The Fund. Jeff Edwards

sad to see it all going,’ said Lana Reynolds.

      ‘There was nothing left of Mrs Green’s house and ours would have cost too much to repair. Its basic structure has been too badly compromised,’ explained Brian.

      ‘I know,’ sighed Lana, ‘but it was our home. Now we’ll have to start all over again and we’ll never be able to find a house just like that one. The price of housing around Walton Village has skyrocketed since the developers moved in.’

      Toby blushed. ‘As one of those developers, I accept the criticism, but it’s purely a matter of supply and demand. The public are clamouring to get their hands on the blocks and the prices reflect what they’re prepared to pay.’

      ‘Well, it certainly doesn’t help Brian and me,’ said Lana.

      Brian interjected. ‘Actually, I have a proposal to put to the board, and seeing as how you’re all here, I’d like to ask if Lana and I can build a house on the The Fund’s property?’

      Curious, Justine asked, ‘Where?’

      ‘Right where you’re standing.’

      ‘Here?’

      ‘Yes.’

      The group looked around. The hillock had a clear view over the fields that The Fund had recently purchased. It was high enough to overlook the building site where The Fund’s offices would soon stand and then beyond to the horizon. Behind them on the hillock was a small stand of trees that dropped away to where a brook ran through a gully at the rear.

      Lana could see the potential of the site purely from an artist’s viewpoint. She would love to have a studio up here to capture the light on the distant hills.

      ‘You wouldn’t mind being this close to work?’ asked Eliza Strang.

      ‘It might prove to be an advantage to have a board member this close,’ said Justine. ‘Does anyone have any objection?’

      ‘Not from me,’ said Toby.

      ‘Nor I,’ said Ali.

      The others shook their heads.

      ‘Then it looks to be unanimous. Congratulations,’ smiled Justine.

      Suzie looked around and then smiled at her husband. ‘Well, seeing as how the subject of houses is on the agenda. Toby and I have been living in my small flat since we returned from our honeymoon. We’re thinking of starting a family, so we’ll eventually need something bigger.’

      ‘Well, there’s plenty of room up here,’ said Brian.

      ‘All in favour say aye,’ said Justine.

      A resounding round of ayes carried the motion.

      Toby looked at Suzie. ‘Actually, I was considering a spot over the back of the hillock, down there closer to the brook. It would be wonderfully secluded and I’ll be able to plant a few apple trees. My supplies of apple juice have nearly dried up.’

      ‘And you figure you’ll need some of your magic potion to get the family started?’ asked Lana with a grin.

      ‘No way! We don’t need any help in that regard!’ laughed Suzie. ‘But it’ll be good to have a supply of the juice. It tastes wonderful. I recommend it.’

      Justine turned to Ali. ‘Well, that’s Lana and Brian, and Suzie and Toby seen to. What about you and Nori?’

      Ali and Nori exchanged glances. They had been married for so long that there was little need for debate. Nori said, ‘It will be a lot more difficult for us. There are no mosques out here. At least not yet. However, the thought of commuting to Walton Village every day would be difficult for us. If we were to live here it would be so much easier for us and with the security we’ll be setting up around the property’s perimeter it’ll be far safer for us out here than in the city. Our children will be safe and that is of prime importance to us. Yes, I think we could live here, if you’ll have us.’

      ‘There’s more than enough room for two houses up here,’ said Brian enthusiastically, ‘but what about the girls?’

      ‘I don’t need a house and I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I did,’ said Eliza.

      ‘The same goes for me,’ said Justine.

      Toby had been giving it some thought. ‘What about an apartment?’

      ‘Where?’ asked Justine.

      ‘Inside the new building. The top floor will be given over to executive suites, but I’m sure we’ll be able to fit in a couple of apartments on the floor below. We’d probably have to include a couple in the plans for visiting overseas guests anyway.’

      ‘Living in a penthouse? I can just see myself,’ smiled Justine.

      ‘You’ll be sorry! She’s a messy bugger,’ said Eliza.

      ‘Oh I dare say we’ll be able to train her,’ said Lana. ‘What about you, Eliza?’

      ‘With Dad doing The Fund’s security, the whole family will probably have to move out to the village. I’ll stay with them, but you can set an apartment aside for me to use when I need to get some privacy. It’s awful crowded at home sometimes.’

      ‘Well, that’s settled. We’re all moving in.’

      * * *

      Brian Reynolds, Toby Brown and Ali Akuba each held in their possession a key. Each key was different and all three were required to be inserted and turned within seconds of each other to open the vault at The Fund’s current headquarters in the city. The vault was reputed to contain a treasure of far greater value than all the money left to The Fund by their benefactor, Mrs Green.

      Rumour had it that the vault contained the videos of many high-placed citizens caught in compromising positions at the former brothel known as The Garden of Eros, a brothel that had been owned and operated by The Fund’s benefactor, Mrs Green.

      The country’s intelligence services, acting upon orders direct from Prime Minister David Foster, had been able to confirm the existence of these legendary videos but had been unable to locate their current whereabouts. Even the vault had been searched, without success.

      Now, with this explosive information in their possession The Fund was in a position to dictate to the leaders of several countries. However, the intentions of Mrs Green in making the bequest was that the power of the videos was not to be used for anything other than charitable works throughout the world and to right wrongdoings.

      It was an idealistic endeavour, but at this early stage, not many projects of such high ideals had been undertaken because the members of The Fund were still feeling their way in the heady field of philanthropy.

      Chapter 2

      As soon as Mick Sloane logged on, he checked his computer for incoming emails and then returned to the current story he had been working on. The information from America that he had been waiting for had yet to arrive.

      That news had nothing to do with the story before him, which was a fill-in piece on the antics of one of the local bad boys and his flashy girlfriend, but more importantly, could be the vital break he was seeking on his ‘special project’.

      Ever since he first announced to the world that Jade Green was alive and still living among them, with her former colourful life and powerful secrets intact, he had devoted his spare time to finding out more about her.

      In the years since his divorce he had lived alone in his dreary single bedroom flat. His life had become a continuing round of court reporting, and pubs, with the occasional visit from his only daughter Pamela. The only other bright spot in his life was an occasional appearance on a local radio station where his Irish brogue seduced many a lady listener with lurid tales from his courthouse rounds.

      Pamela lived with his ex-wife and he had worked hard to make sure she had attended the