‘Put the box away,’ he had said. ‘I don’t want it on display. Find a suitable place, not obvious to others.’
She put the doll and the diamond pendant back into the wooden box. She knew the room must be cleaned and serviced, but the only other person to enter it was the still nameless woman who, from the very first morning, had refused to introduce herself even though she came every day. She hesitated. Where could she hide it? She was still holding the box when she heard the key turn in the lock. The door opened and the woman entered.
‘Today you have a free day,’ she announced. ‘The chief is engaged on business. There are important visitors to the island.’
She spoke crisply but not unkindly. Her eyes fell on the box that Kia was holding.
‘What’s that?’
‘A box.’ Kia replied obviously.
‘I can see that. Show me.’
Kia handed over the box reluctantly and the woman examined the contents. She threw the doll contemptuously on the bed but studied the diamond pendant thoroughly.
‘Where did you get this?’
‘From Joseph.’
‘The woman approached her and stood challenging Kia with her proximity. There was something uncomfortable about her presence; an expression perhaps, or the set of her jaw or the curl of her lips. As she studied the woman’s face she felt a sharp slap across her own. The woman repeated the slap twice more and Kia’s eyes watered from the stinging blows.
‘Don’t ever call him that,’ she cried. ‘To you and everyone else he is the chief.’
Kia said nothing. She remembered he had warned her only ever to use his name in private. The outburst had calmed the woman and she relaxed and smiled as though wanting to make amends for her action.
‘I’m sorry if I hurt you, but you must never use that name in public. You’ve learnt a lesson. But let’s not sour the day. There are many hours ahead. We can make the most of them. I’m here to help you enjoy yourself.’
She walked over to Kia and put a hand on her shoulder. Kia stiffened.
‘Relax my dear. Let me show you how.’
Her hand moved to Kia’s breast and she gently massaged her left nipple. Kia went cold uncertain how to react. She wished she had worn more than just a flimsy shirt. At length the woman tired of Kia’s lack of response and stopped. She walked behind Kia and leant heavily against her, reaching around her body. She tore open her shirt and began greedily massaging her breasts.
‘Excellent,’ she leered.
Kia no longer hesitated. She broke free of the woman and ran to the bathroom, pulling on her dressing gown over her clothes. The woman followed her.
‘Don’t be frightened,’ she said. ‘It’s all part of the process here. Now come and lie with me.’
Kia shook her head. She would act out the hired whore for no one now. Man or woman it made no difference. All she could think of was Joseph. The woman approached Kia and grabbed her round the waist. Kia pushed her away and she fell to the floor. Her head caught the edge of the bed and Kia saw blood. The woman looked stunned and sat slumped for a moment before slowly getting to her feet.
‘Very well. Let it be for now. I shall see you later. I hope you will have no regrets.’
She left the room, shaking slightly. Kia too was shaking. How quickly could the balance of the day alter. Old anxieties returned. She dropped her head in dismay. There on the carpet in front of her she saw the key to her room. Kia picked it up. The woman must have dropped it when she fell. She would notice her error soon enough but there was time to escape, time to find a moment’s peace, time to find her own space, time to delay the inevitable punishment. She quickly replaced her torn shirt and slipped out of the room. It had been a long time since she had gone to her beach. It took a while to find the usual path. The route from the chief’s rooms was unfamiliar to her. Soon she had slipped between the rocky crags to the sand below. The water was diamond clear and its coolness beckoned. She could throw herself beneath its cleansing waves and then float, soothing herself with its gentle flow. A chill wind blew across the bay and she shivered. The morning sun was weak and she felt cold and numb. Instead she perched beside a rock pool dangling her toes in the water. She lent down to the silver sand, trickling it through her fingers. The memory of Joseph on another beach marred her peace. He had told her never to disobey again; that all disobedience was punished. She had not been able to help herself. She did not want to be touched by anyone but him. She sat for a while in contemplation and looked longingly across the sea: the only route to freedom. Once she had held back because of him, now she doubted her decision. From here she could not attempt an escape. It was too far to the mainland. There seemed no point, then, in delaying the inevitable. She made her way through the rocks and back into the gardens. Ahead she saw an unfamiliar group of six men. They entered the building and disappeared from view. She walked after them, curious. Could they help her? She entered the building in turn but they were no longer in sight. She roamed the corridors aimlessly hoping to see them again. At last she gave up. What good would it have done anyway? What could she say in a few seconds before she was silenced, as she would have been? She approached an intersection of the corridor. A man was kneeling tying up a shoelace. He stood up and she saw that he was tall with blond hair and pale skin: he also lacked the muscular physique of the men on the island. He must be a visitor. She could say something to him. There was no one else around. She continued to look at him. He was not from this part of the world, his appearance told her that. Would he speak English? He had a kindly face. It would be wrong to involve him. How could he have helped against the odds of the island anyway? She gave him a final look and walked on. She left the building quickly. She walked across the gardens slowly, turned in on her thoughts. She did not notice the men approach. There were two of them either side of the woman, walking rapidly towards her. As they reached her she felt herself grasped from both sides. In front of her the woman stood sneering.
‘She’s yours,’ she said to the men. Kia recognised them as the two men who had tried her out on Joseph’s instructions. She was unable to resist; they held her too tightly. They took her to a small room with no windows but brightly lit.
‘Undress.’ They spat out the word in unison.
Kia shook her head. She felt no different from when the woman had approached her. She felt a slap across her cheek – much harder than those given by the woman.
‘Do as I say,’ he repeated.
Again she shook her head. The men looked at each other and began. One held her arms and the other tore off all her clothes. They pushed her roughly to the ground and one of them knelt across her body pinning down her arms. She kicked her legs violently but to no effect. He put a hand across her mouth and pulled out a knife.
‘Make any noise at all and we’ll cut your throat.’
The woman looked on impassively. Kia kicked out again with her legs.
‘Enough,’ he cried. ‘We’ve been told that you’ve been disrespectful to the chief’s sister. That is not acceptable.’
Kia stopped struggling. She now knew the identity of the anonymous woman who came for her each day. It meant she had not only rejected the advances of the chief’s sister but had injured her as well. Blood was always thicker than any relationship bound by sex. There could be nothing that would mitigate her offence. Stunned by what she had learned, she lay limply without further resistance, waiting for the punishment. The two men picked her up and laid her on a low trestle bed. She felt her wrists and ankles clamped to the bed. She was completely powerless now and lay supine and silently screaming as they entered her again and again. When their erections failed, they used their hands; when they were bored with their hands they used the hilt of their knives. All the while the woman looked on without comment.
Eventually they tired and stopped. Kia began to sob noiselessly. Unable to wipe away the tears, a pool of water collected around her neck. How could she have been so wrong? How could she ever have thought he could
be kind? He could only order up cruelty even if he got others to do it for him. She felt them free her arms and legs and the woman approached.
‘Now put on this dressing gown, my dear, and come with me. I think you’ll find yourself able to lie with me now.’
23
There it was. Trish had been waiting for his email. Now she could start sorting out a contract and get on with the real marketing work. She was surprised at how the prospect excited her. Once she had overcome her distaste for the visual aspects of his work she was pleased at the thought of taking on something new. She also had to admit that she looked forward to collaborating with him. She had done a lot of internet research already, staying late to make sure it did not impinge too much on her current workload, after all the assignment had not yet been accepted formally. However, she had put a good spin on it to her boss and he had raised no objection to her pursuing the contract. She clicked on the message and scanned it quickly. Disappointment soon set in.
Thank you for the discussion about marketing my cosmetic surgery services. It was good of you to take the time and trouble to come and see me. Unfortunately I have not been able to forward to you the information you requested. However, I am still interested in what you have told me and would like to meet again to consider the best way forward. I have commitments that prevent me from arranging a daytime appointment but I am free during the evenings, if you would be willing to meet me then. To compensate you for the inconvenience of the hour, I suggest meeting for a cocktail at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington. Would 6.30pm on Wednesday suit you?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Jalbis
She really could not see the point in meeting again if he could not supply essential information at this stage.
‘What the hell is he playing at?’ She blurted out to the flickering screen. ‘What else is there to consider?’
She was annoyed at the prevarication and what she saw as gamesmanship but she didn’t want to give up yet. And she liked the Royal Garden, even though Dick always took her to the Savoy on the rare days when he could be bothered to ‘go posh’, as he put it. Anyway he wasn’t around and she wouldn’t say no to a pleasant evening out, even if it were just for a quick cocktail. Jalbis Zachion had struck her as very personable, if rather mercurial. She would accept. She had nothing to lose at this stage.
Trish’s assistant was intrigued by her decision and immediately read something into it.
‘He must be a real charmer for you to agree,’ she said at last, ignoring Trish’s protestations.
‘Strictly business, Jane,’ though Trish had to admit that she did indeed find him attractive.’
She had wisely kept that thought to herself, but walking slowly up the steps to the Royal Garden entrance she wondered whether in fact she should have come. She arrived first and ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail. Outside it was just light enough for the view of Kensington Gardens to be visible through the large picture window of the bar. She took a couple of crisps and stirred her drink thoughtfully, leaving the canapés to one side. At six thirty punctually he arrived and spotted her immediately. She stood up to greet him and again they shook hands. Again, too, his words were cordial.
‘Once again, it’s very good of you to make such an effort. The working day is very precious to me at the moment so I’m grateful that you could accommodate an evening meeting.’
‘It’s no problem at all,’ Trish replied courteously.
‘I must say the setting makes doing business a more congenial affair, particularly in the present company.’
Again Trish made allowances for the unprovoked flattery and sipped her drink, without acknowledging it. The surgeon made no attempt to attract the attention of the waiter but there was no need. Within moments he appeared with a bottle of champagne on ice. No chance of refusing without offending. Trish watched as two glasses were poured out and he insisted on an immediate toast.
‘To a successful collaboration,’ he said.
All rather premature to Trish’s mind, and she resolved to have only one glass to drink.
‘There are a few things to clarify first,’ she said.
‘Yes, of course. You need information about me, and documentary proof of my qualifications and experience. These are held in the clinic. I thought of faxing you copies but you did stipulate the originals.’
‘Yes. Those are the regulations.’
‘Naturally you understand that I prefer not to have such documents sent by air mail. It is so unpredictable these days and a missing document would cause no end of difficulties.’
‘Do you have any suggestions then?’
‘I am going back home in a couple of days. Why don’t you join me? I could show you the documents personally and provide any other information you need very easily. You could also have a look round the clinic and take photographs for use on the website.’
Of all things, Trish had not expected this. She drank the champagne rather more quickly than intended. It was extremely good. He poured her a second glass before she could object and immediately raised it to her lips without thinking. There was some sense in what he said.
‘I would have to clear it with my boss, check that time away from my desk wouldn’t cause any problems and discuss expenses.’
‘The matter of expenses is not a problem. You will be my guest.’
‘Oh, I’m not sure that would be correct.’
‘It would be without obligation. If you felt unable to take me on as a client all I ask is that you suggest another company that I could approach.’
He paused to take a long drink of the champagne in his turn.
‘Now let’s not talk about business any more. You can let me have your decision later. I’ve booked the Garden restaurant. I’d like you to join me.’
There seemed no point in refusing. She was used to being wined and dined by clients, it was a perk of the job. All right, he was not a client yet but things were shaping up that way and she was taken with the idea of a free trip abroad. She was sure she would be treated well. The champagne was hitting the spot and she was feeling hungry. A gourmet meal would be a welcome treat. He made her feel pampered and she decided to indulge the feeling for an evening. It was something Dick was not good at. They finished the bottle of champagne and left the bar together.
24
The sun set slowly across the island outlining the distant rocks and nearby gardens with a deep pink hue. The red of the sun grew in intensity as it dropped towards the horizon. The beauty of the scene struck Joseph as he gazed out, turning his back on the elegance of his reception room and seeking to banish the feeling of claustrophobia that had overcome him. How had he not appreciated such beauty before? He wondered exactly how long he would be able to enjoy it. He was unused to counting the days, hoping they would extend to infinity. The distractions of his life had never left him time for contemplation or perhaps he had deliberately filled the time to avoid it. And the girl? How long with her? She had surely filled the last few days in a way he could never have foreseen, her constant presence at odds with the usual tenor of his life. She fascinated and attracted him in a way he was unable adequately to describe. He knew many facts about her now but she remained an enigma. She could converse well and never failed to hold his interest and, of course, there was the sex. She was ever willing as a professional should be, but he had sensed something beyond the simple employment of her skills. He had tried and tested many girls in his bed, some good, some bad, some indifferent. He had trained them all and received some pleasure from them all. But she was different.
The light changed to the dull grey of coming night and he turned back to the room. The dusky light pleased him and he did nothing to lighten the effect. It had been a day of unpleasant interludes. One of the visitors had absconded and roamed free, albeit briefly. He wondered if there could be repercussions. The other guests were never going to present problems. They had been assured a reward in kind, after all. The
girls knew how to behave. Did it matter anyway? This charade of the inspection trips was likely to be his last. He reached for his cigarettes. They would not help but it was too late to worry now. The X-ray results and other tests were as expected. He should have been prepared for the news but the chill he felt on hearing the diagnosis was a surprise to him. At least he need tell no one yet. The doctor had come as one of the guests and taken time out from the sexual favours of the girls to give him the news personally. He was grateful for that.
A knock and the door opened.
‘May I come in? I’d like a word.’
The chief looked at his watch. His sister was early. She was not due to bring Kia for another half an hour.
‘You’re early, Juditta.’
‘Yes. As I said, I’d like a word.’
She could barely see her brother for the darkness in the room.
‘Do you mind if I switch on the light?’ It was a rhetorical question.
‘Well?’ The chief was in no mood for more surprises today.
‘Shall we sit down?’ she replied.
He shrugged and they sat in the leather chairs opposite one another.
‘Well?’ he repeated.
‘What’s going on?’
‘I beg your pardon.’ The chief was not used to being interrogated.
She realised the error of her opening gambit.
‘It’s the girl, Joseph. I’m concerned about her.’
‘In what way?’
‘She’s a liar and a thief. She’s become disobedient and unwilling to fulfil her commitments without coercion. She’ll not make the next three months on the island if it carries on. She’ll be useless – unmarketable.’
From Nemesis Island Page 9