'We may have to blow the situation in Botswana to the next level,' Rodgers replied. 'We're meeting in the Tank in two minutes.'
'I'm on my way,' Hood said. He hung up the phone, wiped his neck, and tightened the knot of his tie. Then he opened the washroom door.
And, gratefully, Paul Hood began to move again.
FORTY-EIGHT
Maun, Botswana Friday, 7:00 P.M.
The lights of Maun vanished, swallowed by the dirt kicked up by the truck. The vehicle bounced and rocked as it made its way over the dirt roads outside the city.
The cab of the truck was dark. Maria Corneja was crowded between the driver and Leon Seronga. Pavant sat in the back of the truck. He was armed with a rifle and night-vision goggles.
Soon Leon would contact the base camp. That was when they would reach the fork that took them north to the swamp or west toward the diamond mine. Leon needed to know where Dhamballa wanted to rendezvous. One of the Brush Vipers monitored military and police bands. Seronga was certain the Vodun leader had already heard about the bishop's murder. Seronga also needed to assure Dhamballa that he had nothing to do with that.
As the truck pushed through the dark, Seronga turned to the woman seated beside him.
'Shall I introduce myself?' Seronga asked. 'Or do you already know who I am?'
'You are Leon Seronga, commander of the Brush Vipers,' the woman answered.
'How do you know all of that?' he asked.
'I cannot tell you,' she said.
'You're not being very helpful,' Seronga said.
'It's not my job to be helpful,' she replied. 'All you need to know is that I can help.'
'By revealing who killed the bishop,' Seronga said.
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'I have taken steps to find out who was responsible for the shooting,' Maria told him.
'Can you tell me what kind of steps?' Seronga asked.
'I took photographs at the airport,' the woman replied. 'I've arranged for the pictures to be analyzed. Hopefully, my colleagues will be able to trace the identity of the people involved.'
'Colleagues in Spain?' Seronga pressed.
Maria did not answer.
'But you will use that information to help us?' Seronga asked.
'I said I would use the information to clear you,' Maria replied, 'nothing more.'
'That will help us,' Seronga pointed out.
Maria acted as if she had not heard. 'But I will do that only if you give me what I want,' she said.
'Which is?' Seronga asked.
'You must release your captive, Father Bradbury,' she replied.
'What if that is not possible?' Seronga asked.
'Everything is possible,' Maria replied.
'But your cooperation depends upon that?' he asked.
'Absolutely,' she answered.
'Unfortunately, I do not have the authority to promise what you say is possible,' Seronga informed her.
'Then get it,' she said.
'That isn't going to be easy,' Seronga said.
'If political upheaval were easy, everyone would do it,' Maria replied. 'Without my help, your movement will die within days.'
'You're certain of that,' he said.
'Yes.' Maria looked at him. 'Whoever ordered the death of the bishop wants that. Assassinating an American prelate is a harsh opening move. I can only imagine what will follow if they do not get their way.'
'And you say you have no idea who they are?' Seronga said.
'None,' she replied. • '**
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'Would you tell me if you did know?' he asked.
'I don't know,' she admitted.
