“Scent of a Woman”

 

Egypt 1922

 

While the much of the camp slept, the Legionnaire stole from his tent and moved stealthily toward the white tent designated as the camp hospital.  He knew she would be there; she was always there.  The tent stood illuminated against the clear, black Egyptian night.  He could hear the sounds of the soldiers and the diggers, their voices low.  No one noticed him as he moved closer to the tent.  As he approached the small slit he detected the sound of water poured into a basin and the soft scent of lavender.  A smile crept across his face.  He knew what she was doing.

                Inside the tent the tall, shapely woman carefully pinned her shoulder length raven-black hair to her head, revealing her porcelain white neck.  Slowly, almost teasingly, she unbuttoned her silk blouse and let it slide slowly down her long pale arms.  With a casual toss the blouse landed on the cot, slithered off the edge and landed in a billowed heap on the ground.  She smiled as she unbuckled the belt and one by one unbuttoned the fly of her trousers.  One long, shapely leg at a time she stepped from them, bending to lift the khaki mound from the floor she prolonged the torture for the young man who stood outside her tent.   “I know you’re there,” she whispered unsure if he had heard her, though he made no motion to leave.  Slowly, teasingly she continued to undress for her voyeur.  Naked, she stretched her long body reaching up toward the top of the tent with her long fingers, giving him a full view of her exposed form.  Most nights he stole away at this point, but tonight he stayed on.  She could now sense his heat.  Drawing in the air through slightly parted lips she tasted his scent.  He was fearful, but the fear aroused him.  This pleased her.

The basin at her feet was filled with scented water.   She stepped into it slowly; the feel of the cool water on her toes sent a shiver up her spine.  She reached for the sponge and bar of soap.  Crouching low over the basin she lathered the sponge until it overflowed with white foam.  Drawing the foam up her legs she rose again, the white lather coating her already pale form.

The soldier was entranced.  Never before had he met such a woman.  She was cool, and unflappable even under the most dire of circumstance.  This he attributed to her line of profession, but it was the strange glow to her skin and the eerie, foreign way she conducted herself that he could not put a finger on.  As camp doctor she was faced with everything from simple ailments to repulsive infections to horrific, open seeping wounds.  Through it all she never turned her head in disgust, nor appeared to be anything but genuinely interested in every disease, sickness or ache that came her way.  He, himself, had managed to seek her attentions when an insect bite threatened to turn septic. 

     “Aren’t you a little young to be a soldier?” she addressed him as he stopped her on the path to the infirmary.

     “Don’t let my youthful appearance fool you,” he replied, trying to sound convincing.

                Her smile was incredulous, “No, I don’t suppose I will.”  As her dark green eyes raked over him, he noticed within them unearthly light, an inner glow that was not caused by the reflection from the sand, but something far more insidious.  “Come back to the infirmary, I’d like to give this more than a cursory field examination.”  He watched her walk away toward the white tent.  His heart skipped a beat and he swore an oath under his breath he would make love to her before this mission ended.

     “Don’t get too attached Louie,” a familiar voice then a firm hand on his shoulder diverted his attentions, “She’s Dar’s wife.”

     “Who?”  He turned to face his friend, mentor and fellow Legionnaire, Arturo.

                Arturo shook his head and smiled, “One of Carter’s people.  You know the people we’re here to protect…she’s off limits.  ‘sides I’ve heard some odd things about her, matters you have no business getting tangled up in.”

                Louie nodded, acknowledging his friend’s warning.  “I’ve faced worse camp butchers than this one.  None as beautiful though.”

     “Your luck’s going to run out one day, Louie, mark my words…” Arturo walked away knowing his warning fell upon deaf ears.

                The tent was light and airy, upon her insistence.  She demanded cleanliness and sterility wherever possible.  Hers was a practice of holistic medicine, using herbs and the body’s own abilities to heal; much to the chagrin of the archaeologists and the diggers at the camp.  The soldiers too didn’t completely trust her, but she didn’t care.  They could seek her for medical attention or not, it didn’t matter.   So far, on this dig she hadn’t lost a patient.  The archaeologists and the diggers all seemed relatively healthy.  Even Elsemere’s tuberculosis had dramatically improved in the dry African heat.  A quiet infirmary was a happy infirmary as far as she was concerned.

     “Doctor Dar?” Louie entered the tent cautiously.

     “Yes,” she came into view from behind a canvas flap.  “I’m glad you decided to drop by,” her voice was low and sultry, not at all the crisp professional he’d expected.

     “You told me…” his voice trailed off.  He was supposed to be the one seducing her, not the other way around.  “Insect bite…”

      “Yes, of course.  Please,” she ushered him into a smaller part of the tent where an exam table was set up behind a series of curtains.  “Up here, remove your shirt.”

                He did as he was told, revealing the lean, tanned chest and torso.  He watched as she glanced at him quickly then concentrated on the infected wound.  “This is filthy,” she admonished, “Haven’t you ever heard of a bath?”

                Heat of embarrassment coloured his cheeks as his anger flared. “If you haven’t noticed doctor, we are in the desert.”  She silenced his impudence with a look.  “I apologise,” he retracted his statement and changed his tone quickly, to avoid her penetrating stare. 

     “Annexeter?” she looked up from cleaning the Legionnaire’s wound to the sound of her name.  A tall man, bearded face neatly trimmed into a goatee, dressed head to toe in dusty khaki, his pith helmet held to his chest, entered the room.

     “Yes, Elsemere,” she addressed him coolly.

                He glanced at the soldier, then back at Annexeter, his grey eyes turning cold.  “I’ll come back, I didn’t realise you were with a patient,” he turned away and tore through the flaps.

                Without a word she abandoned her patient momentarily to speak to the man.  Louie watched her go.  Hushed voices spoke in a fierce exchange.  He flinched at the sound of a hand striking flesh.  Suddenly then the sound of excited voices babbling about a tomb ended the argument.

     “I apologise for the interruption,” her voice was tight.  Louie could see she was trying to ignore the spreading red welt on her pale white cheek.  “I’m going to clean this bite and debride the necrotic tissue.  You need to keep this clean.  Do you understand?” she stared into his eyes. 

                He nodded dumbly, wanting to reach out to her, to offer some form of comfort.

     “Do you want a local anesthetic for the pain?” she offered gathering the instruments and bandages.

                He shook his head, knowing there was nothing he could do to help her.  Instead he would endure the pain without a word.  “My, what a brave soldier you are,” she teased as she began her ministrations.

 

                Several weeks had passed since their first encounter.  Arturo had taken every opportunity to share with him the rumours about the strange doctor, to deter him from his growing obsession.  As the sun set and the shadows grew long the Legionnaires retired to their campfires.  Arturo started with his nightly warnings. “I think she’s some kind of a ghoul.  Have you noticed she’s up all night, have you ever seen her eat?  No?”

     “Why are you trying to scare me?  I’ve made up my mind and there’s nothing you can say or do to stop me.”  Louie stood up and started away.  Arturo grabbed his booted leg in his strong hand, stopping the man in his tracks.

     “I’m only trying to save you from yourself, why do you think you are here in Egypt and not back home with a fine woman by your side.  I don’t need to tell you, she’s married to a bitter, jealous man.  And as sure as I am sitting here, he’ll kill you if he catches you.  Louie, he’ll shoot you down like a stray cur.  Forget about her.”

                Louie glared at his friend with a fevered stare then wrenched his leg away.   “If I want your advice I’ll ask for it,” he snarled quietly, so that only his friend heard the vehemence in his voice.  Arturo watched him walk away into the dark night.  He knew Louie was about to make a mistake, but there was nothing more he could do to dissuade the hot-headed young Frenchman.

                The glow of her lamp illuminated the tent like a strange beacon in the pitch black of the long Egyptian night.  She was working late, yet again.  It was a comfort to know he had only to glance in the direction of the white tent and know she was there.  The stuffy-old archaeologists were busy with their new discovery across camp, and Elsemere Dar would be among them, leaving his lovely wife for yet another lonely night.  He stood at the flap, suddenly afraid to take a step further.

      “Come in,” her voice bade him entrance with the same low inviting tones he remembered from their encounter in the infirmary.  “My young soldier returns,” she glanced up from her paper work to acknowledge his presence.  “Do the flames that burn in your eyes reflect the smoldering fire in your breast?”

                He stared at her.  With a mere glance she could see right through him.

     “Answer me,” she spoke again, not looking away from her work.

     “Yes,” he found his voice and approached her slowly.  He had tried to make love to her that night, but she stopped him with a firm kiss. 

     “No.”

Her rejection stung him to the core, “I don’t understand,” he pushed away from her and stared accusingly, “Is it true?  Are the rumours true?”

      “What that I’m a coquette?  That I am not a doctor at all, but Elsemere’s whore?  Perhaps that I am nosferatu?” she sneered, then her eyes turned cold.  “Well, answer me.”

                His heart pounded with a tumultuous mix of dejection, fear and anger, she was toying with him as a cat would her prey…  Forcing a woman was not his way but she acted as though she wanted to be handled roughly.  Throwing all caution to the wind he grabbed her firmly and kissed her fully on the lips, his tongue forcing her jaws apart.  Annexeter stiffened in his grip, her green eyes turning red with rage.  She caught his tongue in her teeth and held it tight. 

     “I said no!” she repeated, his tongue still clinched between her teeth.  He tried to pull away, but now she was the captor.  Suddenly she released him, the taste of his blood on her lips.  “Get out!” she hissed.

                Louie struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his lips, tasting the copper in his mouth.  “You bit…”

     “Watch what you say, young man,” her tone was low and warning.

                He stared at her incredulously, “You, you bit me!”

     “Don’t you ever force yourself on me…” she drew closer, within inches of his face, “Ever...”

 

                Louie kept his distance after that incident.   He avoided meeting her gaze at all costs.  Yet at night he came to her tent, drawn like a moth to the flame.  He cut a slit in the canvas so he could watch her in her private quarters without being seen.  At first the voyeurism felt dirty, like he was stealing.  But soon it became a game.  She spent most nights alone as Elsemere and the other archaeologists were immersed in the plans for Lord Carnarvon’s upcoming visit and the opening of the newly discovered tomb. The thrill of seeing her set his loins ablaze.  He no longer cared if he got caught.  The thrill at taking the chance was easily as intoxicating.  Night after night he observed her porcelain-white, well-proportioned body, the ebony hair, the green eyes, the blood-red lips.   He could hardly contain the lust he felt for her. 

This night he watched her, in the back of his mind he was certain she knew he was there.  Something in the way she drew the sponge over her legs.  Tonight was a show for an audience of one.  The gentle scent of lavender from her bath water filled his nostrils and made his head swim.

                A breeze caught the corner of the tent and the sudden snap broke the spell, Annexeter rinsed herself and pulled the silk robe tightly around her body.  With one fluid movement she scooped up the bowl took a step toward the flap and tossed the soapy water out onto the thirsty sand.  She extinguished the light, and stood for movement, listening for him.  A smile crept across her face as the near silent sound of his footsteps in the sand moved toward the opening of the tent.

                Thinking himself stealthy, he stole into the tent.  His eyes were nearly blind in the pitch black, but the scent of lavender told him she was close.  “Annie?” he spoke her name, barely an audible whisper that sounded like a shout over the pounding of his heart.

     “Is the soldier brave enough to try again?” her voice was mocking.

                He felt ashamed, “J’ai tort.”

     “No,” she approached and he felt her mouth on his neck.  The feel of her teeth gently touching his skin sent a shiver up his spine.  He could felt the blood rush to his loins as her warm, wet, firm tongue traced a line up his jugular vein to his ear.  Her hands explored his body, easily removing his clothes.  They made love that night, wild and passionate.  Each taking as much as the other would give.

 

 Their affair lasted nearly ten days culminating in a confrontation Louie would never forget.  That day, they lay together on the cushions that littered the rug, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.  “I’ve never told anyone about my family before,” he revealed drowsily.  “I don’t understand it, I feel as though I could tell you all the secrets of my soul.”

     “Please,” she encouraged, as she toyed with the wisps of hair on his stomach, “…tell me more.”   Louie closed his eyes and began to relate a dark secret from his past when suddenly he felt her body stiffen and begin to rise.  She drew her breath sharply as the canvas flaps to the private area of the tent were flung open.  The lovers stared up at the two men, one they both recognized, the other a stranger.   Elsemere stared at the two sinners. 

Murderous rage coloured his face crimson.  “Excuse me, sir I…” he hurriedly ushered his guest from the tent, looking back only once to set the image firmly in his mind.

                Silence fell over them like a shroud.  They stared at each other, both knowing the consequences of their actions.  Annexeter stood and covered herself in modesty and shame. “You should leave,” she averted her gaze, studying the pattern of the Persian rug, unable to meet his eyes.

     “No,” he rose to his feet and covered himself with a sheet.  “We will wait here and explain to your husband.”

     “You are a noble fool, Louie,” she turned away a tear rolling down her cheek, “A noble fool.”

               

                As the sun’s light faded and darkness enveloped the camp, Annexeter sat at her desk and attempted to study, but her mind would not allow her to concentrate on the text.  In the distance she could hear the diggers and the soldiers talking excitedly about the arrival of Carter’s financier, Lord Carnarvon and the incredible finds within the tomb they had opened that day. Over the din, she heard the familiar sound of wheezing as her husband drew near.   Elsemere tore open the tent flaps and approached the woman who now stood at the desk.

     “Don’t think for a moment that you won’t hang if you try,” he glanced at her hand and the metal object just beneath her fingers.

                With a resigned sigh, she let her arm fall limply to her side.   “I…”

     “Harlot!  Confess your sins.” Elsemere grabbed her and shook her bodily.

     “She’s not to blame, I seduced her,” Louie appeared from the open tent flaps.  “Let her go.”

                   Elsemere released his grip and she fell into a heap on the sandy rug. “Hardly,” he smirked.  “Don’t you think I know what a slathering whore she is, nothing but a bitch in heat.”  Elsemere reached for his gun, “Soldier, I have plenty of bullets.  I should make an example of you.”

Louie stared at him, a look of defiance in his eyes.

     “Hell, I should shoot you both,” he laughed a ragged bitter laugh, cut short by a coughing spell.  He spat a bloody chunk of phlegm onto the sand.

     “Don’t hurt him,” Annexeter spoke up, her voice dull.  With tear-filled eyes she pleaded with Louie to leave, to save his own life.  Louie looked away, suddenly unable to meet her gaze.

     “Enough,” Elsemere pointed the gun at the Legionnaire.  “Get out.  She will pay for both your sins.”

The soldier stared at him, unmoving.  “You cannot blame her.  Kill her, and you will have to kill us both.” 

     “Gladly.”  The hammer was pulled back on the gun.    

     “Leave,” she slowly rose to her feet, tears pouring from her eyes.

     “No, Annie,” he protested, ignoring the gun at his head, “I would rather die first.”

     “That sir, can be arranged,” Elsemere interrupted.

                     Annexter shook her head, “Please leave.  There’s no reason for you to throw your life away over this meaningless affair.”  Through clenched teeth she hissed, “Just go…!”

     “Madam,” he said softly, the pain in his eyes tangible, then to Elsemere he nodded, “Monsieur, your wife.”

 

 

                Louie stood on the balcony, wrapped in a silken smoking jacket, a cigarette burned in his fingers. The smoke rose in a straight line in the calm night.  A familiar scent had wrested the memory from deep in his mind and he had risen from his bed unable to return to sleep.  The memory that had been tucked away for so long was now at the forefront of his mind.  He wondered what had become of the mysterious doctor.  Had her bitter, consumptive husband finally killed her in a fit of jealousy, or was she still playing camp doctor in some far away locale.  Louie sneered and took a long drag from his cigarette.  What did it matter to him, she was a bittersweet memory…but a memory that was only a heartbeat away. 

 

Elsemere slept soundly as Annexeter knew he would.  The massive dose of tranquilsers she had slipped into his dinner could have dropped a horse.  On silent footsteps, she crept up to the bed and waited for him to move.  Her wait was not long before he shifted his position and revealed his arm from beneath the sheets.  She drew close and began to lick the skin inside his elbow, allowing her untreated saliva to breakdown the tissue.  When the first drops of blood surfaced she watched to see if he reacted.  When he did not, she began to lap at the fluid.  Then in an uncharacteristic move she nibbled at the vein to release more blood.  Soon her mouth filled with the coppery tasting fluid.  Her head reeled and she reveled in the rush.  Closing her eyes she took in the warm fluid, slipping into a fuzzy numbness. 

Suddenly the arm was wrenched from her mouth and a hand slammed into the back of her neck grasping hair and flesh.  Still surfeited by the blood, she was slow to react.  Elsemere took advantage of his wife’s condition to incapacitate her further.  Annexeter could not find the impetus to fight back, as he slammed her head against the heavy maple nightstand.

Elsemere tore the bed sheet free and bound his wounded arm.  Gathering the figure, he hefted her over his shoulder and started down the hall.  Several maids scurried from his wrathful countenance as he stormed by.  He reached the top of the cellar stairs and threw the body down to the floor.   Moments later, he too descended into the dank and stale room.  An old wooden chair that sat off to one side of the room caught his eye.  He grabbed the chair and smashed it against the wall.  The splinters lay in pieces around his feet.  He gathered up one of the broken legs and turned Annexeter on her back and without pause, plunged the splintered end of the leg deep into her chest.  Her eyes flew open and she screamed in agony…

 

     “Anne!”

     “NO!?” She blinked at the source of the voice and tried to catch her breath to regain her composure.

     “Nightmares?” he asked.

                Annexeter nodded slowly, “I don’t like to fly.”  She studied the man seated next to her.  He was the one person she wanted to see dead.  Richard Jones was an average looking man with dark hair and watery hazel eyes.  Average build, average looks, a relative nobody.   He could disappear and no one would be the wiser she had teased herself with this fantasy for years.

                He looked at Annexeter with thinly disguised hatred.  He too wanted her dead, finally out of his life.  Theirs was a marriage made in hell, he smiled faintly.  As he folded his hands behind his head he snuck a glance at her obsidian hair, pale cheeks, and red full lips.  She was a stunning woman no doubt about it, but that beauty was only skin deep.  This woman was a dangerous creature with a dark secret.  “Might want to dip into that little black bag of yours and take something, we’re only on the starting leg. We’ve got several hours on this flight.  Then we catch the Clipper.  From there it’s at least another four hours ‘til we reach the Marivellas.” 

                Annexeter sighed and tried to settle into a comfortable position in the stiff, high-backed seat.  She ignored his roving eyes upon her.  She was sufficed in the knowledge that in the back of his mind he feared her, and none too secretly enjoyed the subtle power it gave her.  When the thought of sleep came to mind, but was quickly dismissed.  The nightmares were too close to the surface.  Why the nightmares decided to haunt her now after so many years, she didn’t know.  It was probably the fear of flying and the growing need that brought the long buried memories to the surface.  Undisturbed sleep would help to combat the nagging need that gnawed at her, but unfortunately, that would have to wait. The need grew as other passengers milled past her seat.  She could smell them, almost taste them, but the flight was much too crowded to quench her need properly. 

Sighing between clenched teeth, she stood up and groped for the dark satchel in the overhead compartment. As she towered over her seat, Richard leered at her statuesque six-foot frame.  He longed to hold her, to feel her flesh yield beneath his.  He yearned desperately for a pocket of turbulence to send her off balance and tumbling helplessly into his arms where he could force her to feel the one need he had, the aching need that only she could quench.  He did not dare touch her though, the fear of her fatal retribution was enough to hold him in check.  She returned to in her seat, the black satchel on her lap. From it she withdrew a leather pouch and a silver flask.

     “Must you do that out in the open?”

     “It was your suggestion, Richard,” she said curtly. “Or would you prefer I do this the conventional way?”

                He did not reply.  He watched as she reached into the pouch and picked out several leafy plants.  A grimace of disgust marred her features as she chewed the bitter herbs.  With a shudder she swallowed and reached for the flask.  Richard’s mouth curled in disgust and he, too, shuddered involuntarily.  To avoid watching her any further, he stared out the window as she brought the flask to her lips.  She closed her eyes and held the thick liquid in her mouth for some time before swallowing, savoring the rich, sweet, slightly metallic taste.  With a soft murmur, she licked her lips and revealed the redness on her tongue.  Desiring more than the contents of the small flask, she quelled her immediate urge with another long draught.

      “You know that whole unnatural ritual of yours sickens me.”

      “It’s a necessary evil,” she replied, bitterness on her tongue, an evil sneer creeping across her face.  “I could, of course do it the old fashioned way,” she eyed him rapaciously, the saliva beginning to flow, “Damaged as you are you’d do in a pinch.”

      “No, that’s quite all right.” he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  The tangible fear was just below the surface, he could feel the sweat begin to trickle down his spine.

                Satisfied, Annexeter closed her eyes and drifted back to her world of nightmares.

 

The wooden stake burned as she attempted to pull it from her body.  She struggled to reach it from behind, but the blood made the fractured wood too slippery.   She fell back exhausted.  

Eventually she woke again and gathered what little strength remained in her body.   She grabbed the stake and finally wrenched it free.  Blood poured from the wound.  Nearly mortally wounded, she was powerless to stop it.  Exhaustion robbed her consciousness again.  

Again she awoke, still too weak to crawl out of the cellar, she subsisted on small rodents who came to investigate the smell of the blood.  Though they did not provide much, they were enough to eventually give her the strength to leave the dank, dark cellar in search for her assailant. 

 

                On that fateful night Elsemere lay sleeping in the bed she once shared with him.  The rise and fall of his chest indicated his level of sleep.  She watched him for several hours before her impatience got the better of her and she finally slit his throat with the straight razor he kept in his personal effects. 

The look of surprise and the silent gaping mouth as she drank his life’s blood was more delicious than any she had ever taken before.  Cruelty begets cruelty, had been a lesson well learned. She fell back and watched as the final beats of his heart pumped blood into the bedsheets, the stain growing with each dying throb.   He knew in his final moments who had caused his death, of that she was certain. 

A smile crossed her face as she slid into a stupor.   The dark room grew hazy as she basked in the glorious surrender after feeding.   Sounds beyond her consciousness echoed in her mind.  She heard a voice but could not isolate the source.  A face appeared, but she could not focus.   Suddenly she was gagged and bound, her body unable to react to the darkness and near suffocation. 

 

 

                “Wake up!” Richard hissed shaking her bodily.  “Wake up dammit!”

                Unfocused and blinking, Annexeter’s eyes flew open.  She gasped and clawed wildly at Richard who tried to hold her in her seat. 

   “Is there something wrong?” a stewardess asked approaching cautiously, worried more for the rest of the passengers than for her own safety.

    “She’s having a fit.” Richard smiled half-apologetically.  “She’ll be okay in a moment.” 

                After Annexeter regained her composure she stared at him sharply.  “A fit?  Why can’t you just tell her the truth?”

   “What that you are a…”

   “What that I am a vampire?” she retorted in a hiss.  “Who the hell would believe you?”

                He was taken aback, not expecting this line of opposition.

      “Who’s going to sit for your twisted little tale?” she challenged, “I can’t imagine a constable would believe you for an instant.”

      “No, you’re right.  I’ll just tell them you are a spy.”

                Annexeter drew her breath slowly, her face unreadable.

      “What?” he cupped his ear in his meaty hand, “Is that the sound of your resistance crumbling?”

      “Don’t mock me.”

      “Don’t push your luck with me lady,” he took the opportunity to grab her jaw.  In this public place she would never fight back, she couldn’t.  He felt the rush of adrenaline surge through his body as he finally won the upper hand.  “Now sit back and stop fussing.”

                Annexeter closed her eyes but did not sleep.  Instead she focused on the other passengers.  Men, women and children, they were all around her.  She could hear them and all the little movements they made.   She concentrated on the sound of newspapers rustling as the men followed the news of the escalating war in Europe, the crisp crinkle of wax paper being unfolded to reveal foodstuffs.  Behind her, the whimpers and mews of a colicky baby and the soothing words from its worried mother, the titter of children’s little voices asking questions.  As the sounds bored her and the smells began to intrigue her.  Beyond the fear and sweat of her companion, she could detect the fragrant scent of roses from the woman in front of her.  The woman had a sachet or an article of some sort that retained the odour of the long dead flowers.  The meaty scent of the woman’s male companion revealed he had gout and was about to suffer another attack.  Suddenly, she noticed a change in the engines.  They were descending.  The air began to get thicker and a new heady new odour tantalised her nose.

     “Wake up we’re landing,” Richard nudged her in the ribs with his elbow.

    

                After a rough water landing, and a few moments for the plane to settle into the berth, a man approached from the front of the plane, “Ladies and gentlemen,” his voice commanded the attention of all on board, “The China Clipper is now disembarking.  Our port of call will be Tagataya.  If you will be continuing your flight to Boragora, The Clipper will be leaving in one hour and forty-five minutes.”

                The crush of people disembarking from the plane nearly overwhelmed her Annexeter staggered down the gangplank, falling to her knees.  Richard pulled her roughly to her feet.  “Stop making a scene,” he snarled in her ear.  “She hasn’t got her sea legs yet,” he joked to another disembarking passenger who cast a concerned look in their direction.  The passenger nodded and went along his way. 

The moist equatorial heat was oppressive.  The thick air clung to her like a sodden rag.  She could feel the sweat dripping down her back in a steady stream.  Other passengers began fanning themselves in an effort to combat the ever-present heat.

     “Would you care to take in the sights?” he asked, more for the benefit of the surrounding crush of people.  “This place is an undiscovered jewel.

     “It’s more like a cesspool,” she complained under her breath. 

                People of every creed and colour milled around and the press of humanity very nearly inundated her senses as she struggled to remain in control.  The odour of the waterfront revolted her.  Her stomach turned as the pungent smells invaded her nostrils.

      “I need to check on a delivery. Come with me.” It was not a suggestion as Richard took her arm and forced her through the crowd.  They walked down several twisting streets, when he suddenly ducked into a narrow alley.  “I want you to be quiet,” he hissed as they entered a small shop.   Both blinked for several moments as their eyes adjusted to the darkness.  The strong aroma of incense overwhelmed her senses, and her head reeled.  Suddenly she caught a tang of an unusual scent, one that she remembered from her days in Egypt.

     “Heroin?”  She stared at him with disbelief.  “We’re trafficking heroin?”  Richard silenced her with a sharp look. 

     “Mister Jones,” A small oriental man with long white hair entered the room through a doorway covered in strings of bamboo.  The soft tinkling sound announced his arrival.  Annexeter sized up the small man with a long pipe in one corner of his mouth.  His dark bird-like eyes drank in all there was to see. “Have you brought her to me?”  She regarded the man coolly, as she isolated the heroin smell to the contents of his pipe, then turned away as the shop’s other wares demanded her attentions.

     “No, I am here about…” Richard glanced nervously at Annexeter who was busy studying an intricate jade sculpture.

     “Ah, of course...” the man dipped behind the counter and presented him with a box, “…the diamond.”                Richard lifted the lid and revealed a large chunk of yellow rock the size of a man’s fist.  “Impressive,” he nodded.  Annexeter glanced over at the diamond when suddenly she was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.  She was entranced by the size and unexplored beauty of the stone.  She stared at the yellow rock quizzically.  Never before had she seen a raw diamond so large, it was almost unworldly in its size and shape.   She reached forward to touch it but the lid was slammed down, very nearly on her fingertips.

     “No,” Richard snarled.  “You cannot foul this masterpiece.”

                Annexeter rocked back on her heel, folded her arms across her chest, and gave him an incredulous look.  Glancing away from Richard, she regarded the oriental man’s grey grin with an icy look and suppressed the urge to walk away. 

His eyes studied her from head to toe, the smile never changing. Then the corners of his eyes wrinkled as he genuinely enjoyed a good laugh. He nodded his head in appreciation.  “A beauty, indeed.”  Still cackling, he withdrew the box and walked away from the counter through the bamboo curtain and into the back room. 

                Richard glanced at the figure who stood behind the beaded curtain. A dark haired Eurasian woman clad in a silk kimono watched every move the tall, pale woman made.  As her eyes met Richard’s he nodded almost imperceptibly. The offer had been accepted.  The Eurasian woman turned away, a poisonous smile on her elegant features. Now it was only a matter of time before time no longer mattered.

     “And that’s that?” Annexeter demanded unaware of the exchange.

    “That’s that,” Richard replied, as they walked out of the shop.

 

* * * * * *

 

                The bar was quiet.  Louie sat at a table and paged through a large ledger.  “Gushie,” he addressed the bright-eyed, balding man in the wheelchair who busily wiped tables.  “Do you recall what happened to that case of Port wine I ordered last month?” 

     “Jake,” he replied and snapped the towel at a large flying insect that invaded the bar.

     “Jake,” Louie rolled his eyes in mock exasperation.  Gushie laughed and neatly removed pieces of the dead bug from the ledger.  “If anyone is looking for me,” he closed the book and gathered his receipts. “I’ll be in my office.”

                Gushie rolled up to the bat-wing doors and peered out at the fishermen who tended their nets and the native peoples who traveled through trading and selling their wares.  The sun shone brightly, baking the white sand beach and the native girls’ exposed skin.  They gathered in little groups stringing flowers into brightly coloured leis for the passengers of the Clipper, due to arrive within the hour.  He glanced at his watch and retreated back into the bar to finish cleaning.

 

                Louie looked up from his books at the sound of footsteps at his office door.  “Louie, did I disturb you?” a young woman spoke softly.

     “No Sarah,” he closed the book again and smiled, “What may I help you with?”  She walked into the room her white organdy dress accented her narrow waist perfectly.  He appreciated the cut of the frock and delightfully youthful appearance it gave the woman.  Suddenly, he caught her scent and his brows furrowed.  “What is that fragrance you are wearing?”

                She met his look with surprise.  “Oh, I’m not, it’s from the sachet I’ve had stored with my dresses.  I wanted to surprise Jake.”

     “Oh,” he was almost disappointed.  “Jake won’t be back for another week, something about Jack’s eye.  He radioed this morning.”

                Sarah’s face fell.  “I guess the dress can wait.”  She started out of the office, then stopped. 

     “An old memory,” Louie avoided, and opened the book again.

                She stood motionless.  The tidbit of Louie’s past would be forthcoming, she had only to wait.  He knew she was there, and why.  With a slow movement the Frenchman glanced at her, “Many years ago when I was in Egypt…” his voice trailed off.

     “You were in Egypt?” she narrowed her eyes at him, almost in disbelief.

     “Oui,” he returned to his ledger, “With Carter and Carnarvon.”

                Sarah was agog.  Her father, Doctor White had been a world-renowned archaeologist, who had worked on many digs.  Even she, herself, had accompanied him several times.  “The Howard Carter?” she questioned, a note of skepticism in her voice.

      “Oui.” From his tight-lipped frown it was obvious he was not willing to share any further information.  He dismissed her with his silence.

                Sarah trailed back to her room, she was disappointed that Jake would not return for another week, but at the same time she was thrilled at the connection between her father and Louie’s mysterious past.  She wished she could have gotten him to say more, but it was obvious from the look on his face the winter of ‘22 was not something he wished to discuss.

 

The large silver sea plane manouevered gracefully into the lagoon, a native man in a brightly coloured loincloth caught the tie rope and swiftly fastened the plane to the dock.  Slowly the gangplank was lowered and the passengers began to emerge.  People blinked against the brightness of the sunlight as they walked up the dock, men removed their hats and fanned themselves to fight the ever present moist heat.  Annexeter retrieved her satchel and followed Richard down to the dock.  She squinted against the blinding sunlight and glanced around at the savage paradise.  The thick foliage seemed to swallow everything in its dark green maw.   All except the few buildings that faced the shore.  The largest and most obvious was a splendid two-story affair.   With its colonnade and planked wrap-around porch, it was the breath of civility in the otherwise savage environment.  Peripherally, she heard the Clipper pilot direct the passengers to the Monkey Bar and Hotel, which quickly consumed the crowd.

                Annexeter looked over the native people who worked the dock and tended to the fishing nets pulled up on the sandy shore.  Among the many passengers and villagers, she noticed a tall, bespectacled man surrounded by laughing native girls clad in bright colourful wrap-around dresses.  He wore a priest’s dog collar, a white fedora and a wide grin.  She noticed too, that he seemed to take unusual glee in the attentions of the surrounding female company.

                Richard spoke to a native man about taking their bags to the hotel, as Annexeter continued to survey their immediate surroundings.  Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a face she thought she recognised.  The man stopped mid-sentence and looked in her direction.  His eyes widened, then narrowed again.  His face became like that of stone.  The man turned back to the person to whom he was speaking. 

      “I guess we go to the bar, the manager should have rooms to let.” Richard roughly took her arm, causing her to stumble.  “Are you coming?”

                She recovered her balance and followed him to the building.  As they drew closer, she was now certain this was the same Legionnaire from Egypt.  The soldier had aged in the many years since she had last seen him, but those years had been kind.  Louie was still the slim, lithe, well-kept man she remembered.  His hair, a bit thinner, was still dark and styled neatly atop his head.  No longer clad in khaki, he was dressed in a white suit, the perfect picture of culture in this otherwise primitive tropical jungle.  As he parted company and approached through the crowd, she noticed the muted print of the neckerchief he wore.

      “Doctor Annexeter Dar?” he took her hand, and looked straight into her eyes.  The years didn’t even show.  She was today as she was when he saw herlast.   He wanted to be angry with her, to hate her for hurting him so long ago, but the anger melted away as he looked deep into her green eyes.  “Annie…”

     “Louie,” she spoke his name and smiled.  They stared at each other, both afraid to turn away.

                Richard regarded this exchange coolly then he cleared his throat to regain their attention.  “If you can tear yourself away we need a room for the next week or so,” he spoke, his voice betraying his sudden surge of jealousy.

                Louie regarded his rudeness with upraised eyebrows and a dubious look.  “Why yes, of course, where are my manners,” he laughed, breaking the tension.  “Please follow me,” he led them up the stairs and to their rooms.  “I think you will find these two rooms will meet your needs.”

     “One room,” Richard reminded, “We are together.”

                Louie glanced at Annexeter again, searching her face for answer.  She averted her gaze and looked out over the bar and the people below.  “Of course, right this way.”

 

* * * * *

 

Later that evening as the sun set, the heat and humidity persisted.  Richard’s brow was dotted with sweat, and the shirt beneath his jacket was soaked through.  He had had little to say since they unpacked.  Annexeter watched him closely, irritating him even further.  After the man in the wheelchair had cleared the plates from their meal, a young woman in a pale blue dress approached the piano.  She smiled at the crowd and began to sing a torch song. Annexeter did not recognise the tune, but guessed it was a popular number as the crowd lit up and sang along.

     “Richard, that’s your third beer,” she noted as the man in the wheelchair placed the bottle on the table.

     “No, it’s his fourth,” the man corrected, looking straight into her eyes.

     “What’s it to you?” Richard hissed as he grabbed up the bottle and brought it to his lips.

     “Oh nothing, I’ll just put it on your tab,” he wheeled away, a smile on his face.

                She watched him go.  “For someone with only part of a liver and only one functional kidney you sure seem to like to live on the edge.”

     “Considering you put me there,” he hissed.  “Murderous harlot.” he took a long draught from his bottle of beer.  “At least you won’t attempt to kill me on this trip.”

     “Oh?”

     “Who do you think is your meal ticket home?”

     “Funny you should mention meal ticket,” her eyes narrowed and she glared at him menacingly.  “I am running low on herbs.”  Richard swallowed hard and choked.  A soft laugh escaped her lips.  Louie caught her eye and he saluted her from the bar.  She acknowledged him with her glass of wine.  In the background, the young woman continued.  It was obvious the young singer was not a trained professional by any stretch of the word, but her slightly off key voice was soothing enough for this crowd.  The only thing they cared about was that the beer flowed and the cards were dealt their way.  Annexeter’s curiosity was piqued as to what other purposes the young woman might serve.  Perhaps Louie had taken himself a young bride.  Not likely, she mused.  She didn’t quite have the carriage of a courtesan, nor did she appear to be as jaded as a common…Annexeter avoided even thinking the term she, herself, had so often been accused of.  Louie may be French and obviously have a certain predilection for business but he did not the kind of man to run a house of ill-repute.  The young woman was probably working off a debt in the only honest way she could.

                Louie approached their table, “Apprécier le divertissement?” 

     “What?  I don’t parlez vous no Frog,” Richard slurred, “Speak American.”

                Annexeter shifted so that her back was turned to Richard, “Ignore him, he can’t hold his alcohol.”

     “I don’t need a brazen whore making excuses for me,” Richard slammed the empty bottle on the table and upset her wine glass.  She watched the red liquid  spread across the wooden table.

     “Gushie,” Louie signaled for the man in the wheelchair. 

     “No, I’ll clean this up,” she dropped her napkin on the table to soak up the wine.  “I apologise for Richard’s appalling behaviour, he’s normally not like this,” she searched Louie’s eyes furtively, trying to convey a silent message.

                Gushie arrived momentarily with a wet rag, “Ma’am I’ll get this,” he reached for beer bottle.  Richard glared at him and hung on tightly.  The two men stared at each other, neither wishing to relinquish control to the other.  Louie put his long fingers around the very tip of the bottle and withdrew it slowly.  Gushie glared at Richard as he wiped the table and wheeled away.

     “I think it’s time I took Richard back to our room,” Annexeter rose to her feet and glanced at her drunk husband.  He glowered at her, with thinly disguised disgust.  “Thank you Louie, it’s been a wonderful evening.”

     “Bonne nuit,” he kissed her hand then turned to leave.

                    Annexeter and Richard watched him go.  “I think you need to go to bed.  You’re drunk and behaving like a boor.”

     “What? I’m boorish now?” he lurched out of his chair, sending it tumbling in a loud clatter that was lost in the low murmur of the crowd.  “At least I wasn’t throwing myself at that snooty little frog.”

                Annexeter regarded him with a withering gaze, “Bed Richard,” she said as he staggered toward the stairs.  The blue and yellow Macaw fluttered his wings and screeched loudly at the man as he passed by.  Richard attempted to take a swipe at the bird, but ended up on the floor instead.  Annexeter struggled to haul him to his feet.  “It’s just a little bird, leave him alone.”

     “Ohhh, not like you a big bad blood-drinking…” he stopped suddenly when he realised he was the center of attention.

     “Shut up,” her voice was low and warning.  “Don’t you dare say another word.”

               

                Once in their room, Annexeter kicked the door closed with her foot.  “What in the hell were you doing down there?” she demanded.  “You made a complete ass out of yourself.”

     “So now I’m an ass?” he countered, wavering slightly struggling to take off his jacket.  “Where the hell do you get off practically throwing yourself at that Frog?”

     “Louie’s an old friend,” she rolled her eyes, knowing how it vexed him. “Let me remind you once again.  You and I are married in name only!”  Annexeter stared at him long and hard.  “And just so you know, I’ll go to my grave before I’ll ever consummate this farce of a marriage.”

     “Go to your grave?  Go to your grave!” An evil smile came over his features. “If that’s all it’ll take,” he lunged for her but she easily slipped out of his reach.  He lunged again and tripped over the corner of the bed, hitting the night table sending the lamp crashing to the floor.   He recovered and grabbed her leg.  She tried to move away from him but he held her tightly.  She kicked out with her good leg striking him twice before he grabbed her ankle and pulled her under him.  “Is this what you want?” He pinned her body beneath his.   She felt him force his hand between her legs, “Is this what you really need?”  Annexeter struggled to move, but the sharp pain made her catch her breath.   She swung at him but he caught her wrist easily.  “You forget, all I have to do is tell your boyfriend you are a spy…” he brought his face as close to hers as he dared. 

She could smell the fetid stench of his breath.  “The threat only works if someone cares,” she whispered.  “Louie runs the bar, what difference would it make to him if you tell him I’m a spy?”

     “You think you’re so smart, don’t you?” he laughed, “Your boyfriend does more than run the bar, he’s the law around here,” he leaned back and drew his belt.  “Not that it makes a bit of difference, this isn’t his affair.”  The leather snapped loudly next to her ear.  Fire burned in her eyes, and her lips drew back revealing straight, white, slightly elongated canine teeth.  Her mouth opened slightly, readying for the first chance at contact with his flesh.  He stared at her.  The alcohol haze in his brain could not hide the murderous look.  She would kill him as soon as she had a chance…he had pushed her too far this time.  Had Elsemere seen this look before he died?  Had he witnessed this horror?  “I’ll strangle you within an inch of your unnatural life.”

                She struggled again.  Richard, off balance, fell to one side and Annexeter leapt to her feet.  Richard grabbed her ankle as she tried to side step him and sent her crashing to the floor again, striking her head on the rail of the brass bed.  Dazed, she blinked blindly at the spots of light before her eyes.  Suddenly she felt him grab her shoulders and slam her to the wooden floor.  The contact with the back of her skull made a strange wet sound and she felt her consciousness slip away.  The crack of his hand against her face, then again, brought her back quickly.  Annexeter struggled again, but the sensation of constriction around her neck stopped her short.  She clawed blindly at the strap pulled ever tighter around her neck, then at her assailant, as red clouded her vision.  Blood began to pour from her nose and mouth.  Beyond her immediate suffocation, she could feel an insistent pressure on her inner thigh.  Richard was planning to take that which she would not willingly give, and she was helpless to stop him.  As the red turned to black she vowed to take his life, as slowly and as painfully as she could.

     “Get off of her!” a familiar voice just outside her mind shouted as she lingered on the fringes of consciousness.

     “Go to hell Frog.” Richard barked, “This is my wife, and I will do to her what I please.”

                The click of a gun brought silence to the room.  “Not on in my jurisdiction, I said, get off of her.”  His voice was even and deadly.

                Two men dressed in white rushed into the room and grabbed Richard by the arms and drug him to his feet.  “Take him to the holding cell.  And for God’s sake make him decent before you get him to the stairs.”

     “You’re making a big mistake,” he shouted as the constables drug him across the wooden floor out the balcony door, “A BIG MISTAKE…she’s a vamp…”

                Dropping to his knees, Louie removed the belt from around her neck. “Annie,” he spoke softly.  “Annie?”  He lowered the skirt of her dress, then felt for a pulse. Gently, he put his hand behind her head and felt the growing welt and noticed the bloodstain on the rung of the bed frame.  Annexeter blinked at him blindly, not recognising his face at first.  She clutched at her throat and coughed as she gasped for air, splattering blood on the front of her dress.  Louie gently eased her into a seated position holding her while she sputtered and gagged to regain her breath.

     “Oh my God!” Sarah gasped in horror at the sight in the room.  The woman was battered and bleeding, her face swollen and slightly bluish.  Large angry welts stood out on her neck.  Blood on the floor, on the bed, on the woman, it was everywhere.  The only other time she had seen so much blood was when her father had been stabbed to death.  She shook her head to clear the memory.

    “My bag, get my bag...” he ordered

                Annexeter shook her head and struggled to her feet, “I’m…I’m…fine,” she choked and swallowed with some difficulty.  Louie stood beside her ready to catch her if she fell.  “Really Louie, I’m fine,” she looked down at the bloody mess that was her dress.  “Oh God, I must look a fright.”

     “You seem to have a taste for blood,” he half-joked as he accepted the bag from Sarah.

                Her face became a mask of fear and she turned slowly to face him.  “What did you say…?” her voice was distant and strained.  Blood continued to drip from her nose, unnoticed.  Sarah stared at the woman, watched the growing fear in her eyes.  She poured a glass of water from the pitcher in the room and offered it to the wounded woman.

     “Your choice of husbands…” he did not want to be forced to say more in front of Sarah.

                A weak smile came to her bruised, swollen lips, and the look of fear melted away.  “Yes,” she understood his attempt at humour.  “I suppose you’re right,” she accepted the water and slowly brought the glass to her lips.  The lukewarm liquid soothed the fire in her throat but did little to quench her thirst.  Blood dripped from her nose into the water, tinting it red.

Sarah watched the strange woman drink the now bloody water.  Louie righted the night table and placed his open bag on the surface.  “Doctor Dar if you’ll lie down I’ll…”

     “No, no,” Annexeter was instantly on the defensive, “I’ll be fine, really,” Sarah noticed the note of panic rising in the woman’s voice despite her best efforts to hide it.  The look on the Louie’s face told her the woman was in good hands whether she wanted to be or not. 

     “Maybe it would be best if I left,” Sarah nodded and placed the rags and bandages on the bed and backed out of the room.  Louie watched as Annexeter gingerly sat on the edge of the bed opposite of where he stood.  Would she never change?  He had heard from Arturo that Elsemere had nearly beat her to death because of their indiscretion.  And now he had walked in on an attempted rape.  She was too strong to allow herself to be a victim, or so he thought.  Then he recalled the time he had tried to force himself on her.  Perhaps he had misjudged her after all.  Perhaps this was only a small part of a larger picture.  Louie watched as she gently touched the angry, welted flesh on her neck and the mottled skin of her face.  “Oh, this is going to leave a bruise,” she spoke finally.   “Now, if you’ll please leave.  I need to get myself cleaned up.”  Annexeter turned away, and wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.  A trail of blood left its mark on her pale skin. 

     “Annie, I’d like to take a closer look at your injuries,” Louie offered, wanting to help her.

     “Oh?  So, you are a doctor now?” she laughed and delicately pressed the cloth to her nose to stop the bleeding.

     “I did some study…”

                She nodded.  “Hotel owner, Magistrate, Medicine Man…is there anything you don’t do around here?”

     “Not much,” he led her out onto the colonnade.   The night air was heavy with humidity, but the overall temperature had cooled.  She could hear the sounds from the bar.  No one seemed to notice the heat, or if they did, they didn’t care. As she glanced out over the dark jungle, she wondered where Louie’s holding cell was located.  No doubt Richard would be there, sleeping off his drunken rage.  In the morning he would demand to be freed, claiming innocence.  She hoped she would be able to get to him before Louie set him free.  Annexeter knew, had Louie not intervened, Richard would have surely raped and quite possibly killed her this time.  Of that she was certain. The alcohol had played a part in his fool-hardy behaviour, no question.   She shuddered involuntarily when she realised how close he had come to actually causing her serious physical harm.  It was that savage look in his eyes that really scared her.  In the past, mutual threats had been enough to keep them both in check, but tonight all that had changed. “Where’s Richard?”

     “He won’t be bothering you tonight.”

     “It’s not tonight I’m worried about,” she sighed as she slowly eased herself into the chair he offered.

     “Ma chere, relax.” Louie flipped on the light and drew it close to Annexeter’s face.  She squinted and pulled away from the heat.   “Let’s take a look…” his voice trailed off as he examined the bruises that had had formed on her neck and face. With a gentle touch, he turned her head from side to side.  She flinched slightly when his finger touched her cheek.  “My apologies,” he murmured.

    “How bad is it?” she asked opening her eyes to look at him.

    “Not as bad as it looks,” Louie gently wiped the blood from her nose and mouth.

                Louie stared into her eyes, completely ignoring the dark bruises that had formed.  She had barely aged a day in the sixteen years they had been apart.  Unlike himself, he had aged a lifetime.  He’d known the ravages of war, endured and bore witness to things no person should ever have seen.  He’d even spent time in Hell itself on a rock called Devil’s Island.   His life had been a cavalcade of adventures and near escapes…even from the guillotine – twice.  

                Annexeter looked back at him, and studied his tanned features.  His dark brown eyes had always held such depth. Yet, despite the mischievous twinkle, there was a sense of sorrow.  “Such beauty and such sorrow,” she spoke softly breaking the silence.  “I’ve never forgotten your eyes,” she studied him a moment longer.

     “I could say the same about you,” he gently touched her chin and drew her close, their lips meeting in a brief kiss.  Annexeter pulled back with a soft gasp, only to move in to kiss him again, this time with real passion.  She rose up out of the chair in their embrace.  Before either of them realized what was happening they were clinging to each other, both afraid to let go.  This time Louie parted from their kiss.  “Is this really proper, I mean…” he was reluctant to dredge up the consequences of the past.

     “My marriage to Richard is in name only,” she paused feeling her heart pounding in her chest, “we’ve never consummated that union.”

     “I’m sorry.”

     “I’m not,” Annexeter looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes; “I need you.  I need you now.”

     “No,” he shook his head, “Your injuries…I don’t want to hurt you.”

                She kissed him again, “You won’t hurt me.”

                Louie nodded.  As he turned down the light, he led Annexeter to his bed were they began to undress.  Annexeter stared at the lean, brown body, the wisps of hair on his chest and stomach.  She reached up to touch him.   His body tingled with the heat she needed to warm her soul.  Louie carefully unbuttoned her blouse, kissing and nibbling at the line of her neck as he eased the silk from her shoulders.  Pale skin revealed, he gazed upon her and remembered fondly the times that they spent entwined in each other’s arms.  He noticed a circular scar on her left breast.  The dimple of skin was purplish and obviously the result of a very deep wound.  Before he had a chance to ask of its origin, Annexeter stood up and reached to undo the neckerchief.  Louie touched her hand gently in protest.  “Not that,” he spoke softly, his voice husky with passion.

     “Secrets?” she smiled teasingly.

                He nodded and silenced her next question with a kiss.  His hands strayed to her shoulders and back where he felt the criss-cross of slightly raised scars and another indentation.  Annexeter moved away from him with a gasp when his fingers gently touched the second dimpled scar.  “Did I…?” he whispered, surprised at the fear that replaced the passion in her eyes.  With her back turned to him he took the opportunity to visually examine the scar.  It appeared similar in size and shape to the first.  He had seen many bullet entry and exit wounds in his day.  This was not the result of a gunshot.

Annexeter turned slowly and brought her gaze up to meet his.  “Please don’t ask,” she spoke finally and reached for her blouse.  She paused for several moments, staring at the ground, a tear rolled down her cheek.  “Louie, I have so many things to tell you…” she shook her head and let the blouse fall to the floor. “I …” she could not continue.

     “No need to explain anything,” he approached slowly and reached out to her.  “Not tonight…”            

               

* * * * * *

 

Richard peered out at his surroundings.  By the racks of bottles and various marked crates, it was obvious that the tiny jail had been somewhat of an afterthought.  From his position in the cell Richard could read the labels on the bottles and was impressed at the stock.  The wily little frog had taste.  Several large cheeses hung from the ceiling, their wax coverings shiny with the ever-present humidity.   The holding cell, he observed, was a simple six by ten-foot affair with a cot in one corner and a wash basin just outside the bars.  He hoped a constable was within earshot should he have to relieve himself or otherwise require assistance.  All he could do for now was sit and think about how he would deal with her once he was released.

He knew it was only a matter of time before Annexeter rebelled again, it was her nature as a survivor.  Little did he suspect that this God forsaken island in the middle of the South Pacific would have as its Magistrate the one person from her dark past upon whom she could call upon as a friend.   “Damn the luck,” he said to no one.  “God damn the luck,” he shook his head and paced the small cell.

       “There’s no need for profanity.”

                He recognised the voice as the singer from the bar.  Although he didn’t remember her name he remembered she was young, beautiful and most of all, human.

     “I was talking to myself,” he smiled and drew near the bars.  “Heard you singing in the bar, you’re quite good.”

     “Thank you,” she approached cautiously.  “I brought you some coffee, thought it might help your hang over.”

     “I’m not hung over yet hun, but I appreciate the thought.”  Sarah reached through the bars to hand him the cup.  He touched her hand gently.  “Where’s my wife?”

     “I think she’s with Louie,” she replied.  He gave her a cold look.  “He serves as doctor on the island.”

                Richard laughed bitterly, “Apparently he’s not the only one on the island who knows how to operate.”

     “I don’t understand,” Sarah studied him closely.

     “No, of course not,” he took a sip of his coffee and turned away.  “Anne was a camp doctor for many years before we were married.  She was in Egypt when she first met that frog…er…I mean Louie.”

     “When was this?” Her interest was piqued.

     “In ‘22.”

     “With Carter?”

                He looked at her quizzically.  “How?  You’re too young, you couldn’t have been there.”

     “I wasn’t, but my father was. Funny he never mentioned the camp doctor,” she pulled up a chair and sat down, “Please tell me more.”

Richard sat on the edge of the cot and stared at the young singer, she wasn’t hardened and embittered like Anne.  She was pure and bright, he would even go so far as to say, virginal.  She had her whole world ahead of her.  What this sweet little girl was doing in a shithole like this he would never know.  Richard smiled, he could feed her tidbits all night from the details he’d gathered about Elsemere and his misfortunes with Anne in Egypt.  Although the comsumptive old fool hadn’t said much upon his return, it had been obvious from the distance between he and Anne something had happened.  Richard had drawn his own conclusions from the rumors he heard from the servants.  And now he could spin a glorious tale for this impressionable young woman.

 

* * * * * *

 

                The following morning Annexeter lay sleeping as Louie rose from the bed to bathe.  As the water poured over his body he thought about the night before.  Annie Dar had brought out in him in feelings that he had not experienced in many, many years. He recalled with a smile the turbulent affair they had had in Egypt.  How young he had been.  Ah, the virtue of youth.  What had happened to those salad days?  A bitter laugh caught in his throat.  Too many things had happened; too many lives had been lost.  Youth was wasted on the young. 

The towel was rough on his skin, but he didn’t mind.  The years had hardened him.  They had given him precious lessons of life and love.  No longer the fumbling boy, he was now a man; a man who knew how to drive the passions of a woman. He smiled when he thought of the previous evening, his recommendations that she wait until her injuries healed had fallen upon deaf ears.  She had insisted that her wounds were only superficial.  That there was a deeper need that must be addressed.   Despite her willingness, it was obvious that Annie had not been with a man in quite sometime. Louie enjoyed the occasion to take his time and languorously share with her the knowledge he had gained over the years.  Their night together had been delightful and full of wonderful discoveries and surprises.

Quietly, he entered the room not wanting to wake her from her richly deserved slumber.  He studied her face in the morning light.  The black and blue patches that coloured her alabaster skin a testament to the altercation with her husband, Richard Jones.  Her husband, he repeated to himself wryly.  He tied the neckerchief quickly, arranging the material to cover the small marks she had left on his throat.  Feeling watched, he turned from the mirror and glanced in her direction. Striking green eyes peered from the purple sockets of her pale, bruise-mottled face, “Bonjour.”

     “Bonjour,” her voice was drowsy and her darkened lids, heavy. 

Louie drew closer and kissed her softly.  “I’ll send up breakfast.”

     “Not hungry,” she smiled weakly.  “I’ll have something later.”

                He nodded and turned to leave.

     “About last night, I didn’t mean to…” she paused and touched her throat, “I…I got carried away.  I forget myself sometimes.”

                He nodded again.  “No harm done.  When you are ready I will have Gushie take you to Richard’s cell.  I imagine you are going to want to speak to him.”

     “Yes,” she nodded.  “I want you to know if you set him free he will kill me.”

     “He will not be set free.”

 

* * * * * *

 

                Richard moved slowly, his head throbbing from the effects of the alcohol from the night before.  He squinted at the streak of sunlight that pierced the darkness.  He could hear muffled sounds of people talking, dogs barking, children’s voices.  “Constable?” he called out then clutched his head as the sound of his voice felt like a sledgehammer in his brain.

                The tanned man dressed in khaki appeared moments later, his gun holstered at his side.  “Oui?”

     “Oh God, not another one.  Can’t any of you damned people speak English?”

     “He speaks English.”   This time it was Annexeter’s voice.  The guard stepped away as she approached.

     “Think you’re safe and sound?” he mocked from behind the bars.  “Think your boyfriend is going to keep you from me?  I’ll get out of here, you just watch me.  And when I do…”

     “Save your threats Richard,” she spoke softly.

     “Oh?” the sudden realisation hit him.  “After last night I suppose my fate has been sealed and delivered.  I should have known.”  He shook his head.  “You had this planned all along.”

                Annexeter shook her head, “As I recall, you brought me to this island…”

     “Enough,” he whispered, his head throbbing at the sound of her voice. 

“You sold my services to someone on Tagataya…” she realized with a sudden clarity that frightened her.

     “Enough!” he shouted finally. Instantly, he regretted raising his voice.  “Look.  Unless you have a reason to be here, besides tormenting me, then leave.”

     “Would breakfast be reason enough?” she offered a tray with a steaming plate of steak and eggs, cup of coffee and a bowl of fruit.

                Richard eyed the food hungrily despite his pounding head.  Her consideration of his condition was suspect.  He had fallen for this ploy before.  “You don’t think I’m going to eat that.”

     “Surely after such a long night…an empty stomach longing to be filled.  Can’t you smell the delicious steak the cook prepared...medium rare,” she waved the tray under his nose, “Just the way you like it.  Seasoned to perfection…”

                Richard’s mouth watered and he swallowed hard.  “No.  You conniving bitch, this is all a ruse…I know how you operate.” 

Annexeter regarded him coolly.  “Very well, I’ll eat it.”  She placed the tray on the crate and began to cut the steak.  Richard watched the juices flow from the meat and pool around the edge of the eggs, staining the albumen pink.  She raised the first bite to her lips.  Her mouth watered in anticipation.  A drop of bloody juice dripped on the tip of her tongue and her mouth exploded in ecstasy.  She closed her eyes and gently pulled the meat from her fork.  She sucked on the small chunk of meat drawing the warm juices into her mouth.  She then chewed the meat slowly, savoring the taste and feel of the flesh.  Richard watched her, his stomach growling in protest.

     “All right God dammit, gimme that food,” he demanded as he thrust his arms through the bars. 

                Annexeter smiled slowly, her jade green eyes sparkling beneath the dark purple lids.  “Are you sure?” she teased.  “Are you sure you trust me?”

     “Gimme the food dammit!” he demanded louder, as he strained to reach the tray.

     “Bon Apetit,” she pushed a crate up to the side of his cell and walked away.

 

* * * * *

 

                The island bustled with busy natives and Clipper passengers as they prepared to leave for the next leg of their various journeys.  Annexeter sat at a table on the veranda.  She nursed a glass of red liquid and watched the activities.  A few people gave her a second glance and she smiled sweetly from behind the shade of her wide brimmed hat and dark sunglasses.

     “Doctor Dar?”

                She turned to acknowledge the source of her name.  It was the singer from the night before, she recalled Louie had called her something.  Annexeter scoured her mind.  “Sarah,” she smiled and motioned for the young woman to join her.

     “I understand you were in Egypt in 1922.”

     “Yes.”

     “I spoke to Richard last night and he says you knew my father.”

                Annexeter looked at her quizzically over the edge of her sunglasses, “Miss, forgive me if I seem rude, but I barely remember you from last night,” she paused to take another sip from her glass and let the words settle in.  When the young woman did not leave, “I can assure you Richard was not in Egypt.  As far as your father, I really couldn’t say that I knew him.”

                Sarah stared at the woman, she recalled the scene from the night before, Louie had tended her wounds well.  She thought about Richard and what he had said.  That she was a devious individual and not to be trusted, but if she had known her father, it was a chance worth taking.  “My name is Sarah Stickney-White,” she introduced herself.

     “Ah,” she recognized the name from the distant past, “That would have made Doctor White your father,” Annexeter drew her sunglasses down her long nose and looked at the young woman closer.  “Yes, now I see the resemblance.” Slowly she returned the shades to their lofty perch atop her long nose.  “Honestly Miss White, I can’t tell you much about him.  I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance once.  As I recall he had a firm hand shake and kind eyes.  I have little doubt my husband knew him much better.”

                Sarah narrowed her eyes. “But you just said Richard was not in Egypt.”

     “He wasn’t,” Annexeter took another leisurely sip of wine when suddenly her attentions were drawn to the tall Reverend as he walked by.  “My first husband, Elsemere, was the archaeologist.”  He looked back and acknowledged the two women with a tip of his fedora.   “I do hope your father is well,” she returned her attentions to Sarah.

     “He was murdered,” Sarah replied, her eyes beginning to tear up.

     “I am very sorry to hear that,” Annexeter offered her a handkerchief.

                Sarah accepted the cloth and gently touched it to her eyes.  The delicate scent of lavender permeated the lace-rimmed cloth. “I understand you and Louie are old friends,” she probed gently, reminded of his reaction to the scent of her dress the previous day.

                     Annexeter shifted uncomfortably, “That, Miss White, is not a topic I wish to discuss with you.”  She stood up and finished her wine, “If you will excuse me.”   Sarah watched the woman walk away.  Richard was right, she was hiding a dark secret. 

 

* * * * *

 

Richard sat on his cot.  The world was going on around him and he was stuck in this damned cell.  He could hear the children’s laughter intermingled with the voices of adults.  The sudden roar of an engine told him the Clipper was leaving.  He should have been on that plane.  Damn her.  God damn her to Hell!  He’d made up his mind; forget this life of being a courier.   He’d take the money and the diamond from this job and leave for Hawaii.  Perhaps The Solomons.   Maybe even Australia.  Anywhere he could live out his life away from her.   Enough was enough.  Why he ever married her he’d never know.  She had been nothing but trouble since he’d first met Elsemere.  He didn’t know why the Princess wanted to exploit Anne’s gift, he only knew he wasn’t interested in living forever.

 

* * * * *

 

                From her vantage point on the balcony, Annexeter watched the tall Reverend.  He had a particular deliberateness to his step.  She mused herself with thoughts of who this man really was.  It was obvious by the respect the natives and other members of the island paid him he was accepted as a man of the cloth.  But there was something else.  She had heard the native girls giggling amongst themselves about his blessings and she soon figured out he was not as close to chaste as he wanted others to think.  He was a young man after all.  It was obvious he loved his female parishioners, perhaps a little more than his position dictated.  Annexeter smiled.  “Good afternoon Reverend,” she called down as he walked by.

                The tall man stopped and looked up at her, a smile crossed his face.  He too had taken an interest in her from the moment she had stepped off the plane.  He had thought about her many times while giving blessings.  He remembered that she had arrived with another man whom he had not seen since the Clipper landed.   He was amused at the casual yet deliberate bid to catch his eye.  Her directness was exciting, but at the same time it disturbed him. He could only think of one other woman who made him feel that way.  He was thankful she was not there.  “Good afternoon,” he stopped and looked up, then suddenly tipped his hat and went reluctantly on his way.

                Annexeter toyed with the idea of seeking a private audience with the young preacher but realised her predatory nature would simply get her into trouble.  She watched him go.  An excellent specimen, she thought.  Apparently the little house painter has an eye for breeding after all, she mused to herself.

     “That would be Reverend Tenboom,” Sarah noticed as she met Annexeter on the balcony.

She realised the reason for his sudden egress. “Perhaps you could introduce me?”

      “Perhaps,” she responded curtly, then added in passing, “Louie’s looking for you.”

                Annexeter could hear the sound of Richard’s voice as she approached the door.   He was berating the constables and Louie.

     “Monsieur you’re not doing your case any good with these outbursts,” Louie admonished, not raising his voice.  A knock on the door brought silence to the room.

    “Entré vous.”

                Annexeter opened the door and slowly entered.  She glanced from Louie to Richard and back to Louie, “You asked to see me?”
     “Mr. Jones is here for his arraignment.”

     “I want to see my ambassador.  I am an American, I have rights.”

     “Not here,” Louie stood up. “This is my jurisdiction, and under French law you are guilty until proven innocent.”

     “Great, this is just great,” Richard threw his handcuffed hands in the air, drawing the attention of the guards who moved in closer.  “Dammit, get away from me, I’m not going anywhere,” he shrugged them off.  “Damn frogs…” he grumbled under his breath scowling with displeasure at the impossible situation he now found himself firmly entrenched.

Louie glanced at her.  “I saw enough that night to convict you with or without a jury.”

     “You have no idea what she is do you?”

     “I think you’ve said enough Richard,” Annexeter spoke finally, “We are in the French Marivellas.  French justice is a great deal more brusque than American justice.”

     “Doctor Dar,” it was strange for her to hear Louie speak to her in such a formal manner, “We are not here to discuss judicial systems, only to determine for the record what transpired on the evening in question.  If you will state for the record,” he turned his inquisitor’s gaze upon her.  “What occurred between you and Mr. Jones after you left the Monkey Bar.”

Before she had a chance to speak, Richard snapped, “And I suppose you are going to take the word of this blood-sucking Mata Hari?”  Louie raised his eyebrows.

     “What are you suggesting?”

     “Nothing.” Annexeter jumped in, a thin veil of panic in her voice.  “He’s not suggesting anything…”

     “She’s a…” he started at her for a long moment.  “If you’d just open your eyes you’d see her for what she really is!”  Louie rewarded Richard with a withering gaze, followed by an amused chuckle. “You stupid Frog you slept with my wife didn’t you!” Richard suddenly leapt to his feet.  He slammed his hands on the Magistrate’s desk,   “Now you’ll never see the truth…she’s a god damned blood-sucking monster,” he blurted out the words in a fit of rage.  The truth had been told, Annexeter’s secret had been exposed. 

No one said a word for a long moment.  The Magistrate’s men remained stoic.   What their employer did in his off-hours was his business, not their own. Minding one’s own affairs was an unspoken law of these islands.  Louie spoke finally ignoring the pointed jibe.  “Mr. Jones I know what I saw.  And while I may look the other way for the occasional bar brawl, I will not abide rape or attempted murder in my jurisdiction.  Therefore your guilt speaks for itself.”

     “No!” Richard protested, “You don’t understand!”

                Louie regarded him with a steely look, “I do understand.”

     “You may be the law around here, but you’ve no idea what kind of a monster you’re dealing with.  She’s a god damned vam…”

     “That’s enough Richard!” Annexter spat, with anger and fear a volatile mix her eyes blazed dangerously close to red, “I think we’ve heard enough of your lies!”  Richard slumped forward, his face was pale and his brow dripped with sweat.  

     “Vamp…” he staggered forward and collapsed.  Blood trickled from his nose.  Louie dropped to one knee and put his fingers on the man’s neck.

     “Pulse?”

     “Shallow but steady,” he replied.  The blood that ran from his nostrils soon stained the floor beneath his head.  He looked up at Annexeter.  Her face was pale and drawn.  He thought he saw fear in her eyes. 

     “Richard has a lot of medical problems,” Annexeter responded quietly to the questioning look.

                Louie wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the understatement, but something about the convenience of the man’s collapse stopped him.  Louie’s men lifted Richard and as instructed, carried him back to his cell.  “I can take care of him from here,” Annexeter smiled.  Louie regarded her strangely for a moment, “I will leave you to your treatment.”  He lingered to review the stock of wine.  Annexeter was aware that he was watching her from the corner of his eye.  “Come on Richard,” she began to clean his face. “Let’s get you out of these bloody clothes.” 

    

                Later that afternoon, Sarah ventured down to see the prisoner.  She had seen him carried back to his cell, covered with blood.  “Mr. Jones,” she spoke softly, “Richard?”

     “Where?” he lifted his head slightly and looked around, unable to focus completely.  “Who?”

     “Sarah?” she spoke softly, drawing the chair closer to the cell wall.  “We talked the other night.”

                He looked at her quizzically, waiting for the muzzy feeling to clear.

     “Can I get you some water?”

                He nodded.  The cool liquid tasted funny…metallic…but it quenched his thirst.  “Sarah?  Where am I?”

     “In the holding cell.  What happened?  You’re all bloody?”

     “That damned doctor…” he struggled to sit up, but lost his balance and spilled the remainder of the water on his pants.

     “Pardon me?” she was taken aback by his reaction.  “I’ll have you know Louie is the best medical doctor on the island.  Okay, granted he isn’t a real doctor, but he’s the next best thing…”

                Richard put his hands over his ears, “Shut up…” he groaned.  “Stop your incessant babbling.”  Sarah stared at him as if she had been struck. 

     “Wallow in your own self-pity, see if I care,” she turned on her heel to leave.

     “Sarah, wait!” he called after her.  “I’m sorry, this headache is about to be the death of me.”

     “I’ll come back when you are feeling better.”

                Richard hung on the bars to maintain his balance as he watched her go.  Damn that Anne, he thought as his head pounded, she’s poisoned me again…that bitch is going to be the death of me.  I have to get free, pound a stake into that cold black heart, and finish the job Elsemere botched.  Finish her off once and for all.  Darkness and light swirled in his sight as consciousness fled from his being.

 

                Annexeter walked along the jungle path glancing at the foliage, enjoying the cloying fragrance of the strange plants.   “A lady can get lost in these jungles,” a friendly, heavily accented voice spoke.  She recognized the thinly disguised Dutch accent as belonging to the tall, blonde Reverend.

     “Let me guess, you have a road map to the path of salvation,” Annexeter looked into his china blue eyes, “Via your pulpit?” The Reverend shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

                His eyes grew wide.  “Ach,” he stammered and pulled his fedora from his head.  He studied the strange woman.  He had noticed her gaze earlier.  He had even entertained the thought of meeting her like this alone in the jungle, no one to hear them…  But to suddenly have her here, in front of him - he was at a loss.  He studied the green eyes, surrounded by the dark purple bruises, her long white neck mottled with red welts and more dark bruises, the large mark on her cheek.  He felt bad for her.  Many of his parishioners used physical means as a form of punishment, some to correct their children, others to settle a score with a spouse or adversary.  Granted, he too had swung a few punches when the time was nigh and the individual deserved it, but he had never struck a woman.  Even his friend Jake Cutter was prone to use his fists first and ask questions later when someone was in trouble, but never would he consider raising his hand to a woman.  “I could…” he stammered again, “I usually don’t give vespers until much later…but I could make an exception.”

     “Actually I was looking for the way back to the Monkey Bar,” she cut the line, reluctantly releasing her catch.  “I’ve gotten a bit turned around what with all these trails looking the same.” Her smile was genuine, as was the relief on his face.

     “I’d be glad to.”

                Sarah watched from the balcony as the Reverend and the not-so-good Doctor emerged from the jungle arm in arm.  She watched the exchange of smiles, and the gentle touch the woman gave the Reverend’s shoulder as they parted company.  A sensuous touch, she thought.  Sarah scowled darkly and withdrew to the shadows as Annexeter looked up at her.

 

 

     “Is your wife a religious person?” she asked of the pale man who lay back on the cot, resting in the holding cell.

                Richard opened his eyes and struggled weakly to lift his head.  “Religious?” he snorted then winced.  “I don’t think she has set foot in a church in a coon’s age…come to think of it I don’t know that she can.”

     “Why?  Has she committed sins against the church?” Sarah narrowed her eyes, “Besides adultery?”

     “Adultery?” Richard raised his eyebrows, “That’s probably the least of her sins.”  He looked beyond the young woman, “Wouldn’t you agree Annie?”

                Sarah turned to face the tall, pale woman.  She didn’t realise how intense her presence was until that moment.  She felt very small and child-like under the accusatory gaze.  “Miss White,” she began with a tone normally reserved for ill-mannered youngsters, “I think it would be best if Mr. Jones was left to his nap.  He is feeling under the weather after all.”

                Sarah avoided the piercing green eyes that bored into her.  “I hope you are feeling better, Richard,” revealing in her voice a note of defiance at being chased away.

     “She really is below your calibre, Anne.” Richard spoke quietly, “I am surprised you are willing to give her the chase.”

     “Who said anything about giving chase?” Annexeter sat down on the chair outside his cell.  “How are you feeling?”

     “If that’s your idea of a bedside manner,” Richard scoffed.  “You really need to work on that compassion schtic.”

     “Give me some credit.”

     “All right, since you’re asking, I feel pretty lousy.  But then I suppose you know how I feel, all things considered.”

                     Annexeter rolled her eyes.  “As I recall you were the one who got drunk and decided to force the issue…Louie just happened to be in the right place at the right time…” she reveal her long white teeth. “And now you will rot away in a prison while I carry on.”

     “Mark my words, whore, I’ll never serve a day of time of any sentence handed down by that Frog or his kangaroo court!”

                Annexeter sprung to her feet.  The chair slammed against the bars creating a loud clatter that brought one of Louie’s constables to the wine cellar.  “What’s going on down here?”

    “Nothing,” she smiled sweetly and carefully righted the chair. “I lost my balance.”

     “Please escort her out,” Richard commanded as best he could in his weakened state. “I grow tired of her presence.”

                The constable took her arm, “Madam,” he avoided looking directly into her eyes.

     “Oh, I’ll mark your words Richard,” she looked back at him and winked, “You can bet your life on it.”

               

* * * * *

 

One morning later that week, Louie stood with Annexeter on the dock as they watched the Grumman Goose sputter into the lagoon on one engine.  She laughed as she watched the two men scrambled inside the cockpit, then at the little brindle and white terrier as he leapt out of the plane, a rope firmly gripped in his teeth.

     “Surely you jest,” she turned to Louie, “This plane will make it to Tagataya?”

     “Jake is the finest pilot on the island.” 

     “Jake’s the only pilot on the island,” spoke Gushie as he wheeled up to them.  “Louie, I hate to break up this amusing moment, but one of the guests has asked to speak to you.”

     “Pardon me,” he excused himself, “I’ll introduce you to Jake when I return.”

                Annexeter nodded and watched as two men climbed out of the plane. First out was a man of medium height, heavy build, clad in a soiled mechanic’s coveralls.  His face darkened by several days’ growth of beard and engine grease, he was followed by another man in a brown leather flight jacket, his face hidden beneath the brim of a crushed flight hat.  “Jake, I told you that engine wouldn’t make it,” the mechanic gently admonished shaking his head as he climbed on the plane.

     “It got us home Corky, that’s all that matters…” he chewed furiously on his cigar stub.  The dog barked once.  “Put a lid on it Jack, it’s not my fault we missed that sailor.  You’ll get your eye back next time.”

                The little terrier growled and walked away leaving the two men to unload the plane.  Annexeter reached down to the little dog as he walked by.  “Jack?” she spoke softly and he stopped to look at her.  “Will you let me pet you?” she offered her hand for him to smell.  The dog growled then wagged his tail as she crouched down address him at his level.  “What’s with the eye patch?”

     “He lost his eye back in ‘36 when we were flying gold out of Singapore.  He’s very vain,” the man in the flight jacket explained as she stood up.  He was amazed as she rose to her full height that they looked at each other eye to eye.  He noticed the bruises that coloured her alabaster features.  She raised one eyebrow. “Poor little fella.”

                Before he had a chance to respond, they were joined by the Reverend Tenboom.  “Jake, you are just the man I need to speak to…” he ushered Jake away.  Annexeter smiled widely and watched them go.  She shrugged and walked back the length dock to the Monkey Bar.

     “Wine madam?” the bartender had a glass and a bottle ready as she approached.  “Yes please,” she sat down on the barstool and watched Gushie as he attended several customers who sat at table throughout the bar.

     “I’d be careful drinking red wine with Jake around,” Gushie intoned playfully.  The bartender turned away, a knowing smile on his face.

     “Am I missing something?” she looked at Gushie quizzically.  He smiled and laughed as he wheeled off, a tray of sandwiches for the ladies at the table by the window across his lap. Annexeter delved into her pocket for a small leather pouch.  She reached inside and withdrew several pills and a small wax paper envelope of red powder.  Carefully she unfolded the envelope and poured it into the wine.  Gently she swirled the liquid. It became thicker and coated the sides with a reddish tint.  With one swift move she popped the pills in her mouth and sipped the wine to wash them down.  She glanced in the direction of the stairs at the sound of clicking heels on the wooden planks.  Sarah stopped and stared down at her.  The two women exchanged looks and the younger turned away.  Annexeter watched as she approached the piano and nervously rifled through the sheet music before it she sighed loudly in frustration. 

     “Gushie,” she pleaded, “Have you seen my new sheet music?  I want to practice.”

                He whirled around, reached behind the music stand on the piano and presented her with the sheaf of papers.  “Keeps the riff raff from using them for fans,” he winked at Annexeter as he rolled past her to the kitchen.

     “Fans,” Sarah sniffed.  Absently she fanned herself with the handful of papers and laughed absently to no one as she walked off.

                The sound of voices from the kitchen caught her attention.  Louie and Gushie were having a heated discussion concerning the fate of the calf that had disappeared.  “I’m telling you Louie, he was there last night.  I fed him myself, maybe a snake ate him,” he suggested helplessly.

     “Snakes don’t unlock bamboo cages,” he looked up and noticed Annexeter sitting at the bar.  “We’ll discuss this later.”

                Gushie shook his head and returned to the kitchen with a low rumble in his throat.

     “Have you had a chance to meet Jake?”

     “Not exactly, his attentions were required by the Reverend,” she couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the look on the Reverend’s face there in the jungle.  Whether he simply went through the motions, or had a real working knowledge of the Bible, he brought genuine comfort to the masses and they accepted him.  The only detail that disturbed his otherwise excellent masquerade was his proclivity for the many young native girls who graced the island. Such as it was he was well-respected by the Island’s people.  She wondered if Sarah was aware that the Reverend seemed to have more on his mind than saving her immortal soul…but whatever his secret was, she would never tell.

     “The Reverend Tenboom is a good man.  He provides solace for the many people on these islands,” Louie mused glancing out over the lagoon, as they walked down the dock. 

The man who served as Jake’s good friend and mechanic laboured furiously on the failed engine.  He had since been joined by Jake and the Reverend who were unloading boxes and crates from the plane.  Suddenly a crash then a yelp as the boxes toppled over knocking the tall, blonde Dutchman on his back.  “Ach!” he groaned and pushed a box off his leg, a long nail caught and tore the flesh very nearly to the bone. 

     “Reverend!” shouted Jake, leapt to the man’s aid.

     “Corky, help me, get the Reverend…” Jake helped the struggling man to his feet.  The mechanic shimmied off the plane and grabbed up the tall man’s other arm.  Blood trailed from the large gash in his leg.

     “Get him down,”Annexeter shouted running down the wooden dock, reaching the group first.  “You,” she pointed to Jake. “I need some clean rags for a compress.”  Jake looked up at Louie who had just reached them.

     “She’s a doctor,” he returned to the questioning glance.

     “Jake, I’ll get the first aid kit from the Goose,” Corky offered wanting to get away from the accident, and the strange woman who almost seemed to be excited at the sight of the man’s bloody leg.

                The Reverend moaned and struggled, “I’m good, I’ll be fine…” he protested as Louie helped to hold him down.  Annexeter eyed the gash in the man’s leg; it was too deep for a simple bandage, but not life threatening.  “It’s just a scratch…” he fought to get to his feet.

     “This is more than just a scratch Reverend, you’re going to need stitches,” she looked into the man’s the pale blue eyes.  At this exchange, the Reverend’s eyes rolled back in his head and he groaned loudly as he lost consciousness.  Corky returned with the first aid kit, clutching it to his chest trying to wish this calamity into the past. “He’s losing a lot of blood,” Annexeter commented as she packed the wound with the clean rags.  She glanced up to see the others delving into the first aid kit.  Absently, she touched her finger to her mouth and wiped the red fluid on her tongue.  She closed her eyes to savor the taste and ride the rush that followed. She opened her eyes to see Corky was staring at her, mouth agape, eyes open wide.  Annexeter regarded him casually, as if the incident he had just witnessed hadn’t happened.  “Can you help these men get the Reverend to his hut?” she asked the now pale mechanic.

     “Uh, yeah,” he was not sure how to react, still mentally digesting what he had just seen.

     “Get his feet Corky,” Jake ordered gathering up the unconscious man’s shoulders.  People on the dock cleared out of the way then gathered in the wake to watch.  Sarah gasped when she saw the unconscious Reverend between Jake and Corky, “What happened?” she ran out of the bar and to Jake’s side.

     “A crate fell on him,” Corky said.

     “Oh no, will he be all right?”

     “He should be.” Jake replied as they continued in the direction of the Reverend’s hut.

     “Oh,” Sarah stood back and watched them go, then decided to follow when she caught sight of Annexeter.

                Gushie wheeled up to the doctor, “Angry father or jealous husband?” he joked.

     “Neither,” Annexeter replied, with a look of amusement, “…an errant crate.”

                Gushie nodded and chuckled to himself as he disappeared back into the bar.

     “There, on the bed,” Louie instructed, as he snapped open his bag. “Annie will assist me from here.”  He looked around, “Annie?”

     “Coming,” she stepped through the growing crowd toward the Reverend’s quarters, “Are you sure this is clean enough?” she gave the room a cursory look.

                Louie nodded, “Yes.  It’s fine.”  He took Jake and Corky aside, “Gentlemen, we can take it from here.  We’ll send for you if we need help.” 

     “Uhm, Jake, I’m going to work on that engine…” Corky excused himself.  Jake noticed something was bothering his friend.  Normally after a flight the first thing the man wanted was a beer.  Perhaps it was the fact that the Reverend had been injured, perhaps it was something else.  Corky obviously wanted to be alone.  Jake worried his cap anxiously as he paced outside the Reverend’s hut. He blamed himself for asking the man to assist him with unloading the Goose. 

     “He’s going to be fine Jake,” a comforting hand on his shoulder accompanied the voice.

     “Thanks Sarah,” Jake smiled uneasily and reached for her.  “I don’t know what happened…” Sarah nodded and listened to him as he relayed the details of the accident.

     “These things happen Jake, he’ll be fine.”  She gave the figures inside a frosty glance.  Hadn’t Richard said his wife couldn’t enter a church? 

               

                Louie retrieved the instruments from his bag as Anne pulled the moist edges of cloth from the wound.  She was surprised at how the sight and smell of this man’s blood excited her. “Uhm, can you get us some hot water?” she angled for an excuse.

                Louie turned.  He saw a look on her face he did not recognize, distant, yet sharply focused.  Her chest rose and fell much faster than necessary.  “Are you okay Annie?”

     “I’m fine, just winded,” she excused, her voice tight, “The water?”

     “Of course,” he stepped from the hut and she waited until the group moved toward the Monkey Bar before she closed the curtain and gave her full attention to the man’s leg.  With a long, firm stroke she licked the open wound.  The slightly salty, coppery taste exploded in her mouth sending her reeling, she threw her head back and rode the rush. Then, like a parched camel at an oasis, she bent forward again and drove her tongue deeply into the open wound, gently probing and sucking.  A groan from the prone Reverend interrupted her.  Annexeter swallowed hard and reluctantly pulled away from his leg.  Approaching his head she licked the blood from her lips and gently brushed his cheek with her fingers, murmuring softly in his ear, “Mein kind, mein kind.”  He mumbled something that sounded like “Mutter…” before he drifted off again.

                Louie returned and set the steaming pitcher on the night table, “Your water.”  She smiled and reached to remove the man’s pants.

     “That won’t be necessary.”  Something in Louie’s voice suggested she may have had a less than professional, perhaps even an ulterior, motive in mind.

     “His trousers are ruined any way,” she ignored his hint and grabbed the edges of the bloodstained cloth and tore them half way up the man’s thigh revealing a pale, muscular limb.  “Washcloth?”

                Annexeter deftly cleaned, stitched and dressed the wound in less time than Louie thought possible.  “Your skills are commendable,” he nodded.  “The scarring should be minimal.”

     “I aim to please,” she smiled brightly her demeanor strangely elated.  Louie noticed the bruising on her face had diminished considerably since that morning.  “What?” she was suddenly aware he was studying at her in a clinical manner.  “Did I forget something?”

     “No,” he shook his head not wishing to feed the niggling suspicion in the back of his mind. “I’ll bring him around.”

                Annexeter glanced at Louie, then turned her attentions to the washbasin, the water red with blood.  She tried hard not to make her need obvious.  She felt stirrings that were increasingly hard to fight.  Louie would demand an explanation if she made too obvious a move to empty the washbasin, but on the other hand, the life-sustaining fluid was just too precious to waste.

     “Mein Gott!”                The Reverend shook his head and tried to sit up to avoid the putrid stench of the capsule Louie waved beneath his nose.

     “Easy, easy Mon Ami.”

     “My leg…” he struggled to look at his injured limb.

     “Doctor Dar she…she…” he struggled to find the words, but soon gave up.

     “Cleaned, stitched and dressed,” she interrupted and glanced cautiously at Louie, “I want you to stay off that leg the rest of the night and keep the vigorous activities to a minimum until the stitches come out.”

                Reverend Tenboom’s hand strayed to the bandage as he gingerly tried to scratch an itch.

     “And no scratching,” she touched his hand with her fingertips.  “Doctor’s orders.”

Louie noticed the blush that came over the younger man’s features.  “I think we can let the good Reverend get back to his fold.”

     “Yah,” the Reverend agreed heartily and stumbled to his feet. “I should like to prepare for evening Vespers.”

     “Let me get this mess cleaned this up,” Annexeter offered, moving toward the wash basin.

     “I’ve got it,” Louie took the pitcher and bowl outside and threw the bloody water to the jungle behind the church.  Annexeter’s knees sagged and suddenly she felt faint.  She leaned against the doorframe for support.

                Louie returned for his bag.  “Something wrong?” he asked.

     “No,” she sighed wishing she could tell him more than the simplest of truths.  “I’m just hungry…very very hungry.”

                Louie nodded and walked into the hut to retrieve his bag.  She could hear his voice, and then hearty laughter from both men.  He emerged still smiling. “I do believe he will be well attended.” Louie laughed, trying not to let the note of suspicion into his voice.

 

                In the Monkey Bar, Jake nursed a beer at the bar and nodded as Sarah shared with him an overview of the events from the past week.   “She knew my father.”

     “Small world,” Jake glanced at the door as Louie and Annexeter entered the bar.   He recognized the woman from the dock.  Sarah glanced over and her smile faded.  “And her husband is in Louie’s jail.”

                Annexeter smiled at the young woman and the blonde pilot. 

     “Annie, I need to have a word with you,” Louie gently touched her arm diverting her attentions, “in my office.”

     “Of course,” she nodded, a sinking feeling in her gut.

                     Suddenly one of the constables entered and bid the Magistrate aside.  He nodded and the two men left the bar in the direction of the wine cellar.  Annexeter watched them go.  Resisting the urge to follow, she sat instead at the far end of the bar.  A glass was placed in front of her.  The bartender waited, a bottle marked “sangria” in hand.  She smiled brightly, “My dear sir you are a mind reader.”

                He returned her smile with one of his own. “It’s my job to anticipate.” 

Gushie wheeled up and held a piece of paper to his forehead, “Anticipate this.”  The two men exchanged a laugh.

     “Gushie, may I trouble you for a bite to eat?” she asked quietly, feeling faintly queasy.

     “Anything for the lady,” he smiled brightly.

     “Sixty second steak, thirty on a side,” she offered hopefully.

                Gushie nodded, “Are you sure you want me to bother cooking it?”  He laughed quietly to himself and wheeled in the direction of the kitchen.

     “I think I need to do some laundry,” Sarah excused herself to avoid a confrontation.

                Jake stood up as she walked away.  He moved toward the woman at the end of the bar, “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.”

     “Jake, this is Doctor Annexeter Dar,” Gushie spoke as he returned with her meal.  “Doctor Dar this is Jake Cutter,” he paused to let the introductions sink in. “Your steak.”

                Jake glanced at the slightly seared, still red piece of meat.  Annexeter took the plate and her wine from the bar and moved toward the stairs.  “If you’ll excuse me, I prefer to dine in the privacy of my room.”

                Jake and Gushie watched her leave.  “What’s her story?” he questioned casually.  “I got the Week in Review from Sarah.”

     “She’s an old friend of Louie’s,” the man replied.  “Not much else to say.”

     “What about her husband?”

     “What about him?  He’s been cooling his heels in the jail cell since the Clipper got here.  He roughed her up a bit.”  Gushie shrugged.  “I don’t think you have much to worry about from him.”

 

                Annexeter sat in her room and savoured the nearly raw steak bite by bite.  She thought about the American pilot.  He was younger than Louie by a good fifteen, maybe twenty years.  His boyishly handsome features were well-seasoned by the sun and the sands of time.  Suddenly she heard footsteps on the veranda outside her room, the footfalls of a man followed by the quick succession of padding by a quadruped.  She downed the last of her wine and set the empty plate aside on the bed.  In two quick steps she was at the door.  “Mr. Cutter?” she spoke, as she opened it just a crack only to see that it was not the pilot but his companion, the mechanic, whom they called Corky.

     “Uh, no,” he turned and gave her a worried look.  “Jake’s in the bar, you can talk to him there,” he started off, looking back to see that the woman was still there.  “Come on Jack,” he urged the terrier on.  The stench of his fear lingered.  She had misjudged him on the dock.  Taking him for a simpleton had been an error in judgement, for he was at least as smart as the little terrier that followed at his heels.  Sober, he might make for a worthy adversary.  Drunk, he was still a danger.  He would be one to watch.

                Looking out over the balcony she surveyed the landscape and listened to the sounds of the people, the town and the jungle.  Eyes closed, she tried to imagine herself a part of this strange world so different from her own stone walls.  What would she do once she destroyed Richard?  Would she stay here and try to rekindle a romance with Louie, or would she travel the globe in search of a cure for her…condition.

     “Penny for your thoughts,” Jake strolled down the colonnade.  Annexeter opened her eyes and turned to face him.  Clean shaven, he was even more handsome than before.  She noticed a small spot of dried blood on his chin.

     “Mr. Cutter it will take more than a penny to purchase my thoughts,” she smiled staring deeply into his eyes.

     “Call me Jake,” he was slightly embarrassed, “Ah,” he ran his fingers through his hair nervously.

     “Jake,” she spoke his name, allowing the syllable to slide off her tongue slowly.  “I need to charter a flight to Tagataya.” 

     “I’m the only flight in and out save for the Clipper,” he smiled.  “And The Goose, well…she’s…

     “And I will need your services as a body guard, no questions asked,” she interrupted.  Jake weighed her words carefully.   “You will be paid handsomely for your services, of course.”  She didn’t want to scare him away, but she did not want to answer his questions either.

      “That’s not…” he looked into her eyes, surprised at the intensity of her gaze.  “Well, I guess I can’t say no to a paying customer.  But I’m not going to fly anywhere until the Goose is fixed…” he went on to explain the necessary repairs to his flying machine. 

     “Of course,” she agreed.   Annexeter liked Jake immediately.  He was honest, forthright and didn’t pretend he was addressing an ignorant woman.  She watched his face as he talked.  The tanned features, the sparkling white teeth, the way the skin at the corners of his eyes wrinkled when he smiled.    He spoke passionately of his plane and his friend Corky, yet he was reserved when he spoke of his own skills as pilot.  Before her stood a man who had seen many battles in wartime and in peace.  She could see in his eyes that a war of his own still raged.  “All total, I say we are lookin’ at …” he continued.  A heart so tender and pure was a mystery to her.  Behind the naiveté beat the heart of a red-blooded man who knew the ways of a woman. This Jake Cutter was a complicated paradox, neatly wrapped in a worn leather jacket.  She would enjoy this man, his services, his passion or his life.

     “Whatever you decide is fine,” Annexeter smiled and began to edge away, “Now, if you will excuse me, I…”

     “Wait, when…” the door slammed before he could finish his sentence.

                Annexeter huddled against the door, the wave of need pressing her ever closer to committing an act of violence.  She moved away slowly in the direction of her bag.  The herbs would help to quell the need.  “Oh God,” she sighed.  “So close, so close…” the bitterness of the herbs made her grimace in revulsion.

 

                Jake retreated to the Monkey Bar for a beer.  “Tell you what Jake, after the day we’ve had you need this beer more than me…” Corky laughed from the piano, where he played for Sarah.  He nodded and took a healthy draw from the glass as he thought about Anne’s sudden departure. 

    “Did you and Doctor Dar work out a suitable agreement?” Louie approached out of the crowd.

     “I think so,” Jake was still puzzled by her sudden departure. 

 

 

                Anne descended the stairs and caught Jake’s attention as he and Sarah were enjoying the night air during a break in her set.  He excused himself and followed her to the colonnade much to the disquiet of Sarah who, only moments before, had been the focus of his attention.  “Thank you for joining me.  I thought you deserved an apology.”

     “You don’t have to apologise,” Jake folded his hands and leaned against the railing, looking out toward the beach.

     “That was dreadful of me to run off like that,” she too leaned against the railing, hands folded.  “I was…how do I want to say this delicately, uhm, I was overwhelmed by the moment.”  Jake nodded.  Annexeter was pleased he accepted her flimsy excuse. “Here is your money,” she pressed the wad of bills into his hand and glanced at Sarah who glowered darkly at her. 

     “Thank you,” he pocketed the bills quickly.  “About this bodyguard business…”

     “Remember, no questions,” she touched his lips with her finger.  “I really should let you get back to Miss White.  Best not to keep a woman waiting…” she smiled again and walked away.

                Sarah watched her disappear down the stairs.  “I don’t like her Jake, not one bit.”

     “Oh I don’t know,” he watched her go. “She seems just fine to me.”

                Sarah stared at him, anger coloured her cheeks crimson, “Now you are thinking like a…like a man!” she turned and stormed off back to the bar.

 

                Later that night, Annexeter stole down to the holding cell with a plate of food and a bottle of beer for Richard.  “Plans to finish me off with the main course?”  It wasn’t really a question.  “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve poisoned me again.”

     “Do you think I’d be that obvious,” she laughed. “Louie would suspect poison right away, natural pharmaceuticals are much more fun,” a wry smiled played across her face.  “…and in this locale far more readily available.”  She studied Richard as he sat up slowly, his weakened state painfully obvious.  His face was pale and his eyes bloodshot.  The nosebleed earlier in the day left its mark on his shirt.  “It wouldn’t take much more to push you over the edge.”

     “Stop toying with me.  The Magistrate knows all about you.  What you are.  What you’ve done.  What you’re doing to me.  I guess this jail cell isn’t big enough for the both of us…” he smiled at the look on her face.  “Or…that frog likes to live dangerously.  Maybe he is looking to add another trophy to his collection.  You know how those Frenchies are…”

                 Annexeter stared at him.  Her expressionless face hid her seething hatred.  Richard leaned back for a moment to regain his strength before trying to move.  “Oh hell, I haven’t eaten all day.  Gimme that food,” he ordered.  She sat the plate down on the crate outside his cell and watched in silence as he reached for the plate. 

     “Why are you staring at me?”

     “I’m waiting.”

Richard stared at her accusingly.  “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s a mistake to kill the Golden Goose.  Just who do you think is going to get you off this two-bit island?” he spoke.

     “Oh?  Funny you should mention that now…I guess you should have thought about what you were doing the night you tried to rape me.”

                Richard looked up from his meal.   “I only wish I would have killed you,” he glanced at the beer in her hand.   “Now gimme that beer.”

     “This beer?” she held the bottle just out of his reach.  “Keep moving.  The more active you are the better the anticoagulant can move through your bloodstream.

     “Give me that god damned beer and stop playing games!” he demanded reaching through the bars grasping at the bottle she held in her hand.

                Annexeter stared at him her face void of all expression, “You are in no position to demand anything from me ever again,” a wry smile suddenly crept over her features.  “But I guess you know that already.”

                At that moment Richard realised how right she was.  With nothing more to lose, he smiled. “Don’t flatter yourself Annie Dar, all your skills as a doctor and where has it left you?” he paused to take a ragged, gurgling breath as his lungs filled with blood.  “All the herbs in the world won’t cure your condition.  How does it feel to know that you will spend an eternity alone?  Never being able to trust yourself with a man, never knowing if you’ll destroy him for his life’s blood,” a laugh escaped his lips.  “Go on, kill me.  Release me from the Hell it’s been to be married to you.  I should only hope the release of death will rid me of this burden.”  Annexeter stared at him. “Don’t just gape at me you stupid bitch.  If you’re not going to kill me then give me my beer and slither off back to your boyfriend.”

                 Annexeter’s eyes flashed red with fury. 

     “That’s right…bitch!  Elsemere told me about you and the Frog.  How night after night you opened yourself to that dirty French manwhore.  The unspeakable acts you committed!” 

She shattered the bottle on the side of the cell spraying them both with beer and shards of glass.  Richard lay back against his bunk and laughed, foamy blood flecking his lips.  “Elsemere shouldn’t have stopped with the whip.  He should have plunged a tent stake through your black heart then and there.  Killed you both as you lay squirming beneath him…” She was shaking with rage, her knuckles white, her breath quick.  Richard knew there was no escape, and he no longer feared death.  He smirked as she drew closer. “That Japanese broad is getting more than she ever bargained for…”  

Annexeter stopped and took a deep breath.  The broken bottle fell from her fingers. She grabbed Richard by the head, with both hands and smashed his face against the side of the cell.  His scalp split open from the force, spraying them both with blood and tissue.  Annexeter put her lips to the gash and caught the rush of blood in her mouth.  She held his body fast against the bars in her strong grip.  Slowly, she could feel his essence drain away.  Before the final beats of his heart signaled his death, she released him and he collapsed in a heap on the floor.  “Pity you didn’t kill me when you had the chance,” she smiled as she sagged to her knees drunkenly.  “Richard, you really should have been more careful.”

Her head lolled against the cool, blood-slick bars of the cell.  His blood had filled her need.  The curious warmth spread over her, she closed her eyes and sighed peacefully.  A noise from across the room distracted her from the blood induced torpid state she had fallen into.  Out of the corner of her sight she saw movement from behind the wine boxes. 

     “He’ll never believe you,” came a voice from the shadows.

     “Yes he will,” she sighed drowsily.  “I’ll make him believe me.”

     “Louie’s not that gullible.”

The man, whom Annexeter immediately recognised as Gushie, wheeled out of the shadows.  “Neither your mutual history, nor your pretty face will keep him from his duties as Magistrate.  Louie has an obligation to uphold the law on these islands, and murder doesn’t sit well with him.  Not even one so justly deserved.”

Annexeter looked at him through foggy eyes, not yet able to clear the muzziness in her head.

     “We’re going to want to make it look more convincing.  For one, the blood, or lack there of…he’s going to ask questions.  And I doubt you will want to have to explain.”  Annexeter knew he was right.  She hadn’t planned on being observed. “Internal bleeding,” she countered cautiously.  “His lungs are full of blood…what’s to say the rest of him isn’t as well?”

This man they called Gushie was practically Louie’s right hand.  His services and assistance to the Magistrate in keeping the peace, all the while delivering drinks and his own brand of humour, was indispensable.  She had observed him interact with the patrons who frequented the bar.  No one treated him as less of a man for being in a wheelchair.  When Annexeter had inquired about his necessity to use the chair she had been amused by the response.  Not one of them thought of him as being different.  Most didn’t consider his unconventional mobility as a disability, but as a natural way of things.  Ahmed had hinted at Gushie’s exemplary service to his country, however when pressed for details, the Egyptian’s face became like that of the Sphinx.  Gushie was an essential cog in the inter workings of the Boragora community and a significant ally to anyone needing a faithful friend.  He was quick with numbers and handy in a fight.  He could be trusted to hold bets and depended on to always come through with the correct answer if a fact was questioned.  For Annexeter he was now a loose end to be reckoned with.

     “You know Louie’s a doctor.  He’ll perform an autopsy,” Gushie replied, not moving any closer.  “There is another way…”

     “I’m open to suggestions,” she was coming around now, the fog clearing from her mind.  Gushie could see she was starting to get her bearings again.  He would have to think fast or he too may end up as the unfortunate man who lay crumpled and broken on the floor in a pool of blood. “Considering you are now the only living person who knows what I am…” she drew unsteadily her feet. “I could kill you too…”

     “True, you could,” he responded as he moved closer to her, no fear in his eyes.  “However, you seem to be a reasonably intelligent individual,” he purposely avoided the word creature.  “Take a moment and think about this…” he cut to the chase carefully.  “If you kill me, at the very least you’d hang.  More likely you’d be guillotined.   That is if you didn’t disappear first…” his words were not a threat, but a simple statement of fact.

                The look of disquiet melted from her features, to be replaced by a bright smile.  She had liked him immediately.  He was intelligent, astute, articulate and carried himself with a subtle manner of defiance, traits she found attractive in the men she kept as company.  Lack of bipedal mobility aside, this man was like her, he was a survivor.  “What do you want from me?”  She felt the need to ask, establish the ground rules up front, because in this game there were no second chances.

                He looked at her with a note of disgust.  “I’m not like him.  I don’t need to hold a woman hostage to feel like a man.  Consider me a friend.”

                Now it was her turn to look at him, “A friend?”

     “They come in handy.  And right now, it looks like you need one.”

     “Yes, it does appear that way,” her laugh was uneasy.

Gushie went on to offer suggestions for improving the scene of the crime, to dispel Louie’s immediate suspicions. “I’ll be your alibi,” he offered as they left the wine cellar, now doctored to look more convincing.  Gushie glanced back and surveyed the scene again and nodded, “Much better.” The sheets had been rearranged to make the cell’s occupant appear to have simply fallen from the bed and struck his head. The splatters from her vicious attack had been wiped away leaving only a pool of slightly congealed blood below the prone man’s head.  Anne nodded in agreement and wiped the blood from her lips.  “I have to admit, I am usually not so careless.”

     “I don’t expect you are.  Still Louie is a very intelligent man, he will probably see right through this,” Gushie warned.

                Anne nodded.  “You’re right.  Maybe it would be better for me to…”

     “Pretend to be the doting wife?” Gushie chuckled.  “Louie is even less likely to believe that.  Maybe a little acting might…” he paused for a moment.  “Yeah, that might work.  You and Richard got into a fight, he fell and cracked his head open…”

     “Plausible,” she agreed.  “How thorough of an investigation will he perform?”

     “I don’t know.  Guess we’ll see…?”   

 

                Some time later, Annexeter approached the church door and took a deep breath before signaling to the occupant within of her presence.  It was late, but she knew the house of God never closed.  Suddenly the startled Reverend opened the door as he wrapped a silk robe around his body and struggled to right his glasses.  “My child it is late…” he looked at her face.  Even in the dim light he could see her wounds had cleared. Not a trace remained of the dark bruises.

     “I seek your blessing.”

The Reverend stared at her with wide eyes, “What?” he was in disbelief at his seeming good fortune. 

     “For my sins,” she clarified her wishes.  “I seek to be blessed, to be cleared of my sins.”

He leaned close the scent of lavender filled his nostrils, intoxicating him.  Hiding his immediate disappointment, he whispered, “I’m not a priest.”

     “I am not a Catholic,” she replied in the same hushed tones.  He was close enough for her to taste his scent.  His was a fresh, healthy scent, with just a hint of sex.  She fought the desire to grab his head and force her mouth upon his.  To take him there, give him a taste of what he so desired.  This sudden wanton craving frightened her.  When the sound of a woman’s voice came from inside the room, she raised her eyebrows in question.

                Tenboom knew the jig was up, he avoided her gaze in shame. “You may confess your sins in here,” he led her to the small chapel.  Annexeter knelt before the crucifix and crossed herself.  She rose and sat down on one of the pews.  She studied his face in the darkness.  His blue eyes bright even in the dim candlelight.  His strong Aryan features were handsome and his closely cropped blonde hair accented his chiseled features.  So young, too young, she thought with a sigh.  Momentarily she began her confession in a language she was certain he did not speak, her own native tongue.

     “Forgive me for interrupting,” he was confused, “I do not understand what you are saying.”

     “Trust me Reverend, it’s for the best that you don’t,” she gave him a gentle smile and a pat on the hand before she continued with her confession.  

 

 

                The following morning, Corky rose from the hold of the seaplane, having worked late into the night on the engine.  He yawned and stretched in an effort to work the stiffness from his joints.  Still sleepy-eyed he climbed out of the Goose and began to relieve himself into the lagoon.  Upon completion he turned around and was startled to find the Doctor leaning against a large crate, the morning sun illuminating her pale skin with an unnatural glow.  Corky stared at her, eyes wide, feet glued to the dock, immobilised with fear.  He remembered the look she had given him the day before as she licked the blood from her finger…it had given him the creeps then and still did.  He felt a cold chill run down his spine despite the already oppressive tropical heat. 

He thought about the night before when he worked on the Goose.  He had seen her taking food to her husband in the wine cellar, he was certain of that.  Another strange detail he recalled, was that the guard had left his post soon after.  The engine gaskets had drawn his attentions away from the wine cellar and he had lost track of time, but a quick glance in the direction of the cellar and the guard standing at his post again.  Corky couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong, but something seemed out of sorts.

He could feel his heart pounding in his ears, as he edged closer to the strange doctor.  Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked him over from head to toe, sizing him up.  “Good morning,” she greeted brightly. “Corky?” she tried to remember his name from the previous day.  He nodded, eyes wide with fear.  “Such a beautiful sunrise, you are very lucky to live here.”

     “Uh hunh,” he nodded, edging passed her a step at a time.  He thought he heard her speak again, “Are you afraid I will drink your blood?”  In shock he stared at her, “What did you say?”

     “Are you sure the Goose will make this run?” she repeated slowly for the man to absorb her words.

                Corky edged past her, watching her closely for any sudden movement.  “Yeah, the Goose is ready to fly.  She’s a good ole girl.”

                Annexeter moved to stand, and Corky broke into a run.  He glanced back nervously when he realised his hat had flown off.  He stopped for a brief moment debating whether or not to go back for it.  When he saw the Doctor had moved from the crate to the end of dock he thought better of it and ran straight through the bat wing doors of the nearly deserted Monkey Bar.  “Sarah!” he was breathless from the exertion.  “She’s there…that woman…Doctor Blood…she’s waiting for Jake.”

     “Corky, what’s wrong?” Sarah pressed a mug of coffee into his hands, in an effort to calm the terrified man. “What did she say to you?” she glared at the figure who stood on the dock watching the waves gently lick the shore.

                Corky shook his head and took a gulp of the coffee.  “I don’t know, well nothing really…” he couldn’t quite make sense of their brief conversation, “She asked about the Goose.”

     “What’s wrong with that?”

                He shook his head. “Nothing…she’s ghoulish.  Ye…yesterday on the dock…” he stuttered trying to organise the disturbing thought.  “All that blood…the Reverend…

     “Corky,” Louie spoke his name with a tone of admonishment reserved for a recalcitrant child.  “We have a enough problems around here without manufacturing rumours about hotel guests.”

     “I saw her taste…” he sputtered, frustrated at not being able to formulate into words the frightening image he had seen.  “She was just sitting there…waiting…I dunno, she’s creepy.”  He reached automatically for the greasy cap, and realised to his dismay that it was still out there, with her.

     “I agree with Corky, she is creepy.” Sarah agreed and crossed her arms across her chest.  Louie gave her a sidelong glance then approached the bat wing doors of the bar. Sarah and Corky stood and stared out toward the Goose.   Annexeter had walked up the dock to retrieve the mechanic’s greasy hat. 

In the back of her mind, Annexeter knew Corky had spilled his guts about the incident on the dock.  He would have to be eliminated.  All eyes were upon her.  She could feel their stares.  Fear, loathing, jealousy she had seen it all.  She knew things could never be normal here on this lovely little island, she would never be allowed to join their cohesive group.  Sarah would always wear on her face a thinly disguised mask of disgust.  On previous occasions she could sense the fear behind her vehement stare.  Corky exuded fear; he stunk of it.  He too would be among the staring faces.  Eyes agape with alcohol numbed confusion. After the incident with the Reverend, she knew he could sense something was not right.  If she had any luck he would not be able to make clear his concern. Louie, dear gentle Louie, his face would ever be unreadable, but she could sense the confusion in his soul.  For as much as she loved him, she could never dare to trust him with the whole truth.  Then there was the American pilot, Jake Cutter.  Perhaps she could make good with him.  He would make for an excellent ally if only she could somehow control her need and these newly awakened wanton desires. But she knew it would never work, he was too pure.   She smiled and pretended to ignore the stares as she walked back to the crate absently toying with the well-worn hat. 

     “What’s all the excitement?” Jake shrugged on his jacket and grabbed a cup of coffee on his way over to the group.

     “Doctor Dar,” Gushie responded bringing another pot of coffee to the group. 

 

 

                Jake and Jack walked up to the now dozing woman.  “Not the safest place to take in a cat nap,” he interrupted her sleep.   Jack barked twice in agreement.  Corky walked behind them, not sure if he wanted to follow or not, but he needed to retrieve his cap.

     “No, I suppose you are right,” she sighed and gazed at the wooden crates that were stacked around the piling waiting to be transported or their contents distributed.  The water was dark blue with a kaleidoscope of colour reflected on the surface from the Goose’s most recent oil leak.

“Do you need any other provisions?” Jake noticed the surprising lack of luggage.  “Have you eaten breakfast?” She shook her head.  “You might want to grab a roll or some coffee, it’s a good four hour flight ‘til we get to Tagataya.”

     “I have everything I need thank you,” she held up her black satchel and small suitcase.  “Corky, I am sorry for frightening you this morning, I should have lounged somewhere else, please accept my apologies with this,” she delved into her bag and produced a Hershey bar along with the hat.  Corky’s eyes lit up despite his earlier misgivings. 

     “Uh, thank you,” he threw the hat on his head and haltingly accepted the chocolate bar then tore into it taking a large bite.  “This is the good stuff Jake, American chocolate,” he turned to Annexeter even if she was creepy, he hadn’t forgotten his manners. “Thanks,” he offered with an uneasy smile.  She nodded as he strolled down the dock nibbling the melting sweet.

     “May I have some assistance?” she requested of Jake who helped her into the Goose, and Jack who followed.  Sarah called his name and stomped down the beach to the pier and then the dock to where the Goose was tied.  Jake was suddenly aware that Sarah was calling his name. 

     “Dammit Jake, I’ve practically yelled myself hoarse trying to get your attention,” she fumed.  “Are you ignoring me on purpose?”

     “No,” he said plainly, “My mind was elsewhere.”

     “I’m going with you when you take Doctor Dar to Tagataya,” she stated firmly.  “I have received reports of some clandestine activity, and my sources suspect this woman may be involved.

                Jake looked at her long and hard, absorbing the information.  “You’re not going.  Clandestine activity or no, you are not going.”

     “And why not?” she demanded, a pout on her face.

     “It could be dangerous,” Jake gave her the worn out line.

     “I can take care of myself, I’ll have you know,” she was getting very angry.

                Jake wanted to laugh but thought better of it, Sarah’s pout usually was enough to get her way, but not this time.  “I know you can Sarah, you’ve proven that more than once.   But…how do I explain this to you, Doctor Dar has a very important business meeting in Tagataya.  She’s not comfortable with even me around much less a whole landing party, so if trouble does break out, it’ll be Anne, Jack and myself.”

                Sarah glowered at him then turned on her heel and near ran into Corky who had returned to the Goose.  He jumped out of the way.  “Jake, I just remembered, you can’t take her up today, there’s a…there’s a storm coming in…” he tried to dissuade his friend.  “And what about that engine, I dunno if she’s ready to go yet.”

     “Corky the weather’s fine.  You worked on that engine all night, it’ll be fine.”  He replied loading several boxes of cargo destined to be transported to the far island.  “Besides, she’s a paying customer.”

    “Jake, please, I’ve just got a bad feeling about it,” Corky said finally.  “At least let me come along to keep an eye on the plane.”

                Jake gently shrugged off the warnings of his good friend and climbed aboard the plane.  “No.  I need you to look after Sarah.  What if the generator goes out, who’s Louie going to depend on to fix it?”   Corky shrugged and swore silently to himself.  He’d tried, Lord knows he tried.  He only hoped that gnawing feeling would just go away.

 

     “Jones,” Louie called the man’s name, “Jones?”  Silence met his bidding.  As he descended the stairs into the cool damp room the coppery scent of blood and bile hung in the still cellar air.  Richard Jones’ body lay slumped against the bars.   A dark stain seeped from under the cot.  Louie looked over the scene with a cursory glance.  Despite the fact that the scene had been changed to appear differently, Louie was certain that the now late Richard Jones had been murdered.  As luck would have it his prime suspect had left with Jake only an hour before.

     “Louie?” Gushie approached cautiously looking around the room with affected surprise.  “What do you think happened to him?”

     “I think he tried to play an ace and was beaten by the Queen of spades,” the Frenchman shook his head slowly.  “Best to get this mess cleaned up.  Mr. Jones won’t be requiring the services of our jail any longer.”

 

* * * * *

 

                Jake smiled at Annexeter as he made his way to the cockpit.  Once he was settled and had completed a systems check he turned and spoke to his passenger, “You’re welcome to sit up front with me.  We’re the only ones here, ‘cept Jack and he won’t start any rumours.”   The dog barked twice in agreement.

     “You strike a hard bargain Jake Cutter, I will join you once we are in the air.  I need to sort through my thoughts,” she smiled sweetly.

                He flashed her a quick grin and set the engines to start.   Jack waited and shivered as the engines roared to life and the plane took off.  In the air, Annexeter delved into her satchel and rummaged for an envelope.  Opening the drawstring she revealed a large stack of hundred dollar bills.  Thumbing through them quickly she made sure the full amount was inside.  Richard had of course made all the arrangements, her job was to deliver the money and collect the goods.  Returning the packet to her bag she dug around again until she found her silver flask and leather pouch.  Carefully she opened the pouch and picking through, chose a handful of capsules and several twists of organic material.  A brief dip from an air pocket made her nauseous. “Sorry about that,” Jake called from the cockpit.   With a shudder she opened the flask took a draw and popped the handful of herbs into her mouth.  As she chewed the organic material her mouth felt dry and she licked at her lips for moisture.  The flask would be empty if she took another sip.  She would have to choke down the bitter herbs herself.  The reeling in her stomach soon settled. Once she felt her need subside, Annexeter approached the cockpit and entered.

     “You decided to join me after all,” Jake smiled.  “Would you like a crash course on flying?”

     “No thank you.  Staying in the air is all that matters to me,” she responded quietly as she fastened the safety belt.  Annexeter looked out over the open ocean.  She stared in amazement at the azure blue of the open water.  “You have an incredible view from up here,” she broke her silence.

     “Isn’t it though,” Jake replied and glanced at her and noticed the bruise was starting to fade.  “Say, wasn’t your cheek bruised the other day?”

                She turned and looked at him.  “Pardon me?”

     “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t pry.”   Jake turned back to the view before him.

     “No, you were making an observation,” her voice softened, “I heal fast.”
     “Mind if I ask who hit you?”

     “Richard.  We had a disagreement.”

                Jake chewed his cheroot not sure if he wanted details, “That must have been some disagreement.”

     “I attribute it be the tropic heat.   We’ve never come to blows before,” she glanced at his face, studied the strong lines and the day’s growth of beard that added to his already ruggedly handsome features.  She delighted in the little crow’s feet at the corner of his eyes and longed to touch him, to taste him, to feel his body next to hers…

     “Is something wrong?” she discovered he was looking at her, “You were looking at me funny…”

                     Annexeter blushed and turned away.  “I…I was lost in thought, that was rude of me to stare.”  She felt foolish.  He was nothing to her, just a man with a flying machine and yet she was found herself attracted to him. 

“Sarah tells me you and Louie are old friends,” he changed the conversation skillfully, avoiding her disturbingly rapacious gaze.

                     Annexeter laughed, a little louder than she intended, “Yes, old friends.”   She looked out at the ocean again and listened to the drone of the engines.  “So, what about you?” her question took him off guard.  “You were a Flying Tiger up until about twelve, sixteen months ago?   Unfit for duty due to…to a leg injury.  Would that be from residual shrapnel?”

                He looked at her and smiled uncomfortably, “Did Sarah tell you?” Anne shook her head.
     “Am I right?” she smiled hopefully.

     “Well, yeah.  I guess the jacket’s a giveaway, but I don’t have a limp,” he declared decidedly, then gave her a questioning look, “Do I?”

                She laughed, “No, nothing the average person would notice.  When you landed yesterday and climbed out of the plane, you had a little hitch in your step, and then again this morning when you came down the dock, your leg appeared a bit stiff…” she offered.

     “You’re good,” he nodded, “What about the time frame? And the shrapnel?”

     “I’m a doctor, remember?”

Jake laughed his mind set at ease.   Suddenly he felt very comfortable in her presence, enough to tell her about his last mission how he came to be wounded.   The miles stretched into hours.  Anne gently probed with questions of his past and was delighted with his tale of how he and Corky, on their way to Hawaii, discovered the Goose in salvage and claimed it.  “Corky rebuilt this ole girl from the ground up,” he was proud of his mechanic and the plane he was flying.  “He’s a genius with engines.”

     “Boragora is a long way from Hawaii,” Annexeter observed. “I apologise,” she realised this observation caused him a moment of discomfort.  “ You must miss the States, being an American and all.  And what with the war escalating…”

                Jake sighed and pulled a new cheroot out of his jacket pocket, “Mind?” Annexeter shook her head.  “Yeah, I guess I do, but don’t say anything to the others.”  Jake worked the cheroot in his lips for a moment before lighting it. “Don’t get me wrong,” he flashed her a quick look, “Boragora is a great place, but sometimes…” he lamented for a few brief moments, then concluded, “…but sometimes paradise is what you make of it.” Annexeter nodded in agreement.

     “And what about you?” he gave her a long look.  “Louie wouldn’t tell me anything, I asked,” he admitted.  “All I know about you, is that you knew Louie, you are a doctor, and you travel with some rough company.”  Jake returned the observation, and was pleased with the smile he received from the woman sitting in the seat next to him.

                Annexeter nodded again. “Very good,” she sighed, licked her lips and straightened her skirt nervously, “I met Louie in North Africa back in ‘22, we didn’t stay in touch.” It was obvious this was a difficult topic as she did not go into details.  With a nervous cough she started again, “As you are aware I am a doctor.  I am a physician and pharmacologist.  I prescribe, and when needed, make my own medicines.  I’ve been called many things, not the least of which is that I am a voodoo priestess in league with Lucifer.” She laughed at the look she received from Jake.  “Just kidding, I’m not a member of the clergy.”

                Jake was relieved by her smile but still troubled by her comment.  “What about this guy, Richard?  Isn’t he is your husband?”

     “In a manner of speaking.” Another topic she was obviously uneasy about.  “Ours was not a joyful union.”

     “Guess that explains why you are here and your husband is in Louie’s jail.”  Jake shook his head.

                     Annexeter eyed him curiously and changed the subject, “Strange, you remind me a bit of my late husband Elsemere.”  The resemblance was uncanny, she felt unnerved by the coincidence.

     “You’re widowed?” 

     “Yes, of many years.  My first husband passed in his sleep of an aneurysm, it was for the best, really.  Some say it was Tut’s curse.  As a Doctor I can honestly say it was the result of a lifetime of abuse and neglect.”

     “Tut’s curse?” the words clicked in his brain, “North Africa, you mean Egypt?  Louie was there too?  I am surprised he never mentioned it before.”  Annexeter drew a breath. “Louie and your husband opened the tomb?  I thought it was Howard Carter.”

     “It was.  Elsemere wasn’t a regular shovel jockey, mind you.  He was a noted archaeologist there to lend a hand with the expedition, to help identify and catalogue the findings.  As far as Louie, he and his regiment were part of the armed protection.  I guess some of the native peoples were none too keen on having all these Englishmen sifting through their history…” She skirted around the issue, and hoped it would be enough to satisfy the curious American pilot.

     “Children?” he spoke after a long moment of silence.

                    Annexeter shook her head.  “Never had the time.  You?”

     “None that I know about,” he laughed uneasily.  “No, I’ve never been married.”  Another pained look flashed briefly over his features.  “Long story.”

     “We have time,” she pressed gently.

     “The long and short of it,” he shot her a burning look, “I wasn’t good enough.”

                Annexeter let the subject drop.  She looked out the window and remained silent to allow Jake a few moments of composure or reflection, whichever he needed.  “Hmmmm, I guess there’s always sports.”  She offered with a wide smile.

     “Baseball, now there’s the elixir of life,” he laughed in spite of himself,

Annexeter was pleased to find a topic he was obviously comfortable discussing.  Jake brightened visibly as he spoke of the days when he pitched at Cornell and then his time in the minor leagues for the Duluth Dukes.  “…yeah, that was until my arm seized up and I had to quit…I still throw the ball now and again.”  He gave a nod of his head toward the island they were fast approaching, “There’s Tagataya.”

                Annexeter glanced in the direction of the green island.  “Paradise is what you make of it…” she thought to herself.  “If you’ll excuse me,” she took a seat toward the back of the plane.  “Hello Jack,” she greeted the small dog as she strapped herself in for the landing.

 

* * * * *

 

     “Come on, Jack, that was a perfect landing,” he glanced at the dog who eyed him balefully, then barked once.

                Annexeter chuckled at the exchange.  “Of anyone, you should know, isn’t that right Jack?” she offered the dog a scratch behind the ears.

     “Who’s side are you on?” Jake looked up as he tied the plane securely to the dock and made arrangements for the plane to remain at the dock for the duration of their visit.  Annexeter waited patiently with Jack.

                Jake held his arm out for her, and was half surprised when she accepted it.  “We need to pick up a package.  Richard has these connections…” she explained as she led him to the strange shop in a seedy part of the city, not far from the wharf.

     “This is not Mister Jones,” the white-haired Chinese shopkeeper stated as Annexeter approached the counter.

     “No, I am the courier.  I am here to pick up the stone,” Annexeter regarded him carefully.  She did not notice the Eurasian woman who stood shrouded in the shadows just inside the back room.  Her eyes burned with jealousy when she spotted the woman’s companion.

                Annexeter watched as the man removed a tray with two huge yellow diamonds each nestled in a bed of black silk.  “Fantastic,” the word came out in a whisper.  Jake approached the counter, eyes wide, mouth agape.  Each stone was at least the size of his fist. 

     “What…”

     “Diamonds,” she answered his question in a whisper.  “Rarest of all, the legendary yellow diamond.”

                The shopkeeper smiled, “Can you spot the real diamond?” he challenged her.  Annexeter stared at the three identical stones and tried to find flaw in any of them.  She shook her head.  Satisfied with her response, the white haired man reached for a jade sculpture of a dragon.  With one fluid motion he brought it down on the stone to the right. Jake felt his heart nearly burst.  “No!” the word escaped his lips as the jade sculpture made contact.  The struck stone exploded into slivers.  

Annexeter reached out to the shattered rock and picked up a piece.  First smelling then tasting the shard, she smiled her pleasure.  “Go on Jake, it’s not what you think it is…” she offered him a piece.

“Don’t you just love rock candy?”

                The ancient oriental man placed the diamond in a purple silk lined box, “Diamond.”   He removed another box from beneath the counter after Jake had stepped away, it was a slightly different shade of purple, “Glass.”  The man mouthed the word silently.  She nodded and stashed the two nearly identical boxes in her satchel. 

                 

                Jake checked them into the hotel.  Two rooms, she was disappointed, but he was only across the hall.  She winked at the little dog as he followed his master into their room.  Jack made a noise deep in his throat.  Closing the door behind her she sighed heavily.  What was she thinking bringing this innocent man into her twisted web of deception and darkness…Richard had been right when he said hers would be a lonely existence.  Still she would make the most of it.  A smile crept across her face.

 

                In his room, Jake unpacked his bag.  They weren’t planning to stay more than two nights, three on the outside, but he wanted to feel at home if even for a few brief nights.  Jack lay on the end of the bed watching him. “What do you think?  Who do you think she is?”  He didn’t expect an answer, and the dog didn’t give him one.  Something about the way she carried herself.  The way she moved, talked.  The way she looked through him when their eyes met.  It was all quite unnerving.  Corky and Sarah both had warned him about her, even Gushie had mentioned something was amiss since her arrival.  He hoped these few days would give him a chance to get to know her better, to wash away the fear and misgivings the others seemed to have about her. 

 

In her room, Annexeter carefully unpacked the two diamonds and compared them in the light.  They were nearly identical.   But the glass ersatz lacked the spirit and energy of the real stone.  She stared at it, what could Richard have been selling that would command a price tag of this magnitude.   What had he said about some Japanese broad…she couldn’t recall.   It didn’t matter anyway.  She was probably trafficking stolen secrets.  What with the war escalating everyday, information was a priceless commodity.  Whatever it was she would make this final exchange and go on about her life, she thought to herself with a satisfied smile, without Richard.  Carefully, she rewrapped the diamonds and tucked them away in her satchel.   She thought about the man who had brought her here.  Jake Cutter, he was a fine specimen.  Strong, intelligent, full of life, young...  Too young, she reminded herself.  Even Louie was too young for her…a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

     “Excuse me, Anne?”

She opened the door and was pleased to see he had changed clothes and shaved.  “Jake, I hardly recognised you,” the sight of a small square dotted with red made her catch her breath and step away suddenly.  She could smell the blood through his spicy after-shave.  “I…” she backed away eyes wide, trying to control the wave of need that fought to drown her in its wake.  She stopped suddenly and leaned forward wrapping her arms around his neck drawing him close.  He stumbled at her unexpected movement.  He felt her tongue on the line of jaw where he had only moments before, nicked himself shaving.  He heard the murmur in her throat and felt the warm, soft lips burn a trail down his throat.  She stopped long enough to look into his startled eyes before devouring his mouth.

Jake responded in kind, kissing her deeply.  They parted at the sound of a man clearing his throat.  Both looked in the direction of the interruption.

     “Newlyweds,” the man shook his head and walked past them.

                Annexeter looked deeply into Jake’s eyes.  He was startled, but pleased with her attentions.  “I don’t know what came over me, I do hope you will allow me to make this up to you.”

     “Uh, sure…” he was confused.   “Anything you say.  Although you really don’t need to…” His smile was genuine.  He leaned close and their lips touched again.  Annexeter pushed the door open and gently pulled Jake into the room.  He could feel her fingers on the buttons of his shirt.  “Wait,” he parted from her kiss.  “Anne, I…”

     “You’re right,” she moved away, “I…I was overcome by the moment…” she stole a glance at him, he was redoing his buttons trying to regain his composure.

                My God what is happening?  She demanded of herself, slowly she turned back to face him.  To her relief, Jake had not waited.  A sigh of relief escaped her lungs.   What the hell is going on?  The scent of his blood had excited her, but to embrace him…what had Louie done in waking that part of her she thought was long dead.   Jake was young, he could serve her needs well.  She nibbled on a twist of herbs as she made her way down the hall to the lobby where she saw Jack sitting at his master’s feet.  Silently she stole up behind Jake and put her hand on his shoulder. 

He whirled around, startled.   “Doctor Dar?”

     “Are we back to such formalities?” she purred, enjoying the depth of his blue eyes.

     “Anne,” he corrected himself, “Shall we take in the sights?” He offered her his arm.

     “I do need to find a pharmacy, but short of that you are my guide to the city,” her smile was genuine as was the gentle squeeze she gave his arm.

                The press of humanity was overwhelming.  She was thankful that the herbs held the need in check, she could finally enjoy the sights and smells without temptation.  Colours and scents, sounds and textures abounded from the many stalls in the bazaar.  Jake, ever attentive, was right by her side.  The mind numbing variety and colours were distraction enough for her.  “What do you think of this?” she presented him with a long swatch of red silk.

     “It’s nice,” he nodded and chewed the cheroot nervously.

                At a small shop deep in the heart of Tagataya Annexeter paused.  “I need to stop here,” she darted into the shop.  Jake suddenly felt strange in her presence, he watched the look on her face become like that of stone, all semblance of humanity gone.  Jake watched as she picked through the organic material.  Smelling, tasting, holding the strange plants up to the light for inspection.  The shopkeeper, an ancient oriental woman approached.  She eyed the two people suspiciously.  Annexeter spoke to her softly, indicating the herbs she was seeking.  Jake caught snippets of phrases here and there as the two made their verbal exchange.  The shopkeeper disappeared behind the rice paper screen.  She avoided looking at Jake.  Instead her attentions were drawn to Jack who hovered close to his feet, a shiver passing over him.  “It’s okay little man, just a few more minutes and we’ll be on our way,” she bent down to address the small dog at his level.  “Don’t worry, I won’t let them eat you.”  Jack growled and moved away from her.   “Not much of a sense of humour, for a terrier.” 

     “Jack doesn’t have much of a sense of humour period,” Jake defended with an uneasy chuckle.  “Tagataya makes him nervous.”  The dog barked twice in agreement. 

The woman returned with a pouch.  She presented Annexeter with the herbs.  She paid the woman in American currency.  The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up.  She slipped a small envelope from under the counter, with a few words in her native tongue.  Annexeter nodded and accepted the package.  “All done,” she smiled brightly to Jake, once again the beautiful woman he had just spent the last six hours with. They walked in silence, no longer interested in the wares of the many sellers.

Suddenly Jake stopped, “What was that all about?”

     “What was what all about?”  Anne turned to face him, a look of innocence in her deep green eyes.

     “I don’t speak all the dialects around here but I know I heard her say something about blood…”

Annexeter shook her head and started to walk away.  He stopped her short, a hand on her arm.  “I think you owe me an explanation.  The other day in the bar you ordered your steak rare…on the dock with the Reverend…this morning with Corky…”

                Annexeter sighed in mock resignation. “Considering we will be spending so much time together…I guess I do owe you an explanation. The herbs are for a patient of mine I’m treating for a blood condition,” she smiled.   Annexeter paused and looked around the marketplace.   “And if you must know, I like my steak rare...” she carefully avoided the rest of his observations, instead she stroked his arm absently.

                Her touch felt like licks of fire on his arm, he wanted to pull away but at the same time, he felt a stirring deep inside, a feeling he was not ready to acknowledge.  Jake nodded, she was a doctor, and people did like their meat cooked in different ways, but there was something else, something he still couldn’t put his finger on. A quick glance at the dog to affirm his feelings found Jack several yards ahead snatching a scrap of fallen meat.  “I think Jack has the right idea.  Dinner would be good right now.  I know of a fantastic restaurant, you do like sushi don’t you?”

     “Not really,” she replied with a quick smile. “But for you I’ll give it another try.”

 

                The maitre’d turned his nose up at the small dog and started to refuse their entry when a nervous glance to his right brought a change in attitude.  They were seated promptly.

      “This is interesting décor,” Annexeter looked around the room.  The Oriental scheme had more of a European influence than she thought appropriate; but then again the décor was for the clientele not her personal taste.  “Very…she paused for the right word, “Agreeable.”

                Jake smiled.  “Agreeable?” his stomach growled and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 

     “I really should have told you about the diamond.  But if you were fooled, it was worth it,” she reached across the table to take his hand.  “Forgive me?” 

                Jake was surprised at the warmth of her touch, he felt those feelings again, the ones he did not want to acknowledge.  He looked into her eyes.  Two deep green orbs stared back, searching his soul.  He looked away first, “Yes,” a smile spread across his face.  “I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest when he smashed that…” his words were cut off by the arrival of their waiter.

     “Wine, compliments of the house,” he poured them each a glass.  The slightly amber liquid bubbled into Jake’s glass.  “Madam,”

                She put a long, slender hand over the mouth of her glass, “I only drink red.”

     “Yes madam, I will share your wishes,” with that the waiter disappeared.

                To Jake’s disapproving look, “I’m sorry Jake, white wine and myself make for unpleasant company, please understand.”  He nodded.

     “I’m sure the house will understand,” he tried to sound convincing but he knew in the back of his mind that Princess Koji probably owned this restaurant and in all likelihood had a cut of most of the major businesses in this town.  Her reach was far and never ending in this neck of the Marivella archipelago, although Tagataya was in the French mandate, the woman’s holdings and interest never ceased to amaze him. 

     “So, after your time with the Duluth Dukes, what did you do?” Annexeter began the conversation again with a different subject.

                Jake cleared his throat, “Uhm, I spent about five years in the Army Air Corp, obviously that’s where I got my pilot’s training.  It’s a good career for a young man.”  She nodded in agreement.

“That only lasted a couple of years, but those were some fun times.”  He sat back and crossed his fingers over his stomach and reflected a moment. 

Annexeter laughed.  She was amused with the child-like enthusiasm of the man who sat across from her.  She watched his eyes sparkle with excitement and knew it was more than the wine or the candlelight as he relayed a few more edited anecdotes of the wild times he and his buddies had in this short stint of his career.

     “I got a lucky break and got a job flying for the Clipper.  It wasn’t too bad of a job, being co-pilot and all.  Made a lot of good friends, met a lot of nice people.  That lasted about three…no four.  Four years.”

     “When were you a Tiger?”

     “Last year.  I flew with Chenault and his boys.  Got my Ace and two probables, not bad for about ten…’leven months in the air...then I got shot, the rest you know.”  Jake finished his glass of wine and looked into Anne’s deep green eyes.  “What about you?”

     “I certainly haven’t had as illustrious a career as you,” she blinked slowly, “I studied to become a doctor, I met my husband, married him, he died, I married Richard and became a courier.  Not much to it.”  She relayed the abridged version of her life.

     “What about Egypt?  Did you travel much?  Where did you learn about…”Jake probed for more details.

     “Egypt was hot, very hot,” she ended the discussion on that topic once and for all.  “As far as travel, Elsemere did most of the extensive travelling, I accompanied him on occasion, when I felt it would further my working knowledge of medicinal plants.  After Elsemere died and before I got involved with Richard, I hung up my pith helmet and concentrated on cataloguing my research.  I spent so much time in the lab I rarely surfaced to enjoy the Manor.  And the servants…” she laughed and sighed to herself, “Well, the servants they don’t think I hear them when they whisper amongst themselves,” she grinned and leaned close, “They say terrible things about me.  I’ve overheard them say I’m a vampire.”

                Jake regarded her with upraised eyebrows, unsure what to make of the comment.  Although in the back of his mind it almost made sense, “You can’t be serious.” He watched her facial expression for a reaction.  The slight smile that crept across her face gave him a chill. 

     “I most certainly am…” her voice trailed off as she noticed a shapely Occidental woman in a green kimono followed by a Bushido warrior in full regalia approach their table. 

     “Why if it isn’t Jake Cutter, I hardly recognized you without that mangy jacket.” Jake stood as she approached.

Annexeter barely stifled a laugh behind her napkin. “Jake, dear,” her voice sounded like sugared poison, “You didn’t tell me this was a come as your favourite movie serial character,” she lit up, eyes bright, “Oh I do love the warrior outfit…very convincing.”  The woman in green regarded her with thinly masked incredulity.

                Jake blanched, “Anne, no…” He shook his head.  “No…”

     “It’s all right Jake, let her have her fun,” the woman in green lowered her upraised eyebrows and smiled, her ruby red lips parted to reveal straight white teeth.    “Miss…”

    “That would be Doctor,” she corrected sharply, “Doctor Annexeter Dar.”

     “Uh, Anne, this is the Honorable Princess Koji,” Jake stumbled over the words as looked between the two women.  Their eyes locked, it was obvious each was sizing up the other.  Neither spoke for the longest moment. 

It was Koji who finally broke the silence.  “Dar,” she held the name on her tongue as if she were trying to decide if the flavour was one of sweet or sour, “Where have I heard that name before?”

     “I wouldn’t know,” she responded coolly, “I try to avoid the tropics, far too oppressive for my tastes.”

     “Perhaps it is not the heat you find so oppressive,” the game had begun.  Jack hovered under the table, safe from the fireworks.   “But rather the company you keep.”

     “Your assumption is tactless as well as inappropriate under the circumstances...” Annexeter’s gaze turned ice cold.  “I believe there is a quaint little saying about those who assume…”

                Jake cleared his throat.  “Anne,” he spoke warningly as the Bushido warrior began to withdraw his blade with considerable control.

     “It is not of Jake that I speak,” Koji’s voice was barely above a whisper, “And I am very much aware of that particular word play.”

     “Uhm,” Jake cleared his throat again gestured with his head toward the slowly revealing blade.

     “You really should look after that cough Jake my dear, Matuka would be very disappointed if something were to happen to you,” Koji laughed.  “Todo enough, your blade will not taste blood this day.”  The Bushido slammed the blade back into the sheath with a distinct exhalation, his displeasure obvious to all.  Koji’s featured softened slightly as she turned her attentions to Jake.  “May I suggest Sakana no Ikizukuri for your dining pleasure.  I think your companion would appreciate the raw essence.”

     “Yes Princess, we’ll have that,” Jake smiled graciously and glanced uneasily at Annexeter who regarded him with her cool stare.  They watched as the woman and the warrior departed.  Jake waited until she resumed her seat before retaking his own.  “I guess I should have warned you about Koji.”

     “I’ve met worse tyrants in my time, your puffed up Princess and her handy man Friday are a hardly a threat,” Annexeter sniffed.  “I’m sorry Jake, but the threat of death only works on one who is afraid to die.”

     “And you aren’t?”

     “No,” her gaze softened when she realised her answer had disturbed him. “Those who fear death are afraid to live.”

                Jake shook his head and avoided looking directly into her eyes.  That niggling feeling was back, the little voice that told him to get up and leave, get as far away from this woman as he could.   He glanced up and caught her eye.  “I suppose in your vocation you get used to the sight of death.”

     “Not if I can help it,” she laughed, “That would make me a bad doctor.”

                Jake laughed uneasily. “You know what I mean.”

     “Yes,” she smiled, “As a doctor I’ve seen death first hand.  I find it more comforting for both myself and my terminally ill patients to hold the belief that death is simply a transition from one state of being to that of another.”

    “An interesting view Doctor,” the Princess and her companion Todo had returned.  “Then perhaps you would like to be the first to sample the sashimi.”  The two women regarded each other again, each waiting for the other to react.

     “No thank you Princess, I do not care for bait.  I take my meat from hoofed animals.”

                Koji’s smile disappeared from her face.  “You would insult my offering?”

     “I’m not insulting your offering, Princess, I’m asking that you cook it first.” 

     “As worldly as you would have us believe you are Doctor Dar, it surprises me that you are not familiar with our cuisine or our customs.”

                     Annexeter’s face grew tight, “I am familiar with your basic cuisine and dining rituals, but good manners transcend culture...”

                Koji let the jibe slide, seemingly unnoticed.  “Then you should also know that it is tradition as well as good manners to always accept any offer you are presented by Royalty.” Koji continued, her smile turning to ice by the moment.

                Jake glanced at Annexeter, then at the plate of pale fish.  “I’m not familiar with that trad…” the sound of Todo’s sword being withdrawn from its sheath stopped him mid-sentence.

     “Anne,” Jake intoned warningly, “You may not fear death, but I would like to see my grandchildren.” 

     “And so you shall.  Do you realise that the offering before us is the one delicacy Royalty is not allowed to partake?” Annexeter revealed, “But then our hostess has to test her theory…or a new chef.”

Koji stood in silence as she fought back the anger that threatened to melt her icy façade.  The only sound that could be heard was the slow metallic scrape of the sword at the warrior’s side.  “My dear Mr. Cutter, it seems your dining companion is set on getting you killed,” Koji’s face was unreadable.  “Since Doctor Dar has refused my offering you may save face and your head by doing so in her stead.”

                Jake flashed Annexeter a vicious look.  He clenched his jaw and picked up the chopsticks.  Balancing the black lacquered sticks in his fingers he carefully manoeuvered to lift the slice of pale fish from the platter.  Another look to Annexeter revealed nothing, her face showed no sign of emotion.  Slowly, steadily fighting to keep the trembling of his fingers from causing the flesh to fall from his tenuous hold, he drew the piece of fish closer to his mouth.  The light scent tickled his nose and despite his fear his mouth began to water.

                As the slice of fish was about to leave his grip and land in his mouth, with blinding speed, Annexeter reached out and grasped the meat in her fingers.  “I’ll eat it.  No point in risking an innocent man’s life. You obviously want an answer to your question.  Now you’ll have it,” she tossed the medallion-sized chunk in her mouth and chewed slowly to make sure the Princess was satisfied that the deadly dose had been taken.  Koji glanced at her companion and made a gesture.  He glowered as he returned the sword to its sheath again, still hungry for the blood of its intended victim. 

                All eyes were upon Annexeter as she chewed the fish.  All four were acutely aware of the potential killing power of the innocuous fish.  “A little bland,” she pronounced after she had swallowed the morsel, “Could use a squirt of lemon.”

                Jake looked from Annexeter to the Princess and back, his gaze pausing briefly on the Todo.  The Bushido regarded him with open disgust. 

     “If I remember correctly the reports indicate the toxins can take about twenty minutes to a half an hour to be processed by the body,” she smiled peevishly.  “If you’d like to pull up a chair Princess, this could take a little while.”

Koji turned and walked away.  Todo grunted in disgust and said something unintelligible in his native tongue.  He too turned and walked away.  Jake stared at Annexeter.  She avoided his gaze by reaching under the table, “It’s okay Jack, the mean lady is gone.  You can come out…”

     “I guess I don’t need to tell you how stupid that was,” Jake spoke softly, his anger barely contained.  “If you weren’t a woman I would seriously consider taking you out and teaching you a few lessons about how to address a Princess.”

     “A Princess or a tyrant, Jake?” she returned his glare with an ice-cold look of her own.  “You act as though she were some sort of dangerous creature.  Koji is just a woman, a woman with an ambition to feed.  Nothing more, nothing less.”

     “You speak as though you are familiar with such women.”

Annexeter sat back and regarded him for a moment with a sinister smile that made his skin crawl.  “I speak from personal experience.”   Jake sat silent and contemplated the woman who sat across from him. “Let’s face it Jake Cutter, you and I are different kinds of people…”

     “That we are and I don’t think we have anything further to discuss.  Doctor Dar, I am going back to the hotel…I’ve lost my appetite,” he concluded the conversation by tossing his napkin on his plate.  She watched as he and the dog walked out of the restaurant. 

Had she not needed his services she would have gladly let him walk away with his pride, for the price of his life.  As it was, his additional assistance was required, therefore she would have to swallow her pride along with more of the equally bitter herbs and make nice with the truculent pilot and his humourless terrier.  

 

* * * * *

 

                At the hotel Jake sat at the bar, beer in hand.  He could not have predicted the evening would end so poorly.  Dinner’s tete-a-tete had resulted in a disaster.  Koji’s appearance, while not entirely unexpected, was still a surprise.  He was near the edge of her web after all.  A wry smile crossed his features as he took another draw from his beer. “Jack, I don’t know about you but I am ready to head back to Boragora.” 

                The dog barked once.

     “What do you mean no.  You saw…sorry, you heard how she acted at dinner…” Jake argued with the dog.

     “I think he means it would be even worse form to leave your paying client stranded than it was to walk out on her over dinner.”

     “Oh I don’t know,” he turned slowly, “Picking a fight with…”

     “The local tyrant?”

     “The resident royalty,” Jake corrected, his tone as cool as his countenance.  “You don’t live here, I do.   I’ve learned to accommodate Koji and her, well…”

     “Eccentricities?”

                A smile crept across his face despite the anger that still burned in his empty stomach.  “Yes, that’s a nice way to put it.  Koji has her little quirks, but she is a powerful force in these parts.  We try not to antagonise her.”

     “If you are suggesting that I not poke the hornet’s nest with a short stick,” Annexeter nodded.

                Jack barked twice.

     “Point taken and duly noted.”

     “I don’t know about you, but I am still hungry.  That walk through town only managed to increase my appetite.  If you will care to join me, I will order something from the kitchen.”  She smiled and left the invitation open as she walked away.

 

* * * * *

 

     “It’s open,” a voice from within the room announced.  Jack nosed the door open and walked in followed by Jake.

    “Room service,” he smiled and placed the tray on the end table.  “I took the liberty…”

    “Steak?  Thirty seconds a side?” she offered hopefully.

    “Yes.”

    “Perfect, let’s eat.” 

                Both ate with lust and little or no conversation.  Jake found it difficult to ignore the fact that the woman across the table was eating a nearly raw piece of meat with all the gentility of a high-borne lady.  He watched as tiny red squares were dissected from the main slab and speared with the fork.  She chewed each piece in complete contentment.  Eyes closed, half smile on her face.  With a shudder, he turned his attentions to on his own meal.

     “Care to pour the wine?” she offered, “I think it has had plenty of time to breathe.”

                He poured the dark red liquid into their glasses.  “To eccentricities?” he offered.

     “To eccentricities,” she agreed.  The wine, a garden variety Merlot, was an acceptable compliment, albeit a back handed one, to the nearly raw steak.  She drank fully and savoured the wine for what it was worth.  The steak was not beef as she had originally suspected, but that of an old horse.  The texture was tougher than she liked, but the red meat was refreshing and served to quell to the ever-present need.  She found no reason to complain or even to point out to the man who so enjoyed his meal that he was eating My Friend Flicka.

                Jake took another sip from the wine and found the warming feeling that coursed over his tongue and down his throat comforting.   Languorously, he leaned back in his chair.  This had been a long day for all of them.  Jack snored softly on the bed, stretched out on his side.  He looked up to see Annexeter examining him with her eyes.  He felt a sudden chill and righted himself immediately.

     “You didn’t need to move Jake, I was enjoying you in that position,” she rose and approached him slowly.   “However, the chair would never hold us both tipped back on two legs like that.”

                Jake stood up.   “I think Jack and I should be leaving.”

     “You’re not scared of me are you?” 

     “No, I…” she silenced him with a kiss.  He was surprised by the ferocity of her embrace.  Her lips trailed to his ears where she nibbled and suckled the tender flesh.  Suddenly he pushed her away, “No. That’s enough.”

     “I got carried away,” she smiled, a drop of blood on her lip.  “It’s been too long…”

                He nodded.  “I think it’s time for Jack and I to be leaving.”  The dog glanced up at him and moaned.  “Let’s go Jack…” he intoned and the terrier left the bed.

               

                The morning found him where he lay from the night before.  Annexeter rose first and stretched in the early light of dawn.  She looked down at the man who, through the course of the evening, nearly died by her hand.  He looked angelic.  She stroked the downy hair of his chest softly, allowing her fingers to trail down his belly.   He opened his eyes.   “What are you doing in here?” 

     “Surely you remember,” she teased.

     “I…you…we…” he searched his mind.  He had brought the food and the wine…she couldn’t have slipped him a mickey…  His head didn’t feel muzzy, yet he could not remember anything after they had parted company the night before.  “No,” he finally spoke as he sat up.  “I don’t remember.”

                She nodded, “It’s best that you don’t.”  Annexeter pulled the silk robe around her shoulders and tied the sash at her waist.  The scent of lavender filled the room.  “Be ready to make the rendezvous in one hour.” 

As she dressed she took inventory of her supplies, the diamond, the fake, her herbs, Richard’s gun, the money, and two small pieces of paper with addresses.  Today would be her gateway to freedom.  No more Richard, no more courier work.  She could finally live her life in peace.

                A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.  “Anne, it’s time.”  She regarded the voice for a moment and thought of the man to whom it belonged.  So fragile was a human life, she had held his in the palm of her hand and he hadn’t even known.  The wound would be regarded as nothing more than an insect bite.  A smile crossed her face.  If only she had been able to make someone like herself.  This man Jake…no, Louie was the only man who would have been able to fathom the life she led.  If only…if only…she put the thought from her mind.  It was too late to give in to memories of the past.  Her future lay just ahead.  She grabbed her bag and opened the door.

 

                They walked in silence to Annexeter’s first destination.  She made it very clear she was not to be followed into the establishment.   Jake chomped on his cheroot uncomfortably, but obeyed her wishes.  “Thank you Jake, I will try not to detain you for long.” the raven‑haired beauty replied as she walked on. 

 

 

                Annexeter eyed the man across the table carefully.  He was extremely heavy for his small stature.  The white suit he wore was stained a sweat‑yellow from the ungodly heat and his constant clucking irritated her.  “So Doctor Dar,” he began slowly, checking her emotional response to his every word, “You come for information?”

     “Yes.” she was fighting a losing battle with impatience, “Look, Mr. Nygras, these dealings are a necessary evil.  Let us not make them any more unpleasant then they already are.  Shall we?”

     “You are quite right Doctor.” he chortled to himself and withdrew a small cylinder and laid it on the table.

     “Here is your payment.” she pushed the medium sized manila envelope stuffed to its limit toward him, and with one sweeping motion he scooped up the payment and pushed the cylinder towards her.  She picked up the object examining it with eyes and fingers.  "How do I know…?”      

     ‘Stupid woman.  Do not contact me again,” he rose to his feet and limped out of the room with the help of his cane.  Annexeter watched him leave.  His stench lingered on after his departure.  She tucked the cylinder away and cursed Richard and his choice of scummy business associates.  Her hand lingered on the pouch holding the diamond.  Once this last exchange was completed she would at last be free. 

                As she slipped out of the building she could see Jake waiting.  If only he could be trusted to share her dark secret.  But now he was afraid of her.  She could smell his fear even from this distance.  Fear and lust, in the right combination, made for a powerful aphrodisiac she reminded herself.

                Jake greeted her upon her return, but was met with a silent rebuff.  He looked to Jack for reassurance that he hadn’t said something wrong.  The dog glanced back at him.  Now she had to make the trek to her next rendezvous without raising suspect, or being tailed.

     “I apologise,” she spoke suddenly.  “I don’t know why Richard always insists on such dramatics,” she rolled her eyes to the skies in an effort to throw him off her true feelings, “At least I didn’t have to do anything unseemly.”

     “Unseemly?” Jake didn’t really want to know the answer but felt obliged to ask.

     “Nothing too nasty,” she flashed him a nervous smile.  “You know, I don’t even know what this thing is,” she reached in her pocket and withdrew the small cylinder.  “It’s probably nothing.  Richard has a funny way of paying bribes…he has a flair for the clandestine.”  She stopped the conversation with a finger to her lips.   Beggars tugged at their hems as they hurried past.  The alleys were lined with the cities poor and forgotten, all pitiful souls trying to eke out a living any way they could.  She was sickened by the unsanitary practices these people employed.  For the life of her she could not see what Richard saw in this god‑forsaken Hell on earth.  He called it Paradise.  Maybe she wasn’t looking hard enough, for all she could see was a buffet not even fit to eat.

     “Wait out front,” she ordered and quickly disappeared in the crowd.  Annexeter knew she could move faster and farther without Jake in tow.  The dog’s company would have been nice, but she didn’t want to be responsible for the welfare of the wise little one-eyed terrier.

                A baby’s scream diverted her attention to a young girl carrying a horribly malnourished baby in her skinny little arms.  The child’s eyes cried out piteously to anyone who cared enough to look at it.  Annexeter felt the need...but she knew they were both beyond hope, neither would satisfy the growing hunger.  Finally she closed her eyes to the refuse of the street she continued on.

 

* * * * *

 

                Her next meeting was in an opium den across town.  Jake was to wait outside once he reached the location.  Annexeter, her face hidden, slunk around like common criminal.  She bumped into a fallen body and nearly lost her balance.  She recovered herself and continued on to her destination. 

                She spoke the well‑rehearsed password and the large oaf grabbed her by the arm and pulled her through the beaded doorway, and forcibly placed her in a chair across from a huge albino man.  Annexeter studied him closely, more for the aberrant pleasure of seeing him squirm uncomfortably, than any clinical reason.  She, none too secretly, wondered what he would taste like.  To the right of the albino sat a little man with a frog‑like appearance.  “Let me see it,” the albino’s fat paw reached out for her pouch.

     “Take it,” she pushed the small bag over to him.  He picked it up and pulled on the drawstring with his yellowed, horse‑like teeth.  He turned the bag upside‑down and watched the contents spill onto the table.  The huge yellow stone reflected back the dim light. 

     “Perfect,” he slid the stone back in the bag and waved her dismissal.  She was roughly pulled to her feet and soon she found herself on the filthy street outside the den doors.  Slowly she rose and took inventory of her personal effects.  A shudder of dread passed through her.  The diamond had been the fake of course, the albino hadn’t even checked.  Something wasn’t right.  She glanced over to see her satchel had been pitched out the door right behind her, spilling some of the contents.   As she gathered up several of the items, a foot stood on one of her packets of herbs.  She followed the foot to the leg on up to the face of a Malay mercenary.  Behind him stood several others.  She slowly stood up to face him.  A familiar Eurasian woman followed by a samurai warrior approached.  A nearly uncontrollable urge to giggle came over her as she realised the truth.  Of course, she was the commodity being traded here, not that damned diamond.  How could she have been so stupid… “Koji,” she spoke the woman’s name. 

     “Richard was right,” her smile was poison.  Annexeter surveyed the woman; even ready to strike she was elegant and poised, a cobra in a silk kimono. “I see you survived the sashimi.”

     “A little poisonous fish isn’t going to end my life,” Annexeter laughed.  “I’ve faced and vanquished far worse evils than you could ever dream of, my dear princess.”

                Koji gave a silent signal to the mercenaries who moved in on Annexeter.  Surprised by the attack she was quickly overcome.  The rain of punches pummeled her without end.  Once able to gain her bearings the fallen woman fought back, kicking and gouging whomever she could.  “Don’t let her bite…” she heard the princess say.  A sharp blow from a gun butt made that angle of defense impossible.   Her head exploded in pain and she felt herself to slip into unconsciousness.  “Cut her throat …” Koji spoke softly.  The mercenary did as he was told and produced a long curved blade.  With one swift stroke he opened Annexeter’s throat from ear to ear.  Dark blood pumped out of the gash for a few moments.  Koji watched as the blood congealed rapidly and the opened vessels started to regenerate.  She nodded with approval and silently slipped away from the scene.

 

                Jake could no longer stand and do nothing, he was starting to get that feeling of foreboding, Jack could sense it too.  Something was wrong.  The dog growled and paced nervously before he took off running.  Jake followed; they picked their way down the alley until they discovered the broken, bleeding body of the woman who only a half an hour earlier had left them standing in the market place.

                Annexeter was still breathing, but barely.  Jake tore off his jacket and covered her while he ripped his shirt into strips to bandage her open throat.  Knowing she would die without medical treatment he gathered her up in his arms.   For a moment he debated whether to take her to a local hospital or back to Louie.  “Jack?”  He looked at the dog who had recovered Annexeter’s satchel.   “Hospital?” the dog barked once in response.  “Louie?” Jack barked twice.  Jake reached down for the satchel and carried Annexeter back to the hotel, where he stopped to change her bandages and contact Louie.  She was stable but appeared to be fading fast. 

                On the flight back, Jake pushed the Goose as hard as he dared.  She sputtered into the lagoon in record time.  Louie, the Reverend, Sarah and Corky met Jake at the dock.  They assailed him with questions from the moment he stepped out of the Goose. 

     “Silence,” Louie raised his hands to quiet the group.  “Let me see her.” He climbed into the seaplane’s hold and found the pale woman strapped to the copilot’s seat.  The bandage and most of the front of her blouse was crimson with blood.   He could see bubbles of bloody foam dripping from her mouth and nose.  She was alive.

     “I didn’t know if I should lay her down…” Jake implored him with worried eyes.

                Louie glanced over and comforted him with a silent nod.  Gently unbuckling the straps that held her in place he could feel the broken ribs.  Her bloodied, battered face paid testament to the battle she had fought and lost.  “Put her in my room,” he instructed stepping out of the plane.  The questions started again and he silenced them all with a raised hand.  The three people stood wordlessly as Louie followed Jake to the hotel.

 

                Jake stood and watched as Louie took a quick inventory of her immediate injuries.  “I think you should step out…” Louie nodded indicating he was going to remove her soiled clothing.  Jake shook his head.

     “No, I feel responsible.” he had been powerless to help her.  “For the sake of discretion…” he could see the tortured look on the man’s face, “…hand me that sheet.”  Louie carefully removed the soiled clothing from Annexeter’s broken body.  She was covered with cuts and bruises from the savage beating.  From the flesh under her fingernails he could see she hadn’t gone down without a fight.  As he carefully he wiped the dried blood from the rest of her body he discovered again, the circular scar on her chest.  He had seen it before and had wondered where it had come from.  Now that he had a chance give the scar more than a cursory glance in a dimly lit room, he realised it looked more like a large object had been thrust into her chest.  He refused to allow the thought into his mind, but the memories of years past would not be so easily rebuffed.  What had the soldiers whispered under their, that she was a vampire? 

                His troop had left soon after the incident with Annie’s husband.  He had only heard rumors of the wrath her husband had doled out to her, and her unusually quick recovery.  When his fingers gently probed the tissue, Annexeter’s eyes flew open and she gasped desperately like a fish out of water.  “Louie, what are you doing?”  Jake spoke, his voice tight. 

     “I am caring for my patient,” Louie replied quietly.  He looked up to see Jake staring at him, “If you must know, have a history with this woman.”

                Jake shook his head,  “You don’t have to Louie.”

     “Yes, I do,” the Frenchman replied.  Jake knew from past experience that the enigmatic Magistrate did not reveal his past easily.  The occasional dropped clue here and there if the situation deserved it, but when it came to personal details, these were few and far between.  “I knew Annie back in ’22,” he paused.  Jake nodded, then realised what the man was saying.  “You were lovers?”

                It was Louie’s turn to nod.  He peeled back the bloody bandage that surrounded the woman’s throat.  The gaping wound had closed considerably, the majority of the arterial and venous tissue had rejoined and blood no longer issued forth.  The two men looked at each other.  Jake had never seen anything like it before.  “Annie was the camp doctor,” Louie spoke as he cleaned the edges of the raw tissues.  “There were rumours that she was more than that…I, never being one to believe rumours, had to find out for myself,” he dressed the wound and manipulated the broken jaw.  “She never let on that she was…” his voice trailed off, seemingly lost in the moment of memory.  Louie shook his head and smiled to cover the lapse. 

                Jake was reluctant to ask the question that was niggling in his mind.  He too had noticed she was different, so had the others.  Strange things had been happening on the island since she and her husband had arrived.  Hadn’t Gushie, Corky and Sarah all warned him?  He thought about the way she carried herself, how she was very different from any other woman he had ever known.  Corky’s reluctance to let him fly with her, their conversation at dinner, the verbal exchange with Princess Koji, the sashimi, that morning…it was all starting to fall into place “What are you suggesting?”  Jake couldn’t bring himself to say what he was thinking, he had to hear it from Louie to know he wasn’t completely insane.

     “I’m not suggesting anything,” Louie replied calmly as he wired the jaw into place.  “I have reason to believe we may be dealing with something quite out of the ordinary,” he arranged the swollen upper lip to cover the noticeably elongated canines.

     “Can’t disagree with you, there Louie,” Jake nodded with an uneasy smile. “She is out of the ordinary.”

    “I think someone else knows it too,” he frowned not disagreeing the American’s appreciation.  Jake watched as Frenchman emptied her satchel.  He ignored the bag with the diamond and fingered the envelopes of herbs.  “Where did these come from?” he asked holding a dried twist of vegetable matter.

     “She picked them up on Tagataya,” he furrowed his brows, not sure where the line of questions was to lead.  “She said she needed them for a patient.  A patient with a blood condition…” he paused.  “Wait, what about her husband…”

     “Dead.”

                The realisation hit him like a brick in the dark.  “She’s the patient with the blood condition?”

     “That is one way to look at it,” his voice was tight.   Louie checked the woman’s vitals again.   “Prepare the others for a funeral tomorrow.”

     “But she’s not dead…” Jake studied the immeasurable sadness in the Frenchman’s dark eyes.  “You don’t think she’s going to die do you?”

                Louie shook his head.  “Jake please don’t ask any more questions, just tell the others…” he waited until the pilot left the room before he reached for the ampule of amber liquid.  As he prepared the syringe he glanced over at the pale woman.  The rise and fall of her chest was shallow but regular, she was recovering rapidly.  He watched the fluid fill the tube.   “Forgive me, Annie…” he whispered as he pressed the tip of the needle into the vein of her exposed arm. 

 

* * * * *

 

Jake accepted the bottle of beer from the Egyptian behind the bar and walked out to the veranda.  Sarah followed.  “Jake,” she spoke his name.  “She’s strong, she’ll make it.”

     “I don’t think so,” he rubbed the back of his neck then took another long draw from his beer.  “Louie usually isn’t wrong about these things.”

                Corky joined Sarah on the veranda and tried to distract Jake from his thoughts, but it was to no avail.  “Jake, you can’t blame yourself,” the man offered. 

     “That doctor seems pretty smart, she must have known there was a chance of danger in Tagataya.  Anyone doing business in Koji’s backyard is just asking for trouble,” Sarah added.

     “Look, I appreciate what you are trying to do for me, but...” he needed to spend some time alone, to think through the events of the past seventy-two hours.  He handed the empty bottle to Sarah and walked out toward the beach followed by Jack.  Corky and Sarah watched him go.

     “He’ll be back when he’s good and ready,” Corky said finally.  “He’s done this before.”

 

                Louie descended into the bar wordlessly an hour or so later.  He had an unreadable look on his face.  The bartender approached him.  “Brandy?” he offered.  Louie nodded.  Ahmed poured the drink.

     “Thank you,” Louie took the glass and walked into the billiard room to be alone with his thoughts.   The only voice that broke into his thoughts belonged to that of the Reverend. 

     “You asked for me?”

     “I need you to administer Last Rites,” he spoke, his countenance as cold as his voice.  “We will bury her at first light.”

                The Reverend crossed himself in an automatic gesture.  “She died?” he asked.

     “I’ll be in my office.” Louie brushed past the tall Dutchman.

 

                Jake looked out over the water of the lagoon as the moonlight danced over the constantly moving surface.  “What the hell is going on Jack?” he asked the dog the rhetorical question that had been troubling him since the beginning of the week.  The dog looked up and him and whined softly.  The two stayed on the dock long into the night.

 

                Louie stared at the scar on her chest and thought about the reaction to his touch.  He gently pressed on the indentation again.  This time she did not respond.  He could feel the tissue beneath the surface had been damaged as well.  Carefully, he gently probed the long-healed exit wound.   The two holes were a perfect match.  He shuddered to think of the implications, but he realised how close to the truth they were.  If the dead man they had found yesterday after her departure was any indication, she was in possession of a terrible secret.  Louie shook his head.  “Damn you Annie Dar, how could you do this to me…twice?”  The rise and fall of her chest had slowed considerably, but he could still feel a faint pulse.  “You know damn well I can’t do it.”  Obviously someone tried to drive a stake through her heart and failed.  He knew who the aggressor had been.  “The only thing I can do is put you where you can do no more harm.”  As Magistrate he had these islands in the Marivella Archipelago to look after.  How could he allow her to roam free?  Even if she wasn’t a vampire, all signs pointed to her as the murderer of Richard Jones, and therefore would be sentenced to death.  Guillotine or morphine overdose, he would have to live with being her executioner.

 

                He thought of what brought her here, back into his life after all these years.  He himself had been through much that had aged him, war, incarceration, nearly losing his head twice, finding and losing his daughter...he had had so many reasons to age over the years.  Whereas she had lived a life of peace and luxury with Elsemere, perhaps not, he recanted bitterly.   He glanced at her body again.  She hadn’t changed in all those years.  A few more scars, a few more curves, but not a day of age on her.  Still the thought troubled him.  If she were what he was now almost certain she was, how could she be out in the daylight?  Weren’t these creatures destroyed by light? 

     “Louie?”  He pulled the sheet over her still body and answered the door.  The Reverend stood Bible in hand.  The Frenchman could see he was shaking.  “Is she really…dead?”

 

                Gushie watched the Reverend enter Louie’s office he knew for all intents and purposes, Annexeter Dar was dead and would be buried at dawn.  “Ahmed,” he whispered to the dark Egyptian.  “Have it ready for me tomorrow night.”

     “I do not feel right about this,” he protested softly.  “The dead should remain that way.”

     “Would you want to be buried alive?”

                He shook his head.  “This is not her place.  She does not belong here.”

     “I know, once she’s well, I’ll…I’ll try to convince her to leave.  Take the money and run.  I’m not sure how…but I’ll find away.”  The Egyptian nodded and disappeared around the hotel to his hut in the small village.

 

                The following morning was overcast and gloomy, the humidity oppressive, leaving the island and its inhabitants nearly suffocating under the cloying hold.  The gravesite was attended by a small group of people.  The Reverend delivered a simple eulogy for a woman few had really known.  Jake could not watch as they lowered the wooden coffin into the ground, and walked away.  Corky caught up to him after the service, “Jake, I’m really sorry about Doctor Dar, I know she meant a lot to you.”

     “Yeah,” he looked away.  “This really isn’t the best time.” 

Corky nodded and returned to the bar.  He understood what it meant to lose someone.  He still blamed himself for the accident that had taken the lives of his sister and her baby.  A long draw from the bottle and the cool liquid trailed down his throat.   The beer was cold, just the way he liked it. Yeah it was early, he chastised himself, but dammit, it tasted good.  The bottle felt right in his hand.  He looked at the brown glass and realised what he really wanted was a bottle of whiskey and a hole to crawl into.   She would have been fine, he thought bitterly.  “If only I’d…” the nagging voice taunted him from the darkest reaches of his mind.  Whiskey would quiet the voices, but then he would have to answer to Jake, to explain why he broke his promise to his best friend, “Another beer, Ahmed.”

 

* * * * *

 

Jake grieved in his own way as did Louie.  Both men poured themselves into their work so as not to be distracted by the memories. Corky tried to remain light-hearted even though he knew his friend still blamed himself for the woman’s death.  He hadn’t known Doctor Dar as well as Jake had come to know her, but she had made an impression on him.   Louie spent more time in his office than usual, a melancholy smile on his lips when questioned of his seeming preoccupation with the books.

     “Corky, you said you were afraid of her,” Sarah reminded gently, as he mused aloud about the strange doctor.

     “Yeah, but I guess she wasn’t that bad, I mean, she was never mean to me.”  She had frightened him, but she treated him with respect and kindness.  In the short time she had been on the island, he had avoided her whenever possible.  Particularly after the event on the dock, but she had never been untowardly with him or anyone else that he could remember.

Sarah nodded.  She too had been suspect of the strange woman.  Why she didn’t fight back when Richard hit her?  And what of the grisly discovery of her husband, dead where he lay in his jail cell.  Other strange things about the woman bothered her, but she was reminded of the day they had sat and talked.  Annexeter had complimented her on her singing.  She had been pleasant to her and had never treated her badly.  Always a kind smile or an affirming nod, Sarah realised she would miss the strange doctor after all.  Gushie was the only one who didn’t seem to be in mourning, Sarah noticed.  Perhaps he grieved in his own way, she reasoned finally.

Under cover of darkness Gushie made his way back to his hut.  Several animals had been butchered that day and as Ahmed had promised, the corked bottles were waiting in the bushes outside his hut.  As he opened the door he could hear her raspy breathing in the silent room.  Digging her out of the would-be grave had been a risky gambit, but it was one he had been willing to make.  It had taken some doing and most of his life’s savings but with the help of several well-greased palms he had been able to have her exhumed.  For many years now he had heard the whispers questioning his choice of sexual partners, heard the cruel jokes.  This incident would simply add a little fuel to the fire.  He laughed as he entered the dark hut.  The bottles he placed with the others in the corner of the small closet.  She would need them when she awoke. 

The moon was full.  The spears of light through the slats in the shutters shone across the sheet covered body.  He hated to have her face covered like a corpse, but he knew she would be safer this way.  The day had been a long one, knowing she was there waiting for his return.  He had fought sneaking back to his hut mid-day to take a moment to be with her to give her the sustenance she needed.  The risks were too great.  Exhuming her had been risky enough.  To endanger her while she was so vulnerable would have been a death sentence for them both. 

He pulled back the sheet to reveal the pale beauty.  Skin the colour of fine bisque porcelain, so smooth, so cool, he could see what the pilot and the magistrate saw in her.  She was not like the native girls on the island; openly affectionate, innocent.  She wasn’t like Sarah either; naïve, with a would-be worldliness.  He realised with a shudder she reminded him most of Koji.  The daemon princess who could make a man kill or come with only her whim. 

Slowly he removed his clothes and slid beneath the sheet.  He could feel the sweat of his body wicked away by the cotton sheet.  He lay next to her for a moment.  He could feel the chill without even touching her and despite the heat, he shivered.  Was this what it was like to be with Koji?  He wondered for a moment before he moved closer.  Flesh touching flesh.  Gushie drew his breath sharply as his body responded to her presence.  What was life if it was not worth taking a risk, he thought and moved closer.  Her cold flesh yielded easily to him.  At first she did not respond to his attentions, then suddenly he found himself on the floor her eager mouth on his throat the raspy tongue licking at his flesh.  Struggling to right himself, he pushed her away.  In the darkness he could feel her eyes upon him.  “You’ll kill me…is that what you want?” He did not expect her to respond to his question.  A long moment of silence passed before he opened his breast with a straight razor.  Her eager mouth found his wound and began to suckle greedily.

 

Life on Boragora continued as normal.  Gushie made every conscious attempt to make sure his actions remained normal, that he was following the same routine as before.   Sarah had commented several times on his pale complexion and Corky too had noticed the strange wounds on his chest and forearms.  He had been able to skillfully lie and tell them he had fallen in the night.  “Maybe you should have Louie look at that, it looks infected.”  Gushie nodded and assured him it was fine, how could he possibly ask his best friend to face the subject of his obvious heartache.  The wily Frenchman was good at hiding his emotions, but Gushie was every bit as good at reading them.  He hadn’t made it this far in the world being blind to the silent language of human emotions.

 Meanwhile, Jake took as many flights has he could to the outer islands.  It was obvious he wanted to avoid Boragora all together and earn the money he needed to get back to the States.  He blamed himself for the doctor’s death, no matter what anyone said to the contrary.  He had been hired to protect her, and he had failed.  The long nights were haunted with the voices that reminded him of his guilt.

     “Jake, you gotta give her a rest,” Corky poked his head in the port engine.  “She’s only been on the ground once this week.” 

     “Get her back in the air, I have a fare to the Carolines in the morning.”  Jake walked up the dock to the bar.  Corky shook his head and went back to work.

     “Jake…Jake…Jake…” he mumbled throwing open the engine cover.

 

                Night after night Gushie gave as much as he dared to the pale woman who shared his bed.  More than once he had nearly passed out from the loss of blood, but somehow he had been able to push her away before her hunger could consume him.  She was recovering quickly, and he hoped she would be able to wean off his blood and on to the animal blood he had stashed away.

      “Are you awake?” he spoke softly to the figure that lay on the bed.  A soft moan was the answer.  “I brought you a little hair of the dog…” he laughed to himself at this phrase he used as a code for the sustenance he brought to his special friend. 

The figure sat up and accepted the bottle with an almost inaudible whisper.  He watched her drain the blood from the bottle.  He waited for the long moments of incapacity to clear before he spoke to her.  “Anne, we need to figure out how to get you out of here…” he drew closer, “Without Jake and Louie finding out.”  She nodded almost imperceptibly.   He and Ahmed had risked much to save her, it was up to her to make good her escape.                The days stretched into weeks the weeks into months as she began to regain much of the strength she lost with the attack.  “I think I am ready,” she confided in Gushie late one evening.  “You’d best wait until the Clipper gets ready to leave, that way, if someone recognizes you…you know…”  She nodded.  Gushie had risked his life to save her, had risked his life night after night to give her life.  Yet she could not walk away from the only man she ever truly loved, even though he had tried to kill her.

 

As the Clipper landed and the wave of humanity poured forth, Annexeter, dressed in a simple khaki shirt and breeches, her face hidden beneath a veiled hat, slipped into the numbers as they approached the bar.   She sat on a stool that creaked indignantly at the added stress on its already overused joints.  With a soft sigh, she hoped no one noticed.  No one did.  Familiar faces were not immediately seen in the crowd, only the forgettable features of weary travelers eager to be on their way.  “Sangria?” the bartender spoke softly.  If he was surprised to see her, he did not show it, instead he pushed a glass of thick red liquid in front of her and walked away

     “Thank you Ahmed,” she smiled in return as she brought the glass to her lips.

Just outside the Monkey Bar, a voice she could never forget came into earshot.  “Oui, I have Pom Peron 1923...” said Louie to a profusely sweating American businessman who wiped his brow with a brightly coloured cloth.  She wanted to speak to him, to hold him accountable for his actions, but it was Jake she had to see first.

                Into the bar strode Jack, and she knew the man she was looking for would not be far behind.  “Jack, I told you it wasn’t my fault, you wanted my opinion, I gave it to you.  We could’ve gotten you another one, but you insisted...”

                “Jake, Jake, leave him alone, he’s already mad at you, reasoning with him is only going to make it worse,” Corky brought up the rear, trying in vain to keep the peace between two of his best friends.  Annexeter watched Sarah as she helped Gushie wait tables and serve drinks.  The dog walked up to the bar and sat down on the wooden floor waiting patiently for his saucer of beer.      

     “Jack?” Annexeter spoke and the dog growled at her momentarily, then he wagged his tail.   “You knew didn’t you,” she whispered.  He barked twice.

     “Are you soliciting affections from the ladies again, you ham...” Jake approached the dog who promptly turned and growled. “Ignore him, he’s angry with me,” he excused scooping the angry dog up in his arms.

     “Can you blame him Jake?” her voice chilled him to the bone.  With a visible shiver, he dropped the dog. 

                The woman who sat before him was so hauntingly familiar, yet for her to sitting here in front of him, she would have to be a ghost, or he be dreaming.  Yet Jake knew where he was and that he was wide awake.  “Anne, you… you can’t be…here,” he reached to touch the seeming apparition before him.  His hand met with solid flesh.  “Oh my God,.” the blood rushed to his feet.  “We buried you.”

     “Yes Jake,” she spoke softly, her passionate green eyes searching his face. “I was there.”

     “I think I need to sit down,” he turned and resisted the urge to run from the bar to fly far away from this island and this seriously disturbing change of events.

     “That would be a very good idea,” she whispered and she followed him into the billiards room.   He sat on one of the rattan chairs, absently rolling a cue ball in his hand, he watched as she entered the room.

     “We all thought you were...” Jake’s voice was strangled with pain and bitterness. “Louie pronounced you dead.  We buried you for Chrissake…”

     “Obviously I wasn’t dead.”

     “Then why did you bother coming back?  Why not just slip out on the Clipper once you dug your way out,” he was confused and angry at the sudden change of events.  “Anne, I blamed myself your supposed death.” he looked down at the ivory ball in his hand.  “I’m not the kind of man to just…” Jake forced his gaze to meet hers.  “In Tagataya…we did, didn’t we?”

     “You are an honorable man Jake, and I know you did your best to keep me safe…despite my ability to rile the local royalty,” Annexeter touched the felt of the pool table as she ignored the more pointed of his questions.  “Jake, I think you should know, I’m not like other women,” she weighed the next words carefully.

     “You’ve got to be kidding?” Jake stifled a wry laugh then narrowed his eyes, and studied her form with his suspicious gaze. “I can’t be having this conversation with you…how could you be…alive?”

     “Alive is a relative term,” she managed a wry smile.

                Jake slammed the ivory orb into the rail and walked away from the table.  He balled his fists and held them tightly against his leg.  “This is impossible, you rising from the dead like some kind of ghoul.” he walked over to the window and looked out at the bustle of the villagers.  He turned and walked back to the billiards table.  Absently, he picked up the ball and held it in his hand again.  The weight of the small ivory orb was comforting.  It was constant…it was familiar...it was real.

                After several uneasy moments of silence, Annexeter spoke, “Obviously, I didn’t intend to be attacked.  Just as I didn’t intend to...” she took a deep breath.

     “You don’t take me as the sort who does anything unintentionally.”

                Annexeter stared at him.  He knew.  Louie knew.  “So be it,” she sighed disdainfully.  “And since you have figured out my secret, I’m sure you and Louie have also figured out the real diamond is in my satchel.  Go ahead and take it.  Sell it and fix up that flying bucket of bolts, get that dog of yours a new eye.  Hell, I don’t care, have the damned thing set in a wedding ring for Sarah.”

     “Sarah and I don’t have that kind of relationship.  We’re just friends.”

     “I’m sorry to hear that.”

     “Somehow I don’t believe you.”

.                    Annexeter looked at him long and hard, she could see the bitterness was only on the surface.  He was hurt, he was angry and most of all he was confused.  “Are we now to consider ourselves enemies?”

     “I don’t know,” Jake looked away.  He walked to the window and stared out for a moment before he turned back to walk toward the felt covered table.  Gently he placed the cue ball on the table and drew his breath slowly.  He opened his mouth to speak then stopped, then dropped his gaze to the floor.  “I actually thought I could…” he stopped again, his face became like that of stone and his eyes like ice.  “But then you died… and now I ask you what’s left?  Corky, Jack …the Goose.” Jake returned his eyes to the woman in the rattan chair.  “In case you haven’t noticed, Europe is engulfed in war, if things continue to escalate here in the South Pacific, the travel business isn’t exactly going to be booming.”

     “No pun intended I hope,” she interrupted humourlessly.

     “No pun intended,” Jake replied in the same sour tone.  “I hear my own country may soon enter the war.  So what do you suggest a man like me should do?  I fought for a cause I felt was right in China, and I damn near gave my leg for the trouble,” he shook his head and plunged his hands in his pockets as he walked around the table.  “Anne, since you came along, I don’t know about anything anymore,” he turned to leave.

     “Jake, you are not the only one who is lost and confused,” her voice was cold as ice.  “As it stands, I have nothing.”

     “Nothing, but your dirty little secret,” he stared at her accusingly.  “Louie wouldn’t say it, but I know what you are.  What did you do to me that night?  Did you try to kill me too?”

                Annexeter was surprised at his vehemence, but at the same time pleased he had had the courage to stand up to her and fight like a…a man.  His anger fueled the fire in her breast.  This she found attractive about him, and what she had loved about Louie.  “Really Jake, what purpose would your death serve?” she paused, “What ever would I do with a broken down plane and a pickled mechanic.”

     “I don’t need your sarcasm,” Jake stared at her.  “And I would appreciate it if you left Corky out of this.”

                She nodded.  He was angry and hurt, that much was obvious.  Angry words spoken in frustration and fear, now it was time to call his bluff.  “Very well Jake.  You have made it perfectly clear that there is to be nothing further between us.  You claim to know what I am, and if that is true, I should silence you,” her threat was not taken lightly, “But there has already been enough death, and again what point would your death serve?”  Jake stared at her.  “Considering the few options I have available, I think my only real choice is to lose myself here in the South Pacific.  And from what I understand, a little money in the right hands and I can keep my dirty little secret where ever I choose to live,” she got up to leave.  Her threat was received with every ounce of seriousness intended.

Jake knew should their paths ever cross again, it would be as enemies.  She had hurt him.  But she had hurt Louie worse.  Louie at least deserved a chance to make his peace.  After all, he was one who loved her. “No, you can’t go,” the words left his lips, there was no way to rescind them.  “I can’t let you leave.”

She stopped and turned at the sound of his voice.   She stared at him; intense green eyes that burned into him, “Jake, if it makes you feel any better…if I had intended to kill you that night, I would have.”  He could feel her eyes as they stared into his very soul.

 

Annexeter sat in Louie’s office and waited for Jake’s return.  Now would have been the time to run, to escape, but her heart longed to see the handsome Frenchman again.  As she waited, she looked around at the décor in the daylight.  The colours of France proudly displayed on the gold-fringed flag.  Several framed images of great ships, one she recognised to be that of the Normandie.  She glanced at the bookshelf and the leather bound volumes it contained, ledgers, census’, law volumes, all the formalities of the office Louie served. The paneled walls were simple and not littered with sentimental images of a time past.  No images of loved ones, lost or found.  Save for a few framed certificates the paneled walls were bare.  Even the plant life in the room was simple and elegant, a small native palm, a small vining plant. On the desk a matching pen set, an ashtray, a hideous black spider entombed in a glass orb.  Annexeter smiled, this was an uncluttered simplicity, unlike the man to whom the office belonged.

 

     “Jake, can’t you see I am busy…” Louie protested gently, “Can it wait?”

     “Not this.”  By the look on Jake’s face, Louie knew this was no trivial matter.  “In your office...”

                Jack padded behind as he followed Louie and Jake to the upstairs office.  He slipped into the room as the door opened and sat next to the seated figure whose back was turned.   “What’s going on?” he questioned of Jake.

     “I think you better sit down,” the figure spoke as she turned to reveal herself.  Louie paled.

 

                In the bar, Gushie tried to pretend he hadn’t seen Anne and Jake go into the billard room, that he hadn’t heard the pilot’s raised voice, that he hadn’t seen Louie ascend the stairs to his office.  He had told her to wait until the Clipper left to escape.  Damn her, he thought.

     “Wonder what that’s all about,” Sarah mused as she approached the bar.  “Another round of beer for the sailors at table three,” Ahmed ignored her musing and poured the beer.  Gushie approached and ordered another round for a table of rowdy soldiers.  “Do you know what’s going on?”

     “With what?” he played the innocent.  She looked at him accusingly.  “Gushie, nothing escapes you and Louie.”

     “I don’t know Sarah,” he tried to hide the annoyance in his voice and sped off to serve the soldiers before another fight broke out.

                Things had been quiet since the passing of the strange doctor.  Too quiet, she thought, something was going on.  Once things quieted down in the bar she would make contact over the hidden wireless in her room.  If the game was afoot, she would be the one to give chase.

 

The Frenchman stared at her, his voice tight, “I buried you.”

     “I’ve already covered this ground with Jake,” Louie was not amused by her gallows humour.  Annexeter could see this was so.  “I suppose I should add that you tried to put me there permanently.”

Jake gaped at Louie who sat coolly under the accusation.  “And I would be remiss to think you have done worse under lesser circumstances.  Richard told me about you,” he responded, the anger building in his breast

     “You’re bluffing,” she smiled a wicked, knowing smile.  “If he had you would never have let me leave the island with your only pilot, the risk would have been too great.  That is your job isn’t it Magistrate, to keep these people safe?”

                Louie knew she had seen right through him.  “You killed Richard, the night before you left Boragora.”  The two men stared at her waiting for an answer.    

     “What are you saying?”

     “I think you heard me, Madame Doctor, I am accusing you of murder.”  The Magistrate de Justice was in full investigative force.  “I didn’t need to do a post mortem to determine he didn’t fracture his skull in a simple fall.  His skull was crushed.  Oddly, there was no blood in the wound.”
     “Now Louie,” Jake jumped in, obviously disturbed by this line of questioning.  “Is this really necessary?”

     “Oui,” he flashed Jake a look, then stared at Annexeter with such anger and betrayal he could hardly contain himself, but he managed to keep an even tone to his lowered voice.  She drew her breath and fought to keep the smile of relief from her face.  He didn’t know.  Neither of them did.  Her real secret was still safe.  To tell them the truth was inconceivable, what was one more lie when the web of deception had already been woven so long ago.  “Richard was not in the best of health.  He had a liver condition and only one functional kidney.”  Annexeter turned her gaze on Louie, “Had you performed a post mortem you would have discovered all of that, but then who am I to tell you how to do your job.” She laid the burden of proof back on the Magistrate.

     “What about your first husband? You told me he died of an aneurysm…in his sleep…was that a lie?”  Jake was upon her, his eyes flashing.

     “Elsemere did die in his sleep.  And Doctor de Justice,” she mocked, “What is an aneurysm, but a break in a blood vessel,” Annexeter weighed her next words carefully. “I also told you it was the result of a lifetime of abuse and neglect...you assumed it was his.” Annexeter waited for the words to settle in before she continued, “We fought terribly, Elsemere and I.  Louie, I think you can vouch for that.”

                Jake glanced at the somber Frenchman.  This stab at his past was a painful reminder.  “I can,” he spoke after a long moment.

     “Then I don’t need to dwell on the fact that Richard was no better,” she paused again.  The hurt in his eyes tore at her soul.  “I learned much from my marriage to Elsemere, including how to fight back.”

                Louie nodded and lit a cigarette.  He had seen the results of their fighting, and he had seen the consequences of her actions.  He waited patiently for her to continue.  Jake stared at her.   He could feel the undeniable need for a drink, a stiff drink of something strong to chase away this nightmare.  He felt Jack at his feet, and the feel of the dog’s warm, solid body gave him comfort.

     “That night when I brought him his dinner, we fought.  Richard accused me of terrible things, not the least of which was seducing you to save my own skin,” her eyes never left Louie’s.  “He would have killed me you know, if not that night, another night, it was only a matter of time.”

     “So you decided to take matters into your own hands?” Jake broke in suddenly.

                     Annexeter spoke directly to Jake, turning her piercing green eyes on him like a rapier.  “Richard was ill.  He was weakened by the heat and his condition.”  She turned back to Louie, “We fought, he fractured his skull. I took advantage of the situation.”

                Louie thought about the story he had just been told, he wasn’t completely satisfied with her confession.  “That still doesn’t explain the lack of blood in the wound.”  Louie knew the answer, and he didn’t want to pursue it further.  He knew as well as she that an autopsy after this amount of time would be futile.  “I should arrest you, and try you for murder.”

     “Elsemere’s death was not on French soil,” Annexeter countered.  “You could try me and hang me for Richard’s death…but…” she continued in the same even tone, “accidents will happen.”

     “Anne, even attempted murder is an executable offence under French Law,” Louie pronounced as he leaned back in his chair, “I know there is more to this than you are telling me.  We all have our secrets here.  It’s a matter of checks and balances.  All of us in this room have done things we are not proud of, but a criminal action may not go unpunished,” Louie paused for a moment and took a drag from his cigarette.  He slowly released the smoke and began to speak again, “You helped the Reverend when he was injured, yet you did not help when Richard was injured.” He put his fingers together and touched them to his chin. “Ah, now we see the balance of justice.”

                Jake could stomach no more of this cat and mouse game.  He knew where this was leading, straight to the guillotine for one Doctor Annexeter Dar.  He stood up, “Louie, you heard her, they fought.  And what about her first husband, whats-his-name…”
     “Elsemere,” the two spoke suddenly then stared at each other again.

     “Yes, Elsemere,” Jake sputtered.  “This Richard guy, he was in the clink for what, attempted rape?” 

                Louie nodded.

     “Clemency Louie, clemency.” Jake pleaded, though he wasn’t exactly sure why.  This woman had very nearly gotten him beheaded over a simple morsel of fish.  She had possibly seduced him, or worse.  Yet she had trusted him with her life when she had been attacked.  Suddenly Jake felt responsible to show her the same compassion.  Despite the fact that this strange woman was cold as ice, and a potentially dangerous foe, she had become a friend.  “Anne could…Anne could serve her time as…as doctor for the island and people from the Clipper.  The dentist is over-worked and could use some help, and what about you?  You can’t do it all…please Louie, this is her life we are talking about.”  

                Louie closed his eyes and thought about the situation.  He too had done many things he was not proud of, things in the throes of battle and in the heat of passion.  He had been lucky, his life being spared not once, but twice.  He had every reason to incarcerate this woman, but he had other reasons to let her go.  “Unusual circumstances call for unusual measures.  I am sentencing you to life, although I realise this will mean little to you.”

She stared at him. 

     “You will remain on Boragora unless otherwise escorted by myself, Jake or one of my constables,” he continued, “If you do not agree to these terms or violate them, under any circumstances, your sentence will be commuted to death…permanently.”  

                Jake furrowed his eyebrows at the pronouncement of the strange sentence.  There was something between the two that remained unsaid, something that could affect them all.  “What are you two dancing around?  I know Anne is different, but are you suggesting she’s a …”

     “Jake,” Annexeter’s voice was low with a warning tone.  She turned her gaze back to the Frenchman, “I agree to the terms set forth by the Magistrate de Justice.” 

With that said, Louie nodded.  “Your sentence begins at this moment.  You will have a room at the hotel until a proper structure can be built to house you.”  Louie stepped out of the office to summon a guard.

     “Contrary to your current view of me,” she replied curtly as the guard led her away, “I am not a monster.”

     “That, my dearest Annie, is debatable.”    

 

* * * * *

 

With her life spared, she took up residence in a small hut behind the Monkey Bar and Hotel.  She laughed when she realised she was now imprisoned only an empty bottle’s throw from Gushie’s hut, where she had only a few short months previous lay imprisoned by her own body.  An armed guard was positioned outside her door, instructed to accompany her wherever she went on the island…everywhere.  They were young men, sworn to service.  Neither companionable, nor talkative, she soon regarded their presence as nothing more than living shadows. 

One evening several weeks into her sentence, as she cleaned the last of the surgical tools she thought of the terms Louie had set forth.   Life…what was life anyway, she thought with a chuckle.  She had been around for longer than either of these two men, or even their lifetimes added together.  Perhaps he knew, perhaps he didn’t.  With no acknowledged offspring to carry on the family legacy, once the wily little Frenchman finally played out his luck she would be able walk away from this place, a free woman.  Jake would never stick around.  He would be gone once his proverbial ship came in.  And Sarah, if she didn’t leave as his bride she would return home to New England once the scores of war had finally been settled.  The Reverend, if he didn’t end up on the end of a pike, the victim of an angry father’s rath, would probably return to the Fatherland.   Gushie would either ascend to Louie’s position or drift away into the mists of legend, an enigma wrapped in a mystery.  And what of Corky, she thought long on the topic of this curious, simple man.  He was too smart to get himself killed, too smart to risk his life foolishly.  No, he would either succumb to the effects of the alcohol he chose to numb his soul with, or he would simply disappear somewhere along the way.  Such was often the sad fate of those who wore their hearts on their sleeves.  Her only regret was that they would never trust her again.  Not the way they did before, before they knew what she was capable of.

Late that night, Annexeter lay on her bed as a rare jungle breeze cooled her naked body.  She continued to contemplate her life.   Her new role as doctor was a nice diversion.  She enjoyed practicing medicine, it was a way of life she had known and loved. Her only regret was loss of Louie’s passion.  He still looked at her, and she could see it in his eyes he wanted to try and understand what might have been, but something very real stood in his way, his fear of becoming like her.  Annexeter chuckled bitterly when she realised it was the very core of her nature as a survivor, that caused him to shy away.  She would do whatever she had to do to protect herself, even go so far as to kill anyone or anything that stood in her way... So what did a lifetime matter, besides, she was starting to like the warm weather of the tropics.  

 

* * * * *

 

Annexeter, as part of her sentence, assisted the dentist and served as physician to the villagers on Boragora and the surrounding islands.  Her indispensability throughout the limited medical community eventually made her an accepted member of the island’s professional society.  Even Jake’s business began to pick up as neighbouring communities sought her skills as a doctor.  Louie’s magnanimous decision had proven to be as lucrative as it was convenient, for all parties concerned.   Although the war raged on in the Pacific theatre, the small islands of the Marivellas seemed untouched through it all.   As he did several times a week, Jake flew in with a planeful of passengers.  Annexeter and the dentist were busy extracting a rotten tooth from a neighbouring island colonist when the plane came in for a landing. “Hold on a moment longer Mr. Blakely, we’ve just about…got it…” she glanced up at the dentist, whose face was scrunched up in a grimace as he struggled with the offending tooth.  The prone man tried to nod as his eyes searched hers for affirmation. 

The unmistakable sound of the Goose sputtering into the lagoon brought the young women of the island to the dock in droves, their smiling faces and gentle curves made many a male passenger’s rough flight seem to fall by the wayside with the attentions he received from the nubile young native women.  Even several young men made themselves available for the female passengers to feast their hungry eyes.  Annexeter was amused by the human buffet that issued forth from the hold of the Goose. 

     “There!” the dentist nearly fell backwards as the rotten tooth finally gave up its hold from Blakely’s jaw.  Blood and pus poured from the gaping hole.  She took a large sponge and soaked up much of the red liquid.  Infection tainted the blood.  It was no good.  Disgustedly she tossed the rotten sponge into the waste receptacle.  “Go easy on that jaw for the next week or so and gargle twice daily with saltwater.  Not ocean water, not beer, saltwater.” She answered the man’s confused look.

As she dried her hands on the towel Annexeter looked out over the group of people as they disembarked from the plane.  Faces of weary travelers blended together.  The smell of fear and sweat mixed with tobacco and perfume.  The dentist tapped her on the shoulder then withdrew suddenly as she whipped around, a look of bloodlust in her eye.

     “Uh, Doc, we’ve got patients here.  Can we get this done before them for’ners drink up all the brew?”  He kept the chair between himself and the dark haired woman with the strange green eyes.

     “Come on, we’ll make this quick,” the dentist opened the flap and ushered the next man into the tent.

                   

                Jake sat back and enjoyed his beer.  Tonight was his to relax.  Corky pounded out the boisterous song on the piano while Sarah sang a surprising rowdy rendition of a long ago favourite.  He smiled.  Things were finally starting to return to normal since the arrival of the strange doctor.  He watched as Gushie, Louie and Ahmed navigated through, interacted with and managed to serve the gregarious crowd that gathered. 

               

                From her hut Annexeter could hear the din coming from the Monkey Bar.  Tonight’s crowd was particularly boisterous and loud.  With a sigh she closed the book and strode to the window.  She heard a brief exchange between the guard, whom she had learned was named Henri, and Gushie.

     “Doctor Dar,” the young guard rapped on the door, “Gushie has brought your dinner.”

                She smiled at Henri’s exquisite manners.  “Thank you,” she spoke softly to the guard, and to Gushie, “You are just in time, I’m famished.”

     “Just this, okay?” he laughed rolling into the hut, “I’ve got a houseful tonight.” Gently, he placed the covered dish on the table.  “Ahmed sends his best,” Gushie produced a bottle.

     “A fine vintage,” Annexeter smiled as she uncorked the bottle and took a long draw.  “Oh!” she gasped as the rush took her breath away. 

He knew she would be incapacitated for sometime from this particular vintage.  “Amazing what can come of a kitchen accident,” he smiled.  “No one even suspected.”  She watched him leave and recalled earlier in the day when one of the hotel workers had come to her needing stitches in his hand.  Gushie was one to be congratulated for his cunning and skill.

 

* * * * *

 

                As the weeks turned into months and the months neared a year, Annexeter found herself still on the outside looking in.  The villagers had heard stories and soon tongues were wagging, the stories of her dark past were beginning to take on epic proportions.  But still they came from the many islands for the superb medical care she provided.  The locals preferred Louie’s doctoring skills, but they accepted her skills grudgingly.

     “Sangria please,” she flashed a smile at the bartender, he returned the smile and poured a glass of red liquid from a special bottle she noticed he kept well away from the others. As she sat down on the barstool, Annexeter addressed the brunette who sat with Corky, Gushie and the Reverend at the table in the relatively deserted bar. “Sarah, are you feeling well, you look a bit pale.”  She took a sip of her drink and smiled to herself, “Thank you, Ahmed,” she turned and whispered to the bartender who nodded knowingly.

     “I’m fine thank you,” Sarah was on the defensive immediately.  “I’m just a little tired.  I haven’t been sleeping well.”

     “I could prescribe something for that,” Annexeter offered, “Come to the office and I’ll take a look at your throat, listen to your chest…”

     “NO!” she protested more vehemently than was necessary, her eyes wide in revulsion.  Despite her ability to heal, word had apparently reached the ever listening ears of Miss White.

     “I’m not a monster,” Annexeter whispered into her glass. “I’m not.”      

     “She’s right,” Reverend Tenboom spoke up on her behalf, “Ja, just look at my leg, is good?  And Corky, that finger…good as new.”

                Corky flexed his finger, and nodded.  “I can still plunk out a tune, can’t I Sarah.”  She nodded offering a quick smile.

     “When’s Louie getting back?” Sarah coughed slightly, “I’ll just wait and see him then.”

     “Jake and Louie are due in on Tuesday.  I hope he was able to get those new blades and needles, I don’t know how long we can keep sharpening the one’s we’ve got,” Annexeter smiled at the shades of green that came from the table.  “I did ask them to pick up a special something for you Corky, I know how you like chocolate…” she smiled.  “And you’ve been such a good patient, I thought you deserved a sweet.”

                Corky’s eyes lit up, “Really?  You really asked Louie to pick up chocolate for me?”

     “The good Belgian stuff…The local chocolatier owes me a favour,” she quaffed the remainder of the fluid in her glass and set it on the bar where it disappeared immediately at the hands of the bartender.

 

                Later that evening, as she noted the many medical charts and records of her patients, a soft rap on the door alerted her attention.  Normally Henri’s knock was much firmer and he announced himself and whomever required her assistance.  “Sarah, I am surprised to see you here,” she opened the door and revealed a face that caused her blood to run cold.  It was the Eurasian woman from Tagataya, none other than the notorious Princess Koji.  Sarah was scared silent.  Annexeter could smell the fear and knew she was being coerced.  The young woman would never come to see her by her volition

     “Stories of your miraculous return from the dead have come to my attention.  Bravo.”  Koji spoke deliberately, a slight French-Indonesian accent to her voice.  “Take her too.”

     “Oh no…not this time…” Annexeter backed away as Todo, in full bushido armour barged through the door with a loud crash.  “Henri?” she called out to her guard.  “Stop her!”

                Koji smiled slightly, the corners of her red lips slightly raised.  “He is such a dear boy,” she gestured and the guard moved closer, revealing himself as Sarah’s captor, “So beautiful, and…obedient.”

Sarah struggled and kicked at Henri, trying desperately to force him to free her.  She screamed into his hand, then bit down, hard enough that blood began to drip from the wound, but still he held her tight.

                 Annexeter never took her eyes off the drawn blade of the little warrior or the treacherous Henri, as she reached back to the wash basin for anything she could defend herself with.  “I’ll kill her!” she suddenly lunged forward at the silk clad Princess with a bloody filet knife she had used just earlier that day to kill and dress the pig that would be main course at the Monkey Bar in a fortnight.  “Don’t think I won’t!”

                Todo responded quickly and stepped in front of his Princess, with an utterance he brought his blade down in a swift motion, cutting the air where Annexeter had been only a split second before.  He was amazed at the doctor’s speed, but did not register the reaction on his stoic face.

     “Kill her,” Koji glanced at Henri who held a now limp Sarah in his grip.  The knife now at her throat, the touch of the cold steel on her exposed neck brought her around suddenly.  Her eyes grew wide and she screamed again into the guard’s hand.

     “No,” Annexeter lowered the long blade.  “I will come with you.”

                Sarah stared in disbelief at the doctor and shook her head, unable to speak she could not protest.

     “I knew you could be reasoned with,” Koji nodded her head, Todo sheathed the hungry blade with a grunt of disgust.  Annexeter hung her head as she was led from the now disheveled room

 

                The ropes that bound her hands and feet were tight and rubbed raw the skin as she struggled.  Annexeter glanced in Sarah’s direction.  She was now catatonic with fear, something Annexeter was very surprised to see in the otherwise plucky young woman.  She tried to whisper words of comfort to Sarah, but was silenced by the appearance of Koji, who had arrived on the scene to evaluate her captives.   “Perhaps your late husband did not tell you about me.”

     “What you are talking about?” Annexeter was on the defensive, “What does this have to do with Miss White, if it is me you seek, why bring her into this?”

    “Would you have come willingly had I not convinced this little skeleton,” she indicated Sarah with a wave of her arm, “…to join us?”
                Annexeter shook her head, “Surely your medical needs are being met on Matuka.  However if you seek a specialist, you could have contacted the Magistrate.  However, if you were dealing with Richard, I suspect it is not an existing ailment for which you seek treatment, but rather a condition you wish to develop.”  Sarah stared at Annexeter then the Princess, her eyes impossibly wide, her mouth hanging open. 

Suddenly she found her voice, tight with fear at the realisation.  “The rumours are true,” she managed through her tight, dry throat, “You really are a vampire.”

 

                On the flight back from Tagataya, Jake thought about the strange doctor and the brief time they had shared before her death.  He had fought it so hard, and when she came into his life albeit for a brief moment, the fires he thought had long been extinguished, flared to life.  Although he could not accept her murderous nature, there was something special about her he could not dismiss.  He wasn’t sure if it was the look in her eyes, or the way she made him feel when she had kissed him, but it was something he wanted to explore further, he decided finally.

      “Looks as though Annie is working late,” Louie observed from the co-pilot’s seat as they circled to make their approach.

      “According to Henri, she does that often,” Jake replied and Jack barked twice. 

 

                Louie gathered up the small crate of medical supplies and headed for the Doctor’s hut.  “Jake,” he was surprised to see the pilot, “I was just…”

      “Something’s wrong,” he said suddenly as Jack began to growl then whine.  “Where’s Henri?”  Both men approached with caution. Louie swore softly under his breath when he realized the constable was not stationed at his post.  Something was very wrong.  Jack growled as Jake noticed the door stood slightly ajar.  “Anne?” he spoke her name, not sure of what to expect this time. The empty room seemed odd, Anne wouldn’t have violated the terms of her sentence under penalty of death, yet she was no where to be found. The desk and chair was overturned and the charts she had been working on lay scattered on the floor.  Jack started to whine as he stood over a bloody filet that lay discarded on the floor.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

     “Strip her and put her in the cage,” Koji’s orders, “Find Miss White a room, I want her guarded at all times.”  The warriors reacted instantly to their ruler’s wishes.  The two women were split up and Annexeter found herself being dragged to a room, a small bamboo cage positioned in the center.  The Princess stood in one corner of the room as Annexeter was stripped of her clothing.  “I see someone else has suspected your condition.” She referred to the circular scar.  “Who attempted to put the stake through your heart?”  Annexeter stared at her and remained silent.  “I see they were not successful.   If you cross me, I will not fail.”  The stare turned cold.  “Mmm, I see I have raised your ire Doctor,” Koji was obviously enjoying this line of interrogation.  “The Magistrate, and dear Jake, have they figured out your secret?” she smiled and slowly walked around the naked woman.  Annexeter drew her breath and released it slowly.

     “They suspect, but no one seems to want to dance with the devil and learn the truth.”

     “I know the truth,” Koji approached her, “And I want the gift of immortality.”

 

                The hours stretched into days, Annexeter lay in the corner of the cage not wishing to waste energy on unnecessary movement.  Although she was in relatively good health, the reserves she had built up since the attack so many months ago were slowly being sapped by starvation.

     “Are you hungry?”  Koji walked into the room.  Golden dragons cavorted over the blood red shimmering surface of the silken robe.  Annexeter noticed her hair was drawn up on her head to expose her long shapely neck and plunging neckline.

     “No.”  Annexeter lied.  “I’ve explained it to you innumerous times, I am not a true vampire.  I cannot give you that which you desire.”

     “Very well,” she poured the contents of the goblet she was carrying on the stone floor, the contents spattering up on to her robes.  Annexeter could smell it was fresh human blood, and felt her heart leap in her chest, the gnawing need threatening to push her to action.  “For every time you deny me…” she looked at the puddle of blood.  “An other innocent life is lost.”

     “You don’t want to live like this,” Annexeter warned, her voice soft and strained.  “Immortality is a lonely existence.”

                Koji approached the bamboo cage; she examined the cracks and scratches, evidence of her prisoner’s attempts to free herself.  Summoning all the strength she could spare, Annexeter flung herself at the side of the cage and thrust her arms through the bars grasping for Koji who had moved just outside her reach, a cruel laugh upon her lips.  Annexeter slunk back to the corner of the cage glowering malevolently at her captor.

     “Cruelty will get you no where.  Bring me my satchel, I need my herbs.”  The Princess furrowed her eyebrows.

     “Satchel?  What satchel?”

     “Surely your people managed to grab my black bag.  I need special medications.  I must take them to survive.” Annexeter knew without the herbs, her resolve would fade as the need would eventually overwhelm her. 

                Koji consulted with the Bushido who stood in the doorway.  “No Todo,” she said gently, “A little black bag…” he shook his head.

     “No.” his reply sounded like a bark.

     “Well Doctor Dar it seems we have a problem,” Koji turned her attentions to the woman again, “What do you need…” the expression on her face betrayed her revelation.  “So, it is the herbs that control your murderous rage.”

     “Actually it controls the hunger,” Annexeter replied in a low voice.  “Murderous rage comes naturally.”  Koji left the room, the silk robes whispering in her wake.

 

* * * * *

 

                A search of the island had produced no answers; no one had seen or heard a thing.  The constable, Henri, who had been posted outside the door, was also missing.  The island was a buzz with speculation, but no solid evidence to prove or disprove any of the accusations.

     “Jake you don’t think that creepy doctor abducted Sarah…” Corky couldn’t complete his sentence, the thought too gruesome for words, “You know they didn’t get along too well.”

     “Corky, don’t even think thoughts like that,” he glanced up from the carburetor he was cleaning.  “We have to remain positive.”  Jake tried to make his voice sound convincing.  He really didn’t believe the rumours and the horrible stories that had been spun about the mysterious Doctor. 

Louie was completely baffled by the situation; it didn’t make sense, any of it.  He ran the scene over and over in his mind, he questioned the remaining members of the impromptu gathering that night, nothing unseemly was said, and the exchange between Sarah and Annie was not considered to be unusual.  Sarah hadn’t made any attempt to hide her dislike for the doctor, but she was not openly malicious about it either. 

 

* * * * *

 

                Sarah looked at the plate of food and thought about her situation.  She had been treated very cordially, provided with food, clothing, and a chance to tend to her personal needs, all without any overtly sinister pretenses.  The Princess had allowed her to walk in the gardens under the watchful eyes of the guards, but did not visit her until that very moment.

     “Is your meal not to your satisfaction?” Koji spoke as the doors opened and she saw the untouched plate.

     “I’m not hungry.” Sarah responded a tinge of fear to her voice.  “Why are you keeping me here?  If it was that woman you were after…”

     “Lack of appetite seems to be going around,” she spoke more to her companion Todo than to Sarah.       “Why are you keeping me here?” she demanded, a little more strength to her voice.

                Koji turned her gaze to Sarah; “I have my reasons.”  She made a motion to the food, “Eat, you need to keep up your health.”  With a barely noticeable nod of her head the doors were opened and she egressed from the room, Todo followed.

 

* * * * *

 

                Louie discovered Annexeter’s satchel with all the contents intact, including the herbs and the diamond.  He was surprised to see the large stone and made sure it was secreted to the deeper reaches of his safe.  The herbs disturbed him.  “Gushie,” Louie addressed the man, when they were sequestered in the Magistrate’s office.  “I need you to tell me what you know about these,” he opened the leather pouch and allowed some of the contents to spill out on his desk. 

     “Those are Anne’s,” Gushie replied.  “She never went into much detail about them, only that she couldn’t live without them.”

     “Do you know something about Anne that you are not telling me?” Louie probed deeper, he suspected, but needed confirmation.

     “What are you getting at?” Gushie was on the defensive.  “She’s different, can’t you just leave it at that?”

     “Not when we are talking about abduction and possibly murder,” he revealed, “Anne has admitted to killing at least two people, I would not like to entertain the possibility of a third.  If you know something you are not telling, you can be tried as an accessory,” Louie hated to threaten his friend, but he needed to know the truth.

     “Anne wouldn’t kill unless she had to.  Richard said some terrible things to her…” Gushie paused and averted his gaze, embarrassed.  “Terrible things about you and her…having had a relationship…” he could not continue.  Louie closed his eyes, clenched his jaw and exhaled slowly.   He took another deep breath.  “Did Richard mention anything else?” 

     “Something about a Japanese broad getting more than she bargained for…” Gushie suddenly looked up, his eyes wet with tears. “Louie, I’m sorry.  She killed him.  Drank his blood…we, we dug her up…I…I…” he broke off in a sob.   Louie put his hand on the man’s shoulder.  After a long moment, the man pulled himself together and sighed heavily. “Are you thinking Koji took her?”

                Louie looked at the man on the other side of the desk.  “I sincerely hope not.”

 

* * * * *

 

     “If you come a little closer…” her voice was seductive and low.  Annexeter fixed her sights on one of the guards.  He started to approach the figure that beckoned with a siren’s song.   He was stopped just short of her reach by another guard who grabbed him by the shoulders.  The two exchanged words in a language Annexeter did not understand.  The need was gnawing at her resolve, breaking down her ability to control her actions.  She had never gone this long without food or the bitter herbs.  She began to fear the worst if Koji returned with her offer of blood.  The guards would not fall for her charms again.  Something would have to give, and she knew it would be her.  The room she was held prisoner in was immaculately clean, well lit and constantly occupied leaving no chance for small rodents to stray within her reach.  That ploy had worked when Elsemere left her for dead in the basement. 

 

In the years following, she had cursed her error in judgment.  What had she been thinking…damn that nosy busybody of a personal assistant, Richard Jones; he was a little man with ideas of grandeur.  Richard had latched on to Elsemere after the incident in Egypt.  She had seen him looking at her with lustful intentions when her husband was away.  Too smart to act on his immediate impulses, he watched and waited for the right opportunity to strike…

Now with the master of the house murdered by his bitter wife he would finally have everything he had ever wanted:  Wealth, power, and the voluptuous woman of his darkest fantasies.  Forced marriage was nothing new to Annexeter Dar, but this time she would call one of the shots.  “You will never have me,” she whispered in his ear as they walked from the church.  “I will never consummate this marriage… remember, what happened to Elsemere could easily happen to you.”

     “If you live long enough, don’t think I wouldn’t expose you for the murders you have committed to keep your little secret.”

                A truce had been forged, each not wishing to topple the balance of power.  Richard, ever mindful of an opportunity to weld power, seized the opportunity to hold the dreadful secret over her head from the very moment of Elsemere’s demise.   He hired her services as courier and dispatcher for the highest bidders, no job too dangerous, no job too difficult.

     “I have the perfect servant,” he chortled after the first job, “A vampire on a leash.”

     “I’m not a vampire,” she protested, hating the image of what the word really meant.  “I’ve never taken a human soul…and I have no intention of ever doing so.”

     “Immortality is a seductive mistress.”  Richard taunted.  “Can you imagine what some people would pay for that?”  This line of musing sickened her…  

Annexeter suddenly woke from the nightmare.  She was no longer alone in the cage.

 

* * * * *

 

     “You think it’s Princess Koji?” Jake demanded his eyes burning, his hands and arms flailing in frustration.

     “Jake, Jake…” Louie held his hands up to quell the angry man, “I didn’t say it was her, I said I suspected it was her.  Who else would want to become a…” he was disgusted at the thought. “A…” he couldn’t even say the word.  The two men stared long and hard at each other.  Both knew the answer to the unspeakable question.  For Koji to risk losing her boating and fishing rights, not to mention to have her many valuable holdings throughout Boragora and the rest of the Marivella chain seized, the implications were unthinkable; but even she would risk it all for the gift of immortality.   Or would she?

     “She’s thinking in the long term,” Gushie spoke approaching through the doors of the billiards room, Corky close behind. 

     “Jake, if that…that…” Corky sputtered in frustration, “woman…hurt Sarah, I’ll kill her myself…”

Louie gazed upon the simple man, a look of distant sorrow, “Mon ami, let us not jump to conclusions.  There is no need for threats.”

     “Oh, I’m not threatening Louie, I’ll really do it.” Corky stared back at the Frenchman with the look of determination to make true his word.

 

* * * * *

 

                The room was pitch black, not a hint of light, it was as if the room had suddenly been placed in a cave.  Annexeter could smell a mix of blood and fear on the person who now shared her cell.  She was upon the figure in a heartbeat, her hunger and need overwhelming her sense of discretion.  The figure stood frozen against the bars, she could feel the woman’s breath on her blood-soaked skin.  No scream would utter forth as her voice had been stolen by absolute terror.  Then just as suddenly as Annexeter was upon her the woman was back in the corner of the cell.

     “Live food is what you want, isn’t it?” Koji’s voice broke through the darkness.  “Take her.”

     “No,” came the reply.  “I will not take this offering.”

                Suddenly light exploded into the cell as a large black canvas cover was hoisted upward.  Annexeter squinted against the assault on her eyes.  Once they had adjusted to the glare she looked to Sarah who now slumped against her binding, having been tied to the bars.  Her body was covered with small incisions, which she could see were superficial cuts, meant only to incise the first layers and bleed profusely.  The younger woman would have some discomfort during the healing process, but there would be little or no scarring.  Koji would stop at nothing to get her way; her actions with Sarah had made that perfectly clear.  Annexeter knew she would not be able to hold out much longer, Koji knew it too.

 

* * * * *

 

                Jake tried to help Corky refocus his frustration and rage, he knew his friend was worried, but he was too, they had to wait to see what transpired.  Now that Louie had a possible suspect he had ordered Jake to remain on the island until they could find enough evidence to make an official charge.  Corky stormed around the dock, unable to contain his emotions, he was in no mood for beer, and for once Jake was relieved, letting Corky get drunk on top of this would have been a recipe for disaster.  “We need to do something Jake,” he was desperate for action, “We, we can’t just leave her there to be killed.”

     “Corky, we still don’t know if Sarah is on Matuka.  We don’t know if Koji has Annexeter, and if she does, if either of them is still alive.  Sarah’s strong and you know she won’t go without a fight, same with Anne…”

     “But that creepy doctor’s a killer, Sarah’s not.” Corky reasoned desperately, “Ah dammit Jake, let’s just take the Goose and go!”

     “No Corky, we can’t.  If we leave now we could be jeopardizing both their lives.  Ours too.”

     “I don’t care about that…” Corky began under his breath.

     “Be careful what you say Mon Ami,” Louie approached the two men.  “I have radioed Matuka.”

     “And?” Jake prompted.

The Frenchman shook his head.

               

* * * * *

 

                Sarah was removed from the cell and her cuts dressed.  She lay on the bed, a cold compress on her forehead.  She had looked death in the eye before and it never looked like that.  The image her mind served up was that of a cold breath on her blood moist skin.  Sarah still couldn’t believe Annexeter had not seized the opportunity to quench the hunger that was consuming her.  Sarah shuddered to think how close she had come to losing her life.  Perhaps she had misjudged the strange woman; perhaps she had been too harsh in her conclusions about the sort of person that she really was.  Once the spinning in her head cleared, Sarah sat up and looked out at the flower garden.  Grudgingly, Sarah admitted to herself she was jealous of the relationship Annexeter had, in a very short time nurtured with Jake Cutter.  Slowly, she stood up and took a few wavering steps before she found her balance.  Still feeling weak she walked a few step out to the garden and stopped to watch the busy insects as they meandered among the many flowers.  Jake treated her more like a kid sister than a possible love interest, but then, she thought, bitterly.  She promised herself if she made it through this ordeal she would make an effort to change that, to show Jake she was a woman, not the little girl next door.

 

* * * * *

 

                The door to the bamboo cage opened again, this time a young man, trussed and gagged was thrust into the cell, his eyes wide with fear.  Annexeter recognized him immediately as Henri, her deceitful guard. She descended upon him instantly.  Driven by hunger, she sank her teeth into the man’s neck and tore the flesh in a deep bite, the rush of blood nearly choked her as she drank heavily.  The rapid pulse from his fear drove the blood into her faster than she could swallow, and some poured out on to the floor.  Annexeter neither noticed, nor cared, she was overwhelmed, intoxicated by the adrenaline and other hormones in his life’s blood.  Her head spun and she continued to bite and suck long after the heart stopped pumping.  She fell away from the pale corpse and lay on the cold stone floor, unaware that the Princess had observed the entire act of her feeding.  Annexeter felt peculiar, not the usual stupor from the blood rush, but something different.  She felt cold, like ice. 

 

* * * * *

 

                Sarah returned to her room and sat on the bed.  She wondered about what would happen to her now that Annexeter had refused to take her blood.  Would Koji let them go, would Jake come to her rescue…did anyone know she was gone?

 

* * * * *

 

                Annexeter sat up slowly and looked at her arms they were now sinuous and translucent.  She could see the veins and underlying tissue.  Slowly, she reached up and touched her head; the jet-black locks fell away in large chunks. “Oh God,” she moaned. “NO!” she wailed throwing herself against the bamboo bars.

 

* * * * *

 

                Louie reviewed the message, Koji did indeed have the missing women on her island, but she did not state their condition nor make any demands for their return.  He weighed his options carefully.  As Magistrate de Justice he did not have jurisdiction over Matuka.  Koji ruled her kingdom with her own set of rules. He did however have jurisdiction in Boragora and could make a seizure of her holdings there on the island, he could contact the magistrate on Tagataya and set forth a decree to suspend her fishing and trading rights as well.  All would depend on Koji’s willingness to set things right.

 

* * * * *

 

Annexeter reached up and felt her face.  Her mouth felt hollow, as molars no longer needed for chewing tumbled from her lips.  The only teeth that remained where the now permanently elongated fangs.  The sight of the creature that had taken her over to this half-life, suddenly flashed in her mind.  Spindly, pale, nearly toothless and bald, he had descended on her as she gathered plants on the edge of the forest.  He had taken her with the intent to made her like him.  But they had been interrupted, so many years had passed, and now she was finally like him.   She moaned again in defeat as she looked up to see Princess Koji staring at her.  Revulsion and disgust were etched into the woman’s features.  Although she did not openly show it, Annexeter could smell the underlying fear.

Koji stared at the caged creature.  She saw not the woman she had come to know as Doctor Annexeter Dar, but a skin covered skeleton, pale and bald.  She glanced at the discarded teeth on the floor of the cage then back to the creature.  The creature turned her head to avoid the woman’s gaze. 

With all her senses enhanced by the transmutation, Annexeter could almost read the Princess’s mind.  Instead, she focused on Koji’s companion, Todo.  The thunder of his beating heart poured into her ears. As she raised her nose to the air she could smell his scent.  He shifted uncomfortably under her stare, then settled himself using his Bushido training to regain his composure.

     “Is this what you want, Koji?” she asked turning her attentions back to the Princess, her voice strange and hollow, “Is the price for immortality worth what you paid?”

 

* * * * *

 

Jake looked up to see the Magistrate striding down the dock, a bag and portfolio in his hand; two Constables followed him.  “Jake, how soon can we be in Matuka?”

 

* * * * *

 

                Koji stared at Annexeter, she had changed so suddenly, there had been no time to stop it.  The woman who returned her stare was a pale, ghost-like figure, as white as an alabaster statue.  The weight had fallen from her, not only from the previous starvation, but the woman’s body was now firm and hard, meat and tendons under the pale, translucent skin.  Not an ounce of fat remained.  Koji thought to herself that even Sarah was less of a skeleton than this creature.  The woman’s eyes, once a deep, dark green were now the colour of pale sea foam. Piles of coal black hair lay scattered around the creature as she sat huddled in the corner.  The words Annexeter spoke wore at her mind for a few moments.  She had seen the voracity of the woman’s feeding frenzy, how the young man’s throat had been torn and the blood…so much blood.  She thought about her kingdom; Matuka was beauty with an edge, a sharp edge.  Koji balanced on that edge with skill and grace.  She was an iron ruler wrapped in a delicate silken robe.  Her people were devoted but would they continue to serve her if she became like this creature. 

 

* * * * *

 

                The Goose was in the air and on the way to Matuka in record time.  Jake looked out over the open ocean, afraid of what Louie hadn’t told him.  Was Sarah still alive?  Would Koji now be a vampire?  He had demanded answers of Louie, but the Frenchman steadfastly refused to answer any of his questions.  Suddenly Corky’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “Hey Jake, isn’t that Koji’s boat?”  Jack barked twice.

 

                Koji looked up and saw the Goose flying over head; they had met half way in open waters.  She watched as it flew by.  The two women who sat in the hold did not hear the seaplane.  “What happened to you?” Sarah asked quietly, her fear of the strange doctor now dissipated.

     “I took a human soul,” was the forlorn reply.  Sarah stared at the pathetic creature who somewhat resembled Annexeter Dar.  “I didn’t even realise it at the time.”

     “But why this…” she indicated the woman’s drastically changed appearance, “What happened?”

     “I have become a vampire.”

 

* * * * *

 

     “Turn around Jake,” Louie approached the cockpit, “We will deal with Koji on Boragora.”  Jake did as he was told.  Louie and several constables were waiting on the dock when the Princess’s ship entered the lagoon.

 

* * * * *

 

                Koji stepped off the ship, followed by Todo.  “Where are they?” Louie demanded.

     “My dear Magistrate, you are so very pushy,” she responded nonchalantly, brushing past him. 

     “Don’t play games with me Koji, I have set the paperwork in motion to seize your properties…” he began, as a tall, pale figure was removed from the ship’s hold and escorted on to the dock.

     “You wanted your precious Doctor, here she is,” Koji presented the creature.

                Anne lowered her head and turned away under Louie’s gaze.  He hardly recognised her.  “This is not Annie Dar, where is she?” he shook his head.  “Where is Sarah White?”

     “Tell him,” Koji flashed her a look.  Annexeter affirmed her identity.  The distant hollow voice sounded strange coming from this creature.  She answered his questioning look, with a five word synopses, the same answer she had provided to Sarah.  Louie, concluding the worst, ordered the constables to arrest her and take her to the holding cell.

     “I will deal with you later,” he addressed Koji who stood, devoid of emotion, on the dock.

 

 

                Annexeter sat on a blanket she had folded and placed on the ground.  She thought about the irony of being on this side of the cell.  She looked around and noticed to her bitter glee, bits of scalp tissue remained on one of the bars.   She chuckled to herself, then stopped at the horrible noise.  Louie had not said a word as he stood and watched, his constables closed and lock the iron door behind her.  His professional demeanor thinly veiled the look of disgust.  He turned to leave, Koji awaited.

 

     “Where’s Sarah!?” Corky demanded as he lurched into the wine cellar and approached the cell menacingly.  He was obviously drunk, his state betrayed by his conduct and coordination.  Annexeter could smell the alcohol, but under the sharp stench, she caught the fetid odor of his fear, he reeked of it.  “What have you done to her you…you…” his thought was derailed as she approached him.

     “Be very careful what you say next,” Gushie’s voice surprised them both.

                Corky looked at Gushie and then at Annexeter, his eyes bloodshot not only from the alcohol but from crying.  “So help me God, I’ll kill you with my bare hands if you so much as hurt her…” he grabbed the door of the cell and shook it for all he was worth.  Annexeter covered her ears and cringed and she crouched in the corner.  The sound tore through her head like an explosion.

     “Corky, I think you need to go back to the Monkey Bar, there’s nothing more you can do here…” Gushie tried to defuse the volatile situation before it escalated out of control.  “Come on Corky.”  She watched the two men leave.  Gushie glanced back, she nodded as their eyes met.  He returned the nod with one of his own.  She sat quietly again, awaiting the next encounter.  Her wait did not last long.

     “Anne,” Jake approached the cage slowly, worrying his hat nervously.

     “There’s nothing to be afraid of Jake, I will not hurt you,” her haunting voice maked his skin crawl.

     “I wish I could believe that,” he looked down at his feet.  “I don’t know who or what you are anymore.” Annexeter felt the tears well up in her eyes, the words not forthcoming.  She stood up and approached the side of the cell; she reached out with one arm to Jake who pulled away.  “What happened to you?” He could no longer hide his horror.  Annexeter withdrew her bony arm and sat down on the blanket, drawing her thin legs up to her chin. 

She looked at Jake, tears trickling down her cheeks.  Through her tears she gave the only answer she could, “I took a human soul.”

 

Koji, as Todo stood behind, sat in the Magistrate’s office.  Louie presented her with the charges.  “Surely you don’t think I would risk all that is mine over a simple kidnapping?” she scoffed at the accusations. 

     “No, the creative minds of Matuka are far too discerning for something so banal.  I see that you have returned Doctor Dar, granted she is not in the same condition as when she left, but she has been returned.  It is the return Sarah Stickney-White I now seek.”

     “Doctor Dar came of her own volition.  What makes you think I would bother with Miss White?  She is hardly worth the time, much less the effort.  Perhaps she is more valuable as an employee of the Monkey Bar, certainly not as a singer,” Koji laughed, “I can only imagine what other capacities she may serve.” The laugh was cut short by the stern glare of the Magistrate.

     “Princess Koji, you will be detained, in your own rooms of course,” Louie began, “Until Miss White is returned.  How ever she is returned.” He finished with clenched jaws.

                She regarded him coldly.

 

                Sarah shivered in the hold of the boat; it appeared she had been left unguarded.  She was sure it was nightfall, as the temperature had unmistakably dropped.  The ties that bound her were not as tight as before, and she wriggled her hands free.  She looked around to see if she had been observed.  Finally satisfied this was not a trap, she quickly untied her feet and walked up on deck.  The night air chilled her to the bone.  A single Koji guard stood on the dock, several feet from him stood one of Louie’s constables.  Neither moved to acknowledge her presence.  Sarah weighed her options carefully.  Obviously she could just walk off the boat and expect to be detained, or worse.  And the thought of jumping into the water made her cringe.  The cuts were beginning to burn, and once the salt water…she shuddered at the thought. 

 

Louie approached the cell as Annexeter sat with her knees drawn to her chin, thin arms wrapped around herself with her head buried her lap.  “I need to speak to you.”  She looked up and yawned, baring her long white teeth. 

     “Please,” she responded quietly.

     “I spoke to Koji, she claims you left with her on your own volition, is this true?” he didn’t want to believe it. 

                Annexeter nodded.  “Yes.”

     “You realise that you have violated the terms of your sentence, and you are aware of the consequences,” he asked, “Are you sure of your answer?”

     “Yes, I am completely aware of the consequences and I welcome death.”

                Louie was surprised at her answer, one who had fought so hard to stay alive though all the adversities she had experienced, suddenly wanted to throw it away.  He beckoned her to stand.  When she did and approached him he could see the torment in her pale green eyes.

 

                Sarah plunged into the tepid water.  Her body was instantly afire and she felt as if she had leapt into a bath of acid.  She struggled to keep her head above water as she swam for shore.  Once on the sandy beach she collapsed, unconscious from the pain.

 

                Jake waited until Louie had finished his interrogation and left, before he descended into the cellar again, “Anne, did you kill Sarah?” he finally asked the question that had been gnawing at him. He started at the stark white figure and awaited an answer.   She could smell the fear turn to anger the longer she remained silent.

     “Yes, I killed Sarah,” Annexeter looked at him, and waited for his response.

                Jake’s face turned to stone, his blue eyes burning.  He was incensed with rage, his jaw clenched tightly.  “How could you?”

     “It was easy.” Annexeter knew if she pushed him far enough he would take her life in a fit of anger, “If you want the details…”

     “No!” he shouted and grabbed the chair that sat just outside the cell.  She stood before him, easily within reach.

     “Go on, break the chair, only a wooden stake through my heart will kill me.  Elsemere failed because he didn’t know…you won’t make that mistake.”  Annexeter opened the shirt and exposed her chest.  “Right here Jake, you can’t miss it.  My heart is right here,” she pointed to a spot on her right breast.   “As you can see Elsemere was not an attentive pupil when it came to affairs of the heart.”  The scar was a dark spot on her otherwise alabaster skin.  Jake struck the chair against the bars, breaking it in two.  The seat lay on the floor, the backrest still in his hands.  Three spindles of wood invited him.  He ripped one of the spindles from the backrest and held it menacingly at Annexeter, who stood before him, her chest bare, head turned to one side.

Jake paused, then dropped the makeshift stake, his face wet with tears.  “I can’t.”

     “Jake,” he turned to the familiar voice who spoke his name and was met with the sight of Louie standing with Sarah.  She was wrapped in a thick robe, her hair wet, face pale.  Jake covered the distance between them in two steps, he grabbed her, holding her close, kissing her deeply.  Louie looked at Annexeter who returned his gaze.  She could see the sorrow in his eyes.

     “Oh Jake, I never…” Sarah stammered nearly nonsensically when he released her from the kiss, “Annex…she…” Jake kissed her again.  Sarah sagged in his arms as he released her; “Annexeter wouldn’t hurt me.  She wouldn’t let Koji’s men hurt me…” Sarah surprised all by her statement.
     “Jake, take her to her room and get her settled, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”  Louie directed Jake to take the exhausted woman away.  Once they were alone Annexeter stared at him.  “You would have let him kill you,” he observed, a note of anger in his voice.

     “Yes, I welcome death,” she nodded, her strange voice defiant.  “Now you have a job to do Magistrate, commute my sentence.”  Louie stared at her, what she was asking was for him to end her life on a technicality.  A technicality he himself had set up in a moment of anger, thinking she would never willingly cross that line.  Now he was faced with a duty he did not wish to perform.

     “I will not commute your sentence.”

     “I do not see that you have a choice,” she countered.  “I will escape.  And when I do, I will kill again...and again and again.  This is what I have become. You must stop me now or the blood of the innocent will be on your hands,” Annexeter was not making an idle threat and Louie knew he could not risk unleashing this threat upon the islands.

 

                Sarah fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed.  Jack curled up at her side, guarding her against any possible harm.  Jake sat on the edge of the bed and drew the covers up over her sleeping form.  She had told him little of her ordeal, only that the strange woman who now was imprisoned would not allow harm to come to her, that she had willingly gone with Koji to keep Henri from killing her.  He could only guess at what else had transpired.  Sarah simply did not have the strength to tell him any more.  Louie appeared moments later to inquire of her condition.

     “She’s resting,” Jake spoke just above a whisper.  “Jack is going to stay with her tonight, aren’t you boy.”  The dog quietly barked twice in answer.  “I’ll find Corky and let him know she is okay.  I would hate to think if…” he shook his head, “No, I’ll find him.”

                Louie led Jake from Sarah’s room; secure with the knowledge the dog would lay down his life to guard the young woman.  “Jake, I have to execute Annie.”  The words left him stunned.

     “What?  You’re commuting her sentence?  She was abducted Louie.”  Jake was shocked at the man’s words.  “How can you?  She didn’t do anything wrong.”

                Louie leaned on the rail of the colonnade and let out a long sigh.  “This is not something I want to do Jake; it is something I have to do.”

     “I should have let her go when I had the chance.” Jake sighed barely above a whisper.

     “What?” Louie turned and stared at him, “What are you suggesting?  Let her go…do you realise what she has become?”  The Frenchman turned and walked away.

 

                Annexeter sat on the blanket and waited.  She did not look up when she heard him enter the room.   She did not have to, she knew instantly by his scent it was Louie.  He was troubled.

     “I’ve never had to do this before,” he spoke.  She looked up and saw him standing at the cell door.  “How…how do you want me to do this?”

     “Swiftly.” 

He drew his breath haltingly, he had killed men in battle for lesser reasons than this, but this wasn’t battle, and he never had to kill a woman.  “If it’s any easier, you can set me free and I can attack you.”

     “Don’t be glib.”

     “Just execute me and get it over with.  Don’t think of me as your lover from nearly twenty years ago, but as the monster that I am now.  And I am a monster Louie…a cold-blooded killer.” Her words were chilling.  “If it’s any consolation, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill any one of you.  Corky, Sarah, even Gushie…” He knew her candor was sincere.  They were no longer people she cared about, but simply sources of sustenance. 

                Louie had no other options available to him.  “Do you need to make your peace with God?”  Annexeter shook her head.  “Do you have any last requests?” 

     “Just one,” she spoke softly. 

     “And that would be?” Louie unlocked the door and escorted Annexeter out of the cell.

     “How long have you known?”

He paused a long moment as he tied her hands to the cell bars, “I’ve always known.”

      “And still you loved me?”

      “Yes,” Louie parted her blouse and felt the scar.  Annexeter gasped and recovered.  He felt for her heart and found it as he had before.  Louie picked up one of the broken spindles and felt the splintered end in his fingers, he was reasonably sure he could pierce her heart through her ribs.  “I…” he began.

     “Don’t say it,” she cut him off, “Some things are best remembered.”   He nodded.

                Louie plunged the stake into Annexeter’s chest, putting his full weight into it.  She drew her breath sharply and released a loud scream.  He fell away from her, and landed on the ground, blood stains on his white suit.  Louie watched, transfixed, as she struggled for a few moments then hung limply.  The body that once belonged to Annexeter Dar turned grey and quickly desiccated.  He stood back not sure of what to expect next.  He waited for several minutes, and then cut away the ropes that he had used to bind her. 

 

The following day a small service was held, this time the coffin being lowered into the ground was going to stay in the ground.  The woman they buried would be missed and remembered.  Reverend Tenboom gave another short eulogy for the mysterious woman who had touched their lives.  Jake put his arm around Sarah, who leaned close, “This has to be a mistake.”  She glanced at Corky and Jack who stood together with Gushie and Ahmed close by.  Her eyes fell upon Louie as he stood alone, his face an unreadable mask.  Things would return to normal on Boragora, as sure and the sun would rise and fall.  Sarah touched the hanky to her eyes when she thought of what Koji’s vie for immortality had cost the people standing around the gravesite, for some a doctor, for others a friend.

 That night, Jake sat in the Monkey Bar his fist wrapped around a bottle of beer.  He watched Gushie tend to the locals.  The man had kept to himself most of the day, choosing to mourn the loss of his friend on his own terms.  Thankfully, things were quiet tonight.  Sarah stood by the piano, wearing her favourite dress.  She smiled at Jake as Corky began the slow, haunting, melodic tune.

Throughout the subdued crowd no one noticed the absence of the hotel’s proprietor who sat alone in his office smoking a cigarette.  On his desk sat the incriminating bottle of Sangria, Annexeter’s black bag with her meager belongings and the yellow diamond. 

     “For what it is worth, Louie, I am truly sorry,” the Reverend’s distinctive accent gave away his identity before Louie glanced in the direction of the voice, “She was…special.”  Wordlessly Louie nodded and returned to his silent contemplation.  The Reverend nodded and retreated through the open door.

 

Moments later, Louie rose to his feet and walked out the door.  He stood on the colonnade and took in the sight of the moonlight as it danced on the shimmering waters of the lagoon.  The cigarette in his fingers burned, the smoke rising in a thin long stream.  A gentle breeze carried the light fragrance of the jungle flowers that shared their bouquet with the cloak of darkness.  Such a beautiful moment he had borne witness to many times over the years, but tonight its simple elegance could not distract his thoughts.   He took a long moment to snuff the butt, then to flick the crumpled remains into the darkness.  The scent of lavender tickled his nose.  He watched the shadows for something that would never appear.  Satisfied, he cleared his throat, returned to his office and closed the door on the night.