Kaboro’s filthy uniform was now also stained with blood, and although he was focusing on the controls, his eyes were glazed, like those of a functioning alcoholic or a sleepwalker who’d ended up in the wrong bedroom.

‘What are your orders? Where are we going?’

Kaboro increased power and the Albany began vibrating in protest. Nash could see Singkepe down on the bow, shaking his head to indicate no separation.

‘Why won’t you answer me?’

Kaboro thrust the throttles to maximum. The shaking increased to a frightening degree. A tin cup fell off the chart table and clattered to the floor. Pens danced up and down in their holder. The bridge windows blurred. Sweat was beading on Kaboro’s brow. He loosened off the throttles, and then applied full power again.

‘Damn it, Kaboro!’ Nash roared over the din. ‘How much are they paying you to sell out?’

Singkepe’s arm shot into the air and Nash felt the deck lurch under his feet, as the ship slipped off the bank. Kaboro engaged forward thrust to arrest momentum. Then, he spun the helm and worked the throttle to hold her in the narrow channel. Easing her forward, he took her out to deeper water.

Footsteps sounded outside and Sura arrived with Boerman, grinning like a schoolyard bully let off with another warning. Nash felt physically ill. It was as if the Albany had just split her bottom in a wild swell, and a sea of chaos was about to rush in and swallow them whole.

He turned to Kaboro.

‘Tell me this isn’t some sick joke?’

Boerman chortled. ‘The only sick joke around here is you, Nash.’

Sura looked radiantly triumphant. ‘Lieutenant, kindly convey to Mr Nash the outcome of your communication with Sir Julius.’

Kaboro kept his eyes on the river.

‘You are confined to quarters until your services are no longer required, Mr Nash. Then, at a suitable time and place, you will be escorted to the nearest international departure point and be required to leave Papua New Guinea.’

It was preposterous. Insane. Outrageous.

‘So, I’m to be an indentured slave and you’ll just sail on like nothing’s happened?’ Nash could hear the desperation in his voice. ‘I can’t believe this, Kaboro. I thought you were a man of honour.’

For the first time, Kaboro made eye contact. It was a look full of devastation.

‘My personal judgement doesn’t come into this, Mr Nash.’

‘Bullshit it doesn’t! We just watched this fucking maniac commit mass murder. Come on, man, stay the course. The men will follow you. I will follow you. We’ll testify –’

‘You keep talking,’ Boerman jeered, ‘but you don’t seem to realise no one gives a shit!’

Bunching his fists, Nash stared at Sura.

‘Shut your Jaap, or I’ll shut him for you.’