Chapter 4
"Do you know how many stomach crunches I'm gonna have to do after eating all of that? "
"Jeff stop moaning. You can't come to Dublin and not have a fry up."
Jeff and Annie had woken up and gone out for breakfast. Annie had convinced Jeff to order a fry up. Jeff had taken one look at it and started moaning about carbs and high fat content. Annie was starting to worry about exactly how seriously Jeff took his diet. Suddenly her phone beeped.
"Sorry Jeff I have to get to class."
The waiter came over and placed the bill on the table. Annie reached down and started to open her purse. Jeff waved her off.
"It's okay this is on me."
"Jeff you can't keep on paying for my meals."
"I'm not. My editor has given me an expense account."
"In that case I need to thank your editor for breakfast"
With that she got up and confirmed with Jeff to meet her at 2 pm, so he could meet the professor. When she had left the cafe Jeff picked up the bill and smacked it round the head of the person sitting behind him. The man looked around and glared at Jeff.
"Dude that's so not cool."
Jeff just laughed as the man came round and sat in the seat.
"Just pay the bill, Barnes."
Jeff stood and walked out of the cafe. Troy quickly paid the bill and followed Jeff out.
"Tiger wait up. Where were you last night? I was waiting for you at the safe house."
"I found somewhere else to stay."
"Yeah I saw her at breakfast. You know you should be working, not trying to get your leg over anything that moves. "
"She was work."
"Dude that's gross!"
"Not. Like. That. She's the professor's housekeeper and she has arranged a meeting with him today."
"Wow! Never thought I would see Tiger get straight down to work."
Jeff just rolled his eyes. Troy handed Jeff an envelope.
"What's this? "
"Your new passport and credit cards, Mr Neil Garrett."
Jeff stopped walking. Jeff Winger. Shit he had given Annie his real name. It was such a rookie mistake to make. No scratch that not even rookies like Troy made mistakes like that. What in hell was going on? He quickly handed the envelope back to Troy.
"I can't use these. They may have been comprised."
"What how? We were so careful."
"Don't worry about it. Shit happens. I always carry a backup identity. From now on I'm Jeff Winger."
"Jeff Winger?"
"Yes. Don't question it. And don't tell Agent Bennett. She'll only blame you for it. Now where is this safe house?"
"So Mr Winger. What is it that you exactly want to do?"
"Well I'd like to shadow you professor. You know to see where you work. Watch you when you relax at home, have your meals "
"I'll bet you'd also like to see me in the bedroom."
"WHAT!"
"Oh come on! That haircut, along with the spray tan, your one of those gays ain't you? You don't want to interview me; you just want to get into my pants."
"No believe me. NO!"
Jeff just shook his head.
"I need to see you doing all those things, so I can convey to our readers what type of person you are."
"I don't know forehead."
Jeff bit back an angry retort.
"Look Professor; let's just give it a trial run for a week. If not, then I'm afraid we'll have to give the front cover to Professor Steven Hawkins."
"That douche. What has he done for science lately? Not a chance in hell he's taking my prize from me. Damn it I'll do it."
"Thank you professor. I'm sure everything will work out."
Jeff left the professor's house pleased with himself. He had got through to the delusional fool and now could get on with his task. He dialled a number on his phone and waited for the other person to pick up.
"Troy meet me at the shopping centre in half an hour."
"The shopping centre?"
"Yes. It'll make sense when you'll get here."
"Ummm... Tiger have you ever brought a woman a gift before?"
"What do you think?"
"I'll take that as a no."
"Why what's wrong with this dress?"
"I just don't think a dress is an appropriate way of saying thank you."
"Well what is then?"
"I don't know. Jewellery, perfume. Something chocolaty. Why are we buying this chick a present anyway?"
"AS A THANK YOU."
Jeff took a deep breath to calm himself down
"She has the most insight into the Professor's life and can help us. And believe me having met the professor we'll probably need all the help we can get. Also she is a kind hearted individual, so stop calling her a chick."
Troy stopped and looked at Jeff
"Tiger a present as a thank you? You sure that's all this is?"
"Yes"
"Fine I'm going to find something to eat."
"WHY? You're supposed to be helping me."
"Cause you've had me traipsing round shops for the last 3 hours. And not even good shops, shops filled with women's things."
"God help you when you grow up. Go find some food. I'm calling in the big guns."
Whilst Troy walked away Jeff pulled out his phone and dialled the one person he could rely on in situations like this.
"Hello who's this?"
"Mom, it's me."
"Oh Jeffrey! What a pleasant surprise. So what do you want?"
"Mom can't a son just call his mom to see how she is."
"Not when the son is you Jeffrey. Now I'll ask again what do you want?"
Jeff took a deep breath
"Mom I need help in choosing a gift."
"A gift? For who?"
"For a friend"
"Again who is this friend?"
"Her name's Annie"
"Oh my god! Have my ears deserted me? Please tell me I'm not hearing things? Did Jeffrey Winger just admit to buying a gift for a woman? "
I haven't brought anything yet," Jeff growled. "That's where you come in.
"So tell me all about this Annie..."
Suddenly Jeff was regretting making this phone call.