Page 19 of Quinn

“Sweetheart, I fucking know it’s not true.” Quinn sighed. “I know many people, especially in the more remote villages in the country, believe in voodoo and shit, and I’m not saying there’s no such thing, but in your case, it’s drugs that were causing the confusion and weirdness you experienced.”

“So, you don’t believe they have special powers?”

“No, I don’t. Tell me how you escaped.”

“I’d been trying to get away for years. Stupidly, I had an opportunity when I was eleven-years-old. A boy called Asagowi offered to help me get away but I refused because I was too scared. I’ve often wondered if he’s safe and has a good life. If only I’d known what was going to happen, I could have avoided so much pain by going with him.” I shrugged. “It’s done now. It took me more than ten attempts to finally break free. Every time I was caught, they beat and starved me for weeks.”

“They chased you into Moresby this time?”

I shook my head. “Not at first. They were in the middle of a ceremony and I snuck out about halfway through. I told Tchokai I was feeling ill. I was at the front of the club when I heard them firing. The bullet hit me before I could get inside.”

“I wonder why they didn’t follow you inside? They could have claimed you were a young child who was running away and more than likely no one would have interfered.”

“You see me as a young child?”

“To be honest, we were all shocked when you told us your age. You don’t look any older than a young teenager. I promise, we’ll protect you and before long, you’ll be well, healthy, and looking every bit of your soon to be twenty-four years. Not sure if that’s good thing or not though.”

“Trust me, I would love to look like a healthy adult woman. Doctor Vincent said I have to go to the hospital for tests tomorrow. Natalie is going to take me because she said her boyfriend has business in town.”

Quinn shook his head violently. “No fucking way. I’m not letting you out of my sight and you’re going nowhere without a small army of men. We have no idea where those fucking lunatics are or what they might do if they find you. I’ll speak with Connor, and once we know what time you need to be there, I’ll take you.”

“Okay…I guess.”

“I’ll tell Nat, so don’t you worry. Tell me…the village is obviously close to Moresby; do you know exactly where?”

“No, I just ran, and kept running. I was surprised when I reached the city so soon. It took me about twenty minutes to reach the club where I found you.”

“Do they change locations often?”

“About every three months or so they relocate close to the stilt village and Tchokai and the elders take part in all kinds of ceremonies. Most of us were never allowed to attend but I’d hear them talking about their visits and the houses built on the water. They always picked a different spot for our camp when we went there, but I recognised some of the area. Then, we would move away again for two to three months. They’re very secretive and generally resettle in jungle areas where there is less chance of them being found, not that many would actively look for them. There are a lot of rumours about the voodoo and witchcraft they practice as I’m sure you’ve heard. I have no idea why they were so close to the city or why they choose to visit the water village so regularly.”

“Can you remember anything unusual or strange that you passed on your way into Moresby?”

I thought hard for a moment, recalling my flight to what I hoped would be safety. Images became clear in my mind. “I passed near a lot of buildings that were built on stilts in the water like the chief spoke about. I didn’t get a close look because I wanted to stay hidden. It was close to where we were camped.”

Quinn’s eyes lit up with interest. “Hanuabada village.”

“You know the village I’m talking about?”

“I don’t know Moresby well, we tend to keep to this side of the island with our business, but I know that village because of its uniqueness. It’s known as a haven for rascal gangs and drugs.”

“If your mafia business doesn’t have dealings in Moresby then why were you there?”

Shock crossed Quinn’s face and I immediately remembered; his being mafia wasn’t something I was supposed to know. Oops.

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “Fucking, Tania.”

“Please don’t be angry, it was a slip of the tongue.”

“She has many slips. What did she tell you?”

“Nothing.”

Quinn bent his head and studied my face. “Bella?”

“Honestly, it was a mere slip of the tongue after I made a comment that suggested my story may not be for their ears.”

Quinn nodded in understanding. “You inadvertently suggested Tania was a delicate lady.” He threw his head back and laughed before saying, “She would not have taken kindly to that insinuation. I can imagine she would have blurted out her and Nat were part of a mafia family and had seen all kinds of shit, so nothing you said would shock them.”