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Chapter 23
After I had dropped The Russian home I spotted the coffee van, the very same one that visited the Saints office ... Wendy’s Caffeine Hit. It was written on the van. Too good. I followed her until she pulled up outside a grocery store, and I raced to catch up with her.
“Wendy,” I called. She stopped and looked around. Wendy was probably in her late forties, with bleached blonde hair and a small, wiry build. She looked like she had worked hard all her life.
“You don’t know me,” I said, coming up beside her, “but I’m Carla, The Russian’s girlfriend.”
“Ah, The Russian,” she said, her face softening ... hmm. “One of my favorite customers. Good to meet you, Luv.”
“And you. This is going to sound strange, but Sasha from the Saints’ office ....”
“The media lady?” Wendy asked.
“That’s her. Well, we’re trying to work out how The Russian beats her to the top of the queue each day and we were wondering if he asked you to text him when you were near.”
“Ah,” she said, and waggled her finger at me, “I’m like a doctor ... I don’t reveal anything about my patients’ coffee habits.”
I grinned at her. “I get that, I’m a journalist. But maybe, just maybe, we could do a deal. Perhaps you would like some tickets to a Suns or Saints game, or .... some merchandise ...”
“Hmm,” she rubbed her chin thinking. “Very tempting.”
I pushed a little harder. “In fact, we don’t even need you to reveal what is going on – if anything,” I added hastily. “Just once, if you could text Sasha first so she could race out to meet you ... just the once would be enough to beat him at his own game.”
She laughed. “You girls, that’s funny.”
I grinned at her. “Why don’t I leave you my number and maybe text me when you’ve thought about it?”
“We girls do need to stick together,” she said, handing over her phone as I put my number in.
“Thank you, Wendy. Hope to hear from you,” I said, with a smile.
“I’m not saying I have a system with The Russian, and I’m not saying I don’t, mind you,” she said.
“I hear you,” I agreed, “you’d make a fine reporter.” I said and gave her a wave as I walked away. Everything had a price ... my first boyfriend, a salesman, had taught me that one.
After I had gotten back in my car, I then got a phone call from Carlo, my physio. He was sick and had to cancel my appointment. He was trying to get someone to take it ... I had an idea. I told him about Captain Lucas’s live-in-lover and physio, Mia, who ran her own business on the side and told him Mia was keen to do some casual Suns physio work; here was her chance. Carlo said he was fine with it, so I rang Sasha who asked Alice for Mia’s phone number. I waited for Sasha to text through Mia’s number, called her, and she booked me in that afternoon at ‘their’ place at three-thirty. Done!
*****
It was easy to find Lucas and Mia’s place ... it wasn’t far from The Russian’s, and wow, another amazing place! There was security at the bottom of the hill and my name was on the list to come into the gated community. I drove up and parked on the street in front of the house. Mia was at the front door before I got there, dressed casually in what looked like running gear – sports shorts and a singlet. We gave each other a hug; I could look over her head while I was doing it – I must have had a foot on her.
“I am so glad you called,” she said, “we should have swapped numbers at the airport. Come on up.”
I followed her up the stairs and stopped to admire the view – it was a glasshouse with floor to ceiling windows showing off the stunning ocean views from every angle. Everything was white and the beach literally started at the front door.
“The Russian’s place is pretty good too,” she said, “ the same view, further along.”
“I know,” I agreed, “I don’t think you could ever tire of it.”
“I can’t imagine not seeing this view now, I’m spoilt for life. It’s this way,” she said, heading down a short hall. I followed her as she went into another large, clean, white room set up with all the gear she could possibly need. “This is my physio room; Lucas set it up for me. Mind you, he’s my biggest client.” She at least had the good grace to blush when she said it.
“Does he let you work on the other guys?” I asked, curious.
“Never,” she said, and rolled her eyes. “Nik suggested it once and Lucas almost increased Nik’s need for physio. So I don’t push it. I’ve got plenty of other clients and I prefer females while I work here alone.”
“Makes sense,” I said.
“Change into whatever makes you comfortable, but I suggest just your underwear so I don’t get any cream on you, and you don’t sweat on your clothes,” she said, and added: “Don’t worry Lucas is not here and he wouldn’t walk into this room without knocking anyway.”
