The Travel Mate

by Mark Green

  ‘Great, thanks Rupert,’ Maddie murmured, adding ‘Do you have a value in mind?’

  ‘Less, unfortunately, than you would probably like,’ he said, lifting his head and placing the magnifier down on the velvet cloth next to the earrings. ‘Thirty dollars.’

  ‘One hundred,’ said Barry, returning the jeweller’s smile.

  ‘Too much. No Akoya, see …’ The jeweller turned and reached into a drawer, withdrawing a magnifying glass. ‘Imperfections. They are not matching.’

  Maddie leaned over the counter, studying the pearls. ‘Oh, I see.’ She straightened up.

  ‘The most I could offer would be forty dollars.’

  ‘Sixty dollars, or we’ll ask at Colombo, a few shops down,’ said Bozzer, still smiling.

  ‘Okay, you get good price. Sixty dollars.’

  Barry leant his elbows on the counter and turned to Maddie. ‘You happy with that?’

  She shrugged. ‘They’re only worth the happiness they bring. But, I know Rupert, he wouldn’t have duped me.’

  ‘Which means …?’ asked Bozzer.

  ‘They’re worth more. I can’t let them go for sixty dollars. The extra cash could really make a difference.’ She glanced up at the jeweller and collected her earrings off the counter. ‘Thank you. I’ve decided not to sell them.’

  Bozzer opened the shop door for Maddie, then followed her out onto the street. ‘Travel agent, next, then the business stuff with your ex, and the gizmo goon?’

  ‘Soon. But first, something else. There’s a charity, for Cambodian kids. They have an office here in Phnom Penh, I looked them up.’

  ‘Is that where the earrings are going?’

  She nodded. ‘Follow me for a long overdue dollop of spoilt-middle-class humility.’

  • • •

  Maddie squinted into the bright sunlight outside the charity café and slipped her sunglasses on.

  ‘Happy now?’ asked Bozzer, watching her tired puffy eyes disappear behind the dark lenses.

  She nodded. ‘I’m sure they’ll be able to negotiate a better price here than we can. Meanwhile I’m two pearl earrings worth of servitude lighter. Excess baggage – jettisoned.’

  ‘Almost.’

  Maddie glanced at him and nodded, her smile fading. ‘Yup. Almost.’

  Bozzer offered her his smouldering roll-up.

  ‘No thanks.’

  He shrugged. ‘Travel agent next?’

  ‘Yep, I reckon.’

  Bozzer fished his mobile phone out of a pocket and began searching through the list of options.

  ‘Do me a favour … pinch me.’

  He glanced up at her. ‘Not convinced this is real?’

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  Bozzer whipped his hand out.

  ‘Yeow!’ Maddie leapt away from him, rubbing her bottom. ‘I said pinch, not paralyse, you bloody wombat!’ she yelped, smacking his knuckles.

  ‘Hey, just doing as you asked, Princess. You want a tickle from the Taser instead? Wait till the hangover really kicks in and you wake up realising you’re stuck with a strange, beer-drinking, farting, Aussie bloke with fag breath. Reality is a sore sight first thing in the morning.’ He offered his mobile phone. ‘There’s three travel agents, half a block apart.’

  • • •

  Maddie glanced away from Kaliyan, the travel agent sat across the desk from them who was typing on a keyboard, and asked Bozzer ‘What about a ticket for the Inca Trail?’

  ‘Already emailed the company. It’s a quieter time of year and a mate of a Facebook friend is working in their office. I reckon she’ll be able to swing it. Even if she has to bump someone onto another tour operator.’

  ‘You’ve thought of everything. When did you send the email?’

  Bozzer met her gaze. His eyes crinkled as he broke into a sheepish smile. ‘I asked them to hold me a spare ticket, two weeks ago. Just in case Jody decided to come with me.’

  ‘So I’m second best, eh?’

  ‘I emailed my mate’s buddy again last night, if that makes you feel any better.’

  ‘There’s one spare seat left on that flight,’ said Kaliyan, looking up from her computer screen.

  Maddie continued to stare at Bozzer. ‘This feels a bit like I’m walking in her shadow.’

  Bozzer glanced at Kaliyan. ‘Sorry, one moment please.’ He turned back to Maddie. ‘Nah, Jody is permanently stuck in the dark. You’re stepping into the light, don’t you see – striking out into the unknown. For the adventure, remember?’

  She held his gaze, searching the light dancing in his eyes. ‘Don’t bullshit me.’

  ‘I’m not. Let go, live a little.’ Bozzer slipped his hand into hers, gently squeezing it.

  Maddie felt her heart rate jolting up twenty beats. She wrapped her fingers around his, caught a breath, then wrenched her eyes away, turning back to Kaliyan. ‘Thank you, I’ll take it.’

  ‘Do you have a credit or debit card?’

  She nodded. Bozzer released her hand, still tingling, allowing her to retrieve her purse and pass a credit card across the desk. Maddie held her palm out flat, her fingers trembling. ‘That’s what stepping into the light really looks like,’ she said quietly, gazing into his eyes, daring herself not to look away.

  ‘Those nervous twinges are a good thing. You’re challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone.’

  Kaliyan pushed Maddie’s card into the electronic reader and punched in the flight cost, waiting for the transaction to process. An electronic message alert drew her attention to her smartphone, on the desk beside her. She glanced at her two customers, noticed their hands intertwined and hypnotic eye contact. Then she glanced at the card reader’s ‘connecting’ status. Kaliyan picked up her phone, scanning the Facebook notification. ‘You are newly together?’ she asked.

  Maddie glanced at Kaliyan and blushed, withdrawing her hand from Bozzer’s. ‘Sort of. We’re—’

  ‘Travel mates.’

  Kaliyan nodded. ‘Ah. You are like the same-name eBay people, travelling to South America?’ She showed them her phone’s screen. ‘It is a strange way to meet, yes?’

  Bozzer leant over the desk and studied the Facebook discussion thread.

  ‘Nearly a million likes and thirteen thousand comments,’ said Kaliyan.

  ‘Hot discussion topic,’ agreed Bozzer.

  ‘It is unusual, their story—’ An electronic alarm from the card reader diverted Kaliyan’s attention. She peered at the small screen and frowned. ‘I am sorry. This card will not process payment. Do you have another?’

  Maddie stared at Kaliyan, frowning. ‘Oh, that’s odd. Try this one.’ She swapped the offending card for another from her purse.

  ‘Maybe it’s expired, or your ex cancelled it?’ suggested Bozzer.

  Maddie studied the rejected card. ‘It’s still in date.’ Her frown deepened as Kaliyan shook her head and passed credit card number two back to her. ‘You’re sure? That’s really weird. They should both be okay.’ She handed Kaliyan her last card.

  ‘Maybe your fiancé is trying to make a point—’

  Maddie turned to Bozzer. ‘He can’t, they’re all in my name.’

  ‘Or perhaps, more likely, Charlie and Victoria.’

  ‘How could they?’

  Kaliyan shook her head and pulled the card from the payment machine and placed it on the desk in front of Maddie. ‘I’m sorry, this one has been rejected too.’

  Bozzer studied her confused expression. ‘Did you leave your purse in the room? Did Charlie have access to it?’

  ‘How could he? I’ve never shared a room, or anything else, with him,’ she said sharply.

  ‘Victoria then. She stole the earrings, so it’s likely—’

  ‘But how?’

  ‘I reckon she photographed the cards. They could have used the numbers online, or over the phone, even had duplicates made. I heard a rumour about a scam like that, but thought it was to do with dodgy hotels, which is why I pay for most stuff in cash. Ma
ybe it’s not as bad as it seems. Your bank probably got wind of some dodgy transactions and put a stop on the cards before …’ Bozzer turned and addressed Kaliyan. ‘Can you tell if the cards have been stopped by the bank, or if funds are overdrawn?’

  ‘I’m sorry sir, I don’t know why they’ve been rejected. Please contact your bank. Do you have any other way of paying for the ticket?’

  Maddie opened the sections of her purse, thumbed through the dollar bills and Cambodian Riel. She shook her head. ‘I’ve not got much on me. There’s more in the room, but it still won’t be enough … oh no.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘My reserve cash was in the other boot. If Victoria found the earrings there, then—’

  ‘She probably pinched the cash at the same time.’

  ‘Bitch!’

  ‘Wish I’d known. I could have got it back.’

  Maddie clenched her jaw, scrunched her hair in her hands. ‘I need to call the bank, sort this out—’

  ‘Wait. There’s only one ticket left. Let’s book it. You can pay me back when your finances are sorted.’

  ‘Seriously?’

  Bozzer shrugged. ‘So long as you’re not scamming me.’ He lifted up his shirt and unclipped his money belt, pulling the pouch out from beneath his waistband. He unzipped a compartment and handed over his credit card. Kaliyan began the payment authorisation procedure.

  ‘I’ll pay you back as soon as—’

  ‘That’s gone through, thank you sir.’ Kaliyan handed Bozzer’s card back to him. He smiled his thanks and turned to Maddie, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

  ‘I don’t have to pay the balance for a while. If you’re gonna split, just make sure you stick around long enough to settle up.’

  Maddie nodded, distracted by Kaliyan printing off and collating the flight documentation.

  ‘Thanks, I owe you.’

  ‘No you don’t. That’s what real travel mates are for.’

  • • •

  Maddie let the door to the phone booth swing shut behind her. She watched the teenage boy scribble an amount on a pad and show her the figure. Then she counted out six dollars. Maddie turned to Bozzer, who stood leaning against the flimsy partition, his arms folded.

  ‘They maxed out one credit card and were racking up a bill with the other one at an electronics shop in Battambang. The guy in the bank’s fraud department told me they’ve seen this a few times. The thieves have a dodgy deal with an apparently legitimate shop, which processes fictitious purchases on the cloned card. They hit my debit card too. There’s a stop on my accounts, I have no access to any cash. But the bank’s looking at unfreezing them, so I should be able to pay you back soon. Hope that’s okay.’

  Bozzer nodded.

  ‘Thanks.’ Maddie fanned through the remaining cash in her wallet. ‘Which leaves me with around sixty-five dollars until this gets sorted out. The bank’s arranging an emergency transfer which I can draw on in Lima.’

  Bozzer held the door open for her, following her out of the dim internet shop. They both blinked in bright light, the traffic now rumbling by in a constant noisy, grimy, nose-to-bumper crawl.

  ‘Guess that makes us partners. For a while, anyways,’ he said, opening his tobacco tin.

  ‘Guess so. You still okay travelling with me now I’m—’

  ‘A risky prospect?’

  ‘I’m still good for the money. Guide’s honour.’

  ‘We’ll see …’

  Maddie stifled a yawn and glanced at her watch. ‘What time’s check-in?’

  ‘Eight-thirty. Allowing for the tuk-tuk journey, we need to be on our way at six.’

  ‘Which means there’ll be a chance to catch up on some sleep.’

  He nodded, piggybacking her next yawn, stretching his arms above his head. ‘Yeah. We’ll head back to the hotel after your paperwork pow-wow, get our heads down. You ready for this?’

  ‘No, but it’s got to be done.’ Maddie checked the time, then took a deep breath and walked across the road, onto the shaded part of the pavement. She homed in on a polished brass sign screwed to the centre of a glossy black door, which proclaimed: Khmerdor & Sinn Associates.

  Bozzer smirked. ‘Sinn. Ironic name for an attorney.’

  ‘Fitting though, for Rupert.’

  ‘Yeah, figures. Ready?’ Bozzer’s finger hovered over the bell-push.

  ‘No, but …’

  ‘I’ll be waiting over there, at the café. Take as long as you need.’

  ‘You’re not coming in?’

  ‘I will if you want me to, but significant stuff is best faced alone. It’ll make you stronger, better prepared.’ Bozzer pressed the bell-push.

  Maddie stared at him for a moment. ‘Okay. I’ll be as quick as I can.’

  Behind the door, footsteps approached. It swung open, revealing Fender. ‘Madeline, perfect timing. Please come in. I won’t detain you any longer than necessary.’ Fender glanced at Bozzer as Maddie slipped past him. The door closed with a clunk behind her.

  Forty-Three

  Maddie trudged up the stairs behind Fender’s desert boots. She emerged into a bright room overlooking the street. It had a mosaic tiled floor in a faded cream, caramel and brown cube pattern that looked like endless steps, going either up or down.

  ‘Ms Bryce, this is Mr Saru Khmerdor, attorney in law. And Rupert, of course.’

  A smiling Cambodian gentleman in his early sixties stepped around his large teak desk, intricately engraved around the sides with the imposing towers of Angkor Wat. He had black hair, a short stocky frame and inquisitive eyes.

  ‘You are fearless and wise, Ms Bryce. I am Saru and I’m honoured to preside over this formality.’ He extended his hand, which Maddie shook briefly.

  ‘I think you mean naïve, Mr Khmerdor. But I appreciate your sentiment.’ She turned towards Rupert, stood in the corner of the office with his hands in his pockets, peering out of the window.

  ‘Short chap, isn’t he. I thought the stereotypical Aussie was a tall, chiselled beach-bum – six foot plus.’

  ‘Height and stature rarely equal the same thing.’ Maddie arched an eyebrow as Rupert glanced over at her, quickly dropping his eyes away.

  She turned towards Fender as he cleared his throat.

  ‘Time is pressing. Shall we begin?’

  Saru picked up the document lying on top of his desk. ‘This, Ms Bryce, is a deed of trust. It changes legal ownership of a property when security is required, for example when taking out a loan. Sometimes for a temporary period, occasionally irreversibly. In legal language, it states that your property in the London suburb of Notting Hill is to be held as collateral against your fiancé’s debt. This is detailed as an unpaid loan in the sum of nine hundred and seventy-five thousand pounds, to Owen Goodall Holdings. The amount being the approximate value of a certain item belonging to Rupert’s creditors. If and when this item is surrendered, your property will be returned to you.’

  ‘You seriously expect me to believe there’s honour amongst—’ Maddie shot a look at Saru Khmerdor, then Fender.

  ‘You may speak plainly, Ms Bryce. Mr Khmerdor’s services and discretion have been secured.’

  Maddie shook her head. ‘We all know who they really are – London. If I get the flat back, it’s a bonus.’

  ‘Meaning you’ve already written it off emotionally, in order to walk away.’

  ‘More or less.’

  ‘I understand. But to clarify, this deed of trust is a loan agreement. It’s between you and my client, certainly, but I’ve organised it impartially, in good faith. And I am a man of honour. The dubious circles that I appear to service notwithstanding.’

  Maddie held Fender’s unblinking gaze. ‘What about Liz?’

  ‘What about her?’

  ‘She’s an innocent bystander. I need your assurance that she won’t be dragged into any of this.’

  ‘Your friend will be untroubled by our business arrangement.’

  Maddie folded her arms. ‘Unl
ess her home is broken into, or the police arrest her because of what they find in that suitcase.’

  ‘Regardless, she won’t be harmed in any way – physically, emotionally or financially.’

  ‘And I’m supposed to take you at your word?’

  ‘Of course. Integrity still exists, even in my world.’

  ‘I don’t know you. I need more.’ Maddie thought for a moment. ‘Your passport, show it to me.’

  ‘It’s with the hotel.’

  ‘Driving licence, then.’

  ‘For collateral?’ Fender reached into his pocket, withdrew his photo card licence and offered it to Maddie.

  ‘In a way.’ She held up her iPhone. ‘It’s a shutter-stutter thing.’

  Shh-clitch.

  ‘Thanks.’ She handed the ID back to him. ‘Just in case anything unsavoury happens to Liz.’

  Fender nodded and replaced the licence in his wallet. ‘You also have my number logged on your mobile phone. Make sure you save it. I’m a useful contact to have.’ He turned away from her. ‘Mr Khmerdor, please continue.’

  ‘This document has been prepared in Great Britain, according to your laws. It was sent to me merely to present to you and formally witness your signature.’ Saru thumbed through the top sheets and located a paragraph in the text. ‘Here are the property details and conditions of settlement. Please read them carefully.’ He handed Maddie the stapled pages and gestured to a leather chair beside his desk. ‘Rest, please, while you study the document.’

  Maddie sat down and began reading, aware of Fender leaving her side to join Rupert by the window.

  ‘What about the rental income?’ she asked, without looking up.

  ‘In the short term you can continue to benefit from it, as per your existing tenancy agreement. Save any surplus wisely, would be my advice. Because if that suitcase isn’t located after a reasonable period, London will undoubtedly foreclose the deal, and permanently relieve you of ownership,’ said Fender.

  ‘How long is a reasonable period?’

  ‘Whatever my client deems it to be. You’re lucky to benefit from the rental income until then.’

  ‘So this is like a mortgage, in reverse?’