Another pause, then, “How is the boy?”
“He’s perfectly fine and eating well. Don’t worry about him, he’s as strong as a horse.”
“How long do you estimate it will take you to reach Beitbridge? How far is it?”
“A bit over two hundred Ks, so we should make it in three to four hours, barring accidents. We should be there by mid-afternoon if Nwosu doesn’t keep us waiting. Do you want us to call when we arrive?”
“Very well. Please ask the sergeant to call me when you have crossed the border.”
“I didn’t know he had your number?” Coetzee smiled at this slip-up. The Voice wasn’t quite as clever as he thought he was.
“Of course. How foolish of me. Tell him I will call back at three pm, expecting that you’ll have finally arrived at your destination. Travel safely.” He rang off.
Coetzee walked back through the lodge to the terrace. Leo was still watching the monkeys. So far, so good, he thought.
Diepkloof, Gauteng, South Africa
“That’s it!” Sergeant Nwosu banged his good hand on the desk in triumph. He’d been trawling telephone directories for over an hour, but it was his access to old police files that had finally provided the breakthrough. He pulled up a map of the town and found the street name. There were five houses on the street, on the outskirts in open countryside. The one he wanted looked like a farmhouse. With no neighbours. Perfect.
He printed out the names and address and the map of the area. It was a place he’d never visited, about eighty kilometres from Diepkloof, a small farming town to the east of Joburg. An easy hour’s drive if the traffic wasn’t as bad as yesterday. If he had any difficulty locating the property in the dark the SatNav would resolve that problem. The wonders of modern technology, he reflected, then went to prepare some lunch for his boyfriend. Jamie would bring back the spare Vektor with some belongings from his apartment and buy a new prepaid mobile for him. It wasn’t the time to leave unnecessary tracks. Taken several paracetamol tablets and his shoulder was causing him much less pain. I’ll be able to drive by this evening. Things were looking up.
Marbella, Spain
“I’d better have your mobile number, Pedro.” Emma looked around for her phone. “Hang on,” she said. “Sorry. I put it on charge last night and forgot to bring it down.” She went out to the staircase.
Espinoza turned to Jenny. “How do you think she’s coping?” He had dealt with many family dramas in his time as a policeman and knew how devastating the effect could be on loved ones.
“As long as she knows that Leo is alive and well and that we’re working to get him back safely, I think she’ll manage. But she’s really at her limit.”
“Here we are.” Emma came in with her mobile and switched it on. “There’s a message!” She announced excitedly. “Oh my God! Leo. It’s from Leo!” She cried out with relief and happiness and showed the mobile to the others.
The message read, Kidnapped. Cotzee secutry, Nosoo cop, Blethin doctr in Polkwane. Please come 4 me. Leo xxx
Jenny looked at it in amazement. “Well done Leo. He’s with Nwosu and Coetzee and this third man, Blethin, must be the doctor. Brilliant!”
Espinoza took the phone. “Polokwane?” He said, his mind digesting this new event. “Where’s Polokwane?”
“It’s in the north part of the country, in Limpopo province. They had one of the soccer matches there. It’s a big town.” The World Cup was still fresh in Emma’s memory. “He’s stolen a mobile to text us their location.”
“You’re right. This is a South African number, country code 027. It must belong to one of the kidnappers. They’re moving him to another safe house and he’s telling us the way. He’s a very bright boy.”
“Look. Here’s Polokwane.” Jenny showed him the map on her laptop.
“I see. It’s about three hundred kilometres north of Johannesburg with an airport, so there may be a connecting flight.” He looked at the phone screen again. “Unfortunately, Leo’s message was sent last night, so he’s probably no longer there, but Polokwane could be a starting point.”
Emma took the mobile from his hand. “I’ll call him back. He might still have the phone.”
“No, don’t, Emma. You might alert them and we don’t know what could happen. We now have a unique advantage. Leo’s in touch with us without their knowledge. We know which way they’re going and I can start following the trail when I get to South Africa.”
Espinoza didn’t mention something he’d seen on the map. Polokwane was half way to the Zimbabwe border. But it was also en route for Mozambique and Botswana. He hoped against hope that they were heading to either of those countries and not to Mugabe’s brutal dictatorship.
He put the thought aside. “Can you bring up the website again for the Newtown Clinic? Look for a Doctor Blethin.”
Emma took her iPad and searched the list of Consultants and Medical Staff on the website. “You’re right. He’s here, Dr Ernest Blethin, Senior Consultant in Psychology and Aesthetic Procedures.” She sat down on the settee, a smile on her face for the first time since she had arrived.
Espinoza looked just as pleased. The plot was falling into place in his mind. Emma had been right about Nwosu and Coetzee and his hunch about Blethin and the clinic was confirmed. “This is an incredible breakthrough. We’ve now confirmed the identity of the abductors and where they are. We’re making great progress and we haven’t even left the house.”
His mind was now sifting through the possibilities. If Leo was in Polokwane when he sent the message, they must be heading further north. It made no sense to stay in Johannesburg if they had already gone. He said, “Jenny, can you look up the flights from Johannesburg to Polokwane? I get in at ten thirty tomorrow morning.”
Jenny quickly found an efficient booking site for South Africa. “There’s a South African Airways flight at twelve fifty. You can be there by early afternoon. I’ll book it now.”
“Good. Now I really feel we’re getting close to recovering Leo. I have a starting point and definite names to track down. With Superintendent Hendricks’ resources I’m sure I can get to them and to Leo. I’ll call him in the morning from the airport before leaving for Polokwane.”
He turned to Emma. “I’ve just remembered something. You said you have Leo’s passport. Can you get it for me? I’m going to need it to bring him home with me.”
Emma ran upstairs to fetch the passport and Espinoza said to Jenny, “The problem is that we still have no idea what the connecting point between these various events is. Somewhere there’s a crossover of information about Leo’s birth, the trip to South Africa and your fortune. If we find that connection we’ll have solved the whole conspiracy and identified the perpetrators.”
“One step at a time, Pedro. As you keep repeating, detective work is one step at a time. We’re counting on you to keep taking those steps.”
He looked at her, a wry smile on his lips. “As they say in your country; No pressure there!”
London, England
“What did he say?” The Voice’s companion blew a smoke ring across the room, appearing unconcerned at the latest conversation.
“Very little. Our Mr Coetzee is not the most talkative of personages. Only that they have managed to get no further than Polokwane, which as you know is approximately two-thirds of the way to Beitbridge. It seems the good sergeant may be out executing, (a most appropriate verb), our latest instructions. I’m talking about Doctor Blethin of course. After which they intend to pursue their itinerary. I’ll call again after lunch when they should be in Beitbridge with our friends. Once the boy is safely there, neither Coetzee nor Nwosu will survive their visit.”
“I’m not surprised. I hear it’s a very dangerous country.”
“Indeed. I sometimes wonder how many of these leaders manage to hang on to power, considering the strife and discontent they create amongst their subjects.”
“Do you think Leo Stewart will be safe there? He’s just a boy.”
>
“I have no idea and it’s really beyond our mandate to worry about it. From the moment Leo fell into our hands he became an item of merchandise. A very valuable item of merchandise, but merchandise all the same, nothing more, nothing less.”
“That’s a very heartless way to look at the situation. You’re suggesting he might not be returned to his mother when the ransom is paid?”
“I’m not suggesting anything of the sort. I am simply stating that it’s not our business, that’s all. By the way, speaking of payments, were you able to call back the last transfer?”
“Of course. I haven’t forgotten what I learned in my previous profession. I told the bank I’d duplicated the previous order by mistake and they required only an email confirmation from me. It will be reversed with tomorrow’s value date. They always hang on to the funds for a day or so. Sticky fingers, bankers. Oh, and the further hundred thousand arrived in the account just a moment ago. We have a little over quarter of a million available now.”
“Excellent! We may be able to make an additional profit for ourselves, as you so often request. Now, it’s time to send the second message. Let’s see what reaction that will provoke.”
The Voice opened up his laptop. “Very beautifully written, even if I say so myself,” he said as he read it aloud for the twentieth time. “Off it goes,” he announced and pressed Send.
FORTY-ONE
Marbella, Spain
Jenny was reserving the flight to Polokwane when Emma’s laptop pinged. Espinoza saw the blood drain from her face as she read the message. She turned the screen towards them without a word then sat with her elbows on the desk, her head in her hands.
The email was from the same Filipino address as the previous one, args@ipsend. He adjusted his spectacles and read it aloud.
Over one million Rwandan Tutsis were slaughtered in 1994 in a bloodthirsty genocide orchestrated by the Hutu government, aided and abetted by the Hutu press and media. Retribution by the courts has been slow and ineffective and has brought no recompense to the Tutsi people. We, the descendants of hundreds of Tutsi families who were decimated by the slaughter demand that amends be made by the instigators, families and descendants of those who committed the atrocities. To that end we have formed the ALLIANCE OF RWANDAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS to find those people and to seek retribution for our suffering.
We have proof that your son, LEOPOLD STEWART, who is in our custody, is the illegitimate son of a member of the Hutu Akazu, a murderer, coward and instigator of hatred and genocide toward the Rwandan Tutsis whose actions contributed to the slaughter of our people. You are amongst those who must make amends.
In return for the safe return of your son we hereby demand the sum of TEN MILLION US DOLLARS as your contribution to the ARGS which will be used to alleviate the suffering and impoverishment of many Tutsis in our community. We will provide instructions for the transfer of this amount by tomorrow evening, Friday 16th July. Leo will be released and delivered to a safe place within one hour of funds being received. If funds are not received by close of business on Wednesday 21st July, or if you attempt to make any contact with the authorities, they will be informed of your son’s illegal status and you will have no further news of him.
ALLIANCE OF RWANDAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS.
London, England
“I can confirm that the second message has been sent as agreed a few minutes ago.”
“Good. Have you spoken to the policeman?” Slater sounded even more nervous than previously.
“I will speak with him this afternoon. He has been dealing with unfinished business it seems.”
“In Beitbridge?”
“No, in Polokwane, on the way. I spoke with Mr Coetzee.”
“So the boy’s not there yet. Why not.”
“The boy is fine but they have been delayed due to traffic problems. A mundane excuse I agree, but unfortunately we have no way of influencing the world around us. They expect to arrive in a few hours and I have advised our Zimbabwean friends accordingly.”
And the unfinished business?”
“I believe we may have mislaid the good doctor.”
“So there’s only two remaining witnesses?”
“Exactly, until that is, later this evening. To quote my favourite plot maker, Agatha Christie, And then there were none.”
“Call me when everything is sorted out in Beitbridge.”
Slater called his partner’s number. “The boy will arrive in Beitbridge this afternoon and there are only two remaining witnesses. The second message has gone.”
“Good.” So everything’s back on track. You’d better make sure it stays that way. When are you coming back?”
“I’ll stay until we get some two way communication. Somebody needs to be on top of them, so it’ll have to be me.”
“Agreed. Call me when there’s anything to report.”
Slater sat back in his chair feeling a sense of relief he hadn’t enjoyed for some time. He couldn’t imagine they had just demanded a ransom for a hostage they no longer held.
Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa
Do you have a family, Marius?” Coetzee had ordered ice cream. It was very warm on the terrace.
“Everybody’s got a family, Leo.”
“OK. I mean a wife, kids, that kind of family.” Leo was looking for a chink in the security man’s armour, a weakness he might be able to exploit.
Coetzee pushed the empty dish away, wiped his mouth, took out a cheroot, lit it, took a deep drag and pondered the question. “I have a wife and daughter, but they don’t live with me.”
“Shame. There’s a lot of kids like that in school, no dad. Me, for example. In fact there might even be more without a father than with.”
“It’s the way of the world. The number of people getting married goes down as fast as the number of divorces goes up.”
“How old is your daughter? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I don’t mind. She’s the exact same age as you, fifteen. Her name’s Abby. She’s football mad as well.” Coetzee took another drag on his cheroot, trying to look indifferent to the discussion.
“So why would you kidnap a kid the same age as your own daughter?”
“I told you already, I did it just for money, it’s that simple.” He stared angrily at Leo. “Do you realise I could take you to the authorities and testify that you shot a police sergeant and killed a doctor and your life would be over. Instead, I’m looking after you like a son and asking for a very reasonable reward to return you to your mother.”
“Maybe, but maybe not.” Leo tried to sound confident and assertive. “I’m pretty sure Sergeant Nwosu would say it was you who did it all. He hates your guts and wants to get his hands on me. He’s a cop and as far as Blethin is concerned, it’s my word against yours and you’re a kidnapper. So I don’t really buy your story.”
“OK, Leo, I agree we’re both in a tight spot. But one thing’s for sure. If you try to make a run for it or somehow manage to escape, you’ll be a target for Nwosu and me both and I’d strongly advise against that.”
“Have you already asked for a ransom? Sorry, reward. Was that what the phone call was about?”
“Stop quizzing me. You’ll know soon enough what’s going on.” Coetzee got up and walked into the lodge. This kid is going to drive me insane, he thought. He sat at his laptop and began to prepare an email to Emma. He wasn’t happy about it, but it was the only way.
Marbella, Spain
“I’ll make you a cup of tea. That’ll sort you out.” Jenny took refuge in the oldest restorative mechanism in the UK, the teapot. Despite her own astonishment at the ransom message, she had spent the last fifteen minutes trying to console her sister. She and Espinoza had explained that this was a negotiating stance by the abductors. There was no way in the world they would expect to receive the amount they asked for.
“Statistics show that ransoms paid, if at all, usually constitute a fraction of the original demand. It takes time,
but it always works that way.” Espinoza was making facts up as he went along, hoping that both women would be reassured. He himself had been thunderstruck by the amount. Not even Mme Bishop can raise so much money, he said to himself. The sooner I get down to Polokwane the more I can find out about this business and the better positioned we are to negotiate. He didn’t want Jenny to start thinking about any kind of settlement. There was vital investigative work to be done before any negotiation.
He tried to calm Emma down. “You must understand that Leo is presently the safest he can be in the circumstances. The abductors have now made their demand, so we know what this is about – money, so they are not about to kill the golden goose. I’m sorry, that was a bad analogy,” he added as she looked at him in distress.
“We must play for time. We’ve found out a lot but now it’s essential I go to Polokwane to start my investigation in the place where he’s been taken.”
“We were absolutely right about Galaganza, weren’t we?” Jenny brought the tea and joined in the discussion. “Pedro’s right, without even moving out of this house we have found out an enormous amount. When he gets down there, he has the advantage of that knowledge and police resources to work with.”
“But it’s already four days since he was taken. I can’t bear it, not knowing where he is, what’s being done to him. He’s only fifteen, he’s still a child. Every single minute without him seems like an eternity. And now this demand for a ridiculous amount of money.”
“Emma. I’ve told you to leave the problem of money to me. I’m quite sure that we can negotiate them down to an amount I can manage. They’re bound to have demanded much more than they expect to get. And Pedro’s right about investigating what’s going on in South Africa. At the same time we have to open negotiations and try to discover the link that leads us to the brains behind this plot.
“Let’s examine the message itself.” Espinoza moved the discussion to a more pragmatic point. He placed the laptop where they could all see the screen. “It was sent to your personal address just a few minutes ago, which reinforces our theory that the sender is on European time. Let me read the text again slowly.”
The African Diamond Trilogy Box Set Page 83