Page 13 of She Saw What He Did

‘Don’t worry,’ he says, forcing a smile. Perspiration runs down his face. I want to wipe it away for him. To kiss him on the lips and tell him that the past doesn’t matter and it’s now that counts, but there’s no time. In the silence and stillness around us, there’s only one thing that can be heard and it’s the man shouting.

The sound of a gunshot makes us both jump.

‘He’s shooting at us,’ I scream, covering my head.

Jared pulls me forward and we duck behind a tree trunk.

We stop, both of us breathing heavily.

‘You fuckers,’ yells the man. ‘You won’t get away from me.’

Chapter Nine

Jaime turned off the boat’s engine and set up his equipment. He was some way from Laslow Island, but he could make out two boats on the beach. He pulled the joystick back and steered the drone towards the island.

‘On my way,’ he said. ‘Can you see?’

There was a crackle and then a deep voice said,

‘Bravo Alpha receiving. I can see clearly.’

Jaime smiled. He loved technology. Bravo Alpha, for Christ’s sake, where did they get that from? Still what did he care? Ten thousand for doing what he liked, flying his drone. He wasn’t going to ask any questions. All he had to do was fly his drone over Laslow Island for about an hour and they’d pay him straight into his bank account. Nice money if you can get it. He’d never earn this much in a year from wedding videos. He’d keep an eye on that chat room. See if more work came up. He pulled his mind from the money and focused on the view.

‘Nice and calm,’ he reported over the radio. ‘Everything is looking good so far. It’s a nice day for a trip to the island.’ He chuckled, looking at the long stretch of deserted beach. ‘We’ve got two holidaymakers on the island.’

He zoomed in on the couple.

‘I can see,’ said Bravo Alpha.

Jaime zoomed onto the beach where Sparrow was climbing from his boat.

‘Another guy arriving,’ he said.

‘Good work.’

It was going well.

‘Want to see some seals?’ he said, panning around.

‘What the fuck do I want to look at seals for?’ snapped the voice.

‘Keep your hair on,’ he laughed. ‘I thought you might like a bit of nature.’

‘Just do your job. Focus on the man.’

It was a shame he couldn’t look at the sea life. Still, he was getting paid well for this, so he kept his mouth shut. It would be nice to know who he was working for. Still, what did he care? The money was all that interested him. He turned back to the beach and then he saw it. Another speedboat was coming in fast. He zoomed onto it.

‘Who’s that?’ asked Alpha Bravo.

‘No idea,’ he responded.

The man climbed from the boat. Odd, thought Jaime. Why is he wearing a raincoat in this weather?

‘Stay on the other man,’ ordered Alpha Bravo.

‘Will do,’ he replied.

Jaime frowned. It looked as though the two men were arguing.

---