Barbie dolls have always held a fascination for me. Their long limbs, large breasts and exceptionally bright blue eyes were something that I had genetically been blessed with, I didn't have that ridiculous waist though. Mine was more like a Rueben's model. Nor was I suppose, an air head, my career as police officer had blossomed due to my attention to detail.
As a little girl I had multitudes of Barbies, Malibu was always my favorite until the Farrah Fawcett edition arrived. It seemed stupid to lust after a doll when I was 34 years old but lust I did. My desire to own one was consuming. Living in Australia had its drawbacks sometimes, the stocks were limited and the demand was high. It seemed every woman who had loved watching Charlie's Angels as a kid wanted one.
Finally one of my many leads got back to me. 'Knightrider22' had one for a reasonable price and they were based in Melbourne. The only downside was that they didn't deliver and my shifts were long and at unreasonable times. I arranged to pick up my Farrah after a shift on a Tuesday night, luckily for me 'Knightrider22' was an accommodating vendor. Unfortunately, on the Tuesday night we were busy at work, I didn't have time to change out of my uniform as I was already over an hour late. I called 'Knightrider22' to say I was still on my way. His voice was deep and inviting, almost soothing. He assured me that he was a late night person and that it was fine.
Arriving at his residence I was taken aback. The house was vast and lit up well. It was like a beacon drawing me in. As I drove up the circular drive I felt slightly intimidated, not a normal feeling for me. I pulled a RipCurl hoodie over my uniform as I got out of the car, I wasn't supposed to be in uniform when I wasn't working. My first instinct was to timidly ring his doorbell but years of training made me knock forcefully on the large timber door. It gave me back some confidence. I stood at the door for what seemed a few minutes, not used to being ignored I knocked again, somewhat harder this time. Half way through the knock the door swung open and my fist missed contact with the wooden surface. I almost overbalanced, fighting gravity.
"I assume you are 'Smith27', please come in while I finalise your purchase" My eyes were great at capturing detail, but there was so much to see I couldn't process fast enough. 'Knightrider22' was like a banquet for my mind. His eyes disarmed me and his voice deemed me incapable of rational thought. I knew better than to enter a stranger's home, I gave lectures on safety and how to protect yourself from predators yet in I walked. I followed him trance like into his office. There on his walls were images of thundering surf, serene shots of sunsets over some of the best beaches in the world and a beautiful Malibu board.
"Where is your favourite place?" I asked in a quiet voice.
He looked at me and smiled.
"Where I went as a kid, Smiths at Phillip Island. Funny you being 'Smith27'"
My name on ebay was a reflection of my other life, that as a teenager loving the water, riding the waves until my brother drowned at Smiths beach.
He looked at me right at the moment when my eyes suddenly pooled. I hated crying, it made me feel weak, but sometimes it just happened. I suppose trying to do CPR on a person and failing does that to you. The tears that threatened to fall made my eyes a reservoir but they didn't spill.
"Hey, I didn't charge you that much for the doll! Do you want to inspect her?" I lifted my head and smiled.
"Yep, sure do"
She was in pristine condition, still in the box which was fully intact.
"Wow, I have lucked out here, she looks fantastic. You have the funds don't you? I transferred them to your account yesterday morning?"
"Yes, that is all fine. Please don't think I am rude but why did you want this particular doll? As a Police officer I would have thought a Barbie in a swimsuit would have been a bit kitsch for you"
"Well that is a stereotype, as a man of wealth and obviously athleticism, why sell dolls?"
My mouth honestly has a mind of its own and it can get me into trouble.
Knightrider just laughed and saluted me "Touché Smith 27"
"Grace." Without even thinking I gave a potential pyscho my Christian name.
"Well Grace, it has been a pleasure and to answer your question, because I like to collect things of potential value. I obtain things that I think others will like or have an interest in and then sell them at a profit."
"Well there must be good money in that." I said gesturing around his wide hall.
"I make my money from I.T. Grace. People are constantly purchasing new technology too; my role doesn't just involve Barbie dolls. I like to find new initiatives and developers, I nurture their ideas and provide them with the cash and then reap the benefits when their products come into fruition."
"Do you take all their earnings? Are you exploiting people?" My indignation was evident.
"No, I love to watch others realize their dreams and their potential."
Was this guy too good for words. I was so going back to the station to find out more about him.
However, it was like he read my mind, "You are going to use your resources to see if I am genuine, aren't you? That's an easy way out Grace, why don't you just ask me. I am sure you are trained in interrogation."
I felt conflicted to say "Yes on both fronts, or, I am not that rude and it was a pleasure doing business with you." Instead I said, "I don't know." He raised his eyebrows and chuckled.
He walked into a large sitting room and I followed like an obedient puppy. He poured two whiskeys and handed me one. "Ask away Grace, I am all yours for the next hour, unless you need to be somewhere?"
"No, I don't have to be anywhere, no-one is expecting me." What the hell was I thinking, pyscho now knew he could murder me and no-one would care until the morning!
Knightrider read my mind yet again, "You know for a cop you are pretty silly. I could be a pyscho Grace and now I have you in my home." I laughed at his skills.
