by Drew Lindsay
‘Were you in your comfort zone when that big Leb put a gun to your head?’
Sophia unclipped her seatbelt and stood. ‘I’m going to the ladies room.’
‘There’s only one toilet,’ said Ben. ‘It’s unisex.’
‘I don’t care what sex it is…where is it?’
‘Down the back,’ said Ben.
She gave him another forced smile and walked aft without a comment.
‘She likes you,’ said Ann. ‘She doesn’t usually like anyone.’
‘God help me if she hated me.’
‘You’re right there. She knows she’s safe with you and that’s important for both of us right now.’
Ben returned his attention to the laptop.
‘He’s on the way to Tonga,’ said Rodney. ‘He’s in a God damn private jet.’
‘Are you paying for that darling?’ asked Rose as she walked into her husband’s book lined office.
‘The king of Tonga requested an audience and he paid for the transportation.’
‘So he should,’ said Rose.
‘Ben put another one in hospital last night.’
‘Who?’
‘Some creep attacked Sophia Hunter’s assistant in the basement car park of her unit in Clovelly. Ben showed up and did his usual tap dance and from my inquiries, the most recent victim is fighting for his life.’
‘Victim?’
‘Rose…please. He’s not even out of the country on this particular assignment and he’s already put two men in hospital and got the media running wild.’
‘Did he put the husband of your client in the morgue dear?’
Rodney didn’t answer.
‘Did he or your client steal these royal jewels?’
‘Why can’t he just subdue these clowns and tie them up or something?’
Rose walked behind her husband and placed her hands on his shoulders. She massaged his tensed muscles and tendons. ‘Calm down. He knows what he’s doing.’
‘I choose to disagree! He doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing most of the time!’
‘Now you just settle down and leave Ben to do what he does best,’ said Rose.
‘There’s a frightening thought.’
‘You gave him this assignment.’
‘I need a drink,’ said Rodney.
‘We have a problem Isaac,’ said Nancy Fiumara.
Isaac put the phone to his left ear. That ear seemed to be more receptive to sound as the years moved on. Following years of habit he had automatically put the phone to his right ear but he knew from the tone of Nancy’s voice that he should clearly listen to everything that she had to say. ‘That is not what I pay you for.’
‘I picked one of the best in this country. Hood took him down.’
‘Is he alive?’
‘Barely. Some kind of brain damage from the fight. I didn’t even get a chance to pay the guy.’
‘He failed so pay him nothing!’
‘Yes.’
‘So what is our problem as you seem determined to describe it in the plural?’
‘Special unit police seemed to have picked up the connection and are all over the hired help.’
‘That cannot lead back to me.’
‘It may lead back to me,’ said Nancy.
‘Are you going to give me up dear?’
‘If they dig deep enough, they may find a connection.’
‘I can’t afford for that to happen,’ said Isaac Ford. ‘I feel you should know that I have re-established a connection with my jeweller friend and we have reached an agreement.’
‘Are you saying that you don’t require my services any longer Isaac?’
‘I no longer require your services Nancy. It would be wise for you to destroy any possible piece of evidence that may link us together.’
‘I need to protect myself.’
‘You will protect yourself by destroying anything whatsoever that connects us and keeping your mouth shut,’ said Isaac.’
‘And if I choose to make a deal with whoever may visit with a silver, blue and white badge?’
‘You may not live long enough to enjoy your deal with the police.’
‘I know where you are Isaac. You can’t make this kind of threat against me. I have already engaged the services of another highly trained professional.’
‘I’m not where you think I am Nancy.’
The call was disconnected.
“****”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Akira Misaki put down the phone and sat back in his large wooden chair, clasping his thick fingers together. Bell sat opposite him, watching carefully. She didn’t speak. She gave him time to assess what had been discussed. Akira eventually looked into her eyes. This was always a daunting task as Bell had a way of reading his mind when she maintained eye contact with him. ‘I’m surprised he would speak with me,’ Akira said eventually.
‘He’s a king.’
‘I knew his father. I don’t know him.’
‘Names of good friends are often spoken of in royal palaces, as they are in thatched huts in the jungle.’
Akira nodded. ‘He was very reserved in speaking about the necklace but at least he knows of my connection with Ben.’
‘You made contact with him. That would automatically create suspicion in his mind.’
‘He rang me back after making inquiries,’ said Akira. ‘He knows who I am.’
‘What do you intend to do?’ asked Bell.
‘Ben is due to arrive in Tonga within hours with his client. I suppose we just have to wait and see. Ben seems to have disabled those who would follow him with evil intent.’
Bell kept her eyes fixed on her husband. ‘Are you sure? The stakes are very high.’
Akira nodded. ‘Probably higher than he has been forced to deal with before.’
‘Does he realise this?’ asked Bell.
‘I don’t think so,’ said Akira. ‘He doesn’t seem to appreciate the danger of most situations into which he is introduced.’
‘What did the king suggest?’
‘He seems intent on personally interviewing Mrs. Hunter and her assistant before he makes an assessment.’
‘And Ben?’
‘He had little to say about Ben other than the fact that he acknowledged his role as a bodyguard and also the relationship between Ben and me.’
‘Were you close to his father?’ asked Bell.
‘Not particularly. He was quite an athlete in his day and very interested in my style of fighting. I gave him some fighting lessons. We spoke of security issues and I know he had respect for me as I did for him.’
‘So you and the king will speak again?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Akira. ‘Cards are being played close to the chest as they say.’
The First Officer executed the landing under the watchful eye of the Captain. It was perfect with almost no indication that the wheels were on the ground until the brakes were applied. ‘He’s good,’ said Ben, more to himself than the others.
‘At least we’re on the ground,’ said Sophia. ‘You can’t crash and burn when you’re already on the ground.’
‘You can if he hits something on the edge of the runway,’ said Ann with a grin. Ben watched the twinkle in her eyes.
‘Like what exactly?’ asked Sophia.
‘A cow.’
‘Jesus Ann! Can you see any cows out there?’
‘I saw a few on the other side of the fence just before we landed.’
‘But they weren’t wandering around on the damn runway.’
‘One could have got through the fence. Cows do that you know.’
Sophia looked at Ben. ‘Do you believe we’re having this conversation?’
Ben smiled. ‘Welcome to Tonga, in one piece,’ he said.
Sophia looked out the window at the flat airport land which ceases abruptly at a security fence and then gives way to thousands of coconut trees. ‘We’re in the middle of the jungle!’
‘Maybe on that
side of the jet but on the other side is a huge military base and small townships here and there,’ said Ben.
‘You’ve done your homework,’ said Sophia.
‘I came here once some years ago,’ said Ben. ‘Only spent a few days but I saw a lot in a short time.’
‘Were you working?’ asked Ann.
‘Holiday with the wife but things got nasty and we had to cut it short.’
Sophia laughed softly. ‘Sounds familiar.’
Vivian approached them. ‘Welcome to Tonga ladies and gentleman. I understand you will be escorted from the main terminal building to a VIP security area. Your luggage will follow immediately. Did you enjoy your flight?’
Sophia opened her mouth to say something but Ben jumped in first. ‘It was a great flight and your service was excellent. Please pass on our compliments to the Captain for a perfect landing.’
‘It was our First Officer who did the landing,’ said Vivian but I will pass on your compliments. He needs encouragement. He’s done a few, how should I put this…less than perfect from time to time.’
They were met at the bottom of the short flight of stairs by two men in military uniform and a more senior uniformed policeman. Ben shook hands with the men who knew his name and seemed to recognise him instantly. He introduced Sophia and Ann. They were escorted into the international terminal building where Ben said something to the senior policeman and cut across to the duty free counter. He returned seconds later with a large plastic duty free bag. The officer smiled and led them to another section of the huge building. The afternoon air was mild and the sun was attempting to break through scattered clouds. Inside the building they were taken to a large reception room which had handmade woven mats attached to walls. The floor was of polished timber and the furniture consisted of a variety of comfortable chairs together with two large desks. Immigration formalities were quickly conducted by one of the military men. Data was entered by the officer into a computer sitting on one of the desks.
The very tall Tongan policeman had introduced himself as Inspector Gary Amato. ‘There are some formalities and then you will be driven to the jetty to catch your boat to Fa Fa Island. The king has decided you should rest up and relax for a day or so before you are taken to the palace to meet him.’
Ben felt that seemed a little odd but he said nothing. He also wondered what the police inspector had meant by “some formalities”. It didn’t take long for him to find out. A customs officer entered the office and laid Ben’s large Jungle Warrior knife on the table next to the computer. He spoke briefly with the senior police officer in Tongan and left the room. Inspector Amato picked up the handle of the knife slid it from the sheath and turned it over, feeling the razor sharp blade with his thumb. ‘Is this your knife Mr. Hood?’
‘Yes,’ said Ben, now realising that their luggage was being thoroughly searched.
‘Did the Captain of your aircraft know you had this on board?’
‘Yes. You can check with him if you like.’
‘Do you usually travel with this kind of weapon?’
‘Yes. There is nothing illegal about that knife. I could probably buy one just as big in Nuku’Alofa and I know that some very large machetes are for sale in just about every store in Nuku’Alofa.’
‘Are you anticipating the kind of trouble that may require you to use this knife Mr. Hood?’
‘Let’s say I’m prepared for whatever may happen. You will appreciate that is my job. You carry a side arm for exactly the same reason.’
‘A weapon like this will not be allowed within the king’s palace.’
‘I didn’t intend on taking it to the king’s palace,’ said Ben. ‘That would have to be the safest place in Tonga for us under the circumstances.’
Inspector Amato slid the blade back into the sheath and handed the knife to Ben. ‘The use of excessive or deadly force by a visitor will not be tolerated in Tonga Mr. Hood.’
‘Thanks for the warning.’
‘Your reputation for the use of violence has preceded you.’
‘If I were to come at you with my knife,’ said Ben, ‘what would your immediate reaction be?’
The tall police officer smiled. ‘I see your point. Please be careful to stay within the scope of the law. If you need assistance in a matter of personal protection, we are more than happy to assist. You are here at the invitation of the king.’
‘I appreciate your offer of assistance,’ said Ben, knowing full well that if he needed assistance, the police couldn’t probably get to him for hours, especially on Fa Fa Island. Ben tucked the sheathed knife in the belt of his trousers. Sophia and Ann watched him silently. ‘I’m glad you appreciate that we are here at the invitation of your king,’ said Ben.
‘Yes and thank you for your patience,’ said Inspector Amato. ‘We have a car waiting to take you to the jetty. Your luggage has been packed and it is quite a long ride, perhaps half an hour.’
‘Thank you for assisting us with our arrival,’ said Ben.
Inspector Amato smiled. ‘I may be seeing you again.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Ben. ‘I’m not as bad as some reports make out,’ he said. ‘I stepped on the toes of some high ranking police back in Australia. They have their own way of lashing out.’
‘I understand,’ said Inspector Amato. ‘This way please.’
They were driven in quite a large dark green sedan from the international airport, down alongside the Tongan army barracks and left onto the main road into Nuku’Alofa. The driver was a young army officer. Ben sat beside him with the two women in the back seat. The driver didn’t speak and Ben didn’t bother to engage him in chit chat.
‘They didn’t like the knife,’ said Sophia. ‘What do you do with that thing…kill horses?’
‘It’s a backup,’ said Ben, glancing at the army officer.
‘To your fists?’
‘When necessary,’ said Ben. ‘Change the subject.’
‘Shocking road for a main road,’ said Ann.
‘There are a lot worse. Wait until you get into the towns and see the condition of some cars.’
They drove past what was obviously a cemetery. Huge burial plots were walled up with slabs of cut coral and filled with sand so that the deceased’s body was in a state of elevation rather than being buried at ground level. More recent burial plots were surrounded with bright flowers, woven mats and huge colourful posters, some depicting the deceased in life. People dressed entirely in black surrounded one very high burial plot. ‘Do they bury all the dead here?’ asked Ann.
The driver didn’t answer.
‘Yes,’ said Ben. ‘Cremation is not practiced in the South Pacific. You’ll see these cemeteries all over the place. The bigger the mound where the deceased is laid to rest, the more important he or she was in the community. The royal burial mounds are the largest in Tonga for obvious reasons.’ The driver glanced at Ben briefly but said nothing.
They drove slowly through Nuku’Alofa. At the end of the town, Ben noticed the royal palace facing the ocean to his left. He pointed it out to the girls. The driver turned right and followed the water’s edge a further few kilometres to the main shipping jetty. The large motorised yacht “Kurti” was waiting for them at the jetty. A large Tongan man with a grey baseball cap lifted their luggage aboard and then assisted the women off the wharf onto the slightly rocking craft. Ben stepped aboard and settled himself on a starboard shelf in the open. Sophia and Ann went into the cabin area and sat facing each other on green padded mats.
‘I am Peter,’ said the Tongan in a deep booming voice. ‘Welcome to our boat to take you to Fa Fa Island.’
‘Thank you,’ said Ben. He nodded towards the girls. ‘They are Sophia and Ann and I’m Ben.’
‘Yes, we’ve been expecting you.’
‘You have a sail,’ said Ben.
‘It’s never used,’ said Peter. ‘We only use the motor. Of course if the motor ever breaks down, the sail can be useful.’ Peter started the engine and then le
apt forward to untie the yacht. He then removed the aft rope and engaged the propeller, reversing the yacht away from the stone jetty. He engaged the gear to propel them forward and sat back on the edge of the boat with one hand on the large stainless steel wheel. He pulled out his mobile phone and chatted briefly with someone in Tongan. As soon as they were past the huge rock break wall, Peter increased the speed of the vessel and headed directly for Fa Fa Island, just over 7 kilometres away. He pointed the island out to Ben as it was one of several which could be seen from the mainland. ‘The lady with the brown hair has been here before. I recognise her,’ said Peter.
‘Yes,’ said Ben. He made no further comment.
‘What’s your duty free drink?’ asked Peter.
‘Scotch and Vodka,’ said Ben.
‘You see how carefully I lifted them on board?’
‘I did,’ said Ben.
‘We call them “the babies”. Don’t want to drop the babies eh?’ He laughed loudly.
Sophia walked aft and sat next to Ben. Peter looked at her. ‘You’ve been here before. I recognise you.’
‘Yes,’ said Sophia.
‘With your husband I think.’
‘Unfortunately.’
‘Yes, I remember. It was only a couple of months ago I think.’
‘My husband’s not around anymore,’ said Sophia. ‘I’ve got another man now.’ She glanced at Ben.
Peter laughed. ‘Good for you.’
‘Yeah; lucky me,’ said Sophia.
The boat began to pitch up and down as it negotiated larger waves at sea. These reduced about half an hour later as they approached the weather side of Fa Fa Island and entered the shallow water of the lagoon. Peter backed off the speed and skilfully navigated his way between coral outcrops in the outgoing tide. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was sending golden rays at various angles through the clouds. The air was salty and warm.
‘Bit of a knife you’ve got there,’ said Peter, nodding at the handle of the Jungle Warrior sticking out of the side of Ben’s cargo pants.
‘Good for cheese,’ said Ben.
‘Cheese? Oh yes, cheese.’ Peter laughed again as he slowed the yacht and eased towards the white sandy beach. A twin hulled tender met the yacht and all passengers and luggage was transferred to the flat deck. This twin hulled vessel was gunned directly to the shore and once jammed firmly in the sand, a timber ramp was thrown out onto dry sand and the guests were invited to step ashore. Luggage was quickly taken away by eager porters.