20 The Bodyguard

The headlights illuminate the blue gums spookily as if they drive through a crowd of zombies but suddenly it shines on the well with the bell when they enter the dark island in the middle of the woods. They then shine on her pinewood cottage before Hunter stops next to his Mercedes. He turns off the lights. Instantly they sit in the pitch dark. "Chloe, do you really think this place is safe? There are no lights when you arrive. How will you know whether phantoms await you? I shall make sure that we install lights that illuminate the surroundings far enough around your houses; install a security gate in front of every door and peepholes so that no one can surprise you at your doors and also a simple alarm that will warn you if someone awaits you or try to burgle you so no one can ambush you in your sleep. "Further, I am not at all happy about your safety because this place is so isolated. That attack on the pass was well-planned and organized by a team. What are you going to do when you are confronted by a group of attackers that cuts your cellular signal and makes it impossible to contact outside assistance. I shall organize walkie-talkies for you and Robert to use when something like that happens." "Hunter, you are wasting your time here. Don't you have a family waiting at home?" "Chloe, I have always been single because I lost my whole family in the first year of the war. Tony was like my only living brother. We were bosom pals. I only have a few girl friends from my detective days. Some of them are still in service and good contacts when I need sensitive information." "During the war, it was an advantage to be single as leader of the aquatic unit, for I could concentrate on one thing and commit myself fully. I did not have the responsibility of a family. My troops were my family but Tony always had his family at home at the back of his head. However, that had no influence on his selfless bravery and he risked his life time and again to save me from the most difficult and dangerous situations. I simply must look after you because I owe him so much. Please, Chloe, allow me." "Okay, Hunter, I shall allow you and Robert to do all these things only if you allow me to pay for everything and use my help. And as far as that ordeal on the pass is concerned, I am convinced they were tracking Quinn. I thought about this deeply and I suspect Quinn's underworld friends just saw him as a loose link and it was time to get rid of him." "Don't you think they saw he was not in the vehicle but only his family? Doesn't it mean the target was really his family?" For a moment Chloe is flabbergasted and silence follows before she speaks again: "Why would they be after his family? Maybe then Lyle's theory is the only one that makes sense. Maybe Quinn is behind all of this." "And if he is responsible for all of this, you are the next target. That is why I am going to be your bodyguard until you are more secured. Tonight I shall sleep here and tomorrow we will safeguard your place. And then from the day after tomorrow, we are going to meet all your friends and family face to face and interrogate them before I shall decide on the next step. I am burning to get to Quinn or at least get information about him, but first, you must be safe." ~*~*~ Hunter is prepared to sleep over and brought a bag with all his things and moved into the guest room while Chloe prepares curry and rice. They showered and went to bed. Chloe is lying on her bed and ponders the recent past in the quiet darkness while Hunter is already fast asleep to catch up on his sleep deprivation before Chloe phoned him. He had just finished a case in which he had to watch someone that kept him awake till the early morning hours. Chloe can hear his heavy breathing from the guest room. She ponders their lives that changed so unpredictably and ominously. She wishes she knows how Zoey is and wants to phone Isaac. His car isn't here, so, he must still be at the hospital. Chloe stretches out to search-feel for her smartphone in the dark when she hears the sound of a car. It sounds as if it stops more or less at Isaac house. Most probably it is Isaac that has returned from the hospital. She gets out of bed quickly and wrapping herself in a gown and getting sandals on her feet, decides to walk over to his place. She pulls on the sitting room's light and when she reaches the front door, someone knocks softly. With a muted voice, so as not to awake Hunter, she asks: "Isaac, is that you?" She recognizes his voice: "Yes, it's me, Chloe, I wasn't sure if you were sleeping already because it is eleven-o'-clock." Chloe unlocks the door and opens it. The good doctor looks quite attractive in his navy blue shirt and black trousers. "I was on the point of phoning you, Doctor Horn. How is Zoey?" "Oh no, Chloe, cut out with this ‘doctor' crap. Your sister is out of danger but still in a deep coma. How are you? Did you take Lyle back to school? And how is he? Do you have a guest? I see an old classic Mercedes outside." "Come in, Isaac. How many hours do you work because I never see you? You look exhausted. You disappear in the early hours and come home far after dark. Have you eaten something substantial today, and yes, I have a guest. We must speak softly because he kips in the guest room." Isaac immediately notices the curtains and he is impressed. "I'm impressed with your curtains, Chloe, it fits in nicely." "Have you eaten, Isaac? We had curry and rice and there is ample leftover. I really want to make something to drink for you and I shall heat the leftover in the microwave for a quick meal. What do you say?" "I bought a pie and a cola at the garage on my way and ate it on my way here." "Isaac, I'm not going to take no for an answer. Come with me to the kitchen. You don't want to go and sleep with only a pie in your stomach!" Isaac doesn't answer and follows her. She whispers when they pass Hunter's room: "You haven't answered my question. How many hours do you work? It seems to me you are a workaholic, Doctor, for I never see you." Isaac answered mutely: "That's the life of a medical doctor, Chloe, we relieve each other but unforeseen cases come up that need your personal attention. Before you know it, you have worked overtime. That's the name of the game, as they say." Chloe pulls out a chair at the dinner table. "Sit here in the meantime while I prepare food for you. What will you have to drink?" "That delicious, champion coffee you made last time. That reminds me, your things are still at my house." Chloe smiles. "No sweat, I've got an abundance of the same here but will coffee this time of night not interfere with your sleep and give you insomnia?" Isaac now grins back. "No, Chloe, this coffee addict sleeps like a baby regardless of how much and how strong his coffee is before bedtime. In any case, if someone hasn't got some kind of condition that force you to avoid stimulants like caffeine, you can never drink too much coffee. Provided it is not too hot, because that can cause throat cancer. It is good to drink cold milk in your coffee. Recent statistically-based studies have shown that people who drink much coffee, have over the average less medical problems compared to those who drink only a little or none at all. It also doesn't matter what type of coffee it is. Instant coffee is also good for you, with or without caffeine. Something within the coffee bean is very beneficial to your health. What it really is, we don't know yet." Chloe's eyes widen in amazement. "Oh, for a moment I forgot I have a clever medical doctor as a neighbor." She turns towards the stove and fills the kettle while she speaks in a very sarcastic tone: "I am wondering, Doctor, that pie you ate on your way home, is it also beneficial to your health? Is it not packed with bad fats that harm your veins? I'm only asking because I am not as learned as you are." He doesn't answer, but it stuns her when his sexy, blue eyes smile at her from nearby. "I have forgotten my beautiful, sharp neighbor doesn't take nonsense and her sexy body is also sensually talking loudly." The desire is plain in his eyes when he stares at her from close by and he looks inexplicably attractive. Gosh! Must the man be so irresistibly handsome when he looks at her! Chloe answers with a desirable gaze of her own but hides it furtively behind cold logic: "Doctor Isaac Horn, I suggest you come and eat here each evening so that I can keep you healthy for the very important work you do. I shall gladly prepare your meals because you neglect yourself terribly. Okay? That's the least I can do while you look after my sister." Isaac stares at her lips while she speaks and she sees how the lust burns in him. It looks as if he is going to grab her any moment, and tightly presses her against him is going to kiss her passionately and she is unsure if she will be able to push him away for she herself is feeling dizzy from desire and yearns to melt into his embrace. Isaac now looks with admiration deep into her eyes. "Have I heard correctly? Are you asking me to have dinner here every evening?" "You've heard correctly. I would very much like to prepare dinner for you, Isaac." "Fine, but only if I may give you a break from time to time and treat you when we go out and dine at a good restaurant, Chloe. You also must give me a grocery list of what you need. I can't allow you to pay for everything." "We have a deal, right! But forget the grocery crap. You are hopelessly too busy. I shall take care of it." He protests: "But …" Chloe silences him by putting her forefinger over his lips. "Quiet now, like a good child. You only have to look after my sister in hospital, Doctor, this is the least I can do for you. The farm is very profitable and I am not a poor girl and won't even feel the groceries, okay. Now go and sit down so that I can serve the meal. The water is boiling and the meal is ready." "Okay, fine. I see you are not easily kicked around." He sits down obediently. "Who is in the guest room, Chloe? You haven't told me." Chloe smiles. "My bodyguard for the night …" Isaac frowns surprised. "Bodyguard …?"