The survivor, p.1
The Survivor, page 1
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2023 by IJ Development
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2023932137
ISBNs: 978-1-5387-2637-2 (hardcover), 978-1-5387-5655-3 (large type), 978-1-5387-2639-6 (Canadian trade), 978-1-5387-2640-2 (ebook)
E3-20230403-JV-NF-ORI
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
Discover More
About the Author
Books by Iris Johansen (In Order of Publication)
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PROLOGUE
PALANDAN FOREST
FIVE YEARS AGO
Close.
Run!
Dear God, they were so close.
Maya could hear Aden Nadim’s men yelling, howling like wolves on the hunt, as they broke through the brush behind her. She could see the harsh glare of the flashlights bouncing off the lush green jungle growth. It would only be minutes before that light speared into the ditch where she was hiding. Then they would be all over her, on the attack, clawing to be first to please Nadim.
Time to go aerial.
She rolled out of the ditch into the creek and got to her feet, heading for the trees. She thought she’d seen a stand of spruce in this area. She could hear her boots splashing in the water, but those hyenas behind her would be yelling too loud for them to hear her until she reached the mature trees deeper in the forest.
She hoped.
Then she was there. There was a large spruce to the right of the creek.
Climb!
Fast.
Hurry. Get above the glare of the flashlights and into the dense leaves of the tree.
Nadim’s crew were at the ditch now. She could hear Nadim’s furious voice urging them on. Telling them to get the bitch or he’d have their dicks.
Then they were past the ditch and right below her.
And she heard Nadim screaming into the darkness: “I know you’re out there, you vicious bitch. Do you think you’re going to get away? We’ll rape you and then cut your heart out. Do you hear me?”
She held her breath. Go on, you bastards. She knew she wasn’t safe. She didn’t think they could see her this high in the foliage, but she couldn’t be sure. Or the tree bark could be wet from her body. Or there was always a chance that she’d left streaks of blood on the tree from Nadim’s wound. The son of a bitch had bled like a stuck pig.
They were going deeper into the forest!
She let her breath out. She gave them a minute more and then she started moving through the branches from tree to tree until she could no longer hear them. She was almost back to her camp now. She just might get out of this alive.
This time.
But with Nadim there was always going to be a next time…
CHAPTER 1
PALANDAN ISLAND
SOUTHEAST ASIA
PRESENT DAY
Maybe it wasn’t true, Maya thought. It could be just a rumor. The Neztart village didn’t really have any experience with that bastard Nadim. They’d always been terrified of the stories about him.
Well, so had Maya, because most of the stories weren’t rumors, and she had more experience with Nadim than she ever wanted to repeat. Her heart was beating hard at just the thought of him. But she mustn’t let Charles Bevan see that fear. She’d never really trusted him. He was too slick and self-serving. She could never tell if he would take advantage of any weakness.
“You’re sure it’s him?” She kept her tone cool and absolutely calm. “Where did you hear Nadim was anywhere near the island? You can’t trust any of the northern villages. He’s supposed to still be in India.”
“But we both knew he’d be back as soon as he had enough bribes floating out there to buy his way back into the local landowners’ good graces.” His voice was slightly mocking as he leaned back in her office chair. “You made Nadim very angry when you stuck that dagger into his hand. I’d only just arrived here on the island when I heard the story of how you just strode over to him and stabbed him. I couldn’t believe it. If you wanted to get rid of him, you should have gone for the jugular.”
“I was angry.” She shrugged. “And I’d already had one bad run-in with him. He’d just struck one of my foremen on the head with the butt of his gun. It was a delicate situation. I wanted to punish, not cause the incident to escalate.”
“And if you hadn’t been surrounded by another ten or twelve more of your men, I’m sure that he would have taken you back to his camp that night for fun, games, and painful interrogation. I guarantee he wouldn’t have been nearly as sparing with your blood.”
“He didn’t have the chance. Besides, I’d already decided I was going to throw him off the island.” Her mouth tightened. “And I did.”
“Yet bad things could still have happened. That’s why I’m here to tell you that you’re entirely too gentle for this kind of business. You need to take on a partner.” He smiled. “And I happen to be available. Don’t you think this is the time?”
“Where did you hear Nadim was on his way?” she repeated.
His smile faded. “I’ve no objection to bribery, either. And I don’t like the idea of Nadim stealing something that I’ve been wanting to acquire for myself. Nadim’s top man, Max Gunter, has been in my pay since the night you kicked Nadim off the island. You’ll probably be upset to know Nadim did very well in India. He’s got a full crew now and he’s ready to go after you and whatever treasure he believes you have tucked away on this island. Plus, he’s sure any poaching he does on Palandan will be immensely profitable since you don’t allow any hunting on the island or in those mountains that belong to it.” He shook his head. “I could be a good partner to you, Maya. We’ve done business here for the last two years, and you know I’ve never cheated you. Why not take the next step? I’ll protect you and keep Nadim from cutting your throat. In return, naturally, I’ll require you to be accommodating enough to consider making the arrangement even closer. I’ve always had a yen for you when you’re not being lethal. You might also furnish me with that prize Nadim thinks you’re keeping hidden from him.”
She gave him an incredulous look. Then she laughed scornfully. “You don’t want much, do you?”
“I want everything,” Bevan said. “And I’ll get it, either from you or from Nadim. It would help if I knew exactly what it was that he was trying to relieve you of, but even Gunter couldn’t tell me that. He only said that Nadim told him he’d drain you dry before he killed you. What is it? Jewels? Money? I’ve been waiting and watching, but you’re very clever and I haven’t found it for myself yet.” He lowered his voice to soft persuasiveness. “But it will come, Maya. You think that all these villagers you have surrounding you here on the island will keep Nadim away? He’ll crush them like ants in an anthill. I could do it myself. Make the deal with me and I’ll find a way to keep you alive.”
“I don’t think so.” Maya shook her head. “I’m not as gentle or tenderhearted as you think, Bevan. And I don’t appreciate that you’ve been waiting until you were sure you’d have Nadim as backup before you decided to make your move. Neither you nor Nadim had better threaten or attack any of these villagers, or I’ll find a way to punish you.” Her lips tightened. “It’s true I don’t like to kill or maim, but I believe I could mak e an exception in your case.” She opened her desk drawer, pulled out her Smith & Wesson, and pointed it at him. “I think you’d better leave now.”
His smile faded as he saw the weapon. “You’re making a mistake, Maya.”
“I’ve made them before, but I don’t think this is one. This feels entirely right. Get out, Bevan. Don’t come back.”
His face flushed. “Oh, I’ll be back. There’s no point in getting all upset over a disagreement. Let’s forget this little discussion. You’re an exceptional businesswoman, and my produce and construction companies have made you and your villagers a good deal of money in the past couple years. I only want the best for you. I’ll give you another chance later to reconsider… an expansion. And I guarantee you’ll welcome me. Perhaps on your knees, Maya.” He turned on his heels and strode out of the house.
Maya’s hand instinctively tightened on the gun. He’d tried to mend fences in those last few minutes, but that initial threat couldn’t have been more clear. Then she deliberately relaxed her grip and returned the weapon to the desk drawer. She’d been a little hasty. Think about it, acknowledge the threat, but don’t let it get in the way of keeping Palandan safe.
“He was angry.” Tashi, her housekeeper, came into the office and brought them both a cup of tea. In her full-length silk beige-gold sarong and chic upswept, gray-streaked hair, she was elegant, graceful, but definitely disapproving. “I eavesdropped, of course, and I think you should have shot him. He showed you no respect.”
“And I showed him the same lack of respect.” Maya sipped her tea. “It was that kind of conversation.” She chuckled. “And you always think I should shoot first, negotiate later.”
“It would be safer for you.” Tashi sat down in the brocade chair beside the desk. “Jann Lu would have done it. Sometimes the old ways are best.”
“Jann Lu is dead.”
“She would not be dead if she’d shot the last man who tried to kill her,” Tashi said. “She was not fast enough, but she never hesitated to go after any enemy. You should learn from her.” She gazed at Maya critically. “Bevan frightened you. You hid it from him, but I could tell. You were frightened for us. You should know that we are much better fighters than Bevan or Nadim.”
“But they have more lethal weapons.” Maya leaned wearily back in her chair. “We’re too vulnerable. We have to change and become stronger. We’ve always been able to take down the Nadims and Bevans of the world, but technology is making it harder. And what about India and China right on our doorstep? Who knows who will be next? It’s a different world, and there are too many Nadims ready to leap out and attack. Bevan could be right; it may be time to make a deal.”
“No!” Tashi shook her head. “You cannot do that. You won’t do that. We won’t let you.”
“You can’t stop me.” She reached out and affectionately covered Tashi’s hand. “And you know that I would never do anything that would bring pain or dishonor to the island, nor to the villagers who have given their lives to protect it. But maybe I can strike a balance. Bevan could be right about making a deal. This might be the time when I can reach out and change our world. Would you trust me?”
Tashi didn’t answer immediately. “Perhaps. You’re thinking of Riley Smith? I thought you’d given up on that possibility.” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We’d be willing to let you try. If you’re not foolish enough to get yourself killed rather than pull that trigger. That can’t happen.”
“It won’t.” Maya was frowning. “But the situation is going to be very sensitive, and I don’t know how much time I’ll have. Did someone follow Bevan when he left here?”
Tashi nodded. “Dawa. We knew you’d want to keep track of him after he treated you with such disrespect.”
“In case you wished to punish him?” Maya asked sarcastically. “At the moment, all I want is to know where he is and who he’s meeting with here on the island. It would help if I knew when and where he might also be meeting with Nadim. I believe that will be inevitable.”
Tashi nodded. “Then we will find out.” She rose to her feet. “Bevan was right: You should have slit Nadim’s throat when you had a chance. It would have been much more efficient.” She shrugged. “But you have problems making that move. I understand. You are still young. It is good that you at least have a certain intelligence.”
“I’m glad you believe I have something going for me,” Maya said wryly.
“You’ve been with us for many years. You have a good heart, and you fight for us. Therefore you belong to us, even if you could be wiser. But you must work on it, Maya.” She swept gracefully toward the door but stopped before she reached it. “I almost forgot, thanks to that foolish Bevan. You have to go see Bailey right away. She wants to see you before she goes to sleep. She is worried.”
“About what?” Maya sighed. “Or who?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I didn’t think it would matter to you. You know she will not sleep until she sees you. She was working on her studies all evening and then decided she had to see you. She was going to come to you. I knew you wouldn’t want that tonight.”
“No.” Maya headed for the door. “And you’re right, it wouldn’t matter. But I already dropped in to see her this afternoon, and she wasn’t worried then. I need to know if I’m going to have a trip or just an update.”
“It is Bailey.” Tashi was following her out of the main house and down the walk to the arched bridge, past the armed guards. “Either way it will be fine.” She watched Maya cross the bridge and head toward the curved door. “And it will be good for you to not have to think about Bevan or Nadim for a little while. Do you want me to wait for you?”
Maya looked over her shoulder. “Why?”
“Because you belong to us, and you’re a little sad tonight.”
“I won’t be sad while I’m with Bailey,” she said gently. “But I thank you for the thought.”
“You’re very welcome,” Tashi said as she turned and headed back toward the main house. “If you can, I suggest you let Bailey take you far away for a little while.”
“I might do that.” Maya opened the door and peeked into Bailey’s room. It appeared Tashi had been wrong. Bailey was curled up on the couch with one of her textbooks, but she appeared to have dozed off. Maya could see her tousled mop of golden hair against the embroidered teal cushion. Maya just stood and gazed at her for a long moment. Curled up like this, she looked smaller and younger than her ten years, and yet Maya knew when she woke her blue eyes would be filled with spirit and intelligence and probably the worry Tashi had told her about. Maya suddenly wanted to touch her. She took a step closer…
And Bailey instantly opened her eyes, wide awake. “Hi, Mama.” She gave a quick yawn and sat up on the couch. “I’m glad you’re here. Though it took you a long time.”
“But here I am,” Maya said. “I came as fast as I could.” She sat down and put her arm around Bailey’s shoulders. “What are we supposed to be worried about?”
“The baby,” Bailey said. “I’m worried about Riva’s baby.”
“I didn’t even know Riva was going to have a baby.” She tried to remember exactly which deer Riva was. “Why should you worry about her?”
“Because she’s always alone. I didn’t know she was going to have a baby, either, but she always kept to herself and away from the rest of the others. Then today I was sitting here and thinking about her, and I suddenly knew why.”
“Knew? Are you sure?”
“Of course not,” Bailey said. “I don’t know much about babies. I’ve only read about them in some of my books, and I saw one being born on the mountain once. That was cool.” She added quickly, “And scary.”
“Well, do you think that we have to really worry about Riva? Does she look like that mother who gave birth on the mountain?”
She shook her head. “Skinnier.”
“Do you think you might know if Riva was close to that point?”
Bailey shrugged. “Maybe.” Then she asked, “You mean the same way I learned about the baby?” She thought about it. “Yeah, it was as if she told me. Maybe she didn’t want to be alone any longer.”
“So if I send the herdsman, Chima, up to the mountain to keep an eye on Riva, do you think that would be safe for her? You like Chima, don’t you?”
