Tepid Steps

By Hamish Robertson

This book comprises of two short stories. Firstly we have a Jewish man falsely accused abroad of drug smuggling. He has an interesting journey home through Japan and back to his home land where he eventually becomes President of Israel. He orchestrates a move of those in Gaza to some of the settlements in the West Bank and visa versa. The story follows one man and his family making the crossing to a new wonderful life in the West Bank.
After he has accomplished a great deal he and his wife head out to find the spectacle bear in Brazil where they are accosted for drug farming. They make a miraculous escape saving those around them.
The second tale is a James Bond spoof where Hames Pond and some colleagues track down ivory and Rhino horn trade. They follow it back to China where justice is administered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728396446

Book preview

Chapter One

D aniel decided that, in the heat of the sun, it was time to leave Singapore for the safer shores of Japan. The Singapore police had just let him go from the clammy prison cell where he had been helping them with their enquiries. This had involved a tiring onslaught of interrogation, including sleep deprivation and intimidation. He was tired but not bruised. He was scared though. Scared like he had never been before.

He had been accused of drug trafficking. Something he had nothing to do with. He was allowed to speak to the American Ambassador stationed out there. Being Israeli the American ambassador was not ideal, but he was his best chance. His name was Travence. If no help was available from him, he could easily be jailed for a substantial length of time.

Daniel had no hope left, he found it futile in persisting in protesting his innocence, and when Ambassador Travence got him out on bail he was desperate. As he left the holding cell, a cell that he shared with four other guys, his thanks was heart felt. No one else spoke English and the social isolation was nerve racking.

God you helped me! announced Dannie tired and withdrawn.

I could only get you out on bail, he said.

I’m getting out of this country as soon as I can. You can forget about Singaporean justice and fair play, there is none.

Travence ushered him into his car and quickly left the vicinity.

They have your passport and papers, informed Travence.

Mate I don’t care. I’ll get on a fishing boat. I promise good money. Here have this. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a roll of cash. Something they missed, he said This is just a taster. Can you help?

Yes. But we could do this the right way. I have a friend in the police I can get your papers through him with this same bung.

He cosha? asked Dannie.

Yes.

I swear that gear is nothing to do with me. You know that.

I had that assumption.

So why blame me?

The new movement is very extreme right wing they are supporting and sympathising with Palestinians and you are Jewish.

Thank God for you. If you can get my papers and passport then I can fly home.

That is the plan.

Ok soon, like tomorrow?

There was a silence and then a simple Yes, I think I can rely on him.

The car pulled up a pleasant driveway and into some nice gardens and a grand house.

Is this yours?

This is mine. I share it with my wife Helena and our two children. Sofia she’s nine and Paula she’s eighteen.

Thank you mate you know I owe you my life.

Chapter Two

T ravence introduced him to his family and Helena spoke; You must be hungry. Travence ushered him into the dining room where there were places set for four.

Dannie realising that there were in fact five of them and ushered up; No, no you don’t need to feed me. I eat something much more simple.

No it is not you that won’t be eating. Paula has a flash new boyfriend and he will be here soon. At which moment a low grumble and the sound of crushing of gravel came for outside.

Here he is, gasped Helena.

Sounds like a nice car? said Dannie.

It is. He is a petrol head, cars and bikes are his thing.

I drive a motorbike, said Dannie. A Honda 400/4. Excellent it is old, a classic.

Jon rides those fast sporty ones.

Jon didn’t stay long but long enough to talk with Dannie about bikes for a while.

I hope you get home ok man.

Cheers mate, replied Dannie.

He had time for a quick shower, and afterwards he joined the family and they sat down for their meal.

That feels much better. I am more relaxed now not quite chilled out but better so thank you. He meant it.

He ate his fill and had a glass of wine and a beer. Afterwards watched some telly that he couldn’t understand and then went to bed. The difference from the night before was as big as they get. He was warm, cosy even and went to sleep.

Dreaming quite vividly he woke up with a start. He did not forget what made him wake and the content of his dream stayed with him as he lay in the quiet of Singaporean suburban life.

As he glanced across at the clock he noticed that it was exactly two in the morning. And no sooner did he register that, he heard the sound of car wheels on the gravel of the drive. With his heart pounding he quietly got out of bed to see what was going on. Unfortunately his room did not look out over the drive, so he quickly dressed and headed down the corridor to the landing window. Sure enough his worst fears were confirmed there were two cop cars each with two occupants. He needed a plan. He was going to hide from every one and disappear. He wanted Travence and his family to think that he done a bunk while they were in the land of Z. This should be easy, he thought, in this big old house. He found some secluded stairs, once used by the servants and half way down a cupboard. He opened the door to reveal an unused space that must have stretched over the kitchen roof. It was not a space to stand up in but it was space enough and there were plenty of things to hide behind. So he stacked some boxes and waited.

Chapter Three

A fter a short while he could hear Travence deny his presence but with some coercion they ordered a search of the house. He could hear Travence panic as they neared the room that he had been in. He almost fainted this would be it for him but the door opened to reveal a clean unslept in bedroom. Helena had pulled off a quick one which convinced them that he was not ‘en residence’. So they headed down the stairs and out to there cars, wheel spinning as they left.

Dannie left it five more minutes and then headed out to the confused but relieved family. Travence ushered everyone to the kitchen where they put the kettle on and sat down to talk things over.

If they are going to come here in the middle of the night for you then I think this is too heavy for my man on the inside. You need a better plan. reconsidered Travence.

I need to get on a fishing boat to Japan.

What then?

Then I ride in my old friend Boeing and I should be drinking an Israeli pint before the sun goes down.

What you need then is some local money all of your Israeli dollars are fine but here we need something a little less conspicuous. organised Travence as he walked to the picture on the wall. He reached up and swung it to one side showing a small combination safe.

You are going above and beyond, You are truly good people, acknowledged Dannie.

I’ve seen enough of this side of the present authority. Anyhow you are going to pay me back, as I am sure that you will have a few assets of your own back home.

Whatever you want, I owe you.

Just at that moment there was another noise of the gravel being crushed.

‘S***’ Travence said louder than he was expecting. They had only moments to do something.

Before Dannie made a break for the back stairs he said If they catch me say that I am under your custody and that I have only just turned up, after trying to sleep it rough.

There came a sound of keys rattling and the sound of a girl laughing.

Oh my God! It’s Paula and Jon.

Yoh, you guy’s look like you’ve seen a ghost. Why are you up now, it’s nearly half two in the morning?

We are so glad that it is you. The police have just been for Dannie he hid and we got away with it but now Dannie…we need you out of here.

You ride a bike. I have two fast ones.

I’ve not driven a fast one, only a 400cc, and its old.

Then you are to learn tonight and quickly. Are you up for that?

Keen for it, Dannie said feeling quite excited.

"Follow me and I know someone at the Harbour. He always leaves at four in the morning to get the best catch. He is my friend I have worked down there on and off for seven years. You will need one thousand pounds. This much and you are buying silence. You will be buy into his honour.

Dannie was quick to try on Paula’s helmet and although it was a bit tight it was a fit and was the only thing he had for protection. Jon ushered him outside and into the garage where one of his motorbikes was propped up.

This is my Duccati 900. Jump on. I will give you a very quick lesson.

Ok, lets go.

I think we should go in convoy. You on my other bike. I don’t want to be associated with you, sorry my life here is too good.

Yes that would be fine.

My place is ten minutes away.

Ok, wait, Dannie said removing his helmet to speak with Travence; I’ll always owe you. You must come for a visit so as I can cross your palm, Bye bye, he said, before he put the helmet back on. He tapped Jon on the shoulder and they slowly crept down the gravel drive and to the open road.

Being on the back of this bike was like nothing he had ever experienced and whilst initially scared his fear soon turned into a longing to have a go himself. Before long they slowly taxied into a drive of another house. This had an asphalt drive with two entrances. They stopped and proceeded to dismount.

Nice place, admired Dan. He was looking at a house, grand in appearance with a cellar and three levels, ground one and two. What do you do work wise?

I am an actor?

What have you been in?

Well I started off very young. I was born into a soap series. I have always known and been comfortable with the camera. Can you see now why I want to be careful. Even a whiff of a back hander or foul play might end me.

Thank you. You are very kind.

There is only honour in virtue my friend

The world would be a better place…

"We must go if we are to meet with my friend it is a forty minute ride. Just go slow I don’t want an accident just done go full throttle remember its only as fast as you make it go so if your not sure well you know the rest. Have these padded jeans and jacket. Your hands are way bigger than mine, but you should be ok, it’s not too cold.

Ok I’ll follow you, confirmed Dannie. And so they left riding into the still of the night.

Dannie was really impressed by his motorbike, a Suzuki 600 Bandit. The sheer technology, the sweet conversion of fuel into speed. He promised himself that when he got home he would buy one.

They rode for several miles and then it happened. Jon and Dan looked in their mirrors. The one vehicle that they wanted desperately not to cross and there it was a police car turning in behind them. Jon speeded up and so Dannie followed. The idea with the bikes was for a getaway and disassociation. As they went around a blind corner Jon signalled for Dan to turn right which he did. ‘This road must lead to the sea harbour,’ he thought.

He was right. Jon was luring the police to the other side of town which he knew well and could easily shake them off down the sides streets. He would leave them in the confusion and join up with Dannie, who was pausing momentarily, hoping that he would know where to go and what to do if he didn‘t meet up with Jon again.

When he arrived at the sea harbour, Jon was in the distance. Dannie hopped that it was him, pretty confident that there would be no one else around at three fifteen in the morning. Jon ushered Dan into a fish hut. This was where the trawler men brought their catch. The time was three thirty and there he was; Skipper Barnie sat by the wall sorting his netting for the mornings catch.

Jon, what the hell are you doing here. Bit bright and early for a social visit isn’t it.

Me old mate Barnie your right it is a bit early. Can you take shipment of a single person cargo over to Japan for the right dollar?

Now wait on. Why does said person want to leave in such a hurry?

He is being fitted up with a drugs charge on account of him being Jewish and from Israel. They want to mix up the whole occupied land and try to force violence on the Jew. We must support the Jewish struggle and the decent man. This is Dannie and he is quite a big pawn. Will you help?

How much do you think it will take to hold my tongue?

One thousand. And a good hand shake.

Done. They shook hands and Bernie said You can help me fish first.

I’m not so sure of my sea legs but I’ll be as good as I can be.

The boat is ready. I was just preparing the netting. You must wear this, he said, throwing across a life jacket; it is choppy out there this morning.

Can I hide the bandit here, scuzz the pun. The cops have already chased me on the Duccati and I don’t want them to see me on this as well, it is too much to answer for. Especially as I can say that I am looking for this one. I’ll come back latter in the day..

Thanks Jon you must come to Israel. Let me give you a contact number, invited Dan.

And so Jon left and carefully rode home. There was no sign of the police and he was pretty sure that they never got the licence number. If they had have done there would be police parked outside his house. ‘S***’ he exclaimed silently, there were police outside his house.

Have you found it? Jon spoke

Yes, urm, No But one of our officers lost it. Can you confirm your registration plate?…Yes that correlates. And where have you been.

I’ve been trying to find it. I’ve been out most of the night. I was coming back from my fiancées house and recognised it leaving the end of the road so I spun around and gave chase. I’ve been driving around ever since.

Why did you not phone the police?

This sounds silly, but I thought it was one of my old friends messing me about sort of like a practical joke. Someone I wouldn’t want the police to punish but I wasn‘t sure so I just stepped on it, this is a fast bike, he anounced.

You do realise that you could have been putting your self into great danger. Some of these people are non too friendly. Next time call the police, we will take it from there.

Good, I will do, I just thought I could catch him but he just seemed to disappear.

If your friend feels kind enough to return your bike please let us know. There is the case of speeding tickets to address and taking without permission as well as probable insurance irregularities…

Look I will call my mate now. See if I can’t make sense of it, but I am beginning to think that it wasn’t him it is not really his style. If I can find out who it was I will let you know, but there is something not quite right about it. The phone rang until eventually it was answered. Hello Stie have you stolen my Suzzuki?

No, talk to me in later mate. It’s four in the morning and sleep has plans for me.

Sorry dude I’ll call you in the morning.

Was it him?

No it wasn’t him.. It really has been stolen.

It is the wrong time of day to deal with this. Please come down to the station tomorrow and we will sort all of this out then. If I were you I’d get some rest, do not go out on your bike until then.

As the police left Jon sighed a big sigh of relief. How he winged that one he will never know. He went inside and poured himself a whisky on the rocks.

Chapter Four

W ell Barnie went out of his way to help. He knew the best place for a fugitive to enter Japan unnoticed and they had just the time to get there.

He was telling Dannie of the tsunami that had struck only two months previous. The devastation was colossal and everyone had been affected. There was a general state of melancholy and distress with the people, which should not be forgotten nor the grief underestimated. Dannie obviously agreed and likened it to an act of chance and not of God.

You will do ok, noted Barnie, there is still a massive clear up to do and the nuclear reactor is in danger of going into melt down. The risk of radiation poisoning is a worry. They say that it should eventually work out alright. They are dousing the core with water from helicopters and the exclusion zone should be respected. It stands at the half mile mark at the moment.

It was just dawning on Dannie that the place he was headed was in turmoil he had forgotten that the civil structure would be in a mess and so he promised his help should it be needed.

The sun was rising just as they entered a small cove with a white sandy beach.

Thank you my good friend. You will never know how pleased I am for your help. They would have locked me up for good and for no reason save frm being a political pawn. Thank God the sea is not contaminated. Safe fishing my friend, he beckoned good bye. He stood there for a moment and watched Barnie set off for his day fishing before turning around breathing in the fresh air and venturing inland.

The devastation was clear, the crops had all but failed and housing was makeshift. He was out to help, if he could,