Mousa was the leader of the gang that had been stalking Jonathan and Amelia for the past three days. Every inch the African warrior, Mousa was constantly armed and constantly paranoid. His paranoia was partially down to the Ganja that he chewed daily. When he wasn't high on Ganja, he was drunk on Juju, which made him particularly aggressive. Even his men feared him when he had too much to drink and Mousa used this as a tool to guarantee his men's loyalty. Even as a young man, Mousa had shown no compassion for anyone who dared to challenge his authority. He once even killed his partner's mother in order to punish his partner for giving birth to a daughter instead of a son. All Mousa cared about was power and money and gave little consideration to anyone who stood in his way.
As night began to fall, Mousa and his men began to approach the small, self-contained cabin where Jonathan and Amelia were housed. All five men were armed. Slowly, without sound, they approached the front door. Mousa gave instructions for two to go around the back whilst he peered through the window. Mousa saw Jonathan asleep on the settee with Amelia cuddled up beside him. Mousa turned the handle on the door he knew would be unlocked. Soon, all five men were in the living quarters. Mousa smiled, showing his gold teeth as he looked at the rest of his men. Then he barked, "Grab the girl."
The first time Jonathan knew anyone was in the room was when Amelia screamed. Jonathan was shocked and tried to grab his daughter. Two of Mousa's men held Jonathan down. Jonathan was no fighter and this soon became evident to Mousa. At the same time, Amelia screamed, "Daddy! Daddy!"
Jonathan, in shock, shouted, "Take what you want, just leave me and the girl!"
Mousa replied, "We will take what we want, white man, which includes the girl and your money, white man."
Despite being held down, Jonathan managed to break free and tried punching Mousa in the face. Mousa was hardened to this type of attack and found it nothing more than an irritation. At the same time, two of Mousa's men managed to regain control of Jonathan.
Mousa barked at the two men that held Amelia and both men disappeared with Amelia kicking and screaming. All the time, Jonathan's eyes widened in terror and he began shouting for help. Mousa barked some more orders at the men holding Jonathan and one released his grip to put some sort of implement or belt around Jonathan's hand. Jonathan didn't know what was happening until his arm was placed over the table. At which point, Mousa removed a bloodstained machete from his side. Then, in a deep, menacing tone said, "No white man ever hits me and keeps his hand."
Mousa's men cheered and laughed as Mousa raised the machete in the air over Jonathan's arm and then brought it down firmly on his victim's wrist. A cheer went up from Mousa's men at the barbarism of what Mousa had done to Jonathan. Within a second of his hand being severed from his arm, Jonathan passed out on the floor. Mousa then turned to the two men holding Jonathan and barked, "Cover his wrist with a towel to stop the bleeding and put him in the car. Take him to the doctor, we will see what we can get for his kidneys."
Both men quickly responded to their leader's orders. Mousa then looked around the room to see where the white man's wallet was and quickly found it. He also looked for a passport but to no avail. He then quickly scanned the room and saw the white man's hand on the table and the blood that had flowed onto the floor. He felt a certain satisfaction with his work. He then turned off the light and discreetly closed the door behind him before quickly making his way into the night. Soon he would take the young white child deep into Somalia and sell her to one of the warlords. Mousa knew a warlord would pay handsomely, especially for a young, white virgin. The warlords believed having sex with white virgins cured HIV. Either way, Mousa didn't care. All he was interested in was the prize.
Chapter Forty-three
Charlotte wasn't surprised that she had not heard from Jonathan since she had last seen him at the airport. She knew it wasn't that Jonathan didn't care, it was more that Jonathan just didn't think. However, it would have been nice to speak to Amelia when she and Jonathan had arrived in Africa. Especially since she had not anticipated how quiet it would be without her little girl at home keeping Charlotte busy.
Even though Charlotte had managed to declutter most of the house, there was a certain sense of emptiness in Charlotte's home without her little girl. The solitude was nice but Charlotte missed Amelia and hoped the two weeks would pass quickly. In the meantime, Charlotte threw herself into her work.
During the MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meeting, Charlotte had only just managed to convince the rest of the senior doctors and management that Rob Foster should be given ground leave with the utmost urgency. Charlotte knew she could trust Rob and made the case, quite articulately, that despite Rob's offence and early admission, Rob was not a threat.
Even so, various members of the MDT held strong objections, but Charlotte's skill as a negotiator shone and she reiterated the fact that Rob's father did not have long to live. When final approval was given, Charlotte went down to Rob's ward to tell him about the progress that had been made.
Rob was sitting on his bed, in his room, reading when Charlotte knocked on his door. Both Charlotte and Rob smiled at each other as the door opened. "Good news, Rob," said Charlotte. "I've managed to secure your ground leave. Hopefully you can get out today or tomorrow, certainly in the next few days."
Rob sighed and was pleased to hear the news and replied, "That's great, hopefully I'll get to see the old man at least one more time."
Charlotte responded, "OK, I just need to have a quick chat with you so I know you understand how important this leave is."
Both doctor and patient made their way into the quiet room and closed the door behind them.
"Okay," said Charlotte, "I need you to understand, because of your index offence, that you appreciate it is very rare for you to get ground leave so quickly."
"Okay, I understand."
"Also," continued Charlotte, "you must follow the rules of ground leave, I'm trusting you not to abscond. If you do, you will not get ground leave again for at least five years." But then, Charlotte added, "However, I would not have put you forward for this if I didn't think you were ready and your circumstances were not as they are. Believe me, Rob, there's patients here that have done less than you and are nowhere near ready for ground leave."
"OK, I appreciate all you've done, I'll make sure I don't let you down."
Then Charlotte asked, "So with everything that's gone on Rob, how do you feel?"
"Okay I suppose,", replied Rob. "I just didn't realise how much I took my freedom for granted until now."
"That's common, Rob," replied Charlotte. "And what about with what's happening to your father?"
Rob thought for a second and then sighed, "With everything that's going on, if I can just reassure my dad that I love him, even if it's for the last time. It will probably do us both some good."
Again, both doctor and patient chatted for a good hour. Some of the conversation was clinical, some of it more informal. Rob even disclosed thoughts about his child that he still had not seen and Charlotte agreed how difficult it was to be away from your child and, at the same time, casually mentioned that her daughter was in Kenya on safari with her father. Neither doctor nor patient felt it was inappropriate for such discussions to take place. Soon however, both would realise how significant this was.
Chapter Forty-four
Jonathan woke up in the back of what felt like some sort of Jeep or Land Rover. He felt dizzy and sick and the pain in his right arm was excruciating. He was alone in the back as he saw his two captors in the front of the vehicle, through the window, smoking weed and laughing. The vehicle he was in couldn't have been going more than thirty miles per hour although Jonathan had no idea where he was other than that he was in Kenya and his little girl was missing.
As he looked again through the window at the front of the vehicle, he saw they were approaching lights in the distance. The vehicle began to slow as if approaching some sort of junction. Jonathan saw his chance. As the vehicle slowed, just before
it turned to the right, Jonathan threw himself out over the tail lift, hitting the dirt and dust of the road. Again, the pain was excruciating as Jonathan fell to the ground but he quickly looked up to see the vehicle drive off into the distance, all the time his captors oblivious that Jonathan had escaped.
It was dark but quiet on the unassuming road in Africa. Wearily, Jonathan picked himself up and looked for some sort of indication as to where he was. Across from where he escaped, he saw a sign which read, 'Mandera Army Barracks'. Jonathan made his way in the direction of the barracks, trying to run but it was barely a jog. All Jonathan could taste in his mouth was bile but he had to get help, he had to get his little girl back.
Dawn was just beginning to break when Jonathan reached the barracks. There were two armed guards on the gatehouse, who looked at Jonathan with suspicion as he approached. It was only when Jonathan was a hundred yards away that they realised he had no hand on one of his arms. Both soldiers approached the man who was talking fast and trying to explain what had happened. It was only when one of the guards frisked Jonathan, they found he had a British passport. Both soldiers quickly realised what had happened and ushered Jonathan through.
Jonathan was treated by the army doctor on site and the British Embassy in Nairobi was contacted. It was evident to all parties what had happened. Jonathan would need further treatment, not least to stop the spread of infection in his right arm but in the meantime, the British Embassy had made arrangements for an ambulance to bring Jonathan to Nairobi.
It was at that point, next of kin would need to be informed. At the same time, a search party would need to be deployed. The British Consulate, based in Nairobi, left strict instructions that he was to be contacted as soon as the British citizen was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital. It would be from here that the information would be collected and all the relevant parties would be informed.
Chapter Forty-five
It was roughly six forty-five in the morning when Charlotte heard knocking at her front door. This was no great tax on Charlotte as she would normally be rising about this time anyway to go to work but she did wonder who would be knocking at this hour. She put on her dressing gown and made her way downstairs to the front door. As she answered the door, stood in front of her was a policeman in full uniform along with a tall blonde-haired woman in a formal suit.
It was the woman who spoke first. "Doctor Charlotte Beaumont?" said the woman.
"Yes," replied Charlotte. "Can I help you?"
"My name is Detective Inspector Denman from the Metropolitan Police." As she spoke, she held up her credentials.
"What's happened?" asked Charlotte.
"Do you mind if we come in so we can have a word?"
Quickly, Charlotte ushered both police officers into her kitchen. All the time, Charlotte did not know what to think.
"Please take a seat, I'm afraid I've got some bad news."
"Go on," replied Charlotte as she sat down and braced herself.
"We've received word from the British Consulate in Kenya and it is my duty to inform you that your husband is in hospital. I'm afraid he's been attacked."
"Oh my God!" cried Charlotte.
"Also," Inspector Denman continued, "your daughter Amelia has been taken."
"Oh God no!" screamed Charlotte "Taken by whom?" she asked.
Denman responded, "Enquiries are still ongoing but unfortunately information is very sketchy at this stage. However, the British Consulate is doing everything possible to try to identify the whereabouts of your daughter."
Charlotte was visibly shaken by what the officer had just told her and soon she rose from the chair, ran to the sink and started to throw up. Denman then turned to the other officer and asked her to wait outside, as she sought to comfort Charlotte by rubbing her back and filling a glass of water. It was obvious for DI Denman that Charlotte was just as much a victim as the father and daughter who were somewhere in Africa.
Traumatic as it was, DI Denman had to ask Charlotte several questions in order to proceed with the investigation. After about twenty minutes or so, Charlotte regained composure and then asked to be excused whilst she got dressed, returning a few minutes later wearing a T-shirt and some tracksuit bottoms. DI Denman continued to question Charlotte on everything she knew about Jonathan's trip to Kenya with Amelia.
Charlotte tried desperately to remember any ounce of information she could think of however it felt to Charlotte like her world had just caved in and she was almost lost for words. A mixture of emotions ran through Charlotte's mind as Denman tried to piece together the events leading up to Amelia's disappearance. Once Denman had questioned Charlotte for a good hour and a half, she asked if there was anyone she could call. Friends, family, anyone who could sit with Charlotte in her darkest hour.
Charlotte declined the offer. At this stage, she did not want anyone to be with her. She had to be alone to process what had happened. Soon, DI Denman felt she had enough information to pass on to the Kenyan authorities and then explained to Charlotte that there would be a police officer assigned to the front door of Charlotte's house. Also, at the same time, the Detective Inspector removed a card from her wallet with her contact details. Should Charlotte think of anything, she would be able to contact her all hours. Also, she mentioned a family liaison officer would be in touch soon.
Charlotte tried to compose herself as best she could as she escorted the Detective Inspector to the door but as the door closed behind Inspector Denman, Charlotte fell to her knees, with her arms around her legs, and began to cry uncontrollably. At the same time, Charlotte whispered, "God help me, I need to get my daughter back."
Chapter Forty-six
Soon, the press had got wind of the abduction and as such, were sensationalising the story for all it was worth. It wasn't long before Charlotte started to receive phone calls. One tabloid newspaper even offered her a large sum of money in order to tell her story to the world in a Sunday newspaper. For Charlotte in particular, this felt like a breach of any amount of human decency. Fortunately, by now, the police liaison officer had contacted all of Charlotte's family to save Dr Beaumont from reliving every detail time and again.
It was just another day for Rob. Staring at the four walls whilst trying to remain inconspicuous to any attention from the staff. Although he had noticed there had been no newspaper that day, he thought nothing of it as it was the norm for the hospital to withhold the papers whenever there was a story relating to the hospital or one of its patients. However, as much as they would have wanted to, the hospital could not control what was being broadcast on the television.
The One O'clock News came on as normal. It was the one thing in the day that Rob made a point of viewing, simply to keep abreast of current affairs. Another patient was asleep on the sofa when the newsreader read out the headlines. "British father attacked and child abducted in Kenya," announced the newsreader.
On hearing this, Rob sat up immediately. He moved closer to the television in order to hear the audio, listening intently for the story of the missing child, knowing full well, that Charlotte Beaumont's daughter was in that part of the world. Rob's fears became apparent as not only had the press given Amelia's name and photograph, they also showed Dr Beaumont leaving court on the day of Rob's trial.
Rob drank in as much information as he could. The news story itself was more sensationalised than informative. It highlighted that men with guns had snatched the child in the middle of the night however the child's father had managed to escape, somehow losing a hand in the process. The news story gave nothing away about which organisation had taken Amelia. It also failed to mention whether a ransom demand had been made for the child. The only thing the news did say was that Kenyan soldiers had been deployed in the area to look for Amelia.
This meant nothing to Rob as he knew full well how ineffective the Kenyan military were. From experience, he knew how undisciplined the soldiers acted. Also, given the nature of the location, Rob knew of the corruption amongst the mili
tary ranks and those soldiers who were not taking bribes, were out of their heads on drugs. After the story had finished, Rob returned to his room, mainly to think about what assistance he could give to Charlotte Beaumont. He felt he had to, it was a matter of honour.
Rob sat on his bed, occasionally looking out of his window but mainly thinking who he could contact. Over and over again, he ran through various scenarios in his mind which he thought could assist the authorities but every time, he drew a blank. Ultimately, he could not ring the regiment and he was not high enough up the British army food chain to call in any favours. Even if he had been, given his situation, nobody would have taken him seriously anyway. Rob knew full well, the only way to gather information about the abduction was to be on the ground.
To add insult to injury, the only people that could be deployed effectively on the ground, were members of the SAS. Rob thought long and hard for the next half an hour. Would it be possible for him to get into Kenya? Not only would he need a contact but he would need financial support too, not to mention the medication he would need in order to function. Rob began to devise a plan. It was a plan, not without risk. It was a plan, he figured, that only had a ten percent chance of success.
It was at this point Rob said to himself, "For fuck's sake, Robbo, I'm in enough shit as it is, I can't go." But then he quickly dismissed this thought. "Fuck it I'm going," he muttered under his breath and then he added, "I've got fuck all else to do for the next ten years."
Whilst sat in his room, he began to devise a plan in his mind about how to escape the hospital. With each plan, analysing how to escape effectively. The hospital had a number of airlocks which were only accessible through electric card keys. Also, he would need several cards to open different airlocks.
Another option, Rob thought about briefly, would be to create a diversion. Perhaps he could start a fire somewhere or possibly set off a fire alarm. Would he be able to escape under the confusion? Again, he doubted it. If he got caught trying to escape, not only would he be put in isolation but the hospital would also put into place additional procedures to monitor Rob. "How the fuck am I going to get out of here?" Rob muttered to himself.
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