Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

A Certain Dilemma

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Chapter 1 The Return.................................1Chapter 2 The Beach Party............................23Chapter 3 Conspiracy.................................42Chapter 4 Incriminations.............................60Chapter 5 The Ransom.................................80Chapter 6 The Witness................................100Chapter 7 Apprehension...............................116Chapter 8 Deliverance................................136Chapter 9 Suspicions.................................154Chapter 10 Egypt.....................................170Chapter 11 Sorrow....................................188Chapter 12 Disaster..................................211Chapter 13 Merry Christmas Gavin.....................227Chapter 14 A Raging Furnace..........................249

Chapter One

Our marriage is a ménage a trois and I deplore it.

The sixth anniversary of Greg's death brought with it the usual solemnity for Gavin. He spent part of the day in deep reflection at his brother's graveside. The heat of the July sun bore down on him as he sat on the ground. A vibrant hibiscus shrub grew decoratively behind the tombstone. Its tropical foliage embraced the masonry plaque. The shrub had been planted to commemorate Greg's life. Ironically, Greg had hated gardening. His low boredom threshold had prevented him from cultivating nature's pleasant bounty. He may have admired his tropical surroundings, but that was as far as his interest had reached.

It had become a regular custom for Gavin to spend time talking to his departed brother. Even after six years he had not learnt how to separate Greg from his daily life. His younger sibling was buried in the grounds of Gavin's Hispanic dwelling. The white walls and rustic roof embellished the west side of the estate along with the cabana. The tropical garden and acres of sugarcane plantation fields stretched east and northwards. Greg's tombstone faced the family home. This of course made it easy for Gavin to visit. He would openly speak at Greg's grave about recent events. They had grown up together and had shared their lives as one. Although Veronique was Gavin's devoted wife and completely supportive in any consequential matter, Gavin still felt the need to involve Greg. Death could not detach this kindred spirit.

That evening Gavin went to Calypso Tavern, his late brother's entrepreneurial establishment. The three-in-one complex of a casino lounge, cocktail bar and cabaret diner was a popular attraction. Greg would be well pleased with how Rebecca had harnessed his business and had continued his passion for nightlife entertainment. Rebecca was eager to take the helm. She had stood over Greg's grave during his funeral on the day they should have wed. By a hidden strength she had used Greg's business as a comforting sanctuary. It was now the only way she could be close to him. Fate had denied their marriage, but she had at least married his business.

Calypso Tavern was well attended with a mixture of tourists and local inhabitants. Gavin entered and approached the cocktail bar. The chrome edged décor sparkled under the coloured lights. A tranquil rendition of Gershwin's Summertime enhanced the relaxed atmosphere. People sat at the bar or lounged on the softer seats that neatly scattered the floor. Adjacent to the cocktail bar came the casino lounge. The gambling antics enticed many to participate. Hordes of folk gathered around the roulette table. A huge ornate crystal chandelier glistened above them.

To the left of the cocktail bar customers sat in the cabaret diner, enjoying their meal. The resident seven-piece orchestra played romantically. The customers now waited for tonight's entertainment to commence.

Gavin stood at the bar and ordered his usual whisky and soda. Marcus, the head barman, served him.

"I know what day it is," commented Marcus as he prepared Gavin's drink. "Have this one on me, for Greg, Angelo and Jeswana." Marcus had been a staff member for many years. He had a fondness for his employer Greg. Working for a millionaire had its bonuses. Though emanating from different backgrounds he and Greg had a similar personality, a happy go lucky approach to life, and the sort to play practical jokes on folk. Of course Marcus had also known Angelo and Jeswana, as they were his work colleagues. And being of Mexican origin Marcus and Angelo had shared a close friendship. Unlike Angelo, Marcus was not gay. He had a wife named Sinita and a three-year-old daughter named Belano. Marcus, along with all the other staff carried a tinge of sadness for their departed colleagues.

"Thank you," replied Gavin, accepting Marcus' generosity. Marcus always reminded Gavin of Angelo. It was inevitable, being the same race and having similar features. However, his friendship with Marcus had not grown as deep as the connection Gavin had experienced with Angelo. Today Gavin's heart wallowed with sadness and guilt for Greg and the departed Mexican, all because Susannah wanted revenge for her husband's accidental death. What pain and suffering she had caused. Surely after the amount of grief Susannah had inflicted with the murders of Greg, Angelo and Jeswana, had she not reaped more than enough revenge than she first intended. Her initial plan was to kidnap and torment Gavin. Well her actions since have far surpassed that intention. The love Gavin had for Susannah had turned to hate, once her true colours had flourished. But she had now encased his heart in guilt for bringing her into the lives of those he loved. The only comforting thought for Gavin was the fact that Susannah was dead. She no longer was able to reap any further havoc or murder. But this did not lessen Gavin's guilt. Perhaps that is why he and Veronique had become an item and had married, for she knew this guilt existed in Gavin's heart and was able to pour love into his life. Veronique had managed to break through the emotional barrier that would otherwise have prevented Gavin being intimate with anyone else.

"It will soon be your wedding anniversary won't it?" said Marcus, trying to steer the conversation in a positive direction.

"Yes," replied Gavin. "And no thanks to Susannah who almost killed us. Had Detective Martinez not arrived when he did she would have succeeded."

"At least she got what she deserved," added Marcus.

"Give the bitch credit she was a good raconteur. The lies she told during her trial were an attempt to fool the jury, to appear meek and mild, the unequivocal victim. She had a nerve and total disrespect for human life and the judicial system. Thankfully, the jury saw through her charade. I am glad she is dead. A thirty-year prison sentence was not punishment enough. I would be forever wondering if she would escape again," stated Gavin.

"Yes, it was a miracle you survived the cable car attack."

"If it had not been for Karl's intervention and killing Susannah, the outcome would have been different. That was now three years ago. At least we can all live in peace."

How Gavin's life had been transformed from being an inconspicuous teenager in England, to a wealthy forty-one-year-old tycoon in the Caribbean. It was never his ambition to lead an entrepreneurial existence, but with his parents' untimely death he had been forced to hold the reins and make his father's sugarcane plantation business a success. Harrison S.C.P limited had...