Coral Sea Affair

by Drew Lindsay

Ben phoned Brenda at Mossman hospital that same afternoon. She was so excited to hear his voice and know he was alright that he could not shut her up. She told him that they were allowing her to return to the resort the following day and that Liz would be picking her up. She wasn’t allowed to start acting again or do anything strenuous for at least 2 weeks. She told Ben that there was now a uniformed policeman standing outside her door. She thought the police didn’t care.

  Yana and Akira had open return flights to Sydney but decided to stay the night to catch up with recent events and meet Ben’s friends. Derek promised to pay their expenses. Akira dismissed the offer with a wave of his hand.

  Winston and Joy stayed for a cup of tea. Before they left Winston moved across to where Ben, Elizabeth and Yana were chatting. It was obvious he wanted to say something so they ceased talking.

  ‘I’ve got many questions to ask you Mr. Hood, as no doubt you have of me. I gather we will get that chance tomorrow at the Port Douglas police station. There is a bit of a cleanup happening at the police station I hear.’

  Ben smiled.

  ‘I’m just intrigued to know how you got into the damn bunker on the island. It’s locked up tighter than Fort Knox!’

  ‘I just spoke to the guy and he let me in.’

  ‘No way. They only let their own in. How did you do it?’

  ‘I spoke to him in Chinese.’

  ‘I didn’t realise you spoke Chinese.’

  Elizabeth said, ‘Neither did I. Bit like flying that plane eh?’

  ‘I learned a couple of words from a Chinese student I dated in another life.’

  ‘What words?’ asked Elizabeth.

  Ben looked embarrassed. ‘Look, it got me inside, OK. That’s all you have to know.’

  ‘No way buster,’ said Elizabeth firmly. ‘What did you say to him?’

  Ben looked at Yana for help but wasn’t getting any from that direction.

  ‘I called him my lover and told him I missed him. That’s all I know in Chinese.’

  Elizabeth and Yana almost collapsed with laughter. Winston patted Ben on the arm. ‘Well done young man. Well done.’

  During dinner, Yana and Elizabeth chatted together like old friends. It made Ben nervous. Susan was enjoying his discomfort immensely. Derek got drunk and began hugging everyone and crying. He baulked at hugging Akira. The film’s director, Sandra Quinn, had become friendly with a very rich, single, Japanese hotel guest and had been whisked away in a limo into town for dinner. Several of the film crew including Andy Hayter, the injured underwater cameraman and the chief technician, Stan Café, joined them. Champagne, beer and cocktails flowed. The mood was one of immense relief and excitement.

  Later, Ben stood in the darkness of his room, looking out at the flickering lanterns and the swaying coconut palms. His back ached from the wound. His entire body ached. He was bone tired.

  The mini bar held two tiny bottles of Scotch whisky. He downed one of them quickly. The huge double bed was amazingly comfortable and he lay back listening to the wind stirring palm tops through the open window.

  He was thinking of Yana, regretting her youthfulness and resenting his age. Feeling selfish for taking advantage of her passion. He was also thinking of Liz. Tall and beautiful, closer to his age and a body to die for. He was thinking of Brenda. Fresh, youthful and full of life. Vivacious, flirtatious and wonderfully wholesome. His pin up girl. The dream girl he never imagined he would ever meet. Joy and Winston reunited. Sam back in his riverside shack with a bottle of whisky.

  He suddenly sat upright. ‘Shit…..Ricks re-breather. He’ll be furious! I’m up for eight grand to replace that gadget.’ Then he smiled and lay back. ‘Minor problem Ben,’ he said softly to himself. He was asleep within seconds.

  “****”

  Epilogue