Oliver sat up for most of the night once he had returned to Jimmy’s. News of Dyers death had arrived before he did. The Professor was a known recluse but also respected by the local community. His privacy had always been respected, guarded even, but his medical skills had been known and on rare occasions deployed to assist with health matters which had included aiding difficult childbirths, resuscitating a child on one occasion and on others he had tended to sick elders.
Jenny and Jamie had sat with Oliver drinking beer until the early hours. Oliver recounted the arrival of the police, their initial suspicions of him and even the housekeeper. It had taken Van and even the tour boat pilot to arrive and calm the situation. Oliver had walked the police through the account from the housekeeper, the blood sprays, Dyers bloodied hand and showing them the lack of blood on him and the light spray on the housekeeper. She would have been soaked in blood if she had inflicted the wound. A senior officer arrived, a friend of Van’s father and he adopted a more objective view. His objectivity was heightened by the fat roll of dollars Van handed him. Oliver provided the name of the hotel they were staying in and the intended date of their departure to the UK.
Oliver could barely look Jenny in the eye as he recounted the grotesque image, which both Jenny and Jamie had asked him to describe. He was intensely aware he was giving Jenny a vivid image of her own father’s death. Oliver could not find the words or the moment to tell her what he knew. The last wishes of Dyer were to not tell her, Jenny had not sought him out in twenty years and now Oliver stood as sole arbiter on what, when and whether she should know of her natural parents respective fates.
The next morning they were due to return to Ho Chi Minh and none wanted to remain any longer. Oliver had said he would like to view the house one last time. Jenny and Jamie asked to go too and they quietly potted down the canal in Jimmy’s boat. When they arrived at the property flowers had already been placed on the steps leading to the house, as a mark of respect from the local community. Dyer had no known relatives, Jimmy told them that Dyer’s housekeeper would lead his funeral with her family to lay the Professor to rest. Jimmy also advised them she was under sedation as the shock had set in badly during the night. Oliver felt some relief at this, knowing they would be well on their way back to Ho Chi Min before she could arrive at Jimmy’s. Which he felt sure she would to meet Jenny and tell her Dyer was in fact her natural father. Oliver did not want this to happen, he wanted to make time to talk with Jenny about her adoption, her feelings and why she had chosen not to trace her natural parents.
They spent a few minutes at the top of the steps looking at the beautiful house. Jenny commented on what a peaceful location it was, a perfect retreat for someone wanting to hide from whatever scandal had befallen him. Jamie said he could not comprehend how Dyer had suddenly entered into a suicidal rage.
Once they were in the canoe Oliver started the engine. Rather than heading back in the direction of Jimmy’s Oliver punted the small boat ten metres or so the other way, towards thick reeds which grew out of the bank.
“Where are we going?” Jenny asked.
Oliver guided the boat into the reeds, Jamie leaned out to steady them.
“Bloody hell mate, what are you doing?”
Oliver switched off the engine and jumped out onto the bank, disappearing in amongst the reeds.
“Hold the boat in please Jamie,” he said calling from within the thick growth on the waters edge.
“Oliver,” Jenny said sharply.
After only a brief a moment he returned and with him he had a large brown leather holdall. He dropped the substantial bag, which was heavy, into the deck of the boat.
“Fucking hell Oliver, what’s this?” Jamie asked as Oliver jumped back into the boat.
Oliver started the engine again and quickly moved away from the bank, “Just some research stuff the Professor would have wanted me to have, I know he would.”
“Oliver, that’s stealing for Christ’s sake,” Jenny said angrily. Oliver’s judgement had struck an all time low she decided.
“Look, he said much more than I can ever tell you, much more. It will be alright I promise. Once we’re back in London I’ll explain everything,” Oliver accelerated the boat down the river weaving in and out of slower basket boats and gondoliers. Jamie and Jenny shared a look confirming their horror at Oliver’s acquisition.
23.