Kareem abruptly stopped the discussion with Ben and spoke to the other man with considerable deference. “Uncle, please allow me to introduce our other guest.” He led the older man to where Leslie waited. “This is Mr. Murphy’s friend, Miss Meredith Woodward. Miss Woodward, this is my esteemed uncle, Shamir Rasheesh.”
The elder Mr. Rasheesh was about fifty. He had a thick mustache and black hair that was liberally peppered with gray. Like his nephew, his eyes were small and very dark. As Kareem had done earlier, the uncle delicately bowed his head to lightly kiss her hand, and Leslie felt a chill run up her spine. It was a work of supreme will not to wrench her hand away but to allow it to drop naturally to her side. Looking into his sharp, black eyes, she sensed an undercurrent of malevolence. Never before had she felt such a deep, intuitive fear.
“How do you do, Miss Woodward?” he said. “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry you had to wait so long.” His voice was deep and beautiful, and his perfect English suggested an American education.
To hide her aversion, she concentrated on maintaining Meredith’s affectations. With the hand that had just been kissed, she pushed her hair away from her face and said with only a touch of nervousness, “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Rasheesh. And my goodness gracious, there was no problem waiting for you men to finish with your important business.” She shrugged daintily, drawing all three men’s attention to her open bodice.
“Have you enjoyed your visit to our lovely country, Miss Woodward?” the elder Rasheesh inquired.
“Oh my, yes!” she exclaimed. “Why, we went on a safari for three days and saw just all sorts of animals.” She giggled and looked at the two men through widened eyes. “Why, I have to admit I was scared out of my wits when we saw the lions in the Mossy Mara.” She deliberately mispronounced the name of the renowned animal park. “They looked big and mean... I felt like they wanted me for dinner!”
Kareem joined the conversation. “Will you be staying much longer, Miss Woodward?”
“Just a few more days, I’m afraid. My daddy has to get back home to his medical practice in Alabama. He’s an anesthesiologist, you know, and very busy.”
For the first time, Leslie looked directly at Ben, who had moved to stand beside her. His expression was casually detached, but she saw faint signs of strain behind his eyes and at the corners of his mouth. Anxious to leave, she turned to the pilot and said with a pout, “Ben, honey, I’m hungry. You promised we could eat at a lovely restaurant and then go dancing when you got through with your business. Besides, we’ve kept that nice little taxi driver waiting for a long time.”
Ben was standing on her right side, and as she was speaking, she moved toward him. In keeping with her Meredith persona, she placed her left hand on his left biceps and slid her right hand between his upper arm and chest, intending to take his arm in what she hoped would be interpreted as a clingy, possessive embrace. But as she slipped her right arm through his, the back of her hand brushed against something large, hard and unmoving under his jacket. It took only a heartbeat to register that the object she had touched was a gun.
Ben felt the slight movement of the leather shoulder holster. Fearing that Leslie might jerk her hand away in response to contact with the weapon, he reacted instantaneously. He tensed his arm and pulled it to his side, discreetly pinning her hand between his arm and ribs. Simultaneously, he turned toward her and clasped both of her hands with his right one, patting them reassuringly. There was a smile on his lips but a glimmer of warning in his eyes as he responded in a carefree tone, “I know you’re anxious, gorgeous. I’m starving, too. But mostly I need a drink.”
Inadvertently touching the gun had startled Leslie. In all of her travels with Ben, she had never known him to carry a handgun. She was aware that he had a shotgun in the airplane, and she had seen a rifle in his cabin, but that was normal for rural Kenya. Even the Merdians and Mama Joe kept shotguns handy.
Confused and alarmed, she grew more impatient by the second—she wanted to be removed from whatever “business” was being conducted at this place and she wanted to get away from the men. All of the men. Her attention was drawn to the warning look in Ben’s eyes, however. She understood; she would have to play the scene through.
Dropping his right hand but holding her firmly at his side with his left arm, he turned back to address the two men. He nodded and smiled graciously. It occurred to Leslie, as she witnessed the exchange, that Ben’s smile held a peculiar combination of deference and threat. She sensed a stark ruthlessness in him that she’d only glimpsed before.
When she focused back on the room, she heard the elder Rasheesh addressing Ben. “And I am certain there will be no problems with the shipment. I look forward to your visit in ten days.”
With that, the man turned back to Leslie. “Miss Woodward, if you are ever again in Mombasa, you must come to see me and my nephew. It would be our distinct pleasure to show you more of the city.” His tone was not quite sincere.
She licked her lips and tried to give a little giggle, but it sounded flat to her own ears. “Why, thank you, Mr. Rasheesh. I’m not sure if we’ll get to come back. I really want to go to England on our next vacation. The food is not very good, but the shopping is simply to die for.”
The elder Mr. Rasheesh idly nodded his head in a gesture of fluid dismissal and motioned for the couple to precede him and his nephew to the elevator. In contrast, Kareem looked at her with poorly disguised lust as Ben stood aside for Leslie to enter the elevator. Ben gave a final nod and said, “I will be in touch,” as the door closed. Finally removed from the penetrating stares, Leslie stepped away from Ben and closed her eyes. He watched her from the slight distance and whispered, “Not yet, honey. Don’t lose focus yet.”
She glanced back at him and nodded. The door opened, and Ben put his arm around her. Playfully, he said in a rather loud voice, “Come on, baby, I’ll show you the town.” He led her through the front door and onto the steps leading to the street. The taxi driver, who’d been waiting nearby, had obviously spotted them and was waiting at the curb.
Ben tightened his arm around the young woman and said in a serious voice, “There’s one more scene we need to play.” With that, he took her in a hard embrace and kissed her deeply.
Eager to do virtually anything to expedite their departure, Leslie allowed herself to be pulled into his arms and didn’t resist when his lips closed upon hers. For the benefit of anyone watching, she responded with the passion she believed the flighty Meredith would exhibit.
Ben had intended the kiss to be a ruse to further delude any of Rasheesh’s men into thinking he was a womanizing rake, more interested in his conquest than business. He’d been confident throughout the afternoon that he was in total control. But Leslie’s response took him by surprise, and in seconds he became lost in her warmth.
Leslie felt the change in Ben and recognized what had occurred. Given their current circumstances, his response was serious. Deftly, Leslie pulled out of the embrace and placed both hands on Ben’s chest in what she hoped would appear to be a caress. Under her breath, she said, “Get me out of here now! I’ve learned more than I want to know about the people you work with. Take me back to Namanga.”
In a manner she hoped would be construed as teasing, she patted his cheek, then turned toward the taxi and climbed in.
Leslie’s words worked like a bucket of cold water thrown in Ben’s face. Effortlessly reverting to the role of alcoholic playboy, he responded by laughing heartily as he got into the taxi. Without looking at Leslie, he told the driver to take them to the Hotel Splendid.
Leslie was about to protest when he silenced her with a raised hand. Looking straight ahead rather than at her, he quietly explained, “We’ll go to the bar and stay for a few minutes. Then we’ll take another cab to the airport.”
She nodded, then turned to stare out the window, sitti
ng as far away from Ben as she could. She was no longer interested in the colorfully charming city. She had heard snippets of rumors about Ben’s “activities” but had not wanted to believe them. Now she had seen firsthand the type of men he worked with. She wasn’t exactly sure what had been discussed at the meeting, but she recognized evil. She didn’t believe Ben was evil, but there could no longer be any doubt that he was motivated by greed and dealt with truly bad men. So what did that make him?
A single tear slipped out of her eye and down her cheek unhindered.
* * *
BEN AND LESLIE spoke very little during the next several hours. As planned, they spent a few minutes at the bar in the Hotel Splendid, both choosing to drink coffee. After a taxi ride to the airport, they were ready to take off before six o’clock. The timing had been close, however. It would be dusk before they landed at Namanga.
While they waited at the end of the runway, Ben took a moment to remove his jacket and the shoulder holster. These he carefully laid on the rear seat. From the corner of her eye, Leslie noted that the gun was the sort of large, black, semiautomatic weapon that seemed to be preferred by police on television and in movies. Involuntarily, she shuddered and turned to stare out the window.
For the most part, Leslie refused to look at Ben. In stark contrast to the lovely afternoon, the events of the past two hours had confused and frightened her. It wasn’t just the uneasiness she had experienced in the presence of Rasheesh and his nephew, or the realization that Ben had felt the need to carry a handgun. It was the validation of things she had been trying to ignore.
She understood that Ben’s occupations ranged beyond charter air-service operator and occasional tour guide. Rumors were infrequent, but smuggling had been mentioned several times in her presence. It was logical. In her heart she had known it, but she had chosen to disregard the rumors. Without really considering it, she had vaguely imagined that he traded liquor, animal skins, rhino horns, ivory or even diamonds, all of which were very serious and held severe consequences if he was caught. But today’s meeting did not exactly fit her preconceived notion of how ivory smugglers operated. It had to be something more serious, more deadly. Drugs, maybe, or, even worse, it might be weapons. Facing the likely criminal nature of his work left her disillusioned and disheartened.
And yet, she was beset by confusion. What she had learned today didn’t correspond with other things she knew of Ben. With the Merdians, with Simon, and with others—but mostly with her—he had been genuine, honest and caring. He was intelligent, funny and surprisingly humble.
The thing she was most fearful of considering, but which was becoming increasingly unavoidable, was what she felt for him. She had known for some time that he was very attracted to her, perhaps even in love with her. It was in his eyes and in his touch. He no longer tried to hide the longing. Reluctantly, she admitted to herself that she was very attracted to him, too—probably in love.
After the loss of Brian, she had sometimes considered that she might fall in love again. But she had assumed it would be with someone like her husband, not an itinerant pilot who was engaged in something criminal. She leaned her head against the window of the Cessna and tried to fight back the tears.
Ben was likewise deep in thought as he flew home. The incident on the steps of the building had shaken him. For more than three years he had maintained his safety by remaining in constant control of his thoughts and actions. There had never been even a momentary lapse in his focus as he worked to accomplish his objectives. Inwardly he cursed himself as he realized he’d made more mental and procedural errors in this single day than he had during the past three years combined. Fortunately, they had pulled off the meeting, but he shuddered with the realization Leslie’s life may have been in danger because of him.
He stole a glance at Leslie and saw that she was leaning against the passenger door. Her eyes were closed, but he doubted she was sleeping. Painful introspection made him realize that he was completely and totally distracted by her. He’d been neglectful of his work in the past months. More than once he had shortened trips and even failed to fly out when he should. His love for her simultaneously left him warm and expectant and cold and fearful.
He still had work to complete. There was a real possibility this could be his last dealing with Rasheesh and those like him. He’d had enough of the lifestyle, as well as the pervasive need to be alert and on guard. If he completed this deal as planned, he would be done. But he knew one thing for certain—to preserve his life, and possibly even Leslie’s, he had to regain focus.
* * *
IT WAS DARK when they arrived back at the clinic. Titus had been watching for their approach, and he opened the gate and waved to them as the Jeep passed. In silence, Ben walked Leslie to the door and stood aside for her to precede him into the dark, deserted waiting area.
Just inside the door, Leslie groped to find the light switch and flipped it on. That accomplished, she faced the pilot. After an awkward moment, Leslie looked down at her hands and murmured, “Ben, I’m rather tired...I...uh...”
Ben’s eyes never left her face as she struggled to find polite words to dismiss him. The wariness and withdrawal had returned. She didn’t want him around. He nodded and retraced the short distance to the door. Rather than going through, however, he paused. With a deep sigh, he placed one forearm on the jamb and leaned into it, resting his head on his hand.
Leslie could think of nothing to say, so she waited until he turned back to face her. His expression held such intense longing that she had to look away.
He thrust his hands in his pockets and stepped toward her. “Leslie, I’m sorry about today. I should never have involved you in my...uh—” he paused to search for a word “—activities.” He reached forward to touch her, but she stepped back, and he dropped his hand. “I’m sure you’re wondering—”
“Ben, I really don’t want to know,” she interrupted. She walked a few paces, pausing near the center of the room. She turned toward him, and her pent-up emotions rushed forth. “You confuse me! I don’t understand you!” Her voice broke a little. “I don’t understand what you do, and I’m very afraid for you. And what’s worse, I’m afraid of what I feel for you.”
He saw her shoulders shake. She was crying. He led her to a section of chairs that lined the wall of the waiting room. He gently pushed her into one and moved another so that he could face her. Taking her hands in his, he said quietly, “For the past couple of months, I’ve been thinking it’s time for me to go home.”
Expecting some sort of confession or explanation, Leslie glanced up to watch his face.
Ben studied their joined hands. “Leslie, I want to tell you what I dream about.” He looked up and held her dark blue eyes with his. “I want a family. I want a house on the edge of some town in the South or the Midwest.” Her expression showed bewilderment. Tears continued down her cheeks.
He looked away and continued. “I want to teach history.... I want to watch my children grow—to show them how to ride bicycles and throw footballs. And when they’re old enough—you know, like seven or eight—I want to teach them how to fly.” As he spoke, tears formed in his eyes, and they slid freely down his cheeks.
Despite her disillusionment and frustration, Leslie responded with a brief smile. “You’d make a wonderful father.”
He smiled, too, then became serious once more. “Leslie, I’m going to be finished here soon.” He ignored the tightness that formed around her mouth. “When I’m done, I’m going home. I just have to finish.”
Leslie jerked her hands away and stood abruptly. “No!” She paced across the room. “Stop now! Please!” Her angry words echoed the disappointment in her expression as she turned back to face him. “If you want money, I have it. I have a lot of it.” Her voice rose with each word, and she used her hands for emphasis. “Money’s nothing. It’s not important! You can have it!�
� Then, with a sobbing breath, she added quietly, “Take it, but please stop. Don’t do any more...”
He shook his head. Objectively, he wondered if she realized the implication of what she had said. More than anything else, he wanted to go to her and hold her and reassure her, but he forced himself to refrain. He remained seated and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees and staring at the floor. “No, Les. I don’t want money.”
She moved forward then to kneel in front of him, looking intently into his eyes. She could see conflict, coupled with pain and worry. Suddenly needing to touch him, she grasped his hands and pleaded, “Why, then? Tell me why.”
Staring at their hands, he whispered, “I have to. That’s all I can say right now. Leslie, I have to finish.”
Frustrated, she stood and backed away. She was suddenly exhausted. “It really is getting late, Ben. There will be twenty or thirty people here by seven in the morning.”
At her prompting, he stood and walked slowly to the door. His movements were deliberate, signifying he was still reluctant to go. As before, he turned abruptly. They were standing very close. Gently, he pulled her into his arms. “I can’t leave like this.”
She was stiff initially but, despite her desire to remain detached, she found she was unable to resist him. Little by little, Leslie gave in to the embrace. She felt him kiss her hair and, with her eyes closed, she raised her face to welcome his lips. The kiss was deep and loving. His arms tightened, and his hands moved across her back to grasp her dress in a gesture akin to desperation. Ben removed his lips from hers and touched them to her temple. She was incapable of letting him go. She held her arms around his neck tightly and buried her face in his shoulder.
Finally, Ben sighed deeply and pushed her until she was standing at arm’s length. He searched her eyes and found both love and emotional turmoil. “Think about what I said. I know I’m asking a lot, but I want...no, I need you to trust me.”
Out of the Shadows Page 16