Deceit. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter 22

"The chosen one."
[KIRK ATTWOOD.]

'Oh have I come at the wrong time?'

Max stood no more than a few feet away in a light cotton dress, white at the top with yellow flowers around the lower hem. At the party, she looked sensational but here with the sun shining through the bridge windows striking her every feature she looked as charming as a country rose. I greeted her with a smile and said that I hadn't expected a visit. 

She beamed a smile. 'Well never expect Captain Attwood and you'll never be disappointed.'

She moved to where the kettle had just boiled.

'Oh is that coffee I smell?'  

I offered her a cup. She took it, her hand lingering on mine. I didn't pull away. I breathed slowly and took in a lungful of her perfume.

This was not a woman of evil, no matter what Richard had said or thought of her. This woman was elegant, sincere and kind.

'I've come with some more stores,' she said turning to look out of the front window at nothing in particular. 'Engine spares I think they are. Air filters or something - about eight little boxes.  They are in the car if you want someone to bring them on board.'   

I rose to the news but Richard stood unimpressed informing her in a very flat tone that all spares had been been booked to arrive on Friday and that she need not have bothered.   

She spun round.

'Oh, please Mr O'Donnel. It's no big deal really and besides I have a message for you from Pat.'

She eyed our Superintendent as she paused in quite a theatrical manner.

'Now let me see.' She rested a forefinger lightly on her chin. 'Oh yes. Now I remember. He said talk to me nicely and I won't have to fire that pretentious little two faced ass of yours or get security to throw you off this ship for being such a mean person to me. Yes. I think that was it.'

Richard was unable to speak. Max continued.

'He then said Captain Attwood is to have the next few days off, he is to come with me so you are going to have to work really hard and do it all yourself.'

I stood open mouthed as she held her poise perfectly before rearranging her face into a scowl. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on the man in front of her.

'Pat may like you Mr O'Donnel.' Her voice had taken on a more serious tone. 'My Daddy may even tolerate you and I'm sure you have lots of friends in the company; but don't you dare think for one minute that you can stand here on the bridge of my ship and think you can drag my name into the mud without having to accept the consequences. You have no idea why my brother lost his shares in this company so I would suggest very strongly that you keep your opinions to yourself and rest assured that if I could do all those things you claim I can, then I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of a snotty nosed git like you.'

She then waved her arms as if to dismiss him.

'Now go, shoo. Hurry along like the darling that you are and get those spares out of my car.'

Richard did not say a word leaving immediately and slamming the door behind him.

'Was that wise?' I asked after the noise had subsided.

She turned in my direction and shrugged. 'Who cares. What does he know about Adam or me anyway?  He is just another employee so sod him.'

I tried to ignore her last remark and the implication that I too might be  'just another employee'