Wind of Destiny

by Christopher Nicole

  ‘There is no proof of that,’ Toni snapped. ‘No matter what Colonel Lumbrera may claim.’

  ‘I’m afraid his proof is very likely to be accepted by the military tribunals which are being set up to try those believed to be guilty. In an event, there is absolutely no chance of his being reunited with you before this revolt has been declared at an end. It is therefore my duty, as United States Vice-Consul for the province of Santiago, to recommend that you accompany me back to Santiago now, that I may place you on board a ship for the United States.’

  His words took a moment to sink in. Then Toni was suddenly aware of feeling of the most incredible relief. To get out of here, and let the men fight it out, and return when it was all over, when they had either triumphed, or were dead, to be away from fear, and in the security of Long Island … but what of the peons?

  ‘Our people here … ’ she began.

  ‘I should think an arrangement can be made for them,’ Walkshott said. ‘They will only be a nuisance inside a military encampment, anyway.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, trying to control the singing in her heart. ‘Well, I suppose what you suggest would be best. We will have to take the carriage for Senora Diaz, who is really unwell.’ She turned to Christina. ‘If we cannot help Rafael and … and Jack, there is no point in sweating it out here. On Long Island, your mother will be able to recover her health. You will love it there, and Ma and Pa will be so pleased to see you all.’

  ‘Ahem,’ Walkshott said, now looking as if he wished the floor would swallow him up. Toni’s head turned, sharply.

  ‘I’m afraid I possess no permission for Senora Diaz, or Senorita Diaz, to leave Obrigar,’ he said. ‘Don Arnaldo, and his son, have been positively identified as being with the rebels.’

  ‘Don Rafael is my husband,’ Toni snapped. Walkshott inclined his head. ‘Fortunately, you are an American citizen. Even so, I may say it took me over an hour of very straight talking to convince General Linares it would be in his best interests, and that of Spain, to allow you to leave the country. He specifically excluded all other members of the Diaz family.’ Christina uttered what might have been a sigh.

  ‘You cannot be serious,’ Toni said.

  ‘I’m afraid I am, Mrs Diaz.’

  ‘But … ’ Toni looked at Christina.

  ‘You must leave, of course, Toni,’ Christina said. ‘We will manage.’

  God! Toni wanted to scream; this can’t be true. How could she walk away from these people, who had been so kind to her, in their hour of greatest need, walk away from her home, because this was her home now … just walk away. ‘Of course I’m not leaving you,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, Toni … ’ a tear rolled down Christina’s cheeks.

  Walkshott licked his lips. ‘Mrs Diaz,’ he said urgently, ‘if you stay, and allow yourself to become a military prisoner, and in effect identify yourself with the insurgent cause … I am not sure how much help I am going to be able to offer you in the future.’

  ‘I am staying, to identify myself, as you put it, with my husband and his family, who are now my family,’ Toni said. ‘I cannot believe there is anything either unnatural or criminal in that, sir. As for helping me, us, you can surely offer me what the United States should have offered these people years ago: the support of the United States Navy and Army.’

  ‘I’m afraid that is a decision which has to be taken in Washington, and I can tell you that there is no Administration likely to interfere in the internal affairs of another country.’

  ‘Not even if its own citizens are being ill-treated by the government of that country?’ Walkshott sighed. ‘Not if they have refused to take the advice given them by that government, of which I happen to be the representative, to leave the affected area while they had the opportunity.’

  ‘You must go,’ Christina said again.

  ‘I shall never leave Obrigar,’ Toni declared. ‘This is my home. I am sorry you have made this journey to no purpose, Mr Walkshott. But I am grateful for your concern. I would be even more grateful were you to see your way to informing my parents of the exact situation here, and of my decision.’

  ‘Of course I intend to do that, Mrs Diaz.’ Walkshott got up. ‘I would like to say that I think you are a most gallant lady. But I can only add … may God protect you. Senorita Christina.’ He went down the steps, mounted his horse, and walked it down the drive.

  ‘You should have gone with him,’ Christina said. ‘Now you are entirely at the mercy of Lumbrera.’

  ‘I am still an American citizen,’ Toni said. ‘And Lumbrera has got to remember that.’ Just as she had to remember that too, and believe in it. ‘Besides, you and I will be stronger together than if we were separated.’ She watched another man riding up to the steps; he had stopped and spoken with Walkshott as the vice-consul had made his way down the drive. This man was younger than Lumbrera, and had a serious but good humoured face, although he was looking grim enough at the moment. He wore the uniform of a captain in the Spanish army, and on dismounting, saluted the two girls before coming up the steps. ‘Senora Diaz?’ he asked, looking from one to the other — he had not been at the wedding.

  ‘I am Senora Diaz,’ Toni said. ‘This is Senorita Diaz.’

  ‘I am Captain Torres. I am in command of the soldiers who will garrison Obrigar. I am sorry to have to inflict this upon you, senora, but I believe the situation has been explained to you by Mr Walkshott.’

  ‘Yes,’ Toni said. Could she hope that here was a gentleman?

  ‘We shall try to inconvenience you as little as possible,’ Torres promised. ‘However, there are certain regulations which I must require you to obey.’ Again he looked from one to the other, anxiously.

  ‘Yes?’ Toni asked.

  ‘I am afraid there can be no more work done on the plantation until the rebellion is over, and the rebels have surrendered,’ Torres said. ‘This means that you will not require a large force of peons, and in any event I do not wish a large number of civilians within the bounds of the encampment. Your male people, therefore, excepting only the very old or the very young, will have to leave.’

  ‘And go where?’ Toni demanded.

  ‘They are to be enrolled in the army for the duration of the revolt,’ Torres explained, and gave a brief smile. ‘We cannot allow them to go off and join the rebels, of course. Now, we shall have to requisition two-thirds of your remaining herd of cattle, and two-thirds of your chickens. Your vegetable garden will remain available to you. With the women remaining, and the men, you should be able to maintain it. From time to time supplies will be allowed in from Daiquiri, as they become available there. I do not think anyone will starve.’

  ‘You do not think anyone will starve?’ Toni cried. ‘After you have just announced that you are robbing us of our livelihood and our cattle?’

  ‘I am sorry, senora. But you must understand that Cuba is in a state of war, war inspired by, amongst others, your own husband. You and your sister-in-law and your mother-in-law will of course be left possession of this house, and I will place it out of bounds to my officers and men, except when invited by yourselves; I will occupy one of the houses in the overseers’ village. However, and this is most important, no one is to leave the camp without written permission from me. I wish this very clearly understood. Anyone attempting to leave the camp without permission stands a very good chance of being shot. In any event, he, or she, will certainly be arrested. I do beg of you to remember this at all times. I know this sounds harsh, but it is necessary to our purpose. That apart, I will do what I can to make life acceptable for you here, and I strongly recommend that you pray that these rebels have the sense to lay down their arms in the near future, and bring this state of emergency to an end.’

  ‘So they can be hanged,’ Toni commented.

  ‘So that they may appeal to the mercy of His Excellency General Blanco,’ Captain Torres said, and saluted. ‘Good day to you, senora, senorita. My condolences upon the death of your father.’

&nb
sp; ‘He is a gentleman, at the least,’ Toni remarked as they watched him ride off.

  ‘But he is not,’ Christina said, watching Lumbrera returning. The Colonel looked pleased, if hot, as he came up the steps.

  ‘A nasty business.’ He looked at Toni. ‘You are still here, senora? I thought Senor Walkshott had come to carry you off.’

  ‘I preferred to stay with my property,’ Toni told him.

  ‘I am happy about that,’ Lumbrera said. ‘I was sorry to think that I might have lost you, senora. Now I think maybe we will get to know each other better. But first, I will have a glass of wine. Where is your butler?’

  ‘Captain Torres has just informed us that this house is out of bounds for all military personnel,’ Toni said coldly. ‘Unless invited in.’

  ‘Ha ha,’ Lumbrera said. ‘But I am not military, eh? I am a policeman. In any event, I am Torres’ superior officer.’ He went inside. ‘Salvador!’ he bellowed. ‘Bring me some wine.’ He turned back to face them. ‘Now, then, ladies, you are proven guilty of lying to the police, and of aiding and abetting the rebels. What do you say to that?’

  ‘That we can only be proved guilty, of anything, by a court of law,’ Toni said.

  ‘Ha ha. Well, it could come to that. And you would be condemned. Don Arnaldo was killed by a bayonet thrust. That is obvious.’

  Christina made a choking sound — to discover that he must have undressed the week-old corpse.

  ‘And that confirms the identification of him made in the Battle of the Dos Rios,’ Lumbrera continued, ignoring her distress. ‘Nor will any court doubt that you knew where he was, together with your husband, senora. Hunting cattle thieves, indeed. So if it comes to a trial, you may find a rope around your pretty little neck. What do you think of that?’

  ‘That you would never dare,’ Toni said.

  As had happened so often in the past, they locked gazes for several seconds. Then he said, ‘However, it may be possible to avoid such an unpleasant fate, and even to make things easier for you here. Don Arnaldo is dead. A dead rebel is a dead rebel. It is the ones who are still alive that interest me. Your husband, of course. But even more, Senor Lisle, who is now apparently calling himself General Lisle, and parading around the sierras like the bandit he is. He is the one I really wish to hang. Now, if you ladies will co-operate with me, I think I can achieve this. Then you will have helped the government to put down the rebellion, and the charges against you can be dropped. What do you say to that? Ah … ’ he took the glass of wine Salvador was offering, gulped it. ‘Another.’

  He is trying to raise his nerve, Toni thought. For what? He surely knows we will never help him catch either Jack or Rafael.

  ‘Well?’ Lumbrera asked.

  ‘Of course we are not going to co-operate with any government that employs you,’ she said.

  ‘Ha ha. Very good. Then you are identified with the rebels.’ He went to the top of the steps, clapped his hands. Six of his constables immediately dismounted and came on to the verandah. ‘Search this house,’ he commanded.

  ‘But there is nothing to find,’ Christina protested.

  ‘That doesn’t mean we should not look, senorita.’

  The policeman were already in the drawing room, throwing furniture left and right, rolling up rugs, being deliberately destructive, while the servants gathered outside the pantry door to watch them in silent consternation.

  Then three of the policemen started up the stairs.

  ‘My mother is ill,’ Christina shouted, and ran after them.

  ‘Stop that bitch,’ Lumbrera snapped, and one of his men caught her arm. Christina turned to strike at him, and another man put his arms round her waist, from behind, swinging her from the floor and laughing as he did so. Toni realised that in another moment her sister-in-law was going to be raped, and ran forward, refusing to give way to the anger and shame which was threatening to overwhelm her. She knew the one disastrous mistake they could make was to become physically involved with these men.

  ‘Let her go,’ she said. ‘I will look after her.’

  The man, fumbling for Christina’s breasts as he held the wriggling, kicking girl against him, glanced at Lumbrera, who gave a nod. Christina was released, and Toni caught her arm just in time to prevent her from falling. She panted, her cheeks flushed, her blouse out of her skirt, her hair, which she had not put up this morning, scattered across her face. Toni wondered if this was the first time a man’s hand had ever touched her, intimately. ‘They must not disturb Mother,’ she gasped.

  ‘Dona Carlotta is very ill,’ Toni told Lumbrera. ‘You will have a death on your hands.’

  ‘I have my duty to do,’ Lumbrera said. ‘Do not throw the old lady out of bed,’ he called after his men.

  ‘Throw her … ’ Christina tried to get free to follow them, but Toni was too strong for her.

  ‘Please,’ she begged. ‘I am sure they will not harm her.’

  ‘You have a calm head, senora,’ Lumbrera observed. ‘Well, as you say, I doubt there will be anything to be found here. I will have to see what else I can discover. Senorita Christina Diaz de Obrigar, I am placing you under arrest.’

  Both girls stared at him with their mouths open. It had been so sudden.

  Salvador had returned with another glass of wine, and Lumbrera tossed this one off as well. ‘I have a warrant authorising this,’ he said, looking at Toni, ‘should I find sufficient proof that Don Arnaldo was with the rebels. This I have secured.’

  ‘And what are you charging the senorita with?’ Toni enquired, trying to keep calm; she could feel Christina’s arm shivering beneath her fingers.

  ‘Aiding and abetting rebels,’ Lumbrera said. ‘I have the paper she signed, swearing her father was after stolen cattle.’

  ‘I signed that paper as well,’ Toni snapped.

  ‘And so did Dona Carlotta,’ Lumbrera agreed. ‘However, I do not consider it necessary to arrest all three of you at once. You tell me Dona Carlotta is ill. Am I not being generous? And you I will leave to care for your mother-in-law. Senorita Christina will be sufficient for me to go on with.’

  ‘You mean you are afraid to arrest me,’ Toni spat at him. ‘You know my government would never stand for it.’

  Lumbrera grinned at her. ‘I would enjoy arresting you, senora. Perhaps Senorita Christina may give me cause to do so, and then we could have a private conversation together. I think that would be very pleasant. But as I say, I will talk with the senorita first. Unless you are prepared to co-operate.’

  Toni stared at him, then looked at Christina; her sister-in-law had frozen, as she so often did when faced with personal disaster. ‘Co-operate?’ she asked.

  ‘It is very simple. I will arrest Senorita Christina. This will soon be well known, and the news will undoubtedly reach Senor Lisle and Don Rafael. This will make them very unhappy, because there are rumours of what happens to women who are taken into my custody.’ He gave another of his grins. ‘Thus they will wish to rescue her. But how can this be done? To bring their men down from the hills to assault Daiquiri, when it is so strongly garrisoned, and when Captain Torres is sitting here with a company of soldiers, and when there are other fortified posts all around, would be suicide. I do not think they will risk this. But then they will have a stroke of fortune. You, senora, will manage to make your escape from Obrigar, and go into the hills, and tell them that you know the senorita is being moved, from Daiquiri to Santiago, for further questioning. You will know the very place where her train may be ambushed. Pedro Garcia knows all about ambushing trains, eh? You will take Senor Lisle and Don Rafael to this place, together with their men, and there will be an ambush.’ He held up his finger. ‘I give you my word that Don Rafael will not be harmed. He will have his chance to stand trial. And once he is in custody, and Senor Lisle is either dead or also in custody, the senorita will be released, without a mark on her body. I give you my word on this.’

  Toni looked at Christina. The decision had to be hers. The tho
ught of getting out of this place, of linking up with Rafael, and Jack … to lead them to their deaths? That was unthinkable. But it was equally unthinkable to let Christina be carried off by this ogre. If she could reach Jack, he would know what to do.

  ‘Christina,’ she said.

  ‘No,’ Christina said in a low voice. ‘Never.’

  ‘You were going to say something, senora?’ Lumbrera invited.

  Toni hesitated, then sighed. Of course she was deluding herself. To go along with Lumbrera, even with treachery in mind, would still mean the deaths of Jack and Rafael, nor could she place any trust in his promise to release Christina. ‘You would not dare harm Senorita Diaz,’ she said.

  ‘It is good for you to believe that,’ Lumbrera said. ‘In a few days I will take you to see her, perhaps, and you can reassess the situation. Senorita.’ He pointed at the steps.

  ‘I … I must change my clothes,’ Christina said.

  ‘No, no, senorita. There is no necessity for a change of clothes. What are you going to change your clothes for? You are dressed for riding. That is sufficient.’ He went to the hat stand, selected her black hat, and placed it on her head. ‘Now you will not even be sunburned.’

  Christina took a long breath. ‘I meant, I will need a change of clothing, if I am to be away from home for any time.’

  Lumbrera grinned. ‘I do not think that will be necessary, senorita. Come along now.’ He reached to his belt, took a pair of handcuffs, and held them out.

  ‘My God, no,’ Toni protested. ‘Surely … ’

  ‘There is a right way to do things, senora,’ Lumbrera said. ‘But I will not inconvenience the senorita more than is necessary.’ He pulled her wrists together, in front of her, and snapped the handcuffs on. Then he adjusted the strap for her hat beneath her chin. Christina stared at him as a rabbit might have stared at a snake. ‘Now come,’ he said. ‘I have a horse saddled for you.’

  The pony had just been led round from the stables, and waited with the police horses at the foot of the steps, held by one of Lumbrera’s men.

  I must do something, Toni thought desperately. I cannot just let this happen. Neither Rafael nor Lisle will ever forgive me. ‘Christina,’ she said again.