"Yes."
"The money to pay for this, where does it come from?"
We stopped, and I swung her around to face me. "I'm sure you know where it comes from."
"I've had my suspicions ever since I saw the chips, and Michaux came to your house to explain their theory. He managed to reconstruct the map on an electronic notebook, but there was no X to mark the spot. How did you find out?"
I laughed. "There was a clue in Stephane's notebook-- Bum of Bag."
She shook her head "Yes, I remember. You finally found out what it meant."
"Yes. In English it doesn't mean much. Now, you remember the day before I left, Stephane called me a bastard?"
Maria nodded again.
"In French, bastard is spelled 'batard' and pronounced ba-tar, with a silent D at the end. That got me thinking that the clue might be in another language. Bum of bag translated literally into French gives 'cul-de-sac', which is a dead end. On the map made by the chips, there--"
"--is only one dead end." Finishing for me, she looked into my eyes. "You're amazing, you know that?" She placed a hand behind my neck, and pulled me down towards her.
I smiled enigmatically at her. That seemed to satisfy her, because she muttered, "And generous, too," before kissing me again.
When we came up for air, I pulled my head back to look her in the eyes. "There's something you have to see. It will mean several hours cross-country, but you'll love it, I'm sure."
The drive took us most of the morning, especially once we had left the beaten track. It was an open jeep, so we were filthy. The dust and sand thrown up by the tires tended to blow back inside.
"Where are we, Hugh?"
"We're near Lake Victoria." That was as much as I was prepared to explain. I wanted the surprise to be complete. We had nearly arrived; it should be visible pretty soon. Maria pointed it out before I noticed it myself. I had to keep my eyes on the pockmarked dirt track. What she had seen was a very large, one-story construction that spread out across the plain.
I drove up to the gates, and stopped the jeep. A man in faded blue shorts and a tattered T-shirt moved to Maria's window.
"Papers please, Sergeant."
She whipped her head up. "What the ---"
Michaux grinned back at her. "It's good to see you again, Maria. Come on in. From the look on your face, Hugh and I have a lot to tell you."
We settled down to a drink under the shade of the wooden bar's roof. Two of Michaux's men had joined us gleefully when they saw who our visitor was.
Maria looked at the familiar faces around the table in amazement. "Okay. What's going on?"
Michaux smiled. "Let's start at the beginning. Grayson paid Wellens a fortune for the Yanks' laser."
Maria nodded. "Grayson was arrested by Hamlyn, and she's going to spend most of the rest of her life in a British prison."
"Ah, good news is always worth waiting for," I muttered.
Michaux continued. "Hugh found that money, and brought it along with him. He placed it all in a bank in the Comoros Islands. Then he set up a trust which he administers from his beachfront property in Tanzania." He wrinkled his nose at me in mock jealousy.
"If you remember, Hugh felt very strongly that the OPA's demands were not unreasonable. Just that the way they presented them was unacceptable. Anyway, you know that none of the governments made the pledge of one year's military budget, because we got to the OPA too early.
"Hugh put the money to good use. He built this field hospital you see around you. But it's much more than the typical under-funded hospital you may see in other parts of Africa. It has isolation wards for the contagious patients, and the money to pay for qualified doctors and nurses."
"It has its own laboratory," I added.
Michaux nodded. "Which serves two purposes. The first is to study new strains of viruses and ways to combat them. The second purpose is more complicated, and I'll let Hugh explain that one."
"Thanks, Fred." I turned around in my chair, and pointed at a building half hidden by a large tree. "That is the school. Farmers come here to learn how to cultivate crops efficiently in the harsh climates we have here. Traditional methods were fine for small villages, but now that the population has risen dramatically, they are no longer enough.
"Each farmer comes to us for help, and we ask him or her to bring a sample of the earth that they hope to grow crops on. That is where the lab serves its second purpose. We analyse the sample, and determine the minerals and whatnot that they need to make it fertile again. And we help them to work out the best method of cultivation. Our hope is to give them the tools and the knowledge to be self-sufficient in as short a time as possible."
Maria's amazement could be read on her face. "That's wonderful." She looked at Michaux. "But there's still one thing you haven't explained. What are you and your men doing here?"
"We got fired, remember? I thought we needed a change. Then we received a call from Hugh, here. He hired us to protect his project."
"Against what?"
"Marauding soldiers, for one thing. This is Africa, after all. That's why Hugh chose Tanzania - it's a fairly stable state. They only get the normal income tax from here, just like any from any other private company. In some other countries, the government would have interfered. Humanitarian aid from the Western world, although a small percentage of GNP, is worth billions. Despite the best efforts of the Red Cross and suchlike, the money always travels through the halls of government, where half of it disappears into the pocket of ministers. They would want to earn their 'fee' for allowing humanitarian aid to enter their country."
A cry rang out from the gates to the compound. We turned to look what was happening. One of the guards, another of Michaux's men came running towards us.
"Sir, he's arrived."
Michaux jumped to his feet. He checked to see that his gun was loaded, then said to his men round the table, "You all know what to do." He joined the guard, and they walked briskly towards the gate.
This was the moment we had all been dreading. In the months it had taken us to build this facility, we always had in the back of our mind this visit. Michaux had planned extensively for it. Despite that, we still didn't know how today would end. It was make or break. Today would decide our future, and, by extension, the viability of this hospital.
Maria must have seen the blood drain from my face, because she leaned over and took hold of my forearm. "Hugh, what's the matter?"
I turned to look at her blankly.
"Hugh, who's coming?" She shook my arm when she failed to get any reaction. That brought me out of it.
"Trouble," I muttered, while I got to my feet. "Come along. You're part of this, too."
"Hugh, you're worrying me. Who is it?"
We headed towards the gate, where Michaux had all his men. Each man carried some kind of weapon, either a rifle or a machine gun.
As we approached, a jeep came past us, and I stumbled in surprise. We have jeeps that we use regularly for small excursions like getting the supplies, but we have none like this. Mounted on the back was a large AA machine gun with a Plexiglas shield fitted to protect the gunman. The jeep stopped in the middle of the road behind Michaux.
Maria and I joined Michaux. He glanced at us, nodded to himself, and looked ahead again. We turned to do likewise.
Still several hundred metres away, we made out a large group of figures walking towards us. Behind them, a cloud of dust was stirred up. About fifty metres out, they stopped and waited until the dust cloud had settled. Then one man raised a stick, and waved it several times. Placed at the top was a white piece of material.
Then a group of about twenty men approached us. We soon noticed that they all carried rifles, but they had them pointed towards the ground. The leader stopped in front of Michaux. His face was covered in dust and sand. He rubbed his face until some of the dirt was removed, then he looked up.
That was when we really recognised him. It was Akila Kama. The one man involved in the take-over of the city
who had not been killed or arrested.
"Mr. Michaux, it's good to see you again."
"Wish we could say the same," Michaux answered between gritted teeth.
"And, I see some faces I know beside you. It feels like a reunion of old friends." He turned to Maria and myself and nodded. "Sergeant Depage, Mr. Ryan."
It was then that he noticed the jeep. He bowed his head for a moment. "Expecting a fight," he said sadly, "were you?"
Michaux answered, "We knew you'd come, and with an army."
"And what made you think I'd come shooting?"
"Nothing. The only thing we know about you is that you were ruthless enough to kill many people in our city to show you were deadly serious. From that we know you as a savage terrorist."
"Please, Mr. Michaux, don't try to insult me. I think savage is maybe too harsh a word, but in essence you are correct. I am a man made by the policies of your western governments. Your governments act so civilised, but they do not listen unless force is used."
"Spare us the party political speech. We had enough of that a year ago, thank you very much."
"Quite right. Let me tell you why I needed to come here. It's ironic, isn't it, that you, of all people--you, Michaux, with the help of Sergeant Depage and Mr. Ryan--should be the ones to set up something like this?" He waved his hand around, indicating the compound.
"I came to Europe to obtain the funds, the materials and the skills to do something like this. All of you worked against the OPA and me, and finally foiled our plans. A year later, here you are having accomplished at least part of my goals. It's not quite on the scale I had been hoping for, but it's a start, I suppose. I'd like to thank you all for making the OPA's dreams -- and by extension, my own dreams--come true."
I spoke up then. "Don't thank us. You have nothing to do with this. We set it up ourselves, and without anyone's help. We certainly didn't do it to please you. Many people died by your hand, either directly or indirectly, a year ago. Many innocent people---"
Kama snorted. "Innocent. If they were so innocent, how can they condone the actions of their governments? How can they allow the famine camps, the wars and the massacres to continue?"
"Our governments are not perfect, granted. We, as citizens, are not perfect, either. Most of the time we are too caught up in our little lives, trying to keep our jobs, overburdened by taxes and trying to scrape together a small pension, to worry about depredations of our governments. You'll get no discussion there. But is that a reason to blow those people up, because you've had a hard life? It seems to me you have as much influence over the depredations of your governments as we have over ours. What if I came and blew you up because your government invaded Botswana, which happens to be a country I like? What would you do?"
"Mr. Ryan, you surprise me. Here was I, thinking you were but a minor technician in a large administration, but you obviously have some knowledge of current affairs. However, you must agree that our governments are no match for the power, military as well as financial, that your countries can muster. Your governments are more corrupt than ours."
"I'll tell you one thing. Our governments are no more corrupt than yours are. The only difference is that they have been playing the game longer, and know how to hide their misdeeds. Maybe you should look to your African governments, and clean them out. Force them to stand up to destabilising pressures."
Kama shook his head. "Maybe. Anyway, political posturing was not my purpose in coming here today. What I wanted to do was offer my services and those of my men to defend this compound of yours. It is vital that this kind of project does not perish. In the name of all Africans, I would like to thank you."
"We said, don't thank us. And we don't need your help. We want nothing more to do with you or your army. The only thing you could do is disappear. Otherwise, any connection to you may be misconstrued, and this project will be tainted. It will be forcibly dismantled. We cannot afford to have you hanging around. The only way this project can prosper is if it remains independent. So be off." With those last words I glared at Kama.
"Mr. Ryan, I sincerely believe that you are right. If we remain, we could only harm this project. For that reason, I will now leave."
Kama's men turned around and headed back to the larger group. Kama looked us over one last time.
"Just remember that I'm out there somewhere, and we will meet again." He spun on his heels and rejoined his men.
We all relaxed only when the cloud of dust had settled over the horizon. Maria followed me back to the bar, where I poured large strong drinks for all of us. Neither Michaux nor any of his men said anything until all the glasses were empty. I quickly poured some more.
Maria shuffled her chair closer to mine, and leaned her face close to mine. I turned to kiss her, but she asked me something.
"That was amazing. The way you stood up to Kama, a powerful and lethal man. Why were you so aggressive to him? So vehement in defending what you have achieved here? It sounded to me like this is not just a good deed you are doing here. This was something you had to do. Body and soul."
I smiled thinly. "I'll have to tell you about my wife, Sarah. Right now, though, let me relish the feeling that we are finally free from any outside influence."
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* * *
About The Author
With a surname like his, Gerard Readett was born to become a writer.
His life has been spent bouncing between England and Belgium. At the age of five he left London and moved to Belgium where he became bilingual English/French. He returned to England to do a Joint Honours degree in Computing and Economics. Once again he went back to Belgium to work in the Network Operations department of a large credit card company. His job brings him into contact with people from many different nationalities.
He loves to travel to see other cultures and traditions, is particularly interested in Pre-columbian civilizations like the Maya, Aztecs and Incas and Ancient Egypt. Also shows an interest in wildlife, nature and astronomy. Enjoys reading Sci-Fi, Mysteries, Thrillers.
Keep track of his work on his author page:
http://www.writers-exchange.com/Gerard-Readett.html
If you enjoyed this author's book, then please place a review up at Amazon and any social media sites you frequent!
If you want to read more about other mystery books by this publisher, they are listed on the following pages...
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* * *
Other Mystery Books By This Publisher
A Cry of Shadows
By Max Overton
{Mystery: Paranormal}
Australian Professor Ian Delaney is single-minded in his determination to prove his theory that one can discover the moment that the life force leaves the body. After succumbing to the temptation to kill a girl under scientifically controlled conditions, he takes an offer of work in St Louis, hoping to leave the undiscovered crime behind him.
In America, Wayne Richardson seeks revenge by killing his ex-girlfriend, believing it will give him the upper hand, a means to seize control following their breakup. Wayne quickly discovers that he enjoys killing and begins to seek out young women who resemble his dead ex-girlfriend.
Ian and Wayne meet, and when Ian recognizes the symptoms of violent delusion he employs Wayne to help him further his research. Despite the police closing in, the two killers manage to evade identification as the death toll rises.
John Barnes, the detective in charge of the case, is frantic, willing to try anything to catch his killer. With time running out, he looks desperately for answers. Will John get them before it's too late?
Publisher ebook page: http://www.writers-exchange.com/A-Cry-of-Shadows.html
Amazon: http://mybook.to/ACryOfShadows
AmazonSmile (US Region): https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00E96DIDM
* * *
A Vince Torelli Novel
By John Schembra
Book 1: MP - A Novel of Vietnam (War: Vietnam)
June 1967 As Vincent Torelli stepped off the plane at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, he was almost overwhelmed by the stench in the hot, humid air. He still had a hard time realizing he was in Vietnam. Drafted into the armed forces five months earlier, he ended up becoming a Military Policeman, assigned to the 557th MP Co. at Long Binh Post just outside Binh Hoa City.
His year tour of duty in Vietnam changes him from a somewhat na�ve young man to a battle hardened veteran. Through unlucky chance, Vince becomes involved in the ferocious '68 Tet offensive, barely surviving the night. He sees and experiences things he could never have imagined before Vietnam.
This is Vince's story, of how he survived that year in Vietnam, how he coped with the hell he faced, of the friendships he formed, and of the sorrow of lives lost.
Publisher ebook page: http://www.writers-exchange.com/MP-A-Novel-of-Vietnam.html
Amazon: http://mybook.to/MP
AmazonSmile (US Region): https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00440DR4I
Book 2: Retribution [Mystery (Serial Killer)]
There's a vigilante killer loose in San Francisco, and when the justice system fails, he doles out his own brand of justice. Homicide Inspector Vince Torelli has handled some of the city's worst murders, but this case has him baffled. It seems no matter what he does, the killer manages to stay one step ahead of him, anticipating his every move. Hell, the false clues and trail the killer leaves keeps Vince chasing shadows as the body count rises.
Will he discover the killer's identity? And will he survive long enough to bring him to justice?
Publisher ebook page: http://www.writers-exchange.com/Retribution.html
Amazon: http://mybook.to/VinceTorelli2
AmazonSmile (US Region): https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003YUCBRI
A Vince Torelli Novel Book 3: Diplomatic Immunity (Mystery/Thriller)
There are sixty-six Consulates and Embassies in San Francisco, and a very talented, deadly sniper is targeting the Consul Generals, seemingly at random.
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