by Jack Ford
Woods face twisted up in rage. ‘How the hell can you say it doesn’t mean anything?’
‘Look, Ballard disappeared in 2001, and no-one knows where he is now. They’ve all but stopped looking for him. Yes, he’s still on the wanted list but that’s just academic, isn’t it? We don’t even know if the guy’s alive… Unless of course you’re not telling me something I should know.’
Woods stared at Teddy. He’d battled with the question of whether he should divulge that Ballard was in fact very much alive. He wanted to tell himself the reason he hadn’t was just a matter of not wanting to compromise Teddy at this moment in time… He wished it was. But he doubted it. He also wanted to tell himself that not picking up the phone to Central Intelligence was just him wanting to make sure the information about Ballard was correct. Again, he wished it was. But the truth? He needed time to work out the right thing to do… Bullshit. Who was he kidding? He knew what the right thing to do was. Tell Central Intelligence. Distance himself from Parker until an investigation, however long that would take, was done. Period. But the right thing to do wasn’t always the right thing to do when there was so much resting on this one man.
‘Look, what if it comes out and blows up in our face?’
‘It’s not going to though, is it? There’s nothing to blow up. It’s not like Parker knows him now. I just don’t understand where this is coming from.’
‘Maybe I should ask him.’
Teddy sounded mystified. ‘Ask him what?’
‘About his association with Ballard.’
Unusually for Teddy, he lost his cool. Slammed down his hands on the table. ‘And risk him backing off? John, listen to me. I don’t know why all of a sudden you wanted to dig around but you can’t even think about asking him about it. The vote isn’t far away. And you know how precarious it gets.’
‘Truth is people don’t back off when they’ve got nothing to hide.’
‘Shall I tell you something, John? You want to know my truth? My truth is, I don’t give a damn if he’s got anything to hide. I say. Let it stay hidden… The gun reforms are coming up. That will change the course of history. The course of the next generation. It’ll save lives. And you’re going to mess it up by dragging up stuff from decades ago.’
Woods said, ‘Try telling that to the people Ballard hurt.’
‘No, John, I won’t because they’re not going to know. This is insane. Come on. I’ve known you a long time. And I’d put the primaries on the fact you’re not telling me everything.’
Woods hesitated. Thought of Cooper. ‘I just have a feeling about Parker.’
‘A feeling. You kidding me? You’re going to lose everything you worked so hard on, everything this administration has worked so hard on, because of a feeling?’
Woods sneered. ‘Funny. I once told somebody just that.’
‘Then maybe you should listen to your own advice.’
‘All I’m saying is it suddenly hit me Donald Parker couldn’t be that perfect. All this couldn’t just be that easy. And look, hey what do you know, I’m right.’
‘No kidding, John. He’s a goddamn businessman, has senators in his pocket and you think he’ll be Snow White.’
‘No, of course not.’
‘No, but he is going to be your fairy godmother. John, he’s all you’ve got for the votes. You listen to me. Leave whatever it is that you think or you know alone. You’re in the here and now. Sometimes you have to lose one thing to get another. Everything’s an exchange, John, everything’s an exchange.’
95
The morning brought a dank oppressive air. The village Father O’Malley had spoken about was a few miles past the refugee camp where Cooper had seen the Commer truck.
The position Rosedale had parked the Toyota in gave them a view of the tops of the brick huts, as well as the small roof of the chapel where Father O’Malley took his weekly services.
Without looking at Cooper, Rosedale said, ‘What’s the plan then? We just going to look around?’
‘Yeah, I think so. I’d really like to go and see what’s happening with this illness. O’Malley said there’s been an outbreak in the village recently, it’d be good to see it close up. Because none of this feels right.’
You’re okay about taking his word on it that it’s not contagious?’
‘I am, but I’m cool if you want to stay here.’
‘And miss dying of a hideous disease, Thomas? Never.’
*
Walking down to the village along the familiar red mudded roads of the DRC, the rain began again in earnest. Soaked through Cooper’s gray marl top.
As they neared the church, Rosedale pointed. ‘Jesus, I think that’s a person.’
They ran forward and Cooper, taking care not to slide on the treacherous path, scrabbled down to the entrance of the church. Lying face down in the mud was the body of a man wearing just an old pair of shorts. Cooper didn’t have to turn him over to know he was dead.
Huge swellings sat on the side of his neck and back. Tumours as large as apples, encrusted with blood. Purple spots disfiguring his arms and thighs. Black boils oozing pus.
‘God, the poor guy. He must’ve collapsed. Are you certain we should be here, Thomas?’
‘Look on the ground.’
Cooper pointed.
All around them were tiny dead insects. Hundreds, if not thousands. And Cooper couldn’t be certain, but he thought they looked like the ones he’d taken samples of back at the crash site. He’d also seen the same type of thing when he’d been down by the river near Zola’s hut.
‘What the hell do you think they are?’ said Rosedale. ‘There was something similar near the water plant.’
‘Why didn’t you say anything?’
‘I’m not sure, Thomas. Oh no, wait, you were trying to kill me.’
‘You’re not going to let that drop are you?’
‘Nope.’
Before Cooper could answer, the sound of a familiar voice came from one of the huts.
‘Quick!’ said Rosedale. ‘I think it’s Bemba!’ He gestured to Cooper to go round the other side of the church. Cooper quickly did but drew up when he saw two of Bemba’s men holding military Colt 4 assault rifles, only meters in front of him.
Backing away he spotted Rosedale about to run across to hide amongst the huts near the river. Cooper yanked on Rosedale’s arm. Shook his head. Pulled him back. There were more of Bemba’s men walking amongst the trees. The whole place was surrounded. They were in trouble.
Cooper nodded his head to Rosedale who ran, dipped his body down so he couldn’t be seen, and sped to the end of the church wall. Sliding up next to him, Cooper spoke in the smallest of whispers. ‘How many of them do you reckon there are?’
‘More than a dozen, and every single one of them is armed.’
Quickly, Cooper put his head round, looking at the men. ‘They’re everywhere. And if we don’t move, any minute now we’re going to get busted.’
Rosedale looked around, spotted the glassless windows of the white, breezeblock church just above him. ‘Thomas, in there!’
Cooper jumped at the window and managed easily to pull himself up on the ledge. He tucked his legs in through the window and vaulted down onto the floor below.
The roof dripped water onto the rows of mismatched plastic chairs. He pulled his hand gun from his back holster. And Rosedale did the same. Added a knife to the mix.
With caution, Cooper headed to the church door. It was slightly ajar. And not only was it thin, but also badly fitted. Bemba’s voice was clear even in the heavy pouring rain.
Cooper was still. Frozen. He knew he couldn’t make any mistakes. None of his movements could attract attention. And through the crack he could see Bemba, dressed in his usual white attire, as he talked to someone he couldn’t see.
‘I have no doubt your sister, Vanda, will be well in a few days. The spirits seem to be generous with their healing.’
‘Are you sure they’ll listen this t
ime, Papa Bemba?’
Cooper heard the tone of derision in Bemba’s voice.
‘These doubts aren’t the words of someone who believes. Do not allow the spirit of misgivings to enter your mind. The only way to rid your sister of the evil inside her is to respect the spirits’ wishes, and in turn, they will help to exile the demons, to banish the witchcraft from the unclean.’
‘And will they accept the exchange?’
‘Now you’ve agreed to give them what was fitting, without insult, I am sure your sister will be well again. Come, there’s something that you need to do.’
Cooper felt the warmth of his own breathing as he pressed his face against the door to watch the direction Bemba and some of his men walked towards. His view was cut off by the trees, with the voices disappearing, turning into a distant murmur. He glanced at Rosedale. ‘There’s probably some men still round the back of the church. Let’s head to the hut where they came out from, go round the side…’ Cooper mouthed the last words to him. ‘You ready?’ Rosedale nodded and drew his gun against his body.
Edging out of the door, Cooper winced at the sound of the creak. Craned round the corner, looked both ways. Pulled back. Retracted his whole body at the sight of Lumumba who was standing by the far trees, looking the other way.
Then he pointed at the hut. Signalled to Rosedale. Counted down with his fingers from five to one.
Sprinting across the small open area of grassland, Cooper slammed his body against the wall of the hut with Rosedale seconds behind.
Panting, he said, ‘I think we’re okay… Listen, Rosedale, I need you to cover me. I want to go and see what’s going on inside.’
Rosedale’s expression contorted into anger. ‘What the hell do you think you’re playing at, Thomas? We’re going to get out of here, now.’
Cooper’s anger was just as forceful. He was hungry for this. And he wasn’t about to walk away. ‘Look, we’re here now. And this is a chance to find out what’s going on.’
Rosedale jabbed him hard in his chest. ‘No way, you’re crazy. You’re going to get us killed. But then, sometimes I think that’s what you want. I should’ve never trusted you. We should’ve flown back after I showed you the plane. I must be a fool to think you’re anything but insane. You should be committed, Thomas.’
Cooper moved along the wall away from Rosedale, with the rain slashing into his face. He turned. He was ready for action. Ready and wired. And hell, it felt good.
‘You going to cover me or not?’
And Rosedale felt he had no choice. He snarled at Cooper, keeping his voice low. ‘After this, Thomas, after this you son of a bitch, believe me when I say you’re on your own.’
96
Inside the hut, with his gun still drawn, Cooper snuck into the back room which was set up in the same way as Zola’s hut had been. And freezing at every sound, he sidled into the bedroom. In front of him was a woman lying unconscious.
Putting his gun in his holster, Cooper recoiled at the strong aroma of gangrenous flesh.
Holding his breath he stepped towards her.
And although her condition looked bad – real bad – it was obvious to Cooper her body certainly hadn’t broken down as much as Zola’s grandson’s had.
Her right leg was almost twice the size of her left one and swollen and mottled with stretched purple skin showing the beginning signs of necrosis. Leaning closer, he had to work hard not retch from the smell. Her whole body looked bloated, with her mouth slit with deep cracks, looking like she’d been deprived of fluids for a while.
And then, right there, Cooper noticed something.
Something which caught his eye.
He gently lifted up the woman’s arm and carefully began to examine it in greater detail.
‘Thomas! Move it…! Come on! Hurry up!’
Rosedale shouted urgent words and they were followed by the sound of gunshots. Immediately, Cooper bolted for the front door but on seeing three men racing down towards the hut, he backtracked, jumping through the open side window.
Machine gun fire came from the side, forcing him to roll behind the hut and to the right of him, he saw Rosedale, shooting and taking out one of the men, who fell. Dropped to the ground screaming in agony. His knee blown to pieces.
‘Thomas, head to the river! Go! Go! Go!’
Whilst the gunfire continued, ricocheting around, Cooper turned his head to see one of Bemba’s men charging up towards Rosedale from near the banks of the river, a Rimfire rifle in their hand.
‘Rosedale! Six o clock!’
Rosedale, turned and aimed and fired but once again the gun jammed. For a split second Cooper saw the panic on his face but before Bemba’s man had time to aim, and without a moment’s hesitation, Rosedale grasped the tip of the six inch MK3 military knife he held, and expertly angled and threw it to flip with power in the air and hit home, puncturing deep into the man’s chest.
Cooper fired in a 180-degree motion, throwing Rosedale his other handgun.
‘Rosedale, I’ll cover…! Go!’
Running backwards, Cooper continued to fire as he charged towards and into the river, which surged over his face. Deep and fast. Swollen from the heavy rain. And the bullets, unrelenting, blazed down, forcing both men to dive under the rushing brown waters where they headed upstream, fighting against the force of the river until they managed to clamber out onto the mud banks and charged up through the thick undergrowth back to the SUV. Skidding the white Toyota away.
97
Ten minutes later, and safely away from the village, Rosedale banged on the brakes. He pulled over. Turned to Cooper. Grabbed him by his top and slammed his fist into his face.
‘Tell me why the hell I shouldn’t kill you now?’
Cooper pushed him away and sucked on the blood from his lip. ‘Because it was worth it, that’s why.’
Rosedale was raging. ‘Worth nearly getting us killed for?’
‘Yes, it was. We’re alive still aren’t we? But I got what I wanted. Not that I knew what I was looking for before I saw it.’
‘What the hell are you talking about? You’re speaking in riddles.’
‘I’m talking about the woman in the hut. I saw the track marks on her arm… Fresh injection sites.’
Rosedale reached across to grab Cooper again. ‘Yeah, so? What the hell has that got to do with what happened just there?’
Cooper knocked his arm away. Pushing him back in his seat. ‘Think about it! Someone’s just given her an injection and we both know who that someone is.’
And Cooper could see Rosedale was too angry to think properly. He yelled at him. All control gone. ‘I dunno Thomas, how the hell do I know? I’m guessing a doctor?’
‘What doctor? Where? Remember what Father O’Malley said? There is no health care around here. The only thing around here is Bemba. And I bet my life on the fact, Bemba has just injected that woman with something.’
98
‘I want you out of there, you hear me, Cooper? No bull, no excuses, just you and Rosedale’s butt on a plane home, now!’
‘Listen, Granger…’
Cooper gritted his teeth as Granger cut him off mid-sentence. Holding the cell slightly away from his ear, he listened to the rant. The guy drove him crazy.
‘This is the last time, you understand me? You are not to be trusted… Just bring back the plane, just bring back the goddamn plane, that’s what I said and that’s all you needed to do, Cooper… But could you do that, could you? No, not you… You wanted to go and put the whole of the DRC to rights. You and Billy the Kid there. But now, now you have to listen to me, Cooper because I’m not warning you, oh no, I’m promising you that if you don’t get back on a plane, today, then I’m going to make sure that your investigation license gets revoked.’
Even though they had a good few thousand miles between them, Cooper kicked the ground, angry at the way Granger spoke to him. ‘Oh come on, Granger, you can’t do that.’
‘Oh yes I can. I can do w
hat the hell I like, which seems to be what you’re doing. Maddie has told me a bit about what happened out there. And she doesn’t need to tell me much for me to guess the rest. You’re a disgrace, Cooper, a mess, and I have to wonder if there’s even going to be a job here when you get back. So I suggest if you do want to carry on working in this field, you get your sorry butts to Kigali and fly back home. Now!’
The line went dead with Rosedale staring hard at Cooper. He knew Rosedale was still pissed with him.
‘Don’t look back at me like that, Thomas. Granger’s got a point. You need to go home to your shrink. You need to get off those pills and get your head sorted. Whatever’s going on in there, only a doctor can help you. You’ve unravelled, Thomas, right in front of my goddamn eyes. I’ve seen crazy before, but you? You take crazy to a whole other level. You’ve lost the plot, baby. And I, for one, can’t wait to get on that plane and see the back of this place.’
Cooper rubbed his face. ‘Whatever you think of me, we’ve got a problem.’
‘No, Thomas, we haven’t. You have.’
Cooper was charged. Couldn’t hold back. ‘You know I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about what we saw. We’re this close to solving what’s going on. This close.’
‘It’s over. Our job was to find out about the plane. We have done and so it’s time to go back. You asked me to give you two days, which I did, and hell, Thomas, those two days nearly cost me my life. But now, it’s finished.’
Cooper felt a sudden adrenalin rush. A nervous energy. He couldn’t keep still. And he was certain it wasn’t just the pills. ‘It’s just begun, can’t you see that, Rosedale? We’re just beginning to get to the bottom of it.’