Dicing With Diamonds, Page 3
Gerry Skoyles
Lazarus, in a Hells Angels T-shirt, Bermuda shorts and blue sailor cap, stands in front of the crate, rocking back on his heels, clenching a half-empty whiskey bottle.
Jed, Kami, Akolo and Penny sit on the floor watching him.
Jed takes a sip of whiskey from a mug and passes it on to Akolo. Penny shares a bottle of water with Kami.
Lazarus belches loudly. “Well I must say this is a great . . . a very great surprise for me. I'm a bit touched. No . . . more than a bit touched. I'm over the moon . . . even though I sold this booze to you at cost.”
Jed nods. “Something like that, Lazarus.”
Lazarus continues. “So what's it all about, buddy boy? What's the big occasion? Is it my birthday? No, I had one of those last year.”
Jed stands up, crosses to Lazarus and puts an arm round his shoulder. “I need your help. About the diamonds. You know everything that goes on around here.”
Lazarus beams. “Sure, I can tell yer something about them. Some greedy sod pinched 'em.”
“Who?” Jed coaxes.
“What's it worth?”
“A few diamonds . . . when I get them back.”
“In that case I'll keep my eye open . . . for what it's worth these days.” Lazarus rubs his good eye and adjusts the patch over the other. “Come on, let's drink, drink and be merry.” He leaps up onto the crate and tries to dance and sing The Sailors Hornpipe, whiskey splashing from his bottle.“Oh, a sailor's life is the life for me How I love to sail o'er The bounding sea . . .” Bottles of whiskey tip over and roll onto the floor.
Jed jigs round the crate.
Penny, Kami and Akolo applaud and cheer.
Panting, Lazarus climbs down.
Jed claps. “Bravo! Just what do you keep in this crate?”
“Ah! Top secret and personal.” Lazarus lifts the cloth cover, shakes the padlock and lets the cover fall back. “Anyone who tampers with this is doomed. Doomed! Do yer hear me?”
Jed rubs his chin and scratches the back of his head. “At your age maybe you should confide in a friend about anything valuable you want taken care of later.”
“Who said anything about valuable? Just private, that's all. Come on, drink up.” Lazarus jigs round the room. “Oh, a sailor's life is the life for me How I love to sail o'er The bounding sea . . .”
* * *
A mobile sign on the deserted Sharpstone Beach reads, Danger. Blasting. Keep Clear.
A demolition expert wearing a safety helmet comes from the cave, trailing detonator cord down the beach, and connects it to a detonator near the water's edge. He winds the handle on a siren, creating an ear-splitting wail, moves back to the detonator and presses the plunger. A loud explosion and clouds of dust and fragments of rock shower down.
The expert ducks, clamps his hands over his helmet and runs for his life into the sea.
* * *
Jed and Ofa, dragging the electricity generator towards the defunct cannery entrance, pause when a dull explosion echoes around.
Jed tells Ofa, “That's Sharpstone Cave gone up in smoke. Pity they didn't do it a few days ago. Right, Ofa. Heave!” He and Ofa carry on moving the generator.
Jed says, “I'm really sorry I can't give you employment any longer. Have you got another job to go to?”
“Not right now, Mister Namara, but I'll be okay.”
They disappear inside the cannery with the generator.
They reappear, hesitate and stand still.
Jed turns to Ofa and offers a hand. “Thanks for everything. Good luck.”
Ofa smiles and shakes hands. “Same to you, Boss. I'll see you around.” He trudges off along the foreshore.
Kami and Akolo, dejectedly kicking stones and shells around further along the water's edge watch him go, turn and wander back to where Jed is standing.
“What do we do now, Jed?” Kami asks.
Jed puts his arms round Kami and Akolo's shoulders. “We'll put our thinking caps on with Penny.”
They set off along the beach.
* * *
Penny and Fusi, sitting on chairs in the shade outside Penny's house, look round when Jed, Kami and Akolo approach.
Penny tries a smile. “Hi. Join the think tank.”
Jed, Kami and Akolo sit on the ground.
“What have you come up with?” Jed asks.
Penny explains. “We're going to bluff Lazarus into opening that crate. I'm going to pretend I'm working undercover for the FBI and believe there are top secret documents stolen from the US Navy inside.”
Fusi takes over. “I'm going to make him think my father is the US Navy rear admiral who had the documents stolen from his office. I'll show him a picture of me with some rear admiral who was lecturing at my college in Washington.”
Jed grimaces. “Can't see him falling for that.”
Penny retorts, “Well you think of something then.”
Jed shrugs. “Okay. Up to you. I'll be ready outside to catch you when he kicks you out.”
* * *
Dim light glows from inside Lazarus's house. Outside in the darkness, Jed, Kami and Akolo stand in a line by the doorway.
Lazarus's voice bellows, “What! Are you mad? I don't care if you're Barack Obama's personal secretaries! Get out . . . both of you! Before I throw you out.”
Penny's voice trills, “Now look here Captain, if you . . .”
“Out! Out I say. I know you think I've got those lousy diamonds. Well you think wrong. Out!”
A scuffle breaks out. Fusi tumbles headlong through the doorway, landing at Jed's feet. Penny backs out hastily, fending off Lazarus's leg that tries to connect with her.
“Any luck, ladies?” Jed asks innocently.
An empty whiskey bottle wheezes over the heads of the group.
Fusi picks herself up, brushing off dust. “He wasn't very impressed.”
“Cantankerous old fool!” Penny hisses.
* * *
In the light of the rising sun, Lazarus whips the cover off the crate, unlocks the combination lock and opens the lid. He takes out a small linen bag, tied at the neck, a small padded envelope and a ring box. He places them on the floor and opens the box. An antique small gold band sits on the velvet cushion. Lazarus picks up the box, stares at the ring, smiles and closes the box. He puts it in the envelope, picks up the linen bag, kisses it, places it in the envelope, seals it firmly, places it on his makeshift bed, and takes a pen from a box beside the bed. He kneels and slowly writes an address on the envelope.
He stands and holds the envelope in front of his face, wiping his good eye. The address reads, Miss Alice Hornby, 317 Wadworthy Street West, Los Angeles, (328) 344-0353.
He drags the holdall from behind the crate, puts the envelope in and closes the bag.
He lowers the crate lid, secures it with the padlock, replaces the cover, picks up the holdall and goes out through the doorway.
* * *
In early morning sunlight, Captain Sam Kirkston watches from the bridge of his supply boat as a man casts off the ropes at Goodway jetty. The engine picks up speed and the vessel begins to move.
Lazarus runs along the jetty waving an envelope in one hand, carrying a holdall in the other. “Sam! Sam! Hang on, I've got something for you.”
The supply boat's engine slows. Sam leaves the bridge and crosses to the side of the deck. “What is it, Lazarus?”
“Just this envelope. Could you send it by courier when you get to Hamway City? I'll give you the money next week.”
“What's in it?”
“Family jewelry. Mother's necklace and ring. I'm sending them to my old sister in Los Angeles.”
“Throw it on. I'll fill in the customs form for you, but don't blame me if they insist on opening it.”
Lazarus tosses the envelope on board and Sam picks it up.
The supply boat gathers speed and heads out to sea.
Lazarus turns and walks to his ferry, where Fusi and her aunt, a frail old Polynesian lady, wait to board.
Fusi says, “Take it easy, Auntie. Let me help you.”
Fusi and aunt board, Lazarus throws his bag in, unties, jumps aboard, starts the engine and sails off.
Lazarus calls over his shoulder, “Still playacting, Miss Tangaroa, or have you tired of being an admiral's daughter?”
* * *
A sleek customs boat lies at anchor off Goodway Jetty.
A tender, manned by two male Polynesian customs officers wearing pastel-colored short sleeved shirts and black trousers, speeds towards the jetty and stops alongside.
* * *
The two customs officers cross the village recreation area, making a beeline for Lazarus's house.
One officer carries a long flexible bag.
Jed, sitting in the doorway of his house, jumps up.
Penny, pumping water into a bucket at the well, stops abruptly.
Kami, washing clothes in a tub outside her house, looks up. “Akolo! Quick! There's a raid on Lazarus's house.”
Akolo rushes from the house.
The customs officers enter Lazarus's house.
Jed runs over, followed by Kami, Akolo and Penny.
Chief steps from his house, folds his arms and sits on a chair.
Villagers hurry over, forming a group.
Ofa arrives at Jed's side. “Is it whiskey they're after, Mister Namara?”
“I think so, Ofa.”
“Lazarus won't like that,” Ofa tells him and walks away.
The officer who carried the bag comes out, holding a hand up. “Stand back please.”
Everyone moves back a few paces. The officer goes back inside.
“This is it,” predicts Jed. “It'll be the whiskey first, then they'll break open the crate. What do we do?”
'Pray?” Penny offers.
“I've got to get in there somehow. What excuse can I give them?” asks Jed.
The other customs man staggers out with two cartons of whiskey, puts them down against the house frontage and looks at the onlookers. “What are you lot looking so worried about?”
His colleague brings out two more cartons, puts them on top of the others and both men go back in.
The two officers carry on back and forth until twelve cartons are stacked up outside.
Both of them go back inside.
“It's now or never. I'm going in.” Jed makes to move.
“You can't, Jed. How are you going to . . .” Penny shuts up when the officers emerge, carrying the crate and place it in front of the whiskey pile.
“Funny. Seems to be empty, but we'll have to open it . . . just in case. Fetch the bag,” orders the first man.
The second officer goes in, returns with the long flexible bag, puts it down and opens it.
The first officer stoops, takes out a jemmy, straightens and advances on the crate. He forces the jemmy between the metal hasp and woodwork, levering forcefully. The woodwork gives way with a sickening splintering noise. A bit more levering and the hasp drops off.
Jed takes a pace forward.
The other man moves in, opens the lid and looks inside. “Empty. Nothing.”
Jed stares in disbelief.
Penny covers her face with her hands.
Kami and Akolo sink to the ground.
Both officers turn the crate upside down and closely inspect it, touching, feeling and searching for anything suspicious. They stand it on its end and walk round it. Satisfied, they turn it back to stand correctly. One officer throws the metal hasp inside and closes the lid, the other puts the jemmy back in the bag.
The villagers look on in silence.
The second official asks, “Any volunteers to help carry this stuff down to the jetty?” He points at the whiskey.
Some villagers shake their heads. They all step back.
“Fine. Thanks. Well then, is there something we can use to take it away?” pleads the same man.
The onlookers ignore him.
“Go and ask the chief,” suggests the first officer.
“The Chief? He's not going to help.”
Both officers look over to Chief.
Chief stands, points to a crude wooden cart with handmade wooden wheels under trees a short distance from the recreation area, and sits again, folding his arms.
“Hell fire! Okay, we'll do it ourselves,” moans number one. He strides over to the cart and pushes it to the stack of cartons. Both of them load the whiskey, number two puts the long bag on and both push the confiscated liquor across the recreation area.
The villagers walk away and Chief goes inside his house.
Jed, Penny, Kami and Akolo walk up to the crate.
“I think it's black magic,” declares Akolo.
“Grow up, Akolo,” scolds Kami.
“I think Lazarus is one step ahead of us,” admits Jed.
Chapter 4
Long shadows reach over the village in the fading sunset. Lazarus walks across the recreation area, swinging his bag, and stops in his tracks on reaching his house where the crate sits outside the doorway. “Ho, ho, ho! Ha ha ha! That'll teach 'em. Hee, Hee, Hee!”
Jed looks up from cooking a fish over a wood fire outside his house.
Lazarus turns and looks over to Jed. “Hey! Buddy! Do you feel better now?”
Jed carries on cooking.
Lazarus steps into his house. A loud roar comes from within. “Aaargh!”
Jed grimaces.
Lazarus's voice booms, “My booze! I'll kill 'em!”
Lazarus rushes out.
“Problem, Lazarus?” Jed says snidely.
“I'll give 'em problems all right. Where are they?”
“Gone . . . hours ago. Your whiskey's halfway to Hamway City. Aren't you worried about your crate?”
“Why should I be? It can be fixed.”
“What about your . . . er . . . personal things?”
“Oh them. They went away earlier . . . miles away.”
“Straight up?”
“No, they sort of went . . . sideways.” Lazarus holds an arm out horizontally. “Who said old Lazarus was a fool?”
Penny, outside her house, places her arms on her hips. “I did.”
“Well shame on you, madam. Teachers should know better,” Lazarus chides.
Fusi walks up behind Lazarus. “They . . . whatever they are . . . did go sideways. I saw you give Captain Kirkston a package this morning just as he set sail.”
“That I did, lady. Aye.”
Kami joins Jed and takes over cooking the fish. “I'll finish this. You're burning it on one side.”
Lazarus goes inside his house, Penny takes a bucket over to the pump, Fusi walks over to Jed and Kami.
Fusi says, “Sorry, Jed, but he definitely sent something on the supply boat. A padded envelope.”
“Looks like it's all over. So close as well,” Jed says bitterly.
Kami strokes Jed's hand. “We'll think of something.”
Fusi walks away.
Jed looks deep in thought. “I wonder where that package is headed for? Can't do a darn thing until Sam comes back over next week. He should be able to tell me more.”
Akolo comes up, carrying a battery lantern. “I'm going to try and catch some fish tonight. I'll be back late.” He walks away.
“Kami?” Jed pulls a cheeky face.
“What?”
“Would you say you and me get on well?”
“I'd say that? Why?”
“Maybe we should . . . you know . . . get a little closer?”
“How do I know you haven't got a wife back home?”
“Wife! Come off it. I never had the time.”
“I'll have to think about it.”
* * *
Kami slips into Jed's house, carrying a lighted battery lantern, tiptoes to where Jed, bare-chested in shorts, is sleeping on the bed, puts the lantern on the shelf, slides onto the bed and throws her arms r
ound him.
Jed shoots up. “What the ...! Kami?”
Kami pushes him back on the bed. “Shh! We don't want to wake the village up.” She strokes his face and kisses him tenderly on the lips.
Jed rolls over and pulls her close.
* * *
Jed and Kami, arms around each other's waists, stroll on Tradewind Hill overlooking the jetty and the sea beyond.
Kami tells him, “We'll be gossiped about in the village, that's for sure. But I don't care.”
Jed sighs. “My only concern is I'll have to pack up and leave shortly. Money's tight. I'll have to take the boat over to Rockyway soon and draw the remaining dollars from the bank.”
“I'm not even thinking about that. There must be something we can do.”
“Like what?”
“Oh . . . something. Perhaps we're jumping to conclusions about Lazarus.”
Jed nods in agreement. “Like I said, I'm hoping Sam can tell me something about that package. Just have to sit it out another week.”
“If only this island wasn't so isolated.”
“Oh, it has advantages as well.” Jed moves his arm from Kami's waist, uses both arms to lift her and carries her towards a sandy hollow surrounded by vegetation.
Kami kicks and wriggles in mock protest. “Put me down, Jed Namara. Someone might see.”
Jed lowers her in the hollow and drops down beside her.
Ofa appears from behind a large rock and strides along the hilltop. He stops suddenly, listening.
“Just cut that out, Jed! Ouch!”
Ofa looks around.
An old straw cowboy hat rises into the air and falls.
Ofa spots Kami and Jed rolling about in the hollow and walks over to them. “Morning, Mister Namara. Nice day for getting some exercise.”
Jed and Kami freeze, then slowly turn and look up.
“Ofa Latu! What are you doing up here?” Kami spouts indignantly.
Jed cackles, “I was gonna say bird watching, but forget it.”
Ofa looks flustered. “Sorry, Kami, didn't mean to interrupt. Just taking a walk and thinking, that's all. Really sorry.” He turns, walks up the hill and disappears over the crest.
“He's just bored,” Jed says. “He loved working at the cannery.” He recovers his straw hat. “Might as well head back. Come on.”
Jed and Kami leave the hollow and walk back along the side of the hill.
Kami points out to sea. “Oh look, that must be Fusi's father's boat coming to take her back to Hamerstown.” A twin deck motor yacht, about thirty meters long, heads towards the island.
“Whew! Must be nice to have a rich daddy,” Jed remarks. He stops walking. “Wait a minute. Ship's radio. The supply boat has radio as well. Perhaps Fusi could arrange for me to speak with Sam?”
