'That's right. I . . .' I got no further.
I was facing him, my back half turned to Carlo. I saw him move. I started to turn, but I was much too late. What felt like a steel bar which must have been the side of his hand slammed down on the back of my neck. My brain exploded in a flash of white light; there was complete darkness.
Agonising pain and the smell of scorching brought me back to consciousness. I heard myself yelling : it was a sound I didn't think possible to come from me : a sound I had once heard when one of my men had been hit in the stomach by shrapnel. I clenched my teeth and bit the scream back. I opened my eyes. Dimly, and out of focus, I saw Carlo bending over me. There was this awful pain raging in my chest. I heaved myself to my feet. A huge hand came from nowhere and slapped across my face. I felt myself falling. My back hit the top of the verandah steps and I felt myself slithering down them. I sprawled on the hot sand.
I lay there, riding the pain, my mind willing my body to get up so I could kill this brutish ape. I saw him coming down the steps and somehow I dragged myself to my feet. I swung at him. Again his hand slapped my face and again I sprawled on my back. I looked up at him, hating him. If it hadn't been for the raging pain in my chest, I would have got up again, but the pain took the guts out of me.
Then Raimundo came down the steps. He and Carlo grabbed me, dragged me upright and hustled me up the steps. They slammed me down into a chair.
Raimundo said quietly, 'You had it coming, soldier. Now take it easy. I'll fix the burn.'
I looked down at my chest. I had been branded with the Red Dragon on the right side of my chest. The pain still raged. I thought of Lucy with this brand on her face and how she would suffer. The thought shocked the vicious fury out of me. I sat there, staring at the brand, riding the pain. Raimundo came back. He dabbed on yellow anti-burn ointment. His fingers were gentle.
When he had finished, he moved away. I became aware that Savanto was watching.
'I warned you, Mr. Benson, not to try tricks. This isn't a game,' he said. 'Now, perhaps you will realise it. Now, perhaps you will realise how your wife could suffer.'
'Yes,' I said. I had myself under control. He was right. Up to this moment I had hoped he was bluffing, but now I knew this was no bluff.
'You talked to Mrs. Willington,' Savanto said. 'Did you tell her about the shooting?'
'No.'
He studied me, his black eyes glittering.
'I hope you are not lying. If Diaz doesn't come out on the bay, then I will know you have lied. I will avenge myself on your wife. Do you understand?'
'Yes.'
He nodded, his eyes still probing my face.
'There now seems doubt that you will hit him when he is skiing. Is that right?'
'I'll hit him, but I don't guarantee to kill him.'
The pain from the burn was subsiding. I looked down at the livid red mark on my chest. I imagined Lucy having to wear that mark on her face for the rest of her days. I suddenly didn't give a damn about Diaz Savanto.
'I told you this is the age of miracles,' Savanto said. 'I expect a miracle from you.'
I knew, after seeing Nancy in the telescopic sight, that I could kill Diaz. I would kill him and this nightmare would finish.
I looked steadily at him.
'I'll kill him,' I said.
Our eyes locked.
'Would you say that again, Mr. Benson?'
'I'll kill him.'
He nodded, then heaved himself out of the chair.
'Yes, I was sure I had chosen the right man,' he said, half to himself. 'Yes, you will kill him.' He moved to the top of the verandah steps, then he took off his hat, looked inside it, then put it hack on his head. 'I expected trouble from you, Mr. Benson. You are a man of character. I am sorry I had to deal so harshly with you. I can understand you didn't realise how serious this affair is. You know now. It is better for you to suffer to find out this is a serious business than for your wife to suffer. I again assure you that she will be returned to you . . . a little frightened, of course, but quite unharmed. You have said you will kill him. I am satisfied.' He looked beyond me at Raimundo. 'Give me a cigarette.'
Raimundo shook his head.
'Your Doc says you should lay off cigarettes, Mr. Savanto.'
Savanto held out his hand.
'Fortunately for me, you are not my doctor. A cigarette!'
Carlo came forward with a pack. He lit the cigarette for Savanto who continued to stare at Raimundo.
'You see? Carlo does what I ask.'
In spite of the pain from the burn, I was suddenly alert. I looked at Raimundo.
'Carlo is an animal,' he said quietly. 'I am more responsible.'
'Yes.' Savanto drew in smoke and let it drift down his nostrils. He looked at me. 'You have been clever, Mr. Benson. You wanted to find your wife. You have found her. She is there with Timoteo. Now I have your word that you will kill Diaz I am pleased to tell you this. You have seen the house. She has everything she needs. I told you that. I didn't expect you to believe me, but now you have seen for yourself. It is a very beautiful house, isn't
