The well lubricated leader smiled big and congratulated the informant on his effort. "You and Little Brother have done well. Cong will reward... our efforts."
*~*~*~*
The delights of a respite from the cramped boat in Natuna Besar, was now a week behind them. New supplies had been brought onboard and the three large water barrels at the front of the boat had been refilled with fresh water. The group had spent a couple of days on dry land before moving on, while the old man had rigged up a sail to help conserve fuel.
Billiton Island was a day's sailing away and their last stop before tackling the Selat Sunda Strait, between Sumatra and Java. Once they traversed the relatively calm passage and sailed into the open Indian Ocean, there were no more supply stops and no turning back. Over a thousand nautical miles of deep and treacherous water, between Jakarta and Ashmore Island, lay ahead and they had to conserve their resources. The only thing between them and dying at sea, was their ability to keep moving and stay afloat.
With the equator behind them, the old man relaxed a little. The weather changed so rapidly on the equator and at this time of year, a dangerous thunderstorm or squall could quickly escalate and mushroom into a typhoon without warning and send the small boat to the bottom of the ocean, without a trace. So far, the wooden plank vessel had survived, but she was starting to take on water fast. Like a sieve trying to hold back a river, it kept people busy bailing the bilge with buckets, taking turns, day and night. The old man worried at their predicament, while they hadn’t even entered the worst part of the journey yet, and he tried to figure out a way of making the dying vessel last the dangers that were still ahead of them.
The old timber needed to be pitched with tar and painted, but there weren't any facilities to do that. No dry dock existed out here. The only conclusion he could come to: they had to keep moving and venture as far into Australian territorial waters as possible and attract the Australian Navy's attention, before they attracted the wrong type of attention... or sank.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 40
Two ICU nurses were about to complete shift change; the nightshift nurse handed over her responsibilities to her dayshift counterpart. Patient charts and medication needs had been discussed; roster changes brought up to date; and doctor's comments and requirements entered onto the log. The oncoming nurse glanced past her colleague into the closest ICU observation room window.
"Is she still here?!"
"Mmm… she rarely moves from his bedside and when she does, she brings him fresh flowers. She chats to him as if he is awake and lucid and then settles in to read to him for long periods. When she finally runs out of steam, she falls asleep, slumped across his chest. We hear her praying for him, every time she comes in and leaves and if we have to do anything for him, she asks if she can do it."
"Is he showing any signs of change?"
"His brain activity hasn't changed since they took him off to surgery, a couple of weeks ago. It's still very much a game of wait and see," the nightshift nurse whispered, as if she was conveying a great secret.
The oncoming nurse sighed, hoping the woman wouldn’t be disappointed at the most probable outcome. "She is so devoted to him. I hope, for her sake, that he pulls through."
"Yeah, me too... well, it's all yours. I am off home and to bed. Another twelve hours down and in two more shifts, I am on holidays for a month."
"Half your luck."
The dayshift nurse pushed open the door to the ICU observation room and startled the small figure, leaning her head across the patient's chest. She had obviously woken when the door creaked open.
The nurse laid her hand gently on the figure's shoulder. "Would you like a cup of tea, sweetheart," the nurse enquired.
Juliana lifted her head stiffly from Des' chest and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her aching neck. "Mmm. Thank you. That would be wonderful."
"His colour looks good today," the nurse remarked in a whisper.
"Yes," she said quietly. "He is getting better each day."
The nurse smiled at her positive outlook. "I'll be back shortly."
Juliana glanced up at the clock, through the observation window at the nurses' station wall and then sighed. It was almost four o'clock. She had promised Tonya that she would be home by four thirty, to look after the boys for a couple of hours, so Tonya could attend to some matters of her own, but she didn't want to leave Des' side. She stood and grabbed up her shoulder bag and placed it over her shoulder, then prayed for Des. Her bag slipped down off her shoulder as she leaned in to kiss him, then gently squeezed his good hand.
"I love you, my knight. I will be back as soon as I can."
As she pulled open the door and exited his room, she waved at the nurse. "I have to go for a couple of hours."
"Okay, we will let you know of any developments," the nurse said hopefully.
Just as Juliana walked away, a pair of eyes flickered open and tried to focus against the weight of his eyelids. A momentary battle raged against his consciousness and his eyes flickered closed again, drifting back into the vast blackness.
The sweet voice speaking to his mind had gone and he wanted it back.
*~*~*~*
Dan Harop skipped up the steps into Police Central, three at a time. It was his week to don the chaplain jacket and spend some time with the police officers on patrol. As he entered the familiar surrounds, he was greeted by numerous officers, and then made his way into the muster area. Dan made it a habit to learn the officers' names and treat them with a cheery and concerned attitude, just like other human beings, with a difficult job.
Today, the police hierarchy had assigned him to the detectives, as they were dealing with numerous murders and disappearances. This would be a challenge for him, as well. He was all too aware that they were still dealing with Gracie Freeman's case, as well as a few others he had read about.
Dan's mind drifted back to Juliana and how she was dealing with a double whammy, after Des had saved the life of the little girl by pushing her out of the way of an oncoming car, only to put himself in harm's way. Juliana had heard Jesus knocking on her heart and made a decision to answer. He was proud of her and her stance to answer a difficult call and in so doing, Father had changed her heart and mind, making her into a beautiful, gentle woman of God. Her stand had inspired all of them, and brought a new move of the Spirit and a hunger for Jesus into the midst of God's people.
Dan climbed the stairs up to the second floor and came across a door to a large room with a nametag, Detectives, written across it. He poked his head around the frame and glanced in.
"Detective Ryan?"
"That's me," a voice came from across the room.
"Dan Harop."
Ryan let out an audible sigh, intended to relay his discontent at senior police's decision to saddle him with a God-botherer, just when things were starting to hot up.
"Look, Mr Harop…"
"Dan."
"Dan. I don't need any distractions at the moment, or a rookie to look after. I am really busy and the things I am dealing with aren't things you will find in church," Ryan retorted.
"Detective, it is not my intention to be a burden to you and I can assure you I have an interest in your work and your well being. The parents of Gracie Freeman are part of my congregation and my own child disappeared thirty years ago. I can tell you, a lot of what happens in your world, spills over into mine," Dan said quietly.
Ryan's hard face stared at Dan for a long moment, sizing him up. There was something in the face of the man that showed he knew more of his work than Ryan was giving him credit for.
"Well, if we're stuck with each other, just keep out of my way!" Ryan warned.
The other detectives in the room had heard Ryan's speech and glared across at him with an expression that said, give him a go.
*~*~*~*
The swirling darkness around him kept him chained. He longed to climb out of the black world that kept him prisoner, but no matter how h
e tried, the blackness pulled him back in again. His ears strained to hear the voice, the sweet voice that had spoken kindness to his heart and brought hope to his soul.
Just then, he heard it... a whisper... a gentle breeze.. something so beautiful.
"Hello, my knight, my man. I love you. Did you miss me?"
He felt the touch of soft skin against his own flesh, a kiss so light and gentle on his lips.
Juliana looked around, shocked, as Des' ECG started to beep faster. She motioned to the nurse, through the observation glass, to come in. The nurse hurried in and heard the ECG begin to settle down again.
"I spoke to him and kissed him and his ECG went faster."
The nurse put her hand on Juliana's shoulder. "This is a good sign, sweetheart. He is recognising your voice. Keep talking to him."
The nurse hurried out of the room, eager to relay the new situation. Soon, medical personnel rallied around the patient and were crowding around Des' bed, while the doctor lifted Des' eyelid and shone a small torch into his pupil. It constricted with the light, and then he did the same with the other eye and it constricted also.
He smiled across at Juliana. "This is good news."
*~*~*~*
Chapter 41
Megan followed Gavin and the girls, in her car, to Gavin's in-laws' place. She was nervous and the more she thought about the situation, the more uncomfortable she became. When she pulled up outside the house, she leaned out of her car window when Gavin came into view.
"I really don't think this is a good idea, Gavin. What would your mother-in-law think of me, turning up with you and your beautiful girls, just after their daughter died?"
"I bring my friends here all the time, Megan, and Susan would have invited you back anyway. Tell you what... I’ll leave the front door open and you can leave any time you want. Just get up and leave if you feel uncomfortable... deal?"
"Deal," Megan agreed, feeling happier knowing she had an escape route, especially since the comments of the woman on the door this morning still haunted her.
Lisa ran up to the car and opened Megan's door and took her by the hand. Excitedly, she danced on the spot. "Come and meet Nanny and Poppa."
"Lisa, gently, sweetie," Gavin warned.
"Okay, Daddy. Sorry, Megan."
Megan held the little girl's hand. "It's okay, honey. We will wait for Natasha and Daddy, hey."
"Okay."
When Gavin finally had Natasha over his shoulder, he walked on ahead to the front door. Megan and Lisa followed, hand in hand, while Natasha waved a little forlorn hand at Megan, and Megan blew her a kiss. Natasha's face lit up in a huge smile.
"Mum, we're here!"
"I am in the kitchen, Gavin. The door's open!"
The four people walked into the small suburban house and then into the kitchen.
"Nanny, we have a visitor. Her name is Megan," a little voice announced.
Jean Gardner was a woman in her late sixties. Her face was decorated with laugh lines in the corner of her eyes and the edges of her mouth.
"Have we, sweetie?" she bubbled, taking Lisa into a hug.
Jean turned to Megan and gave her a warm hug. "Welcome to our home, Megan. Please make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you, Mrs...?"
"Jean, or Mum, please," she replied.
Soon, Graham Gardner came from a place within the house.
"Poppa!" a small voice squealed, flinging herself into his embrace.
"Hello, my darlin'."
He engulfed Lisa in a bear hug and then turned to Natasha, who was holding her hands out to be picked up. "How's my little unwell angel?"
"Better, Poppa. This is Megan, Poppa," Natasha announced.
Graham reached out and shook her hand. "Welcome, Megan," his warm greeting put her at her ease as well.
"Thank you, Mr...?"
"Graham, or Dad, or Poppa."
"Okay… Graham," Megan replied.
The afternoon was laced with deep belly laughter and fun, and went by all too quickly. Megan felt warm and accepted, part of a family.
A feeling she hadn't known for a long time.
Before long, it was time to go home and reluctantly, she tore herself away and started for the door.
"You just remember where we live, honey; our home is always open to you. We would love to see you again."
Jean engulfed her in a hug.
"Thank you, Jean," she said, wiping away a tear. Megan held out her hand to Graham and he engulfed her in a hug instead.
"We mean it. We want to see you again," he reminded.
Gavin walked her out to her car and the girls tagged along. Natasha reached out to her, to be picked up and Megan swept her up in a hug.
"There you go. I hope that wasn't too uncomfortable for you," Gavin teased.
"They are beautiful people, Gavin. You are so lucky to have such a wonderful, fun family. Thank you for inviting me here. It means a lot to me."
Gavin smiled. "Will you come to church with us next Sunday, then? I will introduce you to the rest of my family and I guarantee, everyone will talk to you."
"I would love to," Megan laughed.
"Can we pick you up?" both girls started bouncing up and down on the spot, pleading with her.
"Sure. Why not?"
She wrote out her address on a piece of paper and added her phone number. As she drove away, she watched them in the mirror, waving at her. Strange emotions kept chasing each other through her mind. It had been an unusual day, a delightful day and she felt warm and full. She hadn't laughed so hard in a long time, but a lonely, empty week lay ahead of her.
*~*~*~*
Jean ‘s voice broke into Gavin’s thoughts when he came back inside. "We are going to be seeing a lot of that lady."
Gavin put his arm around his mother in law. "How do you know that, Mother?"
"I recognise the hand of Father on her. She is lonely and needs a family, too," Jean revealed.
"You always seem to see the heart of things, Mum. Just like Susan did," Gavin teased, releasing his mother-in-law from his hug.
"This lady is special, but she needs Father and a church family. It was no coincidence you were at that church this morning, Gavin. Even in our pain of losing Susan, if we will let Him, He uses us to reach out to others."
"It's strange, Mum. I saw so many of Susan's mannerisms coming out of Megan and the girls have taken to her, as well."
"Go gently with her, Gavin. She is hurting," Jean warned.
"I am not ready for any emotional ties yet, Mum. Susan was my soul mate and it would take one heck of a woman to top that."
"Oh, my dear man, when are you going to start seeing with your heart? Megan is a very special lady and Father has plans for her that just may include you. I don't know what, but you are in there somewhere."
"Is this one of your prophetic moments, Mum?" Gavin teased.
Jean turned and started to walk away. "Just might be, Gavin. Just might be."
*~*~*~*
The days seemed to drag by, while Megan’s encounter with Gavin hadn’t left her mind. His little twin girls had stolen her heart, while the warmth and acceptance from Jean and Graham and the promise of meeting his extended family seemed to be too good to be true. Megan spent the lonely hours replaying the fun and warmth she had experienced the previous Sunday and found herself more and more disconnected with her life and longing for a life like Gavin and his family had.
By the middle of the week, Megan's loneliness was consuming her and she felt depressed. She turned off the TV at seven o'clock and went to bed, wishing the days to pass till Sunday came. She lay staring at the ceiling in the dark, when her phone started ringing. She switched on the bedside light, climbed out of bed and lifted the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Megan, ith Leetha."
"Lisa?! Hello, sweetie. What's up, darling?"
"I just wanted to ring and hear your voice and make sure you are still coming on Sunday."
/> "Of course I am, sweetie. I am so looking forward to seeing you again," Megan assured.
Just then, she heard Gavin's voice. "Lisa, what are you doing on the phone?"
"I just wanted to hear Megan's voice, Daddy, and make sure she is still coming on Sunday."
"Megan, I am sorry for the intrusion," Gavin's voice came over the receiver.
"She wasn't intruding, Gavin. She just gave me a delightful surprise and a lot of joy."
By the time Gavin finally put down the receiver to Megan, it was 2 am. They had laughed their way through the hours and a warmth had developed between them. Lisa was asleep in Gavin's lap, trying to fight off sleep until finally, her little blue eyes had succumbed. Megan blew both girls a kiss over the phone and asked Gavin to deliver them for her in the morning.
After Lisa’s little phone call, Megan slept peacefully and dreamed hopeful dreams. She enjoyed Gavin's company and his humour, but her past was always hiding in the shadows and ready to derail any possibility of a relationship with a decent man. The voices from her past were always mocking her.
Once he finds out what you are like, he will drop you in the gutter, where you belong.
She was caught between the pain of loneliness and the truth of conscience.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 42
A dark coloured sedan slowly pulled up outside the apartment block and shortly after, the headlights blinked out. The game had taken on a heightened degree of excitement and a increased level of difficulty, requiring a new trick to keep the audience’s attention. The police had been tipped off, though he doubted the young detective had the nous to figure out his little riddle. Glancing around, he reached up to the dome light and switched it to the off position, then opened the car door, leaving the vehicle’s interior in complete darkness. As the vehicle door closed behind him, he placed the key into the lock and watched through the driver window while the door mechanism slipped down into the locked position.
One can’t be too careful about leaving one’s car open in an area with such a high crime rate, now can one?