by Kira Blakely
“There’s a party tomorrow night to wrap up the conference. I’d like to bring you.”
Bring me? To a gathering of corporate executives and their snobbish wives?
Yes, I’m used to attending parties by now. But this time, I’m not going as a photographer. I’m not covering the party.
I’m going as Nathan’s date and meeting his colleagues for the first time.
“Hey.” Nathan squeezes my tense shoulders. “It’s not the end of the world. It’s just a party. You’ve been to a lot of parties, haven’t you? Just think of this as another one.”
Yeah, right.
“Just think of the others as animals like you always do. This is Africa, after all.”
Very funny.
“You’ll be just fine.”
“I don’t know. I…” I try to come up with a hasty excuse. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Oh, is that all?” Nathan grins. “Don’t worry. I happen to have just the thing.”
***
He happened to have just the thing?
Just this exquisite jade gown, the color of which happens to set off my auburn hair perfectly and the size of which fits me just right? In his suitcase?
Bullshit.
Nathan planned for this party all along. He planned to show me off from the beginning.
That thought scares me even more.
I try to conceal my fear, though, as I walk into the crowded pavilion on Nathan’s arm.
Animals can smell fear.
Indeed, I’m following Nathan’s advice and thinking of them as animals again.
Lions. Leopards. Zebras. African buffalos. Hippos.
This way, I can genuinely smile at them, even though my heart is pounding like a drum and my knees are quaking beneath my gown.
Some of them smile back, though it’s probably just the Flehmen response (like when a dogs snarls, raising its upper lip) — gauging the atmosphere and smelling the air to see what’s afoot. Others stare and watch me like monkeys with curious eyes, waiting for me to do either something spectacular or something funny. As for the rest, I swear I can hear them snarling.
I try not to mind. I’m not here to please or entertain anyone.
I’m here because Nathan asked me to be.
He leads me around the pavilion, introducing me to his colleagues and the heads of other tech companies. I get to meet some of his company’s executives for the first time, as well.
“Finally, we meet the enchanting Samantha Willis,” Shawn, the head of Nathan’s marketing department, who I liken to a baboon, says. “We’ve heard so much about you.”
Really? I didn’t know Nathan had been talking about me.
“All good things, I hope.”
“Wonderful things,” he answers, turning to the man beside him. “Right, Alfred?”
Alfred just nods. A quiet guy, uncomfortable with crowds. A cheetah?
“Alfred is the head of Tech Research,” Nathan informs me. “And this man here…” He puts his arm around the shoulder of a man with black hair and eyes. “Is my VP, Edgar Brooks. He’s been with me since I started the company.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Edgar shakes my hand.
I look at him. A jackal? Or a hawk?
“We got our MBAs together,” Edgar chips in. “I guess you can say I’m the closest thing Nathan has to a best buddy, though he’ll never admit it, of course.”
“I’ll admit that when you admit I’m better than you at golf,” Nathan says.
“Well, I’m pleased to meet you,” I tell him. “I’m glad to know Nathan has such a reliable second-in-command.”
“I like her.” Edgar grins.
Nathan clears his throat.
“I’m merely saying she’s a keeper,” Edgar clarifies.
“That she is.” Nathan smiles. “Well, enjoy the evening, gentlemen. And make sure that presentation is ready for tomorrow.”
“Of course,” Shawn answers.
“Tomorrow?” I ask as we walk away. “I thought today was the last day of the conference.”
“It is,” he confirms. “But we’re still meeting someone tomorrow.”
“I see.” I don’t know why, but I suddenly remember what Pam said. “Is it true that your company developed a program that helps track wildlife?”
Nathan seems surprised, but answers. “We did, for a wildlife conservation society. That society has since fallen apart, though, and the program is no longer in use.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
“How did you know?”
“I just… stumbled across it… recently.”
Technically, that’s not a lie and thankfully, he believes me and drops the subject. “Let’s get some refreshments, shall we?”
***
The rest of the evening goes smoothly, even more smoothly than I anticipated.
Up until my stomach decides to act up and threatens to expel its contents all over my gown. Probably something I ate.
As a result, I have to leave the party early and return to the lodge. Nathan stayed because he still has some things to discuss with some people. I think it’s good that I left. I feel like I’m only getting in his way.
Thankfully, I feel better shortly after returning to the lodge. I still want to take some medicine, though, just to make sure, and so I start looking through my things.
When I don’t find any medication among my things, I look through Nathan’s.
Who knows? He might happen to have some medicine in his suitcase just like he happened to have my gown.
I don’t find any, though. He probably didn’t expect anything like this to happen.
Instead, I find an envelope.
Another envelope.
Are you fucking kidding me?
I put it down and walk away, telling myself that this time, I’m going to resist temptation, but I find myself going back. This time, there aren’t any hidden cameras and I’m just going to take a peek.
Yeah, right.
Soon, I’m reading the documents, most of them boring, but one of them catches my attention.
A receipt about the sale of rhino horns.
Shit.
So, Pam was right then? Nathan is involved in something like this?
No.
Even with the document right in front of me, I refuse to believe it.
I can’t.
I need to find out the truth for myself.
And thankfully, I just happen to be in Africa.
Chapter 14
Taking the Bull by the Horns
I’m not an investigative journalist.
I didn’t study journalism like Pam did. I don’t own a voice recorder. I don’t know the etiquette about interviewing someone. I don’t know the first thing about conducting an investigation.
I do know how to ask questions, though, and thankfully, I read a few mystery books when I was younger, so I set out to do exactly that, eager and hoping to get some clarity.
As soon as Nathan leaves for some other business meetings, I exit the resort with my guide, Fumbe. Instead of asking him to accompany me in taking pictures, though, I ask him to help me ask questions, promising him a hefty tip.
With his help, my so-called investigation leads me to a village where I meet a European missionary named Therese shortly before noon.
The best part? She can speak my language.
“Thank you for seeing me,” I tell her as I shake her hand.
“No problem,” she says with a sweet smile. “It’s not like I have anything better to do right now. Besides, new friends are always welcome.”
She ushers me inside her hut. “Tea?”
“No, thank you.”
I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t want to risk upsetting my stomach again by trying something unfamiliar.
“How long did you say you’ve been here again?” I ask as I look around the hut.
“Eight years,” she answers. “Two in this village. We travel around.”
I nod. “That’s a long time.”
“Other missionaries have returned home, but for me, this is my home. The people here are my family.”
“It’s very kind of you to help care for them.”
She shakes her head. “It is an honor to serve.”
I pause, suddenly remembering Jack. He, too, was selfless, only intent on helping the animals.
“You said you wanted to ask some questions.”
“Yes.” Enough with the small talk and the reminiscing.
Focus, Sam. You’re conducting an investigation here.
“Have you ever heard of a company called Landers Innovations?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’ve never heard of it. Should I have?”
“It’s fine.” Next question. “Are you aware of rhino horns being sold around here?”
“Of course, I am,” Therese answers. “We’re all aware of it. We can’t do anything about it, though. The poachers… there are so many of them. And some of the rangers have been paid off, too.”
There’s a curse on the tip of my tongue, but I decide to leave it there since I’m in the presence of a missionary.
I settle for a frown. “That’s sad.”
“It truly is.”
“Do you know who pays the poachers and the rangers? Who buys the horns?”
Therese shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t. All I know is that there are many of them. They come from all over the world. They think the horns are a source of power and prestige or some sort of cure. And it’s not just the horns but the tusks, too.”
“I know. So, there are many of them? Dozens?”
She shrugs. “I fear that as long as there are rhinos and elephants, they will continue to come.”
Despicable. Don’t they know that rhinos and elephants need their horns and tusks to defend themselves? To make matters worse, most of the poachers even kill the rhinos and elephants instead of just taking their horns because that’s more convenient for them.
“And no one dares stand up against them?” I ask.
Therese, too, frowns. “Like I said, there’s nothing we can do. But there was a group of people who tried to stop the poachers. I think they were vets.”
“Vets?” If I was a dog, my ears would be standing at attention.
“Veterinarians. There were about twelve of them, I think. But sadly, they all met an unfortunate end. Some say they were cursed, but I believe they were just unlucky.”
“Did you meet them?” I ask eagerly.
“I did once. In a way, they were missionaries, too. And they were a lively bunch.”
“Is this one of them?” I bring out my phone and show her the picture.
She throws me a puzzled glance. “I think so. Is he your…?”
“Brother,” I tell her. “His name was Jack Willis. He was a vet — part of a group of volunteers who came to Africa to treat sick and wounded wild animals.”
“Yes. I think that’s the same group.”
“I heard the group no longer exists. I just assumed some of them went home. But you say they all met an unfortunate end?”
“I believe so.”
“So, they all died of malaria?”
“Heavens no,” Therese tells me. “Some of them did die of sickness but some of them were killed by poachers, and I think one of them was killed by a wild animal.”
My face falls. “That’s terrible.”
“Did your brother die of a sickness?”
“Yes.” I nod slowly. “They sent his ashes home.”
“Ashes?” Therese looks surprised. “I thought they sent the bodies home. The villagers rarely burn the bodies of their dead. They do so only if there’s a serious disease or if the dead person was evil. Burning is considered dishonorable.”
I, too, am surprised. “But isn’t malaria a serious disease?”
“Not really. It is quite common. When I said serious disease, I meant Ebola or something like that.”
And yet, his ashes were sent home.
“Would you know if the bodies of the others were sent home?” I ask, more puzzled than ever.
“I’m afraid not. Maybe. Maybe they burned the bodies because they were easier to transport that way.”
Maybe. Even so, I can’t help but feel uneasy. Something feels off, and I want to find out what.
“Do you think you can give me directions to the village where he once lived? I might be able to learn more there.”
“Sure.” Therese nods then draws something on a piece of paper. A map. When she is done, she hands it to me.
“Your brother’s name was Jack Willis?”
I nod.
“I will pray for him.”
“Thank you.”
I leave the hut, looking at the map.
Strange. I came here to find out about Nathan’s involvement with the trade of poached wildlife goods, but I find out about Jack instead.
Jack.
***
“They don’t remember the names of the vets,” Fumbe explains after chatting with a few villagers. “They only know they were cursed.”
I sigh, recognizing a wall when I bump into one. “But they lived here?”
He nods. “Their hut still stands at the far end of the village.”
“It does?” Now, there’s something to go on.
“They said they tried tearing it down but they could not. They believe it is haunted.”
Haunted?
“They dare not approach it. It would do you well to stay away from it, too. Besides, it’s getting late. We should go back.”
I nod, but my mind is already made up.
I’m not afraid of ghosts. I’m more afraid of living my life not knowing what really happened to my brother.
“Wait here. I’ll only take fifteen minutes.”
I make my way to the hut and, taking a deep breath, I enter. It is already dusk so it’s dark inside. I bring out my flashlight, using it to look around.
The place isn’t so bad. Actually, it’s quite neat.
As I shine my light on one of the walls, I see pictures on it — pictures of my brother and, I’m guessing, his friends. In one of them, he is with a monkey infant. In another, he is dancing. I take them, thinking I’ll show them to my parents.
As soon as I put them inside my backpack, I hear a noise. I jump, dropping my flashlight. I’m afraid there’s a snake or something worse inside the hut, but it’s just a rat.
I heave a sigh of relief. Still, I tell myself to hurry. Where there are rats, there could be snakes.
There’s an old backpack in the corner. I take a peek inside.
A shirt. A blood-stained shirt.
My brother’s shirt.
I gasp in horror.
Some of them were killed by poachers.
Then I see the journal just under the shirt. I open it.
It isn’t my brother’s handwriting, but there’s a picture of my brother inside it.
With a woman.
His girlfriend?
I read the last entry, dated May 2014.
Two years ago. A month before Jack’s death.
Someone came to our hut again today. One of those bigwigs who pays the poachers. An American. Tall with brown hair. He says he’s from Landers Innovations. Never heard of it.
I hold my breath.
He wants us to stop getting in his way. But Jack says we won’t stop. Not even if a few others have died. He threatens us. I don’t like him. He’s scary. But Jack doesn’t back down. Finally, he leaves. I hope we never see him again. I hope he’ll leave Jack and I alone.
For a while, I stare at the page, unable to move as I wait for the words to sink in. When they do, I clasp the journal tightly to my chest, tears trickling down my cheeks.
Nathan, what have you done?
***
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nathan says when I confront him in the evening. “I never met your brother.”
I hold the journal in front of his face.
“But it says here that you did.”
He throws his hands up in the air. “It’s a lie!”
“And is it also a lie that Landers Innovations is involved in the trade of poached wildlife goods?” My voice nearly croaks as I hold back my tears.
Nathan pours himself a glass of Scotch. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have. Then maybe I could have lived without ever discovering that you had my brother killed. That’s what you did, didn’t you? You had him killed.”
He doesn’t answer, drinking his liquor.
“You had my brother killed,” I repeat. “Just so you could keep butchering those poor rhinos and elephants and sell their horns and tusks for money. And don’t you dare deny it. The name of your company is in this journal, and I saw the documents.”
“I see. You’ve been snooping around again.” He turns his back to me. “I thought that you trusted me now.”
“I did trust you. That’s why this hurts so much.” The tears break free.
“So, you hate me now.”
It’s not a question but a statement.
“How can I not? If not for you, Jack would still be alive.”
He throws the glass on the floor, sending glass and Scotch splattering. “Fine. If that’s what you think.”
I don’t understand. “What do you mean if that’s what I think?”
He turns his back to me. “No matter what I say, you won’t believe me anyway, right? And for a moment there, I thought you loved me.”
“I did—”
“But you still think the worst of me. You still think I’m despicable, don’t you?”
What is he saying? Why am I suddenly the bad guy? Shouldn’t he be apologizing? Why is he getting mad at me?
“You had my brother killed.”
“If that’s true, then I’m a very dangerous man, don’t you think? Do you think it’s wise to test my temper?”
I can’t believe what I’ve just heard. Did he just threaten me?
“Go. Leave me alone.”
“Nathan…”
“Go home and leave me the hell alone!”
I fall silent, shocked by his raised voice.
I’ve never heard him shout at anyone before.
Not wanting to hear it again, I obey, hurrying to pack my things. As soon as I’m done, I leave the lodge, asking someone to take me to the airport. I don’t know where else to go, and suddenly, I can’t wait to go home.