THREE #2
‘We’re looking for someone who can also operate within any security detail we might have, both on-site and in the field.
We would want the Head of Medical Ops to provide support as needed.
Not every detail, but just when the situation calls for it.’
‘It’s a flexible role,’ said Aaron. ‘In reality, it’s just a polite way of saying no two days will look the same.
I should add that you’d also be responsible for any minor injuries with the paying guests at the lodge.
You know, sprained ankles, allergic reactions, that kind of thing. You’d be the first point of contact.’
I nodded. ‘So dual purpose. Rather like the retreat itself.’
‘Exactly,’ said Oliver. He glanced down at the file in front of him, though I got the sense he didn’t need to.
‘Which is why your background is of particular interest to us. British Army Medical Corps, active deployment, close protection work for a member of the royal family.’
He looked up. ‘You’ve worked in high-pressure environments, you know how to make decisions under pressure, and you understand the kind of men and women we’ll be looking after at Risk.
That matters as much as your medical qualifications.’
Aaron leaned forward with a slight smile. ‘What he means is, we’re not just looking for someone who can patch people up. We need someone who gets it.’
I probably got it more than he realised, but they didn’t need to know that. The truth was, I was very excited about the position.
‘Our work within the security field often involves high-profile clients, so discretion is paramount. You’d be expected to sign a non-disclosure agreement.’
‘I have no problems with that,’ I replied.
Oliver went to say something, but a knock at the door interrupted him.
‘Sorry,’ he said and nodded at Cheng, who immediately got to his feet and left the room.
Neither of the Laker brothers showed any sign of surprise.
I refocussed on what Oliver was saying about the retreat for veterans being the priority, and that the guest side of things was necessary to help fund the project.
I got the impression he would quite happily have had no guests if it weren’t for the financial support.
Before Oliver could fire any more questions at me, Cheng came back into the room. Instead of sitting back down at his seat, he went around the table, mouthing an apology in my direction, before whispering in Oliver’s ear.
Oliver tapped his notebook with his pen as Cheng sat back down.
‘Problem?’ asked Aaron.
‘No one can get hold of Grainer. Phone’s dead.’
I watched the two men closely. They said as much with their exchanges of looks and expressions as they did with words. I sensed genuine concern beneath their professional demeanour.
‘Can we send anyone up there to check?’ asked Aaron. ‘Local police? Welfare check?’
‘There’s the local police officer at Risk Harbour… Mackenzie,’ said Oliver. ‘Weather?’
‘Heavy snow. Roads closed around the estate,’ said Cheng.
Oliver looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Grainger won’t appreciate us sending in the local Calvary.’
‘Grainger’s no lightweight,’ said Aaron. ‘He yomped across the Falklands in snow and freezing rain with a full pack on his back.’
Another pause. I was beginning to learn the dynamics there. Oliver was the one they all deferred to, but he appreciated his brother’s input.
‘I’ll go up there myself,’ said Oliver.
‘On your own?’ Aaron asked.
‘I can take Paddy with me.’
‘I can come too,’ said Aaron.
‘No. You’ve got plans.’
‘I could postpone.’
‘No need.’
‘Grainger might be injured,’ said Aaron, finally voicing the concern that was already rattling around in my head.
Oliver’s jaw tightened, and I watched intently as another look passed between them. Then they both looked at me, back at each other, and then me again.
‘How are you fixed for the rest of the day?’ asked Oliver.
My eyebrows rose involuntarily. ‘I’m free for the day,’ I heard myself say.
‘We can call it an extended interview,’ said Oliver. ‘Your medical background might be invaluable.’
‘Is this a test?’ I asked, suddenly wondering if the whole Grainger thing was just some role-play that I didn’t know about.
Oliver leaned forward. ‘I don’t do mind games,’ he said. ‘This is straight up. It could be dangerous. The weather up there is brutal right now. But if Grainer is injured, then I’m going to need immediate medical assistance.’
His concerns about the weather and terrain were genuine, but there was something in his tone that made me bristle.
That assumption that danger should be a deterrent.
Eight years of combat zones, avoiding snipers, performing emergency surgery with nothing but a field kit, and much more all flashed through my mind.
‘I’ve handled dangerous before,’ I said, meeting his gaze steadily. ‘And I function quite well in a crisis.’
Something shifted in his expression. Surprise. Reassessment? And maybe a reluctant respect. Maybe he was over the fact that I was a woman.
Aaron broke the tension with an approving nod. ‘Cheng, you organise the travel.’ And then to his brother. ‘If you leave within an hour, you can be there before the worst of the storm hits.’
Oliver frowned. ‘Where’s Noah?’
‘Conducting a very thorough interrogation of Miranda. She’s answered approximately forty-seven questions about the Christmas tree and is holding up remarkably well under pressure.’
I liked the way Aaron had the ability to diffuse the tension that his brother clearly held.
‘I’ll have to take him with me.’
‘I can look after him,’ said Aaron.
The penny dropped for me then. The kid I saw in the coffee shop with Aaron wasn’t his kid, he was Oliver’s son.
‘No. You have things to do. Things that you can’t not do.’
Another look between the brothers, and I couldn’t help wondering what was so important that Aaron couldn’t look after his nephew, and taking a kid to Scotland was the easier option.
Where was the mother? Or grandmother? Surely there was a better option.
I kept quiet, though. It wasn’t my place to say anything.
The interview had definitely taken an unexpected turn.
‘It’s your call,’ said Aaron. ‘Just keep Dom and me in the loop.’
‘Right,’ Oliver said decisively, turning to me. ‘Alex, if you’re willing to come, we need to leave as soon as possible. Consider it part of your assessment. If that works for you.’
The rational part of my brain registered several red flags.
Travelling to a remote location with a man I’d only just met, in dangerous weather conditions, with an unknown emergency waiting.
Yet something about the situation, perhaps the genuine concern in his eyes, or the way he refused to leave his son behind despite the crisis, cancelled out those alarms.
‘I’ll need a full medical kit,’ I said.
‘Not a problem. We have one in the car.’
‘Okay. I guess I’m in, then.’