Chapter 7: Dinner

Asking Harry ‘How come I can carry that weight of gold, that is a lot of weight?’

Harry replied ‘I can adjust your muscles to carry different weights, the same as I can adjust your frequency for camera’s etc. You better place the bags away as you have a visitor.’ Throwing the bags into the spare room, there was a knock on the front door.

Fred was at the door, asking him in, he entered the room and looking around said “You lead a simple life. No TV. But plenty of books.”

“What can I do for you Fred?” Smiling Helena asked.

“Well I was looking for a free feed but looks like I have to take you out for dinner. Are you interested?”

Blushing Helena replied “Yes as the cupboard is bare. I have not done any shopping today. It’s been rather busy.”

Fred asked “As this is your area where is the better place to go?”

Helena pickup her handbag and ushered him out saying “Feel like Italian?”

“Yep.” He replied smiling.

Placing her arm on his arm they walk around the corner across Golden Four Drive towards Luna Rossa restaurant. When seated she asked for a cappuccino, a large one please. Fred ordered the same. They were sitting across from each other with the front door on their side.
Their coffee was being made and they were discussing the menu when Harry took control of Helena. He forced the table into Fred’s stomach pushing him backwards. He fell backwards onto the floor just as a bullet hit the side wall, just in line where his head was. A car took off fast then crashed into three other vehicles. Fred was not hurt but realised that bullet was meant for him. Telling Helena to remain where she was. He ran out to the street drawing his gun. He saw the car jammed between two cars, the occupants were not moving but he recognised them. The third person on the back seat was knocked out but still holding the rifle.

Helena told the guy making the coffee to change to a take-a-way cups please. And make sure NO ONE sits here until that bullet is removed from the wall. He looked at the hole and went all white, OK Madam no worries. Helena placed a $20 note on the table for the coffee’s.

Outside Fred called his office and immediately ordered them, using his boss name, to get some cars at the intersection telling them not to call Palm Beach for help. Then making a call to his boss, bring him up to date on what was happening and the fact two police officers were in the car. Lets just say all hell broke out. His boss not dressed correctly drove to the intersection and arrived within two minutes. Lucky he lived in Tugun. He could see the accident but there was too much traffic, he parked his car in the shell garage and walked over. He could see the occupants in the car and recognised two of the three people. The ambulances arrived. Fred directed them to check out all of the other cars and not to touch the main vehicle. They still have a live gun in that car and I do not want any hostage situation.

The other police cars arrived and Fred started to direct them to get the traffic moving along to Golden Four Drive south bound and North bound along Stewart Road. Fred’s boss saw the calmness and leadership he was showing, then walked over to Fred just as Helena walked up with two coffee’s. Fred did not see his boss, but Helena did. Fred told her to get back in to the restaurant for safety. Helena handed the coffee to Fred then passed the other cup to his boss. “Hope you don’t need sugar?” she commented. Fred turned around seeing his boss, Ian, apologised and introduced Helena.

Helena shook Ian’s hand and then left saying “I got to get another coffee, I let you two boys talk.” Even in a stressful situation, both men appreciated the rear view of Helena as she walked away. Helena ordered another coffee for herself and returned to the scene. Fred and his boss Ian, were keeping a close eye on the car occupants. The ambo’s treated all the other people, none had any serious injuries.

“They have the bullet hole secure in the restaurant, when you are ready to inspect boys.” Helen quoted on her return to Fred.

Ian turned around looking at Helena saying “What?”

Fred mentioned that someone tried to shoot him in the restaurant, but they missed as he fell backward off his chair.

Ian called the station telling them to get forensics to the site immediately, looks like attempted murder of a police officer Fred. When it’s one of there own, they move fast.

Ian called over two senior constables telling them to draw their guns and do not let anyone get out of that car. They just tried to kill Fred. Leave the recruits to direct traffic. Both men looked at Fred and drew their weapons and faced the car. Ian then walk away sightly calling the Assist Commissioner out of his meeting in C-N-C Brisbane, Updating him on the situation. He asked “Can I land a chopper in the street” Ian said “Yes.” I’ll be there in 20-30 minutes. Telling his offside, to get a chopper on the roof in 2 minutes. He returned to the meeting, which was about last night interviews at Palm Beach telling them what they just tried to do in Tugun. He was going there now. The C-N-C superintendent said he would join him. Bang goes dinner. They both raced up to the roof and climbed onto the chopper, directing the pilots to get to Tugun ASAP.