The Mystery of Yamashita's Map

The Mystery of Yamashita's Map, Part 8

Chapter Eight

The street vendors and food sellers had packed up now and the only sound that could be heard was the lapping of the waves on the sides of the boats that gently bobbed up and down in the water. Lisa wandered along the dock. She had persuaded Fraser and her uncle not to come – not because she had something to hide or that she didn't want their company but because she wanted to do this on her own. She wanted to contribute to this whole plan without having to answer to either of the two men. She casually picked up a stone from the ground and tossed it into the harbour. It made no sound.

Around her, occasionally, people chatted and walked. The docks were a strange place for a girl to be on her own at night but she knew them well and was not afraid, even when drunkards would push their way up to her and breathe nasty boozy propositions in her face. She just leaned back, waved them on and did not look back.

It was amazing how quiet the city seemed at this time of night. Of course, all of the noise was underground now, in clubs, in bars, in massage joints, in the many places where she was never allowed to go when she was growing up. She had not really wanted to but, somehow, the places we are kept from are always the places we want to go most of all. She thought about Joe. Was he in one of those places? Was that why she was here on her own when really she should be with someone else? Even a man would probably not have come on his own, or perhaps that was it, perhaps only a woman could come on her own to the dock and not expect to be attacked by a knife or gun.

She realised she barely remembered what Joe looked like. She remembered his hat and strange way of tapping his arm with his fingers but that was about it. She tried to visualise him but always failed. She wondered whether he would turn up. She wondered what type of life he must have, what type of man he must be, what type of lover he would make; rough and quick or slow and considerate. No, she corrected herself, this is a business deal and it must stay that way. She looked around and saw nothing. Only a cat moved between the barrels of fish heads, sniffing at the ground eager to find a meal or a bed for the night. Somehow the cat again reminded her of Joe. The light skimmed across Hong Kong bay, making the water look like an expanse of glimmering ink. The moon was high but crescent, giving everywhere a half light that was comforting and yet eerie at the same time. She heard a noise behind her and turned quickly. Joe stood, smiling. One of his eyes was clearly bruised and there was a faint trickle of blood oozing out of his mouth. 'Ah, you made it then?' he said with a smile. Lisa was shocked. 'What happened to you?' she asked. 'Well, let's say I ran into a spot of trouble today.' 'The same lot as last night?'

Joe laughed. 'If it had been I would be talking to you from the bottom of the harbour. No, this was a new one, a boyfriend.' He rubbed his cheek. 'Never mess with the girl of a soldier. Jesus, those guys can hit.' Lisa tugged at the bottom of her skirt and licked at the cloth. She raised it to Joe's mouth and dabbed it, taking some of the blood away. 'You'll kill yourself before you take us to the Philippines.' Joe backed off. 'Ah, yes, I was meaning to talk to you about that.'

For a moment Lisa was taken aback. She had assumed that the deal was settled between them, that Joe was signed up to fly her, Fraser and her uncle to the Philippines. She could not bear to see her hopes dashed at this stage.

'What is it?' she asked with half-closed eyes, waiting for the worst.

'Well,' Joe looked sheepish. 'Well, I am, as they say, grounded at the moment. My wings are currently sitting in a field at the pleasure of the Hong Kong police.'

Lisa dabbed his face a little more. 'I know,' she said.

'You know?'

'Yes, your cousin Lee told me.'