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Chapter 1 - The Flight
Carl emerged from the cockpit with two large drinks.
"Nearly there, I believe you're a gin and tonic". He handed one of the glasses to a smartly dressed woman sat at the small table at the front of the plane.
"You've certainly done your homework," she said suspiciously.
"Malik likes to know everything about a future employee."
"Hold on, I'm all very flattered with all this," she waved her hand around at the insides of the private jet, "the offer of dinner on his island and I was very grateful for the gift, but I still haven't agreed to anything yet."
"You will" Carl smiled and reached for a large folder on the table.
"A very impressive resume, young lady" said Carl.
Lisa baulked at being referred to as "young lady." she was the rising star of one of the largest and most prestigious accountancy firms in the US. She showed her annoyance by straightening her grey skirt. She suddenly wished she had worn a trouser suit, as people did not seem to take her seriously when she dressed too feminine. He flicked through the resume asking a few questions about her career and life, she could tell he already knew the answers. She was not sure whether his lack of interest was good or bad, she was not even sure if she even wanted this job. The job would be a very bad career move, working as a personal accountant for a rich millionaire. She spent almost 10 years climbing up the ladder, neglecting friends and a personal life. She knew she was only a few years from making partner. This job would mean the end of all that. She had to admit she had been very flattered with their persistent approach and a salary that would make many partners green with envy. Still she would be a bit embarrassed taking this job as she had always said she was going to make partner and worried about what everyone would say about her dropping out into private practice before she achieved her goal. Malik Connor was a very discreet, secretive individual, which pleased her, as she was able to keep everything quiet for now from her company and even her friends.
"Malik has a small gift for you." Carl handed her a carved wooded box.
"I really can't accept anything else, I haven't agreed to even take the job, I really loved the brooch but really this is too much."
"You haven't even seen what it is yet, and anyway it's a gift, no strings attached. It's just a small thank you for agreeing to see us."
She reluctantly took the box. If she was honest, the first gift had slightly puzzled her, an amber brooch. The brooch had a metal back but no clip or pin to attach it to her clothes. She thought it looked cheap and old fashioned. She was sure amber was not that expensive. She opened the lid of the box and stared in surprise at the wide steel band inside.
"Put it on, I think we got your size right."
She reluctantly lifted it from the box. It was heavy, made of solid metal. Lisa did not usually wear large jewellery. She felt her wrists and neck were too wide to suit anything bigger than a small chain. Large necklaces and bracelets made her feel too feminine. They always seemed to fit too snugly. The choker was hinged on one side and closed on the other with a sturdy clasp. It swung open as she lifted it from the box. A large ring hung from the front. She could not believe how ugly and vulgar it was.
"Do you have the first gift? It goes with the necklace?"
She placed the open band on her lap and reached into her handbag, producing a small jeweller's box. He removed the small amber pendant and lifted the choker from her lap. He clipped the pendant into a small recess in the front of the choker. The dangling ring hung around the amber brooch. He opened the choker and held it in front of her.
"There, try it on, lift up your hair."
"It's very nice but I'm really not a jewellery person."
She took her glass and took a long sip, hoping to distract him.
"Don't be silly, it's a gift, just try it on and see" he persisted.
He stood up and stepped behind her. She gave him a forced smile and putting down the glass, she lifted up her shoulder length hair, exposing her neck. She would put it on for now, but as soon as she could it would be going back in its box, where it would stay. He placed the choker gently around her neck. She shivered as the cold metal of the choker slipped behind her neck. Carl slowly closed the band and she felt it tighten on her neck. She heard a solid click as the three-inch wide metal band closed under her ear. Lisa pulled away as Carl moved the collar ring around, so it hung beneath her chin. She tried to gather her composure but it was so humiliating to wear. The band was not tight but it was heavy and the diameter of the fit meant it sat high and snug on her neck. She reached up and felt the ring and the inset pendant, this thing made her feel very uncomfortable.
"Look it's very nice and I'm very grateful but I think I should wear it another time."
Lisa tilted her head and fumbled on the side for the release. Lisa jumped as the pilot leaned back through the separating curtain.
"Hey folks it's going to get a bit bumpy, can you strap in."
Lisa gave a worried look to the pilot. The two passengers quickly did up their seatbelts.
"It's fine, just a bit of turbulence. The weather gets a bit erratic around here," Carl reassured her.
Lisa hardly heard him as her head was spinning. She had panic attacks before but never like this. She tried to calm herself, it was this stupid necklace, and she fumbled again for the clasp. She felt like she was going to throw up.
"I want to take it off, I'm …."
She slumped forward, knocking her gin and tonic onto the floor.
"Are you ok?" Carl leaned forward.
He smiled she had not heard him; her head sagged down against her chest, she was unconscious. He pushed her head back onto the headrest. Grasping the pendant, he unclipped it from the centre of the collar.
"Just wanted to see if the colour suited you"
He slipped the pendant into his suit pocket. Carl leaned back in his chair just then the plane went into a steep dive.
At a nearby airfield, the air traffic controller pressed the alarm. A plane had just vanished from his radar.
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