From Nemesis Island

by Christine Mustchin

  He searched around for a distraction and opened the only book he had in his possession. He turned the pages of the thriller that he had bought at the airport on the way out. He was not reading it anymore. He had already completed the story twice over and was more in need of physical activity than mental distraction. He carried on turning the pages, his thoughts elsewhere. The laptop and three mobile phones lay silent and unused. He looked at them with mounting irritation. Lack of contact by email or phone was stretching his nerves beyond the bearable. Being out of communication was not a condition to which he was accustomed and he began to think the priest’s precautions excessive. He just wished he would return. Until then they were all in limbo. He had coped by immersing himself in the daily rhythm of life at the farmhouse and excluding all thoughts of his life in London. He didn’t think this strategy would work for much longer.

  He went to the window and stared restlessly across the grounds of the farmhouse to the countryside beyond. A figure passed in front of the house. Kia was taking a solitary walk in the grounds. He hadn’t seen her go out there alone before. He watched her: languid, fluid movements flowing from the slim figure. The speed of his attraction to her compared only to its intensity and the effort he had to make to conceal it. She remained the bright spot in his prison house and to follow her with his eyes was a pleasure. Bathed in these self-indulgent thoughts, it was some minutes before he realised that she was now heading towards the woods. For several seconds more he watched and then dashed down the stairs to follow her. Clouds hung low in the sky threatening rain and the sky darkened. Drops of rain began to fall and he began to run. He caught up with her on the edge of the wood as a thunderclap split the air and the clouds emptied themselves onto the earth like a watery fog. They stood together under the trees watching nature parade its power in front of them.

  ‘Kia, where are you going? I thought we’d agreed to stay close to the house. It could be dangerous in the woods. We don’t know who might be there.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Richard, but I just couldn’t take being confined any more. At least the island was big enough to stop me feeling claustrophobic.’

  ‘I know exactly what you mean. We can’t even get in touch with the outside world either. It’s frustrating but we’ll just have to put up with it.’

  ‘You’re right but I just needed a moment on my own.’

  ‘You don’t have much privacy, do you? At least I have a room to myself. I’m sorry if I intruded but it’s just not safe out here.’

  ‘As you say, I’ll just have to put up with it.’

  ‘Can’t you come to some arrangement with Juditta so you both can have some time to yourselves?’

  ‘I don’t think there’s much chance of her agreeing to that.’

  ‘It’s not an unreasonable request, is it?’

  ‘For some perhaps, but Juditta has particular needs at the moment.’

  ‘Yes, I know she’s been on a knife edge.’

  ‘Knife edge?’

  ‘Tense, anxious.’

  Kia acknowledged the explanation with a nod of her head.

  Richard took her hand.

  ‘Let’s go back now.’

  After a few seconds she allowed him to lead her back to the house. As they reached the threshold of the farmhouse, Richard stopped abruptly and pulled Kia towards him. He kissed her hungrily, squeezing her tightly to him. It was a matter of moments and then he let her go. Richard did not immediately follow Kia into the house. Instead he let the experience play again quietly within him. To have touched her and held her gave him a sense of release from the frustration of their life in hiding. Entering the farmhouse would shatter that moment of freedom. As he stood, delaying the inevitable, he looked up. Juditta was at the window above, staring down at him, anger unmistakeably imprinted on her face.

  14

  That evening the farmer produced a large flagon of wine. It was his birthday and supper passed in a congenial atmosphere of celebration which included the three strangers. Kia was pleased to see Juditta mingling with the family and chattering away easily to them. She was quite envious of the ease with which she would join their group, but also glad to have respite from her company. She and Richard sat apart, watching the spectacle of songs and dancing and turning to one another from time to time, easing their isolation with a smile or occasional word. It was a welcome break from the oppressiveness of the last few days and a reminder of a life beyond their own anxieties. Kia gave no indication of being disturbed by Richard’s proximity and made no effort to discourage his frequent brushes against her as he reached for his glass. At intervals he would lean towards her and whisper in her ear, some droll comment on the proceedings, and she would smile. Only when she heard him say she was beautiful did she turn to him and make a response.

  ‘Don’t say that, Richard.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘You might regret it later.’

  ‘Why?’

  She did not reply to his question and instead turned her head away to watch the party. It was then that she saw Juditta approach.

  ‘Come on, you two. You must join in a dance now. The farmer insists.’

  Reluctantly they left their cosy corner in deference to their host’s request. A young girl slipped her arm around Richard and took him off to the centre of the room. Kia found herself paired perforce with Juditta. They followed the folk dance as best they could. As the accordion music paused between dances Kia felt Juditta’s arm around her waist.

  ‘Let’s go upstairs now. I’m exhausted with all this dancing.’

  ‘I’ve not really had much of a dance yet. I’d like to stay a bit longer. You go on ahead if you like.’

  ‘All right, only don’t be too long.’

  However, it was another hour before Kia felt that she too had exhausted her energies. The buzz of the evening filled her head and she wanted to preserve the feeling of contentment that it generated. It was with reluctance that she climbed the stairs, hoping that Juditta had already fallen asleep. Instead she found her wide-eyed and naked on the bed.

  ‘What are you doing, Juditta?’

  ‘Waiting for you.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘Can’t you see?’

  She opened her legs wide and Kia looked away.

  ‘Juditta don’t. It’s not attractive.’

  ‘No, I’ve never been attractive to you have I? First it was my brother and now this foreigner. You hardly know him and Joseph in his grave only a few days.’

  ‘It’s not like that.’

  ‘He’s been after you ever since we arrived and now he’s succeeded.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I saw you two kissing today.’

  ‘I didn’t ask or want to be kissed.’

  ‘I didn’t see you refusing though.’

  ‘I didn’t want to upset him.’

  ‘But you don’t mind upsetting me.’

  ‘I’ve tried to be kind to you. I want to help you.’

  ‘I don’t need your charity, thank you. I can take of myself.’

  ‘Please, Juditta.’ But it was no good. Juditta had turned her face to the wall and drawn up the bedclothes. Kia slipped into her own bed thankful that the wine she had drunk would soon ease her passage into sleep.

  It was later than usual in the morning when she found her way out of the stupor of a deep sleep. The shaft of light that sliced into the room was steely bright. The shutter had been left ajar. She raised herself up, blinking a little. Her head was heavy and she was slow to register the new day. Opposite, Juditta’s bed was empty. Thankful to be spared an early morning exchange with her, she took her time in getting up. It was already too late for breakfast. The way forward with Juditta was not clear to her but she would make an effort. Somehow she would find the right words. She soon found out that her good intentions had no need of action. She never had to find the right words. Juditta had disappeared.

  15

  The sisters had been gentle and considerate d
uring his retreat. Father Piontius had been left to meditate and read, and they had not required that he attend all the daily services of worship. He had taken his meals alone in his cell and made the once daily celebration of matins his only public appearance. After three days he was ready to leave. He had obligations now in the material world that he could not defer or renege on. On the day of his departure he took breakfast in the refectory in order to facilitate his leave taking and thanks. He had chosen to return on foot. It would mean a night in the open but he wanted to continue, for a little while longer ,the solitude of his retreat. He knew of a cave where he could shelter and he took with him some simple provisions. Walking too was a good way of thinking about the events that would follow the reading of the will. He also had to consider the possibility of a missing will. With a soul now free of burden, he gave himself over to these thoughts as he made his way back. On the second day he would stop at the farmhouse. There were things that needed to be discussed.

  In the spirit of a pilgrimage he set off before it was light, slipping away into the continuing darkness. As the day brightened he trod the familiar path with a rhythmic footfall that freed his spirit to meditate on the future. Untroubled by physical or mental pain, he crossed fields and ditches, woods and hills, his body immersed in the natural world around him and his heart open to the God he worshipped. He stopped only for meagre refreshment and reached the cave as afternoon broke into evening. His torch picked out the dark interior of the cave, which welcomed him with its warmth. He lit a candle and said prayers and ate his last meal of the day, huddling himself at the back of the stony hollow to fall into a dreamless sleep of perfect serenity. At dawn a gentle pink light crept into the cave and he prepared for the day ahead. This was his transition moment away from the comforts of the spirit to the obligations of the secular. His meditation today would be focused on the duties that he had to face among his fellow men and women. The first of these led directly to the farmhouse.

  Richard ran to greet him as he made his way down the hill from the woods. He took his arm. Father Piontius was glad of the support for his body was weary now.

  ‘It’s good to see you, Father.’

  ‘And you. Have you been all right?’

  ‘Yes. We’ve been looked after very well.’

  ‘Have there been any problems?’

  ‘No one’s followed us here.’

  ‘That is good.’

  ‘We’ve got a lot to tell you.’

  ‘Let us get to the farmhouse. I need to rest first.’

  They walked what remained of the way back in silence. Father Piontius was treated to a meal and a comfortable chair while Richard spent his time pacing around the house and Kia sat quietly staring into the flames of the kitchen fire. After eating, Father Piontius called for them to join him over coffee. Richard fidgeted with his coffee and the priest smiled.

  ‘You have been patient long enough, Richard. What is it you want to tell me?’

  ‘Two things: Juditta has disappeared and Jalbis Zachion has taken the will.’

  ‘So Juditta came with you after all. She was adamant that she was not coming when I last spoke to her. She must have changed her mind. I’m sorry she has not stayed. I hope she has not put herself in danger. I blame myself for the theft of the will. I should have foreseen the risk I was taking. Do we know how it happened?’

  Richard explained.

  ‘The will is probably destroyed by now,’ said the priest. ‘We must deal with that, of course, but I am concerned for Juditta. Jalbis Zachion is a ruthless and vindictive man and will not rest until he also has the confession and codicil in his possession.’

  ‘Just where are they, Father?’

  ‘I used your car to take them to the convent in the hills.’

  ‘Does Juditta know?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘So what happens now?’

  ‘You must stay here for the moment. I want to try and find Juditta.’

  ‘But Jalbis Zachion must be looking for you too. You’ll be putting yourself in danger.’

  ‘That may be, but I have my duty to fulfil and also a parish to care for. What men may do to me is unimportant. It is only God that counts and I have made my peace with Him.’

  ‘What if you can’t find Juditta?’

  ‘Then you must leave for the convent and hide there. If Jalbis Zachion finds her, she could well tell him where you are.’

  ‘So keeping in touch is going to be important.’

  ‘That is one thing that troubles me.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Father, I’ve got the answer here. I thought we might need them sometime.’

  Richard smiled knowingly and produced the two mobile phones he had bought in the city.

  ‘Pay-as-you-go. I’ve put a lot of credit on them so it should keep us going if we’re careful. I bought them in the city so I wouldn’t have to use my foreign one.’

  ‘You young people are so resourceful when it comes to communications. I don’t understand much about these phones or the inter-cet, you know.’

  ‘Internet, Father.’

  ‘You see, I cannot even get the word right. Do you think I can learn to use this phone?’

  ‘Of course. It’s not difficult. I’ll show you now.’

  Father Piontius patiently listened and followed Richard’s instructions until he had mastered the basics of phoning and texting.

  ‘What a revolution these things are,’ he concluded. ‘I feel quite in touch with the modern world now.’

  ‘I couldn’t manage without one. It’s almost a part of me. It’s been very strange and frustrating not using one for these past few days.’

  ‘Oh yes. Perhaps I over-reacted in asking you not to communicate with anyone. I am ignorant of how these things work and was worried that you could be traced. I’ll leave it up to you, you obviously know much more about it than I do.’

  Richard relaxed but Kia sat staring ahead. She hadn’t spoken at all and there was something in her eyes that disturbed Father Piontius. He was used to looking deep into people’s souls and the eyes usually led him in. Kia’s eyes were troubled. He laid a hand on hers and she looked up at him as though pleading for something she could not express.

  ‘What is it, my child?’ he asked gently.

  Richard answered for her.

  ‘She’s upset because Juditta has left.’

  He put his arm around Kia and she leant her head on his shoulder. Father Piontius watched the exchange of affection in silence. They seemed to have an understanding to which he was not privy.

  ‘I’ll take her upstairs.’

  Richard led Kia away and the priest sat reflectively until he returned.

  ‘She blames herself for Juditta’s leaving.’

  ‘I’m sure it’s not her fault. I don’t know if she told you that Juditta treated her badly.’

  Richard nodded.

  ‘She refused to come here because Kia was here. The encounter with her brother must have changed her mind but perhaps being here became too much for her after all.’

  Richard said nothing and the priest took his silence for agreement.

  ‘Volatile emotions are only to be expected in a situation like this.’ Father Piontius looked pointedly at Richard who began to cross and uncross his legs nervously.

  ‘Take care with Kia. She belongs to a world that is alien to you. Eros is not always a good guide.’

  16

  Jalbis Zachion lit the candle and it fluttered in anticipation. He read the will again and then placed a corner of the document carefully into the flames. He smiled as the paper was consumed in a burst of fire. He dropped the burning remnants to the ground and watched them turn to ash. He laughed. What was his brother thinking of? This time he had beaten him. The glow of success lasted only a second as he remembered Juditta’s words. A confession and a codicil: two more things to chase up if he were to secure his future. It was too early to celebrate but only a matter a time until things were settled. His men, for none of the isl
and staff had objected to taking orders from him, were working on it now. Juditta was gone and he was Joseph’s natural successor. There had been no dissenters. He pressed the buzzer and a group of dark suited guys entered. With a commanding gesture, Jalbis signalled to the large board room table and they took their seats. Jalbis sat at the head of the table with a frisson of pride that all eyes were now focused on him as their leader.

  ‘Thank you for coming. I shall summarise our position and then receive your reports. After that we shall discuss our future plans.’

  The words sounded democratic but Jalbis knew the men would simply follow orders. That was what they were trained to do and as long as they had enough food, drink, drugs and girls they would not turn against him.

  ‘As you know I have been searching for three documents which went missing after my brother’s funeral. These are detrimental to the continuation of the island as it is presently organised and must be found. One of these documents has been recovered and destroyed and the informant eliminated. The report, please.’

  He indicated a thick set swarthy young man who got to his feet and, with difficulty, read out the account of what had happened. Jalbis had no need to listen. He had been present at the event and had written the report himself. He preferred, however, to distance himself from the facts in the eyes of the men. The man finished his account and handed the report to Jalbis who resumed his monlogue.

  ‘We are still left with two missing documents. The local parish priest, Father Piontius, knows where they are. He officiated at my brother’s funeral and I have a photo of him here. Take a close look. Meantime I’ll hear the rest of the reports.’

  He passed copies of the photo around to the men. In turn they handed over other photos for Jalbis to look at. He scrutinised them briefly and listened as the men spoke in turn about them. They were the result of routine surveillance on cars with number plates from outside the region. Richard’s face was clear as he walked around the city. It was a foreign face that was not familiar to Jalbis. Other photos showed a different driver of the car. This man was wearing a long shabby overcoat and his face obscured by a large hat and sunglasses. It had all the marks of an amateur attempt at disguise. Jalbis studied it closely. Something reminded him of Father Piontius though he could not be sure. Not enough to act on at the moment, in any case. It had been taken outside a convent and that had to add weight to his suspicions. Another car had been reported as leaving the convent later that day but it was locally registered and the owner had been identified as a respectable priest from the area. There had been no sign of the other car leaving the convent and no further indications to confirm Father Piontius as the driver. Jalbis marked the photo for attention but put aside the one of Richard. For the moment it would complicate matters to include that in his investigations.