SLAVEBOY

by Rick Dalton

FOREWARNED

The man behind the gilded Louis XV escritoire polished his glasses as he looked up and emphasized, "You do understand the urgency of this mission?"
"Of course, Excellency, your orders will be followed swiftly and discreetly."
"Under no circumstances is my name to be mentioned!" He reached under the desk, pulling out a plain black attaché case. "The laptop is set to transfer the funds as soon as you receive the merchandise and enter the account number."
"I understand, Excellency."
"If there's any problem, destroy it immediately, this is a matter of national security!"
"Yeah, right!" he muttered to himself as he turned and left the room.



CHAPTER ONE

The Bentley pulled into the gravel carpark right on schedule. Jeremie and Jaime, dressed in matching burgundy vests, were already approaching the car. I waited on the entrance steps, observing, my heart in my mouth. Our first guests had arrived.
"The valets will take your luggage," Nathaniel announced, opening the rear door of the car.
"I'll keep this one with me," came the voice from the back seat, "my boy will take it up to our room."
Our guests approached the house along our newly installed flagstone walkway, a silver haired gentleman trailed by a twenty-something with long flowing locks.
"Mr. Chalmers, I presume. Welcome to Sugar Hill Great House," I bowed slightly, stepping off the lower step to offer a friendly hand. "May I offer you refreshments or drinks?"
"Later, we'll unpack first," he replied tersely.
"Right this way then, I'll show you upstairs. As our first official guests, the Planters Suite has been prepared for you. It was the personal quarters of the original owners of the plantation," I intoned, my welcoming speech having been rehearsed many times over. I glanced back over my shoulder as we traversed up the grand staircase.
"Ah, here we are." I swung the door open with a flourish, allowing them to enter first. "Jeremie and Jaime will be at your disposal, just pull the bell cord by the fireplace to signal them,” I explained, a neat installation Nathaniel had suggested to match those in use at our neighboring plantation, Rose Hall.
"Not to be disturbed for now," he said shortly, closing the door firmly in my face.
"Well!" I muttered under my breath.
I descended the grand staircase to find Nathaniel waiting for me at the bottom.
"A bit sinister, those two, eh?" he said with a grin, like some character from a English cozy.
"Driving that Bentley around is getting into your brain!" I retorted.
"Righto, guvnor!" he saluted smartly "Just the same, I'd keep my eyes open, Rick, that pretty little boy with Chalmers never said a word all the way in from the airport."
"Maybe he's afraid of the big black man with Rasta braids," I chuckled.
"I'm just a pussy cat. You know that, Rick. Better get the car back to Rose Hall. Tommy and Phillippe are going out to a big party tonight at the marina."
Thanks for the chauffer service. That was a brilliant idea you and Tommy came up with. Adds just that touch of class I need to get this resort off to a great start."
"Anytime, Rick, give me a call tomorrow. Let me know what's up with those two."
"You got it. Better check the kitchen and see what's on the menu for tonight’s dinner. See ya."
I strolled down the hallway to the back stairs leading to the ground floor kitchen and office areas. Alix and Jeremie were hard at work creating something in my gleaming new stainless steel kitchen. Alix's eyes searched out mine as I approached across the brick tiled floor.
"Hi, baby!" I greeted him warmly with a kiss on the cheek. "What shall I tell our first guests to expect tonight from our culinary expert?"
He recited the day's entree, with a few embellishments added by Jeremie.
"Hmm, sounds great guys. How about a white chocolate mousse for dessert, to sweeten up the guests," I suggested. "They seem to be a bit out of sorts for some reason. Maybe the airplane trip was a bit rough or something," I said, retreating back to the ground floor office where paper work was still piled up from the morning mail.
Closing the office door for privacy, I dialed Bradley's office number in Miami.
"It's happened," I blurted immediately upon his answering, "our first paying guests have arrived!"
"How wonderful, my dear," he chirped cheerfully, "my skillful advertising campaign is really working."
"You had some doubts?"
"Of course not, I'm very good at my job and you're good at your guest hosting."
"We're...I'm very lucky to have you for a friend."
"You still miss Marco, don't you?"
"He was my life, Bradley."
"I'm only saying this once, dear one, he 'was' your life. He's gone! So get on with it. He left you a lovely bequest - Alix."
"I know," I replied simply.
"And how is that cute one doing? You two okay?"
"Separate rooms for now. He's staying in Chin-lee's old room up on the third floor. I'm still in the overseer's cottage."
"You boys need to be together. I mean it," he admonished.
"In due time. I know you mean well, but I need my space for awhile. To clear the decks, start over." Tears welled up in my eyes as I fell into silence.
"You there?"
"Yes."
"Just don't wait too long. Alix is an angel, but even angels get exasperated."
I changed the subject, chatting on a few minutes about the photo spread in Bradley's magazine that had fueled our increased reservations. Reluctantly I hung up and returned to my work load.
A light tap at the door roused me from my pile of papers.
"Almost four," Alix announced. "Time to start your afternoon tea thing."
I came around the desk and encircled Alix with my arms, hugging him tightly to my chest.
"What's up with this?" he exclaimed, hope lighting up his eyes.
"Just give me time."
"I'll have Jeremie summon your guests to the library," he interjected coolly.

I entered the elegant first floor library and found Chalmers comfortably seated, enjoying a cup of tea.
"If you'd prefer something stronger, Mr. Chalmers, this teatime is more a euphemism than an actuality."
"Not at all. This will do quite nicely, thank you," he said cheerfully, beaming brightly over the edge of his cup.
"Then you are British! I thought I detected a bit of an accent."
"From East London, for sure," he answered, smiling.
"Aha!"
"East London, The Republic of South Africa."
"I guess I'm not so smart after all," I grinned in return, enjoying his little joke.
"By the way, I understand you can arrange a little charter cruise for me."
"Yes, of course. A day sail, overnight, whatever you desire. The 'Princess' actually sleeps six."
"Just a day will be quite the ticket. Unfortunately this trip is part business. A bit boring for my young friend upstairs." He glanced up toward his room. "I need a private conference area to meet with some business associates. They'll be arriving in Montego Bay within the week."
"Whenever you like, Mr. Chalmers. We'll put the 'Princess' on hold for you."
He chatted on amicably, certainly a change from his abruptness at arrival. A rustling sound at the door drew our attention.
"Mistah, Rick. Mistah Chalmers, suh. The dinna' is served," Jeremie announced formally.
"Will your friend be joining us?" I asked, rising from the chair to lead our guest to the table.
"I think a tray in his room would be best," he said apologetically. "He's still not quite up to par, a bit of an upset stomach I believe."
"Jeremie will see to it as soon as we're served," I assured him.
"Perhaps I'd carry something up to him later," Chalmers offered. "He's rather shy among strangers."

Dinner was a gourmet delight but slightly awkward with just the two of us at table. I prayed for more guests to arrive soon. We'd go broke on two at a time. I pushed back in my chair, calling Jeremie for the brandy and dessert.
"Mr. Chalmers will be taking a tray up to his friend, Jeremie."
"Yessuh, Mistuh Rick, I brings it right away."
"Perhaps your man would carry it up after all," Chalmers said thoughtfully, "I think a turn down toward the sea for a bit of fresh air is what I need after this fabulous meal."
I escorted our guest through the hall to the main entrance, pointing out the beach and rock promitory from the front door.
"Make yourself at home when you return. The boys are on duty until quite late if you should require anything else from the kitchen," I assured him.
I turned back into the hallway just as Jeremie emerged from the dining room with the dinner tray.
"Let me take that upstairs," I suggested, "maybe the poor kid needs medicine or one of your home remedies."
"Yessuh, boss, I be clearin' the table if you needs me," Jeremie responded with an engaging grin.
I tapped lightly at the second floor guest room door as I balanced the tray in one hand. It opened immediately and the tray was quite literally snatched out of my hand.
"Feeling better then?" I questioned as the door began to close.
The young man glanced nervously up and down the hallway, then placed a finger against his lips in a gesture of silence. His eyes held a frightened look as they returned to stare at me.
"Are you all right?' I repeated.
He nodded quickly then eased the door firmly shut.

CHAPTER TWO

I tossed and turned all night. Druglords with British accents chased me and long haired boys through the dormant cane fields of Sugar Hill. Once, I awoke, reaching next to me for the comforting warmth of Alix. Of course the space was empty. I returned alone to my dreams. It was a long night.
The rosy disk of sun pushed its warmth through the slatted window shutters, bringing me into the welcome relief of morning. I quickly showered and dressed, heading for the companionship of my friends in the kitchen at the Great House.
"Had a bad night?" Alix greeted me. "You look like shit!"
"Yeah, thanks a lot! Coffee please," I begged, slumping into a Windsor back chair at the oak planked work table. Not the most comfortable seating, considering my rough night. "You and Jeremie handle the guests' breakfast. I think I'll stay down here and eat in the kitchen. I'm not fit company for anyone today."
"Remind me to steer clear of you then," Alix retorted, as he bustled about, clattering pans on the stove.
"Maybe I'll wander over to Rose Hall and bend Nathaniel's ear for awhile," I muttered more to myself than my audience.
"Rick, that's your problem - you don't confide in me. That's what boyfriends are for, remember?"
"You mean I'm still your boyfriend? In spite of the way I've been treating you recently?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Alix said with exasperation. "For one thing, I got nowhere else to go on this little island called Jamaica. And for another, I love you, silly boy!"
"I love you too, Alix!" I said with relief as I rounded the table and hugged him from behind.
"Now go upstairs and entertain your guests," he ordered. "When I'm done down here, and you're finished with the breakfast routine, I'll meet you out on the beach - beyond the rocks, the nude beach!" he grinned. "We'll talk all you want, among other things."
"You got it, bucko!" I nearly shouted with relief. "Thanks, boyfriend!" I enthused, kissing him soundly on the mouth.
"You guys wanna quit all this kissy stuff," Jeremie squealed with delight, "you makin' me sick! We gots to get our work done here."

After feeding our sole breakfast guest, his friend still remained sequestered in their room, I suggested he take in the new pool. Jeremie delivered a tray to the room as I had done last night. I then retreated to my office for some computer research while waiting for Alix to finish morning kitchen duty.
"Aha!" I exclaimed outloud, "he did reserve from Miami, not South Africa."
I got on the telephone to Nathaniel at Rose Hall.
"Morning, gorgeous," I greeted him. "Got a sec?"
"Just barely. What is it, Rick?"
"When you picked up Mr. Chalmers and his silent friend at Sanger Airport, did you notice what flight they arrived on?"
"Sure, I always go early, check the ETA's and wait at the unloading gate - Air Jamaica from Miami."
"Last night Chalmers mentioned he was from South Africa, just checking."
"He could have flown into Miami first, then taken the short hop to Montego Bay."
"I suppose."
"Anything wrong?"
"I just didn't bother with references or details. I was too excited about getting our first guests."
"Just watch the silent one, he's kind o' freaky. As long as their credit card didn't bounce, don't worry, be happy."
"Heard that before! Thanks, Nathaniel."
I headed on down to the beach for my rendezvous with Alix.

"Hey, baby, I been here a half hour," Alix said, looking up at me. "You like my new speedo?"
I stared down at his lithe brown body, luxuriantly stretched out in the edge of the water, the scrap of red fabric detailing surprises cached inside.
"Thought this was the nude beach?" I kidded.
"I was afraid our guest might wander down here. Don't want to give the guy a heart attack," Alix said lazily.
"I think his little friend's sexy enough to hold his attention."
"And yours too?" he asked slyly.
"Not me, I belong to you, remember?"
"Then get down here and prove it," Alix demanded.
He rose up on his knees, unbuckling my chinos. His hot mouth worked through the white cotton briefs, seeking my growing member straining for release. I quickly pushed out of my clothes and dropped down on the sand next to him, pulling him over on top of me, covering his face with passionate kisses.
"Rick, I'm gonna fuck you right here," Alix breathed into my ear.
"Not in this sand you don't," I protested.
"You wanna bet?" he replied, pulling a bottle of lube out from under his towel.

Later, we headed for the cottage, hand in hand.
"Can I shower with you?" Alix asked as we mounted the steps to the veranda.
"Actually, I was going to beg you to move back in here with me."
"You sure that's what you want?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm sure. I was just being an ass. Marco is gone but you and I are still here."
"After I do the lunch prep I'll carry my things back over here."
"Let Jaime help, he can take over your room. That way Jeremie and Jaime each have their own rooms side by side. We only need the two of them in the Great House. I want you here with me - where you belong."
He looked over at me with adoring eyes, a new found acceptance bonding us together.

At tea that afternoon, Chalmers opted for the martini version I had offered the day before. I mixed a mean batch of Bombay Sapphire.
"Ready to set the time for my day cruise," he announced. "My associates are arriving tomorrow morning."
"Shall we send a car for them?" I offered.
"No, we'll be meeting up at sea. They have their own boat."
We discussed details. Alix and Jeremie would prepare a lunch to be served on board the 'Princess'. Alix would go on the cruise to serve the meal and assist the captain, our neighbor Phillippe. Nathaniel would chauffeur Mr. Chalmers in the Bentley to the marina.
"Mistuh Rick, you have an important call, suh," Jaime interrupted us.
I excused myself and slipped down the back stairs to the office. I had long ago decided to keep telephones out of the main floor. One on the guest floor level and one in the office was sufficient for a quiet resort setting.
"Tomorrow? Of course. What time does your flight arrive? Yes, we'll have our driver waiting, and thank you for choosing Sugar Hill."
Incoming, thank God. I quickly called Nathaniel to line up the car trips for the next day.
"Chalmers to the marina in the morning. I'll let Alix go in the Land Rover with the food so you don't get held up too long. Then to the airport. The flight arrives at eleven, two passengers from Miami. That's it."
"You checked them out this time?" Nathaniel queried with a slight chuckle.
"Of course, big boy. They were referred by the magazine article, friends of Bradley, actually!"
"See you in the morning," he assured me, ringing off.

I was surprised at dinner with the first public appearance of our mysterious guest. Chalmers introduced him as Malike.
"His English is quite limited, of course, so don't expect much conversation," he warned.
Malike looked over at me curiously during this discourse, but seemed content to silently study the room around us while we waited for Jeremie to serve.
"He'll be joining me on the cruise," Chalmers continued. "A little fresh air might do him some good."
A good roast beef, cut as a London Broil, along with parsley potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise sauce was set out on the sideboard. Jeremie did the honors, filling each plate and serving it at table.
Malike put his hand out on Jeremie's arm as he was served and said, "More, please."
"Now, there's plenty left, Malike," Chalmers interrupted, "don't be rude."
"I'm glad his appetite's returned," I chuckled. "Thought he'd waste away up there."
He ate ravenously, helping himself to thirds as Jeremie had gone below to bring up dessert course.

Alix and I stood together on the veranda of the cottage watching the full moon rise and paint the old limestone Great House with a silver brush.
"Glad you're here with me," I said simply.
"Me too!" he agreed.
"I hate to send you out tomorrow, but I don't think Jeremie can handle the boat duties and the serving. Now you'll have Malike and Chalmers as well as the others."
"I'm up to it, don't worry. You need Jeremie here to get things ready for the new guests."
"Yeah, exciting, isn't it," I squeezed him tightly. "We're gonna make it after all!"
"I like that 'we'!" he pronounced. "Let's go to bed, baby," he growled into my ear, "your turn."

CHAPTER THREE

"Rick, it's me. I'm at Phillippe and Tommy's."
"Alix! What're you doing at Rose Hall, something wrong with Tommy?"
"Not Tommy - Malike! He jumped overboard this afternoon!"
"Whoa, hold on. He okay?"
"For now. Phillippe jumped in and rescued him. He wants to stay here with Phillippe and Tommy. Nathaniel's driving Mr. Chalmers back to you now...and he's not a happy camper."
"Who? Chalmers or Nathaniel?"
"Both, actually."
"We're about to set up dinner, our new guests are here. Wait'll you get a load of them! But we'll wait for Chalmers. You coming back now?"
"I'll stay here a bit longer and make sure Malike gets settled in, then I'll be right home."
"Okay, baby. I miss you already."
"Me too."

I returned to the kitchen to advise Jaime and Jeremie of the slight delay in serving dinner. Our new guests were enjoying drinks in the library so I hurried upstairs to rejoin them.
"Our Mr. Chalmers is on his way," I announced to them. "We'll eat shortly."
"I thought you had two guests?" asked Laurenzo, the taller of the pair.
"Mr. Chalmers’ young friend is staying over at the neighboring plantation. A real history buff, I guess," I finished lamely, then changed the subject.
"You guys into sailing, tennis, the beach, lounging at the pool...?"
"All of the above," chuckled Mauricio, the slightly shorter one with the heavy gold chain.
Just then I heard the main entrance door open. Nathaniel poked his head into the library.
"Sorry to interrupt, Rick, but Mr. Chalmers is going straight up to his room to rest. He sends his apologies and suggests you go ahead without him."
"Thanks, Nathaniel. I guess the boat trip was too much for him. Come gentlemen, we'll go on to the dining room."
I ushered them across the hallway, motioning Nathaniel to wait a minute.
"What's up with Chalmers," I whispered, "taking it pretty hard is he?"
"So you've heard about Malike?" he whispered back.
"Yeah, Alix just called me from Rose Hall. Strange."
"Told you the kid was weird, but something else is bothering Chalmers more than Malike's swan dive. Got to get back. I'll call later if I learn anything else."
"Thanks, Nat, I better get in there with the guests."

Long after dinner and dessert, Alix came dragging in. The new guests had already gone upstairs for the night while I lingered in the library.
"Hey, baby, you look beat," I said pulling him down into a chair then crossing the room to the armoire to pour drinks. "You need a stiff one, Courvoisier okay?"
"Sure," he said exhaustedly, "but let me have the drink first."
"Funny boy! Glad you still have your sense of humor."
I stood behind his chair, my arms around his shoulders, pressing my face into his satiny black hair.
"Hmm, you smell deliciously like salt, sea, and sun," I murmured.
"If you give me a shower, you can have me, all of me," he said with a grin. "Then I'll tell you everything."
"Best offer I've had all day."

Breakfast seemed to go smoothly next morning without me. I ate in my office, not joining the guests at table. I needed to digest Alix's story about the boat trip before facing Chalmers in the cold light of day.
"More coffee, lover?" Alix asked, poking his head in the door.
"Yeah, thanks,” I replied distractedly. “Got time for a stroll on the beach with me?"
"Not the beach. The new hunks are headed down there after breakfast. I'll meet you at the pool, I got something else you should know about."
"Uh oh! Now what?" I said, looking up from my desk.
"Wait 'til I finish up in the kitchen. It's gonna take some explaining." He quickly retreated out the door.
I called Rose Hall for an update.
"How's the kid doing?" I asked when Tommie answered the phone.
"He's still sleeping. We gave him a mild sleeping powder last night and put him to bed."
"All alone?” I laughed. “I’m sorry, I’m bad! Any explanation for why he jumped overboard?"
"Love gone awry, I guess," Tommie speculated. "Seems his 'sugar daddy' promised him something, then didn't deliver."
"Hmm, that's what Alix told me. Seems kind of drastic action for a broken promise."
"There's more to it, I'm sure. He'll open up a bit more when he comes to trust us."
"Please let me know," I begged, "I'll have to say something to Chalmers soon. I don't know what position to take on this thing."
"Just like we did before," Tommie said with sudden excitement. "Remember your party last spring to get the goods on your construction foreman, Matthew? Same tactics. You befriend Chalmers, get him to confide in you. Phillippe and I will work on Malike."
"I’ll bet you will! Call you later, Tommie."
I finished the morning snail mail and email, more reservations for the following week through the magazine article. Thank you, Bradley!
Enough paper work, curiosity was killing me. What had Alix held back? I took a short cut through the empty kitchen, Alix and Jeremie were both gone, then out the back entrance emerging under the rear terrace. A short walk through the old formal gardens led to the secluded swimming pool we had just completed constructing last spring.
"From the looks of you, I'd say you can't be concealing much," I laughed, as I came upon him stretched out nude on the edge of the pool deck, his smooth brown skin undraped by any red fabric this time.
"Wait 'til I turn over," he joked in return. "I got something very big to show you!"
"I know, baby, and I love every inch of it," I said dropping down beside him, "but first, ‘fess up. What did you want to tell me?"
"I don't know exactly where to start, but I recognized someone on the boat yesterday."
"One of Chalmers' business associates?"
"If you want to call him that. He's one of my grandfather's thugs!"
"Your grandfather!?! Who the hell is your grandfather? A Mafia don?"
"Something like that. You know anything about politics? Banana republic style?"
"Not much. It's all I can do to keep up with who's running Washington."
"There's an old tradition in some Latin American countries, loot the treasury before you leave office. You set up a retirement account in some offshore bank or in Switzerland. If anything goes wrong, and you get tossed out, walk away to a hidden fortune, live like a czar."
"So who is your grandfather?"
"You don't have any idea where I'm from, do you?"
"Miami, I thought. That's what Bradley told me."
"My mother sent me there to keep me away from trouble. I'm from Lima."
"Peru? But your last name sounds so Asian?"
"My father's side. My mother is Peruvian."
"You're telling me you're the grandson of..."
"... El Presidente, Juan Xavier Fujimora, who’s about to get his ass kicked out in the next election."
"My lover is an Aztec Prince!"
"Wrong country - Incan prince."

Alix filled me in on the rest of the sordid details occuring aboard the 'Princess'. A plan began formulating in my mind. I knew what we had to do. I left Alix by the pool and returned to my office. I had a few calls to make.
"Tommie, anything further at your end?"
"Malike's awake, had a light lunch, but he's not saying much - yet. We're working on it. Phillippe's showing him around the grounds, keeping his mind off his troubles."
"I'm going to push Chalmers into making a move. I’ll tell him that Malike's taken a turn for the worse and had to be transported to the hospital in town. Just keep him with you another day - and out of sight."
"We can do that," Tommie chuckled, "this is a big place."
"Would you put Nathaniel on please. I've a favor to ask him."
"Righto, Rick. Hold on."
When Nathaniel answered, I went over a special request with him. No problem, he assured me.
Just as I hung up, a knock sounded at the door.
"Rick, sorry to disturb you," Mauricio peeked around the office door. "Your man in the kitchen, Jeremie, said I'd find you here."
"Sure come in."
"I think we'd like to take a look at that boat you mentioned, maybe a short run out into the bay and back. If it seems right we might want to book a couple of days to explore the coast."
"Sure, I can arrange that," I answered, thinking quickly. "Let me call the captain and see if he’s available. I'll have your time confirmed by lunch."
"Hey, Rick, that'd be great," he smiled, a flash of white teeth lighting up his darkly tanned face.

Formal sit-down luncheons seemed a bit stuffy for our new guests, with the exception of Chalmers. We (the kitchen staff and I) opted for an informal buffet of salads and sandwiches set up on the rear terrace. I greeted the hunky new guests with news of a confirmed trip on the 'Princess' for that very afternoon. It left me free to work my plan on Chalmers.
"I'm so sorry about your friend," I oozed charm from every pore, as I turned to Chalmers. "I hope he's going to be okay."
"Well, yes, thanks awfully," Chalmers replied. "I suppose I should go fetch him from your neighbors."
"Of course. Alix will run you over directly. Lets go ahead with our lunch first."
Come to think of it, that might not be a bad idea, 'run him over' and be done with it. The slime ball was guilty of something, of that I was certain.
Jeremie interrupted my evil thoughts with a message, just as planned.
"Mistuh Rick, they be callin' you from Rose Hall."
"Thanks Jeremie, I'll be right there." I turned to Chalmers. "I'll tell them you're coming after Malike soon.
I stayed in my office just long enough to give the impression I had done some telephoning, then returned to the back terrace.
"Sorry, Mr. Chalmers, Malike has been taken to the hospital in town by the constable."
"Oh dear me," he sighed with consternation, "I hope there won't be any problems."
"It's probably just a routine matter," I assured him. "Seems the Harbor Master reported the incident of the 'man overboard' to the authorities. They took him in to Montego Bay Hospital for a thorough check-up. Might be an insurance matter or liability thing, you know. Better safe than sorry."
"I dare say! Perhaps your man could take me in to town right away. I shouldn't leave Malike alone at a time like this. He's probably frightened to death."
"They did say he seemed very frightened - about something!"

CHAPTER FOUR

"Bradley, you're a genius!"
"I know, dear sister, but what in particular has led you to this conclusion?"
"Your campaign of course. The reservations are coming in quite regularly. Except for a little incident this week, the season should be a money maker."
"Incident? What kind of mess are you in now?"
"No mess, really! Nothing I can't handle, or, we can't handle."
"It's 'we' now? How wonderful!"
"You didn't mention my little Alix is grandson to a president."
"I only pick out the best for my dearest friend, that is Marco and I. Remember this was his idea. He wanted you to have everything in a new lover that he was not."
"You're both a couple of snobs."
"By the way, did you become a 'we' before or after you found out Alix's identity?"
"Before, of course, I'm not the snob."
"That's right, you're the one that likes hustlers."
"That's history, I've turned over a new leaf."
"Don't kid yourself, the demon lurks in your soul," he chuckled.
"You know me so well, Bradley, but I've got to ring off now. Just called to say thank you for the great season coming up."
"My pleasure dearest one. Tata!"

With the hunks, as we all called them, on their way to the marina in Nathaniel's Bentley and Chalmers on his way to town in Alix's Land Rover, the place seemed suddenly very peaceful and quiet. Jeremie and Jaime were prepping two more guest rooms on the second floor for new arrivals expected by the weekend. Now seemed a perfect time to get some things done in the office. I settled in with a pot of coffee at my side, a sheaf of papers in my hand and the computer turned on. Of course the telephone rang, what else!
"Suger Hill Plantation Guest House, how may I help you?" I answered calmly and cordially.
"Rick, this is Tommie. We've got a problem. It's Malike again."
"What's he doing now?" I asked in exasperation.
"He's locked himself in the Jaguar with the engine running and he had the garage door closed."
"How the hell did this happen?" I continued, astounded.
"When Phillippe left for the marina to meet your guests at the 'Princess', Malike was going up to his room for an after lunch nap, or so I thought. I went up to check on him and he was gone."
"I can guess the rest," I broke in, "he passed down the back stairwell, took your keys and let himself into the garage."
"Most likely. I was in the library going over the estate accounts. As I was saying, I went looking for him all over the house and grounds. By the time I got to the motor court I could hear the car running and see exhaust escaping under the closed door."
"Is he alive?"
"At the moment. What am I to do?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice.
"Nothing! If you leave the garage door open, he won't die of carbon monoxide. Soon as the car runs out of gas or he runs out of patience, it's over."
"There must be something I can do, I can't just leave him in there."
"No spare key I suppose."
"All the spare keys are locked in the safe in Nathaniel's office. He has the combination. Can you come over please?"
"Tommie, I don't have a car here. It'll take me a half hour by the old farm road up over the hill, but I'm on the way."
"Thanks, Rick, I guess I'd make a poor nanny."
"It's not your fault, Tommie. The kid has a mental problem. If he doesn't come out when I get there, he'll have a physical problem, too!" I vowed.
In a half hour exactly, I was atop the hill separating the two adjoining plantations. I could look down on the pastoral panorama spread out below. The Georgian architecture of the Great House was as formal from the rear as from the front. The motor court appeared as an ell reaching out from the main house. The peaceful scene gave no sign of the disturbance within the walls below.
Tommie met me at the end of the farm road as it entered the motor court.
"Thank God you're here, Rick!" he gushed giving me a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. "Follow me, quickly!"
"He would pick the sedan," I chuckled. "If it'd been your XKE, we could have slit the top and reached in."
"Not the XKE," Tommie anguished, "it's a classic!"
Oh boy, I thought, as my eyes shot upward. I walked over to the car and banged on the back window.
"Malike, open the door this instant!" I shouted, sudden fury filling my voice.
He turned, staring at me through the glass, as if considering my words.
"We're here to help you. I'm not angry, just concerned," I said, softening my demeanor.
I reached for the door handle and gave it a tug. It turned easily in my hand and the door fell open.
"It wasn't even locked, Tommie!" I exclaimed as I glanced back at his shocked expression.
"I guess he's just looking for attention..." he began.
"...or sympathy!" I finished for him. "He hasn't any clothes on!"
"Oh dear," Tommie said looking confused. "Let's get him up to his room and into a cold shower. Maybe he's taken something."
"He smells like a brewery," I noted. "Which room is he in?" I asked, as I gathered him into my arms and walked him toward the house.
"Your old room, of course. Right across from mine."

Tommie put coffee on to brew while I pushed Malike into a cool shower. He offered no resistance, but tried to pull me in with him.
"You come," he insisted.
"No, Malike, I can't do that. But I'll stay right here with you. I won't leave you," I insisted.
I slid the shower door closed and waited while he stepped under the stream of water. The frosted glass blurred the detail, but his sensual body was clearly outlined, giving me an uncomfortable feeling. I was definitely attracted by his youthful innocence, his sexuality. I stepped back into the bedroom to calm down.
"Here we are," Tommie announced, breezing into the room with a silver tray. "Coffee for three!"
Malike emerged from the shower and wrapping himself in a large bathsheet, walked slowly into the bedroom. The damp hair falling across his forehead accentuated his large dark eyes. He stared openly at me, his expression taking on a slightly desperate, haunted look.
"Seems quite taken by you, Rick," Tommie commented. "Perhaps coffee for two would be in order. I'll just be across the hall if you need me." He smiled conspiratorily and closed the door softly behind him as he left the room.
Malike suddenly dropped the bathsheet to the floor standing before me with a great raging hard on. My mouth dropped open with shock, I had no idea he was so well endowed.
"Perhaps you'd better have your coffee now," I stammered.
He walked over and took my cup out of my hand, placing it gently on the bedside table.
"You come to bed," he commanded, "you hold me."
"Malike, you need to get some rest. Get into bed and I'll stay with you - for a while."
"You take clothes off and hold me, then I go to sleep," he promised, as he tugged at my belt and started undressing me.
I didn't resist, inwardly wanting this to happen. I let him strip the rest of my clothing off and drop them on the floor. My own level of excitement was quite evident as Malike dropped to his knees and placed his mouth over my growing member.
I groaned with pleasure as he worked his mouth around and up and down on my straining cock. Stopping suddenly, he stood up and pressed tight into me, stretching upward as his mouth sought mine. His moistened lips glossed over mine as his tongue darted briefly between them.
"Okay, we sleep now," he said pulling away and turning back the down filled bed covering. "You hold me," he insisted again as he drew me down beside him on the cool satin sheets.
Turning his back, he snuggled up against me, his firm rounded cheeks pressing into my throbbing prominence.
"You fuck me now," he pleaded as his moistened fingers guided me into him.
He suddenly moved up on top of me, sliding easily down over my engorged cock. Groans of pleasure and excitement escaped from both of us simultaneously. As he moved sensually up and down, a storm of excitement gathered deeply within, threatening to explode. Trying to hold back, and prolong the feeling, I reached around and grasped his cock. Pre-cum lubed his huge rosy head as I stroked him vigorously to a level of excitement equal to my own. His gasping and panting increased to a frenzy as I suddenly gushed forth filling him with my cream. He spurted his own milky liquid high into the air, the spattering drops raining down on both of us.
"Oh baby, you're so hot," I crooned, nuzzling his neck with my inflamed lips.
He craned his head around to bring his lips to meet mine, plunging his tongue deeply into me.

This time I needed no urging, joining Malike in a refreshing shower. Toweling off together, I urged him back into bed, covering him with the silken comforter. Bending over, I kissed him lightly on the lips, gently stroking his hair.
"Sleep for awhile, I'll be right downstairs if you need me, " I promised.
I closed his door and descended the main stairway, finding Phillippe and Tommie in earnest discussion in the grand formal hallway.
"I was just telling Phillippe of our afternoon's excitement," Tommie explained, turning to me.
"Is he okay now?" Phillippe quizzed me.
"I think Rick had everything firmly in hand," Tommie grinned.
I flushed deeply as my guilty behavior seemed no longer a secret.
"Guess he'll be all right for awhile," I mumbled. "I better be getting back to Sugar Hill before Alix does."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with us," Tommie assured me.
"Actually, I need to fill you in on your other two guests," Phillippe said. "I'll drive you home, we can talk on the way."
"Keep your eye on Malike please, Tommie," I begged as I turned to follow Phillippe. "He still seems a bit unstable."
"I'm sure he'll sleep better now," Tommie grinned, "now that he's been properly put to bed!"

"So what's up with my two hunks?" I turned to Phillippe as the car rolled down the gravel drive of Rose Hall.
"They seemed more interested in interrogating me than taking a run out into the bay," Phillippe noted. "They wanted to know what went down on the day sail with Chalmers. They were especially interested in the other two guys that met up with us out at sea."
"How did they know about the trip," I asked amazed.
"Seems like they overheard you and Alix talking about it last night."
"But we didn't discuss it 'til we got back to the cottage. How could they have overheard anything?" I mused. "Unless they were spying on us!"
"Whoever they are, I think they're professionals," Phillippe observed. "Maybe you've got a couple of investigators staying with you."
"Guess I'd better confront them, get it out in the open."
"You'd better go easy," Phillippe warned, "you don't know if they're the good guys or the bad guys."
"Got a point there! I'll call Bradley first, see if I can get a rundown. After all, he recommended them."

"Jeremie, have you seen our guests," I asked, entering the kitchen following my second call of the day to Bradley in Miami.
"If you mean them good lookin' white dudes," he grinned mischieviously, "they be down to the beach."
"When Alix gets back from town, tell him I've gone down there."
"Okay, Mistuh Rick, but I needs help gettin' the dinner finished."
"May be two less mouths to feed tonight."
"They be leavin', boss?"
"I'll let you know," I said stomping out of the kitchen, "but send Alix along anyway. I may need backup."
I went through the ground floor arched opening leading directly to the front lawn. I could see the sun hovering low on the horizon. It was later than I thought. I strolled slowing toward the water's edge, hoping Alix would get home before I confronted them. No such luck! They were walking up from the rocky promitory, beach towels thrown over their shoulders, no bathing suits.
"Hope you don't mind," Mauricio greeted me, that killer smile lighting up his face. "We wanted to fit in. You know, clothing optional and all."
"Plain to see you're not hiding anything," I quipped, glancing down at their bare 'assets', "or are you?"
"So you know?" Laurenzo added.
"Checked you out with the magazine staff in Miami. If you're working undercover you could have warned me."
"Need to know only! Not sure how you fit into this," Laurenzo continued, "Chalmers and his boyfriend we know about, the guys from Peru we know about, but the President's grandson working here for you - too much of a coincidence."
"What guys from Peru?" I asked with astonishment, "and what about Chalmers? What's going on here?"
"Chalmers 'meeting at sea'."
"What are you talking about?" I persisted.
"Need to know only," he repeated.
"You guys were spying on Alix and me in the privacy of our bedroom!" I exclaimed hotly. "I think that gives me a 'need to know'!"
Mauricio glanced at Laurenzo and shrugged his shoulders.
"Tell us about Alix," Laurenzo demanded.

CHAPTER FIVE

"I dropped him off at the hotel in town," Alix responded wearily. "He wanted to be close, in case they release Malike in the morning."
"So much for my hastily laid plan," I said, looking dejected and weary as well.
"Perhaps we could go to bed early," Alix suggested with a hint of hope lighting up his sexy brown eyes.
"What if the morning shift at the hospital tells Chalmers there is no patient named Malike?"
"What if a hurricane sweeps across Jamaica," Alix said with all the sarcasm his cute but tired little body could muster up.
"I catch your drift, but I'd still feel better if I called Nathaniel. I'll just be a sec." Then my tone softened as I observed his woeful expression. "Get ready for bed, I'll be right back."
Sprinting across the lawn to the Great House to the closest telephone in my ground floor office, I must have been observed entering the building. Mauricio walked in just as I was ringing up Rose Hall. I motioned for him to take a seat.
"Sorry to call so late, Nathaniel, but Chalmers pulled a switch on me and stayed in Montego Bay at the hotel." I was deliberately being open for Mauricio's benefit. "Would you have any contacts with the day shift of the hospital nursing staff?"
He assured me that he had already cued in the proper people at the hospital, not to worry. I rang off and turned to my visitor.
"Sorry Mauricio, had to get that off my mind. You wanted something?"
"Well, it's just that..." he began, then paused as he walked to the desk and stood behind me, his hands draped over my shoulders. "...I wanted to apologize for my friend. He can be a little rough at times. All business."
"Yeah, he was a little pushy," I said, feeling suddenly uncomfortable and stiffening up under his touch.
"I think you'll find me a little different, more like you," he said smoothly.
"If you mean he's straight and you're gay, don't worry, I knew. I'll keep your secret."
"I thought we might get together," he continued, running his hands down over my chest and slipping them under my belt.
"Sorry if your 'business partner' can't fulfill your sexual needs, but don't look to me. I've got my relationship with Alix that I value very much. I'm a 'one guy' kinda guy."
"You don't want to fool around? Who would know?" he crooned into my ear, his hand now inside my pants. "I can feel your response, you're getting hard like me."
He started removing my shirt, unbuckling my belt, and pulling me to my feet.
"Hold on! I've already seen you naked at the beach. I'm impressed. Any other time I'd jump on you in a minute. But you got to understand, Alix and I are just starting our relationship. It's very new and under a lot of stress already."
"You want information from me about your little Alix?" he asked slyly.
I backed away for a moment, then realized how silly I was being. I put my arms around Mauricio and drew him back to me, kissing him gently on the lips.
"You're gonna make some lucky guy very happy," I whispered into his ear, "but I'm not the one."
I gave him another quick hug, slipped on my shirt, and started toward the door.
"Get back here, Rick, I'm not done with you yet," he threatened sternly.
"Mauricio, there's nothing about Alix I can't find out from him."
"Wrong! There's a few things even Alix doesn't know about himself."
I sauntered warily back toward him. "Like what?"
"A secret bank account in Miami. Seven figures. It's in Alix's name, but he doesn't even know about it."
"You got me hooked, tell me more," I begged, taking my shirt back off, "and I'll give you what you want."
"Lay down on the desk," he ordered, pushing me roughly face down across the top, papers spilling wildly to the floor.
"You don't have to be so rough, I'll do it."
Pressing his hand down in the middle of my back he reached under me with the other hand and pulled my still unbuckled jeans down and off.
"Now spread those legs wide, I want to see that ass wide open."
His tongue licked slowly down between my buttocks, finding an opening and plunging deeply inside. I raised up slightly to free my own hardening cock, trapped against the steel desk top. Moaning with pleasure I rose again and pushed against his invading mouth. Just then I heard the office door open, but I couldn't see who entered. Suddenly a huge darkly tanned cock appeared in front of my face.
"Open up and take it all," a familiar voice insisted, pushing against my lips.
I eagerly complied, recognizing Laurenzo's voice. As I greedily swallowed every inch, nearly choking, I could feel a hand replacing the tongue in my ass, fingers pressing in, opening me up wider.
"The fuck of your life, Rick," Mauricio muttered, "Get ready!"
The fingers were replaced with his slippery cock pushing in as he pulled himself up over me and plunged deeply inside. Punching in and out roughly, over and over, he bruised his way in so deep I was about to split apart. The cock in my mouth drove in and out with the same rhythm. Being fucked from both ends by these two hunky studs was somewhere between a dream and a nightmare. Driven quickly and expertly to a climax, I felt a spasm shake my body just as Mauricio cried out, his own surge of cum filling me. Laurenzo pulled out of my mouth then shot back in with a deep stroke that filled me with his thick cream.
Both of them pulled out quickly, leaving me panting for breath, my heart racing. Taking my shirt, Mauricio wiped his glistening cock clean then tossed it over to Laurenzo who did the same. They threw it down over me and began pulling up their pants.
"I guess you earned it, Rick," Mauricio said casually. "After breakfast tomorrow, follow us down to the beach, we'll fill you in."
Turning their backs on me, they both walked toward the door without another word.
"I think I've already been 'filled in'," I joked weakly, still out of breath, but they were gone.
I slowly pulled myself together. The shirt was a mess, so I tucked it into the desk drawer and went barechested out into the inky black night, whistling tunelessly, 'What I Did For Love' as I crossed the wide expanse of lawn.

Alix was sound asleep when I got back to the cottage. I turned out the lights, slipped quietly into bed beside him, my arm draped lightly over his smoothly tanned torso.
"Is that you baby?" he murmured sleepily.
"Go back to sleep Alix," I whispered. "I love you."
He pushed back against me snuggling into the curve of my body.
"The heir apparent," I whispered to myself.

The early morning stillness was shattered by the clattering of bootshod feet on the front steps of the cottage. Tapping on the front door followed.
"Rick, Alix, it's Nathaniel."
Why doesn't he just come on in I thought drowsily. Then remembered I had locked the door last night, a first at Sugar Hill.
"Coming, Nat!" I called out, shrugging into a pair of jeans.
"What's with the locked door?" he asked curiously as I turned the old brass lock and swung the door open.
"Those hunky dudes, Mauricio and Laurenzo. They seem to be some kind of agents, been snooping around here, spying and eavesdropping. I didn't want to make it too easy for them," I grinned sleepily. "What's up with you so early? Want some breakfast?"
"Coffee'd be great. Your boy Malike's really done it this time. Overdose."
"What?" I exclaimed, startled.
"Got in to Tommie's stash of sleeping pills last night. Tommie and Phillippe looked in on him during the night, he was unconscious."
"That kid's set on self destruct," I muttered. "Let me get the pot going."
Nathaniel dropped down into a kitchen chair while I fussed with the old gas stove.
"He gonna be all right?" I asked with concern.
"I spent the night at the hospital with him. He's out of danger now."
"What can we do? Does Chalmers know?" I asked thoughtfully.
"Not yet, that's why I stopped here. Maybe Alix could go sit with Malike for awhile, intercept Chalmers if he comes back to the hospital asking questions."
"Good idea, I'll go wake him."
"I'm up," Alix said sleepily, shuffling into the kitchen. "Can Jeremie and Jaime do breakfast duty again?"
"Yeah, they make a good team," I acknowledged. "You're a great teacher."
I turned to the stove, pouring boiling water through a cone filter holding freshly ground Blue Mountain coffee.
"Only the finest for my lover and my best buddy," I exclaimed as I filled their cups.
"Which one is which?" Nathaniel laughed.
"My lover's the exotic one," I announced, hugging Alix from behind his chair.
"I'd better take this to the shower and get going," Alix said pushing back from the table, taking his cup with him.
"Phillippe told me his suspicions about your guests," Nathaniel said quietly, as Alix left the room. "What did you find out about them?"
"Bradley confirmed they're some kind of undercover agents, pretending to be tourists to keep an eye on Chalmers. They wouldn't tell me anything yesterday, but promised to 'fill me in' was their exact words, after breakfast. I'd just as soon not worry Alix about all this 'til I get more details."
"Good idea," Nathaniel agreed. "I've got to get back to Rose Hall, it's been a long night," he said wearily. "A couple hours sleep should take care of it. Call me if you need help with those two dudes," he warned, struggling to his feet.
"Thanks, Nat," I said, walking him to the door.

I walked down to the beach, breakfast finished, Alix on his way to Montego Bay's hospital, Nathaniel gone back home. The coast was clear for a tete-a tete with the hunks.
"Okay guys, what've you got for me?" I demanded, coming upon them stretched out on towels by the waters edge.
"How 'bout a couple of hot cocks?" Laurenzo joked, but the leering look on his face said he might be serious.
"Been there, done that!" I said firmly. "Now, out with it! What's going on here?"
"You're right, we owe you something," Mauricio agreed.
They looked at each other, Laurenzo nodded, Mauricio began.
"Money's coming out of Peru in great quantities. Your buddy, Alix is just a small part of it. The upper level government, including his grandfather are stashing cash and converting some to other kinds of assets as fast as they can. Chalmers brought diamonds from South Africa, somehow. His 'business meeting' was to be an exchange of the jewels for a deposit to his Swiss bank account, all done by computer on that boat of Phillippe's."
"Diamonds!" I exclaimed with astonishment. "But who do you work for?"
"If we tell you, we'll have to kill you," Laurenzo joked. "Just say we work internationally."
"Like Interpol?" I prompted.
"Something like that."
"What else do you know about Alix that I should know?"
"He'd better move that money in Miami before his grandfather relocates it."
"So you believe he's innocent in all this?"
"Far as we know."
"Who's gonna tell him about the bank account?" I asked, confused.
"We need his help, your help. We need to nail Chalmers. Find out how he slipped the diamonds out of his company and out of the country."
"And the money in Miami?"
"Let's just call it a finder's fee. We'll tell him where it is and he can go withdraw it, after we get Chalmers."
"So you're only after the diamonds, not the cash?"
"For now. Chalmers is guilty of theft from his employer and international smuggling. If the government changes in Peru, after the elections, we'll go after the stolen assets. Return the funds to the new government."
"And Alix's money?"
"We won't know anything about it," he chuckled.
"Okay, what do we have to do?"
"We'll meet with you two together, this afternoon. We've got to get into town and check on some other details."
"You won't say anything about last night? Our little scene in the office?'
"Don't know anything about it," Laurenzo said. "You must have dreamed the whole thing."
They both snickered.
"It was kind of dreamy," I laughed. "I'll go call Nathaniel to run you into town," I said turning back toward the house.

CHAPTER SIX

"You bring Malike home with you?" I asked Alix as he entered the office.
"Nathaniel took him back to Rose Hall," Alix replied wearily, slumping into a chair. "It's been a long boring day sitting in that hospital room."
"Must be out of danger if they let him go after one night." I pondered a minute. "And Chalmers?"
"He didn't show."
"Strange, he was so eager to get in there to see him. Whatever! It's almost four o'clock, let's go up and have a drink in the library. The hunks are supposed to join us," I continued mysteriously.
Alix led the way, I glanced back at my cleared off desk top before closing the door. Memories of the previous night's adventure flooded my mind. The stained shirt was still in the bottom desk drawer.
"Where is everybody?" Alix questioned as he watched me stir the martinis.
"Nathaniel stopped by for the hunks to carry them into town, that must be when he picked up Malike. Jeremie and Jaime are teaming up again for dinner prep. Guess you're stuck with me, cutie!"
We drank in silence, sitting side by side on the leather sofa, so cool and sensual to the touch. It was turning me on, or the drink was.
"Want to take our drinks to the cottage - for privacy?" I invited, "or are you too tired?"
"I want to do it right here," Alix said, "on the sofa. I saw you stroking the leather. Stroke me like that and I'll rip your clothes right off your body."
We frantically stripped and joined our bodies together, stretched out on the smooth cordovan surface. I eagerly swallowed Alix deep into my throat as he lay over me, his own mouth teasing me to rock hardness. With the magic of the martini and the expertise of my lover, I quickly gushed forth.
"Hmm," Alix mumbled, his mouth still full. "Now I'm taking it slow and easy. Gonna fuck your throat 'til you beg for mercy."
He switched positions, knees on either side of my chest as he thrust forward into my mouth. Long, slow strokes tested the depth of my endurance.
Shuddering as the climax gathered, he lunged forward once again. The sweet taste of Alix filled my mouth once again. He slumped down over me, his rigid hardness receding slightly. I pulled him tightly against me, stroking his smooth ass.
We lay there, inert, for long moments of shared pleasure and spent passion. The door to the library opened soundlessly; we heard nothing until a clearing of the throat brought us back to sanity.
"Looks like we missed the party!" Laurenzo exclaimed.
Alix gasped, struggling to his feet. I flushed red with embarrassment. We scrambled into our clothes as I mumbled an apology.
"Sorry guys, I'm not being a very good host."
"Nothing we haven't seen before," Laurenzo grinned.
Alix looked sharply in my direction.
"We were just having martinis," I continued quickly, "you guys up for it?"
"Sure, we got a lot of ground to cover," Mauricio chimed in.
I fled to the safety of the armoire to mix a fresh batch, then recovered, turned to Alix.
"The hu..., I mean, the guys have asked for our help with a little project they're working on - mainly Chalmers. In return, they'll recommend new customers for our guest house," I added quickly, not wanting to get into the bank account thing just yet.
"What do you guys know about him?" Laurenzo began.
For the next half hour we filled them in on all we knew, from Chalmers odd behavior at arrival up through his trip to town. The story of Malike's three attempts at suicide gave them new info.
"They won't tell us, Alix, but they're some kind of undercover agents tracking international thieves and such."
"So how can we help?" Alix ventured, having kept curiously calm during this whole discourse.
"We need to know how he stole the gems and how he got them this far," Mauricio stated.
"That's easy," Alix replied confidently, "Malike did it, he told me."
My head snapped around quickly to Alix at my side, both of us still on the sofa (to cover the damp stains that we had created).
"How?" I cried out.
"He swallowed the diamonds in South Africa and they passed through his system and landed just after he did, here in Jamaica."
I let out a low whistle.
"And you're just now telling me this?" I exclaimed.
"I just found out, at the hospital. We had a lot of time to talk about lots of things," he said pointedly, looking coolly in my direction.
I shrank back into the corner of the sofa, too stunned to speak.
"Well, I'll be damned," Laurenzo managed. "We should have thought of that. Like a drug dealer's mule."

It seemed only fitting, with these revelations, that we continue our discussions at the dinner table, all four of us. I avoided direct eye contact with Alix. Feelings of embarrassment, shame, and guilt swept over me.
"I guess we won't be seeing any more of Chalmers," I speculated aloud.
"He'll be back," Laurenzo said. "He didn't consumate the deal on board that boat. Something spooked the guys with the money; they saw something that scared them off."
He stared directly at Alix.
"They're anchored in the bay, probably waiting for instructions from Peru," he continued looking at Alix again.
"I suppose they might have recognized me," Alix admitted.
Laurenzo exchanged glances with his partner Mauricio, reaching some unspoken agreement.
"We need Malike here," he said to Alix, "and we need you to drive us over to get him."
"I don't think he wants to come here where Chalmers can get at him," I broke in.
"Exactly why we need him, to draw Chalmers back, draw the money men."
"Makes sense. Alix will drive you whenever you're ready," I agreed, not daring to look at Alix.
They finished dinner quickly and headed for the front door, Alix trailing behind.
"We have a few things to discuss," he said sharply.
"When you get back, I'm all yours," I joked.
The joke fell flat as he turned and stalked out the door. What do I always do when I get into trouble, call Bradley. I headed for the office telephone.
"My advice to the lovelorn," Bradley began as I explained the problems, "is to always be truthfull, even it it hurts. Take your lumps and start fresh."
"Not what I expected to hear."
"You little tart, if you'd keep it in your pants you wouldn't be in this mess," Bradley scolded.
"Sometimes it's hard to resist a cute boy or a big muscular hunk..."
"...or anything in pants," he finished.
"I'm oversexed, I guess," I mumbled.
"No such thing. Just be more discriminating, dearie."
"Thanks Bradley, I'll get on my knees and beg."
"You've been there before, ought to be easy. While you're down there, kiss Alix for me."
I chuckled at that one, Bradley always cheers me up.
"Keep your eye on the weather. Tropical storms in the Atlantic, my dear."
We closed with promises to keep in touch, and Bradley's signature, 'Tata!'

Alix and company trooped in the door within the hour. Malike was huddled in a blanket, shaking like a frightened animal. Alix was grim faced. The hunks appeared calm, non-committal.
"I'm taking the first watch," Alix said firmly, his arm around Malike as he led him up the stairs.
"I'll wait in the library, if you need me," I offered.
"Don't wait on my account," Alix called back over the railing.
"Looks like somebody's in big trouble," Laurenzo said with a wide grin.
"Yeah, no thanks to you," I shot back.
"We need your car," Mauricio broke in. "After what the kid told us, I don't think Chalmers will come rushing to his side. He may make his deal in town and split."
"He can come with us voluntarily or in handcuffs," Laurenzo added.
I pulled the extra set of keys out of the library desk and handed them over without a word.

Sitting on the leather sofa where just hours ago Alix and I had shared such bliss, was like rubbing salt in the wound. I was steeling myself for the inevitable-confronting Alix. Finally, I trudged slowly up the stairs to the Planters Suite to meet my fate.
"I'm sorry."
"About what," Alix said quietly, closing the door behind him.
"You know I had sex with Malike."
"Yes, and who else?"
I squirmed like a schoolkid, considering my answer.
"Mauricio and Laurenzo."
"Both of them!" he exclaimed loudly.
"It was kind of like rape," I said, fidgeting.
"They say you can't rape the willing. Were you into it?" he demanded.
"Not at first, and it was only one of them, at first. The other one slipped in unannounced - like a trap."
"How did you feel when it was over?"
"Ashamed of my disloyalty to you. I'm really, really sorry."
"So am I," he said sadly. "You may have more to worry about than what I think."
"Like what?"
"Chalmers got Malike to swallow the diamonds in exchange for a promise, a promise to get him medical treatment."
"For what? What's wrong with him?"
"He's dying. It went untreated too long. He's got A.I.D.S."
The blood drained out of my face.

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Now that I have your complete attention," Alix said firmly, "help me take Malike over to the cottage."
"Why take him there?" I asked quietly.
"If your 'hunky buddies' are bringing Chalmers back from town, Malike will be safer sleeping in our bed where we can both watch him."
"Makes sense. Anything you say."
We awakened Malike, who seemed quite relaxed and refreshed. He seemed quite happy to be with both of us, but started staring at me again. Alix took notice.
"Take your clothes off, Malike," Alix ordered when we got into our bedroom at the cottage. "Get into bed."
Alix started undressing himself as well. I watched curiously, not sure what was happening. I soon found out.
"I suppose you want my forgiveness?" Alix said with a slight note of sarcasm.
"Of course, baby, anything I can do to make it up to you. I've been such an ass."
"Yes you have. I think the best punishment is to get even. Sit over there in the chair and watch. I'm going to fuck Malike, just like you did."
I gasped with astonishment, I'd never seen Alix so wrought up, so forceful.
"The difference between you and me - I'm not doing it behind your back. You can even sit there and jerk off if you want. Another difference - I'm using a condom because I care about you. I wouldn't want to have anonymous sex and infect you with anything. I care about you, just remember that."
Malike sat up in bed as Alix approached, a gleam in his eyes. I was yesterdays news. Sitting quietly across the room, chagrined, I dared not say a word.
Alix reached in the bedside table drawer for a foil packet and the KY. As he prepared himself, Malike watched in fascination.
"Lay face down Malike," Alix ordered.
He eagerly complied, spreading his legs wide, raising his smooth rounded ass expectantly into the air. Alix pulled a feather pillow down under Malike to raise him higher, then slowly dropped down onto him. As Alix pumped slowly into Malike's writhing body, I grew so hard, I thought I'd burst with an instant orgasm.
"It feels so good this way," Alix crooned, "but we have to entertain our guest, Malike. Turn over on top of me."
He pulled Malike up on all fours and lay down flat under him, turning Malike around and pulling his ass back down on top of his steel hard shaft. Malike gasped with pleasure.
"Enjoying the show, Rick?" Alix asked teasingly.
I was too embarrassed to answer and getting so hot and horny, I dared not move.
Alix continued pumping into Malike with increased passion and speed. Malike sat up and started masturbating himself.
"Yeah, that's it Malike. Shoot that stream of cum. Shoot across the room. Let Rick taste it!"
Alix gave a sudden gasp and lunged up, climaxing deep inside Malike. Malike spewed forth a stream of milky liquid seconds later. I watched with fascination, my heart racing, my breath coming out in short bursts. Alix let out a final sigh as Malike fell back onto him. I let out my own gasp and dashed for the bathroom. A sudden wetness surrounded my own rock hard cock, still confined in clothing. I had cum in my jeans.

"I think we're even for now," Alix said, as we sat on the sofa, at opposite ends.
All three of us had showered, not together, of course. Alix instructed Malike to take the bed and had closed the door. We had wandered out to the veranda then returned to the living room
"We'll sleep out here," he said quietly, "just like old times, when Bradley was here."
I turned toward Alix, looking for consolation or acceptance, but he sat rigidly in the corner, staring out the front window.
"I really am truly, truly sorry," I pleaded.
"So am I," he answered quietly. "I shouldn't have done that with Malike. I was so angry with you, so hurt inside."
"Do we still have a chance, you and me?"
He turned slowly, looking directly into my eyes, his own demeaner softening somewhat.
"That's up to you," he replied simply.
I slid across the sofa, closer. He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Of course I still love you, silly boy! Just don't ever go behind my back again!" he warned vehemently.
"I promise."
"You sure got turned on, bet you wanted to join us didn't you?" he laughed softly.
We kissed lightly, tenderly, then more passionately. I was getting hard again, so was he. I could feel it through his robe, and he didn't push my hand away.

We slept soundly through the night, not hearing the hunks return with my car and Chalmers, not hearing the wind pick up. The coconut palms outside the cottage rattled their crisp fronds. The clouds scudded over the moon, bringing an inky blackness to the landscape. We slept on.

Awakening to a clear bright morning, I realized we had overslept. Alix was nestled against me, the curve of his body fitting into mine. The previous night seemed like a dream, another time, another place.
"Baby, it's time to get up," I whispered, nudging him softly.
"I'm awake."
"Yeah, you always say that," I chuckled quietly, then kissed him gently on the back of the neck. "I love you so much, dear Alix."
"Yeah, me too!" he said, stretching his arms outward and arching his back, cat-like. "I've got to do the breakfast, get back into my routine. You get Malike up and dressed."
"Me?" I asked warily.
"I trust you, Rick. Just bring him down to the kitchen to eat. We don't want to subject him to Chalmers, if he's even back yet."
"You're right, we'll all eat down there."

"Mistuh Rick, yo' needs to call Nathaniel right away," Jeremie greeted me, as I walked into the kitchen with Malike trailing behind. "He say it very impotent!"
"He's sure not impotent," I giggled. "Okay, bring Malike some coffee, please, I'll call now," I said disappearing into the hallway toward the office.
"'sup, bro?" I asked when Nathaniel answered.
"No matter how hard you try, man, you ain't gonna turn black," Nathaniel laughed.
"But you turned into a country gentleman," I pointed out.
"Mixing with those preppie types at the U. of M. 'll do that to a guy," he joked.
"I thought you got your engineering degree at FIU?"
"I did, but the boys were cuter over in Coral Gables."
"Oh yeah! Which brings me to the urgency of your call," I said.
"Storm warnings are up, Phillippe was notified by the marina to relocate the 'Princess' or get her up into dry dock."
"That bad?" I asked, puzzled.
"Isidore has turned and is headed for the western end of Jamaica - that's us. Expected to be declared a hurricane by nightfall."
"I made it through Hurricane Andrew all right."
"But you were in Key West. Your Miami brothers didn't fare too well, remember?"
"That bad, huh?"
"I'd board up the front facing the sea, anyway," Nathaniel advised.
"There goes my weekend arrivals, my season's getting off to a bad start."
"Better safe than sorry, I got to get moving around here. If you need help later, give me a buzz."
"Thanks, Nat. You're the greatest!" I grinned into the phone and hung up.
Oh shit! What else could go wrong around here? I returned to the kitchen.
"Soon as breakfast is ready to serve, let's all eat together in the dining room. That includes you and Jaime," I said directly to Jeremie.
"What's going on?" Alix asked, clattering pots on the stove.
"A higher power has intervened in our lives and necessitated some changes. I'll tell you all at table, let me gather the others. Meet you upstairs."
"He sho' do talk funny sometimes," Jeremie said, shaking his head as I walked out of the kitchen.

Jeremie and Jaime sat at the far end of the table, Laurenzo and Mauricio on the left, Malike and Alix on the right. I presided at the head. Chalmers chose to stay in his room.
"I hope this doesn't equate to the 'last supper'," I quipped, looking at the expectant faces around me. "A possible hurricane is headed our way, due by nightfall."
The gasps were heard around the table.
"We heard the talk in town last night," Mauricio said nodding in agreement.
"What'll we do?" Alix asked with concern.
"Nathaniel advises boarding up the front facing the sea. We've still got those plywood pieces leftover from the pool construction, they're stored out in the old mill. All the saws, hammers, nails we need are out there too."
"Me and Jaime'll measure and cut," Jeremie offered.
"Guess Malike and I can handle nailing up across the front," Alix said.
"Sounds like a plan. I'll start draining the pool, closing up the cottage shutters," I said, feeling back in control again as I turned to our guests. "You guys going to stay here or in town? Might be safer at the hotel, we'll cover the charges, of course," I offered congenially.
Breakfast concluded quickly and everyone dispersed to their self-appointed tasks.
"Rick," Laurenzo called, motioning me to follow him across the hallway to the library. "We've got Chalmers, we've got the diamonds. I think we'd better fly out of here right away."
"What about your guys with the money, out in the bay?"
"They probably cleared out already, with the storm coming. The money was going to be a computer transfer to Chalmers' account anyway. No cash."
"Can you spare someone to give us a lift back into town?" Mauricio asked.
"Sure, I'll drive you in myself, but what about Malike?"
"Under the circumstances, his medical treatment might be better in the States than going back to South Africa."
"So you knew about his...his condition?" I almost choked on the words.
"All part of Chalmers grand scheme. He took Malike out of the slums, made great promises to save him, then he was going to pass him along to the money men from Peru."
"Why? What did they need with him?"
"In case they needed to stash the gems again. Force him to swallow them once more."
"Oh, my God!" I exclaimed. "He was like a slave boy!"

The hunks quickly packed and met me in the gravelled car park, Chalmers in tow.
"What'll happen to him?" I asked as I stowed their bags in the back.
"I think his employers will take their pound of flesh," Laurenzo grinned. "The diamond syndicate is very powerful in Cape Town."
The drive along Shore Road into Montego Bay was picturesque and calm, no sign of the storm in the sky or the sea.
"How were you able to acquire seats out of here so quickly, I'd think the planes would be overbooked by now?"
"We have our connections," Laurenzo replied mysteriously.
I was directed to an unmarked gate at the far side of the airport. A private jet awaited, strange markings on the tail.
"Thanks guys, it's been a real experience," I acknowledged as they led Chalmers, now in handcuffs, through the gate.
Mauricio just winked, Laurenzo shot his sexiest smile in my direction.
"'Til next time," he said.
In your dreams, I thought, and in mine!

By the time I arrived back at Sugar Hill, most of the first floor was completely boarded up. Alix was on a ladder at the front working on the corner window of the Planters Suite.
"We've been invited to weather the storm at Rose Hall," he called down to me.
"All of us?"
"All five of us plus the three of them. I think there's safety in numbers."
"You may be right," I admitted, looking forward to the sound advice of Nathaniel and Tommie to help us through this impending crisis.
We worked industriously throughout the afternoon, calling it quits at four o'clock. The skies still seemed cloudless and blue, a perfect fall day in the tropics. All of us retired to our rooms to shower and pack an overnight case. Malike stayed close by Alix and me.
"What are we going to do with Malike?" I whispered when he was safely closed in the bathroom for his turn at the shower. "He needs help, more than he can get here."
"We'll take him to Miami," Alix stated. "I'm sure Bradley could point us in the right direction. He can get better medical treatment there. We'll get him a little apartment. Bradley could look in on him now and again."
"Just like that! How are we going to pay his bills?"
"I've got a little trust fund put away there."
"In Miami?" I asked in amazement, thinking of Laurenzo's reference to the secret bank account in Alix's name. "Wouldn't be at Southern Trust, would it?"
"Yes, how did you know?" he whirled around in amazement.
"Laurenzo said your grandfather had hidden his stolen millions in various accounts around the world, including one in your name in Miami."
"He may have," Alix said indignantly, "but this trust was set up by my father when I was born."
"Nothing to do with your grandfather?"
"My father, with the Asian name you find so strange, was a Japanese industrialist. He left me and my brother equal trusts for use after the age of twenty-five."
"A seven figure account?"
"About nine million dollars by now I suppose."
I let out a low whistle, stunned beyond belief. I'd been had by the hunks! In more ways than one.

CHAPTER EIGHT

"We may lose lights and phones, but we'll still have water and gas," Tommie said hopefully as we trooped in from the back motor court into Rose Hall's Great House. "Nathaniel has prepared a great dinner - may be our last for awhile."
"Do you validate?" I quipped, placing keys carefully in my pocket, remembering the mischief Malike had gotten into
"No, but we give great garage," Tommie shot back, with a grin.
"I noticed. Two Mercedes, one Bentley, a Range Rover, and my Land Rover. I hope they're still there in the morning."
"That hill you trudged over the other day is our buffer from the winds, we're leeward," Phillippe chimed in, as he joined us from the kitchen. "Hope your place fares as well."
"Yeah, we did the best we could with one day," I said grimly.
"Just like a sleep over back at school," Tommie said brightly, "We'll have such great fun!"
Nathaniel appeared in the kitchen door, covered with a white apron and flour dust. "Dinner at seven, guys. Go stake out your rooms."
"I'll take Malike's things up to his room," Phillippe offered.
"Rick and Alix in the room next to Malike," Tommie suggested, "and how about you Jaime?"
"I want to be with Jeremie and Nathaniel," he said.
"Righto, third floor it is," he said , leading them up the back stairs off the back hall.
Alix and I followed Phillippe and Malike toward the grand stairway in the front hall. As we passed over the elegant Oriental rug under the gold framed portraits of Tommie's ancestors, I felt the power and influence the family had wielded over this part of Jamaica. The vast fields of sugar cane came first, making millions for the Prescotts on the backs of the black slave laborers. Later, as slavery was outlawed by the Crown, the family had wisely diversified their efforts into pineapple and coffee production. Now the hills surrounding both our plantations had yielded up a rich store of bauxite for aluminum production. Tommie and his lover Phillippe graciously shared their new mining enterprise with Tommie's childhood companion Nathaniel, descended from the original slave families of Rose Hall. The three of them lived as equal partners now, sharing Rose Hall as their home.
"In spite of all this spirit of democracy and sharing, the whites are still on the second floor and the blacks on the third floor," I observed to Alix. "Some things never change."
"Wait 'til you get to Peru, lover boy. Whew! Talk about the class distinctions!" Alix noted.
"And why might I be going to Peru, pray tell?" I laughed. "To meet the inlaws?"
"Exactly," Alix said leading me up the stairway. "If we're going to live together you need to know me better."
"Can't we just elope?" I kidded.
"And deny my family the privilege of meeting their new son-in-law?"
"You mean like man and wife?" I whispered back.
"No, silly, 'man and man'. I'm not anybody's wife , and neither are you!"
We reached the upper hallway behind Malike and Phillippe.
"I'll help Malike get settled in," Phillippe offered, "you two join us down in the library for drinks when you get unpacked."
We stood in front of our door, I pulled Alix around to face me and said, "I haven't even proposed yet."
"I was gonna do that," Alix grinned, dropping down to one knee. "Will you marry me, Rick?"
"To have and to hold forever!" I promised, pulling him back up into my arms.
"But I'm not carrying you over the threshold," he warned, "this is an equal partnership, remember, mano y mano."
"Kiss me quick before I get cold feet," I ordered pulling him tightly to me, kissing him passionately and savoring the growing closeness of our bodies, our lives.

We entered the library hand-in-hand, Tommie and Phillippe both looking up oddly at us from their matching wing chairs in front of the fireplace.
"Looks like somebody just got f......" Phillippe began.
"Now, now, Phillippe dear," Tommie interrupted, "there are children in the house."
"As a matter of fact," I started, but shot a quick glance at Alix for approval. He nodded in eager agreement. "We just proposed to live together, as husband and husband."
"That calls for a celebration," Nathaniel called out from the doorway behind us. "I've got just the thing tucked away in the wine cellar. Give me five minutes."
He disappeared down toward the kitchen.
"I'd better go get Malike," Phillippe offered, "wouldn't be fair for him to miss Nathaniel's treat."
He retreated quickly out the library door.
"I think Phillippe's quite fond of young Malike," Tommie said. "Maybe a little too fond."
Alix and I exchanged glances.
"Here we go gents," Nathaniel announced, bearing a silver champagne bucket.
Jeremie followed with a silver tray of crystal stemware, Jaime carried a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
As Nathaniel poured from the bottle of Crystal', Tommie passed the filled glasses to each of us. Malike and Phillippe arrived just in time for their glass.
"In honor of this auspicious occasion, the pending union of Alix and Rick, we raise our glasses in salute with our combined best wishes," Tommie toasted, then drank deeply of the expensive vintage. "I'd say let's dash our glasses in the fireplace, but I think we'd best not tempt the fates. The hurricane may do enough dashing and smashing." He returned hs empty glass to the tray. "Everyone help yourself to more, I'm the only one on the wagon."
I stood close to Alix, my arm around his waist, then gave him a quick kiss to ackowledge the toast. Malike's eyes appeared troubled at our display of intimacy. He visibly shrank behind Phillippe, as if for protection.
"Dinner will be served in thirty minutes," Nathaniel warned, "I trust we'll all be able to come to table under our own steam. After dinner, you can drink 'til you drop," he grinned.

The dinner was Nathaniel's usual gourmet delight - Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail with appropriate accoutrements. A fine French Bourdeaux with dinner and a light fruity dessert wine with the chef's signature coconut souffle followed. Jaime and Jeremie offered to bus the table and clean up the kitchen so Nathaniel could join the rest of us 'adults' in the library. Tommie served Courvousier. If the hurricane didn't blow us away the alcohol would.
"Anyone for Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Clue?" Phillippe offered. "That's what we do after dinner in an English country house while we're waiting for the lights to go out."
"And what do we do after the light go out/" Alix posed the question with a sly smile.
"We tell ghost stories, like the legend of the White Witch of Sugar Hill," he continued in his eeriest voice. "By candlelight with the wind whistling outside, the ghost herself might appear at our window."
I felt the chill bumps crawling up my arms as I recalled my own sightings of the Mistress of Sugar Hill. Alex seemed non-plussed, but Malike's eyes grew ever wider with awe and a little fright.
"Now you've frightened the boy," Tommie scolded his lover.
"I'm sure I can soothe his nerves," Phillippe replied smoothly. "Let's have another round."
Much drinking continued, but the board games were soon forgotten. Jeremie and Jaime joined us with trays of munchies, as if anyone could eat more.
"Let's turn the lights down and go for the haunting tale," Phillippe insisted. "Let's make it like a 'Murder Mystery Weekend'."
"Well if we must," Tommie finally got into the spirit of the idea, "let Nathaniel begin, he knows more of it than anyone here."
"Feel free to jump in," Nathaniel offered, looking around the room at the expectant faces. "More than one of us here has glimpsed the apparition of the Mistress of Sugar Hill and felt her presence," he continued with reverential tone.
"In 1831, when the Mistress ruled Sugar Hill with an iron hand, having survived the deaths of three previous husbands, the Great Slave Rebellion of New Year's Eve was being plotted in the humble cottages of the downtrodden slaves..."
The tale continued to unfold even as the winds picked up their tempo and the lights began to flicker. The rapt audience sought out the comfort of each other, their eyes wide, lips parted as they hung on to every detail. Cousins Jamie and Jeremie held on to each other, while Alix and I hugged close in the corner of a sofa. Malike sought refuge on the other sofa, wedged between Tommie and Phillippe, Tommie's arm draped casually across his thin shoulders, Phillippe's arm around his waist. A bonding of the threesome was definitely in the making.
"...and as the houseman charged up the staircase, he knew it was too late. The Mistress lay on the huge fourposter in a pool of her own blood, the infant screaming at her side."
As if on cue, the hall clock standing outside the library door chimed twelve midnight, just as the lights flickered once again and went out.
"Don't anybody move!" came a voice out of the darkness. "I'll get the matches."
It was Tommie, scrambling to his feet and banging his way to the glass fronted secretary in the corner of the room. The scratching sound was followed by a tiny glimmer of light, then an ever increasing glow as he ignited the candles around the room, one by one.
I glanced across at the other sofa almost missing Phillippe quickly withdrawing his hand from Malike's bulging crotch.
"I think Malike's in for a 'bumpy night'," I whispered to Alix.
"You jealous?" Alix whispered back.
"We both had him, if you remember, now it's their turn. Let's slip away for our own bumps in the night," I suggested.
"Guys, thanks for everything, but if you don't mind we'll head upstairs," Alix announced.
"I think Jeremie and Jamie are ready, too," Nathaniel suggested.
"We'll just sit it out awhile longer, see if the lights come back on," Tommie said with a wan smile.
The five of us trooped out together, leaving poor Malike in the hands of Phillippe and Tommie.
"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'," Nathaniel asked Alix and I, as he nodded back at the three in the library.
"I think nothing but pure thoughts from this day forth," I replied with an angelic smile. "But young Master Malike's gonna get fucked from both ends anyway."
Alix and I ascended the front staircase, calling out our final goodnight to Nathaniel and his charges, headed for the back stairs. The sound of the library door closing echoed through the silent hallway.

The dawn broke with a mushroom colored sky. Electricity was still out, but the house seemed intact, and winds had died down. Alix was already showering as I slipped out of bed intending to join him. The loud knock on the door interrupted me.
"Rick, Alix!" Nathaniel's agitated voice cut through the stillness.
Without thinking, I threw open the door, forgeting to slip on a robe.
"Any other day I'd be flattered," Nathaniel said, staring down at my hardened cock rising to meet him, "but we got a problem. Major!"
Tommie and Phillippe popped open their door, staring at me and Nathaniel.
"What's going on," Tommie called out. "Oh I see!" he giggled, looking down at my immodest display.
"I think I'd better get dressed. Come in," I invited Nathaniel, but Tommie and Phillippe pushed in behind him.
I retreated to the bathroom and grabbed a silk dressing robe, warning Alix we had company in the outer room.
"That's not very modest," he kidded, staring at my robe, poked out in front.
I grabbed a towel, wrapping it tightly around me, then replaced the robe.
"How's that?"
"Better. Go ahead. I'll be out in a minute."
"What's happened?" I asked, reentering the bedroom, finding Nathaniel pacing, Tommie and Phillippe sitting on the edge of the rumpled bedcovers.
"It's Malike!" Nathaniel cried out. "He's dead!"

POST MORTEM

Somberly, we followed Nathaniel down the stairs, through the great hall to the rear motor court entrance.
"He was in the Mercedes, engine running, garage door closed. I was up early, checking the perimeter of the building for damage."
The stillness was thick enough to cut with a knife as we slowly approached the garage, the door now open, the engine silenced, Malike silenced - forever.
"Where's Jeremie and Jaime?" I asked, looking around our decimated group.
"They were sleeping when I slipped out this morning. I haven't been upstairs since."
"Don't let them see this," I cautioned.
"Agreed," Tommie said, looking to Phillippe for support, then to Nathaniel.
"I'll carry him upstairs to his room," Nathaniel offered, approaching the car door.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I said, placing my hand on his arm. "I've been through more than one violent death in Key West. The police don't take kindly to messing with the evidence."
"What evidence?" Tommie cried out.
"I mean a death, other than natural," I explained.
Tommie turned an ashen color, reaching out to Phillippe for support.
"Phillippe, take Tommie inside please," Nathaniel ordered. "Weird kid, he finally did it," he said, turning to Alix and me.
"We'd better call the constable," I suggested.
"Tried that, the phones are out," Nathaniel said, shaking his head. "I'll go into town, see if I can get some help. You guys go inside with Tommie, don't let him come back out here."
We watched Nathaniel pull the XKE out of the adjoining stall, roll quietly out the bricked courtyard.
Phillippe was boiling water on the gas stove as we entered the kitchen from the back entrance.
"Tommie's in his room, lying down. Thought we could all use some caffeine," he explained. "A bit of a hangover here," he continued quietly.
Turning to Alix, I suggested he stay with Phillippe while I went back up and hit the shower. I needed a clear head before the constable got here.

"His little overnight bag was still packed, sitting inside his door," I whispered to Alix with quavering voice.
Alix reached out, embracing me.
"Sit here, I'll pour coffee," he said quietly.
Phillippe had taken a tray up to Tommie, Alix and I were alone in the kitchen.
"He hadn't even slept in his bed. It was still made up from yesterday," I said shaking my head, holding back the tears.

A black van with blue lights flashing rolled up the gravel drive toward the house, followed by the XKE. Both cars skirted the front car park and headed for the rear motor court. It was nearly noon, Tommie and Phillippe were still upstairs in their room, Jeremie and Jamie were assembling a light lunch in the kitchen. After advising the cousins to stay inside, Alix and I slipped out the back door.
"Constable McKendrick and most of his staff are out answering other calls," Nathaniel explained, climbing out of the low-slung sports car. "Young Henderson here will take Malike into the hospital in town."
The back of the van yielded a portable stretcher which Nathaniel and Henderson carried into the garage. They gently lifted Malike's stiffened body out of the car, placing it in a plastic body bag and zipped it up. Alix and I helped them carry it to the van.
"The constable will expect one of you to come by in a day or two to give us some information for the death certificate," Henderson explained to Nathaniel, glancing curiously at Alix and me.
He slammed the double doors closed, and pulled the van back into the driveway, disappearing in a cloud of gravel dust.
"Some investigation that was," I muttered, to no one in particular.
Nathaniel turned quietly toward the house, Alix and I trailing behind.

After a light lunch served in the kitchen, and barely touched by any of us, Alix and I vowed to return to Sugar Hill and check our own damage.
"If the house and cottage are okay, we'll stay there tonight," I said to Nathaniel as we left the kitchen. "Jamie and Jeremie should stay here, 'til we know more."
We drove silently away, taking Malike's little overnight bag with us.

The house was intact, so was the little cottage. Palm fronds littered the grounds, the edge of the sea had cut further up into the lawn, then receded, leaving water bourne debris along the shoreline. We were lucky, not so, young Malike!
"I know it sounds crazy," I began, turning to Alix, "but I'd rather not go in the Great House today. Let's open the cottage, have a drink on the veranda."
"We should call Bradley, at least," Alix suggested, "let him know we're all okay."
"Of course, you're right."
"I'll do it, if you'd rather not," he said kindly.
"Thanks, lover. I'll mix the martinis, I can handle that much."
I turned silently toward the cottage as Alix headed into the Great House. I retrieved the overnight bags from the Land Rover and carried them up the wood steps to the veranda, putting them aside as I pulled the plywood from the front door. The interior of the little frame cottage was stuffy and slightly damp. After pulling the plywood from the two front windows, I opened up the back and let the light breezes blow through.
"Baby, what's wrong," Alix asked, climbing the steps to join me on the veranda.
The tears were rolling down my cheeks, I was staring at Malike's little bag sitting forlornly beside the front door.

AFTER WORDS

"I trust your mission has been completed satisfactorily."
"Yes, Excellency," he replied, standing before the imposing gilded desk "The merchandise is safely vaulted."
"And the participants?" he asked looking over the edge of his polished reading glasses.
"The South Africans are permanently silenced."
"My laptop and the two emissaries?"
"Their boat met an unfortunate accident - probably the high winds from Isadore."
"I'm deeply greatful, Laurenzo. We shall do business again."
"Thank you, Excellency."
Flashing his killer smile, he bowed slightly and backed from the room.

1