The emergency ward was, as usual, jammed with sick and injured people who suffered patiently, and some not so patiently, waiting their turn to see a doctor based on their triage prioritisation. Craig searched his way through the rabbit warren-like corridors, glancing into each treatment bay and room as he went past them. He eventually located Bryce, who was sitting on a bed, sipping at a cup of ice and watching the emergency ward proceedings with dull and tired eyes.
“Hey mate. You look like shit,” smiled Craig.
“Really? Seems strange when I feel so awesome,” replied Bryce, smiling weakly.
“You haven’t been cooking up your chili-con-carne again have you? I’ve told you before to go easy on the chillis. You make it potent enough to kill a dead donkey.”
Bryce managed a small laugh even though it felt like his insides were turning outside.
”No, no chili con carne this time.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“They’re still not sure. We’ve only seen the triage nurse. We’re still waiting to see a goddam doctor.”
Natalie joined them, carrying sandwiches and coffee that she’d bought from the cafeteria. She smiled sympathetically at Bryce, flashing dozens of straight, white teeth and stroked his cheek tenderly.
“Hey baby. Feeling any better?”
“A little,” Bryce croaked, soaking up the attention.
Craig decided that he had had enough of the lovey-dovey display being performed in front of him and gently hefted his backpack to avoid any tell-tale clinking sounds from within.
“Ok. I’ll leave you two love birds alone now. I’ve got something I need to do. I hope you feel better big fella. I’ll give you a call tomorrow and see how you’re going.”
Craig Thoms headed out through the automatic double doors of the Emergency ward. He felt tired, tired from work and tired of work. He wanted to head home to bed and sleep for a week, or at least eight hours, but first he had a delivery to make.
Chapter 6
Nero’s bar was filling up fast with an early evening crowd meeting for drinks after work, keen to make the most of their Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Natalie and Bryce, hand in hand, squeezed past a small cluster of people obliviously blocking the door and saw Jen, Craig and Grant at their regular table near the front window. Bryce had known the owner of the bar since high school and had supplied him the hardware for the security system at the bar for cost price plus five percent. As a payback, the owner reserved their table by the window every Friday evening.
Craig sat spread-eagled across one of the lounges with his feet up on the table and had Jen and Grant in fits of laughter as he recounted the highlights of his week. He smiled at Bryce and Natalie as they sat down at the table.
“Hi kids, thought you might not be turning up tonight. How’s your menstrual pain Bryce? All fixed up now?”
“I’m getting there,” said Bryce smiling weakly, his face still pale and a little thinner from eating nothing but dry toast and water for the previous two days. “And Nats has been taking good care of me.”
“Yeah she must be, I’ve barely seen her in the last two days.” added Jen.
“Maybe you should have stayed home tonight seeing as you’ll just end up buying my drinks all night anyway,” said Craig. “Could’ve saved yourself a whole lot of money because I’ll need ten or fifteen beers after the week I’ve had, let me tell you.”
“Well we’ll see about that,” retorted Grant manfully. “I’m loaded up a new camera which my little bro sold me at cost price.”
“Well bully for you,” Craig smirked. “But fancy equipment is no substitute for skill, intelligence and a bit of heart.”
“Ok boys. That’s enough of the pissing contests.” Natalie interceded gently, but firmly. “It’s my turn to choose the marks tonight, so what I say goes. No arguments.”
“You’ll get no argument from me Nats,” said Grant with a cheesy grin. “As long as you give me an easy one that is. Maybe give me some fat guy so I won’t have to walk too far or too fast because I’ve been on my feet all day.”
“Ok, I’ll see what I can do. You can go first since you volunteered.”
They all turned their gaze to the crowd walking past on the footpath outside the bar. Natalie closely scanned their faces and attire, looking for someone interesting or someone who looked like they had a secret. A young woman walked past the bar and instantly caught Natalie’s eye. She stood out from the crowd who were mostly office workers dressed in dark colours and large coats as she was wearing a tie died cotton dress, a big green duffel coat and red cowboy boots. She carried a large hessian-like bag on her shoulder and strode out with purposeful steps. Natalie smiled. “There you go Grant. She looks like an interesting person. Go and see what you can find out about her. Maybe you’ll fall in love or something,” she said, giving him a playful smack on his rump as he got up to leave.
“Why can’t I follow her?” complained Craig. “She looks right up my alley. And I’d like to look right up her alley.”
“Charming as always Craig,” Natalie responded, still smiling. “Wait your turn.”
In quick succession Natalie sent Jen and Bryce on their two hour time limited stalks. Jen was sent after a teenage boy carrying a skateboard, wearing an Ipod and scruffy jeans. He seemed like just another kid but Natalie’s sharp eye had been drawn to a small package he was carrying in his waistband and appeared to be trying to conceal. Much to Bryce’s chagrin and Natalie’s amusement he was sent out to follow a gay male couple holding hands and chatting animatedly to each other as they walked past. The older male was dripping with expensive looking jewelry which made Natalie think they might be worth following.
Craig patiently waited his turn while he finished off his third beer for the evening. Normally he tried to wait hold off on his drinking until after the game was completed in case he won and received free drinks courtesy of the other members of the group, but tonight he hadn’t been able to hold out.
“Well it’s just me and you now princess. How about we skip my stalk and just stay here and get to know each other a little better? I’m feeling a bit tired tonight, I worked five shifts this week and two of them were doubles.”
“Oh no you don’t. Just wait a moment longer and I’ll find someone for you.” She continued to scan the crowd passing by the bar and checked her watch. “It’s still early, plenty of time for you to head out. There!” she exclaimed, indicating a man walking down the street. “The one with the baseball cap who is about to cross the road. He’s all yours. Off you go!”
Craig drained the remainder of his beer in quick time, got up and quickly headed out in pursuit of his mark without further complaint.
“Good luck,” she called after him.
“Can’t get a look at his face because of that stupid baseball cap he’s wearing. Who the hell wears a cap at night time? He’s moving with purpose, in a straight line, looks like he’s definitely going somewhere. He never looks back or to the side, preoccupied maybe? Doesn’t suspect anyone is following him. I’m too good for that.”
Craig followed at a safe distance, wondering where his mark would take him. He tried to blend with the crowd, just another regular guy with a couple of beers in him looking for some entertainment on a Friday night.