Cool, Calm and Collected by Viktors Vairogs

Transcription

1 Cool, Calm and by Viktors Vairogs Jacques quickly grabbed Julie s night bag and placed in in the trunk of the taxi. The rush hour traffic was gone and they arrived at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in less than half an hour. They did not go to the main terminal, but to a smaller building intended for those flying private jets. What did Jacques place in the trunk of the taxi? Julie s night bag. Where did they go? They went to the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. Julie and Jacques were rushed through customs intended for the jet set and in a few minutes, they were walking toward a luxurious black Bombardier Global Jet. The name John Dorchester Investments was written in large gold letters. Did they take a long time to get through customs? No, it took them only a few minutes. Who was the owner of the black Bombardier Global Jet? The owner was John Dorchester. What-ta-tow! declared Julie when she saw the jet, How can we afford this? Fringe benefits, when you are working for the billionaire, John Dorchester, replied Jacques, when you are... What was the question Julie asked? Page 1 of 8

2 She asked, How can we afford this? I didn t mean that, interrupted Julie, doesn t he know how jets pollute the environment? Yes, he knows, but this jet is one of the most environmentally friendly jets money can buy and by the way, his daughter is kidnapped so this jet will get us to Manhattan in time to save his daughter. What was Julie concerned about? That jets pollute the environment. How did Jacques respond? They had the most environmentally friendly jet and there was a daughter to save. I know, I know, his daughter is the priority, but she isn t kidnapped every day. Shush! hissed Jacques as they climbed on board. A hostess guided them to their seats. Put your seat belts on, please. We will be leaving immediately. They were the only ones in jet. Did Julie continue arguing? Yes, she did. How did Jacques respond? He shushed her. (to shush is a verb in English) In a few seconds, they had their seat belts on. Are you always so opinionated? asked Jacques. The jet started moving. I m usually not, but somehow you bring it out of me, whispered Julie. Is Julie opinionated? Page 2 of 8

3 Jacques thinks so. What was Julie s reason for acting this way? Jacques brings it out of her. Jacques grimaced and crossed his eyes. What did I get myself into? groaned the detective. Don t worry, Mr. Jacques Nicholson, I am the best thing that ever happened to you. You need me. And she stuck her tongue out. What physical reaction did Jacques do? He grimaced and crossed his eyes. What physical reaction did Julie do? She stuck her tongue out. Their dispute was cut off by the Captain coming on the intercom and saying, This is your Captain, Patrick Roy speaking. Welcome Mr. Jacques Nicholson and Mme Julie Wagner, we will be landing in Manhattan, New York, in about thirty minutes so you have about twenty minutes for your meal. Your hostess, Ginette Reno, will be serving you as soon as we level off. Have a good flight and bon appétit! Who came on the intercom? It was the pilot, Captain Patrick Roy. How long would it take them to fly to Manhattan? It would take them about thirty minutes. Who was the hostess? Page 3 of 8

4 It was Mlle Ginette Reno. I could get used to this, sighed Julie, even though the carbon footprint must be awful. The hostess uncorked a bottle of Barolo, considered by some people as one of the best Italian wines, and she poured two glasses. What was Julie worried about? She was worried about the carbon footprint. Who uncorked the wine? The hostess uncorked the wine. This wine is amazing, declared Julie as she sniffed the wine, it has a bouquet like roses. I m glad you like it, smiled Jacques, but I need to bring you up to date on what we will be doing in New York. What kind of fragrance did the wine have? It smelled like a bouquet of roses. On what did Jacques want to bring Julie up to date? On what they will be doing in New York. Jacques explained the details of the case and Julie concentrated. Then she asked a question that was important to her, Why do you do this? The money, the thrill, why? I enjoy the money and it is exciting, but I don t do this work for those reasons. I do it because I hate injustice. So I m working for a hero. Julie said and smiled. Page 4 of 8

5 We will be landing in five minutes, interrupted the pilot, please buckle your seat belts and put your seats in an upright position. Thank you! What was Julie s question? Her question was, Why do you do this kind of work? What was Jacques answer? He did this because he hated injustice. Who interrupted their conversation? The pilot. It was a little passedt eight-thirty when they landed. A stretch limousine was waiting for them. They got in quickly. I thought you were going to be alone, growled a stocky man dressed in a grey suit and an unbuttoned black shirt. There was a pink scar on the side of his face and he seemed to be disturbed that Jacques had brought someone with him. My personal assistant, Julie Wagner, said Jacques calmly, and who might you be? What kind of car was waiting for them? A stretch limousine. What seemed to disturb the stocky man? That Jacques had brought Julie with him. How was the stocky man dressed? Page 5 of 8

6 He wore a grey suit and a black shirt. Sam Bennett, I am in charge of John Dorchester s personal security, and I don t like last minute surprises, stated Sam authoritatively. Well, I m just full of surprises, responded Jacques coolly, so you won t like being around me. They stared, sizing each other up like a couple of wolves. Who was in charge of John Dorchester s personal security? Sam Bennett What didn t Sam Bennett like? He didn t like surprises. How did Jacques and Sam look at each other? They sized each other up like a couple of wolves How do you do, Mr. Bennett? interrupted Julie, not expecting an answer, and she added, I am very discreet, you will hardly notice me. Sam turned to her and gave her a fake smile but you could see that her presence was not appreciated. I will be going along with you to the party, just to be sure this briefcase gets to the right people, after the hand-off you two will leave and I will follow the money. After greeting Mr. Bennett, what did Julie say? She said she was very discreet and would hardly be noticed. For that comment, what kind of smile did Sam make? He made a fake smile. (faux) What did Sam say he would do? Page 6 of 8

7 He said he would go to the party and after the briefcase was passed on, he would follow the money. Jacques breathed deeply as he took out his mobile phone and pushed a couple of numbers and put it to his ear. In a very collected manner he said, Yes, hello John, this is Jacques. Jacques listened intently and after a few seconds he added. I was just wondering, who is this Sam Bennett?... He s here to help me, that s good but can I trust him to follow my instructions?... Good, because it s important that he does as I instruct, I don t want your personal bodyguard interfering with this case. Good, I ll tell him. Jacques put his phone in his jacket pocket. Who did Jacques call? He called John Dorchester. Who was in charge? Jacques Nicholson was in charge. Now, I have another surprise for you, Sam Jacques spoke just above a whisper, I would like you to stay with the car until I get back from the party. That will be the only thing I will require from you, Sam, and thanks. Julie s eyes opened wide as she listened to this exchange. Who do you think you are? shouted Sam. What was the surprise that Jacques told Sam Bennett? That he would be staying in the care until Jacques and Julie got back from the party. How did Sam react? He shouted, Who do you think you are? Jacques put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. If that is a problem, push the redial button and you will have your boss on the line. Page 7 of 8

8 The air was electric with nervous tension. Julie just stared quietly at the two men. What did Jacques pull out of his pocket? He pulled out his phone. If you push the redial button who would be on the line? John Dorchester, Sam s boss, would be on the line. What was the atmosphere like? The air was electric with nervous tension. No, you re in charge, Mr. Jacques, at least for now, sneered Sam. Now pass me the briefcase, Sam, and tell me about this place we are going to, ordered Jacques calmly. Jacques was definitely cool, calm and collected. He was in control. What does it mean to sneer? It means to smile sarcastically. (sourire d'un air sarcastique) As Sam turned to get the briefcase, Jacques winked at Julie. What did it mean that Jacques winked? It meant that Jacques didn t speak to John Dorchester. He bluffed Sam. To be Continued Page 8 of 8