by John Muir
CHAPTER 31
CONSCIENCE OR PLEASURE
Maria Christina Hotel - Day 7
Only Henry and Rangi were with Pater when the next knock on the door came. As Pater expected, it was Ruben Consuelo. He pulled photos out of an envelope and gave them to Pater.
"I don't think you'll like the look of these."
Pater quickly looked at them with Henry and Rangi looking over his shoulder.
"Jesus, look at his eyes," said Pater. "He's off the planet. The black eyes and bruising on the face shows he's had a beating but it looks like he's drugged. Lost a lot of weight too."
"Is it your friend?" asked Rangi.
Pater lapsed into a quieter voice. "Yeah. I'm pleased Marivic wasn't here to see these. You know, this guy had a real sweetie at Apuao Grande, or so he thought. He really loved her. Then while he was doing his damnedest to help me, his girl was busy screwing with someone else. I reckon he saved my life at least twice during that resort drama. Then he never said a word to any authorities about anything. Now some other bastards.... well lets just say I feel I owe him something."
"Is Marivic his new squeeze?" asked Rangi.
"I don't know. I don't think so. But she obviously likes him a lot and I think maybe would be if she could be."
"Where does this Nilo character fit in?" asked Henry.
"T.A's a friendly guy. He met Nilo in Manila. He treats people like human beings. Nilo's obviously responded to that. Probably the first foreigner that's done it."
"Looks quite clean though, as if he's been washed," said Rangi. "But if he's been drugged it might stuff up the plans for the choir."
"Bastards," said Pater.
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near Linamon - Day 7
T.A. helped Omar as much as he could to ensure the metal band and u-bolts had securely tied the base for the marker pole and attachment to hold the anchor chain. Each small exertion made him feel exhausted and every few minutes he had to stop. He was pleased Omar made no comment about his slowness.
Omar explained that Salim had not slept in the bedroom since Yamada's thugs had raped his wife. He had barely gone into the bedroom since he had found her hanging from a tree. Each thought of her made Salim angry and want to lash out at anyone nearby. He even burnt their bed after she died.
About an hour after sunset Omar offered T.A. the opportunity of another bath. He was on his feet before he realised he had not replied. Omar grinned. This time when he undid the leg chain he did not manacle the legs together. He just looked at T.A. and nodded. T.A. nodded his response. Both knew he was too weak to run.
When he returned, towel wrapped around his waist, Siti gave him his own underpants, washed and folded in a style he had never seen before.
"Thank you very much," he said. Siti blushed, Zahra giggled and both of the girls ran out onto the front balcony overlooking the lane.
The next couple of hours passed, only interrupted by Siti's brief appearance delivering another feed of fish and rice. T.A.'s limited efforts had exhausted him. He lay down on his bed.
"Tonight I think I will stay with my wife," said Omar. He turned off his lantern and left the room.
T.A. heard the voices in the next room speaking their own language. He did not hear Omar leave, he was asleep within seconds.
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Paradise Plantation - Day 7
Ueda ate his rice and heated canned meat. Yamada had not spoken to him when Ueda returned. Yamada had merely waited until it was dark enough to be unseen carrying on his magnetic sweeping of the area, and left the nipa hut.
Ueda felt his future was now clear. Yamada had become treasure crazy. His fixation on further sudden riches had caused his mind to detach from reality and responsibility. Therefore Ueda had to decide just when and how he should leave.
He did not intend to give notice, merely just to depart. The only question in his mind was whether he should face Yamada, who had once been a good employer, or just not be there when Yamada woke up. He realised if he did that, it would not be an honourable thing. Yet his English education also told him that honour should be given to the honourable and respect to the respectable. Over the last few days he had learned that Yamada deserved neither honour nor respect. Unfortunately his Bushido training also taught him to respect his master. Where did he draw the line?
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near Linamon - Day 8
T.A. woke immediately Siti lay down beside him. He did not know what time it was. It was still dark, though the light of the moon through the closed monsoon shutters was still enough to discern the larger objects in the room. This time he immediately sensed she was totally naked and the touch of her skin against his sent his heart racing.
He knew he should not be wanting, what he was feeling. His mind was fighting between what was proper and what was a male instinctive and natural need. His body had already reacted and when she put her hand around his scrotum. He knew he did not have the will to object.
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