'There is no reason to discuss who we are, only what we want to do,' Aideen said. 'And that is to save lives.'
'I believe you,' Seronga said. 'But I can't afford to trust you. You won't even tell me who you are.'
'If something were to happen to you, we would not want that information to get out,' Aideen said.
'You mean, if I were caught and tortured,' Seronga said.
'Yes,' Aideen said.
'What do you think this is, some primitive, degenerate society?' he asked.
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'No. But these are dangerous times,' she replied bluntly. 'People do excessive things.'
'They even kidnap people,' Battat said as he came up behind her. 'I will say this, though. The chances of something happening are greater the longer we stand here talking.'
Seronga's group stopped a few yards from the Jeep. The leader of the Brush Vipers regarded Aideen and Battat.
Suddenly, there was a faint beeping.
'What's that?' Seronga asked.
'My cell phone,' Aideen replied. She was surprised. Only the embassy could reach her out here. 'I'm going to answer it,' she said. She removed it from the pouch on her belt.
'Give it to me,' Seronga said. He held out his left hand.
'I have to answer it first,' she replied. 'If I don't give them the code, they'll hang up.' That was a lie, but Aideen did not want to hand over the phone. Not until she found out who was calling and why. She flipped it open. 'This is Barley,' she said. She chose a word that sounded enough like Marley so that the caller would simply think it was a glitch in the connection.
'Aideen?' said the caller.
'Yes.'
'This is Mike Rodgers,' said the caller. 'Can you hear me?'
'Yes.'
'Are you free to speak?' he asked.
'Not really,' she replied.
Seronga strode over. He motioned for the phone as he approached.
'I am giving you over to Leon Seronga,' Aideen said.
'No!' Rodgers said. 'Are Maria and David with you?'
'Yes,' Aideen said. She backed away and motioned Seronga back.
The Brush Viper pointed the gun at her. She did not stop moving. The woman was driven by purpose, not personal security.
Battat came between them. 'Let the lady talk.' he said. 'We're here to help you.'
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OP-CENTER
Seronga did not lower the gun. But he did not fire nor did he advance.
Aideen continued her conversation. 'Do you need them for something?' she asked.
'No,' Rodgers told her. 'What I need is for the three of you to abort this mission now.'
'Why?' Aideen asked.
Seronga must have caught the concern in her tone. He stepped forward.
'We believe the Botswana Air Force is en route to the Vodun camp in the Okavanga Swamp,' Rodgers told her. 'You are to stay away from there. Do you copy?'
'Yes,' Aideen replied.
'What is going on?' Seronga demanded.
Aideen did not answer.
'The Botswana military is probably monitoring the airwaves, so I'm signing off before this call can be traced,' Rodgers said. 'I don't want this order questioned or second-guessed. Get out. Now.'
Seronga pushed Battat aside and walked toward her. 'I asked you a question!' he snapped.
Battat grabbed the Brush Viper's arm as he moved past. A shot kicked up dirt and pebbles near Battat's feet. It came from the truck.
'If there is a next shot it will be through your heart!' a voice warned from that direction.
Battat released Seronga and stepped back. Seronga grabbed the phone from Aideen. He put it to his ear.
