Gwen sighed. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to knock you out. Or punch you.” She shrugged. “If you hadn’t said . . . well, either way, I’m sorry.”
Ian had felt a twinge of remorse as soon as he had called her a prostitute, but he wouldn’t admit it, especially not to her.
“Again, why would you want to help?” he asked.
“Like I said before, I’m not here to steal anything from you.”
“Except information.”
“Yes, I suppose so. But, I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t make a report. All I ask is that you let me go, and you’ll never see me again.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“It’s either me or Jasper. You don’t want us both coming after you.”
Ian nudged his rifle. “You forget that you are no longer in the hunt.”
She let out an exasperated breath. “I’m lending my services to you for free. Stop acting like a wounded boy and start acting like—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” he warned. Ian stood and grabbed the rifle, keeping it tight in his grip. There was no way he’d ever use it on Gwen, but she was testing his patience.
She crossed her arms and sat back, averting her eyes. Her silence gave Ian a chance to think. While he didn’t trust her, he was curious to know how she could help him. Maybe there was a way to play with fire but not get burned as well.
“Who do you work for?” he asked.
She turned her head away, ignoring his question.
“I just wonder how you are able to steal so much and yet come out with nothing.”
“I have enough.”
“From what I can tell, you gather the information, you steal and fence the diamonds, yet you can’t afford to pay me back. Where is the money?”
“I said I would help you. I will not, however, answer your questions.”
“Then we are at an impasse. I won’t trust your help until you answer.”
“Then we are at an impasse,” she agreed.
Ian watched as her expression hardened.
“Then why don’t I tell you my suspicions,” Ian said. He studied her for a moment, wondering if she would argue.
She didn’t. Instead she waved her hand flippantly and said, “Be my guest.”
With what he knew of her situation, which wasn’t much, he suspected that she wasn’t working alone, nor was in control. For a strong, smart, independent woman, he could only come to a few conclusions. “I think you are being blackmailed. You steal to keep the blackmailer content.” He was happy to notice her stony expression had shifted to surprise for a mere second, which meant he was close to the mark. But it also gave him instant indigestion. If Gwen was truly at the mercy of a blackmailer, then he pitied her. It was not an emotion he wanted to feel for her. It led to so many others. “So, what does the blackmailer hold over you?”
Gwen looked him straight in the eye and said, “I have to go to the bathroom.”
He raised a brow at the abrupt change in topic.
Gerard swung the door open. “He’s here and already broke through the quarantine perimeter.”
Ian silently cursed. He shouldn’t be surprised. Jasper would see through any stall tactics they used.
Handing the rifle to Gerard, he said, “Gwen has to go to the bathroom. I’ll deal with Jasper.”
“The bathroom?” Gerard’s brows rose high. “Shouldn’t you—”
“No!” Ian barked and walked out of the office into the early-morning light. Following the trail to the village, he hurried to find Jasper.
Instead of focusing on the problems Jasper posed at the moment, he replayed his suspicions and realized that Gwen never denied them. Was he right, then?
If he was, he might have an easier time dealing with Gwen. If she knew her blackmailer, then he could help her escape his reach.
He halted. Help Gwen? Had he lost his mind?
Yes, he was truly out of his mind.
He tried to shake Gwen out and focus on Jasper. He would have to talk to her later. As it was, he just reached the village to find Jasper and ten men with him, all with necessary equipment plus rifles.
“I’ve come to help in the mine,” Jasper said, his dark eyes lighting with knowledge. “It was good timing seeing as the village is in lockdown.”
Ian knew Jasper had called his bluff, but he could at least try to make him reconsider. “Are you sure you want to chance a case of Ebola?” he asked. “You could end up spreading it to your wife and children.”
A few of the workers looked uneasy. Ebola had swept through the land months before and claimed thousands of lives. It was not something they wanted to rekindle.
Jasper must have heard a stir amongst the men standing behind him. He raised his hand to settle them. “It’s a lie. Don’t forget we are under strict orders.”
“Whose orders?” Ian questioned.
Jasper smiled. “You attracted attention from the wrong people. I suggest you move out of our way.”
Wrong people? Unfortunately, that didn’t give him any clues as to who was behind both Jasper and Gwen’s appearances. In Sierra Leone the “wrong people” were everywhere. The only people he trusted lived in Njamba.
Ian didn’t bother wasting his breath with further arguments. Instead, he said, “Then feel free to work the mine while my workers are in quarantine. But anything you find still belongs to the village.”
Jasper narrowed his eyes and gave the signal to proceed forward.
As Jasper passed, Ian held out his hand. “You can pay me now for those diamonds you took yesterday.”
Jasper looked at Ian’s hand. “Think of our work today as payment.” He tried to step around, but Ian blocked him.
“I didn’t ask you for your help. That was the last of our diamonds. You will pay me now.” While Ian wasn’t desperate for the funds, he had to make it seem like he was. When they didn’t find any diamonds, they might then understand his persistence. It was a long shot.
Jasper eyed him with unveiled hostility. Ian was unarmed, and Jasper had ten men at the ready. Jasper had the upper hand and knew it. “We will settle at the end of the day.” He bumped Ian out of his way as he and his men shoved through.
Ian watched as they headed down the path to the river. Jasper was right. They would settle at the end of the day. Ian would make sure of it.
* * *
Gwen stared at the spot Gerard pointed to. “Are you kidding?”
“No.”
She huffed an exasperated breath. “Then turn around.”
“No.”
“I’m not peeing here.” It wasn’t that she was picky. Far from it, especially given that she was in a remote area with no running water or plumbing. And the fact that she was now crossing her legs so she didn’t explode made her even less choosy, but he pointed at a tiny bush, only calf high. There was no way she could maintain any sort of modesty while squatting near the diminutive plant.
“If you’re afraid I’m going to run, I promise not to. I couldn’t.” Not at the moment anyway. If she moved now, she was bound to lose it. “Please.” She hated to beg, but the situation called for it.
“Fine,” he said, turning around. “I won’t look, but I can hear if you make any sudden moves.”
“Thank you.”
“If you run, you won’t thank me when I catch you.”
She had never met Gerard before, just saw him in passing. He didn’t seem the threatening sort, but neither did Ian. She seemed to bring out the worst in people.
Gwen hurried to relieve herself, but it seemed as if her full bladder was never-ending.
“Will you finish anytime soon? I have other things to do.”
She rolled her eyes. This was worse than having to shower after gym class. There was absolutely no privacy.
“If you are in such a hurry, then go. I’ll be fine here on my own.”
“And let you run off?” he snorted.
“I don’t suppose you have toilet paper?” she asked.
>
“There are leaves next to you.”
Gwen frowned.
“Why are you here, anyway?” Gerard asked. “We don’t have anything for you to steal.”
“Don’t you?”
He turned just as Gwen was zipping up her shorts. “What have you heard?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“Liar.”
Gwen shrugged. If Ian didn’t believe her, why would Gerard? “I doubt your plan to quarantine the area slowed Jasper down. Are you sure you want to stand here and call me a liar when you should help Ian?”
He nudged her with the gun. “Walk.”
“Where?”
“The mine. If you want diamonds, you have to earn them.”
She sighed and walked down the path. She didn’t want see Jasper, but it looked as if she had no choice in the matter.
As soon as she stepped at the edge of the flattened land, she saw Jasper ordering his armed men to dig in certain spots. Some were near the marked areas, and others were digging elsewhere. A few had waded into the river to sift through the bottom sediment.
Jasper narrowed his eyes. He scoured the land with his focused gaze, barking orders and hurrying the men. Gwen had a sick feeling that he knew more than she did.
While Gwen didn’t know much, she knew that Jasper and armed men meant that Ian had diamonds. A lot of them. But did they know for certain?
Ian stood on the bank and watched as the men tore up his land.
“Are you sure you want Jasper to see me?” she asked Gerard. “If I’m here, he’ll know for sure you’re sitting on a fortune.”
“Why do you care? Aren’t you here for the same thing he is?” When she didn’t answer, he continued, “Ian poured money into this village, and for what? So people like you and Jasper could steal? So the government and rebels could destroy it?”
Gwen had always carried the burden of guilt with her, but she had never faced her actions before. It had always just been a growing knot in her stomach, one that she would push down so she could handle her next assignment.
“No matter what you think of me, you shouldn’t let Jasper see me. It’ll only make matters worse for you and Ian.”
While he didn’t verbally acknowledge that she was right, he did nudge her in the direction of the office. Once there, he tied her hands and feet and secured her to the office chair using caution tape. She didn’t protest because she knew it would only make him angry. It wasn’t like they could keep her here forever. And Ian wasn’t the type to kill anyone, not even to protect the village. She thought the same of Gerard. Once they came to their senses, they would let her go.
And if they didn’t? Well, she didn’t want to think about that. She’d just have to trust her instincts.
Before Gerard closed the door on his way out, she said, “Tell Ian his eyes drift over to the northern corner of the mine too often. Jasper will figure it out before long.”
Gerard slammed the door closed.
Chapter 8
When Ian spied Gerard walking down the path to the mine alone, his stomach performed at least one wretched somersault. “Where’s Gwen?” he asked once Gerard stopped next to him.
“Don’t worry,” Gerard said. “She’s tied up tight in the office.”
Ian frowned. While he didn’t want her free to cause more trouble, he also didn’t feel it was necessary to tie her in the office. But perhaps Gerard was correct. When it came to Gwen, Ian obviously didn’t think straight. He’d be better off letting Gerard handle the situation.
“Stop glaring at me,” Gerard said. “She’ll be fine. She’s the one who suggested it.”
Ian didn’t realize he was glaring. “Gwen suggested that you tie her up and leave?”
“Not in those words.” Gerard shrugged with a lopsided smile. “She said it wouldn’t be wise if Jasper saw her.”
“Did she say anything else?”
Gerard nodded. “She said you look to the north corner too often.”
Did he? Ian silently groaned. He must have been looking at the diamond cluster unconsciously. Hopefully Jasper didn’t notice like Gwen had.
“What do you think they know?” Ian asked.
“I have no idea. They’ve obviously been told there’s a large quantity of diamonds here, but maybe they aren’t sure yet. Perhaps their source wasn’t too sure what he saw. It’s not like we pulled out a bucketful of diamonds. For now, it’s all hearsay. Only you, me, and Foday know for sure.”
“Where is Foday?” Ian asked, scanning the riverbank.
“He’s probably at home with his family in quarantine.”
Ian nodded. “He’ll be safer there.” The armed men didn’t look as though they were itching for a fight, but they looked hungry too. Here, men’s loyalties could be bought for pennies on the dollar.
Ian motioned for Gerard to follow him.
“Where are we going?”
“The canteen,” Ian said. “The men look hungry and thirsty.”
“Why should we care?”
“They’re only following orders. They’re not to blame.”
“They have a choice.”
“Did you see them?” Ian asked. “They’re starving. Their families are probably the same or worse. Their weapons are so old they’ll probably end up hurting themselves if they choose to use them.”
“Many people in the surrounding villages are hungry, not just them.”
“Desperate people do desperate things. Let’s not give them a reason to today.”
When they arrived at the canteen, Gerard was about to say something. His attention drifted over to the far corner where Saba stood nervously.
“What are you doing here, Saba?” Ian asked softly. He didn’t want to frighten her, but she wasn’t safe here. “You should be at home with Foday and your family.”
“I came to look for him,” she said. “He’s not at home.”
Ian looked to Gerard. “Where could he have gone?”
Gerard shook his head. “I don’t know, but he wasn’t at the office.”
“Let’s not worry about him right now,” Ian said. “If he doesn’t show up in an hour, then we’ll start searching. Until then, let’s get drinks and food to the workers.”
“You’re giving them our food?” Saba asked.
“Only some.”
“But they will steal from our lands.”
“Then we’ll give them what they need so they don’t have to steal.” Ian gathered supplies from behind the counter.
Saba stood motionless until Gerard walked over to her. “It’s pointless to argue with him. But we should ask him how he plans to replace the food.”
Saba looked questioningly at Ian. Gerard smiled innocently.
“You’re still thinking about pizza,” Ian stated. Gerard’s smile widened.
“Pizza?” Saba asked.
Ian chuckled at her confused expression. “You know what? I think pizza is a perfect substitute.” It wasn’t often he could take a bad situation and make it great, but today he could. “We’ll have a pizza party tonight after Jasper and his men leave.”
Saba’s eyes lit. “I don’t know what that is, but I think I will like it.”
Ian looked to Gerard. “We’ll need to send someone to town.”
“Freetown?”
“No, Bo will be closer and will have all of the supplies.”
“You plan to make it from scratch?”
Ian smiled. “With your help, of course.”
“Of course.” He didn’t look so sure.
Ian thought for a moment. “Why don’t you go to Bo and drop off Gwen on the way.”
“Drop her off?” Gerard crossed his arms. “You’re going to let her go?”
“I don’t want her here, and she can’t pay back what she stole,” Ian said. “So, yes, I want her gone.”
“Gwen?” Saba asked. “Does she have blonde hair?”
“Yes,” Ian said. “Did you see her?”
Saba nodded. “A long time ago. She gave
me this.” Saba lifted a necklace from under her dress.
Gerard lightly touched the thin gold chain that secured a gemstone. “A ruby.”
She nodded. “At least that’s what she said it was.”
“Why did she give it to you?” Ian asked, confused. He recognized the necklace from when he first met Gwen. She had been wearing it. He didn’t know why he remembered it; maybe it was the way it twinkled on her moonlit skin.
“I was searching for a bracelet I lost down by the river. It was really early in the morning, and I was retracing my steps from the night before. Gwen asked me what I was doing. When I told her, she gave me her necklace. She said some things are lost forever and there’s no getting them back. I never did find the bracelet. If she is here, I should thank her. I never had the chance before. She left me with such a beautiful gift and then walked away before I could.”
Gwen did the exact same thing to him. She gifted him with a night he’d never be able to duplicate with any other woman and then walked away.
“You don’t have to thank her,” Gerard said. “It was probably sto—”
“You can thank her tonight,” Ian interrupted. Saba didn’t need to know that the necklace she had come to love was stolen.
“Tonight?” Gerard questioned. “I thought—”
Ian shook his head. “She’ll be at the party tonight.” Gwen needed to see the families she nearly destroyed. And just like the armed men, perhaps she was hungry and thirsty as well.
He’d keep her close for now.
* * *
The sun was setting and the workers had yet to find anything. Jasper visibly became more and more agitated, yelling at anyone who slowed for a moment. Thankfully, the crew had eaten a full lunch thanks to Saba’s help. She had stayed in the canteen to prepare what she could while Gerard and Ian brought it out. The workers were both wary and relieved. It took some arm twisting, but Jasper finally allowed them to take five minutes to eat and rest. After a full day of work, they had to be hungry again. But this time, they were on their own.
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