“If they do this burial as they did the other one, it will.”
“That’s wonderful, Amanda. My baby girl would have been a jewel.”
Ray butted in. “Gene said the baby would’ve been a girl.”
They talked very little until they reached the cave. The natives followed the same ritual as they did before with one exception. Queenie walked over to Joanna and put a small jewel in her hand. Tears rolled down Joanna’s cheeks, but she tried to smile at the native. Queenie then motioned for Amanda to follow them into the cave. Steve waited outside with Ray to hold Joanna until they were summoned inside.
Inside, the banana leaf-wrapped bundle was lying on the stone table. The same native came in and bent over it. Sometime without Amanda noticing, King had joined the group. When the parents were brought inside, Joanna broke into sobs. The men let her slide to her feet and Ray held her tightly. When Amanda told them to, they went to the wall and pushed the jewel into the clay. When they stood back, a native then drove the stone into the wall with one strike. It dawned on Amanda the number of blows used indicated the age of the deceased. She remembered the little native girl had gotten nine hits. She reasoned all babies must get one strike.
Steve and Ray carried Joanna to the ravine and let her to her feet. A native handed the bundle to Ray.
“You need to say something, Ray. The father has the last word,” Amanda whispered to him.
Ray nodded. He turned to Joanna. “Honey, we lost our firstborn, but please don’t be too sad. It wasn’t meant to be. We’ll have other children, I promise you that.”
She weakly smiled at him.
With Amanda instructing him, Ray lifted the bundle over his head and threw it into the ravine.
Joanna walked a little on the way back, but she soon stumbled and the men again made the seat for her. The four of them discussed the fact that they’d say nothing about the cave to the others. “I don’t want some greedy person ever going there and stealing my baby’s stone,” Joanna said.
“I don’t want that either, honey,” Ray said.
“The cave will always be a secret between the four of us,” Joanna said flatly. The others agreed.
* * * *
August 26—7:00 PM
Wendover, GA
“Amanda darling, I’m sorry to bother you at dinner time, but I just finished reading The Island.” He sniffed. “I can’t seem to quit crying.”
“Are you crying because you like it or is it that bad, Bernard?” She asked the agent.
“Darling, it’s fabulous. I’ve never read anything that moved me so much. It’ll end up a classic, I’m sure.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“‘Like it’ is way too mild. I love it. I didn’t see a change to make. I’m going to take it to the publisher first thing in the morning. I know they’re going to want to get it to press as soon as possible. You’ll be seeing the book on the shelves in the next few weeks.”
“I’m pleased, Bernard. All my fellow survivors approved it, too. You know it’s been a labor of love.”
“Yes, yes, yes. I know it has. Now, my love, you might as well pack your bags. You’ll be going on every talk show on television in the next few months. I expect this book to out sell anything else on the market today. The publisher will probably want to send you on a European tour too.”
“Slow down, Bernard. Let me get my feet on the ground.” She smiled into the phone. “You do understand that any traveling or promoting I do will include my husband, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes. And let me tell you, I’m thrilled you and Steve are together. A love like that has to be celebrated. He seems to be such a wonderful man.” Bernard sighed. “I guess it’s my loss and your gain that he isn’t gay.”
Amanda laughed out loud. “Let me assure you, Bernard, Steve is as straight as they come.”
“Well, darling, I’ll be sending you the second third of your advance in a couple of days. I assume you still want it divided up as we did the first payment.”
“Of course.”
“You’re a generous woman, Amanda. Not many authors would be so kind.”
“As I said before, it’s not my story alone. It belongs to all of us.”
“Well, love, thank you again for such a wonderful read. I’ll be in touch soon. Good-bye.”
Amanda turned from the phone and looked at the people gathered at the table. “He loved the book.”
Steve stood and held out his arms to her. “Let me congratulate the author.”
“Grandpa, you’ll use any excuse to hug your wife, won’t you.” Candy giggled.
Steve grinned. “Of course I do. She’s a huggable creature.” He kissed Amanda’s cheek and led her back to the table.
Claudia said, “Of course, we all knew they’d like the book. When I read it, I bawled my eyes out.”
“I have to admit I shed a tear or two,” Dave added.
“When are we going to get to read it?” Robin asked.
“It’s a little above your head honey, but I’ll probably let you read it when it’s published. Everyone’s going to be talking about it and I want you to understand what happened to Grandpa and Amanda.”
“Nothing happened to Pamanda, she’s right here.” Johnny looked confused.
“You’re right, son. Pamanda’s right here with her family. Just like she’s supposed to be.” Dave reached over and ruffled Johnny’s hair.
“Bernard said I’d be doing some traveling.” Amanda said and looked at Steve. “You promised to go with me, remember?”
“I remember.”
“He’s now talking Europe.”
“Wow,” Claudia said. “Really? Europe?”
“Would you want to go to Europe, Amanda?” Dave asked.
“I don’t know.” She looked at Steve. “I’m not so sure I want to take a chance on crossing the Atlantic again—do you honey?”
“I don’t know either. Let’s wait and make that decision when the time comes.”
“I agree.” Amanda looked around the table. “Now, who’s ready for dessert? Wanda made blackberry pies.”
“I like blackberry pie,” Dave said.
“That’s what Claudia told me. That’s why I requested it for tonight.” Amanda smiled at him. “I’m making a list of everyone’s favorite dessert so we can serve it when you come to dinner.” She laughed. “It’s a good thing Wanda’s a whiz at baking. I’m not very good at all.”
“How’s Wanda working out?” Dave asked.
“I think she’s doing fine.” Steve looked at Amanda. “What do you say, honey?”
“She’s wonderful. I’m so grateful you insisted I have help.” She playfully poked his arm. “Of course, I think it was in his own defense. He wanted someone who could cook like a pro. He didn’t get that in me.”
“Your cooking’s fine. I wanted someone to help you and we lucked up with a great cook in the bargain.”
“So, you don’t think I’m a great cook.” Amanda eyed him.
Dave laughed. “Let me see you get out of this one, Dad.”
Steve made a face. “Honey, I know you’re perfect. You’re the love of my life, but let’s face it, perfect people have to have a weakness somewhere. Yours just happens to be in the kitchen.”
Amanda stood. “I’ll serve dessert before you get in any deeper.”
As she went by him she leaned down and whispered in his ear, “It’s better to have a weakness in the kitchen than in the bedroom, isn’t it?”
Before she could get away, Steve grabbed her hand. “Absolutely, my love. Absolutely.”
Amanda turned red and swatted him on the head.
“Why did Pamanda hit Grandpa?”
“It’s because she loves him, honey,” his mother explained. “They’re playing.”
“Oh.”
Amanda returned with a tray loaded with dessert plates of pie. When she served Johnny, she patted his head. “Eat up, big boy.”
Johnny grinned. “She hit me, Grandpa. Tha
t means she loves me, too.”
Everyone laughed and they continued to enjoy the family gathering. Nobody noticed the peering eyes outside the dining room window.
Chapter 28
Seventeen Months Earlier
Joanna grew stronger in the following weeks. Though she seemed depressed at times, she joined everyone at meals and helped with any work that needed to be done. Soon she insisted on climbing the coconut trees again. After Ray explained the native burial was in a large ravine, nobody asked any more questions about the disposal of the baby.
It was afternoon and the women were at the lagoon for their baths. Phyllis had just stepped on the rocks to remove her clothes when she saw something dangling in the water from the other side of the lagoon. She let out a cry.
“It looks like a human arm,” she said in a frightened voice.
Amanda scrambled to the rock beside her. “Oh, my Lord, it is.”
“Should we try to help?”
“We’re probably too late.” Amanda turned and ran to the other side of the lagoon. The others followed.
When she pushed back the red flowered bush, there crumpled on the ground was the body of a young native girl. It was obvious the girl had been raped and brutalized.
Joanna began to sob and Wilma put her arm around the shaking woman’s shoulder.
Amanda turned toward the jungle and as loud as she could she called, “Queenie!”
It had become their ritual. If Amanda needed help she called for her friend. If Queenie wanted Amanda, she’d either appear on the beach and wait or call out Man-dah.
In an instant two natives appeared with their spears. Amanda pointed toward the bush. The native pushed it aside and looked at the girl.
He made a strange sound then let out a loud howling-like noise. In a matter of minutes several natives came running up. They were soon followed by Queenie and King.
With a few gestures Amanda managed to tell her friend they came to bathe and found the girl. Queenie nodded and knelt by the body, of a girl who Amanda guessed was around the same age as the other dead child.
In a minute Queenie stood and gave cryptic orders in an angry voice. Six men headed toward the beach. Amanda didn’t have to ask why. They were going to see if all the “white” men were where they should be.
Again Queenie said something and two more natives headed back into the jungle.
Joanna was still sobbing. Queenie looked at her then made a few motions to Amanda. Amanda said, “She wants you to take her back to camp, Wilma.”
“I’ll do that. Come on, honey. Let’s get you home.”
“I’ll go with you.” A teary Debbie walked with them.
“I’ll wait with Amanda,” Phyllis said.
In a few minutes an almost surreal cry came from the jungle in front of them. It wasn’t long until a woman supported by her husband came into the clearing. She saw the body of the child and fell to her knees screaming.
Queenie motioned for everyone to leave the parents alone with their daughter. Amanda nodded and she and Phyllis headed to the beach.
The men met them. “Wilma said you found a body,” Tony said as they came to the eating area. “She didn’t tell us much because Joanna was in such bad shape. She and Gene are with her and Ray now.”
“Oh, Curtis, it was awful.” Phyllis went into his waiting arms. “It was a little girl. Not more than nine or ten. She’d been raped and mutilated.”
“Are you sure?” Steve took Amanda’s hand and pulled her down beside him.
“We’re sure.” She whispered.
“The pool little thing was lying there spread eagle. There was blood and what looked like semen all over her private area.”
“Her face was beaten almost beyond recognition, too,” Amanda added. She looked up at Steve. “Was Mr. X in camp all day?”
Phyllis looked at her. “I know we can’t stand him, but surely he wouldn’t do such a thing, Amanda?”
“Come to think of it, he was gone part of the day, Steve,” Curtis said. “Remember, we were pulling those dead limbs away from the path to the lagoon and you asked why he wasn’t helping?”
“I do remember that.” Steve shook his head. “I’m with Phyllis though. I can’t imagine he’d do anything like attack a little girl.”
Amanda looked toward Mr. X. He was sitting on the beach staring out to sea as he often did. “I’d hate to think he would, honey, but with the way he acts sometimes, I’m not sure what he might be capable of.”
“Amanda said some natives headed this way after we found the body. What happened then?”
Steve said, “They looked around and seemed to be counting us. One of them looked in all our huts, but they soon turned back into the jungle.”
Before anyone could comment, Queenie and her guards appeared on the beach. “Oh, Steve,” Amanda whispered. “I hope she’s not going to invite us to go to the burial. I’m not sure I’m up for it today.”
She did invite them. She also invited Ray and Joanna, but soon saw Joanna was in no shape to attend. She indicated Ray should stay with his woman. Because Amanda had let her know Phyllis was the one who first found the girl’s body, she invited her and her man to come. Amanda hoped they’d be willing to keep the secret of the jewels.
On the way to the ceremony Amanda explained to them what was going to happen.
It was almost dark when they came back to the beach. Because they’d missed dinner, they gathered some fruit and headed to their respective huts. Nothing was said, but instinctively Amanda knew the native’s secret was safe.
* * * *
August 27—8:00 AM
Wendover, GA
“This looks wonderful.” Amanda smiled at Wanda as she served a breakfast of Belgium waffles to them on the terrace. “I’ve never been able to make these things. They always stick to the waffle iron and run out on the counter.”
Steve laughed.
Amanda turned to him with a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t you dare say one word about my cooking.”
When Wanda went back into the house he leaned over and whispered, “Your cooking is okay and if you want to fire Wanda I’ll eat it. I just want you to remember I told you last night you had attributes which were much more important to me than cooking.”
She blew him a kiss. “That was the perfect thing to say, my love and you can relax. I’m not going to fire Wanda. I like her cooking better than mine, too.”
Wanda reappeared on the terrace with the portable phone in her hand. “It’s for you, Mr. Brookshire. It’s your son.”
“Thank you, Wanda.” Into the phone he said, “Yeah, Dave. What’s up?”
“Dad, Warner called me this morning. Mom’s run away from Green Haven. They’re not sure when, but they think it was sometime last night.”
“Oh, my Lord. Do they know where she went?”
“No, but Warner said she’d been raving about how she hated Amanda and how she’d ruined everything. He was afraid she’d head for your house.”
“Thanks for letting me know, son.”
“No problem. I wanted to give your warning so you can protect Amanda and yourself.”
“I’ll see to it.” When he hung up he stood. “Amanda, let’s take our waffles inside to eat.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“Please, just do it, honey.”
She looked at the seriousness of his face and stood. Without further questions she picked up her plate and he followed her inside.
Steve nodded to a puzzled Wanda as they came in. “We’ve decided to eat inside. Please get everything off the table out there and lock the door when you get back inside. When you’ve finished come in the breakfast room. I have something to tell you.”
Wanda nodded and headed out the door.
“What’s going on, Steve?”
“I’ll tell you when she gets back.” He cut into his waffle.
Wanda returned with the rest of the breakfast serving. “I locked the door, Mr. Brookshire.”
“
Thank you, Wanda.” He took a deep breath. “My ex-wife has run away from Green Haven and she’s been threatening Mrs. Brookshire. Janet’s husband seems to think she might head here. I want us to be extra careful until they find her.”
Amanda frowned. “Oh, Steve. She wouldn’t really do anything to us would she?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but there’s no need to take chances.” He turned to Wanda. “Be sure you don’t open the door to anyone without knowing who they are and if anyone calls, let me know. Keep the doors locked all the time and you be careful, too. I’m not sure what Janet is capable of. She’s really unbalanced.”
“I’ll be careful, Mr. Brookshire. I’ll also see to it that nobody gets near Mrs. Brookshire unless she tells me it’s okay.”
“That’s good.”
“Thank you, Wanda,” Amanda said.
The housekeeper slipped out of the room.
“As soon as we finish eating, I’m going to call Dave and tell him I’m staying home today. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“Oh, honey, I’ll be fine. Wanda will be on the lookout for me.”
“I’d still feel better if I’m with you.” He cut into his waffle again. “Of course if you don’t want me here...”
“You silly man. Of course I want you here. There’s nobody I’d rather spend the day alone with than you.”
“That’s good because you’re stuck with me, baby.”
Chapter 29
Fifteen Months Earlier
In the next two months two more dead girls were found in the jungle. Amanda was getting more and more suspicious of Mr. X. He seemed to disappear every day and often he wouldn’t come back in until they were all in their huts. She wondered if he wasn’t slipping out at night too, though she had no way of knowing how he’d find his way around in the jungle in the dark.
By now, everyone had attended a burial and the cave with the precious stones was no longer a secret. The group had discussed it and had agreed that if by some miracle they were ever found, the location of the cave and the people on this island would always remain unknown to the outside world. They knew this pledge wouldn’t be kept by Mr. X, but for some reason they disregarded his input, though he announced he’d take the jewels with him when he was rescued.
The Island Page 23
