From Nemesis Island

by Christine Mustchin

  Richard went straight to the kitchen and helped himself to a large glass of burgundy.

  ‘It’s very good, isn’t it?’

  ‘David.’ Richard greeted him, glad to be back among friends. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Fine. How about you? Not been around much lately.’

  ‘No, I’ve been abroad on a couple of trips. Will be off again for another short trip soon but then I hope for a bit of time in London.’

  ‘Seen anyone else yet?’ asked David, looking around for mutual friends.

  ‘Not yet.’

  ‘Come on then, let’s get mingling. They’re all in the next room.’

  As they entered the large living room, Richard was hailed by several people all at once. To satisfy their curiosity he had to treat them to a summary of his travels which he made sure was well edited and censored for their ears. Out of the corner of his eye he was aware of Trish standing quietly and listening to his monologue. When he had finished, he went over to her.

  ‘Trish. How are you?’

  ‘Not bad thanks. Have you been back in London long?’

  ‘No. I only got back yesterday.’

  ‘Have you finished with all that island business then?’

  ‘Just a few loose ends to tie up.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘I’m taking time out from PR at the moment.’

  ‘How come?’

  ‘I’ve taken a sabbatical.’

  ‘Lucky you.’

  Trish smiled weakly.

  ‘You’re looking good.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  They faced each other awkwardly.

  ‘I didn’t know Fi was seeing anyone,’ ventured Richard.

  ‘It’s all been rather sudden actually. She’s been going to those single’s dinners for ages. You know, those gourmet evenings where they have top chefs to provide the food and a select group of lonely professionals to enjoy it and hopefully find a date from among the other guests.’

  ‘The way to a man’s penis is through his stomach.’

  Trish ignored Richard’s crude take on the well-known saying.

  ‘Anyway, she always said it was her way of trying to educate herself about food and wine but I don’t think any of us were convinced. She’s shown no particular interest in the culinary side of the evenings as far as I can see, but equally, hasn’t said much about the company. One day she just announces she’s got engaged to someone she met there.’

  ‘Well, well. Who’d have thought it?’

  ‘I hope it all works out for her. He’s a barrister and quite a high flyer it seems. She says he’s got political ambitions too. That’s him over there.’

  Richard looked across the room and studied a tall slim man with neat wavy brown hair. His clothes were casual but expensively cut and he was smiling contentedly at Fi. She caught Richard’s eye and led her partner across for introductions. He had an easy manner and Richard began to revise his prejudices against the legal profession.

  ‘Fi’s done a great job here, hasn’t she? It’s a wonderful party.’ His admiration sounded genuine.

  ‘Now Ed, don’t exaggerate. The outside caterers did all the work. Anyway it’s great to have an occasion for all our friends. The big engagement do for the family comes later: more formal and probably less fun. Do you agree, darling?’

  There seemed to be no room for any disagreement between the happy couple and Richard was aware of an unaccustomed feeling of jealousy. He turned back to Trish.

  ‘What a model couple.’

  ‘Long may it last.’

  ‘Not like us.’

  ‘Oh, Dick, don’t bring that up now.’

  ‘Sorry I didn’t mean to upset you, it’s just that seeing you again and after all that’s happened to me, I guess I was just thinking that, I mean … could we have dinner together sometime?’

  ‘A lot’s happened to me too, Dick.’

  ‘Well let’s talk about it all over dinner then. How about tomorrow night?’

  ‘I’d really like to go out to dinner with you but I think you should talk to David first.’

  ‘David! What the hell has he got to do with it?’

  ‘He’ll explain.’

  ‘Why? Are you seeing him?’

  ‘No. It’s not that.’

  ‘You’ve had sex with him then.’

  ‘No, Dick. I told you we’re not seeing each other like that.’

  ‘Like what then?’

  ‘Please, Dick, just talk to him.’

  ‘You bet.’

  The alcohol was not making it easy to control his anger. He’d made a perfectly reasonable and honest attempt to patch things up with Trish and she was playing games with him. He thought of Kia. She hadn’t been straight with him either. He looked around and tried to imagine her with his friends. In the end she was probably right to stay behind. Perhaps he should leave Trish alone but, not only was he pleased to see her, he was curious now. He found a chance to speak to David alone as soon as he could. But David was equally reticent. He refused to enlighten Richard.

  ‘Not here, Dick. It’s not the moment. Let’s go for a drink tomorrow evening. I’ll tell you everything then.’

  Richard had no choice. Life in London was getting as complicated as the existence he’d left abroad. He spent the rest of the evening drinking heavily.

  23

  It was not a salubrious part of London and Richard secretly applauded David for choosing to work there. It did not take much to imagine the deprivation that lay behind closed doors or the type of impoverished patient he would have to deal with. Richard hoped he was well paid. He had read about the new GP contract and privately thought that those front line doctors were worth every penny. No chance of private practice and plenty of risk of being sued. He’d agreed to meet David on his territory to save time. The nearest pub to the surgery was lacking in charm but free from drug pushers and street gangs, at least at that time of the evening. David arrived pretty much on time at six thirty and bought Richard a second beer to match his own. David had come straight to the point and Richard had sat listening while he told the tale. He had been rung late one afternoon towards the end of his surgery. The GP who had called him persuaded him to allocate his last patients to the other doctors and go immediately to Trish’s apartment. She was very ill with what he called urinary retention. Basically her bladder had filled up and she could not pee. The reason was a recent operation. He carefully explained what the operation was in language that was not too technical. Richard had difficulty in grasping the idea of female circumcision and struggled to concentrate as David talked about what it meant for Trish and what she could expect in the future. He was relieved to hear that she had been admitted to hospital the same day and that the problems with her bladder had been quickly sorted out. She had been seen in time to prevent any damage to her kidneys. She would need surgery in the future to correct what had been done to her as best as was possible. The outcome was unpredictable. Meantime Trish had no choice but to try and come to terms with what had happened and accept a life of celibacy for the moment. It was something she found difficult to talk about but she had wanted Richard to be aware of her situation so he could decide whether or not they should meet. Richard sat speechless at the end of David’s recitation.

  ‘It’s not a good story, is it?’ said David at last.

  ‘I’m having trouble believing it. How could it happen?’

  ‘That’s not for me to say really. Trish is the person to ask about that.’

  ‘I still can’t believe it.’

  ‘I know. It belongs to a world that’s very different from our experiences.’

  ‘I’ve just had a dose of that myself, but in a different way. You’d be surprised what goes on,’ he added angrily.

  ‘We see a bit of the nastiness of it all in our practice but there’s stuff out there that would curdle your brain.’

  ‘I know. I’ve just seen some of it recently. It’s been like going back to the middle ages and ste
pping into hell.’

  It was David’s turn now to be silent.

  ‘What in God’s name does it mean to be human when there’s such cruelty in the world?’

  ‘You’re the philosopher, Dick. You tell me.’

  ‘I was a philosopher. Now I’m just a hack who stumbled on a gruesome story, and what’s more, whose girlfriend’s been subjected to a horrid form of physical abuse.’

  ‘So you’ll be seeing her then?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Girlfriend?’

  ‘Freudian slip I guess.’

  ‘Look, I can see you’re upset, Dick. I don’t know what you’ve had to deal with in your line of work recently but go easy on Trish. What she’s been through has affected her a lot, and not just physically. Best leave her alone if you can’t handle it.’

  Richard nodded.

  ‘Look, I’ve got to go now. I’ve got a date. Keep in touch, eh?’

  Richard nodded again and David left him with another pint of beer. He sat sipping it slowly, uncertain of the way forward. Before he was half way through the glass though, he had decided and rang Trish.

  Within an hour he was at her apartment and they had ordered a take away Indian meal for delivery. Richard continued to drink the beer that he’d brought with him. He noticed that Trish did not touch any alcohol and limited herself to sparkling mineral water. He also noticed the quietness of her speech and the flat tone of her voice. It was as though a light had gone out inside her. They ate the meal over small talk which Richard deliberately limited to gossip about their friends and other banalities. Talking of their friends she became more animated and Richard let her speak without interruption, pleased to see a lightening of her mood.

  ‘What about you, Dick? I’ve not let you get a word in. Tell me all about your trip. Did you find out what you wanted?’

  He spent the rest of the meal selectively embellishing a little on the outline of his story. There were certain things that could not be told until time and events had taken their course, mention of the DVD was one of them.

  As he concluded, she made her comment.

  ‘I can see why you wanted to go back. What a story. You could turn it into a thriller if you wanted.’

  ‘I think I’ll pass on that, thanks.’

  ‘Was the priest really crucified?’

  ‘Yes. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. But he had a weak heart so I hope he was spared the worst. It keeps coming back to me.’

  They cleared the dishes and Trish put on some light background music and prepared coffee.

  Richard followed her into the kitchen.

  ‘Can I help?’

  ‘That’s very kind, Dick, but I’m okay thanks. Do you want coffee here or in the living room?’

  ‘Here will be fine,’ he answered, perching on one of the breakfast bar stools. He stirred his coffee thoughtfully. She came and sat next to him.

  ‘Can we talk a bit about what’s happened to you?’ he asked gently.

  ‘I was expecting to sometime.’

  ‘David’s filled me in, but I still can’t quite take in what you’ve been through or how it could happen. I’m so sorry Trish. I wish I could wind the clock back.’

  ‘Me too, but we can’t. We’ve got to go forward and make the best of things.’

  ‘David said you’d need another operation.’

  ‘That’s right. We’re hoping it’s not a total circumcision and that my clitoris is still intact. It makes a difference, you know.’

  ‘What happens if it’s not there?’

  ‘I won’t able to get an orgasm.’

  ‘So you’ll be able to have sex again then?’

  ‘Oh yes. There are lots of women who have sex without orgasms. It doesn’t mean they’ve been circumcised either.’ She gave him a wry smile.

  Richard thought of their many encounters in bed and the pleasure that they’d both taken for granted.

  ‘You’re very matter of fact about it.’

  ‘I’ve learnt to be very quickly. David helped.’

  ‘Oh. David.’

  ‘There’s nothing between us you know.’

  ‘No, I know. He went on a date last night.’

  ‘You see.’

  Suddenly Richard’s anger blew up.

  ‘Who did this to you, Trish? It’s unspeakable. It’s got to be a man. I’d like to cut his balls off: without anaesthetic.’

  ‘I don’t know who did it, Dick, but I have a good idea who arranged it, even if he didn’t do it himself.’

  ‘So who do you think it was?’

  ‘That cosmetic surgeon I told you about.’

  ‘What, the one who was going to use your firm for marketing.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘How come?’

  ‘He sent someone to get back the photo that I’d stolen.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘This man came to my office and introduced himself as a lawyer. I’d seen him before, when I came out to visit you. I was next to him in the queue for passport control and we exchanged a few words. I saw him again at the airport on the day I left and this time I was suspicious of him. I’d just had a nasty experience on the way back to the airport involving a rather sinister looking black four by four and, there he was, meeting what looked like the same vehicle.’

  She went on to give Richard all the details. He waited patiently for her to finish and then gently put his question again.

  ‘But what happened, Trish?’

  It was only then that she was ready to tell him the story of her meeting in Harley Street to hand over the photo.

  ‘The drink must have been spiked,’ she concluded. ‘I don’t remember a thing after passing out, until I woke up in my flat, but I do remember the last words the lawyer said to me, “My client has asked me to wish you every success in the future. He is sure you will not forget him.” And I won’t, will I? I’ll carry the scar for the rest of my life.’

  ‘So who is this client?’

  ‘He’s called Jalbis Zachion.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘Jalbis Zachion. I know it’s a strange name but there it is.’

  ‘You mean you’ve been dealing with him?’

  ‘Why? Do you know him?’

  ‘Not personally, thank God.’ He slammed his fist down on the breakfast bar.

  ‘He’s the chief’s brother, the person who stole the documents so that he could inherit the island and continue perpetrating the very worst in cruelty and evil.’

  ‘This isn’t a joke?’

  ‘Far from it. I’ve never been more serious. He’s not only a surgeon but he’s had his own business on the island for sometime now, organizing……’

  ‘Organizing?’

  ‘Other illegal activities.’

  Trish did not ask for further details.

  ‘What a strange juxtaposition of events.’

  ‘Horrible if you ask me. Thank God you’re alive, Trish. Jalbis Zachion is a very evil man and capable of using extremes of brutality to get his own way.’

  ‘If that’s the case then he needs to be brought to justice.’

  ‘Exactly but there’s no definite evidence. I don’t even know what he looks like.’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘I’m not involving you, Trish. Anyway you’ve no proof either. He’s even got that photo back now. You know, none of this would have happened to you if I’d taken that photo with me.’

  ‘Stop feeling guilty. I gave the photo back, remember? I was the one who was stupid enough to take it in the first place. In any case, I think he was much more put out by my not accepting him as a client. I don’t think he liked the rejection.’

  ‘You’re being kind to me.’

  ‘No, just telling it as it is.’

  ‘Thanks, anyway. I appreciate what you’ve said.’

  He had appreciated her company too, but had left that thought unspoken.

  24

  The images more than told Trish’s story. Richard logged off the l
ast internet site on female circumcision with a ghastly knot in his stomach. He took a long drink of whisky, certain now of an important addition to his plans. Jalbis Zachion had gone from Harley Street. David had already checked that out. Trish had not wanted to go to the police and Richard could understand her need simply to forget, or at least find a dark room of her consciousness where she could file away the memories and then get on with her life and the difficult process of physical and mental recovery. David had told him that rape victims often responded in the same way. In Trish’s case the likelihood of any police statement leading to Jalbis Zachion’s arrest was zero and so best left alone. If he were ever found then perhaps she would see things differently. Anyway Richard respected her decision and did nothing to disturb her fragile equilibrium. But he was going to look for the man. He didn’t tell her and he felt uncomfortable lying, but he didn’t want her to worry. He hoped she would understand when he told her. He hadn’t been to see his parents in the north of England for a while. She had accepted the excuse. His flight was already booked and the final hours of waiting dragged on. At the last minute he sat down and wrote a note to Trish explaining what he was going to do and the reason for not telling her. Just in case he did not return. He would post it at the airport.

  Predictably the plane was delayed and, as usual, it took forever to move through passport control when he arrived. He was relieved to check in, at last, to a city centre hotel, and even more relieved to find it superior in every way to his experiences at the port hotel. He had a meal in the restaurant, a few drinks in the bar and went to bed.

  As soon as he woke he reached for his mobile. He had told Trish she could contact him at any time. No messages and no calls. He dialled her number.

  ‘Hello.’ Her voice bore the hallmarks of being aroused from sleep.

  ‘Hi, Trish.’

  ‘Richard. You’re early.’

  He looked at his watch. He’d forgotten he was now ahead of UK time.’

  ‘My parents are early risers,’ he improvised. ‘Sorry I should’ve waited.’

  ‘No, no, it’s no problem.’

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Sleepy.’

  ‘I’ll call back later.’

  ‘Okay. Bye.’