Her Master's Voice (29 page)

“I asked what had happened and she said she’d got back to her boat last night after being in Bugis Street. She brought some photographs home with her, and two men—I can’t make out yet if they were crew or passengers –had recognised you in them. They started beating her and asking her questions about you, and then left her tied up and naked. They said they’d be back with more questions, so she spent the night wriggling out of a porthole and dropping into the water. She didn’t know where to go, so she’d run to the guardhouse. You can imagine what she looked like when she got there, naked, beaten and with her wrists still tied together, and that’s quite apart from being a billy boy. I think that had thrown the sergeant. After I called he realised he should at least have looked for her boat, even if it was in the Customs area.

“Everything came in a big rush then. I locked the door on her, called for reinforcements and with the sergeant we ran down to find her boat. We needn’t have worried. It was still there, the crew lying around and fishing. Scared stiff of us, of course, and we had no trouble getting the story out of them. You were right. They’d come empty and were waiting for a specific cargo that should have been there a few days ago.

“The two men, the crew gave us their names but I don’t know if they’re real, had something to do with the cargo. They’d been coming and going around Singapore, sometimes leaving the wharf to make phone calls to Indonesia. They never used the phone on the wharf. I’m beginning to think that one of them was a gentleman who was entertained by our old friend Wiranto and taken for a drive around Singapore. Including a slow drive past the Irishman’s office in Telok Blangah, hardly a tourist sight. I’m trying to get our driver’s description and our photos down to the wharf to check with the crew.

“The men have gone now, of course. Apparently they came back to the boat in the small hours, found Janice had gone and left immediately. The crew don’t know where. Once I got more men out to the wharf we started a vessel-by-vessel search, but I don’t think they’ll find anything.”

“Where’s Janice now?”

“Upstairs, I’m afraid. Sherry and Darti are taking care of her. I think you’ve got another member for your harem.”

“Oh no—not here. Sherry will kill me. Oh hell!”

“I don’t think you need to worry. They were both clucking over her like a pair of hens when I brought her here. I’d sent out for a tee shirt and shorts for her, but she didn’t seem to like them much. What with the injuries and the wrong clothes, she looked a bit sad when she got here. I had the police doctor look at her, by the way. He sewed up a cut over her eye and gave her some cream, but apart from that he says she’ll be fine. Just needs rest and recovery.

“Would you mind calling Darti down? I was going to take her out this evening, but it looks as if we may have to give it a miss. She’s busy, and I really ought to sit and think about what we’ve got on our hands at the moment. I don’t want to jump to conclusions but… Trouble certainly seems to follow you around.”

Sherry stopped him at Janice’s door. “She really doesn’t want to see anyone, Tim. Those bastards really beat her up and she’s feeling very sore. Darti’s sitting with her.”

Tim put his head around the door to smile and say welcome, and then went to size up Sherry’s mood. She was fine. Not cross or resentful of another guest, just protective of a new friend in trouble. They spent a quiet evening in front of the television while Janice slept upstairs.

Hangchi came back next morning. He’d left his car somewhere and arrived on foot. He peered through the gate and found the girls outside, picking at a late breakfast. As soon as the gate opened Darti went off to make him tea. Sherry made room for him at the table.

“So how’s the criminal world this morning, Hangchi?” she asked.

“Fine, fine. Ticking over like clockwork. How’s your patient? Still sore, I suppose.”

Janice looked at the table and mumbled something. She had combed her hair out to cover her cut eyebrow, but nothing could conceal the swelling and bruising that surrounded her eyes. Sherry spoke for her. “She’s having trouble drinking anything. Her mouth’s sore, and her head’s aching, but she’s taken some aspirin and that should help. Have you found the men who did it?”

Hangchi sighed. “I don’t think we ever will, to be honest. I’d be surprised if they’re still in Singapore. Or if they are, they’ll be well hidden. That’s not what I’m worried about at the moment. I’m trying to guess what their bosses are thinking right now.

“They know their guns have been seized, of course. They were blaming the Irishman, or perhaps they just wanted their money back from him. I’m guessing that’s why they only put a very small bomb outside his office. Just to make a point. Now they’ll be sitting in Jakarta or wherever they are and thinking that there’s a link between their boat and Tim. And through Tim to us, the Singapore police. They know that much about Tim for sure. That’s why they tried to kill him in Kalimantan. One of the two men off the boat must have been involved in that operation and recognised Tim from the photograph.

“So I’m happy, taking all things together. They’re thinking that the weapons were seized somehow because of messages passing between Tim and Janice. They’re completely wrong and that can’t be a bad thing, but there’s something I need to know. Janice, which photographs did you have? Were Sherry and Ranji in them?”

Janice looked uncertainly at Sherry who nodded encouragement. “Yes. Two photo with girls, one photo with Tim.”

“Damn! That’s a worry. We didn’t find the photos when we searched, so I guess the two men still have them. There’s always a chance that someone will recognise Ranji. Not a big chance, I suppose, but it’s something else to worry about. Don’t mention it to her. There’s no point worrying her, especially when she can’t do anything about it.

“Now, I want to take Janice down to my office. We have to get her a visa, and fingerprint her, and I want to show her some pictures of suspects and ask some questions. Darti can come too, as a translator.”

Darti took Janice upstairs to lend her some clothes. Hangchi sat with Sherry, drinking her tea. “Is Tim in danger, do you think?” asked Sherry.

“No. I don’t think so. I mean, those people are dangerous but only if you get in their way. So he was in danger in Kalimantan, because they thought he was actively working against them, but here, he’s not involved any more. There’s nothing he could possibly be doing that would hurt them, so they’ll leave him alone. They’d like to knock him on the head, of course, but they’re not going to risk anything to make trouble for him. Why should they?”

“What about you? You’re working against them.”

“I’m safe enough. If I got really successful they might have a go, I suppose, but this is Singapore. There’s really not much going on. If Islamic people want to hold a revolution, they’ll do it in Malaysia, not here. All the same, I don’t think I’ll be visiting Jakarta as a tourist.”

“I hope you’re right. It’s not a nice feeling, knowing those people are running around out there.” Even thinking about it again made Sherry nervous.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you who is in a much more difficult position, your friend Alistair. He lives right in the middle of all sorts of communities, and it’s only his traditional status that protects him. He does a lot more damage to the terrorists than I do.”

Sherry lay half on top of Tim that night, thinking out loud about the changes in their lives. “Only two weeks ago—only two weeks,” she mused. “I was living here, you were in Balikpapan.”

“And you were living like a nun…”

“No I wasn’t! We’d already been to ParadiseIsland, remember? Anyway, I wasn’t like a nun before.”

“Yes you were. May be a Hindu nun. Do they have nuns? I’ll have to ask Ranji next time I see her.”

Sherry ignored his insults. “And now our bedrooms are full. I like it better this way. There’s more fun in the house.”

“True. When are you going to tell your mother you’re living with a transsexual?”

“Oh no. Never. She wouldn’t understand what a transsexual is, anyway. She’d think I was talking about some kind of stand-up comedian. Besides, Janice makes a good woman. You’d never guess if you didn’t know. She’s really shy about how she looks. The first day she came she was so embarrassed until she got some panties on. She doesn’t mind showing off her breasts though, but you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

“Mmmh—seem to remember they were quite nice.”

She hit him. “Pig! I can’t believe you sucked her cock. You did do that, didn’t you?”

“Well, it seemed like the polite thing to do at the time.”

“If I ever catch you doing that again… Did you like it?”

“It was OK, I suppose, but she’s not very big. It gave me a big surprise when she came—I didn’t get any warning at all.”

“It seemed to be quite small.”

“Yes, and it didn’t get any bigger. I don’t think you’d like it very much.”

“Not that I’m going to try. I prefer my men without tits. Thinking about it, I’d like to see a picture of you sucking her cock. I might bring her here one night just so as I could take one. I could use it for blackmail.”

“Someone’s bottom’s in danger…” threatened Tim.

“No, you wouldn’t dare. They’d hear.”

“Good for them. Good for you too. I’m sure you’d all be better for a bit of discipline now and then.”

“You try anything of the sort and we’ll all gang up on you. I’m not alone now. I’m sure we could tie you up, and it wouldn’t be me wearing a chain and having my bottom spanked.”

Chapter 31

For once, Tim was going out with the boys. Alistair had called and come around to pick him up. Ahmed drove the Mercedes and as they cruised into town Alistair explained the occasion. “We’ve been invited for an Indian dinner, and there’s someone you ought to meet. I’ll be very interested to hear what you think of him.”

“So where are we going?”

“Serangoon Road. The best Indian food in Singapore. Have you tried the Grand Trunk Road restaurant? It’s good, the best. They serve your food on a banana leaf and you eat with your fingers. I hope you’re not going to embarrass me by asking for a fork?”

“No, I expect I’ll manage, but it doesn’t sound very grand if they eat from banana leaves.”

“Just tradition, and I suppose it’s more hygienic than a plate washed in some of the Indian kitchens I’ve seen. As far as eating with my fingers, well, I washed them myself. Anyway, the food’s so good it would be a shame to eat it any other way.”

“But who are we meeting? Ranji’s father?”

“Patience, my friend, patience. It won’t be long.”

Ahmed turned into the crush of Serangoon Road and crept forward. In the middle of the second block he stopped and they jumped out. The Grand Trunk Road restaurant stood opposite, a grand shophouse with a garish neon sign. They were ushered upstairs into a crowded room full of Indian men sitting cross-legged on the floor at low tables. They were doing as much talking as eating and the noise was loud. Meals covered the tables, colourful food laid out on dark green banana leaves. It all smelt delightful and Tim’s mouth watered.

They were guided to a screened area at the end of the main room where a man dressed in the white robes of a monk was waiting for them, seated peacefully behind a low table. Without rising, he gestured for them to sit down. Following Alistair’s lead, Tim slipped off his shoes and folded himself down at the table.

“Papi, my friend,” started Alistair, “here is Tim, Sherry’s husband.”

Tim reached across the table to shake Papi’s hand. It felt plump and soft. Tim was intrigued by this influential man. He did not look imposing. Medium height, he guessed, and definitely carrying more weight than he needed. Shaved head, plump face, round glasses with bare wire frames. He did not look particularly Indian. He had something of an East Asian cast to his features. His eyes were deep and dark with long and feminine lashes.

He wore his robe wrapped around him leaving one rounded shoulder bare. He smiled as he held Tim’s hand in both of his. “I am so happy to meet you, Tim.” His voice was low, almost husky, and his accent was clearly Indian. “Your wife is one of my most earnest students. I am very pleased with her progress. You must also be pleased with her. She is flourishing.”

“Yes—yes, she is. I suppose I ought to thank you.” Here am I, Tim thought, thanking the man who taught Sherry to suck cocks all over Singapore. Not to mention his own.

“No trouble. No trouble at all, my friend,” he turned to Alistair, “and you, Alistair? How are you? You did not bring those delightful young ladies of yours? I still wait for the day when you let me have them as students.”

Alistair chuckled. “I can just imagine the pair of them in your class. They’d never stop talking.”

“Well, well. Every student has her own way to follow. And your father? Is he well?”

“Yes, very well. There’s no danger of my becoming Sultan any time soon, praise God. So what are you offering us tonight?”

“Hurry, hurry, hurry. Sometimes I forget how busy you all are out in the world. You should learn to relax. Consider the food and savour it before it arrives. Anyway, I have organised some beer for you. Will that suit you, Tim?” He clapped his hands and a waiter appeared.

When he returned he carried three bottles of Tsingtao beer, frosty cold. He set the tray down and Papi filled the glasses. Tim toyed with the idea of considering and savouring the beer before he sipped, but quickly gave up. He just drank it instead. The beer tasted smooth and full of flavour. Maybe, he thought, it pays to drink first and consider afterwards. He continued to watch Papi in an effort to see what he had that gave him such influence over Sherry and the other students.

Alistair continued the conversation. “So tell us, Papi. How is your ashram these days?”

“It comes and goes. Sometimes very busy, sometimes I have time to think. Now it is normal, I think. Sherry has brought me another student, Darti, do you know her Alistair? A very unusual student, such energy. Understanding her is like trying to catch rain drops in a sieve, but she is progressing. If she continues to concentrate, she will be the sort of student that a teacher experiences only once or twice in a lifetime. She has a great female element in her.”