Not My Thing

‘There’s always a first time. Think about it,’ and with a wave of his hand he unlocked the cabin door and went out into the hot, humid darkness to his car.

***

Half an hour later, the dishes washed and put away and the kitchen once more spick and span, Ng walked into the living-room and sat down.

She is going to be rubbed out.

Kling’s words burned in Ng’s brain.

He sat huddled up, his clenched fists gripped between his knees, and he kept thinking of those words. A sick horror engulfed him. This lovely, gentle woman would be ruthlessly killed. He thought of Kling: a man who had saved him from starvation and raised his mother from utter poverty, who had taken care of him and had treated him as a loyal partner.

A little moan of agony escaped from Ng’s tightly closed lips.

How could he save the life of this lovely woman without being disloyal to his master? After what Kling had done for him and his mother, it would be unthinkable for him to be disloyal!

Ten days!

At least there was time to think and perhaps plan. Ng forced himself to relax. Surely in ten days, some solution would arrive.

Sitting back in the big lounging-chair, his mind shifted to those two wonderful hours he had spent with Shannon Jamison.

The memory was so vivid, it was as if he were watching a movie.

Again, he saw her, lying, unconscious on the bed. He had waited, then finally he saw her stir, then slowly open her eyes. He watched her puzzled expression as she looked up at the quilted, white ceiling. Then she lifted her head and looked directly at him.

He smiled at her, willing kindness and love into his smile.

He saw her stiffen, close her eyes as if absorbing a shock, then those beautiful eyes opened, and she half sat up.

‘It’s all right, ma’am,’ he said softly. ‘You have nothing to fear.’

Shannon stared at this slightly built Vietnamese. She felt she was dreaming.

‘Who are you?’ she forced herself to ask.

‘It it all right, ma’am. Please don’t be alarmed.’

She looked hurriedly around the big, well furnished room without windows, then back to him.

‘Where am I? What’s happening?’

‘Ma’am, you have been kidnapped. I am here to look after you. Please, you have nothing to worry about.’

‘Kidnapped?’

Shannon swung her long legs off the bed and sat up. She possessed considerable strength of character. She refused to let herself panic and forced herself to remain calm.

‘Are you telling me that I have been kidnapped?’

Ng nodded.

‘Yes, ma’am.’

She looked around the room: ‘Where am I?’

‘I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t tell you that.’

She took a long steady look at Ng. She saw he was a Vietnamese, and she was quick to see he was regarding her the way a spaniel dog regards his mistress. This expression gave her confidence.

‘Who are you?’ she asked.

Ng hesitated, then said, ‘Call me Kim, ma’am. Would you like coffee? You have only to ask and I will do anything to please you.’

She felt this odd-looking youth was on her side, so she forced a smile.

‘Thank you, Kim. Yes, I would like a cup of coffee.’

Ng moved swiftly into the kitchen and heated up the prepared coffee while Shannon got to her feet, found the bathroom and shut herself in. Her toilet finished, she returned to the bedroom.

Kidnapped!

This must mean that Sherman would have to pay ransom, then she would be free again. Then a thought struck her.

Would Sherman pay the ransom?

For a long time now, she had had this feeling that her husband wanted to get rid of her. If she died, he would be free to marry this woman she knew existed. No! she told herself. Sherman couldn’t be so ruthless as that! He would pay the ransom. Very soon the press would know she had been kidnapped. There would be a tremendous outcry. Surely, Sherman wouldn’t dare not pay the ransom!

Ng came in, carrying a tray.

‘If you would like something to eat, ma’am, I can easily prepare you something.’

‘Thank you. Just coffee.’ She forced herself to smile at him and waited while he poured the coffee and gave her a cup.

‘Thank you.’ She sipped the coffee, then regarded him. ‘You make excellent coffee, Kim.’

Ng was overwhelmed. How he loved this beautiful, gracious woman!

‘Thank you, ma’am.’ He hesitated, then went on, ‘I am afraid you will have to stay here for a few days. Is there anything I can get you? Please ask.’

Shannon finished her coffee while her mind raced. She must know more details of this kidnapping.

‘Does my husband know I have been kidnapped?’ she asked as Ng refilled her cup.

‘Oh, yes, ma’am. He knows.’

‘That tall thin man who talked to me before I blacked out,’ Shannon said. ‘He is the kidnapper… not you?’

Ng hesitated.

‘That’s right, ma’am.’

‘And you do what he tells you?’

Again Ng hesitated. He was becoming uneasy at these questions, but he wanted her to regard him as her friend.

‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said finally. ‘I’m sorry, but there is nothing more I can tell you. Is there something I can get for you? The refrigerator has lots of food, but there may be something else you need.’

‘I’m to stay here for several days?’