THE RED MIST TRILOGY: The Box Set

by R T Green

  Then he headed for Scott’s office, sat at the chief’s desk trying to convince himself he wasn’t about to get hung from the rafters. He’d compromised his position, told Scott a lie to protect the girl who had killed one of their own... and judging by his boss’s face he wasn’t at all convinced his top agent wasn’t hiding something.

  The man himself had gone to Number Ten, ordered to attend an emergency meeting. He would likely be gone some time. Coop had been left in charge of HQ, and the barrage of activity that would soon erupt.

  Right then it was the calm before the storm, but it wouldn’t be too long before all that would change. Every team DIAL operated were out in the city, acting as cleaners. Not for the millions of pieces of spaceship littering the streets, but for the bits of alien bodies that had been incinerated with the ship.

  There was no way they would get them all, but what they could recover would be heading his way in an hour or two.

  He gazed through the big windows at the scene below him. A full complement of technicians were milling around, monitoring every moment of the fallout. On the big screen almost filling one wall, live TV feeds were multi-screened with those of DIAL’s own people as they carried out the horrific task of scouring the smoking city streets for alien remains they didn’t want anyone else to find.

  It looked like the apocalypse.

  He stood, made his way down the stairs and across the floor. There was something important he had to do. In the basement he paused in the foyer, his eyes flicking around the four examination rooms separated from where he stood by half-glazed walls.

  He was alone. That would change; in an hour or two as the first teams dropped off bits of alien, this was where the remains would be stored and examined.

  And somehow, it didn’t feel right for Zana to be surrounded by the horror she’d been responsible for.

  Once more he stood gazing down on her, images flashing into his mind of a grief-stricken Madeline stumbling away down the hill. He’d known almost as soon as she did that she’d fallen in love, a cold-hearted assassin turned inside-out by another woman.

  He’d tried to protect them both, make an impossible situation possible.

  He’d failed dismally.

  He shook his head, turned Zana’s wheeled trolley round, and pushed her out of Examination Room One.

  The basement consisted of the foyer, the four big examination labs, and one other room. It was much smaller, the size of a private room in a commercial hospital. It had been built for a contingency... the remote possibility that an alien life-form would be discovered that for some reason was so secret or dangerous it needed to be isolated, even from DIAL employees without super-high level clearance.

  Situated a little way along a corridor from the main hub, it had no windows, just a high-security door accessible only to a few. The few that didn’t include Ryland Cooper. He pulled Scott’s pass from his pocket, taken from the drawer in his desk. This time he knew the chief wouldn’t object, he’d already said Zana should be left in peace. He’d tell him as soon as he returned.

  He wheeled the stretcher into the isolation room, uncovered just her head, and sat on one of the chairs to gather his thoughts before the onslaught of agents and body parts arrived.

  Zana’s eyes were still open. It disturbed him a little. He stood, placed a gentle finger on each eyelid, and eased them shut. Then slowly he paced the room for a few minutes, his mind running through the possible scenarios the next few days would bring.

  What did Scott mean, “Madeline must be found, brought in. But we must be the ones to do the finding.”? Was he contemplating sending a covert team, a secret mission? Would he be included in that?

  The chief’s reaction had stunned him. But as he churned it over, he saw the bigger picture. Some of those in high places had objected to the setting up of DIAL, believing the large budget spent on staff and expensive technology only just available to the military was a waste of resources, given there was no such thing as aliens.

  The events of the last two days had for sure proved that one wrong. It was the what happened next that put the department’s credibility at risk. Madeline deWinter wasn’t a DIAL agent, she’d been recruited because Scott thought her beauty and sophisticated looks may appeal to Zana. Her original mission wasn’t assassination, but an undercover operation to gain Zana’s trust, and extract the information DIAL had failed to.

  She did her job too well. Or not well enough, depending on which way you looked at it.

  But then, from DIAL’s point of view, things went downhill. Subsequently ordered to assassinate all seven, Madeline couldn’t kill Zana. A fact that saved the world, but once the time came for questions and answers and the shit hit the fan, that wouldn’t matter a jot. DIAL’s top agent had failed to give Carl all the facts, he’d mistakenly killed the girl who saved the world, and then got murdered by a shadow assassin who wasn’t a DIAL agent, but was secretly working for them.

  One epic mess.

  He didn’t envy Duncan Scott one bit. But he knew why, for the time being at least, he didn’t want the truth to leave the building.

  He sat down again, put his head in his hands. At least now his own lies to Scott were less important. When the inevitable investigation began, the boss would need him to back up the story the two of them would concoct to keep the truth in the dark until they’d done all they could to limit the damage.

  Shaking his head he walked to the door, knowing the silent peace of the last few minutes was about to come to an end. He turned off the light, but just outside the room he paused, frowned.

  Something was different.

  He flicked the light back on, his trained eyes flashing the room in a second. Nothing had changed. What could change? He smiled mirthlessly, feeling a little spooked, and turned to leave.

  Again he paused. The feeling wouldn’t leave him. Something wasn’t the same.

  He took a few steps back into the room. The feeling in his gut was unsettling him, no obvious reason for it.

  Yes there was.

  As his gaze fell onto Zana, he knew what was different.

  Her eyes were open again.

  Chapter 69

  The morning sun streamed through the thin voile drapes pulled across the bedroom windows. At least I think it was a morning sun. It could be an afternoon one, for all I knew.

  On the coconut-wood dressing table three metres away, the diamond-studded Rolex given to me by DIAL as part of my fake identity to impress Zana, was much too far out of reach for me to be bothered to see what time it was.

  For once, I felt relaxed. Whether it was Tami’s brew or something else, I wasn’t sure. But right then it didn’t matter. Lying on the bed, uncovered, I was strangely at peace.

  I knew it wouldn’t last.

  I’d woken a short while ago, a frown creasing my brow as I realised the normal dread usually present the instant I opened my eyes wasn’t there. The jackhammer was gone too, any wisps of a hangover disappearing over the horizon shortly after consciousness returned.

  I felt like me.

  The door opened, Tami was there. ‘Tea,’ she smiled, placing the mug on the bedside table. ‘Drink it, it will help.’

  I grinned, perhaps a bit inanely, as I sat up. ‘Don’t think I need help, Tami. I feel good.’

  ‘Ah.’ She sat on the edge of the bed, pulled back the mosquito net. ‘Perhaps then, my ancient culture does have its uses in the twenty-first century.’

  I laughed, sipped the milky tea. ‘Was that said with a hint of uncertainty?’

  She took my hand in hers. ‘For Caribbean’s, our culture is embedded deep within us. But sometimes it can be a curse. Our beliefs are mostly as ancient as the brew I made for you, yet sometimes not so relevant in today’s world. It is not always so easy.’

  I was on the same page. ‘My father.’

  She nodded. ‘My family still do not know.’

  ‘After three years?’

  ‘Yes. My sisters are spread around the world. M
y father left us when I was very young, my mother still lives in Port of Spain. My aunt in Roxburgh knew I was seeing an older white man, but she does not know we are shacking up together.’

  I grinned. ‘Shaking up?’

  She missed the irony. ‘If my family, and my church family knew, they would not approve.’

  ‘But he makes you happy, that’s obvious enough.’

  ‘In my culture Madeline, that is not always the most important thing.’

  ‘That’s so sad.’

  She stood up, walked to the door. ‘I will leave you to enjoy a little peace.’

  ‘Tami..?’ She turned, looked back to me. ‘If it is so hard for you, why are you even here?’

  She smiled, beautifully. ‘You said it yourself, girl. He makes me happy.’

  I showered and dressed, wandered into the living room which formed the biggest part of the shack. Tami was at the stove, concocting something involving mung beans, filling the room with wonderful smells. ‘He’s outside, if you want to say hi before he goes.’

  I found him loading the truck. Back in the UK my dad had spent most of his life making people’s houses better. Out here he’d rekindled his skills, bringing a little UK knowhow to the better off residents in the suburbs of Crown Point and Canaan. The few TT dollars he earned were less than he could obtain in the UK, but in Tobago the money went a bit further.

  And untold riches had never been that important to him.

  ‘Afternoon,’ he grinned.

  ‘What time is it?’ I’d still not looked.

  ‘One minute past noon.’

  I narrowed my eyes. ‘Now you’re stretching a point.’

  He looked straight into my eyes. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Better than I thought I’d be. Feel like me.’

  He looked relieved. ‘That’s good to know.’ He stopped what he was doing, took my hand and led me to the seat underneath the big mango tree. ‘But we can’t go on like this, kid. You’ve been here four weeks, and six times I’ve had to rescue you. That doesn’t include the nights you somehow made it back from Joe’s on your own.’

  My eyes lowered, I couldn’t stop them. ‘It’s hard, dad. So hard.’

  ‘Been there, bought the t-shirt on that one. As you know. But I found out you can’t grieve forever.’

  ‘Yeah, you were a waste of space for two years after mum left though.’

  He nodded, stared into space for a moment. ‘Which is why I can’t watch you going the same way. I came out the other side... so can you.’

  I could feel the tears welling up. ‘How? Tell me how you did it, dad.’

  He shook his head. ‘Wish I could. One day something snapped. Guess I looked at myself in the mirror and was finally able to accept what I saw wasn’t very nice.’

  ‘But you’re ugly, I’m beautiful!’ I laughed, leaping off the bench before he could tickle me to death.

  He made like he was writing in a notebook. ‘Ok, that one’s noted. Retribution at some point in the next seven days. When you drop your guard! Be afraid...’

  I giggled, like the little girl. ‘Never. I’ll be ready though!’

  ‘Gotta go. You keep that smile on your face, for me yeah?’

  I nodded, watched him drive away in a cloud of sandy dust. And I realised something.

  It was the first time I’d laughed since I’d been here.

  ‘You gonna stay within your limits, Madeline?’ Joseph the barman narrowed his eyes as he handed me another bottle of Carib.

  ‘Think I’ve learned my lesson, Joe,’ I smiled reassuringly. He knew it was a painted smile, judging by his face. ‘Keeping my eye on you, girl,’ he said with a grin, but for sure he meant it.

  It was a hot evening. Hotter even than usual for Tobago. Most of Joe’s punters were drinking outside, getting what relief they could from a stifling, moist air. A few people sat around inside, but in contrast to the mind-numbing, brain-jarring lights and music of Saturday night, this evening all was at peace.

  I liked it. And given the effect the thumping beat, the flashing lights and the teeth had on me last time I was here, it was probably a good thing. Soft reggae played away in the background, and somehow the calm and serenity was filtering into my psyche; just three or four bottles would be enough tonight. I think.

  I’d wandered the half-mile to Joe’s an hour ago, stuck my butt on one of the bamboo bar stools, and not moved since. I felt relaxed, sipping the beer and enjoying the taste, not the distraction. Maybe the four doses of Tami’s special brew really were helping; for sure as I chilled out on the stool the thoughts were there, but somehow I couldn’t be bothered to take much notice of them.

  Maybe that’s how her potion worked... stopped you thinking too much.

  I didn’t really want company, but five minutes later I got it.

  ‘Hey.’

  Jolted out of my foggy thoughts, I glanced in the direction of the greeting. I’d been vaguely aware of someone arriving on the next barstool, but hadn’t looked over.

  ‘Hi.’

  She nodded to my almost-empty Carib. ‘Can I get you another?’

  Could she? Hell, why not. ‘Sure, thanks.’

  The not-so-busy Joseph was there in a second, pinging the tops off the two bottles, and giving me a knowing stare as he plonked one in front of me. Ok Joe, I get the message. It’s only my third. Getting the feeling he received a less-than-subtle phone call while I was walking here.

  Thanks, dad.

  ‘I’m Lisa.’

  ‘Madeline.’ We chinked bottles. ‘Not seen you here before, you local?’

  She shook her head. ‘I live in Guadalupe, just visiting my aunt for a while. She’s not so well. You?’

  ‘Staying with my dad. He lives here now. Things... things got a little tough for me in the UK.’

  ‘You want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps.’

  ‘No, not really. I lost someone, that’s all. Someone I was close to.’

  ‘Ok. I’m sorry.’

  I looked her over as we spoke. She couldn’t have made much more than five foot. Black hair dropped most of the way down her back, braided into cornrows. A thin silver chain hung around her neck, with a delicate black jewel of some kind that nestled between her breasts. A pair of high yellow shorts just about covered her butt, a tiny halter-neck bikini top just about managed to be decent. Her brown skin was flawless; big brown eyes gazed at me from an equally-flawless face.

  She was like a little doll. She was gorgeous.

  ‘You plan on staying here?’ she asked.

  ‘Maybe. I don’t know. No idea what the future holds right now.’

  She reached out, lay a hand over mine. I didn’t pull away. Our eyes locked together, she spoke softly. ‘I think maybe you’re loss was a big one, Madeline.’

  I could feel my eyes misting up, didn’t want that. ‘Yes, it was. About as big as it gets.’

  For a second a sad look wafted across her face. Then she smiled, changed the subject. ‘What do you do with your time?’

  ‘Wallow in self-pity, mostly.’

  ‘That is not so good. Perhaps you need a friend, someone to show you life is still worth living.’

  Her words hit the spot. Right where it mattered. Her beautiful eyes and her beautiful smile bore into my pain, started a fight with my loneliness that didn’t seem to want to fight back. The words came from somewhere inside me. ‘You offering?’

  She slipped off the barstool, took my hand with her. ‘Let’s go outside; maybe on the beach will be a little cooler?’

  I nodded, but she wasn’t waiting for an answer. We walked hand-in-hand across the little terrace and onto the beach. She slipped off her sandals as we strolled between the coconut palms.

  ‘I like the feel of the sand between my toes,’ she smiled.

  It seemed a good idea, I did the same. We walked on slowly, a slight breeze wafting across us, a bright half-moon becoming the only light as Joe’s bar disappeared from sight behind the trees. Somehow I wasn’t me an
ymore; just a ghostly voyeur watching from above as two girls who only just met found a mutual solace in an instant bond.

  I kind of liked watching them.

  Lisa took my hand again. I could feel it trembling a little. I glanced to her, noticed a tear running down her cheek.

  She saw me looking. ‘I have suffered loss too, Madeline. Not so long ago. A brother and two sisters, murdered. So I know what you are feeling.’

  ‘Oh my god.’ We stopped walking, stood facing each other. ‘I’m so sorry.’

  She lowered her head. ‘It is ok. I am sorry, I should not have said anything.’

  ‘Hey.’ I pulled her to me, held her tight as she buried her face in my shoulder. Her skin was like pure silk, and as my hands slid across her shoulders its smoothness made me catch my breath. She melted into our closeness, pressed herself into me, a tiny hand slicing through my hair, making me breathe harder as our bodies locked together and we shared our grief as one.

  Had we really only met a half-hour ago? Her body tight against mine, we seemed to fit together like we were old friends. It felt so good. I could hear the blood coursing through my veins, thumping in my ears. Exciting me, taking away the hurt.

  ‘Oh Madeline.’ Soft lips kissed my neck, her warm breath tantalising me, making me think crazy thoughts. Still her hand buried itself in my hair, ever more frantic as shaking fingers caressed my neck and the back of my head.

  She cried out again, I eased her back, gazed into eyes misted with emotion, eyes that questioned the thoughts we were both trying to understand. Then she was kissing me; soft, giving lips melting into my own. Her tongue explored mine, beautifully, like they knew each other so well. The kiss lasted forever; nothing mattered except the incredible lips I couldn’t tear myself from.

  Finally she broke away, pulled me to the base of a palm tree a few steps behind us. She almost fell onto her back in the warm sand, her mouth open and her stomach contorting as she sucked in deep, hypnotic breaths. I dropped down beside her, our lips meeting once more as hands with a mind of their own undid the tie on her bikini top. She grasped my head, guided my lips to where she wanted them.