Colton Banyon Mysteries 1-3: Colton Banyon Mysteries (Colton Banyon Mystery Book 20)

by Gerald J Kubicki

  “Where is it you will go?”

  “Actually, I intend to return to Cape Town,” Wesley replied.

  “But why?”

  “I am responsible for the Black Diamond and must return it to the rightful owner. That has always been my mission.”

  “But how will you leave Africa? There may be other Boers looking for you.”

  “A ship will leave Cape Town in two days. I mean to be on it. I doubt anyone will recognize me at the port. My beard will disguise my face, and the ticket is in another name. I will be safe.” Wesley was less confident than he appeared, but he had to leave now before things sped out of control.

  Jama stared at him, then said, “I will take you to the city and show you how to get to the port. I owe you my life. That debt must be repaid.”

  “Thank you for helping me. We should leave this morning,” Wesley emotionally replied. He was worried he might not be able to navigate back to the port without being noticed.

  Mother now stepped from the crowd. She held out her small fist. “We the people of the village want you to have these.” She opened her hand and revealed several large stones. “They are diamonds taken from the DeBeers mines by some of our people. We feel this is a reward for saving our men. You cannot refuse our gift.”

  Wesley accepted the diamonds and felt the weight of the jewels in his hand. I’m rich he thought. He immediately considered the ramifications. He could now dedicate himself to learning and teaching without worrying about money. The thought was good. He raised his diamond-filled hand and shook it for the crowd. They responded with a loud whoop, which he calculated as meaning good luck. Tears filled his eyes as he realized he must leave now. He had felt safe and happy with this tribe, but the future still held many uncertainties.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Jama had changed into city clothes and stood next to Wesley. Others gathered around him in a final thank you. He was now ready to leave.

  “We go now. It will take us most of the day to reach Cape Town by foot,” he announced as he pointed the way to start.

  The trip to the city was uneventful. They passed open fields and grassy marshes, some jungle, and eventually found a road. Wesley and Jama had time to talk about South Africa and the future. Jama believed the British would eventually establish a section of South Africa that would be governed by natives, and the terror that many natives had faced would soon stop. Wesley was less convinced. Jama asked questions about Europe and wanted to know where Wesley had lived. He was surprised when Wesley told him he was actually an American. Jama immediately asked a flurry of questions. Most of the questions involved human rights in America. Wesley told him that blacks had rights in America, but there were parts of the country where national laws and local laws conflicted. Jama nodded his head in acknowledgement. Wesley now realized Jama was no different from any man he had ever met. They all had their hopes and dreams, but the environment and heritage played a role in the ability to achieve those dreams.

  Wesley eventually asked Jama if he felt different or had any side effects from touching the diamond.

  “I don’t know for sure,” he replied as he thought about the subject. “I seem much stronger now and want more sex.” He flexed his now considerable muscles. My wounds have completely healed and are not even visible.” He raised his shirt and pointed to the spot where he had been shot. “As you can see, there aren’t any markings or scars.”

  Then Wesley asked, “Do you feel paranoid? You know, worried that something is wrong?”

  “Not any more than I did before the shooting,” replied Jama. “I do feel more at peace and have an overwhelming desire to help my people, even if it puts me at risk. My greatest desire is to become a leader of my people. Mother is old, and soon we will need a new leader. I want to bring my people all together and earn our place in the world.”

  “That is a common side effect of the diamond,” Wesley reported. “Most people who have touched the diamond discover their innermost secret desire and are compelled to pursue it for the rest of their lives. According to the history of the diamond, you will always chase your dreams. I’m happy for you.”

  “But I am worried about Mother,” offered Jama. “She seems to want to be young again and have more children. She is well past childbearing age, but has tried to become pregnant. She has approached every man in the village in just the last few days since touching the diamond. This cannot be good,” he said as he shook his head.

  Wesley had no answer for Mother. But he made a mental note to include the effects on her in his diary.

  When they reached the outskirts of the city, Jama told Wesley to treat him as if he were a slave for the rest of the journey. He further explained that it made Jama invisible to the locals. It was the only way to explain why a black and a white would be traveling together in South Africa. They soon reached the docks, and Wesley found the ship which would take him out of Africa. It was an old steamer, but looked seaworthy. Wesley discovered the booking office and found to his great relief that the streamer company had held his reservation and would let him board a day early. When the porter asked him about his luggage, Wesley thought for a second and replied that it would arrive in due time. He then went off shopping with Jama.

  While Jama waited outside, Wesley purchased two new complete outfits including shoes and a steamer trunk in a store near the docks. He then bought a new satchel to replace the one he had left in the farmhouse. It took almost all the money he had left, but Wesley was sure he could sell one of the tribe diamonds when he got to Constantinople.

  In addition, he acquired a new diary. The old one had become frayed at the edges and was falling apart. He wanted to copy all the old notes on the diamond and also wanted to start making his own entries. The sales clerk carefully folded and placed all the purchases in the steamer trunk for Wesley. They then carried it outside, and Jama picked it up like it was a toy. Wesley hefted the new empty satchel and they proceed back to the docks, where Jama placed the trunk by the porter stand. As the porter helped Wesley check in the trunk, Jama slipped away without saying good-bye. Wesley felt a twinge of guilt as he had more to say to Jama, but had to let it go. He wondered if he would ever see Jama or the tribe again.

  Nonetheless, he boarded the steamer with a sense of relief and looked forward to his future life. He had accomplished his main goal. He had recovered the Black Diamond.

  Part Four

  Return Home

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  On the trip back to Constantinople, Wesley had time to think. He had collected a large amount of data about the diamond and in his professorial way was determined to put it to paper. Minutes after leaving the port, he retired to his cabin and began the laborious task of transferring the entries from the old diary to the new diary. He then decided to begin recording his personal observations.

  He took his meals in the cabin and slept only when he could no longer stay alert. His mind often wandered when it became too tired to think. On these occasions, he dreamed of being a superhero. He thought of the good he could do for society. He could bring justice to criminals, right wrongs, stamp out discrimination, save lives. Everyone would honor him. A fantasy grew in his mind. He considered a costume to identify himself in public. That way the people he would help could recognize their savior. He could set examples that others would follow. He could be the master of his race. After several days of these dreams, Wesley awoke in a sweat. Something was wrong. He decided to take a stroll on the deck to ponder his dreams. He left the Black Diamond in his cabin.

  His first inhale of fresh sea air immediately cleared his head. What was he thinking? He realized the diamond was affecting him and had even infiltrated his dreams. His desire to help people had become an obsession. He realized this desire was becoming uncontrollable. If it continued, he would become the same monster he fought against. He was already thinking about forcing society to accept his views. Despite the desire to do good for people, many would see him as a dictator. The diamond was
too powerful for any man and actually too powerful for humanity, but it also provided miracles, extended youth, protected the holder, and focused the desires of people. Was this wrong?

  Then he thought about how others intended to use the diamond. Rasputin and his army of monks were untrustworthy and clearly had a plan to use the diamond back in Russia. Wesley wondered what the scary monk truly intended. His possession of the diamond could spell ruin to a whole society. Or was he interested in one person, the czar’s wife?

  As he walked the deck of the steamer, he came to a decision. He would not return the diamond to the monks. He would book the next ship to America and take the diamond with him. He would find a place where the diamond could be kept, but no one would be able to find it. He would watch over it and be the caretaker of the diamond for the rest of his life. At some point, he would pass on all he knew about the diamond to someone who would then become the watcher and protector of it. This was truly the right thing to do for society.

  Upon entering his cabin, he grabbed the pouch from the desk, put it into the satchel, and put the satchel in the small safe located in corner of the room. Now confident that he had protected himself from the effects of the diamond, he continued his writings with new vigor. He knew this was the right strategy for him, but he failed to realize that others had a different strategy. He was unaware that the monks knew he was returning to Constantinople.

  Chapter Thirty

  By the time the steamer docked in Constantinople, Turkey, Wesley had recovered from his ordeal in South Africa and finished updating his new diary. He looked forward to returning home to America with the Black Diamond. He once again stood at the rail as the boat docked, decked out in a new suit and shoes.

  He was lost in thought as he considered the parts of his new plan. First he had to find a diamond broker to sell one of the diamonds given to him by the tribe. Next he had to book a steamer to America. He figured he could do all this in a day. He decided he would begin to write a book about his adventure as he sailed home. Most Americans had heard of Africa—they could see it on a map—but few had been there or knew much about it. There were whole sections of the immense land that had not been mapped or explored. The map of Africa had many empty areas. The people were considered primitive and savage. Wesley knew otherwise.

  His reverie was broken by the sound of a foghorn. It announced the docking of the steamer. Wesley left the rail and proceeded to the gangplank. He had made arrangements with the porter to store his trunk until he had procured a passage on a ship to America. He had stored his new diary and most of the diamonds in the trunk. The satchel, which he always carried, contained the Black Diamond, the old diary, two tribal diamonds, and his documents.

  As he stepped off of the gangplank, he realized he had made a big mistake. Standing a few feet away from the dock, he spied Rasputin towering over the crowd. Before he could hide in the mass of people, Brother Ivan had grabbed his arm. There were two other monks with Ivan. Wesley discovered that Brother Ivan could be less then gentle as he and the other monks muscled him toward Rasputin. He was summarily presented in front of the tall monk as if he were a prisoner. His satchel was wrenched from his hand.

  Rasputin let out a laugh that was more of a roar and said, “Good to see you, my young friend.” Wesley noted the two new monks were young and seemed confused. They appeared frightened by Rasputin.

  “I figured you would meet me at the dock,” Wesley lied. “But why give me the rough treatment?”

  “It is for your safety,” replied the monk seriously.

  “Who else would know of my arrival?”

  “Come now, we know the diamond was stolen from you aboard ship.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “It has been returned to Russia. I have been informed by my contacts. It arrived there a week ago,” he added.

  “That was fast,” Wesley muttered to himself, wondering how Anna had accomplished her goal so quickly.

  “So, you let someone steal my diamond?”

  “Oh…you mean the one stolen by you from the Russian people,” Wesley countered sarcastically.

  “I mean the one the czarist gave me and I let you borrow so you could recover the Black Diamond—that diamond.”

  “The woman tricked me and knew about my mission. How did that happen? It was by pure chance I survived. I was lucky to still succeed and escape with my life,” Wesley forcefully answered.

  “There are spies everywhere. This woman may have many contacts, even among us monks,” Rasputin replied. “We can’t be too careful in the future.”

  “There is no future for me. I’m returning home to America.”

  Rasputin dismissed the discussion with a wave of his meaty hand. He opened the satchel and rummaged around inside and brought out the diamond pouch. He studied the pouch for some time, then pulled it open and peered inside. A broad smile crossed his face. As he looked back at Wesley, there was once again the fiery gaze of a madman.

  “You have done the Church a great service.”

  “I think this has nothing to do with the Church,” responded Wesley. The two monks holding him cringed as he spoke.

  “But of course it does,” Rasputin argued. “The powers I will obtain will be used for the good of humanity. All Russians will know my name. I am a lead monk for the second largest church in the world. I will return to Mother Russia and be a hero. I will make the czar understand the needs of his people. I will force change, and if he does not listen…well then we might have to make some permanent changes in the government and the leadership of the country.”

  “That sounds subversive,” Wesley noted.

  “Not at all,” answered Rasputin. “I intend to make changes from within; however, there must be alternate plans.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  The little group stood in the middle of the now empty dock. The two monks held Wesley in a firm grip, but they seemed apprehensive about their task. Wesley began to scan the dock to see if there was help available in case he needed it. There was no one else there, and Wesley abruptly realized he knew where this discussion was headed. They meant to dispose of him.

  “We do have a slight problem,” Rasputin said. Ivan was busy scanning the dock area for any authorities.

  “And what would that be?” the now-defiant professor retorted.

  “You know too much about me, the Black Diamond, and my work for humanity,” the monk replied.

  “I see.”

  “The Russian people demand it.”

  “So the promise of studying the artifacts in the library was just bait?” Wesley conceded he would not be going to the library.

  “You understand,” Rasputin replied as he opened his arms in explanation. “We can’t let just anyone find the secrets of lost civilizations, secrets that only the Church should know.”

  “Of course, you want those secrets for yourself,” Wesley spat out.

  “You’re beginning to try my patience, Dr. Wesley.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. You sent me on a very dangerous mission to collect a world-changing unearthly power. I risked my life to return the artifact to the Church. I bring it back to you, and you’re losing patience with me?” Wesley said sarcastically, knowing it would inflame the monk.

  “Get rid of him,” Rasputin grunted as he waved his arm in dismissal. He then turned away. He and Ivan began to walk toward the city. They dropped the satchel on the dock like it was garbage. The two remaining monks stared at Wesley with wide-eyed terror and didn’t move.

  Rasputin glanced over his shoulder as he proceeded down the dock. It was clear he did not want to participate in Wesley’s demise. He stopped suddenly and roared, “Do it now. You must do this for the Church. I command you. There is no other way.” He then turned back and disappeared around a corner with the diminutive Ivan close at his heels.

  The two frail monks shuddered at the demand and attempted to drag Wesley toward the dock edge. A rope was tied to a large rock a few feet from the w
ater. It didn’t take much thought to figure out what they intended to do. They were, however, smaller, younger, and not as fit as the professor.

  A struggle ensued. Wesley managed to bloody the nose of one monk with a jab of his elbow. The other wanted no part of the fight. Suddenly Wesley spoke.

  “Don’t do this; you know he’s insane.”

  “We belong to the Church; we must follow the commands of the Church leaders. We are nothing without them. We do not exist but to serve the Church.”

  “What if you didn’t have to serve the Church?”

  “We don’t know any other way of life. We are bound to poverty and servitude. No one leaves the service of the Church.”

  “I can make you rich,” replied a now-confident Wesley.

  The struggling suddenly stopped, and the two exhausted monks bent with their hands on their knees. “How can you do this?” they asked in unison.

  Wesley picked up the satchel. He reached inside and noted the monks assuming a defensive pose.

  “Don’t worry,” Wesley spoke. He then pulled out a tribe diamond from the secret hiding place in the bag. “Will this do?”

  “It’s a diamond,” the bloodied monk exclaimed as he attempted to blot the blood running from his nose.

  “That’s correct. It comes from the DeBeers diamond mines of South Africa. If you help me find a diamond broker, I will give you most of the money, minus the cost of a steamer to America. You could then leave the Church, start new lives, and be away from Rasputin.” A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of both the monks as they looked at each other.

  “But how can we defy the orders of a Church leader?” the second monk spoke.