Page 4 of Stanton Adore

My private jet comes slowly to a halt on the tarmac. On board are Ben, my large South African bodyguard, Adrian, my personal assistant, eight computers with software, and a computer technician for each computer. The computer techs are all typical computer geeks.

“I have a large van and driver at your disposal,” I tell the lead tech-head.

“OK, that’s great.” He nods.

“You are all booked in at the Sheraton Hyde Park for the next three days until you all decide where you are staying. Stay in touch with Adrian with the details. The driver will pick you and the equipment up at 9:00 a.m. and take you to the office space we have hired.”

“Thanks, Mr. Stanton.”

“You all have company credit cards, just charge what you need.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Adrian and I wait as Ben picks up the car keys from the rental company. Ben is flicking through the pages of his iPad double-time.

“What the fuck are you doing there?” I frown as I look over Ben’s shoulder.

“Trying to get my bearings. I’m on Maps and it isn’t making sense.” He turns the screen around to look at it upside down and holds his head to the side.

“Yeah that app is useless; we really should design a decent one.” I look around disinterested, glance at my chunky Rolex watch and put one hand into the pocket of my navy three-piece suit. I’m wearing black oxfords, a crisp white shirt and a black tie, “I forgot how hot Aussie girls are,” I make an idle observation while rubbing my chin.

“Yes, I can’t wait to check out the Aussie men, apparently they are off the charts as well.”

I smile. “That goes without saying.” I widen my eyes at Adrian.

“Hmm, they’re conceited too, I found out,” Adrian scowls.

“Totally.” I raise one eyebrow and nod my head, still scanning the room.

Ben returns, pushing a trolley of luggage. “This way.” He gestures.

“This being on the wrong side of the road thing is weird.” Ben smirks while driving.

I smile as I sit in the front passenger seat, Adrian in the back seat. I start programming the navigation.

“What are you doing?” Ben asks.

“We are taking a quick detour,” I answer.

“Really?” Adrian whines. “I need to take a leak.”

“Shut up, enough of the backseat driving, who’s fucking this duck?” Adrian rolls his eyes in the rearview mirror at Ben who smiles at the usual banter.

Adrian scowls as he leans his head back into the headrest. “And for the record, I don’t fuck ducks.”

I smile and nod. “Good to know.”

Twenty-five minutes later we are driving up a one-way street in Rose Bay.

“Where the hell are we going?” Adrian asks.

I don’t answer as I crane my neck and look up the road.

“It should be just up here on the right. Pull in here.” I point to the left. I sit with my elbow on the car door, my thumb under my chin, rubbing the side of my pointer finger back and forward over my lips, deep in thought. We sit in silence for ten minutes.

“Mind telling me why we are here?” Ben asks quietly.

“Someone I used to know lives in that dark brick building over there.” I point to the large older style apartment block across the road, still deep in thought.