Chapter One – The Gift Withheld
Kathy, naked under her caftan, sat in the stretch Lincoln between the two Asian women who also wore the traditional Muslim dress. Except for the upper halves of their faces, all three women were completely covered from their heads to their sandals. A few minutes after the limousine had pulled away from the cinder block building next to the airport’s single landing strip, the car phone rang. Miko, the older Japanese woman, picked up the phone. She was surprised to hear Abul’s voice. “How many needles were prepared with the drug?” he asked.
“You wished for her to show you great respect before your friends. We instructed her about what she was to say and do. She is ready to obey you without question. In order to do this, we prepared six needles,” Miko answered.
“Too many,” Abul said.
“I think with less she would not have done it...I mean, she would have resisted.”
“But with six?”
“It is true that she’s been heavily drugged and that I have put her mind in a place where she can do little except what I tell her to do. She will say that she wants the gift. She may even accept it.”
“Well, there’s been a goddamn change!” Abul shouted. “Satomi sent new instructions and Madam Khe agrees. There’s to be no gift.”
“That is bad. We work hard. I think she is ready,” Miko said.
“Put her on,” Abul ordered. Miko handed Kathy the phone and lifted the black cotton veil so the young woman could speak. “Rich American widow?” Abul asked.
Even Miko’s drugs could not insulate Kathy from the fear that swept over her at the sound of his voice. “Yes,” she said softly.
“You wish to honor me in the way we spoke of?”
She did not answer immediately. She stared ahead, unblinking, then a shudder shook her body. She forced the hateful image of him from her mind. “Yes,” she whispered.
“You will be disappointed to hear it, but there will be no gift, at least not today.” Kathy relaxed slightly. “But you will serve me and my friends in other ways, and you will show that you are thankful to be permitted to give such service.”
“I will be grateful. I will do whatever pleases you,” she paused, glancing at Miko who nodded. “Maste
