The Afrikaner had a grip like an industrial vice. Nash took the man’s offending wrist with his free hand and began to apply pressure. Boerman was massively strong, but his bulky gym muscles lacked lateral movement, whereas years of ocean training had strengthened every sinew and tendon in Nash’s arms. He used that flexibility to break free and twist Boerman’s forearm around the ladder, where the added leverage let him even the score.

‘What’s going on down there?’ It was Sura on the quarterdeck. ‘Jaap?’

Nash released the big man with a grin.

‘Hadn’t you better be running along?’

‘Do you have to go?’ Mia stood at her cabin door, rubbing the skin of her upper right arm. ‘I could use some company.’

Her thick hair was tied back in a ponytail, exposing a slender neck which made her seem more vulnerable. Nash did not want to be alone with her, but seeing she was shaken up, he followed her into the cabin. Despite the heat, she closed the door.

‘Why isn’t there a lock?’ She shook the handle in frustration.

‘It’s a military thing. Do you want to tell me what happened?’

Leaning against the door, Mia nodded. ‘I was getting some fresh air when he got in my face with that bullshit about sneaking around.’ She frowned as she examined the bruise forming on her bicep. ‘Back in the States we call it assault.’

‘I’ll talk to Kaboro. You can press charges.’

‘No.’ She shook her head quickly. ‘I need to get upriver.’ Defensively crossing her arms, she shivered before looking at him closely. ‘Rob, what are you doing with these people?’

The question caught him by surprise.

‘Shooting a doco. Like I told you.’

‘But it doesn’t make sense. These Indonesians are paranoid as hell, and what about all these soldiers – doesn’t it strike you as overkill they’re armed to the teeth?’

Nash thought of his last expedition to PNG. They’d had a police liaison officer, and a couple of private security guys in case of trouble from the locals, but that was all.

‘I suppose so, but aren’t we heading into a war zone?’

‘Is that what they told you?’ Mia sounded doubtful. ‘OPM are not that much of a threat. And why would armed PNG troops be allowed into Papua? Shouldn’t the Indonesians be running security up there?’

He explained what he knew of the joint expedition – that the PNGDF were being provided as private security – but, given his own reservations, he quickly ran out of steam and found himself staring into those mesmerising eyes. She blinked slowly, and then perhaps because of the sudden intimacy, smiled shyly.

‘Why does Jaap keep going on about you being a hero?’