Indonesian Gold by Kerry B. Collison Page B

‘adjal ’, Eric?’ the

General asked, rhetorically, referring to the belief that all death is predestined. ‘ A simple

farmer, tilling the soil, who has most likely never strayed more than a few kilometers from his

village and land since birth, suddenly hears the rush of wind and looks up and, in that moment,

is killed by this strange object falling from the heavens .’
    It was normally at this point in the telling, that Baird

would put on his serious face, feigning interest. ‘ To die from old age or even disease is one

thing. But, to be killed by
    an ejection seat when one has never even seen an

aeroplane, surely must demonstrate that Allah planned for this to happen? ’
    This, Baird knew, was his signal to nod his acceptance.

‘ It would certainly seem that way, Pak .’
    â€˜ Yes, that is precisely my point! ’
    Baird was surprised by Subroto’s deviation from previous

closings.
    â€˜ If someone dropped something on you, Eric ,’ the

Javanese’s eyes danced mischievously, ‘ then we would be obliged to accept that such a mishap

was, undoubtedly, by Allah’s design .’
    Eric Baird experienced a familiar, sinking sensation in

his stomach. During his years living in this country, he had learned that opinions were regularly

offered, disguised in the most oblique forms. Javanese disliked confrontation – and, even when

addressing foreigners, rarely came directly to the point. However, Baird clearly understood the

underlying threat Subroto had made.
    â€˜ Pak ‘Broto ,’ he opened, reverently, ‘ this time,

Kremenchug has agreed to give us shares in the Kalimantan venture. ’
    â€˜ You cannot trust this man ,’ Subroto replied,

obstinately.
    Baird quickly calculated the value of his quarter of a

million dollars in stock. ‘ We will be given almost half a billion Rupiah worth of stocks in

the Canadian company .’
    Subroto removed his glasses, looked directly into Baird’s

eyes, and started tapping the desk with a ball pen. The US dollar equivalent was around two

hundred thousand, the sum far more meaningful in light of recent losses. After some moments of

deliberation, he reached across and, waving the pen in the air, asked, ‘ When? ’
    Baird was swept with relief. ‘ Within the next months,

Pak .’
    â€˜ You will keep my share in your name ,’ Subroto

ordered, ‘ I don’t want any dealings with Kremenchug directly. Is that clear ?’
    That his sponsor had failed to thank him for the generous

gift was of no consequence to Baird. Subroto could now be counted upon to support the Canadian

venture, whenever obstacles appeared, as Baird knew they inevitably would. The mining industry

had become an investment nightmare for the unsuspecting investor, the bureaucratic quagmire

deliberately created by officialdom, a means for extracting payments from foreign

participants.
    â€˜ I’ll make the necessary arrangements, Pak ,’ Baird

promised.
    Subroto’s face turned friendly. ‘ Speaking of

arrangements, Eric, how are things progressing between you and my niece? ’
    Baird visibly trembled at the mention of Pipi Suhartono,

unable to control his discomfort as he looked towards the closed door for escape.
    â€˜ I have been very busy with Kremenchug ,’ he

explained.
    â€˜ You shouldn’t neglect her ,’ Subroto’s face

suddenly became serious. ‘ Pipi is very fond of you, Eric, and you are fortunate to have a

woman of her quality and education as a companion .’
    Baird felt his blood begin to freeze. Several months had

transpired since Pipi had been introduced to him and, since that first meeting, Subroto had

insisted that Baird accompany his niece to a number of formal functions, the most recent, a

family wedding. Subroto’s intentions were frighteningly clear to Baird, his