by D. V. Berkom
“Christ,” he said, his hands gripping the bars. “It’s Zara.”
“Are you sure?”
Derek nodded and snapped his fingers. The woman turned at the noise and started toward them. Leine scanned the area behind them to make sure none of the guards were nearby.
When Zara was close enough to see who it was, she gasped. “Derek? What are you doing here?” She covered his hands with her own, tears shining in her eyes, and bent to kiss his knuckles. Derek dipped his head and kissed her through the gate. She pulled away.
“You have to leave. It’s too dangerous.”
“What are you doing here?” Derek asked.
“Assad sold me to Wang, along with the cubs from Rafiki.” She glanced behind her, as if expecting to see Victor Wang or one of his gunmen. “He says he wants to rehabilitate the babies, but it’s obvious he doesn’t care. He’s trying to breed them, even though they’re too young.” For the first time she acknowledged Leine. “Who are you?”
“This is Claire.” Derek stepped back, scanning the gate. “We’ve got to get you out.”
“I’m looking for some people—mainly women—who arrived here a few days ago from Bangkok,” Leine said. “One of Wang’s shipments. Have you seen anyone new?”
Zara nodded. “Yes, there have been several new people in the last few weeks, both men and women. The most recent shipment was a few days ago, as you said. But I think only a few were from Thailand.”
“It’s possible most of them come from western countries. I’m looking for one in particular.”
“We need to get her out of here, Claire. You can talk all you want when we’re safely away,” Derek insisted. Zara’s eyes widened and she shook her head.
“It’s too dangerous. Victor’s guards patrol the grounds with automatic weapons.”
“We can’t yet, Derek,” Leine said, catching his gaze.
“The hell we can’t.” Derek reached for his gun, but Leine wrenched it from his hand before he had a chance to aim. He grabbed for it, but Leine pushed back. A second later he had a knife in his hand, the blade glinting in the moonlight.
“Give me my gun,” he said, grinding out the words.
“What are you going to do?” Leine said, aiming the gun at Derek. “Shoot the lock? Then what? Do you even have a plan for when all those guards she was talking about come running?” She shook her head. “And what about the others? What happens when they realize someone broke in and rescued Zara? I guarantee this place will go into lockdown so fast a fucking beetle couldn’t get past the front entrance.”
“She’s right, Derek.”
He glared at Leine, who glared right back. After a few moments he nodded, took a deep breath, and put the knife away. “Claire’s looking for someone named Kylie—”
“Nelson,” Leine said.
“I don’t know her last name, but there is a woman named Kylie here,” Zara said.
Leine’s heart rate picked up. “Where is she?”
Zara leaned closer to the bars. “At night, they stake her out in a pen like a dog. I think they’re trying to kill her. One of Wang’s kitchen staff left raw meat inside the enclosure. I helped her fight off a pack of hyenas earlier tonight. I don’t know if I can be there when it happens again.”
“You’re allowed to go free?” Leine asked.
“Wang lets me out at night to walk around camp. He thinks the special treatment keeps me happy so that I’ll continue to work with the babies. I don’t tell him otherwise. Although,” she looked down at her feet. “I have to wear leg irons. Kylie has them on all the time.”
“Tell me more about Kylie. What does she look like?” Leine asked.
“Shoulder-length brown hair, kind of wavy. I think she’s about nineteen. She said she was from California.”
Leine retrieved Kylie’s photograph from her pocket and held it up. “Is this her?”
Zara glanced at the picture. “Yes.”
“Tell me where the enclosure is,” Leine said, sliding the picture back into her pocket. “I promise, when we come for Kylie, we’ll come for you.”
“What time do you usually go for your walk?” Leine asked after Zara described the pen’s location.
“I don’t have access to a clock, but the guard comes to get me around moonrise.”
Leine looked at Derek.
“Eleven o’clock, give or take,” he replied.
“Can you keep Kylie company tonight?”
Zara nodded, hope lighting her eyes. “I was planning to, anyway.” She touched Leine’s arm. “Please, don’t wait too long. I don’t think Kylie can survive many more nights out there.”
“We’ll do our best, Zara.” Leine turned to leave.
Derek held out his hand.
“My gun.”
Leine gave him a look. “Do we have a deal?”
Derek nodded.
She pulled the .45 free and handed it to him, and then walked away, giving them both a moment alone.
“Where’d you learn that move?” Derek asked when he caught up with her.
“You mean when I took your gun away?”
“Yeh.”
Leine sighed. “Long story. It comes in handy.”
“I’ll bet.”
Leine led the way to the location Zara described. By the time they reached the enclosure, a guard stood next to Kylie in the pen. Leine and Derek remained hidden and watched. The guard unlocked the chains attached to the center pole and led her out of the fenced area, back toward camp. The chain clanked as she walked. Her clothes were torn and dirty and she looked exhausted, but otherwise appeared in good physical shape. Pieces of torn, bloody paper lay strewn across the pen.
Leine checked her watch and glanced at the sky. The stars had just begun to fade. There wasn’t much time before sunrise.
“What’s our Plan B?” Derek asked. “Obviously, acting as guests won’t work, as long as Wang’s here. How do we get both of them out and not alert the guards?”
“I have an idea. But we need to get back to the Rover, asap.”
CHAPTER 35
VICTOR AND BOBBI Jo set out in Wang’s safari vehicle before dawn, towing an enclosed trailer. The sky had turned a deep indigo, signaling the approaching sunrise. He’d woken the American heiress a short time earlier with the lure of a hunting expedition designed especially for her, ostensibly to get back in her good graces. Intrigued, and still livid about her husband’s infidelity, she rose without waking Clarence and joined him.
Wang made sure to equip the vehicle with champagne and orange juice as well as a bottle of premixed cocktails in order to help lighten her mood. She sampled two mimosas and enjoyed a Bloody Mary before curtailing herself, citing the need to remain sharp for the hunt. Noticing the trailer, she asked if they were going to hunt on horseback. Victor Wang told her no.
They drove several kilometers down a deeply rutted road, finally stopping near a huge, flat-topped acacia. Bobbi Jo had asked him to stop when they passed a group of giraffes, expressing the desire to “bring one down to watch it fall,” but Wang dissuaded her, reminding her that he’d set up the morning’s hunt specifically for her.
The two exited the vehicle and gathered together the equipment Bobbi Jo would need.
“May I?” Wang asked, holding his phone up. Bobbi Jo smiled.
“Hell, yes you can video me. This hunt you dreamed up is gonna be a doozy, huh?” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “I can’t wait. What am I goin’ after? It doesn’t sound too active.” She nodded at the trailer.
Wang smiled. “It’s a surprise.”
Bobbi Jo giggled as she loaded her rifle. As planned, the drinks Wang supplied on the journey had reinvigorated her buzz from the night before. Of course, the light sedative he’d added probably helped. She closed one eye as she tried to zip her vest, staggering back a step before succeeding.
“Hey, where’s my scope?” she asked, checking the backseat.
“I think the reason you are bored is because hunt
ing has become too easy for you,” Wang offered. “I did not bring a scope so that your true talents can shine through.”
She tilted her head, smiling. “You know, you’re right, Victor baby.” She tottered toward him, leering suggestively. “How ‘bout after this here hunting expedishun, you an’ me go an’ have ourselves a little ching-chang?” she asked, reaching for his crotch.
A shudder slid through him, and he took a step back. Mustering a smile he wagged his finger. “Your offer is tempting, but if you don’t begin soon, the hunt will not go as planned.”
Bobbi Jo saluted and wheeled around, gun at the ready. She sank to a crouch and peered into the shadows. “Okay, killjoy. Let ’er rip!”
“Close your eyes. I will tell you when to open them.” Wang walked to the back of the trailer and opened the door. He climbed inside and grabbed Sapphire by the arm, leading her out as he would a horse. She didn’t make a sound. The tape across her mouth helped, but so did the fear in her eyes.
Wang turned on his phone and checked that the signal from the radio collar was working. He leaned in close, could smell the shampoo she’d used the night before.
“When I tell you to run, you run.”
Sapphire’s gaze flicked to each side, never settling on one point. Her eyes glistened with tears as she shook her head.
“I will give you a head start, to make things fair.” Victor Wang enjoyed the ruse. Giving the whore hope. Even if she did manage to escape, he’d find her using the app on his phone. The range before losing the signal was generous. “You must remain quiet or you will be punished. Do you understand?”
Sapphire closed her eyes and nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. He turned her and unlocked the handcuffs.
Everything was in order.
“Run,” Wang growled into her ear, and gave her a shove. Startled, Sapphire sprinted forward and stumbled, but then recovered and ran, her head bobbing as she sprinted away. He waited until she became a dark speck on the horizon before he joined Bobbi Jo.
“Open your eyes,” he said.
Bobbi Jo did and looked around. Wang pointed at the rapidly disappearing speck. From where they stood Sapphire resembled some exotic animal darting through the brush.
“Your quarry.”
She narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Kinda small, ain’t it?”
“Ah, but a worthy opponent. You will see.”
“Anything I need to be aware of? Is it dangerous? Teeth? Claws?”
“Get no closer than thirty yards and, to make things interesting, you must make the kill before sunrise.”
“Oh, good.” Bobbi Jo smiled. “A challenge. And when I succeed? Are there more I can take back to the game farm?”
“I’m sure something can be arranged.” He scanned the horizon, searching for Sapphire. The shadows had swallowed her whole. “You’d better hurry.”
Bobbi Jo laughed and slung her rifle over her shoulder. “This is gonna be fun,” she said, and started after her prey.
Wang smiled as he turned on the recorder and followed her.
***
Twenty minutes later, Bobbi Jo stopped to catch her breath.
“Where the hell is it?”
Victor hadn’t figured on Bobbi Jo being as out of shape as she was, and switched to the tracking app on his phone. The screen showed Sapphire two hundred yards to their left. The blinking icon didn’t move. He searched the area but saw only grass and shadows. She was probably lying on the ground, hiding. Bobbi Jo raised an eyebrow and cocked her head. He pointed to his left and she nodded.
Wang watched the gap narrow between them and the icon at their approach. The sun had just tipped the horizon, so there was still time, but Bobbi Jo would have to shoot now, or she might realize what she was aiming at. He worried that the drinks she’d had on the drive were wearing off. She seemed more focused and determined than she’d been in the beginning.
As Wang had hoped, their approach flushed their prey. A dark shape rose from the grass. Wang’s heart raced in anticipation, filming everything in a wide angle. Bobbi Jo stopped and raised her rifle.
And fired.
The dark form staggered and dropped.
“Yes!” Bobbi Jo lowered her rifle and pumped her fist.
Wang zoomed in on her triumphant smile, and then zoomed back out to capture the action.
She strode to the inert form, slowing as she approached. Wang zoomed in yet again. A look of confusion crossed her face, replaced by horror as she drew close enough to make out Sapphire’s body. Her face drained of color, Bobbi Jo’s gaze skated to Wang.
“It’s…it’s…” She stopped and looked down again, unable to voice the words.
The sun had breached the horizon, creating the perfect light. Wang framed Sapphire’s face with his phone, peaceful in death, and congratulated himself on the timing.
“Stop filming, you ass,” Bobbi Jo hissed. Victor lowered his phone, but didn’t turn it off. He glanced down to make sure he’d angled the lens correctly.
She stared in horror at the woman she’d just killed. A moment later, she squatted to get a better look, and brushed away the black hair covering Sapphire’s cheek.
“Is this…is that the woman who seduced Clarence?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Yes.”
Bobbi Jo glanced at Wang and their gazes locked. He waited, wondering how she would react, his free hand inching toward the gun in his waistband. She blinked, and looked back at the dead woman.
“Oh,” she breathed.
Bobbi Jo rose to her feet and slung her rifle over her shoulder. She hesitated a moment before she drew back her foot and kicked the dead woman in the ribs, hard, and then did it again. Grimacing, she continued to kick the body, muttering epithets under her breath, working herself into a frenzy before Wang stepped in, murmuring softly as he took her by the shoulders and led her back toward the truck.
“The whore deserved it,” she sputtered, climbing into the passenger seat.
“Of course, Bobbi Jo. Things are back to normal now, aren’t they?” Wang nodded and smiled, and opened the console for a bottle. “Here, have a drink,” he urged, pouring the contents into a large cup.
Bobbi Jo accepted the Bloody Mary without saying a word, her gaze focused on the horizon. Wang watched her, calculating his next move. Filming the murder took care of the Schneider’s ill-fated decision to seek out another hunting camp, and eventually another wildlife supplier, putting Wang in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, with Sapphire’s death, he was now in the market for another companion. He ran through the available women at camp, but his interest flagged. There had to be someone who hadn’t been tainted by his guests.
His attention wandered to Zara, the lion-whisperer, but he nixed the idea before it took hold. Without her acquiescence, his dream of becoming the go-to hunting camp in Tanzania would be that much harder to achieve. No, there had to be someone else.
CHAPTER 36
BACK AT RAFIKI, Rashid dropped Leine and Derek off and headed home. All three of them were exhausted. When Alma asked them what happened when they tried to retrieve Hugh’s body, Derek shook his head and told her what they’d found.
Alma’s cheeks grew red, her anger bubbling to the surface. “Someone has to answer for the death of that good man,” she declared, fists clenched. By this time, Hattie had joined them and tried to calm the older woman down.
“You can’t fight Wang,” Hattie said. “You know that, Alma. We can’t win against his money or influence.”
“I don’t think it was his men,” Leine said. “The gunmen who shot at us were dressed differently and didn’t carry the same kind of weapons.”
“Then who?”
“Didn’t you mention the men who took Zara looked like they were well-funded?” Leine asked. The two women exchanged knowing looks.
“So you think it was Assad.” Alma nodded. “Of course.”
“We found Zara,” Derek said, leaning against the Rover. “Wang’s keeping her locked up i
n an arena with the cubs.”
Alma’s eyes widened. “Zara? She’s all right? Oh.” She whispered the last word, steadying herself on the side of the Rover. Hattie led the older woman to the back of the vehicle and helped her sit on the tailgate.
Leine and Derek joined the two women.
“How is she?” Alma asked. “Why didn’t you bring her home?”
“She’s fine. And we will. Tonight.” Leine described their plan. When she and Derek finished filling them in on the details, Alma shook her head.
“You can’t do this. It’s much too dangerous. For God’s sake, a man was murdered because he got too close.”
“Yes, but now we know the camp’s layout and have a general idea where the guards patrol,” Derek added. “We’ll be careful.”
“Do you know where Assad and his thugs will be when you arrive at the camp?”
Derek sighed. “No. But if we don’t go in and at least try, then you’ll likely never see Zara again.”
“He’s right.” Hattie took Alma’s hand. “Come on. Let’s leave them alone so they can put together the things they’ll need for tonight.”
Alma nodded. “At least we can make breakfast. I’ll bet you two are starving.”
“I could eat,” Derek replied.
“Would it be all right if I used the sat phone again?” Leine asked.
“Of course,” Alma replied. “You know where it is.”
Alma and Hattie left, while Leine and Derek combed through the Rover, putting together supplies they’d need to prepare for that evening’s operation. They inventoried the gear they’d managed to take from Derek’s house in Dar. In addition to the semiautomatic pistols, their cache consisted of two MP5s, the sniper rifle—which Derek re-sighted after Leine’s mishap on the roof—as well as three pair of NVGs, binoculars, and enough ammunition for the attempted rescue.
“You take the girls. I’ll cover you.” Leine said as she loaded a magazine.
“Wait a minute. Why don’t I cover you? I’ve got more experience.”
“Think so?” Leine picked up one of the 9mm pistols and fired three rounds into a post several yards behind Derek.
