Magnum sat on his own in the driver's seat. He had pointed the Ferrari to face out to see. Somewhere in the distance, well beyond the curve of the horizon, was the island of Fiji. He had been there once for a case, and once for a stag party. But he preferred Hawaii. The islands were quiet, spacious, and miles from anywhere. The people were friendly, and he had friends forged in hardship. He watched the Sun, peaking lazily high in the sky. He rarely had time for sentimentality. And now it was time for lunch.
As the car roared up the sweeping drive, Magnum noticed Higgins standing outside the main entrance. He was waiting 'at ease' with his hands folded behind his back at waist level. Usually his attendance at the main door was for distinguished visiting guests. Sometimes it was to take the earliest opportunity to rebuke Magnum and his wayward activities. Perhaps today, he would be more understanding. He was a worried man.
Magnum brought the car to a sharp and dangerous halt. Higgins did not move, and Higgins did not smile.
"Magnum, the estate supplies you with the fastest car on the open market, and an account with the finest automotive engineers in this part of the Pacific. And yet, all these benefits have no effect whatsoever on your haste in this most particular of matters. Why does nothing move you to speed as a means for good?"
Magnum sat still behind the wheel, Ray-ban's still in place. He was not sure where to begin. He had a number of possible replies. He could answer the direct question with a direct answer. This would explain his need for isolated thrills in among the long and empty days on the estate. He could also just be awkward and ask another question. This was his favorite response.
"Where's Robin Masters? I had a bit of vacation planned and you told me I had to stay to look after the security."
Higgins sighed heavily. There was no longer any need for him to shake his head in disappointment. Magnum knew by now that was a given.
"That's rather a grand view of your job here, Magnum. As ever, I will personally look after the security arrangements. You will provide the necessary protection for Mr Masters should matters require it. I am told that you are required for this weekend and the week ahead. Hence, you are told to stay. Does that require any further explanation?"
Magnum nodded. Higgins was Higgins, whatever his vulnerability.
"You make things very clear when you want to Higgins. Here are your dog tablets."
He held out the bag and tried to appear relaxed by leaning his other elbow over the edge of the car door. Higgins blinked, but his posture did not change. He did not move to take the bag.
"Ah. Now I have offended your primitive sensibilities. No offence is intended. Those are merely the facts of the matter. Please take the medication around to the kitchen when the car is parked. I will deal with Zeus there."
Magnum kept the bag raised for a few defiant seconds then tossed it onto the passenger seat. He regretted his impatience, but he might have expected one word of gratitude.
"I hope your dog gets better Higgins. I enjoy choosing which pants to wear in the morning based on how much I can afford to lose if one of them bites me. But here's another fact for you. The grocery store runs are usually down to the housekeeper."
He slipped the shift to 'D' and coasted the vehicle round to the garage. Usually he got to park the Ferrari outside his villa, the comfortable guest-house that he had now occupied for several years. But the Ferrari needed new tires after a series of ambitious pursuits, and three new sets had arrived from Italy. Raul was working in one of the brick stables where a pair of the estate's work-horse Jeeps were each in a state of deep maintenance.
"Hey there, Mr. Magnum. Just park her in the second stable there. I cleared it out last night. It shouldn't take me more than two hours to get those wheels changed."
"Thanks Raul. Call me Thomas when you can? We both work for Mr. Masters. How old are those Jeeps anyway? The ones I drove in Nam were beat-up enough. These look worse."
"These two are, I think, from Korea. They are in great condition. I think Mr Higgins and Mr Masters were both soldiers once, maybe both at the same time. Do you think that they each drove one of these?"
"Ha. 'His and Hers' Jeeps? That sounds too outrageous. Even though it's Higgins and Robin Masters we're talking about. It probably wouldn't surprise me."
Raul smiled and wiped the grease from his hands with gel and a rag. He watched Magnum slot the Ferrari into the stable. There was room for another vehicle beside it, and plenty of room to work besides. The third and fourth stables could each house larger vehicles, and each had a pit to work under the chassis if necessary. Another four stables were still set-up for horses and could be stocked with food and supplies with just a quick phone-call to Honolulu. Mr Masters had no time for horses but liked to accommodate his most distinguished guests. If any arrived with the intention of riding, Robin's Nest was ready.
"Just leave the keys there, Mr Magnum. If you need a car this afternoon, you can take my Oldsmobile. The keys are in the gatehouse. Otherwise, the Ferrari will be ready this evening."
"Your car? I might need to. I have to go back to town early for dinner. Don't you have time off this weekend?"
"Normally, I do, yes. I think Mr Masters needs all the staff on hand. I don't know why."
"Probably some golf buddies coming in from Australia."
"Well, Mr. Magnum, I had some worries around that. May I call you Thomas? I think Mr. Masters may be in trouble."