The Atlantis Stone

by Nick Hawkes

  When he turned back, she was standing there, dressed only in bra and pants, facing him, waiting for him to see her.

  It was too much. Benjamin sank to his knees, reached for Felicity’s waist, and drew her to him. He felt her fingers stroke his hair as he pressed his cheek against her.

  The moment lasted only a few seconds. Then Felicity stepped away and began zipping herself into the wetsuit top.

  Benjamin took out the black waterproof bag holding the infrared scanner and whispered, “Put anything you want to take with you in here.”

  Felicity dropped in her passport, credit cards, and bank notes.

  As he folded the bag away in his waist belt, Benjamin whispered, “Mask and fins are waiting outside. When I lift you out, lie flat on the foredeck. I’ll join you and close the hatch. Then we go over the side, you on the left, me on the right, so we don’t rock the boat. We do everything slow and gentle…and together. We’ll meet at the bow. Don’t hold the mooring line.”

  She nodded. “Then swim for the shore?”

  “Underwater as much as possible, although you don’t have a weight belt, which will make it difficult.”

  “I think I can solve that.” Felicity leaned across to the bunk and picked up a flat-looking stone. It took a moment before Benjamin realized what it was. It was the Atlantis stone! She unzipped the wetsuit and pushed it inside. “Now I’m ready.”

  Felicity put a foot into Benjamin’s cupped hands and reached for the hatch coaming. When she nodded, he heaved her up through the hatchway. After switching off the cabin lights, he hoisted himself up through the opening and joined her on the foredeck. He closed the hatch, nodded to Felicity, and began crabbing sideways toward the guardrail. Felicity began moving in the opposite direction, mirroring his movements. A glance told him that Felicity was beginning to slide herself over the edge. He began to do the same. However, the bottom wire of the guardrail snagged his tool belt. He froze and plucked it free. Had anyone heard?

  Nothing.

  Benjamin took hold of the base of a stanchion and swung himself over the side. He paused briefly to feel the motion of the boat.

  There was no unusual rocking. Felicity had done well.

  He let go of the stanchion and slipped into the water.

  Be patient and take it slow.

  Benjamin located the suction cups under the waterline and put his fins and weight belt back on. After collecting Felicity’s mask and fins, he unfastened both suction caps and let them sink into the depths.

  Silently, he swam to the front of the boat.

  Felicity was there, lying on her back, sculling with her hands to keep herself afloat. She looked comfortable. He thanked God that she was a seasoned diver.

  Benjamin handed Felicity her mask and fins. No words were said. Once they were in place, she signaled she was ready.

  They duck-dived and struck out toward the shore.

  Chapter 27

  The Shark Cat burbled its way quietly across the harbor. Felicity was lying under the foredeck, changing into some of Benjamin’s spare clothes. Once they were abreast of Church point, she stood up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his back. It was the most delicious feeling he had ever experienced. Nothing, he vowed, would ever threaten her again.

  As he pondered Felicity’s safety, it occurred to him that she could easily suffer further grief if he and Archie were found to be in possession of items associated with the heist of fifty million dollars’ worth of methamphetamines. He handed the wheel over to Felicity and began jettisoning objects over the side into the inky black waters of the harbor. The dive bag containing the pulley and chopped-up sections of fender was the first to go, followed by the heavy demolition saw. It was probably very expensive. Benjamin didn’t care.

  He looked around him. As beautiful as Pittwater Harbour was, he wanted to get away from it as soon as possible. He pulled out his phone and put a call through to Kate to inquire about Archie.

  “Kate McCauley speaking.”

  “Hi Kate, Benjamin here. How’s Archie going?”

  “He’s being attended to now. X-rays show a broken humerus. It’s a clean break, thank goodness.”

  “When do you think I’ll be able to pick him up and take him home?”

  “Tomorrow lunchtime, I expect. They’ll operate tonight, then put him in a cast. He’ll need time to get over the anesthetic.”

  No, no, no, thought Benjamin. Archie has to get well away. “Thanks, Kate. Er, what will you do tonight?”

  “I’ll probably stay here in one of the doctors’ accommodation units.”

  Benjamin was relieved. He didn’t want Kate anywhere near the sailing boat once those on board discovered Felicity had escaped. “That sounds wise. You’ve been through enough tonight. Thanks, Kate, for keeping an eye on Archie.” He rang off.

  What to do? Benjamin looked at his watch. 10:15pm—not too late. He needed to make a second call but not now. The slipway at Bayview Park was approaching, and it wasn’t easy to see in the dark. He was relieved to discover that the tide was high. It meant that the ute could stay on the slipway and did not need to go on the sand where it risked getting bogged.

  Felicity took charge of the procedure of loading the Shark Cat onto its trailer. It quickly became evident that she was well-practiced at it. As she tied the boat down, Benjamin made his second call.

  Phoebe answered. “Marjorie’s phone. Hello Benjamin.”

  “Hello, Phoebe. I need some advice—fairly urgently.”

  “Right. I’ll put you on speaker so that both Marjorie and I can listen.” There was a brief pause. “Okay, go ahead.”

  “The good news is that we’ve found Felicity and rescued her from the yacht in McCarrs Creek. Her captors don’t know we’ve got her yet.”

  “Oh, well done, dear. Are you all safe?” Benjamin could hear Marjorie’s voice. It was very weak but warm like a mother’s.

  “We’re safe. But I want to get as far away from here as I possibly can. We’ve got the boat on the trailer, and I’m about to move off, but I don’t know where to go.”

  “Isn’t Archie with you?” asked Phoebe.

  “No. That’s just it. He’s in Mona Vale hospital getting a broken arm fixed. He won’t be ready to be picked up until tomorrow at the earliest.”

  Marjorie’s voice came back straight away. “Don’t worry about Archie. He’ll look after himself. I take it, then, that you managed Felicity’s rescue without his help?”

  “Yes.” Benjamin hurried on. “I need to get away from here as quickly as possible, but there are two things the police need to be aware of straight away.”

  He paused to marshal his thoughts. How much should he tell them?

  Phoebe’s no-nonsense voice broke in. “Tell us what they are.”

  “Ah…right. The first is that there are currently two people aboard the yacht where Felicity was held. One, at least, is armed and very dangerous. The police really need to raid the yacht before morning—before they discover that Felicity is missing. Once they discover she’s gone, they’ll run.”

  “I’ll see to it. The second thing?”

  “I…I’m pretty sure I overheard one of them speak about a shipment of drugs they’d just received. They spoke of it being hidden on the boss’s boat. Do you suppose that might be Doran Khayef’s?”

  There was silence. Had Benjamin overplayed his hand? He sweated.

  “Do you suppose it might be on his boat?” asked Phoebe enigmatically.

  “I reckon it could be.”

  “Then we’ll organize some action on that as well. Anything else?”

  “Where do I go now?”

  “I think I would be happier if you were under the jurisdiction of the Federal police rather than the State police, as ASIO has a good relationship with them. Can you drive to Canberra? Both ASIO and the Federal police are based there.”

  Benjamin thought quickly. That would be a four-and-a-half-hour journey with the boat. They woul
d arrive in Australia’s capital city at 3am. “Yes,” he said. “But what happens when I get there? I have Archie’s equipment…and hardware to dispose of.”

  “You’ll be supplied with accommodation. Don’t worry about the equipment—ASIO will take care of it. You must expect to be interviewed at length by the Federal police tomorrow. I’ll call you with the details once I’ve organized it.”

  “Thanks Phoebe.”

  “I’ll get on to it right away. Now I’ll leave you to say…goodbye to Marjorie.”

  A few seconds later, Marjorie’s voice could be heard. It was breathy and very faint. “Benjamin.”

  “I’m here, Marjorie. How are you feeling?”

  “Time enough for that…later, dear.”

  He could hear her labored breath.

  “Benjamin, I…I’m so glad to have met you.”

  There was silence. Benjamin furrowed his brow, trying to understand. He stammered, “Me too. You, er, have been a mentor and…” What word could he use? There was only one word that fitted, but he hesitated to use it. He consulted his instinct, and felt peace. “You have been a mother to me.”

  After a lengthy pause, he heard faintly, “You have…made me very happy, Benjamin.”

  It was time to die.

  A relief. She was ready.

  For the last few days, Marjorie had been holding on. Consciousness and dreams had become blurred. Only one thing drove her to stay alive—one burning desire: and that was to see Benjamin safe…and found.

  There were tears, kisses, and the holding of hands when things became too sacred for words. Phoebe’s presence at this time, her closeness and her love, were the most beautiful gifts she could give.

  Now all was done.

  Death, that final test of faith, was knocking at her door. It was time to surrender herself to the love of the one she had always known, not as a theory but as a person. He who held truth and love together; he who had shown that death was not a terminus but a door leading to the fullness and rightness of things—now waited for her with a smile.

  The words of the twenty-third Psalm came to her. “The Lord is my Shepherd…”

  A tear escaped her eye.

  Felicity opened the door to the bedroom, where Benjamin was sleeping, and watched him. She had been awake for only a few minutes before she’d thrown the coat he’d given her over her shoulders and crept through to his bedroom—just to check on him.

  Their accommodation suite was on the fifth floor of a gray concrete building, of which there seemed to be so many in Canberra.

  She watched the steady rhythm of his breathing and his tangle of dark curling hair. It called to mind the night she had first hugged him after that first meal he’d cooked for her—all so long ago now. She remembered the smell of wood-smoke in his hair. It was delicious, and the feel of…

  There was a knock on the door.

  Felicity looked down to her bare legs and called out, “Hang on.” She went to her room, pulled on a pair of Benjamin’s shorts, and returned to open the door.

  Archie was standing there with his plastered arm in a sling. His face was pale, but his sardonic grin was in place. He looked her up and down. “We might have to find you some new clothes, girl.”

  “How are you feeling? And how on earth did you manage to get here so quickly?” asked Benjamin, who was now standing at the bedroom door.

  Archie looked at his watch. “I flew in half an hour ago. Evidently, there’s a bunch of people fairly anxious to speak to us.” He made his way to a kitchen chair. “And I feel bloody awful, if you want to know.” He sat down. “You are aware that it’s nearly 1pm, aren’t you? I’ve been asked to rouse you out and tell you that a car will be picking us up in thirty minutes to take us to the police station.” He fingered the sachets of instant coffee in the bowl in front of him with distaste. “Any decent coffee?”

  Felicity ignored the question. She pointed at Archie. “I’ve been waiting to speak to you.”

  “Oh?” said Archie, leaning back in his chair.

  “Don’t act so innocent. The treaty—the one we found in Cagliari—that wasn’t what you put inside the ivory canister, was it?” She slapped the table. “So where’s the real treaty?”

  The hum of traffic could be heard through the window.

  “Is that true?” asked Benjamin as he came out from his bedroom and stood beside Felicity.

  Archie nodded. “Yeah. Sorry about that.”

  “Sorry!” Felicity exploded.

  “Hear me out,” said Archie, holding up his good hand.

  Felicity bristled. “This had better be good.”

  “Relax. The treaty is in the safe hands of the Australian government who, I might say, have access to the very best resources for restoring and preserving old documents.”

  Felicity was about to protest when Archie again held up a restraining hand. “I posted the real treaty to the Australian embassy in Rome…and from there it was carried in a diplomatic pouch to Canberra.”

  “Posted!” expostulated Felicity.

  “Very safely, mate. By the time I’d finished packaging it, it would’ve stayed safe even if you’d played football with it.”

  “But why the charade? Why swap it?”

  “I wanted to check no one else knew about the treaty and was trying to get their hands on it.” He sighed. “It’s just that my ruse worked a little better than I’d anticipated.”

  “You bet it did, buddy. It nearly got me killed.”

  “Yeah. I told Benji that we wouldn’t have much time to spring you before they tumbled to it.”

  “Um, you didn’t let me know any of this,” Benjamin pointed out.

  “It wouldn’t have changed anything if I did—except panic you into premature action. I would have told you otherwise.”

  “Then what was written on the piece of vellum that I had?” asked Felicity.

  Archie smiled. “Absolutely nothing. It was an old piece of stuff that no one actually got around to writing on. That’s why I could use it. Evidently, the manuscript was found during the renovation of Old Government House in Parramatta.”

  A knock on the door spared Archie any further interrogation. Benjamin opened it to two policemen. They asked with official brusqueness if all three of them would accompany them to the police station.

  They were each interviewed individually. After an hour of questioning, they were asked to wait, presumably while their reports were compared and analyzed. Felicity felt exhausted and emotionally drained. When she pointed out that she hadn’t eaten since the previous night, she was given a sandwich. Two officers—a male and a female—sat with them as they waited.

  Eventually, Felicity could take it no more. She turned to the female officer. “Please excuse me but I want to go shopping for some basic clothing and toiletries.” She forced a smile. “And, after being confined for over a week, I need to have a walk in the fresh air.”

  “I understand,” said the officer. “I’ll just check.”

  Two minutes later, she came back and invited them to follow her. The officer led them into a large office. A balding man in his late forties entered just behind them and introduced himself as Detective Inspector Ingpen. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He sat down at the desk and said without preamble, “I have three pieces of information for you.”

  His comment succeeded in deflating Felicity’s mutinous spirit.

  Detective Ingpen went on. “This morning, we raided the boat on which you, Miss Anderson, were held prisoner. Unfortunately, we found it empty but we have retrieved Miss Anderson’s belongings.” He looked at Felicity. “Crime Scene have them for the moment.” He picked up a pen and began tapping it on the pad beside him. “What is more concerning is that we found the body of Andrew Carter floating in Pittwater. He had drowned.” The detective stabbed the pad with his pen. “And there have been no sightings of the man called Eddie.” He looked up. “So you will understand why we needed to keep you here until we found some answers.” He glanced at F
elicity and Benjamin. “Establishing the time of Carter’s death has now put you in the clear regarding his murder.”

  Felicity was shocked. “Us? Murder?”

  Ingpen smiled a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “Sorry miss, we have to check everything.”

  “What’s the second piece of news?” asked Archie.

  “The second piece of news is that we also raided Mr. Khayef’s boat this morning and, er…found some substances on it that will be the subject of further investigation.” He leaned back. “So, thank you, Mr. Bidjara, for your information. It was useful.”

  Felicity turned to Benjamin, mystified. “What information?”

  Benjamin shrugged. “I reported a comment that I heard through the louver doors of the forepeak just before I got out.”

  “Oh.” Felicity thought it unusual that Benjamin hadn’t shared this with her earlier. She glanced at him. He gazed back steadily. She saw the peace in his eyes…and felt reassured. He would tell her later if it was important.

  The detective cleared his throat. “Finally, I’ve been asked to pass on to you some news that you might find distressing.” He averted his gaze from them all and picked up his pad of paper. “I regret to inform you that Miss Marjorie Eddington has passed away.” He looked up. “Evidently, she had some connection with you through ASIO. They asked us to let you know.”

  Chapter 28

  Felicity had washed away most of the weariness of the twelve-hour drive to Port Fairy in a long hot shower. With the Shark Cat now safely parked in her brother’s driveway, and with most of the questions regarding her well-being answered, Felicity began to relax. It felt good to be dressed in clean clothes at last.

  She was alone in Benjamin’s workshop. He and Archie had walked into town to buy some takeaway food to bring back. Both had expressed the need for exercise.

  Felicity walked among the woodworking machines and breathed in the smells of the wood. It was a resinous, sweet aroma that conjured images of craftsmen working wood through the centuries.