Get Charlie Noah

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Tara crawled into the comfortable bed and pulled the sheet up to her chin. She recalled the brief conversation with Reginald Noah. She looked at the SMS message. "Instructions concerning Charlie Noah are cancelled. Charlie Noah is not to be killed. If she is injured or killed because of your actions, the culpability will be transferred to you with evidence supporting your direct involvement."

Tara drifted off to sleep.

Ben ran his right hand over Charlie's hip, following the downward contour of her waist and then up across her large firm breasts. 'Are you trying to turn me on?' asked Charlie.

'You're already turned on,' said Ben. 'I'm just exploring. I don't think we should have sex tonight.'

'Are you joking?'

'What if Tara calls out?'

'Is that why your track suit is hanging over the chair beside the bed?'

'Perhaps,' said Ben.

'Does she turn you on?'

'You turn me on,' said Ben.

'You're avoiding the question.'

Ben moved down and began to kiss her breasts.

'Is that also exploring?' asked Charlie.

'Yes,' said Ben.

'Are you going to stake a claim?'

'What?'

'On my body. Explorers always stake a claim.'

'Is your body uncharted territory?'

'You're making it feel like it is mister smart arse.'

Ben moved his lips down to her stomach.

'What do you think you're doing?'

'Exploring further,' said Ben.

'Holy shit!'

'Should I call off the expedition?'

'No no no! The expedition must continue,' said Charlie.

Ben's hand moved to the loaded rifle. He knew someone was walking slowly up the stairs but they hadn't entered the house from outside. His little set up warning devices would have signalled intrusion from the outside. Charlie continued to sleep...breathing slowly and deeply. Ben slipped from underneath the sheets and pulled on his track pants. A floor board creaked. He raised the rifle and sat perfectly still.

Her naked body was silhouetted in the open doorway, long black hair cascading around her bare shoulders. Her right arm hung by her side and her left hand seemed to be holding her shoulder. Her breathing was fast in direct contrast to Charlie's but otherwise she made no sound. Ben leaned the rifle against the wall and stood up. He walked towards her and caught her as she fell forward.

'What's wrong with her?' Charlie moved the kerosene lamp closer. 'Why can't I turn on the light?'

'No lights,' said Ben. 'Keep away from the windows.' He pulled the dart from Tara's shoulder. 'Someone shot her with a blow gun.'

'It's just a tiny dart,' said Charlie.

'It's been poisoned,' said Ben. 'See if you can raise Peter on his phone.'

'Why?'

'Just do it!' said Ben. He put his mouth over the tiny puncture in Tara's shoulder and began to suck hard.

'Okay...he's awake and he's not happy,' said Charlie.

'Go through her bag, find the keys to that hire car and go get him. Tell him we're dealing with a poisoned dart. He should know about that stuff and I need his help now,' said Ben.