Free Truthseekers by Mike Handcock Page A

hours’ shuteye before being up and ready for the early pick up by Abbey.
    Abbey was spot on time at 4.45am. Stacey found herself quickly warming to this girl. Not only was she sexy, she was savvy and meticulously prompt. Abbeyalways looked amazing as well. Today her blonde hair was tied back loosely and her shirt was open and low cut, yet feminine and workable. Stacey found that she wanted to spend a bit more time on her appearance around Abbey and even put lipstick on at 4.45am, even though it was against her reasoning that the sharks would care. She found this curious about herself and wondered if she was not in some way competing with Abbey, as she was sure David would be very interested if he ever came to meet this girl. Yet something about Abbey also triggered her curiosity and as the complete researcher Stacey knew she should have done some research on Abbey, yet just did not get the time between David’s needs and her sleep requirements. Sitting next to her in the pick up truck she felt a little unprepared so she plucked up some courage and asked:
    “Abbey, you’re very unique. You look amazing, yet there is something very rugged about you. Don’t worry I’m not hitting on you,” Stacey giggled and a wry smile came to Abbey’s face as she steered the car onto the M3 heading for the port and her boat.
    “Stacey, why not, lots of girls hit on me… I’m disappointed.”
    “But… But … I’m not like that. What I meant was…”
    Stacey was cut off by the sound of Abbey laughing. Then with a slap of the hand on Stacey’s right thigh Abbey said:
    “Only joking my dear… ask what you want.”
    Stacey rummaged in her seat and cleared her throat discretely.
    “What I meant was… who are you? Have you always done this? You look equally at home in a luxury shop or on a catwalk… and why are you single… are you?”
    “Yes I am single, Stacey. Are you sure you are not fishing?” Abbey smiled and continued.
    “Oh I guess I have had a varied past, was a bit of a tom-boy but this shark thing is really to help my brother out. I know you really like him, but you must have noticed he is one of those guys that something always happens to and you have to dig him out. Sometimes I think one of us was adopted. Anyway, I’m boring tell me about you, and this company you work for. I did a little referencing and I must say your boss is a total hottie.”
    That was the first time Stacey had heard David called that, or was she referring to Rocko? Stacey felt she best not ask, but she also felt Abbey was good at deflecting comment so she felt it best to reply.
    “I met David, who I guess is the hottie…” Abbey just smiled “… a few years ago at a conference he was speaking at. I simply asked him for coffee and we struck up a friendship and then work came from it,” Stacey said.
    “Oh Stacey, how could you not fall for him?” sparked Abbey
    “I didn’t… um haven’t… anyway it’s ridiculous… Abbey… you made me blush. Let’s just say David and I aren’t that close… but I love the work. I have real purpose and Rocko just makes me laugh but he’s as loyal and tough as anyone could be. I’d hate to cross him if he ever got mad. The boys play it pretty hard and they end up in some weird situations, but I’m pretty protected from that. I just do my job and that’s what I love. I love to find out secrets and uncover things and I’m good at it.”
    “Well Stacey, let’s hope you are good at uncovering sharks because we are here at the port. Oh there are those other guys that are coming. Looks like they have already met Socks.”
    Abbey pointed to the two men, John and Jack, who were already on board the charter vessel. One of them was obviously talking to Abbey’s skipper, a black man by the name of Socks. Stacey delighted in the African names. Her room maid was Lovely and the reception man was Brilliance. Stacey noticed that Abbey seemed to feel a little uneasy at the sight of the two men, but to