Darkness covered him enough that his form would be no more than a shadow. He’d experienced this kind of anticipation many times when he waited to encounter an insurgent. They never knew what hit them. A ribbon of candlelight flickered from the cracked bathroom door. He remained in the shadows then stepped back inside.
~ ~ ~
The sudden appearance of Kirk Opperman stopped Dage in his tracks. The Camelthorn owner showed a crooked smile when Dage raised his hands carefully. Opperman tilted his head to steal a glance at Keeya who had pulled the boy behind her. His young arms wrapped around her lower body, he buried his face against her back. Extending her hands behind her, Keeya appeared to pat him lovingly.
“This is an unexpected surprise,” Opperman volunteered.
“Put that gun away before you hurt someone,” Dage spoke in a flat voice. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I might say the same thing about you, Dage. As a matter of fact, I believe your boss is looking for you.”
“He sent me here to pick up his son.”
Opperman chuckled. “He must have forgotten that when we talked earlier. He’s a little confused as to why you’ve disappeared.” His eyes shifted to Keeya. “Now I see why. You’re a dead man, Dage.”
“I found her wandering in the bush. She was hungry, thirsty, and alone. I brought her here to refresh herself.”
“Guess she was lucky you came along. Why not take her back to the president? He is extremely worried about her welfare.”
“I plan to take her back tomorrow, with his son. It was too difficult to return Keeya to Camp Kubu then come here. We, or I—”
“Maybe I should give him a call to tell him you are here.” A narrow, almost-ghoulish clown appearance came over his face. “Why would you take such a chance?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” Dage offered with confidence. “I tried to contact the president that I had found Keeya and was headed here, but unfortunately, cell service is not the best.”
“Yet the president had no problem calling me earlier.”
Dage leveled a cold stare at the bald man in front of him.
“No matter. I really don’t care why you’re here.”
Dage cocked his head in interest.
“That’s right. I am sick and tired of Baboloki’s lavish lifestyle, promises he never keeps, and his threats of violence when he doesn’t get his way. The country is primed to be more on the world stage, an economic powerhouse that all African nations can model. Baboloki is so afraid of losing his grip on the people of Botswana, he refuses to be a part of the future.”
Dage lowered his hands until Opperman waved the gun at him. “Then why are you here?”
“He said you’d been compiling a file on the Americans, especially the man called Hunter. I came to get it.”
“No need. I can tell you what you want.” He raised his chin. “Let Keeya take the boy to his room. He is frightened.”
Opperman nodded at Keeya, and she led the boy away. “You look like hell, Dage. What happened to your face?”
“The man called Handsome Jones didn’t like the way Dr. Girard was treated.”
“You needed some of the pretty knocked off you anyway. Who is Handsome Jones?”
“Keeya’s son.”
Opperman lowered his weapon. “Keeya’s son survived? I never believed the story of a diamond in the possession of the true leader of Botswana. Are you telling me the Kifaru is really a man?”
This time, Dage managed to lower his hands to his side. “I’m telling you it is time to get on the right side of what is inevitable.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Chase?” Tessa tried to use her calm voice when she cracked the door open wider to stick her head out. Letting her eyes adjust to the dabbled light before she dared to step outside her safe place, she quickly found Chase leaning on the doorframe directly across from her. “Chase.” She stuck a finger out the crack and pointed to the bed. “Get my clothes. I forgot to bring them with me.”
He moved panther-like to the end of the bed. “And why was that?”
Tessa hesitated, thinking maybe she needed to admit to some kind of lesson learned. “Because,” she spoke slowly, trying to make her words drip with honey, “your masculine presence erased all common sense from my thought processes?”
The wolfish chuckle in his throat did not sound like he believed she’d learned any kind of lesson at all. His next words came out a bit more impatient. “I know that isn’t true, Tessa.”
“Fine. I let my anger cloud my judgment. If this was a do-or-die situation, I could be in a world of hurt.”
Snatching up the clothes, he lifted them in slow motion. “I’m sure being naked under a towel would play in your favor.” The mischievous grin came into focus as he approached the door. “I know it gets my heart pumping.”
“Well, praise be. The man has a heart,” she snapped, no longer able to fake being a devoted student to lessons learned. “You’re doing it again,” she growled. Chase halted and pulled the clothes behind him as she reached through the door. “Give. Them. To. Me, you big…”
“Ah, careful. I wouldn’t be calling me names, Tessa. As a matter of fact, I think I need to let you figure this out on your own.” He tossed the clothes back on the bed and moved to a rattan chair near the bathroom.
“Fine.”
“Another ‘fine’? Third time’s a charm. Women love that word. Fine. One of these days I’m going to have to try and figure out what it really means when a woman says ‘fine.’” The inflection in his voice hinted he had lost interest in baiting her.
She swung the door open. “I’m sure in your case, when a woman says it to you, she is referring to your feeble attempt at romance.” She had wrapped the oversized towel almost two times around her damp body. Wet hair hung like ropes down on her chest. She padded across the floor, leaving a trail of wet footprints.
If she hadn’t been so angry, Tessa would have seen Chase push himself out of the chair because he now blocked her retreat. He braced his feet and he crossed his arms across his chest.
“Get out of my way,” she growled through gritted teeth.
“Say. Pretty. Please.”
“Why are you being such a jerk? What happened to the gentleman who always makes sure I’m safe and protected.”
Chase scrunched his mouth together tightly and squinted like he might be turning into a cyborg. “He left with the Grass Valley housewife who used to be scared of her own shadow, modest beyond compare, and stuttered at the slightest confrontation. I came in his place.”
“You think you’re being clever, but you’re really being obtuse.”
“Obtuse. I like that.”
“Really? Because it means annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.”
He dropped his arms, and a narrow smile spread across his face. “I’m aware of what it means, Tessa. I’m also aware you like it.”
Tessa jerked her chin up and swallowed, noting it sounded like a nervous gulp. If she didn’t stand up to him, he’d never let this go. Whatever this was. “Move.” She stepped forward, and her bare foot slipped on the wet trail she’d left. She squealed before pitching forward.
Chase rushed to catch her and hit the wet floor with his bare feet. He slammed her back onto the bed with him on top of her. Her arms flung out at shoulder height, clean clothes in one hand. Their noses touched while he seemed to be waiting for her to speak.
“Another successful rescue,” he declared, his lips moving against hers.
She glared at him, afraid to speak, afraid to acknowledge she didn’t want him to move.
“You’re welcome,” he teased.
He pushed himself up with one awkward motion then extended his hand to her.
She checked to make sure the towel remained secure before letting him pull her off the bed. “Are you done having fun at my expense, or should I expect some more boyish maneuvers?”
Chase took one of his dirty shirts and mopped the water off the
floor. “Oh, I’d definitely expect some more boyish maneuvers. I’m trying to work myself into your heart.”
“Like a worm into an apple.” Tessa escaped to the bathroom and closed the door. For a few seconds, she allowed herself to replay the back and forth between them. When she got home, things were going to have to change. Either she would choose this crazy life, or keep on the safe path, with Enigma in the rearview mirror.
~ ~ ~
Carter and Sam helped Dr. Girard out of the rented Jeep. They’d returned to the medical compound as the sun appeared to sink into the Okavango Delta. They’d been lucky enough to have him checked out at a local clinic, whose staff promised not to put the visit on record. One of the male nurses knew the doctor.
“Without Dr. Girard’s help, I would have never had the opportunity to go to school,” he said, hugging the doctor. “I will drive you back if you can find a car.”
The doctor shook hands with the two Enigma agents. “God has provided once again.”
Sam grimaced. “Do you think God can provide us with weapons in case we run into some of Baboloki’s men?”
“Or one of those angry hippos,” Carter laughed nervously. “I don’t really want to be in the bush as the sun goes down and depend on my good looks to get us through.”
“Like they ever have,” Sam mocked.
Upon arriving, the people from the village welcomed the doctor with singing and applause. One after another, they approached him with their story of fear that he’d perished, and how those who had not gone to work had tried to extinguish the fire. He shook hands and embraced the people to offer comfort. His eyes filled with emotion at seeing the destruction left behind by the president’s men.
“Will you leave us for good, Dr. Girard?” one of the women who was heavy with her first pregnancy asked.
“No. No. We will rebuild. My home is here. With all of you.”
Carter led the doctor to a picnic bench so he could keep his strength. “Doc, you need to take it easy for a few days.”
“Yes, of course.” He patted Carter’s hand on his arm as he eased down.
Children surrounded him with their gifts of stick creations and rocks. He accepted them and bragged on each one.
“When Nyack sent someone ahead to tell us the good news, we prepared a place for you to stay.” The old gentleman who’d let Dage escape stood proud before the doctor. “We cleared out the tool shed and have a comfortable place for you to rest.”
“That will do nicely until we can rebuild. I guess all the medical equipment and supplies will need to be replaced.”
“We saved what we could,” the old man continued. “Handsome took the medicine to Camp Kubu to keep it cool and safe. It has only been a few days. No emergencies.”
The news seemed to comfort the doctor until he was informed about Keeya being taken by Dage. Even though it wasn’t unexpected, the doctor worried what the man might be plotting. He remained grateful for his help in the escape from Baboloki’s men. When his friends lit cooking fires, he turned to the Enigma agents.
“What of my son? Is he safe?”
“Yes. Unless Baboloki finds out the truth, he has nothing to worry about. We want this election to be a choice of the people. Most people may not even care about a myth about a diamond.” Sam sat next to him.
Dr. Girard nodded and gazed out over the compound. “But these people care. They have suffered greatly. Whatever will be, will be. But it is time for the truth. They deserve to know.”
~ ~ ~
“The meal was delicious, Peter. You outdid yourself.” Baboloki leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. “The dancers were very entertaining, too. Where were they from?”
Peter threw another log on the fire pit situated in the stone part of the deck. “A village about fifteen kilometers from here. They drove in early this afternoon. I didn’t want them on the road tonight so they are staying in some of the tents we have for the workers when they need to sleep over. Doesn’t happen often.”
“Why is that?”
“Most of the men and women who work here are from the medical compound. Sometimes they walk. It is only a few kilometers, and they have a truck, not unlike the one our American friends fixed and drove back today.”
Chase slipped an arm around Tessa when she pulled her jacket closed and shivered. “Hopefully it’s in better shape. I’m not sure that old rattle trap will make it back to the compound.” He rubbed Tessa’s arm then pulled her closer. She remained a trouper and leaned in to him, playing the part of lover. She played it a little too well for his liking. But what did he expect?
“Tomorrow I have a surprise for everyone,” the president announced. “I’d hoped that we could do it tonight but—”
“What surprise?” the British couple chorused.
“Come on, Mr. President,” one of the German men coaxed. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”
He told them about the Hyena Men of Nigeria and their ability to control terrifying beasts.
“I have been learning this remarkable gift from them. Not anyone can do it. It requires a special temperament and concentration. Apparently, I possess both,” he bragged before chuckling. “Since tomorrow is usually when these people come home from their jobs in the city, I have sent my men out to invite them to the demonstration.”
“Impressive.” One of the German men nodded. “I suppose it is also a good motivation to vote for you in the upcoming election.” Although his voice sounded encouraging, his eyes told another story. The German men’s comments had taken on a little more condescension after being in the president’s company for a few days.
“These people want a strong leader. I have always tried to be the man they can count on.”
“Mr. President, what of the Kifaru diamond? The people were talking today about its possible return.” Tessa laid a hand on Chase’s thigh and squeezed until it pinched.
He flinched and moved his leg. She was toying with him. Getting even with his boyish maneuvers. Without skipping a beat, he removed his arm from around her shoulders then laid his hand on hers with a vise-like grip. He could feel her try to withdraw, so he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm.
“That is a myth that keeps popping up during every election season. I’m not sure why.”
“Maybe they are hoping for something you aren’t giving them, Mr. President,” Chase interjected.
The president frowned and appeared to offer a fatherly expression through gritted teeth.
“Something to consider, don’t you think?” Chase continued.
“Of course, but there is no Kifaru, nor will there ever be, Captain Hunter.” His eyebrow arched. “It is my understanding you have a history in America with someone who claims to be the Kifaru. What can you tell me about that?”
Tessa’s fingers laced in his. “Yes. I did meet someone who offered a ridiculous story about the Kifaru. The reason I got interested was because a couple of US Marshals got killed by someone looking for it. Turned out to be a woman from South Africa.”
“Is that why you are here? You hope to find the diamond for yourself?”
“I came with Tessa because the State Department sent her to talk to you about women and health issues. I thought it would be a good time to look for the woman who disappeared from custody.”
“So, you are law enforcement, not an academic?” Baboloki lit a cigar.
Tessa kissed his cheek. “Chase and I work very hard and hardly ever have time alone. I invited him to come with me.” She smiled up at him then to Baboloki. “It wasn’t until we got here, our friendship turned in a different direction.” Chase slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I wasn’t aware of the Kifaru until I read about it in the papers. I contacted the State Department, and they had some information but didn’t seem concerned about it. I, on the other hand, was fascinated by the mystery. Sorry if I, rather we, stepped on your toes. We meant no disrespect.” The woman was a master at diverting his anger by her silky touch and voice. “You s
hould have told me about that woman,” she whined.
“I couldn’t talk about it. Besides, I didn’t find out until after we’d plan to come here.”
Tessa smiled up at him then over at the president. “Divine intervention. I’m always telling Chase that.” She laughed quietly. “He never believes me. Do you?”
Chase couldn’t resist landing an unexpected kiss on her upturned mouth. Her eyes flashed violet, alerting him he’d crossed the line. Retaliation could be sweet. He stood and pulled her to her feet. With a yawn and exaggerated stretch, he nodded toward Peter, who sat stone-faced.
“I for one am exhausted.” He grabbed Tessa’s hand. “Time for bed. See everyone in the morning.”
The others stood and joined them on the walk back to their quarters. Safety in numbers with lots of flashlights was the best course of action in the bush.
“Baboloki knows who we are and that we are up to something,” Tessa said walking through their suite door. The night sounds of the bush surrounded them with their raw music. “Did Handsome take the workers back to the village? Shouldn’t he be back soon?”
“Yeah. I think so. I told him to come by when he gets back if it isn’t too late.” Chase zipped the door closed. “We have a lot of loose ends.” He watched her remove her sweater then sit down on the bed to untie her boots. She struggled to pull them off. Crossing the room, he lifted her foot and pulled. He caught her foot in one hand and ran his finger down the bottom, creating a powerless kind of laughter.
Tessa caught her breath. “Stop it. You know I’m ticklish there. I hate that.” She tried to sit up, but Chase ran his finger down the middle again. She tried to kick him with her free foot and connected with his private parts.
As he hunkered over in pain, Tessa escaped to the middle of the bed. “I told you to stop. I’m sorry. It was a reflex. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
He tried to straighten and glared at her amused face. “Lesson learned.”
“Promise?” she said in a flippant tone.
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