Judged by Him

***

Gemma woke, and her heart, for a few seconds, pounded hard up into her throat.

Where am I?

The bed. Naked on the bed. She tracked her eyes around the room, trying to put out of her mind recently created memories. There was no blood on the sheets or anywhere in sight. Nothing untoward had happened as they slept. However, she couldn’t see Jason. His side of the bed showed where he had laid after they made love, but he had gone.

“He’s with Lubinksy, below.” Maria spoke from the shadows. “Are you all right, señora?”

“We’re moving.” Gemma went to the bow window and saw the open expanse of water. Blue sky with a few wisps of clouds drifting aimlessly. A smooth blue sea and virtually no wind. She reckoned outside the heat would be intense.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Two hours. You must be hungry. Do you want to eat up here or below?” Maria asked.

“I’ll get dressed and join Jason. Food, yes! Anything. I could eat a horse.”

Gemma stretched her arms high above her head as if to touch the ceiling. She felt reasonably invigorated even though the last twenty-four hours had confused her body clock. Three o’clock in the afternoon and she was about to eat lunch. Sleep and nourishment had become irregular during the cruise. She preferred to eat at sensible times.

She found Jason in the main salon, talking to Lubinsky, Remy, and the captain. He beamed a warm greeting as she approached, and she bent to kiss his lips. His hand looped around her neck, pulling her down, his mouth moist and flavoured by food. He dined on her lips for a

few seconds. A surprising display of affection in the company of others.

“How are you?” she asked, wondering if he had slept at all.

“Fine, darling. I slept for an hour or so, and then I heard the sounds of the crew getting ready to depart.”

“Modesto?”

Lubinsky informed her Modesto remained in police custody, awaiting a medical assessment. The police had expressed surprise the victim showed no interested in pursuing a criminal case. Gemma listened carefully as Lubinsky explained the authorities would probably send Modesto back to the Philippines.

“Have you eaten?” asked Jason.

“No. I’m starving!” She patted her stomach.

Esteban appeared with a tray of baguettes. “Here, señora?”

“Please.” She whipped a salami baguette off the platter before Esteban had a chance to set the tray down.

“Sorry, bad manners…but I’m so hungry.” Gemma chomped on a mouthful of food.

After they had been left alone by the other three, her curiosity about the last few days of their cruise surfaced. “Where are we going, Jason?”

“Trieste.”

“Trieste? That’s in Italy. What’s there?” She knew nothing about the place.

“Castles and caves.” He smiled enigmatically.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “Caves?” The idea of being in the dark and underground didn’t appeal.

“Yes. We should be there by the morning. Go and sun bathe.”

“Would you like a bath? Let me bathe you. Make sure your dressing stays dry.”

“Later. I’m sure I would enjoy that later.”

Gemma read much into his procrastination. He didn’t want to wind down. Even the painkillers had little impact on his stamina. He was planning, scheming some scene or game. She could see the twinkle in his eyes and heard the tone of his voice. A warning to her about his impending actions.