Crash Course by Derek Fee (pdf to ebook reader .txt) 📕

“Oh God,” Amanda said entering the room. “Don’t tell me that we’re sulking.”

“Nothing of the sort,” David said, quickly depositing his overall and gumboots in the locker. “Tom has made his point regarding Kane as driver and there’s to be no discussion on that. The subject is closed. We’ll have to soldier on as best we can.”

“Men!” Amanda said. “If only women were left to run the world, we might all be better off. And will you forever stop calling that young man Kane? His name is Mark and you’d better get used to it.”

At that precise moment, Kane entered the office and dripped water on the floor.

“David,” Amanda said sharply. “I presume that there was a very good reason for not providing Mark with the proper equipment.” She turned to face Kane. “You look like a drowned rat. For God’s sake get those clothes off and put them on the radiator in the corner.”

Kane peeled off his sweater and undershirt to reveal a perfectly formed torso replete with rippling muscles. Amanda allowed her gaze to rest on him. However, when he began to remove his jeans, she considered that a strategic retreat might be in order.

Kane stood in his boxer shorts and draped his sodden clothes on the radiator Amanda had indicated. The clothes hissed as they touched the heated metal.

“Tom, why don’t you and,” David hesitated a second, “er, Mark,” he continued, “stay here. It’ll take a while for those clothes to dry out. I need to discuss some matters with the mechanics.”

“Don’t you think that you’re layin’ it on a bit thick, lad?” Bell said as soon as David was out of earshot.

“You asked for a bastard and you’re getting a bastard,” Kane said, moving behind the desk.

“I thought that poor bugger would have a heart attack when you told that joke.” Bell smiled at the thought. “You’re a right shit-stirrer.”

“Everybody knows that the army hates the ‘hats’. He tried to wind me up and got a little of what he was dishing out.”

“I’ve bloody done it now, lad,” Bell said.

“What’s that?”

“Created a bloody monster. I don’t need David being carted off to the local infirmary with a heart attack before he makes a powerboat driver of you. Ease up on ‘bastard’ stuff. Man’s already got a bee in his bonnet because you’re on the team and what we don’t need is to balls up the whole plan with you two going on at each other.”

“I didn’t realise that you were looking for a kind of Jekyll and Hyde performance.” Kane turned his clothes and the steam rose out of them. It would take some time before they were completely dry and he’d had enough of David for one day. “You set the game afoot but it’s up to me now to decide how I play it from here. I’m like an actor that can never get out of his part. I’ll only be myself with Watson and when I’m asleep. For the rest of the time I’ve got to be the character Davenport has created for me. Because if I’m not, I’ll be seen through and your little quest will be at an end. I don’t want to end up like your French detective.”

Bell nodded.

Kane removed his jeans from the radiator. They were still wet but at least the water in them was now warm. It would take hours for them to dry.

“Point taken, lad.” Bell stowed his overalls and boots in the locker. “Point taken. Poor old David.”

“Wow, I like it.”

Kane turned his head at the sound of the female voice. Amanda and a woman who was a younger version of her stood at the door. The younger woman was staring very obviously at the bulge in the front of his shorts.

“Very impressive, don’t you think, mother,” the younger version asked Amanda who simply smiled. “I didn’t know you were holding auditions for the Chippendales here today. But I’m certainly glad I came.”

“Morweena lass, you look lovelier every time I see you.” Bell strode across the small office and shook the young woman’s hand. He nodded in Kane’s direction. “This is my nephew, Mark Kane. Mark meet Morweena, David’s daughter.”

Kane removed his jeans from the radiator and pulled them on with difficulty. They could have done with another twenty minutes or so.

“So, this is the famous Mark Kane.” Morweena cast an appraising glance over Kane. “Well, at least he looks the part. I like the deeply tanned, muscled body and his hard, gaunt face. And those eyes could tell a story.” She stared at his chest. “Nice tats, who are Joe and Amie?”

Kane looked down at the two names tattooed over his heart. “My parents,” he lied. “I’m always happy to put on a show for an appreciative audience.” He returned the young woman’s stare. Nobody would ever mistake Amanda and Morweena for anything other than mother and daughter. Morweena wore her blonde hair as short as her mother’s and she had the same oval-shaped face and Nordic cheekbones. He let his gaze fall to her body. She was tall and statuesque with curves in all the right places and a warm smile that would melt ice. He looked at her left hand and saw that there was no tell-tale golden band. This was something that he hadn’t counted on. He was instantly attracted to her and that could become a problem if he let it. These days he took his women where and when he could but was always careful to ensure that business didn’t mix with pleasure. “Morweena, is that Mo for short?”

“No,” she replied. “It’s Morweena for short as well. And before you ask your next stupid question it’s the name of an ancient Cornish queen.” She turned towards Tom. “I don’t suppose Dad is anywhere about?”

“He’s down in the shed. He’ll be back in a few minutes,” Tom answered.

“I take it you and Mark have been indulging in water sports this morning,” Morweena said.

“Aye, you could say that,” Tom said