Chapter Twenty
By morning the airplane landed in Kimberley, Australia. Autumn was almost over but the air was still and warm. This was a momentous occasion for Amanda as she disembarked. This could be her salvation or her downfall.
Amanda made her way to the luggage carrousel, all of her senses alert for immortals. Her brown eyes surveyed the airport looking for suspicious watchers. Her sword was packed in with the luggage and she waited patiently for it to come into view. The money exchange was her next line to stand in.
"By now, Egan should going through the portfolios and he will be smiling from ear to ear." She thought with satisfaction, "Everyone is buying the dotcom stocks."
Amanda caught a taxi and on the ride to the hotel, she anticipated a soak and change of clothes. Just then, her cell phone received messages; one was from her friend Constance telling her about a party that evening. Amanda lay back and closed her eyes to focus her mind on the day ahead.
Le Blues Bar
Duncan and Beth stayed around long enough to help Joe fix up and decorate the Blues Bar for that night. It was going to be some party! Joe wanted everything perfect.
The caterer had already called twice and made some changes to the menu.
Joe started to growl every time the telephone rang. He started expecting something else to alter his carefully laid plans that were two months in the making.
By the afternoon both immortals realized how quickly time slipped by and it was getting late for them to think about changing clothes.
Duncan suggested, "Let me take you to buy something to wear. I need some new clothes too."
Beth made a face at him, "Do you expect me to wear something fancy?"
"No nothing like that," he assured her, "Only a dress."
"I'm not ever wearing a dress." She protested, "You wear one!"
He looked at her and smiled. "I have," he told her and watched her smile back. He took her hand and pulled her towards the door promising, "Come on honestly it's not that bad."
Beth looked doubtful wondering when he had to wear a dress.
Mac announced out loud, "Joe we'll be back in a couple of hours."
Beth waved good-bye to Joe and left without any more complaining.
Joe chuckled after them as the door shut.
While finishing the tasks for that night, Joe made a small sign to post on the door so customers would know to expect a Blues/Jazz party to take place around 6pm that evening.
An hour later, Beth was twirling around in her new dress of pale peach lace with a curved neck and mid calf cut. Duncan looked on and smiled in the mirror.
"I never thought a dress like this could be fun to wear." She bubbled excitedly looking at the sales person.
He laughed at her change in attitude telling her, "We still have to get my clothes. Why don't you change then we'll go do that."
"Yes right away," said Beth happily. She kissed Duncan and ran off to the dressing room.
The sales woman asked, "She looks so elegant and she's never worn a dress before?"
Duncan replied, "How could you tell?"
When she emerged a minute later Beth said, "I'm hungry let's get lunch first." She handed the dress to the sales person asking, "Can you wrap it up please?"
"Of course," She answered, going over to the register to ring up the sale.
Duncan paid for the purchase and Beth wanted to carry the bag. Skipping out the door, she looked as if she had not a care in the world.
He followed her saying, "If we stop at this outdoor café," pointing across the street, "The men's store is two blocks away."
They waited for the traffic to clear and made their way across. Beth sat at an empty table and put the bag at her feet. Even though the sun shone brightly, they both kept their coats on to hide the swords they always carried.
Looking at a menu they both discussed what to order then finally agreeing on the fish in season with a salad.
She was beginning to get used to the idea of traveling with Duncan to Scotland. She asked him, "Can we go through London too?"
"Sure I know a few sites we could visit." He replied.
"I'm not a tourist," she said, "I'm a native."
Laughing at her comment Duncan could not remember when he had smiled so much. It had been too long.
Because they were running out of time after the quick lunch, they walked the two blocks to get Duncan's new clothes.
At the men's store, he found the suite he wanted and tried it on for fit. He showed her, "The light gray off sets your dress perfectly and matches your eyes."
With complete approval she said, "Change back and I'll pay for it."
Duncan changed into his jeans and pullover shirt and belted his coat over the sword. When he came out of the dressing room, she quickly paid for the casual suite.
Beth handed it to him covered with plastic. "Come on we still have more things to buy."
They carried their bundles to the car and drove to the next stop.
She stopped to pick out some flowers to finish the decorations. Beth wanted blue ones.
Arriving at Le Blues Bar around 4:00pm, Duncan took Joe aside and quietly told him what Frank McFadden revealed about the true purpose of the Gathering.
Joe took notes agreeing with MacLeod saying, "It makes better sense then killing off all Immortals for one to rule the earth with or without peace." He commented, "But you could still lose at the Gathering."
Duncan nodded his head aware of that fact. "I know and I wish I could have told Methos about it."
Joe was finally ready to reveal his mole's secret name. "In case anything should happen to me I want you to go to the Watchers web page, access the chat room #1104 and ask for Marcello."
"Joe if anything happens to you I'll tear that compound down on their heads and end this thing for good!" Shouted Duncan upset by what Joe insinuated.
Upon hearing the loud commotion, Beth came into the room.
Joe responded with, "Don't you think you're over-reacting a little?"
Watcher and Immortal both looked at each other remembering all the past indiscretions' that tested their friendship. Again, it was starting to appear that lives were threatened because of a broken Watcher oath.
Duncan angrily replied, "From what I've been through this past week I don't think I'm over reacting and maybe immortals won't need watchers anymore."
Dawson bit his lip remembering the betrayal and death of Andrew Cord. MacLeod had shattered his faith in him telling him they had to part ways because both had crossed the line.
Those words now echoed in his head, "I...am...Immortal."
Finally, Joe relented, "You're right. Maybe the Immortals have outgrown the need for the Watchers. If that comes to pass I'll understand you did everything you could." As he got up slowly, he left the room with his faith shaken once again.
Amanda was not there this time to help patch things up again and Joe missed her company. She could always change Mac's mind even when it was set.
Duncan was still reflecting on friends that he had risked loving only to lose them to death. He felt tormented by everything Ahriman revealed thinking, "I would kill another friend. Beth might still die because of me."
Going over to Beth, he told her, "Don't worry. It is going to be all right. I won't let anything happen to you or Joe." His arms held her tightly needing reassurance.
Beth looked at him with worry at seeing him so upset. Quietly she spoke, "I'm not afraid for myself but for all the Watchers and Immortals caught up in this conspiracy. Some of them are innocent."
She looked deep into Duncan's brown eyes, "Promise me you will still protect them?"
He looked at her and a realization came to him. She has never killed a mortal or immortal. Right now, she was still thinking of others.
Duncan's face mirrored his thoughts at the wonder of her integrity. He gently kissed both her cheeks then her lips. Feeling that without her, he would be so alone for she matched his heart perfectly.
He told her, "I am Duncan MacLeod from the noblest clan in Scotland."
Kimberley, Australia
Taking a taxi to an expensive nightclub Amanda pulled a few strings to get in. Her friend Constance was already there and eager to see her. They both sat at a table near the polo lounge.
"Amanda you're back in town how lovely." She planted a kiss near her cheek.
Constance was a partner in crime. They both would make rich friends then liberate a few belongings.
Amanda inquired, "How good are the choices?"
"Very good," Constance whispered, "That man over there just inherited millions. And over there, "She pointed discreetly, "He made a very rich killing on the stock market and he's just eager to spread it around."
Amanda purred thinking of ways to make his acquaintance. Spilling a drink on him would be one way. Amanda found that the more aggressive the introduction the more memorable it became and the more likely they would get together.
Walking over to the man she had her eye on for the past hour Amanda stood near-by staring until the man became uncomfortable. She began with, "You don't remember me. Do you?" It was a statement and the man said no. She informed him, "It was 1975 and you stood me up for a date."
The man looked flustered and stammered, "I'm sorry if you've mistaken me for somebody else."
Amanda continued, "No, I'm sure it was you but I'm not angry. It happens to everyone."
She started to walk away but he stopped her by asking, "If you care to join me I think I can make up for the incident." He smiled as he said this leading her to a table for two. "Your name?" he asked her.
She smiled back saying, "I am Amanda and of course I can sit with you." She sat with the grace of a thousand years of maturity.
Bait, hook, and reel them in. It was so easy for her Amanda thought she should write a book. She glanced at Constance who gave her the wink.
Then Constance laughed to herself while she continued to scope her "Catch". She learned the best tactics from Amanda but she knew it was only a matter of time before Egan called to ask her for an accounting of tonight.
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