The beach area in front of them was close now; close enough to read the banner at the end of the short airstrip, made by someone pummelling the sand flat.
'Pandan Beach Air Tours – View The Famous Reefs From The Air.'
Pandan, they were way out to the west of San Pablo, the area where rich lawyers and bankers had their summer houses. An island hopper landing a few rich people wasn't going to get a second glance from the authorities. No immigration, no baggage check, they were just tourists returning from a quick buzz round the famous reefs.
"We're a long way from home Mike." She said.
"This is home now."
It was a beautiful day and Shereen enjoyed the view of the coast, as their plane slowly descended towards the makeshift airstrip. A few minutes later the wheels touched the sand and they were down and running over the beach, towards a waiting car. Mike had considered everything, the car looked like a holiday hire, even had a 'Pandan Beach,' sticker on the rear panel.
Shereen waited for everyone else to get out of the plane, she had nothing to carry. The driver of the car helped Nick, emptying their few bits from the plane and putting them into the trunk of the car. Not the pathogen though, Mike kept hold of that, possessive of it, like a boy with his first real prom date.
"Get comfortable in the car." Mike told her. "I just have to pay the pilot."
She got in the back of the car and watched as Mike counted out a large bundle of money for the pilot. A lot of money, but she knew he'd never live to spend it. An accident probably, nothing to excite the Pandan cops. Late tonight or tomorrow at the latest, another loose end promptly dealt with. Mike got in beside her and held her hand.
"Soon be at the house." He said.
The driver left the sand of the airstrip and turned onto a road heading west. A mile or so later they came to a road sign which said 'Pandan Town.' The highest property prices in any of the New Nations, Pandan boasted that you had to be a multi-millionaire to afford to live there.
"You'll love it; the pool goes right down to the beach." Said Mike.
Another mile and the driver is out and pressing buttons to open a gate. A long winding and pretty driveway then, which winds gradually up a gentle hill. She expected a compound, full of serious looking guards and several buildings. Instead they were heading for a single large villa that overlooked a private bay. It was beautiful, it was the kind of house she'd always dreamed of owning, but would never be able to afford.
"It's.................. beautiful." She said.
"Hmmmmm." He replied.
Shereen saw the pool, that did indeed go right up to the edge of their private beach. For a moment she considered that Lacey might have chosen it, but no, she'd be giving the police the address if she had. Mike had chosen it, crazy paranoid Mike, who wanted to be the next ruler of San Pablo. It was his Camelot, or perhaps a picturesque semi tropical Mordor.
