Chapter 17: Sydney, March 2020

I experienced mixed feelings when my Orbit Flight from Copenhagen landed in Sydney. Australia was my second home country, and on this day the sky was blue, and the Sydney Harbour was stunning. Simona seemed mesmerised from the view. Australia a sunny day was better than a wintery Sweden or a war-torn Israel.

"So, this is what Australia looks like." Simona chirped.

"Yes. I promise to take you around once we have finished researching Sabina." I replied.

"I can't wait!" Simona replied.

I realised that Simona was in dire need of friends. She was keeping too much to herself and should be hanging out with people her own age. Instead an old man like me dragged ger around the world. Oh well, it was none of my business, and I needed her help.

"So, how do you intend to research Sabina? Simona said.

"I need your talents to figure out how she makes and spends her money. We also need to find people that have things to tell us about her. Finally, we need to access her home security cameras to learn things from the inside." I instructed.

"Hmm. How do you suggest that we contact Sabina's old friends and classmates? That would seem suspicious to most people." Simona asked.

"We claim to come from Time Magazine. With the massive amounts that Sabina has raised for charity, it makes sense to write an article about her. You're researching her childhood to find suitable anecdotes."

"Alright. This will be fun. Let's get to our hotel. I am dying to have a shower and get to sleep." Simona said.

"Bah, like an old woman. At 21 you should want to stay at a hostel and get on the piss!" I jeered.

"Go to sleep, old man. You don't know what you're talking about!" Simona replied.

After some more banter, we took a cab to a nearby 5-star hotel.

***

I was walking along the Maroubra to Coogee Ocean Walk. I enjoyed the breeze from the ocean and the majestic coastal cliffs. How strange it felt to be back. Could I resettle in Australia after all these years? I knew that there was work that I had to do, and before I had achieved my objectives, I couldn't focus on my future. I knew one thing though; I did not intend to end up in Vladimir's torture chamber.

I thought of calling Simona to get a progress report. I felt silly for dragging her to Sydney so that she could do my work. What stopped me from seeking out Ellen Orchard or Sabina myself for instance?

With Sabina, the answer was fear. I knew of her powers, but I didn't know about her intentions. But what about seeking out Ellen? I brushed the thought aside. I doubted that she would reveal Sabina's secrets to me if she even agreed to speak to me. Speaking to Ellen would also alert Sabina of my presence.

So, no matter how I felt, walking along the ocean by myself, I realised that inaction was my best course of action.

As my eyes followed the flight of a sea eagle, my monocle started flashing. 'Proximity alert: Sabina Hines is approaching.'

I reflected on the information conveyed. Of course, the predictive capabilities of the Zetan monocle could figure out that Sabina Hines was an important person. But what would I do? Why was I even walking on the coastal walk close to Sabina's house in the first place?

I hid under an overhanging cliff edge hoping for Sabina to pass by. But she didn't. Instead, she got seated together with someone with her feet hanging over the edge. From her idle conversation, I realised that she was talking to her husband, Alex.

But what would I do? Would I walk out and say. 'Hi, Sabina. Funny story. I didn't die in Jerusalem. Besides, you're my daughter and I need your magical crystal. Otherwise, an evil conspiracy will capture me and torture me!'

My monocle displayed: 'unsuitable approach!' regarding that thought. 'Oh well, I guess I'll stay here and eavesdrop like a creep.' I thought, and so I did.

Sabina and Alex kept on talking forever. During their lengthy conversation, Sabina didn't reveal her plans or what she intended to do with primordial Zeto Crystal. Instead, they discussed various movies they had seen or holidays they wanted to go on. This went on for hours, and eventually, I could not hold my bladder anymore, and I ended up peeing myself.

"Hmm, let's go. It smells bad here." Alex said.

"Yes, it does. Let's go home and eat." Sabina replied.

As they left, I could finally get away from my hiding spot. I planned to take a self-driving AutoCar Deluxe back to my hotel. But as the taxi arrived, the doors wouldn't open. I checked my phone and it revealed the following message 'Our sensors detected an unsanitary smell from you. AutoCar PTY Ltd requires all customers to fulfil basic hygiene requirements before ordering a cab. Please have a shower and try again later.' I thought about arguing with the bot, but I realised that was a losing battle. Soiled and embarrassed, I walked the seven kilometres back to my hotel!

***

"So, how did you go today?" Simona asked when we had dinner at the hotel restaurant.

"Oh, it went great. I accidentally eavesdropped on Sabina for hours today." I replied.

"How do you accidentally eavesdrop on someone?" Simona asked.

"I was out walking on my own, reflecting over life when my alien monocle told me to hide from my sorceress daughter who thinks I am dead!" I replied.

"You do realise how absurd that sounds?" Simona heckled.

"I can imagine. At least now I know that Sabina likes eating crispy cauliflower bites and that she reckons South Sydney Rabbitohs won't win the NRL this year either." I replied.

"Was that the most important parts you found out from eavesdropping for hours?" Simona taunted

"More or less," I replied

Simona smiled at me and pulled up her tablet.

"How lucky that you brought me along. I found out a lot more." Simona stated.

"Shoot!" I replied.

"Sabina's husband Alex, donated $10 million to 'Escuelas para los pobres fundación'." Simona revealed.

"Why is that important? Donating to the poor seems like a legit cause for any charity." I replied.

Simona handed me her tablet and spoke. "Look who is also donating large sums to the same charity. I also found out who is behind the charity.

I looked at the tablet. Pierre had also donated a lot of money to the foundation. The tablet also revealed that Jesus Ortega, an alleged Mexican drug lord, controlled the foundation.

"So, do you reckon Sabina is involving herself in the upcoming Civil War in Mexico?" I asked.

"Doesn't look better, does it?" Simona asked rhetorically.

I pondered Simona's statement. Why were Sabina and the World Bank supporting the same Mexican drug lord? Could Alex donation be a mistake? I decided that this question shouldn't sidestep me, so I decided to change the topic.

"Did you find out anything else?" I asked.

"Yes. One of Sabina's former classmates, Joshua Harkins, turned insane and tried to rape her on his 18th-year party. Instead of achieving his vile objective, he turned to self-harm. Joshua chopped off his own testicles with a shard of glass and got institutionalised." Simona revealed.

"What? That's insane!" I exclaimed.

"The work of a sorceress?" I asked.

"Only one way to find out. Let's visit Joshua at the looney bin and ask him ourselves." Simona stated.

Having finished our work-related conversation, we carried on enjoying the food from the restaurant. After a few glasses of wine, I felt how I was struggling. I was too aroused by my young lesbian assistant to behave in my usual cold and distant manner. I excused myself and ran up to my room where I had a long cold shower.

***

The following day, we visited Joshua at the mental hospital. The high standard of the facility surprised me. I had expected psychiatric hospitals to be gloomy places, but this was a beautiful private facility with large rooms and ocean views. Perfect for myself if I finally snapped!

Joshua came out to see us. He seemed happy to have visitors. Joshua's parents, who payid the exorbitant fees for this facility, didn't seem interested in socialising with him.

"Hi, who are you guys? I don't get visitors often." Joshua stated

"We are journalists for Time Magazine," Simona stated.

"Are you here to dig up dirt on my dad? It's not his fault that I am here." Joshua said defensively.

"No Malcolm Harkins is no interest to us. We are more interested in your relationship with Sabina Hines." Simona replied.

Hearing Sabina's name, Joshua had an outburst and threw the plastic coffee cup with lukewarm tea into the wall.

"Don't mention that name. The bitch destroyed my life!" Joshua roared and then fell into rage-filled crying.

"Tell us what happened?" Simona replied.

"What's the point? You'll just call me crazy anyway." Joshua complained.

"Well throwing coffee cups into the wall doesn't disprove your craziness. At least I know why they serve the drinks lukewarm in plastic cups at this facility." I taunted.

Joshua gave me a dark look, and Simona held me back.

"I apologise for my colleague. He is a dickhead. Tell us with your words, what happened." Simona said.

"I had a mental breakdown, tried to rape a girl, and ended up injuring myself." Joshua sighed.

"That's what other people have told you about the incident. I want to hear it with your words. You were a good-looking bloke. Why would you rape Sabina?" Simona asked.

Joshua sighed. His eyes kept moving between Simona and the door. Eventually, he got up and started walking towards the door.

"Wait, don't go. Sabina manipulated you!" Simona shouted towards Joshua.

Joshua turned around and looked at Simona attentively.

"Why would you say that?" Joshua asked.

"Because she did the same thing to me. She cast a spell on me. To make me love her and then she rejected me." Simona replied.

"You're not really journalists, are you?" Joshua asked.

"Smart boy!" I taunted.

Joshua sighed and walked back to our table with his head bowed.

"I used to be so popular among girls. I was the athletic and good-looking Joshua Harkins, son of the property magnate Malcolm Harkins. Everything changed when Sabina came into my life." Joshua revealed.

"And when was that exactly. You were classmates, right?" Simona asked.

"Yes. But I never thought much about Sabina. Sure, she was a good sort, but pretty girls are a dime a dozen to me." Joshua replied.

"So, what changed?" Simona asked.

"Well. We were close to graduating so I thought I would find out more about this mysterious girl who didn't socialise much. So, I invited her to my 18-year-celebration. But she wanted to bring her stupid friend Eric, whom I hated." Joshua recalled.

"Eric? Is that Eric Orchard that works for Sabina at Building a Better World Pty Ltd?" I asked.

Joshua clenched his jaw in anger and replied. "Yes. When I said no, Sabina held my hand and looked into my eyes, asking me to let him come. At that moment something changed inside my head. I couldn't say no anymore. I had to have her."

"That seems like a pretty standard attempt from a pretty girl to use her looks to her advantage. What did Sabina do differently?" I asked.

"You don't understand. When Sabina held my hand and looked into my eyes, she stared into my soul. That's not how it feels when a pretty girl flirts with me." Joshua shouted.

"What happened after that?" Simona asked.

"After that, Sabina filled my mind. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think of anything but how I wanted her. When she came to the party, I tried to impress her, but she rejected me. Later I lured her to my room. I lost control of myself and was about to force myself on her when she spoke. I will never forget those words." Joshua shivered.

Simona cast a quick glance at me. I nodded, and she spoke again. "Can you tell us the words, Joshua?"

Joshua nodded and replied. "Sabina's words were: 'Joshua Harkins. By the power bestowed upon me by the True Maker, I command you to let go of evil, and repent for your sins.'"

Having recited this phrase, Joshua collapsed to the floor crying uncontrollably.

Joshua's reaction amazed me. These were an event that took place years ago. I pressed the alarm button, and a few nurses came in with sedatives.

Simona and I left the mental hospital. We had got what we came for, but we were not any wiser. Joshua's story proved Sabina's immense powers, but we still didn't know what her motives were. Joshua was a deranged lunatic, and from Sabina's perspective, she had only defended herself. Unless she had arranged the whole scenario to happen, in which case she was devious and dangerous.

***

I was having dinner with Simona at a Japanese restaurant. I was sitting silent, avoiding alcoholic drinks to calm my desires.

Between pieces of sushi, Simona broke the silence. "What are you thinking about, Martin?"

I realised that 'your naked body' would be an inappropriate answer, so instead I replied. "I don't know what to do about Sabina. She survived explosions and dozens of bullets. I need to get the Zeto Crystal otherwise Pierre and his many hired assassins will come after me. But I stand no chance against someone of Sabina's calibre.

Simona passed me her phone and replied. "Yes, you seemed stuck. That's why I sent her this message via the darknet."

I looked at the phone. The message read. 'Simona, I am worried about you. I have found out who is funding the conspiracy within the Mossad. It's funded by Pierre Beaumont from the World Bank. Please contact me. /Joanne.'

I handed the phone back to Simona and gave her a puzzled look. "I don't understand this message. Who is Joanne, and why would Sabina care?"

"Joanne is a fake name. Sabina would care because of Pierre Beaumont. If she is in league with him, she will contact him and warn him." Simona replied.

"And why would Joanne message Sabina?" I asked.

"She didn't. She messaged me on my old phone that Sabina owns and periodically checks. I changed the date stamp on the message to make it look two years old. This will work." Simona revealed.

I thought of Simona's plan. It was a dangerous plan, particularly for Sabina. If Pierre came after her, she'd be dead. But in understood where Simona was coming from. Unrequited love was a tricky thing. Finding out that Sabina had manipulated her into that state would cause a lot of resentment for sure.

I sighed.

"Yes, I guess I'll find out. Pierre will attend the World Economic Forum in Sydney next week. Let's keep track of them and see if Pierre and Sabina meet." I said.

"So, what will we do until then?" Simona asked.

"I'd suggest that you do some sightseeing. I will lock myself into my hotel room and focus on finishing my 25th book." I replied.

"Are you still working on that book? You were almost finished with it back in 2037." Simona teased.

"Well, being dead for two years set me behind schedule!" I replied.

Simona smiled, got up from the table and walked away. After a few steps, she turned around and walked back to me. "Martin, are you avoiding me because you are in love with me, but ashamed because I am 35 years younger and a lesbian?" Simona asked

"Yes," I replied.

"Well, at least you know how I feel for Sabina. I'll see you when you are ready to continue on the mission." Simona said and walked off.

'If I only knew what to do.' I thought and sighed.