The Timor Man (92 page)

Stephen sat gazing through the window across at the Embassy as he considered this one final act of retribution. Anderson didn't know. At first, he had not planned to kill Albert but the more he thought about his old friend's actions the more clear it became to Stephen that Albert too should die.

Imagining the two men sitting together somewhere in the ostentatious building across the road filled him with cold rage. Were they laughing together, at him, at the rest of the world? Did they have any comprehension at all as to the incredible pain that they had inflicted on others? On Louise, on Wanti, on him? No, he was sure, they bloody well did not! He knew in his heart and mind that this had to be fact.

One had killed the woman he loved and the other had killed the woman he'd married. But today they would both pay.

Anderson
could do nothing to prevent him from seeking his just revenge from these men who had lied and cheated their way into his life, destroying everything that was good, finally leaving him with nothing.

Coleman's fingers danced almost rhythmically on the table. One touch of the button would send the signal out through the airwaves to be captured by that one designated receiver installed in the briefcase carried by Albert Seda. He knew that they had not reached the Ambassador's private office where the listening device still sent its almost-silent humming signal into his headset. This was imperative to Anderson's plan.

Coleman was to detonate the small charge of plastique by remote, sending the signal across the few hundred metres into the compound, until it found its way into the labyrinth and ultimately into the open arms of the receiver which would, in those milliseconds, activate the detonator attached to the half kilo of malleable explosive.

He wished he could be there to see the expression on their faces as they died. He wished he could let them know in their last seconds of life that he had been responsible for their deaths. He wanted to have the opportunity to tell them that this was their punishment for their crimes against others.

Against him, Stephen Coleman.

The cruel thoughts passed slowly through his mind, only to be displaced by images, firstly of Louise as he had last seen her, and then Wanti as she had been taken away from his home in Jakarta, collapsed and still in trauma, only to be taken back to Australia and violated by the very man who had been given the responsibility to care for her.

Anderson
had been reluctant to say, he could tell. When they had discussed Albert's role Stephen felt obliged to ask after her. The older man expressed genuine surprise that Stephen was not aware of his wife's death many years before. And when the unfortunate slip was made regarding her daughter he was incensed with what the man suggested had occurred to the unsuspecting Wanti. Albert had taken Wanti and she had become pregnant while she had no control over her own mind.

At first he had wanted to go directly to Albert and confront him with the evidence. And then kill him!

He felt drained.

Anderson
had, he realized, deliberately withheld this vital information from him in order that there would be no disruption in their plans to execute the General. He would not forgive Anderson this one last machination as it was obvious that the Intelligence Chief had known from the very beginning. He wished he could destroy him also.

Stephen felt disgusted with the whole filthy mess and just wished he'd never ventured back into Hong Kong. ‘Was it really less than two months ago?' he wondered.

Anderson
had shown him photographs of the girl. Stephen had insisted. And the birth certificate when he again questioned the accusations made against Albert. She had been born prematurely, the master manipulator had lied, and her mother had died as a result of the birth, having never recovered from her mental disorder and the trauma resulting from her last visit to Jakarta. Stephen had sat coldly still as the realization of what Anderson had suggested slowly burned deep into his soul.

Unanswered questions immediately became clear, such as why Albert had made no attempt to contact him after Wanti died.

His old friend had been too ashamed.

It was now clear how Anderson had managed to convince the man to do his bidding. Coleman wondered just how long the Director had held this information over the former teacher. Had he threatened him with a charge of rape? It would also explain how he expected to maintain Albert's silence once delivery of the bomb had been effected. Although Coleman knew that this would no longer be a problem.

He just could not understand how Albert could have done such a thing. Stephen felt disgusted to the point he desperately wanted to hurt the man, painfully and slowly. His behavior had been criminal and totally incomprehensible. Now he would pay the price for his abuse of the woman he once claimed to care for, to love. A price, Stephen believed, which would be commensurate with the man's deeds.

 

Albert had taken a taxi to the Embassy. At first he had difficulty just leaving the cab as the soldiers manning the gates looked so intimidating. He paid the driver and stood for a moment observing the main gate guards. They were dressed in their parade best, he knew. These were not the ordinary security one would normally see watching over an Embassy he thought apprehensively, recognizing the maroon berets and fierce appearance of the paratroopers. Had he not been so concerned Albert might have been impressed. It was unusual to see foreign military in Canberra, especially armed soldiers. Albert stared across the driveway and lawn at the impressive building and then back at the guards. Unless the occupants position demanded such prestigious attention that relaxation of the Foreign Affairs rulings had been granted, then these men should not be strutting around the main entrance, wearing sidearms. His palms started to feel moist as old memories forced their way back into his mind.

Albert produced his invitation and handed it to the guard on the right, who glanced casually at the gold embossed card and handed it back, coming to attention as he did so. There was no salute and neither had he expected any from the paratrooper. He then proceeded through the huge iron gates unaware that the soldier had waved once towards the embassy building before returning to his previous station.

As he entered the grounds a small elderly Javanese confronted him and demanded to know his business. Albert was suddenly frightened. What if this man insisted on checking the contents of the briefcase and discovered so much money inside? Immediately he started to sweat in the cold evening breeze.

“
I have an appointment with Bapak Seda
,” he said, hoarsely, his voice letting him down right at that very moment. He wished he hadn't come!

Umar scrutinized the man's features. He smelled the fear and was satisfied that this man represented no danger. He was old and it was unlikely that he would be carrying a weapon.

“
Follow me!
” he ordered, watching the visitor carefully as he turned and moved quickly along the driveway then up the steps into the lobby. Umar walked briskly then motioned for the visitor to take the stairs with him.

He followed, trying desperately to keep pace as they climbed the staircase. Albert was frantic. The shorter man moved so quickly! He had difficulty keeping up and, before they had even reached the first level, his heart was already pounding from the exertion. He needed desperately to slow down, yet had to appear casual and mask his difficulty in breathing.

Albert rested at the second level and feared that he had overstretched his physical limits. The giddy spell threatened to throw him back down the steps which doubled as a fire escape. He held tightly to the bannister and breathed slowly. Then he looked up and prayed that it wasn't far to go before he could deliver the briefcase and leave. He didn't particularly want to meet with Nathan but his directions had been explicit. ‘Deliver only to the Ambassador, or bring the case back home,' were the instructions the government man had given him. He had been quite emphatic. If he were to leave this delivery with another how could they be certain that the Ambassador had really received the gift and that he had not taken it himself?

Albert certainly did not want these people to think that he had taken the money. He was committed to passing the briefcase and contents only to his step-brother.

He looked at the polished leather Satchi case, its deep, almost maroon color reflecting the value of its contents. The polished brass latches were fastened but not locked as the simple tumbler combination in the centre and under the handle served this purpose. The sealed envelope in his pocket contained the numbers required before the gift could be opened.

Albert had no idea how much money was inside the briefcase. It felt like a great deal. He hadn't expected it to be this heavy. Perhaps there were also gold bars inside, he thought. That would explain its weight!

As they reached the final steps Albert knew that, had there been one more flight of stairs to tackle, then he couldn't have made the delivery. He was becoming dizzy from the exertion when the dark little man opened the heavy access door and indicated that they had arrived at the last level.

Albert breathed a sigh of relief. He paused for a few moments and then continued along the passageway past the lifts, following the other man directly into the Ambassador's private office.

Umar instructed Albert to wait while he went in search of the General, who had last been seen escorting the Indonesian Foreign Minister around the huge reception area in preparation for the formal announcement calling the guests to dinner.

 

Seda was pleased to strut around as the visitors admired the decorations and complimented him on the magnificent social event that had been arranged for the Independence Day celebrations. It was obvious from their reactions that very few of those present had ever attended such a function in the capital as grand as this and Seda played the part of Ambassador to perfection.

Umar wasn't happy with having to leave the man upstairs alone, but those had been his instructions. He ran down the steps as quickly as his tired legs would permit.

Albert was also tired. He placed the briefcase on the floor and removed the small envelope from his breast pocket. He wished he could leave. Perspiration added to his discomfort as he sat waiting for the man he had not seen in so many years. He waved the envelope slowly, softly fanning his face, as he had forgotten to bring a handkerchief.

The minutes dragged by and he felt a slow wave of panic descend upon him. His shirt became damp with sweat as he felt the fear grow. He looked up at the air-flow duct but knew he wouldn't be able to see if this was warm or cold air moving through the system. It felt so hot!

Albert glanced at the envelope and was startled to see that it had become damp along the edges where he had held it. Embarrassed, he placed the letter back inside his coat pocket. He looked at his wristwatch and frowned. How long should he wait?

Should he take the money and return?

Where is he?

Albert Seda rose to his feet and stood indecisively as panic engulfed his mind and body causing him to suddenly feel ill. He coughed once and swayed slightly just managing to keep his balance as an attack of nausea threatened to further complicate the moment.

 

Coleman had heard them enter the room and then there was silence. He leaned closer to the small powerful transmitting device and raised his index finger. And then he too waited for Nathan Seda to arrive.

 

The Ambassador had gestured abruptly at Umar as he attempted to interrupt the Foreign Minister's harangue on the wonders of Sumatran culture. Annoyed, he moved away from the small group and stood alone, waiting for the General's signal to approach. It didn't look good. Within minutes he was joined by other Indonesian dignitaries who had arrived early, all offering their congratulations on the splendid appearance of the Embassy and the evening's preparations.

He checked his watch. The visitor had now been waiting for almost half-an-hour. The reception was about to commence! Guest limousines were already entering the grounds and the short security man shook his head in frustration as the Ambassador continued to ignore him.

Suddenly the foyer seemed to fill very quickly as the Ambassador, accompanied by the Foreign Minister and the Chief-of-Army-Staff, were ushered into position in the receiving line.

Seda remained there surrounded by other dignitaries for almost thirty more minutes, greeting his guests as they arrived in the lavishly appointed lobby.

The large crowd had already spilled out into the garden area where mountains of food had been stacked in preparation for the reception. Laughter could be heard as the guests moved around admiring the effort that had gone into producing the delightful setting and colourful decorations.

The aroma of
saté
drifted into the reception hall, tempting the visitors into the magnificent garden and temporary dining area. The band had been sitting patiently, awaiting the signal for them to play their national anthem,
Indonesia Raya
.

Umar again checked his watch and decided that the man upstairs had been left alone far too long. He went to check on Albert.