Ixola recalled how he had walked through every room in the compound every day and inspected everyone and everything with his fixed, black, staring eyes. If his probing gaze happened to rest on any woman or staff member for too long then that person knew they had somehow fallen short of the required standard. Within a few minutes they would be called to his office to be told how they had displeased him. Then it was payback time. He usually demanded they do some menial task, the worst being cleaning his room for a week. It had to be done perfectly or they had to repeat it over and over again. What made things worse was the way he flung his clothes all over the place. These had to be picked up and washed and ironed to perfection as well.
“Luxinda’s been given laundry duties for two weeks,” Nanxy told Ixola. “She fell asleep while the master was giving a speech about how our babies were going to be raised to work for the greater good of the Ryxin species.”
After about ten minutes Luxinda came in, escorted by the young girl. Ixola rushed over and gave her friend a hug. Both women were in tears as they embraced. Quietly, all five women left the room except the young girl, who remained by the door as instructed.
“I brought you some baby clothes,” Ixola said. “But the woman at the door took them. Anyway, do you know when you’re having the baby and where you’ll be sent afterwards? You see, Curtis sent me here and he wants to know. She looked over at the young girl who had poured herself and cup of tea and was not looking at them.
Luxinda smiled and Ixola noticed how her eyes softened. “He did? I don’t think I’ve got long now and then I don’t know what happens.” She was holding her swollen abdomen as perspiration ran down her face.
“You needs to rest, Luxy,” Ixola said, helping her to a chair. “Does you knows what names is called number 10?”
“I don’t know a number 10. They don’t use numbers in here. But wait a minute, I think I might know who you’re talking about. Did she have a breeding-mate called Jack?”
“Yes, he wants to finds her.”
“Tell him she’s gone to Briar Manse. They call her Sheela.”
“We’d better go,” the young girl said, but as Ixola moved towards the door Luxinda stopped her.
“I found a list of names in the master’s room. Tell Curtis his friend’s name was on it - Janux. Tell him to warn her to be careful. They’re all going to be put down.”
“Once again it has been confirmed that you are on the list, Janux,” Curtis said as they sat in his study. “That’s why you must go nowhere without me accompanying you. There is no doubt at all they all know you’re a ‘known one’.” Janux had shared her research with him and he was now doubly worried about her.
“I don’t know how I came to be on that list,” she said. “I’ve never told anyone else except Roscoe and you.”
“Never mind how they know. Your life is in danger. Don’t take any risks.”
“What I’d like to know is where can we find a place called Briar Manse?” Janux said. “And why was Sheela taken there?” Janux wanted to get her mind off thinking about being on the stupid aberration list.
Curtis reached for a bottle of whisky from the sideboard, sloshed some into a glass and took a deep swallow. “Jack’s taken Ixola with him to Siegfried’s so they can start searching the internet and get a fix on it. He’s sick with worry about Sheela.” He took another slurp of whisky. “If only Luxinda could tell us where she’s to be taken after our baby is born,”
CHAPTER 17
Baxy woke up and reached to the other side of his bed, but Lodax wasn’t there. Then he remembered - he was at Sly’s house in Ngahere Road. He’d been dreaming of Lodax and thinking about their last time together.
He got out of his rumpled bed and went straight through to Sly’s room to check on how he was doing. He saw his boss was still asleep, so tapped him on the shoulder. “Wake up, mate,” he said, then began shaking Sly after he didn’t respond. Baxy was worried about his sick master. He knew he owed him for what happened to Mistle. His guilt made him stay and look after him, even though he’d rather not. He hated being around sick people.
Baxy remembered the day Sly had put him in charge of Mistle. His job had been to watch her and make sure she didn’t go anywhere. But Baxy had simply locked her bedroom door and then gone to the pub. He couldn’t bear to stay there watching her because he actually fancied her, yet he knew she was unattainable. Sly was the boss and no one could go anywhere near his missus. Baxy used to see how he mistreated Mistle and he hated it but there was nothing he could do. His life would end immediately if he so much as smiled at her.
And then he’d been given the task of staying alone with Mistle and making sure she didn’t leave the house. He couldn’t stand it. So he went to The Deer’s Antlers for a drink or three. In the meantime, Mistle broke a window and escaped. Once cornered, she had admitted her guilt in murdering Roscoe Chamonix. A one-day Ryxin trial and conviction followed and the death sentence was carried out the following morning.
That’s when Sly starting getting sick. He had treated Mistle like dirt but he’d never expected her life to be legally terminated by his own people. Even though she had murdered his half-brother, Sly always thought she’d always be there as his slave. Someone he could control for life, use when he wanted to.
Baxy watched as Sly’s health diminished and just about everyone deserted him. Baxy was a full-blood Ryxin, and like others of his kind was supposed to have no soul. But he knew that was only a myth. He remembered some of the ways Sly had helped him in the past, even though the master had been a bastard most of the time. So Baxy became both his minder and his nurse.
Sly ordered Ferdy Xyle to take over management of the RBP. He too remained loyal to his old master. Sly had once saved Ferdy’s life when he was set upon and beaten savagely by four Humans. Two of the Humans disappeared and were never found, and only Ferdy and Sly knew what their fate had been.
Sly’s eyes fluttered open. “What is it?” he said through dry, cracked lips.
Baxy helped Sly sit up and made sure he drank some water. “It’s okay, boss. I’m still trying to find out who whacked the lady.”
“Well, find out soon. In the meantime you must get Janux Lennan. I want you to rape her first, then slit her throat and leave her for the weakling to find. That’s an order. We must teach her new boyfriend to stop interfering in our work.”
Baxy felt strong at hearing those words. Sly might be sick but he still remembered how Janux Lennan had turned him down more than once. What better way for Baxy to serve his master than doing this beautiful deed for him? “Beloved master, it will give me great pleasure to follow your command. Now tell me what I can get you to eat.”
“Bring me crispy bacon, eggs, chips and strong coffee. Afterwards we’ll drink some whisky. I want you to eat breakfast with me, Baxy. You are the most loyal of all and I hate to eat alone. The Controller does not visit us any more. You must search for him, Baxy, and find out why he has not given us any more information about the aberrations. Have you still got the list?”
“Yes, master. I have the list and Janux Lennan’s name is on it. But I look forward to the time she and I will spend together before I terminate her.”
“Teach her the ways of a pure-blood male, and once she knows the truth you can bring out the knife. That way it will also punish her mate.”
After their meal and several neat whiskies each, Baxy went to his room and got out his large hunting knife, then began to clean it lovingly with a cloth he kept especially for this purpose. He tested the blade with his thumb and frowned. It wasn’t sharp enough.
After a few minutes of using the whetstone the job was done. All was now ready for the accomplishment of Sly’s order. He picked up the whisky bottle and took another swig.
Around mid-morning Baxy climbed into his silver, four-wheel-drive jeep and headed for Tahatika Road. He needed to make sure the target was still staying there with her boyfriend. If she was, he’d find a way to entice her back to Chamonix Bea
ch. He liked the idea of completing his task at her bach. It was isolated and there’d be no one to disturb them while he went about his pleasurable business.
Once it was all over he’d send a message to Curtis, the half-blood namby-pamby, and watch his reaction. No doubt he’d speed over there, and afterwards get drunk like he always did. Baxy chuckled at the thought of Curtis standing at the bar downing whisky after whisky while he himself would be sitting nearby, laughing at him while he became paralytically drunk because his girlfriend had been exterminated.
Baxy drove to a viewing area not far from Curtis’s home and parked his jeep. From here he could see the whole of Tauiwi Bay, but the view didn’t interest him. The cottage on the hill nearby was the reason he was here. When was the victim going to show her face so he could be sure of where she was? He opened a bag of salt and vinegar chips and began to eat them, thinking all the time of how he would carry out the order Sly had given him. He visualised Janux pretending to be strong and unafraid until she saw his hunting knife. The blade was razor sharp, and he’d polished it until it shone.
After two hours Baxy saw Curtis come out of the house, get into his puny Fiat and drive away. That was a good sign. Baxy contemplated changing his plan and going in and getting the job done immediately but he hesitated. He had no idea when the namby-pamby was returning. Baxy would prefer him to be away on the mainland when he did the job so that he couldn’t come rushing to rescue his maiden if she happened to send him a telepathic message. He was sure she would do that once she realised there was no escape, which she quickly would – he had enough strength to hold down ten women like her and once she saw his upper body strength she’d know he was definitely in charge of proceedings.
He waited another five minutes and then drove back to Ngahere Road. He had to think of a way to persuade the weakling to take a trip to the mainland. Then, instead of luring her to the bach, it might be quicker to simply capture the target, tie her up and throw her in the back of his jeep. Once they got to her bach the fun would begin. Well, fun for him anyway.
The thought of seeing her naked made him wish it was happening right now. She was quite a dish and he couldn’t wait to see her face when she saw his hunting knife. That was going to be like having dessert after the mains were over. He chuckled to himself at the funny side of it all.
CHAPTER 18
Curtis flung out his arm. He was lying in bed, dreaming there was a phone ringing. Gradually he realised he wasn’t dreaming and it was his phone. He leapt out of bed and raced to the study. “Hello.”
“It’s me, Jack. I’ve found out where Briar Manse is. Can you come over? I’d appreciate your help to check the place out. I’m at Pop’s.”
“Good work. Whereabouts is it?”
“Only three streets away from Xlesky Street, near the mall.”
“I’ll be there in half an hour. We’ll catch the nine o’clock ferry.”
“Thanks, mate.”
Over a quick breakfast, Curtis instructed Janux not to leave the house but she only agreed reluctantly as she was in the process of organising another visit to the Ryxin Women’s Refuge late morning and was going to ask Lodax to come along. Janux had asked her to try and get a copy of Baxy’s list so they could warn all the ‘known ones’ of the danger they were in.
“I’ll reschedule the meeting for later in the week,” Janux said. “I’m sure Nayxana died because she had the telepathy gene and I want to warn the others.”
“If you sense any kind of danger you must send me a message, my love. Or you might like to accompany me. I think that would be safer.”
“No, I’ll be fine.”
After Curtis left, Janux thought about being alone in the house. She knew if she had her pistol she’d feel better but it was still hidden in the ceiling at her bach.
She looked outside and saw the blue sky and the sun shining on the sea. Perhaps she could go over to her bach on Roscoe’s scooter, get the gun and bring it back with her. The trip wouldn’t take long and she’d feel safer then. After all nothing was likely to happen during the day. She hoped Curtis would be back before dark since that was the time she felt most uneasy. But he’d told her not to leave the house. Now she felt uncertain. If only she’d gone with him. Perhaps she could send him a message and tell him of her plan. But he’d only tell her to stay put.
Within ten minutes, Janux had started the scooter and was on her way, her pack on her back. She’d go as fast as she could, get the gun and go straight back to the house. It was such a beautiful day, she hated to be cooped up inside. She sped at full throttle down Tahatika Road, past the turn-off to Ngahere Road and then Cliffside Drive, through the village and the Pohatu Cove settlement, and raced on towards Seal Bay. As she neared the ferry terminal, the bike started to sputter and cough. Janux looked down at the speedo and groaned when she saw the red arrow hovering around empty.
She pulled into the car park beside The Deer’s Antlers hotel and turned off the engine. There was a petrol pump next to the hotel, outside a small garage where a mechanic named Richard had set up shop years before. He’d built up a good business by working on many old cars on the island that would otherwise have been abandoned. For a reasonable fee he’d get them going again so their owners could keep using them for a few more years.
“Can I help yuh?” a bearded man called. “I’m Richard in case you wondered.”
Janux called back, “Sure can. I need some petrol for this wee baby. She’s started to sputter.”
“Bring ’er over then,” he replied. “We’ll get some juice into ’er.”
“Righto.” Janux began to wheel the scooter over to the pump. She still thought of the bike as Roscoe’s and probably always would. He loved to ride it in the summer when he’d go down to the Antlers and have a pint of cold beer and then ride back again. Once she’d perched on the back and gone with him.
Janux didn’t notice the short, thick-set man who emerged from the pub and climbed into a silver jeep. She was too busy watching Richard put some welcome petrol into her thirsty motorbike. She looked at her watch. Time was getting on, she needed to hurry.
“You’re from the bach up at Chamonix Beach, aren’t yuh?” Richard asked.
“Yes, that’s me. You’ve probably filled this baby up before.”
“I have that. Your old man used to come in here all the time. Sorry to hear what happened.”
“Yeah, well, it’s all over now. But I still like my bach.”
“Yuh want some advice from me?” Richard screwed the top back on the petrol tank.
“I suppose I do,” Janux replied, fishing in her pack for some money.
“I wouldn’t go there on my own. Not today, not any day.”
“Why not? There’s something I need to pick up before I go back to my friend’s place at Tauiwi Bay.”
Behind her the jeep headed north, the way she’d be going. She was too engrossed in what Richard was telling her to notice.
“I know about the kind of people who frequent the pub. One of them’s just driven up your way in his silver jeep.”
“You’re trying to tell me something, but I don’t understand.”
“I liked your old man. He was a good guy. You’d be better off going back to your mate’s place. The silver-jeep guy’s not someone you want to meet up with on a lonely road.”
Janux held out a twenty-dollar note but Richard shook his head. “No need, lady. Your man was a friend of mine. I don’t charge me mates.”
“Thanks. Do you sell lemonade?”
“I do, but come on in and I’ll give you one. I told you already, no charge to mates.”
Janux followed Richard inside and was soon swallowing a refreshingly cold drink. Then she went outside, started up the scooter and headed back to Tahatika Road. She looked back once and saw Richard waving her goodbye.
Baxy was singing to himself as he drove. He’d been in the pub for two hours and felt nicely tanked. So when he’d seen Janux wheeling her bike to the garage he knew th
is was his lucky day. She must be on her way to the bach, and when she got there he’d be waiting inside to give her a very nice present. He tuned into some heavy metal music and turned his radio up loud so he’d be wired for action when the namby-pamby’s hot number arrived. Then he’d show her how to obey all of his commands.
Janux raced back to Tahatika Road, thinking about what Richard had told her. Maybe he knew more than he was saying. But either way she knew a genuine warning when she heard one. Ma Keoghan had sensed the coming of evil and now Janux sensed it too, all around them.
She thought about what Lodax had told her when they’d met in the Blue Planet café – that Janux was on Baxy’s list. Perhaps he was the owner of the silver jeep.
As she pushed the scooter up to full throttle she felt the threatening atmosphere like a pall, almost suffocating her.The sky was still blue and the sun still shining but Janux knew it was all a charade. She had to get back to the house now. If only the scooter could go faster. Every few seconds she checked the rear-view mirror. There were only a few cars and no silver jeep. Baxy had seemed okay when Curtis interviewed him the other day although she didn’t trust him. Once when she looked up from her note-taking she’d caught him looking at her lustily.
She sobbed with relief as Curtis’s house came into view. Her knuckles were white from the grip she had on the scooter’s handles. She drove it straight into the garage, shut the door and made sure it was locked. Then she contemplated what to do if Baxy was really after her. Or someone else – she knew Baxy wouldn’t be the only one with the list. Who had given it to him? Maybe The Controller, the man with the large belly, small head and roving hands.
Janux looked around her. The garage had internal steps leading up to a raised wooden platform. She climbed up and saw the area was like a loft where Curtis had stored boxes of unused things. There were also two oars, a rucksack covered in dust, tent poles, a tin billy and various other items that appeared to be camping gear. The best thing of all was a small window at the end that looked out onto the road so she could see whether anyone was coming to the house. Janux made up her mind to stay in the garage until Curtis returned. If Baxy did come then at least she’d have the advantage of foreknowledge of his arrival and could prepare to defend herself from a strong vantage point – that is, if he found a way to break into the garage to look for her.
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