Bodyguard: Ransom (Book 2) (20 page)

‘The fault lay with a distorted gasket in the fuel system,’ explained Amir, his face bright on the screen of Connor’s laptop.

‘Well, that makes me rest easier at night!’ replied Ling, who sat on the bed with Connor for the morning’s video briefing with Alpha team. ‘I’ve literally no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘A gasket is a mechanical seal which prevents leakage while under compression –’

‘Thanks, Amir, but such detail isn’t required,’ Charley cut in, appearing on the screen beside him. ‘The important point is that the Seychelles coastguard discovered the cause of the jet-ski explosion.’

‘We saw the pictures,’ said Richie, his grinning face butting in front of Amir’s. ‘That jet ski was totalled! Luckily it wasn’t one of the sisters riding it. That could have been disastrous –’

‘Hang on,
I
was on it!’ exclaimed Ling, her expression indignant.

‘Yeah, I know, but you’re tough enough,’ replied Richie.

He was suddenly yanked out of the frame and Jason’s bulk appeared. ‘Ignore that Irish idiot. How are you doing, Ling?’

‘Fine,’ she replied, clearly pleased to see him. ‘To be honest, my Principal’s more of a pain than the burn.’

Jason laughed. ‘I’m afraid that goes with the territory of being a buddyguard. On my last assignment, I could have throttled my Principal!’

‘Sorry to break up the happy reunion,’ said Charley, ‘but we need to focus on this jet-ski situation.’

Jason nodded. ‘Stay cool, Ling,’ he said, giving her the wink before slipping out of view.

‘Joking aside, Ling, you were extremely lucky to have survived the explosion,’ continued Charley. ‘Without your protective clothing, you could have been seriously injured or even killed.’

Ling nonchalantly lay back on one of the pillows. ‘All part of the job, isn’t it?’

‘No, it isn’t,’ said Charley firmly, shifting in her wheelchair. ‘Or at least with the right security in place, it shouldn’t be.’

Connor sensed Charley’s own experience in that statement, but this wasn’t the time or place to delve into her past. ‘So the explosion was just an accident?’ he asked.

Charley pensively bit her lower lip. ‘That’s one way of looking at it. Brad’s report, however, stated that the
Orchid
’s engineer had checked the other jet ski and discovered a similar issue with its fuel-filler inlet. It too could have very easily exploded.’

Connor and Ling exchanged uneasy glances. Connor turned back to the laptop’s webcam. ‘Are you suggesting
sabotage
?’

‘We can’t rule that possibility out. It may just be a manufacturing defect. It does happen. But on
both
jet skis? That’s why we must assume this was an attempt on the lives of the Sterling family, designed to look like an accident.’

‘So, who might have done it?’ asked Ling.

‘Your guess is as good as ours at this time. The last person known to have touched the jet skis was the engineer, but Brad has questioned him and vouches for his integrity. That’s to be seen …’ Charley looked off-screen. ‘Hang on, Colonel Black’s just come in.’

Charley and Amir moved aside so the colonel could sit in front of the webcam. His jaw was set and his grey eyes hard as flint.

‘I’ve just been speaking with Mr Sterling. Ling, you’re being pulled off Operation Gemini with immediate effect.’

‘Why am I taking the flak for something
she
did wrong?’ said Ling, shoving her clothes into her bag with such force the seams threatened to split.

Connor stood by her cabin door, arms crossed, as Ling vented her fury on her packing.

‘I mean, I was just trying to protect her. And what thanks do I get? None. I might as well walk the plank.’

‘You made Matt do that,’ Connor remarked.

Pausing a moment, Ling smirked. ‘Yeah, I suppose I did. Well, he shouldn’t have been on board anyway.’ She resumed her fierce packing. ‘Now the colonel won’t trust me on another operation for months!’

‘The colonel’s not stupid. He knows the score. Don’t forget, I was thrown off my first operation.’

Ling glanced up and gave a half-hearted laugh. ‘I forgot about that, hotshot. Maybe I’ll get to save the day too. Know any terrorists or presidents’ daughters in the Seychelles?’

Connor gently shook his head. ‘Look, what I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t matter.’

‘Not to you maybe, but I have to go back to Alpha team with my tail between my legs.’

Brad stuck his head into the cabin. ‘The tender’s ready.’

‘Good,’ said Ling as she grabbed the last of her stuff. ‘I can’t wait to get off this stinking ship.’

‘Hey! Lightning Ling,’ said Brad, clamping a hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. ‘For what it’s worth, I think you were doing a stellar job.’

Ling looked up into Brad’s craggy face. ‘Then why am I being dismissed?’

‘Bodyguards and their Principals can be as close as bread and butter … or fight like cats and dogs. Sometimes there’s simply a clash of personalities. I’ve had such moments in my career. You just gotta roll with the punches.’

‘I’ll roll her with a punch,’ muttered Ling, sealing up the bag and heading for the door.

Brad raised his eyebrows at Connor, then the two of them followed Ling up to the main deck.

‘Aren’t we risking the girls’ safety by losing Ling?’ asked Connor quietly.

‘Both myself and the colonel voiced our concerns to Mr Sterling,’ replied Brad. ‘But he’s adamant Ling must go. I’m not happy with it. But, since the girls won’t be leaving the yacht before Ling’s replacement arrives, I can’t foresee any real problems. You’ll just have to work double shifts!’ he added with a wink.

At the top of the lowered gangway, Ling stopped. ‘Well, Connor, it’s been a blast.’

‘Literally,’ said Connor, thinking of the jet ski.

Ling laughed. ‘How are you ever going to survive without me?’

Connor shrugged. ‘It’s only four days. And we’re at sea the whole time. Besides, the colonel’s sending Luciana from Bravo team to join me in the Maldives.’

‘Good luck to her! She’ll need it.’

‘What do you mean by that? Protecting Chloe or working with me?’ said Connor, feigning offence.

Ling punched him on the arm. ‘You’re all right, Connor. If a little jumpy.’ She started down the steps to the tender. ‘I’ll catch you back at HQ. Just don’t strain yourself putting too much suntan lotion on the girls.’

Brad started the engine. He was to drop off Ling in Baie Sainte Anne, where she would take a catamaran to the main island and catch a plane home. However, as they were about to leave, Mr Sterling appeared.

‘Hold up, Brad. Change of plan.’

They all turned to him in surprise. Was Ling getting a last-minute reprieve? But Mr Sterling’s expression was too grave for that hope.

‘I can’t believe our father just upped and left like that!’ said Chloe, perched on the edge of the jacuzzi, her legs dangling in the bubbling water.

‘We haven’t seen much of him anyway,’ Emily muttered as she took a photo of Mahé Island receding into the distance.

Chloe glanced over the rail at the occupied sunbed in the sky lounge below. ‘I just wish he’d taken Amanda with him.’

Connor sat quietly at the dining table on the sun deck. It wasn’t his place to pass comment. Mr Sterling had informed his daughters that his editor-in-chief Ruth McArthur had been killed in a suspected mugging incident and that he had to interrupt his holiday to manage the fallout at the newspaper. The yacht had been rerouted via the main island to drop off Mr Sterling and his bodyguard, along with the disgraced Ling, at the airport. Captain Locke had then set a course for the Maldives, where Mr Sterling hoped to rejoin them in a week’s time.

‘I wouldn’t worry,’ said Emily, pocketing her phone.
‘This boat’s big enough for all of us. And she’ll probably sunbathe the entire time.’

Emily screwed shut her eyes and rubbed at her temples.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Connor.

‘Yeah, it’s just a headache. I get them a lot. I think it’s my medication.’ Emily headed over to the stairs. ‘I’m going to take a nap. See you at dinner.’

Connor offered her a sympathetic smile, but remained at the table. There was no reason to shadow her while on board. They were in coastal waters, the yacht was cruising at a sedate speed, and he and Brad had performed a security sweep prior to departing Mahé. The threat level was low.

Reaching into his polo-shirt pocket, Connor pulled out his mobile. Its orange neoprene cover was still annoyingly bulky, but the waterproofing had been a godsend when he’d dived into the sea to rescue Ling following the jet-ski explosion. Unlocking the screen, he messaged his mum and gran to let them know everything was OK, taking the opportunity before the
Orchid
entered the open ocean and they lost mobile signal altogether. Then he reached for his book and settled back into his chair.

‘Come and join me,’ said Chloe as she immersed herself fully in the jacuzzi.

Connor glanced over. He was more wary of her since Ling’s unwarranted dismissal. ‘Thank you, but no.’

Chloe sighed. ‘Don’t be angry with me. I realize Ling was your friend, but she was really getting on my nerves.’

‘She was just doing her job,’ Connor replied, not wanting to get into this discussion.

‘I realize that, but I couldn’t do a single thing without her intervening or passing comment. It was
suffocating
. It’s my sister who needs the protection, not me.’

Connor shook his head. He recognized that Ling’s manner might have been judged abrasive and heavy-handed, but the fact remained there were genuine threats to the girls’ lives. ‘I’m afraid you’re wrong.
Both
of you are potential targets.’

‘That’s my sister’s fault,’ muttered Chloe. ‘I can’t have any fun because of her. Ever since she was kidnapped, I’ve been virtually grounded by my father. I haven’t been able to go to friends’ parties or down the beach or even shopping on my own. Do you know how claustrophobic that feels? This holiday is the
first
time I’ve been allowed any freedom in over a year.’

‘Your father only wants to protect you,’ responded Connor. ‘That intruder last night could have been a kidnapper, an assassin or worse.’

‘But it was
only
Matt,’ said Chloe, dismissing the suggestion with a wave of her hand. ‘The point is my father allows me no freedom at home, and puts me under so much pressure to succeed at school, that I
need
to let off some steam. Otherwise I’ll go stir-crazy.’

Connor noticed tears of frustration welling up in Chloe’s eyes and felt a touch of sympathy for her situation. It wasn’t her choice to have twenty-four-hour security.

‘Fair enough,’ he relented. ‘Look, when we get to the Maldives, I’ll speak with Luciana and we’ll work out a way to give you some freedom without compromising your
safety. Anyway, Luciana’s Brazilian and I’ve heard she likes to party.’

Chloe’s face lit up. ‘Thanks, you’re a star. Now are you going to join me or not?’

‘Best not,’ replied Connor. ‘I’m on duty.’

‘You’re
always
on duty.’ She rested her chin on the side of the jacuzzi and stared at him. ‘As I understand, you’re now
my
buddyguard until the Maldives. So, as your Principal, I say you need to relax. That was Ling’s problem; don’t make it yours.’

Connor sighed. He knew he was being manipulated, but he didn’t want to upset her either. An uncooperative Principal was a liability. Besides, a dip in the jacuzzi wouldn’t be crossing any lines as a buddyguard. Putting down his book, he took off his polo-shirt and slipped in opposite her.

Chloe smiled. ‘See, it’s not so bad, is it?’

Connor returned her smile. He couldn’t deny the water was wonderfully warm; the bubbles inescapably relaxing. And the setting, in the midst of a glistening ocean and crystal-blue sky, was heavenly. He leant back, resting his arms on the side.

Chloe’s gaze fell upon his left shoulder where a slim, white scar line was visible. ‘What happened there?’

‘Knife wound,’ he explained.

Her eyes widened with a mix of concern and fascination. ‘Did you get that while protecting someone?’

Connor nodded. She edged round the jacuzzi for a closer look. ‘Did it hurt?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t have much time to think about it. I was in the middle of a fight trying to escape.’

Chloe studied his face with admiration. ‘You must have been really brave.’

Connor shook his head. ‘I didn’t have much choice in the matter.’

‘So, do you like my sister at all?’ she asked.

Caught completely off-guard, Connor mumbled, ‘Yes, of course –’ then he saw Chloe frown – ‘but not that way. As buddyguards, we have to remain strictly friends with any Principal.’

‘Really?’ Chloe bit at her lower lip and moved closer, her arm gently resting on his. ‘That must be very difficult at times, I mean, to remain
just
friends.’

As her knee brushed against his, Connor decided it was time to get out of the jacuzzi. He didn’t want to have to explain himself to Charley a second time.