The Finest Line

by Catherine Taylor

  She watched as two uniformed officers and a suited man approached her bed. One officer walked casually around to the other side of her bed and Mairead felt her heart accelerate. The uniforms were intimidating and she looked to the suited man who was studying a folder in his hand.

  “Mairead Kavanagh,” He still stared at the folder and then looked up at her expectantly. Mairead nodded.

  “I’m Senior Detective Brown.” He introduced the other officers but Mairead didn’t want to look at them. “Miss Kavanagh, I’d like you to give us an account of the events that took place at the Alyssum Apartment Complex...”

  “Where?”

  “The venue of the party you attended.”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “You don’t remember being there?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Brown sighed. “Miss Kavanagh. Your blood results have already revealed a number of illegal substances that you consumed at that time. Whilst another division of the police are very interested in that, I’m more interested in the events surrounding Joshua Mason.”

  “Josh?” Mairead sat up a little, her lip beginning to tremble. “Where’s Josh?”

  Brown stared at her and glanced at the officer on the other side of the bed. When he looked at Mairead again, she suddenly felt very cold.

  “Miss Kavanagh. Joshua Mason fell to his death from the balcony you were found on.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The nurse strode towards the officers who were gathered at a vending machine drinking coffee.

  “The doctor has given her a sedative and feels that she is able to talk to you.” She stared hard at Brown. “You should really keep this brief as possible.”

  Brown threw his cup into a bin and walked past her.

  Mairead was sitting up in her bed reclined against some pillows. She watched them enter through half open eyes. “Leave me the fuck alone.” A tear ran down the side of her face.

  Ignoring her, the men took up their previous positions in her room. Brown opened his folder. “Miss Kavanagh, it was reported that you arrived at the party with Joshua Mason.”

  Mairead’s tears erupted and she screamed at him, “Go away. I don’t want to talk to you.”

  “Miss Kavanagh, if you won’t talk to us now,” Brown’s tone became harsh. “I’m sure the doctor will arrange for you to be released to us where you can answer our questions at the station.”

  Someone had entered the room and stood behind Brown, “Miss Kavanagh has made quite clear that she has no wish to talk to you.”

  Everyone turned to the speaker. Mairead’s view was blocked by Brown but her tears flowed as she recognised the deep timbre of the voice with its refined British accent. She had never felt happier to hear it.

  Brown narrowed his eyes at the two men that had entered. The speaker was several inches taller and dressed in a dark tailored suit. Everything from his black hair to his polished shoes was neat and styled. His dark eyes stared at Brown from a hard but attractive face.

  Next to him was an older man in a crumpled suit. He barely reached his companions shoulder and his grey hair was overdue for a haircut.

  He shuffled towards Brown with a grin on his face. “Scary, isn’t he,” He took a card from his coat pocket. “I’m Ray Sanders, barrister, representing Miss Kavanagh.” He smiled pleasantly. “I’m sure you understand that I would like to speak to my client before she speaks to you.”

  Brown grunted and sighed, “She hasn’t been charged with anything.”

  “And I’d like to keep it that way.” Sanders kept smiling. “Let’s get this little girl all better shall we, and I’ll bring her in personally and we can all have a great chat.”

  Brown looked up at the other man who was still staring directly at him. “And you are?”

  A wisp of a smile dimpled the chiselled face. “I’m the chauffeur.”

  Brown raised an eyebrow as he tried to match the gaze. Eventually he sighed and motioned to his officers “Let’s go.”

  When they were gone Sanders approached the bed and smiled at Mairead. “Hello Dear, I’ll introduce myself to you very soon. I just need to chase up that doctor of yours but I’ll be right back.” He winked at her and whispered. “Will you be safe with him?”

  Mairead smiled, “Very safe.”

  When he was gone she looked at the man left behind. “Hello James.”

  James wandered closer. “Hello Miss Kavanagh.”

  “I think I fucked up again,” she tried to grin but anguish overwhelmed her. She cried bitterly, hugging her knees and burying her face so that he couldn’t look at her.

  She wanted him to comfort her but she knew it would be against his boundaries. James was just the chauffeur and the occasional bodyguard. Holding her in his arms was not part of his job description.

  When she eventually looked up, his expression was unchanged, but he had arranged a bowl of steaming water, a towel and a face cloth upon a mobile table.

  As usual, just his presence had a calming effect upon her. Mairead sat up and began to wash her face. She smiled quietly as she watched him replace the bowl with a bag from which he produced a variety of cosmetics, a mirror and a hairbrush. “I trust these are the correct items?”

  Mairead’s smile widened. “You never get it wrong James.”

  Picking up the mirror, Mairead gasped as she saw her reflection. Dark shadows hung under bloodshot eyes. Her skin was pale and her hair was a tangled mess. The sight brought a fresh onslaught of tears.

  Tossing the mirror across the room, she glared up at James. “You did that on purpose.”

  James said nothing as he went to pick up the broken pieces.

  Mairead pouted. “Why didn’t Daddy come? Is he so mad at me that he doesn’t care whether I live or die?”

  James put the broken pieces onto the frame and took them to the bin. “Mr. Kavanagh has been in constant contact with the hospital.”

  Returning to her side, James pushed the button behind the bed and then turned his attention to Mairead, his dark eyes boring into hers. “He only learnt of your residence in the hospital after you were already out of danger.” His tone became sterner. “He was extremely upset about your condition.”

  Mairead shifted and turned away as she detected some anger in his voice. Her stomach tightened and she blushed as she felt that terrible tingle in her bottom, which always came when James made her nervous.

  The door opened and the smiling nurse was back. “Did you ring dear?”

  James turned to her and the smile ran away from her face as she wilted under his presence. Mairead sighed having seen the same effect on other people around him.

  “Miss Kavanagh will need to be showered and dressed. There is a case with fresh clothes.” James pointed to the corner of the room. “There is also some glass that will need to be cleaned up at some stage.”

  The nurse nodded and blushed slightly, “Of course.”

  Mairead was glad she wasn’t the only one James intimidated. It was so annoying. “I’m quite capable of showering and dressing myself thank you.”

  James turned sharply to her. “According to your chart, Miss Kavanagh, you’ve just been administered a sedative. The nurse will shower and dress you.”

  The little courage Mairead had mustered dissolved instantly, “Fine! When is Daddy coming?”

  “Mr. Kavanagh’s schedule has become quite industrious of recent. He feels that I will serve sufficiently in bringing you home.” His tone left no room for argument though she dearly wanted to.

  It reminded her of the first time her father had betrayed her, five years before. Back then, James had only been driving for them for six months and did as he was told. She had the upper hand and it didn’t matter how big and scary he looked.

  Having just turned fifteen, Mairead had liked James Vaughn, the young man from Britain with his toffy accent and exceptional good looks. He never would tell her his age when she tried to get it out of him but she guessed that he might have several years
on her.

  She flirted with him at every instant but never got any response other than his boring poker face. It annoyed her that he was the only male who wasn’t distracted by her and ready to obey her every command.

  Her father spoke highly of him and she had often seen the two of them deep in conversation. With her, James gave polite answers and nothing more.

  The fateful day came when Mairead had just endured an exhausting regime of gymnastic training and a balling out from her trainer. Angry and sweaty, Mairead had marched to the waiting car where James was holding the door opened. Throwing her bag inside, she climbed in and put her feet up on the seat.

  James started the car and looked back at her via the rear view mirror, “Seatbelt Miss Kavanagh.”

  “Bite me James.” Mairead folded her arms.

  James turned the engine off and sat silently waiting.

  Mairead exploded, “Oh for fuck’s sake,” She wrenched the belt across her and clicked it into place, “Right! Are you happy now? Just drive the fucking car.”

  James started the car and eased it onto the road. Mairead stewed in the back.

  “I’m not going to back to gymnastics. I’m going to tell Dad that he can stick it up his arse.” She looked at James in the rear view mirror but his eyes were on the road. “Just because I missed two practice sessions. I mean, what’s the big fucking deal. I’m better than everyone in my grade anyway. Why go off at me in front of everyone?”

  James kept driving silently and it only served to enflame her temper.

  “Those fucking bitches in my class have been whinging again.” She kicked the back of the seat. “The whole lot of them are just a bunch of fucking cunts.”

  The car suddenly swung off to the side of the road and stopped abruptly. Mairead sat up. “What the fuck happened?”

  She watched in astonishment as James opened his door, got out and began to walk around to the passenger side. Opening the door he slid onto the seat beside her and slammed the door shut. Mairead was bewildered and a little nervous. James had never been so physically close and his presence seemed immense. She could smell his cologne and the starch of his shirt. She looked up at him warily but he did not look at her.

  “What are you doing James?

  There was only silence but when he spoke his voice was eerily calm.

  “If I hear one more disgusting word come out of your mouth, I will take you over my knee, take your pants down and spank your bare bottom to the colour of a ripe cherry.”

  Mairead felt her face flush and a little shudder ripple through her body. When she tried to speak her words were barely a whisper. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  James turned his face to hers. “Try me.”

  Mairead could not hold the stare of his furious eyes. Her defiance shattered and she shook her head timidly. James stared at her a moment longer before getting out of the car and returning to the driver’s seat. He started the car and returned to the road. It was a long silent drive home to her North Shore estate.

  Upon arrival, Mairead was out of the car the moment it stopped, and running to the safety of her home. The large wooden front door swung open and Mairead thrilled at the smiling face of Joanne, her father’s secretary and housekeeper.

  Joanne’s smile faded when she saw Mairead’s tormented face. “Mairead, what’s the matter?”

  Mairead shook her head. “Nothing, I’m just tired.”

  “Come and I’ll make you a hot Milo, dear. You look exhausted.” Joanne stepped back to let her in but Mairead turned and looked back at the car. James was staring at her but the safety of Joanne and her home gave Mairead new courage. This time she returned his gaze as she felt her anger bloom.

  With great precision she silently mouthed the word “Motherfucker” in his direction and smiled sweetly before skipping through the door.

  The incident played over and over again in her mind, evoking a range of emotions. As hard as she tried to forget it, the humiliation was almost as tangible as the memory of his cologne. She wished a little that she had called his bluff but the thought of what might have happened made her blush furiously. It made her wonder what his hands upon her would have been like.

  When she could stand it no longer her attention became focussed on her trainer. She certainly had no fear of him. He was all mouth and liked the sound of his own voice. When he could not intimidate her with his anger, he had resorted to insulting her movements. The girls in her class had a thing for him and happily added to his verbal abuse. He was by no means the first man she had complained to her father about and had removed.

  It reminded her that there was another man who was coming close to losing his job.

  Skipping down the stairs, Mairead froze as she saw James follow her father into the library. Her instincts were beckoning her back to the safety of her bedroom and a locked door, but her curiosity pushed her slowly down the stairs and to the doors of the library.

  Inside she could hear them talking about some rugby game and then her father asked, “So what’s all this about James?”

  “There was an incident with your daughter this afternoon which will effect my immediate dismissal and whatever other action you deem necessary.”

  “What the hell are talking about James?”

  “I threatened Mairead with a spanking to her bare bottom.”

  There was a long silence. Mairead held her breath waiting for the bellowing boom of her father’s wrath. She could almost feel sorry for James and a little sad that he would be handed his marching orders. However her compassion vanished when the next sound she heard was her father’s roaring laughter.

  “When I hired you, the agency told me that you had been decorated for bravery in Afghanistan.” Sean Kavanagh laughed again. “But going up against Mairead... what on earth was her reaction?”

  “I believe she was frightened sir.”

  “Mairead frightened! Is that even possible? It’s usually my staff being terrified by her.” There was a long silence before Kavanagh spoke again. “The last time I saw Mairead frightened was when we lowered her mother’s coffin into the grave. She was six years old and I’ve never forgotten the look on her face. I resolved to do everything I could to make her smile again. It just seemed right to let her have her own way and do whatever she wanted to do. These last few years have proved that to be a mistake.”

  “I will forfeit all termination pay and leave immediately.”

  “Rubbish. There will be no termination and I will not accept your resignation either.”

  “Mr. Kavanagh...”

  “James. In the several months that you have been here your services have been exemplary. I do not believe I have ever met a more disciplined and educated young man. No doubt your time with the British Army has had much to do with that. The fact that my daughter was able to infuriate even you...” Kavanagh laughed again. “Tell me what she did.”

  “Her vocabulary included several words that I deemed unsuitable for her age, for my ears or indeed for the local pub.”

  Kavanagh groaned. “Yes. I’ve been sorely tempted to take a bar of soap to her mouth myself on several occasions.”

  “I still believe Sir that my behaviour warrants dismissal.”

  “It’s not going to happen, James.” Sean was firm. “With our government newly formed, my appointment as Minister of Development, I need my household to function like a machine and I need staff upon whom I can solidly rely. You are Mairead’s driver and security and if she is a little intimidated by you then so be it. Let’s leave it there James.”

  There was another long pause before James answered, “If that is your final decision...”

  “It is James.”

  Their alliance had been forged at her expense and Mairead was furious. She was about to burst through the doors when her father’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

  “Oh and James,” He chuckled slightly. “Try not to leave any bruises.”

  “I won’t Sir.”

  Mairead flew up t
he stairs, propelled by rage and betrayal. She tried to calm herself with the belief that her father was joking yet a niggling feeling remained that he had just given the chauffeur permission to spank her.

  The nurse returned with a wheelchair and Mairead shook her head. “I am not leaving here in that.”

  “It is hospital policy Miss Kavanagh,” she explained. “We’re releasing you a little earlier than we intended and we can’t have you collapsing on your departure.”

  “I’m fine,” she lied, very aware of how drowsy she was feeling. “I can walk.”