Whiskey Lima Golf, page 12
Dani shoots Tom a surprised look, “Tom, didn’t you just say…”
“Taylor, sorry Aunty. She’s not my girlfriend either,” Tom apologises.
“Well I can’t keep up with you young ones these days, swapping partners and running around all over town.” Sheila turns the electric jug on and takes the lid off a large tea pot on the breakfast bar. “So Danielle, please tell me a little about yourself.”
“Ah… well… I grew up in Shannon. My parents are sheep farmers and have a small place out the back by the power station. I worked in the petrol station after school and when I left high school I saved every penny I could so I could travel to the UK and Europe.
There I worked in pubs and bars pulling pints or waitressing in cafés, even office temping sometimes, almost anything really just so I could save enough to go on lots of guided bus tours throughout Europe.
Unfortunately, I got caught at the border trying to get back into the UK after my working visa had expired. So I had to come home.”
Sheila spoons a green and brown coloured mix of tea into the teapot. “If you don’t mind me asking, why aren’t you back home with your whānau in Shannon?”
Dani smiles, “After living in London and Edinburgh, Shannon is a bit small, so I’m planning on living in Wellington. Now I have a job, I just need a place to stay.”
Placing the pot on the stand in the centre of the table, Sheila then walks back to the oven and takes out a tray of steaming hot scones.
“Hmm, let’s take a look at the room Danielle while Tāmati sorts these scones out for us. Follow me.” Sheila leads the way back into the hallway.
Dani scrambles up from her chair to follow Sheila. As they pass more framed photos, she asks, “Who are all these people in the photos?”
Sheila stops to look at a large old sepia photo of a handsome young man in uniform, “These are my whānau and tīpuna. This one is my Uncle Teoti… he didn’t make it back home… he’s somewhere in Italy. He signed up the same day with Tāmati’s great granddad…” She pauses for a moment, rebuking herself, “Listen to me, an old wahine carrying on. This is your room through here.”
Sheila opens the door and stands to one side to usher Dani into the room.
“Oh, it’s just lovely,” Dani cries, looking at the wallpaper patterned with light pink and blue coloured birds, then the single bed with a slightly faded yellow candlewick bedspread. A dark stained rimu tallboy cabinet at one end of the bed and a small wooden single drawer bedside table.
“There’s no cupboard for hanging your clothes, but there is space in the tallboy,” Sheila offers.
“That’s perfect. I don’t have many clothes as I’ve been travelling light for years.”
“That’s good. Now be straight with me, Danielle,” Sheila begins.
“Please Sheila, Dani is fine.”
“Dani, if Tāmati isn’t your boyfriend, who is? I can’t believe a pretty young girl like you is single.”
“Can we keep this between us?” Dani asks hesitantly.
“Of course my girl, us wāhine have got to stick together.”
“I had a bad break up with my Birmingham boyfriend. That’s the real reason I left Britain, he was…” Dani admits looking a little tearful.
“Oh my girl!” Sheila exclaims, opening her arms offering a hug, “Come here.”
Dani falls into the welcoming warmth, tears now streaming down her cheeks as she sobs softly into Sheila’s shoulder, “it was so awful.”
She pats her gently on the back. “There, there my girl,” she soothes, “Don’t tell me now, we will have plenty of time later when you’re ready to talk. I think you should move in here and let’s get you back on your feet, eh?”
Feeling the genuine concern in Sheila’s voice, Dani makes her decision. She pulls back and wipes her eyes, “Really, you’ll let me stay?”
Sheila smiles, “On one condition, no sneaking anyone in here at night… without telling me first.”
“There’s no chance of that. I’m off men for a long time.”
Ever hopeful, Sheila asks, “So you might help me find someone for Tāmati?”
“I don’t think he’s looking for anyone right now, but when he is, maybe we can help. He is kinda cute.”
“Good, now let’s see if he’s found the jam and cream for the scones.”
“So, can I move in soon?” Dani asks as they head back into the hallway.
“Anytime, before seven tonight as Rangiwahia owes me a game of crib,” Sheila offers entering the kitchen. She surveys the table, “Good boy Tāmati.”
Noticing Dani’s puffy eyes, Tom is concerned. “How did it go?”
With a deep intake of breath, Dani replies, “All good.”
Taking the teapot’s handle Sheila turns it properly. “Dani will have to move in before Koro arrives, so you make sure to let her off from that job early. Are you coming along tonight?”
“What and get thrashed by you two pro’s! No chance Aunty. Besides, Dev and I are at the gym tonight.” Tom turns to Dani, “Don’t let them talk you into playing, Dani. They are both sharks.”
Pouring the tea, Sheila looks hurt, “Tāmati, you are so mean to your Aunty.”
Looking at the steaming green liquid in his cup, Tom sniffs the brew cautiously, “What concoction have we here?”
Sheila shakes her head, and turns to Dani, “You see what I have to put up with. Such disrespect! You like kawakawa tea, don’t you Dani?”
Dani picks up her tea cup and warily tastes the contents, surprised she replies, “Mmm, that’s really nice. It’s a bit, well peppery.”
“Kawakawa, or as the pākehā call it Macropiper excelsum, or the pepper tree, it is good rongoā,” Sheila informs them.
“I can see I’m going to get a crash course in te reo living here, Sheila you might have to put up with me asking you questions all the time,” Dani states, “What is rongoā?”
Sheila laughs, “That’s all right girl, you will keep me on my toes. Rongoā is traditional māori medicine, Tāmati is using some for his wounds.”
“Really?” Dani asks incredulously.
“Yeah, I’ve been following her instructions for a week and I know it’s really helping. Devon and Taylor are amazed at the progress I’m making. Hopefully I’ll be down to one stick soon.”
“I’m a qualified nurse, Dani, I learnt the pākehā ways and then when I saw it failing a lot of māori, I went back to my kuia and learnt the old ways.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Dani exclaims.
“Sheila has always been our first port of call when Koro or I haven’t been well, and she runs a clinic at the local marae on Tuesday mornings,” Tom explains proudly.
“Enough of that now,” Sheila cuts them off. “Come on, these scones are getting cold. Eat up the both of you!” She hands around the plate of steaming goodness.
***
Thursday Midday
“Good to see this weather is holding,” Frankie comments as the group walks along the Wellington waterfront. The sun warms them, and a very light northerly breeze occasionally ruffling their hair.
“Okay, as we practised, we will pair off into the next three cafés, Tom states. “Come on Connor, we’re first.” Tom swings towards the vibrant coloured eatery.
Connor follows Tom, pulls his new phone out and asks, “Do I still text you, even though you’re with me?”
“Yes. In fact, you lead and I’ll follow.”
Quickly tapping a message onto the screen, Connor flicks his long fringe to one side and walks over to a free table. He takes a seat and signals to a waitress.
Tom follows, scanning the crowd as he takes his seat at the table. He places his own phone in front of him, checks the screen and asks, “Okay Connor, tell me why you chose this table.”
“Because, I’ve got my back to the wall and can see the front door easily.” Connor notices the waitress approaching and turns his phone over so the screen is down. “Two double shot espresso please.”
When the waitress leaves, Tom says, “Nice move with the phone, and good reasoning. You’re a quick study.”
“To be honest Tom, this is the first real chance anyone has ever given me and you actually treat me as a person, not a kid,” Connor grins. “I don’t want to stuff this up.”
“That’s good to hear bro, because I know George has kinda forced you to work with us, but I’d rather that you want to work with us. Being a tight team is the thing that makes the difference when we are under pressure.”
“Yeah, that George laid it on real heavy. I got the message loud and clear,” Connor concedes, “But dude, you guys are so much older than me, I’m not sure I’ll fit in, but I’m trying.”
“Connor, I’m only eight years older than you. It seems a lot when you’re eighteen, but before you know it you’ll be my age.” Tom laughs, “But it looks to me like you get on with everyone, so who’s the one you’re worried about?”
“It’s Devon,” Connor admits, “I can see you and Devon are tight, but he scares me, man. He watches me like a hawk. I know if I slip up then he will tell George and then I’ll be sent inside. I don’t think I could handle that.”
“Yeah. We are tight, known each other since school, and he was my Sergeant in the Army. If I know Devon, he’s keeping a close eye on you because he doesn’t want you to make a mistake again.” Seeing the look of disbelief in Connor’s eyes, Tom explains, “Think about it. You got caught because you made a mistake. If you make a mistake working for us, then one of us might be at best compromised. Or at worse, put in danger. So really he doesn’t want you to make a mistake. That’s why he’s spending so much time with you.”
“Oh, I didn’t see it that way.” Connor looks relieved.
“I wanted to give everyone a taste of what it’s like out in the field, because then you and Dani will have a real idea of what it’s like for us when you are coordinating things from the office,” Tom expands, “We’ll be relying on you both to keep us up to date. It’s a big responsibility.”
“So, we will be stuck in the office then.” Connor looks a little disappointed, “I mean I know my IT skills are being put to best use, but it’s kinda exciting doing this operational stuff.”
Chuckling, Tom teases, “Oh so you want to be the Kiwi version of the Kingsman’s Eggsy, or Alex Rider eh?”
Connor’s face turns a bright red. He replies softly, “Well, I guess a kid can dream.”
“Sorry man, that was a bit mean,” Tom apologises. “But you will get a chance every now and then. That’s why you have to wear that vest. So on that, two tables over there is a couple having a deep and meaningful talk. Show me how you would get a photo of them without them noticing. Remember to get their faces for easier identification.”
“Too easy Dude,” Connor picks up his phone, he glances around the café to locate the couple, then stands up saying loud enough for everyone close by to hear, “No, no man, you stay there, I’ll get it.”
As everyone turns to see what Connor is up to, he quickly leans over to take a selfie with Tom but angles the phone to capture the couple at their table, “Say cheese!”
Sitting back down Connor opens the gallery and smiles. He turns the phone around for Tom to see a perfect photo of the couple looking towards them.
“Well done Connor, but you may have just blown our cover.”
“No way Dude. All they will see is a skateboard punk and a dude with crutches,” Connor explains, “No one will recognise our faces.”
“Yeah, you are probably right and I like the selfie idea, I tried that myself, so good to see we’re on the same page.”
Connor spins his phone around and taps a quick message, then picks up his espresso and gulps it all down.
Tom’s phone vibrates, checking it he sees the message from Connor, “Good you didn’t forget, alright let’s get back to the office.”
***
Thursday Midday
With the rest of the team straggling behind them, Tom and Connor reach the top of the station’s steps. As they approach the open front doors a man in black with a Hi-Viz vest steps out in front of them.
“Okay, just what are you Yelichs up to?” Dunkell demands. “Are you taking in vagrants now?”
“Excuse us Dunkell, we have other things to get on with,” Tom politely replies, manoeuvring around the verbal obstacle.
“This punk was skateboarding in the concourse this morning, and that’s prohibited… Hey I’m talking to you, war hero!” Dunkell yells starting to follow them.
Frankie steps up beside Dunkell, taps him on the shoulder and flicks open his pocket notebook, “Excuse me sir. Do you wish to lay a complaint with the police?”
Surprised, Dunkell stops. “Yes… why yes, I do. That young punk was…”
“Yes, yes, I have that, now your full name and address please,” Frankie slyly winks at Koro as he walks past, “and contact phone number… do you have your driver’s licence on you?”
“Shouldn’t you be talking to that skate boarder?” Dunkell asks as he reaches for his wallet to show Frankie his driver’s license.
“Don’t you worry sir. You leave it leave me. I just need your complaint and I’ll be in touch,” Frankie closes his note book and slides it back inside his suit jacket pocket, before following Devon and Dani inside the station. Dunkell, left bewildered, stands there scratching his head.
Inside the station, as they cross the concourse, Devon comments, “Slick move there, Frankie. You sounded like you were still on the force.”
“Old habits die hard,” Frankie replies, as they enter the office.
Devon asks, “You know you can’t imitate a police officer. What are you up to?”
“Technically, I didn’t impersonate an officer of the law,” Frankie begins.
“Dude, thanks for helping,” Connor interrupts. “That guy is a real prick. But like Devon said, won’t you get in trouble?”
“No, no, all I did was ask him if he wanted to lay a complaint. I didn’t say I was an actual police officer,” Frankie smiles.
“But won’t he smell a rat, when he sees you coming and going from here?” Tom asks.
“Who cares? If asked, I’ll just say I’m making enquiries.” Frankie takes a seat at the meeting table surrounded by an assortment of chairs.
“You always were a tricky bugger,” Koro laughs, “Hopefully that should keep Dunkell off our backs until next week. Tom have you done all that paperwork yet?”
“I’ve sent most of it off, Koro. Just a bit more to look over tonight after the gym,” Tom advises, then calls the team together, “Okay, well done out there team. This afternoon, Frankie, Devon and I will be out canvassing more cafés. Koro can you team up with Frankie, Dani and Connor, you guys will be minding the store. We’ll need you to help coordinate our moves so if you can, please find a café nearest to the ones we are in and let us know any information that comes up.”
Connor’s hands fly across the keyboard and he asks, “Devon can you turn the main screen on please?”
“Sure, what are you up to?” Devon asks.
As the screen comes to life, Connor opens a window with a satellite map of the Wellington CBD, he zooms in on the station where a collection of coloured luminous dots pulse. Next he opens another window with a search engine of Wellington cafés. His wizard-like fingers tap their magic commands on the keyboard and result in a sprinkling of orange flags. “Okay how’s this? The flags are the cafés and the different coloured dots are all of us, so we will know exactly where everyone is!”
“Oh you are GOOD!” Devon praises him.
Dani pipes up, “Connor, can we import those cafés into a spreadsheet that I can work on at the other computer?”
“Sure can, I’ll send it through now,” Connor replies with a big grin on his face.
Koro turns to Frankie, “It’s just bloody magic all this computer stuff to me.”
Frankie nods, “The young ones make it look easy. Mind you, they grow up with it. A computer was the size of a house when I was at school. But we had to use them in the force. I used to spend hours typing up my reports with two fingers.”
“I dunno if I’ll ever get the hang of this flash phone,” Koro admits.
“That’s why you’re with Frankie, Koro,” Tom explains, “Alright we’ll see you all back here at four o’clock for a quick debrief to see what we’ve learnt.”
Frankie leans over to Koro, “Don’t worry Rangi, I’ll show you that you can teach an old dog new tricks.”
“Connor, can you please send us a text with our first target café.” Tom asks. “Okay team, let’s get going.”
***
The car door creaks as Koro pushes it open, and complains even more when he closes it.
“You ever consider using a bit of oil on these hinges, Frankie?” Koro inquires as he makes his way towards their target.
“I’ll get around to it one day,” Frankie absently replies as he puts a couple of coins into the parking meter.
Moving to the side of the glass door to let a young hipster couple exit, Koro asks, “I just realised that I don’t know much about you. Tell me about your whānau, any kids?”
Frankie passes the trendy couple as he walks towards the café entrance, looking a bit surprised and sad, he deflects, “Let’s get a cuppa and I’ll tell you a story.”
They enter the café, walk up to the counter and order a cup of tea each. Then take a sea by the window.
“Not many punters in here,” Koro comments.
“Look over here. I’ll show you how we send the first text,” Frankie offers and with simple directions he instructs Koro on the task.
Once the tea has arrived, Frankie takes a deep breath and begins, “Not a word of this to anyone Rangi.”
