Schaefer laughs. “Your father is a clever man for a Negro. No offense.”
“No offense taken.”
“He’s not perfect. He cheated me out of some money. So I have a bone to pick with him. What better place to pick it than in front of his precious little girl?”
I dismiss theprecious little girlremark. “Seems childish, because it sounds like you’re still in business with him.”
“I came to Jamaica to assist Mr. Tynesdale with a problem he’s having with his plantation workers—and my personal feelings about your father don’t necessarily interfere with making money.”
“Shut up, Tony,” Bernard Tynesdale says sharply from the head of the table. “We can discuss this subject later,” he says forcefully, glaring at Tony Schaefer.
Upon Bernard’s withering gaze, Tony raises a hand in apology. “I’m zipping my lips shut right now.”
The reaction is as I expected. Mr. Tynesdale is not only the host but also the boss of my father and Tony. I imagine him to be the boss of his son, too. Then again, Zinzi doesn’t strike me as a woman who would fall for any man who might be under another man’s thumb.
“You lied to me,” Byron says suddenly.
I can’t tell whether he’s addressing Schaefer or his father. Then he makes it clear: “Father, I thought this dinner was meant to honor Katherine and her friends, but that’s not the reality, is it?”
“Byron, maybe you shouldn’t …” Zinzi says, but he stops her with a gently raised hand.
“No, his pact with the other six plantations was bad enough, but bringing in a bully from Chicago to do what? Make you enough money to hire scabs?” He glares at Tony. “Schaefer? Is that how you’ll help my father with his plantation problem?”
“Byron, you are going too far. I warned you and that girl. You’d be very sorry if you go against the family in these matters.” Mr. Tynesdale’s face is an ugly shade of red.
I look down at my plate. What is it about children and their fathers? Are they ever the men you want them to be?
“Well, guess what, Father?” Byron says. “Tony Schaefer isn’t trustworthy. I’ve been giving him the schedules of your major rum shipments. He intends to sabotage one or more of your boats. He also has partnerships with plantation owners in Cuba, which I imagine neither you nor Major Thomas knows.
“He is going to bury the Tynesdale Estate. Your thirst for power and your misguided ideologies will destroy a centuries-old family business.”
Bernard Tynesdale’s face was like a mask. “Is my son telling me the truth, Tony?”
“I assure you, Bernard, I was not aware of any of this,” my father interjects.
“I’m not talking to you, Leonard, but there is no need for me to hear Tony’s response.” He signals to his waiters. “Let’s finish the meal. My cook has been working on it all day.”
The man sitting next to me curses under his breath. Byron’s speech didn’t sit well with him, but judging by Zinzi and Othella’s ear-to-ear grins, they are as happy as clams. On the other hand, my father has turned a shade of grayish-brown.
Dinner ends shortly after Byron’s outburst. I am surprised Tony Schaefer didn’t walk out with his head hanging before dessert. But he stayed, sipping on his rum, his narrow gaze full of hate and rage shifting from Byron to Zinzi, but mostly resting on Othella, for some strange reason.
When it’s time to leave, Katherine catches up to me as we head for our cars. “I told you there was something more going on here tonight.”
“Yes, you were right.”
“Are you okay? I mean about your father? It’s a lot to take in.”
I slip my arm through hers. “Oddly enough, I feel better than I’ve felt in a long while.”
Upon returning to Accompong, the group goes to their separate lodgings. Byron remains at his father’s place, but Zinzi stays with us. Robbie and Othella, walking hand in hand makes me smile. Katherine also says good night to us.
Now, the only thing on my mind is the sacred silk cotton tree.
CHAPTER 41
VIVIAN JEAN
Accompong, Maroon Village, St. Elizabeth Parish
