The Crescendo (24 page)

‘Yeah, it's not bad. Race you there,' said Jaz, taking off down to the beach. Cody yelling out behind her, trying to catch up.

There were only a couple of other surfers at the beach this morning. Cody said that wintertime the conditions were the best and this place ‘went off'. Jaz hoped that by wintertime next year she'd be up to riding some of those great waves.

Sinking her feet into the wet sand, she put her board down to do up her wetsuit and strap on the leg rope.

‘You ready?' said Cody. His blond mop brushed across his face.

She could see the passion in his eyes, just how much joy surfing brought him. Jaz didn't understand it before, but after all their surfing together she was starting to get it.

They paddled out and sat on the boards floating, waiting for a wave. The strength of the ocean current moved around her, the salty water building into a wave. The briny smell and the squawk of nearby seagulls added to the tranquillity as the sun started to rise from the city side. Jaz realised just how much she needed this moment, this time out to recharge her batteries. She'd been working hard lately, training and getting closer to Bud. And while that was happening she was thinking, more like worrying, about Ryan. If she didn't have these moments to appreciate life she'd end up run-down mentally.

‘Switch on, Jaz, this ride has your name on it. Paddle hard and pop.'

Jaz did as she was told. Having strong arms made the paddling easy and her balance was already good due to her fighting and core strength. Seawater splashed in her face as she paddled hard, caught the wave and jumped up. It was thrilling, riding a wave, and Jaz tried to move her board about, getting familiar with the movements and trying to stay upright.

She could hear Cody cheering her on. He was getting such a kick out of seeing her surf, and having someone to share it with.

Jaz and Cody caught as many waves as they could until she was feeling exhausted. That desire to wait for the next great wave was a hard thing to give up, but eventually they headed to shore. As usual, because their stomachs were groaning for food.

‘Not a bad morning of surf, hey?' said Cody as he pulled off his wetsuit. He stood in a pair of black surf shorts that clung to his wet legs.

‘It was awesome. Did you see me on that last wave? Think I'm really getting the hang of it.' She couldn't keep the smile from her face, or her voice.

‘You are a natural sportswoman, Jaz. I doubt there isn't anything you couldn't pick up quickly.'

‘Cooking and computers. I'm shit at both,' she said with a chuckle.

‘Yep, I'll think twice if you invite me for dinner then.' He winked. ‘I'll get our stuff.' He jogged back to his ute, returning soon with their towels and an esky.

They sat on their towels as the full sun dried them. The beach was busier now, with beach walkers and sandcastle builders.

Cody opened the esky and pulled out a cold iced coffee drink, which he passed to Jaz. ‘I also packed your favourite.'

Jaz took the long paper-wrapped roll he held out, her mouth instantly drooling. ‘Bacon and egg wrap? Damn, Cody, you are a man of many talents. When do I get to go to your house for dinner?' she said while undoing the brekkie wrap.

‘I do breakfasts well, the rest, not so much. I kind of stick to the three P's. Pasta, pies and potatoes.' He opened his drink and took a big scull.

Jaz laughed at his list of cooking ingredients.

This was becoming a ritual for them, surf then eat together while lying on the beach. She could see the appeal to his lifestyle. ‘Were you on duty last night?' she asked him.

‘Yeah. Stayed out till midnight then Jack took over.'

‘Jack?'

‘Good bloke, mid-thirties. I'm sure you'll meet him one day.'

‘Seems like there are so many working for the agency that I don't know.'

Cody shrugged as he unwrapped his breakfast. ‘It's the way they like it. But over time, with different ops and missions, you end up meeting the main ones. There are still heaps who just do simple observing jobs. Ears on the ground kind of dudes who bring in information we can run with.'

Jaz nodded as she finished her mouthful. ‘So nothing happened at the warehouse?' Cody had been sent to watch over a warehouse/shed that Ryan had notified them about. It belonged to Jamison and was something new to keep an eye on. Jaz like the fact they were all working to bring down Jamison.

‘Na. We have to watch for a guy who keeps an eye on the place for Jamison, but he didn't show. And there was no light coming from the back of the shed this time. My guess is no one was staying there.'

Cody had mentioned light he could see from a hole in the wall when he did a sweep around the shed a while back. You had to get up close to see it, but it proved that someone was inside. Which was funny for a building like that, positioned so close to port.

‘Word is that Jamison is trafficking girls in. We just have to find out how, when, where and all that,' he added.

‘Why does the world have to be full of shit people who do shit things,' said Jaz. Her bacon and eggs churned in her stomach.

‘I don't know, Jaz. Be nice if everyone could live safely, with only good things to offer. How do people like Jamison and Salvatore get into these positions in the first place? Are they born that way or shaped into it?'

It was some deep questions from Cody, ones that Jaz had asked herself from time to time. Especially if Salvatore was her father. She had to admit she was curious about him, about his family. Did she have some of his traits? His tendencies? Is this why she was like she was? Did having a father in the killing business and a mum as an agency spy mean she was always going to be this way inclined? Would she end up going bad? Maybe it was possible, people seeing so much death and destruction they end up becoming what they fought against. She'd seen it in TV shows before, mercenaries were once good guys and then jump ship and end up working for the highest bidder.

‘You okay, Jaz?'

‘Yeah, I guess. I was just wondering if I could ever end up going bad. What sets people off on the wrong path?' she said, confiding in Cody. They'd grown close over this last month, surfing and talking. He was more than just a cheeky ratbag with shaggy hair.

‘This is a deep convo, hey? And some deep questions. Jazzy, you don't ever have to ask that cos I don't think there is a bad bone in your body. You are all for helping people. I'm a hundred per cent sure you can rest easy. If not, you have friends who will make sure you don't go rotten,' he said, reaching over and punching her shoulder.

‘Thanks Cody.' It was nice to be reassured. But Cody didn't know the whole story. Would his answer be different if he knew Salvatore was her father?

Chapter 23

Jaz stood on a bar stool as she tried to hang up the green tinsel.

‘Careful, Jeni, I can't afford for you to break your neck over bloody Christmas decorations,' said Ted.

Jaz stuck the last bit in place before climbing down to see her handiwork. ‘But Ted, look at the place. It's so cool.'

‘I don't think the regulars who come here will even notice,' he said with a shrug and walked off.

Jaz didn't take it to heart, she'd seen Ted smiling when she'd put up the ‘Merry Christmas' sign she'd brought. It was December, after all. If you couldn't get festive what else was there to look forward to?

‘Place looks great. Is this your doing, Jeni?'

She turned to see Stevo walk in with Bud. ‘Sure is. If you like it, make sure you tell Ted. He thinks I shouldn't have wasted my time.' Bud came up to her and slipped his arm around her and kissed her on the lips.

‘Hello, pretty lady. I've missed you,' said Bud. ‘It's a long time between drinks,' he added.

It had been three weeks since she'd kissed him at his place. Since then they'd started a slow kind of relationship which started with swapping phone numbers so they could text and talk in between the pub visits. It was still a
getting to know
you stage. She'd been on one date with him, going out for fish and chips in Fremantle, and then they caught a movie one Sunday. But between Jaz working nights at the pub, and Bud's work, it was keeping the relationship slow and steady. Which Jaz was rather happy about.

‘You texted me half an hour ago,' she said, poking his chest with her finger. It was at that moment that she realised someone else had stepped inside behind Stevo.

Ryan.

Could Bud tell she'd gone limp in his arms? Could he tell her heart had begun to race and her breath had caught in her throat? Could he tell that her body was screaming out for Ryan aka Reece?

‘Hi Jeni,' Ryan said casually. His eyes flicked to Bud's arm around her. ‘Bud, mentioned he'd caught the barmaid but some of us didn't believe him.'

‘Told you I don't lie,' said Bud.

‘It's good to see you back, Reece. It's been a while. Thought you must have found another local to drink at,' said Jeni, hoping Ryan understood how much he was missed. The little muscle in his jaw was pulsing, as if he was clenching his teeth. His eyes shot to Bud's fingers that rested against her waist. She needed to do something. Standing this close to Ryan after such a long, long time was asking for trouble. Already his aftershave was wafting and that blue button-up shirt was undone enough to drive her insane. ‘Can I get you all a beer?' She stepped out of Bud's embrace and moved towards the bar, waiting for their answer.

‘Yes, thanks Jeni,' said Stevo as he moved to the table, grabbing the basket of nuts.

‘I'll get them,' said Ryan pulling out his wallet.

That was when Jaz noticed the unfamiliar mark on his wrist. The Shesha Serpent tattoo. It felt like all the blood had drained from her body. It scared her.

‘Thanks Reece.' Bud kissed her cheek, oblivious to her inner turmoil. ‘Come see me when you can.' Then he went and joined Stevo.

Ryan moved to Jaz. ‘Shall we go to the bar?' he asked, snapping her out of her sudden freeze.

She nodded, then followed him. As she poured the three beers she studied Ryan. He looked tired. Dark shadows around his eyes and he seemed thinner. Fitter, but thinner as if he wasn't eating properly or maybe overdoing the exercise. Combined with that tattoo, she was as worried as heck but couldn't say a damn thing.

‘New artwork,' she whispered as she put the beers on the bar in front of him.

Ryan shuffled his watch so it covered the tattoo. ‘Yeah. Bound to happen. You and Bud?'

‘Yep. It's all good. We do what we have to, hey?' Jaz didn't know why she felt so suddenly angry. Because Ryan was dragged into the Shesha Serpents? Was she angry that they couldn't be together? She knew it wasn't possible, that it wasn't Ryan's fault, but yet she felt angry. She wanted to be able to hold Ryan, hug him in public, and she wanted that shitty tattoo off his skin. It was like he'd been branded as someone's property and Ryan didn't belong to anyone. Maybe that's what was making her so grumpy.

‘Have you been well?' she said softly. She was kind of amazed she'd managed to get anything out at all. But she needed to make the most of their time together.

‘As good as can be expected, I guess. This is driving me a little crazy,' he said as she handed him the change.

As she did his hand clamped over the money and her hand, holding, touching; the power of that simple touch felt like a thousand Christmases. He let go and with shaking hands put his change back into his wallet. Jaz knew exactly how he felt. She felt like crying from the pure pleasure of touching him and the torture of not being able to have more.

‘You look good, by the way,' he whispered. ‘Browner maybe.' Deep dark eyes drank in her skin, then dropped to her arms and chest.

‘I've been surfing nearly every morning.' This made her smile. It was a pleasure to spend her morning in the ocean.

Ryan frowned. ‘I hope he behaves,' he said as he collected up the three glasses in his large hands.

Jaz knew he was talking about Cody and it was sweet he was a little worried.

‘I'll be over later,' she said for theatrical purposes, but needn't have bothered as the closest person was four stools away along the bar and Ted was chatting to him. ‘Can you believe it's nearly Christmas,' she added.

He gave her a smile that was Ryan all over and for the moment it was enough to satisfy her cravings. She could do this. She could put on an award-winning performance too.

The rest of the night was rather busy with a full house, but she did manage to pass by Bud's table on a few occasions. Once they all stopped their hushed talking and she was curious as to what they were talking about. Shesha Serpent stuff?

‘Here Jeni,' said Bud, gesturing to his lap.

Jaz shook her head and put her arms around his neck so she could whisper to him, ‘I better not, Ted will get grumpy if I play favourites. Might make the others think they'll get the same service.' Plus she didn't like making it more uncomfortable for Ryan. She was sure he wouldn't rub Annaliese in her face if he could help it.

Ryan spent lots of time looking into his beer. Was that so he wasn't caught glancing in her direction?

Jaz was back behind the bar when she saw Ryan head to the bathroom. She ducked into the back room and out the side door, which opened into the same corridor that led to the toilets and the outside door. She reached for a bag on her way out, it wasn't even half full but she needed something.

‘Here, let me get the door for you,' said Ryan as she stepped in behind him.

‘Thanks, that would be great.'

Jaz flicked the light switch off, the one Ted had finally got around to fixing, and stepped outside into the dark. The bag dropped from her hands the moment she felt Ryan reach for her, pulling her to him. His hands caressed her face as he kissed her. Hot warm lips that knew what they wanted.