The Cork Contingency Read Online Free Page A

his brogue and stated each word deliberate and slow. “What brings ya to Cork, Ireland, miss, and how long are ya staying?”
    “I plan on staying for a week. Do I need a special pass?” she asked.
    The man muttered something.
    “What?”
    “No.” He held up her passport, studied it, and then tapped his stamp down on the paper.
    Margaret started to thank him, but he waved her on through.
    The speckled flooring reflected the light coming through the large vaulted skylights built into the ceiling. The airport felt empty compared to her flight out.
    The rollers on her carry-on thumped as she pulled it across the marble tiles. She yawned twice against the back of her hand. “What I need is a good cup of…” She stopped herself. Maybe Janet hadn’t exaggerated about me talking to myself. She yawned again, dismissing the thought.
    The Blarney Bed And Breakfast sat outside the city of Cork. From the online map Margaret guessed it to be a twenty minute drive. She stood with the other passengers awaiting their luggage. The machine hummed to life. Not even the vision impaired could miss her hot pink and zebra-striped monstrosity. Seeing the glowing neon against a backdrop of brown and black suitcases did prove Janet right about it being unique. She snatched the luggage from the belt. Pulling out her pre-made arrival list, she slashed a check mark next to “get baggage.” Now I need to rent a car. Four different companies, four different choices and no one at any of the desks, Margaret sighed and regarded a backlit sign advertising Blarney Castle.
    “Can I help you, ma’am?” A man appeared at the closest desk.
    “Yes.” She stepped up to the cold granite and metal counter. “I need to rent a car. The one I liked online was a…” she glanced down at her checklist. “Mini two door model.”
    A hailstorm of clacking computer keys ensued. “We have one of those available or for a slight price increase we can upgrade you to a sedan with an onboard GPS.”
    Margaret studied the printout he pushed toward her and crunched numbers. The four door sedan with GPS would cost her double the price of the two door model. They must have to charge per door. “I’ll take the mini and a road map. The kind that folds up and you put in the glove compartment.” She made a folding motion with her hands.
    “Driver’s license, passport, and credit card, please.”
    Margaret placed all three on the counter.
    “Would you like to purchase insurance for the vehicle? It would cover flat tires, accidents, and equipment malfunctions.”
    “How much is that?”
    He turned his screen so she could see the price.
    “Yes.” It’s good to be on the safe side.
    A printer hummed to life in the back of the booth. “Here is your receipt, cards, and passport. Please sign right here.” He circled two portions with a glowing highlighter. “And here. I will call my associate to bring the car around front. If you have any issues please don’t hesitate to call.”
    Margaret pulled her things out the sliding doors and waited. An earthy rain smell drifted on the wind. She leaned against a cold cement pillar contemplating the lone pine tree across the road. It must be some sort of afterthought, as if a gardener decided to plant a seedling at the bottom of the grassy knoll.
    A car horn beeped. Her rental car thumped against the curb and a young man vaulted out. “Look at that, not a scratch! You won’t tell my boss will ya?”
    “The car looks fine.” She reassured him.
    “Can I get your bags for you?” he asked.
    Before she could say no, the youth grabbed her things and hauled them to the back of the car.
    “Come back, I don’t want my purse stuffed into the trunk.” Margaret leapt forward, caught the heel of her shoe on the gap in the cement pavers, and fell, sprawling onto the ground.
    The youth had his back to her, still preoccupied with stuffing Margaret’s zebra-print bag into the tiny trunk.
    Margaret hoisted her bruised body from the