Ben Hammott: Ice Rift

Barry knew the driver of the car only too well—Richard Whorley. The man was a constant thorn in his side and it seemed today was to be no different. His nemesis emerged from the car and glanced over with his usual expression, a smug confident smile, before walking toward the entrance of the BGRS building. Barry glared at his well-groomed co-worker, dressed in his expensive hand-tailored suit, walking away with a self-assured stride. Everything about the man annoyed him, and he was well aware of part of the reason. Richard was the exact opposite of Barry, handsome, successful and well tailored. It was a package that appealed to many of the women the lecherous man came into contact with, which included the boss’s daughter to whom the man had recently become engaged.

Barry sighed. Though he would like to confront the annoying prick, he knew it would be a waste of time and drove off to look for another empty parking space.

When Barry entered the building five minutes later, his nemesis was flirting with the young receptionist. Richard’s gaze was unashamedly directed at the girl’s ample cleavage less than a foot away from his perfectly formed nose. From the smile on the girl’s face it was evident she enjoyed the attention.

Richard had been flirting with Samantha for the past two weeks and tonight, after he’d furnished her with a few drinks at the hotel where they had planned to meet, he intended to bed her. At the sound of cheap shoes tapping on the marble floor, he tore his eyes away from the wonderful sight and saw Barry approaching. Richard noticed the man’s cheap, off-the-peg suit seemed even more crinkled today than usual, if that was possible. The stern look his balding colleague directed at him was evidence of the man’s pissed off attitude. Though this in itself caused Richard no concern, a confrontation witnessed by the pretty receptionist could cause him some embarrassment. Unwilling to risk anything that might cause her to look at him in a less than favourable light, Richard stood up straight and flashed a smile at the girl. “Okay, Doll, I have to go.” He then added in a conspiratorial whisper, “I’ll pick you up about eight tonight, and remember, this is our secret and no underwear.”

The girl smiled mischievously. “You’re a wicked, wicked man, Richard.”

Richard flashed a roguish grin and crossed to the elevator. Tonight she would find out just how wicked he could be. His approach toward the elevator was greeted by the timely opening of its doors. He nipped around its three emerging passengers and quickly stabbed a finger at the fifth-floor button. A glance through the rapidly narrowing gap of the closing doors revealed Barry running for the elevator.

Richard smiled and waved. “Too slow, old man,” he called out just before the doors met.

Barry halted his rush and glared at the floor numbers lighting one by one as the elevator passed each floor.

“That man is a complete dickhead.”

Barry turned to see another of his co-workers approach. This one he liked. “Morning, Jane. Yes, he is, a prize-winning dick head.”

They both smiled.

Barry pressed the call button.

Jane glanced over at the large wall clock. “I thought you had a meeting with Jerrod at nine?”

Barry let out a sigh. “I do. I’m late, as usual.”

“Betsy playing up again?”

Barry nodded. “I hate to get rid of her, but I really need a new car.”

“Just promise me you won’t buy a sports car.”

“A sports car! With my funds I’d be lucky if I could afford a bike.”

Jane laughed. “I can’t imagine you on a bike.”

Barry smiled sadly. “Neither can I, though I might have no choice, I was relying on the promotion and the extra money it would bring.”

“The position Richard swiped away from you.”

Barry nodded. “I’m sure his relationship with Jerrod’s daughter is just a front so he can worm his way up the ladder.”

“If that’s his plan, it seems to be working.”

The elevator arrived and they entered.

“Enough about my troubles, you’ll be off to Antarctica soon.”

Jane nodded. “Next week.”

Barry noticed her apprehensive expression. “You don’t seem very enthusiastic.”

“Oh, I am though, I can’t wait to be back on the ice, but…”

Barry realized the reason for her sad demeanour. “Oh, of course, it must be almost five years since…”

“It is,” Jane replied. “I suppose it’s about time I got over him and moved on. It’s what Kyle would have wanted.”

Barry rested a hand gently on her arm. “You will, when the time is right.”

They stepped out of the elevator onto the fifth floor. Their boss, Jerrod, stood in his office doorway; his eyes searching the rows of desks set out in the room like a vulture seeking a carcass to feed upon. He noticed Barry, scowled, tapped his wristwatch and abruptly turned and entered his office.

“I suppose I had better go and see what the old man wants.”

“Okay, I’ll catch up with you later.” Jane watched Barry walk reluctantly toward their boss’s office.

“You’re looking gorgeous as usual, Jane.”

Jane turned to see Richard standing beside her. The man had the uncanny ability to sneak up on you without making a sound; he would’ve made an excellent burglar. It was all too obvious the man was undressing her with his eyes. She mentally cringed. “Congratulations on your engagement, Richard.”

Richard smiled. “Thanks. Jerrod was very receptive to the idea when I asked for his permission.”

“Was that before or after you stole Barry’s promotion?”

Richard’s smile refused to fade at the snide comment. “I stole nothing. The job went to the person most qualified for the position—me. For the reason he failed to secure the promotion you only have to look at the slob. Have you seen Barry’s suit today? It’s got more wrinkles than a hundred-year-old man and it’s stained with coffee. He needs to sort himself out if he wants to rise through the ranks like me.”

“Or just marry the boss’s daughter. I hope the poor woman knows what she’s letting herself in for.” Jane shook her head and walked away.

Jane had been sitting at her desk for twenty minutes when Barry came over.

“Jane, the boss wants to see you.”

Jane stopped typing and turned to face Barry. “Do you know why?”

Barry nodded. “It’s about your trip to the Antarctic next week. I think you might get your chance to explore that ice rift after all. NASA has discovered an anomaly on their latest scan.”

Jane’s brow creased. “What sort of anomaly?”

“That’s what the old man wanted to see me about. He showed me the scan. The rift is perfectly sharp except in one spot, where it’s blurred. At first the NASA technicians thought it was a fault in the equipment, but when the exact same result was reproduced on a second scan, they knew that wasn’t the cause.”

“Strange,” said Jane.

“That’s what I said. I’ve no idea what would cause it, but probably the reason lies buried beneath the ice at that particular spot in the side of the rift.”

“And NASA wants the team to check it out while we’re there next week.”

“I believe so. I’m sure Jerrod will fill you in on all the details, so you’d better not keep him waiting like I did.”

“Okay, thanks.” Jane stood.

“A word of warning, I think Richard’s angling to go on the trip, so watch out.”

“What gives you that idea? He has no reason to go, and he’s the last person I want to be stuck in Antarctica with.”

“Jerrod asked me if I thought it would be beneficial to the team if Richard went on the trip to help determine the cause of the anomaly. Naturally I sung your virtues and told him whatever the cause of the glitch turns out to be, your expertise will be invaluable to the team.”