Aislyn

by Aislyn (NCP) (lit)

  "I wouldn’t get too excited. Gossip says they didn’t hire many of the applicants."

  She whipped the white envelope from the pile of discarded mail on the bench top and ripped it open. Aislyn scanned the contents. "I’m in!" she shrieked. "I got the job. I start...." She read the bottom line of the letter. "Today! Gary, what’s the time? I need to catch the midday ferry to attend the orientation and familiarization afternoon. The letter says I need to take my bags with me. Accommodation is supplied at the staff hostel."

  "Aislyn, that’s great! We’ve been trying to get someone on the island for months. But the midday ferry--damn, that doesn’t give us much time. You pack your bags, and I’ll contact the boss and Seamus." Gary paused in the doorway. "You don’t think Seamus will stop you going? And what about your hair? It’s a different color from when you went to the interview."

  Not if he knows what’s good for him. "This is a coup for us," she said. "I don’t think there’ll be problems with my hair. If anyone asks, I’ll say I dyed it. Do you have a hacksaw?"

  * * * *

  The ferry pulled into the dock, and Aislyn disembarked with the rest of the passengers. Most were guests. They were escorted to a small open-sided bus, their luggage piled on a truck with the Maximillan resort logo painted on the side.

  "New staff over here, please," a crisp voice demanded.

  Aislyn recognized Sameth from the recruitment day but didn’t recall any of the four women who crossed the jetty to join Sameth.

  "My name is Sameth. I’m Maximillan’s assistant and over the next hour, I’ll take you through the familiarization process. We will sign confidentiality contracts, arrange accommodation, and job assignments. Any questions?"

  Aislyn had lots of questions but none suitable for Maximillan’s assistant. She would need to find the answers on her own. She shook her head.

  "No questions?" Sameth glanced around the circle of faces her dark gaze strangely intense and disconcerting.

  "Good. Ladies, if you would follow me please?"

  I want you to remember every little detail about the resort. The boss’s words flitted through Aislyn’s mind as she studied the layout of the resort. During her previous visit, Aislyn had only seen the conference room, but now Sameth led them through a different part, down corridors that were lushly carpeted and past rest areas with groupings of tropical plants and large windows that overlooked the sea.

  "How many people can stay at the resort at one time?" Aislyn asked when they reached a small office tucked deep inside the bowels of the resort.

  "Since we target the luxury end of the market, we take a maximum of thirty couples at any one time in the private bungalows. We have day trippers who come once a week from the mainland, but these visits are strictly regulated so our guests are not inconvenienced."

  Aislyn nodded. "But you hold conferences on the island." Although the initial recruitment drive had given brief details, Aislyn wanted to make sure she had her facts right.

  "That is correct." Sameth sounded intrigued, and Aislyn hoped this was a good thing. The woman’s intent gaze made Aislyn wonder if her guilt showed or if nerves made her feel this way. "We hold at least one conference each week, sometimes two overlapping. The conference guests stay in the hotel part of the resort. Any further questions?" Sameth glanced at her clipboard and then reached for a pile of papers off her desk. She gave one to each of the women. "Take a seat, ladies. We need to get through this quickly since I have a meeting in exactly one hour."

  One hour later, Aislyn unlocked the door of her assigned room. Excitement and trepidation made her insides flutter. This spy business was difficult, but Aislyn was determined to do a professional job and prove a point to Seamus. This was why she had joined the fairy force--to fight crime, to make a difference. Except, no one had ever told her how lonely she’d feel while trying to enter the male’s world.

  Shoving away the dreaded melancholy, Aislyn fumbled her way over to the window to pull open the wooden blinds. A soft sound inside the room made her freeze and when something touched her foot, an alarmed squeak erupted from her throat. With her heart in her throat, she yanked on the cords that operated the blinds. Light flooded the room and glinted off the fur of the cat sitting at her feet.

  "Joe? How did you get here?" She picked up the small black cat and stroked his head. The cat emitted a soft purr and Aislyn chuckled. "You going to help me spy?" She set the cat down on the bed, the soft purr that rumbled from the animal making her feel less alone.

  * * * *

  Maximillan strode backward and forward in front of Sameth’s desk, looking unusually agitated. Sameth had guessed the cause, but she waited for him to tell her.

  "John rang. He wants to meet."

  Sameth sighed inwardly. "You must have known this was a possibility since you invited him to join the scavenger hunt."

  Maximillan dropped onto one of the chrome chairs in front of Sameth’s desk. "I wanted to show off for big brother," he admitted. "Show him I was capable of running a successful enterprise. I didn’t expect him to accept my invitation." He threw his hands in the air. "My step-brother is practically a recluse. Ever since the accident...." He trailed off and stared at Sameth wordlessly.

  Ever since the accident you caused, she thought. "That was before you employed me, wasn’t it?"

  "Ah, yes. I forgot. It seems as though you have worked for me forever."

  Sameth studied the clipboard in front of her. Her boss was right to feel nervous. The noose was tightening around his neck even as they spoke. "Where are you meeting? You are going to meet him?"

  Maximillan frowned and fingered the heavy gold ring on his left hand. "John says he’s collected all the items on the list. I don’t see how. It’s only been a month since the competition started. How can he have collected all the fifteen items, even if he uses the full team allowed of three people?"

  "Max, you’re whining."

  "I am not!"

  "Afraid so. What are you going to do?"

  "I’ll meet him at the pre-arranged check-point for competitors. I can hardly break the rules in my own competition."

  Exhilaration pounded through Sameth. The plan was working. Exactly as John said it would. Her hand trembled as she reached for a pen, and she quickly placed her hands on her lap out of sight. "Would you like me to go instead?" she asked, careful to keep it casual. Inside, her nerves jumped while she waited for the answer that would seal her future.

  "Would you?" Maximillan asked. "No. No, I’ll go," he said in a quick-about face. "I want that kakapo chick for my private collection."

  Sameth shrugged. "All right, Max. Whatever you think best." She picked up the clipboard. "Did you want to meet up with the new employees?"

  The pensive look faded, just as she knew it would. "Any redheads in the group?"

  * * * *

  On the second day of the job, Aislyn knelt on her hands and knees and scrubbed a toilet in one of the private bungalows. She wasn’t surprised when Joe appeared behind her. "I don’t know how you do it," she scolded the cat. The door to her room had clicked shut behind her when she left. Aislyn paused to scratch the cat behind one ear.

  "These people might have piles of money, but they’re slobs." She clambered to her feet and winced at the flash of pain from protesting muscles. Stepping into the bathroom, she searched the bathroom before moving to the bedroom.

  In the bedroom, hidden in the depths of the walk in wardrobe, she found a rugby jersey. It was from the Scottish football union and one of the items on the scavenger hunt list. A grin spread across her face, and she did an impromptu Irish jig around the bed. When she calmed, she replaced the jersey exactly how she found it and continued with her cleaning duties.

  In the second bungalow, she found literature for upcoming stamp auctions strewn around on top of the coffee table. In the third bungalow, she found airplane ticket stubs for flights to Brazil. Not a common destination, for the average tourist.

  "Hello?"

  Aislyn
paused in the middle of toilet scrubbing. "Yes?"

  A man appeared at the end of the passage. "Hello, I’m Maximillan, the owner of the resort." He sauntered closer and thrust out his hand in greeting. "You’re new, I understand."

  Aislyn gestured at her pink rubber gloves. "I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Maximillan."

  "Call me Maximillan," he said, giving a soft chuckle. His gaze wandered down her tunic top and trousers, the uniform provided by the resort for all employees to wear. "I like to personally greet my new employees."

  So, this was the famous Maximillan, the man that Gill and Seamus hated. According to Seamus, the man had his fingers dipped in every crime pie in the city. Aislyn didn’t like the way his gaze traveled up and down her body.

  "Where are you from?" he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

  "Auckland. I share a flat with friends."

  The man smiled, and Aislyn had to admit it was a charming one. "A boyfriend?"

  "That’s right," Aislyn lied. "We’re engaged," she added. While her face remained expressionless, inside her mind buzzed. Dirty, old lecher! He was almost double her age. "You have a beautiful resort here."

  "Thank you. It suits my needs," he murmured.

  I bet it does. "I haven’t had a chance to explore yet, but what I’ve seen is beautiful."

  His grin widened until Aislyn saw shiny white teeth. All the better to eat you with, Aislyn thought. Even without prior knowledge of the man, there was something in his assured manner that made her wary.

  "I can give you a personal tour if you like. And if you’re interested, I’ll show you my private residence. It’s a listed building. Reverend Rogers lived there in the 1800’s. I have renovated of course, but in keeping with the character of the building."

  "It sounds ... fascinating," Aislyn said, a touch of panic setting in as she tried to manufacture reasons not to visit.

  "Shall we say on your day off? You can stay for dinner, can’t you?"

  Aislyn took a deep breath. She was here to do a job. She wanted to prove she was capable. "That sounds lovely. I have only one day off this week so it’s not worth catching the ferry home."

  "That’s settled then. I’ll contact you later in the week. Welcome to my resort, Aislyn. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here."

  Maximillan left as silently as he’d arrived. Pensively, Aislyn stared down the passage, in the direction he’d disappeared. He knew her name, which meant he’d checked up on her. Perhaps watched her at some stage. A warning voice shrieked in her head. Maximillan’s obvious interest might make her situation difficult. On the other hand, he was offering her an open invitation to visit his estate. Aislyn could hardly turn away this opportunity, even if the man did make her cringe.

  * * * *

  The flat door opened at his thump, and Seamus pushed inside. "I’m here to see Aislyn."

  Gary shut the door after him. "She doesn’t want anything to do with you."

  "Why don’t you let her tell me that?" Seamus was in no mood for Gary’s shenanigans. He’d sorted out things with Renee, and he wanted to tell Aislyn he loved her. He intended to ask Aislyn to marry him despite whatever fallout occurred. His mother, the board--they could protest all they liked. The antique ring worn by all the Gallagher brides weighed his pocket down. A unique ring, it took on the properties of the wearer. Seamus imagined the stone would glow a fiery green, bright enough to dazzle the eyes just like Aislyn overwhelmed and constantly amazed him.

  Gary folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. "She’s not here. She doesn’t want to see you."

  "Aislyn." Seamus started with the kitchen then rapidly searched the rest of the rooms.

  "I told you she wasn’t here."

  The smug tone in his assistant’s voice jerked his chain. Seamus grabbed Gary by the collar of his hot pink shirt and shook him. "Where is she?"

  "Seamus, I’m not telling you until you stop shaking me."

  He meant it too. Seamus scowled. Gill always told him he was good at intimidation, except it wasn’t working on Gary. He loosened his hold on Gary’s shirt and stepped back.

  "Look what you’ve done," Gary complained, smoothing his hands over the wrinkled fabric.

  "I’ll buy you another one," Seamus muttered. "Tell me where Aislyn is. I need to talk to her."

  "I bought this shirt from Barkers. It’s not some cheap rip-off."

  Seamus snorted. The pink hurt his eyes. He wouldn’t be seen dead in a shirt like that, but Gary managed it with flair. "I’ll buy you two shirts. Please, just tell me where Aislyn is."

  "Maximillan’s resort. She got a job. I didn’t."

  Panic like he’d never known kicked him in the gut. "What about backup?" he demanded, but he knew the answer before he asked the question. They had found it next to impossible to place their people on the island. The boss would’ve grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

  "She’s able to come back to Auckland every second week. And she has a cell phone, but we’re keeping that for emergencies only. Cell phone calls are too easy to intercept. She calls every third night to talk to me. We’ve prearranged a code so anyone eavesdropping won’t become suspicious."

  "Why didn’t someone tell me?" Seamus demanded.

  "No doubt the boss will tell you today. Gill and I knew. We decided to keep it quiet."

  "In case Maximillan had someone inside the police force," Seamus finished the sentence. His stomach clenched tight. The dangers that Aislyn faced alone on the island with no backup chilled him to the bone. He didn’t know what the hell he would do if something happened to her. Standing back and waiting weren’t his way. Seamus liked control, and he hated the helplessness he felt right now. Somehow, it made the petty rules they lived by rather insignificant. Perhaps Aislyn was right and it was time for change.

  Hell’s teeth, he loved Aislyn. He’d die if anything happened to her now, when he’d just found her. "All right," he murmured. "Thanks for telling me. I’d better go. Gill and I are checking out a lead." Seamus bolted for the door.

  "Don’t forget my shirts," Gary hollered after him. "I fancy a shirt in peach and the other in a lapis lazuli blue."

  * * * *

  The day before her scheduled time off, a note appeared under her door. Aislyn eyed it thoughtfully. As much as her instinct shrieked to turn down this invitation, she knew she wouldn’t. There was too much at stake. Aislyn ripped the envelope open and perused the contents. The man wanted to spend the afternoon and evening with her and then she would be delivered back to the resort. Like a package, she thought with distaste.

  Joe leapt up on the bed beside her and rubbed insistently against her arm until she scratched him behind the ears.

  "I hope I’m not making a big mistake accepting this invitation," she murmured. "Especially while my magical powers are AWOL." While she thought of it, she attempted to lift an object that sat across the room. The object hovered above the dressing table for all of two seconds before crashing down. Aislyn sighed. "Better than yesterday, I suppose." She glanced at her watch--too early for bed. "What do you say to an evening stroll, Joe?"

  Minutes later, Aislyn hurried down the path that meandered toward the beach. The path wound through the resort, past one of the swimming pools and a stand of kauri trees before arriving at the jetty. The light breeze that tugged at her hair carried a slight nip. Aislyn zipped her jacket against the cold and thrust her hands in her pocket as she navigated the path. The further away from the resort she walked, the more care she needed to take. The sea air filled her lungs, the surge and retreat of the waves as they rolled into the sandy beach was restful.

  The quiet hum of voices made her heart pound with sudden fear. She ducked behind a flax bush and waited anxiously. There were two men, and they walked past without noticing her presence. Aislyn waited for several minutes before venturing back on the path.

  She crept to the end of the path. The beach consisted of sand and broken shells that crunched underfoot when she stepped on th
em. Not the ideal situation for someone who wanted to skulk, but she’d risk detection any way to check out the bungalows situated furthest from the main resort area.

  Since the resort was handy to the islands that were homes to the protected native birds, Aislyn felt sure there would be nocturnal activity along this beach. Perhaps she would catch a scavenger hunter red-handed. At least that was the plan. She had walked in the opposite direction last night with little success. Aislyn hoped for better luck tonight.

  Clouds skittered across the face of the half-moon, obliterating what little light there was. Aislyn pulled out her torch. About to turn it on, a loud noise made her freeze. Aislyn strained her ears, trying to identify the sound. A pebble kicked by a careless foot? She waited for agonizing minutes before deciding it was safe to move. But afraid to switch her torch on, she fumbled along the beach in the dark.

  In the distance, Aislyn saw the lights of one of the bungalows she was responsible for cleaning. Officially called the Veronica bungalow, it was the one situated nearest to the sea. Aislyn had no idea why, but all the bungalows were named after women--probably Maximillan’s idea of a subtle joke. As she neared Veronica bungalow, she eased into the deep shadows thrown by a trio of pohutukawa trees. Aislyn crept closer, intent on seeing if the guests were inside. Butterflies stomped in her tummy as she edged up to the side of the wooden building. Soft voices came from the balcony above the lounge--a male and a female. When a third voice joined the discussion, disappointment surged through Aislyn since that account for the Veronica occupants. She slid back the way she’d come when the sound she had heard earlier occurred again.

  Aislyn froze and when the noise subsided, she moved steadily down the beach away from the resort. The moon appeared briefly then disappeared. Aislyn kicked something ... a large log she discovered when she cautiously stretched out her hand. Ow! And something stunk to high heavens. Aislyn wrinkled her nose and sucked in small breaths through her mouth.

  Without warning, the unidentified sound echoed through the night, carried on the wind. A knot constricted her throat. Her heart hammered loudly. Aislyn didn’t like to move and attract attention. At least, in her dark clothes she wouldn’t be too noticeable. If she kept her face away from the light, she might escape notice. Aislyn heard the clink of a disturbed pebble and the distinctive crunch of footsteps on the broken shells. Her breathing quickened. She was positive whoever was out there would hear the anxious thudding of her heart.