As Henry led them inside Mark could see wooden staircases on the far corners of the room leading to the floor above and wide doorways under them leading to the flanking towers.
"This place is amazing," Mark said, his eyes continually roving around the room. Photographs of the Island were dotted around the walls, along with vases of flowers and plants in pots. Baskets of fruit sat on the coffee tables and as they walked out the other side of the house Mark saw the pool area.The two flanking towers had buildings behind them, he saw, two story rectangular structures that enclosed the main house right to the edge of the cliffs, sheltering the pool area on three sides, the other side opening to the ocean. Deckchairs and sun-loungers lay to the right and left of the large pool and a canopied area with tables and chairs sat to his immediate right."Welcome to the main house, Master Mark," Henry said, turning to face him. "I'll just"Do you know what's in it? The will, I mean."Jasminepaused, then nodded. "Yes, but I can't tell you what it says, Mark. I'm not allowed, and anyway, it's only a few hours away."Markfrowned but nodded. "So what else?""Well, there's lunch and dinner too, and some time for you to chat with Myraand Maddy. I can tell you that Mister Moorewas keen for the three of you to get to know each other, so over the next few days you'll be doing a lot together.""A lot of what?""Briefings, meetings, activities, meals." Jasmineshrugged. "Nothings firmed up yet for times and dates, but I'll be managing your schedule carefully to make sure you're not snowed under, okay?""And don't accept any meetings myself," Markstated, remembering her advice."Correct."As Markstubbed out his cigarette he caught sight of Henryon the balcony, beckoning him up."Looks like your suite's ready," Jasmine&nb
"So you arrange stuff like that?""Sure," Jasminenodded. "Sometimes it's only for walking the carpet, get a few pictures. Sometimes it's a real date. Occasionally it's a hookup.""Holy shit. Talk about a different world.""That's one of the million reasons why I'm here, Mark," She reminded him. "It'd primarily business but I'm here to help you personally too. There's lots to learn and I'm here to help. Now, back to the topic at hand. Getting you some sleep.""Yeah.""I'm gonna be blunt here, Mark. Sometimes it's the best way," She said, looking him in the eye. "Most people masturbate before they go to sleep. I take it you do too?"Marklaughed, unable to hide the slight blush that hit his cheeks. "And I thought all this was insane before.""You'll get used to it. Incidentally, if I know this now then it means I won't be walking in on you midway through.""Okay, fair enough. Yeah, I usu
"I suppose," Markshrugged. "Hey, what did you mean earlier when you said someone more my status?""Oh, that." Jasminesaid, taking a seat. "I mean that you can't just turn up at a black-tie event with some girl who works in the local Walmart and lives with her parents.""Why not? Lots of good people work in Walmart," Marksaid, frowning."Because it's not what's expected of you. Because it's not someone you'll have much in common with, and because there would be this enormous gulf between you. You wouldn't be equals, or even in the same social circles.""Different can be good though.""Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking down on people or being elitist when I say this, Mark," Jasmineexplained. "Imagine a year from now what you'd have to talk about. She's just had a shit day at work because a customers kid peed in one of the aisles and she had to clean it up. You just flew into town from Hong Kong on a priva
Markcracked the door open on the shower cubicle, blinking again as the white glass suddenly turned clear, but he could see Jasminewasn't in the room anymore, so he grabbed a towel and dried off.Wrapping it around his waist he stepped into the bedroom, spotting a baggy pair of dark blue shorts and a dark green sleeveless t-shirt on the bed. He got dressed quickly and walked around the suite, looking for Jasmine.He found her sitting on the balcony, a low table in front of her with half a dozen different plates of food on it."The chef wasn't sure what you'd like for lunch, so he made you up a few platters with different stuff," She explained.Marksat down and looked at the dishes. "Wow."Jasminesmiled. "Yeah, Chef's fantastic."Markcould see four or five different types of fish, lobster and prawns. There was chicken, steak, a pate of some sort on crumbly biscuits, different breads, vegeta
Then they were off to meet the Islands resident physician, Doctor Kerr. The doctor was in her late thirties, with short and tidy red hair, but her cheeks were flushed, as if she was having trouble with the heat.While she gave Marka physical examination, he asked her about the injections that Jaydenhad recommended. To his surprise she seemed perfectly fine with it, as long as he agreed that they lasted no more than two weeks. She also informed him that he needed a Tetanusbooster, and he should probably have a contraceptive injection."A what?" Markasked."It's a hormonal contraceptive injection for men," She had shrugged. "Short term, only lasts for a month or so and then things are back to normal a few weeks later, but it stops the production of sperm. Given the injections you're already getting, the enhanced endorphins from the exercise and a sudden boost in confidence that you're likely to receive, it's almost certain that
It only took a few minutes to walk from the clinic to the salon, so Markhad a cigarette while they followed the path. It was the first time he'd been to the east side of the Island and he loved the flowers and bushes between the palm trees, the mixture of fragrances and fresh air being so much better than the city he was used to.As they walked Jasminepointed out various paths leading to the helipad, the recording studios, guest and staff accommodation and the main security office. The time passed quickly and all too soon they were entering the salon.There were three stylists who worked in bright open space. The Senior Stylist was a short Japaneseman with a bright purple Mohawk. Both his arms were covered in tattoos, and Jasmineintroduced him as Taki. Working with him was Betty, a short petite blonde who seemed to have trouble meeting his gaze and Alex, a tall bald man with a razor-thin goatee.The three of them set to work,
The closer they got to the pier the more nervous Markgot. It didn't matter that he'd met both Maddyand Myrabefore. If anything, that made it worse. He didn't know if Myrawould recognize him at all, or if she did, would she have him chalked up as one of a thousand perverted losers who'd paid to see her naked. Worse, he might be remembered as that creep who jizzed in his pants.As for Maddy, Markknew that she'd remember him. That night they'd spent together was burned in his memory, and he knew how she felt about it at the time too. They'd made love in the dark, then again when they woke in the morning, not a word exchanged. They'd showered together, then lay holding each other until they couldn't avoid getting up. Even then, he'd accompanied her all the way to the airport, shared a really tender goodbye kiss with her, and then kicked himself for months that he hadn't got her contact details, or just up and moved to New York to find her.Wha
Markfollowed her downstairs and around the side of the pool, turning left to head into one of the business suites where he could see Mister Yousefsitting behind a desk. On the other side of it sat three large leather chesterfield armchairs, Maddyin the one on the left, Myraon the right.He took a deep breath, feeling the tension of what was to come. He knew inside that room he would find out what his future would be like, what his responsibilities were and what BenjaminMoore, the man who had gave him up for adoption would have to say to him and his sisters."Good luck, Mark," Jasminesaid quietly. "I'll see you when you get out."He entered the room and closed the door.----------"It's a lot to take in," Jasminesaid gently.Markwas sat on his balcony, chain-smoking and watching a spectacular sunset that he just couldn't appreciate. The afternoon had been too draining.
True to her suggestions, Myraknocked, waited for a few seconds and then slowly opened the door to see a flushed Maddystraightening her clothing and looking a little flushed. Markand Myraexchanged a knowing look, and then suggested the three of them go back upstairs. Maddydidn't say much, but followed them up the stairs, with both Markand Myranoticing her obvious reluctance."I'm off to my room to get changed," Maddysaid as soon as they closed the hatch. Markand Myramanaged to keep a straight face until she was out of sight, but the second she was gone they broke into broad grins."Who knew both my sisters were raging perverts," Markmuttered, earning a punch on the arm from Myra."From the guy who's fucked both of us and is banging his secretary too."Markgrinned. "I like to keep busy."Their last afternoon on the Island passed very quickly, between the vario
"So what did she say?""She got a fright, so I told her to sit down and we talked for a bit. Then she told me that she'd made a bet with some friends that she would have sex with you, and she had to follow through with it. Well, I didn' t know if you'd hooked up with Jasmine, so I tell her that she can't and that she should just tell her friends that she did.""So Sarah turned up and you stopped her coming in?" Markasked."Yeah. Bear in mind that at this point, you're the only person I've ever met before, I know you're my brother, but I'm all horny and attracted to you, right? I'm tired and I'm not exactly thinking straight, plus this slut has just shown up and I'm feeling jealous. Pretty much an emotional mess, right?""Okay. So what happened with Sarah?""She wouldn't leave, even tried to get back into the suite, so I gave her two choices. She could be fired if she kept trying to get inside, or she could leave and I'd te
"Fuck my life," Markmurmured."What?" Jasminemuttered."Nothing. Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you," He said softly, slipping in behind her.She pulled his arm around her, nestling her body into him. "It's okay. Can't you sleep?""No, went down to the bunker."Jasminerolled onto her back, propping her legs over his and turned to look at him, all sleepy and cute. "What did you find?""You don't want to know," Marksaid unhappily.She watched him carefully for a moment, then said softly, "Was it footage of me?"Markshook his head. "No, not exactly, just, em.... there was footage stored of me and you. All week long."She looked away and took a deep breath. "Did you delete it?""Not yet, but I will later.""You have to. Promise me, Mark, please?" She said, her expression intense."I will. I promise. There's just something I have to
It was eerie walking down the stairs completely on his own, and he felt a little trepidation as he punched in the code and held his hand against the palm-scanner. He stepped back as the door opened and entered the silent bunker, his eyes automatically going to the spot where Henryhad lay.He took a deep breath and headed for the control room, sliding into a seat before the console, seeing Jasminesleeping on one of the large screens in front of him. He smiled, seeing how natural and relaxed she seemed while asleep.Markturned to look at the wall to his left, a large map of the Island about eight feet across with numbered pins stuck in it showing the location of each camera. It took him a minute, but he counted one hundred and thirty eight."Holy fuck that's a lot of cameras."It took him another ten minutes to find the guide on how to use the system, and his eyes widened more than once at how it was set up. Each camera fed back to a serve
As the staff were all wandering out the door, chatting over the revelations they'd just been hit with, Marklooked at Mister Yousef. "You kept that brief.""I'm a big fan of letting people do the work they're employed to do," The old man smiled. "You nearly gave me a heart-attack when you stepped forward there. Nicely done."Markshrugged. "No biggie. So can we head back to the house now?""The boat got away?"Marknodded. "No problems.""Good. I'll see you at lunch," George replied, turning to leave. "Brian, let's go.""Work calls," The Security chief said, nodding at Markon his way past."Brian," Marksaid, grabbing his hand. "Thanks for this. All of it.""No problem, sir, and if you don't mind me saying, Henrywas a bastard. I'm glad he's... off the Island."It was two hours and forty minutes later when Connor finally appeared. A nervous Markgree
"Let's do it," Connor said. "I'll take the feet, you take the upper body and I'll go in front. Take your time, alright."Marknodded and moved to the corpse, wrapped into a neat cylinder with the rugs and trash bags. On Connors signal they lifted the body and Markgrunted as they carried it up the steps and into the bar.It felt really bizarre to be carrying a wrapped up body in broad daylight through a place he'd come to love, but with short steps, Connor and Markmade their way through the main house, took the right onto the path past the kitchens, and then a few minutes later onto the beach.Captain Wales was waiting for them with the gangplank ready and engines running, his crew sent to the clubhouse like everyone else.They carried Henry'sbody along the pier, feeling exposed in the open, but Connor kept feeding Markadvice to keep him calm and all too soon they were placing the body out of sight in the lounge of the catamara
They lay there for another ten minutes until Myracalled through to let them know Mister Yousefhad returned with Brian Kane in tow, along with a yawning Captain Wales. Markand Jasminequickly dried and dressed, then went out to meet them in the lounge of Mark's suite, with the doors securely closed. To their surprise, Brian greeted them with warm handshakes, admitting a moment later that he suspected for a long time that there was something off about Henry, and that when Mister Youseftold him what had happened, he wasn't really that surprised.Mister Yousefthen briefed them on Brian's suggestion on how to deal with the situation. It seemed very simple, so much so that Markkept looking for holes in it.Over the next couple of hours, Henry's body was to be wrapped in the bloodstained rugs, taped up and secured in trash bags and brought to the top of the hidden staircase. At seven o'clock in the morning, Brian and his team would gat
"So does that mean I can get a shower now?" Markasked, knowing Myrahad washed him clean but still convincedhe had the old mans blood on him."As soon as you've sorted out the access protocols," George nodded."What about him?" Connor asked, jerking his thumb at the corpse on the far side of the room."We'll deal with that after we've spoken to Mister Kane." At that the old man nodded and stood up. "And no alcohol for the time being please.""Okay," Marksaid. "Connor?"The Scotsman nodded and led them to the Control room. Markwas still a little unsteady on his feet, but with Jasmineholding his hand, he was able to cross the room with little difficulty.The control room was astonishing to each of them, as they saw the images on the array of monitors, with one of the large screens showing a picture of Mark's room from above his bed, another showing footage from a camera in the corner o
"Hello?" They heard Connor call, and by some unspoken signal, both Maddyand Myrarolled out the bed, leaving Markunder the covers. Maddysat down on the bed and Myrawalked towards the door."In here," She said.Connor appeared in the doorway with a bundle of clothes in his arms and handed them to Myra."Give us a minute. We've just cleaned him up, and we'll get him dressed."The Scotsman nodded and turned away, closing the door behind him."Right, you," Maddysaid firmly, hauling back the covers. Myratossed a pair of dark blue jeans to Maddyand dropped a hooded jersey and sneakers on the foot of the bed. She came around to the other side of it."Sorry about this," Marksaid softly, now feeling a little embarassed at his nudity."Shut up, Mark," Myrasaid briskly as she helped Maddymaneuvre the trousers round his feet. Markhad to roll onto hi