“Oh, we have only finest rooms.”
“Okay.” That hadn’t been the answer she expected. Perhaps she should ask Rory what he thought. One quick glance in his direction, and she knew that wouldn’t work. The man could barely stand. His body weight shifted, placing a heavier burden upon her. He needed to lie down before they both sprawled on the floor.
The proprietor of the establishment blinked and looked between them. A smile tinged Hannah’s lips. “We will take two rooms, please.”
“Impossible,” Chin answered, waving his hands.
Shocked by the odd answer she waited for an explanation. When none was forthcoming, she tried a different tactic. “Very well. We’ll take one room with double beds.”
“Not possible,” Chin Xi answered with a shake of his head.
The urge to throw her hands up in the air was only halted by Rory’s body sagging farther. Pressure from his limp form increased. What should she do? There was one option. “One room, please.”
A smile tugged at the corner of the owner’s eyes. “Very good. Follow me.”
Hannah shrugged Rory into a better position and followed the man toward the stairs. Moving Rory up the staircase proved difficult. Every few steps he stumbled and she grabbed the rickety railing. Once they reached the next floor, she sighed with relief.
They were led to the first door on the right. Strange noises drifted from the closed doors lining either side of the hallway. Hannah sought the eyes of the host but he kept his back facing her.
“Here you go.” With the door standing open, he backed away. A key clanged against an ugly metal table. “Payment each day. Okay?”
Hannah nodded as the slam of the closing door echoed through the room and shook every piece of furniture. Rory stumbled to the bed. It creaked in disapproval. Not seeming to care, he stretched from one end to the other, his feet hanging off. With a contented sigh, his eyes closed and he snored.
In the middle of the room, Hannah stood. The opulence, which had so impressed her downstairs, did not reside within their current surroundings. Room of finest quality? Hannah thought not. It was obvious the ambience from downstairs was used to draw people in. Once inside and awed by its splendor, one never questioned the state of their future residence.
Hannah knew better. Rat hole apartments and hotels had become a regular thing for her since she’d become a writer. Money was something sought but never achieved. If not for her trust fund she would have starved. How could she have been suckered into taking this room?
With a furtive glance at Rory, Hannah knew the answer. Even with the holey blanket, the thin mattress, and the peeling wallpaper, Rory needed a place to rest. If they were lucky, they wouldn’t be infested with bedbugs.
One straight-backed chair graced the small square room. Perched on the edge, Hannah steepled her fingers. Soft snores emitted from the bed, letting her know Rory rested. Bottom scooted back in the chair, Hannah closed her eyes. She moved her lips in words of silent prayer.
They were in big trouble. When the sun rose tomorrow they would be expected to pay for the hotel room. Temptation to search Rory’s pockets for money assailed her, yet she resisted. Somehow, everything would work out. She was sure of it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rory woke with a crick in his neck. Every muscle in his body ached and burned. What had he been doing?
Shifting, he moaned. The pain from his stump shot up the remainder of his leg and settled in the pit of his stomach. A wave of nausea ran over him. Struggling to sit on the side of the bed, he searched for a trashcan.
That was when he noticed her. She leaned in the chair, her head lolled to the side, and a small line of drool ran along her chin. She appeared as an angel with a fresh innocence surrounding her still being.
As he moved farther off the bed, a spring popped. Hannah jumped. Alerted to the noise, she gazed in his direction. “Is it morning?”
“I don’t know.”
With her hands balled into fists, she rubbed her eye sockets then raised her arms high into the sky in a slow, languid stretch. A sigh of contentment passed over her lips. She struggled to a standing position and held the small of her back as she walked to the window and lifted the curtain to peer outside. “Thanks be praised, it is still night.”
He arched his brow. Curiosity got the better of him. “You know, if you’re tired you can sleep during the day.”
Hannah shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you have any money?”
Rory steadied himself by placing a hand on the wall. With his free hand he searched his back pocket. Normally a wallet protruded from this area, but not today. A frown covered his face.
“I didn’t think so. And since I know you were completely out of it when we arrived, I’ll just go ahead and tell you the owner of this fine establishment is going to expect some form of payment come morning, and I’m afraid we aren’t going to be able to comply.”
He scratched his head. This was a problem. They would have to come up with funds to pay for their room, but how? This situation wasn’t new to him. The last time it occurred he’d worked to pay the debt. However, this time, with his leg in such sorry shape, he doubted that option was possible.
He offered no ideas and Hannah said, “I guess I could offer to work. Perhaps they have a kitchen where I can help.”
The urge to say no surged through his veins. But she could be right. It might be the only way to keep from attracting unwanted attention. It wouldn’t do to have the authorities investigating them. The town was small and close to Tapiwa’s compound. Logic deemed that Tapiwa used it to find fresh workers and it wouldn’t be good to announce their presence. Besides he was supposed to be wealthy buyer of fine flesh, not a pauper residing in a hovel.
“I see you aren’t opposed to this. I was kind of hoping the knight in shining armor that resides within would rear its ugly head, and I would get out of it, but I see that’s not going to happen.”
“Hannah—”
“No, don’t worry. I understand.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to help but—”
“Please, just go back to bed. I’ll sleep on the chair or the floor. What can a woman expect after Women’s Lib?”
Hannah turned her back to him and grabbed a ratty cover from the bed and placed it on the rough wooden floor. Boards creaked as she moved around in an attempt to find a comfortable spot.
Rory felt like giving her a piece of his mind. When had he ever been less than chivalrous toward her? In fact, for most of their time together, he’d gone out of his way to be a perfect gentleman. The folks back home would have thought he was a different person, so much was the change.
With a huff, he threw himself onto the bed, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared at the ceiling.
Rolling to his side, he looked around. The room contained no trashcan. It also contained no bathroom. After a few minutes, Rory knew he was going to have to go in search of the facilities. He stood up and edged as quietly as possible into the hallway, making sure to look both ways. The area was free of people. At the end of the hall, a neon sign flashed the word Restroom, causing red color to flash in increments along the opposite wall.
Happy to be able to use an actual bathroom, Rory opened the heavy wooden door. Hinges groaned as he pushed inside. He felt the closest wall for a switch only to come up empty. In a last ditch effort to secure light, he swept his hand in front of him and grasped hold of a dangling string. One tug brought the illumination of a naked bulb hanging from the ceiling.
Stark reality of the situation set in. Odors wafted up his nostrils and memories flooded over him.
Light blared and startled his senses. Walls surrounded him on all sides. Unknown voices called his name. He shut his eyes to block it all out, yet the hospital scene continued to return. Not now. This wasn’t the time to relive these events. Yet they were coming anyway…
He laid on a gurney, his head twisted from side to side i
n painful agony. Every once in a while he would gain enough strength to sit up. Then he would see the place where the sheet collapsed — the place that should have been reserved for his leg.
Then he was in another place. War raged around him. Bullets soared overhead. Encased in a shelled out building with several other soldiers, they watched the house across the street. Insurgents went in and out freely.
John Nelson, his best friend, and fellow soldier, stood behind him. Fresh waves of anger washed over John as he pushed and shoved at Rory’s back.
“Let me go. I want to set the charges and blow them to kingdom come.”
“Hold steady, soldier. We haven’t been given the go ahead.”
Rory held him and the others back as long as he could. But as the sun dipped behind the mountainous peaks, he was outnumbered. Memories of past offenses stirred in their minds all day, and they would no longer be denied.
Waiting behind with the communications officer, Rory watched as his buddies slipped through the ensuing darkness. They reached the building and placed charges at the base. Halfway complete with their work, a call came. Rory studied the various emotions expressed by the communications officer. Conversation complete, Rory received the worst news of his life.
“We have to get out of here now. The strike team has been ordered for this whole block. They forgot we were here.”
The whispered out-of-breath words were barely out before the man started running. Rory looked toward his compatriots. At least five men surrounded the building with no idea what headed their way.
Gun slung over his shoulder, Rory ran. The first man was warned and sent on his way. Then another and another until he reached the last. John held the last charge and refused to leave until the job was complete. Rory stood by his side.
Then they heard it. The sound they had dreaded — the planes.
With a handful of John’s shirt, he tugged.
“Let me go. I’m going to finish this.”
“Don’t you see there is no need? The whole area is set to be bombed!”
The shout rose from his throat as the sound of airplane engines buzzed overhead. They ran as the first round of rockets struck the earth behind them. The shockwave from the blast threw them both through the air and settled them amongst rubble in a building down the street.
It felt like it took ages to wake up, but it must have been only seconds. Rory struggled to his feet, fighting the pain. Upon locating John, he picked him up and carried him. Once out of the firing zone, he found the communications officer and tried to locate the rest of his team. How many trips he made into the burning city, he couldn’t remember. When he was finished, every man who had gone in with him also came out.
But on that day, everything changed. Only three men survived the ordeal: the communications officer, who left early, and John and Rory. The rest were killed by either bombs or debris. Only one had come out whole.
The scream that rent the air couldn’t be contained. It came from the depths of his soul. Hero, brave, champion were the words family, friends, and the media used to describe him. Coward, loser, flawed were the words he’d whispered to himself. It didn’t help that Monica had agreed with him. One look in her perfect face had more than revealed the truth.
The doc had told him a mantra to use when these things happened, but right now he was having trouble remembering it. Blood pounded behind his temples. Perhaps this hotel contained some medication?
“You okay?” The owner asked through the thin panel door. Although he hadn’t remembered doing so, he now sat on the toilet. Struggling to stand, he opened the door and looked outside. The man stared at him. A frown creased his brow.
“You okay? I heard scream.”
“I’m fine, but this lavatory is terrible. How do you expect a person to use it? The commode has so much rust you can see straight through to the floor below. And there is no way I’m touching that sink.”
“I sorry you no like. Feel free to leave and go elsewhere.” Unconcerned, the owner turned away.
Returning to his room, for a lack of anything else to do, he was surprised to come face to face with the gawking Chinaman again.
“Yes?”
“You look familiar.”
“I doubt that.”
He wagged his short finger. “No, I remember. I’ve seen you somewhere.” His brow rose and his finger pointed to the sky. “Now I know! You was in paper. My cousin sent paper to me because news here so depressing. I see you on front page. You are hero.”
Rory clenched his teeth. “I believe you’re mistaken.”
“Oh, no. I never mistaken. You are English military hero. But aren’t you dead?”
“No, I’m not dead.”
The man shrugged. “Oh, that good.” He took a few steps, clapped his hands, and faced Rory once more. “Chin Xi give you best room in house, free of charge.”
“That’s not necessary.”
In a sing-song voice, the owner smiled and said, “It has bathroom. No rust. No need to share.”
Rory sighed. Hannah would kill him if he didn’t accept the man’s offer. With an imperceptible nod, he accepted.
Chapter Thirty
It was him! It had to be him.
The soldier, who moments before had harassed her, grumbled under his breath as he approached the creeping truck. Melanie followed. Uniformed men surrounded the auto as it came to a rolling stop.
She needed to get closer. She needed to know. Had her eyes deceived her? Was it her beloved?
The children still huddled around the flowers. Breathing a sigh of relief, she looked forward and sought to get near the vehicle by edging around a ramshackle building.
Men of all ages scrambled to get off the truck before they were dragged or pushed. Melanie hid alongside the building and peered around the corner. Her eyes widened as she searched for Korzan. Could it be true? Could he still be alive? Could he be in the same camp as she?
She scanned the crowd. He would look different. Thinner, poorer, maybe even stooped and hunched over. The hardship of toiling for this taskmaster would be evident.
As she waited, a giant of a man fell from the truck feet first. He landed with bent knees, before straightening. The man’s broad shoulders equaled two of those around him. His muscles flexed with his every movement.
Melanie covered her gasp. The noise echoed around her. Had anyone else heard? She lowered her hand to her chest and covered her fluttering heart.
Korzan stood before her as strong as ever. While the other men looked malnourished, he appeared to have flourished in the face of his adversity.
Melanie gave thanks to God for his safety, his health, and his life.
Away from the protective shadows, she followed a course toward her husband. Reasoning was blocked by the desire to be near him even for just a brief moment.
“Where are you going?” asked a young soldier.
Melanie faced her questioner and placed her back to Korzan. She wouldn’t have her husband see her now, for he would come to her rescue and endanger himself.
Her head bent, she answered, “I’m sorry, sir. I was walking and grew lost in thought.”
The respect she afforded the young man inflated his ego. “Very well. Don’t let it happen again.”
She nodded and shuffled back to the children. Her heart soared. He was close. Closer than he’d been in a long time. She would wait patiently for their reunion.
****
Korzan landed on his feet and studied the grounds. A group of children milled around the yard, causing his mind to wonder. How were the children and Melanie faring? He hoped for once in her life she’d listened to him and not tried to intervene.
As he looked closer at the sorrowful children, there was a familiar shape. A woman held her head high, her spine erect, and walked in his direction. His breath caught. “It can’t be,” he murmured.
“Get a move on, pig,” came the soldier’s harsh voice as he jostled Korzan from behind.
He turned away,
but not quickly enough, for he saw Melanie’s beautiful face smile at their children.
Immediately he assumed a statue-like visage, devoid of emotion. He would go to her, but not yet. To do so now would only place them both in danger.
Lending his ear to the noises, he gave a slight prayer of thanks. Melanie and the children, although captive, were for the moment alive.
Shuffled along, Korzan and his fellow workers were forced into a huge tent, set up to feed the guards. A man half his size placed a hand on his shoulder and shoved him into a waiting seat. Not prone to violence, Korzan complied.
A ladle filled with steaming hot food was thrust in front of him. His mouth watered, and his stomach growled from the smells. This was the first hot meal he’d had in months. Why was he receiving it now?
Pushing the food around on the warped tin plate, he pretended to eat. All the while he watched and waited. No food would pass his lips until he was sure it wasn’t poisoned. Men to his left and right scooped their food using hands, spoons, forks, and anything else available. After ten minutes, when everyone looked fine, Korzan attempted his first bite.
With the fork in his mouth, he sucked the food off the utensil. He closed his eyes and savored every hint of flavor. When he opened his eyes, a new group entered the building.
They came in single file, their legs making a shuffling noise as they moved their chained bodies. Catching a brief glimpse of the leader, he lowered his gaze. Emotion and recognition flooded him.
He heard the cry rent the air. Korzan’s hand gripped the rotting wood of the table, his fingers making indentations as he struggled to remain neutral while his wife suffered.
Hurtful curses in the Zulu language were hurled at Melanie. Korzan lifted his head a fraction to glimpse his sensitive wife. Her stance of defiance surprised him. But he wasn’t the only one. The soldier who had caused her rebellion was also stunned. His hand rose, swooshed through the air, and connected with Melanie’s face like a loud clap of thunder.
Korzan trembled with unrestrained anger, fury building to a murderous rage.
Diamond Mine Page 13
