Escape from Andaman

Escape from Andaman

David E. Perrott

Smashwords Edition

Escape from Andaman

Copyright © 2012 David E. Perrott

www.perrott.net.au

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The information, views, opinions and visuals expressed in this publication are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the publisher. The publisher disclaims any liabilities or responsibilities whatsoever for any damages, libel or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from the contents of this publication.

A copy of this publication can be found in the National Library of Australia.

ISBN: 978-1-742842-93-6 (pbk.)

Published by Book Pal

www.bookpal.com.au

Contents

Foreword

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

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Foreword

Everyone who has lived and loved with someone else believes that they know their good friends well.

Their likes, their dislikes, how they have their coffee, how they feel when the rain falls.

Leasa was no different; she was married for over twenty years,then her husband died in a car accident.

A few years later she went to the Andaman Islands for a chance to get away from her grief.

While on a boat in the Indian Ocean, she discovered, to her astonishment, that her late husband had led a double life, and that her very life was now in grave danger, now that she knew.

She wondered how this could have happened, and she asked the question that we all should ask:

How well do we really know anybody?

Chapter 1

The Andaman Islands are a little-known group of islands in the north of the India Ocean. The old British penal colony is long gone, even most of the relics of the Japanese occupation during World War II have gone. Port Blair is a bustling city crammed with cars, motor bikes, pushbikes and people. Some of the outer islands are so isolated that as late as 2001 some fishermen that strayed on to one of the outlying islands were shot and killed with bows and arrows. A helicopter sent to retrieve the bodies was also repelled with arrows and the natives fled back into the jungle with the bodies, which were believed to have been eaten.

None of this worried Leasa Eastings who was an Australian stranded in Port Blair. This forty-year-old widow was down on her luck and her money. After wandering the old stone streets, she rested on a park bench under a huge fig tree. An old man, speaking only Andamanese, approached her and handed her the local paper. The second handpaper that he had found was in English, and was of no use to him. Just pleased to find something in English, she read as far as the employment section. She read the advertisement twice before searching for an old pencil that she had found the day before. She circled an address. She hurried back to the cockroach-infested first floor room, where she was staying. She soon changed her clothes and was on her way to an old part of Port Blair, near the waterfront. The dilapidated old buildings, which were made of timber that had never painted, rambled each side of the narrow winding street. The building number, obscured by a stunted mango tree, was faded red, and hung crookedly by one nail. Two women were entering the door as Leasa arrived. The tall man with straggly grey hair and beard cleaned his gold-rimmed glasses, then called, Who is next? They all looked at each other, as they had all arrived at the same time. Santina got slowly to her feet and walked towards the gruff voice. His dull grey uniform with the tarnished brass buttons hung loosely as he leant forward. She walked with purpose towards him; a blue dress encased her slender body. Her brilliant white sandals were in sharp contrast to her olive skinned feet. Her dark brown hair was layer cut to finish at her neckline. Her green almost-glowing eyes seemed to flash as she spoke through her slender lips.

I’m Santina Steel. She handed him a form and smiled, as he looked her up and down over his glasses. He silently checked her form against his list, stopping often to look her up and down.

Finally, he stamped the form, folded it in three and returned it.

Please go to the first door on the left. He gestured with gusto.

Santina took a deep sigh of relief as some of the applicants had left via the front door. She walked towards the door not looking at the others, her head held high and straight ahead.

Next. Alison stood and looked from side to side. Her shoulder length blonde hair, held back by her ears, shook as she took each step. Her short white dress held tight to her curvy figure. Her opened, plunging neckline displayed a curious pendant, hanging preciously on her full breasts. The old man smiled as she leant forward with the form. Intentionally she rested her breasts on the high counter making them look larger and about to pop out on to his counter. An old trick for such a young woman and it didn’t go unnoticed by the old man. Leasa looked out from under her fringe at the short white dress that exposed Alison’s panties as she reached across the counter. What chance did she have? The man in the grey uniform handed Alison back the form and sent her, too, to the back room. Already, three had been selected to go to the rear of the building, not sent out the front door.

That left, only two in the room. Leasa was, in her early forties and was dressed in dark orange slacks and mottled purple and red top. She sat leaning forward over the low circular table.

In one hand she held a book, the other groping around on the table trying to reach the half-flat glass of soda water that sat just out of her reach. She knew too well that the others were young and good looking, but she had to try. She knew that only four positions were advertised and three had been selected. She tried to hide her worry by reading, but it was not working. Niome was next. She walked slowly in her tight black pants, with a white open necked blouse had large lapels and collar. The black sandshoes with white soles and laces were new. Her exposed ears studded with small diamonds, which matched the sparkle in her eyes. She was young and inexperienced, but she was not going to let shyness get in the way of her big chance, and spoil her dreams. Finally, it was Leasa’s turn. She felt fat and frumpy as she walked towards the counter.

The man behind the counter still watched her without a smile. He carefully checked the form only looking up when checking her date of birth. He took a deep breath then waited for what seemed like an eternity before he spoke.

Please go through the door with the others.

Her racing heart almost stopped as she absorbed what he had said. She took a deep breath, lifted her head and she turned to walk away.

She glanced back at the counter and she could see the steel grey eyes of the bearded man watching her, and she was sure that she seen a grin through the wiry grey beard.

The room with a large desk had only four chairs, all of which were already occupied.

The others in the room looked at each other, and then at Leasa, suddenly she felt twice her age. A woman sat smiling as she walked in. Leasa had not seen her before. Olivia was brown and curvy with Asian eyes like dark almonds. Her long shiny black hair hung loosely over her right shoulder as she turned her head to greet Leasa.

The door behind the desk opened and the same uniformed, grey bearded man walked in and sat down behind the timber desk in the corner. Leasa just stood. He shuffled with some papers before looking at each one in turn.

As you all know, only four positions are available. The ship leaves on Thursday, and we have to make a decision before then, but for now you are all in with a chance of a position. I have booked you all into the The Coves Hotel for the three days. Please arrive at 10 o’clock tomorrow, go to reception, pick up your room key and be ready for a noon lunch appointment. He again tapped his papers on their ends to level them, stood and left the room. All looked at each other and then made their way to the door from which they came.

Chapter 2

The Coves Hotel stood on the rocky point overlooking the Indian Ocean.

It was an old colonial building left over from the British past, but had recently been up graded to a five star resort, and that made it almost impossible to get a room without a booking in advance. The old colonial style had been retained, and with the new fit out, it was by far the best hotel on the island. Taxis pull to a halt in the huge circular driveway, with its gleaming white round pillars and manicured gardens, dotted with topiary trees.

The local dark-skinned boys trained and dressed in white slacks and blue jackets with shiny buttons and gleaming white teeth, rush to open the taxi doors and carry the luggage. Leasa arrived in a taxi using almost all of her money, but she was determined to impress. The other four girls were already there. They stuck together, not knowing why Leasa was there at all.

The four booked in together and the overzealous bellboys almost fought over their luggage.

Leasa booked in alone, carrying her only bag. Every-one went to the third floor, where, all of their rooms were side by side.

Santina entered her room, tipped the bellboy and closed the door. She took a deep breath as she leaned back against the closed door. The smell of the salt water filled the room as she imagined how much this room would cost. It was very different from the two-room flat she shared with her two girls and a cat.

Leasa entered her room, to see the sun streamed in from the balcony. The bellboy waiting expectantly for a tip, Leasa felt embarrassed as she dredged through her purse, knowing, that there was nothing to find. She pulled out a blank sheet of paper and an old half-worn red pencil. I’m sorry, I don’t have any change, you just write down how much you think I should tip you, and as soon as I get change, I’ll give it to you. The young lad looked wearily at the paper, shrugging his shoulders; he finally agreed and turned to walk away. She grabbed his arm as he reached for the door. Thanks, and I’ll double it if no-one finds out about out arrangement.

It’s ok, Madam. The others would not believe me, even if I told them.

She squeezed his arm they parted.

Alison went through to the balcony and looked out across at the turquoise rolling sea. Her eyes turned down to see the hotel swimming pool with the hotel logo, a palm tree, in the tiled floor of the pool. She could see the thatched roofed huts and lay back chairs around the pool. She could not believe where she was. If only her old mother was still alive, and could see her now. Alison looked to the left and could see Niome and Santina on their balconies and she waved. She turned to the right and saw Leasa looking at her, she instinctively waved. Leasa a bit surprised waved back. The balconies separated just enough to stop people from jumping from one to the other. Alison undid the three buttons on her dress and it dropped to the floor. Her tanned skin stood out against her white bikini.

Again Leasa wondered, how she could, ever compete with that. Leasa went inside and poured herself a drink; the clinking ice was cool against her lips. She began to wish that she had failed the interview, but she just could not give up. Sure the others had youth, beauty and charm on their side, but she had experience. She looked in the mirror at the face looking back, and a frown appeared. Experience? Her she was just on the wrong side of forty. A widow, she was flat broke, maybe a little overweight and still did not know why she was there. Depressed, she flopped back on to the king size bed. Then something in her mind told her to get up and take a good look at herself. She had managed to get this far, she just might have to put a bit more effort to beat one of the others. Again, she stood in front of the mirror. Practicing her smile as she sipped politely and unbuttoned the top button on her floral top, but the mirror would not lie to her.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she spied something that she had missed, an interconnecting door to the next room. Instinctively she checked to make sure that it was locked.

Santina looked down at the winding road leading to the hotel. She watched the long white limousine weaving its way slowly to the hotel. The limousine pulled to a stop and the uniformed driver got out, his eyes swept the area before he opened the large door.

Two men, both tall and of Mediterranean appearance stood beside the car for a second to button their jackets, then made their way across to the large glass entry doors.

The bellboys waited with their hands by their sides, just smiling. The hotel manager greeted the two men, and then gave a nod to the nervous bellboys who then ran quickly to the boot of the car. The manager walked the two men to a private elevator, which took them to the penthouse suite, Ossar is already here. he spoke and the two men looked at each other and nodded a reply, I hope everything will be to your liking, Mister Mendosa.

Mequila Mendosa was a tall man with a large black beard. He was a wealthy businessman that many people believed had links to terrorist groups and espionage, he spoke rarely in public. Pierre knew when he nodded he was happy, when he frowned he was not happy, today he nodded, so Pierre bowed as the elevator doors closed. As the door to the elevator closed, another white limousine came to a stop. The manager returned to the second limousine, this time a face he knew well, the grey bearded man with the gold-rimmed glasses. Alnos, my friend. He shook his hand and guided him, too, towards the private elevator. Mendosa, Renno and Ossar are here. Please call me if they need anything. Alnos looked at Pierre. Pierre you must not worry so much, if Mendosa was unhappy he would not keep coming back to your hotel. He is happy with the service and most importantly the discretion shown by yourself and your staff. Alnos nodded his head as the elevator door closed on Pierre, the smiling hotel manager.

Leasa moved out into the sun on the balcony, rubbing oil onto her legs and arms.

She felt embarrassed as she had not worn a swimsuit for years and felt half-naked. She swallowed her pride and lay back in the sun. Repeating in her mind that she had to try. She heard the phone in Niome’s room ring and she knew hers would be next, and it was. Alnos had arranged for lunch in the garden beside the pool. He was sitting at the table with a glass of scotch and ice as they arrived. Looking carefully at each one in turn, he got up and kissed each one on the cheek as they moved around the table. The lavish table of lobster and prawns served with tropical fruit and salads that were plentiful in this part of the world. The ladies all ate heartily, as this sort of buffet would not be an everyday occurrence. The cold champagne made them giggle, as they sat back and looked around at the other guests of the hotel. Alnos watched them all carefully, very carefully. Leasa watched Alnos, watching the others. When his eyes got to her, she looked him directly in his eyes and raised her glass. Alnos smiled and did the same tilting his head to one side while raising his eyebrows as he did. He finally got up from his seat and turned to address the group. Now, may I have your attention? Please listen carefully, ladies. Tonight, we go to the casino. I have arranged for a selection of eveningwear to be delivered to your rooms. Please ask the assistants if you cannot find anything suitable. If you have any other problems ring me in my room 304. He paused and looked towards Leasa. Next door to Leasa, I believe. Alnos looked at Leasa and, then continued. The jewelry, of course, is on loan so please handle it carefully. He again paused looking at each face before he continued. So please return to your room and have a rest, as it may be a long night. It is been requested that you all meet at the executive penthouse at 5.30 sharp for pre dinner drinks. Sharp means sharp. Ladies, please do not be late. Thank you, ladies. Alnos stood and watched as they all walked back past the glass-enclosed foyer, and to the elevator. The ladies chattering amongst themselves, never noticed as they walked past three men sitting at a low table and watching their every move.

The door on the elevator closed, and then Alnos approached the table, where the three men sat. Why are there five? Mendosa spoke softly to Alnos as he tipped the last of his scotch and ice from his glass. Alnos took a deep breath and shakily replied.

I thought that, perhaps, I could join you on this trip. Alnos waited. The three looked at each other then at Alnos, a wide grin broke across their faces. Of course, Alnos, my friend, of course. We never thought you would want to come with us. You are a married man and a government official here on Andaman. All waited for Alnos to reply, he took a deep breath.

Perhaps, I wish to live before I die. I’ve taken leave and we have a temporary replacement in my position. He nodded his head. My marriage of convenience was to get the government position, as you all know, it is long and worn. But please don’t mention the other business.

They all raised their glasses. Alnos walked away, smiling through his grey beard.

Leasa sat quietly in the large chair by the table in her room, her mind wandered back over her past few years. Her eyes filled and overflowed, as she recalled arguing with her husband and yelling at him, as he stormed from their country house in the Dandenong's, and the screech of the tyres as he left. She watched the disappearing tail light be eaten up by the fog. Then the glow of fire as his car left the winding road and exploded. She sobbed uncontrollably as she remembers her son, after the funeral, abusing her in front of all the family. It was all your fault! You are such a bitch. You don't deserve to be called a Williams. I never want to see you again. Her sixteen-year-old son too, screeched the tires of his mate’s car as he left. She had never heard from him again. She had tried so hard to find him but he seemed to have vanished. A loud knock at the door startled her back to the present.

Room service, a female voice announced. Leasa tried to see through the fish eye lens in the door, but had the wrong eye closed. She never could work the 'peephole' out.

The well-groomed woman pushed her trolley loaded with hair and beauty products past Leasa and into the lounge. Now let’s have a look at you my dear. Her poor French accent was obviously fake; her beehive hairdo clung neatly to her head. "You have been crying, oh dear. Well we will have