"You know why I'm here," Franklin spoke first.
The tension mounted as the two men faced each other; the pause of silence was an acknowledgment from Kazak.
"My friend, you must make right with me first, you understand, Friday," Franklin said, gesturing with his finger.
This was not a request but a personal order coming from the under-boss of the Nigerian syndicate. It was rumored that he still enjoyed doing much of the dirty work himself.
Franklin had ascended to the highest rank when he married the daughter of an exiled Nigerian General, who was given political asylum in South Africa. The Russians and Nigerians had negotiated many profitable deals after the fall of Apartheid. They all benefited from the relationship their countries had with the then ANC.
Kazak to avoid his own demise had relocated to South Africa, the land of easy opportunity, leaving everything of value behind in the Ukraine, including his own family. He could never go back, those he still owed money to they would kill him. Yet, the Ukrainian blood still flowed strongly through him.
He never could back down from a fight.
Someday he vowed to go back but he knew he never would; the real reason was a little different from the popular truth. Kazak was also ruthless, a killer who had a brain.
When the time was right he too murdered his boss and took over the operation in Cape Town.
Franklin knew his reputation well, and both men respected each other as equals, yet detested the sight of the other.
The thought went through Kazak's mind of simply giving Dmitri the signal and his men would open fire. But he knew that would solve nothing. The Nigerians had more power and guns than he did; it would be suicide. Instead, he took out his keys and opened the display cabinet, taking out the priceless twelve piece silver collection, original 1924 HMS Royal Navy cutlery. He handed it to Franklin as a token of friendship.
"Friday we will meet again, and by then I will have the British girl," Kazak said.
Franklin accepted the gift with a nod of appreciation.
"You have five days, my friend, or I may expect another expensive gift. My patience will not last forever," he said as he handed the gift to his second in charge.
He was a younger version of Franklin, also with a weight problem and violence in his eyes. Kazak did not like the look of him; he was too greedy for power and he was arrogant. He did not have the old world respect that Kazak and Franklin still enjoyed.
Coming closer, Franklin whispered into Kazak's ear.
"I want the girl in my bed this weekend, you understand? Do not disappoint me again."
With that he turned around and marched out. His guards followed as they backed out uneasily and into their large American cars.
Kazak breathed a little easier. The day had been saved, not by violence but by diplomacy. Still, he would need a plan if they did not find her. Franklin enjoyed everything British, and he loved British girls the most, for some unknown reason, but Kazak had two other girls in mind as payment if Kate slipped through his fingers again.
It was probably that superior British accent that turned Franklin on the most, or their lily-white skin that seemed so exotic to the fat African, who would tower over them. He thought of the two young twins he had sold heroin to the other day. An easy target and a sure replacement if all failed.
That was an option he would consider. But for now all efforts were directed towards finding Kate.
He then realized why the Nigerian liked English girls: it was that class thing that only the British had. Breeding that elevated his moments with them to a higher level than with the common variety. Anyway, as long as Kate was within the city zone she would be found, he was sure of it.
Pity Cynthia took her iBand off, as it would have been child's play to trace her.
If his informers had not traced Kate by tomorrow afternoon then he would have to resort to his final card before confronting Franklin with another offer.
Kazak turned his back to everyone in the room and looked at the painting he had recently acquired. The tingling sensation started again and he knew it was time for his medication. Stress always brought out the dark side he knew would haunt him until his last breath. He stood back so he could admire the painting properly. It was a masterful execution of brushstrokes with excellent use of colors and texture.
This artist lived in a completely different world, her name was Jenny Merritt. He had already acquired nine of her works and he was sure this one was her best. Dmitri however did not appreciate art, but he had other uses.
Kazak wanted to be rid of so many unnecessary things in his life, most of his time was spent surrounded by body guards. Even with all his power, he wanted freedom from its responsibility.
To be an artist and paint with thick brush strokes while listening to classical music, to drinking a good red wine in the middle of the day. That was true freedom and wealth, to live without bodyguards and a gun under his pillow.
Cynthia would have to pay for her blunder; something he would exploit until her debt to him had been repaid time and time again. Her next assignment would be more of a challenge, but the twins no doubt would be a new delight that Franklin would enjoy with complete indulgence.
A fair compensation if all failed.
Pity they were so young, but then some had a taste for that kind of thing.
Kazak, the artist……… it even had a good ring to it, he thought.
Chapter 15
"The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King
Walking through the bush towards her grandfather's old shed gave Nicole half an hour to think about the visitors who had just descended out of the bush. As much as she wanted to help Nathan, the situation had become far more complicated after the visit from the Inspector. Yet she could not help but think that perhaps he was telling the truth……perhaps Nathan was a terrorist.
Nicole had been used before by a man who was only after one thing. She just prayed and hoped it was not true, and that he was different from the rest. When Nicole finally arrived at the shed, four of the visitors were leaning against the wooden wall in deep conversation.
"It's freezing out here," the teenager said as she greeted her.
Chantel was by far the youngest and for some reason it disturbed Nicole the most.
Where were her parents? She wondered, but said nothing.
The more Nicole thought about the situation, the more concerned she became. But then no one in the world would involve a teenager in a terrorist organization. That was at least reassuring.
"Where's Nathan? I need to talk to him," she asked.
"He's in the shed," Chantel answered, watching Nicole head off in search of him.
Nicole did not like confrontations, but she began to prepare herself mentally to take on Nathan.
Today you will come straight with me, she thought.
All three tents were erected neatly inside the shed. It was first built to house the tractors and farm equipment, but now all had been moved closer to the main house for security reasons.
"Hi, Nicky, I thought I heard your voice," he said, walking over to hug her.
Familiarity breeds contempt, but she liked it when he called her that.
Looking at Nathan now, all cleanly shaved and full of energy, she knew why she fell for him. There was something about him that drove her crazy. Perhaps it was the fact that he was foreign, another thing that began to bother her. In her heart she knew what had to be done; best before things got out of hand.
"I need to go for a walk, so let's go to the dam where we can talk."
She could tell that Nathan felt uncomfortable, just from the expression on his face.
Good, he better not think he's going to take me for a ride.
Nicole hated distrusting people. Perhaps she picked that trait up from her father who was often un trusting with strangers,
and especially foreigners. They walked in silence along the rugged pathway through fynbos, before they reached the edge of the dam and the pine trees that grew along its bank. The water was calm and crystal clear, revealing all its secrets even to its deepest point. River rocks lined the bottom and, looking carefully, a few fish could be seen, swimming around.
She stood at the ready with her arms crossed.
"Okay, what is it Nicole?" he asked. "I can tell something is wrong."
They had been there once before, when he was still recovering.
"I need to know everything, Nathan; every little detail and I need to know what your plans are. At the moment I am feeling unsure about trusting you. These people you brought along, who are they and why are they here with you? What's going on? I thought you were coming alone."
"Nicole let ...." he tried to explain but she cut him off.
"No, wait Nathan, I am not finished."
Turning away from him she took another deep breath and sighed.
This was not going to work out, she thought to herself.
"That girl out there is a kid. Where the hell are her parents? And tell me, why is she so damn cheerful at being stuck here in the bush with you and the others? Don't any of them have any lives or any plans for the future?" Her concern was obvious, and he could tell she was very upset.
"Well, as I said, we left the Kibbutz because it was not safe anymore as the elders would not listen to my advice. As for the others from Mt. Carmen who decided to follow me, that's my problem not yours."
Nicole stared at him to see from his expression if he was lying.
"These people you refer to are Christians, just like you and me, but they’ve unfortunately lost faith in those they trusted, they are scared and confused, but at least their faith is strong," Nathan answered.
"Oh, yes, the tribulation, I forgot!" she said with a hint of sarcasm.
Instantly she regretted saying it in that tone.
Nathan did not react at first.
"Okay, Nicole, we'll be out of here today," he said and began walking towards the shed.
"No, Nathan, I am sorry," she said, standing up to walk after him. "I didn't mean it that way, but yesterday the Police came to our house. They gave me this," she said taking out the police docket.
He stopped and turned, then walked over and took it out of her hand. She watched his expression as he read it for any signs of panic.
"Okay, that's it; we're definitely out of here, Nicole. I cannot involve you in this anymore."
So, it's true, she thought.
"Nathan, just be honest with me, what's going on?"
"For starters, nothing they say on this pamphlet is true, except that I'm an American. That at least they got right. But I'm not a terrorist and I'm not recruiting anyone to join my organization, as they say I am. Actually, I don't even belong to any church group and the last time I picked up a gun was when you gave me yours, which reminds me…..," he said as he took it out and handed it back to her.
"Nicole I am not that person they say I am. They're just trying to cause panic so people will turn me in. I know about the raid, you see, and so does Chantel. Perhaps you should talk to her for a confirmation of what happened, seeing that you don’t trust me anymore."
Nathan went to the far edge and looked out over the water. She went over and stood beside him.
Nicole was still in two minds whether to trust him or not. Her father would blow a gasket if he knew what was really going on. She had allowed eight strangers to camp on her father's farm without asking him permission. The fact that she kept this information from him went against everything she stood for. 'Family first' was always the motto.
But Nicole slowly realized she had to trust Nathan again; as he had no reason to lie to her. His story was either true or completely outrageous. Either way, it was too late now.
If it was true, then the Police were lying and that scared her the most.
Nicole felt enraged at the thought of being lied to so easily, especially by the authorities, without questioning them. Perhaps it was true what he said that society has been brainwashed over centuries to believe a system that oppresses them, without ever considering the alternatives. Even in her lifetime she had known of the authorities spreading false stories to discredit political opponents of the ruling elite.
"Before we go back, I need to know what are your plans are, and for how long you will be staying?" she asked, knowing he probably did not know either.
"Well, from what you have just told me, the Police are looking for me, not the others, so I think we need to keep that in mind. Everyone here is illegal in some way and no one has any identity documents on them or a registered iBand. If they find us here you will probably be arrested for assisting us."
Nicole thought about it…… the risks were great and she had to take that into consideration. But still, she gave her word and no matter what, the Kruger's always kept their word.
"You see that koppie there?" she pointed to a ridge. "It's on no man's land. Do you think you could camp there instead of staying on our land? That way you will still be close and I can help you guys out until you decide on your next move."
He looked at it for a while and agreed it would be a safer option for Nicole and her family. Perfectly situated, they would blend in between the fynbos and rock formations. Technically it was not their land but the Kruger's used it anyway for recreational purposes.
"I will get them moving within the hour," he said, now feeling much better after their talk. He could tell Nicole had to vent.
"Do we just pitch our tents where we think its best, or do you want to show us?"
Nicole felt much better about her decision.
"No, it's really simple, you only have one option. Anyway, you will see where to pitch your tents, and I will bring you some things later on."
Nathan went over and embraced Nicole who, for the first time, began to relax in his arms.
"Sweetheart, I would never do anything to put you in harm's way."
Nicole knew his words to be true and in her heart, trust had been restored.
After she left, Nathan broke the news to the group about the koppie. They were visibly upset but never the less respected his decision. As uninvited guests, they were forced to accept any form of hospitality that was bestowed on them. They had survived four days of camping so far; the readjustment would be simple. At least they had security and some comfort in the fact that, if anything did happen, Nicole was a doctor, so to speak.
In the meantime Nicole made her way back to the house to begin her day. Nathan had asked for a few things to bring with later, but only if she could spare them.
Before midday they had already climbed the koppie and found a divide between two clusters of rocks where they could pitch tents and set up camp. For the first time it seemed that everything began to fall into place. Zane, Hannes and Riaan set up the tents in record time while the girls explored the boulders. Chantel hung around Nathan and helped him where she could.
Everyone knew her from church, she sang the Praise and Worship on Sundays. It was rumored that her parents went to Somalia on a missionary seminar and never returned. They had been killed by Muslim extremists, but with no proof or bodies, the case remained unsolved. They still prayed for the couple's safe return, but the realization of that ever happening dwindled to an occasional mention from time to time.
In a sense Chantel van Tonder belonged to Christ4Life now. Yet, with her personality, it seemed she belonged to no one, as something had changed in her; she had matured beyond her years.
The nearest electrical point was a pump house almost two kilometers away. Nathan sent Zane, Emma and Nadine on a scouting mission and to recharge all the electronic devices.
They also had to bring some water back for cooking. Taryn and Chantel stayed around the camp, helping where they could.
When Nicole finally returned it was with the help of the quad bike which was fully loaded with supplies. She had gone out of her
way to help Nathan and his friends this time.
The farm was surrounded by a mountain range on the one side and a river on the other that fed their lands during the winter season when rains fell. But the riverbed was mostly dry now.
Chantel had somehow taken to Nicole and even began calling her Nicky. Being the youngest had a few perks, however, Nicole wanted to reserve her nickname for Nathan.
She said nothing.
"Do you think we should let the Roberts' know where we are?" Chantel asked as Nathan checked the status of the ISIS devices.
Samantha had lent them an old iPhone and iBand unit that had been modified and had their ISIS chips replaced with untraceable Korean ones, bought on the black market. Every communication device needed an ISIS chip to operate, much like cellular phones needed Sim-cards.
"No, not just yet, I want to give it a little more time before we risk it."
In the back of everyone's mind the story still lingered, perhaps Nathan exaggerated but never the less, they needed to be careful.
"Nathan, do you really think they will look for us?" Emma asked.
She had a deeper than average mind for a twenty three year old. He was not sure if she meant the authorities or those under the spell of the Roberts'.
"I'm not sure, Emma, but we cannot be too careful now, can we? It seems obvious they will raid the farm and it's only a matter of time before they do."
Talking about the police raid put everyone on edge.
"I remember seeing those helicopters flying over our farm that day" Nicole said.
But it was Chantel who kept on changing the topic. After all, she knew the truth and wanted to keep it that way, as Steenkamp said he could listen in on her at any time.
Dawn of Defiance Page 14