‘There won’t be any, we’ll have to rely on water stored in the tanks up here. I see you’ve got two big ones.’ Nick said. ‘Don’t know about power though. The army will probably set up some emergency systems.’
‘When d’you think it’s going to happen Nick?’ He asked.
‘I wish I knew.’
‘Bloody hell! You don’t know? Are you saying it could happen anytime? Even tomorrow?’
‘Yeah, ‘fraid so. There’s no time to be wasted, we should start making our own plans right now.’
‘I’m going to see Bill then.’ Brian said draining his glass. ‘You know he lives here now. He bought one of those fancy new penthouses in the Phoenix building near yours. There was a hell of a stir when they built that place.’ He added as an afterthought. ‘People thought those connecting walkways over the highway were an eyesore.’
‘Uncle Bill didn’t.’ Karen said. ‘He couldn’t wait to move in. He wanted a penthouse, but he didn’t like the idea of living on the fortieth floor of some high-rise apartment. The Phoenix is only twenty-six floors, and he’s got the top three floors in the north-east tower.’ She paused. ‘What d’you think will happen to all the high-rises Nick?’
‘I don’t think any of them will stand up to it, if they do they’ll become islands stranded in the rising seas.’
Brian looked worried. ‘Half the people on the Gold Coast live in them. We’ll have to get Bill out of his somehow. It won’t be easy, he’s a stubborn old bastard. You coming Karen?’
‘Yes, but I hope he hasn’t been drinking.’ Karen said. ‘He’s get so cranky when he’s had a few. What are you going to tell him?’
‘Whoa!’ Nick said. ‘You can’t tell him yet.’
‘We have to, he’s been like a father to me ever since Dad was killed.’ Karen scowled at Nick. ‘ I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to him. I want him here where it’s safe.’
‘I doubt Veronica would agree with that, she wouldn’t leave all her socialite friends.’ Brian said.
‘There’s plenty of time for that,’ Nick growled. You can tell him tomorrow night when everybody knows what’s going to happen. The government’s been working twenty-four seven on getting things in place, they don’t want panic before they’re ready. Not that they’ll ever be ready for this. You two have to promise to keep it quiet until tomorrow. You can announce it say, ah,two hours before the press release Brian.’
Brian hung his head. ‘Okay, if you insist. Thank Christ it’s the weekend then, I couldn’t go into the office knowing this, I’d be forced to tell Bill.’
Karen stalked off followed by Brian, and Nick could hear them arguing. It had been quite a day and he was feeling exhausted, but he remained on the verandah watching the sun play its games on the buildings at the edge of the sea, intrigued by the red flames that played across their glass walls. Now that Brian and Karen knew the situation, he felt part of the weight had lifted from his shoulders. What would tomorrow bring? He was missing his crew mates on the Platypus, the quiet evenings at sea enjoying a card game, playing his guitar or a watching a good movie together. He felt so far away from them, and scared he may never see any of them again.Weird, he thought,when I’m with them, I’m missing Brian and home, now the tables are turned. Depressing feelings of loneliness overpowered him, prompting him to pull out his sat-phone phone again, grateful for the convenience these gadgets offered.
Chapter Twenty-five
Bill
The deadline for the press conference approached, and Nick and Karen waited in the lobby of the north tower of the Phoenix complex for the private lift to take them to Bill’s apartment on the twenty-fourth floor. Brian had prepared his own press release to pre-empt the World Government’s, and had gone to the television studio.
Karen was always in awe of the opulence and absolute luxury that Bill and Veronica enjoyed in this apartment. The marble-lined lift came to a halt and the doors parted with a whisper, to reveal Bill waiting for them in the private foyer, already brandishing a drink in his hand.
‘What a welcome surprise. Nick! When did you get home? He stretched out his other hand, pumping Nick’s vigourously. ‘Veronica’s gone out.’ He said waving his hand in the air in a dismissing attitude. ‘We had another blue. She’s probably off somewhere with that rat pack she runs with. I don’t know when she’ll wake up that they only want her for her money. I’ve got rid of the housekeeper for the night, otherwise I’d have her run up a meal.’
‘No thanks Bill, we’ve eaten.’ Nick said.
Bill was in his late fifties, a big muscular man, with a florid complexion and deep crinkles on his forehead, a forehead that was continually seeping perspiration drops. Like Karen, his hair was dark, but thinning with streaks of grey at the temples, and his warm brown eyes twinkled with mischief, belying his bad temper and promising a quirky sense of humour. He and Veronica spent most of their evenings dining at fancy restaurants or entertaining the affluent crowd in their luxury penthouse. They worked hard to avoid being alone together, and quite openly stated their dislike for each other.
It was a strange marriage. She was a bitter woman who had been raised by wealthy arrogant parents. Bill had met her when he was a young ambitious news reporter assigned to a story about old money. She fell in love with him and pursued him for months. He didn’t return that love, but he was no fool, and he saw a way he could realise his dream to own his own newspaper. Their marriage was one of Sydney’s biggest society weddings of the year, and it felt good to have someone taking photographs of him for a change.
The marriage soured the following year when Veronica found she was unable to have children, and as a consequence threw herself into the social scene. Bill did not mind as it gave him the opportunity to make the right connections. Their life since then had been one long round of parties and functions. Veronica knew Bill did not love her, and it was this, more than the fact that she could not have children that made her bitter.
He would have enjoyed having a son, but it did not concern him as he had Karen, his brother’s child, whom he adored and showered with affection. He was genuinely fond of Brian and thankful too that he had made Bill a rich man. Veronica resented Bill’s relationship with Karen and always tried to find ways to keep them apart.
Bill swapped his scotch into his other hand and patted Nick’s shoulder. Nick grinned, taking in the silver-grey silk caftan Bill was wearing.
‘I refuse to wear those body suits at home, besides this apartment is so well insulated and air-conditioned I don’t need to.’ Bill explained. ‘This’s far more comfortable.’
Bill hugged Karen tightly. ‘What a treat! I’m glad Veronica went out, give us a chance to enjoy each other’s company without her sarcastic remarks.’
‘I don’t know what keeps you two together.’ Karen replied returning his hug.
‘Money!’ He laughed. ‘C’mon, come in and sit down, I’ll get you some drinks.’
‘Not for me thanks Bill.’ Nick remarked. ‘We’ve got something to discuss with you.’
“Where’s Brian?’
‘He’s… er… working on something.’ Nick said.
‘Can’t it wait until tomorrow? We can thrash it out at the office. I don’t get to see Karen as often as I’d like.’
‘Afraid not it’s, ah, going to be chaos tomorrow.’
‘What d’you mean?’ Bill’s words slurred. ‘What’s happenin’ tomorrow?’
Nick looked to Karen. ‘Will you tell him, or should I?’
‘Tell me what? C’mom Nick spit it out!’
They arranged themselves on the soft leather conversation pit facing the ocean, and Nick sighed and began the story. Bill listened, his face turned a little pink but Karen put that down to the number of drinks he had consumed today. He did not interrupt, just remained still, not noticing when his drink was empty.