by Brian Cain
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jodi had never really had so much time to herself, another morning walk in the spacious and meticulously manicured gardens she found relaxing. She picked the odd flower twirling the stalk the head rotating in front of her face, she remembered putting butter cups under her chin in the spring sun as a child for John to tell her if she liked butter should the reflection be clear on her skin and of course it always was.
The snipers high in the manor towers reminded her of the situation when she admired the lines of the stately dwelling. “Where are we Bruce?”
Bruce forced a smile one side of his face as he scanned the trees and bush walkways. “You know I can’t tell you anything. There was an attempt to get at a double masquerading in London last night, we have the perpetrators, the scenario is serious.”
“I have doubles making themselves obvious in busy places, has to be John right.”
“Been going on for centuries, it works that’s the important point. I do have some news for you, your daughter Lola and granddaughter Jasmine will be here in fifteen minutes, just confirmed on my wire. John had them follow you.”
“What about the boys.”
Bruce laughed. “Boys, they’re men, very dangerous men. No need to worry trust me.”
“How long will we be here?”
“How long is a piece of string, we have no idea. John will be heading to the Middle East, the French Secret Service member whom was with Luke survived, he will be doing many things whilst chasing up the lead you stumbled on including regarding the missing weapons in Afghanistan and finding out exactly what happened to Luke.”
“So much is happening at the same time.”
“You and your daughters arrival here has been quite obvious, there’s a reason for that. As soon as we have doubles available you will be going back to Australia, no one will know you have returned, not even John.”
“He’ll find out.”
Hurst nodded. “He needs to so he’s aware you need protection and where you are but pay absolutely no attention to you at all. You have to be discreet, John is so busy so please don’t ploy for his attention.”
“Do you know what its like to be without your closest human counterpart, lay awake at night wondering about them?”
“Yes, I’m a married man.”
“How does your wife handle it?”
“The same as you, she lays awake at night wondering just like me.”
“I suppose John does it, silly and selfish of me to think like that.”
“Human nature, airline pilots, travelling salesmen, long distance lorry drivers plus a host of others share a common problem, separation. When you my wife gets to see me again, till then she understands. She has no idea what I do just as you knew nothing of John’s ploy.”
“I hope you can keep it like that.”
Hurst pushed his wire hard to his ear listening. “Lola and Jasmine have just come through the gate, we should head back to the house.”