Missing Presumed Dead

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Thank you for respecting the author’s hard work.

Copyright © Ron Aberdeen 2011

ISBN: 978 – 1 – 4658 – 1505 – 7

CHAPTER ONE

Christmas decorations brightened the family room of a well lived in family house in Los Angeles. A large tree suitably festooned with festive lights and gifts under it added to the atmosphere, as Christmas music played in the background.

Three kids waited for the party to begin, Jamie just turned twelve, his ten-year-old sister Annie, and their ten-year-old cousin Georgina, all stretched out on the carpet watching cartoons on TV.

Headlights from a car flooded through the window. Georgina jumped up and rushed to the window. Her excitement was reflected in her voice, It’s Daddy!

At last, was Jamie’s response.

The doorbell was Georgina’s signal to run into the hallway and open the front door. She threw her arms around her father, Robert Rockingham, mid-forties, weathered but handsome, in a smart business suit.

Her exuberance nearly knocked the stack of presents he carried, out of his arms. Somehow he managed to give her a hug, a kiss and hold onto the boxes. Merry Christmas, Robert managed to squeeze out in the excitement.

Merry Christmas, Daddy.

Robert’s younger brother, Richard, still in his blue Cop’s uniform, his motherly wife, Janice and Marie, an attractive woman in her late thirties, walked into the hall from the kitchen.

Richard greeted his brother, Hi Rob, no Holly?

She’s on her way. Looking at the uniform he had to ask, Just finished?

Yep. Off now until January the fifteenth.

Robert gave Marie a quick kiss on the cheek and a longer kiss to Janice, as Richard made for the staircase and headed up stairs.

Scotch? Janice enquired.

Love one, thanks, Robert replied.

They moved into the family room and Robert put the packages under the tree, before he sat. Georgina immediately climbed on to her Father’s lap, as Marie sat next to them.

How you doing? Marie asked.

Robert smiled at his ex-wife, not wanting to spoil the festive atmosphere, O.K. thanks. What about you?

We’re fine. Aren’t we, George? She replied, pulling their daughter Georgina into the conversation.

Yep. Was about as noncommittal as the girl could be.

Where’s Frank? Robert asked, hoping to shift the pressure.

Marie was happy to oblige, Still in Hong Kong. We’re meeting him there, before going onto Bangkok, all together.

Robert took the moment to hug his daughter as he asked, You excited?

You bet. Was her swift reply.

Robert continued, having got the chance to get a moment with Georgina, When d’you fly?

Tuesday, just before midnight. Marie injected before Georgina could speak.

Georgina managed to complete the program; We arrive at Hong Kong at seven-forty the next morning, then leave again at nine-fifteen and arrive at Bangkok about eleven.

You know all the times. Smiled Robert.

Then, we have another flight to the hotel. Georgina added.

The doorbell rang. Richard, now in smart casual gear, walked through the room almost like a referee, That’ll be, Holly, he concluded.

Georgina spoke her thoughts, Cool. Now we can eat.

Jamie stopped watching the TV and climbed onto the back of Robert’s chair. Annie continued to watch cartoons.

Can we open the presents, now? Jamie hoped.

Marie smiled at him as she dampened his hopes, Is Christmas early this year then, Jamie?

Yeah, Dad got special dis-pen-station . . .

Dispensation. Marie corrected Jamie’s word.

Yeah, whatever, chipped Jamie, He got it from Santa Claus so we can open our presents before we go on vacation.

Georgina couldn’t resist the dig, You still believe?

Jamie bristled, as he replied, Of course not. But it keeps Dad happy.

Holly, mid-thirties, attractive but not stunning, ran a hand through her long, blond hair, as she walked over to Robert and gave him a long kiss on the lips. Before she hugged Georgina and asked, Hi Marie, how are you?

I’m well Holly; and yourself? Marie replied, trying to remain polite.

Janice interrupted with a well placed, Dinner, everybody.

Great, I’m starving. Jamie injected.

Annie stood up from watching the TV and ambled over to her cousin as she added, You’re always starving. You’ll be obese when you grow up.

Jamie’s reaction was to give Annie a push as he retorted with, Not as fat as you will be.

Their mother intervened, Hey you two, do you want to eat in your rooms and have to wait until we get back from Thailand before you can open your presents?

Jamie was good at getting his point in first, with She started it, before he gave Janice his puppy dog look as he added, Sorry mommy.

Annie had more sense and never poured oil onto water by just keeping a low profile as she softy said, sorry.

They all slowly moved towards the dining room.

Holly took the chance to change the subject by adding, I’m doing well, Marie, before they entered the dining room.

***

After dinner, wrapping paper littered the room. Jamie sat under the tree with his new iPod on, as he handed out the presents. Annie and Georgina walked round the room in swimming goggles, fins and snorkels.

Richard laughed as he commented on the spectacle, I think they will wear them on the plane.

Jamie passed a small gift from beneath the tree to Robert as he announced whom the present was for, at a deafening volume. This one’s for you Uncle Robert.

Robert took the gift and read the label as he mouthed to Jamie, Thank you.

It was obvious to everyone in the room, except Jamie, that speaking and listening to an iPod was not something that worked in unison.

He looked at his brother and his wife as he added, Thanks, you two.

He opened his gift to find a small digital camera, as Richard added, I’ve charged it.

Robert immediately took photos of every one, as Jamie handed out more presents.

***

Later Robert’s Mustang sped along the highway as they left Richard’s party. Holly nodded off as Richard drove. Robert didn’t look at his partner before he broke the silence, That was a great evening.

Holly sat up with a start. Yes it was, she replied before adding, Not one unpleasant word from Marie.

Well it looks like this Frank is becoming a permanent fixture. Robert injected.

Holly added what she thought was the most important element of the situation, Georgina said she likes him.

Robert agreed, That’ll make a difference. The last one’s face was like a mug shot from a file.

Holly smiled as she added, Did you check him out?

No. Robert confessed as he reflected, "But I