The Concubine Affair Page 11

  His modus operandi had finally caught up with him. This was no copycat but a serial rapist. He was pushed into the van, as the blonde policewoman looked disgusted.

  ‘Still fancies me,’ thought Adam.

  He would have plenty of time practising his profession behind bars. In fact he was never getting out.

  ‘I hope you know what you’re doing Orvid,’ said Alain.

  ‘I have to try Alain. And I’ve got Karin to support me.’

  ‘Look my friend I’m happy for you, I truly am, but if you relapse it could ruin everything.’

  ‘I know.’

  Karin had never seen him psychotic, and he could blow all of his chances, including his bail.

  ‘So you’re not taking anything?’ asked Alain.

  ‘No.’

  ‘How many days now?’

  ‘Four.’

  ‘Any symptoms?’ asked Alain.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Good, but you do know its early days,’ said Alain.

  At this point Orvid was feeling a little dejected. He was hoping Alain would share his happiness.

  ‘Look I’m sorry,’ said Alain ‘well done. And for what it’s worth I know you didn’t kill Libby.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Orvid, his spirits raised.

  ‘Let’s have a cup of tea. Tell me all about Karin,’ said Alain.

  Orvid seemed a little distracted, as though someone was talking to him.

  ‘Are you alright?’ asked Alain.

  ‘What, yes, fine,’ but he wasn’t.

  He was hearing. And he had no meds.

  Alain could tell, and franticly looked around the room. All he had was his formula, and thanks to Verity now parcelled into neat oral capsules.

  Orvid was beginning to speak, responding to his voices, and he didn’t sound happy. And Alain didn’t like the way Orvid was staring at him.

  Alain looked at the capsules again; they did contain an antipsychotic, and they were fast acting.

  ‘Orvid can you hear me?’

  ‘Can you hear me?’ he asked again.

  Orvid nodded but he was clearly losing it.

  ‘Take these,’ said Alain, offering two capsules in his palm.

  Orvid looked distrustful.

  ‘Believe me you’ll feel better,’ said Alain.

  Orvid took them.

  ‘You’ll feel better,’ was reverberating in his head.

  But he could still hear the voices. Though there was a difference; he could see them too.

  ‘Ah Fu Chung Soo, what do you have for us today?’ whispered Heshen in his ear.

  The Court was packed, and at the end of the room sat the Emperor with two concubines by his side; the youngest on the left.

  ‘Wait and see,’ said Orvid, and those eyes looked familiar

  Someone read from a scroll.

  ‘Introducing Fu Chung Soo, the Empire’s greatest magician.’

  Orvid walked forward, and knelt before the Emperor. There was a girl four paces behind him; it was Karin. They both tapped their foreheads on the floor nine times.

  The Emperor clapped once, and the show began. In the middle of the room was a large lacquered box covered in blue seahorses. Karin climbed inside, and after the compartments were closed only her head, midriff, and one foot were visible.

  Fu pushed the middle section to one side, dividing the girl in three. The audience gasped, but when the girl was reunited laughter rang throughout the Court.

  ‘Now for my next trick,’ announced Fu.

  This time Karin was lying flat in the box as Fu sawed her cleanly in half. A popular young courtesan fainted causing consternation. Though when the casket was opened there was no bloodshed, and Fu and his assistant bowed to the audience.

  ‘Well done,’ said Heshen to Fu through the applause ‘the Emperor likes you. You shall stay over the summer.’

  ‘He likes the girl too,’ said Heshen smirking ‘what’s her name?’

  ‘Zhen Wong, we’re engaged,’ answered Fu.

  ‘Of course you are,’ said Heshen, and he laughed raucously.

  A glass of water was being poured down his throat.

  ‘I thought you were choking,’ said Alain.

  Orvid looked around the room.

  ‘Alain it was incredible, I was in Imperial China.’

  ‘Really,’ said Alain.

  ‘But you were there too, and Karin.’

  ‘Karin as well, then you really were destined to meet.’

  ‘Karin was my assistant, I was a magician again,’ said Orvid excitedly.

  ‘Actually you were a magician before Orvid. This is the life that is being repeated, for you and me; as well as a few others I could mention.’

  ‘It wasn’t a hallucination?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘Absolutely not; I’ve been there as well. Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything over a cup of hazelnut coffee,’ said Alain. ‘But Orvid tell me, what was I wearing?’

  They both laughed.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  ‘Oh my Mr Forster, this really is the best piece you have brought us,’ said the appraiser.

  Kingsley Jones finally put down the Qianlong vase, still open mouthed.

  ‘Where did you find it?’ he asked.

  His monocle seemed to push further up his face.

  ‘Actually it found me,’ replied Marcus.

  ‘Well you’re right, it’s a Qianlong vase, and the best example I have seen from the period,’ said Kingsley.

  ‘Shall we be vulgar?’ asked Marcus.

  ‘The price at auction? In today’s market a conservative estimate would be ten million, but I’ve seen them go upwards of fifteen,’ said Kingsley, removing his white gloves.

  Marcus was perspiring.

  ‘I take it you didn’t pay quite that much,’ said Kingsley.

  Marcus smiled.

  ‘In that case you’re a lucky man Mr Forster. Shall I catalogue it for auction?’

  ‘Without a shadow of a doubt, my dear Mr Jones.’

  Kingsley pressed a buzzer on his leather topped desk, and a security guard came to whisk the vase away.

  ‘I’ll let word get around. As you know with these things we could have a museum, and a private buyer salivating in a week or two,’ said Kingsley.

  ‘The auction will be ...?’ asked Marcus.

  Kingsley looked at his diary.

  ‘In six weeks,’ he said ‘news like this travels fast.’

  ‘Where have you been?’ asked Karin ‘I was worried.’

  ‘I went to see Alain, to make sure I was doing the right thing.’

  ‘With me you mean?’ she asked.

  She looked through the window, at the river. It was grey, like her mood.

  ‘No, with stopping the meds.’

  Karin smiled.

  ‘Well you look fine to me. In fact you look better every day,’ she said.

  ‘Alain gave me something,’ he said.

  ‘A drug?’ and she sounded a little disappointed.

  ‘Oh much more than that; a light to my soul.’

  Karin looked worried: Had Orvid and his rather eccentric nurse dabbled in some far eastern hallucinogenic. Though she was right in one respect, it was an oriental experience.

  ‘Perhaps I should explain,’ said Orvid. ‘But I must warn you, this time you really are going to think I’m crazy.’

  But he was clear headed, and precise. And in his heart of hearts he knew his demons had been released by Fu Chung Soo; he really was a magician.

  ‘Kings have taken the vase,’ said Marcus.

  Verity was concerned, although she couldn’t show it. What if she needed it? What if it was her only pat
h to the past?

  ‘That’s wonderful news darling,’ she said.

  ‘What did Kingsley say?’ she asked.

  ‘Ten to fifteen million.’

  Verity nearly hit the floor, and there was no vase in sight.

  He recognised the knock, and his heart skipped a beat.

  ‘Missed me?’ asked Verity as Alain opened his front door.

  ‘More than anything,’ he answered.

  Verity barely had time to remove her coat before his hands were all over her.

  ‘You really have missed me,’ she said.

  But she wasn’t in the mood for being pawed, not by a man at least, and was glad she’d been shopping.

  ‘Alain do you remember what I said last time?’ she asked.

  ‘About keeping me under control?’

  ‘Yes. Well I’ve brought something to help.’

  He looked forlornly at the bags on the floor.

  ‘We did agree it was for the best’ she said, and he followed her blindly up the stairs.

  ‘Do you know this is?’ she asked.

  She held the wooden humbler forwards. It was curved like a yoke, split horizontally, and had two thick screws; one either end to tighten it into position.

  He nodded solemnly.

  ‘Of course you do,’ said Verity ‘but have you ever worn one?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well into position whilst I humble you,’ she said. Alain obediently knelt on the bed.

  Humbler by name, humbler by nature. With his gonads firmly secured at the rear he did look rather subdued.

  ‘Don’t move,’ said Verity, taking a snapshot.

  ‘I like it,’ she said ‘but I don’t think it’s practical for general use.’

  Still it did look rather becoming, and Alain wasn’t complaining.

  ‘Try crawling around on the floor,’ she said.

  Alain’s movement was severely restricted, but perhaps he’d understand how Wa Yu felt with her bound feet.

  ‘Look up,’ she said taking another snap, then one more of his posterior for posterity.

  ‘Perfect. Now let me go downstairs, and make a cup of green tea. Care for a chocolate?’ she asked.

  Verity returned with two china white cups of green tea, and her favourite fondants. She’d also removed her dress, revealing a purple latex corset, and skull and crossbones stockings.

  ‘I haven’t finished quite yet,’ she said.

  The humbler was still on the bed taunting Alain.

  ‘For goodness sake Alain, stop pointing that thing at me,’ she admonished him, which only made things worse.

  ‘No one deserved this more,’ and Verity clicked the padlock shut. ‘Step back and let me take a look,’ she said.

  Alain had been crammed into the chastity cage, and now there was no room for his excitement to expand. She could have bought plastic, it wouldn’t have made any difference, but the steel bars looked much more sadistic.

  ‘Try walking,’ said Verity.

  He obeyed. After all she had him by the balls.

  ‘Comfortable?’ she asked.

  ‘I can live with it,’ he groaned.

  He had a feeling he was going to be caged for quite a while, and was wishing he’d begged for some prior relief.

  ‘Don’t lose the key,’ he said.

  ‘Now why do you think I bought this?’ asked Verity.

  Alain fastened the silver chain around her neck, with the key to his loins dangling enticingly above her bosom.

  ‘Won’t Marcus see it?’

  ‘Marcus hardly notices I’m alive,’ said Verity ‘but his days of using me have come to an end.’

  There really was no other way. Not after her two lovers had shown such dedication.

  There was a knock at the door, and Alain nervously looked down at the street from behind the curtains.

  ‘It’s Orvid,’ said Alain ‘and his girlfriend.’

  ‘Well invite them in,’ said Verity ‘I want to see how you cope with your new toy.’

  Alain quickly dressed, and as the cold metal rubbed against him he was strangely invigorated. He knew he couldn’t explode at will, and that Verity had the key to his desires. It was uniquely liberating.

  ‘I hope we’re not intruding,’ said Karin ‘but Orvid’s told me all about you.’

  ‘Not at all,’ said Alain.

  ‘Cup of tea anyone,’ shouted Verity from the kitchen.

  Karin was relieved to hear another woman’s voice, but did wonder if they were interrupting?

  ‘Orvid tells me you were such a big help yesterday,’ said Karin treading lightly.

  ‘Well he’s a good friend,’ said Alain.

  ‘I had to tell her,’ said Orvid cutting to the chase.

  ‘Of course: I keep some medication here for emergencies,’ said Alain.

  ‘I told her everything,’ said Orvid.

  ‘I see,’ said Alain.

  ‘Is it true? Did he visit Imperial China?’ asked Karin.

  Verity’s eyes lit up, and she wasn’t even chastising Alain.

  ‘Another one?’ she asked him.

  Karin looked at her.

  ‘Sorry my dear, but I’ve been there too,’ said Verity.

  ‘It’s true,’ said Alain ‘somehow all of our previous lives are connected.’

  Everyone was glad that Karin didn’t fall off of her stool, or run for the door. In fact she embraced the concept.

  ‘I’ve always believed in it,’ she said.

  ‘Let her see for herself,’ said Verity to Alain, ‘please.’

  Alain felt reluctant, until he saw Verity playing with the little key hanging from her neck. He opened the pill box.

  ‘And me too,’ said Verity holding out her hand.

  He could hardly refuse.

  ‘So Karin in the beginning you might feel as if ...’ said Orvid. ‘Karin?’

  ‘They’re already there,’ said Alain.

  ‘Then let’s hope they have a good trip.’

  After all he’d seen Heshen, and the Emperor, leering over Zhen Wong.

  ‘The Emperor loved the performance,’ said Zhen.

  ‘The Emperor is only human,’ said Fu Chung Soo.

  Zhen placed a finger on his lips.

  ‘Don’t let anyone else hear you say that,’ she said.

  ‘Oh yes I forgot, Chien-lung is the son of heaven,’ said Fu disdainfully.

  There was a knock on the door to their rooms, and Fu quickly put on his robe. Outside a guard stood beside four servants who were delivering bouquets of chrysanthemums.

  ‘For Zhen Wong,’ said a young girl ‘from the Emperor.’

  ‘And for the great magician,’ said another, smiling in front of a tall vase with golden dragon handles.

  ‘Thank the Emperor for his kindness,’ said Fu.

  ‘Where shall we put the flowers?’ asked the girl.

  ‘In the vase naturally,’ said Fu.

  ‘But there is not enough room for all of them,’ said the girl.

  ‘Ah but I am a magician,’ said Fu.

  And one after another, Fu placed twelve bouquets into the vase. The guard smiled, and the servants applauded. When they had gone Zhen spoke.

  ‘Be careful Fu that you do not become more loved than the Emperor,’ she said.

  ‘We will stay the summer and then be gone in a puff of smoke.’

  ‘I hope you’re right Fu.’ she said.

  ‘Another interruption,’ said Fu annoyed, and he went to the door once more.

  It was Yi Peng.

  ‘My mistress Wa Yu wishes to see Zhen Wong,’ he said.

  ‘I’d love to,’ said Zhen, approac
hing the door.

  ‘Darling he can see you,’ said Fu to the naked Zhen.

  ‘Don’t worry my love, he’s a eunuch,’ she replied, laughing.

  Yi escorted a clothed Zhen through the labyrinth that was the Imperial Court.

  ‘How kind of you to see me,’ said Wa Yu.

  ‘It is my pleasure,’ said Zhen ‘and you really are as beautiful as they say.’

  ‘Thank you, but beauty has its own burden,’ said Wa.

  ‘Surely not,’ said Zhen ‘but you have the Emperor’s eye.’

  ‘Indeed, but the palace is riddled with jealously, and nowhere more so than the harem.’

  ‘You have a perfect life, but ...’

  ‘Go on,’ said Wa.

  ‘You cannot come and go as you please,’ said Zhen, acknowledging the gilded cage.

  ‘Many a peasant girl would envy me,’ said Wa ‘but I often wonder what it would be like to be free.’

  Zhen could sense Wa’s unhappiness.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me speaking so freely?’ asked Wa.

  Which roughly translated meant can I trust you?

  ‘A magician’s assistant has to keep many secrets,’ said Zhen.

  The answer was yes.

  ‘The Emperor requests your company in the gardens,’ interrupted Yi.

  ‘My dear sister will you visit me again?’ asked Wa.

  ‘I will look forward to it,’ said Zhen.

  Then she was gone, but they had all left; Karin and Verity alike.

  ‘Amazing,’ said Karin ‘I wouldn’t have believed it was possible until now.’

  ‘It’s true we are all connected,’ said Verity.

  ‘But why are we all here, together again?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘A tailor told us we have to change our past to save our future,’ said Alain.

  Orvid and Karin looked perplexed.

  ‘Here let me explain,’ he said.

  Orvid and Karin had already left, when Verity was checking the time.

  ‘I need to set the rules before I go,’ she said ‘so listen very carefully.’

  A life in chastity had implications.

  ‘You stay locked up for a month at a time,’ she said.

  Oh my God, no release for a month. He’d be running up the walls.

  ‘And if you’re frustration shows it’s more jail time.’