time again. His orgasm had sapped him of everything, even his free will, leaving him with nothing but the silent spectacle of looking up at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Eddie saw her eyes had returned to normal, and he could feel her hard nipples crushing into his chest as she lay on top of him. He wanted to make love to her again, now. He didn’t want the moment to end. But, it wasn’t going to be his choice. Maya got off him and picked up the discarded clothes. She separated them into two piles and began to dress.
For a moment, his head spun like a compass, trying to realign itself to true north. He managed to roll onto an elbow and watched her. Neither had spoken, but the bond was assured. Kat’s loss was permanent, even if she did wake up. Maya had chosen him. It was bullshit to think he could do anything about it. The moment the attraction started he became lost, spinning away from his macho independence, his self-absorbed life and his fear of commitment. Here was someone his equal. She was certainly the best sexual experience he had ever had. In the brief five minutes they were together, Eddie knew his future like Nostradamus.
‘You need to get dressed,’ Maya said quietly.
She looked down at him — a slight flush remained on her face as she reached out her hand. He took it and was easily pulled to his feet. Eddie wanted to try something, just to reassure himself he was right. He reached out and held her, drawing her close. There was no resistance as they kissed. She returned the same passion, allowing his hands to explore her again. Eddie pushed away and looked into her eyes.
‘I suppose we could go to the cinema when all this is over. Or how about we eat Italian? No! Chinese, or maybe Thai. What do most couples do,’ he said, smiling. He was reassured to see Maya smile back and lay her head on his shoulder.
‘I could cook us something,’ Maya said.
‘You can cook!’
‘Don’t sound so surprised. I don’t just kill Bloodeaters,’ she said, playfully slapping his arm.
‘Ow!’
‘My father liked you.’
‘He didn’t know me,’ Eddie said.
‘He knew you,’ Maya said. Her words held the overtone of a great secret Eddie was not yet allowed to know. ‘I need to find him, Eddie. Will you help? Please?’
Eddie drew in a breath before speaking. ‘Okay, here’s how it works. If the police morgue is full, they send the overspill to the Princess Royal. I have a contact who can find out if your father has been taken there. If he isn’t, it makes it harder.’
‘Why harder?’
‘If he’s not in the Royal, he’s most probably in the police morgue, which is a locked facility and a bitch to get into,’ Eddie said.
‘Leave that to me. Go ahead and make your call. And Eddie —’
‘Yeah?’
‘— Thank you.’
It took Eddie three phone calls and promises of dinner and bed if they would look up Karl Felton and tell him where he had been taken. Maya smiled as he spoke, knowing without any doubt he was hers. When the female chose her man, pheromones were released like chemical glue, binding him to her. Only when she knew he was the one did she allow her body to do this. It was an easy choice with Eddie. And maybe a little unfair, as he couldn’t know what lay ahead for him.
‘Yeah, Leah. Of course it’s not a wind up. I’ll be at yours tomorrow for half-seven. Don’t get too dressed up...all right doll, see ya!’ Eddie glimpsed Maya staring at him and mistook her look as one of jealousy. He turned and whispered his goodbyes. ‘She, Leah, the girl... Well, you heard. Sorry I had to… Those things...’ He was pitching and falling over the words and trying to avoid her eyes. He coughed several times as something to distract away from his embarrassment. ‘Maya, I had to.’
‘I could tell you had to work very hard with that last woman,’ Maya laughed. ‘Eddie, you’ll learn I am not some neurotic who needs your undivided attention. Just tell me what you got out of her.’
Eddie relaxed. He wasn’t used to apologising for his behaviour with the women who shared his bed. He was always in charge and they followed as needy as baby birds. Maya certainly wasn’t a baby bird, more like an eagle, that’s what was so damned exciting for him. ‘She found three unidentified males who were brought in by the police. Two have gone to the Royal, but one’s a drowning, and one went to the police morgue. My guess is your father is in the police morgue.’
‘Why there?’
‘Cause of death I suspect? Your father was killed in unusual circumstances, and that’s how the police will handle this. Plus, the firefight will prompt a detailed investigation. They may think it’s a drug deal or gang hit gone wrong.’ Eddie moved towards her, sensing his cold analysis was having a negative effect. He pulled her into him and felt a pleasurable shudder run down his spine as she moulded into his body. ‘We’ll get him back today.’
Maya pulled away, leaving moisture on his cheek. She smiled through her tears. For the first time, he was seeing her without her warrior mask on. She seemed lost and vulnerable. Being Karl Felton’s daughter — he guessed — meant the people outside the room assumed she would automatically carry on with all the knowledge and charismatic command he had.
‘If I were dead, my father would know precisely what to do next. He would know where I was and come and get me.’ She stepped back from him ‘There is a ritual we must perform for a Sedach warrior. And it has to be done by tonight or my father’s energy will not find peace. We must get to him.’
‘We could use Sam on this,’ Eddie said.
‘No!’
The retort struck like a physical blow. Eddie found himself leaning away from her as she tensed. ‘He could be useful, Maya.’
‘It would not look appropriate for Sixsmith’s bodyguard to be fighting next to us.’
‘Why not? Because he was assigned to Sixsmith? Remember, it wasn’t his choice he was put there by the people paying him, and if he had a choice he would have turned down the contract,’ Eddie implored, sensing the intimacy was over for the moment. ‘He did fight with us in the hospital.’
‘You know him that well, do you?’ she challenged. ‘He left my father alone in that place when he should have backed him up. You were Special Forces. Would you have left a fallen man behind?’
‘We weren’t there, Maya. And knowing your father, he would have made the rules, not Sam.’ He paused before carrying on; trying to gauge if this was the right time, yet it had to be said. ‘Maya, your father made a mistake.’ She flashed a look of pained hurt. ‘He went into that place hot with rage and it clouded his judgement.’
‘Never! He wouldn’t. I know my father, he never made a mistake. That man should have protected him!’ She began to pace the room. She picked up a knife and drew the blade from its sheath. She saw him look coolly at her and then at the knife.
‘What do you intend doing with that, Maya? Kill your new lover for telling you the truth?’
Eddie flinched, unprepared for the howl of rage that came from the mouth that moments before h
ad been so inviting. She threw the knife with enough force to punch through the thick door panel and stick out the other side. Eddie tried to remain coldly unaffected, but he could feel a fine tremor dance in his hands. He gazed back at the woman
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t aim the knife at you. That was childish, especially as you have been the only one who’s trying to help.’ She paused, letting the silence drift away. ‘If you think Sam will be useful to us, then we will use him.’
Eddie nodded. ‘He’s useful.’
Maya approached him and held out a hand, expecting him to take it. Eddie considered it, then her. There was, and always would be an innate stubbornness in him. No immediate compliance, and, if what Lars said were true, then his DNA swam in the same genetic ocean as hers. Maya met his eyes and wondered how the last few minutes had shaped his opinion, as her offer of remorse remained alone, bridging the void between them. Slowly, Eddie lifted his hand and wrapped it around hers. She felt a warm wetness and disquiet in the connection. Maya started to form an apology on her lips but before she could speak Eddie drew her into him and silenced her words.
Two hours later, a small team was prepped and briefed. Eddie used satellite maps and pictures to familiarise the team with the target building, the roads, exits and the surrounding layout. One satellite image clearly showed the isolated morgue with three dark vans outside and a police car parked near a small grey door, confirming this was the correct place. To make sure, Eddie telephoned a nearby petrol station and pretended to ask for directions to the morgue. He got lucky. The woman responded instantly to his charm and confirmed the building was the location of the morgue. She also knew the names of the men who worked there — Bill Nichol and Jerry Smith — a pair of creeps who had found their life’s vocation, she offered, before Eddie thanked her.
As Maya announced the team to the gathered men and women, there was a chorus of descent as Sam’s name was called out. Maya held up a hand, challenging anyone else to contradict her orders. The names of three men and one woman were read out. Maya and Eddie completed the team.
