The Fifth Man (Ben Sign Mystery Book 2) by Matthew Dunn

Author:Matthew Dunn [Dunn, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-22T22:00:00+00:00

At ten thirty that evening, Fontonia entered the pub in Stanley where Sally worked. She was wearing waterproof trousers over her jeans, hiking boots, ski gloves, a woollen hat, and a jacket of the type used by Arctic and Antarctic explorers. There were seven customers in the tiny establishment. Two of them were sitting at a table, playing cards; another three were playing darts; the remaining two were standing by a window, chatting and quaffing their ales. No one was sitting in one of the four barstools that Wilson, Taylor, Green, and Jackson always used when drinking here. Music was playing in the background, but it was quiet. The whole ambience in the room was subdued.

Fontonia sat on a barstool, removed her gloves, and addressed the young woman working behind the bar. “Can I have a double whiskey. Nothing expensive. I just need something to warm me up.”

Sally smiled and poured Fontonia her drink.

After paying, Fontonia sipped the spirit and faked a shiver. “God, that’s better. I’m not used to this climate.”

Sally asked, “Have you arrived in the Falklands recently?”

Fontonia smiled. “You can tell from my accent that I’m not from the islands? Well, you’re right. Yeah, I got here a few days ago for a job interview at the military base.” She swigged her drink. “Logistics manager. They want someone who can help run the base. I doubt I’ll get the job. The guy who interviewed me seemed like a right knob.”

Sally laughed. “Where are you from?”

Fontonia drained her drink. “Grew up in Tasmania. But I moved around a lot with work – England, the States, Germany, Hong Kong. Recently I’ve been living and working in Bermuda. Met a guy there. He moved in with me. A month ago I found out he’d been cheating on me. I kicked him out and applied for the job down here.” She slid her glass towards Sally. “I need a change of scenery. But, if this is what your winters are like, I’m not sure I chose wisely.”

Sally empathised. Her last boyfriend had cheated on her. “Do you want another drink?”

“One more. After that, I have to hit the road and the sack. I’ve got a second interview tomorrow morning with knob-face.” She downed her drink, stood, and shook hands with Sally. “Thanks for the drinks. My name’s Debbie. Wish me luck for tomorrow.”

“Good luck and it was nice to meet you. My name’s Sally.”

Fontonia left the pub and entered her nearby car. She watched the pub. Over the course of the next thirty minutes, the customers she’d seen in there left the establishment in dribs and drabs and drove away from the building. At eleven thirty, Sally exited the bar, locked up, and drove south through the small capital.

Fontonia followed her, while keeping her distance. It wasn’t a difficult job. Snow was still falling, but it was lighter compared to earlier in the day; thus visibility wasn’t too bad, despite it being night. There were no other drivers on the coastal road.

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