Veyron

contest.

Chapter One

MAVERICK’S BIG WAVE CONTEST

There is a strong offshore wind on this warm morning near Half Moon Bay. The normally empty beach near Pillar Point Harbor is dotted with colorful tents and canopies. In the center of the beach are temporary viewing stands filled with spectators in swimsuits, some drinking beer and eating hot dogs, while others scan the ocean with binoculars searching for the next big wave. On the nearby parking lot are positioned television network satellite trucks and a two story stand holding announcers and contest judges.

Amber Reyes, atop her red Jet Ski Surf GP 1300R, is bobbing in the ocean one half mile from shore. Her auburn hair is tightly pulled back and her bronze skin and shapely hips are accentuated by her white bikini bottom and red half wetsuit. Amber revs the engine occasionally as she watches the surf official in a nearby boat. Three other Jet Skis in the lineup bob nearby in the water.

Safety protocol allows for only one surfer at a time to drop in on a big wave. Dropping in on a 25 foot wave and running into debris from another surfer’s wipeout would end poorly for both surfers. To maintain order a surf official is stationed on a boat near the lineup. The surf official acts as the starter and watches for the surfer’s drop in and run completion so that the next contestant can safely start his session.

Fifteen feet behind Amber is Jack Fields, dressed in a red full wetsuit, sitting on his surf board, bobbing in the water. Clenched in Jack’s right hand is a waterski handle from which a rope snakes along the surface of the water ending at the tieoff on Amber’s Jet Ski. They have been in the water for 35 minutes and finally Jack is on deck. To kill time, and burn off tension, Jack flips the waterski rope causing it to ripple across the water and bang against the Jet Ski. Each time a curious seagull floats over to investigate the water movement Jack flips the rope in a vain attempt to lasso the bird. Not the most exciting thing Jack Fields has ever done, but it does fill the moment.

The surf official on the boat lowers his binoculars and snatches a headset from the cabin wall. While speaking he gestures and then reaches for his starter board, the next name to be crossed off the contestant list is Jack Fields. The starter enters the time and draws a line through the name, snaps the headset back onto the wall and turns toward Amber. He walks to the rail and points at Amber and she in turn raises her hand to acknowledge the direction. The official holds one hand high for all to see and then blows an air horn to start Jack’s 10 minute session. Jack clicks his wrist stopwatch. Amber revs the Jet Ski a little and slowly begins to move forward in the water. Seconds later there is a tug on Jack’s handle and then he too begins to move forward as the Jet Ski begins the tow.

Sitting on his knees, atop his surfboard, slowly circling in the ocean behind the Jet Ski, Jack stares at the horizon searching for the next monster wave to form. Jack glances at his stopwatch and frowns. The time on Jack’s session is slipping away with no sign of a contest worthy wave. If a monster doesn’t form soon he will have to return to the lineup. With only minutes remaining on his session the ocean visibly begins to undulate and behind the movement a set begins to form. After two, under normal circumstances, fine waves roll past a final massive wave begins to form. Jack inserts his feet into foot straps on the board and stands in his ready position. The wave is still building as Jack motions for Amber to start the approach. Amber revs up the Jet Ski and slowly pulls the slack off the line. With the line taut she increases speed as Jack leans back on his board. Soon Jack is skimming along the ocean behind the Jet Ski. Amber performs a large 360 degree turn as she begins the process of getting Jack up to drop in speed. Amber is positioned behind, but parallel to, the wave travelling at a constant 25 miles per hour to keep in position.

Amber closes to within 10 feet of the lip of the wave and races along the calm water on the safe side. Jack’s eyes are focused on the forming wave. He waits for perfect conditions. If he commits early, and the wave collapses, he will be covered by a mountain of churning water until the wave set passes. Jack’s eyes narrow as he strains to see the detail of the lip. Finally, a smile comes to his face, he let’s go of the tow rope and cuts hard right toward the lip.

Jack’s speed and momentum easily allow him to skim along the top of the wave as it thunders toward shore. Jack positions the board at the edge of the lip. He looks down the face into a water canyon, and with eyes narrow and determined, he drops into the wave. Jack begins to race down the face of a wave that seems to have no bottom. From shore those with binoculars and telephoto lenses see Jack surfing down and across a monstrous wave. Behind the wave Amber veers the Jet Ski away from the lip and makes a full throttle turn in order to get in position to follow and provide aid should Jack wipeout.

Jack shoots down the face and fifteen feet above his head the lip begins to fold over forming a tube which quickly covers Jack. The sound changes as the tube continues to form. Jack skims along the interior of the water tunnel. The sound at his back is that of a freight train bearing down on him as the tube to the rear begins to collapse. To Jack’s right the lip is cracking and exploding, foam spray smashes against the side of his board. Even with a mountain of water above him and the lip collapsing to his right Jack’s smile is incandescent. The end of the tube is nearing. Jack raises his arms straight up but, the tube is so large, he can’t reach the ceiling.

From the shore, the wave can be seen barreling over Jack. For seemingly too long Jack is covered by the wave. The non-surfers on the beach look as if they are watching a man drown. The surfers in the crowd are hooting and yelling for they know what Jack is experiencing.

Nearing the end of the tube the air begins to compress until the pressure finally shoots Jack out of the tube as if shot from a cannon. The water spit blasting out behind him stings Jack’s neck and head like millions of little pellets.

Amber spots Jack clear of the collapsing wave surfing toward shore. She guns the Jet Ski in his direction.

When she is alongside Jack she screams, You did it, Jack! That was huge!

Jack raises his arms in victory as he yells, Un-fuckin real!

Amber revs the Jet Ski and streaks toward shore. As she approaches the shoreline she reduces power and allows momentum to push the Jet Ski onto the beach beyond the water line. She jumps off the Jet Ski and runs across the sand toward Jack. Jack steps onto the beach and looks up just in time to see Amber leap through the air into his arms.

As Amber wraps her legs around his torso, she screams, You the man, Jack Fields! Fuckin epic!

Jack kisses Amber and then yells, Christ, it was like running in a tunnel trying to stay ahead of a freight train!

Spectators have left the stands and surround Jack and Amber. The crowd begins to cheer, and a TV broadcaster wearing board shorts and an overflowing bikini top pushes a microphone into Jack’s face. The reporter yells over the cheering crowd, Jack it’s unofficial, but many think that may be the big wave of the day. Twenty eight footer maybe! How does it feel?

With Amber still clinging to his chest Jack says, This feels great! And the wave was awesome too! Crazy long tube!

After a few more questions the reporter turns away and she and her cameraman walk through the crowd looking for other surfers to interview. Friends and strangers alike circle Jack and Amber to congratulate and high five them. After a few more minutes the crowd begins to break up. Eventually Jack and Amber are alone, hand in hand, gazing out at the next set rolling toward shore at Maverick’s.

A man, looking as if he was plucked from an office and placed on the beach, walks up behind the couple and says, I say, bloody well done Jack!

Jack and Amber turn toward the voice and smile as Jack says, Didn’t see you as a fan of the big wave.

John Paul laughs, Wasn’t. But I do rather like the lunacy. Is that it for you today?

Yep, one and done. What really brings you here?

London insures the event. Well the spectators actually, not you crazy blokes in the water. Very bad risk wot.

John Paul turns to Amber and in a scolding tone says, And you’re no better, Amber, racing along the edge of that wave!

Amber laughs, That’s sorta what I thought when Jack told me what my role would be on his quest. Kick ass view on the lip though! You should ride with me next time!

Not a chance. We need to chat, you two in the office tomorrow?

Jack responds, We can talk now if you like.

Nonsense! Bask in your glory. I’ll pop in late morning and afterwards you can buy me lunch.

John Paul briskly walks away toward the Judge’s tower.

Jack looks to Amber and says, Tide’s changing, that’s it for this event. What do you want to do?

Amber raises her eyebrows up and down a few times and says, We could go back to our room and you know, cleanup.

Jack smiles and says, I know that look. Wonder if I can cheat death twice today?

3-D SECURITY - 9:45 A.M.

Amber Reyes gracefully steps from the elevator and walks toward the open double doors leading into the 3-D Security reception area. The line between her model-like figure and her in- your-face demeanor is accentuated by skintight black leathers, black helmet, and a dark camouflage backpack in her hand. The sound of her metal spike boot heals echo off the marble floor and walls of the elevator bank as she briskly marches toward the reception area. A twenty something muscular long haired blond male receptionist looks up and smiles.

Chuck cheerfully says, He’s in the conference room reliving yesterday. Juval and I watched it on TV. We figure you’re both crazy.

Amber responds, Jack’s the crazy one, I was merely riding my water bike near the edge. No big deal.

If you say so boss. I’ll bring your latte to the conference room.

Give me about 10 minutes to change clothes.

Not going to meet with John Paul wearing leather and cracking a whip?

Amber considers the idea for a moment before playfully responding, Could be fun, but I think not. But you and Juval can borrow my whip if you like.

No thanks, things are fine the way they are.

Amber giggles as she walks away toward her office. She unlocks the door to her office, walks in and tosses her backpack and helmet onto the couch. She turns and walks to a closet door. Looking like any other young beautiful woman, Amber pushes clothing around looking for the perfect outfit. Behind her on the walls are a number of large photographs. One photograph shows her in full combat gear riding with soldiers on a tank in a desert. Amber places the outfit on her couch and then sits. She begins to remove her boots, stops, looks up at a picture of her standing with her Rangers, and sighs. She pulls one boot off and says, And so another boring day starts.

Jack, dressed in a designer black silk business suit, is seated at the conference room table staring at the flat screen on the wall. The HD video of him dropping into the 28 foot wave pops from the wall. Amber, now wearing slacks, blouse, and a colorful silk scarf quietly slips into the room and takes the seat next to Jack. She reaches for her steaming latte and takes a sip. Jack triggers the remote starting the video again. Amber watches as she rides the Jet Ski within feet of the shear drop on the lip.

Amber blurts out, Damn, I cut that kinda close.

Jack looks to Amber and says, "Not at all, you were positioned perfectly! You gave me a nice straight pull for the drop.

Are we going back next year?

Not sure. Glad I did it, most awesome thing I’ve ever done.

Ahem.

Ah, second most awesome. But as awesome as that drop in was, it’s just a plain stupid dumb thing to do. If anything, I mean anything, had gone wrong I’d been holding my breath forever.

Amber sips her latte, adjusts her scarf, and says, What do you suppose our English friend has for us?

Hope I don’t sound shallow but, other than another trunk full of money, does it matter?

The pay is good, but we’re just high paid night watchmen. I could use some action.

The phone in the conference room rings, Amber reaches over, picks it up, listens for a moment and then says, Bring him back Chuck, and then to Jack, We’ll know soon enough.

John Paul enters the room, walks to Amber, takes her hands and then gives her a kiss on the cheek. He turns to Jack and shakes his hand. John Paul glances up at the flat screen and then over to a large picture of a soldier in desert fatigues and face scarf holding a machine gun. Just her beautiful amber eyes showing.

John Paul looks to Amber and says, I’m always taken by that photo, such a mixture of beauty and menace.

Amber quickly responds, Jack never knows what’s coming his way!

John Paul smiles as he takes the seat on the other side of Jack. He opens his briefcase and removes two folders. He hands one folder to Jack and slides the other toward Amber before stating, London wants you to inspect the security plans and make recommendations as needed to assure them that the event security for the Marine Corps Warrior’s Hospice Car Rally is top notch.

As Amber opens her envelope she asks, London wants us to make sure the corral for a few old cars is sturdy enough?

Actually London wants you to make certain the event security is sufficient to protect the automotive gold standard of rally cars and of course the wealthy owners.

Gold standard?

Many of the cars have never been driven off the lane in the owner’s estate. Most are extremely rare, and others like the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport define the automotive modern state of the art. If not priceless the cars are beyond the reach of mere mortals.

Jack nods and states, If you could find a Veyron I would imagine it would set you back around three million dollars.

Indeed. Now multiply that by a factor for all the other fine automobiles and you can appreciate how significant the insurance risk is for London. John Paul pauses, looks to Amber and continues, To make the risk even greater, mix in a Prince, a who’s who list of world business moguls, and a few movie stars.

John Paul smiles and adds, But for you actually a bit of a holiday really. All you have to do is meet with the security vendor to go over the proposed plan, and then merely tag along from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Red Rocks of Sedona to make sure he provides the security promised.

Jack chimes in, What to do, nab the cars, the owners, or both?

John Paul nods his head and says, Precisely. The event security is being provided by Special Event Security. Head guy there is Colonel Day. Have your heard of him?

Both Amber and Jack shake their heads no.

John Paul continues, No worries, all the contact information, event materials, reservations and event passes are in your packets.

John Paul looks from Amber to Jack, I trust your fee is still a mere $500.00 per hour each.

As Amber smiles and nods agreement, John Paul looks at his watch and declares, Christ it’s 6:30 in London! What you say we go for a pint before my flight?

Amber mockingly replies, John Paul, it’s 10:30 in the morning!

Oh right, much too early for a pint, no buckies in these parts, so I should think it will be Bloody Mary and brunch then.

Most dangerous part of this job may be hanging with you.

Don’t be silly Amber. More people drown in water than alcohol. Nasty stuff really, hard to see, odorless, tasteless, dangerous stuff indeed.

Jack slaps John Paul on the shoulder and says, Best we err on the side of caution then with a Bloody Mary.

John Paul grins and says, I’ll drive! I rented a wicked auto.

Jack thinks for a moment and asks, Rolls?

Too dodgy mate, I rented the ultimate American luxury car, the 1964 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. You know the small rental lot near LAX? They have such wonderful cars.

Amber claps her hands and says, Way to go John Paul, let’s parade roof down to Venice Beach in that bad boy!

Chapter Two

SPECIAL EVENT SECURITY

Although 9:20 in the morning, the outside summer temperature, as reported by the gauge on the dash of Amber’s sedan, reads 90 degrees. Amber exits the freeway and then drives through a small three-traffic-light town and then out into a wide open grassy area. There is only one office building in sight and it is surrounded by open space.

Amber says, That must be the place.

She rolls down the street and then pulls into the parking lot, drives to a spot near the front entrance and turns the engine off. Immediately the temperature in the interior of the car begins to rise. Amber reaches back to the rear seat for her khaki style blazer, opens the door, and steps out into the hot morning air.

Amber quickly walks to the entrance, opens the large glass door to the building and is hit by a blast of cold air as she enters. In the middle of the large open lobby is a very fit, young woman sitting at a reception desk. Behind the reception desk and above the window is a large sign reading Special Event Security.

The receptionist looks up, smiles and says, Good morning. How may I help you?

Amber smiles at the receptionist and responds, I have a 9:30 appointment with Colonel Day.

The reception scrolls down her computer