From The Grave

Chapter 14

Arny woke to find himself alone in the bed and a note taped to Gretta's pillow saying she was downstairs having breakfast.

"You don't wait for me anymore?" He asked ambling up to her table and dragging out a chair. A lone waiter was setting tables around the room, humming to himself and the workmen doing the repairs to the alcove were cleaning up their tools and debris.

"You looked so peaceful, Arny, I didn't want to wake you."

He picked up a menu. "Fish!"

"Sure, why not, fish and eggs and some home made bread." She took a drink of her coffee and waved to the waiter. "I asked one of the work men what he was fixing and he said there was a hole in the wall that took out a chunk of the plaster and some stains on the wooden floor."

"That sounds ominous."

"Doesn't it. He shut right up when that guy came in. Don't turn, wait a minute and do it casually. He's behind your left shoulder."

The waiter slid up to the table with two plates and basket of bread. He hurried away and returned just as quickly with a water pitcher and a pair of small bottles of seasoning. Arny smiled and pretended to turn to watch him go, catching a glimpse of the man Gretta mentioned.

"Evil looking bugger," He whispered.

"And looking at us too." She dipped her head. "Oops, he's coming over."

"Miss Lawrence, My name is Cecil Teacher. I represent Arlinu Tomambou, the gentleman who is offering the Niue airmail stamp for sale."

"And you are telling me this because...?"

"Please, Miss Lawrence. Niue doesn't get so many western visitors that we don't make certain inquiries. I happen to know you represent CONGA, a very renowned organization, and I know why you have come to our island."

"Okay, thanks for the introduction." She went about eating her breakfast, ignoring the man. Arny watched from the corner of his eye and saw a look of menace pass over the man's face.

"The purpose was to advise you to refrain from meddling in a perfectly legal transaction."

Gretta put down her fork and leaned back in her chair. "Is that what happened to the three Americans, they meddled?"

Cecil lowered his eyelids and bent forward from the waist slightly, his voice low and hard. "You wouldn't want something similar to happen to your party, Miss Lawrence." He turned his head and stared at Arny a moment then straightened up and left.

"Whoah! Did he threaten us or just me?"

"Just you." She chuckled at his expression and before he could answer back, she looked up and told him to sit tight a minute.

After a few minutes she returned to the table, sat down and placed her napkin on her lap. Arny was still dazzled by this woman and watching her walk out to the lobby he realized how lucky he was that she seemed just as dazzled with him. She had gone to the front desk and spoken to Constable Kantui who was chatting up the desk clerk.

"What was that about?"

"I learned that Arlinu Tomambou is the local godfather and that he acquired the stamp from a David Yubal, the man who handled the estate of the original owner. Apparently some over zealous civil servant spied the stamp on the list of belongings and passed it on to Tomambou."

"What about him, didn't our vaunted Constable step in there?"

"It seems the Niue Chief of Police is beholden somehow to Tomambou so Constable Kantui was told to ignore the event."

"Why did he tell you all this?"

"Arny! I'm crushed that you don't think I'm capable of charming information out of someone as self important as Constable Kantui."

"Uncrush, Gretta, I won't ask any more."

They finished the breakfast and wandered out into the street, taking in the growing humidity and the gathering of grey, laden clouds.

"I should have packed more t-shirts."

"They have a laundromat here," Gretta remarked, pointing down the street. "Let's wander down to the water and see what boats are still anchored out there."

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Bishop listened to Hunter on the phone for a few minutes then interrupted and told him to put Arlo on the line.

"Yeah."

"Listen, this job isn't over just because we had a little setback. I want you to meet with this guy again and do a deal... our deal, or this time he has the setback, understand?"

"We haven't been wastin' our time here, Mr. Gravestone. We went ashore the other night and discovered that two more interested parties arrived at the hotel."

"Who?" Gravestone frowned at the phone.

"Dunno any names, but one's a dame, a real looker, and a guy."

Bishop ran a hand over his face and closed hid eyes. His suspicions had been right, CONGA sniffed the air and caught scent of the stamp deal and dispatched Lawrence to right the ship. He told Arlo to hold fire until he called back; it was just possible some very expert help was on the way. He dialed April's number and waited, licking parched lips and blinking dry eyes. Gretta Lawrence seemed to dog every enterprise he undertook.

"Hello, Bishop. Do you have an update for me?"

"Yes, do you have one for me?"

"As a matter of fact I have arranged for someone to tackle your problem about this Gretta person."

"Really? Who?"

"Luane Treeline. Do you know her?"

"I know a little about her; I used her once but never met her."

"She is the best, Bishop. Guaranteed."

"Well we'll soon see, my dear, because Gretta Lawrence is in Niue right now."

"Are you sure? I'll pass it on and get her started right away."

"I have an interested buyer, April. He has indicated to me that money is absolutely no object, so time is now the priority."

"I'm beginning to like our little partnership, Bishop. We should meet again and discover a little more about one another."

"As soon as Miss Treeline eliminates our obstacle, my men will obtain the stamp and we can find a suitable way to celebrate."

"Until then." April hung up, her mind dancing with the potential possibilities.

Bishop called Arlo back and gave him the information and new instructions.