Doublespeak_A Novel by Alisa Smith

Author:Alisa Smith [Smith, Alisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781250097859
Goodreads: 39863411
Publisher: St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Publishing (New York)
Published: 2019-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

TO FORGIVE A THIEF

I WOKE UP lying across the kitchen bench of the Quarlo.

“Sorry it ain’t so comfortable,” Frederick said. His blurry form resolved, though at first I could only focus on details, like his gold cufflinks in the shape of anchors. I hadn’t seen them before, nor the blue-striped dress shirt he wore to replace the white one he’d stripped off for my bandage. He looked dapper. “Bastards sliced up my cushions even though I told them where the money was,” he said. “Crooks got no morals these days.”

“I’m glad you let them go.”

“Hope I judged right. Specially that one that molested you. But he was just a kid acting tough. Their fight left them when I killed the head man. That was enough for me. Not every thief deserves to be shot, does he?”

I started to shake my head, but a thousand shards of pain sparked behind my eyes and stopped me short. I reached toward my neck, but Frederick grabbed my arm.

“Don’t touch it. I did a couple stitches, teensy weensy. Used alcohol to sterilize it, and it’s bandaged up real nice.”

“Will I have a scar?”

“Not with my pretty work. Anyway, it’s right below the chin, so you’d never see it.”

I told myself to calm down about the scar business. I was lucky to be alive. I sat up and the room wobbled, so I grabbed the table to steady myself.

“I gave you a shot of morphine,” he said.

So that explained it. I felt strangely good, and warm, as though wrapped in a silk sheet. Everything in the snug little room looked appealing.

“You got to rest a few days, so I’ll need more supplies,” Frederick said. “Closest port is Sattahip.”

I remembered a symbol marked on our map. “Isn’t that a naval base?”

“Before the Japanese came, it was. Don’t know how much is going on there now.”

It was possible that Miss Maggie would suspect I was headed to Siam. She could have discovered a Russian cable about Link through her other agents. It was best not to linger near a base where there might be intelligence officers posted. The Siamese would be keen to cooperate with America now.

“What about Indo-China?” I asked.

“Kampot isn’t too far away. Old French city, a pretty good size.”

I was not happy to have more delays when I was so close to Bangkok, but it seemed the safer option. There would be other foreigners and we would not stand out so much—the French even had African soldiers, I’d heard. “Let’s go there. But just for one night.”

“One night?” he said doubtfully, but didn’t argue.

Satisfied, I lay back down on the padded bench. “Let me know how much it costs to repair the boat, and I’ll send you the money as soon as I can.”

“No need. It wasn’t your fault. I’ll be glad to get back home to work on her, and Bill will pay for it.”

Bill, I thought, and closed my eyes. If he wanted to see me, I would refuse him.

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