1 The Assassins' Village

by Faith Mortimer

  ‘You’re right. When Leslie found out about the death of one of Alicia’s children, and then later she was accused of negligence with homeopathic medicine she must have panicked. Being labelled with infanticide must be awful, even when it’s not proven. Imagine if he’d bandied that little lot around here? If she wasn’t guilty some of the dirt would have stuck anyway. No wonder she killed him.’

  ‘Yes. It must have been hard to leave the sect with that stigma hanging round her. She left her other daughter there. We’ll never know if she stayed because of her mother or whether she had to.’

  Diana was about to say something else as the door opened and her doctor came into her hospital room. She looked ridiculously young – too young to be fully qualified surely. But there was no doubting she was efficient and confident when she addressed her patient with a huge smile.

  ‘So Diana, if you are feeling up to it, you can go home. I suggest you put your feet up for a few days at least. Let your husband here do the household chores. I’m sure he’ll be only too happy to let you have a little rest. After all, soon you will be rushed off your feet and life will never be the same.’ She directed her amused smile to include them both.

  Chapter 42. A blue scarab ring.

  Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it.

  Macbeth. Act 1 Scene 4

  Unseen, Diana crept into Antigone’s house a few days after returning from hospital. Picking up the baby clothes that were still lying on the table, Diana rifled through the basket for the rest. As she wandered over to Antigone’s pine chest she noticed something carved in the chest lid. She took a closer look and realised that it was a recording of Antigone’s name and her name day. Underneath the carving was another; more rudely scratched in the wood. Maria. Baby Maria.

  As Di held the soft wool to caress her cheek, she felt no guilt at removing all the little garments. Antigone had said they were for her and her baby.

  Diana still couldn’t believe any of it. She was pregnant! She was due to give birth in the spring. After all this time! She now knew the reason why she had put on weight and felt ill. But, how on earth had Antigone known? Had she been some kind of witch after all?

  Diana thought back to all the dozens of strange happenings over the last few months. Odd noises: the radio and MP3 player switching themselves on at different times, a baby wailing, her sister’s painting changing, and Leslie’s script looking like it was covered in blood. Lastly there was her encounter with the gentle dolphin down on the beach. Had they all meant something or could they have all just been coincidences? How many of these incidences had she imagined?

  Leaving Antigone’s house, on a sudden impulse Diana found herself heading down the track. She hadn’t been anywhere near the old house since it burnt down. With the threat of Alicia out of the way, it felt wonderful to wander freely around the area.

  As Diana approached the burnt out ruin she thought about poor, sad little Antigone. What a miserable life she must have had. No baby or husband. A lover who let her down after he promised her the earth, if you believed the story Antigone had told her. Her brother and father, who were nothing but loutish brutes, specially her brother, whom Diana suspected had abused her on more than one occasion. Then there was the fire.

  The firemen found Antigone’s charred body in the still warm ashes the next day. Moulded to her was the body of an infant girl, Antigone’s arms were wrapped tightly around it, as if shielding her from the falling cinders.

  Diana stared at the desolation. The house was completely destroyed, only the shell remained. A faint whiff of smoke lingered still amongst the charred walls.

  With a deep-felt pang, Diana remembered her last few hours with Antigone. She had seemed sane and in control of herself, happy almost. She replayed the last scene in the little house - At home eating Antigone’s cakes, sitting in the hot sunshine. Antigone cutting her a piece of delicious cheese with her cheese-wire as the knife was too blunt. Her pride when she had shown Di the layette of baby clothes, still carefully wrapped in yellowed tissue paper, preserved in the chest. - Diana felt extremely moved when she compared Antigone’s wretched life with that of her own.

  With a heavy heart Diana turned away, and as she did so, noticed something glistening in the ashes of the trapdoor that led down to the crypt-like room. Bending down, she picked it up and wiped off the dust. It was a thin gold-coloured chain. Antigone had been wearing one beneath her blouse Di remembered. She recalled seeing it resting against her olive-coloured skin. On closer inspection, she discovered the chain also had a ring attached. A band of gold set with a startling blue scarab.

  There was a gust of cold wind. It blew down the hills and skittered into the shell of the house; the nearby trees and bushes rustled, yielding to its power.

  Diana felt a tightening across her chest. It felt cold and vice-like in its grip. Just as quickly as they occurred the strange feeling and the wind disappeared. She glanced down at the ring once more, familiar somehow. It seemed to glow as it lay in the palm of her hand. She closed her fist around it and dropped it into the bottom of her jeans pocket. She would decide what to do with it later. Then she remembered.

  Sonja had asked where Leslie’s ring was the day they found his body. It hadn’t been on his finger when they discovered him. How on earth had it got here? Unless someone took it…?

  Diana felt a chill go through her.

  ‘Now I know how to write the last page.’

  Curtain falls

  Epilogue

  The shadow drew on the gloves and untied a thong at the neck of the receptacle. Leslie watched, beads of sweat sliding down his face. Writhing in horror, he realised what was being thrust before him. Twisting his head aside, he gagged at the revolting sight, the pathetic little bundle. ‘No! No! Please! Oh God help me!’ His words were garbled and lost.

  ‘This is all yours! Her manic face lit up with radiance.’

  Please Tweet/Facebook, “The Assassins’ Village” once you’ve finished and pass the word on.

  If you have enjoyed this novel why not read these other

  Faith Mortimer books:

  ‘CHILDREN OF THE PLANTATION’. Published in paperback & eBook, (2nd in The Diana Rivers series), murder mystery, set in exotic Malaysia during the 1960's and 1950's and the present. The story concerns a family whose dark secrets threaten to destroy the family.

  ‘THE SURGEON'S BLADE’. (3rd in the Diana Rivers series) Published in paperback and eBook. This psychological thriller is tense and thrilling and guarantees to keep you on the edge of your seat!

  ‘CAMERA ACTION...MURDER’! (4th in the Diana Rivers Mystery/Suspense series). Diana finds herself in danger after discovering a body…will she be the next victim?

  ‘A VERY FRENCH AFFAIR’. Romance, Heartache and Suspense set on the beautiful south coast of France.

  'THE SEEDS OF TIME - BOOK 1 of THE CROSSING'. Action-Adventure plus Romantic Suspense. (published June 2012).

  'HARVEST - BOOK 2 of THE CROSSING' Continues from Book 1. Action-Adventure full of romantic suspense. (published July 2012).

  ‘THE BAMBOO MIRROR’. An eclectic collection of short stories, covering subjects including: ghosts, murder, mystery, romance and greed.

  ‘CHILDHUNT’ (5th in the Diana Rivers Mystery/Suspense series)

  ‘DEVIL’S BRAE’ (1st novel in the ‘Dark Minds’ Thriller series) – A Psychological Thriller set in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. – (published September 2013)

  ‘ON CHRISTMAS HILL (A SEASONAL AFFAIR)’ – Sometimes destiny needs a helping hand…..... Romance blossoms at Christmastide. (published November 2013)

  Please read on for a preview of “Children of the Plantation” (the 2nd Diana Rivers novel) by Faith Mortimer

  “Children of the Plantation” by Faith Mortimer.

  Prologue

  Opening the kitchen door, she spotted a vixen standing near the refuse bin. Hermione clapped her hands, and it shot through the hedge at the bottom of the garden.

/>   Hermione's heart was thudding in her breast as she considered what next to do. Casting a look around, she gave thanks that the clouds scudding overhead made it a dark night. This had to be done in complete privacy.

  Giving herself a mental shake, she crossed the damp grass to the shed and picked up a spade. A clod of earth still clung to the sharp blade from where she had been digging in her vegetable patch earlier that afternoon. It seemed such a long time ago now. She paused, still not completely certain she was doing the right thing. Making up her mind, she walked over to the newly turned earth.

  The air smelt fresh after the rain shower, and a light breeze blew the mixed garden scents her way while she dug. The hole was to be small but deep, especially as she had just driven the fox off. Satisfied, she stood back and peered down into the soft loamy material, a sorry place for such a pathetic bundle.

  Sick at heart, but knowing they had no choice, Hermione laid down her spade and walked back into the kitchen. She picked up the tightly wrapped package and carried it outside; it weighed no more than a couple of pounds as she gently laid it down into the hole.

  Covering it with fresh earth, she scattered pebbles around and knelt on the grass. Had there been any other choice? Whatever were they going to tell him when the time came?

  Chapter 1

  October 2011

  High above Kuala Lumpur's international airport, the Emirates airbus began to make its controlled descent.

  From her window seat, Diana had a marvellous view of the capital of Malaysia. She had supposed they would be looking down upon a sea of luxuriant vegetation, jungle and scrub, but the serried rank and file below suggested organised plantations rather than virgin wilderness.

  "Well, Mrs Rivers. What can you see?" Steve asked, leaning towards her from the adjacent seat. "Can you see the tall towers of KL yet?"

  "Mmm. We're circling now. It's a much bigger city than I remember and more modern. When I was last here, there was only a handful of skyscrapers. I suppose this is progress." She sounded disappointed.

  Steve gave a chuckle. "You're getting older. You have to remember nothing stays the same for ever. Practically every country in the world wants to improve itself and if that means modernising its towns and cities, it will. The west has used more of the world's resources than the rest of the world put together; you know that."

  "I do, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's better or that I have to like it. I wanted Malaya to be how I remembered it when I was young."

  "Stop grumbling. Your trouble is you're tired from a long flight. How do you feel, darling?"

  Diana smiled at her husband. "Sorry, you're right of course. I am tired and I feel et-see ket-see (so-so) as we say at home. My ankles have swollen. I have never had that happen before! I'll be glad when we're finally on the ground."

  "Not long now. Look! We're lining up with the runway. This is fun watching our landing on the screen." Steve indicated the overhead monitor showing a frontal camera view. The runway stretched directly ahead. "We'll soon be in the hotel and you can put your feet up. You mustn't overdo it, despite the doctor saying you're fine."

  Diana nodded and smiled, thinking back to her last antenatal visit. Thankfully, as everything was in order, her doctor and midwife had agreed she was fit enough to fly long-distance to the Far East for an exotic holiday. As she was healthy and so long as she followed their instructions, she should have no worries. This baby was their first, so both parents were excited and looking forward to completing their family.

  The trip to Malaysia was a new experience for Steve, Diana having lived here during part of her childhood. She carried treasured memories of those years and planned to rediscover some of her old haunts, if possible. Looking at the vast and so far unrecognisable city below, she realised that it might prove difficult.

  "I can't wait to see the hotel. The brochure description sounds wonderful. 'An old colonial ex-family home, set on a hill surrounded by a plantation of rubber trees, fruit and natural vegetation' she had read to Steve earlier that week. "I wonder if the countryside is much as I remember."

  "I expect there'll be lots of changes, so don't get too excited. Look at the UK now. The rural areas are mostly small pockets dotted between the sprawl of towns and farmland. There's not a lot of true wilderness left anywhere."

  Diana knew he was right. Progress again, she decided. Malaysia was supposed to have some proper nature reserves, and she hoped they hadn't cut all of the indigenous trees down and sold the wood to Japan.

  ~~~~~

  The airport was about thirty miles from the city, and Diana and Steve's hotel was further up country. Collecting their luggage from the carousel, they were soon on their way along a fine modern road towards their destination. The road was new tarmacadam and not one of the red-dust tracks Di remembered so well from when she was twelve. One remarkable advance she observed was the fierce air conditioning in the taxi-cab. With the outside temperature and humidity high in the nineties, she soon forgot her misgivings about modern progress.

  Forty minutes later, they were bumping along a smaller road, an avenue of trees shading them from the glaring sun. Further from the highway, more and more of the vegetation became wild; Nipa and Nibong palms, epiphytes such as orchids and ferns, bamboos, bananas, and creepers with brilliant flowers of every hue were draped over fences and clambered up the trees, all jostling for space.

  "This is more like it," Di said, looking eagerly about. "Much more the Malaysia I knew."

  She fell silent as the car pulled off the road through a pair of stately gates hanging from huge square pillars and swept up the driveway. Ahead, she could see an imposing building. Painted white, it was two stories high with a wide, shady veranda which seemed to run completely around the perimeter. The gardens were a riot of colour, numerous varieties of plants competing in the well-tended flower beds. Di caught a glimpse of a small flock of jewel-coloured birds as they flew from what she remembered as a Rambutan fruit tree. Further across the lawns was the welcome glint of blue water coming from a swimming pool.

  The whole effect was stunning. Di and Steve looked at each other with delight. This was going to be a perfect place for a relaxing holiday.

  ~~~~~

  Each guest room was a suite comprising a large bedroom complete with a huge en-suite bathroom and a connecting door leading to a comfortable sitting-room. From here, a deep balcony ran along the outer walls of both bedroom and sitting-room. The whole suite was light and airy, the furniture covered in a restful green material with matching drapes and bed cover. Air conditioning and overhead ceiling fans completed the luxury.

  Steve soon spied the minibar and declared himself satisfied with the contents. "Everything we need, darling. Plenty of orange juice for you too. Would you like a drink now?"

  Di was gazing out of the window at a large flock of brightly-coloured birds. Some with tail-feathers which were remarkably long, while others were dazzling in other ways: pigeons with emerald-coloured wings and others a riot of scarlet. "What I'd really like is a good cup of Malayan-grown tea."

  "Good idea. Would you like room service or shall we go down to the lounge?"

  "Let's go down. If I stay here, I'll fall asleep on this cosy-looking bed, and I really want to get used to this time zone as soon as possible."

  "Are you sure you don't need a rest? You look a bit peaky still."

  "Steve I'm fine! I'm pregnant, not ill! Besides, I've been resting for the last God knows how many hours on that plane. Let's go and explore. We might meet some of the other guests. You never know who might be staying here."

  Sliding her feet back into her sandals, she rose from her armchair and gave him a big smile. "This place definitely has the look of a Somerset Maugham play, don't you think?" she said, mimicking a perfect upper-class accent. "I wonder if there's an exciting history connected to it."

  Matching her accent, Steve replied with his own smile. Both being good actors, it was a game they regularly played. "There's bound to be. It's wel
l over a hundred years old, and I read in the guide over there on the desk that the Chalcot family have lived here since before the turn of the twentieth century. Apparently, they own or owned vast tracts of land, mostly given over to rubber and some fruit - might be pineapple, but I could be wrong."

  "Really? Chalcot does ring a bell," Di replied, raising her eyebrows with interest.

  "Well, I suppose it would. The last Chalcot was a life peer I believe, and the lady who now owns this place is an 'Honourable'."

  "I told you! I bet they have some good stories to tell."

  "Di! Haven't you had enough excitement recently? I would have thought two murders in our home village were too many for anyone. Apart from my business meeting tomorrow, we're here for a holiday. We both need a rest and Malaysia seemed far enough away for us to forget the dramas of Agios Mamas."

  "Of course. Don't fuss so. I'm not looking for excitement, trouble or otherwise. I was just saying."

  Steve gave her his 'old-fashioned' look which Di knew well. He didn't have to say any more. He could read her like a book.

  "Come on then. Let's go downstairs. I'm dying for a cuppa."

  ~~~~~

  The lounge held a commanding view overlooking a lawn which sloped towards a naturally wooded area. Through open doors, they could see flower beds bordering a pathway leading to a building situated some distance away. Squinting against the sun, Diana decided that in England, this building would have been declared a folly or at best a summer house.

  Everywhere she looked, she was astounded at the vividness of the colours around her. Coming from Cyprus, they were used to a climate that was hot and dry. During the long summer months, plants mostly withered and died, leaving dusty dormant bushes and gasping wilting trees waiting for the life-giving winter rains. Here in Malaysia, a tropical monsoon climate created a fresh and colourful landscape. Huge hibiscus flowers in red, pink and yellow were arrayed with tall, stately lilies and flags. The trees were clothed in liana and hung with terracotta pots, each containing an orchid plant. Di was astonished at the variety in colour, shape and size of each flowering plant.