The colonel shook his head. ‘Even though we have proof of her communications from the photos she posted on her social network site, she doesn’t remember anything about contacting the pirates. Nor does she recall locking Connor up. The knock to her head may have caused amnesia. But the doctor thinks she may never have been fully conscious of her actions in the first place.’
‘How can that be?’ asked Ling.
‘Her captor could have programmed subliminal suggestions into her mind, hypnotism being the most likely method.’
‘That’s freaky,’ muttered Richie. ‘I hope nobody ever plays with my brain like that.’
‘No chance,’ said Ling. ‘They’d have to find it first!’
Colonel Black silenced her with a stern look. ‘The good news is that Emily is on the mend. Her doctor says she’s responding well to treatment.’
‘So who do you think is behind all this?’ asked Jason.
‘It has to be an international crime syndicate. There are several possibilities, but no firm leads.’
‘What about the man I saw on the tanker?’ asked Connor. ‘Cali said he was the one ordering the handover to Seven Sabres.’
The colonel sighed. ‘Your description of him was pretty vague. There’s been no trace of him. We can only assume he died in the blaze.’
Connor wasn’t so sure. The man struck him as a snake who could slip any net.
‘Anyway, the Australian Federal Police are investigating the hijacking, so it’s out of our hands now,’ announced the colonel. ‘But Mr Sterling is deeply grateful to us for rescuing his family, and the crew, especially without the need to pay a ransom.’ Colonel Black raised an eyebrow and gave a wry smile. ‘As a gesture of his appreciation, he’s invited Alpha team to a private party to celebrate his marriage to Ms Ryder and his daughters’ safe return.’
‘Where’s the party?’ asked Ling eagerly. ‘Not on a yacht, I hope.’
‘Sydney. And we’re flying first class all the way.’
Mr Sterling had hired an entire island for the party.
Named after its shape rather than its marine life, Shark Island was a unique location for a celebration. Located at the eastern end of Sydney Harbour, it boasted spectacular views of the harbour bridge, opera house and Rose Bay. Connor couldn’t think of a more ideal setting for a party brimming with famous film stars, musicians, supermodels and high-level politicians. Nor could a location be more secure. Being encircled by water, no one could approach the island undetected. And Mr Sterling hadn’t spared any expense on security measures. Besides the high-profile close protection team patrolling the island, Connor’s trained eye had spotted numerous covert bodyguards mingling among the guests.
‘Is that who I think it is?’ said Ling, nodding towards a suave, dark-haired man in a tailored suit.
Jason nodded. ‘But he looks a lot shorter than he does in the movies.’
‘I don’t know where to look,’ sighed Marc as his eyes bounced between all the fashion models sashaying past.
‘Don’t trip over your tongue, Marc,’ said Charley, sipping from a glass of sparkling fruit juice.
Chloe and Emily walked towards them, dressed respectively in coral-pink and straw-yellow summer frocks.
‘How are you enjoying the party?’ asked Chloe.
‘It’s amazing. Never seen so many famous people,’ Connor replied. ‘Thanks for inviting us.’
‘It’s the least we could do.’ Chloe turned to Ling with a repentant expression. ‘I hope you can forgive our little disagreement. I realize now you were just doing your job.’
‘Live and learn, eh?’ said Ling coolly.
‘We almost didn’t live,’ said Emily. ‘That’s why we’re so grateful to Connor.’
The two sisters exchanged a glance, nodded at some unsaid agreement, then leant forward and kissed him on either cheek. Connor felt himself blush at the unexpected affection and noticed Charley glance over then quickly look away. He hoped he wouldn’t be in trouble again.
‘Hey, I supplied the equipment!’ piped up Amir.
The girls laughed and kissed him too. Amir was momentarily lost for words.
Connor studied Emily’s face. It seemed like a shadow had been lifted. ‘You’re looking well.’
‘Thank you, I feel much better,’ she replied, smiling freely. ‘My head was so clouded before, always getting migraines. I thought it was the medication I was on. But that clearly wasn’t the case. Now it’s like sunshine has broken through. I can think … my own thoughts.’
Connor returned her smile. ‘I’m glad you’ve found yourself again.’
He heard his name being called and turned to see a slim African boy among the partygoers. His white silk shirt looked a size too big for him, but he was no longer skin and bones. ‘Cali! What are you doing here?’
Cali greeted him with a beaming smile. ‘Mr Sterling arrange a visa for me.’
‘I thought you wanted to go to South Africa.’
‘Yes! Maybe on holiday. I live in Oz now,’ he replied proudly.
The party went on all afternoon, taking full advantage of the glorious summer sunshine.
Connor and Ling were reunited with the Orchid’s crew, Captain Locke even greeting Connor with a salute. The crew members were relaxed and carefree, a world away from the trauma of the hijacking. But Connor noticed they all bore their scars, Jordan’s being the most obvious, although he was more than happy to show a glamorous model his ‘war wounds’. The rest of the crew’s scars weren’t so visible, just the occasional nervous twitch at the sound of a cork popping or Sophie’s sad gaze as she looked across the water at the harbour bridge, no doubt thinking of Brad.
As dusk approached, Mr Sterling and Amanda – his new wife outdoing all the models in an ivory chiffon slit-gown – eventually broke from their socializing to thank Connor and the others in Alpha team.
‘I always had faith in you, Connor,’ said Mr Sterling, warmly shaking his hand and beaming a silvery smile. ‘Never once doubted that you’d deliver the goods and bring my Amanda and daughters safely home.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ replied Connor, although he caught the incredulous look on Charley’s face.
Amanda graced him with a kiss, her heady perfume enveloping him as she leant into his cheek.
‘You’re one brave boy,’ she said, ruffling his hair. ‘If we have a son, I hope he grows up to be like you.’
She laid a protective hand over her belly, Mr Sterling beside her beaming with pride. Chloe and Emily exchanged surprised looks.
‘You’re pregnant?’ asked Chloe.
Amanda nodded. ‘Twelve weeks.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Emily. ‘That’s wonderful news.’
As word spread and guests clustered round to toast the new baby, Chloe leant close to Connor’s ear.
‘Fancy taking a trip in our speedboat?’ she whispered, pointing at a sleek red boat moored at the end of the island’s jetty.
‘Shouldn’t we ask your father first?’ said Connor.
Chloe glanced at the crowd of well-wishers and shook her head. ‘No, he’s busy celebrating. And he won’t mind.’
‘But what about security?’ asked Connor.
‘Hey, I have you!’ she said, taking his hand. ‘And Ling can come too.’
‘Now that sounds like my sort of fun,’ said Ling, setting aside her glass of fresh lemonade.
‘Emily, are you going to join us?’ asked Connor.
‘Sure. Why not?’ she replied, clearly still trying to take in the news of their pregnant stepmother.
Chloe led the way down to the jetty.
‘Want to drive, Ling? It’s way faster than a jet ski.’
Ling grinned. ‘Definitely. As long as this one doesn’t explode!’
Jumping in, Ling settled into the pilot’s seat, pressed the ignition and took them out into the harbour. She headed in the direction of the bridge, where the sun was beginning to dip through its arch.
‘I can’t believe Amanda’s h
aving a baby,’ exclaimed Chloe. ‘It’s the first I knew about it.’
Emily glanced at Connor, then smiled at her sister. ‘Do you know what? I’d actually quite like a brother.’
‘Hey, let’s see how fast this baby goes,’ said Ling, driving the throttle forward.
The speedboat surged across the harbour, cutting through the water like an arrow. As they zoomed past another boat, Connor did a double take. The boat was being piloted by a bald-headed black man. And in the stern, removing his scuba gear and wetsuit, was a white man with a lion tattoo on his arm.
Todd Logan and Doug Carter.
The two men watched the Sterlings’ speedboat pass by with an unsettling intensity.
Connor’s sixth sense went into overdrive. He hunted round the boat.
‘What’s the matter?’ said Emily. ‘What are you looking for?’
Connor didn’t really know until he glanced over the side and found it. On the speedboat’s hull, just below the waterline, was a small black box with a transmitter. It could only be one thing.
‘Bomb on board!’ cried Connor.
The girls stared at him in shock and horror. But Ling reacted with a bodyguard’s instinct. She threw the speedboat’s throttle to its max, grabbed Chloe and dived over the side. Connor was a split second behind with Emily in his arms. They hit the water hard, plunging beneath the surface.
A moment later, the speedboat exploded.
Connor was sparring with Ling in the Buddyguard gymnasium when Charley entered and announced, ‘Good news! Todd Logan and Doug Carter have been caught.’
Momentarily distracted by the news, Connor almost got his head knocked off by a roundhouse kick from Ling. He countered with a front-kick, then backed away to a safe distance. Amir rang the bell, pausing the boxing-ring timer at one minute and twenty-two seconds remaining. Connor wiped the sweat from his brow, while Ling took a slug from her water bottle.
‘Where did they find them?’ he asked, handing his towel back to Amir.
‘It took a while, but the police tracked them down to a guesthouse near Broken Hill in the Australian Outback,’ Charley replied. ‘They’ve confessed to planting the bomb. Just as you thought, Connor, Todd had attached the device after the security teams had completed their sweep.’
‘Have they said why they did it?’ asked Ling.
‘For the money. It was just another job as far as they were concerned.’
‘So who hired them?’ asked Connor.
Charley brought up a photo on her smartphone of a tanned middle-aged man with auburn hair. ‘Mr Joseph Ward.’
‘Mr Sterling’s business rival!’ gasped Amir. ‘The one he exposed for corporate fraud.’
‘The very same,’ replied Charley. ‘Ward blamed Mr Sterling for destroying his life and family. And he was determined to take his revenge on Mr Sterling’s family. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.’
‘But isn’t he still in jail?’ said Ling.
‘Yes. And guess where the two ex-cons both served their last sentences? Long Bay Prison. The same prison Ward is being held in.’
Amir frowned. ‘But how did Ward pay them? When I was compiling Operation Gemini’s threat report, the papers said all his assets had been seized by the courts.’
‘As you know, Mr Sterling has many enemies. Not that it surprises me,’ said Charley, raising an eyebrow. ‘The disgraced politician Harry Gibb funded the criminal operation.’
‘But he died of a suspected heart attack,’ said Connor.
Charley nodded. ‘Gibb had wanted revenge, for having his illegal dealings exposed by Mr Sterling’s newspapers. However, he didn’t have the necessary criminal contacts – whereas Ward did. Ward’s now been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder, Todd and Doug having also admitted to sabotaging the jet skis.’
Connor and Ling exchanged astonished looks.
‘Sorry, Connor,’ said Ling, holding up her gloved hands in apology. ‘Those dudes were in the Seychelles.’
‘Does this mean Ward was also responsible for the hijacking?’ asked Connor.
Charley shrugged. ‘He denies knowing anything about that. The Australian Federal Police are investigating further, but we may never know the truth. I tell you one thing, though: Chloe and Emily were just innocent victims in this tangle of revenge against their father.’
‘Those poor girls,’ said Amir, touching his cheek where they’d both kissed him.
‘They didn’t do too badly,’ said Ling. ‘They had Connor protecting them.’
Connor grinned – that was the closest he’d get to a compliment from Ling. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feeling. But already Ling had raised her gloves into a fighting stance.
‘Come on, hotshot. The round’s not over yet.’
Amir rang the bell and restarted the timer. Connor needed to be on his guard – Ling always won her fights. But if his recent assignment had taught him one thing, it was that Charley’s motto was true: If you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re probably right. So this time he was determined to win …
This is my tenth novel. And I can tell you the writing process doesn’t get any easier. In fact, I believe it becomes harder. The bar to entertain, surprise and thrill the reader is set higher each time. That’s why I continue to rely on so many people to ensure I deliver the best story I can. So I’d like to thank the following who have supported me from start to finish:
My long-suffering wife, Sarah, who has to manage the ebbs and flows of elation and despair that I experience when writing. My two wonderful sons, Zach and Leo, you are a constant inspiration for me. My mum and dad who diligently help to proofread all my drafts. Sue and Simon for helping with the boys and keeping our garden looking lovely. Steve and Sam for taking the boys swimming; and Karen and Rob for being such wonderful friends.
Charlie Viney, my agent, who has my best interests at heart all the time. Clemmie Gaisman and Nicky Kennedy at ILA. Pippa Le Quesne for her insightful advice.
My team of loyal Puffin editors: Alex Antscherl, Shannon Cullen, Wendy Shakespeare and Helen Gray.
A special thanks must go to Abdilahi Nur and his mother for checking the Somali translation. Mahadsanid.
Trevor Wilson and Shelley Lee at Authors Abroad for all their diligent work in organizing my book tours around the world.
And all my good friends for their encouragement and support, including but not exclusive to Geoff and Lucy, Matt, Charlie, Jackie and Russell, the members of the HGC (Dan, Siggy, Larry, Dean, Giles), my cousin Laura and the Dyson clan (especially my god-daughter Lulu!).
Stay safe.
Chris
Any fans can keep in touch with me and the progress of the Bodyguard series on my Facebook page, or via the website at www.bodyguard-books.com
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Bodyguard: Ransom (Book 2) Page 28