Finding Linda

by Ron Sewell

She went into the bedroom, returned, and tossed a small grey box to her. “A thank you from me.”

  Daniela squealed. love surprises,” as she undid the wrapping. “It’s lovely but far too expensive.” She took off her watch and slid the present over her wrist. She bent over and kissed Lind’s cheek. “When are you leaving?”

  “I must go to South Africa.”

  “So, what’s the problem? With my contacts at the airport I can get you a cheap flight.”

  “No passport.”

  “Apply for a new one or a temporary travel permit. I can show you where to go tomorrow.”

  Linda sat on the end of the sofa. “The problem is I have no way of proving who I am.”

  Daniela frowned. often thought there’s more to you than meets the eye.”

  “So I never walk in a straight line,” she shrugged. “and I have a past more colourful than most.”

  “Do I have to ask or are you going to tell me?”

  Linda arched her eyebrows. “If I tell you your life will never be the same. What you don’t know can’t harm you. There’s a man, a forger who will for a ton of money, give me a new identity. Will you drive me to his place?”

  Daniela searched her face as if she were reflecting. “What are you, a spy or something?”

  Linda remained silent for a long time. “There’s a good chance the people I work for believe I’m dead. I’d prefer to keep it that way. Whenever I visit Mombasa, we meet and make love and you’re fantastic. If I told you the truth, it might be enough to have you killed. When I leave, you can return to your life.”

  Daniela raised an eyebrow. “So behind the secret door is a nasty man dressed in black with a gun.”

  Linda wanted to speak but desisted.

  Daniela sat on the arm of the settee. “For a long time we’ve been casual lovers. From the first time we had sex, I needed you to be with me and I still do. We could have a good life together. Just stay with me and we can create our future.”

  Linda rolled her eyes. “I do love you, but it wouldn’t work. I crave excitement, the thrill of the hunt and the kill. Don’t take me the wrong way; you’re great in and out of bed.”

  Daniela kissed her on the lips. “Your past isn’t something you can change. Your future is. You don’t have to be that person anymore.”

  She shrugged. am who I am and that will never change. Tomorrow you hire a car and we travel north towards the Somalia border.”

  “You freak me out.”

  Daniela silenced Linda with a kiss. “Tonight you sleep with me.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “I want to touch you in the night.”

  “Is that all?”

  Early the next morning, Daniela ambled into town and hired a battered red Fiat five hundred. On the road, back she tested the small car to its limits. In the car park outside her apartment block she glanced up, saw Linda standing at the window, and waved.

  3

  Hidden by shrubs and trees, a tall, thin black man with cropped white hair, watched and waited. His round baby face gave him the look of an altar boy but with the sharp eyes of a hunter. He focused on the woman as she jumped into the car and then checked the photo in his hand. This confirmed it was Linda Liu. His face remained blank; even his eyes appeared not to blink. Ten minutes elapsed before he moved. Wearing dark blue overalls with the word maintenance in large white letters on the back he walked with long strides across the car park. At the main door, he entered the master security code, slipped inside and paused. He glanced up before climbing the stairs two at a time. At the top, he listened, tried the door, but it was locked. He removed his picklocks and went to work, twenty seconds later he slipped inside the flat. On shutting the door, he stood still and listened. Satisfied no one was there he entered the kitchen, switched on the electric water jug and made a cup of coffee.

  ***

  Daniela followed the signed route to Malindi. They travelled north passing new and old blocks of holiday apartments. A road sign showed their destination was ten kilometres distant.

  Linda stared ahead. “As I recall, you’ll see a metal footbridge. You need to turn left after and drive for ten minutes. I’ll tell you when we’re there.”

  “Hope your memory is better than my driving.” Daniela took the next left turning after the bridge. The track was dusty, pot-holed and the underside of the car scraped on rocks.

  “Stop,” said Linda. In front of them, and set well back from the road, stood a single storey whitewashed property. Wild flowering red and white hibiscus filled the garden but outside reminded her of a tip. Old newspapers and plastic bags of every colour floated on the breeze. A dirty white tarpaulin covered a car with flat tyres. To the rear, wrecks of cars, old furniture and half a dozen fridges without doors gave homes to vermin.

  “It’s a rubbish dump,” said Daniela.

  “Camouflage,” said Linda. “I won’t be long. When I’ve finished, we can have lunch in one of those tourist places next to the beach.” She stepped out of the car and strolled to the rear of the house. The instant she tapped on the blackpainted wooden door a dog growled. She heard footsteps approaching from inside and the lock turn.

  “Who’s there?” asked a man.

  “Linda Liu. Those who know, tell me you’re the best forger in Kenya.”

  “I’m an honest man.” The gap between the door and the jamb widened and the head of an Alsatian peered out.

  Linda stared at the animal that deepened its growl. “Great dog.”

  The dog snapped as she placed her hand on its head and fondled its ears. The animal lowered its head and whimpered.

  “What do you want?”

  “A new identity. I understand you’re the best for a thousand miles.”

  “Thirty-thousand American dollars..”

  “Ten.”

  “Thirty.”

  “Fifteen for a South African passport and driving licence.”

  “You wouldn’t be asking unless you’re desperate. Twentyfive.”

  “I’m wasting my time.” She laughed and marched away.

  The door swung open, and the dog towed a short, lean-faced old man, with a jagged scar on his left cheek, out of the building. “Twenty.”

  Linda strolled to the car and stood there. “Ten.”

  “Is that supposed to be funny?”

  “No, it’s my final offer. From what I hear you’re broke, I bet you don’t even have an old newspaper to wipe your arse. You need money and I want papers but I’m not a fool.”

  “Fifteen.”

  Linda went to sit in the passenger seat.

  “Okay, ten. Come into the house. I must take half a dozen photographs.”

  “Passport and driving licence.”

  The old man shrugged. “You’re right, business isn’t good.”

  Linda followed him and the dog back to the house.

  He paused at the door. “Stay where you are while I secure the dog.”

  Linda whistled. The dog twisted its head and barked. She strode forward and stroked its thick fur. “He won’t bother me.”

  The man chuckled. “He scares the life out of most people and you treat him like a puppy.”

  There was a hint of pride as she said, “Animals have a sixth sense. They know who to trust.”

  The three of them wandered into the house.

  “Do you live here?” she asked as her eyes took in the thick dust and cobwebs hanging like shrouds.

  “Follow me.”

  He shut and bolted the door, bent and raised a trapdoor that fitted into the floor. “Upstairs is for those who peer through windows. I live in the basement. It’s air- conditioned and secure from prying eyes.”

  They descended the spiral stairs into a comfortable and well-lit room.

  “I’m impressed. You said money up front. How do I pay?”

  “Direct to my bank. When the money arrives I begin.” He handed her a plain white card with the details of his account written on one side. “First the photog
raphs and then I’ll need your details.

  Within the hour, Linda slid back into the Fiat's passenger seat.

  In a deep sleep, Daniela jumped awake and rubbed her eyes. “You were a long time.”

  “Time to go and I’ll buy lunch.” Linda grinned. “The deal’s done apart from the money. I’ll transfer what he wants later. We passed a half-decent beach restaurant on the way here.

  Daniela looked at her watch. “I’d love to but I have the evening shift at the airport.”

  Linda flashed a smile.

  Daniela guided the car along the track and back into the stream of traffic on the beach road. “When are you leaving?”

  “Four or five weeks.”

  “Can I come with you? We’re a good team.”

  “I told you, we have different lives.”

  “Have you a permanent girlfriend?”

  “You’re as good as it gets to a forever girl.”

  “I love you, but you protect who you are behind words. Why are you afraid?”

  “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

  “I heard you but it doesn’t change my love for you. My life changed the day I met you and I can keep a secret.”

  “Drive faster or you’ll be late for work,” she said in a cool voice as she closed her eyes.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Daniela prodded Linda as the car braked and halted. “Wake up, we’re home.”

  Together they raced up the stairs and hand in hand, they entered the apartment.

  On the far side of the room sat the white-haired man with a large pistol pointed straight at them. His voice was calm. “And there I was thinking you might not be coming back.”

  He smiled, showing his white teeth. “I’m here to make you an offer you can’t refuse. Well, you can but I will kill you both. Thanks to the army, you were easy to find. My orders are to take you, Linda Liu, to my employer.” He pointed at the other woman. “What you do next will decide if I kill her.”

  Panic punched Daniela hard as she clenched her fists forcing her nails into her palms. Her heart pounded, and she bit her lower lip. Bile filled her mouth. Sweat glistened on her forehead. Her legs trembled and urine trickled to the floor.

  An icy chill spread through Linda’s body. “What do you want?”

  “Don’t be angry,” A muscle twitched at the corner of his right eye. “I want you to pack your bags and leave with me.” He pointed the weapon and squeezed the trigger.

  The dart struck Daniela in the chest. Linda pulled it out, but it was too late, the drug had entered her system and she collapsed.

  Fear charged through Linda but her face gave nothing away. Long ago she had learnt from experience, when you cannot do anything, stay calm. She let out a sigh and gave her most innocent smile. Her eyes stared into his. With a steady and calm voice, she said. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  The man’s eyes were cold. “Your girlfriend lives if you do as you’re told. Oh, I sampled your excellent coffee. Have a cup. Calm the nerves.”

  She made a cup of strong black coffee. “If my friend lives, I’ll go with you but how do I know you’ll keep your word?”

  He shrugged. “If you want to live, I don’t think that’s relevant.”

  “Where are we going?”

  He smiled in a charming way. “You’ll understand when we get there. Be careful with your coffee and don’t think of throwing it over me.”

  The atmosphere in the apartment remained tense. Her vision blurred, the cup dropped, and smashed on the floor as she collapsed.

  He stood and studied Linda. She was striking in appearance, thin with a hint of the Orient. With long strides, he strolled towards the unconscious women and pulled Linda clear. From his bag, he extracted a silenced small calibre pistol. He stood astride the other woman, placed the weapon against her head and fired twice.

  From the kitchen, he took a plastic bag and filled it with underwear and clothes. Next, he removed his mobile phone, pressed the memory button and let it ring three times. He paused for one minute and repeated the action.

  Ten minutes later an ambulance arrived. Two men dressed in hospital greens vaulted out, strolled to the rear and withdrew a stretcher. A cloud passed across the fading sun and shadows dimmed the entrance. In less than three minutes, they returned with a body covered by a red blanket.

  The man, now wearing the darkest of sunglasses, locked the apartment door. He kept the key, descended the stairs and sat in the back of the ambulance. “You know where,” he said to the man closing the doors. He found his mobile and took it to pieces, placing the memory chip in his wallet. The rest he would dispose of later.

  They travelled north from Mombasa along the coast road. To the right, the Indian Ocean sparkled in the evening light. They progressed at a reasonable speed passing deserted beaches and bars. The further north they went, human habitation vanished. At the Somalia border, a heavy pouch passed from the driver to the guard. They continued and hours later switched from the made road onto a narrow track. The rough surface forced the driver to reduce their speed to a crawl.

  He checked Linda’s pulse and injected more sedative. Satisfied his charge was alive he relaxed and rested on the other stretcher. Later on, they returned to a paved road. He peered out of a high window and determined from the time and position of the sun they still travelled north.

  His mind wandered to the unconscious woman next to him. With no make-up her features were more Oriental than European. Her nose was strong and her lips full. He debated if she was bisexual. Why did they need her? They thought she was dead, but she was a survivor whose soft exterior shielded a killer instinct. He half dozed but awoke with a jolt when the rear doors crashed open.

  4

  Somewhere in Somalia As he clambered out of the ambulance, the white-haired man shielded his eyes from the sun. They had driven into a large compound. He glanced back as two huge wooden gates closed with a thud. Not far away the muffled sound of a generator vibrated the air. He smiled, aware of the deception as he peered across the courtyard. His senses heightened as he detected various anomalies. At first glance, the compound was empty but in seconds, armed guards surrounded him. The sun reflected off security cameras. Someone had tried to disguise the satellite dish on the roof and failed.

  A large, overweight Arab carrying an AK47 approached. His eyes scanned the man standing at the rear of the sandcovered ambulance. “Did you locate the woman?” he asked in Arabic.

  “ My plans were foolproof. Do you think I’d be here if I hadn’t?”

  From under his robe, the Arab removed a leather pouch. “Your fee and passport. Go, and if you wish for a long life, forget what you have seen.”

  “What happens to the woman?”

  The man pointed at the gates. “Go.”

  He shrugged, took his bag from the vehicle and strolled away. A small gate in the main entrance allowed him to exit. The Arab nodded as he passed through and slammed it shut.

  ***

  Linda awoke confused; her eyes darted across the windowless walls. She listened for any sounds that might tell her something. A faint hum of an electric motor confirmed the room was air-conditioned. Her hands lay on cotton sheets. At that moment she grasped her clothes were missing. The fog in her brain drifted as she recalled the white-haired man pointing a pistol. Where was she? Any second she expected him to materialize. She sat up, placed her feet on the floor and examined her prison.

  The room was large and fluorescent lamps bolted to the walls lit the windowless room. To her right a shelf held a jug of water, a glass, and a bowl of bananas.

  Her head spun as she sat on the bed. She examined the sheets and the mattress. They were crisp and clean. “Can anyone hear me?” She waited, but no one replied. She filled the glass with water and drank most of it before lying on the bed. Her thoughts became irrational as she snuggled under the clean sheets and dozed.

  “Toos, toos.”

  Linda awoke with a start, sat upright with madness in her eyes and stared at
a smiling girl. She had been dreaming of Danny. “What the fuck do you want?”

  At the side of the bed was a young girl. She had a pretty face, dark eyes, and shoulder-length black hair. In her right hand, she gripped a plastic bag. She emptied the contents onto the bed.

  Linda recognised her clothes. She selected a pair of white panties and dark blue jeans. “Can I put my clothes on?”

  The girl smiled, nodded and remained at the side of the bed.

  With no bathing facilities, Linda dressed and slipped on a pair of sandals.

  The girl gripped her hand and pulled.

  In silence, they left the room and ascended the worn stone steps to the next level and into an unlit corridor. The girl paused outside a solid wooden door bound with iron, shoved it open and gestured for Linda to enter. In the centre sat a man behind an old table reading the contents of a file. His light tan suit and expensive shirt seemed out of place. He pointed to a chair on the other side of the table. “Relax.”

  Da Hou closed the file and sipped at his glass of iced water. “We meet again. I hope I haven’t taken you away from anything important.”

  She stared at the man, her features unreadable. “You had me kidnapped. Why?”

  Da with a piercing expression in his gaze, folded his arms. “You make a good point but I doubt you would have come if I asked.”

  She shrugged. “We’ll never know will we?”

  He met her eyes. “I digress. Your Mandarin is awful. Please speak English. It’s not every day one of my most wanted comes back from the dead.”

  “I was lucky.”

  He scrutinised her with his dark eyes. “You failed your last mission and in their wisdom the committee declared you of no further use. I’m here for many reasons but for the moment to give you another chance and offer you your life back.”

  She heaved a deep sigh. “And if I want out?”

  He was solemn. “You’re not anywhere. Refuse and these people will put a hole in your head.” With his right hand, he pointed at the window. “They bury dead prisoners out there.”

  She gave him a doubtful look. Her smile full of amusement. “And I thought you cared.”

  Da held up his hand. “We have a client who has billions of dollars available to fight their cause. When my sources confirmed you withdrew money from your bank in Cape Town, it took little effort to find you. I had your death sentence revoked because I need you to steal a ship.”