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

“You’re right of course,” David said. “I have to admit that he did drive a hell of a race.”

“That was some action.” Tom pulled Kane away from David and shook his hand. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Davenport was right. You are something else. But it wasn’t part of the bargain; you being killed in your first race wouldn’t have fitted my plan at all.”

“And what about this girl?” David smothered her with a hug. “What guts. My God when I saw you and Barrett screaming into the third buoy on the last lap I exploded with fear and excitement. What bloody brinkmanship. Totally unacceptable of course. Nearly killed you. But third in our first race. I don’t believe it.”

“I’m okay, Dad. There was never any real danger. It must have looked a damn sight worse than it actually felt.”

“Perhaps,” David said, holding her. “But I wouldn’t like to see that happen again.” He cast a look in Kane’s direction.

“Tom brought me in to win races,” Kane said, returning David’s look. “I intend to do that.” He patted Morweena on the back. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much?”

“Me. Scared?” Morweena turned to face him. “Not on your life. I loved every second of it.” She pushed her face into her father’s chest. “Can we go back to the hotel, please?” she said.

“No sleeping yet.” Hakonen strode down the marina towards them with what appeared like half the crowd in tow. “Tonight, you and I will drink champagne.”

“Well done.” Kane extended his hand and Hakonen shook it warmly. “Great race.”

“Thanks.” Hakonen was smiling from ear to ear. He kissed Morweena on the cheek. “But I understand that most of the real excitement took place behind me. I win the race but you are the one who makes the big impact with the crowd and the television.” Hakonen was swept away towards the edge of the marina by his team, reporters, TV crews and assorted hangers-on. “Don’t forget,” he shouted over his shoulder. “After the awards ceremony, the champagne flows on me at the Sorrento Palace.”

“Someday soon that will be you, Mark,” Tom said from beside him. “I know that it’s bloody stupid but I was excited as a young boy during that race. I’ve made a pile of money over the years but I bet I’ve never had half the thrill you had today. I envy you.”

“You bloody bastard.” Graham Barrett strode purposefully towards the Penhalion team, his blond hair plastered to his head. Lines of red emanated from his neck and streaked his tanned face. “You cost me that bloody race. You took my water.”

When he was about three feet from Kane, he threw a punch with his right hand. Kane sidestepped the punch easily, caught Barrett’s hand in mid-air and flipped him flat on his back on the wooden marina.

“Take it easy.” Kane put his boot on Barrett’s throat. “Didn’t your father teach you that bad losers aren’t appreciated and that counts double for aggressive bad losers?”

“You bastard,” Barrett croaked. He moved his head from side to side but the pressure from Kane’s boot only increased. “You made the biggest mistake of your life today.” His thin mouth was twisted into a grimace. When the pressure of the boot was released, Barrett stayed prone on the ground. “Nobody but nobody fucks with me. At least not more than once. That’s the second time you’ve assaulted me. I’m calling the police and you, my friend, will spend the evening in some Neapolitan hellhole.”

Kane’s boot was back on his throat. “I told you before that I wasn’t your friend and if I go to jail, the next time I might do some real harm.”

“Gentlemen, gentlemen.” Safardi moved into the ruck surrounding Kane and Barrett. “Please, we have been privileged to witness a wonderful race. Don’t spoil the occasion with this unpleasantness.” He put his hand on Kane’s arm. “Please.”

Kane took his boot off Barrett’s throat.

“Thank you.” Safardi reached his hand down and helped Barrett to his feet. “Mr Kane is right, Graham. You must learn to be gracious in defeat. Now no more talk of police and jail.”

“Let’s all calm down a minute,” David said in his most placatory voice. He stood facing Barrett. “If you’ve got any complaint about Mark’s driving, you can lodge it formally with the race stewards. From where I was watching, you’ve got nothing to bitch about but you’ve still got that option. What you don’t have is the right to burst in here, throwing your weight around and trying to assault my driver.” David put his hand on Kane’s arm.

Barrett rubbed his neck. “Don’t think that it’s over because it isn’t.” His blue eyes were spitting fire. “There’s a long way to go in this championship and powerboat racing is a risky sport. Anything can happen. And probably will.”

“I don’t take kindly to threats.” Kane took a step forward.

David stood between him and Barrett.

“That wasn’t a threat…” Barrett said.

“Enough.” Safardi pulled Barrett away towards the end of the marina.

“It was a promise,” Barrett said over his shoulder.

“I never liked that man,” David said. “It looks like you’ve made an enemy today. He’s quite capable of carrying out his threat.”

“I’m quaking.” Kane stared at Barrett’s retreating figure.

“Nice show.” Doc winked and pumped Kane’s hand. “I think that our driver can handle himself, don’t you Mr Penhalion?”

“It certainly looks that way,” David said. He looked around and saw that the crowd were looking at Kane with something akin to hero worship.

The Penhalion crew weren’t allowed to dwell on the fracas with Barrett. The race organisers were rounding up the first, second and third-placed crews and moving them towards a podium which had been erected at the back of the marina directly below the cliff. Kane, Morweena, and David made their way through the crowd flanked by two stewards.

“A most impressive debut.” Tadeka stepped forward and shook Kane’s hand.

“Thank you.”

Tadeka bowed slightly. “One can improve the design