There were a hundred and two Mackenzie's in the NSW phone book. That was just the ones with the first initial M. Bloody hell, where else could he start? It was four in the afternoon Sydney time when he began calling. Most people were cordial but a few told him to piss off. It was just over an hour later when he got his first lead.

"Mara? Yeah I know her, mate. We're cousins. She got back from the states a couple of months ago. I don't know where she's at right now but I could give you a number of an old mate of hers. Fella named Rogie Smythe. They've been tight ever since they met ten years ago at Arndell. She had an interest in horses and his family runs an equestrian center up north. Hang on, I'll get the number for you. Its called Pegasus Farm and its in Byron Bay."

"Thank you. I really appreciate this."

"Here it is ..."

Max scribbled the number down and ended the call. This didn't seem to be as difficult as he thought. He checked his watch. It was early enough for him to take a drive up to Byron Bay if he could find it on the map. The longer it took him to locate it the more his heart sank. It was a full eight hundred kilometers from Sydney, roughly five hundred miles. That's a good nine hour drive. Maybe he could book a flight for the next day. At least he'd be fresh.

After checking several airlines he found one that flew to Byron Bay airport that was located in a town called Ballina which was just about a half hour south and he found a second that offered a flight to Gold Coast airport in Coolangatta, two hours west. He booked the one to Ballina. Max figured he'd just show up and look for this bloke, Rogie Smythe, instead of calling him first. The bloke couldn't hang up on him in a face to face meeting.

He barely slept that night. Max had plenty of time to mull around what she must have thought of him after he took her money and left. Maybe he should have contacted her. What if he did? His fear was that the moment he heard her voice he'd want to go back to her. He admitted it to himself and longed for her but until he reached his financial goal he didn't want to be distracted. Money came first. Maybe just maybe this was the biggest mistake he'd ever make in his new existence but he had no way of knowing what would have happened had he stayed. Would he be happy living the life of a middle class bloke with nothing to look forward too except playing Bridge with the neighbors? No fucking way.

The next morning he was on a Virgin flight, nut cracker class because it was the only spot available. At least it was a window seat though it hardly made up for the annoying younger couple seated next to him. They seemed to be headed out on some kind of discount beach holiday and odds were it was the first time either of them had ever been on a plane. They kissed and cuddled, groped and giggled all the way to Byron. Max could be arsed to figure out if they made him feel lonelier or more annoyed.

In any case, when the plane landed he was glad to be away from the amorous pair.

The only thing that was worse than the cramped seat on the plane was the rental car that was waiting for him. It was a Mitsubishi Lancer if you could call that a car. It was bigger than the smart car from his film, but not by much. He didn't have the luxury of a smart ass assistant to handle mission control for him this time.

With the help of a map from the car rental shop he managed to find Pegasus Farms. If Mara had any interest in this place at all there was a possibility that she was hiding something from Max Skinner. It was amazing, grand and the each white fence post rang up a million dollars as he passed. There were sprawling pastures of emerald green that ended abruptly at the tan sand and beige brush of the NSW coastline. Magnificent horses grazed lazily in paddock after paddock until a beautiful white washed barn came into sight. It was sided to the left by a hunt class arena and to the right by a dressage field with deep green grass even more lush than the pastures. It smelled wonderful, like fresh hay and old money.

Max parked the piece of shit car between a Jag and a Mercedes. For some reason he could swear his arsehole snapped shut at the thought of it all.

"Time to go to work, Max old boy." he told himself as he got out of the car. He slipped on his Serengeti glasses and a confident smile as he walked into the main building.

There were several people milling around but it was a man who'd been grooming a horse in crossties who spoke.

"G'day mate. Welcome to Pegasus. Can I help you with something? Are you here to book a ride by chance?"

Max exchanged a handshake with the man before he flipped his glasses up on his head. "Not today. I'm looking for a chap by the name of Rogie Smythe. Would he be about?"

"He may be. Who might you be, mate?"

"My name is Maximilian Skinner."

"Mister Skinner, I'm Rogie Smythe. What can I do for you?"

Max breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm looking for someone and I was hoping you might be able to help me find her. Her name is Mara Mackenzie."

"Mara? What could you want with her?"

"I have something that belongs to her. I'd like to return it. I've come all the way from New York City to find her."

"You don't sound like you're from the States."

"I'm not really. I'm from London in a sort of round about way. Can you help me? This is very important."

Rogie hesitated. He seemed to be studying Max Skinner for a moment. "I haven't seen her in yonks. Whatever this thing is that you want to return to her, could you leave it with me. I'll see too it that she gets it."

"Perhaps you could just point me in the direction of where I could find her myself. Its very important that I talk with her."

Rog shook his head. "Sorry, mate. I can't help you. Leave your number and if I hear from her I'll pass it on."

Max knew he was lying. His ability to read people at face value was superior and he knew a bullshiter when he encountered one. It takes one to know one as the saying goes. He figured there'd be no sense to pressing the issue right now. Keeping things cordial with old Rogie Smythe would be for the best.

"I hadn't planned on staying in town for long but I suppose I could hang about. When do you expect you'll be hearing from her?'

"Hard to say, mate."

"Could you direct me toward a hotel?'

"I could do that. The Ballina Hotel is the closest. Head out the main gate and take a right, it’ll be just a few kilometers on the right. You can't miss it."

"Appreciate it. Call me there if you hear from her Mister Smythe. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon."

They exchanged a nod and Max turned to leave. He had this gut feeling....

The moment Max was clear of the barn, Rog waited until he heard the car pull out. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number.  It rang twice before she answered.

"G'day, Nana Glen Sports, Recreation and Equestrian Center, Mara speaking. How can I help you?"

"Hello, love. It's Rogie. How are you doing Mara? You have any more of those …events?"

"Rogie, hello mate. I’m doing okay. The medication has those so called events under control for now. How are you?"

"Good, love. How are things in Nana Glen? Did you buy the Arab stallion you were looking at?"

"Ah Rog, since when do you have an interest in the Mackenzie's stock? What did you really call me for, mate?"

"Okay. You've sussed me out as usual. Remember that bloke you told me about? The one you met in Philly?"

"Max? Yeah. What about him?"

"He's up here, love. He's looking for you."

There was silence on the other end. Mara's heart fluttered at the thought of how close he was to her but she couldn’t see him, wouldn’t see him. He'd never understand. "Did you tell him where I was?"

"No, love. You know me better. He's staying at the Ballina Hotel though. I don't know for how long but I'd reckon he'll be persistent."

"Whatever you do, Rog ..."

"I know. Don't tell him where you are."

Its a good thing Rog didn't know where Max Skinner was. He stood just outside of the barn door, listening. It was a simple thing to start his car and move it a few spaces up in the lot. "You just told me where she is, mate." Max grinned to himself. All he had to do was figure out where Nana Glen was and why she was hiding from him.