The Turn Series Box Set

by Andrew Clawson

  “Keep an eye on them while I’m gone,” Reed said. “The heat will be back soon enough. Once the day’s heat comes on I’m sure they’ll look for the closest air conditioning around.”

  “I will be ready if Chief Ereng has an assignment for us.”

  Reed clapped a hand lightly on Paul’s uninjured shoulder. “If he does, I won’t leave you behind. You know that.” And if he did, Reed sure as hell wouldn’t tell Paul until after the mission was over. “Have a room made up for our guest. She’ll arrive later today.” The story Reed had given Paul was that an old friend was coming to visit, but beyond that he hadn’t offered further details. Paul had taken it in stride. In truth, Reed had only one thing in mind, and that was keeping Sarah safe.

  “I will have the room ready.”

  Reed turned, then stopped. “Thanks again for going into the bar. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

  Paul smiled. “Whatever it takes. I can not let the past stop me from doing what we must to save the elephants.”

  “Still, I know how you feel about drunks. I appreciate it.” Paul assured him it was fine, though Reed had known him long enough to see through the well-intentioned lie. If his father had died in the same way as Paul’s, he would hate drunks too.

  “My father is gone,” Paul said. He looked at the open land spread all around them. “Helping to save my heritage would make him proud.”

  “The guy who killed him didn’t get what he deserved,” Reed offered.

  “The drunk man in a car will kill the man on a scooter every time.” Paul dropped his head, studying the ground.

  Paul didn’t mention how the drunk driver got off because he knew the judge, and fled town soon after. Left behind with only his mother to care for him, Paul had bucked the odds and made something of himself, escaping the urban plight that had claimed more than a few of his friends.

  Paul’s grin returned. “Your friend will love it here. We will make sure of it.” With that, he headed off toward the cabins.

  Reed settled in behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler as the dogs circled his vehicle like Saturn’s rings. Dodging between them, Reed sped up and headed out onto the city road. He drove into Mwanza, where he parked outside of police headquarters.

  He had an appointment with Chief Nixon Ereng, where Reed planned to bring him up to speed on the events of the past few days, including the possibility that the government was involved with slaughtering lions and killing Maasai. Without proof, the best he could hope for was that Nixon would ask around quietly and see what whispers came back. They were playing defense, and he was sick of only reacting to each move the bad guys made. It was time to go on the attack, and this meeting was his first move.

  The station bustled with activity. Reed dodged handcuffed men escorted by police officers who looked like they desperately needed coffee before he found Nixon’s office door open and walked in. He didn’t see the chief had a visitor until he was through the door. His shoes squeaked as he stopped short.

  “Excuse me,” Reed said.

  The woman standing in the corner studied him with unblinking eyes. Her gaze locked on his uncovered forearms.

  “Hello, Reed. I will only be a few minutes,” Nixon said. “We are discussing the task force.”

  The woman finally looked up from the ghostly-white scars zig-zagging from Reed’s wrists to his fingertips. “Are you a member of the team?”

  “Reed is one of our citizen associates,” Nixon said before he could respond. “Reed Kimble, this is Minister Deka Conteh. She is one of our government sponsors.”

  “Along with a fellow minister,” Deka said. She offered her hand, and Reed found a firm grip when they shook. “Thank you for your assistance in the struggle against poachers.”

  “Happy to do it,” Reed said. “Anything to protect the wildlife.” Her eyes returned to his forearms. “They’re scars,” he said. “From a lightning strike.”

  “Oh.” She shook her head once. “Perhaps Mr. Kimble should stay,” Deka said to Chief Ereng. “Our discussion does concern the task force.”

  Nixon nodded. “Reed, have a seat.”

  Deka remained standing as Reed settled into a chair. He leaned back and waited.

  “I came to discuss a situation with Chief Ereng,” Deka said. “I am a sponsor of the anti-poaching effort, and in my role as Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources, poaching is a grave concern.”

  “That’s why our team exists,” Reed said. “We stop the poachers.”

  “Tourism also plays a large part in our economy,” she continued. “Without our animals, tourists do not come as often, and we lose revenue. That is one reason for the program.”

  Among others, Reed thought, but he wasn’t about to argue. Bureaucrat or not, this woman helped him put poachers in jail.

  “The program faces challenges,” she said. “There are people in the government who do not believe in it as I do.”

  Nixon frowned. “We have an excellent record.”

  “Is it not about what you have done.” Deka turned around, walked over to the office door, and closed it. “There are other reasons for people to oppose your efforts. It is about power in the government.”

  “You mean in-fighting?” Reed asked. “People are jealous of our success?”

  “Yes. If we succeed, then I am a smart woman who is helping the country. If you fail, then I made the mistakes.” She shrugged. “This is the way of politics.”

  “You’re saying all of this positive news might be bad news for someone else’s agenda.”

  She nodded to Reed. “You understand. The money given to support your team is money that is not used for other projects. This angers people who want to use the funding for their purposes. If the anti-poaching team is not successful, then the money goes to a different place.”

  “Sounds like someone is upset about the funding you get for our team. Could they be trying to sabotage those efforts?”

  “It is possible,” she said. “I have friends in the government, and I also have enemies. One of the other ministers is not happy with how much money is given to your team, and I worry she will do what she can to decrease the amount.”

  Reed’s hands balled into fists. Damn. Nelson Sisulu had been telling the truth.

  “What could she do to us?” Nixon asked.

  “It is hard to say. She could send people to interfere or argue that we are not doing enough. The budget is always under review, so a protest could be lodged against how much is given to me. I worry more about the quiet methods. This is why I have come today. To warn you.” Deka looked first to Reed, and then toward Nixon Ereng. “I cannot say what to watch for. Anything unusual. If you do have a problem which you cannot explain, tell me.” Her eyes narrowed. “Only me. Do not tell others outside of the team. If it is her, I will handle it.”

  Reed’s chair creaked as he leaned forward, his fists relaxing. “It’s already started.”

  Deka’s eyes locked on him. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s why I’m here,” Reed said. “Several people came to my compound and tried to kill me.”

  Nixon shot out of his chair. “When?”

  “A day ago. My men and I are fine. I called the police and filed a report, but I doubt it landed on your desk.” He gestured toward the open blinds over Nixon’s office windows, to people scurrying back and forth in every direction. “You have a lot going on here. Besides, I came to tell you personally.”

  Deka crossed her arms. One sleeve slid up, revealing a glimpse of dark ink on her arm. “Do you believe they came because of your anti-poaching effort?”

  Reed nodded. “A man connected to the Mwanza criminal world told me.”

  “Who is this man?”

  “His name was Nelson Sisulu.”

  Nixon didn’t miss it. “He is dead.”

  “Yes. A motorcycle hit him last night when I was chasing him to ask about the attack at my compound. I wouldn’t be surprised if his body is in the morgue now.”

  Nix
on grabbed his desk phone, punched in a number, and muttered instructions about confirming the morgue’s newest arrivals. After he had hung up, he turned back to Reed. “How did you locate this Nelson Sisulu?”

  “I have friends who know people. People who do bad things. One of them suggested I talk to Mr. Sisulu about the attacks.”

  “Attacks? There have been others?”

  Reed gave him the details of the slaughtered lion pride and the attacks on the Maasai. When Nixon asked exactly what Nelson Sisulu had told him, and who was behind the violence, Reed paused. He couldn’t say why exactly, but a silent voice inside told him the ground wasn’t as solid as he hoped. Nixon had asked the question, but Reed noted Deka’s laser gaze. Like a hunter studying her prey.

  “He said powerful people are behind it.” Not an outright lie, but that was all they would get. “Before he said anything else, he died.”

  “This man did not tell you what powerful people?” Deka asked. Reed shook his head. “This is strange. Do you believe him?”

  “I don’t know. He wasn’t a rich man, so from his view there are a lot of powerful people. He could have meant someone with money, or a connected criminal. It’s hard to say.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Where a man is in life colors what he can – and often, cannot – see.” Nixon leaned back in his chair as a ceiling fan circled slowly, throwing shadows across his face with every turn. “Minister Conteh, my officers will look into the man and his associates and will share anything we learn.”

  Deka Conteh glanced at Nixon. “Thank you.” She looked back to Reed. “Tell me, Mr. Kimble. Who do you think this man was talking about?”

  Reed held her eyes, and then shrugged. “I’m not sure. The men who came after me weren’t soldiers. They were too sloppy. Nobody checked that I was in my quarters. Only three intruders, which wasn’t enough. They were well armed, but you can get serious firepower on the black market. My guess is someone doesn’t like me messing with the poaching business and wants me out of the way. Getting rid of me is less risky than going after law enforcement or a military employee. There’s less blowback for attacking private citizens.”

  She kept an admirable poker face throughout. “I see. This is a logical way to look at the issue.”

  “Do you have any idea why those same people would want to kill Maasai or the lions?” Reed threw his question at her in a casual tone, and it caught her off guard. Not that she blinked. No, it was subtler, an absence of reaction that caught his interest. She didn’t answer at all, instead staring between Reed and Nixon for several seconds.

  “You assume this man was telling the truth,” she finally said. Reed would have paid money to know what was running through her head. “To assume the incidents are related is a guess. One based on the words of a killer.” She took a deep breath, and the words came more easily. “There is crime in Mwanza, as in any city. Murderers can also poach. It is possible one group does all of this, with one goal. To make money.”

  “Maasai defend animals when they can,” Nixon said to Reed. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desk. “If these men want to poach without interference, it makes sense for them to attack both you and the natives.”

  “You see?” Deka turned one hand over, her palm to the ceiling. “It is very hard to tell what a criminal is thinking. Chief Ereng has an excellent police force, and I am sure he will find the truth. Until he does, I hope that you both will be careful. As you have seen, what you do brings danger. You are important to our efforts. Do not let the criminals catch you unaware.”

  “I won’t,” Reed said. “There’s one other thing. When I went out on patrol recently, I ran across a group of surveyors near Maasai grounds. They work for a company called Soter Corporation. Ever hear of them?” Deka confirmed she had. “According to them, there’s some type of drilling operation going on in the area. I was worried they might be pushing the Maasai off their grazing land, but they told me everything has been approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies. Since you’re in charge of natural resources, I thought you might know if that’s the case.”

  His eyes never left her face the entire time. A good thing too, because he would have missed it. Only one word caught her, but it was enough. When he mentioned Soter Corporation, she blinked.

  “There are many contracts between the government and private companies,” she said. “If those men are working, I am sure they have the necessary permits. However, I will confirm this.” She smiled at him, a grin that looked like she had to dust if off after years of disuse. “You are very diligent in your work. Tanzania is lucky to have men like you.”

  With that, she stuck her hand out. Reed stood and shook it, and Nixon did the same. “Please keep me informed as to your progress,” she told Nixon. “Your team will be called to action soon, of that I am sure. Thank you for all your efforts so far, and for keeping Tanzania as beautiful today as it has always been.”

  The door opened and she was gone. Two burly men Reed hadn’t seen on his way in appeared in a flash, following her down the hall and out of sight.

  “Did you know she was coming today?” Reed asked after Nixon closed the door and sat back down.

  “I did not. Minister Conteh had other business in the city and wished for an update on our progress. She is going to provide additional funds for more equipment I have requested. I believe she intended to tell me in person.”

  “She is a politician,” Reed said. “But at least she supports us.” Before Nixon could respond, Reed threw out another question. “Do you know anything about her? Other than the official stuff, I mean. What she’s like, her reputation, things like that.”

  Nixon considered the question. “She is powerful. When I first applied to expand the task force and bring Mwanza police to the team, it was denied until Minister Conteh became interested and personally approved the funding. We owe our success to her.” Nixon frowned. “Why do you ask? Is there more to this situation you are not saying?”

  Reed waved a dismissive hand. “No, nothing like that.” Clearly the chief wasn’t getting the same vibe as Reed. No need to push his luck right now. “Just curious. The last person I expected to find in your office was a government minister.”

  Chief Ereng cracked a smile. “That makes two of us. I was surprised when she walked in. So, how is your compound? You said earlier your security team would be increased.”

  Reed confirmed the security team was up and running at full speed, not with increased numbers but instead with heightened patrols and heavier firepower. Nixon didn’t ask what he meant by that, and Reed didn’t offer. In addition to having contacts with Mwanza’s shadier residents, some of Reed’s men also knew where to get weaponry that wasn’t exactly legal. Tracer bullets and military-grade vests didn’t come cheap, although for those who could afford such items, availability was not a problem.

  “I trust you will leave the police work to us from now on.” The smile on Nixon’s face didn’t extend to his eyes.

  Reed shook Nixon’s hand. “Of course,” he said. “Will you keep me updated on what you find out about the man in your morgue? If Nelson Sisulu’s friends are looking for revenge, I’d like to know.”

  “I will do this,” Nixon said. “You and I are a team. Minister Conteh does not know you as well as I do, and if there are secrets between us, I will find out. Be honest with me about the problems you face. This will keep both of us safe.”

  Reed raised an eyebrow, though Nixon either missed or ignored it as he saw him out. Had the chief picked up on his dishonesty with Deka Conteh? No way the police chief knew what Nelson Sisulu had told Reed about a government connection. Well, probably not. He’d learned to never underestimate the chief.

  Reed pushed past the last handcuffed criminal and made for the door. Sun warmed his face as he stepped outside. As he stood on the step, a new angle occurred to him. What if the chief knew he was lying, but hadn’t called him out? To a government minister, no less. Reed grinned. That was t
he kind of man he could work with.

  Chapter 15

  Mwanza, Tanzania

  May 23rd

  “I’ll be there when you land. You take care of the customs guys and I’ll get her out of there. Thanks.”

  Reed punched a button on his steering wheel and ended the call. Sarah Hall’s escape flight was en route to the airport on the outskirts of Mwanza and would land in a few hours. Enough time for him to get back to the compound, grab a shower and get to the airport in time to watch the plane land. He could swing over and pick up Sarah before customs officers inventoried the plane, leaving a bag of cash in her place for the pilot’s trouble.

  The savanna stretched out on either side as he sped along the road with his windows down and the earthy African air whipping past his nose.

  Minutes later Reed’s phone buzzed as his compound came into view. An international call with country code 1. Someone from the States wanted to talk.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Reed Kimble?”

  Definitely an American. “Speaking.”

  “My name is John Braswig. I’m president of Soter Corporation.”

  Reed’s jaw tightened. He took a breath. Play it cool.

  The drug company president cleared his throat. “Are you aware Soter has facilities in Tanzania?”

  “I may have heard that,” he said truthfully.

  “Some of our greatest advances have come from work done in Tanzania.”

  “What’s this have to do with me?” Reed asked.

  “I want to make sure you understand this isn’t a solitary outpost. Our Tanzanian facility is world class.”

  “Consider me convinced.”

  Stones crunched under his tires as Reed pulled into the compound’s driveway. “I need a man with specialized skills,” John Braswig said. “A man who knows Tanzania and is skilled in tracking.” He paused. “Specifically, tracking wildlife.”