When the Singing Stops

by Di Morrissey

  ‘Good morning, Xavier,’ he said jovially. ‘Checking on arrangements for your rally? Must say, I’m a little surprised at the amount of support you’ve managed to drum up among your indigenous community. But it’s good to see this revolt against marginalisation of minority peoples. Very nineties stuff, got a lot of politicians worried.’

  ‘It’s a rather healthy sign when politicians get worried, don’t you think,’ said Xavier, relaxed, but on guard because he regarded Destra as a man not to be trusted. At an earlier meeting at the hostel, he’d formed the impression Antonio Destra was sympathetic to the Amerindian cause for some unrevealed advantage to himself.

  ‘Right on, hombre. Right on. I reckon some of the guys down at the prime minister’s office must be puzzled as to what you’re really aiming for, Xavier, trying to figure out what’s in it for you?’

  ‘Our people are simply asking for their rights, their dignity. If the times dictate that we must be confrontational to achieve those ends, then so be it. There are many other minority groups in Guyana who are looking to us for a lead.’

  Destra opened his briefcase, took out a large brown envelope and plonked it on the desk in front of Xavier. There was nothing intimidating about the way he did it, but Xavier knew by instinct that it carried bad news. He made no effort to open it.

  ‘So sad about the goldmine leak,’ remarked Destra, suddenly changing the subject and ignoring the envelope. ‘It serves as a warning to all mining operators in the country, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Yes, it’s very unfortunate. The damage to my people’s environment and lifestyle will go on for some time. It serves, as you say, as a warning. Reckless exploitation of our land cannot continue like this.’

  Destra kept a straight face. ‘A bit of a God-sent incident for anyone campaigning against the multinational mining companies.’

  Xavier wondered just what Destra was setting up. He knew the dam spill at the goldmine had been a political gift, but he would not admit that to Destra. ‘We would have preferred that the incident had never happened. We have a good case without such disasters.’

  ‘True. True indeed. And that’s why I think you should have a look at some material that has come into my hands.’ He leaned forward, tapped the envelope with an index finger and looked Xavier firmly in the eye.

  Xavier opened the envelope and took out a sheaf of photographs and thumbed through them slowly, not letting his face show any reaction. When he had looked at them all, he put them back and pushed the envelope to Destra. He said nothing.

  Destra said nothing either. It was a battle of wills. The Colombian cracked first.

  ‘Bejesus, Xavier, they’re dynamite,’ he exclaimed. Annoyed at the Amerindian’s lack of expression, he emptied the photographs out of the envelope and spread them over the table. ‘Look at them, man. Every shot shows you acting damned oddly around the spill area of the Columbus mine—just before the dam collapsed.’

  Xavier had immediately realised the photos taken on a telephoto lens had made him look suspicious. They’d been taken when Xavier had surreptitiously visited the goldmine after reports from the villagers that something was poisoning the fish.

  ‘Who took these?’ he asked calmly, covering the anger he felt inside. He knew that in the wrong hands they would be political dynamite.

  ‘Obviously, I cannot reveal my source, and there is always the chance other copies are circulating.’ Destra paused briefly. ‘As you know I have been very supportive of the Amerindian cause and your own career.’ Xavier nodded in agreement. ‘I’m willing to use my connections to quietly purchase the negatives and have all copies suppressed. The owner is threatening to sell them to the newspapers. I have made him a better offer.’

  Xavier drew a deep breath. ‘Thank you, Antonio. You have been very good to our cause and I am sure that one day we will find a way of repaying you.’

  ‘Of course. I’m sure you will.’ Then he adopted a less serious tone. ‘Well, I’ll be off. Glad to have been of assistance. It pays for friends to stick together, don’t you think? Particularly in these complicated times.’

  Xavier was silent for a moment. ‘Yes, you’re probably right. By the way, Antonio, do you do business with the Columbus goldmine?’

  Destra smiled. ‘Indeed yes. I supplied them pumps and other equipment to repair the damage. They’re excellent customers. They know when and how to make a deal.’

  Their eyes locked for a few seconds and they both nodded knowingly to each other. Destra gathered up the photographs and slipped them back in the envelope. They shook hands and Destra walked out of the office with a cheerful little wave at the door.

  Back in Georgetown, Madi went through her ‘culture shock’ of settling back into city life. She tried to explain to Matthew the beauty and impact of the Rupununi, the wonderful wildlife, the fascinating people and Kate McGrath. He smiled at her as he poured a welcome home drink. ‘And did Connor enjoy it too?’

  ‘I think so. But he comes at things from a different perspective to me. It’s a bit unsettling at times.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Matthew stretched out and put his feet up on the sofa.

  ‘Money men are hard nuts to crack.’

  ‘Personally or professionally?’ Matthew raised a quizzical eyebrow.

  ‘Professionally. Pieter turned up down at Caraboo, at the behest of Xavier, as it turned out. They took up my suggestion to approach Connor and the IFO to set up a pharmaceutical program to be run for the Amerindian people.’

  ‘Is that viable? It sounds long term and risky.’

  ‘Not if it’s done properly.’

  ‘It’s not my bag. I have my hands full dealing with the day-to-day dramas at one small bauxite mine.’

  ‘But Matt, I’m interested. I want to be part of seeing something constructive happen.’ Her eyes sparkled and she spoke with a new passion in her voice.

  ‘Jesus, Madi, since when? You’ve only ever been a token greenie, where do your new credentials come from? A subscription to Greenpeace magazine? Back home, how often did you get out and demonstrate, or do anything to help environment and conservation groups? You’ve been a couch potato greenie, swallowing whatever line the radicals were pushing. Have you ever looked at the changes in corporate attitudes? Environmental impact studies are part of ground floor thinking for any mining or engineering enterprise these days. Eco-efficiency or eco-competitiveness is fundamental to big business now.’

  ‘I know all about that,’ said Madi, ‘don’t be patronising. And the truth is business is only recognising environmental issues in order to get up projects and make money.’

  ‘What’s wrong with that? If they don’t abide by the environmental laws and have an environmental policy—they don’t get the money! It’s already happening, Madi. Don’t paint business corporations as the bad blokes. They can bring about change for the better because of their clout.’

  ‘They can abuse it too!’

  ‘So can governments and individuals and shonky companies, that’s human nature. Get real and stop being such an idealist, Madi.’

  ‘And what’s wrong with that? The world needs idealists to have vision.’

  ‘Crap.’

  ‘And DO something about it. I can be instrumental here. I’m not going to be a part of this casino project, but I can see a whole eco tourism industry could be established in Guyana. And I’d like to be part of it. If you’d been at Caraboo you’d see what I mean.’

  ‘Are you crazy? For God’s sake, Madi, you can’t jump on some appealing hobbyhorse on the other side of the world from home. You won’t save this tinpot country. You’re way out of your depth. Go back to Sydney, go to London but get out of here before you get caught up in God knows what. You know first hand the sort of people you’re up against.’

  ‘Stop it, Matt. This time I’m sticking to my principles and beliefs and I’m not backing down. I know I’m right. Maybe I was a token greenie at home but now I have the chance to prove myself. And that’s exactly what
I intend to do, Matthew.’

  Matthew called Connor and met him at the Tower Hotel for dinner.

  They carried their drinks to an outdoor table. ‘We might as well sit out here before the band starts and conversation is impossible.’ Connor glanced quickly at the menu and pushed it to one side. ‘Chicken in the rough?’

  ‘Yeah. That’s fine, seems to be their speciality.’

  ‘It’s everyone’s speciality, hadn’t you noticed?’

  ‘Yeah. So what do you make of Madi’s outburst?’

  ‘You’re both right you know. Having been out there, to the interior, I can see what’s appealing to her. It is bloody magnificent. I can see both sides of the argument.’

  Matthew looked sullen. ‘I hadn’t expected this reaction from you. I thought you were more pragmatic.’

  ‘I am. But I can recognise a business opportunity when it’s put to me. The big question is about Madi’s involvement.’

  ‘She’s on some hobbyhorse about being instrumental in getting this up. I know she’s got good marketing skills, but this . . . who would have thought this would happen when she arrived here?’ Matthew shook his head.

  ‘She has blossomed somewhat,’ said Connor with a wry grin.

  ‘That’s an understatement. Jeez, I wish she’d move on to London. Once she’s there, she’ll love the buzz of those great old hotels. Surely she’d get work.’

  ‘Don’t encourage her too hard to leave,’ said Connor quietly.

  ‘Why the hell not? I mean . . .’ Matthew glanced at Connor and paused before asking, ‘So what exactly is the deal with you two? She is my sister and I don’t want to see her hurt. I figured from your point of view, you could both enjoy a bit of a romantic interlude, so to speak. I warned her not to get too involved.’

  ‘Oh, did you? Thanks a lot.’ Connor looked miffed.

  ‘Do you blame me?’ asked Matthew mildly.

  ‘No, mate. No I don’t. But this time things are different. Did she show you the ring?’

  ‘Ring?’ Matthew shook his head. ‘We got stuck into that bloody row . . . what ring?’

  ‘I gave her the rose diamond I found up at Lester’s. I asked her to marry me.’

  Matthew stared at Connor, trying to absorb this bombshell.

  ‘You haven’t known each other very long.’

  He gave a small smile. They say when you know, you know. I do love her, Matt. I found I missed her terribly when she wasn’t around, and the more I thought about her, the more I realised how powerful were my feelings. I have to admit it’s taken me a bit by surprise too. When I picked her up at the airport, I thought, well, here could be an agreeable lady to share some time with. Now I’m just . . . passionate . . . is the only word I can find.’ He stopped. He was upset Madi hadn’t shown her ring to Matthew. Here was another example of Madi’s casual attitude to their relationship, and it disturbed him.

  ‘Well . . . this presents something of a dilemma . . . I mean, where do you both see the future? Is she going to marry you?’ Matthew asked suddenly.

  ‘She said she wanted more time . . . she didn’t say no.’ Connor gave a rueful grin. ‘I asked her to move in with me.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I don’t know the answer to that either. She wanted to talk to you.’

  ‘Well, I blew that. She’s probably packing as we speak.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Matt.’

  ‘Not your fault. It’ll settle down. I’d feel better knowing she was under your wing. Maybe you could get her to rethink some of these wild ideas.’

  Connor twisted his glass in his hands. ‘They’re not totally out of left field. I just don’t want to see her get too swept up in it all.’

  ‘I’ll drink to that. So, have you talked about the future at all with her?’

  ‘No. She says she needs time, still feels a bit leery about going into another marriage so soon . . . I’m happy to go along with delaying the actual event, so long as I know she’s willing to make the commitment—at some stage.’

  Matthew was thoughtful. ‘I have to say if I had to pick a bloke for my little sister, you’d be number one. But I can’t interfere . . . she’s a woman with her own mind these days.’

  ‘That’s for sure. Well, it’s nice to know I have your backing. Let’s just see how things work out. If she does move in, it might settle a decision in her mind one way or another. She did say we might fight like cats and dogs over our differing views . . . but that’s a risk I have to take,’ grinned Connor.

  Madi was packed and she announced coolly to Matthew at breakfast, she was moving over to Connor’s place.

  ‘Lester will be here in a little while. I’ll let you explain the situation to Hyacinth.’

  ‘Gee thanks. Now listen, Madi, are you sure you’re moving because you want to be with Connor and not because you’re mad at me?’ Matthew moved to her and put his arms around her. ‘I love you too, sis. And all I want is for you to be happy.’

  Madi choked up and didn’t speak for a minute. Her brother had always been there for her and she knew no matter what differences they had or what either did, they would be first to the other’s side.

  ‘Thanks, Matty,’ she said in a muffled voice, using their pet childhood name. ‘I love you too, and I know you only want what’s best. And frankly, I don’t know how I feel about Connor—long term. He’s gorgeous and fun and sexy and a responsible adult—unlike Geoffrey. In my previous life, this would have been an easy decision. What’s really getting in the way is this passion I feel to be involved in something worthwhile.’

  ‘Can’t you do this at home? Australia has similar problems.’

  ‘Maybe. Who knows? I do sense my life is taking on a new direction. But I have the opportunity to be involved here and such opportunities might not present themselves so easily at home.’

  ‘And what about Connor? Getting married, having babies? You always wanted that too. A career was only for the interim, you said. You can’t turn your back on those things because you made one mistake. We all make mistakes.’

  ‘I’ve learned that and I’m going forward with my life and I feel stronger because of it. Anyway, I might ask the same of you, Matt. When are you going to “settle down”?’

  ‘Okay, I’m like Kevin and how Connor used to be . . . playing the field and moving on. It’s a good life. I’ll wait till someone really special comes along. Connor tells me when you know, you know.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad he’s so sure. I’m just taking it day by day.’ Lester’s car tooted at the gate and they heard Singh drag it open and exchange morning greetings as they loaded her bags into the cab. ‘I’m only fifteen minutes away. We’ll see just as much of each other.’ She kissed his cheek and hurried down the stairs. Matthew went out to the balcony and watched Madi walk through the garden and shake Singh’s hand. Lester held the cab door open but before she stepped in she looked up and, seeing Matthew, blew him a kiss. Matthew looked at the slim girl, her blonde hair sparkling in the sunlight, and was overcome with a feeling that his sister was moving on to a new life, and while he would always be there, he knew she was more in control of it. In one way he was glad, in another he couldn’t get rid of the worry that Madi was plunging into risky waters.

  The first evening she and Connor shared together, Madi cooked dinner, lit candles and filled the house with flowers. ‘Hey, I like this domesticity,’ he declared, producing a bottle of champagne.

  ‘Don’t get used to it. I’m just trying to make a good impression,’ she teased.

  They talked at length and laughed and reminisced about their time in the interior. ‘You seem more relaxed about this idea. How did Matt take it?’

  ‘He just wants me to be happy.’

  ‘Me too. You make me happy, Madi, I pray I can do the same for you.’ He reached over and squeezed her fingers, noting the ring was still on her right hand.

  They finished the champagne and Connor insisted they leave the dishes. ‘So what are your plans for tomorrow? If you want
to buy anything, change the house around, feel free.’

  ‘I’m meeting Sasha St Herve. I’m going to tell him I don’t want anything to do with the Amazonia casino project and furthermore I’ll tell him that I think it’s totally inappropriate. I won’t mention the story Kate heard that it’s linked to El Dorado. Why invite trouble?’

  Connor threw up his hands. ‘Okay, go for it, Madi. Just be careful what you say and to whom. I still worry there’s a price on our heads for stumbling on that drug cache.’

  ‘Rubbish. That was an isolated thing. We were damned lucky, thanks to our Amerindian friends . . . we owe them, Connor Bain.’

  ‘All right, I read you loud and clear. I’ll talk seriously to Pieter and Xavier about their plans and if they’re sound, I’ll put them to the IFO for backing.’

  ‘Good.’ She leaned over and kissed him. ‘Let’s go to bed.’

  Lester waited while she met with Sasha St Herve. Madi emerged wearing dark glasses and looking subdued. ‘Want to go for a mate’s coffee, Lester?’

  ‘Sure ting. So, what he say bout yo thoughts on de casino, eh?’

  ‘He wasn’t too impressed. He thinks Amazonia is a fantastic concept and sees it as part of his future direction. We kind of left it up in the air. He says I should meet some of the “senior management” behind the casino and see if I change my mind. But he said he’d rather not name them until I agree to meet them. I tried to talk to him about smaller, eco tourism-style developments but he is definite it has to be a casino . . . that’s the appeal, he says.’

  ‘Just fo high rollers, eh?’

  ‘You got it. Makes me sick now I’ve seen places like Caraboo and Kaieteur Falls.’

  ‘Man, yo ’bout to see dis place called Georgetown like yo never see it. It be Carnivale time. Man, dat Carnivale be sometin’ yo an’t goin’ believe.’

  ‘So I hear . . . Where’s the best place to watch Carnivale?’

  ‘Anywhere yo can get a place along the route! The VIPs have a special grandstand set up on Main Street. It be de parade to end all parades man . . . de best bands and dancers come from all over de Caribbean.’ Lester did a small calypso jiggle with his hips, clicking his fingers and ‘jivin’, making Madi laugh.