Black Mamba

by Tierney James

  “Ha. Ha. I don’t believe that for a minute.” Taking a sip of the hot brew drew a sigh of pleasure. “Is it early?”

  “Yeah. I couldn’t sleep. You’re such a bed hog. You’d think with a king-size bed, you’d stay on your own side.” One of his eyebrows went up.

  Tessa glared at him over the rim of her cup, trying to pretend she didn’t care anything about his opinions. “I. I.” It was hopeless. That big bad wolf attitude got her every time. She decided to try flippant. “None of my other husbands complained.”

  His demeanor immediately changed from playful to sullen. Maybe she shouldn’t have tried this kind of attack.

  “I only know of two others. Are there more?”

  “I had a weakness for this lead singer at a county fair talent contest. Oh. And I never told anyone, but I eloped to Las Vegas my freshman year of college. Annulled it the very next day. Elvis was not happy.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. “I bet. You are getting so good at those lies, you might get recruited by the CIA before long.”

  “And leave all this? Never.” He continued to stand rigid, staring down at her in half amusement and half something else. “Besides, you’re the only one I can count on to protect me. I doubt anyone at the CIA would give a rip.”

  “Now you’re flirting with me, Tessa.” He jumped on the bed next to her on top of the covers. She splashed a few drops of coffee on her pajamas and released a disgruntled yelp. “Maybe we should talk about something besides your tribesman from Afghanistan.”

  She hadn’t mentioned Darya, yet he always seemed to come up at times like these. He hated the man who’d saved her life from unspeakable terror and even death. The tribesman continued to believe she was his woman, even after she’d returned home. Why Chase didn’t drag Robert up, her real husband, still confused her. Why should he care in the first place?

  “I never mentioned Afghanistan. Leave Darya out of our conversations from now on. Okay?”

  Chase stared at her. His generous mouth suddenly turned down. Her heart skipped a beat watching him switch from white knight to the gunslinger. He didn’t promise.

  “I’m going to have Vernon and Zoric follow the president around today to see if they can find out any information. They’re doing that magazine piece, so it shouldn’t be a problem to shadow him. We need to also find out who put that snake in your bed.”

  Tessa shivered then handed Chase her cup to set on the tray resting on the nightstand. “Do you think it was Baboloki?”

  “I believe he had someone do it. If one of us got bitten, then we’d have to leave. He doesn’t like me and is suspicious of someone from the US State Department nosing around his country. With Keeya disappearing, it probably only adds to his paranoia.”

  “Any sign of Dage?”

  Chase put his hands behind his head and crossed his legs. “Saw him slip in at first light. Not sure how he got back. I didn’t hear a plane. Maybe by boat?”

  “Handsome will be wanting to head out today in search of his father. No idea where to look at this point.”

  “My guess is Maun since the president sent his bodyguard there. The news about the clinic should be out now. We’ll get to see what Baboloki does with the information. I’m also curious as to what he’ll do when he sees you.”

  Tessa maneuvered away from Chase and stood up. The sensation of drowning washed over her when he continued to watch her with curiosity. Would he one day forget his good-guy manners and pounce on her vulnerable hero worship?

  Agents in the field, or so she’d read, often got into romantic situations, parted, and moved on to other things. The idea remained completely foreign to her. Yet, it seemed he always tested the waters of some kind of relationship.

  “Is there something else?” he asked, a bit too mischievously. “Weren’t you going to take a shower. Do I need to go check it out first, in case there are snakes?”

  “Not funny. I was thinking about the future.”

  “A lot of that going on these days.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Chase arrived at the dining platform and found Handsome setting up the buffet table. His scowl tipped him off not to mince words with the huge man moving about like an out-of-control tank. He poured his own coffee.

  “Where’s your boss?” Chase worried Peter would spill the news about the black mamba in Tessa’s bed to his staff. He wanted to evaluate the expression on Baboloki’s face when Tessa joined them later. Did he have a hand in the treachery?

  “On the radio. Got the news about the clinic. He’s upset.” Handsome lowered his voice. “I put all the medicine we brought back in one of the refrigerators in the camp storage hut and made the assignments for the tours today. Peter will be out in time to get everyone on their way. I’ll explain the meds later. He liked my father. I don’t think he’ll mind me using the refrigerator.”

  “Carter and Sam decided to leave. We think Dr. Girard may be in Maun. They’ll spearhead the search.”

  Handsome stopped and leveled a stubborn glare at him. “I should go with them.”

  “And do what? You’re like a bull in a china shop.”

  “If Baboloki—”

  “We don’t know who did this to the clinic,” Chase interjected with a snarl. “Don’t do something stupid. Let me handle this, will ya?”

  With a reluctant nod, Handsome agreed. “How’s Tessa? Why isn’t she with you?”

  “Pretending to be dead.”

  “Probably gets a lot of practice being around you,” Handsome quipped as his bottom lip protruded outward. “Peter says he hasn’t seen any reports of black mambas around here in several years. Too many tourists.”

  Chase drained his coffee cup as the other guests arrived. Baboloki enjoyed a big entrance, so he expected him to show up last. “Good morning, folks!”

  “Where’s your better half, Chase?” It was Carter.

  “I left her sound asleep.” He winked at one of the British ladies. “Too much excitement the last few days, I think.” Moving to the buffet line, Chase handed out a few plates. It gave him a few extra minutes to stand and watch Baboloki arrive. “Mr. President, your timing is perfect. Handsome laid out all this delicious food.”

  Baboloki froze but recovered in short order and graciously took a plate from Chase’s outstretched hand. “Where is your beautiful companion?”

  Chase offered a pleasant laugh and filled his plate with runny eggs and limp bacon. The biscuits were hard as a brick. He hated the way they cooked breakfast here. “She was dead to the world when I came to bed last night. I don’t think she moved all night. I let her sleep in.”

  The president offered a smug smirk and raised his chin in a kind of haughtiness. “Would you like for me to send someone after her?” He spooned a large portion of eggs onto his plate.

  “No need!” Tessa bounded up the steps with her usual enthusiasm and rushed to Chase’s side. “Sorry I’m late. What a night. Slept like a log,” she laughed. “President Baboloki, are you, all right? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Yes. Yes. I’m fine. You look lovely this morning.”

  The president nodded at one of his guards posted at the top of the steps. Chase found it amusing how quickly the guard excused himself. Someone else might find a snake in his bed tonight.

  The camp director joined them and immediately came to take Tessa’s hand. “Oh. My. Dear. I’m so glad you are well this morning,” Peter gushed then turned to address the other guests. “Everyone needs to be very careful and check your beds throughout the day and especially tonight. Tessa found a black mamba under her covers last night.”

  The guests were noticeably shaken and asked Tessa what happened. After her story ended, everyone offered compliments to Chase at his heroic rescue. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips so quickly, he later thought he’d imagined the whole thing.

  “Yep. He’s my hero.” She patted his back then cheek and moved away. “Peter was gracious enough to upgrade our accommodations to on
e of the tree house villas. Very romantic.”

  A grumble of concern spread through the guests.

  “Nothing to worry about, my friends. I’m having each tent double-checked today and this evening before you turn in. These animals are rare around here. We intend on making plenty of noise as well. If there are any more, they will quickly slither off.”

  “I’m out of here,” Sam growled. “Carter, I want to go back to the city. Today.”

  “You’re overreacting.” Chase admired his friend’s blasé attitude when addressing Sam.

  “I’m leaving with or without you,” Sam fumed before turning to Tessa. “I’m sorry. I’ve had enough excitement to last me a lifetime. Peter, how do I get out of here?”

  He sighed. “I’ll make some arrangements, Samantha. The medical clinic burned yesterday so we may be shorthanded on drivers.”

  “Was anyone hurt?” Chase sat across from the president once again in order to watch his reaction.

  “No reports yet. Most everyone who helps out at the clinic had the day off or was here earning some extra money. Great people. The clinic had become quite a gathering place for medical care, education, and small-business opportunities for the women.”

  “Perhaps I can notify the authorities to make an immediate investigation.” The president pushed his plate away.

  “Smashing. Thank you, Mr. President.” Peter turned to leave. “I’ll say cheerio since I have some tasks to attend to this morning. Handsome has everyone’s schedule. Mr. President, if you’ll have Dage come by my office, I can go over your itinerary for the remainder of your stay.”

  “Thank you. I’m sure he’ll have questions. He’s very thorough.”

  Peter took his leave, and the staff served the guests then cleared the dishes as needed. Small talk continued for another thirty minutes.

  “Handsome, will you send a fresh pot of coffee to my villa? I have a little work to do. I believe”— Baboloki glanced at Zoric and Vernon—“these two gentlemen would like to interview me before we go out today. Do you mind waiting an hour?”

  Handsome pooched out his lips then shrugged a rude acknowledgement. The condescending stare-down between the two men forced Chase to rise from the table and intercept Handsome.

  “Great breakfast. Why not let me take that coffee? I’m headed back that way in a few minutes. I want to check the villa for critters.” A forced chuckle caught in his throat as he locked stares with Baboloki.

  Baboloki nodded and motioned to Vernon and Zoric who gathered up their camera equipment. “Coming?”

  In seconds, the president strode across the ground toward his tree house villa, surrounded by several guards. They scattered to allow Dage to approach the president. The other guests met their guides and headed out.

  “Boss?” Vernon mumbled as he slipped on sunglasses.

  “You know what to do?”

  “All set. No problem.”

  Handsome brought Chase a pot of coffee wrapped in a kitchen towel. “I would consider it a favor if you stumbled and spilled this on him.”

  Sam meandered up with Tessa at her side. “In that case you better take Tessa. She has the grace of a hippopotamus.” She offered a thin smile then dusted off a bug from her jacket before locking gazes with Tessa.

  “At least I don’t look like one. Have you noticed your backside in the mirror?” Tessa started toward the steps then added in a syrupy voice, “I tell you this because I care, Sam.”

  “That’s enough, you two,” Chase chastised. He found it difficult to suppress a laugh. She’d bested his senior agent, and the sooner he put some space between them, the better. “We’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

  Vernon and Zoric were already setting up their equipment on the upper deck of the president’s villa. Baboloki strolled up the stairs, stopping only to speak to his secretary coming down the steps. She waved her arms then her hand and rubbed at her eyes. The president bowed his head then shrugged before waving her away.

  “I’d love to know what that’s all about?” Chase mumbled.

  “Whatever it is, it hasn’t fazed him.” She turned from her partner. “I need to get my camera before we head out.” Tessa turned and ran up the stairs of their villa.

  Chase let her run ahead. He paused when he noticed movement behind one of the pillars holding up the deck. He recognized Dage. “Go on up. I’ll be there in a minute.” Tessa glanced down at him and followed his line of sight.

  The head of security leaned against the post and lit a cigarette. The smell of tobacco drifted in his direction as he decided to join Baboloki’s head of security. The fact he didn’t try to hide concerned Chase.

  “Long night, Dage?”

  “Very.”

  “Where’d you go?” Chase joined him in the shadows.

  “The president sent me on an errand.” He exhaled a puff of smoke.

  “Care to share, or is it a secret? Maybe like you hiding Dr. Girard because you burned his clinic down and now you’re trying to find out about the Kifaru?” Chase shifted his weight to one foot. “But I’m just guessing.”

  Dage threw his cigarette down and ground it into the dirt with the toe of his boot before lifting his bloodshot eyes to Chase. “Yes. Something like that.”

  Chase dropped his hands to his sides when Dage pointed an automatic weapon at his chest. “Sometimes I hate it when I’m right.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Tessa caught snippets of the conversation, at least enough to recognize when Chase was in trouble. Maybe, this once, she could save him. Going down the front steps would only put her in the same boat as her friend.

  A quick survey of her villa revealed a rope ladder to use in case of an emergency. At the rear of the villa, a window, dressed with a thick mesh screen, opened toward a stand of trees some fifteen feet away. A number of latches on the inside prevented curious monkeys from letting themselves in. Part of the front deck had a thick screened-in-porch area. This prevented curious primates from exploring.

  She thought maybe she could slip out on the opposite end of the deck, but found a thorny crop of bushes that would discourage hippos out for a nightly stroll from getting too close and deter lions who figured a good back rub would be just the thing. Wild animals knew when to be cautious, so she decided to follow their example. The screen window would have to do.

  Removing the screen took seconds. Securing the ladder so she felt safe required a little more time and courage. Heights created a certain amount of anxiety in her.

  She grunted as she shoved an antique train trunk under the window. “Deep breath. Deep breath.”

  Tessa found several three-foot rubber bands in the trunk. She’d seen such items used for moving furniture and securing items on a truck, so they didn’t end up scattered all over the highway in a sudden stop. Her father, a farmer, used them all the time. She looped three of them together, securing one end under the hook over the windowsill. She ran her belt through the opposite end so if she fell, she might keep from hitting the ground so hard.

  The two-foot-long flashlight Tessa shoved into her waistband could be used for a club. Maybe she could sneak up on Dage and whack him on the head. The idea of rescuing Chase for a change encouraged her so much she easily swung out onto the floppy ladder to begin the descent. But once she looked down, fear welled up inside her.

  The gulp in her throat drowned out the pounding of her heartbeat in her ears. She hugged the scratchy rope and squeezed her eyes shut.

  “You’re a pretty nosey guy,” Tessa heard Dage say.

  “Shooting me here would draw a great deal of attention, Dage.” Tessa could imagine him with a cocky grin on his face and hands half-lifted in the air.

  “Out here, anything is possible. Maybe another black mamba came under here and we both went after it. I tried to stop you…Well, accidents happen. Or I could haul you off a few miles from here and let you find your way back.”

  Tessa wasn’t sure what Chase said next. Time meant everything. She coul
dn’t let anything happen to him after all he’d done for her. Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath and started down, hoping her movements remained stealth enough to go unnoticed.

  The rope ladder tapped against the villa for another two rungs then she could feel the air around her. “Oh gosh,” she whispered. “Keep going. Don’t look down. Don’t look down.”

  But she did look down and found only another eight feet separated her from her first rescue for Enigma. With renewed confidence, Tessa accelerated her descent until something else moved on the ladder below her. A baby vervet monkey played on the rope, stealing closer to her in childlike curiosity.

  “Go way,” she fumed with a wave then nearly lost her tight grip and hugged the ladder for a few seconds. A squeal of delight from the baby drew her eyes back to the ground only to find an adult vervet scampering toward the rope like a crazed protective momma.

  “No. No. No,” Tessa mumbled then tried to wiggle the ladder enough to shake the baby off.

  The mischievous little monkey swung toward her and squealed, with what Tessa imagined, was pure rebellious delight, at its mother. The angry mother opened her jaws and although she probably weighed no more than ten or eleven pounds, to Tessa she might as well have been a charging silver-back gorilla.

  Attempting to move out of the way of the angry mother scooping up her baby, Tessa lost her balance on the next rung. Trying to right the misstep, one hand slipped, and her body swung out like a ragdoll’s. She hooked her foot around the ladder in hopes of pulling herself back, but managed to get tangled up even worse so that she had to try and free her foot by shaking her entire leg. With the awkward movement, her foot slipped out and she found herself dangling on the ladder by her fingertips.

  No amount of grunting could position her back onto the ladder, and finally her fingers gave way and she plunged toward the ground with a scream. The screeching vervet monkeys escaped back into the trees. Bouncing up and down on the attached rubber bands, she kicked wildly to free herself. Then Chase walked out into her view, Dage holding a gun to his back.