Debt of Honour

By Vernon Siebert

Jason Alexander fears for the worst when he is captured by guerillas fighting for majority rule in his country. But, instead of being shot, he is freed because of something that happened before he was even born. However, Jason’s freedom is short lived as he soon finds himself held in captivity again, this time by his own side. Now he has little choice but to trust his instincts about what happened those many years ago in a desperate gamble to save his live and that of his father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vernon Siebert
• Release date: Dec 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301733385

Vernon Siebert

Vernon Siebert worked as a journalist for over 30 years before retiring in Cape Town with his wife, Rita.

Book preview

Debt of Honour

By Vernon Siebert

Published by Vernon Siebert at Smashwords

Copyright (c) 2012 Vernon Siebert

Smashwords Edition, Licence Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. The events described are fictitious but they reflect the spirit of the time in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Some of the characters are based on real people, others are not. If I have wronged anyone, forgive me as no offence is intended.

Chapter One

Henry Alexander watched the bubbles fizz in his glass. He took a sip, a slight grimace shadowing his face for a moment. He did not like soda water; but then he was not in the most popular bar in town for fun.

Green eyes narrowed as cigarette smoke drifted around him. Not much soda water being drunk here today, he observed.

Henry got off his bar stool and stretched his lanky frame before looking at his watch. It was not yet midday and he was the only one sober.

A sudden splash of sunlight sliced through the smoky haze as the bar door opened. A burly figure stepped into the doorframe blocking out the sunlight. He looked around, and then came towards Henry, light on his feet like a prizefighter in spite of his bulk.

Behind him was a woman almost as tall as him. Their entrance cut a pause in the noise and the smoky haze. Several pairs of eyes turned towards them.

Ja well, you must be Henry, the big man said sticking out a paw of a hand. But his grip was surprisingly gentle. Not soft mind you, but not bone crushing as Henry had expected.

Jan van Heerden, Jan introduced himself, his baritone in keeping with his size. The man nodded to the woman with him. "Ah yes, and this is my daughter.

And you of course must be Henry Alexander.

Yes. But how did you know it was me?

Easy. You are the only one here I did not recognise. But let me get myself a drink before we talk. He leaned across the bar counter and called out: Hey boy! Bring me a beer.

Dad, you know you should not call these people boys. Jan’s daughter shook her head before putting out her hand to Henry. He’s impossible you know. By the way my name is Anneke.

She turned to the barman and asked him to add a gin and tonic to the order.

Yes madam, the barman said, a burst of white teeth lighting up his dark face as he smiled. If he had taken offence at being called boy, he did not show it.

Henry could see that the likeness between the two extended to their blond colouring and height, but obviously not to their political views!

Anneke was not as young as he had at first thought. The fine lines on her face put her in her thirties probably only a few years younger than he was. All the same, Henry could see why she had caught the bar’s attention. Although tall and big breasted, she was not self-conscious about it.

Ever since her mother died, she thinks she can tell me what to do. Van Heerden said before draining half his glass. It’s about time she found a husband. Then she would have someone else to bully.

For a moment no one said anything, each gazing into their drinks in awkward silence.

I hear you are looking for work. Jan was the first to speak.

That’s right. I was told that I might get work with you, Henry said with more confidence than he felt.

Since his arrival in Rhodesia from South Africa two years ago he had been unable to hold down a job for more than a few weeks at a time.

Pointing a big finger at the glass in Henry’s hand, Jan asked: What are you drinking?

Soda water.

Why’s that?

Oh well, here we go again, Henry thought as he studied the big man. If he lied and Jan found out the truth, he might as well pack his bags. But telling the truth may have the same outcome.

Henry decided that this time he would tell the truth. Lying had not helped before.

I can’t afford to touch alcohol. If I start, I usually can’t stop.

So why should I hire you?

I have been dry for a few weeks now and would appreciate a chance to show what I am really worth.

And what might that be?

I’m pretty handy at figures and running an office, especially in the timber business. It was what I used to do in South Africa.

So why did you leave then?

I guess I just needed a change of scenery.

Jan gestured to the barman for a refill leaving Henry wondering if he had done the right thing by telling the truth – at least that part about not touching a drink and wanting a new start.

His reasons for leaving the country of his birth were personal and he was not ready to share them with a stranger.

Jan took a deep swallow from his refilled glass and looked at Henry, shaking his head slowly.

Well he had at least tried, Henry thought as he got up and offered his hand to Jan.

Thanks anyway, for at least seeing me.

The big man ignored Henry’s outstretched hand. "Not so fast young fellow.

I will give you a job. In fact you can start tomorrow. He paused to look at Henry: But there is one thing you must promise me.

What’s that?

That one day you will tell me the real reason you left South Africa.

Henry watched as Jan and Anneke left the bar. She looked back over her shoulder and shrugged with a slight smile on her lips.

He carefully placed his empty glass on the counter. Damn, he could really do with a drink, a proper one this time.

He waved to the barman to attract his attention. Surely a beer (or two) would not do any harm?

Yes, sir?

A beer, please.

Are you sure, Sir? Henry looked at the young black man behind the bar counter in surprise.

Of course … Henry paused. Did he really need a drink? Yes, but … instead he slipped the money he had for the beer across the counter to the barman.

That’s yours, Henry said as he stood up and walked towards the door where he paused. He could see Jan and Anneke getting into a big black sedan up the road. He turned in the opposite direction and strode away.

He spent the rest of the day exploring the city, stopping in at a café for something to eat.

He found out from the café owner that the Manica Timber Company was the biggest employer in Umtali, a border town halfway down the east side of Rhodesia. The heart-shaped country itself was landlocked in the southern half of the African continent.

The next day he was at the gates of the Manica Timber Company before anyone else.

So this is what it feels like to be sober, he mused as he stared through the gate. The neat single-storey office block with white walls and red roof must be the office. And the large shed with a steepled corrugated iron roof which dominated the area, must be the sawmill.

A deep-throated throbbing broke into his thoughts. Henry turned round just in time to see the large black car, its white-walled tyres gleaming in the early light, coming towards him.

Keen, I see, said Jan sourly as he jumped out of the car to unlock the gates. Perhaps the big man prided himself on always being at work before his staff. He seemed surprised to see Henry waiting for him. Then perhaps he had not expected Henry to turn up at all.

Jan leapt out and unlocked the gate.

Jump in son, he said before putting the big car into gear and roaring through the gate before pulling up next to the office block.

This is my company, Jan said waving his arm in a vague half circle. He looked at Henry. Come on then I will show you your office.

Henry scurried behind Jan as they passed through an austere reception area which reminded Henry of a doctor’s waiting room.

Near the back of the building, was a small room with a desk and chair and little else.

It’s a bit small. But it should do you, Jan said without any hint of apology. But Henry hardly registered the size of the office but stared instead at the green mountains framed by a large window. Well at least he had a fine view.

Make yourself at home. I will introduce you to the rest of the staff when the lazy buggers decide to come to work.

As Jan bustled off, Henry looked around and wondered what Jan had in store for him.

Not much it seemed as Henry was left much to his own devices. He met the rest of the staff over the next few days and made himself popular by taking on many of the admin jobs the others hated.

The next few weeks went past in a blur and Henry soon found himself comfortable in his work and he had managed to stay away from the booze.

The city too seemed more welcoming as the Flamboyant trees now lined the roads with red-flowered glory as the rainy season got into full swing.

The day before Christmas Jan poked his head into Henry’s office. Don’t forget you are coming to us tonight, he said before disappearing down the corridor.

Henry had not forgotten the invitation. He was not going to be alone this Christmas Eve for the first time in a long while. For some reason that Henry was not sure of, the big man had often invited him to his home.

He sat at his desk after Jan had left looking out at the mountains framed by the window of his office. His eyes drifted to the bookcase and then to the tawdry still-life picture of fruit on the wall of his office.

It took him a moment or two to recognise what he was feeling. For the first time in many years he was content.

Henry got up abruptly and took the painting from the wall. He dumped it into the bin on his way back to his desk. Why have a painting when you have a window full of the real thing?

The mountains were hazy at the moment as the evening gathered up the clouds for rain. Henry took one last look before he grabbed his jacket and walked out the door to go home for a shower.

It was still muggy when Henry arrived at Jan’s house about an hour later. The two men sat down on the veranda in companionable silence.

Henry was happy to share Jan’s company. But he had to admit that his enjoyment probably also had something to do with the presence of the big man’s daughter …

So what do you think of our fair town? Jan asked Henry finally breaking the silence.

It’s a lovely place, Henry said and then went on without thinking: Almost as beautiful as my home town.

Jan uncharacteristically let the opportunity to question Henry about his home town go by. Instead he said: I have been following your work, Henry. You are good at your job.

Thanks. Henry could not think of anything more to say. He hadn’t thought that Jan had paid his work any attention at all.

Jan looked at him, his head cocked slightly to the side: What do you think about taking over the factory manager’s position? It will be on probation mind you, but I think you can do it.

Henry was taken aback. He enjoyed being a backroom person and the thought of being in charge of a large and sometimes unruly workforce terrified him.

Anneke, who had just arrived with a tea tray, interrupted. Dad, don’t rush poor Henry, she scolded Jan. He has only been here a few months and how do we know he even wants to stay.

No it’s not that, Henry interrupted quickly. I love it here but I am just not sure I am the right person to be put in charge of so many men.

Nonsense! You will do just fine! Jan said with a dismissive wave of his hand. How about starting in the new year?

It wasn’t really a question.

Chapter Two

The sound of Anneke’s gentle breathing woke Henry. For a moment he was confused. Ah ha, it was New Year’s day. The sheet had fallen away from her shoulders and Henry watched as her breasts rose and fell with her breathing. How different her nipples looked when they were not aroused.

Henry stretched out his hand and brushed the tousled hair away from her face. He let his fingers drift