Whiskey Lima Golf, page 22
“Well, to be fair, I don’t really know,” Devon contemplates, “We need to organise some self-defence sessions at the gym.”
“So, are you going to ask Taylor about it? She might like that,” Tom ribs.
“I thought you were the boss?” Devon counters.
“But it’s you she wants to dance with bro,” Tom pushes.
“Okay, I’ll ask her,” Devon exaggeratedly sighs, “We should also run a training session on those pepper spray devices.”
“Not a bad idea Dev. We should get Connor in on this. It would boost his confidence. Maybe even Frankie and Koro too,” Tom expands, waiting at the next crossing.
“Ha, I don’t know if we could teach those two old dogs any new tricks,” Devon laughs.
Glancing towards the front door of the Thistle Inn, a familiar figure exits and heads up Kate Sheppard Place, Tom quietly comments, “Look there’s Darryl leaving.”
“Seems a bit early,” Devon notes, the pedestrian lights turning green announced by a discordant drone.
They make their way across Mulgrave Street, and walk quickly to the corner. In Kate Sheppard Place they see Darryl crossing the road towards a parking lot.
Thinking on his feet, Tom quietly observes, “Look there’s a couple of smokers opposite the car park. Let’s go over there and see what Darryl’s up to.”
They cross the road and walk up Kate Sheppard Place approaching the two smokers. Devon asks, “Hey fellers, could I pinch a smoke off ya?”
The shorter of the two men grumbles, but reaches inside his puffer vest withdrawing a generic green packet of cigarettes adorned with its obligatory gory photo of a cancer victim. “Bloody expensive habit these days man, you got a couple of bucks?”
“Sure, sure, I’ll need a light too mate,” Devon pulls his wallet from his rear jeans pocket and hands over an orange note.
Taking the lighter from the man’s nicotine-stained fingers, Devon sparks up his cigarette, inhales deeply and replies tightly in a cloud of smoke, “Thanks man.”
Devon moves a bit further up the street with Tom following, to get a better view.
Tom leans his back against the red brick wall and surveys the parking lot. “He’s talking to someone.”
Devon blows the smoke out of the corner of his mouth away from their line of sight, “Yeah, you’re right, I can’t make out who it is. Try your voice recorder brother, we might just pick something up.”
Tom pulls his phone out, taps the ringtone to silent and activates the recorder, angling towards the car park couple. They both inch closer to the curb.
Devon moves one foot onto the road and faces Tom side on, so he can still see their targets. He whispers, “Damn, I still can’t make out the other bloke.”
Tom puts his finger to his lips. Devon nods and takes another drag on the cigarette.
Keeping his phone angled on the two figures, Tom studies them from his position. His sniper’s instincts take over. He breathes slowly with his mouth slightly open, mentally calculating the distance… eleven metres, wind speed and direction… slight southerly fluctuating between five and ten knots, humidity… about seventy-five percent. The cigarette smoke causes his breath to gradually get shorter and faster and his mind drifts back to the village. The carpark scene becomes overlaid with images of villagers screaming, running for their lives. Tom’s heart races, sweat breaks out on his forehead and he starts to feel dizzy, croaking, “Dev…” as he puts a hand out to steady himself.
Devon throws his cigarette into the gutter and grabs Tom’s arm, “Tom, are you okay? Silly question. Come, try and walk.”
Tom shakes his head to clear the memory, plants his crutch onto the footpath and swings forward a couple of steps.
“Deep breaths brother. Come on, big deep breaths,” Devon encourages as he leads Tom to the red brick wall.
Following his friend’s instructions, Tom inhales slowly filling his lungs. The slight breeze cools his damp forehead.
“Can you walk further? Come on let’s get you moving,” Devon instructs.
“But, Darryl…” Tom starts.
“Hey, is he alright?” the smoker asks as they walk past.
“Yeah, thanks… Tom, let’s worry about him later. Come on man let’s go. We might get spotted,” Devon encourages making their way back towards the pub’s front door, “Let’s go around the corner.”
“I’m…, no, not too good,” Tom stutters as they pass the steps leading up to the entrance and round the corner. The movement helps to centre him back in the present. “I went back to the village,” Tom admits.
“Damn… so how are you feeling now, bro?”
Stopping to lean against the window of a closed takeaway shop, Tom takes stock, “I’m a little rattled to be fair. I was just running through my sniper assessment, trying to get a line on the other guy Darryl was talking to and then I’m back in the village.”
“Shit brother. What do we do? How can I help?” Devon asks feeling powerless.
“I guess, just what you did.” Tom pauses. “Maybe I do need some of that medication Sandra offered.”
“Hmm, have you talked to Sheila about some rongoā? Might be quicker.”
“You know what? You’re right. Come on let’s go see her,” Tom decides.
“You sure you wanna go right now?”
“Let’s do it,” Tom decides.
They make their way to the side door and step inside the packed, noisy bar. Devon commenting, “Follow me.”
Devon leads the way, plunging into the crowd with a series of “Excuse me, thanks mate,” making space for Tom to follow on his crutch close behind.
“Look what the cat’s dragged in,” Sheila cries in a loud happy voice, nearly spilling her glass of Barcardi and coke.
“Hi Aunty. Are you leading young Dani here astray?” Devon asks with a smile on his face.
“Are you smoking again?” Sheila growls. “Naughty boy!”
“Hey guys, any news?” Dani asks as she takes a sip on a tall Pilsner glass of light amber.
“Aunty, I’ve got a problem I need some help with,” Tom comes straight to the point.
Casting a studious eye on Tom, Sheila notes the matted hair on his forehead and the slightly flushed features, “Hmm, panic attack?”
“Yeah, I think so,” Tom confesses.
Dani looks on, concerned at the exchange.
“Devon, mind Dani and my drink. We’ll be back soon,” Sheila instructs, climbing off her bar stool. “Come with me young man.”
“Don’t worry, brother, I’ll look after Dani,” Devon smiles.
Playfully punching Devon on the bicep, Dani indignantly says, “I can look after my own self thank you very much!”
***
“So what concoction did Sheila put in here?” Devon asks hefting up the two litre bottle and shaking it from side to side.
“That’s between her and Papatūānuku, but it doesn’t taste too bad,” Tom confesses as he closes the front door behind them.
“That’s Mother Earth, isn’t it?” Dani asks.
Devon nods, “Yeah, you’re picking this up fast, aren’t you?”
Noting his friend’s familiarity with Dani, Tom jealously thinks, ‘Yep, I knew he was keen on her.’
“Hey, how was the pub?” Connor asks.
“A bit of fun, but we left Sheila with Frankie and Koro,” Dani replies.
“Anything happening here?” Tom enquires.
“Nothing yet. I still can’t work out what Theo and Ray were up to. I’ve played the recordings over and over,” Connor sounds frustrated.
Remembering the recording he took earlier Tom pulls his phone out and opens up the screen. “Connor, can you please have a crack at cleaning up this recording and see if we can hear what Darryl was saying in the carpark?”
“Sure can dude,” Connor pulls on a pair of over-ear headphones and plugs them into the hard drive.
Devon smacks his head. “Of course, sorry bro I completely forgot.”
“Don’t beat yourself up Dev, my panic attack, if that’s what it was, kinda took priority for the both of us,” Tom reasons.
“I don’t mean to sound condescending, but is this type of work really what you need at the moment Tom?” Dani gently probes.
“That’s just what Sheila said earlier,” Tom admits, adding, “But, I think if I sat on my arse doing nothing, it would be worse.”
“Okay, I guess you know best,” Dani acknowledges.
“I’m putting the jug on. Who’s up for a cuppa?” Devon heads up the stairs to a chorus of “Yes”.
Connor interrupts, “Hey Tom, who’s on this tape with Darryl?”
“We don’t know. He had his back to us. Why?”
“I think this is pretty big. Have a listen to this,” Connor offers his headphones.
Nestling the pads over his ears and adjusting the size, Tom nods to Connor who starts the recording, “…easy as… swapping a container out… cost extra… Yanks won’t like… ten ‘K’ up front… tomorrow… DEV… TOM ARE YOU OKAY?”
“Geez-us!” Tom exclaims, removing the headphones, “That last part was loud. Excellent work man! Can you clean it up any more?”
“I’ll try with another programme. It might take a bit of time though.” Connor is already clicking on his mouse.
“Thanks Connor, you’re an invaluable member of this team,” Tom replies appreciatively.
“What’s on the recording?” Dani asks.
“Hopefully Connor can pull some more out of it, but Darryl is in it up to his eyeballs. Something about a container swap with the American ship.”
Moving over to her computer, Dani says, “Then there must be something of real value in the manifest. But I’ve only found normal trade goods so far.”
***
Chapter Seventeen – Portside Shenanigans
Thursday 7:30am
The flat and office are a hive of activity. Frankie is on the end of the vacuum cleaner in the bedrooms, Tom is at the kitchen sink with Connor drying the dishes, Devon and Koro have packed up the camp beds and are putting them away upstairs and Dani is giving the office and reception a once-over.
Sensing some hesitancy from his washing-up partner, Tom invites, “I can see you’re trying to say something Connor. So come on out with it. I promise I won’t bite.”
“Well… um… okay then,” Connor finally finds his voice. “When do we get paid? Only there’s this real extra set of trucks that I wanna get for my board.”
“Oh, of course,” Tom thinks embarrassed, “I hadn’t really thought about it. Ah… let me have a look at that after Dunkell has finished here, okay?”
“Sure, sure,” Connor replies, “Hey, I’m gonna have another go at that manifest. I got in only so far, but I’ve had an idea.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that, it would be good to get an indication of which container Darryl’s going to swipe.” Tom wipes the bench down with the dishcloth. “That’s the last pot, I’ll start putting them away.”
The whine of the vacuum cleaner stops and a murmur of male voices can be heard above them as they descend the stairs.
“Haven’t you boys finished those dishes yet?” Koro grumbles.
“Just about. Can you give Dani a hand, please?” Tom asks while stacking some plates in the cupboard.
Connor hangs his tea towel over the oven handle and follows the other men downstairs to start his work. With the last pot in the cupboard, Tom looks around at the flat’s transformation noting the little feminine touches of Dani’s. A vase of flowers, cushions set nicely on the armchairs, the wooden dining table oiled and polished.
He makes his way down the stairs, thinking, ‘That girl is transforming our lives.’
His heart fills with a mix of pride and delight watching his team all working together. Frankie and Devon are standing by the corkboard pointing at some of the agents they have identified, while Koro leans back in his chair nodding as he follows their line of discussion. Dani leans over Connor’s shoulder asking questions and watching in fascination as Connor’s hand flies over the keyboard. Tom looks at his watch. “Five minutes, team,” he calls. Let’s cover those boards now. Connor can you put the screen saver up please?”
Koro asks, “How do you want to play this Tāmati?”
“Ah… how about Dani and I greet him and lead him through here so we can introduce Dunkell to the team?”
“Should I hide or something? He really has it in for me,” Connor asks.
“No, let’s try being straight up with him,” Tom suggests. “Well… to a point.”
The buzzer sounds, followed by a frantic pounding on the door. Dani and Tom make their way through to Reception. Dani opens the door, brightly inviting with her trademark smile, “Good morning, Mr Dunkell. Please come in.”
Slightly disarmed, Dunkell replies, “Ah… yes… Miss?”
“It’s Dani, Mr Dunkell,” smiling Dani offers her hand, “Danielle Franklin.”
“Oh, pleased to meet you, Dani.” Dunkell shakes her hand, caught completely off guard.
“Please come on through Mr Dunkell and meet the team,” Tom takes over. “This is our reception area and the office is through here.”
Taking in the clean new desks, the lush sprawling potted tree and new sofa, Dunkell comments, “Well this is very neat and orderly. Not what I expected from you Yelich’s. Through here, eh?”
Tom leads them through to the office. Dunkell bristles as he sees the occupants, “What’s that skateboard punk doing here? And the cop too?”
Tom takes a deep breath. “Mr Dunkell, this is Connor O’Neill. He’s our IT expert, and here’s Francesco Vettori, retired Detective Inspector NZ police and Devon Matipo, retired Sergeant NZ Defence Force. And, of course, you know my grandfather. We are White Rabbit Investigations.”
Dunkell looks at each of them in turn, before turning back to Connor demanding, “Hmm, IT eh? Well don’t let me catch you skating on my concourse again. Got it?”
“No sir,” Connor replies respectfully.
“Well, this looks all very impressive on the surface, but what’s behind these sheets of paper?” Dunkell steps over to one of the corkboards.
Devon intercepts him placing a hand firmly on the sheet of paper, “Sorry Mr Dunkell, but we can’t compromise our ongoing investigation, I’m sure you can appreciate our client’s privacy.”
“Hmm, I suppose so,” Dunkell grunts, “So you’re another war hero, eh?” He turns to Tom. “So, what ‘investigation’ are you working on?”
“We have to protect our client’s confidentiality of course, but we successfully handled a missing person case yesterday.
“Hmm, so this ground floor looks acceptable and complies with the commercial premises standards. But what about your squalid living area? Let’s see that,” Dunkell demands.
“Perhaps I’ll show you around upstairs, eh Dunkell?” Koro replies and leads the way to the stairs.
“If you must, Yelich,” Dunkell spits, “I can only imagine what fetid, sordid mess awaits.”
Once they are out of earshot, Devon comments, “Geez he is hard work, but I promised Koro.”
“I know right,” Tom agrees, “Hey thanks Dani, your smile seems to works wonders with him.”
“You know, I think underneath all that bluster is a very sad man,” Dani intuits.
“What’s his background, Tom?” Frankie asks.
“I have no idea, I’ve asked Koro countless times what his problem is, but he tells me to always mind my manners, and not be nosey.”
“Koro has always asked me to be kind to him too,” Devon adds.
“So Rangi knows. I’ll see what I can find out over a couple of drinks,” Frankie offers.
“Being the kind man that I am, I’ll pop up and put the kettle on,” Devon winks.
“No spitting in his cup!” Tom fires back as Devon slips up the stairs sporting his cheeky grin.
Connor slides back into his chair and gets back to work on the manifest.
“Hey Tom, the camera covering the Iranian Embassy is up the road isn’t it?” Frankie queries.
“Yeah, right up the top by the intersection, why?”
“Well, what if he took a taxi? Or another car we don’t have the rego number for? We’d miss him entirely, wouldn’t we?” Frankie theorises.
“Damn, you’re right,” Tom groans.
“But we have the super computer covered, right? And that’s the target,” Dani reminds them.
“Whoa, apart from this,” Connor pipes up, “I’ve just got into the manifest details. Check this out.”
Dani races over, “What, where?”
Connor points at the screen. Tom leans over his other shoulder, “Oh Geez-us!” The pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place, but are interrupted by three men descending the stairs, led by Devon with the tea tray.
“You know that’s a health and safety hazard Yelich?” Dunkell mutters.
“What’s a hazard?” Koro asks, almost drowned out by the front door buzzer.
“I’ll get that,” Dani races through to reception.
“Having to walk up and down these stairs with a hot pot of tea, what if he fell over eh? Bloody third degree burns on top of a broken neck, a bloody big hazard,” Dunkell explains a hint of pain in his voice.
“You know what Dunkell, you’re right,” Koro replies gently.
Frankie walks over and suggests, “Mr Dunkell, Would you approve of a small kitchen bench sink, maybe under the stairs? That would solve that hazard, wouldn’t it?”
Looking a bit unhappy, Dunkell agrees, “Hmm, yes you could get away with that, I do have the contractors on call. I thought I might have had you then Yelich.”
“We have a visitor bearing gifts!” Dani announces.
“Good morning everyone,” Dorothy declares, “I’ve brought you some scones to make up for the ones you missed out on yesterday.”
