Immortal Espionage

by Debbie Behan

  ‘If our Sleeping Beauty does ring, can you ask her to ring me on this number urgently?’ he said holding up a piece of paper that he handed to Jay.

  Ricco moved nearer, making the next comment private.

  Jay swallowed hard as his intoxicating aftershave wafted, but kept his wits about him. ‘I hate to break it to you Prince Ricco, but you have Buckley’s and none of having her ring you,’ Jay replied sarcastically and silently wished him to go away and leave Ali alone.

  ‘Ask her in any case.’ Ricco held Jay’s gaze stubbornly, his voice raised.

  ‘Fine,’ Jay said and snatched at the note, ‘but personally I hope she tells you to go to hell. As if you miss her with this circus you got going on around you.’

  Ricco’s face flushed crimson, and his eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t jump to conclusions Jay. You did enough of that last time we talked. You have no idea …’ He didn’t finish as someone approached him. He turned, giving the person a winning smile before he turned back to Jay with a do as I say, or else, expression.

  * * * *

  After work Jay made haste. He wanted to be home in time for Ali’s call. She’s going to freak when she finds out lover boy’s jealous.

  ‘Is that you Ali?’ Her voice sounded sad and tired. ‘Are you okay, girlfriend?’

  She giggled flatly.

  ‘Have you been crying?’

  ‘I’m okay.’

  ‘Come back here and we’ll work it out together. Share somewhere private. There is no need for you to be on your own. We can pretend we are boyfriend and girlfriend.’

  That made her laugh. ‘I could feel you shudder just saying that, you fake.’

  Jay laughed as well. It sounded funnier than he meant it to be.

  ‘Honestly, it’s better than having you so sad. Give it thought; I’m cool with living with you. It will be like I have another annoying sister, but in a good way. I could do your hair and makeup and you could teach me how to just flutter my eyes and act sexy.’

  ‘You have to be kidding me? There is no way you would want to be tied down with a woman for the rest of your life.’ She chuckled again, but he noticed in her voice she sounded better. They joked and chatted for some time before Jay remembered what Ricco asked.

  ‘Hey, I nearly forgot to tell you. Your boyfriend shirt-collared me today.’

  She went quiet, as he suspected. If this upset her, Ricco would cop it in the morning.

  ‘Go on.’

  Not leaving out a detail Jay told all. ‘Oh and he asked me to pass on his phone number.’ He rattled it off. ‘Did you write it down?’

  ‘Aha.’

  He doubted she even did, but at least he had done what the big guy asked. He didn’t want to get shirt-collared the next day again.

  ‘You okay?’

  ‘He never explained why?’ she said quietly.

  Jay heard her sniffle and by the ruffle of the phone line he knew she wiped away tears.

  ‘No, he didn’t. We got interrupted before he could finish what he was going to say and now I’ve made you sad again. You really dug him hey.’

  She cried and Jay felt a schmuck.

  ‘Sorry Ali, I won’t talk of him anymore. I didn’t know it was that serious between you. Don’t cry or I’ll get in my brand new Land Cruiser and come find you.’

  She half laughed, half sobbed. ‘Does it drive nicely? I did really like the look of it.’

  ‘Well yes! So cool. Has everything added and you even picked my favourite colour, midnight blue. You’re the bomb, girl.’

  She giggled.

  ‘It’s copped some serious looks. Tomorrow I’m pulling up to let my friends suss it out.’

  ‘Why don’t you take it for a spin now? It’s only early yet.’

  ‘Silly girl, I prefer to sit here and chat with you. I’ve been worried sick and it concerns me that you’re upset. I want to be with you and help you hide. Would you hate me if I came and found you and hang around as your daggy kid brother?”

  She laughed, so his kidding had worked, and said, ‘Don’t you dare. I’ve given you a tool to go get a lover to hang out with, so you better have some juicy gossip for me next time I ring or else.’

  ‘Ali, are you sure? I want to be with you too.’

  ‘I’m sure Jay. I love having you as my friend and that alone makes me so happy. But the thought of something happening to you frightens me.’

  ‘Okay. But if you need anything I’m just a phone call away.’

  ‘Thanks Jay. And thanks for cheering me up, I’m fine now and sleepy. Goodnight.’

  ‘Please ring me again tomorrow night. Night Sleeping Beauty; love you girl.’ Jay ended the conversation.

  * * * *

  Ricco was waiting for Jay when he pulled up in the car park again. He eyed the car suspiciously.

  ‘A present from your Sleeping Beauty no doubt. I hardly expect a desk clerk could afford that luxury.’

  Jay nodded. ‘Thanks to you lot chasing her away. Pretty cool isn’t it.’

  His look was far away. ‘Why did you say you lot? I’m not trying to hurt her. Why would you include me in their game?’

  Jay flared up at his arrogance. ‘You were taking her to them. What don’t you understand that your part in this sucked as much as theirs? Damn, even for a prince you can be pretty thick.’

  Ricco grabbed his arm again and threw him up against the car in a rage. ‘I had nothing to do with this mess. If she’d spoken to me I would have let her know that the plan was to swap boats. I had no intentions of–look! Just forget it. I don’t have to explain myself Jay. Just tell me. Did you give her my message?’

  Jay nodded, hardly able to breathe as Ricco had hold of him so tightly. He calmed and let him go.

  Jay rubbed his neck where he had been leaned upon. ‘Yes, tough guy, but it’s the last favour.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  He came really close to Jay’s face and growled, ‘What did she say?’

  Jay stepped away from him. ‘She cried, all right? That’s all and it made me feel bad. I’m not upsetting her any more so leave me alone.’

  Ricco let him go and Jay stomped off into work.

  He’s a big bully and doesn’t deserve her. He roughly pushed his backpack in the locker.

  * * * *

  It was an unusually busy night, but not so busy that Jay didn’t notice the prince and his friends walk through to go to dinner. There were twice as many tonight and he looked as if he had been drinking. His eyes were glazed and his movement very relaxed.

  Jay was involved in a stack of paperwork when Ricco spoke and Jay almost shot off the seat. Another ruthless habit… he likes to sneak up on people.

  Ricco leaned over towards Jay. He could smell the whiskey on his breath.

  ‘She hasn’t rung. I want her number.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘As if I’d allow you speak to her in that state. Look, you’re drunk so get lost buddy.’

  Ricco’s eyes softened and he frowned. ‘I miss mon chéri. Please tell me where she is?’

  ‘No! I told you. I don’t know and even if I did, you would be the last person I’d tell. Now go away and stop pestering me.’

  Ricco’s eyes darkened and then gave a wicked smile. ‘I could give you so much more than a car and you know it.’

  ‘You’re not my type.’ Jay glared back at him, not quite sure what he meant. But if he was the one on offer it was out of the question.

  He laughed. ‘I mean material objects.’

  ‘Prince Ricco, I appreciate that normally you can buy what you want, but she has become dear to me and is not for sale. That, my friend, even you could never replace.’

  ‘Ah, you called me your friend. I am wearing you down.’

  ‘No, that wasn’t the context intended.’

  He stood up and grinned. ‘Too late. Friends we now are.’

  ‘Well friends don’t usually keep getting thrown up against wal
ls and cars.’

  ‘Then I will refrain from being such a bully, young Jay.’ He turned and walked away. He was a funny character and Jay could see how easily it would be to befriend him if the circumstances were different.

  * * * *

  ‘Hi Jay, did I wake you? You sound half asleep.’

  ‘Sorry Ali, I dozed off waiting for your call.’

  ‘Well, have you found a yummy partner yet?’ she purred through the phone.

  It had been a few days since Jay had heard from Ali. She had left a message on the answering service that she had been busy and would ring him tonight.

  ‘It’s nearly midnight girl. What have you been up to?’

  ‘I’ve taken on a new job singing and dancing. Guess where?’

  ‘A casino,’ Jay joked.

  ‘You spoilt my surprise, how did you guess?’

  ‘Really, I was just joking.’

  ‘Yep! Three nights now; that’s why I didn’t ring. I was in training.’

  ‘Training! Aren’t you scared that being in the one place will make it easier for them to find you?’

  She laughed and sounded happy. ‘Jay it’s perfect. It’s a job in a cabaret act. I dress up identically to the others and that has me unrecognisable. Hey and they made me the lead singer.’

  Jay rolled around the bed laughing. ‘A singer.’

  ‘Jay, stop it you meanie. You know I can hold a note, I sang to you.’

  ‘Ali, you’re too pretty to be a singer. Not a soul would listen to you. They would be too busy perving.’

  ‘Well they like me so there.’

  ‘I bet they do.’ He kept laughing.

  She went quiet so Jay decided to stop stirring.

  ‘I thought you’d be happy for me.’ She sulked.

  ‘I am Ali; I was kidding. I’m sure you’re very good at it.’ He chuckled more.

  ‘Stop it meanie.’ She started to see the humour in how it sounded. ‘But it’s true,’ she tried to convince him further. ‘Honestly, I’m having a blast.’

  ‘The image of you on stage, singing… are you sure you’re not just trying to make me laugh?’

  ‘I’ll get someone to take a picture of me on their phone. Someone reliable that can’t be traced and get them to send it to you.’

  ‘That’s a great idea. And if there’s someone I’d be interested in, get them in the shot. At least I will have something to drool over while I’m laughing at you.’

  ‘There is one guy here. I’ll put him in the shot.’

  ‘Damn, girl you can be thoughtful. I totally love these conversations.’

  ‘So how’s the dating really going, anything to report yet?’

  ‘I’ve got second date tomorrow night. He’s dreamy even if I do say so myself. He loves cars, cars, cars, and oh, that’s right–me.’

  ‘He sounds nice, Jay. Good luck. Look I have to duck out. Going out with my new friends, catch you later. Love you sweetie.’

  Suddenly Jay remembered that he had a message from Ricco for her. ‘You know your boyfriend left a message with me.’

  She went quiet and he could have kicked himself.

  ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned him. Just go have fun and forget I said anything, okay.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  Jay hadn’t seen the prince for a couple of nights so told her of the last time they crossed paths and how he said he missed her. She pumped him, word for word, and once Jay finished she sounded pleased.

  ‘I miss him too Jay, although I will never believe in him again.’ She said it quietly before the tone of her voice cheered up. ‘Sorry I woke you…not. I’ll ring in a couple of days and chat. Enjoy your date. Just promise me not to fall for him until you know him better.’

  ‘Not likely, my heart’s a bit tougher to win over than yours.’

  After she hung up he lay awake pondering. No wonder the big guy was so wrapped up in her. She really knew how to get under a guy’s skin. Why Jay missed her he had no idea. But he was pleased she had something that was taking her mind off the raw deal she faced.

  He continued to toss and turn thinking of her on stage until his curiosity got the better of him. Out of bed, he pulled on shorts, and the sound of his bare feet padded on the wood floor as he headed for his computer. He couldn’t help the desperate need he had and that was to make sure Alina was okay. A plan formed in his head as he sat, and he flipped the top off a soda and drank heartily as he began to do a google search of casinos. A couple of them had an act that sounded like what she described.

  The best bet was that she was in Melbourne. Jay had a week’s holiday coming up and decided to bring it forward. He had to consider that he still may be under the watchful eye of her pursuers. With this in mind he worked most of the night on a plan to avoid the police entirely.

  * * * *

  Over the next few weeks Jay put his strategy into effect and left disguises in well hidden transport lockers. His heart pumped with excitement by the time he was ready to set off on his secret mission. His covert operation to spy on his girlfriend and make sure she was safe and happy had begun.

  The night before he went on his little trip he could barely sleep. The day had come. He had almost finished his shift when Ricco walked in, looking poorly.

  ‘You okay Prince Ricco?’ Jay said as Ricco leaned against the desk, considerably off colour. ‘Do you need a doctor?’

  ‘A love doctor. And please, just Ricco is fine. Unless I am in company.’ He frowned.

  ‘Well Ricco, don’t tell me you have blown it with another woman. You’re track record’s not looking too good.’

  ‘Cheeky bastard, you know who I fret for and you refuse to help me.’

  Jay slanted his head to the side and eyed Ricco. He had black rings around his eyes and his cheeks looked gaunt. It suddenly dawned on Jay that the prince may just have been telling the truth.

  ‘You’re kidding me Ricco. Are you honestly telling me you love Ali?’

  Ricco’s eyes glazed and softened. ‘More than life, Jay. I’m not good at love. I’ve never felt this before and it feels as if my guts are getting ripped out. I’ve had my best investigators on the job and I know the whole damned police department is after her and yet, nothing. Every time there’s a sighting, I go, and it leads me nowhere. Nobody knows her whereabouts except you Jay. Don’t worry, I haven’t told the police of you. But you have to know. You are my only link to her. Please tell me she is all right and happy.’

  All of a sudden Jay felt terrible for him. He could just imagine how mucked up he too would be if he didn’t know where she was. And Jay had only spent a day with her. He missed her so much he had planned a trip to find her, just to make sure she was okay. This guy in front of him had spent four days with her and they had obviously fallen in love. It must be worse for him, he thought, as he watched him.

  ‘Ricco, she’d never trust or talk to me again if I tried to help you. Geez, I don’t even know if I trust you fully. You might be wearing me down for your detective friend.’

  He looked at Jay sadly. ‘I would never give her up to them. I love her, Jay, don’t you get that? I have since she first approached me dressed as a man.’ He smiled a little. ‘Of course I saw straight through it.’

  His eyes glazed over with thought. He had slight smile, obviously reminiscing. He breathed deeply as if he could even still smell her scent, then frowned. ‘It wasn’t until the next day as I prepared to meet with her, did I have that detective mongrel come up and threaten me. He tried to get me to agree to help him. I just spun him a yarn to get him out of my face. I could ill afford for him to look into my own past and so I played along with him. Believe me, I know this excuse is hard for you to wrap your head around, but it’s the truth. And now mon chéri has done a runner and I feel I might fret for an eternity, unless I find her.’

  ‘Eternity?’

  ‘That’s a bad word to use. I meant for as long as I live.’

  ‘No you didn’t. You said eternity. With your edu
cation and status, I don’t believe you would use wrong words in a sentence. You’re the same as her aren’t you? That is the connection you both can’t shake. Does she know?’

  The prince shook his head, looking surprised. He hadn’t realised, and was shocked, that Jay knew Alina’s deepest secret. ‘The right time just never came up. I’m a fool. I thought she just knew I wanted to protect her.’ He looked at Jay for help. ‘So now I’ve bared my soul to you young Jay. Can you help me find her, fix this?’

  Jay was never lost for words, yet he found the knowledge of two immortals living here on Earth was more than he could take in all at once. The idea of two people able to live forever blew his mind.

  Ricco sighed, seeing no response from Jay, and clearly intended to walk away. He had his head lowered and Jay knew it was a final ditch effort to convince Jay to help him.

  He could let Ricco walk away, but was that fair to Alina? She had to know. He needed to get them together just so they could at least talk. Who was he to keep two souls that lived forever apart? It made no sense. Jay knew he’d only ever be a friend for a short while Ricco could offer many centuries of companionship. He’d be a companion and a friend for all time. He’d keep her happy long after Jay was gone.

  ‘Okay I’ll help’ Jay said and kicked himself for giving in; she was going to kill him if this ended badly.

  Ricco shot a glance at him. Hope flashed in his eyes.

  ‘I hope I don’t live to regret this.’ Jay wiped his brow in frustration. ‘Meet me by my car after work. I finish up in half an hour. If you tell a soul you’re meeting me or tip anyone off or, if I smell a rat, the deal’s off!’

  With that Jay inclined his head and started to punch away at the keyboard. He barely noticed the prince leave.

  Before he left work he went through the clothes that one of the guests left behind, looking for disguises for Ricco. He was glad that the items left by a large sized patron hadn’t yet been collected. He found a hat and scarf that might fit him and shook out a jacket that was dressy enough for where they were going. How do I know his size? Please. He mumbled to himself as he stuffed them in a back pack. When he met Ricco by the car, Jay handed him a note he had written.

  We might be overheard so I will explain when we get on the train. If you want to see her, follow my lead and stay at my side.