第87节

ern side of the lake followed by a three-mile run. With the onset

of autumn, the nights had become noticeably chill, and while the water

was relatively warm, the surface was shrouded in a thick layer of pale

grey mist.

The mist had seeped up the steep sides of the lake, cloaking the tangle

of boulders, bushes, fallen branches and rotting vegetation that formed

a swamp-like morass at the water's edge. It was difficult to negotiate

in daylight; with an almost naked body in almost total darkness, it had

been both hazardous and painful.

In swimming towards the island, he had aimed for the pale yellow point

of light emanating from the lantern which they had agreed Clearwater

would hang in her window if she was alone - and unlikely to be

disturbed by her fat friend.

To help guide him back, Steve had hung two lanterns in line with the

direction he wanted to go: yellow in front, pink behind. The

lake-house was perched among trees on the highest point of the island,

so by porpoising out of the water he was able to see the lights through

the wraith-like top layer of the mist. As long as he could see only

the yellow light, he knew he was on the correct heading and not

swimming round in circles.

Halfway across, Steve encountered a narrow mist-free channel. He

turned over and switched to a back stroke.

It was noisier than the breast stroke, but just as powerful. And it

meant he could swim and keep an eye on the lights at the same time.

Even if he had been facing the right way, it was doubtful if he would

have been quick enough to avoid the coarse fishing net that was

suddenly drawn out of the water a yard or so beyond the end of the

clear channel.

The ends of the net were held by six shadowy figures.

They were standing in two long, low-hulled boats, but these were hidden

beneath the surrounding layer of mist.

With the swift, practised movements that only came from years of

fishing the waters, the net was brought over and under Steve and hauled

tight. The boats came together, meeting first at the bows before

gently colliding sideways on. One man in each boat mounted the bows

and lifted their struggling catch clear of the water. Before Steve was

fully able to grasp what was happening, he was dumped in the bottom of

the left-hand boat and knocked unconscious with a swift, well-aimed

blow on the back of the head.

When he returned to his senses, Steve found that he was dry, but still

naked. Two figures dressed in black stood over him. As his eyes

fluttered open, they hauled him into a kneeling position. It took a

few seconds for him to realise what kind of trouble he was in. His

arms had been raised to shoulder height and roped to a short pole which

went over the back of his neck and under his bent elbows, leaving his

fingers brushing his ears.

It was already causing a certain amount of discomfort, and when cramp

set in would soon become painful. But not as painful as the thin cord

that had been looped around his penis and scrotum and pulled taut

before the other end had been tied round his neck. A neat trick. The

only way to ease the tension was to lean forward. If he tried to

straighten his back he would yank his balls off.

Terrific...

Facing him was a third man. He was also dressed in black, but his

lined, skull-like face was uncovered. With deep-set slitted eyes, a

square jaw, and a mouth like a joint between two steel plates, he

looked like bad news.

A lantern hung from the top of a short angled pole stuck into the

ground to Steve's right. His brown worksuit, which he had left stashed

under a fallen tree, lay neatly folded beside it. The back of his head

throbbed painfully. He moved it gingerly from side to side to try and

ease the stiffness in his neck, and it was only then that he realised

he was inside a black tent.

Skull-Face filled a small cup with sake from a leather-covered flask

and held it out to the guard on Steve's right. 'Drink up. It may help

you collect your thoughts."

The guard held the cup to Steve's lips. With the cord round his neck

and his privates, he had to lean even further forward in order to get

his mouth at the right angle.

'Feeling better?"