The Innimincka Affair

by Robert Chalmers

  "Make of that what you will Agent Mitterrand. Now if you would be so kind, please escort me back to the jet, and locate my pilot. I wish to get back to Innamincka. I know that he has night flying clearance, and is being paid by me. We can call ahead and have the landing lights on for our return. Thank you for your help in expediting Rebecca's return flight. I do appreciate that.” Cooper waited now for the agent to respond. He could see that he was in deep thought. Cooper had no idea what had been happening regarding the intruders on Innamincka, but if they were still there after all, then his men would sort them out this time. No one out there would be caught napping again. Mitterrand looked at Cooper. "Fine, I concede that you should want to go back to your own place. It's commendable that you may be handing it back to the traditional owners, but it's not my business. My business is stopping foreign nationals using Australia for their own purposes, uninvited. We can deal with them when we find them on this occasion. Meantime, with you and your men out there, it adds a level of difficulty to the operation." He walked up and down, every bit of his impatience showing in his steps.

  "Cooper, in that case, can you talk to the native people there. I don't mean you station hands; I mean the ones who have gone back to the bush. Or probably never left it from what I can see. If we have their help, we can be off your place in no time at all. We wanted to talk to them, but can't even find them. There appears to be no trace of them."

  Cooper smiled. "If they don't want to be seen, they won't be." He said. "Fine. Ok, I can do that. I don't want to unhelpful. I just have my own business to attend to. Will you return with me on my plane, or do you have some other transport?" Cooper was remembering the helicopter, and his momentary detention in it. Agent Mitterrand was recalling the same thing it seemed.

  "Er, we have our own transport thanks. My aid here will escort you back to your jet, and locate your pilot. You should be fuelled and on your way before Rebecca has even lifted off. I'll maybe see you out at Innamincka by dawn, if we need to return there.” With that he turned and strode off into the restricted area. The guards never batting an eye lid as he passed through.

  Cooper and the assistant made their way back out of the terminal, and to Coopers surprise the Hummer that they had arrived in was still occupying centre position in the arrivals parking bay. Much to the consternation of other motorists and coach drivers. No one however was arguing with the heavily armed team standing rock solid, their black kit making them look like something out of a science fiction film. Everyone climbed back into the vehicles and they roared out of the terminal area, the tourists no doubt having a real tale to tell of their journey through the Brisbane international terminal.

  Rebecca meantime was by now in the actual departure lounge, waiting to board. The time seemed to have just slipped by. She felt as though she was in some kind of a strange trance, where things went on around her without actually involving her. This was not good she thought. "Snap out of it." she said aloud. A couple of people looked at her, but no one really took much notice. Just another passenger venting their frustrations over some travel problem. Rebecca was not sure of herself, and this was a new thing for her. Cooper had turned her otherwise stable world upside down. His parting kiss just now had really rocked her. She was aware that it had also affected him, but still he had parted from her and was determined to go back to his place in the outback. She could see no other reason for him to be doing up the old house, then that he intended to re-establish it as his home, rather than just the house where he lived. Ok, so that's the way it was she mused, and gathered her few belongings and headed for the gate. She didn't look back. London was wet. Wet and cold. There was snow in the air. Rebecca could feel it as she got out of the taxi and crossed the pavement to the front entrance of her offices. It felt a little strange, as though something had been moved. She stopped and looked up at the building, at the doors, at the man standing by the doors assisting people in and out of taxis. His role was probably redundant these days, but the building owners kept him on and Rebecca liked the style it seemed to give the place. It set it apart from the rows of blank offices along the street. She was about to continue inside through the vast revolving glass doors when a reflection in the glass as it came past her caused her to stop in her tracks. The door was in danger of knocking her off her feet as it continued its revolution, and she had to step back quickly to avoid it.

  "Are you all right Miss Boucher?" Asked the doorman solicitously. Rebecca just nodded to the man. She could have sworn she had seen Cooper walking past behind her as she had approached the doors. She looked around, but there was no one in the street even remotely like him. It was still early, and the few people on the street in the central business district of London were hunched down against the wind and the rain, some struggling to hold onto umbrellas that threatened to whirl away in the next gust. She took a last look and shook her head. This would have to stop. She had been home for some time now, home from Australia and the searing heat of the Outback. There had been no word from Cooper and she had seen no need to contact him. He had made his position perfectly clear, and she was determined to remain above the school girl business of chasing him. But it was strange, she thought as she made her way into the building and to the bank of lifts in the foyer. This was not the first time she thought she had seen him. It was very disconcerting, and just when she hadn't thought about him at all for days on end, suddenly there he was. Or seemed to be.

  Of her client there had been no communication at all. His account had been settled in full through their company offices, and no communication had been made other than that. That in itself was very strange, and it had been mentioned in a couple of meetings. Rebecca had given a full account, both written and verbal in her first meeting after her return. She had reported everything to her partners. "Well," she thought with a smile. "Not quite everything." She could feel her skin prickling as she sat down at her desk, the memories of her love making with Cooper flashing through her mind. She flushed slightly, the coloured tinge climbing up her neck to her hair line as her nipples hardened. Rebecca jumped up again and started opening filing cabinet draws, rearranging the things on her desk, and finally making coffee.

  Chapter 13

  One of the partners put his head around the office door and looked at her.

  "Coffee time? Mind if I join you?" He swung into the office and plunked down in a spare chair.

  He blew gently on the coffee that Rebecca handed him.

  "Your Australian?" He said with a questioning inflection. "Tell me about him." James Links had been a partner for a few years now, and had been the youngest partner until Rebecca had come along. Rebecca was a little surprised at the rather direct approach to this subject.

  "He's not 'My Australian' James." She retorted. Perhaps a little too sharply. He looked up at her.

  "Sorry Rebecca. I didn't mean..." He said softly.

  "No of course not. I didn't mean to sound so sharp, sorry. Just a bit preoccupied. Well, yes, the Australian. I haven't heard from him of course. The last I heard was when I left Australia in the middle of the night. He was at the airport with the intelligence agent. Last I heard he was going back out to his property. It wasn't being sold. Apparently it was never being sold, he just wanted to see up close who was showing interest in it. He had had intruders on the place, and there was some sort of nuclear material involved as I understand it. I haven't heard from the client either actually. Their account was paid, and that's the last I've heard." Rebecca was sitting in her chair now, rocking slightly, her foot pressing on the floor.

  "Hmm, yes." Said James. "Actually I was asking about the man himself. What did you think of him? What was he like as a person?" James blew gently on his coffee.

  Rebecca was looking at James, trying to figure out where this was going. She didn't want to ask outright just yet. It might have been just idle office chatter. James having a lull in his busy schedule perhaps. He didn't sound like he was prying, or worse, fishing. He just sounded interested in Rebecca's
view. In any case, if he needed to, he would tell her what his interest was about.

  "Well, let me see. What can I tell you? I was only there for a few days overall, so I hardly had time to get to know him really." Her cheeks coloured. She hoped James hadn't noticed. "He was nice enough I suppose. Tall, good looking. Very well off financially. A bit lonely I think. He lives out in the Australian outback, a long way out. In fact, I think it was almost in the centre of the country. I've never seen a place so lonely and desolate." She was easily able to fully describe Cooper's good looks, his lovely face and his so soft lips. His brown hair that seemed to change colour as it reflected the bright Australian light. His fingers that left little trails of sparks across her skin as he trailed them across her stomach. His muscular physique that seemed to ripple under his sun browned skin as he moved. Rebecca thought she had put Cooper into the back of her mind, but this question had opened up a door that she would have preferred to keep shut.

  She smiled at James. "In short - he's very nice." That was as far as she was prepared to go. James would not be interested in the details that she had just been recalling. As it was, she was sitting here in her London office with her lower stomach fluttering and very small electric currents flickering through her secret places. It was all she could do not to squirm in her seat. The attention light on her phone started flickering and she snatched it up.

  "Yes." She almost yelled. Relief at the distraction flooding through her. James smiled and rose from his chair. He didn’t mention to Rebecca that he had been advised of the presence of the old client being back in town, as well as the presence of Cooper, by friends in Whitehall whose business it was to know these things. He placed the coffee cup back on the tray on the side cabinet and with a finger wave to Rebecca left her office. He looked to be deep in thought, and Rebecca wondered again at the reasons behind his seemingly innocuous questions. There were clients waiting for her in the reception area, and she had to attend to them. Cooper was shelved again. She had to go and earn her living. The day moved along and Rebecca kept busy with the various things that made up her day. There had been no more probing questions from James or anyone else for that matter. Her office had a steady stream of visitors, and suddenly the day was finished, it was time to leave. She sat back and twiddled with a pencil that lay on her desk. It was only early in the evening yet, and Rebecca didn't feel like going home. Hitting the speed dial button on her desk phone she called Kali. It took a few moments and her research assistant and friend came on the line.

  "Kali, are you finished for the day? I'm heading down to Vertigo 42 for a drink, if you care to join me?"

  "Vertigo? Sure. I love the view, and the food is not bad either. I could use a snack. and a glass of red. I'll meet you at the lifts. Leaving now?"

  "Right now." Replied Rebecca, rising from her desk. She picked up her grip, and headed for the lifts. This was just what she wanted. A relaxing drink, something light to eat. Maybe. It was a bit early for dinner at about seven. She needed to talk girl-talk with Kali. They didn't have far to go, both buildings being right in the London square mile so it was an easy walk along the busy streets, and there was the destination. Whisked up to the forty second floor, the bar and restaurant was busy, but not packed yet. Mostly after work types like themselves. Rebecca decided to perch on a seat near the windows, Kali beside her, and sip their house red. She had already made a reservation for two earlier in the afternoon, hoping that Kali would be free. It was that kind of place. Maximum security in the foyer and reservation only entry. The lights of London glittered below them and around them in the many buildings of the City. She loved this place. Kali eased back and admired some of the men in the place. There was no fear here of being hit on by anyone looking for a pick-up, male or female, but there was no harm in looking. She smiled and raised her glass of red to Rebecca.

  "Here's to Cooper." She said. Rebecca nearly spilt her drink.

  "Where? Not here surely." She looked around in alarm. Kali was laughing helplessly.

  "Oh Rebecca, of course he isn't here. I was only toasting his memory, because I have noticed these last few weeks that you have a certain far away look in your eyes a lot of the time." She put down her glass.

  "Want to talk about it?"

  "No, I do not want to talk about ‘it'." She replied, emphasising the it. "There's nothing to talk about. honestly." The truth of the matter was that she had been spending far too much time thinking about Cooper and it had even been affecting her ability to work.

  "Hmmmm." Was all Kali said. She swirled her drink.

  "Then you won't mind if I talk about him." She added.

  "Fine, go ahead Kali. Means nothing to me." Rebecca could feel the salt of the lie on her tongue. She placed her glass of Shiraz on the table. Heywood Estate, Australian Shiraz. Kali looked from Rebecca to the glass and back again, a faint smile on her lips.

  "So the Australian Shiraz is just accidental is it?" A throaty chuckle escaped her as Rebecca looked at the glass then back at Kali.

  "Oh, ok then. I do think of him a lot. In fact, I actually miss him a lot. He's the first man who's come into my life in a very long time. It feels like months since I've been back, but in fact it's only been six weeks." Rebecca was looking at Kali, but her focus was suddenly inward, although her gaze was still on Kali. She coloured slightly, the heat rising up her neck to the roots of her hair.

  Kali chuckled again.

  "From what I saw on Skype, you have good reason to remember him" She said. "He is one hunk of a man. I am assuming from what I saw and heard, that you weren't sitting around discussing the weather." Kali was ordering some more drinks, and snack foods while talking. It could be a long session if she could get Rebecca started talking. That girl needed to talk too. It was obviously troubling her friend, and Kali was determined to draw her out. She leant across and tapped Rebecca's fingers. She had gone really quiet. Kali frowned slightly.

  "What's up Rebecca. Gee, I'm sorry if I have upset you. Really, I am only trying to get you to talk to me, get these things out in the open where you can deal with them. Good heavens, you look like you've seen a ghost!"

  Rebecca turned the biggest eyes Kali had ever seen on her. Kali raised her glass and took a large sip of wine to give Rebecca time to think about it. Rebecca looked like she might need a moment, but then she said.

  "Kali... " Then in an almost whisper, "I'm late!"

  Kali choked on her wine, hastily grabbing at her napkin to catch the spraying red droplets, the rest running down her chin. She had heard the expression about someone sitting there with their mouth open in surprise and realised she was now doing exactly that.

  "Rebecca! you don't mean..." She looked around to make sure they weren't being overheard. "Late, as in ... late?" She whispered in shock. "Are you sure? Of course you're sure. Stupid question. When did you realise?"

  "Just now. I just did the sums when I realised how long I've been back. Oh My God!" Rebecca slumped back in her chair and took a long sip of wine. She looked at the glass. She looked at Kali. She reached out her hand to Kali.

  "Kali, I can't." She wailed. People turned to look enquiringly in her direction. Kali was gripping her outstretched hand in support. Kali was shaking her head slowly.

  "Rebecca, get a grip girl. So you are a little out of sync. Sometimes travel does that. Other things too. Have you been feeling well? No..." She whispered again. "Morning sickness? And in any case, I assume that you of all people would have used protection." Kali was sure her friend was at least that sensible in this day and age.

  Rebecca went as white as a sheet. Kali was getting worried, and a couple of the chic young things nearby were looking at Rebecca with traces of concern starting to show on their faces.

  "No." A very long pause. "None at all, ever." Her voice was very husky, as though she was struggling to keep in the raging emotions that were flooding through her. Most of her adult life, she had repressed any overt emotional response, and now it felt like they were about to burst fort
h in an overwhelming flood. She sat back in her chair and fanned her face with her table napkin. A waitress appeared at her side.

  "Are you feeling ok miss? Can I get you something?" Rebecca looked at her and smiled faintly.

  "No, I'll be ok in a moment. Just some bad news. Or maybe good news. I don't know." She said.

  The waitress looked at her in puzzlement for a moment, and moved away.

  Kali sat forward again and said.

  "No need to get all upset. You can't know right now. You just need to do a test or something. You will probably be ok in a day or two. This sort of thing happens a lot to people. Timing gets thrown out." Kali shook her head. "No protection!" She exclaimed, in disbelief.

  Rebecca's colour was coming back, and she nibbled at the little canapé she had taken from the plate in front of her.

  "Champagne I think Kali. I think I'm in shock. You are right of course, it's not likely, and anyway I can check easily enough. It was rather stupid of me I know, to leave myself unprotected. I don't know what I was thinking."

  Moments later the Champagne arrived and the flutes were filled. Rebecca tipped hers back like she had not had a drink in years. Her glass of red abandoned on the table. The waitress took both the red glasses away. Kali kept looking at her friend. She seems to be coming around to her old self again. Back in command of her emotions.

  Rebecca was thinking again about the rather strange questions put by James earlier on that day.

  "What would James be asking about Cooper for do you think?" She asked Kali. "Earlier on today he came into my office and asked outright, what I could tell him about Cooper."

  Kali shook her head.