by Debbie Behan
The cop questioning him huffed impatiently. ‘We have details as to where the cabbie took her. What I want you to tell me is where did she stash her luggage? It wasn’t in the cab.’
‘Hey man, she had lots of cash and threw it around like it was nothing. Maybe she dumped her stuff, gave it to some poor dude and decided to buy new gear. He, or should I say she, hardly looked like he wore anything twice, if you know what I mean.’
Then the cop wrote in his little notepad and waved his arms at the other police..
‘Sorry kid.’ He tried to smooth it over. ‘We’re not here to make your life miserable, or to get you sacked. We’re just getting screwed pretty hard by some pretty heavy outside influences to find her so if you can recall any further details give me a call, okay.’
Jay took the number and held it up to get the cop’s attention. ‘Hey listen, I didn’t mean to be such an argumentative shit. It’s been one of those days. My sister’s taken off somewhere and my partner dumped me so I guess we both have problems.’
The cop must have taken to him and ruffled his hair as a father would. ‘Keep it together kid, even at my age women are not easy to work out. We can see ourselves out.’
The door slammed and then she listened as Jay locked and bolted the door.
‘Pack of bastards,’ he grumbled as he walked towards her.
‘You can come out now Ali, they’ve gone.’ He held out his hand to help her.
‘That was close. You saved my arse again. Thanks Jay. I’m starting to trust you so be careful. You may just end up with another sis to look after.’
He shook his head as she jumped back in the spa. ‘You’re a lot easier to handle than my little sister. And don’t worry about them, you haven’t met my dad. I wasn’t even a little bit scared.’
* * * *
When Jay finished his laps they went up to have a shower. After Alina had hers she dressed in the outfit Jay had given her. The clothes and makeup she applied made her appear more like a punk rocker.
After his shower, Jay stuck his head in the door.
‘What do I do with these things?’ she asked him, holding up the abnormal hair clips he gave her.
He whistled, ‘Wow girl.’ He grinned. ‘You don’t scrub up too bad for an old bird.’
‘Hey enough of the old will you. Now show me how this stuff works.’
He picked up a chunk of hair here and there and clipped it. Then he sprayed the bits he clipped with purple hairspray. He looked at her face in the mirror.
‘You need more purple eye shadow here and here.’ He pointed to spots on her eyes and then did it for her. Then taking a black pencil, he pulled Alina’s face towards him and blackened under her eyes more and then dotted freckles on her nose. He looked amused when he’d finished.
‘Yep, that should do it. I would battle to recognise you myself now.’
‘I still can’t get my head around why you’re helping me, but whatever your reason, thanks. Glad you didn’t hold it against me that I was a female. After all, I did kind of trick you.’
His grin was mischievous. ‘Shit you did girl. I sure had the hots for you. Well then, not now.
~ Chapter Five ~
Kindred Spirits
The makeover complete, Jay turned Alina around to the full length mirror while making the last few adjustments to her attire. Her amusement grew at the sight of her image. The deep purple shirt opened seductively at the top and tucked into a tight black leather skirt. Ripped black stockings covered legs that disappeared into boots with chains that hung loose. To complete the image, Jay held up a light black bolero jacket that he slipped over her shoulders. Long earrings and clever hair adjustments completed the costume.
Jay pinched her nose teasingly. ‘If I liked girls I reckon I’d be all over you at the minute cutie. Without doubt you now resemble a rock chick. Take some gum and glasses to finish it off.’
Alina chewed the gum and slipped on the sunnies.
‘Nice, but remember not to take them off, even if someone speaks to you. Adjust them, peer above the lenses and stylishly slide them back. It’s what they do.’ He grinned as she screwed up her nose, ‘and chew heaps with your mouth open. Practise blowing bubbles as well. The spoilt ones have a habit of busting the bubble in your face while you concentrate, if it’s not on them.’
Jay held her by the shoulders. He stood tall and thin but by no means fragile. His body was well-toned and Alina wondered if he was older than the young lad he seemed in uniform.
‘Ready girlfriend?’ he asked.
‘Ready thanks to you, my saviour,’ she grinned and his grin told her, for a girl, he considered her adorable.
* * * *
The casino crawled with detectives. Nobody at Jay’s work had met his sister nor had he spoken of her so he knew Alina would be fine. He introduced Alina to his work friends as his little sis that had blown into town for a gig and was staying in the casino with her manager. So far they were getting away with it. Her name was Jessie from the band called the Hungry Hotties.
Alina wasn’t sure where he came up with the name but it sounded okay and everyone bought it.
They got up to her room and high-fived each other that nothing had been touched. Alina flung open the small carry case on the bed and took out a passport and papers that would set her free. These she handed to Jay and watched as he carefully hid them in the lining of the jacket he wore. They decided if she was caught, at least her papers remained safe with him.
Alina exhaled deeply and turned from Jay.
‘What will I do next?’ She flopped on the bed. ‘The car I ordered on arrival into Australia is now in the casino car park.’ She dangled the keys in her hand.
‘What about your car?’ He sat on the bed next to her.
‘See, now that’s another problem.’ She leant on her elbow to talk to him. ‘If they have found me maybe they have tracked the car. I registered it under my name. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they have put a tracking device in it or maybe even a bomb.’
‘Jesus Ali, who are you? What did you do to them?’
She sighed and lay staring at the ceiling, wishing she didn’t have to explain. Yet as she looked into Jay’s eyes she wanted to tell him her deepest secrets and sensed he’d not judge or divulge them, ever.
‘They’ve been after me for many years, but not for the reasons you think. A year ago my husband left them a parting gift as he passed away. As he took his last breath he paid them back for the times they had found me and driven me from his arms. The blast was to conceal my escape. In no way was it meant to harm anyone. The only problem was that they busted through the front door as the explosion hit. Even though it was never reported, it’s possible a couple of the guys died because this time they have not given me any peace. I can’t think of any other reason for them to continue this search; the equipment and resources needed would cost a fortune.’
‘What if you leaked it to a reporter to get public support?’
‘Detective Berry is out for blood and as usual, anything to do with me is kept out of the media and classified. He will stop it going to press.’
‘But why….why chase you?’
‘Because of my age Jay my husband was seventy. I had been with him thirty years.’
Jay studied her and his eyes opened wide, scanning her body for tell-tale signs of oldness. ‘No, no way.’
‘It’s true Jay, I never grow old. This face, this body, it never changes. Rick, my late husband, learned that the ones who pursued me are a secret government organisation. He believes they pursue me to do experimentation on my person to see why I don’t age.’
‘What will they do? Why not give up and see? You may be treated like a goddess.’
‘Rick hid me because he said he worked for the same organisation before he met me. He said their mission would be to dissect me and because I don’t die, it frightened the life out of me.’ She shuddered. ‘Being tortured for many centuries is not a preference of mine. I have no c
hoice but to run until they die. It will be then I will finally have peace.’
‘The pack of time-thieving mongrels! They’ve been on your tail for what, forty years, because of it?’
Alina nodded. ‘I’m a freak of nature, no harm to anyone, but they all want to harm me badly.’
They heard the sudden sound of running and shouting on the lower floor. Both eased off the bed and stood up to listen, their hearts speeding up as time slowed.
Alina’s heart froze. Jay might be the last real person to listen to her story. At least Jay, her new friend, was able to walk from this with his head held high. His kindness had helped the good guy, Sleeping Beauty, and not the wicked detective. Alina wished she had more time to get to know him.
‘They’re coming. Quick, move it Jay. It’s too late for me but not for you. Please go so you don’t get mixed up in my fate.’
Jay grabbed Alina so fast her breath caught in fear as he pulled her out of the room and over to one of the other doors in the corridor. He was shocked that he bent and kissed her on the lips. Footsteps were everywhere. Fright had her pinned to the spot, allowing his kiss to ease her fear. His lips were soft as silk, breath sweet and his mouth tasted of toffee apple. He held her in arms that were beyond their years, comforting and caring. Alina drifted into his hold without a second thought. She trusted him not to be sleazy or repulsive and understood his attentiveness was to keep her safe only. This showed her he intended to protect her with every part of his being.
‘You kids, get out of here,’ a police officer yelled at them.
They looked up at him.
‘Go! Now–get out of here!’
They both leaped in the lift he held open for them and pressed the button for the foyer. When the doors opened Jay placed a protective arm around her shoulders and led her out into the parking lot towards his car.
‘You guys enjoy your night now,’ the security guard at the gate said as they drove past him.
Jay rolled up the window and they both looked at each other and at the same time, laughed hysterically they had made it. They rehashed their escape as they travelled back to his house.
When they pulled up Alina undid her seat belt and faced Jay. ‘You do understand why I can’t stay here don’t you? They will review the tapes, see you kiss your sister and work out what you did for me. I have to get out of town now and keep moving.’
Alina opened her bag and pulled out a pen and signed over the car to him. ‘Here. The car is no use to me now; consider it a gift for the help, although you deserve so much more. But please, get a professional to go over the vehicle to make sure it hasn’t any devices on it before you drive it.’ She handed him a wad of money to pay for the professional.
‘Don’t forget to change the rego,’ were her last words before Jay proceeded to beg her to stay, to let him help or go with her. Alina insisted he stay. Here he could keep them off her trail for a few hours. It made sense and in the end he gave in and promised to do whatever it took.
‘Here, take my car.’ He unclipped his belt and got out of the driver’s side, allowing her to scoot across. ‘Dump it in the next town. I’ll wait a week before I report it missing.’
‘Jay you have done enough for me already.’
She frowned and he tried to make her smile. ‘Hey, shit, you’re leaving me with a brand new cruiser. It will increase my pick up skills no end and it will be thanks to you, girlfriend.’ His voice was upbeat, but his pain that she was leaving was in eyes that glistened with sadness.
He sucked it up and managing to brighten up as he closed the driver’s door. Watching through the window he waited while Alina eased in behind the wheel, her own features overwhelmed with his thoughtfulness. How in a short space of time together, had they become so close? It was as if they’d known each other forever.
Alina’s heart sank as if she were leaving her best friend. How did this attachment happen so fast? She glanced up at him to say her final farewell and saw why. He had adorable calm puppy dog eyes, loyal to the core and his sweetness and kindness warmed her.
‘I miss you already girlfriend,’ he said, while handing her his cell phone. ‘Dial the number that says prison and you will get me. I want an update of your crazy life every day. Promise me, girl?’
Alina nodded and wrapped her arms around him as he leant in to give her a last hug. ‘You’re a good friend Jay and I’ll keep in touch. Geez I feel like I’m leaving my best friend.’ She choked up and sniffled back tears.
‘That’s cause I’m all you’ve got so don’t ever forget it, and come back to me when it’s safe to sneak back in town. Or possibly I can take a holiday and come find you instead. I could think of nothing more terrifying yet awesome than to spend more time in your crazy mixed up world.’
He made her giggle which stopped the tears.
‘I’ll leave the phone in the glove box when I dump the car and return it that way.’
‘Love you girl.’ They hugged one last time. ‘Now go before they find us together.’
‘Love you too, my brave little friend,’ Alina called out as she accelerated off and waved goodbye.
She was sad to leave Jay and wished she didn’t have to; he’d been so wonderful, so brave.
Jay waved good bye to Ali and pondered if there was more he could’ve have done. Inside the house he got ready for his shift and caught a taxi into work. Tonight he planned to drive home in style and was so excited he shook every time he thought of it. A brand new Land Cruiser. Dad’s going to have a fit.
Jay got out of the cab and a large bloke grabbed him before he walked in the door and dragged him around the side of the car park.
‘Careful.’ Jay flinched as the bloke’s fingers bit into his arms.
The big guy released his grip and pushed Jay against the wall. From the description Ali gave him, Jay knew who it was.
‘Look buddy, she’s gone so forget the rough stuff, it’s over. I can’t tell you where she is because I didn’t want to know.’
Ricco looked miserable and even though Jay felt sorry for him, he had brought it on himself.
‘I saw the tapes; you were kissing her,’ he said, shoving Jay, out of frustration but not hard enough to hurt him.
Jay smiled at him. ‘Um, nice too.’ He licked his lips, deciding to torment the big guy.
Ricco growled and his eyes went black, his face flushed crimson with anger.
Jay chuckled and put up an arm. ‘I’m teasing you mate. Women, even good looking ones, are not my thing. I was just protecting her from the cops.’
Ricco glared at Jay for a minute until understanding made him relax his grip. ‘She likes you…’ he squinted in the dim light at his name badge. ‘Jay.’
‘Yes, but like a bro. Even so, she’s still gone and I have no idea where.’
‘Did Alina tell you what happened?’
‘Yes, and you sure did a number on her.’
Ricco let Jay go and shook his head. ‘She hates me.’
‘You bet she does. What the hell were you thinking? I can see you liked her, even though she is older than she looks.’ Jay gave a smirk wondering how much he did know. ‘You see I know she would have hinted to you about that, right! Because I know how honest she is with someone she likes and she sure liked you. So because of that I’ll bet you are smart enough to also know exactly why they were chasing her.’
His eyes widened and Jay realised he hadn’t known but he did now and spat out his next words. ‘You bastard,…you get it now don’t you. And you were going to take her to them where they may well dissect her to see how she ticks. How could you do that? You must be some kind of psycho to want to hurt someone so wonderful.’
‘Button it, you little runt or I’ll forget my manners.’ Ricco’s voice was also venomous.
Jay turned to leave. Ricco wasn’t restraining him anymore and he had nothing more to say to the jerk. But paused when he heard the sadness in Ricco.
‘She promised not to run from me. Why didn’t she come and ta
lk to me?’ he said quietly.
Jay spun on his heels, still angry. ‘See here buddy, SB did what she had to do to survive. Forget her. She won’t be spending her nights thinking about you anymore.’
He looked up with a funny look, ‘SB?’
Jay grinned. Even if he was a big bully, he was sort of likable.
‘I booked her in under Sleeping Beauty so you creeps didn’t find her. She was the best looking guy I had ever seen. It made me laugh when she picked that character until I found out he was a she.’ Jay shook his head.
‘She–as a he! Shit man–now that would have been the kiss,’ Jay said as he turned and walked off, but not before catching an expression of amusement in Ricco’s eyes.
~ Chapter Six ~
Muscles Bluff
Jay noticed as he checked the guest list that Alina’s lover-boy, Ricco, had booked into the Casino. It looked inevitable that Jay might run into him so he gave a silent lecture. Best be nice to the big tough guy–be nice to muscles–he is a paying guest.
Later that evening Ricco entered the foyer via the lift with his entourage. On the register his title read, Prince Ricco. The hotel staff referred to him as the prince and it annoyed Jay they were giving him the royal treatment. It says Prince, not King, he thought as he watched them fuss over him. Ricco had a lady on each arm and two behind that he turned and talked to, leaving none of them out. Four bodyguards flanked him and then there were the staff. Hotel concierge and duty managers snapped their fingers to make his every want possible. As if a VIP with his status and many women to choose from would miss Ali. The philanderer! Poor Ali never stood a chance with him.
He lowered his head and ignored the goings on as it downright bugged him. Ali took to Romeo without question and hell, had he done a number on her. Damned if he or she should give Ricco another thought after the way he treated her.
‘Jay.’ He jerked his head up; he’d not expected Ricco to approach him and had to make a real effort to act politely.
