by Connor Black
“If it hadn’t been me, Avan, it would have been one of my mates. Lifeguards, and all of the surfers there, look out for everyone.”
He made a dismissive gesture in my direction, and then continued speaking to Sterba and Chen. “Young Jackson, you see, became a part of my family that day. He has been stuck with me ever since.”
“Which is fine when Michelle is here, but a bit challenging when it’s just you,” I said.
“Michelle?” Chen asked.
“Michelle is Avan’s beautiful wife.” I turned to Avan and asked, “Is she coming down soon?”
Avan nodded. “Yes, she is. You shall be saved from the old man soon enough.” While Avan was Arab, Michelle was French, and had been catching up with her nieces and nephews in Paris since I’d arrived.
Sterba returned to the table, his rib-eyes sliced and showing they were, indeed, cooked perfectly. We set about our steak and salad, the conversation flowing easily between us. As we finished the last of our dinner, Hélène appeared with a small pot of espresso and four demitasse cups. As she went to clear our plates, Sterba and I rose to help.
“Je vous en prie, restez assis,” she said, wanting us to stay at the table.
“Merci, Hélène. Vous êtes un amour,” I replied.
She turned to leave, and Avan asked, “So what is next for the three of you?”
“Well,” Chen replied, “Vatchenko’s communications will be monitored back in America. We’ll probably stay at the base in Toulon and see what comes up.”
“The base in Toulon?” Avan said. “Nonsense. There are too many bedrooms here for just Michelle and me. It would be an honor to have you as our guest, my dear.”
Chen looked at me. I smiled, giving a brief nod.
“I would love to, Avan. Thank you,” she replied.
“And we shall make space in the dungeon for these two Neanderthals.”
“That would be fitting,” Chen said, laughing.
“Then it is settled.” Avan raised his small coffee cup in the manner of a toast.
I leaned back, taking in our little scene. Chen, Sterba, and I were an odd mix, but we had grown close over the course of our missions together. Seeing them here in the dwindling light, sharing stories with Avan, it dawned on me that this was my family. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
The days ahead I knew were unknown. We’d watch Vatchenko, see how he was involved with the attacks, and then find a way to bring him down. After him, there would be more. The world is cruel that way. But for now I set that aside to enjoy this moment. High above Antibes, surrounded by laughter. Surrounded by family.
I looked out to the sea and smiled to myself, if just for this moment.
Author’s Note
Thanks for reading Troubleshooters. I hope you enjoyed the brief escape with Jackson. He’ll be back again, I promise.
Self-published authors sincerely appreciate the support of readers like you. In fact, we rely solely on your reviews and recommendations. So if you enjoyed this story and have a minute to spare, please leave a review on Amazon. And if you have yet another minute, send an email to [email protected] so that I can thank you personally.
About the Author
Connor Black is an interactive design consultant in Northern California. He lives with his wife, a New Zealander, and their two sons, who are dual citizens much like Jackson Chase.
Say hello
@ConnorBlackBks
ConnorBlackBooks
[email protected]
Also by Connor Black
Exposure - Jackson Chase Novella No. 1
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events, and places are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, establishments, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No parts of this story may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means—by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise—without prior written permission from the author.
Troubleshooters - Jackson Chase Novella No. 2
Copyright © 2014 Connor Black
II
Created with Vellum