Deadline

by Zaheera Walker

  Feriyal felt a strong urge to feel his body rub against her. A sense of lust was growing between her legs. “Take me now. Make wild, passionate love to me.”

  He arched his eyebrows. “What’s got into you? Not that

  I mind. Just that your words are so fiery. Nice fiery.”

  “Just do it, Shane. I need you. Now.”

  He lifted her off the tiles and carried her into the bedroom.

  ***

  The thunder roared and lightning flashed across the greyish sky. It was a moment for cuddles and kisses. It was also the morning for her daring encounter.

  Feriyal stirred from her slumber. She glanced at the antique timepiece on the dresser. What if he calls? She could not afford the risk and rolled out of bed.

  “Where are you off to? It’s the weekend, babe. I was hoping we could lie in a bit longer.” Shane looked at her with pleading eyes. “Come back, please.”

  She hated the situation she was in. A tug of war state of affairs. She loved Shane, but her investigative streak outweighed all else. “I’m meeting Anne for coffee. Haven’t seen her in a while. She wants to catch up.”

  What a perfect lie. “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you, but these last few days have been hectic.”

  “Great. Let’s go together.” Busted.

  “Now when do you opt for women’s gossip?” She had to think fast. Shane was slipping on his boxers. She had to act fast. “Anne wants to discuss a private matter with me, love. Her daughter is going through a divorce and she wants to chat about her fears. You know we have always been close.” She slipped the cell phone into her gown.

  “Where are my manners, babe? I didn’t ask if it was okay for me to join you.” He held her tightly against his chest. “You have a good heart and that’s why I love you. Go

  ahead. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

  He pinched her bum as she turned to walk away.

  With the shower flowing in rhythm with the rain, she dropped her face in her palms. Threads of guilt weaved through her. She had lied to the man she loved. Sometimes people had to lie to get ahead in life. Ten minutes into the shower, her phone rang. “Hi. Yes, I’m still available. I know where that is. See you in a bit.” She hung up and towelled herself dry. It took several tries to apply her make-up. Her hands were shaking like quivering jelly. She saw the goosebumps on her moist skin; she felt the fear. It excited her. It was time. At last, she was ready for danger. She had no plan. She would think about it as she went along.

  “Wow. You look stunning.” Shane sipped his coffee.

  “I’m jealous. You are going to turn heads, babe.”

  “But I’m all yours.” She kissed him quickly. “Men can look, but only you can touch.” She waved goodbye and headed towards the unknown.

  ***

  She paced back and forth waiting for him. He was nowhere to be seen. Feriyal felt like an idiot. The man she was meant to meet sounded like a charmer; very persuasive; very unreliable. What a complete waste of time. A blessing too, because she was not psyched up for the danger.

  “Bloody idiot.” She wrapped the scarf around her neck and made a run towards her car. The rain was beginning to beat down hard. Why did he stand me up; why did he mess me around? These thoughts were swimming in her head and it made matters worse. She felt like a failure.

  What if she couldn’t pull it off? What if she was wasting time and energy in a dead-end assignment?

  She turned the key in the ignition and almost crashed into a sleek grey Golf.

  “Are you running away from me? Sorry I’m late.”

  Her eyes ballooned in shock. “I am soooo sorry. I thought you were going to be a no-show.” His face looked familiar. Where had she seen him before? “How did you know it was me?”

  “You’re beautiful and smart. I saw you leave the mall in frustration and knew it had to be you.” He walked up to her and held out his hand.

  “I’m Vishen. Vishen Maharaj. Pleased to meet you, finally.”

  “Yes, finally. We meet in the flesh. Shall we have that long-awaited coffee?”

  “How about we go somewhere private to chat? Your place of business, perhaps?”

  Feriyal was very nervous, but there was no turning back now. If she resisted, her cover could be blown. “Yes, there is… It’s just a stone’s throw away. You can follow me.”

  “Why don’t we go in one car? We’re both adults and want the same thing, right? You can leave your car here.” He moved to open the passenger door, not giving her a moment to think about the travelling arrangement.

  “You’re a very persuasive man.” She hesitated a bit, but the rain was coming down in buckets. “Sure. Let’s go.” She settled into the passenger seat and buckled herself in. Dear God, give me the strength to get through this, please.

  The car pulled up outside the flat and they made idle chat.

  “Do you enjoy sex, Indira?”

  How should she answer that? “I wouldn’t be in this line of business if I didn’t. What’s it to you, anyway? You’re just here to fuck me and then we go our separate ways, right?” Did I just say that?

  He shifted in his seat. “Yes, that’s true.” Women should not use vulgar words. “I’m sorry if my question made you uncomfortable.” How does one get inside, she wondered. It would have been a good idea to inspect it first, but it was too late now. Be calm and work it out along the way. Just like her plan.

  “Shall we go inside, then?”

  “What’s the hurry? I want to know you better.” He swept her hair away from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. “You’re a true beauty. Like an angel. But I hope you’re one frisky girl behind that innocence. I would love to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

  “Oh really. What is it you think you can offer me? A lesson in the Kama Sutra? All the money in the world?” She smiled and placed her hand on his thigh.

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s go for a drive and we’ll discuss any offer you want.” Without waiting for a response, he took off down the road. “I know a secluded spot on the North Coast. Tinley Manor. Beautiful. Just like you. I know you will love it there.”

  “Hey wait. I have other clients who are scheduled to see me today.” Feriyal’s heart raced like an Olympic athlete. What had she got herself into?

  “You won’t regret this. I promise. Whatever you were going to make today, I’ll double it.”

  “I have seen you before, but can’t seem to place you.

  What is it that you do?”

  “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” He laughed. This didn’t make Feriyal feel comfortable.

  “Was that a sick joke?” She was terrified and you could see the fear painted across her face. This whole thing was a mistake. It only dawned on her now. It was too late now. “Are you going to hurt me? I don’t do pain.”

  “Now why would I want to hurt such a lovely woman? Why would a nice guy like me want to hurt a fucking whore like you?”

  “What? Take that back. You’re just as bad as me. You probably have a wife at home and children too, yet you came to me for your cheap thrills.”

  “Bad news, honey. I’m not married. I’ll never marry, because women are all cheap sluts. Today, I plan to teach you a lesson you will never forget!”

  “Stop your sick mind games and take me back. Now!”

  “You’re never going back. First, we’re going to have a bit of fun and then I will end it on a tight note.”

  “It doesn’t have to be like this. Let’s talk about it. I’m sure we can work something out.”

  “Let me tell you a little story. My father destroyed our family when he spent all his money on sex he bought from women like you.” He was breathing rapidly and the veins in his arms bulged as he gripped the steering wheel.

  “I’m really sorry about that, but we are not all the same. In fact, none of those women held a gun to your father’s head. He went to them by choice.”

  “Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.” He drummed the stee
ring wheel with his palms and his sleeves shifted back.

  “What happened to your hands?” She saw the deep slashes across the skin. Short and sharp cuts.

  “It was an assignment that went horribly wrong.

  Nothing to do with you, so leave it at that.”

  “If it makes you feel better, I will.” Had he cut himself or been in a scuffle? “Now back to the woman your father was spending time with. Did you see her?”

  “Why would I want that? She was a fucking slut who took him away from my mother! He was a fool. Didn’t know any better. My mother worked hard to raise me. When he walked out, my mother treated me like a doormat! Her hatred for him fell on me.”

  Oh God. This is it. He is the one I was after, but it is not going according to plan. Feriyal’s palms were clammy and she struggled to breathe.

  Shyla had said she used a small knife to slash her attacker’s hands; the hands that had tried to grab her around the waist. Her hands were free to hurt him, but he was stronger. Dangerous too, it seemed.

  “Now I know! I’ve seen you at court. We never spoke, but I’ve seen you.”

  “Not just beautiful, but smart too. Yes, I work at the court. You never glanced in my direction, because you thought you were better than me. I told myself one day I was going to approach you. Just to see what it felt like, but I changed my mind because you seemed like the hoity toity type. ”

  “That’s not true. My time in court was very limited. I sat in court for the trials and bail applications, then had to rush back to work. I never got the chance to talk to you. You were always busy. We can talk now. Stop the car and tell me all about you. Everyone liked you. They said you worked hard. That you kept to yourself, but they didn’t mind, because you never let them down.”

  “Yes. My grateful colleagues. Nobody cared to get to know me as a person. I worked fast and that’s all that mattered.” He rolled down his window a bit and the rain drizzled in. “Do you mind if I smoke?” He flicked his lighter and lit the cigarette hanging from his lips.

  “Why bother asking me? You’re gonna do as you please anyway.” Smart answer. He liked it. “So why are you working as a prostitute?”

  Ouch! That word was cold and cruel.

  “It’s not by choice. My contract with the newspaper ended and then my mother passed away. I have to eat and live.”

  “And sleeping around is the only thing you can do?”

  “Like I said. What choice do I have? Being a sex worker is not that bad. I see it as a business transaction; nothing more. “

  “I wish you were not like those other women. But one whore is just as bad as the next.” He stopped the car in front of a rundown cottage and rushed around to her door. “Quick. Get out.” He grabbed a mass of Feriyal’s hair and hauled her out.

  “Ouch. That’s sore. Where are your manners?” She tried to wriggle free of his grip, but it was no use.

  He kissed her deeply and bit her lip so hard it bled.

  “You’re hurting me. Please stop it.”

  “You’re too delicious for me to stop now.” He went inside and flicked a switch. Everything lit up. “Well? Are you going to stand out there all afternoon?”

  “I’m sorry, but this is a big mistake.” Feriyal was sobbing. She should have listened to Shane’s warning. She had betrayed Smith’s trust when she had changed the phone’s SIM card. Was this the caution from Bonita? “Take me back and we’ll forget this whole thing. You don’t hav to pay me. Just drop me off somewhere and I’ll find my way back.”

  “Pay you? You think this is about money? You have no idea what I have been through because of my father’s sins. It’s payback time, bitch.”

  Make a run for it? This was the middle of nowhere. Where would she run to? Who was going to help her? Everything was dead quiet. There was no traffic on the road; nobody in sight. Trapped in a strange place with a sicko; a sick man who wouldn’t think twice about snuffing her life. She walked towards her doom.

  ***

  “What are you going to do to me?” She scanned the room. A bed; a few pieces of furniture; a bathroom; no kitchen. “Do you realise there will be people looking for me? I have a man who loves me. Told him I was meeting a friend. He’ll know something is wrong.”

  “That makes you a perfect piece of trash. Doesn’t it?

  Telling lies when you go out to ply your trade! You have someone in your life, yet you sell your body on the quiet. Does he know what a cheap cut of meat you are?”

  “No! I could never hurt him by sharing what I do. Sometimes we have no choice in the destiny that awaits us.” Feriyal had to think quickly and play along. “I know you’re a better person and you don’t want to hurt me. I also know you are very hurt and angry. Please let me help you.” She inched towards him and held him close.

  “What are you doing?” He didn’t expect that from someone who didn’t have long to live. When was the last time his mother had put her arms around him? It felt warm. Hold me a bit longer. Please! His hands were moving towards her waist. Human touch. How he missed it. But women are whores. Stop it! Stop it before it’s too late! “You’re making this difficult. Stop it.” He pushed her hard against the wall. She lost balance and fell onto the wooden floor, but she refused to give up.

  She rose quickly and steadied herself. “If you are going to end my life, then make love to me. Before I take my last breath, I want you to make me feel like a real woman.” Without warning, she reached for his hand and placed it on her breast.

  “What is the point of this? Are you hoping for a reaction from me?”

  “I’m warm and soft. Everything about me is feminine. I am all woman. Not a slut. Not a whore. Just a woman and you can make me feel real.” She needed to show him there was a kind side to her. She had to make him believe not all sex workers were home wreckers. She had to win him over. Perhaps her plan to outrun him could work. “We’ve only been together a short while now, but I think you know me. You know I won’t hurt you. Lie with me. Let me love away your pain.”

  A sharp pain kissed her jaw. “Ouch!” Her head slammed against the white-washed wall. Everything went black. She felt herself falling. The hunger rumbling in her stomach was too loud. There was no strength to focus on anything else.

  Time lapsed and darkness enshrouded the room. “You won’t be able to escape, Miss Spice.” Vishen knotted the rope around her wrists. Her legs were bound together and heavy duty tape sealed her lips. “I didn’t expect to waste so much time with you, but I find you very interesting.

  Torturing you is going to be my pleasure.” His eyes flashed with evil. “I have to step out for a bit just to keep up my appearance. Will check on you later. We’ll have some fun and then tomorrow it’s your final farewell. You’ll live a bit longer than the others only if you behave.”

  The sound of the key turning in the lock dressed her in pleats of fear. She was alone, cold and hungry. Her panties were soiled, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore. This was the end of the road.

  Oh God, please spare me. Help me get back to Shane. Ma, I need you now. I regret being the brave reporter and I want a normal life. I know this was a mistake and I also know I am stubborn. But if I make it out alive I will change for the better. Please God, help me this last time and I will honour and respect you for all the days of my life. Amen.

  ***

  Feriyal strained her ears. She heard car tyres crunching on the gravel outside. He was back. Tears trailed down her blushed cheeks before drowning into the mattress. She knew she was living on borrowed time. This was not the moment to fold in. She had to show him there was courage left in her.

  He kicked the door shut and dropped a paper bag on the table. “I took a bit longer than expected, but I had to get a few things.” He swaggered towards her and ripped the tape from her lips. There was no mercy.

  “That is sore.” She tasted the blood on her tortured lips. “Is this how it’s going to be?”

  “There’s a bathroom at the back. Go clean yoursel
f!” He untied her hands, but kept her legs shackled, just in case she tried to flee.

  “So you came back to torment me further.” She wiped away the tears and cleared her dry throat. “Generally, I am a good judge of character. I thought you were going to be a gentleman, but look at me now. You treat me worse than an animal. I’m cold and hungry.”

  Vishen had his head bowed. He cut a dangerous figure. “Go to the bathroom before I change my mind. There’ll be something for you to eat when you return.”

  It was refreshing to feel cold splashes of water on her face. The toilet seat felt like a throne. She scanned the tiny bathroom looking for an escape. Hope faded when she saw the window was sealed shut.

  “Are you done in there? Your food’s getting cold.” He rapped on the door. “I hope you are not getting any ideas. None of the women who have been here before made it out alive.”

  Blood-curdling shivers raced down her spine. Women had been killed right in this room. Her assignment was to lure him in and write an article about it. Now she was caught like a helpless insect in his web. She thought about Shyla and all the women he had murdered. Why had she changed the phone’s SIM card? Who was going to help her now?

  Fuck this fear. She was going to take him on, but in a subtle way.

  “I’m just being a woman. It takes time to freshen up. Thank you for allowing me to use the bathroom.” She hobbled over to the table and rummaged through the bag. A toasted steak sandwich, a Hunters Gold and bottled water. Was the food halaal? She knew she could not ask, because she had used a fake name. She could not let on that she was Muslim.

  God would forgive her. She had to eat to keep up her strength.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “Hi Anne. It’s Shane. Shane Black. Sorry to call you so late, but I can’t seem to get hold of Feriyal.”

  “It’s no problem.” She yawned into the mouthpiece. “I haven’t seen Feriyal in a while. Have you tried her cell phone?”

  “Oh dear God. This sounds like trouble. She told me she was meeting you for coffee today. That was hours ago. I’m really worried now.”

  “Okay, calm down. There must be some misunderstanding. The last time we communicated was through email. We never made plans to meet today.”