Black Mamba

by Tierney James

“What the hell?” shouted Handsome.

  Releasing him, Chase stepped back and stared at the giant pushing himself up. Handsome reminded him of a surprised Cape buffalo whose next move would be an attempt at murder. With no apology, he eased back into his director-style chair.

  “Shouldn’t you be working?” Chase said after taking a deep breath.

  “Shouldn’t you be on medication of some kind to deal with your passive-aggressive disorder?”

  Chase pulled his hat down farther and smirked. “I decided I was fully functional without it. What do you want?”

  “I want to talk to Tessa about the woman who is missing.”

  “Sorry. She is napping. And I have no intention of waking her up.”

  Handsome snorted. “You could have gotten us killed this morning.”

  “You mean when you went looking for trouble with Baboloki’s thugs and suggested they give you their kill? Could it be you’ve gotten away with those antics before?”

  “Maybe.” Handsome dragged another chair up. When he sat, the chair groaned in protest. “I never pretended to be a Boy Scout.”

  “Your father seems to think otherwise.”

  “Yes. He prefers to think of me as his good little boy who will bring change to these people. Sometimes I think I do this for him. Sometimes I don’t care.” He narrowed his eyes and stared out at the waters of the Okavango that had turned silver in the afternoon sun. “But then I breathe in this place, and I want to be that boy my father believes me to be.”

  “What is the plan, anyway? Shouldn’t you be a candidate or something, running a campaign or raising money to get yourself elected? Or do you think the Kifaru will help you skip all that?”

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s what this part of Africa needs, another idiot who thinks he’s above the rule of law.”

  “I don’t like your tone or insinuation.” Handsome’s voice took on a deep, sinister tone. Chase recognized it from months ago when he’d trapped him and Tessa in a cabin at Lake Tahoe. He couldn’t be trusted to do the right thing.

  “Let’s face it, Handsome, you haven’t done much to make me trust you.”

  “Pulled your butt out of Lake Tahoe and kept you from drowning.”

  “Are you sure it was me you were saving?” Chase watched Handsome turn his head to peer inside the darkness of the tent.

  He shrugged. “Well, saving, you meant saving something of value.”

  “Are you talking about Tessa or your diamond?”

  “Kind of the same thing, don’t you think? You two sure are playing the part of lovers better than I expected. And here I thought Tessa was the smart one of your ragtag bunch of assassins. How did she come to be mixed up with you, anyway? Does she understand what you do for a living?”

  “My relationship with Tessa is none of your business. She thinks her coming to us was divine intervention.” This never failed to amuse him. “I guess the president thought we needed a moral compass. Who am I to disagree with the most powerful man on Earth?”

  Handsome grew silent for a few minutes before continuing, “The missing woman.”

  “What about her?”

  “Something is wrong. She and my father were chatting like old friends. I caught them holding hands, smiling. It even looked like she had tears in her eyes.”

  “Doctors have that effect on their patients. Saw it with my own folks who were doctors.”

  “Your parents were doctors?” Handsome asked in disbelief. “What happened to you? At least I have an excuse.”

  “They were medical missionaries in China. Some military officials…maybe the government, didn’t like them giving the villages a sense of hope as they healed them. They killed them. My sister and I only escaped with the help of some Christians and Buddhist monks.”

  Handsome rubbed his face. “Sorry. Guess that’s why you’re such an asshole sometimes.”

  Chase laughed. “Sometimes. Other times it’s because I have to deal with people like you. As to Keeya, I think she isn’t a big fan of the president and doesn’t necessarily follow orders very well. She and Naledi, the secretary, didn’t seem to be getting along this morning.”

  “Why doesn’t Keeya leave?”

  “Maybe she needs the job.” Chase wasn’t ready to tell Handsome the truth. “It’s my understanding she’s from the Okavango, someplace. You know how it is, you come home and forget why you ever left?”

  “No. I don’t. We moved around a lot. My parents were afraid someone would find out the truth about me. This is the first place I dared let myself feel anything.”

  “You need to be sure what it is you want. These people deserve a leader who can protect them from money-driven companies that don’t give a rip about this land. I mean, you hate Baboloki because he killed your father. Maybe there is something else here for you. Don’t screw it up.”

  “I don’t need advice from you,” he snarled.

  “You always want to get in the last word don’t you, Handsome? I’ll tell Tess you dropped by. Beat it. Your rattling on and on has nearly put me in a coma.”

  Handsome stood. “One more thing. Two of your snakes slithered in posing as photographers for some kid’s magazine. They asked for you when they spotted me. I told them to check in, and I’d come get you.”

  “I’m not leaving Tessa alone.”

  “I can stay until you get back.”

  Chase pushed his hat back with his index finger and slipped on his sunglasses. “The last time I left Tessa in your care, she disappeared to parts unknown. No thanks. They’re big boys. Point them in my direction.”

  Handsome lumbered toward the steps. “I’ll think about it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Baboloki admired his kill as it was loaded onto a truck. The kudu was a nice specimen. He gave orders for the meat to be given to a local village and sent the head to his taxidermy in Maun. The head would be displayed in the capital or perhaps the national museum.

  “Be sure my name is attached.” He nodded toward his head of security. “Can you do that for me, Dage?”

  “Yes, sir. With the shooting yesterday, and endangering the camp guests, I’m not comfortable leaving your protection to anyone else.” Dage wore light-colored khakis and a safari vest, taking the edge off his usual military appearance. He could have been one of Baboloki’s pals who had come along on the trip.

  “I see your point. Very well.” Baboloki listened patiently to Dage give orders to the driver of the truck and then the president allowed one of the guards to tag along with them. “I believe we have a boat to catch. Our guide headed that way an hour ago.”

  A Jeep with one of the locals who drove them to the rendezvous point followed. Dage forked out some money in appreciation. Baboloki watched at a distance when his security officer leveled a warning about mentioning the rhino brought down and left for someone else to deal with the carcass.

  The horn was smaller than Baboloki hoped. Game wardens and veterinarians often removed rhino horns to keep the animals safe from poaching. Since the horns are keratin, a type of protein found in human hair and fingernails, they grew back. Why should he be denied such a treasure when a mere kilogram of the horn went for sixty-thousand dollars on the black market? A little retirement money in a Swiss bank account might come in handy someday.

  The president could see the boat and their guide waving to them. He recognized him from the camp. Although it was nice to be admired in spite of the constant babble of the man in Tswana, Dage intervened and carried on the conversation so he wouldn’t have to.

  He wanted to think about the Kifaru diamond and the possibility it had returned to Botswana. And what about Keeya’s child? Had he survived? If so, where had he been? Had the doctor rescued the baby and carried him off to a safer locale? Why wouldn’t he have shared the story? What would make him keep such a secret? Perhaps by day’s end there would be answers.

  After glancing up at the afternoon sun, he realized they’d missed the lunch hour back at the ca
mp. Box lunches had been prepared for them in case the hunt went well and they couldn’t get back for the usual noon meal. He hadn’t wanted to visit with the guests, especially the Americans. He found them more than annoying, and speculated again if they were CIA. Captain Hunter caused him to feel cautious with his words and temper. The man was tough as nails even when he attempted to put on gentlemanly airs.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked the driver of their boat.

  “There is smoke in the distance, Mr. President. It’s coming from the direction of the medical clinic.”

  Baboloki and Dage shaded their eyes in pretense of interest.

  “When I dropped you there this morning, was all well?”

  “Yes. We said hello. The doctor was busy, so we didn’t stay long. Our ride arrived earlier than expected for the hunt. We ate the lunch you packed. Delicious, by the way,” Dage commented. “I’m sure things are fine. They were building a fire in some kind of pit.”

  The guide nodded as he revved up the engine and pulled out into the wide part of the river. “Maybe roasting meat. The doctor built a stone fire pit for the village, so they could work and cook for their people during celebrations.”

  “Probably nothing,” Dage insisted as he found a seat next to his boss and met his gaze.

  The guide continued to stand at the wheel, turning the boat in the direction of the camp. Several times, he glanced over his shoulder toward the plume of smoke rising in the late-afternoon sky. Baboloki knew it was only a matter of time before news would fill the Okavango that the medical clinic lay in ashes. Maybe this would flush out the troublemaker trying to take the presidency away from him.

  ~ ~ ~

  It wasn’t long until Chase watched Zoric and Vernon pass by his tent. The two Enigma agents offered a casual nod of recognition and a friendly hello. Their quarters were on the other side of Carter and Sam. Since they didn’t stop, he guessed Handsome had lied earlier about their interest in order to get Tessa alone.

  Another hour passed before he stood, stretched out his arms, and cringed. The wound in his side burned. Instinctively, he laid a hand on it and pressed gently, as if by doing so, the sudden jolt would ease.

  He entered the tent and tried to zip down the door quietly so as not to wake Tessa. But when he turned around, she stared at him with her luminous blue eyes that switched the pain in his side to the one in his chest. “Did I wake you?”

  She pushed up on her knees and moved to the edge of the bed nearer him. She beckoned him closer, and Chase sucked in his breath and obeyed.

  “You overdid it this morning. I knew you should have stayed put. I would have been glad to babysit you,” she mumbled, lifting his tee shirt. “I’ll change your bandage.”

  Before she could swing off the bed, he grabbed the first aid supplies Dr. Girard sent with them. He liked having her on her knees on the edge of the bed. There was a familiarity about the gesture he wished would lead to other things. She didn’t seem to notice. The easiness between them grew stronger with each passing day. Maybe she’d left the memories of Afghanistan behind.

  “Can you hold your shirt up for me, or would it be better to take it off?” She removed several things from the supplies. When he didn’t answer, she frowned. “Seriously? You think I’m suggesting something else?”

  Ignoring the comment, he held his shirt up for her. “Of course not.” Apparently, he managed to sound more irritated than disappointed.

  She pulled away the bandage and stared at it before cleaning the area. “I saw you flinch when you stretched outside. You don’t seem to have a fever,” she said laying her palm flat against his midriff a little longer than he expected.

  “Well I will be if you don’t keep your hands off me,” he said slowly.

  A blush formed on her cheeks, as she proceeded to replace the bandage.

  “Nothing to say?” He pulled the tee shirt over the clean dressing. “It’s about time for one of your insults.”

  “You’re despicable,” she offered then rolled away and swung her legs off the bed. “How’s that?” She didn’t sound angry with him, and he took that as a good sign.

  “I’m not up to going out for the sunset cruise. The mokoro is a little uncomfortable and tight.”

  “We could go out in the speedboat. I’m sure Handsome wouldn’t mind taking us.” She moved up next to him. When he didn’t step back, she pushed by him. He caught her arm and tugged her back around. Surprise filled her eyes as they fell on the hand gripping her arm. “But if you don’t want to, I understand. I’ll stay with you. We look after each other.”

  The exhale he released came in a controlled, slow fashion. He remembered what Handsome had suggested about his identity. “Do you even know who I am, Tessa? What I do for a living and that I’m a poster boy for PTSD on a good day?” He stared hard at her and once again watched a flash of fear leap into her expression.

  “There was a time I was afraid of you.”

  “And now?”

  “There is no one in this world I trust more.”

  “Did it ever occur to you I’m getting tired of picking up your breadcrumbs for a rescue?”

  The lightheartedness vanished. “No.” She swallowed hard. “I’m. I’m sorry. I never, ever mean to put you or the team in jeopardy. Where is this coming from? Is it because I mentioned my son earlier?”

  Chase circled her waist and pulled her tight against his chest. Her eyes went wide when he lowered his face so close his breath moved a wayward curl. Her body stiffened, and she pushed against his chest. “No. It’s because I want—”

  “Anybody home?” came the familiar voice of Vernon Kemp, his technical agent.

  They were far enough into the darkness of the tent, Vernon and Zoric wouldn’t be able to see them. Chase stepped away and let his hand fall down on Tessa’s hip as he stole a glance outside then back to her face. She stared at him in confusion and bit her lower lip.

  “You’re not yourself. You know this is impossible,” she whispered.

  “I deal in impossible all the time.” He stepped toward the screened door then turned back toward her. “When we finish this job, I want to put some distance between us. Understand?”

  “Not really,” she confessed. “Let’s talk about it. Please.”

  “I’m not much of a talker and besides, that isn’t what I want from you, Tessa.”

  “Aren’t you glad to see us?” Vernon asked pushing his goofy face against the screen.

  Zoric pulled the young agent back as Chase unzipped the tent. “No social skills,” he declared when Chase and Tessa slipped out onto the deck. He and Chase locked eyes for a few seconds before the Serbian glanced at Tessa who managed to wear a guilty expression.

  “Keeya is safe, for now,” Zoric mumbled out of the side of his mouth then glanced down at the ground. “We saw smoke, flying in. Something is on fire.”

  “Could be anything.”

  “The pilot said it might be where the medical clinic is located, but since we were on a schedule, he didn’t go check it out. He decided to return to Maun for the night after Baboloki’s head of security wanted to run some errands for his boss. It’s only about a half-hour flight.”

  “Guess that means the president returned.”

  “Not sure, since we didn’t see him. We haven’t been here long. Just headed down to the gathering place for afternoon tea. We did see Handsome, and he said he’d be our guide for the late-afternoon cruise. Taking the motorboat out, I think.” Zoric rubbed his neck then his upper left thigh. “I don’t think these stiff legs can manage that little mokoro thing they think is a boat. Looks like hippo bait to me.”

  “But think of the pictures we’d get.” Vernon threw his arms out in exasperation. “Where’s your spirit of adventure?”

  “On the Discovery Channel. Grow up,” Zoric snarled at his young friend then addressed Chase. “This guy thinks everything is a video game and he can either survive or get a do-over.”

  Tessa joined them. “Do we need to che
ck on Dr. Girard?”

  “We’ll get Handsome to take us downriver if he can’t contact the clinic by radio.” Chase followed the three down the steps. “I think Baboloki is waiting on his tree house deck with his secretary. He doesn’t look happy.”

  “Guess he finally got the bad news about Keeya.” Tessa stole a glance toward the president’s quarters.

  “Keep walking. We’ll find out soon enough what will happen next.” Chase slipped his hand into Tessa’s and picked up speed as they moved toward the dining area.

  There continued to be a great deal of activity going on toward the preparation of the night’s feast in honor of the president being a first-time guest. Peter joined them for tea and informed everyone Keeya remained missing. The president had returned and had been given the news.

  “He is distraught,” Peter added with a sigh. “He seems to care a lot about his people.”

  “Did he say anything about seeing smoke while they were out?” Chase asked then let Zoric and Vernon relay what they’d seen and the pilot’s comments. They sounded unconcerned even to him and expressed doubt whether it was anything to worry about.

  “Nothing on the radio, and we would’ve heard by now.” Peter chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time the good doctor let one of his barbeques get out of hand. Last year, a bull elephant decided to nose around and sent everyone inside until a few other bulls came in and decided to add another couple of limbs to the fire when they pushed over one of the thatched cooling stations.” He shook his head. “More smoke than fire. Haven’t seen our bull, Rambo, in a few days. Might have decided to head that direction and cause a little trouble. I swear he enjoys it.”

  Peter stood up and moved away from the table before clapping his hands. “Time to head out, my friends. “The sunset should be spectacular—”

  “Like always,” interrupted the British lady.

  “Yes. Indeed. No concerns about poachers. President Baboloki’s people are keeping vigil in various places in case of trouble.” He waved toward their exit ramp. “See you in a few hours. Expect a culinary delight tonight upon your return. So, off you go.”