From The Grave

Chapter 17

Luane sat in the dark in her rented house, her eyes glowing cat-like in the flickering light of the candle over the fireplace. She raised her glass to her lips and let it rest there as she thought about her earlier plans. Her employer was not attuned to the subtleties of her business and she should have set firmer ground rules.

It had been foolish and unprofessional; she let her ego rule her actions. As well, she had alerted her prey and that could prove very awkward indeed. She tipped the glass and let the burning liquor slide down her throat. Her research into Bishop Gravestone had suggested that she was just as likely to be a target as those she hunted and she considered a more prudent move might be to secure the stamp first... for herself .

She made another phone call and secured the address of Arlinu Tomambou then stepped into her bedroom and slipped out of her dress, hanging it carefully in the wardrobe. From the dresser she selected a pair of black jeans and a black t-shirt and slipped on a pair of cloth, soft-soled shoes, tying them firmly.

The short wind jacket fastened snugly and she hooked her thumb through the loop and around the safety catch of the cord running from the spring loaded scabbard hidden in the sleeve. Tucking her hair under a dark baseball cap, she glanced in the mirror and smiled at her image.

The estimated time on foot was about twenty minutes and after missing a couple of turns, Luane arrived at Tomambou's property ten minutes late and discovered that the modest house sat on a large piece of property on one of the bluffs on the west side of the island overlooking the ocean.

A weak moon skittered behind the wispy clouds but it still cast more light than she cared for. There was little cover save a few scrub bushes and some rock and Luane scrambled quickly between each until she finally reached the corner of the house. She rested, listening and catching her breath. A light shone from one window and she slid silently along the wall until she could just glimpse inside.

The room was decorated with old fashioned furnishings and paintings, the colours all heavy and dark. She inched forward a little more until the sudden pressure on her neck made her stiffen and she opened her mouth in silent shock.

"Well what have we here then?" The voice was cold and low.

The pressure eased and Luane turned slowly to see the barrel of the large gun pointing casually in her direction.

"Truth, my dear. One chance only and I blow off a knee." Cecil gave a sepulchral grin.

She wet her lips and straightened up, watching the gun. "I'm a reporter with a tabloid in the States." The barrel drooped toward her knee.

"All the way from the US of A to creep around on a tiny island in the South pacific." The grin expanded.

"We heard from a source my boss has in New Zealand about a special stamp that was for sale by a lawyer named Tomambou. We're always looking for stories that nobody else prints."

"Is this how you do your interviews?" The gun wavered slightly, teasingly.

Luane tried a smile, holding her arms out in front. "We look for the gossipy stuff about people... the stuff of scandal. You know. Can't get that by asking straight out."

"What gossip do you think you have here?"

She gave a soft chuckle and tried a warmer smile. "There's always gossipy stuff."

"I think you are a very poor liar and as such I am going to blow away your right knee."

The movement was swift and deadly and Cecil stared down at his chest where the blade had buried itself to the hilt. The big gun swung off his fingers and thudded on the dry ground at his feet. Luane stepped forward and grabbed the handle, giving it a violent twist and watching his face as he lost the use of his lung and bled to death internally.

She yanked it free and lowered him to the ground then stepped back and peered through the window into the living room of the house. Tomambou was seated in a large armchair in front of a large fireplace, a drink in one hand and with the other, he was scratching the ears of a large, angry looking dog.

The dog looked at the window and growled and cursing violently, Luane took off at a quick sprint across the vast space to the road and then kept on until she was well out of sight of the house. The dog was an obstacle she would have to think about.