Inside Marcus' Office
"Yes Marcus, what do you want?" Stephanie asked in a rather terse tone.
"Relax! Stephanie. I may have been harsh earlier, but the guys need to focus on the matters that are important and work the case until the evidence falls into place." Marcus grumbled.
"I need to get you far away from the day to day. I just got this file from Intelligence. Have you ever heard about dragon boating?" Marcus asked.
"Nah, what is that?" Stephanie replied dismissively.
"Well the Chinese are having a festival in late May and early June , it's the first of its kind inJanique. It's beautiful and filled with colour. I did some research." Marcus replied.
"So what's the problem?" Stephanie shrugged her shoulders.
"I know it's short notice, but Command believes that the Syndicate might want to use the cover of an innocent festival to undertake clandestine operations."
"What the hell does that have to do with me Marcus? My husband was just murdered." Stephanie declared.
"I know girl, but I can't think of anyone else and the change of scenery will be great for you. I need to get involved, infiltrate the festival, get on a team. They are looking for persons who are interested in paddling on the boats. Gather information. I don't need to tell you how to do your job Stephanie, but make sure it's a team that has movers and shakers and blend in please. Let down your hair, dress the part, show some skin, laugh, smile and have fun." Marcus demanded.
"Stephanie could not help herself. Marcus, I am not twenty-five years old anymore. I have the body of a middle-aged woman after the last child. Are you sure you couldn't find a young hot bodied chick from the Training School to undertake this assignment?" Stephanie asked.
"No, I need someone experienced with the ability to fit in with the type of people that may be attracted to this new sport. The unique ability to seek out the movers and shakers, the people with affluence, influences that the Syndicate would entice to undertake their activities. Remember the Syndicate is seductive and will target those with the means and opportunity." Marcus responded softly, while turning his lap top so that Stephanie could see the pictures and watched the videos.
Stephanie's eyes opened wide. "Wow it looks like something I'd love to do, but why now Marcus?" Stephanie asked.
"I need you out of the way of the investigation. I got a call from the Inspectorate that you had placed me as a trustee on one of Richard's policies in the event of anything." Marcus replied in a soft but stern tone.
"There are not many people that I trust in this life Marcus, Richard knew we had a child and he was never opposed to your being a trustee on the policy for his child because he knew you would not do anything underhanded if any misfortune happened to him. What did you tell them?" Stephanie asked.
"The truth." Marcus whispered.
"Fifty Million dollars in my care is a lot of money as a trustee in the event of the death of the policy owner Stephanie. Some persons in command believed that I was a suspect in killing Richard. I spent most of last night being interviewed by senior detectives." Marcus said.
"I'm sorry." Stephanie said with her head bowed.
"Ahh that means you will take the assignment?" Marcus asked.
Stephanie chuckled. "Marcus Dean, you are a piece of work."
Three days later, Stephanie walked along the edge of the harbour on the curled pine decking, she found it difficult to take her eyes off the beautiful teal coloured sea. It was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city in the distance. The haze over the distant skyline was awful. Her lungs filled with clean fresh air. Stephanie enjoyed the long drive along the long, lonely road. It allowed her time to think, but she missed her driving companion.
The Hotel emerged unexpectedly, right when she was savouring the way the X6 carved through the turns. The security guard seemed to examine her from top to bottom before raising the barrier reluctantly. She was tempted to shout "Police", but she wanted to get into character. Soon the heat of the asphalt and sparse desert landscaping gave way to the beauty of the sea. Stephanie gasped, she was hooked. The restaurant was abuzz with activities, all sorts of people were chatting and laughing, but her eyes caught a mixed young lady sitting on the bow of the boat with a broad brimmed bamboo hat. Doing a headcount of the paddlers, the diversity among them struck her and she was reminded of the motto 'Out of Many One People'. Stephanie saw Caucasians, Chinese, Indians and dark-skinned persons along with few high browns working together as the little wisp shouted at the top of her lungs, the shaolin master at the helm guiding the boat onto the mirror like water.
"Thank you, Marcus I really needed this." Stephanie whispered.
"Would you like to try it?"The question caught Stephanie off guard.
Stephanie batted her eyelashes and then looked down from where she thought she heard the question coming from. A man clad in a colorful shirt displaying the cover of books was sitting at a table by himself with a bottle of Pepsi that had condensation on the outside, instantly making Stephanie feel thirsty. The heat of the sun could be felt on her skin making it tingle.
She frowned. "I can't swim," Stephanie responded.
He smiled. "Many persons on that boat can't swim, but they trust the helms and the drummer with their lives."
"I wonder why I would be so trusting?" Stephanie asked.
"You are part of a team.Think of the person beside you who may be a stranger wanting to get back to shore as badly as you do and would not want to do anything stupid to capsize the boat. Plus, many people have never been out on the water observing the sight and sounds. Fear dissipates while they listen to the confident tone of the young lady sitting on the tiny chair. She is not showing any fear despite not wearing a life vest." He eloquently said.
"Are you Clinton Gene, the Jamaican author?" Stephanie asked.
His only response was a huge smile and a disclaimer form. Then he whispered. "Don't watch the shirt, today I am incognito as a father and husband scouting stories for my next adventure. Sign that and I will find you a life jacket when the boat returns to dock."
Stephanie's guard started to come down slowly. "Where can I get an ice cold Pepsi in this parched place?" Stephanie smiled and asked. She watched as the man she called Mr. Gene raised his hand and snapped his fingers. She googled and found his books and instantly she recognized the picture on the back of the book.
Impressive Stephanie thought as the waiter responded almost immediately. "Sure boss." Within seconds Stephanie Lisa was sipping on an ice-cold soda, discarding the warnings from her departed husband.
"Here's to you in heaven baby, wish me luck," Stephanie whispered while listening to the counting far in the distance. "Wow she is loud." Stephanie remarked.
The man chuckled from somewhere behind her. While Stephanie watched him as he walked towards the bar with the rusty chains she scanned his waist for a bulge but fortunately her laser-like eyes found nothing. Crap she thought. I am a lecturer not a cop, she muttered to herself trying to convince herself.
A few minutes later as he returned, Stephanie asked "What is this about?"
"It's about fellowship, camaraderie, meeting people for the first time and bonding with them for an adventure into the unknown. Dragon boating is new to us and we come here on the weekends to practice, eat, sweat, even bleed and chat. I've sat here and have heard heated arguments among people on the boat and then within minutes the people are sharing burgers and French fries. It feels like a family." Stephanie watched his face glowed as he spoke.
"I wonder why command would think these people are a threat" Stephanie thought.