C4 antho - Chamber Four

~248~ The Chamber Four Fiction Anthology
“It’s called Benefit Island, I believe, sir,” said Patrick. “Or
Benefit Cay. Or simply Benefit.”
“Why’s it called that, I wonder,” said Munro.
“I couldn’t say, sir.”
“And the men on the beach,” said Sharon. “Who are
they?”
“Men on the beach, miss?”
“Two men on the beach just now,” said Sharon.
Patrick looked at Munro. “What about them, eh,
Patrick?” asked Munro.
“They stayed apart, but they were there the whole time
we were,” said Sharon.
“Keeping an eye out, I expect, miss,” said Patrick.
“Keeping an eye out?”
“Keeping an eye out, miss. Keeping a watch.”
“So they’re like security?” asked Sharon.
“Like that, miss,” said Patrick.
“Security from what?”
Patrick looked at Munro again.
“Patrick?” Munro asked.
“Well, miss,” said Patrick. “It’s a small island, you see.
There’s no proper population. There are no police. It’s all by
itself out here, Benefit is, isn’t it? There can be dodgy people
popping in.”
“Dodgy?”
“Unsavory people, miss. To do with drugs, for example,
other things. It’s as well to keep an eye out.”
“So those two were guards?” asked Sharon.
“Yes, miss.”