Coral Sea Affair

by Drew Lindsay

Ben had a feeling that the new day dawning was not going to be an easy one. He was right. It started with breakfast in the company of film director Derek Disano. They sat at a window in the luxurious dining room overlooking glistening expanses of turquoise water, fringed with coconut palms and myriad tropical plants. That should have been relaxing, but Ben was troubled.

  ‘So are the stars and starlets in any danger if we set up the protection you suggested?’

  ‘There’s always a risk but a show of armed muscle on the diving platform may minimise that.’

  Derek sipped freshly brewed black coffee. ‘If that location wasn’t the best I’ve ever seen, I’d move somewhere else in a flash. It’s an underwater paradise Ben. You must see it for yourself. The boys did a wonderful job on the cave where most of the action is being filmed. Some of it is completely artificial and in 30 feet of water right in the middle of the reef. It looks like it’s been there forever. The water clarity is amazing compared with the other more popular diving spots. We do have some sharks about. Mostly just curious but they are always there.’

  ‘If you are in agreement with the new security arrangements, I’ll have Susan get the right people involved and perhaps tomorrow I’ll do an inspection with you and if things are OK, you can start shooting. The weather is perfect for now, but it can turn fairly quickly up here.’

  ‘I know. I can’t afford lost time on bad weather. We’re over budget as it is.’

  ‘My biggest concern is Skull Island,’ said Ben. ‘Their reaction to us being out there is gross over-reaction.’

  ‘I totally agree.’

  ‘I intend looking further into that situation today.’

  ‘I’d appreciate that. The police don’t appear interested. They say they are going to interview the owner today but I’m not confident. That Inspector Roy Tanner is a strange piece of work. He told me last night that a crime wave had hit Port Douglas, with a double murder thrown in for good measure.’

  Ben almost choked on a piece of muffin but managed to get it down with a sip of orange juice. ‘Double murder?’

  ‘Yes. Two bike riders murdered in the car park right opposite the Police Station last night and a third in hospital in a coma and not expected to survive.’

  ‘Murdered!’

  ‘That’s what he said. He claimed they were three very nice guys, well known in the community and couldn’t figure why someone would want to murder them.’

  ‘Good Lord!’

  ‘Yes it’s very nasty, but I think he should be taking the attack on our diving platform a little more seriously.’

  Ben finished off his fried eggs and bacon on thick buttered toast and sat back. ‘I think the attack on your diving platform is very serious Derek. I also think that there is a lot more behind it than just some eccentric island owner trying to protect his privacy.’

  ‘I don’t understand?’

  ‘Neither do I, but I intend to find out what’s going on. You have to trust me a bit on this one because the safety of your crew and your stars may depend on what I can discover. I’ll know more by tonight. Can we keep in touch regularly?

  ‘Of course. I must admit, I am very impressed with the high level of security and discretion your company has provided.’

  Elizabeth approached the table and pulled up a chair. She had a folded newspaper under one arm. ‘Derek. How are you?’

  ‘Fine Elizabeth. Are you taking good care of the money lady?’

  Elizabeth laughed loudly. Several heads turned. ‘Oh yes, I’m taking good care of your money lady Derek. Unfortunately, I can’t keep up with the attention showered on our leading lady by our chief security officer.’

  ‘Pardon?’

  Ben was now definitely uncomfortable. He knew it was going to be a bad day the second he woke up.

  Elizabeth took the morning’s newspaper from under her arm and unfolded it. She placed it carefully in front of Derek, but in full view of Ben. The photo filled the front page. There was no mistaking Ben and Brenda together, her arm linked firmly through his. Brenda looked ravishing and elegant. She was so close to Ben that they almost melted into one item. She was smiling at him. He was looking tough, handsome, and totally in control.

  The lead caption said it all. “BRENDA GRANT FALLS FOR AN AUSSIE COP ON MOVIE LOCATION. LOVE IS IN THE AIR AT PORT DOUGLAS.”

  ‘Local paper?’ said Ben, his voice reduced to a whisper.

  ‘National now. International by tonight.’ Elizabeth sat back. ‘Good idea that walk along the beach.’

  Ben looked helplessly at Derek. Derek stared at the newspaper and then sat back. He took the large white napkin from his lap, folded it in half and half again and slowly lay in down beside his plate. Then he beamed at Ben. ‘I don’t think I’ve seen such wonderfully luscious and totally free publicity for a movie and its star for years. Well done Ben.’

  Ben was flabbergasted. So was Elizabeth.

  ‘When is your next public appearance with her?’

  Ben opened his mouth but no sound came out. Elizabeth was very vocal. ‘There is no next public appearance Derek. This isn’t a circus and there is no love in the air between Brenda and Ben.’

  ‘How do you know?’ asked Derek softly.

  ‘He’s twice her age for a start,’ said Elizabeth, ‘and she is just flirting with him. There is nothing in it. Brenda does that from time to time.’

  Ben pushed his chair back and got to his feet. ‘I’ve got to go out for a while. Susan knows where I am and the mobile is on all the time. I’ll be back before noon.’

  Derek put out his hand. Ben shook it. ‘Liz is just jealous. Don’t worry about the newspaper article.’

  ‘JEALOUS!’ Her outburst was loud and many heads turned. Ben walked quickly from the restaurant.

  Detective Lisbet Fenton couldn’t wait to get to the 11th floor of the CIB in Liverpool Street, Sydney. She had the Daily Telegraph tucked under her arm and she almost ran through the foyer to the lifts. She repeatedly jabbed the 11th floor button, hoping it would make the lift reach her faster. She raced into the squad room. If Simon Bastock had not been there she would have screamed. He was there. She composed herself, nodded at some of the other Detectives and walked with restraint to Simon’s desk.

  ‘Read the morning paper Simon?’

  Detective Sergeant Bastock looked up. ‘No. The papers haven’t been delivered to the building yet.’

  ‘Feel free to take a look at mine. I bought it at the railway station.’ Lizbet unfolded the newspaper and dropped it face up onto Simon’s desk. There was no mistaking Ben or Brenda. It was an extremely large, very clear, strobe lit shot. Simon opened his mouth. His eyes went wide. Lizbet felt he looked like a gold fish. Others gathered around and one of the Detectives said, ‘My God. He did it. That lucky bastard actually did it.’

  ‘Better get that cheque book ready eh Simon,’ said Lizbet. ‘Thousand bucks as I recall.’

  Another face not far away in a law office on the 7th floor of a city building, also began to resemble a gold fish. Eyes wide and mouth open. Then the mouth closed into a tight line and the lovely brown eyes closed. Yana Gibson dropped the newspaper onto her polished timber desk and pushed her chair back. She rose and walked to the window. The view was straight into the side of another building. If you looked up, you could see a piece of sky. She didn’t feel like looking up. She stared out at the brick wall opposite. ‘Bastard,’ she whispered.

  Ben’s mobile beeped as a text message was received. It was from Fay. “OBVIOUSLY ENJOYING YOURSELF. DIVORCE PAPERS WILL BE READY UPON YOUR RETURN.”

  “****”

  Chapter Twenty Six