Fish Bait

by Lee Ann Cadwell

  “Here Dill, tie this rope to the post. Real tight. Good.”

  “I know how to tie a rope Charley. You hover like a mother hen. Where’s the nearest port away from here?”

  “Oh about a days ride north from here… don’t get any ideas of taking my boat. Alex and I are together in this plan.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Think of this as a vacation, an escape from all your worries.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  * * *

  “What kind of get up is this?! Put some decent clothes on Jamie.”

  Some how I knew he would put his two cents in.

  So I exaggerated my clothes a bit.

  The weathers great here and we’re on an island!

  What’s a little leg, hmm?

  My shorts aren’t too short, only a little higher then my knee.

  The turquoise violent sleeveless shirt matches perfectly with my white shorts.

  Not to mention my sexy strap sandals with sequins.

  I do have long legs though.

  The better to show them off!

  And distract our poor defenseless client.

  And Alex.

  “See here Alex, I’m on vacation, remember? Don’t like it, too bad. We’re on an island, the client will understand.”

  “What was wrong with the clothes before?”

  “You tore the sleeve and popped a button.”

  Next time Alex it will be your nose.

  Calm down Jamie.

  It was only your favorite silk shirt worth twenty-six dollars and on sale.

  No big deal.

  I hope he stains his fancy blue shirt with our last cup of coffee.

  The man sure can drink his coffee, six cups to be exact.

  There must be a reason for this.

  People say it’s the nerves that get you before a big promotion.

  Could it be he’s nervous about his plans? Like, they might fall apart?

  Oh well, if he thinks he’s nervous now, he better think again.

  If I need to distract him from his purpose, so be it.

  “You can wear your pants then.”

  There he goes again.

  The man does have a one track mind.

  “No can do. You skinned the knee, remember? Right about here. What? Am I too much of a distraction? Slick the thief would never let a little distraction like me to disrupt his true purpose… no, I think he’s smarter then that. He would simple bat his beautiful blue eyes and remember his dear secretary has his combination numbers and never strain her poor, fragile nerves.”

  “I can get even Jamie.”

  Ah, he called me Jamie.

  His serious name.

  Yep, I’m getting to him alright.

  Too bad.

  “And stop your smiling. We’re meeting a serious client. I don’t want any trouble from you, you here? No… trouble.”

  “Yes this is my nose and if I turn my head just right, I could lick your icky finger or…”

  “Ouch!”

  “Services you right, don’t you know pointing is rude?”

  “Shut up.”

  “Ok Boss.”

  * * *

  “This is more like it! Blue skies, loud beaches, mmmm… great food, just smell those spices! Yum. And girls! Boy, oh boy, oh boy.”

  “You act like a kid at a candy store, too many flavors to choose from.”

  “Stop being jealous Alice. Go have fun with Dillian. You know he isn’t such a bad fellow, once you get to know him, a bit slow. Go give him a kiss, it might improve him.”

  “Go away Charley or I might sick Jamie on you.”

  “You can try. Ah oh. Here comes your boyfriend. Bye!”

  “He isn’t my… !”

  “Your what? Hello Alice. Remember me? Your poor, neglected messenger… I believe its time for our nice, long talk, preferably away from water. I want my land legs again.”

  “Pollywog.”

  “Alice dear, your getting sweeter by the minute.”

  “And you’re getting braver by the second.”

  “Experience dear, its all about experience.”

  * * *

  “Ok, this is it.”

  “Nice place Alex, you have taste. Which umbrellas’ ours? The pink one or the blue?”

  “It’s his idea, not mine. Move to the back right table, Jamie.”

  “Oh? Tell me, is he the short, stocky, bald one or the tall, sleek, hot one?”

  “Neither. I gather those gentlemen are his body guards.”

  “Mafia?”

  “Jamie, you never fail to amaze me. It’s Mr. Salvador.”

  “Never met him, do I know him?”

  “You should. He’s with the rival company.”

  “You mean… the Mr. Salvador?”

  “Yep.”

  “And he has body guards and owns this island? I think I’ll go eat some where else.”

  “Stop right there.”

  “Alex, do you really know what your doing? He has body guards, for heavens sake! What was wrong with our company? TICC treated you and everybody else better then this slime. Think Alex, your going alone to meet him… alone, Alex… with no body guards.”

  “You’re my Secretary, you’ll keep me safe.”

  “That is so not funny Alex. All this guy has to do is click his little fingers and puff! We’re gone. This guy has more power then your little finger and we’re going alone to meet him? Wait for Mike. Two’s better then one. Please? Just wait for Mike and he’ll bring his own bodyguards.”

  “You’re really worried about me.”

  “Yes… no… Alex, be reasonable. Would a powerful guy accept a deal with one partner?”

  “This isn’t about Mike.”

  “Is it the money?”

  “Be quiet Jamie.”

  “Listen Alex, whatever money he’s promising you, Mike will pay double. Believe me. Why do you think Mike’s been gone so long?”

  “Hmph. He’s with his girl that’s why. No more Jamie, he’s arrived at the table.”

  “Wait! Promise me you’ll wait for Mike. Mike’s meeting his girl yes, but their setting up a deal worth millions… I see your skeptical look. It’s true… Nancy, Mike’s Secretary, let the cat out of the bag to me.”

  “She shouldn’t have, those meeting are confidential, and I don’t believe you.”

  “Then believe this, go through with this meeting, but don’t sign anything. Distract him or something and wait for Mike… you do this for me and I’ll give you the combination numbers free, and clear.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Crazier then losing millions of dollars.”

  * * *

  “Dillian when you set your mind to something, you really move. I mean, you latch on to my arm and drag me away like a cave man just for those stupid papers and what do you do? You practically crawl through a throng of people. Babies walk faster then we’re going… maybe even my Grandmother.”

  “You don’t have a Grandmother Alice.”

  “Oh I did, but she passed away… still a corpse moves faster then this.”

  “It’s an open market, for heavens sake, we have to walk through here to get to the café.”

  “We passed that café two times already.”

  “Come on Alice, enjoy the moment. For a girl on a weekend getaway, you sure do complain a lot.”

  “Most girls on a weekend getaway don’t get tied up, kidnapped, and held hostage to a walking answering machine either.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Why am I even cooperating? I should be somewhere else. Maybe I feel sorry for you, Dillian, on the account of your head injury. You’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side these past few hours.”

  “It’s my good looks honey, you can’t resist. Anything you like here? Hey! It’s one of those weird spiky fruit. What do you call them again?”

  “I thought you we’re in a hurry for those papers.”

  “A man’s got to eat.”


  “Well a woman’s got to have her say and…”

  “Look over there! Their selling jewelry and wood crafts, I collect those, lets go there. We’ll eat at the café in a few minutes.”

  “Do you mind not stepping on other peoples toes? It’s crowded here.”

  “Of course it is. People know where the best places to shop. Do you like these earrings? They match your shirt.”

  “Dillian you’re acting very nice to me, should I be suspicious? Because if you are thinking of sweetening me up your way, you can...”

  “Temper, temper, relax sweetheart, I’m holding my kiss for later.”

  “Kiss me and you’ll get a black eye.”

  “Nothing I’m not familiar with… mmm, try these nuts, come on, their good… Alice, the lady sells them two for one.”

  “They are good. We just passed the café again.”

  “So? We’ll get there soon enough. Hmm, what do you think of this hat? It fits me huh?”

  “You’re being very silly Dillian. Hold still and bend your head down.”

  “You have pretty eyes Alice.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For a she-cat.”

  * * *

  Mmmm, yes the deals unfolding quite nicely.

  All my paper work’s in order and now for the spot light.

  You know the drill, Alex.

  All I have to do is show off to Jamie and prove my plans right, once and for all.

  A good business man always knows his style of expertise and… hmmm.

  Unlike someone I know… whose drawling funny faces all over my business stationary.

  There’s something wrong here.

  “Jamie dear, did you get the last point Mr. Salvador said?”

  “Oh yes Mr. Harding. It’s all there. See?”

  Yep, it’s there alright, every last word we said till…

  “Are you absolutely sure Jamie?”

  “Positive.”

  Either my minds playing tricks on me or her minds gone completely blank… which I’m sure is not the case. I thought the last sentence mentioned something of the effect about signing about…

  “You’ll need to sign these papers right away Mr. Harding. I’m a very busy business man.”

  “Right, right. I just need to see her notes and…”

  “You can look over my papers again Mr. Harding, but I’m sure it’s not necessary, since you looked them over before. Right? Well then… there shouldn’t be any problem signing these extra documents.”

  “Hm? Oh, there’s still the F5424 account to discuss sir.”

  “Oh yes, we take full responsibility of the pre-delivery. Components that require replacement will be to your sole-discretion, and taken out of your account. You will report to Mr. Perez, where by, he will take and record the percentages of loss and split the difference from your grand total, making it much easier Mr. Harding for the moneys to be divided between you, the company and myself. Then there’s the…”

  Hmm, this is going to take a while.

  It’s been two hours since lunch and we’re still discussing.

  Normally, I’m quite enthusiastic over Mike’s deals. I mean… he really goes at them like a full flame to kindling. Me… I take over the side issues and lick up the dust left over, easier and not boring. Not that I can’t take over the major issues. I’ve done this before, its simple easier for…

  “Now that everything’s explained Mr. Harding, will you kindly sign these papers? I have other pressing issues in need of attention and…”

  There she goes again.

  One giant size smiley face smack dab in the middle of the paper… like a bull’s eye.

  “You did get Mr. Salvador’s last point Jamie dear?”

  “Oh, you mean the point of signing his papers?”

  Am I repeating myself?

  “Correct. Now Jamie let me see…”

  She’s doing it again!

  “Jamie you can’t…”

  She’s drawing pictures all over the paper, all over. The same paper me and Mr. Salvador discussed for the past two hours and smiling her pearly white teeth at me.

  Unbelievable.

  Ooooh, I can’t wait till I get you alone Jamie.

  “Mr. Harding?”

  “You know what Mr. Salvador? I’m going to need more time to read these over. I might have a couple more questions. Why don’t we finish discussing some time tonight or tomorrow?”

  “Very well… I hope Mr. Harding by then your decision will be made. I really, really hate being kept waiting.”

  “Seven o’clock?”

  “Fine.”

  Keeping smiling Alex… be completely composed… remember you’re a professional.

  One, two, three, four… slow deep breaths, that’s it, relax. It’s going to be fine… its going to be fine… it’s…

  “Jamie, if you weren’t Mike’s employee, I’d fire you myself!”

  * * *

  Chapter Seven: The Plot Melts

  “You’re worse then a woman.”

  “Am not, I happen to like shopping.”

  “I know. There’s definitely something wrong with you Dillian.”

  “Its men’s stuff and you lady are playing with your food, something worrying you, Alice?”

  “Its Jamie, I’m worried about her. Do you think she’s safe with Alex?”

  “She’s fine. Alex won’t hurt her; he’s not that kind of person. Where next? We could pack a few snacks, drive to the top of the island, look around, stay till sunset, then drive back to the boat. What do you say?”

  “It sounds… grand. Dillian, you need to quit sweet talking me, it won’t work.”

  “You can’t blame a man for trying.”

  “Are you sure Jamie’s fine? Maybe she needs our help.”

  “She doesn’t need our help. You can attest to that. Why can’t we go to the top of the island? Alice it will be great! It’s beautiful I hear, really beautiful. Here are some pictures I picked from the side. I bet Charley’s having a time of his life… we could too, Alice. Please, for me?”

  “Well… ah.”

  “Don’t make me beg. I hate begging. Have mercy on this poor, defenseless messenger.”

  “You are defenseless… if your sure Jamie and Alex are fine, I’ll go.”

  “Yippee! You won’t regret this Alice. Tell you what, since you’re in such a good mood, I’ll call a truce. Tomorrow we’ll go over the papers, but today we’ll relax.”

  “No strings attached?”

  “None.”

  “Stop grinning like a simpleton. What do we do with all this stuff?”

  “I’ll air mail it to my place. This I’ll keep with me.”

  “The hat suets you.”

  “I know.”

  “Where next Dillian?”

  “A rental place… Alice there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind, we’re all going to have a blast! Now what color car does my girl want?”

  “Hands off bud or you’re going to be the color, be very afraid.”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “You better be.”

  * * *

  “I had to do it Alex.”

  “Ah ha, like you had to swallow the combination?”

  “It was either that, or you sign the papers.”

  “Papers? I can’t even decipher a word you wrote on the papers. You draw another picture on any paper and you’re dead. Dead as a door nail!”

  “I was being loyal to the company.”

  “What you were doing was being a vixen!”

  “There’s no need to shout Mr. Harding.”

  “I’ll shout if I want to! Can you even remember what you wrote? There could have been something important I missed and I wouldn’t even know what it was!”

  “Shh. I remember every word.”

  “Good, it might save your neck.”

  “Alex can we go somewhere a little less conspicuous? You’re drawling a crowd.”

  “Your right Jamie less witnes
ses, start walking toward the car rental.”

  “We’re renting a vehicle?”

  “Unless your planning on walking, Sweetie pie.”

  “I distinctly remember telling you to call me Jamie, Alex.”

  “Too bad, I’ll call you whatever I want, Honey Bun.”

  “This is a poor, working relationship. Alex, slow down. I did what I felt was right.”

  “I know.”

  “Then you finally understand why I had to do it?”

  “Oh, I understand alright. Remember how I said I’d get even?”

  “Yes… you stay away from me, Alex. You got a crazy look in your eye, and I don’t like it.”

  “Oh? Well you’re going to like this.”

  “We’re in the middle of an intersection Alex. Don’t you da…!”

  * * *

  “Dillian what’s going on over there? There’s a group of people blocking the street. Is that cheering I hear? Don’t those people know their blocking the street? Is there someone hurt? Maybe we should call an ambulance.”

  “Calm down Alice, let me ask. Hey kid! What’s going on over there?”

  “There’s a man and a lady and he’s kissing the socks off her!”

  “These islanders are crazy Dillian, right there in the street… stop laughing and pay attention!”

  “I am. I think it’s cute… maybe I should follow his example, huh? The crowds parting now, Alice.”

  “Scoot over, what do they look like? Why that’s… that’s…”

  “Your good friend, Jamie. Way to go Alex! I told you he would take care of her… and boy did he ever. Ouch! What’s that for?”

  “Divided loyalty.”

  “Loyalty my foot. Ouch! Ok, already! We’ll go visit them before you sever my other foot… women.”

  “Men.”

  “Alice, where did you learn these moves anyway? I’m black and blue all over. Have a little pity for me, will you? I’m a pussy cat. I’m a lover not a fighter.”

  “Then stop putting your foot in your mouth.”

  “What does it take to soften you up, Alice?”

  “Flowers, lots of flowers.”

  “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  * * *

  Well, I did it again Alex, always putting actions before words.